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^i

HISTOKY
OF

LUMBIA AED MONTOUR
COUNTIES,

PENNSYLVANIA,
THEIR TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS,
CONTAINING A HISTORY OF EACH COUNTY;
ETC.; PORTRAITS
VILLAGES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, INDUSTRIES,
BIOGRAPHIES; HISTORY
OF REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
OF PENNSYLVANIA, STATISTICAL

CELLANEOUS Matter,

E3DITEI3 BIT

J.

AND MIS-

ETC.

H- BJ^^TTXiE.

ILIjTJSTI?..^TEr5.

CHICAGO:
A.

WARNER
1887.

& CO.

CHICAGO:

JOHN MORRIS COMPANY, PRINTERS,
118

AND

120

MONROE STREET.

PREFACE.

W

-o-tl'^-"''g-""|frt/^^:J"glus
by he more ,ngo

smTounded
o, these counties,
and the
Wyoming Valley at Sunbury,
pages of
these
robbed
tas

settlements in the
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development and

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Ko pains have been ;P-f;;rp::;fre tLTeach other.
to

f

of

the
Wilderness blossom li.e

note the subsequent
discharge o the
inspiration to the faithful
these counties, and

^^

J
-—
—
--

fXriirri"^arm^To

exploits
P

,

-rShrhrt:^.^^^^^^^ ..
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th

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omit anythmg
nor carelessness to

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have been preserved.

.
^ attributed to
be
doubtless
none,
Errors will
Id^^ken-but
s
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proper equipment for the
^^^ ^^^^^^
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d.spos.t»a
™PP-^' °^ ^ ^1^^
that will betray a
has

^-"'^^^tl^Lte

it is

hoped,

the
In the chapters upon

—.ps

of

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«^ ""''a

.a^or

^ ^^^.^

.^

^^^Tut'^^ttt^^*--'^^^^^^
ments gained in a
In taking leave

w^^^J^-^L

of the subject tne
the gentlemen of ^^^

sense of
wishes to express his
^^

^^^^

indebtedness to
^::^,,,y ,,a assistance
the
l^^J^^^^^^
mention for
^^^ ^
space fails to allow proper
^^'^^"^J^
engaged in this enterprise
kindtheir
they have shown those
rep
measure
-^^2r:Z.J
y
some
this volume may
thatthe completeness of

J

m

ness.

1887.
Philadelphia, Penn., April,

THE EDITOR.

—

—

COJSTTENTS.
PART

I.

HISTOBY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
PAGE.

CHAPTER I.—Introductory.—Cornells Jacob-

William

II.— Sir

Peter Minuit, 1638-41.

Keift,

1638-47.

Peter Hollandaer,

1641-43. John Printz, 1643-63. Peter Stuyvesant, 1647-64. John Pappagoya, 1653-54.
23-33
John Claude Rysingh, 1654-55

1736-38.

III.— John Paul Jacquet, 1655-57.
Jacob Alrichs, 1657-59. Goeran Van Dyck,
1657-58.
William Beekman, 1658-63. Alex.
D'Hinoyossa, 1659-64
33-35

CHAPTER IV.— Richard Nichols, 1664-67.

75-89

CHAPTER X.— Robert H. Morris,
liam Denny,

VI.— William

Markham,

William Penn, 1682-84

Hamilton,

VII.—Thomas Lloyd, 1684-86. Five
John Blackwell,
Thomas Lloyd, 1690-91. William
Markham, 1691-93.
Benjamin Fletcher,
1693-95.
William Markham, 1693-99
61-69

James

Penn, 1771-73.
98-104

1773-76

104-114

CHAPTER

XIII.—Thomas Mifflin, 1788-99.
Thomas McKean, 1799-1808. Simon Snyder,
1808-17.

William Findlay, 1817-20. Joseph

Heister, 1820-23.

George

Wolfe,

John A. Shulze,
Joseph

1829-35

1835-39

1823-29.

Ritner,
114^121

CHAPTER XIV.— David

R. Porter,

1839-45.
Francis R. Shunk, 1845-48.
William F.
Johnstone, 1848-52. William Bigler, 1852-55.
James Pollock, 1855-58. William F. Packer,
1858-61. Andrew G. Curtin, 1861-67. John
W. Geary, 1867-73. John F. Hartranft,
1873-78.
Henry F. Hoyt, 1878-82. Robert
E. Pattison, 1882-86.
James A. Beaver,
122-131
1886

1688-90.

1699-1701.

Andrew Hamilton, 1701-03. Edward ShipJohn Evans, 1704-09. Charles

pen, 1703-04.

Gooken, 1709-17

1771.

1763-71.

Wharton, Jr., 177778.
George Bryan, 1778. Joseph Reed, 1778
-81.
William Moore, 1781-82. John Dickinson, 1782-85. Benjamin Franklin, 1785-88

Commissioners, 1686-88.

VIII.—William Penn,

Penn,
Richard

CHAPTER XII.—Thomas

1681-82.
51-61

CHAPTER

89-97

John Penn,

Andros, 1674-81.
Cantwell, 1674-76. John Collier,
Christopher Billop, 1677-81
41-50

1676-77.

WU-

James Hamilton,

1756-59.

CHAPTER XL— John

CHAPTER v.—Sir Edmund
Edmund

1754-56.

1759-63

Rob-

ert Needham, 1664-68.
Francis Lovelace,
1667-73.
John Carr, 1668-73. Anthony
Colve, 1673-74. Peter Alrichs, 1673-74
35-41

CHAPTER

George Thomas, 1738-47. Anthony
James Hamilton 1748-54

Palmer, 1747^8.

CHAPTER

CHAPTER

William Keith, 1717-26.
1726-36.
James Logan,

Patrick Gordon,

15-23

1633-38

CHAPTER

PAGK

CHAPTER IX.—Sir

son Mey, 1624-25. William Van Hulst, 1625
-26.
Peter Minuit, 1626-33. David Petersen de Vries, 1632-33. Wouter Van Twiller,

Gubernatorial Table

69-75

PART

132

11.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
CHAPTER

PAGE.

I.—General Topography

Geology

—
—

CHAPTER

and
3-38

Natural Divisions of the State Location
of Columbia County
Drainage
Ways
Local Topography
Physical Changes
Northern Glacier— Geological Terms Defined
Glacial Characteristics
The Ter-

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

minal Moraine
Its
Course Outlined
Flooded Rivers Paleozoic System— Nomen-

—

Compared —Geological Structure
Devonian Rooks— The Catskill— ChemungHamilton — Lower Helderberg — Salina and
Clinton Series Fossil Iron Ore- Montour

clatures

—

—

Ridge Its Ore Deposits— f)utcrops South of
the Susquehanna— Coal Measures— Typical
Coal Section, etc.

PAGE.
II.— The Planting and Exten-

38-65
sion of the Early Settlements
Aboriginal Occupants
Penn's Policy
Early Treaties Encroachment of Settle-

—

—
— The Walking Purchase — French
War— The Treaty of 1756—The Pontiac
Conspiracy — Fort Stanwix Treaty (176S)
Indian Trails — Moravian Missionaries — The
First Settler— Indian Hostilities — Frontier
Activities in 1778 — Wyoming Massacre — Defense of the Frontier— Hunter's Report
Division of Public Sentiment — Depopulation of the Border — Peace and Immigration
— Character of Earliest Settlement — Varying Nationalities — New Jersey Emigrants,
ments

etc.

——

———

CONTENTS,

yi

CHAPTER

—

III.

PAGE.

Organization

PAGE.

CHAPTER VIII.—Briarcreek Township and

the

of

COINTY

Borough of Berwick
191-207
Berwick-on-Tweed—Evan Owen — Owens-

65-97

Formation of Northumberland County

.,

Early Township Organization

—

— Division

ville— Berwick

of

—

—

—

Association.

CHAPTER IX.—Centre Township

207-219
Process of Erection— Extent and Bound-

—

—

—
—The Van Campen Tragedy—Settlement

Newspaper— Politics and

—

the Close of the

CHAPTER v.—The Storm and

—

CHAPTER X.— FiSHlNGCREEK

T0WNSHIP..219-224?
Original and Comprehensive MeanName— Its Finally Restricted
Political Significance
Character of the
First Settlement Daniel McHenry
Set-

The

Columbia's Contribution to the Mexican
Organization for the Civil War
Enrollment and Drafts Opposition and
the Advent of the Military— Arbitrary Arrests—The "Iron Guards" Career of the
Sixth Reserves— In the Peninsular Campaign
Antietam and Fredericksburg
Forty-third (First Artillery) Regiment
Capture of Brockway Chancellorsville and
Meade's Campaign The Fifty-second Regiment The Eighty-fourth In the Gettysburg Campaign— One Hundred and Twelfth
Regiment One Hundred and Thirty-second
One Hundred and Thirty-sixth
Emergency Men of 1862— Drafted Militia— Emergency Men of 1863 Contributions to the
One Year Service The Medical Fraternity
Medical Society Active Members of the

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

XL— SUGARLOAF AND Benton
Townships
224-232:
SuGARLOAF — Tenacity with which Descendants of the Original Settlers Have
Remained in the Same Locality a Charac-

First Birth

and First Death-

Fort McClure —The Lyon-Cooper Incident
—Settlement at the Close of the War— Lud-

wig Eyer's Town

—

Its First Inhabitants
Taverns, Stores, Manufactures The Town
in 1838 Incipient Development of the Iron
Industry The Growth of Industrial Enterprises Travel and Transportation Facilities
Increase of Population Municipal Organization Internal Improvements Public Schools
The Academy— The Literary

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—
—The State

—

Normal School — Secret
and Benevolent Societies — Churches — Ceme-

Institute
teries.

CELA.PTER VII.—Scott Township
181-190
Hon. George Scott— Character and Nationality of the First Settlers— Fort

—An

Wheeler

Incident of its Siege— The Melicks
Subsequent Settlement The Mining Industry The Fisheries Light Street— Espytown Webb's Lane Boat Building— Internal Improvements Schools Religious Interests Methodist Churches The Presbyterian Church of Light Street The Lutheran Church of Espy— Evangelical Churches.

—

—

—

—
—
—

—

—
—
—

Population of this Section

teristic of the

—

Profession, etc.

munity—The

—

CHAPTER

—

CHAPTER VI.—Bloomsburg
151-184
James McClure — A projected Quaker Com-

—

Christ (Disciples) at Stillwater.

—

—
—

—

on Huntingdon Creek— Fishingcreek
and Other Postoffices— Villages— Methodist
Churches Reformed Churches Church of
tlers

—
—

—

—

ing of the

—
—

—

—

—

—

Stress Pe124-151

War— First

at

Half-way House

the Limestone Resources
Centre ville —Methodist Churches Briarcreek Presbyterian Church Lutheran, Reformed, Evangelical and Baptist Congregations Fort Jenkins.

Polit-

riod

War— The

— Development of

Favors Legislative and Congressional
Changes, etc.

ical

—

The Salmon, Aikman and Van Campen Families Indian Tragedies — Difterent
Versions of the Story of the Salmon Family
aries

—
—
—
—
tion — Railroads — Agricultural Associations
—The Press— Minor Periodicals— Character
of the Early

—

—

The (bounty's Pioneers Early Facilitiesjfor
Travel and First Dwelling Places— Primitive Farming and Domestic Life Notes
from an old Church Record Society of
Friends— Presbyterian Church— Introduction of Methodism The Lutherans Other
Religious Organizations Educational Beginnings—The Early .Schools of Columbia
County Secondary Instruction Statistics
Material Development Water Transporta-

—

—
—
—
—

—

97-123

—

—Certain

provement in the Appearance of the Town
—Hotels and Stage Coaches— Political Organization—The " Codorus " and the " Susquehanna" Canal Excavations Manufactures
in
Briarcreek Township
Evansville
Foundryville
The Jackson & Woodiu
Manufacturing Company Business Interests—The Water Company
The Bank
Battalion Days Military Record — Secret Societies—Schools — Berwick
Academy The
Society of Friends Reformed, Lutheran,
Methodist, Evangelical, Baptist and Presbyterian Churches— Young Men's Christian

Development

—

Formally

provement—The Turnpikes and Bridge— Im-

—

-'

and

Features of Domestic and Social Life
Initiatory Steps in Promoting Internal Im-

Nature of Formation of the Townships
Lists of President and Associate Judges, and
Members of the Bar County Officials.

IV.— The Social

Out

migrants^to Briarcreek Township

—
—
—
of the People Asked— Result of the Elections — The Line of Division — Readjustment
of Township Lines — Court-House, Jail and
Other Public Buildings — First Court —
Sketches of President Judges— Local Bar
Murder Trial — Table Showing Order and

CHAPTER

Laid

Named — Surrounding Natural Scenery—
The Browns and Other Settlers— First Im-

Columbia County Territory Its Boundaries
Location of the County Seat — Opposition
Manifested — The .Star of Empire — Township
Development The County .Seat Contest Revived The Issue Forcibly Presented Vote

1/

'

John J. Godhard and His Family — William Hess, Philip Fritz, Christian Laubach,
Ezekiel Cole and John Kile — The North
Mountain a Famous Hunting Region — An
Incident of 1836 — John McHenry's Experience as a Hunter — Hunting as a Business
Farming Implements — Cole's Mills — Civil

—

—

Traveling Facilities
Herrington's Foundry— Schools PostotKces
Saint Gabriel's Church Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Protestant Societies.
Benton Organization of Sugarloaf^Causes
of the Division Benton Erected Early SetSocial
tlement The Penn Manor Lands
Customs Schools The Newspaper as an
Educator in Country Districts Postoffices
Churches.

Engineering

—

—

—
—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

CHAPTER

XII.— Greenwood and Jackson
234-245
Townships

Greenwood— Geographical

—

Situation Original Ownership of the Land John Eves, the
First Settler— The Journey with His Family
Unsuccessful EfTort to Introduce Hogs—
The Flight and Return— Other Early .Settlers—Roads Lumbering Millville Business Interests— Social and Secret Societies
Rohrsburg Industries in the Vicinity
Greenwood
Churches
Public Schools

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

Seminary.

Jackson — Causes and Circumstances

of

its

Sei)arate Poliiical Organization

— Nature of

the Tenure by which the Lands

Were Held

»/

————

Vll

CONTENTS.
PAGE.
—Settlement and Improvement— A Panther
Adventure— Roads— Mail Routes and Postoffices— Waller—Schools—Churches.

Pleas.\nt and
245-256
Orange Townships
Mount Pleasant— Political OrganizationPopulation— The Mount Pleasant Road—

'CHAPTER XIII.— Mount

Canby — Mordansville —
Manufactures— Churches—Schools.
Topography— Formaand
Orange— Position
Welliversville

—

Surveys— An
Incident of Indian Adventure— German
Industries—
Slate
and
Iron
The
SettlersThe Buckhorn Tree— Buckhorn Villageof Travel

—

CHAPTER XV.—Madison and

—

298-301

264-269

Madison — Geography and Topography of
Madison— Indian History Associated with
the Chillisquaque— TheWhitmoyer Tragedy

—

Stage
—Formation of the Township
Travel- Jerseytown-Industrial Featuresof the Surface— Exploits of

Lyon—

The Asylum Land Company— Erection of
Pine—Sereno— Schools— F. & A. M. Society
—Churches.
270-285
lin Townships
Catawissa— Formation, Extent and Presof
Orthography
ent Limits of Catawissa—
the Name— .James Le Tort- His Letter
of
Legend
Lapackpitton's Town— The
Minnetunkee— Quaker Settlement at Cata-

—

wissa— German Immigrants— "Tom Gau-

"—The Furry Tragedy— Laying Out of
Early
Hughesburg, alias Catawissey "
and Merchants— The Bridge—
AssoBuilding
Railroads— Manufactures—
ciations—Extension of the Building Area—
ger

—

—

Coaches

—

Postal

Facilities— Kernville—Rhoadstown

Esther Furnace

Slabtown

XXII.— CoNYNGHAM Township
310-318
AND BOP.OUGII OF Centralia
The Hon. John Nesbitt Conyngham—The
Erection of this Township— The Red Tavern—Conflicting Land Titles— Girard's Pur-

CHAPTER

Mountain Coal and Iron
Successive Opening of Col-

chase—Locust

•CHAPTER XVI.— Catawissa and Frank-

"

301-310

—Numidia—Schools— Churches.

Schools— Churches

Hunters in the Pine Swamps— John

CHAPTER XXL— Locust Township

Formation— Land Warrants—Quaker Immigrants—A Mystery of the Forest— An
Early Wedding— Roads— Mills— German ImStage
migration — The Reading Road

—Priority of Settlement in this Region
Explained— An Anomalous Survey— Roads

Pine— Character

Township.

The Natne and Formation — Surveys
The Reading Road — Mills — Millgrove—
Churches— Schools.

Pine Town-

ships

294-298
Physical Features— Alexander McCauley
the
Latof
Abduction
Harger—
Andrew
and
ter by the Indians— Settlement— Political
Organization Railroads— Coal— The TideWater Pipe Line— Beaver Valley MillsSchools Churches.

CHAPTER XX.— RoARiNGCREEK

Stage Route, Canal, and RailroadsRupert
Formation of the Township
The Methodist
Schools
Manufactures
Episcopal Church.

—

CHAPTER XIX.— Beaver Township

—

Montour—Situation and Boundaries— Leon-

—

Township.... ...292-294

—

— Churches.

Rupert— Successive Highways

—

—
—Schools.

— Early

—The

—

—

Formation Topographical Characteristics
First Settlement— Hauck's Furnace-Mainville Mills— Railroads— Mainville-Churches

CHAPTER XIV.— Hemlock and Montour
256-263

ard

286-291

Formation— Physical Features—Early Settlers—The German Element— Founding of
Mifflinville— The Town Plot— First Houses

CHAPTER XVIIL— Maine

cieties—Schools—The Academy.

Schools

CHAPTER XVII.— Mifflin Township

Mifflin Mills.

ufacturing Interests— Churches— Secret So-

Townships

—Schools.

Churches.

—

tions— Abram Kline— Subsequent Immigrants—Early Industries— Cleniuel G. Ricketts, Proprietor of Orangeville— Its First
Residents, Houses, Stores and Hotels— Incidents of Village Life— Business and Man-

Hemlock — Erection

Churches

Franklin— Erection —Settlement— Schools

—People, Stores, Hotels, etc.— " Lost Arts"
South
Churches
Committee
Town

tion as a Political Division— Indian Tradi-

,

PAGE.

Keed of Stronger Local Government—Internal Improvements — Business Interests
Societiesand Benevolent
Fraternal

—

Mills, Stores

Company— The
lieries

— Statistics "of Coal Product for 1882.

Centralia— The

—

•

Head "—The Town

—

—
—

—

Montana The Shanties
Germantown Schools Character of the
People Contrasted with the General, Soand Educational Status
cial, Religious
Elsewhere in the County.
ties— Locustdale

—

biogbaphicaIj sketches— part
PAGE.
"..•-. 321
Bloomsburg (in alphabetical order)
Bloomsburg (not in alphabetical order— T. C.
368
Harter, M. D.)
368
Beaver Township
., Hi
•••;•;;
Benton Township
Briarcreek Township and Borough of Berwick.. 383
396
Catawissa Township
................. 411
Centre Township
428
Centralia
of
Borough
Conyngham Township and
434
Fishingcreek Township
468
Franklin Township
464
Greenwood Township
484
Hemlock Township

Bull's

Laid Off— First Houses, Store and Postof Population— Borough
Business
Organization Development of
Mollie Maguire Disturbauces
Interests
Churches— Fraternal and Benevolent Socieoffice— Increase

—

II.

PAGE.

Jackson Township
Locust Township
Madison Township

Maine Township
Mifflin Township
Montour Township
Mount Pleasant Township
Orange Township
Pine Township
Roaringcreek Township
Scott Township
Sugarloaf Township

489
492
501
506
509
513
516
521
527
532
.533

538

—
—
CONTENTS.

Yin-

POBTRAITS-PART

II.

PAGE.
^
t
-'

'

:

145

Barton, Caleb

Brown, E. B
Brown, J. C
Buckalew, C. R
Buckalew, John

W

63
253
Parti, 45

M

" Creyeling, G.
^ Elwell, William
r Ent, Wellington H
•Eves, Ellis
t.
Eyer, Rev. W. J
•^ Fortner, Benjamin
w Funston, John A

91
181
33
43
163
2
199
73

P

PAGE.
''Barter, T. C, M.
Kester. A. P

D

319
271
127

Knorr, Samuel
Low, George L

289

M

Low, E. W.
McKelvy, William
McReynolds, J

235
13
63
109
217
307

Neal, William

Pohe, Joseph
Pursel, Sylvester

Snyder, Daniel
Waller, Rev. D. J

PAET

Parti,

79
23

III.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.
PAGE.
3- 7
I.— Indians
Their Characteristics— The Government's
Treatment of Them— The Indians in the
War of the Revolution—Their Depredations and Cruelties— The Curry Tragedy—
Madame Montour.

CHAPTER

CHAPTER

II.— Some of the Early Fami7-18

lies

Their Primitive Ways— The Montgomerys
—Col. Montgomery's Battalion— Gen. Montgomery's Sketch— Phillip Maus— The Gulicses, Gearharts, Wilsons and Other Pioneers
—Early Blacksmith Shops, Factories, Etc.
III.— Eakly History— County
Organization— Public Buildings, etc..18-28

CHAPTER

Origin of Its Name— Its First Survey,
etc.— Ingress of Pioneers— Hardships of
the Settlers— Primitive Navigation- County
ReflecPublic Buildings
Organization
tions—Court House and Jail— Danville
Hospital for the Insane.

—

—

CHAPTERIV.— Description—Topography—

28-38

Geology— Agricultiire, etc

Hills, Valleys, Rivulets and Plains— Iron
Ore in the County— First Orchards, Cider
Press— Pomology— Agricultural
Mill and

CHAPTER

page.

VIII.—Medical

61-63

—

Regular Physician Early Medical
Men and Their Students Drs. Strawbridge,
Magill, Murray, Gearharts,
etc.
Physicians who have Registered in the County
First

—

—

Since 1881.

CHAPTER IX.—Bench

64-66
.^nd Bar
First Court in Danville First President
.Judge and Associates First Officers of the
Court, etc.— Earliest Lawyers to Locate in
the County Judge Cooper, Sr., Judge Grier,
Judge Lewis and Others Early Lawyers in

—

—

—

—

the County.

CHAPTER X.— Newspapers

66-72

Literary Pabulum of the County
—Present
The Columbia Gazette — The Express — The

—
—

—

—

—
—
—
—
—
CHAPTER XL— Officials and Statistics...72-74
Members ©f Congress —State Senators
Lower House — County Commissioners
Treasu rers — Sheriffs— Prothonotariei — Last
Census of the County, and other

Societies.

CHAPTER v.— Internal Improvements

38-44

Necessity the Mother of Invention— An
Settler's Experience Turnpikes— Canal—The Danville Bridge— Railroads.

—

Old

CHAPTER VI.—Border Wars— War

1812-

44-51
15— Mexican War— Civil War, etc
Montour County in All These Struggles
—Its Complement to the War of 1814— The
Danville Militia— The Danville Blues— The
Light Horse—The Columbia Guards— The
Montour Rifles— The First in War—The
Baldy Guards— Second Artillery— Danville
Fencibles— Company E, Sixth Pennsylvania

Reserves— Companies A and K, Thirteenth
Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia— Company
F, National Guards.

CHAPTER XII.— Danville
Descriptive — Whom Founded
Name —The Town

—

52-58

Early
Education
Schools and School Buildings in Montour
County— Recollections of J. Fraser— DanLimestoneville Instituteville Academy
Free Schools— School Statistics, etc.

—

Statistics.

75-118

By,

and

Plat — The Delaware In— Phillip Maus and Other Early Pio— The Montgomeries— Early Mills and
Other Industries — First Fourth of July Celebration — Early Preachings, Schools, etc.
Early Physicians — The Early Dead in the
Old Presbyterian Church Cemetery — Internal Improvements — Fifty-six years Ago
The Canal and its Facilities — Incorporation
as a Borough— Industries — Churches— Societies — Free Library — Water Works — Postoffice — Borough Officials.

dians
neers

CHAPTER XIII— Townships
Mahoning
List of taxables, 1798

CHAPTER VII.—Schools
A Disquisition on

—

Watchman The Danville Intelligencer The
Daily Sun Der Tariff Advokat The DanThe Montour American and
ville Democrat
The Montour Herald— The Danville Record
National
The
Weekly Record — The Daily
Record The Medium The Independent The
Mentor The Gem.

121-138

—The Danville Insane

121

Asylum —The Danville and Mahoning Almshouse.

Anthony

—

122

Early Church
Its Erection and Name
Meetings Preachers and Officers Col. Robert Clark White Hall— Exchange.

—
—

—

—

—

CONTENTS,

IX

PAGE.

Derry
Very Early

—

—Brady's Fort— Early
Preachers — Borough of

PAGE.
First Permanent Settlement— The Curry
Tragedy— Letter of Date 1783— Early Mills—
The Maus Family—The Township Poor
Farm—The Stutfelts— Churches—Mausdale.

125

Settlers

Mills
Pioneer
Washingtonville Its Incorporation, Settlement and Early Days.

—

Limestone
Its

Location

Maybkrry

The Valiet and Other Families— Limestoneville and its History.
Liberty
Col. Thos. Strawbridge— The McWilliamses and Currys — Early Record — Early
Settlers — The Oldest Church — Mooresburg.

Valley

135

Its Boundaries— Formation and Name
Topography
First Settlements
Census,
1880 Schools and Churches.

128

—Henry and Joseph Gibson

—

—

Cooper
Location
Grovania.

128

Its

—

—Topography,

West Hemlock
New Columbia—Topography — Early

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-PAST
141

Anthony Township
Cooper Township
Derry Township and Borough of Washington-

180
190

PAGE.

Limestone Township
Mahoning Township
Mayberry Township
Valley Township
WestHemlock Township

193
198

ville

PORTRAITS-PART

204
211
214
215
219

III.

PAGE.
''

Beaver, Thomas
Boyd, D.
Bright, Dennis
Chalfant, Thomas

M

;
.

'

''
'
'

i^

Corell, Joseph
Hoffa, J. P., M.

Holloway, W. K
Hunter, Joseph
Magill,

W.

49
99
79
159
139
129
39

D

H., M.

PAGE.

19

^

:

137
Set-

III,

page.
Danville

etc.

tlers—The Crossleys, Sandels and Cromleys.

133

Liberty Township

137

Geology,

i

Maus, Philip F
Morgan, Dan
Morrison, H. S
Newbaker, P. C, M.
Ridgway, M. S

M. D
Strawbridge, James

29
109
149

D

69
119
59

Schultz, S. S.,

Van

D.,

M.

D

9

Alen, T.

89

2

D.....

MISCELLANEOUS,
PAGE.

Map ot Columbia and Montour Counties
Map showing various purchases from Indians
Diagram showing proportionate annual production of Anthracite Coal since 1820
Table showing amount of Anthracite Coal produced in each region since 1820
Table showing vote for goyernors of Pennsylvania since organization of State

Part I,
Part 1,
Part 1,
Part 1,
Part 1,

11

113
118
119
132

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PART

I.

istory«^Pennsylvania,
BY SAMUEL

P.

BATES.

God, that has given it i-ne through many difficulties, "will, I believe,
it the seed of a nation.
I shall have a tender eare to the
government that it be well laid at first.
i do, therefore,
desire the Lord's w^isdona to guide me, and those that may be concerned
"vvith me, that -we may do the thing that is truly -wise and just."
"

bless and nnake

-----

WILLIAM PENN.

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
CHAPTEE

I.

Introductory — Cornelis Jacobson Mey, 1624-25— William Van Hulst, 162526— Peter Minuit, 1626-33— David Petersen de Vries, 1632-33— Wouter

Van

Twiller.

1633-38.

upon the American
One was the desire

continent, two motives were
of amassing sudden wealth
without great labor, %vhich tempted advejituroua spii'its to go in search of gold,
to trade valueless trinkets to the simple natives for rich furs and skins, and even
to seek, amidst the wilds of a tropical forest, for the fountain whose healing
waters could restore to man perpetual youth. The other was the cherished
purpose of escaping the unjust restrictions of Government, and the hated ban
of society against the worship of the Supreme Being according to the honest
dictates of conscience, which incited the humble devotees of Christianity to
forego the comforts of home, in the midst of the best civilization of the age,
and make for themselves a habitation on the shores of a new world, where they
might erect altars and do homage to their God in such habiliments as they
This purpreferreei, and utter praises in such note as seemed to them good.
pose was also incited by a certain romantic temper, common to the race, especially noticeable in youth, that invites to some uninhabited jepot, and Rasselas and Robinson Crusoe- like to begin life anew.
William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, had felt the heavy hand of
persecution for religious opinion's sake.
As a gentleman commoner at Oxford, he had been lined, and finally expelled from that venerable seat of learning for non-comf ormity to the established worship.
At home, he was whipped
and turned out of doors by a father who thought to reclaim the son to the
more certain path of advancement at a licentious court. He was sent to prison
by the Mayor of Cork. For seven months he languished in the tower of London, and, finally, to complete his disgrace, he was cast into Newgate with common felons. Upon the accession of James II, to the throne of England, over
fourteen hundred persons of the Quaker faith were immured in prisons for a
conscientious adherence to their religious convictions. To escape this harassing
persecution, and find peace and quietude from this sore proscription, was the
moving cause which led Penn and his followers to emigrate to America.
Of all those who have been foundei's of States in near or distant ages, none
have manifested so sincere and disinterested a spirit, nor have been so fair exemplars of the golden rule, and of the Redeemer's sermon on the mount, as
William Penn. In his preface to the frame of government of his colony, he
" The end of government is first to teiTify evil-doers; secondly, to chersays:
ish those who do well, which gives government a life beyond corruption, and

the early colonization
INprincipally
operative.

16

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

So that government
it as durable in the world, as good men shall be.
to be a part of religion itself, a thing sacred in its institution and end.
For, if it does not directly remove the cause, it crushes the effects of evil, and
is an emanation of the same Divine power, that is both author and object of

makes
seems

pure religion, the difference lying here, that the one is more free and mental,
the other more corporal and compulsive in its operations; but that is only to
evil-doers, government itself being otherwise as capable of kindness, goodness
and charity, as a more private society. They weakly err, who think there is no
other use of government than correction, which is the coarsest part of it.
Daily experience tells us, that the care and regulation of many other affairs
more soft, and daily necessary, make up much the greatest part of government.
Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them, and as governWherements are made and moved by men, so by them are they ruined, too.
Let
fore, governments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments.
men be good, and the government cannot be bad. If it be ill, they will cure
it.
But if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor
* * * That, therefore, which makes a good
to warp and spoil to their turn.
constitution, must keep it, men of wisdom and virtue, qualities, that because they
descend not with worldly inheritances, must be carefully propagated by a virtuous education of youth, for which, after ages will owe more to the care and
prudence of founders and the successive magistracy, than to their parents for
have, therefore, with reverence to God,
their private patrimonies. * * *
and good conscience to men, to the best of our skill, contrived and composed the
To support power in reverence
Frame and Laws of this government, viz.
with the people, and to secure the people from the abuse of power, that they
may be free by their just obedience, and the magistrates honorable for their
For liberty without obedience is confusion, and obedijust administration.
ence without liberty is slaveiy."
Though born amidst the seductive arts of the great city, Penn's tastes were
rural.
He hated the manners of the corrupt court, and delighted in the homely
" The country," he said, "is
labors and iunocent employments of the farm.
the philosopher's garden and library, in which he reads and contemplates the
It is his food as well as study, and gives
power, wisdom and goodness of God.
him life as well as learning." And to his wife he said upon taking leave of
her in their parting interview: "Let my children be husbandmen, and houseThis leads to
wives.
It is industrious, healthy, honest, and of good report.
consider the works of God, and diverts the mind from being taken up with vain
Of cities and towns of concourse,
arts and inventions of a luxurious world.
beware.
The world is apt to stick close to those who have lived and got wealth
there.
A country life and estate I love best for my children."
Having thus given some account at the outset of the spirit and purposes of
the founder, and the motive which drew him to these shores, it will be in
place, before proceeding with the details of the acquisition of territory, and
the coming of emigrants for the actual settlement under the name of Pennsylvania, to say something of the aborigines who were found in possession of the
soil when first visited by Europeans, of the condition of the surface of the
country, and of (he previous attempts at settlements before the coming of Penn.
The surface of what is now known as Pennsylvania was, at the time of the
coming of the white men, one vast forest of hemlock, and pine, and beech,
and oak, unbi'oken, except by an occasional rocky barren upon the precipitous
mountain side, or by a few patches of prairie, which had been reclaimed by
annual burnings, and was used by the indolent and simple-minded natives for
The soil, by the annual
the culture of a little maize and a few vegetables.

We

:

I

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

17

accumulations of leaves and abundant growths of forest vegetation, was luxuand the trees stood close, and of gigantic size. The streams swarmed
Where now are cities and
with fish, and the forest abounded with game.
hamlets filled with busy populations intent upon the accumulation of wealth,
the mastery of knowledge, the pursuits of pleasure, the deer browsed and
sipped at the water's edge, and the pheasant drummed his monotonous note.
Where now is the glowing furnace from which day and night tongues of flame
are bursting, and the busy water wheel sends the shuttle flashing through the
loom, half-naked, dusky warriors fashioned their spears with rude implements
of stone, and made themselves hooks out of the bones of animals for alluring
Where now are fertile fields, upon which the thrifty farmer
the finny tribe.
turns his furrow, which his neighbor takes up and runs on until it reaches
from one end of the broad State to the other, and where are flocks and herds,
rejoicing in rich meadows, gladdeaed by abundant fountains, or reposing at the
heated noontide beneath ample shade, not a blow had been struck against the
giants of the forest, the soil rested in virgin purity, the streams glided on in
majesty, un vexed by wheel and unchoked by device of man.
Where now the long train rushes on with the speed of the wind over
plain and mead, across streams and under mountains, awakening the echoes of
the hills the long day through, and at the midnight hour screaming out its
shrill whistle in fiery defiance, the wild native, with a fox skin wrapped about
his loins and a few feathers stuck in his hair, issuing from his rude hut, trotted on in his forest path, followed by his squaw with her infant peering forth
from the rough sling at her back, pointed his canoe, fashioned from the barks
of the trees, across the deep river, knowing the progress of time only by the
rising and setting sun, troubled by no meridians for its index, starting on his
way when his nap was ended, and stopping for rest when a spot was reached
Where now a swarthy population toils'ceaselessly deep
that pleased his fancy.
down in the bowels of the earth, shut out trom the light of day in cutting out
the material that feeds the fires upon the forge, and gives genial warmth to the
lovers as they chat merrily in the luxurious drawing room, not a mine had
been opened, and the vast beds of the black diamond rested unsunned beneath
the superincumbent mountains, where they had been fashioned by the Creator's
hand. Rivers of oil seethed through the impatient and uneasy gases and vast
pools and lakes of this pungent, parti -colored fluid, hidden away from the
coveting eye of man, guarded well their own secrets. Not a derrick protruded
Not a drill, with its eager eating tooth deits well-balanced form in the air.
No pipe line diverted the oily tide in a silent,
scended into the flinty rock
The cities of iron tanks, filled to burstceaseless current to the ocean's brink.
Oil exchanges, with their vexing, had no place amidst the forest solitudes.
ing puts and calls,. shorts aud longs, bulls and bears, had not yet come to disturb the equanimity of the red man, as he smoked the pipe of peace at the
council fire.
Had he once seen the smoke and soot of the new Birmingham of
the West, or snuffed the odors of an oil refinery, he would vvillingly have forfeited his goodly heritage by the forest stream or the deep flowing river, and
sought for himself new hunting grounds in less favored regions.
It was an unfortunate circumstance that at the coming of Europeans the
territory now known as Pennsylvania was occupied by some of the most bloody
and revengeful of the savage ti'ibes. They were known as the Lenni Lenapes,
and held sway from the Hudson to the Potomac. A tradition was preserved
among them, that in a remote age their ancestors had emigrated eastward from
beyond the Mississippi, exterminating as they came the more civilized and
peaceful peoples, the Mound-Builders of Ohio and adjacent States, and who

rious,

18

HISTORY OF TENNSYLVANIA.

were held among the tribes by whom they were surrounded as the progenitors,
They came to be known by Europeans as
the grandfathers or oldest people.
the Delawares, after the name of the river and its numerous branches along
which they principally dwelt. The Monseys or Wolves, another tribe of the
Lenapes, dwelt upon the Susquehanna and its tributaries, and, by their warlike disposition, won the credit of being the fiercest of their nation, and the
guardians of the door to their council housp from the North.
Occupying the greater part of the tei'itory now known as New York, were
the five nations the Senacas, the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Cayugas, and
the Onondagas. which, from their hearty union, acquired great strength and
came to exercise a commanding influence. Obtaining firearms of the Dutch
at Albany, they repelled the advances of the French from Canada, and by
their superiority in numbers and organization, had overcome the Lenapes,
and held them for awhile in vassalage. The Tuscaroras, a tribe which had
been expelled from their home in North Carolina, were adopted by the Five Nations in 1712, and from this time forward these tribes were known to the English
as the Six Nations, called by the I^enapes, Mingoes, and by the French, Iroquois.
There was, therefore, properly a United States before the thirteen colonies
The person and character of these tribes were
achieved their independence.
marked.
They were above the ordinary stature, erect, bold, and commanding,
of great decorum in council, and when aroused showing native eloquence. In
warfare, they exhibited all the bloodthirsty, revengeful, cruel instincts of the
savage, and for the attainment of their purposes were treacherous and crafty.
The Indian character, as developed by intercourse with Europeans, exhibits
some traits that are peculiar
While coveting what they saw that pleased
them, and thievish to the last degree, they were nevertheless generous.
This
may be accounted for by their habits. " They held that the game of the forest, the fish of the rivers, and the grass of the field were a common heritage,
and free to all who would take the trouble to gather them, and ridiculed the
idea of fencing in a meadow."
Bancroft sajs: " The hospitality of the Indian
has rarely been questioned.
The stranger enters his cabin, by day or by
night, without asking leave, and is entertained as freely as a thrush or a
blackbird, that regales himself on the luxuries of the fruitful grove.
He
will take his own rest abroad, that he may give up his own skin or mat of
sedge to his guest.
Nor is the traveler questioned as to the purpose of his
visit.
He chooses his own time freely to deliver his message." Penn, who,
from frequent intercourse came to know them well, in his letter to the society
of Free Traders, says of them: "In liberality they excel; nothing is too good
for their friend.
Give them a fine gun, coat or other thing, it may pass
twenty hands before it sticks; light of heart, strong aflections, but soon spent.
The most merry crt^atures that live; feast and dance perpetually. They never
have much nor want much. Wealth circulateth like the blood.
All parts
partake; and though none shall want what another hath, yet exact observers
of property.
Some Kings have sold, others presented me with several parcels
of land.
The pay or presents I made them, were not hoarded by the particular owners, but the neighboring Kings and clans being present when the
goods were brought out. the parties chiefly concerned consulted what and to
whom they should give them. To every King, then, by the hands of a person for that work appointed is a proportion sent, so sorted and folded, and
with that gravity that is admirable. Then that King subdivideth it in like manner among his dependents, they hardly leaving themselves an equal share
with one of their subjects, and be it on such occasions as festivals, or at their
common meals, the Kings distribute, and to themselves last. They care for

—

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

19

because they want but little, and the reason is a little contents them. In
They are also free from our pains.
revenged on us.
They are not disquieted with bills of lading and exchange, nor perplexed
We sweat and toil to live;
with chancery suits and exchequer reckonings.
their pleasure feeds them; I mean their hunting, fishing and fowling, and
They eat twice a day, morning and evening.
this table is spread everywhere.
Their Heats and table are the ground.
Since the Europeans came into these
parts they are grown great lovers of strong liquors, rum especially, and for it
exchange the richest of their skins and furs. If they are heated with liquors,
they are restless till they have enough to sleep.
That is their cry, Some
more and I will go to sleep; but when drunk one of the most wretched speclittle

this they are sufficiently

'

'

tacles in the world."

On

the 28th of August, 1609, a little more than a century from the time
discovery of the New World by Columbus, Hendrick Hudson, an
English navigator, then in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, having been sent out in search of a northwestern passage to the Indies, discovered
the mouth of a great bay, since known as Delaware Bay, which he entered and
But finding the waters shallow, and being satisfied that
partially explored.
this was only an arm of the sea which received the waters of a great river,
and not a passage to the western ocean, he retired, and, turning the prow of
his little craft northward, on the 2d of September, he discovered the river
which bears his name, the Hudson, and gave several days to its examination.
Not finding a passage to the West, which was the object of his search, he returned
to Holland, bearing the evidences of his adventures, and made a full report of
his discoveries in which he says, " Of all lands on which I ever set my foot,
this is the best for tillage."
A proposition had been made in the States General of Holland to form a
West India Company with purposes similar to those of the East India Company; but the conservative element in the Dutch Congress prevailed, and while
the Government was unwilling to undertake the risks of an enterprise for
which it would be responsible, it was not unwilling to foster private enterprise, and on the 27th of March, 1614, an edict was passed, granting the
privileges of trade, in any of its possessions in the New World, during four
voyages, founding its right to the territory drained by the Delaware and
Five vessels were accordingly
Hudson upon the discoveries by Hudson.
fitted by a company composed of enterprising merchants of the cities of Amsterdam and Hoorn, which made speedy and prosperous voyages under command of Cornells Jacobson Mey, bringing back with them fine furs and rich
woods, which so excited cupidity that the States General was induced on the
14th of October, 1614, to authorize exclusive trade, for four voyages, extending through three years, in the newly acquired possessions, the edict designating them as New Netherlands.
One of the party of this first enterprise, Cornells Hendrickson, was left
behind with a vessel called the Unrest, which had been built to supply the
place of one accidentally burned, in which he proceeded to explore more fully
the bay and river Delaware, of which he made report that was read before the
This report is curious as disStates General on the 19th of August, 1616.
closing the opinions of the first actual explorer in an official capacity:
'*He
hath discovered for his aforesaid masters and directors certain lands, a bay,
and three rivers, situate between thirty-eight and forty degrees, and did their
trade with the inhabitants, said trade consisting of sables, furs, robes and
other skins.
He hath found the said country full of trees, to wit, oaks, hickory and pines, which trees were, in some places, covered with vines.
He hath
of the

first

20

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

seen in said country bucks and does, tui'keys and partridges.
He hath found
the climate of said country very temperate, judging it to be as temperate as
this country, Holland.
He also traded for and bought from the inhabitants,
the Minquas, three persons, being people belonging to this company, which
three persons were employed in the service of the Mohawks and Machicans,
giving for them kettles, beads, and merchandise."
This second charter of privileges expired in January, 1618, and during its
continuance the knowledge acquired of the country and its resources promised
so much of success that the States General was ready to grant broader privileges, and on the 3d of June, 1621, the Dutch West India Company was incorporated, to extend for a period of twenty-four years, with the right of
renewal, the capital stock to be open to subscription by all nations, and
"privileged to trade and plant coloaies in. Africa, from the tropic of Cancer
to the Cape of Good Hope, and in America from the Straits of Magellan to the
remotest north. "
The past glories of Holland, though occupying but an insignificant patch of Europe, emboldened its Government to pass edicts for the
colonizing and carrying on an exclusive trade with a full half of the entire
But
world, an example of the biting off of more than could be well chewed.
the light of this enterprising people was beginning to pale before the rising
Dissensions
glories of the stern race in their sea girt isle across the channel.
were arising among the able statesmen who had heretofore guided its affairs,
and before the periods promised in the original charter of this colonizing company had expired, its supremacy of the sea was successfully resisted, and its
exclusive rights and privileges in the New World had to be relinquished.
The principal object in establishing this West India Company was to
secure a good dividend upon the capital stock, which was subscribed to by the
The fine furs and products of the forests, which had
rich old burgomasters.
been taken back to Holland, had proved profitable. But it was seen that if
this trade was to be permanently secured, in face of the active competition of
other nations, and these commodities steadily depended upon, permanent settlements must bo provided for. Accordingly, in 1623, a colony of about forty
families, embracing a party of Walloons, protestant fugitives from Belgium,
sailed for the new province, under the leadership of Cornel is Jacobson Mey and
Soon after their ai'rival, Mey, who had been invested with
Joriz Tienpont.
the power of Director General of all the territory claimed by the Dutch, seeing, no doubt, the evidences of some permanence on the Hadson, determined
to take these honest minded and devoted Walloons to the South River, or DelThe testiaware, that he might also gain for his country a foothold there.
mony of one of the women, Catalina Tricho, who was of the party, is
" That she came to this provcurious, and sheds some light upon this point.
ince either in the year 1623 or 1624, and that four women came along wHh
her in the same ship, in which Gov. Arien Jorissen came also over, which four
women were married at sea, and that they and their husbands stayed about
three weeks at this place (Manhattan) and then they with eight seamen more,
went in a vessel by orders of the Dutch Governor to Delaware River, and
Ascending the Delaware some fifty miles, Mey landed
there settled."
on the eastern shore near where now is the town of Gloucester, and built a
Having duly installed his little colony, he refort which he called Nassau.
turned to Manhattan; but beyond the building of the fort, which served as a
trading post, this attempt to plant a colony was futile; for these religious
zealots, tiring of the solitude in which they were left, after a few months
abandoned it, and returned to their associates whom they had left upon the
Hudson. Though not successful in establishing a permanent colony upon the

—
21

HISTORY OP PENNSYLVANIA.

Delaware, ships plied regularly between the fort and Manhattan, and this

became the rallying point for the Indians, who bi'ought thither their commodiAt about this time, 1626, the island of Manhattan estimated
ties for trade.
to contain 22,000 acres, on which now stands the city of New York with its
busy population, surrounded by its forests of masts, was bought for the insignificant sum of sixty guilders, about $24, what would now pay for scarcely a
As an evidence of the thrift which had
square inch of some of that very soil.
begun to mark the progress of the colony, it may be stated that the good ship
" The Arms of Amsterdam," which bore the intelligence of this fortunate purchase to the assembly of the XIX in Holland, bore also in the language of
O'Calaghan, the historian of New Netherland, the " information that the colony was in a most prosperous state, and that the women and the soil were
To prove the latter fact, samples of the recent harvest, consistboth fruitful.
ing of wheat, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, canary seed, were sent forward,
together with 8,130 beaver skins, valued at over 45,000 guilders, or nearly
$19,000," It is accorded by another historian that this same ship bore also
"
853f otter skins, eighty-one mink skins, thirty-six wild cat skins and thirty-four
From this it may be
rat skins, with a quantity of oak and hickory timber."
Doubtseen what the commodities were which formed the subjects of trade.
less of wharf rats Holland had enough at home, but the oak and hickory timber came at a time when there was sore need of it.
Finding that the charter of privileges, enacted in 1621, did not give sufficient encouragement and promise of security to actual settlers, further concessions were made in 1629, whereby " all such persons as shall appear and
desire the same from the company, shall be acknowledged as Patroons [a sort
of feudal lord] of New Netherland, who shall, within the space of four years
next after they have given notice to any of the chambers of the company here,
or to the Commander or Council there, undertake to plant a colony there of
fifty souls, upward of fifteen years old; one fourth part within one year, and
within three years after sending the first, making together four years, the remainder, to the full number of fifty persons, to be shipped from hence, on pain,
* *
in case of willful neglect, of being deprived of the privileges obtained."
" The Patroons, by virtue of their power, shall be permitted, at such places as they
shall settle their colonies, to extend their limits four miles along the shore, or
two miles on each side of a river, and so far into the country as the situation
of the occupiers will permit."

Stimulated by these flattering promises, Goodyn and Bloemmaert, two
wealthy and influential citizens, through their agents Heyser and Coster
secured by purchase from the Indians a tract of iand on the western shore,
at the mouth of the Delaware, sixteen miles in length along the bay front, and
extending sixteen miles back into the country, giving a square of 256 miles.
Goodyn immediately gave notice to the company of their intention to plant a
They were joined by an
colony on their newly acquired territory as patroons.
experienced navigator, De Vries, and on the 12th of December, 1630, a vessel,
the Walrus, under command of De Tries, was dispatched with a company of
settlers and a stock of cattle and farm implements, which arrived safely in
the Delaware.
De Vries landed about three leagues within the capes, " near
the entrance of a fine navigable stream, called the Hoai'kill," where he proceeded to build a house, well surrounded with cedar palisades, which served
The little settlement,
the purpose of fort, lodging house, and trading post.
which consisted of about thirty persons, was christened by the high sounding
In the spring they prepared their fields
title of Zwanendal
Valley of Swans.
and planted them, and De Vries returned to Holland, to make report of his

—

—

proceedings.

22

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

But a sad fate awaited the little colony at Zwanendal. In accordance with
the custom of European nations, the commandant, on taking possession of the
new purchase, erected a post, and affixed thereto a piece of tin on which was
traced the arms of Holland and a legend of occupancy.
An Indian chieftain,
passing that way, attracted by the shining metal, and not understanding the
object of the inscription, and not having the fear of their high mightinesses,
the States General of Holland before his eyes, tore it down and proceeded to
make for himself a tobacco pipe, considering it valuable both by way of ornament and use. When this act of trespass was discovered, it was regarded by
the doughty Dutchman as a direct insult to the great State of Holland, and
so great an ado was raised over it that the simple minded natives became
frightened, believing that their chief had committed a mortal offense, and in
the strength and sincerity of their friendship immediately proceeded to dispatch the offending chieftain, and brought the bloody emblems of their deed to
the head of the colony. This act excited the anger of the relatives of the murdered man, and in accordance with Indian law, they awaited the chance to
take revenge.
O'Calaghan gives the following account of this bloody massacre which ensued: ''The colony at Zwanendal consisted at this time of thirtyfour persons.
Of these, thirty- two were one day at work in the fields, while
Commissary Hosset remained in charge of the house, where another of the settlers lay sick abed.
A large bull dog was chained out of doors. On pretence
of selling some furs, three savages entered the house and murdered Hosset
and the sick man. They found it not so easy to dispatch the mastiff. It was
not until they had pierced him with at least twenty-five arrows that he was
destroyed.
The men in the fields were then set on, in an equally treacherous
manner, under the guise of friendship, and every man of them slain." Thus
was a worthless bit of tin the cause of the cutting off and utter extermination
of the infant colony.
De Vries was upon the point of returning to Zwanendal when he received
intimation of disaster to the settlers.
With a large vessel and a yacht, he set
sail on the 24th of May, 1632, to carry succor, provided with the means of
prosecuting the whale fishery which he had been led to believe might be made
very profitable, and of pushing the production of grain and tobacco.
Oq arriving in the Delaware, he fired a signal gun to give notice of his approach.
The report echoed through the forest, but, alas! the ears which would have
been gladened with the sound were heavy, and no answering salute came from
the shore.
On landing, he found his house destroyed, the palisades burned,
and the skulls and bones of his murdered countrymen bestrewing the earth,
sad relics of the little settlement, which had promised so fairly, and warning
tokens of the barbarism of the natives.
De Vries knew that he was in no position to attempt to punish the guilty
parties, and hence determined to pui'sue an entirely pacific policy.
At his
invitation, the Indiana gathered in with their chief for a conference.
Sitting
down in a circle beneath the shadows of the somber forest, their Sachem in
the centre, De Vries, without alluding to their previous acts of savagery,
concluded with them a treaty of peace and friendship, and presented them in
token of ratification, "some duffels, bullets, axes and Nuremburg trinkets."
In place of finding his colony with plenty of provisions for the immediate
needs of his party, he could get nothing, and began to be in want. He accordingly sailed up the river in quest of food.
The natives were ready with
their furs for barter, but they had no supplies of food with which they wished
to part.
Game, however, was plenty, and wild turkeys were brought in weighing over thirty pounds.
One morning after a frosty night, while the little

—

"

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

23

was up the stream, the party was astonished to find the waters frozen
and their ship fast in the ice. Judging by the mild climate of their own
For several weeks they
country, Holland, they did not suppose this possible.
were held fast without the power to move their floating home. Being in need
of a better variety of food than he found it possible to obtain, De Vries sailed
away with a part of his followers to Virginia, where he was hospitably entertained by the Governor, who sent a present of goats as a token of friendship to
Upon his return to the Delaware, De
the Dutch Governor at Manhattan.
Vries found that the party he had left behind to prosecute the whale fishery
had only taken a few small ones, and these so poor that the amount of oil obHe had been inducefl to embark in the enterprise of
tained was insignificant.
a settlement here by the glittering prospect of prosecuting the whale fishery
along the shore at a great profit.
Judging by this experience that the hope
of great gains from this source was groundless, and doubtless haunted by a
superstitious dread of making their homes amid the relics of the settlers of the
previous year, and of plowing fields enriched by their blood who had been
so utterly cut off, and a horror of dwelling amongst a people so revengeful and
savage, De Vries gathered all together, and taking his entire party with him
sailed away to Manhattan and thence home to Holland, abandoning utterly the

-craft

over,

settlement.

The Dutch still however sought to maintain a foothold upon the Delaware, and a fierce contention having sprung up between the powerful patroons
and the Director General, and they having agreed to settle differences by
the company authorizing the purchase of the claims of the patroons, those upon
the Delaware were sold for 15,600 guilders. Fort Nassau was ac and his party were compelled to surrender, and were sent as prisoners of war
to

Manhattan.

OHAPTEH

II.

Sir William Keipt, 1638-47— Peter Minuit, 1638-41—Peter Hollandaer, 1641-43—
John Printz, 1648-58—Peter Stuyvesant, 1647-64— John Pappagoya, 1653-54
John Claude Rysingh, 1654-55.

AT

this period, the throne of Sweden was occupied by Gustavus Adolphus,
a monarch of the most enlightened views and heroic valor.
Seeing the
activity of surrounding nations in sending out colonies, he proposed to his
people to found a commonwealth in the New World, not for the mere purpose
of gain by trade, but to set up a refuge for the oppressed, a place of religious
liberty and happy homes that should prove of advantage to " all oppressed
Christendom."
Accordingly, a company with ample privileges was incorporated by the Swedish Government, to which the King himself pledged $400,000
of the royal treasure, and men of every rank and nationality were invited to
join in the enterprise.
Gustavus desired not that his colony should depend
upon serfs or slaves to do the rough work, " Slaves cost a great deal, labor
with reluctance, and soon perish from hard usage.
The Swedish nation is
laborious and intelligent, and surely we shall gain more by a free people with

wives and childi'en.

24

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

In the meantime, the fruits of the reformation in Germany were menaced^
and the Swedish monarch determined to unsheath his sword and lead his
people to the aid of Protestant faith in the land where its standard had been
successfully raised.
At the battle of Liitzen, where for the cause which he had
espoused, a signal victory was gained, the illustrious monarch, in the flower
Previous to the battle, and while engaged in
of life, received a mortal wound.
active preparations for the great struggle, he remembered the interests of his
contemplated colony in America, and in a most earnest manner commended
the enterprise to the people of Germany.
Oxenstiern, the minister of Gustavus, upon whom the weight of government devolved during the minority of the young daughter, Christina, declared
that he was but the executor of the will of the fallen King, and exerted himself to further the interests of a colony which he believed woiild be favorable to
Four years however
"all Christendom, to Europe, to the whole world."
elapsed before the project was brought to a successful issue.
Peter Minuit,
who had for a time been Governor of New Netherlands, having been displaced,
sought employment in the Swedish company, and was given the command of
the first colony.
Two vessels, the Key of Calmar and the Griffin, early in the
year 1638, with a company of Swedes and Fins, made their way across the
They purchased of the
stormy Atlantic and arrived safely in the Delaware.
Indians the lands from the ocean to the falls of Trenton, and at the mouth of
Christina Creek erected a fort which they called Christina, after the name of
The soil was fruitful, the climate mild, and
the youthful Queen of Sweden.
the scenery picturesque.
Compared with many parts of Finland and Sweden,
it was a Paradise, a name which had been given the point at the entrance of
As tidings of the satisfaction of the first emigrants were borne back
the bay.
to the fatherland, the desire to seek a home in the new country spread rapidly, and the ships sailing were unable to take the many families seeking passage.
The Dutch were in actual possession of Fort Nassau when the Swedes

arrived, and though they continued to hold it and to seek the trade of the
Indians, yet the artful Minuit was more than a match for them in Indian barter.
William Keift, the Governor of New Netherland, entered a vigorous
protest against the encroachments of the Swedes upon Dutch territory, in
which he said " this has been our property for many years, occupied with
forls and sealed by our blood, which also was done when thou wast in the
service of New Netherland, and is therefore well known to thee. "
But Minuit
pushed forward the work upon his fort, regardless of protest, trusting to the
respect which the flag of Sweden had inspired in the hands of Banner and
Torstensen.
For more than a year no tidings were had from Sweden, and no
supplies from any source were obtained; and while the fruits of their labors
were abundant there were many articles of diet, medicines and apparel, the
lack of which they began to sorely feel.
So pressing had the want become,
that application had been made to the authorities at Manhattan for permission
But on the very day before that on
to remove thither with all their effects.
which they were to embark, a ship from Sweden richly laden with provisions,
cattle, seeds and merchandise for barter with the natives came joyfully to their
relief, and this, the first permanent settlement on soil where now are the States
of Delaware and Pennsylvania, was spared. The success and prosperity of the
colony during the first few years of its existence was largely due to the skill
and policy of Minuit, who preserved the friendship of the natives, avoided an
open conflict with the Dutch, and so prosecuted trade that the Dutch Governor
reported to his government that trade had fallen off 30,000 beavers.
Minuit
first

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA

25

years, and died in the midst
at the head of the colony for about three
led.
he
had
whom
people
the
of
tt n
j
t,
u
;i
had
who
Minuit was succeeded in the government by Peter Hollandaer,
in
now,
was
who
and
emigrants,
of
previously gone in charge of a company
Delaware were a constant
1641 commissioned. The goodly lands upon the
from Connecticut, under the leadattraction to the eye of the adventurer; a party
without authority upon the site
ership of Robert Cogswell, came, and squatted
Another company had proceeded up the
of the present town of Salem. N. J.
themselves upon its banks.
river and, entering the Schuylkill, had planted
powerful
The settlement of the Swedes, backed as it was by one of the most
not disposed to
was
Netherland
New
of
Governor
the
Europe,
of
nations
these irresponsible wandering adventurers came sailing past

was

but when
and boldly planted themselves upon the most eligible sites and ferdetermined to assume a hostile front,
tile lands in their territory, the Dutch
Gen. Jan Jansen Van Ilpendam— his
Accordingly,
away.
them
drive
and to
the emigrants— was sent with two
away
frighten
very name was enough to
party upon the Schuylkill, destroythe
routed
who
force,
military
a
and
vessels
punishment that was likely to be
of
the
taste
a
fort and giving them

iQolest-

their forts

ino- their

The Swedes
repeated.
to them, if this experiment of trespass was
away the
driving
and
Salem
at
settlement
the
joined the Dutch in breaking up
intruders.
England
Isfew
meted out

the Swedish
In 1642, Hollandaer was succeeded in the government of
of affairs were
Colony by John Printz, whose instructions for the management
" He was.
drawn with much care by the officers of the company in Stockholm.
relations with the Indians, and by the advanfirst of all, to maintain friendly
His next care was to cultivate enough
tacre of low prices hold their Irade.
insured, turn his attengrain for the wants of the colonists, and when this was
of a good species,
sheep
and
cattle
of
raising
the
tobacco,
tion lo the culture of
manufacture of
The
of silk worms.
raising
the
and
grape,
the
of
culture
the
were
to be proseminerals
and
metals
for
search
the
salt by evaporation, and
fisheries, with a view to profit,
cuted and inquiry into the establishment of
It will be seen from these inespecially the whale fishery, was to be made."
had formed an exalted constructions that the far-sighted Swedish statesmen
had figured to themselves
and
country,
new
the
of
ception of the resources
Visions of rich silk products,
great possibilities from its future development.
flocks upon a thousand hills
of the precious metals and gems from its mines,

fleeces the best products of the
that should rival in the softness of their downy
that could make glad the
vine
the
of
clusters
luscious
the
Indian looms, and
palate of the epicm-e filled their imaginations.
arrived at
With two vessels, the Stoork and Renown, Printz set sail, and
bred to the profession
Tort Christina on the 15th of February, 1643, He was
eye to his ability to holding possesof arms, and was doubtless selected with an
He had been a
to arise.
sion of the land against the conflict that was likely
who
proportions
prodigious
of
man
withal
a
was
and
cavalry,
Lieutenant of
three
drank
and
pounds,
of
400
"upward
weighed," according to De Vries,
notions of his dignity as Governdrinks at every meal." He entertained exalted
in his new dominions with
himself
establish
or of the colony, and prepared to
from Sweden the bricks
him
with
brought
He
magnificence.
of
some degree
Upon an inspection of
dwelling.
royal
to be used for the construction of his
of the location of tort
weakness
inherent
the
detected
he
the settlement,
river, and selected the island
Christina for commanding the navigation of the
New Gottenburg, which was
called
fort,
anew
of
site
the
for
of Tinacum
In the midst of
logs.
hemlock
huge
with
speedily erected and made strong

...

26

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

the island, he built his royal residence, which was surrounded with trees and
bhubbery.
He erected another fort near the mouth of Salem Creek,
called Elsinborg, which he mounted with eight brass twelve-pounders,
and garrisoned. Here all ships ascending the river were brought to,
and required to await a permit from the Governor before proceeding

Gen. Van Ilpendam, who had been sent to di'ive
from New England, had remained after executing
his commission as commandant at Fort Nassau; but having incurred the displeasure of Director Keift, he had been displaced, and was succeeded by Andreas Hudde, a crafty and politic agent of the Dutch Governor, who had no
sooner arrived and become settled in his place than a conflict of authority
sprang up between himself and the Swedish Governor. Dutch settlers secured
a grant of land on the west bank of Delaware, and obtained possession by purchase from the Indians.
This procedure kindled the wrath of Printz, who
tore down the ensign oi the company which had been erected in token of
the power of Holland, and declared that he would have pulled down the
colors of their High Mightinesses had they been erected on this the Swedish soil.
That there might be no mistake about his claim to authority, the
testy Governor issued a manifesto to his rival on thie opposite bank, in which
were these explicit declarations:
" Andreas Hudde! I remind you again, by this written warning, to discontinue the injuries of which you have been guilty against the Royal Majesty
of Sweden, my most gracious Queen; against Her Royal Majesty's rights, pretensions, soil and land, without showing the least respect to the Royal Majesty's magnificence, reputation and dignity; and to do so no more, considering
how little it would be becoming Her Royal Majesty to bear such gross violence,
and what great disasters might originate from it, yea, might be expected. *
* * All this I can freely bring forward in my own defense, to exculpate me
from -all future calamities, of which we give you a warning, and place it at
your account. Dated New Gothenburg, 3d September, stil, veteri 1640."
It will be noted from the repetition of the high sounding epithets applied
to the Queen, that Printz had a very exalted idea of his own position as the
Vicegerent of the Swedish monarch. Hudde responded, saying in reply: " The
place we possess we hold in just deed, perhaps before the name of South River
was heard of in Sweden." This paper, itpon its presentation, Printz flung to
the ground in contempt, and when the messenger, who bore it, demanded an
answer, Printz unceremoniously threw him out doors, and seizing a gun would
have dispatched the Dutchman had he not been arrested; and whenever any of
Hudde's men visited Tinicum they were sure to be abused, and frequently came
back " bloody and bruised. " Hudde urged rights acquired by prior possesBion, but Printz answered: " The devil was the oldest possessor in hell, yet he,,
notwithstanding, would sometimes admit a younger one." A vessel which had
come to the Delaware from Manhattan with goods to barter to the Indians, was
brought to, and ordered away. In vain did Hudde plead the rights acquired
by previous possession, and finally treaty obligations existing between the
two nations. Printz was inexorable, and peremptorily ordered the skipper
away, and as his ship was not provided with the means of fighting its way up
past the frowning battlements oE Fort Elsinborg, his only alternative was to
return to Manhattan and report the result to his employers.
Peter Stuyvesant, a man of a good share of native talent and force of chciracter, succeeded to the chief authority over New Netherland in May, 1*U7.
The affairs of his colony were not in an encouraging condition. The New
England colonies were crowding upon him from the north and east, and the
to

their

away

the

destination.

intruders

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

2T

Swedes upon the South River were occupying the territory which the Dutch
many years previous to the coming of Christina's colony had claimed.
Amid the thickening complications, Stuyvesant had need of all his power of
argument and. executive skill. He entered into negotiations with the New Enfor

.

gland colonies for a peaceful settlement of their difficulties, getting the verybest terms ke could, without resorting to force; for, said his superiors, the
officers of the company in Holland, who had an eye to dividends, " War cannot be for our advantage; the New England people are too powerful for us."
A pacific policy was also preserved toward the Swedes. Hudde was retained
at the head of Dutch affairs upon the Delaware, and he was required to make
full reports of everything that was transpiring there in order that a clear inStuyvesant was ensight might be gained of the policy likely to be pursued.
He recommended to the
tirely too shrewd a politician for the choleric Printz.
company to plant a Dutch colony on the site of Zwanendal at the mouth of
the river, another on the opposite bank, which, if effectually done, would command its navigation; and a third on tho upper waters at Beversreede, which
would intercept the intercourse of the native population. By this course of
active colonizing, Stuyvesant rightly calculated that the Swedish power would
be circumscribed, and finally, upon a favorable occasion, be crushed out.
Stuyvesant, that he might ascertain the nature and extent of the Swedish
claims to tho country, and examine into the complaints that were pouring in
upon him of wrongs and indignities suffered by the Dutch at the hands of the
Swedish power, in 1651 determined to visit the Delaware in his official capacity.
He evidently went in some state, and Printz, who was doubtless impressed
with the condecension of the Governor of all New Netherland in thus coming,
Stuyvesant, by his address, got completely
was put upon his good behavior.
on the blind side of the Swedish chief, maintaining the garb of friendship
and brotherly good- will, and insisting that the discussion of rights should be
carried on in a peaceful and friendly manner, for we are informed that they
mutually promised " not to commit any hostile or vexatious acts against one
another, but to maintain together all neighborly friendship and correspondPrintz was thus, by this
good friends and allies aro bound to do.
agreement, entirely disarmed and placed at a disadvantage; for the Dutch.
Governor took advantage of the armistice to acquire lands below Fort Christina, where he proceeded to erect a fort onl^' five miles away, which he named
Fort Casimir.
This gave the Dutch a foothold upon the south bank, and in
Fort Nassau was disnearer proximity to the ocean than Fort Christina.
In a conference with the
mantled and destroyed, as being no longer of use.
Swedish Governor, Stuj'vesant demanded to see documental proof of his right
to exercise authority upon he Delaware, and the compass of the lands to
which the Swedish Government laid claim. Printz prepared a statement in
which he set out the "Swedish limits wide enough." But Stuyvesant demanded the documents, under the seal of the company, and characterized this
writing as a "subterfuge," maintaining by documentary evidence, on his part,
the Dutch West India Company's right to the soil.
Printz was great as a blusterer, and preserver of authority when personal
abus,> and kicks and cuffs could be resorted to without the fear of retaliation;
but no match in statecraft for the wily Stuyvesant.
To the plea of pre-occupancy he had nothing to answer more than he had already done to Hudde's
messenger respecting the government of Hades, and herein was the cause of
the Swedes inherently weak.
In numbers, too, the Swedes were feeble compared with the Dutch, who had ten times the population.
But in diplomacy
he had been entirely overreached. Fort Casimir, by its location, rendered

ence, as

'

'

28

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA

the rival Fort Elainborg powerless, and under plea that the mosquitoes had become troublesome there, it was abandoned. Discovering, doubtless, that a cloud
of complications was thickening over him, which he would be unable with the
forces at his command to successfully withstand, he asked to be relieved, and,
without awaiting an answer to his application, departed for Sweden, leaving
his son-in-law, John Pappegoya, who had pi'eviously received marks of the
royal favor, and been invested with the dignity of Lieutenant Governor, in

supreme authority.
The Swedish company had by this time, no doubt, discovered that forcible
opposition to Swedish occupancy of the soil upon Delaware was destined soon
to come, and accordingly, as a precautionary measure, in November, 1653, the
College of Commerce sent John Amundson Besch, with the commission of
Captain in the Navy, to superintend the construction of vessels. Upon his
arrival, he acquii'ed lands suitable for the purpose of ship-building, and set
about laying his keels. He was to have supreme authority over the naval force,
and was to act in conjunction with the Governor in protecting the interests of
the colony, but in such a manner that neither should decide anything without
consulting tho other.

On receiving the application of Printz to be relieved, the company appointed John Claude Rysingh, then Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce,
He was instructed to fortify and extend
as Vice Director of New Sweden.
the Swedish possessions, but without interrupting the friendship existing
with the English or Dutch. He was to use his power of persuasion in inducing the latter to give up Fort Casimir, which was regarded as an intrusion
upon Swedish possessions, but without resorting to hostilities, as it was better
to allow the Dutch to occupy it than to have it fall into the hands of tbe English, "who are the more powerful, and, of course, the most dangerous in that
Gov.
Thus early was the prowess of England foreshadowed.
country."
Rysingh arrived in the Delaware, on the last day of May, 1654, and immediately
-demanded the surrender of Fort Casimir. Adriaen Van Tienhoven, an aidede-camp on the staff of the Dutch commandant of the fort, was sent on board
the vessel to demand of Gov. Rysingh by what right he claimed to dispossess the rightful occupants; but the Governor was not disposed to discuss
the matter, and immediately landed a party and took possession without more
opposition than wordy protests, the Dutch Governor saying, when called on to
make defease, "What can I do? there is no powder." Rysingh, however, in
justification of his course, stated to Teinhoven, after he had gained possession
of the fort, that he was acting under orders from the crown of Sweden, whose
embassador at the Dutch Court, when remonstrating against tbe action of Gov.
Stuyvesant in erecting and manning Fort Casimir had been assured, by
the State's General and the offices of the West India Company, that they had
not authorized the erection of this fort on Swedish soil, saying, " if our people
"Thereupon the Swedish
are in your Excellency's way, drive them off."
Governor slapped Van Teinhoven on the breast, and said, Go! tell your GovAs the capture was made on Trinity Sunday, the name was
ernor that.'"
changed from Fort Casimir to Fort Trinity.
Thus were the instructions of the new Governor, not to resort to force, but
to secure possession of the fort by negotiation, complied with, but by a forced
For, although he had not actually come to battle, for the very
interpretation.
good reason that the Dutch had no powder, and were not disposed to use
their fists against fire arms, which the Swedes brandished freely, yet, in making his demand for the fort, he had put on the stern aspect of war.
Stuyvesant, on learning of the loss of Fort Casimir, sent a messenger to the
'

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

29

Delaware to invite Gov. Rysingh to come to Mant attan to hold friendly conference upon the subject of their difficulties. This Rysingh refused to do, and the
Dutch Governor, probably desiring instructions from the home Governmeiit before proceeding to extremities, made a voyage to tbe West Indies for the purpose
of arranging favorable regulations of trade with the colonies, though without
the instructions, or even the knowledge of the States General.
Cromwell,
who was now at the head of the English nation, by the policy of his agents,
rendered this embassy of Stuyvesant abortive.
As soon as information of the conduct of Rysingh at Zwanendal was
known in Holland, the company lost no time in disclaiming the representations which he had made of its willingness to have the fort turned over to the
Swedes, and immediately took measures for restoring it and wholly dispossessOn the 16th of November, 1655,
ing the Swedes of lands upon the Delaware.
the company ordered Stuyvesant "to exert every nerve to avenge the insult,
by not only replacing matters on the Delaware in their former position, but
by driving the Swedes from every side of the river," though they subsequently modified this order in such manner as to allow the Swedes, after Fort Casimir had been taken, "to hold the land on which Fort Christina is built," with
a garden to cultivate tobacco, because it appears that they had made the purchase with the previous knowledge of the compeny, thus manifesting a disinclination to involve Holland in a war with Sweden.
"Two armed «hips were
forthwilh commissioned; 'the drum was beaten daily for volunteers in the
streets of Amsterdam; authority was sent out to arm and equip, and if necessary to press into the company's service a sufficient number of ships for the
expedition."
In the meantime, Gov. Rysingh, who had inaugurated his
'

reign by so bold a stroke of policy, determined to ingratiate himself into the
favor of the Indians, who had been soured in disposition by the arbitrary conduct of the passionate Printz.
He accordingly sent out on all sides
an invitation to the native tribes to assemble on a certain day, by their chiefs
and principal men, at the seat of government on Tinicum Island, to brighten
the chain of friendship and renew their pledges of faith and good neighborhood.
On the morning of the appointed day, ten grand sachems with their attendants came, and with the formality characteristic of these native tribes, the
council opened. Many and bitter were the complaints made against the Swedes
for wrongs suffered at their hands, " chief among which was that many of
their number had died, plainly pointing, though not explicitly saying it, to the
giving of spirituous liquors as the cause." The new Governor had no answer
to make to these complaints, being convinced, probably, that they were but too
true.
Without attempting to excuse or extenuate the past, Rysingh brought
forward the numerous presents which he had taken with him from Sweden for
the purpose.
The sight of the piled up goods produced a prof ound impression
upon the minds of the native chieftains. They sat apart for conference before
making any expression of their feelings. Naaman, the fast friend of the white
man, and the most consequential of the warriors, according to Campanius,
spoke: " Look," said he, "and see what they have brought to us." So saying, he stroked himself three times down the arm, which, among the Indians,
was a token of friendship; afterward he thanked the Swedes on behalf of his
people for the presents tliey had received, and said that friendship should be
observed more strictly between them than ever before; that the Sweden and
the Indians in Gov. Printz's time were as one body and one heart, striking his
breast as he spoke, and that thenceforward they should be as one head; in
token of which he took hold of his head with both hands, and made a motion

30

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

" That, as the
as if he were tying a knot, and then he made this comparison:
calabash was round, without any crack, so they should be a compact body without any fissure; and that if any should attempt to do any harm to the Indians,
the Swedes should immediately inform them of it; and, on the other hand, the
Indians would give immediate notice to the Christians, even if it were in the
middle of the night." On this they were answered that that would be indeed
a true and lasting friendship, if every one would agree to it; on which they
gave a general shout in token of consent. Immediately on this the great guns
were fired, which pleased them extremely, and they said, ''Poo, hoo, Jioo;
mokerick picon,^' that is to say "Hear and believe; the great guns are fired."
Rysingh then produced all the treaties which had ever been concluded between
them and the Swedes, which were again solemnly confirmed. " When those
who had signed the deeds heard their names, they appeared to rejoice, but,
when the names were read of those who were dead, they hung their heads in
sorrow."
After the first ebulition of feeling had subsided on the part of the Dutch
Company at Amsterdam, the winter passed without anything further being
done than issuing the order to Stuyvesant to proceed against the Swedes. In
the spring, however, a thirty-six-gun brig was obtained from the burgomasters
of Amsterdam, which, with four other crafts of varying sizes, was prepared for
duty, and the little fleet set sail for New Netherland.
Orders were given for
immediate action, though Director General Stuyvesant had not returned from
the West Indies.
Upon the arrival of the vessels at Manhattan, it was announced that " if any lovers of the prosperity and security of the province of
New Netherland were inclined to volunteer, or to serve for reasonable wages,
they should come forward," and whoever should lose a limb, or be maimed, was
assured of a decent compensation. The merchantmen were ordered to furnish
two of their crews, and the river boatmen were to be impressed. At this juncture a grave question arose: "Shall the Jews be enlisted?" It was decided
in the negative; but in lieu of service, adult male Jews were taxed sixty five
stivers a head per month, to be levied by execution in case of refusal.
Stuyvesant had now arrived from his commercial trip, and made ready for
opening the campaign in earnest. A day of prayer and thanksgiving was held
to beseech the favor of Heaven upon the enterprise, and on the 5th of September, 1655, with a fleet of seven vessels and some 600 men, Stuyvesant hoisted
sail and steered for the Delaware.
Arrived before Fort Trinity (Casimir), the
Director sent Capt. Smith and a drummer to summon the fort, and ordered a
flank movement by a party of fifty picked men to cut ofl" communication with
Fort Christina and the headquarters of Gov. Rysingh. Swen Schute, the commandant of the garrison, asked permission to communicate with Rysingh,
which was denied, and he was called on to prevent bloodshed. An interview
in the valley midway between the fort and the Dutch batteries was held, when
Schute asked to send an open letter to Rysingh. This was denied, and for a
third time the fort was summoned.
Impatient of delay, and in no temper for
parley, the great guns were landed and the Dutch force ordered to advance.
Schute again asked for a delay until morning, which was granted, as the day
was now well spent and the Dutch would be unable to make the necessary
preparations to open before morning. Early on the following day, Schute went
on board the Dutch flag- ship, the j3alance, and agreed to terms of surrender
very honorable to his flag.
He was permitted to send to Sweden, by the first
opportunity, the cannon, nine in number, belonging to the crown of Sweden,
to march out of the fort with twelve men, as his body guard, fully accoutered,
and colors flying; the common soldiers to wear their side arms. The com-

31

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

mandant and other officers were to retain their private property, the muskets
belonging to the crown were to be held until sent for, and finally the fort was
to be surrendered, with all the cannon, ammunition, materials and other goods
The Dutch entered the fort at noon
belono-ing to the West India Company.
of war, and Dominie Megapcircumstance
glorious
and
formality
the
with all
Chaplain of the expedition, preached a sermon of thanksgiving on the
following Sunday in honor of the great triumph.
While these signal events were transpiring at Casimir, Gov. Rysing, at his
royal residence on Tinicum, was in utter ignorance that he was being despoiled
A detachment of nine men had been sent by the Governor to
of' his power.
Casimir to re-enforce the garrison, which came unawares upon the Dutch lines,
and after a brief skirmish all but two were captured. Upon learning that the
of the infort was invested. Factor Ellswyck was sent with a flag to inquire
The answer was returned "To recover
vaders the purpose of their coming.
and retain our property." Rysingh then communicated the hope that they
would therewith rest content, and not encroach further upon Swedish territory,
for
having, doubtless, ascertained by this time that the Dutch were too strong
answer,
evasive
an
returned
Stuyvesant
resistance.
him to make any effectual
It will be remembered that
but made ready to march upon Fort Christina.
reduction of the Swedes,
the
for
given
orders
modified
by the terms of the
But the Dutch Governor's blood was
Fort Christina was not to be disturbed.
now up, and he determined to make clean work while the means were in his
Discovering that the Dutch were advancing, Rysingh spent the whole
hands.

olensis,

'

position to
night in strengthening the defenses and putting the garrison in
make a stout resistance. Early on the following day the invaders made their
deappearance on the opposite bank of Christina Creek, where they threw up
Forces were landed above the fort, and the
fenses and planted their cannon.
having been
place was soon invested on all sides, the vessels, in the meantime,
fort and
brought into the mouth of the creek, their cannon planted west of the
his garriand
Governor
the
shut
up
securely
thus
Having
on Timber Island.
Rysingh could not in honor
son, Stuyvesant summmoned him to surrender.
to make a defense and
resolved
was
it
war
of
council
at
a
and
tamely submit,
But their
" leave the consequence to be redressed by our gracious superiors."
of only
consisted
force
his
and
round,
one
for
sufficed
barely
supply of powder
In the meantime, the Dutch soldiery made free with the property
thirty men.
invading their tomes.
of the Swedes without the fort, killing their cattle and
"At length the Swedish garrison itself showed symptoms of mutiny. The
men were harassed with constant watching, provisions began to fail, many
if they held
were sick, several had deserted, and Stuyvesant threatened, that,
which ended
held
was
conference
A
quarter."
no
give
to
longer,
out much
for defense.
by the return of Rysingh to the fort more resolute than ever
hours for a
twenty-four
gave
and
ultimatum
his
in
sent
Stuyvesant
Finally
humane
the
evincing
consideration
for
final answer, the generous extent of time
is perhaps more
what
or
army,
invading
the
of
commander
the
of
disposition
Before the expiration of the
probable his own lack of stomach for carnage.
" after a siege of fourteen days, durcapitulated,
garrison
the
allowed,
time
than cannoning which, very fortunately, there was a great deal more talking
poultry and swme, which
goats,
the
of
those
except
shed,
blood
no
and
ading,
The twenty or thirty Swedes then
the Dutch troops laid their bands on.
drums beating,
marched out with their arms; colors flying, matches lighted,
down tne
hauled
fort,
the
of
possession
took
and the Dutch

and fifes playing,
Swedish flag" and hoisted

By

their

own."

the terms of capitulation, the Swedes,

.,

,

who wished

,

to

•

remain

m
•

m
the

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

32

country, were permitted to do so, od taking the oath of allegiance, and righta
Gov. Ryof property were to be respected under the sway of Dutch law.
singh, and all others who desired to return to Europe, were furnished passage,
and by a secret provision, a loan of £300 Flemish was made to Rysingh, to be
refunded on bis arrival in Sweden, the cannon and other property belonging
to the crown remaining in the hands of the Dutch until the loan was paid.
Before withdrawing Stuyvesant offered to deliver over Fort Christina and the
lands immediately about it to Rysingh, but this offer was declined with dignity, as the matter had now passed for arbitrament to the courts of the two nations.

The terms of the capitulation were honorable and liberal enough, but the
Dutch authorities seem to have exercised little care in carrying out its provisFor Ry^
ions, or else the discipline in the service must have been very las.
singh had no sooner arrived at Manhattan, than he entered most vigorous prothe capitulation to Gov. Stuyasserted that tlje property belonging to the Swedish crown had
been left without guard or protection from pillage, and that be himself had
He accused the Dutch
not been assigned quarters suited to his dignity.
with having broken open the church, and taken away all the cordage and sails
of a new vessel, with having plundered the villages, Tinnakong, Uplandt. Fin" In Christina, the women were violently
land, Printzdorp and other places.
torn from their houses; whole buildings were destroyed; yea, oxen, cows, hogs
and other creatures were butchered day after day; even tbe horses were not
spared, but wantonly shot; the plantations destroyed, and the whole country
so desolated that scarce any means were left for the subsistence of the inhab"Your men carried off even my own property, " said Rysingh,
itants."
" with that of my family, and we were left like sheep doomed to the knife,
without means of defense against the wild barbarians."
Thus the colony of Swedes and Fins on the South River, which had been
planned by and had been the object of solicitude to the great monarch himself,
and had received tbe fostering care of the Swedish Government, came to an
end after an existence of a little more than seventeen years 1638-1655. But
though it no longer existed as a colony under the government of the crown of
Sweden, many of the colonists remained and became the most intelligent and
law-abiding citizens, and constititted a vigorous element in the future growth
of the State.
Some of the best blood of Europe at this period flowed in the
love for Sweden," says Bancroft, "their dear
veins of the Swedes.
mother country, the abiding sentiment of loyalty toward its sovereign, conAt Stockholm, they remained for a
tinued to distinguish the little band.
century the objects of disinterested and generous regard; affection united them
in the New "World; and a part of their descendants still preserve their altar
and their dwellings around the graves of their fathers."
This campaign of Stuyvesant. for tbe dispossessing of the Swedes of territory upon the Delaware, furnishes Washington Irving subject for some of the
most inimitable chapters of broad humor, in his Knickerbocker's New York, to
be found in the English language. And yet, in the midst of his side-splitting
paragraphs, he indulges in a reflection which is worthy of remembrance.
"He who reads attentively will discover the threads of gold which run
throughout the web of history, and are invisible to the dull eye of ignorance.
* * * By the treacherous surprisal of Fort Casimir, then, did the crafty
Swedes enjoy a transient triumph, but drew upon their heads the vengeance
By the
of Peter Stuyvesant, who wrested all New Sweden from their hands.
conquest of New Sweden, Peter Stuyvesant aroused the claims of Lord Balti-

tests against the violations of the provisions of

vesant.

He

—

"A

33

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

who subdued the whole
to the cabinet of Great Britain,
the whole exten of
achievement,
great
By this
Netherlands.

more who appealed

province of New
Floridas, was rendered one ent re
North America, from Nova Scotia to the
mark the consequence: The hithBut
dependency upon the British crown.
and ^^--^
consolidated
thus
being
scatteJed^colonies
/tc'om^
^^^
great and powerful
check or keep them in awe, waxed
^^*^„^.f
^^?°°""^^^f
But
to shake off is bonds.
enabled
were
country,
mother
the
too stronsr for
America prorevolution
successful
the
h^re;
the charn^of effects stopped not
France, which produced the puissant
duced the sanguinary revolution in
despotism.
French
xu
Rnnnnavte who Di'oduced the
emigrants arrived, the
TnMa^ch 16^6 the ship ''Mercury,'' with 130 of the Dutch conqiiest^
had no intimation
^overnSa'tSt^^^^^^^^
ordered to
a landing, and the vpssel was
prevent
to
made
was
An attempt
disregarde^ and the co was
order
the
but
Manhattan,
fepor to Stuyvesant at
The
debarred and acquired lands.
^J.^^-^^^.^l^ll^^^^
of the Dutch, and tne niin
proceedings
nosed to submit to these high-handed
of thear differences^
discussion
a heated
fstersof thetwo courts maintained
conquests, the government
their
force
by
hold
to
F ndini the Dutch disposed
In that year vigorous measrest until 1064.
of S^J^den allowed the claim to
and a Aeet bearing
Delaware,
the
upon
claims
its
regain
ures wertplanned to
been obliged to
having
But,
purpose.
for the
a military Yorce was dispatched
abandoned.
was
enterprise
the
weather,
of
stress
puTbac7on account of

S

^ "^
m

.

-,

Sb

CHAPTEE
T

XT

-P.TTT

III.

1657-59-Goeran
TAroTTET 1655-57-Jacob Alrichs,

Van Dyck,

D'HINOYOSSA.

''""5rwrL?rrBE?4AN;i658-63-A

now under exclusive
rr-^HF colonies upon the Delaware being
appointed in November,
was
Jaquet
Job^Paul
Duteh
Direc?;f D'erck Smid. ^^vgg ex-is^^^^

T

1657

1659-64.

control of the

If 5,

as Vice

The
--V-^f^f.^'^^%^^^ SdiaXmpany, which had been obliged
Swedes was sorely felt by the \\ e%\^^j^™f Amsterdam
In payment of

vesant.

the
Sicating with Stuyvesant upon
dnly
after
Swedes,
<=™s'''''"°f ""

}*J^^^°*,^^"J3%"„o J,a^ee8 of the
™^,^T?.,;^ ' ^^
not have been

Swed„h

f;ZT^'J^ZZf.^!tS:u::not
'""'"'
disp eased had
^^
"
™^^

'^r'f^,.^al

what

SVad" adding
long
is

whe^as words
l':rdr ;S pX"d"S:n™:?dr.ed
may be explained away.
or
lapse of time, forgotten,

as a paren.
preserved,
not recorded are,in the

written

is

too

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA

34

Stuyvesant still remained in supreme control over both the colony of the
and the colony of the company, to the immediate governorship of the latBut though settlements in
ter of which, Goerau Van Dyck was appointed.
the management of affairs were frequently made, they would not remain setThere was conflict of authority between Alrichs and Van Dyck. The
tled.
companies soon found that a grievous system of smuggling had sprung up.
After a searching examination into the irregularities by Stuyvesant, who visited the Delaware for the purpose, he recommended the appointment of one
general agent who should have charge of all the revenues of both colonies,
and "William Beekman was accordingly appointed. The company of the city
seems not to have been watisfied with the profits of their investment, and accordingly made new regulations to govern settlement, by which larger returns
would accrue. This action created discontent among the settlers, and many
who were meditating the purchase of lands and the acquisition of homes, determined to go over into Maryland where Lord Baltimore was offering far more
To add to the discomforts of the settlers, " the
liberal terms of settlement.
miasms which the low alluvial soil and the rank and decomposed vegetation
produced wasting sicknesses. When the planting
of a new country engenders,
was completed, and the new soil, for ages undisturbed, had been thoroughly
stirred, the rains set in which descended almost continuously, producing fever
and ague and dysentery. Scarcely a family escaped the epidemic. Six in
New colothe family of Director Alrichs were attacked, and his wife died.
" Scarcity of
nists came without provisions, which only added to the distress.
provisions," says O'Calaghan, " naturally followed the failure of the crops;
900 schepels of grain had been sown in the spring. They produced scarcely
600 at harvest. Rye rose to three guilders the bushel; peas to eight guilders
the sack; salt was twelve guilders the bushel at New Amsterdam; cheese and
butter were not to be had, and when a man journeys he can get nothing but
dry bread, or he must take a pot or kettle along with him to cook his victuals."
" The place had now got so bad a name that the whole river could not wash it
clean."
The exactions of the city company upon its colony, not only did not
bring increased revenue, but by dispersing the honest colonists, served to
who had laid claim to the lands upon Delaware, on
notify Lord Baltimore
account of original discovery by Lord De la War, from whom the river takes
its name, and from subsequent charter of the British crown, covering territory
from the 38th to the 40th degree of latitude of the weakness of the colonies,
and persuade him that now was a favorable opportunity to enforce his claims.
Accordingly, Col. Utie, with a number of delegates, was dispatched to demand
that the Dutch should quit the place, or declare themselves subjects of Lord
Baltimore, adding, " that if they hesitated, they should be responsible for
whatever innocent blood might be shed."
Excited discussions ensued between the Dutch authorities and the agents
of the Maryland government, and it was finally agreed to refer the matter to
Gov. Stuyvesant, who immediately sent Commissioners to the Chesapeake to
settle differences, and enter into treaty regulations for the mutual return of
fugitives, and dispatched sixty soldiers to the Delaware to assist in preserving
order, and resisting the English, should an attempt be made to dispossess the
Dutch.
Upon the death of Alrichs, which occurred in 1659, Alexander D'Hinoyossa
was appointed Governor of the city colony. The new Governor was a man of
good business capacity, and sought to administer the affairs of his colony for
the best interests of the settlers, and for increasing the revenues of the comTo further the general prosperity, the company negotiated a new loan
pany.
city

'

'

—

—

35

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

This liberal policy had
resources.
^ith which to strengthen and improve its
o. tb^uver moved
above
settled
had
The dlired effect. ^The Swedesrwho
the city colony^ The Fmsand diaof
lands
the
on
homes
acquired
down, and
retixrned and brought with them
contented Dutch, who had gone to Maryland,
settlers.
,
English
some of the
authority which seemed mter^
Discouraged by the harassing conflicts of
all its
minable, the^Yest'India Company transferred
^^^^^^^^^
to
-^.--J^
of D Hmoyossa
the visit
upon
and
city,
the
of the river to the colony of
goverBm;^*
exclusive
and
entire
Holland in 1663, he secured for himself the
no longer subject to the authority of
of the colonies upon the Delaware, being
.

.

,

^

there being now a
liberal terms of settlement, and
Mennonite commuthither.
attracted
of stable government, emigrants were
" Clergymen were not allowed to ]oin them, nor any
^iv came in a body.
the Roman See, usurious
^Sracteblepeopleluch as those in communion with
the milbelievers
foolhardy
Puritans,
Quakers,
Jews, Englis^h stiff-necked
obliged
"
were
They
revelation.'
pretenders to

prospect

^^Tncouraged by

A

m

lennium, and obstinate modern

Magistrates were to receive no comclimate were regarded as exce
and
The soil
the
"
on
hnest
peopled, the country would be the

to take an oath never to seek for
" not even a stiver. "
pensation,
Fent,

and when

sufficiently

an

office;

face of the globe."

OHAPTEE
RTPTTAT^r,

TTtohols

IT.

1664-67-Robert Needham, 1664-68-Francis Lovelace,
COLVE. 1673-74-PETER ALRICH9,

^'^67 73-JOHN CArT i668-73-ANTHONY
1673-74.

the dawning of
were scarcely arranged upon the Delaware, and
complications
new
before
in,
ushered
colonists
the
a better day for
The
America.
in
power
Dutch
began to threaten the subversion of the whole
Cromwell
Under
seaboard
Atlantic
entire
the
English had always claimed
Captain
the New W orld.
the Navigation act was aimed at Dutch interests
of Charles I having
army
the
in
officer
an
been
John Scott, who had
of Connecticut, had visited
obtained some show of authority from the Governor
was ajxuxed population of
where
Island,
Long
of
end
the towns upon the west
purchased large tracts of
have
to
Dutch and English, and where he claimed
setting up a
authority
his
under
unite
to
them
land, and had persuaded
King to be
lonedthe
"peti
and
government of their own. He visited England
that the people thereof be
or
Island,
Long
of
government
invested with the
By his ^'^F^^^^tation
Assistants "
allowed to choose yearly a Governor and
" as to his majesty s title to the
council,
King's
the
by
an inquiry was instituted
deportment; management of the
premises; the intrusions of the Dutch; their
lastly, of the means necessary
and
government;
and
country; strength, trade
or ^^/^^^^^^^-^^.^^^^
King,
the
to induce orfSrc^them to acknowledge
and his F'^yer to the
Scott
of
visit
The
country."
them together from the
inaugiiratmg
of
^ pohcj,
occasion
the
Kino- for a grant of Long Island, was

AFFAIRS

m

m

the attent on
overthrow of Dutch rule in America. But
to
turned
^^^
been
time
"^P°^i.^^^^^^^ °,^^^^
of English statesmen had for some
occupied, and a be lef thah Dutch txade
territory which the Dutch colonies had
inquiry James,
was yielding great returns, stimulated

which

in the

result^ed in the

New World

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA

36

Duke of York, brother of the King, who afterward himself became King, was
probably at this time the power behind the throne that was urging on action
looking to the dispossession of the Dutch. The motive which seemed to actuate
He saw, as he
him was the acquisition of personal wealth and power.
thought, a company of merchants in Amsterdam accumulating great wealth out
of these colonies, and he meditated the transfer of this wealth to himself. He
was seconded in this project by the powerful influence of Sir George Downing,
who had been Envoy at The Hague, under Cromwell, -and was now under Charles
II. "Keen, bold, subtle, active, and observant, but imperious and unscrupulous,
disliking and distrusting the Dutch," he had watched every movement of the
company's granted privileges by the States General, and had reported every"The whole bent," says O'Calaghan,'' of this
thing to his superiors at home.
man's mind was constantly to hold up before the eyes of his countrymen the
growing power of Holland and her commercial companies, their immense
wealth and ambition, and the danger to England of permitting these to progress onward unchecked.''
After giving his testimony before the council, Scott returned to America
with a letter from the King recommending his interests to the co-operation find
On arriving in Connecticut, he was
protection of the New England colonies.
commissioned by the Governor of that colony to incorporate Long Island under
Connecticut jurisdiction. But the Baptists, Quakers and Menuonites, who formed
a considerable part of the population, " dreaded falling into the hands of the
Puritans." In a quaint document commencing, ''In the behalf e of sum hundreds of English here planted on the west end of Long Island wee address,"
On his arrival
etc. " they besought Scott to come and settle their difficulties.
he acquainted them with the fact, till then unknown, that King Charles had
granted the island to the Duke of York, who would soon assert his rights.
Whereupon the towns of Hemstede, Newwarke, Crafford, Hastings, Folestone
and Gravesend, entered into a "combination" as they termed it, resolved to
elect deputies to draw up laws, choose magistrates, and empowered Scott to
act as their President; in short set up the first independent State in America.
Scott immediately set out at the head of 150 men, horse and foot, to subdue
the island.
On the 22d of March, 1664, Charles II made a grant of the whole of Long
Island, and all the adjoining country at the time in possession of tho Dutch,
Borrowing four men-of-war of the king, James sent
to the Duke of York.
them in command of Col. Richard Nicholls, an old officer, with whom was associated Sir Robert Carr, Sir George Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick, Esq.,
and a force of 450 men, to dispossess the Dutch. To insure the success of the
expedition, letters were addressed to each of the Governors of the New England
colonies, enjoining upon them to unite in giving aid by men and material to
Nicholls,
The fleet sailed directly for Boston, where it was expected, and
whence, through one Lord, the Dutch were notified of its coming. The greatest consternation was aroused upon the receipt of this intelligence, and the
most active preparations were making for defense. But in the midst of these
preparations, notice was received from the Chambers at Amsterdam, doubtless
inspired by the English, that " no apprehension of any public enemy or danger from England need be entertained.
That the King was only desirous to
reduce the colonies to uniformity in church and state, and with this view was
dispatching some Commissioners with two or three frigates to New England to
introduce Episcopacy in that quarter."
Thrown completely ofif his guard by
this announcement, the Director General, Stuyvesant abandoned all preparations
for resistance, and indulged in no anticipations of a hostile visitation.
Thus
,

"

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

37

were three full weeks lost in which the colonies might have been put in a very
good state of defense.
Nicholls on arriving in American waters, touched at Boston and Connecticut, where some aid was received, and then hastened foward to Manhattan.
Stnyvesant had but a day or two before learned of the arrival, and of the hosScarcely had he issued ordei-H for bringing out his forces and for
tile intent.
fortifying before Nicholls scattered proclamations through the colony promising to protect all who submitted to his Brittanic majesty in the undisturbed
possession of their property, and made a formal summons upon Stuyvesant to
surrender the country to the King of Great Britain. The Director found that
he had an entirely different enemy to treat with from Rysingh, and a few halfarmed Swedes and Fins upon the Delaware. Wordy war ensued between the
Commissioners and the Director, and the English Governor finding that Stnyvesant not in the temper to yield, landed a body of his soldiers upon the lower end
of the island, and ordered Hyde, the commander of the fleet, to lay the frigates
Stnyvesant was standIt was a critical moment.
broadside before the city.
ing on one of the points of the fort when he saw the frigates approaching.
The gunner stood by with burning match, prepared to tire on the fleet, and
But he was restrained,
Stnyvesant seemed on the point of giving the order.
and a further communication was sent to Nicholls, who would listen to nothing

The
Still Stnyvesant held out.
short of the full execution of his mission.
inhabiUnts implored, but rather than surrender " he would be carried a corpse
The town was, however, in qo condition to stand a siege. The
to his grave."
Propowder at the fort would only suffice for one day of active operations.
The inhabitants were not disposed to be sacrificed, and
visions were scarce.
They were overheard mutthe disaffection among them spread to the soldiers.
tering, " Now we hope to pepper those devilish traders who have so long
salted us; we know where booty is to be found, and where the young women
who wear gold chains.
The Rev. Jannes Myapoleuses seems

live

to have been active in negotiations and
opposed to the shedding of blood. A remonstrance drawn by him was finally
adopted and signed by the principal men, and presented to the Director General, in which the utter hopelessness of resistance was set forth, and StnyveFavorable terms were arranged, and
sant finally consented to capitulate.
Nicholls promised that if it should be finally agreed between the English and
Dutch governments that the province should be given over to Dutch rule, he
would peacefully yield his authority. Tims without a gun being fired, the English made conquest of the Manhattoes.
Sir Robert Carr, with two frigates and an ample force, was dispatched to
The planters,
the Delaware to reduce the settlements there to English rule.
whether Dutch or Swedes, were to be insured in the peaceable possession of
their property, and the magistrates were to be continued in office.
Sailing past the fort, he disseminated among the settlers the news of the
surrender of Stnyvesant, and the promises of protection which Nicholls had
made use of. But Gov. D'Hinoyossa was not disposed to heed the demand
Whereupon Carr landed his forces and
for surrender without a struggle.
stormed the place. After a fruitless but heroic resistance, in which ten were
wounded and three were killed, the Governor was forced to surrender. Thus
was the complete subversion of the State's General in America consummated,
and the name of New Amsterdam gave place to that of New York, from the
name of the English proprietor, James, Duke of York.
The resistance offered by D'Hinoyossa formed a pretext for shameless
plunder.
Carr, in his report which shows him to have been a lawless fel-

38

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

low, says, "Ye soldiers never stoping nntill they stormed ye fort, andsae consequGiitly to plundering; the seamen, noe less given to that sport, were quickly
v^ithin, and have g "ton good store of booty."
Carr seized the farm of
D'Hinoyossa, hi; brc- er, John Carr, that of Sheriff Sweringen, and Ensign
Stock that of Peter Alrichs. The produce of the land for that year was seized,
" Even the inoffensive Mentogether with a cargo of goods that was unsold.
nonists, though non-combatant from principle, did not escape the sack and
plunder to which the whole river was subjected by Carr and his marauders.
boat was dispatched to tJieir settlement, which was stripped of everything,
to a very naile."
Nicholls, on hearing of the rapacious conduct of his subordinate, visited
the Delaware, removed Carr. and placed Robert Needham in command.
Previous to dispatching his fleet to America, in June, 1664, the Du^ke of York had
granted to John, Lord Berkeley, Baron of Stratton, and Sir George Carteret,
of Saltrum in Devon, the territory of New Jersey, bounded substantially as the
present State, and this, though but little settled by the Dutch, had been included in the terms of surrender secured by Nicholls. In many ways, he
showed himself a man of ability and discretion. He drew up with signal
success a body of laws, embracing most of the provisions which had been in
force in the English colonies, which were desiguated the Duke's Laws.
In May, 1667, Col. Fi*ancis Lovelace was appointed Governor in place of
Nicholls, and soon after taking charge of affairs, drew up regulations for the
government of the territory upon the Delaware, and dispatched Capt. John
Carr to act there as his Deputy Governor.
It was provided that whenever
complaint duly sworn to was made, the Governor was to summon " the schout,
Hans Block, Israel Helm. Peter Rambo, Peter Cock and Peter Alrichs, or any
two of them, as counsellors, to advise him, and determine by the major vote
what is just, equitable and necessary in the case in question." It was further
provided that all men should be punished in an exemplary manner, though
with moderation; that the laws should be frequently communicated to the
counsellors, and that in cases of difficulty recourse should be had to the Govi

A

ernor and Council at

New

York.

In 1668, two murders were perpetrated by Indians, which caused considerable disturbance and alarm throughout the settlements.
These capital crimes
appear to have been committed while the guilty parties were maddened by
liquor.
So impressed were the sachems and leading warriors of the baneful
effects of strong drink, that they appeared before the Council and besought its
authority to utterly prohibit the sale of it to any of their tribes.
These requests were repeated, and finally, upon the advice of Peter Alrichs, " the
Governor (Lovelace) prohibited, on pain of death, the selling of powder, shot
and strong liquors to the Indians, and writ to Carr on the occasion to use the
utmost vigilance and caution."
The native murderers were not apprehended, as it was difficult to trace
them;, but the Indians themselves were determined to ferret them out.
One
was taken and shot to death, who was the chief offender, but the other escaped
and was never after heard of. The chiefs summoned their young men, and in
presence of the English warned them that such would be the fate of all offenders.
Proud justly remarks: "This, at a time when the Indians were numerous and strong and the Europeans few and weak, was a memorable act of justice, and a proof of true friendship to the English, greatly alleviating the
fear, for which they had so much reason among savages, in this then wilderness country."
In 1669, a reputed son of the distinguished Swedish General, Connings-

3

39

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

another of his nationality, Henry
marke, commonly called the Long Fin, with
the language and habits of the
with
familiar
and
property,
of
man
Coleman, a
throw off the English rule and
to
insurrection
endeavored to incite an
was apprehended, and was
Fin
Long
The
supremacy.
Swedish
establish the
sentence was commuted to
his
reconsideration
condemned to die; but upon
chams to
was brought
He
letter B.
the
with
branding
to
and
whipping
year, and was
for
a
Sfcadt-house
the
in
New Yoil, where he was Incarcerated
Improvements in the modes of
then transported to Barbadoes to be sold.
New Castle was
introduced.
time
to
time
from
administer ng justice were
Dut.es on
Bailiff and six associates
a
by
governed
be
to
corpof-ation,
made a
to collect and
appointed
was
Pringer
Martin
Capt.
importations were laid, and
^
+ +1.
make due returns of them to Gov. Lovelace.
,
,
xr^fi.
declared war against the Neth.
In 1673 the French monarch, Louis XIV,
dethat
upon
down
moved
men
200,000
erlands, and with an army of over
English with a power^
the
force,
land
the
with
conjunction
void country. In
The aged Du Ruyter and
waters.
lu armament, descended upon the Dutch
the
meet
to
sea
to
boldly
put
^i^^^^^^P- J^^^^SJ^f
the youthful Van Tromp
coast on the 7th and 14th of June
naval battles were fought upon the Dutch
forces were finally repulsed and
and the 6th of Augustf in which the English
inhabitants, abandoning their
the
In the meantime,
driven from the coast.
Deeminvited inundation.
and
sea.
the
back
held
which
homes, cut the dikes
them
from
wrenched
possessions
their
ing this a favorable opportunity to regain
Cornelius
Commodores
under
fleet
small
sent
a
Dutch
the
ia the New World,
to demand the surreuder of all
Evertse and Jacobus Benkes, to New York,
to be absent, and his
happened
Lovelace
Gov.
possessions.
their previous
but brief resistance,
with
surrendered
representative, Capt. John Manning,
Jersey and Long Island on
East
Esopus,
Albany,
from
and the magistrates
fealty to the returning Dutch powex.
beino- summoned to New York, swore
to Delaware, where the magistrates
sent
was
Governor,
as
Anthony Colve,
Praperty
to his authority.
themselves
hastened to meet him and submit
Lovelace returned to England,
Gov.
confiscated;
was
Government
the English
Be ore their deprisoners to Holland.
and many of the soldiers were carried
whostyledthemselves' The honoraBenkes,
and
Evertse
Commodores
pa ture
Genera
their high mightinesses, the Staters
ble and awful council of war, for
Highness, t^^P^mce of Orange,''
Serene
his
and
Netherlands,
. o
the United
foot, on the 12th of August, lb.
commissioned Anthony Colve, a Captain of
with all its appendences,
Netherlands,
"New
of
Gene/al
to be Governor
who had manifested
Alrichs,
Peter
following,
and on the 19th of September
was apaBcendancy
Dutch
of
Ms sabserviency and his pleasure at the returnDelaware.
o laws was
body
A
the
upon
Governor
pointed by Colve Deputy
established at

InS

m

•

m

and three courts of justice were
Capt. Manning ^^ ^-/'^turn o EnLewistown.
New Castle, Chester and
the fort at New York withSand was charged with treachery for delivering up "to have his sword broken
martial
court
a
by
out rirsLnce and was sentenced
incapable
city hall, and himself rendered
over his head in public, before the
future in any public
the
for
Majesty
his
serving
Twearing a swJrd and of

dr^wn up

for his instruction,

%iuh^%tv'olX:which

had been

affected so easily

was of short duration^

between England and
On the 9th of February, 1674, peace was concluded
'• that whatsoever
it was provided
pacification
of'
articles
Holland, and in the
or
have
forts,
or
^^^ ^e
^^^^^^^
fountrie;, islands, towns, ports, castles
Europe, or
out either Y^«^'
broke
war
unhappy
late
the
that
sides since the time
the same conproprietor,
^sewhZ, shall be restored to the former lord and

f

m

m

40

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

dition they shall be in when the peace itself shall be proclaimed, after which
time there shall be no spoil nor plunder of the inhabitants, no demolition
of fortifications, nor cai'rying away of guns, powder, or other military stores
which belonged to any castle or port at the time when it was taken." This
left no room for controversy about possession. But that there might be no legal
bar nor loophole for question of absolute right to his possessions, the Duke of
York secured from the King on the 29th of June following, a new patent covering the former grant, and two days thereafter sent Sir Edmund Andros, to
possess and govern the country.
He arrived at New York and took peaceable
possession on the 31st of October, and two days thereafter it was resolved in
council to reinstate all the officers upon Delaware as they were at the surrender
to the Dutch, except Peter Alrichs, who for his forwardness in yielding his
power was relieved. Capt. Edmund Cantwell and William Tom were sent to
occupy the fort at New Castle, in the capacities of Deputy Governor and Secretary.
In May, 3075, Gov. Andros visited the Delaware, and held court at
New Castle " in which orders were made relative to the opening of roads, the
regulation of church property and the support of pi'eaching, the prohibition
of the sale of liquors to the Indians, and the distillation thereof by the inhabitants."
On the 23d of September, 1676, Cantwell was superseded by John
Collier, as Vice Governor, when Ephraim Hermans became Secretary.
As was previously observed, Gov. Nicholls, in 1664, made a complete digest of all the laws and usages in force in the English-speaking colonies in
America, which were known as the Duke's Laws.
That these might now be
made the basis of judicature throughout the Duke's possessions, they were, on
the 25th of September, 1676, formally proclaimed and published by Gov.
Lovelace, with a suital)le ordinance introducing them.
It may here be observed, that, in the administration of Gov. Hartranft, by act of the Legislature
of June 12, 1878, the Duke's Laws were published in a handsome volume, together with the Charter and Laws instituted by Penn, and historical notes
covering the early history of the State, under the direction of John B. Linn,
Secretary of the commonwealth, edited by Staughton George, Benjamin M.
Nead, and Thomas McCaiaant, from an old copy preserved among the town records of Hempstead, Long Island, the seat of the independent State which
had been set up there by John Scott before the coming of Nicholls. The number of taxable male inhabitants between the ages of sixteen and sixty years,
in 1677, for Uplandt and New Castle, was 443, which by the usual estimate of
seven to one would give the population 3,101 for this district. Gov. Collier
having exceeded his authority by exercising judicial functions, was deposed
by Andros, and Capt. Christopher Billop was appointed to succeed him. But
the change resulted in little benefit to the colony; for Billop was charged
with many irregularities, " taking possession of the fort and turning it into
a stable, and the court room above into a hay and fodder loft; debarring the
court from sitting in its usual place in the fort, and making use of soldiers for
his own private purposes.
The hand of the English Government bore heavily upon the denomination
of Christians called Friends or Quakers, and the earnest-minded, conscientious
worshipers, uncompromising in their faith, were eager for homes in a land
where they should be absolutely free to worship the Supreme Being.
Berkeley and Carteret, who had bought New Jersey, were Friends, and the settlements made in their territory were largely of that faith. In 1675, Lord Berkeley sold his undivided half of the province to John Fenwicke, in trust for
Edward Byllinge, also Quakers, and Fenwicke sailed in the Griffith, with a
company of Friends who settled at Salem, in West Jersey. Byllinge, having

41

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

for the benefit of
become involved in debt, made an assignment of his interest
]ointly with
trustee
become
to
his creditors, and William Penn was induced
and he was
Quaker,
devoted
a
was
Penn
Lucas.
Nicholas
and
Gowen Lawrie

friends and Christian devotees
of that earnest nature that the interests of his
promoting
became zealous
he
Hence
interests.
persoual
own
his
were like
might
settlers
that
and
government,
orderly
For its
the welfare of the colony.
Conof affairs, Penn drew up
management
the
in
stabilitv
of
assurance
have
est
of
inhabitants
^^
and
freeholders
proprietors,
cessions and agreements of the
Foreseeing ^^difficulty from
chapters.
four
fortyin
America"
in
Jersev
New
a line ot parprovince by
divided authority, Penn secured a division of the
straight north, through the
tition from the east side of Little Egg Harbor,
Penn s half was called
country to the utmost branch of the Delaware River."
along the
New West Jersey, along the Delaware side, Carteret's New East Jersey
settlers, as the
the
toward
disposition
and
purposes
ocean shore. Penn's
he wrote at this time to a
founder of a State, are disclosed by a letter which
lay a foundation tor
America:
in
then
Hartshorn,
Friend, Richard
that they may
Christians;
and
after ages to understand their liberty, as men
for we put the power
consent;
own
their
by
but
bondage,
not be brought into
* * So every man is capable to choose or to be chosen no man
in the people
twelve
or molested, in his estate, or liberty, but by
condemned,
to be arrested,
estate
his
that
but
debt,
for
prison
in
men of the neighborhood; no man to lie
to work; no man to be
liberty
at
set
be
he
and
go,
will
it
as
satisfy, as far
Lest any should be incalled in question, or molested for his conscience."
of settlement unadvisedly,
enterprise
the
in
embark
and
home
leave
duced to
whomsoever a desire to
Penn wrote and published a letter of caution, "That in
the thing before
weigh
would
such
plantation,
intended
this
in
be concerned
and that
remove,
such
any
on
conclude
the Lord, and not headilv, or rashly,
their near kindred and relations
of
love
tender
the
to
violence
offer
not
they do
their good wills; that
but soberly, and conscientiously endeavor to obtain
the Lord and good
they go or stay, it may be of good savor before

m

"We

;

whether

people."

OHAPTEE
Sir

Y.

Edmund Andros, 1674-81-Edmund Cantwell, 1674-7C-John
77_Christopher Billop,

Collier, 1676-

1677-81.

New Jersey,
as Trustee, and finally as part owner of
in America.
colonization
of
subject
the
in
became much interested
given much prayerful study
he
had
and
thither,
gone
had
people
Many of his
just laws for
seemand meditation to the amelioration of their condition by
fortunate condition of a
the
pictured
imagination
His
government.
their
happiness of his subjects, and
State where the law-giver should alone study the
rendering implicit obedience to
on
intent
chiefly
be
should
subjects
his
he had
From his experience in the management of the Jerseys,
iust laws.
his ideas of government sucdoubtless discovered that if he would carry out
his voice woilld be potential and his
cessfully, he must have a province where
land
He accordingly cast about for the acquirement of such a
will supreme.

WILLIAM

PENN,

mg

m

the

New

World.

Penn had doubtless been stimulated

.,.-,his desires by the very roseate
m

country,
counts of the beauty and excellence of the

,

its

xi

^0+.,

o,,
ac-

salubrity of climate, its

^2

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

balmy airs, the fertility of its soil, and the abundance
of the native fish, flesh
and fowh In 1680, one Malhon Stacy wrote a letter
which was largely circu
lated
England, in which he says: " It is a country that
produceth all thino-s
tor the support and furtherance of man, in a
* * * I
plentiful manner
have seen orchards; laden with fruit to admiration;
their very limbs torn to
pieces with weight, most delicious to the taste, and
lovelv to behold
I have
seen an apple tree from a pippin-kernel, yield a barrel
of curious cider; and
peaches in such plenty that some people took their carts
a peach gatheriuir- I

m

could not nut smile at the conceit of it; they are very
delicious fruit, and hang
almost like om^ onions, that are tied on ropes. I have
seen and know this
summer, forty bushels of bold wheat of one bushel
sown.
From May till
Michaelmas, great store of very good wild fruits as
strawberries, cranberries
and hurtleberries, which are like oui" biJlberries in England,
only far sweeterthe cranberries, much like cherries for color
and bigness, which may be
kept till trnit comes again; an excellent sauce is made
of them for venison
turkeys, and other great fowl, and they are better
to make tarts of than either
goosoDerries or cherries; we have them brought to
our houses by the Indian^
in great plenty.
My brother Eobert had as many cherries this year as would
have loaded several carts.
As for venison and fowls, we have great plenty
we have brought home to our countries by the Indians, seven or
eight fat bucks
!''*''' ^^"^ ""^^^'^ ^"^ ^"'^^^^ herrings after the
Indian fashion.
I'
^J^
'^""'f.
* A\e could have tilled a three-bushel sack of as
good large herrino-s
as ever I saw.
And as to beef and pork, here is great plenty of it, and o-ood
sheep.
The common grass of this country fpeds beef very fat.
Indeedrthe
couQtry, take it as a wilderness, is a brave country."

r%

The

father of William Penn had arisen to distinction
tne British Navy
sent
Cromwell's time, with a considerable sea and land force,
to the
West Indies, where he reduced the Island of Jamaica under
English rule At
the restoration, he gave in his adhesion to the royal
cause.
Under James,
Duke of York, Admiral Penn commanded the English fleet which
descended
upon the Dutch coast, and gained a great victory over the
combined naval
forces led by Van Opdam.
For this great service to his country, Penn was
knighted, and became a favorite at court, the King and his
brothor, the Duke
holding him
cherished remembrance.
At his death, there was due him
from tbe crown the sum of £16,000, a portion of which
he himself had ad
vanced for the sea service. Filled with the romantic idea of
colonization and
enamored with the sacred cause of his people, the son, who had
come to be re
garded with favor for his great father's sake, petitioned King
Charles II to
grant him,
liquidation of this debt, " a tract of land in America,
Ivin^
north of Maryland, bounded east by the Delaware Eiver,
on the west limited
as Maryhmd, and northward to extend as far as plantable."
There were conflicting interests at this time which were being warily
watched at court
The
petition was submitted to the Privy Council, and afterward
to the Lords of
the committee of plantations.
The Duke of York already held the counties
New Castle, Kent and Sussex. Lord Baltimore held a grant upon the southof
with an indefinite northern limit, and the agents of both
these territories
viewed with a jealous eye any new grant that should in any
way trench upon
their rights.
These claims were fully debated and heard by the Lords
and
being a matter in which the King manifested special interest,
the Lord Chief
Justice, North, and the Attorney General, Sir William
Jones, were consulted
both as to the grant itself, and the form or manner of
making it. Finallv
after a careful study of the whole subject, it was
determined by the highest
authority in the Government to grant to Penn a larger tract
than*

Me was

m

m

m

m

he had asked

^^

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA,

unexampled liberality, in unequivocal
and the charter was drawn with
and with remarkab e minuteness of
holding,
terms of li?t and perpetuity of
advantage of any double ^leanaug condetTn and that Penn should have the
And
and last section P^-^^^des:
twenty-third
veyed in the instrument, the
tiue
the
concerning
arise
should
ur question
[fTerchance hereafter any doubt
in this our present
contained
sentence
or
clause
senCand melng^ an/word,
things such
that at all times and m all
charter w^will ordain and command
courts whatsoever
our
of
any
in
allowed
and
iSoretlti^n be made thereof,
unto the said Wilham
adjudged most advantageous and favorable

for

Sfbe

as

when he finally reached the consummation of
with almost dictatorial power over a
invested
hiswirhes and saw himself
destined to become a populous ernpire
country as' lar^e as England itself,
feai-ful
the most devout Chris lan spint,
with
tempered
exultation was
But
that
something
do
to
led
be
might
gl-eat power he
fest in thTexerc^^^ of his
Turner, he writes
Robert
friend,
dear
his
To
God.
ihould be displeasing to
dear fi'iends
love in the Lord salutes thee and
a modest way: "Mvtrue
Thine I have, and for my
parts.
those
in
truth
precious
hat Tve the Lord's
diswaitings, watchmgs, sohcitmgs and
business hei^ know that after many
was confirmed to me under the great seal

"^Tt

wt atyfnfdaTfor Penn

S

S

STn

council, this day my country
name of Pennsylvania a
with large powers and privileges, by the
I chose New Wales befather.
my
of
honor
in
it
give
name the King would
for a head,asPenWelsh
being
Penn
?nT as this a pretty hilly country; but
Buckmghamand Penn
Cumberland,
in
WaL,^andVenrith
^f;roi7ein
is the high
which
Pennsylvama
this
called
^'re the hthest l^nd ia England,
Secretary, a Welshman refused
the
when
proposed,
I
for
or head woodlands;
and they added Penn to it; and though
have ilcalLd N;w Wales, Sylvania,
altered, he
to have it struck out and
King
the
to
weni
imiich opposed it, and

ffnMand

m

Z

upon him; nor could twenty guineas move
for I feared lest it
he Unrie:r;tary to vary the name;
it tiuly was to my
in the King, as ^^f^^'^^^^^^t^^^
respect
as a.
as a vanity in me, and not
communicate my
mayest
with praise. Thou
father whom he iften mentions
is ^ clear and just
It
proposals.
my
g'ant io Frfends, and expect shortly
many difficulties, will, I beand my God, that has given it me through
fh
have atender care to the
shall
I
anation.
S'bless'nd make it the seed of

Lfdit

wast

and would take

it

W

be well laid at first."
_ „„ +1,0+ r.f
be t^^^/^-^-^^^l'
that the western boundary should
full degre^s^
fave
west
to
from east
Marvland- but the King made the width
with the
America,
land,
of
"
part,
or
tract,
all that
The cS^r limits were

p-overcment, that

^

it

Pen" had asked

m

^^Ltth'eincttained

as the

same

is

bo-de\on the^as

by

De^^^^^^^^^

tne
northwards of New Castle to^wn, unto
Biver, from twelve miles distance
latitude.
.,-,,,
flirAP and fortieth degree of northern
+^i
to exLd westward five ^g^^V" 'T^^'"'''':, *^ n^ th7„orth
The .aM
uorth
the
ou
bonBded
be
to
the said lauds
from the said eastern bounds; and
fortieth degree of northern lat™''^'
bv the berfnuina- of the three and
^"J?e
Cast
twelve miles distance from New
on the south bf a circle drawn at
fortieth
^e
of
beginning
the
nortblrd and westward unto
^"ei-^-^'^^j'^Z
the hm.ts of longitude above
and then by a straight line westward to

S

latitude;

™°It™tiaent

not
that tne royal secretaries did

s;ytent-'th'-»^^^^^^^
pTstrict of Columbia,

"''

-f ""^-f

'i;^\gSn"

greater part of Maryland
and hence Baltimore, and the

44

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

slice of Virginia would have been included in the clear terms of
But the charters of Maryland and Virthe chartered limits of Pennsylvania.
Still, the terms of the Penn charter
ginia antedated this of Pennsylvania.
were distinct, the beginning of the fortieth degree, whereas those of Maryland
were ambiguous, the northern limit being fixed at the fortieth degree; but whether
Penn
at the beginning or at the ending of the fortieth was not stated.
claimed three full degrees of latitude, and when it was found that a controversy was likely to ensue, the King, by the hand of his royal minister, Conway, issued a fui-ther declaration, dated at Whitehall, April 2, 1681, in which
the wording of the original chartered limits fixed for Pennsylvania were
quoted verbatim, and his royal pleasure declared that these limits should be
This was supposed to
respected " as they tender his majesty's displeasure."
But Lord Baltimore still pressed his claim, and the quessettle the matter.
tion of southern boundary remained an open one, causing much disquietude
to Penn, requiring watchful care at court for more than half a century, and

and a good

until after the proprietor's death.
gather from the terms of the charter itself that the King, in making
the grant, was influenced "by the commendable desire of Penn to enlarge our
British Empire, and promote such useful commodities as may be of benefit
to us and our dominions, as also to reduce savage nations by just and gentle
manners, to the love of civil society and Christian religion," and out of "regard to the memory and merits of his late father, in divers services, and particularly to his conduct, courage and discretion, under our dearest brother,
James, Duke of York, in the signal battle and victory, fought and obtained,
against the Dutch fleet, commanded by the Herr Van Opdam in 1665.''
The motive for obtaining it on the part of Penn may be gathered from the
following extract of a letter to a friend: " For my country I eyed the Lord in
obtaining it; and more was I drawn inward to look to Him, and to owe it to His
hand and power than to any other way. I have so obtained and desire to keep
it, that I may be unworthy of His love, but do that which may answer His
kind providence and people."
The charter of King Charles II was dated April 2, 1681. Iiest any
trouble might arise in the future from claims founded on the grant previously
made to the Duke of York, of "Long Island and adjacent territories occupied
by the Dutch," the prudent forethought of Penn induced him to obtain a deed,
dated August 31, 1682, of the Duke, for Pennsylvania, substantially in the
But Penn was still not satisfied. He was cut off
terms of the royal charter.
from the ocean except by the uncertain navigation of one narrow stream. He
therefore obtained from the Duke a grant of New Castle and a district of
twelve miles around it, dated on the 24th of August, 1682, and on the same
day a further grant from the Duke of a tract extending to Cape Henlopen,
embracing the two counties of Kent and Sussex, the two grants comprising
what were known as the territories, or the three lower counties, which were
for many years a part of Pennsylvania, but subsequently constituted the State
of Delaware.
Being now satisfied with his province, and that his titles were secure, Penn
drew up such a description of the country as from his knowledge he was able
to give, which, together with the royal charter and proclamation, terms of
settlement, and other papers pertaining thereto, he published and spread
broadcast through the kingdom, taking special pains doubtless to have the
documents reach the Friends. The terms of sale of lands were 40 shillings for
The question has been raised, why
100 acres, and 1 shilling per acre rental.
exact the annual payment of one shilling per acre. The terms of the grant by

We

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIi.

47

the royal cbarter to Perm were made absolute on the " payraent therefor to us,
our heirs and successors, two beaver skins, to be delivered at our castle in
"Windsor, on the 1st day of January in every year," and contingent payment
of one-fifth part of all gold and silver which shall from time to time happen
Penn, therefore, held his title only upon
to be found clear of all charges."
He could consequently give a valid title only by
the payment of quit-rents.
the exacting of quit-rents.
Having now a great province of his own to manage, Penn was obliged to
relinquish his share in West New Jersey. He had given largely of his time and
energies to its settlement: he had sent 1,400 emigrants, many of them people
of high character; had seen farms reclaimed from the forest, the town of
Burlington built, meeting houses erected in place of tents for worship, good
Government established, and the savage Indians turned to peaceful ways.
With satisfaction, therefore, he could now give himself to reclaiming and setHe had of course in his published account of the
tling his own province.
But lest any should
country made it appear a desirable place for habitation.
regret having gone thither when it was too late, he added to his description a
caution, " to consider seriously the premises, as well the inconveniency as
future ease and plenty; that so none may move rashly or from a fickle, but from
a solid mind, having above ail things an eye to the providence of God in the
disposing of themselves." Nothing more surely points to the goodness of
heart of William Penn, the great founder of our State, than this extreme
solicitude, lest he might induce any to go to the new country who should afterward regret having gone.
The publication of the royal charter and his description of the country
attracted attention, and many purchases of land were made of Penn before
That these purchasers might have something binding to
leaving England.
rely upon, Penn drew up what he termed " conditions or concessions " between

himself as proprietor and purchasers in the province.
These related to the
settling the country, laying out towns, and especially to the treatment of the
Indians, who were to have the same rights and privileges, and careful regard
as the Europeans.
And what is perhaps a remarkable instance of provident
forethought, the eighteenth article provides " That, in clearing the ground,
care be taken to leave one acre of trees for every five acres cleared, especially
It could be desired
to preserve oak and mulberries, for silk and shipping."
that such a provision might have remained operative in the State for all
time.
Encouraged by the manner in which his proposals for settlement were
received, Penn now drew up a frame of government, consisting of twentyThese were drawn in a spirit of unexampled
four articles and forty laws.
fairness and liberality, introduced by an elaborate essay on the just rights of
government and governed, and with such conditions and concessions that it
should never be in the power of an unjust Governor to take advantage of the
people and practice injustice. " For the matter of liberty and privilege, I purpose that which is exti'aordinary, and leave myself and successors no power of
doing mischief, that the will of one man may not hinder that of a whole counThis frame gave impress to the character of the early government. It imtry.
planted in the breasts of the people a deep sense of duty, of right, and of obligation in all public affairs, and the relations of man with man, and formed a
framework for the future constitution. Penn himself had felt the heavy hand
He determined, for
of government for religious opinions and practice' sake.
the matter of religion, to leave all free to hold such opinions as they might
elect, and hence enacted for his State that all who " hold themselves obliged
3

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

48

in conscience, to live peaceably and justly in civil society, shall, in no ways.
be molested, nor prejudiced, for their religioiis persuasion, or practice, in matters of faith and worship, nor shall they be compelled, at any time, to frequent, or maintain, any religious worship, place, or ministry whatever. " At
this period, such govermental liberality in matl"ers of religion was almost unthe colony of Rhode Island had previously,
kaown, thoiigh Roger Williams
under similar circumstances, and having just escaped a like persecution, proclaimed it, as had likewise Lord Baltimore in the Catholic colony of Maryland
The mind of Penn was constantly exercised upon the affairs of his settlement.
Indeed, to plant a colony in a new country had been a thought of his boyhood,
for he says in one of his letters: "I had an opening of joy as to these parts in
Not being in readiness to go
the year 1651, at Oxford, twenty years since."
to his province during the first year, he dispatched three ship loads of settlers, and with them sent his cousin, William Markham, to take formal posMarkham sailed for New
session of the country and act as Deputy Governor
York, and upon his arrival there exhibited his commission, bearing date March
In the absence of Gov. An6, 1681, and the King's charter and proclamation.
dros, who, on having been called to account for some complaint made against
him, had gone to England, Capt. Anthony Brockholls, Acting Governor, received Markham's papers, and gave him a letter addressed to the civil officers
on the Delaware, informing them that Markham's authority as Governor had
been examined, and an official record made of it at New York, thanking them
for their fidelity, and requesting them to submit themselves to the new authority.
Armed with this letter, which was dated June 21, 1681, Markham proceeded to fhe Delaware, where, on exhibiting his papers, he was kindly received, and allegiance was cheerfully transferred to the new government.
Indeed so frequently had the power changed hands that it had become quite a
matter of habit to transfer obedience from one authority to another^ and they
had scarcely laid their heads to rest at night but with the consciousness that
the morning light might bring new codes and new officers.
Markham was empowered to call a council of nine citizens to assist him in
He brought a letter adthe government, and over whom he was to preside.
dressed to Lord Baltimore, touching the boundary between the two grants, and
On receipt of this letexhibiting the terms of the charter for Pennsylvania.
An observation
ter, Lord Baltimore came to Upland to confer with Markham.
tixing the exact latitude of Upland showed that it was twelve miles south of
the forty-first degree, to which Baltimore claimed, and that the beginning of
the fortieth degree, which the royal charter explicitly fixed for the southern
boundary of Pennsylvania, would include nearly the entire State of Maryland,
and cut the limits of the present site of the city of Washington. "If this be
allowed," was significantly asked by Baltimore, "where is my province?"
He returned to his colony, and from this time forward an active contention
was begun before the authorities in England for possession of the disputed
territory, which required all the arts and diplomatic skill of Penn.
Markham was accompanied to the province by four Commissioners sent
out by Penn William Crispin, John Bezer, William Haige and Nathaniel
Allen.
The first named had been designated as Surveyor General, but he
having died on the passage, Thomas Holme was appointed to succeed him.
These Commissioners, in conjunction with the Governor, had two chief duties
The first was to meet and preserve friendly relations with the
assigned them.
Indians and acquire lands by actual purchase, and the second was to select the
That they might have a
site of a great city and make the necessary surveys.

m

—

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

'49

suitable introduction to the natives from him, Penn addressed to them a declaration of his purposes, conceived in a spirit of brotherly love, and expressed
in such simple terms that these children of the forest, unschooled in book
The referlearning, would have no difficulty in apprehending- his meaning.
ring the source of all power to the Creator was fitted to produce a strong im"There is a
pression upon their naturally superstitious habits of thought.
great God and power, that hath made the world, and all things therein, to
whom you and I, and all people owe their being, and well being; and to \^hom
you and I must one day give an account for all that we do in the world. This
great God hath written His law in our hearts, by which we are taught and commanded to love, and help, and do good to one another. NoW this great God hath
been pleased to make me concerned in your part of the world, and the King
of the country where I live hath given me a great province therein; but I desire to enjoy it with your love and consent, that we may always live together,
as neighbors and friends; else what would the great God do to us^jseho hath
made us, not to devour and destroy one another, but to live soberly and kindly
together in the world ? Now I would have you well observe that I am very
sensible of the unkindness and injustice that have been too much exercised
toward you by the peo})le of these parts of the world, who have sought themselves, and to make groat advantages by you, rather than to be examples of
goodness and patience unto you, which I hear hath been a matter of trouble
to you, and caused great grudging and animosities, sometimes to the shedding
But I am not such a man,
of blood, which hath made the great God angry.
I have great love and regard toward
as is well known in my own country.
you, and desire to gain your love and friendship by a kind, just and peaceable
life, and the people I send are of the same mind, and shall in all things behave themselves accordingly; and if in anything any shall ofi'end you or
your people, you shall have a full and speedy satisfaction for the same by an
equal number of just mea on both sides that by no means you may have just
I shall shortly come to you myself,
occasion of being oflended against them.
at which time we may more largely and frcjely confer and discourse of these

matters.
In the meantime, I have sent my Commissioners to treat with you
Let me desire you to be kind to
about land, and form a league of peace.
them and their people, and receive these presents and tokens which I have sent
you as a testimony of my good will to you, and my resolution to live justly,
peaceably and friendly with you."
In this plain but sublime statement is embraced the whole theory of Will
iam Penn's treatment of the Indians. It was the doctrine which the Savior
the estimable worth of every
of mankind came upon earth to promulgate
human soul. And when Penn came to propose his laws, one was adopted
which forbade private trade with the natives in which they might be overreached;
but it was required that the valuable skins and furs they had to sell should be
hung up in the market place where all could see them and enter into compePenn was offered £6,000 for a monopoly of trade.
tition for their purchase.
But he well knew the injustice to which this would subject the simple-minded
"As the Lord gave it me over all and
natives, and he refused it saying:
great opposition, I would not abuse His love, nor act unworthy of His provi"
a sentiment worthy to be treasdence, and so defile what came to me clean
ured with the best thoughts of the sages of old. And to his Commissioners lie
gave a letter of instructions, in which he says: "Be impartially just to all;
Be tender of offending
that is both pleasing to the Lord, and wise in itself.
the Indians, and let them know that you come to sit down lovingly among
them. Let my letter and conditions be read in their tongue, that they may see

—

—

50

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Be grave, they love not to be smiled on."
their good in our eye.
Acting npon these wise and just considerations, the Commissioners had no difficulty in making large purchases of the Indians of lands on the right bank of
the Delaware and above tlie mouth of the Schuylkill.
But they found greater difficulty in settling the piace for the new city.
Penn had given very minute instructions about this, and it was not easy
For seven weeks they kept
to find a tract which answered all the conditions.
up their search. Penn had written, " be sure to make your choice wliere it is
most navigable, high, dry and healthy; that is, where most ships may bestride,
of deepest draught of water, if possible to load and unload at the bank or
It would do well if the river
key's side without boating and lightening of it.
coming into that creek be navigable, at least for boats up into the country,
and that the situation be high, at least dry and sound and not swampy, which
By
is best known by digging up two or three earths and seeing the bottom."
his instructions, the site of the city was to be between two navigable streams,
and embrace 10,000 acres in one block. " Be sure to settle the figure of the
town so that the streets hereafter may be uniform down to the water from the
Let every house be placed, if the person pleases, in the
countiy bounds.
middle of its plat, as to the bi-eadth way of it, that so there may be ground on
each side for gardens or orchards or fields, that it may be a green country town,
which will never be burnt and always wholesome." The soil was examined,
the streams wei'e sounded, deep pits were dug that a location might be found
which should gratify the desires of Penn. All the eligible sites were inspected
from the ocean far up into the country. Penn himself had anticipated that
Chester or Upland would be adopted from all that he could learn of it; but
this was rejected, as was also the ground upon Poquessing Creek and that at
Pennsbury Manor above Bristol which had been carefully considered, and the
present site of Philadelphia was finally adopted as coming nearest to the
It had not 10,000 acres in a solid square, but
requirements of the proprietor.
it was between two navigable streams, and the soil was high and dry, being for
the most part a vast bed of gravel, excellent for drainage and likely to prove
The streets were laid out regularly and crossed each other at
healthful.
right angles.
As the ground was only gently rolling, the gi-ading was easily
One broad street. Market, extends from river to river through
accomplished.
the midst of it, which is crossed at right angles at its middle point by Broad
It is 120 miles from the ocean by the course of the
street of equal width.
river, and only sixty in a direct line, eighty-seven miles from New York,
ninety-five from Baltimore, 136 from Washington, 100 from Harrisburg and
800 from Pittsburgh, and lies in north latitude 39° 56' 54", and longitude 75°
8' 45" west from Greenwich
The name Philadelphia (brotherly love), was
one that Penn had before selected, as this founding a city was a project which
he had long dreamed of and contemplated with never-ceasing interest.
we have

51

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CHAPTEE YL
William Makkham, 1681-83— AVilliam Penn,

HAVING
gland,

1682-84.

now made necessary preparations and settled his affairs in EnPenn embarked on board the ship Welcome, in August, 1682, in

company with about a hundred planters, mostly from his native town of Sussex,
and set his prow for the New World. Before leaving the Downs, he addressed
a farewell letter to his friends whom ho left behind, and another to his wife
and children, giving them much excellent advice, and sketching the way of
With remarkable care and minuteness, he points
life he wished them to lead.
out the way in which he would have his children bred, and educated, married,
and live. A single passage from this remarkable document will indicate its
" Be sure to observe," in educating his children, " their genius,
general tenor.
and do not cross it as to learning let them not dwell too long on one thing ;
but let their change be agreeable, and let all their diversions have some little
When grown big, have most care for them for then
bodily labor in them.
When marriageable, see that
there are more snares both within and without.
of good life and good fame for piety
they have worthy persons in their eye
and understanding, I need no wealth but sufficiency and be sure their love
be dear, fervent and mutual, that it may be happy for them." And to his
children he said, " Betake yourselves to some honest, industrious course of
;

;

;

;

*****

and that not of sordid covetousness, but for example and to avoid idleLove not money nor the world use them only,
and they will serve you but if you love them you serve them, which will
Watch
debase your spirits as well as offend the Lord.
against anger, neither speak nor act in it for, like drunkenness, it makes a
man a beast, and throws people into desperate inconveniences." The entire
letters are so full of excellent counsel that they might with great profit be
committed to memory, and treasured in the heart.
The voyage of nearly six weeks was prosperous but they had not been
long on the ocean before thfit loathed disease the virulent small-pox broke
This, added
out, of which thirty died, nearly a third of the whole company.
to the usual discomforts and terrors of the ocean, to most of whom this was
probably their first experience, made the voyage a dismal one. And here was
""For his good conversation" says one of them,
seen the nobility of Penn.
" was very advantageous to all the company.
His singular care was manifested
in contributing to the necessities of many who were sick with the small-pox
then on board."
His arrival upon 'the coast and passage up the river was hailed with demonstrations of joy by all classes, English, Dutch, Swedes, and especially by his
own devoted followers. He landed at New Castle on the 24th of October, 1682,
and on the following day summoned the people to the court house, where possession of the country was formally made over jO him, and he renewed the
commissions of the magistrates, to whom and to the assembled people he announced the design of his coming, explained the nature and end of truly good
government, assuring them that their religious and civil rights should be reHe then prospected, and recommended them to live in sobriety and peace.
life,

ness.

;

*****

;

;

—

;

—

52

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ceeded to Upland, hencefoward known as Chester, where, on the 4th of November, he called an assembly of the people, in which an equal number of votes
was allowed to the province and the territories. Nicholas Moore, President of
the Free Society of Traders, was chosen speaker.
As at New Castle, Penn
addressed the assembly, giving them assurances of his beneficent intentions,
for which they returned their grateful acknowledgmen+s, the Swedes beiag
especially demonstrative, deputing one of their number, Lacy Cock, to say
" That they would love, serve and obey him with all they had, and that this
was the best day they ever saw." We can well understand with what satisfaction the settlers upon the Delaware hailed the prospect of a stable government
established in their own midst, after having been so long at the mercy of the

government in New York, with allegience trembling between the courts of
Sweden, Holland and Britain.
The proceedings of this first assembly were conducted with great decorum,
and after the usages of the English Parliament. On the 7th of December,
1682, the three lower counties, what is now Delaware, which had previously
been under the government of the Duke of ^ork, were formerly annexed to the
province, and became an integral part of Pennsylvania.
The frame of government, which had been drawn with much deliberation, was submitted to the
assembly, and, after some alterations and amendments, was adopted, and became the fundamental law of the State.
The assembly was in session only
three days, but the work they accomplished, how vast and far-reaching in its
influence!

The Dutch, Swedes and other foreigners were then naturalized, and the
government was launched in fair running order: That some idea may be had
its character, the subjects treated are here given:
1, Liberty of conscience;
Qualification of officers; 3, Swearing by God, Christ or Jesus; 4, Swearing
by any other thing or name; 5, Profanity; 6, Cursing; 7, Fornication; 8, Incest; 9, Sodomy; 10, Rape; 11, Bigamy;
12, Drunkenness; 13, Suffering
drunkenness; 14, Healths drinking; 15, Selling liquor to Indians; 16, Arson;
17, Burglary; 18, Stolen goods; 19, Forcible entry; 20, Riots; 21, Assaulting
parents: 22, Assaulting Magistrates; 23, Assaulting masters; 24, Assault and
battery; 25, Duels; 26, Riotous sports, as plays; 27, Gambling and lotteries;
28, Sedition; 29, Contempt; 30, Libel; 31, Common scolds; 32, Charities;
33, Prices of beer and ale; 34, Weights and measures; 35, Names of days and
months; 36, Perjury; 37, Court proceedings in English; 38, Civil and criminal trials; 39, Fees, salaries, bribery and extortion; 40, Moderation of fines;
41, Suits avoidable; 42, Foreign arrest; 43, Contracts; 44, Charters, gifts,
grants, conveyances, bills, bonds an 1 deeds, when recorded; 45, Wills; 46,
Wills of non compos mentis; 47, Registry of Wills; 48, Registry foi' servants;
49, Factors; 50, DefacerS; corruptors and embezzlers of charters, conveyances
and records; 51, Lands and goods to pay debts; 52, Bailable offenses; 53,
Jails and jailers; 54, Prisons to be workhouses; 55, False imprisonment; 56,
Magistrates may elect between fine or imprisonment; 57, Freemen; 58, Elections; 59, No money levied but in pursuance of law; 60, Laws shall be printed
and taught in schools; 61, All other things, not provided for nerein, ai'e referred to the Governor and freemen from time to time.
Very soon after his arrival in the colony, after the precept had been issued,
but before the convening' of the Assembly, Penn, that he might not be wanting
in respect to the Duke of York, made a visit to New York, where he was kindly received, and also after the adjournment of the Assembly, journeyed to Maryland, where he was entertained by Lord Baltimore with great cere?nony.
The
settlement of the disputed boundaries was made the subject of formal confer-

of
2,

>

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA

53

two days spent in fruitless discussion, the weather becoming
and thus precluding the possibility of taking observations or
making the necessary surveys, it was agreed to adjourn fvirther consideration

ence.

But

after

sevei'ely cold,

We

may imagine that
of the subject until the milder weather of the spring.
the two Governors were taking the measure of each other, and of gaining all
possible knowledge of each other's claims and rights, preparatory to that
struggle for possession of this disputed fortieth degree of latitude, which was
destined to come before the home government.
With all his cares in founding a State and providing a government over a
new people, Penn did not forget to preach the "blessed Gospel," and wherever
he went he was intent upon his " Master's business." On his return from
Maryland, Lord Baltimore accompanied him several miles to the house of
William Richardson, and thence to Thomas Hooker's, where was a religious
meeting, as was also one held at Choptauk.
Penn himself says: "I have
been also at New York, Long Island, East Jersey and Maryland, in which I
have had good and eminent service for the Lord." And again he says; "As to
outward things, we are satisfied the land good, the air clear and sweet, tho
springs plentiful, and provisions good and easy to come at, an innnmerablo
quantity of wild fowl and tish; in line, here is what an Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob would be well contented with, and service enough for God; for tho
fields are here white for the harvest. O, how sweet is the quiet of these parts,
freed from the anxious and troublesome solicitations, hurries and perplexities
* *
* Blessed be the Lord, that of twenty-three ships,
of woeful Europe!
none miscarried; only two or three had the small-pox; else healthy and swift
passages, generally such as have not been known; some but twenty-eight days,
and few longer than six weeks.
Blessed be God for it; my soul fervently
breathes that in His heavenly guiding wisdom, we may be kept, that we may
And then, as if reserve Him in our day, and lay down our heads in peace."
proached for not having mentioned another subject of thankfulness, he adds in
a postscript, "Many women, in divers of the ships, brought to bed; they and
their children do well."
Penn made it his first care to take formal possession of his province, and
When this was done, his chief concern was
adopt a frame of government.
to look to the establishment of his proposed new city, the site of which had
already been determined on by his Commissioners. Accordingly, early in
November, at a season when, in this section, the days are golden, I'enn embarked in an open barge with a number of his friends, and was wafted
leisurely up the Delaware to the present site of the city of PhiladelAlong the river was a bold shore,
phia, which the natives called Coaquannock.
fringed with lofty pines, which grew close down to the water's edge, so much
so that when the first ship passing up with settlers for West Jersey had brushed
against the branches, the passengers remarked that this would be a good place
for a city.
It was then in a wild state, the deer browsing along the shore and
sipping the stream, and the coneys burrowing in the banks. The scattered
settlers had gathered
to see and welcome the new Governor, and when he
stepped upon the shore, they extended a helping hand in assisting him up the
rugged bluff. Three Swedes had already taken up tracts within the limits of
the block of land chosen for the city.
But they were given lands in exchange,
and readily relinquished their claims. The location was pleasing to Penn, and
was adopted without further search, though little could be seen of this then
forest-encumbered country, where now is the home of countless industries, the
busy mart, the river bearing upon its bosom the commerce of many climes,
and the abiding place of nearly a million of people. But Penn did not con-

—

m

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

54

had as yet any just title to the soil, holding that the Indians
only rightful possessors, and until it was fairly acquired by purchase
froni them, his own title was entirely void.
Hence, he sought an early opportunity to meet the chiefs of the tribes and
Tradition fixes the first great treaty
cultivate friendly relations with them.
or conference at about this time, probably in November, and the place under
It was at a seathe elm tree, known as the " Treaty Tree," at Kensington.
son when the leaves would still be upon the trees, and the assembly was called
beneath the ample shade of the wide-sweeping branches, which was pleasing
to the Indians, as it was their cui^tom to hold all their great deliberations and
smoke the pipe of peace in the open air. The letter which Penn had sent had
prepared the minds of these simple-hearted inhabitants of the forest to regard
him with awe and reverence, little less than that inspired by a descended god.
His coming had for a long time been awaited, and it is probable that it had
been heralded and talked over by the wigwam tire throughout the remotest
bounds of the tribes. And when at length the day came, the whole population far around had assembled.
It is known that three tribes at least were represented
the Lenni Lenape,
living along the Delaware; the Shawnees, a tribe that had come up from the
South, and were seated along the Lower Susquehanna; and the Mingoes,
sprung from the Six Nations, and inhabiting along the Conestoga. Penn was
probably accompanied by the several officers of his Government and his most
trusted friends.
There were no implements of warfare, for peace was a cardinal feature of the Quaker creed.
No veritable account of this, the great treaty, is known to have been made;
but from the fact that Penn not long after, in an elaborate treatise upon the
country, the inhabitants and the natives, has given the account of the manner
in which the Indians demean themselves in conference, we may infer that he
had this one in mind, and hence we may adopt it as his own description of the
sider that he

were

its

—

scene.
" Their order is thus:
hath his council, the old

The King sits in the middle of a half moon, and
and wise, on each hand; behind them, or at a little
distance, sit the younger fry in the same figure.
Having consulted and resolved their business, the King ordered one of them to speak to me.
He stood
up, came to me, and, in the name of the King, saluted me; then took me by
th-ii hand and told me he was ordered by the King to speak to me; and now it
was not he, but the King that spoke, because what he would say was the
*
*
*
*
King's mind.
During the time that this person spoke, not
a man of them was observed to whisper or smile; the old grave, the young
reverant, in their deportment. They speak little, but fervently, and with elegance."
In response to the salutation from the Indians, Penn makes a reply in
suitable terms: "The Great Spirit, who made me and you, who rules the
heavens and the earth, and who knows the innermost thoughts of men, knows
that I and my friends have a hearty desire to live in peace and friendship
with you, and to serve you to the uttermost of our power. It is not our custom
to use hostile weapons against our fellow-creatures, for which reason we have
come unarmed. Our object is not to do injury, and thus provoke the Great
Spirit, but to do good.
We are met on the broad pathway of good faith and
good will, so that no advantage is to be takcm on either side; but all to be openness, brotherhood and love."
Having unrolled his parchment, he explains to
them through an interpreter, article by article, the nature of the business, and
laying it upon the ground, observes that the ground shall be for the use of

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

.

55

" I will not do as the Marylanders did, call you children, or
brothers only; for parents are apt to whip their children too severely, and
brothers sometimes will di£fer; neither will I compare the friendship between
us to a chain, for the rain may rust it, or a tree may fall and break it; but I
will consider you as the same flesh and blood with the Christians, and the same
Having ended his
as if one man's body were to be divided into two parts."
business, the speaker for the King comes forward and makes great promises
" of kindness and good neighborhood, and that the Indians and English must
live in love as long as the sun gave light." This ended, another Indian makes
a speech to his own people, first to explain to them what had been agreed on,
and then to exhort them "to love the Christians, and particularly live in peace
with me and the people under my government, that many Governors had been
in the river, but that no Governor had come himself to live and stay here before, and having now such an one, that had treated them well, they should never
do him nor his any wrong." At every sentence they shouted, as much as to

both people.

say,

amen.

of writing by which they could record their
dealings, but their memory of events and agreements was almost miraculous.
Heckewelder records that in after years, tlaey were accustomed, by means of
strings, or belts of wampum, to preserve the recollection of their pleasant inHe says, " They freterviews with Penn, after he had departed for England.
quently assembled together in the woods, in some shady spot, as nearly as possible similar to those where they used to meet their brother Miquon (Penn), and
there lay all his words and speeches, with those of his descendants, on a
blanket, or clean piece of bark, and with great satisfaction go successively
This practice, which I have repeatedly witnessed, continued
over the whole.
until the year 1780, when disturbances which took place put an end to it,

The Indians had no system

probably forever."
of this, the "Great Treaty," was long preserved by the naand the novel spectacle was reproduced upon canvas by the genius of
Benjamin West. In this picture, Penn is represented as a corpulent old man,
whereas he was at this time but thirty-eight years of age, and in the very
The Treaty Tree was preserved and guarded from
height of manly activity.
During the Revolution, when Philainjury with an almost superstitious care.
delphia was occupied by the British, and their parties were scouring the country for firewood. Gen. Simcoe had a sentinel placed at this tree to proiect it
from mutilation. It stood until 1810, when it was blown down, and it was
ascertained by its annual concentric accretions to be 283 years old, and was,
consequently, 155 at the time of making the treaty. The Penn Society erected
a substantial monument on the spot where it stood.
Penn drew up his deeds for lands in legal form, and had them duly executed and made of record, that, in the dispute possible to arise in after times,
Of these purchases
there might be proof definite and positive of the purchase.
One is for land near Neshathere are two deeds on record executed in 1683.
miny Creek, and thence to Pen^'pack, and the other for lands lying between
Schuylkill and Chester Rivers, the first bearing the signature of the great
In one of these purchases it is provided that the tract
chieftain, Taminend.
" shall extend back as far as a man could walk in three days. "
Tradition
runs that Penn himself, with a number of his friends, walked out the half this
purchase with the Indians, that no advantage should be taken of them by making a great walk, and to show his consideration for them, and that he was not
above the toils and fatigues of such a duty." They began to walk out this
land at the mouth of the Neshaminy, and walked up the Delaware; in one day

The memory

tives,

56

and a

HISTORY OF TENNSYLVANIA.
half they got to a spruce tree near the

month

of Baker's

Creek,

when

Penn, concluding that this would include as much land as he would want at
present, a line was run and marked from the spruce tree to Neshaminy, and
the remainder left to be walked when it should be wanted.
They proceeded after the Indian manner, walking leisurely, sitting down sometimes to
smoke their pipes, eat biscuit and cheese, and drink a bottle of wine. In the
day and a half they walked a little less than thirty miles. The balance of the
purchase was not walked until September 20, 17::58, when the then Governor of
Pennsylvania offered a prize of 500 acres of land and £5 for the man who
would walk the farthest. A distance of eighty-six miles was covered, in
marked contrast with the kind consideration of Penn.
During the first year, the country upon tiie Delaware, from the falls of
Trenton as far as Chester, a distance of nearly sixty miles, was rapidly taken up
and peopled. The large proportion of these were Quakers, and devotedly attached
They were, hence, morally, of the
to their religion and its proper observances.
best classes, and though they were not generally of the aristocracy, yet many
of them were in comfortable circumstances, had valuable properties, were of
respectable families, educated, and had the resources within themselves to live
They were provident, industrious, and had come hither
contented and happy.
Many brought servants with them, and well supplied
with no fickle purpose.
wardrobes, and all necessary articles which they wisely judged would be got
in a new country with difficulty.
Their religious principles were so peaceful and generous, and the government rested so lightly, that the fame of the colony and the desirableness of
settlement therein spread rapidly, and the numbers coming hither were unparalleled in the history of colonization, especially when we consider that abroad
ocean was to be crossed and a voyage of several weeks was to be endnred. In
a brief period, ships with passengers came from London, Bristol, Ireland,
Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, Holland, Germany, to the number of about fifty.
Among others came a company of German Quakers, from Krisheim, near
Worms, in the Palatinate. These people regarded their lot as particularly
fortunate, in which they recognized the direct interposition and hand of Providence.
For, not long afterward, the Palatinate was laid waste by the French
army, and many of their kindred whom they had left behind were despoiled of
There came also from Wales a comtheir possessions and reduced to penury.
pany of the stock of ancient Britons.
So large an influx of population, coming in many cases without due provision for variety of diet, caused a scarcity in many kinds of food, especially
Time was required to bi'ing forward flocks and herds, more than
of meats.

But Providence seemed to have graciously considered
for producing grains.
their necessities, and have miraculously provided for them, as of old was pro
For it is recorded that the "wild pigeons
vision made for the chosen people.
came in such great numbers that the sky was sometimes darkened by their
flight, and, flying low, they were frequently knocked down as they flew, in
great quantities, by those who had no other means to take them, whereby the}supplied themselves, and, having salted those which they could not immediThe Indians were
ately use, they preserved them, both for bread and meat."
kind, and often furnished them with game, for which they would receive no
compensation.
Their first care on landing was to bring their household goods to a place
For some, this was their
of safety, often to the simple protection of a tree.
only shelter, lumber being scarce, and in many places impossible to obtain.

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Some made

57

for themselves caves in the earth until better habitations could be

secured.

John Key, who was said to have been the first child born of English parents in Philadelphia, and that in i^ecognition of which William Penn gave
him a lot of ground, died at Kennet, in Chester County, on July 5, 1768,
in the eighty-fifth year of his age.
He was born in one of these caves upon
the river bank, long afterward known by the name of Penny-pot, near Sassafras street.
About six years before his death, he walked from Kennet to the
city, about thirty miles, in one day.
In the latter part of his life he went
under the name of I'irst Born.
The contrasts between the comforts and conveniences of an old settled
country and this, where the heavy forests must be cleared away and severe labors must be endured before the sun could be let in sufficiently to produce
anything, must have been very marked, and caused repining.
But they had
generally come with meek and humble hearts, and they willingly endured
hardship and privation, and labored on earnestly for the spiritual comfort
which they enjoyed. Thomas Makin, in some Latin verses upon the early settlement, says (we quote the metrical translation):
"Its fame to distant counti'ies far has spread,

And some

for peace, and some for protit led;
Born in remotest climes, to settle here
They leave their native soil and all that's dear.
And still will flock from far, here to be free,
Such powerful charms has lovely liberty."

But for their many privations and sufferings there were some compensating conditions.
The soil was fertile, the air mostly clear and healthy, the
streams of water were good and plentiful, wood for fire and building unlimited, and at certain seasons of the year game in the forest was abuudant.
Richard Townsend, a settler at Germaatown, who came over in the ship with Penn,
in writing to his friends in England of his first year in America, says: "I,
with Joshua Tittery, made a net, and caught great quantities of fish, so that,
notwithstanding it was thought near three thousand persons came in the first
year, we were so providentially provided for that we could buy a deer for
about two shillings, and a large turkey for about one shilling, and Indian corn
for about two shillings sixpence a bushel."
In the same letter, the writer mentions that a young deer came out of the
forest into the meadow where he was mowing, and looked at him, and when
he went toward it would retreat; and, as he resumed his mowing, would come
back to gaze upon him, and finally ran forcibly against a tree, which so
stunned it that he was able to overmaster it and bear it away to his home, and
as this was at a time when he was suffering for the lack of meat, he believed
it a direct interposition of Providence.
In the spring of 1683, there was great activity throughout the colony, and
especially in the new city, in selecting lands and erecting dwellings, the Surveyor General, Thomas Holme, laying out and marking the streets. In the
center of the city was a public square of ten acres, and in each of the four
A large mansion, which had been undertaken bequarters one of eight acres.
fore his arrival, was built for Penn, at a point twenty-six miles up the river,
called Peunsbury Manor, where he sometimes resided, and where he often met
At this time, Penn divided the colony into counties,
the Indian sachems.
three for the province (Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester) and three for the
Having appointed Sherifis and
Territories (New Castle, Kent and Sussex).
other proper ofiicers, he issued writs for the election of members of a General

58

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Assembly, three from each county for the Council or Upper House, and nine
from each county for the Assembly or Lower House. *
This Assembly convened and organized for business on the lOth of JanOne of the first subjects considered was the
nary, 3683, at Philadelphia.
revising some provisions of the frame of government which was effected, reducing the number of members of both Houses, the Council to 18 the Assembly to 36, and othersvise amending in unimportant particulars. In
an assembly thus convened, and where few, if any, had had any experience in
serving in a deliberative body, we may reasonably suppose that many crude
and impracticable propositions would be presented. As an example of these
the following may be cited as specimens: That young men should be obliged
to marry at, or before, a certain age; that two sorts of clothes only shall be
worn, one for winter and the other for summer.
The session lasted twenty two
days.

The first grand jury in Pennsylvania was summoned for the 2d of February, 1683, to inquire into the cases of some persons accused of issuing
counterfeit money.
The Governor and Council sat as a court. One Pickering was convicted, and the sentence was significant of the kind and patriarchal
nature of the government, "that he should make full satisfaction, in good
and current pay, to every person who should, within the space of one month,
bring in any of this false, base and counterfeit coin, and that the money
brought in should be melted down before it was returned to him, and that he
should pay a fine of forty pounds toward the building a court house, stand
committed till the same was paid, and afterward find security for his good
behavior."
The Assembly and courts having now adjourned, Penn gave his attention
to the grading and improving the streets of the new city, and the managing
the affairs of his land ofiice, suddenly grown to great importance.
For every
section of land taken up in the wilderness, the purchaser was entitled to a
certain plot in the new city.
The Kiver Delaware at this time was nearly a
mile broad opposite the city, and navigable for ships of the largest tonnage.
The tide rises about six feet at this point, and flows back to the falls of
Trenton, a distance of thirty miles.
The tide in the Schuylkill flows only
about five miles above its confluence with the Delaware.
The river bank along
the Delaware was intended by Penn as a common or public resort.
But in
his time the owners of lots above Front street pressed him to allow them to
construct warehouses upon It, opposite their properties, which importunity induced him to make the followingr declaration concerninor jtt "The bank is a
top common, from end to end; the rest next the water belongs to front- lot
men no more than back-lot men. The way bounds them; they may build stairs,
and the top of the bank a common exchange, or wall, and against the street,
common wharfs may be built freely; but into the water, and the shore is no
purchaser's."
But in future time, this liberal desire of the founder was disregarded, and the bank has been covered with immense warehouses,
*It may be a matter of curiosity to know the names of the members of this first regularly elected Legislature in Pennsylvania, and they are accordingly appended as given in official records:
Council: William Markham, <"'hristopher'^Taylor, Thomas Holme. Lacy Cock, William Haige, .John Moll,
Ralph Withers, .lohn Siiucock, Edward Cantwell, William Clayton, William Biles, James Harrison, William
Clark, Francis Whitewell, ,Tohn Richardson, John Hillyard.
Assembly: From Bucks, William Yardly, Samuel Darke, Robert Lucas, Nicholas Walne, John Wood, John
Clowes, Thomas Fitzwater, Robert Hall, James Boyden from Philadelphia, John Longhurst, John Hart, Walter King, Andros Binkson, John Moon, Thomas Wynne (Speaker), (iritlilh Jones, William Warner, Swan Swaneon; from Chester, John Hoskins, Robert Wade,deorge Wood, John Blunston, Dennis Rochford, Thomas
Bracy, John Bezer, John Harding, Joseph Phipps from New Castle, John Cann, John Darby, Valentine Hollingswojth, Gasparus Herman. John Dcho,aef, James Williams, William Guest, Peter Alrich, Henrick Williams;
from Kent, John Biggs, Simon Irons, Thomas Hatfold John Curtis, Robert Bedwell, William Windsmore, John
Brinkloe, Daniel Brown, Benony Bishop; from Sussex, Luke Watson, Alexander Draper, William Futcherv
Henry Bowman, Alexander Moieston, John Hill, Robert Bracy, John Kipshaven, Cornelius Verhoof.
;

;

HISTORY OF PENxNSYLVANlA.
and settlement fairly in operation, as
Seeing now his plans of government

Barnet and ^oitn ridii, uut
onorale in the same manner with
trees
"
length of the four seasons of
at
treats
He then
Xlfde Iphia

fK^t^^ Of

heir cuXms and their children

T wl %lf:frirX'w
of a wite.

The

tb
gills stay wiin

^

:

"

The children will go very young

ifSthe^arhS^

weai somemiu^ u^wu

frmts,

to hoe the ground, plant
t^ey
^^^ j.^. j^_. ^^^^^

marrv

at. if

women,

is

about

rrrsfe ;tlrCoV,sir"'^^^^^^ -Xath! i^/^
n
?sr:thffS^^^^^
:i

their resemblance to the J«™-^,0^t'L\^^™
says^
tied here when he came he

^^S^

to trafaok.

T!ieCt.ir'mostly inhabit those parts

60

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

of the town itself; but this I will say, for the good providence of God, that
of all the many places I have seen in the world, I remember not one better
seated, so that it seems to me to have been appointed for a town, whether we
regard the rivers or the convenieucy of the coves, docks, springs, the loftiness
and soundness of the land and the air, held by the people of these parts to be
very good.
It is advanced within less than a year to about fourscore bouses
and cottages, where merchants and handicrafts are following their vocations
* * I
as fast as they can, while the countrymen are close at their farms. *
bless God I am fully satisfied with the country and entertainment I got in it;
for I find that particular content, which hath always attended me, where God in
His providence hath made it my place and service to reside."
As we have seen, the visit of Penn to Lord Baltimore soon after his arrival
in America, for the purpose of settling the boundaries of the two provinces, after
a two days' conference, proved fruitless, and an adjournment was had for the
Early in the
winter, when the efforts for settlement were to be resumed.
spring, an attempt was made on the part of Peun, but was prevented till May,
when a meeting was held at New Castle. Penn proposed to confer by the aid
of counselors and in writing. But to this Baltimore objected, and, complainIn the
ing of the sultryness of the weather, the conference was broken up.
meantime, it had come to the knowledge of Penn that Lord Baltimore had
issued a proclamation offering settlers more land, and at cheaper rates than
Penn had done, in portions of the lower counties which Penn had secured
from the Duke of York, but which Baltimore now claimed. Besides, it was
ascertained that an agent of his had taken an observation, and determined the
latitude without the knowledge of Penn, and had secretly made an ex par^te
statement of the case before the Lords of the Committee of Plantations in EnThis state of the case created much
gland, and was pressing for arbitrament.
uneasiness in the mind of Penn, especially as the proclamation of Lord Baltimore was likely to bring the two governments into conflict; on territory mutuBut Lord Baltimore was not disposed to be content with diploally claimed.

macy. He determined to pursue an aggressive policy. He accordingly commissioned his agent. Col. George Talbot, under date of September 17, 1683,
to go to Schuylkill, at Delaware, and demand of William Penn " all that part
of the land on the west side of the said river that lyeth to the southward of
the fortieth degree." This bold demand would have embraced the entire colony,
both the lower counties, and the three counties in the province, as the fortieth
Penn was absent
degree reaches a considerable distance above Philadelphia.
at the time in New York, and Talbot made his demand upon Nicholas Moore,
Upon his return, the proprietor made a dignified but
the deputy of Penn.
While he felt that the demand could not be justly susearnest rejoinder.
tained, yet the fact that a controversy for the settlement of the boundary was
likely to arise, gave him disquietude, and though he was gratified with the
success of his plans for acquiring lands of the Indians and establishing friendly
relations with them, the laying-out of his new city and settling it, the adoption of a stable government and putting it in successful operation, and, more
than all, the di-awing thither the large number of settlers, chiefly of his own
religious faith, and seeing them contented and happy in the new State, he
plainly foresaw that his skill and tact would be taxed to the utmost to defend
and hold his claim before ihe English court. If the demand of Lord Baltimore were to prevail, all that he had done would be lost, as his entire colony
would be swallowed up by Maryland.
The anxiety of Penn to hold from the beginning of the 40° of latitude was
not to increase thereby his territory by so much, for two degrees which he

^1

HISTORY OF TENNSYLVANIA.

settled

and his new city of
counties rapidly being peopled,
So anxious was he
eye
his
of
apple
the
as
regarded
which he

S welTas his

Phaddphra

own

We luy teiertraagle o,e;

it,

he was willing

to

pay tor

.t

aga.n.

But

th.s

possession of hi.
to a crisie, and to force
entry
party from Maryland made torcble
The
owners.
the
off
drove
and
noon 'the Plantations in the lower counties
a copy of the answer of
thither
sent
Philadelphia
at
Governor and Council
south of the Delaware, with orders
?enn to Ba^Umore's demand for the land
the
to use hie influence to reinstate
Castle,
New
at
Sheriff
to Wi
of Penn,
claim
the
stating
succinctly
and issued a declaration
awl
incm-sions in future
trthe Durnose of preventing such unlawful
continued
'"'TheSonoVned favor^ly for the
V^fV^'f G"»a)y ttocts
never before
Agriculture was being prosecuted as
colony
moral and inintelligent,
An
settlers.
and herds Maddened the eyes ot the

''°l^nfupoTbl"gii*"mItters
claim eariyn the%fr ie84 a

Lm wTh,
Zers

°12VS

duliois feomanrywas springing
fJntZ Delaware from many lands.

into existence.

Emigrants were pouring

The Government was becoming settled
The proprietor had leisure to
people.
the
with
popular
and
only m his own domimons,
not
society,
religious

nUsopem tons
lend tTtbe interests

of his

but in the Jerseys and in

New

York.

CHAPTER
T.^^r^

^^^-Xth^'oTs

iflszuftfi

-Ft

VII.

Black'vell, 1688
VF Commissioners, 1686-88— John.691-93-Bm,AMm

MAKKBAM.
'ro'I^^S?p.L..AM1693-99.

Fletcher, 1693-95-WiLLiAM Markham,

thickening, that a
the indications, constantly
^^^^f.^^^^^^J^^^^^^^^^
of the disputed terri
for possession
crown
the
Id to be precipitated before
and return to Encolony
the
quit
decTded Penn early in the summer to
this
is no doubt that he took
There
interests.
Jand to defend his in^periled
country,
new
hxs
in
happy
and
contented
imfeignrd reL^ as he, was^,
witn
?h unieignea
fteo
step w
however, other inducements
J^^^^J

T3UT

W

'

^mg

he might
his acquaintance with the
his friendship wfth James, and
bigotry.
of
unfortunate victims
do something to soften the lot of these
^^o^^s
the Provincial Council of which

By

He accordingly empowered
steady commissioned Nichola. Moore ^^^^^^^^^
Llofd was President, tJact in his
Turner and John EcLley, Piuvmcial
iam Welch, William Wood, Robert

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

62

two years; appointed Thomas Lloyd, James Claypole and Robert
and warrants, and William Clark as Justice of
the Peace for all the counties; and on the 6th of June, 1684, sailed for Europe.
His feelings on leaving his colony are exnibited by a farewell address which
he issued fi'om on board the vessel to his people, of which the following are
brief extracts: "My love and my life is to you, and with you, and no water
can quench it, nor distance wear it out, nor bring it to an end. I have been
with you, cared over you and served over you with unfeigned love, and you
I bless you in the
are beloved of me, and near to me, bej^ond utterance.
name and power of the Lord, and may God bless you with His righteousness,
*
* Oh! now are you come to a
peace and plenty all the land over. *
And now liberty and authorquiet land; provoke not the Lord to trouble it.
Let the government be upon His
ity are with .you, and in your hands.
shoulders, in all your spirits, that you may rule for Him, under whom the
princes of this world will, one day, esteem their honor to govern and serve in
*
*
* And thou, Philadelphia, the virgin- settlement of
their places
this province, named before thou wert born, what love, what care, what service and what travail has there been, to bring thee forth, and preserve thee from
*
* go, dear friends, my love
such as would abuse and defile thee! *
again salutes you all, wishing that grace, mercy and peace, with all temporal
blessings, may abound richly among you
so says, so prays, your friend and
William Penn."
lover in the truth.
On the 6th of December of this same year, 1684, Charles II died, and was
succeeded by his brother James, Duke of York, under the title of James II.
James was a professed Catholic, and the people were greatly excited all over
the kingdom lest the reign of Bloody Mary should be repeated, and that the
Catholic should become the established religion.
He had less ability than
Penn enhis brother, the deceased King, but great discipline and industry.
joyed the friendship and intimacy of the new King, and he determined to use
his advantage for the relief of his suffering countrymen, not only of his sect,
the Quakers, but of all, and especially for the furtherance of universal liberty.
But there is no doubt that he at this time meditated a speedy return to his
province, for he writes:
"Keep up the peoples' hearts and loves; I hope to be
I long to be with you.
with them next fall, if the Lord prevent not.
Nc
temptations prevail to fix me here.
The Lord send us a good meeting." By
authority of Penn, dated 18th of January, 1685, William Markham, Penn's
cousin, was commissioned Secretary of the province, and the proprietor's Sec-

Judges
Turner

for

to sign land patents

—

retary.

That he might be fixed near to court for the furtherance of his private as
well as public business, he secured lodgings for himself and family, in 1685, at
Kensington, near London, and cultivated a daily intimac)? with the King, who,
no doubt, found in the strong native sense of his Quaker friend, a valued adviser upon many questions of difficulty.
His first and chief care was the settlement of his disagreement with Lord Baltimore touching the boundaries of
their provinces.
This was settled in November, 1685, by a compromise, by
which the land lying between the Delaware and Chesepeake Bays was divided
into two equal parts— that upon the Delaware was adjudged to Penn, and that
upon the Chesapeake to Lord Baltimore. This settled the matter in theory;
but when the attempt was made to run the lines according to the language of
the Royal Act, it was found that the royal secretaries did not understand the
geography of the country, and that the line which their language described was
an impossible one. Consequently the boundary remained undetermined til'i
1732,
The account of its location will be given in its proper place.

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

63

HaviBg secured this important decision to his satisfaction, Penn applied
himself with renewed zeal, not only to secure the release of his people, who
were languishing in prisons, but to procure for all Englishmen, everywhere,
enlarged liberty and freedom of conscience.
His relations with the King favored his designs. The King had said to Penn before he ascended the throne
that he was opposed to persecution for religion.
On the first day of his reign,
he made an address, in which he proclaimed himself opposed to all arbitrary
principles in government, 'and promised protection to the Church of England,
Early in the year 1686, in consequence of the King's proclamation for a general pardon, over thirteen hundred Quakers were set at liberty, and in April,
1687, the King issued a declaration for entire liberty of conscience, and suspending the penal laws in matters ecclesiastical. This was a great step in advance, and one that must ever throw a luster over the brief reign of this unfortunate monarch.
Penn, though holding no official position, doubtless did
as much toward securing the issue of this liberal measure as any Englishman.
Upon the issue of these edicts, the Quakers, at their next acnual meeting,
presented an address of acknowledgment to the King, which opened in these
" We cannot but bless anfl praise the name of Almighty God, who
words:
hath the hearts of princes in His hands, that He hath inclined the King to hear
the cries of his suffering subjects for conscience' sake,

,

and we

rejoice that

he

hath given us so eminent an occasion to present him our thanks."
This addrepswas presented by Penn in a few well -chosen words, and the King re" Gentlepli* d in the following, though brief, yet most expressive, language:
men I thank you heartily for your address. Some of you know (I am sure
you do Mr. Penn), that it was always my principle, that conscience ought not
to be forced, and that all men ought to have the liberty of their consciences.
And what I have promised in my declaration, I will continue to perform so
long as I live.
And I hope, before I die, to settle it so that after ages shall
have no reason to alter it."
It would have been supposed that such noble sentiments as these from a
sovereign would have been hailed with delight by the English people. But
they were not.
The aristocracy of Britain at this time did not want liberty of
conscience. They wanted comformity to the established church, and bitter
persecution against all others, as in the reign of Charles, whiib filled the
prisons with Quakers. The warm congratulations to James, and fervent prayers
for his welfare, were regarded by them with an evil eye.
Bitter reproaches
were heaped upon Penn, who was looked upon as the power behind the throne
that was moving the King to the enforcing of these principles.
He was accused of having been educated at St. Omer's, a Catholic college, a place which
he never saw in his life, of having taken orders as a priest in the Catholic
Church, of having obtained dispensation to marry, and of being not only a
Catholic, but a Jesuit in disguise, all of which were pure fabrications.
But in
the excited state of the public mind they were believed, and caused him to be
regarded with bitter hatred.
The King, too, fell rapidly into disfavor, and so
completely had the minds, of his people become alienated from him, that upon
the coming of the Prince of Orange and his wife Mary, in 1688, James was
obliged to flee to France for safety, and they were received as the rulers of

—

Britain.

But while the interests of the colony were thus prospering at court, they
were not so cloudless in the new country. There was needed the strong hand
of Penn to check abuses and guide the course of legislation in proper channels.
He had labored to place the government entirely in the hands of the
people an idea, in the abstract, most attractive, and one which, were the entire

—

64

PIISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

would result fortunately yet, in practice, he found
most vexatious. The proprietor had not long been
gone before troubles arose between the two Houses of the Legislature relative
population wise and

to his sorrow the

just,

;

results

being in accordance with the requirements of
Nicholas Moore, the Chief Justice, was impeached for irregularities in imposing fines and in other ways abusing his high trust.
But though
formally arraigned and directed to desist from exercising his functions, he successfully resisted the proceedings, and a final judgment was never obtained.
Patrick Robinson, Clerk of the court, for refusing to produce the records in the
These troubles in the government
trial of Moore, was voted a public enemy.
were the occasion of much grief to Penn, who wrote, naming a number of the
most influential men in the colony, and beseeching them to unite in an endeavor
to check further irregularities, declaring that they disgraced the province,
" that their conduct had struck back hundreds, and was £10,000 out of his
way, and £100,000 out of the country."
In the latter part of the year 1686, seeing that the whole Council was too
unwieldy a body to exercise executive power, Penn determined to contract the
number, and accordingly appointed Thomas Lloyd, Nicholas Moore, James
Claypole, Robert Turner and John Eckley, any three of whom should constitute a quorum, to be Commissioners of State to act for the proprietor.
In
place of Moore and Claypole, Arthur Cook and John Simcock were appointed.
They were to compel the attendance of the Council; see that the two Houses'
admit of no parley; to abrogate nil laws except the fundamentals; to dismiss
the Assembly and call a new one, and finally he solemnly admonishes them,
"Be most just, as in the sight of the all-seeing, all-searching God." In a
letter to these Commissiouers, he says: " Three things occur to me eminently:
First, that you be watchful that none abuse the King, etc.
secondly, that you
get the custom act revived as being the equalest and least offensive way to
support the government; thirdly, that you retrieve the dignity of courts and
to promulgatitig the laws as not

the charter

;

sessions."

In a letter to James Harrison, his confidential agent at Pennsbury Manor,
he unbosoms himself more freely respecting his employment in London than
in any of his State papers or more public communications, and fi'ora it can be
" I
seen how important were his labors with the head of the English nation.
am engaged in the public business of the nation and Friends, and those in authority would have me see the establishment of the liberty, that I was a small
instrument to begin in the land. The Lord has given me great entrance and
interest with the King, though not so much as is said; and I confess I should
rejoice to see poor old England fixed, the penal laws repealed, that are now
suspended, and if it goes well with England, it cannot go ill with Pennsylvania, as unkindly used as I am; and no poor slave in Turkey desires more
earnestly, I believe, for deliverance, than I do to be with you."
In the summer of 1687, Penn was in company with the King in a progress through the
counties of Berkshire, Grlocestershire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Cheshire,
Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire, during which he
held several religious meetings with his people, in some of which the King appears to have been present, particularly in Chester.
Since the departure of Penn, Thomas Lloyd had acted as President of
He had been in effect
the Council, and later of the Commissioners of State.
Governor, and held responsible for the success of the government, while posTiring of this anomalous
sessing only one voice in the disposing of affairs.
It was difficult to find a person of
position, Lloyd applied to be relieved.
sufficient al'ility to fill the place; but Penn decided to relieve him, though-

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

65

showing his entire confidence by notifying him that he intended soon to appoint him absolute Governor.
In his place, he indicated Samuel Carpenter,
or if he was unwilling to serve, then Thomas Ellis, but not to be President, his
will being that each should preside a mouth in turn, or that the oldest member should lie chosen.
Pen 11 foresaw that the executive power, to be efficient, must be lodged in
the hands of one man of ability, such as to command the respect of his people.
Those whom he most trusted in the colony had been so mixed up in the wrangles of the executive and legislative departments of the government that he
deemed it advisable to appoint a person who had not before been in the col
ony and not a Quaker. He accordingly commissioned John Blackwell, July
27, 1688, to be Lieutenant Governor, who was at this time in New England,
and who had the esteem and* confidence of Penn. With the commission, the
proprietor sent full instructions, chiefly by way of caution, the last one being:
" Rule the meek meekly; and those that will not be ruled, rule Avith authoi'ity."
Though Lloyd had been relieved of power, he still remained in the Council,
probably because neither of the persons designated were willing to serve.
Having seen the evils of a many-headed executive, he had recommended the
appointment of one person to exercise executive authority. It was in con
formity with this advice that Blackwell was appointed.
He met the Assembly
in March, 1689; but either his conceptions of business were arbitrary and imperious, or the Assembly had become accustomed to great latitude and lax
discipline; for the business had not proceeded far before the several branches
of the government were at variance.
Lloyd refused to give up the great seal,
alleging that it had been given him for life.
The Governor, arbitrarily and without warrant of law, imprisoned officers of high rank, denied the
validity of all laws passed by the Assembly previous to his administration, and
set on foot a project for organizing and equipping the militia, under the plea
of threatened hostility of France.
The Assembly attempted to arrest his
proceedings, but he shrewdly evaded their intents by organizing a party
among the members, who persistently absented themselves.
His reign
was short, for in January, 1690, he left the colony and sailed away for England, whereupon the government again devolved upon the Council, Thomas
Lloyd. President.
Penn had a high estimation of the talents and integrity
of Blackwell, and adds, " He is in England and Ireland of great repute for

and virtue."
Three forms of administering the executive department of the government
had now been tried, by a Council consisting of eighteen members, a commission of
live members, and a Lieutenant Governor.
Desirous of leaving the government
as far as possible in the hands of the people who Were the sources of all
power, Penn left it to the Council to decide which form should be adopted.
The majority decided for a Deputy Governor. This was opposed by the members from the provinces, who preferred a Council, and who, finding themselves
outvoted, decided to withdraw, and determined for themselves to govern the
This obstinacy and falling out belower counties until Penn should come.
tween the councilors from the lower counties and those from the province
was the beginning of a controversy which eventuated in a separation, and
finally in the formation of Delaware as a separate commonwealth.
A deputation from the Council was sent to New Castle to induce the seceding members
They had never regarded with favor the reto retuim, but without success.
moval of the sittings of the Council from New Castle, the first seat of government, to Philadelphia, and they were now determined to set up a governability, integrity

ment

for themselves.

66

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

In 1689, the Friends Public School in Philadelphia was first incorporated,
confirmed by a patent from Penn in 1701, and another in 1708, and finally,
The
with greatly enlarged powers, from Penn personally, November 29, 1711.
preamble to the charter recites that as "the prosperity and welfare oE any
people depend, in great measure, upon the good education of youth, and their
early introduction in the principles of true religion and virtue, and qualifying
them to serve their country and themselves, by breeding them in reading,
writing, and learning of languages and useful arts and scieuces suitable to
their sex, age and degree, which cannot be eifected in any manner so well as
by erecting piiblic schools," etc. George Keith was employed as the first master of this school.
He was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, a man of learning,
and had emigrated to East Jersey some years previous, where he was Surveyor
General, and had surveyed and marked the line between East and West New
Jersey.
He only remained at the head of the school one year, when he was
succeeded by his usher, Thomas Makin. This was a school of considerable
merit and pretension, whei'e the higher mathematics and the ancient languages were taught, and was the first of this high grade. A school of a primary grade had been established as early as 1683, in Philadelphia, when
Enoch Flower taught on the following terms: "To learn to read English,
four shillings by the quarter; to write, sis shillings by ditto; to read, write and
cast accounts, eight shillings by the quarter; boarding a scholar, that is to
say, diet, lodging,

washing and schooling, £10 for one whole year,'' from which
might be highly prized, its cost in

will be seen that although learning
hard cash was not exorbitant.

it

Penn's favor at court during the reign of James II caused him to be suspected of disloyalty to the government, when William and Mary had come to
the throne.
Accordingly on the 10th of December, 1688, while walking in
White Plall, he was summoned before the Lords of the Council, and though
nothing was found against him, was compelled to give security for his appearAt the secance at the next term, to answer any charge that might be made.
ond sitting of the Council nothing having been found against him, he was
cleared in open court.
In 1690, he was again brought before the Lords on
the charge of having been in correspondence with the late King.
He appealed to King William, who, after a hearing of two hours, was disposed to
release him, but the Lords decided to hold him until the Trinity term^ when
he was again discharged. A third time he was arraigned, and this time with
eighteen others, charged with adhering to the kingdom's enemies, but was
cleared by order of the King's Bench.
Being now at liberty, and these vexatious suits ai)parently at an end, he set about ^pading a large party of settlers
to his cherished Pennsylvania.
Proposals were published, and the Government, regarding the enterprise of so much importance, had ordered an armed
convoy, when he was again met by another accusation, and now, backed by
the false oath of one William Fuller, whom the Pai'liament subsequently declared a "cheat and an iraposter."
Seeing that he must prepare again for his
defease, he abandoned his voyage to America, after having made expensive
preparations, and convinced that his enemies were determined to prevent his
attention to public or private affairs, whether in England or America, he withdrew himself during the ensuing two or three years from the public eye.
But though not participating in business, which was calling loudly for his
attention, his mind was busy, and several important treatises upon religious
and civil matters were produced that had great influence upon the turn of
public affairs, which would never have been written but for this forced i*etirement.
In his address to the yearly meeting of Friends in London, he says:

"

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

67

" My enemies are yours.
My privacy is not because men have sworn truly,
but falsely against me.
His personal grievances in England were the least which he suffered. For
lack of guiding influence, bitter dissensions had sprung up in his colony,
which threatened the loss of all. Desiring to secure peace, he had commissioned Thomas Lloyd Deputy Governor of the province, and William Markham Deputy Governor of the lower counties. Penn's grief on account of this
division is disclosed in a letter to a friencTin the province: "I left it to them,
to choose either the government of the Council, five Commissioners or a deputy.
What could be tenderer? Now I perceive Thomas Lloyd is chosen by the
three upper but not the three lower counties, and sits down with this broken
This has grieved and wounded me and mine, I fear to the hazard of
choice.
* * * for else the Governor of New York is like to have all, if he
all!

has

it

not already."

But the troubles of Penn in America were not confined to civil affairs.
George Keith, a man of conHis religious society was torn with dissension,
siderable power in argumentation, but of overweaning self-conceit, attacked the
Friends for the laxity of their discipline, and drew off some followers. So
venomous did he become that on the 20th ol April, 1692, a testimony of denial was drawn up against him at a meeting of ministers, wherein he and his
This was confirmed at the nest yearly meetconduct were publicly disowned.
He drew off large numbers and set up an independent society, who
ing.
Keith appealed from this action of the
termed themselves Christian Quakers.
American Church to the yearly meeting in London, but was so intemperate in
Whereupon
speech that the action of the American Church was confirmed.
he became the bitter enemy of the Quakers, and, uniting with the Church of
England, was ordained a Vicar by the Bishop of London. He afterward returned to America where he wrote against his former associates, but was final-

On his death bed, he said, " I wish
a benefice in Sussex, England.
then
I
am sure it would have been well
I had died when I was a Quaker, for
ly fixed in

with

my

soul."

satisfied with attacking the principles and pracmercilessly lampooned the Lieutenant Governor, saying that 'He was not tit to be a Governor, and his name would stink," and of
the Council, that "He hoped'to God he should shortly see their power taken
from them." On another occasion, he said of Thomas Lloyd, who was reputed
" an impua mild-tempeved man, and had befriended Keith, that he was
send him
not
did
he
"why
him
asked
and
Governor,"
pitiful
dent man and a
to jail," saying that "his back (Keith's) had long itched for a whipping, and
that he would print and expose them all over America, if not over Europe."
So abusive had he finally become that the Council was obliged to take notice

But Keith had not been

tices of his church.

He

of his conduct and to warn him to desist.
Penn, as has been shown, was silenced and thrown into retirement in EnIt can be readily seen what an excellent opportunity these troubles
gland.
in America, the separation in the government, and the schism in the ch\u'ch,
They represented that he had neglected his
gave his enemies to attack him.
colony by remaining in England and meddling with matters in which he had
no business; that the colony in consequence had fallen into great disorder,

and that ho should be deprived of his proprietary rights. These complaints
had so much weight with William and Mary, that, on the21st of October, 16V)2,
they commissioned Benjamin Fletcher, Governor of New York, to take the
There was another motive
province and territories under his government.
the
operating at this time, more potent than those mentioned above, to induce

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

08

King and Queen
of

New

to put the

government of Pennsylvania undor the Governor

The French and Indians from the north were threatening the
Already the expense for defense had become burdensome to New

York.

English.
York.
It was believed that to ask aid for the common defense from Penn,
with his peace principles, would be fruitless, but that through the influence of
Gov. Fletcher, as executive, an appropriation might be secured.
Upon receiving his commission, Gov. Fletcher sent a note, dated April 19,
1693, to Deputy Gov. Lloyd, informing him of the grant of the royal commission and of his intention to visit the colony and assume authority on the 29th
inst.
He accordingly came with great pomp and splendor, attended by a
numerous retinue, and soon after his arrival, submission to him having been
accorded without question, summoned the Assembly.
Some differences having
arisen between the Governor and tbe Assembly about the manner of calling and
electing the Representatives, certain members united in an address to the Governor, claiming that the constitution and laws were still in full force and
must be administered until altered or repealed; that Pennsylvania had just as
good a right to be governed according lo the usages of Pennsylvania as New
York had to be governed according to the usages of that province. The Legislature being finally organized, Gov. Fletcher presented a letter from the
Queen, setting forth that the expense for the preservation and defense of Albany
against the French was intolerable to the inhabitants there, and that as this
was a frontier to other colonies, it was thought but just that they should help
bear the burden.
The Legislature, in firm but respectful terms, maintained
that the constitution and laws enacted under them were in full force, and
when he, having flatly denied this, attempted to intimidate them by the threat
of annexing Pennsylvania to New Y'ork, they mildly but firmly requested that
if the Governor had objections to the bill which they had passed and would
communicate them, they would try to remove them.
The business was now
amicably adjusted, and he in compliance with their wish dissolved the Assembly,
and after appointing William Markham Lieutenant Governor, departed to his
government in New York, doubtless well satisfied that a Quaker, though usually mild mannered, is not easily frightened or coerced.
Gov. Fletcher met the Assembly again in March, 1694, and during this
session, having apparently failed in his previous endeavors to induce the Assembly to vote money for the common defense, sent a communication setting forth
the dangers to be apprehended from the French and Indians, aud concluding in
these words: "Thatheconsidered their principles; that they could not carry arms
nor levy money to make war, though for their own defense, yet he hoped that
they would not refuse to feed the hungry and clothe the naked; that was to
supply the Indian nations with such necessaries as may influence their continued friendship to their provinces."
But notwithstanding the adroit sugarcoating of tbe pill, it was not acceptable and no money was voted. This and a
brief session in September closed the Governorship of Pennsylvania by
Fletcher.
It would appear from a letter written by Penn, after hearing of
the neglect of the Legislature to vote money for the purpose indicated, that
he took an entirely diflTerent view of the subject from that which was anticipated; for he blamed the colony for refusing to send money to New York for
what he calls the common defense.
Through the kind offices of Lords Rochestei Ranelagh, Sidney and Somers,
the Duke of Buckingham and Sir John Trenchard, the king was asked to
h^ar the case of William Penn, against whom no charge was proven, and who
would two years before have gone to his colony had he not supposed that he
would have been thought to go in defiance of the government. King William
,

"

-

69

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

as theirs, that
answered that William Penn was his old acquaintance as well
nothing to say
had
he
that
and
ever,
as
freely
as
business
his
he mio-ht follow
Penn was accordingly reinstated in his government by letters patent
to him
commissioned William Markdated on the 20th of August, 1694, whereupon he

ham

Lieutenant Governor.

.

.

the
called the Assembly, he disregarded the provisions of
The
grant.
the
annulled
had
Penn
charter, assuming that the removal of
in the old
Assembly made no objection to this action, as there were provisions

When Markham

Accordingly, when the appropriacharter that they desired to have changed.
was attached to it and passed.
constitution
new
a
considered,
was
tion bill
organic law, the third constithe
became
This was approved by Markham and
By the provisions of this
Charles.
King
of
charter
the
under
adopted
tution
and the Assembly
members,
twelve
of
instrument, the Council was composed
England, the ocean
and
France
between
war
the
During
twentv-four.
of
declared, many of
swarmed with the privateers of the former. When peace was
were disposed to conprivateering,
by
profited
richly
had
which
crafts,
these
Judging that the peace
tinue their irregular practices, which was now piracy.
seizure, they were
principles of the Quakers would shield them from forcible
coming
Complaints
harbor.
safe
for
Delaware
accustomed to run into the
was issued calling on
proclamation
parties,
a
these
of
depredations
the
of
damaging to the
magistrates and citizens to unite in breaking up practices so
evil-disposed pergood name of the colony. It was charged in England that
parties to it, and that
sons in the province were privy to these practices, if not
proof of its inefficiency,
the failure of the Government to break it up was a
Penn was
and of a radical defect of the principles on which it was based.
Governor
much exercised by these charges, and in his letters to the Lieutenant
effect reform.
to
vigilance
ceaseless
urged
Assembly,
and to his friends in the

CHAPTER
William Penn, 1699-1701-Andrew

YIIL
Shippen

Hamilton. noi-3-EDWARD

1703-4-JoHN Evans, 1704-9— Charles Gookin,

1709-17.

deharassing persecutions, and in favor at court, Penn
BEING free from
exremove with his family to Pennsylvania, and now with the

termined to

Accordingly, in July, 1699, he set sail,
pectation of living and dying h«re.
tossed about upon the
and, on account of adverse winds, was three months
fever raged there with
yellow
the
colony,
his
Just before his arrival in
ocean.
the West Indies, but had
great virulence, having been brought thither from
An
disappeared.
been checked by the biting frosts of autumn, and had now
writes thus ot it
observant traveler, who witnessed the effects of this scourge,
was
"Great was the majesty and hand of the Lord. Great
in his iournal:
I saw no lofty nor airy countenance, nor
the fear that fell upon all flesh.
repartee to raise
heard any vain jesting to move men to laughter, nor witty
lusts and desires of the flesh
mirth, nor extravagant feasting to excite the
many hearts were humabove measure; but every face gathered paleness, and
moment to
fallen and sunk, as such that waited every
bled,

be

and countenances

to the bar and numbered to the grave.
province
Great joy was everywhere manifested throughout the

summoned

.

^

,

at tHe arriv-

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

70

and his family, fondly believing that he had now como to
the Assembly soon after landing, but, it being an inclement
season, he only detained them loQg enough to pass two measures aimed against
piracy and illicit trade, exaggerated reports of which, having been spread
broadcast through the kingdom, had caused him great uneasiness and vexation.
At the first monthly meeting of Friends in 1700, he laid before them his
concern, which was for the welfare of Indians and Negroes, and steps were
taken to instruct them and provide stated meetings for them where they could
It is more than probable that he had fears from the first that
hear the Word.
his enemies in England would interfere in his affairs to such a degree as to require his early return, though he had declared to his friends there that he
His greatest solicitude, consequently,
never expected to meet them again.
was to give a charter to his colony, and also one to his city, the very best that
human ingenuity could devise. An experience of now nearly twenty years
would be likely to develop the weaknesses and impracticable provisions of the
first constitutions, so that a frame now drawn with all the light of the past,
and by the aid and suggestion of the men who had been employed in administering it, would be likely to be enduring, and though he might be called
hence, or be removed by death, their work would live on from generation to
generation and age to age, and exert a benign and preserving influence while
the State should exist.
In February, 1701, Penn met the most renowned and powerful of the Indian chieftains, reaching out to the Potomac, the Susquehanna and to the Onondagoes of the Five Nations, some forty in number, at Philadelphia, where he
renewed with them pledges of peace and entered into a formal treaty of active
friendship, binding them to disclose any hostile intent, confirm sale of lands,
be governed by colonial law, all of which was confirmed on the part of the Indians "by five parcels of skins;" and on the part of Penn by " several English
al of the proprietor

stay.

He met

goods and merchandises."
Several sessions of the Legislature were held in which great harmony preand much attention was giving to revising and recomposing the constitution.
But in the midst of their labors for the improvement of the organic
law, intelligence was brought to Penn that a bill had been introduced in the
House of Lords for reducing all the proprietary governments in America to
regal ones, under pretence of advancing the prerogative of the crown, and
Such of the owners of land in Pennsylvania as hapthe national advantage.
pened to be in England, remonstrated against action upon the bill until Penn
could return and be heard, and wrote to him urging his immediate coming
Though much to his disappointment and soitow, he determined to
hither.
go immediately thither. He promptly called a session of the Assembly, and
in his message to the two Houses said, "I cannot think of such a voyage
without great rehictancy of mind, having promised myself the quietness of a
For my heart is among you, and no disapj)ointment shall ever be
wilderness.
able to alter my love to the country, and resolution to return, and settle my
* * Think therefore (since all men are mortal),
family and posterity in it.
of some suitable expedient and provision for youi' safety as well in your priviReview again your laws, propose new ones, and you will
leges as property.
find me ready to comply with whatsoever may render us happy, by a nearer
union of our interests." The Assembly returned a suitable response, and then
The first related to tlie appointproceeded to draw up twenty-one articles.
ment of a Lieutenant Grovernor. Penn proposed that the Assembly should
choose one.
But this they declined, preferring that he should appoint one.
Little trouble was experienced in settling everything broached, except the
vailed,

71

HISTORY OF PENNSVLVANlA.

union of the province and lower counties. Penn used his best endeavors to
The new constitution was
reconcile thfem to the union, but without avail.
provided for t\ie
instrument
The
1701.
October,
of
adopted on the 28th
great reluctance,
union, but in a supplementary article, evidently granted with
separated at any
be
might
territories
the
and
province
the
it was provided that
As his last act before leaving, he presented the city
time within three years.
always an object
of Philadelphia, now grown to be a considerable place, and
As his Deputy, he apof his affectionate regard, with a charter of privileges.
pointed Andrew Hamilton, one of the proprietors of East New Jersey, and
sometime Governor of both East and AVest Jersey, and for Secretary of the
province and Clerk of the Council, he selected James Logan, a man of singular urbanity and streugth of mind, and withal a scholar.
Penn set sail for Europe on the 1st of November, 1701. Soon after his
and Anne of Denarrival, on the l8th of January, 1702, King AVilliam died,
court, and that he
at
favor
in
himself
found
now
He
him.
succeeded
mark
might be convenient to the royal residence, he again took lodgings at KensingThe bill which had been pending before Parliament, that had given him
toii!
entirely, and was
so much uneasiness, was at the succeeding session dropped
During his leisure hours, he now busied himself in
never again called up.
writing °" several useful and excellent treatises on divers subjects."
when
Gov. Hamilton's administration continued only till December, 1702,
unite
territories
to
the
induce
to
endeavors
he died. He was earnest in his
with the province, thev having as yet not accepted the new charter, alleging
without success.
that they had three years in which to make their decision, but
He also organized a military force, of which George Lowther was commander,
for the safety of the colony.

.

•

i,

-c

n

executive authoritv now devolved upon the Council, of which Edwa,rd
Conflict of authority, and contention over the due inShipper) was President.
accomplishterpretation of some provisions of the new charter, preventea the
in 1703;
convened
which
Assembly
the
in
legislation,
ment of much, bv way of
though in this body it was finally determined that the lower counties should
This separation proved
thereafter act separately in a legislative capacity.

The

the two bodies never again meeting in common.
the bill to govern the American Colonies by regal authority tailed,
was so strong
yet the cTamor of those opposed to the proprietary Governors
to have the
deputies
of
selection
the
requiring
passed
that an act was finally
Hence, in choosing a successor to Hamilton, he was obliged to
royal assent.
John Evans, a man of parts, of Welsh extracconsider the Queen's wishes.
household, and not a
tion, only twenty-six years old. a member of the Queen's
arrived in the colwho
appointed,
was
morals,
exemplary
of
Quaker, nor even

final,

Though

ony in December, 1703.

Jr., who was
number having been increased by author-

He was accompanied by William Penn,

of the Council, the

elected a member
ity of the Governor, probably with a view to his election.
The fii'st care of Evans was to unite the province and lower counties,
so
though the final separation had been agreed to. He presented the matter
come, were
always
had
difficulty
the
which
from
counties,
lower
the
welUhat
But now the provincial Assembly, having
willing to return to a fii-m union.
dele^
of the obstacles thrown in the way of legislation by the

become impatient
They henceforward
gates from these counties, was unwilling to receive them.
remained separate in a legislative capacity, though still a part of Pennsylvania,
conunder the claim of Penn, and ruled by the same Governor, and thus they
was adopted,
tinued until the 20th of September, 1776, when a constitution
Delaware.
and they were proclaimed a separate State under the name of

72

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

During two years of the government of Evans, there was ceaseless discord between the Council, headed by the Governor and Secretary Logan,on the one
side, and the Assembly led by David Lloyd, its Speaker, on the other, and
little legislation was effected.
Realizing the defenseless condition of the colony, Evans determined to
organize the militia, and accordingly issued his proclamation.
"In obedience
to her Majesty's royal command, and to the end that the inhabitants of this
government may be in a posture of defense and readiness to withstand and
repel all acts of hostility, I do hereby strictly command and require all persons residing in this government, whose persuasions will, on any account, permit them to take up arms in their own defense, that forthwith they do provide themselves with a good firelock and ammunition, in order to enlist themselves in the militia, which I am now settling in this government. " The Governor evidently issued this proclamation in good faith, and with a pure purpose. The French and Indians had assumed a threatening aspect upon the north,
and while the other colonies had assisted New York liberally, Pennsylvania had
done little or nothing for the common defense. But his call fell stillborn.
The " fire-locks'' were not brought out, and none enlisted.
Disappointed at this lack of spirit, and embittered by the factious tempei" of
the Assembly, Evans, who seems not to have had faith in the religious principles of the Quakers, and to have entirely mistook the natiu'e of their Christian
zeal, formed a wild scheme to test their steadfastness under the pressure of
threatened danger.
In conjunction with his gay associates in revel, he agreed
to have a false alarm spread of the approach of a hostile force in the river,
whereupon he was to raise the alarm in the city. Accordingly, on the day of
the fair in Philadelphia, 16th of March, 1700, a messenger came, post haste
from New Castle, bringing the startling intelligence that an armed fleet of the
enemy was already in the river, and making their way rapidly toward the city.
Whereupon Evans acted his part to a nicety. He sent emissaries through the
town proclaiming the dread tale, while he mounted his horse, and in an excited manner, and with a drawn sword, rode through the streets, calling upon all
good men and true to rush to arms for the defense of their homes, their wives
and children, and all they held dear. The ruse was so well played that it
" The suddenness of the surprise,'' says Proud, " with
had an immense effect.
the noise of precipitation consequent thereon, threw man)* of the people into
very great fright and consternation, insomuch that it is said some threw their
plate and most valuable effects down their wells and little houses; that others
hid themselves, in the best manner they could, while many retired further up
the river, with what they could most readily carry off; so that some of the
creeks seemed full of boats and small craft; those of a larger size running as
far as Burlington, and some higher up the river; several women are said to
have miscarried by the fright and terror into which they were thrown, and
much mischief ensued."
The more thoughtful of the people are said to have understood the
deceit from the first, and labored to allay the excitement; but the seeming
earnestness of the Governor and the zeal of his emissaries so worked upon the
more inconsidei-ate of the population that the consternation and commotion
was almost past belief. In an almanac published at Philadelphia for the next
year opposite this date was this distich:

"Wise men wonder, good men grieve.
Knaves invent and fools believe."
Though this ruse was played upon all classes alike, yet it was generally
believed to have been aimed chiefly at the Quakers, to try the force of their

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA,

73

and see if they would not rueh to arms when danger should really
But in this the Governor was disappointed. For it is said that only
appear.
four out of the entire population of this i-eligious creed showed any disposition
It was the day of their weekly meeting, and regardless
to falsify their faith,
of the dismay and consternation which were everywhere manifest about them,
they assembled in their accustomed places of worship, and engaged in their
devotions as though nothing unusual was transpiring without, manifesting
such unshaken faith, as AVhittier has exemplified in verse by his Abraham
Davenport, on the occasion of the Dark Day:
principles,

',

in the old State House,
Sat the law-givers of Connecticut,

Meanwhile

dim

as ghosts.

Trembling beneath their legislative robes.
'It is the Lord's great day! Let us adjourn,'
Some said; and then, as witli one accord,
All eyes were turned on Abraham Davenport.
rose, slow, cleaving with his steady voice
This well may be
The intolerable hush.
The Day of Judgment which the world awaits;
But be it so or not, I only know
My present duty, and my Lord's command
To occupy till He come. So at the post
Where He hath set me in His Providence,
I choose, for one, to meet Him face to face.
No faithless servant frightened from my task.
But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls;
And therefore, with all reverence, I would say.

He

'

Let God do His work,
Bring in the candles.'

we

will see to ours.

And

they brought them in,"

In conjunction with the Legislature of the lower counties, Evans was instrumental in having a law passed for the imposition of a tax on the tonnage
of the river, and the erection of a fort near the town of New Castle for comThis was in direct violation of the fundamental compact,
pelling obedience.
and vexatious to commei'ce. It was at length forcibly resisted, and its impoHis administration was anything but efficient or peaceful,
sition abandoned.
a series of contentions, of chai'ges and counter-charges having been kept up
between the leaders of the two factions, Lloyd and Logan, which he was pow" He was relieved in 1709.
Possessed of
erless to properly direct or control.
refinement,
and accustomed to the gay society
and
a good degree of learning
of the British metropolis, he found in the grave and serious habits of the
Friends a type of life and character which he failed to comprehend, and with
which he could, consequently, have little sympathy. How widely he mistook
the Quaker character is seen in the result of his wild and hair-brained experiment to test their faith. His general tenor of life seems to have been of a
Watson says: 'The Indians of Connestoga complained of
piece with this.
him when there as misbehaving to their women, and that, in 1709, Solomon
Cresson, going his rounds at night, entered a tavern to suppress a riotous assembly, and found there John Evans, Esq. the Governor, who fell to beat,

ing Cresson.'"
The youth and levity of Gov. Evans induced-the proprietor to seek for a
He had thought of proposing
successor of a more sober and sedate character.
his son, but finally settled upon Col. Charles Gookin, who was reputed to be a
man of wisdom and prudence, though as was afierward learned, to the sorrow
of the colony, he was subject to fits of derangement, which toward the close of
He had scarcely arhis term were exhibited in the most extravagant acts.
rived in the colony before charges were preferred against the late Governor,
and he was asked to institute criminal proceedings, which he declined. This

74

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

was the occasion of a renewal of contentions between the Governor and his
Council and the Assembly, which continued during the greater pare of his administration.
In the midst of them, Logan, who was at the head of the Council, having demanded a trial of the charges against him, and failed to secure
one, sailed for Europe, where he presented the difficulties experienced in administering the government so sti'ongly, that Penn was seriously inclined to
sell his interest in the colony.
He had already greatly crippled his estate by
expenses he had incurred in making costly presents to the natives, and in setIn the year 1707,
tling his colony, for which he had received small return.
he had become involved in a suit in chancery with the executors of his former
steward, in the course of which he was conlined in the Old Baily during this
and a part of the following year, when he was obliged to mortgage his colony
Foreseeing the great consequence
in the sum of £6,600 to relieve himself.
it would be to the crown to buy the rights of the proprietors of the several
English colonies in America before they would grow too powerful, negotiations had been entered into early in the reign of William and Mary for their
purchase, especially the '' line province of Mr. Penn." Borne down by these
troubles, and by debts and litigations at home, Penn sei'ionsly entertained the
proposition to sell in 1712, and oftered it for £20,000.
The sum of £12,000
was offered on the part of the crown, which was agreed upon, but before the
necessary papers were executed, he was stricken down with apoplexy, by which
he was incapacitated for transacting any business, and a stay was put to further proceedings until the Queen should order an act of Parliament for consummating the purchase.
It is a mournful spectacle to behold the great mind and the great heart of
Penn reduced now in his declining years, by the troubles of government and
by debts incurred in the bettering of his colony, to this enfeebled condition.
He was at the moment writing to Logan on public affairs, when his hand was
suddenly seized by lethargy in the beginning of a sentence, which he never
His mind was touched by the disease, which he never recovered,
finished.
and after lingering for six years, he died on the 30th of May, 1718, in the
With great power of intellect, and a religious
seventy- fourth year of hh age.
devotion scarcely matched in all Christendom, he gave himself to the welfare
of mankind, by securing civil and religious liberty through the operations of
organic law.
Though not a lawyer by profession, he drew frames of government and bodies of laws which have been the admiration of succeeding generations, and are destined to exert a benign influence in all future time, and by
his discussions with Lord Baltimore and before the Lords in Council, he
showed himself familiar with the abstruse principles of law. Though but a
private person and of a despised sect, he was received as the friend and confidential advisee of the ruling sovereigns of England, and some of the principles which give luster to British law were engrafted there through the influHe sought to
ence of the powerful intellect and benignant heart of Penn.
know no philosophy but that promulgated by Christ and His disciples, and
this he had sounded to its depths, and in it were anchored his ideas of public
law and private and social living. The untamed savage of the forest bowed in
meek and loving simplicity to his mild and resistless sway, and the members
of the Society of Friends all over Europe fiocked to his City of Brotherly Love.
His prayers for the welfare of his people are the beginning and ending of all
his public and private correspondence, and who will say that they have not
been answered in the blessings which have attended the commonwealth of his
founding? And will not the day of its greatness be when the inhabitants
throughout all its borders shall retium to the peaceful and loving spirit of

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

75

Penn ?

In the midst of a licentious court, and with every prospect of advancein its sunshine and favor, inheriting a great name and an independeot
patrimony, he tui'ned aside from this brilliant track to make common lot with
a poor sect under the ban of Government; endured stripes and imprisonment
and loss of property; banished himself to the wilds of the American continent
that he might secure to his people those devotions which seemed to them re-

ment

quired by their Maker, and has won for himself a name by the simple deeds of
love and humble obedience to Christian mandates which shall never perish.
Many have won renown by deeds of blood, but fadeless glory has come to
William Penn by charity.

CHAPTER

IX.

Sir William Keith, 1717-2 >— Patrick Gordon, 17-36-36— James Logan, 1736-38
—George Thomas, 1738-47— Anthony Palmer, 1747-48— James Hamilton,
1748-54.

1712, Penn had made a will, by which he devised to his only surviving
INsou,
marriage,
AVilliam, by his
his estates in England, amounting
all

first

some twenty thousand pounds. By his first wife, Gulielma Maria Springett,
he had issue of three sons William, Springett and William, and four daughtei's
Gulielma, Margaret, Gulielma and Letitia; and by his second wife,
Hannah Callowhill, of four sons— John. Thomas, Richard and Dennis. To
his wife Hannah, who survived him, and whom he made the sole executrix of
his will, he gave, for the equal benefit of herself and her children, all his
personal estate in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, after paying all debts, and
allotiug ten thousand acres of land in the Province to his daughter Letitia, by
his first marriage, and each of the three children of his son William.
Doubts having arisen as to the force of the provisions of this will, it was

to

—

—

finally determined to institute a suit in chancery for its determination.
Before
a decision was reached, in March, 1720, William Penn, Jr., died, and while
still pending, his son Springett died also.
During the long pendency of this
litigation for nine years, Hannah Penn, as executrix of the will, assumed the
proprietary powers, issued instructions to her Lieutenant Governors, heard
complaints and settled difficulties with the skill and the assurance of a veteran
diplomatist.
In 1727, a decision was reached that, upon the death of William
Penn, Jr., and his son Springett, the proprietary rights in Pennsylvania descended to the three surviving sons John, Thomas and Richard issue by the
second marriage; and that the proprietors bargain to sell his province to the
crown for twelve thousand pounds, made in 1712, and on which one thousand
pounds had been paid at the confirmation of the sale, was void. Whereupon

—

—

the three sons became the joint proprietors.
A year before the death of Penn, the lunacy of Gov. Gookin having become troublesome, he was succeeded in the Government by Sir William Keith,
a Scotchman who had served as Surveyor of Customs to the English Govern
ment,
which capacity he had visited Pennsylvania previously, and knew
f^-^inething of its condition.
He was a man of dignified and coramandini',
bearing, endowed with cunning, of an accommdating policy, full of faithful
promises, and usually found upon the stronger side.
Hence, upon his
arrival in the colony, he did not summon the Assembly immediately,

m

76

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

assigning as a reason in his first message that he did not wish to inconvenience
the country members by calling them in harvest time.
The disposition thus
manifested to favor the people, and his advocacy of popular rights on several
occasions in opposition to the claims of the proprietor, gave greai satisfaction
to the popular branch of the Legislature which manifested its appreciation of
his conduct by voting him liberal salaries, which had often been withheld from
his less accommodating predecessors. i3y his artful and insinuating policy,
he induced the Assembly to pass two acts which had previously met with uncompromising opposition one to establish a Court of Equity, with himself as
Chancellor, the want of which had been seriously felt; and another, for organizing the militia.
Though the soil was fruitful and produce was plentiful,
yet, for lack of good markets, and on account of the meagerness of the circulating medium, prices were very low, the toil and sweat of the husbandman
being little rewarded, and the taxes and payments on land were met with great
difficulty.
Accordingly, arrangements were made for the appointment of inspectors of provisions, who, from a conscientious discharge of duty, soon
caused the Pennsylvania brands of best products to be much sought for, and
to command ready sale at highest prices in the West Indies, whither most of
the surplus prodiice was exported.
A provision was also made for the issue <;f
a limited amount of paper money, on the establishment of ample securities,
which tended to raise the value of the products of the soil and of manufactures, and encourage industry.
By the repeated notices of the Governors in their messages to the Legislature previous to this time, it is evident that Indian hostilities had for sometime been threatened.
The Potomac was the dividing line between the
Northern and Southern Indians.
But the young men on either side, when out
in pui'suit of game, often crossed the line of the river into the territory of the
other, when fierce altercations ensued.
This trouble had become so
violent in 1719 as to threaten a great Indian war, in which the powerful confederation, known as the Five
Nations, would take a hand.
To avert this danger, which it was foreseen would inevitably involve
the defenseless familes upon the frontier, and perhaps the entire colony,
Gov. Keith determined to use his best exertions.
He accordingly made
a toilsome journey in the spring of 1721 to confer with the Govei-nor of
Virginia and endeavor to employ by concert of action such means as would
allay further cause of contention.
His policy was well devised, and enlisted
the favor of the Governor.
Soon after his return, he summoned a council of
Indian Chieftains to meet him at Conestoga, a point about seventy miles west
of Philadelphia.
He went in considerable pomp, attended by some seventy
or eighty horsemen, gaily caparisoned, and many of them armed, arriving
about noon, on the 4th of July, not then a day of more note than other days.
He went immediately to Capt. Civility's cabin, where were assembled four
deputies of the Five Nations and representatives of other tribes.
The Governor said that he had come a long distance from home to see and speak to
representatives of the Five Nations, who had never met the Governor of Pennsylvania.
They said in reply that they had heard much of the Governor, and
would have come sooner to pay him their respects, but that the wild conduct of
some of their young men had made them ashamed to show their faces. In the
formal meeting in the morning, Ghesaont, chief of the Senecas, spoke for all
the Five Nations.
He said that they now felt that they were speaking to the
same effect that they would were William Penn before them, that they had not
forgotten Penn, nor the treaties made with him, and the good advice he gave
them; that though they oould not write as do the English, yet they could keep

—

HISTORY OP PENNSYLVANIA.

77

these transactions fresh in their memories.
After laying down a belt of
the table as if by way of emphasis, he began again, declaring
that "all their disorders arose from the ase of rum and strong spirits, which
took away their sense and memory, that they had no such liquors," and desired
Here he produced a bundle of dressed
that no more be sent among them.
skins, by which he would say, "you see how much in earnest we are upon this
matter of furnishing fiery liquors to us." Then he proceeds, declaring that
the Five Nations remember all their ancient treaties, and they now desire that
the chain of friendship may be made so strong that none of the links may
This may have been a hint that they wanted high piled
ever be broken.
and valuable presents; for the Quakers had made a reputation of brightening
and strengthening the chain of friendship by valuable presents which had
He then produces a bundle of raw
reached so far away as the Five Nations.
skins, and observes "thai a chain may contract rust with laying and become
weaker; wherefore, he desires it may now be so well cleaned as to remain
brighter and stronger than ever it was before." Here he presents another parcel of skins, and continues, "that as in the firmament, all clouds and darkness are removed from the face of the sun, so they desire that all misunderstandings may be fully done away, so that when they, who are now here, shall
be dead and gone, their whole people, with their children and posterity, ma^- enPresenting another bundle of skins,
joy the clear sunshine with us forever."
he says, "that, looking upon the Governor as if William Penn were present,
they desire, that, in case any disorders should hereafter happen between their
young people and ours, we would not be too hasty in resenting any such accident, until their Council and ours can have some opportunity to treat amicably
upon it, and so to adjust all matters, as that the friendship between us may
Hei'e he produces a small parcel of di'essed
still be inviolably preserved."
skins, and concludes by saying "that we may now be together as one people,
treating one another's children kindly and affectionately, that they are fully
empowered to speak for the Five Nations, and they look upon the Governor as
the representative of the (Jreat King of England, and therefore they expect
that everything now stipulated will be made absolutely firm and good on both
sides."
And now he pi'esents a different style of present and pulls out a
they
bundle of bear skins, and proceeds to put in an item of complaint, that
get too little for their skins and furs, so that they cannot live by hunting ;
they desire us, therefore, to take compassion on them, and contrive some way^
Then producing a few furs, he speaks only
to help them in that particular.
for himself, "to acquaint the Governor, that the Five Nations having heard
that the Governor of Virginia wanted to speak with them, he himself, with
some of his company intended to proceed to Virginia, but do not know the
way how to get safe thither."
To this formal and adroitly conceived speech of the Seneca chief, Gov.
Keith, after having brought in the present of stroud match coats, gunpowder,
lead, biscuit, pipes and tobacco, adjourned the council till the following day,
when, being assembled at Conestoga, he answered at length the items of the
chieftain's speech.
His most earnest appeal, however, was made in favor of
" I bave persuaded all my [Indian] brethren, in these parts, to conpeace.
but your
sider what is for their good, and not to go out any more to war
young men [Five Nations] as they come this way, endeavor to force them ;
and, because they incline to the counsels of peace, and iho good advice of their
true friends, your people use them ill, and often prevail with them to go out
Thus it was that their town of Conestoga lost their
to their own destruction.
good king not long ago. Their young children are left without parents
all

wampum upon

'

'

;

;.

78

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

their wives without husbands
the old men, contrary to the course of nature,
the death of their young
the people decay and grow weak
wo lose
our dear friends and are afflicted.
Surely yoii cannot propose to get either
riches, or possessions, by going thus out to war
for when you kill a deer, you
have the flesh to eat, and the skin to sell but when you return from war, you
bring nothing liome, but the scalp of a dead man, who perhaps was husband
to a kind wife, and father to tender children, who never wronged you, though,
by losing him, yon have I'obbed them of their help and protection, and at the
same time got nothing by it. If I were not your friend, I would not take the
trouble to say all these things to you."
When the Governor had concluded
his address, he called the Senaca chieftain (Ghesaont) to him, and presented a
gold coronation medal of King George I, which he requested should be taken
to the monarch of the Five Nations, " Kannygooah," to be laid up and kept as
a token to our children's children, that an entire and lasting friendship is now
established forever between the English in this coilutry and the great Five
Nations."
Upon the return of the Governor, he was met at the upper ferry of
the Schuylkill, by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city, with about two hundred horse, and conducted through the streets after the manner of a conqueror
of old returning from the scenes of his triumphs.
Gov. Keith gave diligent study to the subject of finance, regulating the
currency in such a way that the planter should have it in his power to discharge promptly his indebtedness to the merchant, that their mutual interests
might thus be subserved. He even proposed to establish a considerable settlement on his own account in the colony, in order to carry on manufactures, and
thus consume the grain, of which there was at this time abundance, and no
profitable market abroad.
In the spring of 1722, an ludian was barbarously murdered within the
limits of the colony, which gave the Governor great concern.
After having
cautioned red men so strongly about keeping the peace, he felt that the honor
;

mourn

;

;

;

;

all his people was compromised by this vile act.
He immedicommissioned James Logan and John French to go to the scene of the
murder above Conestoga, and inquire into the facts of the case, quickly apprehended the supposed murderers, sent a fast ludian runner (Satcheecho), to
acquaint the Five Nations with his sorrow for the act, and of his determination
to bring the guilty parties to justice, and himself set out with three of his
Council (Hill, Norris and Hamilton), for Albany, where he had been invited
by the Indians for a conference with the Governors of all the colonies, and
where he met the chiefs of the Five Nations, and treated with them iipon the
subject of the mxirder, besides making presents to the Indians.
It was on this
occasion that the grand sachem of this great confederacy made that noble,
and generous, and touching response, so different from the spirit of revenge
generally attributed to the Indian character.
It is a notable example of love
that begets love, and of the mild answer that turneth av^ay wrath.
He said
" The great king of the Five Nations is sorry for the death of the Indian
that was killed, for he was of his own flesh and blood.
He believes that the
Governor is also sorry but, now that it is done, there is no help for it, and
he desires that Cartlidge [the murderer] may not be put to death, nor that he
should be spared for a timo, and afterward executed one life is enough to be
lost
there should not two die.
The King's heart is good to the Governor and

of himself and
ately

:

;

;

;

all the English.'^

Though Gov. Keith, during the early part of his term, pursued a pacific
policy, yet the interminable quarrels which had been kept up between the As«embly and Council during previous administrations,

at length broke out

with

^

,-.z

^

'L^

81

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

of powep had declared
of moment relating to
the public affairs without the advice and approbation of the Council," took it
upon himself finally to act independently of the Council, and even went so
far as to dismiss the able and trusted representative of the proprietary interests, James Logan, President of the Council and Secretary of the Province,

more virulence than ever, and he who in the first flush
"That he should pass no laws, nor transact anything

from the duties of his high office, and even refused the request of Hannah
This unwarrantaPenn, the real Governor of the province, to re- instate him.
Why he should
ble conduct cost him his dismissal from office in July, 1726.
have assumed so headstrong and unwarrantable a course, who had promised at
the first so mild and considerate a policy, it is difficult to understand, unless it
be the fact that he found that the Council was blocking, by its obstinacy,
wholesome legislation, which he considered of vital impoi'tance to the prosperity of the colony, and if, as he alleges, he found that the new constitution
only gave the Council advisory and not a voice in executive power.
The administration of Gov. Keith was eminently successful, as he did not
hesitate to grapple with important questions of judicature, finance, trade,
commerce, and the many vexing relations with the native tribes, and right
It was at a time when
manfully, and judiciously did he effect their solution.
the colony was filling up rapidly, and the laws and regulations which had been
found ample for the management of a few hundred families struggling for a
foothold in the forest, and when the only traffic was a few skins, were entirely
inadequate for securing protection and prosperity to a seething and jostling
population intent on trade and commerce, and the conflicting interests which
required wise legislation and prudent management. InIo colony on the American coast made such progress in numbers and improvement as did Pennsylvania
during the nine years in which William Keith exercised the Gubernatorial
office.
Though not himself a Quaker, he had secured the passage of an act of
Assembly, and its royal affir-mation for allowing the members of the Quaker
sect to wear their hats in court, and give testimony under affirmation instead
of oath, which in the beginning of the reign of Queen Anne had been withheld from them.
After the expiration of his term of office, he was immediately elected a member of the Assembly, and was intent on being elected
Speakei', " and had his support out- doors in a cavalcade of eighty mounted
horsemen and the resounding of many guns fired;" yet David Lloyd was
elected with only three dissenting voices, the out- door business having perhaps
been overdone.
Upon the recommendation of Springett Penn, who was now the prospective
heir to Pennsylvania, Patrick Gordon was appointed and confirmed Lieutenant
Governor in place of Keith, and arrived in the colony and assumed authority
in July, 1726.
He had served in the army, and in his first address to the
Assembly, which he met in August, he said that as he had been a soldier, he
knew nothing of the crooked ways of professed politicians, and must rely on a
straightforward manner of transacting the duties devolving upon him. George
I died in June, 1727, and the Assembly at its meeting in October prepared
and forwarded a congratulatory address to his successor, George II. By the
decision of the Court of Chancery in 1727, Hannah Penn's authority over the
colony was at an end, the proprietary interests having descended to John,
Richard and Thomas Penn, the only surviving sons of William Penn, Sr.
This period, from the death of Penn in 1718 to 1727, one of the most prosperous in the history of the colony, was familiarly known as the " Reign of
Hannah and the Boys."
Gov. Gordon found the Indian troubles claiming a considerable part of his
5

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

82

In 1728, worthless bands, who had sti-ayed away from their proper
by strong drink, had become implicated in disgraceful broils, in
which sevei'al were killed and wounded. The guilty parties were apprehended,
but it was found difficult to punish Indian oifenders without incurring the
wrath of their relatives. Treaties were frequently renewed, on which occasions the chiefs expected that the chain of friendship would be polished " with
English blankets, broadcloths and metals." The Indians foiind that this
"brightening the chain" was a profitable business, which some have been uncharitable enough to believe was the moving cause of many of the Indian diflj.
attention.

tribes, incited

culties.

As

early as 1732, the French,

who were claiming

the territory drained
priority of discovery
of its mouth and exploration of its channel, commenced erecting trading posts
in Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, and invited the Indians
living on these streams to a council for concluding treaties with them at Montreal, Canada.
To neutralize the influence of the French, these Indians were
summoned to meet in council at Philadelphia, to renew treaties of friendship,
and they were invited to remove farther east But this they were un vvilling to do. A treaty was also concluded with the Six Nations, in which they
pledged lasting friendship for the English.
Hannah Penn died in 1733, when the Assembly, supposing that the proprietary power was still in her hands, refused to recognize the power of Gov. Gordon.
But the three sons, to whom the proprietary possessions had descended,
in 1727, upon the decision of the Chancery case, joined in issuing a new commission to Gordon. In approving this commission the King directed a clause
to be inserted, expressly reserving to himself the government of the lower
counties
This act of the King was the beginning of those series of encroachments which finally culminated in the independence of the States of America.
The Judiciary act of 1727 was annulled, and this was followed by an attempt
to pass an act requiring the laws of all the colonies to be submitted to the
Crown for approval before they should become valid, and that a copy of all
The agent
laws previously enacted should be submitted for approval or veto.
of the Assembly, Mr. Paris, with the agents of other colonies, made so vigorous a defense, that action was for the time stayed.
In 1732, Thomas Penn, the youngest son, and two years later, John Penn,
the eldest, and the only American born, arrived in the Province, and were received with every mark of respect and satisfaction.
Soon after the arrival of
the latter, news was brought that Lord Baltimore had made application to have
the Provinces transferred to his colony.
A vigorous protest was made against
this by Quakers in England, headed by Bichard Penn; but lest this protest
might prove ineffectual, John Penn very soon went to England to defend the
proprietary rights at cou.rt, and never again returned, he having died a bachelor in 174G.
In August, 1736, Gov. Gordon died, deeply lamented, as an
honest, upright and straightforward executive, a character which he expressed
His term
the hope he would be able to maintain when he assumed authority.
hacL been one of prosperity, and the colony had grown rapidly in numbers,
trade, commerce and manufactui-es, ship-building especially having assumed ex-

by the SEississippi and

its

tributaries,

all

on the ground of

tensive proportions.

James Logan was President of the Council and in effect Governor, during
the two years which elapsed between the death of Gordon and the arrival of
his successor.
The Legislature met regularly, but no laws were passed for
lack of an executive.
It was during this period that serious trouble broke out
near tho Maryland border, west of the Susquehanna, then Lancaster, now

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

83

\ork County. A number of settlers, in order to evade the payment of taxes,
had secured titles to their lands from Maryland, and afterward sought to be
reinstated in their rights under Pennsylvania authority, and plead protection
from the latter. The Sheriif of the adjoining Maryland County, with 300
On hearing of
followers, advanced tc drive these settlers from their homes.
this movement, Samuel Smith, Sheriff of Lancaster County, with a hastily summoned posse, advanced to protect the citizens in their rights. Without a conSoon afterward,
flict, an agreement was entered into by both parties to retire.
however, a band of fifty Marylanders again entered the State with the design
of driving out the settlers and each securing for himself 200 acres of land.
They were led by one Cressap. The settlers made resistance, and in an enThe Sheriff of
counter, one of them by the name of Knowles was killed.
Lancaster again advanced with a posse, and in a skirmish which ensued one
of the invaders was killed, and the leader Cressap was wounded and taken
The Governor of Maryland sent a commission to Philadelphia to
prisoner.
demand the release of the prisoner. Not succeeding in this, he seized four of
Still determined
the settlers and incarcerated them in the jail at Baltimore.
to effect their purpose, a party of Mary landers, under the leadership of one
Higginbotham, advanced into Pennsylvania and began a warfare upon the
Again the Sheriff of Lancaster appeared upon the scene, and drove
settlers.

So stubbornly were these invasions pushed and resented
out the invaders.
Finally
that the season passed without planting or securing the usual crops.
a party of sixteen Marylanders, led by Richard Lowden, broke into the LanLearning of these disturbcaster jail and liberated the Maryland prisoners.
ances, the King in Council issued an order restraining both parties from further acts of violence, and afterward adopted a plan of settlement of the vexed
boundary question.
Though not legally Governor, Logan managed the affairs of the colony
with great prudence and judgment, as he had done and continued to do for a
He was a scholar well vei'sed in the ancient
period of nearly a half century.
languages and the sciences, and published several learned works in the Latin
tongue.
His Experimenta Melcfemata de plantarum generatione, wTitten in
Latin, Vv^as published at Leyden in 1739, and afterward, in 1747, republished
in London, with an English version on the opposite page by Dr. J. Fothergill.
Another work of his in Latin was also published at Leyden, entitled, Canonum
pro inveniendis refractionum, tarn simpUcium turn in lentibus duplicum focis,
After retiring from public business, he lived at
demonstrationis geometricae.
his country seat at Stenton, near Germantown, where he spent his time among
In his old age
his books and in correspondence with the literati of Europe.
he made an English translation of Cicero's De Senectute, which was printed at
Philadelphia in 1744 with a preface by Benjamin Franklin, then rising into
notice.
Logan was a Quaker, of Scotch descent, though born in Ireland, and
came to America in the ship with William Penn, in his second visit in 1699,
when about twenty-five years old, and died at seventy- seven. He had held the
oflBces of Chief Commissioner of propei'ty. Agent for the purchase and sale of
lands, Receiver General, Member of Council, President of Council and Chief
Justice. He was the Confidential Agent of Penn, having charge of all his vast
estates, making sales of lands, executing conveyances, and making collections.
Amidst all the great cares of business so pressing as to make him exclaim, " I
know not what any of the comforts of life are," he found time to devote to the
delights of learning, and collected a large library of standard works, which he
bequeathed, at his death, to the people of Pennsylvania, and is known as the
Loganian Library.

84

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

George Thomas, a planter from the West Indies, was appointed Governor
His lirst care
in 1737, but did not arrive in the colony till the following year.
was to settle tne disorders in the Cumberland Valley, and it was finally agreed
that settlers from either col<:»ny should owe allegiance to the Governor t)f that
colony wherever settled, until the division line which had been provided for
was sui'veyed and marked. War was declared on the 23d of October, 1739,
Seeing that his colony was liable to be
between Great Britain and Spain.
encroached upon by the enemies of his government, he endeavored to organize the militia, but the majoi'ity of the Assembly was of the peace element, and
Finally he was ordered by the home
it could not be induced to vote money.
government to call for volunteei-s. and eight companies were quickly formed,
and sent down for the coast defense. Many of these proved to be servants for
whom pay was demanded and finally obtained. In 1740, the great evangelist,
Whitefield, visited the colony, and created a deep religious interest among all
denominations. In his first intercourse with the Assembly, Gov. Thomas endeavored to coerce it to his views. But a more stubborn set of men never met
in a deliberative body than were gathered in this Assembly at this time.
Finding that he could not compel action to his mind, he yielded and conThe Assembly, not to be outdone in magsulted their views and decisions.
nanimity, voted him £1.500 aiTearages of salary, which had been withheld because he would not approve their legislation, asserting that public acts should
In March, 1744, war
take precedence of appropriations for their own pay.
was declared between Great Britain and France. Volunteers were called
for, and 10,000 men were rapidly enlisted and armed at their own expense.
Franklin, recognizing the defenseless condition of the colony, issued a pamphlet entitled Plain Truth, in which he cogently ui'ged the necessity of organFranklin was elected Colonel of one of the
ized preparation for defense.
On the oth of Mav.
regriments. but resigned in favor of Alderman Lawrence.
l/4i, the Governor communicated intelligence of the death of John Fenn. the
eldest of the proprietors, to the Assembly, and his own intention to retire from
the duties of his office on account of declining health.
Anthony Palmer was President of the Council at the time of the withThe peace party in the Asdrawal of Gordon, and became the Acting Governor.
sembly held that it was the duty of the crown of England to protect the colony,
and that for the colony to call out vohmteers and become responsible for their
payment was biu'dening the people with an expense which did not belong to
them, and which the crown was willing to assume. The French were now
deeply intent on securing firm possession of the Mississippi Valley and the entire basin, even to the summits of the Alleghanies in Pennsylvania, and were
They
busy establishing trading posts along the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers.
employed the most artful means to win the simple natives to their interests,
giving showy presents and laboring to convince them of their great value.
Pennsylvania had won a reputation among the Indians of making presents of
Not knowing the difi'erence between steel and iron, the
substantial worth.
French distributed immense numbers of worthless iron hatchets, which the
The Indians,
natives supposed were the equal of the best English steel axes.
however, soon came to distinguish between the good and the valueless. Understandins: the Pennsylvania methods of secnring peace and friendship, the
Ttie
the natives became very artful in drawing out " well piled up " presents.
government at this time was alive to the dangers which threatened fi'om the
A trusty messenger, Conrad Weiser, was
insinuating methods of the French.
sent among the Indians in the western pai't of the province to observe the
plans of the French, ascertain the temper of the natives, and especially to

HISTORY OF PEN.NSVLVANIA.

85

magnify the power of the English, and the disposition of Pennsylvania to give
This latter policy had the desired effect, and worthless and
great presents.
wandering bands, which had no right to speak for the tribe, came teeming in,
desirous of scoui'ing the chain of friendship, intimating that the Fi'ench were
making great offers, in order to induce the government to large liberality,
until this "brightening the chain," became an intolerable nuisance.
At a single council held at Albany, in 1747, Pennsylvania distributed goods to the
value of £1,000, and of such a character as should be most serviceable to the
recipients, not worthless gew-gaws, but such as would contribute to their lasting comfort and well being, a protection to the person against the bitter frosts
of winter, and sustenance that should minister to the steady wants of the
body and alleviation of pain in time of sickness. The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which was concluded on the 1st of October, 1748, secured peace between
Great Britain and France, and should have put an end to all hostile encounPalmer reters between their representatives on the American continent.
mained at the head of the government for a little more than two years. He
was a retired merchant from the West Indies, a man of wealth, and had come
He lived in a style suited to a gentleman, kept a
into the colony in 1708.
coach and a pleasure barge.
On the 23d of November, 1748, James Hamilton arrived in the colony from
England, bearing the commission of Lieutenant Governor. He was born in.
America, son of Andrew Hamilton, who had for many years been Speaker of
The Indians west of the Susquehanna had complained that setthe Assembly.
tlers had come upon their best lands, and were acquiring titles to them, whereas the proprietors had never purchased these lands of them, and had no claim
The first care of Hamilton was to settle these disputes, and allay the
to them.
Richard Peters, Secretary of the colony, a
rising excitement of the natives.
man of great prudence and ability, was sent in company with the Indian interpreter, Conrad Weiser, to remove the intruders.
It was firmly and fearlessly done, the settlers giving up their tracts and the cabins which they had
built, and accepting lands on the east side of the river.
The hardship was in
many cases great, but when they were in actual need, the Secretary gave
money and placed them upon lands of his own, having secured a tract of
2,000,000 of acres.
But these troubles were of small consequence compared with those that
Though the treaty of Aix was supposed to
were threatening from the West.
have settled all difiiculties between the two courts, the French were determined
to occupy the whole territory di-ained by the Mississippi, which they claimed
by priority of discovery by La Salle. The British Ambassador at Paris entered
complaints before the French Court that encroachments were being made by
the French upon English soil in America, which were politely heard, and
promises made of restraining the French in Canada from encroaching upon
English territory.
Formal orders were sent out from the home government to
this effect; but at the same time secret intimations were conveyed to them that
their conduct in endeavoring to secure and hold the territory in dispute was
not displeasing to the government, and that disobedience of these orders would
The French deemed it necessary, in order to estabnot incur its displeasure.
lish a legal claim to the country, to take formal possession of it. Accordingly,
the Marquis de la Galissoniere, who was at this time Governor General of
Canada, dispatched Capt. Bienville de Celeron with a party of 215 French and
fifty-five Indians, to publicly proclaim possession, and bury at prominent
points plates of lead bearing inscriptions declaring occupation in the name of
the French King.
Coleron started on the 15th of June, 1749, from La Chine,

86

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

following the southern shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie, until he reached a
point opposite Lake Chautauqua, where the boats were drawn up and were taken
bodily over the dividing ridge, a distance of ten miles, with all the impedimenta
of the expedition, the pioneers haviu first opened a road. Following on down
the lake and the Conewango Creek, they arrived at Warren near the confluence
Here the first plate was buried.
of the creek with the Allegheny River.
These plates were eleven inches long, seven and a half wide, and one-eighth
of an inch thick. The inscription was in French, and in the following terms,
as fairly translated into English: "In the year 1749, of the reign of Louis
XIV, King of France, We Celeron, commander of a detachment sent by
Monsieur the Marquis de la Galissonitire, Governor General of New France,
to re-establish tranquillity in some Indian villages of these cantons, have
buried this plate of lead at the eontlaence of the Ohio with the Chautauqua,
this 29th day of July, near the River Ohio, otherwise Belle Riviere, as a monument of the renewal of the possession we have taken of the said River Ohio,
and of all those which empty into it, and of all the lands on both sides as far
as the sources of the said river, as the King of France preceding, and as they have there maintained themselves
by arms and by treaties, especially those of Ryswick, Utrecht and Aix-laThe burying of this plate was attended with much form and cerChapelle."
emony. All the men and officers of the expedition were drawn up in battle
array, when the Commander, Celeron, proclaimed in a loud voice, '" Vive le
Roi," and declared that possession of the country was now taken in the name
A plate on which was inscribed the arms of France was affixed
of the King.
to the nearest tree.
The same formality was observed in planting each of the other plates, the
second at the rock known as the "Indian God," on which are ancient and unknown inscriptions, a few miles below Franklin, a third at the mouth oE
Wheeling Ci'eek: a fourth at the mouth of the Muskingnm; a fifth at the mouth
of the Great Kanawha, and the sixth and last at the mouth of the Great Miami.
Toilsomely ascending the Miami to its head-waters, the party burned their
canoes, and obtained ponies for the march across the portage to the head- waters
of the Maumee, down which and by Lakes Erie and Ontario they returned
It appears that the Into Fort Frontenac, arriving on the 6th of November.
dians through whose territoiy they passed viewed this planting of plates with
great suspicion.
15y some means they got possession of one of them, generally supposed to have been stolen from the party at the very commencement of
their journey from the mouth of the Chautauqua Creek.
Mr. O. H. Marshall, in an excellent monograph upon this expedition, made
up from the original manuscript journal of Celeron and the diary of Father
Bonnecamps, found in the Department de la Marine, in Paris, gives the following account of this stolen plate:
" The first of the leaden plates was brought to the attention of the public
by Gov. (xeorge Clinton to the Lords of Trade in LondoD, dated New York,
December 19, 1750, in which he states that he would send to their Lordships
in two or three weeks a plate of lead full of writing, which some of the upper
nations of Indians stole from Jean Coeur, the French interpreter at Niagara,
on his way to the River Ohio, which river, and all the lands thereabouts, the
French claim, as will appear by said writing. He further states 'that the lead
plate gave the Indians so much uneasiness that they immediately dispatched
some of the Cayuga chiefs to him with it, saying that their only reliance waa
on him, and earnestly begged he would communicate the contents to them
which he had done, much to their satisfaction and the interests of the English.'
:'

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

87

The Governor concludes by saying that the contents of the plate may be of
great importance in clearing up the encroachments which the French have
made on the British Empire in America.' The plate was delivered to Colonel,
'

afterward Sir William Johnson, on the 4th of December, 1750, at his residence on the Mohawk, by a Cayuga sachem, who accompanied it by the following speech:
"' Brother Corlear and War-ragh-i-ya-ghey! I am sent here by the Five
Nations with a piece of writing which the Senecas, our brethren, got by some
artifice from Jean Coeur, earnestly beseeching you will let us know what it
means, and as we put all our confidence in you, we hope you will explain it
ingeniously to us.'
" Col. Johnson replied to the sachem, and through him to the Five Nations, returning a belt of wampum, and explaining the inscription on the
plate. He told them that 'it was a matter of the greatest consequence, involving the possession of their lands and hunting grounds, and that Jean Coeur
and the French ought immediately to be expelled from the Ohio and Niagara.'
In reply, the sachem said that he had heard with great attention and surprise
the substance of the "devilish writing " he had brought, and that Col. Johnson's
remarks were fully approved.' He promised that belts from each of the Five
Nations should be sent from the Seneca's castle to the Indians at the Ohio, to
warn and strengthen them against the French encruachments in that direction. "
On the 29th of January, 1751, Clinton sent a copy of this inscription
to Gov. Hamilton, of Pennsylvania.
The French followed up this formal act of possession by laying out a line
of military posts, on substantially the same line as that pursued by the Celeron expedition; but instead of crossing over to Lake Chautauqua, they kept
on down to Presque Isle (now Erie), where was a good harbor, where a fort
was established, and thence up to Le Boeuf (now Waterford), where another
post was placed; thence down the Venango River (French Creek) to its month
at Franklin, eetablishing Fort Venango there; thence by the Allegheny to
Pittsburgh, where Fort Du Quesne was seated, and so on down the Ohio.
To counteract this activity of the French, the Ohio Company was chartered, and a half million of acres was granted by the crown, to be selected
mainly on the south side of the Ohio, between the Monongalia and Kanawha
Rivers, and the condition made that settlements (100 families within seven
years), protected by a fort, should he made.
The company consisted of a
number of Virginia and Maryland gentlemen, of whom Lawrence Washington
'

was

one,

and Thomas Hanbury, of London.

In 1752, a treaty was entered into with the Indians, securing the right of
occupancy, and twelve families, headed by Capt. Gist, established themselves
upon the Monongalia, and subsequently commenced the erection of a fort,
where the city of Pittsburgh now is. Apprised of this intrusion into the
very heart of the territory which they were claiming, the French built a fort
at Le Boeuf, and strengthened the post at Franklin.
These proceedings having been promptly reported to Lieut. Gov. Dinwid-

where the greater number of the stockholders of the Ohio
resided, he determined to send an official communication
protesting
against the forcible interference with their chartered rights, granted by the
crown of Britain, and pointing to the late treaties of peace entered into between the English and French, whereby it was agreed that each should respect
the colonial possessions of the other to the Commandant of the French, who
dle, of Virginia,

—

Company

—

had his headquarters

at

site of the city of Erie.

Fort Le Boeuf,

fifteen miles

inland from the present

88

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

But who should be the messenger to execute this delicate and responsible
duty? It was winter, and the distance to be traversed was some 500 miles,
through an unbroken wilderness, cut by rugged mountain chains and deep and
rapid streams.
It was proposed to several, who declined, and was finally
accepted by George Washington, a youth barely twenty-one years old.
On
the last day of November, 1753, he bade adieu to civilization, and pushing on
through the forest to the settlements on the Monongalia, where he was joined
by Capt. Gist, followed up the Allegheny to Fort Venango (now Franklin);
thence up the Venango to its head-waters at Fort Le Boeuf, where he held
formal conference with the French Commandant, St. Pierre.
The French
officer had been ordered to hold this territory on the score of the discovery of the Mississippi by La Salle, and he had no discretion but to execute
his orders, and referred Washington to his superior, the Governor General of
Canada. Making careful notes of the location and strength of the post and
those encountered on the way, the young embassador returned, being twice
fired at on his journey by hostile Indians, and near losing his life by being
thrown into the freezing waters of the Allegheny.
Upon his arrival, he made
a full report of the embassage, which was widely published in this country
and in England, and was doubtless the basis upon which action was predicted
that eventuated in a long and sanguinary war, which finally resulted in the
expulsion of the power of France from this continent.
Satisfied that the French were determined to hold the territory upon the
Ohio by force of arms, a body of 150 men, c! which Washington was second
in command, was sent to the support of the settlers.
But the French, having
the Allegheny River at flood-tide on which to move, and Washington, without
means of transportation, having a rugged and mountainous country to overcome, the former first reached the point of destination,
Contracoeur, the
French commander, with 1,000 men and field pieces on a fleet of sixty boats and
300 canoes, dropped down the Allegheny and easily seized the fort then being
constructed by the Ohio Company at its mouth, and proceeded to erect there
an elaborate work which he called Fort Du Quesne, after the Governor GenInformed of this proceeding, Washington pushed forward, and finding
eral.
that a detachment of the French was in his immediate neighborhood, he made
a forced march by night, and coming upon them unawares killed and captured
the entire party save one.
Ten of the French, including their commander,
Col. Fry, the comJumonville, were killed, and twenty -one made prisoners.
mander of the Americans, died at Will's Creek, where the command devolved
on Washington. Though re -enforcements had been dispatched from the several colonies in response to the urgent appeals of Washington, none reached
him but one company of 100 men under Capt. Maekay from South Carolina.
Knowing that he was confronting a vastly superior force of the French, well
supplied with artillery, he threw up works at a point called the Great
Meadows, which he characterizes as a "charming field for an encounter," namStung by the loss of their
ing his hastily built fortification Fort Necessity.
Unforleader, the French came out in strong force and soon invested the place.
tunately onepartof Washington's position was easily commanded by the artilThe aclery of the French, which they were not slow in taking advantage of.
A capittion opened on the 3d of July, and was continued till late at night,
ulation was proposed by the French commander, which Washington reluctantly
accepted, seeing all hope of re -enforcements reaching him, cut off, and on the
4th of July marched out with honors of war and fell back to Fort Cumberland.
Gov. Hamilton hud strongly recommended, before hostilities opened, that the
Assembly should provide for defense and establish a line of block-houses along*

HISTORY OF TENNSYLVANIA.

8^

But the Assembly, while willing to vote money for buying peace
the frontier.
from the Indians, and contributions to the British crown, from Avhich protection was claimed, was unwilling to contribute directly for even defensive warThe propriefare.
In a single year, £8,000 were voted for Indian gratuities.
But while they were
tors were appealed to to aid in bearing this burden.
willing to contribute liberally for defense, they would give nothing for Indian
gratuities.
They sent 'to the colony cannon to the value of £400.
In February, 1753, John Penn, grandson of the founder, son of Richard,
arrived in the colony, and as a mark of respect was immediately chosen a memIn consequence of the defeat of
ber of the Council and made its President.
Washington at Fort Necessity, Gov. Hamilton convened the Assembly in extra
session on the 6th of August, at which money was freely voted; but owing to
the instructions given by the proprietors to their Deputy Governor not to sign
any money bill that did not place the whole of the interest at their disposal,
this action of the Assembly was abortive.
The English and French nations made strenuous exertions to strengtnen
The
their forces in America for the campaigns sure to be undertaken in 1754.
French, by being under the supreme authority of one governing power, the
Governor General of Canada, were able to concentrate and bring all their
power of men and resources to bear at the threatened point with more celerity
and certainty than the English, who were dependent upon colonies scattered
along all the sea board, and upon Legislatures penny-wise in voting money.
To remedy these inconveniences, the English Government recommended a congress of all the colonies, together with the Six Nations, for the purpose of conThis Congress met on the 19th of June,.
certing plans for efficient defense.
The Representatives from Pennsyl1754, the first ever convened in America.
vania were John Penn and Richard Peters for the Council, and Isaac Norris.
and Benjamin Franklin for the Assembly. The influence of the powerful
mind of Franklin was already beginning to be felt, he having been Clerk of
the Pennsylvania Assembly since 1736, and since 1750 had been a member.
Heartily sympathizing with the movers in the purposes of this Congress, he
came to Albany with a scheme of union prepared, which, having been presented and debated, was, on the lOth of July, adopted substantially as it came
from his hands. It provided for the appointment of a President General by
the Crown, and an Assembly of forty-eight members to be chosen by the sevThe plan was rejected by both parties in interest,
eral Colonial Assemblies,
the King considering the power vested in the representatives of the people too
great, and every colony rejecting it because the President General was given
" an influence greater than appeared to them proper in a plan of government
intended for freemen."

CHAPTEE

X.

Egbert H. Morris, 1754^56— William Denny, 1756-59— James Hamilton.

FINDING himself

1759-63.

by the repugnant instructions of the
Hamilton had given notice in 1753, that, at the end ot
Accordingly in October,
twelve months from its reception, he would resign.
1754, he was succeeded by Robert Hunter Morris, son oi Lewis Morris, Chief
The sod
Justice of New York and New Jersey, and Governor of New Jersey.
proprietors, Gov.

in a false position

so

HSTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

was bred a lawyer, and was for twenty-six years Councilor, and twenty Chief
The Assembly, at its first session, voted a money bill,
Justice of New Jersey.
for £40,000, but not having the proviso required by the proprietors, it was
Determined to push military operations, the British Government had
vetoed.
called early in the year for 8,000 volunteers from Pennsylvania, with subsistance, camp equipage and transportation, and had sent two regiments of the
Landing at Alexandria,
line, under Gen. Braddock, from Cork, Ireland.
finding no supplies of
he marched to Fi'ederick, Md., where,
Va.
The Assembly of Pennsylvania had voted to borrow
transportation, he halted.
£5,000, on its own account, for the use of the crown in prosecuting the campaign, and had sent Franklin, who was then Postmaster General for the coloFinding that the army
nies, to Bi'addock to aid in prosecuting the expedition.
was stopped for lack of transportation, Franklin returned into Pennsylvania,
and by his commanding influence soon secured the necessary wagons and beasts
of burden.
Braddock had formed extravagant plans for his campaign. He would
march forward and reduce Fort Du Quesne, thence proceed against Fort Niagara, which having conquered he would close a season of triumphs by the
But this is not the first time in warfare that
capture of Fort Frontignace.
the result of a campaign has failed to realize the promises of the manifesto.
The orders brought by Braddock giving precedence of officers of the line over
provincials gave offense, and Washington among others threw up his commis«ion; but enamored of the pi'ofession of arms, he accepted a position offered
him by Braddock as Aide -de camp. Accustomed to the discipline of military
establishments in old, long-settled countries, Braddock had little conception of
making war in a wilderness with only Indian trails to move upon, and against
Washington had advised to push forward with pack horses, and,
wily savages.
by rapidity of movement, forestall ample preparation. Biit Braddock had but
one way of soldiering, and where roads did not exist for wagons he stopped to
The French, who were
fell the forest and construct bridges over streams.
kept advised of every movement, made ample preparations to receive him. In
the meantime, Washington fell sick; but intent on being up for the battle, he
hastened forward as soon as sufficiently recovered, and onl}^ joined the army
He had never seen much of the pride
on the day before the fatal engagement.
and circumstance of war, and when, on the morning of the 9th of July, the
army of Braddock marched on across the Monongahela, with gay colors flying
and martial music awakening the echoes of the forest, he was accustomed in
after years to speak of it as the "most magnificent spectacle" that he had ever
beheld.
Bu.t the gay pageant was destined to be of short duration; for the
army had only marched a little distance before it fell into an ambuscade skillfully laid by the French and Indians, and the forest resounded with the unearthly whoop of the Indians, and the continuous roar of musketry.
The
advance was checked and thrown into confusion by the French from their wellchosen position, and every tree upon the flanks of the long drawn out line concealed a murderous foe, who with unerring aim picked off the officers.
A resolute defense was made, and the battle raged with great fury for three hours;
but the fire of tbe English was ineffectual because directed against an invisible foe.
Finally, the mounted officers having all fallen, killed or wounded,
except Washington, being left without leaders, panic seized the survivors and
"they ran," says Washington, "before the French and English like sheep before dogs."
Of 1,460, in Braddock's army, 456 were killed, and 421 wounded,
a greater mortality, in proportion to the number engaged, than has ever occurred in the annals of modern warfare.
Sir Peter Halkett was killed, and
,

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

91

Braddock mortally wounded and brought ofif the field only with the greatest
When Orme and Morris, the other aids, fell, AVashington acted
difficulty.
alone with the greatest gallantry. In writing to his brother, he said: "I have
been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four
bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me; yet I escaped unhurt,
though death was leveling my companions on every side." In after years,
when Washington visited the Great Kanawha country, he was approached by
an Indian chieftain who said that in this battle he had fired his rifle many
times at W^ashington and had told his young men to do the same; but when he
saw that his bullets had no apparent effect, he had bidden them to desist, believing that the Great Spirit was protecting him.
The panic among the survivors of the English carried them back upon the
reserve, commanded by Gen. Dunbar, who seems himself to have been seized
with it, and without attempting to renew the campaign and return to the encounter, he joined in the flight which was not stayed until Fort Cumberland
was reached. The French were anticipating a renewal of the struggle; but
when they found that the English had fled leaving the frontier all unprotected,
they left no stone unturned in whetting the minds of the savages for the
work of plunder and blood, and in organizing relentless bands to range at
The Indians could not be induced to pursue
will along all the wide frontier.
Nearly everything
the retreating English, but fell to plundering the field.
was lost, even to the camp chest of Braddock. The wounded General was
taken back to the summit of Laurel Hill, where, four days after, he breathed
He was buried in the middle of the road, and the armj^ marched
his last.
over his grave that it might not be discovered or molested by the natives.
The eaoy victory, won chiefly by the savages, served to encourage them in
their fell work, in which, when their passions were aroused, no known people
on earth were less touched by pity. The unprotected settler in his wilderness home was the easy prey of the torch and the scalping knife, and the burning cabin lit up the somber forests by their continuous blaze, and the shrieks
Beof women and children resounded from the Hudson to the far Potomac
fore the defeat of Braddock, there were 3,000 men capable of bearing arms
In six months after, there were scarcely 100.
west of the Susquehanna.
Gov. Morris made an earnest appeal to the Assembly for money to ward off
the impending enemy and protect the settlers, in response to which the Assembly voted £50,000; but having no exemption of the proprietor's estates,
it Avas rejected by the Governor, in accordance with his original instructions.
Expeditions undertaken against Nova Scotia and at Crown Point were more fortunate than that before Du Quesne, and the Assembly voted £ 1 5,000 in bills of credit
The proprietors sent £5,000 as a gratuity,
to aid in defraying the expense.
not as any part of expense that could of right be claimed of them.
In this hour of extremity, the Indians for the most part showed themselves
Even the Shawji treacherous race, ever ready to take up on the stronger side.
anese and Delawares, who had been loudest in their protestations of friendship
for the Encrlish and readiness to tisrht for them, no sooner saw the French vietorious than they gave ready ear to their advice to strike for the recovery of
the lands which they had sold to the English.
In this pressing emergency, while the Governor and Assembly were waging
:a fruitless war of words over money bills, the pen of Franklin was busy in inIn a pamphlet
fusing a wholesome sentiment in the minds of the people.
that he issued, which ho put in the familiar form of a dialogue, he answered the
objections which had been ui'ged to a legalized militia, and willing to show
his devotion by deeds as well as words, he accepted the command upon the

92

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

frontier.
By his exertions, a respectable force was raised, and though in the
dead of -winter, he commenced the erection of a line of forts and block-houses
along the whole range of the Kittatinny Hills, from the Delaware to the Potomac, and had them completed and garrisoned with a body sufficient to withstand any force not provided with artillery.
In the spring, he turned over the
command to Col. Clapham, and returning to Philadelphia took his seat in the
Assembly. The Governor now declared war against the Indians, who had established their headquarters thirty miles above Harris' Ferry, on the Susquehanna, and were busy in their work of robbery and devastation, having secured the greater portion of the crops of the previous season of the settlers
whom they had killed or driven out. The peace party strongly objected to the
course of the Governor, and voluntarily going among the Indians induced
them to .bury the hatchet. The Assembly which met in May, 1756, prepared a
bill with the old clause for taxing the proprietors, as any other citizens, which
the Governor was forbidden to approve by his instructions, "and the two
parties were sharpening their wits for another wrangle over it," when Gov.
Morris was superseded by William Denny, who arrived in the colony and assumed authority on the 20th of August, 1756. He was joyfully and cordially
received, escorted through the streets by the regiments of Franklin and Duch^,

and royally feasted at the State House.
But the promise of efficient legislation was broken by an exhibition of the
new Governor's instructions, which provided that every bill for the emission of
money must place the proceeds at the joint disposal of the Governor and Assembly; paper currency could not be issued in excess of £40,000, nor could existing issues be confirmed unless proprietary rents were paid in sterling
money proprietary lands were permitted to be taxed which had been actually
leased, provided that the taxes were paid out of the rents, but the tax could
not become a lien upon the land.
In the first Assembly, the contention became as acrimonious as ever.
Previous to the departure of Gov. Morris, as a retaliatory act he had
issued a proclamation against the hostile Indians, providing for the payment
of bounties: For every male Indian enemy above twelve years old, who shall
be taken prisoner and delivered at any forts, garrisoned by troops in pay
of this province, or to any of the county towns to the keej^ers of the common
jails there, the sum of one hu.ndred and fifty Spanish dollars or pieces of eight;
for the scalp of every male Indian above the age of twelve years, produced as
evidence of their being killed, the sum of one hundred and thirty pieces of
eight; for every female Indian taken prisoner and brought in as aforesaid,
and for every male Indian under the age of twelve years, taken and brought
in, one hundred and thirty pieces of eight; for the scalp of every Indian
woman produced as evidence of their being killed, the sum of fifty pieces of
eight." Liberal bounties were also offered for the delivering up of settlers who
had been carried away captive.
But the operation which had the most wholesome and pacifying effect upon
the savages, and caused them to stop in their mad career and consider the
chances of war and the punishment they were calling down upon their own
heads, though executed under the rule of Gov. Denny, was planned and
provided for, and was really a part of the aggressive and vigorous policy of
Gov. Morris.
In response to the act of Assembly, providing for the calling
out and organizing the militia, twenty-five companies were recruited, and had
been stationed along the line of posts that had been established for the defense
of the frontiers. At Kittanning, on the Allegheny River, the Indians had one
of the largest of their towns in the State, and was a recruiting station and
;

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

93

rallying point for sending out their murderous bauds. The plan proposed and
adopted by Gov. Morris, and approved and accepted by Gov. Denny,
was to send*^ out a strong detachment from the militia for the reduction of this
stronghold.
Accordingly, in August, 1756, Col. Armstrong, with a force of
three hundred men, made a forced march, and, arriving unperceived in the neighborhood of the town, sent the main body by a wide detour from above, to come
At 3 o'clock on the morning of
in upon the river a few hundred yards below.
the 7th of September, the troops had gained their position undiscovered, and
Shielded from view by the tall corn which covat dawn the attack was made.
ered all the flats, the troops were able to reach in close proximity to the cabins
urfobserved.
Jacobs, the chief, soundod the war-whoop, and made a stout reNot desirsistance, keeping up a rapid tire from It'i loop holes in his cabin.
ing to push his advantage to the issue of no quarter, Armstrong called on the
savages to surrender: but this they refused to do, declaring that they were
men and would never be prisoners. Finding that they would not yield, and
that they were determined to sell their lives at the dearest rate, he gave orders
As the heat
to fire the huts, and the whole town was soon wrapt in flames.
began to reach the warriors, some sung, while wrung with the death agonies;
Jacobs, in attemptothers broke for the river and were shot down as they fled.
All calls for surrender were reing to climb through a window, was killed.
ceived with derision, one declaring that he did not care for death, and that he
could kill four or five before he died. Gunpowder, small arms and valuable
goods which had been distributed to them only the day before by the French,
The triumph was complete, few if any
fell into the hands of the victors.
escaping to tell the sad tale. Col. Armstrong's celerity of movement and
well conceived and executed plan of action were publicly acknowledged, and
he was voted a medal and plate by the city of Philadelphia.
The finances of the colony, on account of the repeated failures of the
money bills, were in a deplorable condition. Military operations could not

Acbe carried on and vigorous campaigns prosecuted without ready money.
cordingly, in the first meeting of the Assembly after the arrival of the new
Governor, a bill was passed levying £100,000 on all property alike, real and
Seeing that
This Gov. Denny vetoed.
personal, private and proprietary.
money must be had, the Assembly finally passed a bill exempting the proprieTo
tary estates, but determined to lay their grievances before the Crown.
this end, two Commissioners were appointed, Isaac Norris and Benjamin
Franklin, to proceed to England and beg the interference of the royal Government in their behalf. Failing health and business engagements of Norris
He had so often deprevented his acceptance, and Franklin proceeded alone.
fended the Assembly in public and in drawing remonstrances that the whole
subject was at his fingers' ends.
Military operations throughout the colonies, during the year 1757, conducted under the command of the Ear) of Loudoun were sluggish, and resulted
The Indians were active in Pennsylvania, and
only in disaster and disgrace.
kept the settlers throughout nearly all the colonies in a continual fermeut,
hostile bands stealing in upon the defenseless inhabitants as they went to
their plantings and sowings, and gi'eatly interfering with or preventing altoIn 1758, Loudoun was recalled,
gether the raising of the ordinary crops.
and Gen. Abercrombie was given chief command, with Wolfe, Amherst and
Forbes as his subordinates. It was determined to direct operations simultaneously upon three points— Fort Du Quesne, Louisburg and the forts upon
Gen. Forbes commanded the forces sent against Fort Du
the great lakes.

Quesne.

With a detachment

of royal troops,

and

militia

from Pennsylvania

94

HISTORl OF PENNSYLVANIA.

and Virginia, under command of Cols. Bouquet and Washington, his cohimn
moved in July, 1758, The French were well ordered for receiving the attack,
and the battle in front of the fort raged with great fury, but they were finally
driven, and the fort, with its munitions, fell into the hands of the victors, and
was garrisoned by 400 Pennsylvanians. Returning, Forbes placed his remainat Lancaster.
Franklin, upon his arrival in England, presented the grievances before the
proprietors, and, that he might get his case before the royal advisers and the
British public, wrote frequent articles for the press, and issued a pamphlet
entitled " Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of PennsylThe dispute was adroitly managed by Franklin before the Privy
vania."
Council, and was finally decided substantially in the interest of the AssemIt was provided that the proprietors' estates should be taxed, but that
bly.
their located uncultivated lands should be assessed as low as the lowest uncultivated lands of the settlers, that bills issued by the Assembly should be receivable in payment of quit rents, and that the Deputy Governor should have
Thus was a vexed question of loog
a voice in disposing of the revenues.

ing forces in barracks

rest.
So successfully had Franklin managed this controversy that the colonies of Massachusetts, Maryland and Georgia appointed
him their agent in England.
In October, 1759, James Hamilton was again appointed Governor, in place
of Gov. Denny, who had by stress of circumstances transcended his instrucThe British Government, considering that the colonies had borne more
tions.
than their proportionate expense in carrying on the war against the French
and Indians, voted £200,000 for five years, to be divided among the colonies,
On the 25th of October,
the share falling to Pennsylvania being £26,000.

standing finally put to

Early
1760, George II died, and was succeeded by his grandson, George III.
in 1762, war was declared between Great Britain and Spain, but was of short
continuance, peace having been declared in November following, by which
Spain and France relinquished to the English substantially the territory east
The wise inen of the various Indian nations inhabiting
of the Mississippi.
this wide territory viewed with concern this sudden expansion of English
power, fearing that they would eventually be pushed from their hunting
grounds and pleasant haunts by the rapidly multiplying pale faces. The Indians have ever been noted for proceeding against an enemy secretly and
Believing that by concerted action the English might be cut
treacherously.
off and utterly exterminated, a secret league was entered into by the Shawanese and the tribes dwelling along the Ohio River, under the leadership of a
powerful chieftain, Pontiac, by which swift destruction was everywhere to be
meted out to the white man upon an hour of an appointed day. The plan was
thoroughly understood by the red men, and heartily entered into. The day
dawned and the blow fell in May, 1763, The forts at Presque Isle, Le Boeuf,
Venango, La Ray, St, Joseph's, Miamis, Onaethtanon, Sandusky and Michilimackinack, all fell before the unanticipated attacks of tho savages who were
making protestations of friendship, and the garrisons were put to the slaughFort Pitt (Du Quesne), Niagara and Detroit alone, of all this line of
ter.
Pontiac in person conducted the siege of Detroit, which he
forts, held out.
vigorously pushed from May until October, paying his warriors with promises
written on bits of birch bark, whi(;h he subsequently religicmsly redeemed. It is
an evidence of his gieat power that he could unite his people in so general and secretly kept a compact, and that in this siege of Detroit he was able
to hold his warriors up to the work so long and so vigorously even after all hope
The attack fell with great
of success must have reasonably been abandoned.

HISTORF OF PENNSYLVANIA.

95

severity upon the PennsylvaBia settlers, and they continued to be driven in
until Shippensbung, in Cumberland County, became the extreme outpost of
The savages stole unawares upon the laborers in the fields, or
civilization.
came stealthily in at the midnight hour and spared neither trembling age nor
helpless infancy, firing houses, barns, crops and everything combustible.
The suffering of the frontiersmen in this fatal year can scarcely be conceived.
Col. Armstrong with a hastily collected force advanced upon their towns
forts at Muncy and Great Island, which he destroyed; but the Indians
He sent a detachment under Col. Bouquet
escaped and withdrew before him.
to the relief of Fort Pitt, which still held out, though closely invested by the
At Fort Ligonier, Bouquet halted and sent forward thirty
dusky warriors.
men, who stealthily pushed past the Indians under cover of night, and reached
Discovering that a
the fort, carrying intelligence that succor was at hand.
force was advancing upon them, the Indians turned upon the troops of Bouquet, and before he was aware that an enemy was near, he found himself surrounded and all means of escape apparently cut ofif. By a skillfully laid
ambuscade. Bouquet, sending a small detachment to steal away as if in retreat,
induced the Indians to follow, and when stretched out in pursuit, the main
body in concealment fell upon the unsuspecting savages, and routed them with
immense slaughter, when he advanced to the relief oi the fort unchecked.
As we have already seen, the boundary line between Maryland and Pennsylvania had long been in dispute, and had occasioned serious disturbances
among the settlers in the lifetime of Penn, and repeatedly since. It was not
definitely settled till 1760, when a beginning was made of a final adjustment,
though so intricate were the co»ditions that the work was prosecuted for seven
The charter of Lord
years by a large force of surveyors, axmen and pioneers.
Baltimore made the northern boundary of Maryland the 40th degree of latiThe
tude; but whether the beginning or end of the 40th was not specified.
charter of Penn, which was subsequent, made his southern boundary the
If, as Lord Baltimore claimed, his northern
beginning of the 40th parallel.
boundary was the end of the 40th, then the city of Philadelphia and all the
If, as
settled parts of Pennsylvania would have been included in Maryland.
Penn claimed by express terms of his charter, his southern line was the beginning of the 40th, then the city of Baltimore, and even a part of the District of
Columbia, including nearly the whole of ?*Iaryland would have been swallowed up by Pennsylvania. It was evident to the royal Council that neither
claim could be rightfully allowed, and nence resort was had to compromise.
Penn insisted upon retaining free communication with the open ocean by the
Delaware Bay. Accordingly, it was decided that beginning at Cape Henlopen,
which by mistake in marking the maps was fifteen miles below the present
location, opposite Cape May, a line should be run due west to a point half way
between this cape and the shore of Chesapeake Bay; from this point " a line
was to be run northerly in such direction that it should be tangent on the west
side to a circle with a radius of twelve miles, whose center was the center of
From the exact tangent point, a line was to be
the coui-t house at New Castle.
run due north until it should reach a point fifteen miles south on the parallel
of latitude of the most southern point in the boundary of the city of Philadelphia, and this point when accurately found by horizontal measurement, was
to be the corner bound between Maryland and Pennsylvania, and subsequently,
when Delaware was set ofi" from Pennsylvania, was the boundary of the three
From this bound a line was to be run due west five degrees of longiStates.
tude from the Delaware, which was to be the western limit of Pennsylvania,
and the line thus ascertained was to mark the division between Maryland and

and

96

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

If the due north line
Pennsylvania, and forevei' settle the vexed question.
should cut any part of the circle about New Castle, the slice so cut should beSuch a segment was cut. This plan of settlement was
long to New Castle.
entered into on the 10th of May, 1732, between Thomas and Richard, sons of
William Penn, on the one part, and Charles, Lord Baltimore, great grandson
But the actual marking of the boundaries was still deferred,
of the patentee.
and as the settlers were taking out patents for their lands, it was necessary
Accordingly,
that it should be definitely known in which State the lands lay.
in 1739, in obedience to a decree in Council, a temporary line was run upon a
new basis, which now often appears in litigations to plague the brain of the

attorney.

Commissioners were again appointed in 1751, who made a few of the
measurements, but owing to objections raised on the part of Maryland, the
work was abandoned. Fiually, the proprietors, Thomas and Kichard Penn,
and Frederic, Lord Baltimore, entered into an agreement for the executing of
the survey, and John Lukens and Archibald McLean on the part of the Penns,
and Thomas Garnett and Jonathan Hall on the part of Lord Baltimore, were
appointed with a suitable corps of assistants to lay off the lines. After these
surveyors had been three years at work, the proprietors iu England, thinking
that there was not enough energy and practical and scientific knowledge manifested by these sm'veyors, appointed Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, two
mathematicians and surveyors, to proceed to America and take charge of the
They brought with them the most perfect and best constructed instruwork.
ments known to science, arriving in Philadelphia on the 15th of November,
1763, and, assisted by some of the old surveyors, entered upon their work. By
the 4th of June, 1700, they had reached the summit of the Little Allegheny,
when the Indians began to be troublesome. They looked with an evil eye on
the mathematical and astronomical instruments, and felt a secret dread and
fear of the consequences of the frequent and long continued peering into the
heavens.
The Six Nations were understood to be inimical to the further progBut through the influence of Sir William Johnson a
ress of the survey.
treaty was concluded, providing for the prosecution of the work unmolested,
and a number of chieftains were sent to accompany the surveying party.
Mason and Dixon now had with them thirty surveyors, fifteen axmen, and fifAgain the attitude of the Indians gave cause of
teen Indians of consequence.
fear, and on the 29th of September, twenty-six of the surveyors abandoned the
Having reached a point 21-4 miles
expedition and returned to Philadelphia.
from the Delaware, and within thirty-six miles of the western limit of the
State, in the bottom of a deep, dark valley, they came upon a well-worn
Indian path, and here the Indians gave notice that it was the will of the Six
Nations that this su-rvey proceed no further. There was no questioning this
authority, and no means at command for resisting, and accordingly the party
broke up and returned to Philadelphia. And this was the end of Uie labors of
Mason and Dixon upon this boundary. From the fact that this was subsequently the mark of division between the Free and Slave States, Mason and
The line was marked by
Dixon's line became familiar iai American politics.
stones which were quarried and engraved in England, on one side having the
arms of Penn, and on the opposite those of Lord Baltimore. These atones
were firmly set every five miles. At the end of each intermediate mile a
smaller stone was placed, having on one side engraved the letter P., and on the
The remainder of the line was finished and marked
opposite side the letter M.
in 1782-84 by other surveyors. A vista was cut through the forest eight yards in
width the whole distance, which seemed in looking back through it to come to a

97

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

In 1849, the stone at the northeast corner
point at the distance of two miles.
of Maryland having been removed, a resurvey of the line was ordered, and
suryeyors were appointed by the three States of Pennsylvania. Delaware and
Maryland, who called to their aid Col. James D. Graham. Some few errors
were discovered in the old survey, but in the main it was found to be accurate.
John Penn, grandson of the founder, and son of Richard, had come to the
colony in 1753, and, having acted as President of the Council, was, in 1763,
commissioned Governor in place of Hamilton. The conspira'cy of Pontiac,
though abortive in the results contemplated, left the minds of the, Indians in
The more resolute, who had entered heartily into the
a most dangerous state.
views of their leader, still felt that his purposes were patriotic, and hence
sought, by every means possible, to ravage and destroy the English settlements.
The Moravian Indians at Nain and Wichetunk, though regarded as friendly,
•were suspected of indirectly aiding in the savage warfare by trading firearms
and ammunition. They were accordingly removed to Philadelphia that they
might be out of the way of temptation. At the old Indian town of Conestoga
Many heartless murders had been comthere lived some score of natives.
mitted along the frontier, and the perpetrators had been traced to this Conand while the Conestoga band were not known to be impliestoga town
cated in these outrages, their town was regarded as the lurking place of roving
savages who were. For protection, the settlers in the neighboring districts of
Paxton and Donegal, had organized a band known as the Paxton boys. Earnest
requests were made by Rev. John Elder and John Harris to the Government
but as nothing was done, and fearful
to remove this band at Conestoga
depredations and slaughter continued, a party of these Paxton rangers attacked
Some few escaped, among them a
the tuwn and put the savages to the sword.
known bloodthirsty savage, who were taken into the jail at Lancaster for protection
but the rangers, following them, overpowered the jailer, and breaking
Intense excitement was occasioned by
into the jail murdered the fugitives.
this outbreak, and Gov. Penn issued his proclamation offering rewards for the
Some few were taken but so excellent was
apprehension of the perpetrators.
their character and standing, and such Avere the provocations, that no convicApprehensions for the safety of the Moravian Indians induced
tions followed.
the Government to remove them to Province Island, and, feeling insecure
For safety, they were sent to New
there, they asked to be sect to England.
York, but the Governor of that province refused them permission to laud, as
did also the Governor of New Jersey, and they were brought back to PhiladelThe Paxton boys, in a considerphia and put in barracks under strong guard.
able body, were at that time at Germantown interceding for their brethren,
who were then in durance and threatened with trial. Franklin was sent out
In defending their course,
to confer with them on the part of the Government.
" Whilst more than a thousand families, reduced to extreme disthey said
tress, during the last and present war, by the attacks of skulking parties of
Indians upon the frontier, were destitute, and were sulTered by the public to
depend on private charity, a hundred and twenty of the perpetrators of the
most horrid barbarities were supported by the province, and protected from
the fury of the brave relatives of the murdered." Influenced by the persuasions of Franklin, they consented to return to their homes, leaving only
;

;

;

;

:

Matthew Smith and James Gibson

to represent

them before the

courts.

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

98

OHAPTEE
John Penn,

A

1763-71

— James

XI.

Hamilton, 1771— Richard Penn, 1771-73— John
Penn, 1773-76.

DIFFERENCE

having arisen between the Governor and Assembly on the
vexed question of levying money, the Assembly passed a series of resolutions advocating that the " powers of government ought to be separated from
the power attending the immense proprietary property, and lodged in the
bands of the King. " After an interval of fifty days that time for reflection
and discussion might be given the Assembly again convened, and adopted a
petition praying the King to assume the direct government of the province,
though this policy was strongly opposed by some of the ablest members, as
Isaac Norris and John Dickinson.
The Quaker element was generally in

—

—

favor of the change.
Indian barbarities still continuing along the frontier, Gov. Penn declared
war against the Shawanese and Delawares in July, 1765, and sent Col. Bouquet
By the 3d of October, he
with a body of Pennsylvania troops against them.
had come up to the Muskingum, in the heart of the most thickly peopled
So rapid had been the movement of Bouquet that the savages
Indian territory.
had no intelligence of his advance until he was upon them with no preparations
They sued for peace, and a treaty was entered into by which the
for defense.
savages agreed to abstain from further hostilities until a general treaty could
be concluded with Sir William Johnson, the general agent for Indian affairs
for all the coloaies, and to deliver up all English captives who had been carried
away during the years of trouble. Two hundred and eight were quickly
gathered up and brought in, and many others were to follow, who were now
The relatives of many of these captives had proceeded with
widely scattered.
the train of Bouquet, intent on reclaiming those who had been dear to them.
Some were joyfully received, while others who had been borne off in youth had
become attached to their captors, and force was necessary to bring them away.
" On the return of the army, some of the Indians obtained leave to accompany
their former captives to Fort Pitt, and employed themselves in hunting and
carrying provisions for them on the road."
The groat struggle for ihe independence of the colonies of the British
crown was now close at hand, and the first sounds of the controversy were beginning to be heard. Sir William Keith, that enterprising Governor whose
head seemed to have been full of new projects, as early as 1739 had proposed
to lay a uniform tax on stamped paper in all the colonies, to realize funds for
the common defense. Acting upon this hint, Grenville, the British Minister,
notified the colonists in 1763 of his purpose to impose such a tax.
Against
this they remonstrated.
Instead of this, a tax on imports, to be paid in coin,
was adopted. This was even more distasteful. The Assembly of Rhode
Island, in October, 1765, submitted a paper to all the colonial assemblies, with
a view to uniting in a common petition to the King against parliamentary
taxation.
This was favorably acted on by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, and
Franklin was appointed agent to represent their caase before the British Parliament.
The Stamp Act had been passed on the 22d of March, 1765. Its
passage excited b'tter opposition, and a resolution, asserting that the Colonial

—
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA

99

Assemblies had the eschisivo right to levy taxes, was passed by the Virginia
The Massachusetts Assembly
Assembly, and concurred in by all the others.
proposed a meeting of delegates in New York on the second Tuesday of October,
The Pennsylvania Assembly adopted the
1765, to confer upon the subject.
suggestion, and appointed Messrs. Fox, Morton, Bryan and Dickensun as deleThis Congress met according to the call and adopted a respectful pegates.
tition to the King, and a memorial to Parliament, which were signed by all
the members and forwarded for presentation by the Colonial Agents
EnThe Stamp Act was to go into effect on the 1st of November. On the
gland.
last day of October, the newspapers were dressed in mourning, and suspended
The publishers agreed not to use the stamped paper. The
publication.
people, as with one mind, determined to dress in homespun, resolved not to
use imported goods, and, to stimulate the production of wool the colonists covenanted not to eat lamb for the space of one year.
The result of this policy
was soon felt by British manufacturers who became clamorous for repeal of
the obnoxious measures, and it was accordingly rejaealed on the 18th of March,

m

1766.

Determined in some form to draw a revenue from the colonies, an act was
passed in 1767, to lay a duty on tea, paper, printers' colors, and glass.
The Assembly of Pennsylvania passed a resolution on the 20th of February, 1768,
instructing its agent in London to urge its repeal, and at the session in May
received and entered upon its minutes a circular letter from the Massachusetts
Assembly, setting forth the grounds on which objection to the act should be
urged.
This circular occasioned hostile feeling among the ministry, and the
Secretary for foreign affairs wrote to Gov. Penn to urge the Assembly to
take no notice of it; but if they approved its sentiments, to prorogue their
sittings.
This letter was transmitted to the Assembly, and soon after one
from the Virginia Assembly was presented, urging union of all the colonies
in opposing the several schemes of taxation.
This recommendation was
adopted, and committees appointed to draw a petition to the King and to each
To lead public sentiment, and have it well
of the Houses of Parliament.
grounded in the arguments used against taxation, John Dickinson, one of the
ablest of the Pennsylvania legislators at this time, published a number of
articles purporting to come from a plain farmer, under the title of ihe Fanner^s
Letters, which became popular, the idea that they were the work of one in
humble life, helping to swell the tide of popularity. They were republished
in all the colonies, and exerted a commanding influence.
Alarmed at the
unanimity of feeling against the proposed schemes, and supposing that it was
the amount of the tax that gave offense, Parliament reduced the rate in 1760
to one sixth of the original sum, and in 1770 abolished it altogether, except
three pence a pound on tea
But it was the principle, and not the amount
that was objected to, and at the next session of the Assembly in Pennsylvania,
their agent in London was directed to urge its repeal altogether.
It would seem incredible that the colony of Connecticut should lay claim
to any part of the territory of Pennsylvania, but so it was.
The New England charters gave limitless extent westward even to the shores of the Pacific
Ocean, and south to the northern limits of the tract ceded to Lord Baltimore
the territory between the 40th and 46th degrees of north latitude, and trom
ocean to ocean. To encroach upon New York with its teaming population was not calculated to tempt the enterprise of the settler; but
the rich virgin soil, and agreeable climate of the wide Wyoming Valley, as yet unappropriated, was likely to attract the eye of the explorer.
Accordingly, at the general conference with the Indians held at Albany

100

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA

in 1754, the Connecticut delegates
this valley; a company, known as the

made

a purchase of a large tract in

Susquehanna Company, was formed in
Connecticut to promote the settlement of these lands, and a considerable imThe ^proprietors of Pennsylvania had also made purmigration commenced.
chase of the Indians of these identical lands, and the royal charters of Charles
and James covered this ground. But the Plymouth Charter antedated Penn's.
Remonstrances were made to the Governor of Connecticut against encroachments upon the territory of Pennsylvania. The answer returned was understood to disclaim any control over the company by the Connecticut authorities;
but it subsequently appeared that the Government was determined to defend
In 1768, the proprietors of Pennthe settlers in the possession of their lands.
sylvania entered into treaty stipulations with the Indians for all this tract covPennsylvania settlers,
ered by the claim of the Susquehanna Company.
attracted by the beauty of the place, gradually acquired lands under Pennsylvania patents, and the two parties began to infringe on each other's claims.
Forts and block-houses were erected for the protection of either party, and a
Butler, the
petty warfare was kept up, which resulted in some loss of life.
leader of the Connecticut party, proposed to settle their di£ferences by perIn order to assert more direct
sonal combat of thirty picked men on each side.
legal control over the settlers, a new county was formed which was called
Northumberland, that embraced all the disputed lands. But the Sheriff, even
with the aid of the militia, which he called to his assistance, was unable to
execute his processes, and exercise legal control, the New Englanders, proving
a resolute set, determined to hold the splendid farms which they had marked
To the reout for themselves, and were bringing rapidly under cultivation.
monstrances of Gov. Penn, Gov. Trumbull responded that the Susquehanna Company was proceeding in good faith under provisions secured by the charter of
the Plymouth Colony, and proposed that the question be submitted to a comAn ex pai'te statement was submitted to
petent tribunal for arbitrament.
Council in London by the Connecticut party, aud an opinion was rendered
In September, 1775, the matter was submitted to the
favorable to its claims.
Continental Congress, and a committee of that body, to whom it was referred,
reported in favor of the Connecticut claim, apportioning a tract out of the
very bowels of Pennsylvania nearly as large as the whole State of Connecticut.
This action was promptly rejected by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, and a
final decision was not reached until 1802, when Congress decided in favor of
the integrity of the chartered rights of Penn.
Richard Penn, son of the founder, died in 1771, whereupon Gov. John
Penn returned to England, leaving the President of the Council, James Hamilton, at the head of the Government. John Penn, eldest son of Richard, succeeded to the proprietary interests of his father, which he held in conjunction
with his UDcle, Thomas, and in October of the same year, Richard, the second
He held the office but about two years, and
son, was commissioned Governor.
in that time won the confidence and esteem of the people, and so much attached
was he to the popular cause, that upon his return to England, in 1775, he was
intrusted by Congress with the last petition of the colonies ever presented to
In August, 1773, John Penn returned with the commission of
the King.
Governor, superseding his brother Richard. Soon after his arrival, the Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, issued his proclamation, laying claim to a
vast territory in the Monongalia Valley, including the site of the present
city of Pittsburgh, and iipon the withdrawal of the British garrison, one ConGov. Penn issued a
nolly had taken possession of it in the name of Virginia.
counter-proclamation, calling on all good citizens within the borders of Penn-

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

lOl

sylvania, to preserve their allegiance to liis Grovernmont, seized and imprisoned
Connolly, and sent Commissioners to Virginia to efl'ectan amicable settlement.
These, Dunmore refused to bear, and was preparing to assert his authority by
force; but his Council refused to vote him money for this purpose.
To encourage the sale of tea in the colonies, and establish the principle of
taxation, the export duty was removed.
The colonies took the alarm. At a
public meeting called in Philadelphia to consider the subject, on the 18th of
" That the
October, 1773, resolutions were adopted in wbich it was declared
disposal of their own property is the inherent right of freemen; that there can
be no property in that which another can, of right, take from us without our
consent; that the claim of Parliament to tax America, is, in other words, a claim
The East India Company
of right to levy contributions on us at pleasure.''
now made prejjarations for sending lai'ge importations of tea into the colonies.
The ships destined for Philadelphia and New York, on approaching port, and
being advised of the exasperated state of public feeling, returned to England
with their cargoes. Those sent to Boston came into the harbor; but at nigbt a
party disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded the vessels, and breaking open
the packages, emptied 300 chests into the sea. The ministry, on being apprised
of this act, closed the port of Boston, and subverted the colonial charter.
Early in the year, committees of correspondence had been established in all
the colonies, by means of which the temper and feeling in each was well understood by the others, and concert of action was secured.
The hard conditions imposed on the town of Boston and the colony of Massachusetts Bay,
aroused the sympathy of all for, they argued, we know not how soon the heavy
hand of oppression may be felt by any of us. Philadelphia declared at a public meeting that the people of Pennsylvania would continue firmly to adhere
to the cause of American liberty, and urged the calling of a Congress of delegates to consider the general interests.
At a meetiug held in Philadelphia on the 18th of June, 1774, at which
:

;

nearly 8,000 people were convened, it was decided that a Continental Congress
ought to be held, and appointed a committee of correspondence to communicate with similar committees in the several counties of Pennsylvania and in the
several colonies.
On the 15th of July, 1774, delegates from all the counties,
summoned by this committee, assembled in Philadelphia, and declared that
there existed an absolute necessity for a Colonial Congress.
They accordingly
recommended that the Assembly appoint delegates to such a Congress to
represent Pennsylvania, and Joseph Galloway, Samuel Rhoads, George Ross,
Edward Biddle, John Dickinson, Charles Humphries and Thomas Mifflin were
appointed.
On the 4th of Septemoer, 1774, the first Continental Congress assembled
Philadelphia.
Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, was called to preside, and
Charles Thomson, of Pennsylvania, was appointed Secretary.
It was resolved
that no more goods be imported from England, and that unless a pacification
was effected previously, no more Colonial produce of the soil be exported
thither after September 10, 1775.
A declaration of rights was adopted, and
addresses to the King, the people of Great Britain, and of British America
were agreed to, after which the Congress adjourned to meet again on the 10th
of May, 1775.
In January, 1775, another meeting of the county delegates was held in
Philadelphia, at which the action of the Colonial Congress was approved, and
while a restoration of harmony with the mother country was desired, yet if
the arbitiary acts of Parliament were persisted in, they would at every hazard
defend the "rights and liberties of America." The delegates appointed to

m

102

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

represent the colony in the Second Congress were Mifflin, Humphries, Biddle,
Dickinson, Morton, Franklin, Wilson and Willing.
The government of Great Britain had determined with a strong hand to
compel obedience to its behests. On the 19th of April, 1775, was fought the
battle of Lexington, and the crimson fountain was opened.
That blow was
felt alike through all the colonies.
The cause of one was the cause of all.
A public meeting was held in Philadelphia, at which it was resolved to organize
military companies in all the counties.
The Assembly heartily seconded these
views, and engaged to provide for the pay of the militia while in service.
The Second Congress, which met in May, provided for organizing a continental
army, fixing the quota for Pennsylvania at 4,300 men. The Assembly adopted
the recommendation of Congress, provided for arming, disciplining and paying the militia, recommended the organizing miuutemen for service in an
emergency, made appropriations for the defense of the city, and oifered a premium on the production of salt peCer. Complications hourly thickened. Ticonderoga was captured on the 10th of May, and the battle of Bunker Hill was
fought on the 17th of June.
On the 15th of June, George Washington was
appointed Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, supported by four
Major Generals and eight Brigadiers.
The royal Governors were now an incumbrance greatly in the way of the
popular movement, as were also the Assemblies where they refused to represent
the popular will.
Accordingly, Congress recommended that the several colonies should adopt such government as should " best conduce to the happiness
and safety of their constituents in particular and America in general." This
meant that each colony should set up a government for itself independent of
the Crown.
Accordingly, a public meeting was held in Philadelphia, at
which it was resolved that the present Assembly is " not competent to the preoent exigencies of affairs," and that a new foi'm of government ought to be
The city committee of correspondence
adopted as recommended by Congress.
called on the county committees to secure the election of delegates to a colonial
meeting for the purpose of considering this subject
On the 18th of June,
the meeting was held in Philadelphia, and was organized by electing Thomas
McKean President. It resolved to call a convention to frame a new constitution, provided the legal forms to be observed, and issued an address to
the people.
Having thus by frequent argumentation grown familiar with the declaration of the inherent rights of every citizen, and with flatly declaring to the
government of Great Britain that it had no right to pursue this policy or that,
and the several States having been recommended to absolve themselves from
allegience to the royal governments, and set up independent colonial governments of their own, it was a natural inference, and but a step further, to declare the colonies entirely independent of the British Government, and to organize for themselves a general continental government to hold the place of King
and Parliament. The idea of independence had been seriously proposed, and
several Colonial Assemblies had passed resolutions strongly recommending it.
And yet there were those of age and experience who had supported independent principles in the stages of argumentation, before action was demanded,
when they approached the brink of the fatal chasm, and had to decide
whether to take the leap, hesitated. There were those in the Assembly of
Pennsylvania who were reluctant to advise independence; but the majority
voted to recommend its delegates to unite with the other colonies for the common good. The convention which had provided for holding a meeting of delegates to frame a new constitution, voted in favor of independence, and authorized the raising of 6,000 militia.

103

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Lee, of Virginia, introduced in
the 7th of June, 1776, Richard Henry
Colonies are and of right ought to
Congress the proposition that, "the United
all political connection between
that
and
be f?ee and independent States,
to be. totally dissolved
th;mrnd the State of Great Britain is, and ought
l!^°;.g\^g«of
meaning
the
misinterpret
or
It was impossible to mistake
J^^^ P;ckinson,
discussed. John
warmly
was
It
up.
made
fairly
was
Thlissue
speakwho had been foremos.
one of the Pennsylvania delegates, and one
of
rec^
hope
all
olT
cut
to
ready
^nc and writing on the popular side, was not
the colonies
which
condition
disorganized
the
onciliation, an'd depicted
Britain were thus suddenly rewould be left if the power and protection of
on the 2d of July, and retaken
was
resolution
the
moved. The vote upon
except Pennsylvania and
States
^Ued in the affirmative vote of all the
A committee con^
divided.
being
States
these
from
Delaware, the delegates
had been, some
Sherman
and
Livingston
sistinc. of Adams, Franklin, Jefiferson,
of the declaration and
statement
formal
a
draw
to
appointed
t me previous,
opinions of mankind, which led
the reasons "out of a decent respect to the
to a sub-committee consisting of
wasintrusted
work
The
act.
to so important an
work of Mr. Jeffex;son, though
the
was
Adams and Jefferson, and its composition
had been used again and
expression,
of
forms
the
even
and
man V of the ideas,
of the Colonial Assempronunciamentoes
a-ain in the previous resolutions and
the 28th of June, and was
on
reported
been
had
It
meetings.
blies and public
alterations having been made
sharplv considered in all its parts, many verbal
the preliminary reso ution, the
of
passage
the
after
but
five;
the committee of
of July it was ^-^lly adopted
4th
the
on
result was a foregone conclusion, and
delegation, Franklin,
Pennsylvania
the
Of
world.
the
to
and proclaimed
against, DickinHumphrey
and
Willing
Wilson and Morton voted for it, and
session
being
Pennsylvania
of
convention
colonial
The
son being absent.
Conin
delegates
its
of
majority
a
that
at the time, on receiving intelligence
a few delegation^
named
resolution,
preliminary
the
against
gress had voted
Humphrey and adding othe^
Emitting the names of Dickinson, Willing and
Morton, Morris, Clymer,
Wilson,
constituted-Franklin,
thus
it
which made
Declaration was made
the
of
copy
engrossed
Smith, Taylor and Ross. An
the 2d of August following, on
on
members
the
all
by
signed
which wa^
recited.
which are found the names from Pennsylvania above
constitution for the colony met on tne
new
a
framing
for
convention
The
Franklin President, and on the
15th of July, and was organized by electing
organic law
its labors, having framed a new

On

m

m

m

m

28th of September completed

I^
putting it into operation.
all necessary provisions for
J^^^,
the 26 h
the 14th of June to^"^^
on
adjourned
Assembly
proprietary
old
time the
adjournment was had to
But a quorum failed to appear, and an
of August.
was attended to, chietty
business
the 23d of September, when some routine
bills, and on tne ^8th of
necessary
and
salaries
of
providing for the payment
century t^^^^ Assembly^ the
September, after a%tor my existence of nearly a
With the ending of the Asagain.
meet
to
never
creature of Penn, adjourned
circumstance, much
singular
sembly ended th^ power of Gov. Penn. It is a
America,
his arrival
of
day
the
on
that
signs,
in
notedly the believer,
earthquake
an
by
rocked
was
locality
which was Sunday, the earth in tHat
He married the
administration
which was intex'preted as an evil omen to his
at times
though
and,
colony,
the
of
Justice
daughter of William Allen, Chief
yet, as was believed not
cause,
royal
the
favoring
of
falling under suspicion
of the great struggle, living at his
with reason, he remained a quiet spectator
in February, 1 J5^
died
he
where
County,
Bucks
country seat in
were suspended by the action
estates
landed
The titles of the proprietors to

and made

m

<

104

HISTORY OF PENxNSYLVANIA.

of the convention, and on the 27th of November, 1779, the Legislature passed
an act vesting these estates in the commonwealth, but paying the proprietors a
gratuity of £130,000, " in remembrance of the enterprising spirit of the
Founder." This act did not touch the private estates of the proprietors, nor
the tenths of manors.
The Britioh Government, in 1790, in consideration of
the fact that it had been unable to vindicate its authority over the colony, and
afford protection to the proprietors in the enjoyment of their chartered rights,
voted an annuity of £4,000 to the heirs and descendants of Penn, This annuity
has been regularly paid to the present time, 1884,

CHAPTEK XIL
Thomas Wharton, Jr., 1777-78— George Bryan, 1778— Joseph Reed, 1778-81—
William Moore, 1781-82— John Dickinson, 1782-85— Benjamin Franklin,
1785-88.

which framed the constitution
THE convention
consisting of twenty-five members,

appointed a Committee of
whom was intrusted the
government of the colony until the proposed constitution should be framed and
put in operation. Thomas Rittenhouse was chosen President of this body,
who was consequently in effect Governor. The new constitution, which was
unanimously adopted on the 28th of September, was to take effect from its
passage.
It provided for an Assembly to be elected annually; a Supreme Executive Council of twelve members to be elected for a term of three years; Assemblymen to be eligible but four years out of seven, and Councilmen but
one term in seven years. Members of Congress were chosen by the Assembly.
The constitution could not be changed for seven years. It provided for the
election of censors every seven years, who were to decide whether there was
a demand for its revision.
If so, they were to call a convention for the purpose.
On the 6th of August, 1776, Thomas Wharton, Jr., was chosen President of the Council of Safety.
The struggle with the parent country was now fnlly inaugurated. The
Britidh Parliament had declared the colonists rebels, had voted a force of
55,000 men, and in addition had hired 17,000 Hessian soldiers, to subdue them.
The Congress on its part had declared the objects for which arms had been
taken up, and had issued bills of credit to the amount of $6,000,000.
Parliament had resolved upon a vigorous campaign, to strike heavy and rapid
blows, and quickly end the war.
The first campaign had been conducted in
Massachusetts, and by the efficient conduct of Washington, Gen. Howe, the
leader of the British, was compelled to capitulate and withdraw to Halifax in
March, 1776.
On the 28th of June, Sir Henry Clinton, with a strong detachment, in conjunction with Sir Peter Parker of the navy, made a combined
land and naval attack upon the defenses of Charleston Harbor, where he was
met by Gen. William Moultrie, with the Carolina Militia, and after a severe
battle, in which the British fleet was roughly handled, Clinton ^rithdrew and
returned to New York, whither the main body of the British Army, under Gen.
Howe, had come, and where Admiral Lord Howe, with a large fleet directly
from England, joined them. To this formidable power led by the best talent
in the British Army, Washington could muster no adequate force to oppose,
and he was obliged to withdraw from Long Island, from New York, from
Safety,

to

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVAiNIA

105

Harlem, from White Plains, to cross into New Jersey, and abandon position
after position, until he had reached the right bank of the Delaware on Pennsylvania soil.
A heavy detachment under Cornwallis followed, and would
have crossed the Delaware in pursuit, but advised to a cautious policy by
Howe, he waited for ice to form on the waters of the Delaware before passing
The fall of Philadelphia now seemed imminent. Washington had not
over.
On the 2d of
sufficient force to face the whole power of the British A.rmy.
December, the Supreme Council ordered all places of business in the cit}- to
be closed, the schools to be dismissed, and advised preparation for removing
the women and children and valuables.
On the 12th, the Congress which was
in session here adjourned to meet in Baltimore, taking with them all papers
and public records, and leaving a committee, of which Robert Morris was
Chairman, to act in conjunction with Washington for the safety of the place.
Gen. Putnam was dispatched on the same day with a detachment of soldiers

command in the city.
"If you wish
In this emergency the Council issued a stirring address:
to live in freedom, and are determined to maintain that best boon of heaven,
you have no time to deliberate. A manly resistance will secure every bless*
* * May
ing, inactivity and sloth will bring horror and destruction.
heaven, which has bestowed the blessings of liberty upon you, awaken you to
a proper sense of your danger and arouse that manly spirit of virtuous resoluMay you ever
tion which has ever bidden defiance to the efforts of tyranny.
have the glorious prize of liberty in view, and bear with a becoming fortitude
That, and that only, will
the fatigues and severities of a winter campaign.
entitle you to the superlative distinction of being deemed, under God, the
deliverers of your country."
Such were the arguments which our fathers
made use of in conducting the struggle against the British Empire.
Washington, who had, from the opening of the campaign before New
York, been obliged for the most part to act upon the defensive, formed the
Accordingly, on
plan to suddenly turn upon his pursuers and offer battle.
the night of the 25th of December, taking a picked body of men, he moved up
several miles to Taylorsville, where he crossed the river, though at flood tide
and filled with floating ice, and moving down to Trenton, where a detachment
Taken by
of the British Army was posted, made a bold and vigorous attack.
surprise, though now after sunrise, the battle was soon decided in favor of
the Americans.
Some fifty of the enemy were slain and over a thousand
taken prisoners, with quantities of arms, ammunition and stores captured. A
triumphal entry was made at Philadelphia, when the prisoners and the spoils
of war moved through the streets under guard of the victorious troops, and
Washington, who was
were marched away to the prison camp at Lancaster.
smarting under a forced inactivity, by reason of paucity of numbers and lack
of arms and material, and who had been forced constantly to retire before a
defiant foe, now took courage.
His name was upon every tongue, and foreign
Governments were disposed to give the States a fair chance in their struggle
for nationality.
The lukewarm were encouraged to enlist under the banner of
The British had intended to push
freedom. It had great strategic value.
forward and occupy Philadelphia at once, which, being now virtually the capital of the new nation, had it been captured at this juncture, would have given
them the occasion for claiming a triumphal ending of the war. But this ad.vantage, though gained by a detachment email in numbers yet great in courage, caused the commander of a powerful and well appointed army to give up
all intention of attempting to capture the Pennsylvania metropolis in this
campaign, and retiring into winter cantonments upon the Karitan to await
to take

106

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

the settled weather of the spring for an entirely

new

cast of

operations.

Washington, emboldened by his success, led all his forces into New Jersey,
and pushing past Trenton, where Cornwallis, the royal leader, had brought
his main body by a forced march, under cover of darkness, attacked the
But now the enemy had become wary and vigBritish reserves at Princeton.
ilant, and, summoned by the booming of cannon, Cornwallis hastened back to
the relief of his hard pressed colum'ns. Washington, finding that the enemy's
whole army was within easy call and knowing that he had no hope of success
with his weak army, withdrew. Washington now went into winter quarters at
Morristown, and by constant vigilance was able to gather marauding parties
of the British who ventured far away from their works.
Putnam commenced fortifications at a point below Philadelphia upon the
Delaware, and at commanding positions upon the outskirts, and on being
summoned to the army was succeeded by Gen. Irvine, and he by Gen. Gates.
On the 4th of March, 1777, the two Houses of the Legislature, elected under
the new constitution, assembled, and in joint convention chose Thomas
Wharton, Jr., President, and George BryanVice President. Penn had expressed
the idea that power was preserved the better by due formality and ceremony,
and, accordingly, this event was celebrated with much pomp, the result being
declared in a loud voice from the court house, amid the shouts of the gathered
throngs and the booming of the captured cannon brought from the Held of
Trenton.
The title bestowed upon the new chief officer of the State was fitted
by its length and high-sounding epithets to inspire the multitude with awe and
reverence: "His Excellency, Thomas Wharton, Junior, Esquire, President of
the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, Captain General, and Commander-in-chief in and over the same."
While the enemy was disposed to be cautious after the New Jersey campaign so humiliating to the native pride of the Britain, yet he was determined
to bring all available forces into the field for the campaign of 1777, and to
Early in April, great activity was observed among the
strike a decisive blow.
shipping in New York Harbor, and Washington communicated to Congress his
opinion that Philadelphia was the object against which the blow would be
aimed.
This announcement of probable peril indu.ced the Council to issue a
proclamation urging enlistments, and Congress ordered the opening of a camp
for drilling recruits in Pennsylvania, and Benedict Arnold, who was at this
So many new vestime a trusted General, was ordered to the command of it.
sels and transports of all classes had been discovered to have come into New
York Harbor, probably forwarded from England, that Washington sent Gen.
Mifflin, on the 10th of June, to Congress, bearing a letter in which he expressed the settled conviction that the enemy meditated. an immediate descent
upon some part of Pennsylvania. Gen. Mifflin proceeded to examine the defensive works of the city which had been begun on the previous advance of
the British, and recommended such changes and new works as seemed best
adapted for its protection. The preparations for defense were vigorously prosThe militia were called out and placed in two camps, one at Chester
ecuted.
and the other at Downington. Fire ships were held in readiness to be used
against vessels attempting the ascent of the river.
Lord Howe, being determined not to move until ample preparations were
completed, allowed the greater part of the summer to wear away before he
advanced.
Finally, having embarked a force of 19,500 men on a fleet of 300
Washington px'omptly made a cori'esponding
transports, he sailed southward.
march overland, passing through Philadelphia on the 24th of August. Howe,
suspecting that preparations would be made for impeding the passage of the

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

107

Delaware, sailed past its mouth, and moving up the Chesapeake instead, debarlced fifty-four miles from Philadelphia and commenced the march northGreat activity was now manifested in the city. The water-spouts were
ward.
melted to furnish bullets, fair hands were busied in rolling caitidges, powerful chevaux-de-frise were planted to impede the navigation of the river, and
the last division of the militia of the city, which had been divided into three
Washington, who had crossed the Brandywine, soon
classes, was called out.
Seeconfronted the advance of Howe, and brisk skirmishing at once opened.
ing that he was likely to have the right of his position at Red Clay Creek,
where he had intended to give battle, turned by the largely superior force of
the enemy, under cover of darkness on the night of the 8th of September, he
withdi-ew' across the Brandywine at Chad's Ford, and posting Armstrong with
the militia upon the left, at Pyle's Ford, where the banks were rugged and precipitous, and Sullivan, who was second in command, upon the right at Brinton's Ford under cover of forest, he himself took post with three divisions,
Sterling's, Stephens', and his own, in front of the main avenue of approach at
Chad's.
Howe, discovering that Washington was well posted, determined to
Accordingly, on the 11th, sending Knyphausen with a division of
flank him.
Hessians to make vigorous demonstrations upoQ Washington's front at Chad's,
he, with the corps of Cornwallis, in light marching order, moved up the Brandywine, far past the right flank of Washington, crossed the Brandywine at the
fords of Trumbull and Jeffrey unopposed, and, moving down came upon
Washington's right, held by Sullivan, all unsuspecting and unprepared to reThough Howe was favored by a dense fog which on that morning
ceive him.
hung on all the valley, yet it had hardly been commenced before Washingtou
His resolution was instantly
discovered the move and divined its purpose.
taken.
He ordered Sullivan to cross the stream at Brinton's, and resolutely
turn the left flank of Knyphausen, when he himself with the main body would
move over and crush the British Army in detail. Is was a brilliant conception,
was feasible, and promised the most complete success. But what chagrin and
mortiti<;ation, to receive, at the moment when he expected to heai* the music of
Sullivan's guns doubling up the left of the enemy, and giving notice to him
to commence the passage, a message from that officer advising him that he had
disobeyed his orders to cross, having received intelligence that the enemy were
Thus
not moving northward, and that he was still in position at the ford.
balked, Washington had no alternative but to remain in position, and it was not
long before the guns of Howe were heard moving in upon his all unguarded
The best dispositions were made which time would permit. His
right flank.
main body with the force of Sullivan took position along the brow of the hill
on which stands the Birmingham meeting house, and the battle opened and
was pushed with vigor the whole day. Overborne by numbers, and weakened
by losses, Washington was obliged to retire, leaving the enemy in possession
The young French nobleman, Lafayette, was wounded while galof the tield.
The wounded were carried into the Birmingham
lantly serving in this tight.
meeting house, where the blood stains are visible to this day, enterprising
relic hunters for many generations having been busy in loosening small slivers
with the points of their knives.
On the 16th of
The British now moved cautiously toward Philadelphia.
September, at a point some twenty miles west of Philadelphia, Washington
again made a stand, and a battle opened with brisk skirmishing, but a heavy
rain storm coming on the powder of the patriot soldiers was completely rained on
account of their defective cartridge boxes. On the night of the '20th, Gen.
Anthony Wayne, who had been hanging on the rear of the enemy with his

108

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

detachment, was surprised by Gen. Gray with a heavy column, who fell suddenly upon the Americans in bivouac and put them to the sword, giving no
This disgraceful slaughter which brought a stigma and an indelible
quarter.
Fifty-three of
stain upon the British arms is known as the Paoli Massacre.
the victims of the black flag were buried in one grave. A neat monument
of white marble was erected forty years afterward over their moldering
remains by the Republican Artillerists of Chesteij County, which vandal hands

have not spared in their mania for relics.
Congress remained in Philadelphia while these military operations were
going on at its very doors; but on the 18th of September adjourned to meet
at Lancaster, though subsequently, on the 30th, removed across the Susquehanna to York, where it remained in session till after the evacuation in
The Council remained until two days before the fall
the following summer.
of the city, when having dispatched the records of the loan office and the more
valuable papers to Easton, it adjourned to Lancaster. On the 26th, the British

Deborah Logan in her memoir says: " The army
entered the city.
marched in and took possession in the city in the morning. We were up-stairs
and saw them pass the State House. They looked well, clean and well clad,
and the contrast between them and our own poor, bare-footed, ragged troops
*
*
*
* Early
was very great and caused a feeling of despair.
in the "afternoon, Lord Cornwallis' suite arrived and took possession of
my mother's house." But though now holding undisputed possession of the
American capital, Howe-found his position an uncomfortable one, for his fleet
was in the Chesapeake, and the Delaware and all its defenses were in possession of the Americans, and Washington had manned the forts with some of
Varnum's brigade, led by Cols. Angell and Greene,
his most resolute troops.
Rhode Island troops, were at Fort Mercer, at Red Bank, and this the enemy

Army

determined to attack.

On

the 21st of October, with a force of 2,500 men, led

by Count Donop, the attack was made. In two colums they moved as to an
But the steady tire of the defenders when come in easy range,
easy victory.
swept them down with deadly etfect, and, retiring with a loss of over 400 and
their leader mortally wounded, they did not renew the tight. Its reduction was
of prime importance, and powerful works were built and equipped to bear upon
the devoted fort on all sides, and the heavy guns of the fleet were brought up
For six long days the greatest weight of metal was
to aid in overpowering it.
poured upon it from the land and the naval force, but without effect, the
sides of the fort successfully withstanding the plunging of their powerful
As a last resort, the great vessels were run suddenly in close under
missiles.
the walls, and manning the yard-arms with sharp-shooters, so effectually
silenced and drove away the gunners that the fort fell easily into the BritThe army of Washingish hands and the river was opened to navigation.
ton, after being recruited and put in light marching order, was led to GermanA
town where, on the morning of the 8d of October the enemy was met.
heavy fog that morning had obscured friend and foe alike, occasioning confusion in the ranks, and though the opening promised well, and some progress
.was made, yet the enemy was too strong to be moved, and the American leader
was forced to retire to his camp at White Marsh. Though the river had now
been opened and the city was thoroughly fortified for resisting attack, yet
Howe felt not quite easy in having the American Army quartered in so close
striking distance, and accordingly, on the 4th of December, with nearly his
entire army, moved out, intending to take Washington at White Marsh, sixteen
But
miles away, by surprise, and by rapidity of action gain an easy victory.
by the heroism and fidelity of Lydia Darrah, who, as she had often done before

:

109

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

passed the guard? to go to the mill for flour, the news of the coming of Howe
waF communicated to Washington, who was prepared to receive him. Finding
that he could effect nothing. Howe returned to the city, having had th,e wearisome march at this wintry season without effect.
Washington now crossed the Schuylkill and went into winter quarters at
Valley Forge. The cold of that winter was intense; the troops, half clad and
indifferently fed, suffered severely, the prints of their naked feet in frost and
tinted with patriot blood.
Grown impatient of the small
results from the immensely expensive campaigns carried ou across the ocean,
the Ministry relieved Lord Howe, and appointed Sir Henry Clinton to the

snow being often

command.
The Commissioners whom Congress had sent to France early in the fall of
1776 Franklin, Dean and Lee had been busy m making interest for the

chief

—

united colonies at the French Court, and so successful were they, that arms and
ammunition and loans of money were procured from time to time. Indeed, so
persuasive had they become that it was a saying cuiTent at court that, "It was
fortunate for the King that Franklin did not take it into his head to ask to
have the palace at Versailles stripped of its furniture to send to his dear
Americans, for his majesty would have been unable to deny him." Finally,
a convention was concluded, by which France agreed to use the royal army and
navy as faithful allies of the Americans against the English. Accordingly, a
fleet of four powerful frigates, and twelve ships were dispatched under command of the Count D'Estaing to shut up the British fleet in the Delaware. The
plan was ingenious, particularly worthy of the long head of Franklin.
But
by some means, intelligence of the sailing of the French fleet reached Che
English cabinet, who immediately ordered the evacuation of the Delaware,
whereupon the Admiral weighed anchor and sailed away with his entire fleet to
New York, and D'Estaing, upon his arrival at the mouth of the Delaware, found
that the bird

had

flown.

Clinton evacuated Philadelphia and moved across New Jersey in the direction of New York.
Washington closely followed and came up with the enemy
on the plains of Monmouth, on the 28th of June, 1778, where a sanguinary battle was fought which lasted th3 whole day, resulting in the triumph of
the American arms, and Pennsylvania was rid of British troops.
The enemy was no sooner well away from the city than Congress returned
from York and resumed its sittings in its former quarters, June 24, 1778, and
on the following day, the Colonial Legislature returned from Lancaster.
Gen
Arnold, who was disabled by a wound received at Saratoga, from tield duty,
was given command in the city and marched in with a regiment on the day
following the evacuation.
On the 23d of May, 1778, President Wharton died
suddenly of quinsy, while in attendance upon the Council at Lancaster, when
George Bryan, the Vice President, became the Acting President. Bryan was a
philanthropist in deed as well as word.
Up to this time, African slavery had
been tolerated in the colony. In his message of the 9th of November, he said
This or some better scheme, would tend to abrogate s. avery the approbrium
of America
from among us. * * * In divestiag the State of slaves, you
will equally serve the cause of humanity and policy, ?ud offer to God one of
the most proper and best returns of gratitude for His great deliverance of us
and our posterity from thraldom; you will also se^" fimi character for justice
and benevolence in the true point of view to Europe, who ate astonishe He perfected a bill
a people eager for liberty holding negroes in bondage."
for the extinguishment of claims to slaves which was passed by the Assembly,
March 1, 1780, by a vote of thirty-four to eighteen, providing that no child
*

'

—

—

110

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

of slave parents born after that date should be a slave, but a servant till the
Thus by a
age of twenty-eight years, when all claim for service should end.
simple enactment resolutely pressed by Bryan, was slavery forever rooted out
of Pennsylvania.
In the summer of 1778, a force of savages and sour- faced tories to the number of some 1,200, under the leadership of one Col. John Butler, a cruel and inhuman wretch, descending from the north, broke into the Wyoming Valley on
The strong men were in the army of Washington, and the
the 2d of July.
These, to
only defenders were old men, beardless boys and resolute women.
the number of about 400, under Zebu) on Butler, a brave soldier who had won
distinction in the old French war, and who happened to be present, moved
Overborne by numbers, the inhabitants
resolutely out to meet the invaders.
were beaten and put to the sword, the few who escaped retreating to Forty
Fort, whither the helpless, up and down the valley, had sought safety.
Here
humane terms of surrender were agreed to, and the families returned to
But the savages had
their homes, supposing all danger to be past.
tasted blood, and perhaps confiscated liquor, and were little mindful of capituThe night of the 5th was given to indiscriminate massacre. The
lations.
cries of the helpless rang out upon the night air, and the heavens along all
the valley were lighted up with the flames of burning cottages; " and when the
moon arose, the terrified inhabitants were fleeing to the Wilkesbarre MountMost of these
ains, and the dark morasses of the Pocono Mountain beyond. "
were emigrants from Connecticut, and they made their way homeward as fast
as their feet would carry them, many of them crossing the Hudson at Poughkeepsie, where they told their tales of woe.
In February, 1778, Parliament, grown tired of this long and wasting war,
abolished taxes of which the Americans had complained, and a committee,
composed of Earl Carlisle, George Johnstone and William Eden, were sent
empowered to forgive past offenses, and to conclude peace with the colonies,
upon submission to the British crown. Congress would not listen to their
proposals, maintaining that the people of America had done nothing that
needed forgiveness, and that no conference could be accorded so long as the
English Armies remained on American soil. Finding that negotiations could
not be entered upon with the government, they sought to worm their way by
base bribes.
Johnstone proposed to Gen. Reed that if he would lend his aid
to bring about terms of pacification, 10,000 guineas and the best office in the
The answer of the stern General was a type of the
country should be his.
" My influence is but small, but wei'e it
feeling which swayed every patriot:
as great as Gov. Johntone would insinuate, the King of Great Britain has noth-

ing in his gift that would tempt me."
At the election held for President, the choice feH upon Joseph Reed, with
George Bryan Yice President, subsequently Matthew Smith, and finally William Moore. Reed was an erudite lawyer, and had held the positions of Private Secretary to Washington, and subsequently Adjutant General of the
army. He was inaugurated on the 1st of December, 1778. Upon the return
of the patriots to Philadelphia, after the departure of the British, a bitter
feeling existed between them and the tories who had remained at their homes,
and had largely profited by the British occupancy. The soldiers became demonstrative, especially against those lawyers who had defended the tories in
court.
Some of those most obnoxious took refuge in the house of James WilPrivate soldiers, in jmssing, fired upon it,
son, a signer of the Declaration.
and shots were returned whereby one was killed and several wounded. The
President on being informed of these proceedings, rode at the head of the

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Ill

and dispersed the assailants, captui'ing the leaders. The Academy
and College of Philadelphia required by its charter an oath of allegiance to
the King of Great Britain.
An act was passed November 27, 1779, abrogating
the former charter, and vesting its property in a new board.
An endowment
from confiscated estates was settled ni)on it of £15,000 annually. The name
of the institution was changed to the " University of the State of Pennsylcity troop,

vania."

France was now aiding the American cause with money and large land
and naval forces. While some of the patriots remained steadfast and were
disposed to sacrifice and endure all for the success of the struggle, many, who
should have been in the ranks rallying around Washington, had grown lukewarm. The General was mortified that the French should come across the
ocean and make great sacrifices to help us, and should find so much indifference prevailing among the citizens of many of the States, and so few coming
forward to fill up the decimated ranks.
At the request of Washington, President Eeed was invested with extraordinary powers, in 1780, which were used
prudently but effectively.
During the winter of this year, some of the veteran
soldiers of the Pennsylvania line mutinied and commenced the march on
Philadelphia with arms in their hands.
Some of them had just cause. They
had enlisted for "three years or the war," meaning for three years unless
the war closed sooner.
But the authorities had interpreted it to mean, thre©
years, or as much longer as the war should last.
President Reed immediately
rode out to meet the mutineers, heard their cause, and pledged if all would return to camp, to have those who had honorably served out the full term of
three years discharged, which was agreed to.
Before the arrival of the President, two emissaries from the enemy who had heard of the disaffection, cam©
into camp, offering strong inducements for them to continue the revolt.
But
the mutineers spurned the offer, and delivered them over to the officers, by
whom they were tried and executed as spies. The soldiers who had so patriotically arrested and handed over these messengers were offered a reward of fifty
guineas; but they refused it on the plea that they were acting under authority
of the Board of Sergeants, under whose order the mutiny was being conducted.
Accordingly, a hundred guineas were offered to this board for their fidelity.
Their answer showed how conscientious even mutineers can be: "It was not
for the sake, or through any expectation of reward; but for the love of our
country, that we sent the spies immediately to Gen. Wayne; we therefore
do not consider ourselves entitled to any other reward but the love of our
coimtry, and do jointly agree to accept of no other."
William Moore was elected President to succeed Joseph Reed, from November 14, 1781, but held the office less than one year, the term of three years
for which he had been a Councilman having expired, which was the limit of
James Potter was chosen Vice President. On account of the hostile
service.
attitude of the Ohio Indians, it was decided to call out a body of voluTiteers,
numbering some 400 from the counties of Washington and Westmoreland,
where the outrages upon the settlers had been most sorely felt, who chose for
their commander Col. William Crawfoi-d, of Westmoreland.
The expedition
met a most unfortunate fate. It was defeated and cut to pieces, and the
Crawford County, which was
leader taken captive and burned at the stake.
settled very soon afterward, was named in honor of this unfortunate soldier.
In the month of November, intelligence was communicated to the Legislature
that Pennsylvania soldiers, confined as prisoners of war on board of the Jersey, an old hulk h ing in the New York Harbor, were in a starving condition,
receiving at the hands of the enemy the most barbarous and inhuman treat-

112

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Fifty barrels of flour and 300 bushels of potatoes were immediately
ment.
sent to them.
In the State election of 1782, contested with great violence, John Dickinson was chosen President, and James Ewing Vice President. On the 12th of
March, 1788, intelligence was first received of the signing of the preliminary
treaty in which independence was acknowledged, and on the 11th of April
Congress sent forth the joyful proclamation ordering a cessation of hostilities.
The soldiers of Burgoyne, who had been confined in the prison camp at Lancaster, were put upon the march for New York, passing through Philadelphia
on the way. Everywhere was joy unspeakable. The obstructions were removed from the Delaware, and the white wings of commerce again came flutIn June, Pennsylvania soldiers, exasperated by delay
tering on every breeze.
in receiving their pay and their discharge, and impatient to return to their
homes, to a considerable number marched from their camp at Lancaster, and
arriving at Philadelphia sent a committee with arms in their hands to the
State House door with a remonstrance asking permission to elect officers to
command them for the redress of their grievances, their own having left them,
and employing threats in case of refusal. These demands the Council rejected.
The President of Congress, hearing of these proceedings, called a special session, which resolved to demand that the militia of the State should be called
out to quell the insurgents.
The Council refused to resort to this extreme
measure, when Congress, watchful of its dignity and of its supposed supreme
authority, left Philadelphia and established itself in Princeton, N. J., and
though invited to return at its next session, it refused, and met at Annapolis.
In October, 1784, the last treaty was concluded with the Indians at Fort
Stanwix. The Commissioners at this conference purchased from the natives
all the land to the north of the Ohio River, and the line of Pine Creek, which
completed the entire limits of the State with the exception of the triangle at
Erie, which was acquired from the United States in 1792.
This purchase
was confirmed by the Wyandots and Delawares at Fort Mcintosh January 21,
178"), and the grant was made secure.
In September, 1785, after a long absence in the service of his country
abroad, perfecting treaties, and otherwise establishing just relations with other
nations, the venerable Benjamin Franklin, then nearly eighty years old, feeling the infirmities of age coming upon him, asked to be relieved of the duties
of Minister at the Court of France, and returned to Philadelphia.
Soon after
his arrival, he was elected President of the Council.
Charles Biddle was
elected Vice President.
It was at this period that a citizen of Pennsylvania,
John Fitch, secured a patent on his invention for propelling boats by steam.
In May, 1787, the convention to frame a constitution for the United States
met iu Philadelphia. The delegation from Pennsylvania was Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Thomas Mifflin, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared
Ingeraoll, James Wilson and Gouverneur Morris.
Upon the completion of
their work, the instrument was submitted to the several States for adoption. A
convention was called in Pennsylvania, which met on the 21st of November, and
though encountering resolute opposition, it was finally adopted on the 12th of DeOn the following day, the convention, the Supreme Council and ofiicember.
cers of the State and city government, moved in procession to the old court
house, where the adoption of the constitution was formally proclaimed amidst
the booming of cannon and the ringing of bells.
On the 5th of November, 1788, Thomas Mifflin was elected President, and
George Ross Vice President. The constitution of the State, framed in and
adapted to the exigencies of an emergency, was ill suited to the needs of State

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

114

Accoi'dingly, a convention assembled for
its relations to the new nation.
the pvirpose of preparing a new constitution in November, 1789, which was
By the provisions of this instrument,
finally adopted on September 2, 1790.
the Executive Council was abolished, and the executive duties were vested in
Legislation was intrusted to an Assembly and a
the hands of a Governor.
Senate.
The judicial system was continued, the terms of the Judges extending through good behavior.
in

CHAPTER

XIII.

Thomas Mifflin, 1788-99— Thomas McKean, 1799-1808— Simon Snyder, 1808-17—
William Findlay, 1817-20— Joseph Heisteu, 1820-23— John A. Shulze, 1823
-29— George Wolfe, 1829-35— Joseph Ritner, 1835-39.

THE
Thomas

under the new Constitution resulted in the choice of
who was re-elected for three successive terms, giving him
the distinction of having been longer in the executive chair than any other
A system of internal improvements was now
person, a period of eleven years.
commenced, by which vast water communications were undertaken, and a mountain of debt was accumulated, a portion of which hangs over the State to this
In 1793, the Bank of Pennsylvania was chartered, one-third of the capday.
Branches were established
ital stock of which was subscribed for by the State.
The branches
at Lancaster, Harrisburg, Reading, Easton and Pittsburgh.
were discontinued in 1810; in 1843, the stock held by the State was sold, and
In 1793, the yellow fever visited Philain
1857, it ceased to exist.
It was deadly in its effects and produced a panic unparalleled.
delphia.
Gov. Mifflin, and Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the United States Treasury,
were attacked. " Men of affluent fortunes, who gave daily employment and
subsistence to hundreds, were abandoned to the care of a negro after their
wives, children, friends, clerks and servants had fled away and left them to
their fate.
In some cases, at the commencement of the disorder, no money
Many of the poor perished without a hucould procure proper attendance.
man being to hand them a drink of water, to administer medicines, or to perform any charitable office for them. Nearly 5,000 perished bv this wasting
first

election
Mifflin,

pestilence.

The whisky insurrection in some of the western counties of the State,
which occurred in 1794, excited, by its lawlessness and wide extent, general
An act of Congress, of March 3, 1791, laid a tax on distilled spirits
interest.
The then counties of Washington, Westmoreland,
of four pence per gallon.
Allegheny and Fayette, comprising the southwestern quarter of the State,
were almost exclusively engaged in the production of grain. Being far removed from any market, the product of their farms brought them scarcely any
returns.
The consequence was that a large proportion of the surplus grain
was turned into distilled spirits, and nearly every other farmer was a distiller.
This tax was seen to bear heavily upon them, from which a non- producer of
spirits was relieved.
A rash determination was formed to resist its collection,
and a belief entertained, if all were united in resisting, it would be taken ofi:.
Frequent altercations occurred between the persons appointed United States
Collectors and these resisting citizens.
As an example, on the 5th of Septem-

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

115

ber, 1791, a party in disguise set upon Robert Johnson, a Collector fur Allegheny and Washington, tarred and feathered him, cut o£f his hair, took away
his horse, and left him in this plight to proceed.
Writs for the arrest of the
perpetrators were issued, but none dared to venture into the territory to serve
them. On May 8, 1792, the law was modified, and the tax reduced. In September, 1792, President Washington issued his proclamation commanding all persons to submit to the law, and to forbear from further opposition. But these measures had no effect, and the insurgents began to organize for forcible resist-

ance.

One Maj. Macfarlane, who

in

command

of a party of insurrectionists,

was killed in an encounter with United States soldiers at the house of Gen.
Neville.
The feeling now ran very high, and it was hardly safe for any person to breathe a whisper against the insurgents throughout all this district.
" A breath," says Brackenridge, " in favor of the law, was sufficient to ruin
any man. A clergyman was not thought orthodox in the pulpit unless against
the law.
A physician was not capable of administering medicine, unless his
principles were right in this respect.
A lawyer could get no practice, nor
a merchant at a country store get custom if for the law.
On the contrary, to
talk against the law was the way to office and emolument.
To go to the
Legislature or to Congress you must make a noise against it.
It was the Shibboleth of safety and the ladder of ambition "
One Bradford had, of his own
notion, issued a circular letter to the Colonels of regiments to assemble with
their commands at Braddock's field on the Ist of August, where they appointed officers and moved on to Pittsburgh.
After having burned a barn, and
made some noisy demonstrations, they were induced by some cool heads to return.
These turbulent proceedings coming to the ears of the State and National authorities at Philadelphia, measures were concerted to promptly and
effectually check them.
Gov. Mifflin appointed Chief Justice McKean, and
Gen. William Irvine to proceed to the disaffected district, ascertain the facts,
and try to bring the leaders to justice. President Washington issued a proclamation commanding all persons in arms to disperse to their homes on or before the 1st of September, proximo, and called out the railitia'of four States
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia to the number of 13,000
men, to enforce his commands. The quota of Pennsylvania was 4,500 infantry, 500 cavalry, 200 artillery, and Gov. Mifflin took command in person.
Gov. Richard Howell, of New Jersey, Gov. Thomas S. Lee, of Maryland, and
Gen. Daniel Morgan, of Virginia, commanded the forces from their States,
and Gov. Henry Lee, of Virginia, was placed in chief command. President
Washington, accompanied by Gen. Knox, Secretary of War, Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, and Richard Peters, of the United States District Court, set out on the Ist of October, for the seat of the disturbance.
On
Friday, the President reached Harrisburg, and on Saturday Carlisle, whither
the army had preceded him.
In the meantime a committee, consisting of
James Ross, Jasper Yeates and William Bradford, was appointed by President
Washington to proceed to the disaffected district, and endeavor to persuade
misguided citizens to return to their allegiance.
A meeting of 260 delegates from the four counties was held at Parkinson's
Ferry on the 14th of August, at which the state of their cause was considered,
resolutions adopted, and a committee of sixty, one from each county, was appointed, and a sub-committee of twelve was named to confer with the United
States Commissioners, McKean and Irvine.
These conferences with the State
and National Committees were successful in arranging preliminary conditions
of settlement.
On the 2d of October, the Committee of Safety of the insurgents, met at Parkinson's Ferry, and having now learned that a well-organized

—

—

116

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

army, with Washington at its head, was marching westward for enforcing
obedience to the laws, appointed a committee of two, William Findley and
David Reddick, to meet the President, and assure bim that the disaffected were
They met Washington at Carlisle, and sevdisposed to return to their duty.
eral conferences were held, and assurances given of implicit obedience; but
the President said that as the troops had been called out, the orders for the
march would not be countermanded. The President proceeded forward on the
11th of October to Chambersburg, reached Williamsport on the 13th and Fort
Cumberland on the 14th, where he reviewed the Virginia and Maryland forces,
and arrived at Bedford on the 19th. Remaining a few days, and being satisfied that the sentiment of the people had changed, he returned to Philadelphia, arriving on the 28th, leaving Gen. Lee to meet the Commissioners and
make such conditions of pacification as should seem just. Another meeting of
the Committee of Safety was held at Parkinson's Ferry on the 24th, at which
assurances of abandonment of opposition to the laws were received, and the
same committee, with the addition of Thomas Morton and Ephriam Douglass,
was directed to return to headquarters and give assurance of this disposition.
They did not reach Bedford until after the departure of Washington. But at
Uniontown they met Gen. Lee, with whom it was agreed that the citizens
of these four counties should subscribe to an oath to support the Constitution
and obey the laws. Justices of the Peace issued notices that books were op-^ned
for subscribing to the oath, and Gen. Lee issued a judicious address urging
ready obedience. Seeing that all requirments were being faithfully carried
out, an order was issued on the 17th of November for the return of the army
and its disbandment. A number of arrests were made and trials and convictions were had, but all were ultimately pardoned.
With the exception of a slight ebulition at the prospect of a war with France
in 1797, and a resistance to the operation of the " Homestead Tax " in Lehigh,
Berks and Northampton Counties, when tiie militia was called out, the I'emainder of the term of Gov. Mifflin passed in comparative quiet. By an act
of the Legislature of the 8d of April, 1799, the capital of the State was removed to Lancaster, and soon after the capital of the United States to Washington, the house on Ninth street, which had been built for the residence of the
President of the United States, passing to the use of the University of Pennsylvania.

During the administrations of Thomas McKean, who was elected Governor
and Simon Snyder in 1808, little beyond heated political contests
marked the even tenor of the government, until the breaking-out of the troiibles which eventuated in the war of 1812.
The blockade of the coast of France
in 1806, and the retaliatory measures of Napoleon in his Berlin decree, swept
American commerce, which had hitherto preserved a neutral attitude and profited by European wars, from the seas. The haughty conduct of Great Britain
in boarding American vessels for suspected deserters from the British Navy,
under cover of which the grossest outrages were committed, American seaman
being dragged from the decks of their vessels and impressed into the English
in 1799,

induced President Jefferson, in July, 1807, to issue his proclamation
ordering all British armed vessels to leave the waters of the United States, and
forbidding any to enter, until satisfaction for the past and security for the
future should be provided for.
Upon the meeting of Congress in December,
an embargo was laid, detaining all vessels, American and foreign, then in
American waters, and ordering home all vessels abroad.
Negotiations were
conducted between the two countries, but no definite results were reached, and
in the meantime causes of irritation multiplied until 1812, when President
service,

117

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Madison declared war against Great

Britain,

known

as

the war of 1812.

Pennsylvania promptly seconded the National Government, +he message of
The national call
Gov. Snyder on the occasion ringing like a silver clarion.
for 100,000 men required 14,000 from this State, but so great was the enthuThe State force
siasm, that several times this number tendered their services.
was organized in two divisions, to the command of the first of which Maj
Gen. Isaac Morrell was appointed, and to the second Maj. Gen. AdamsonTanGunboats and privateers were built in the harbor of Erie and on the
nehill.
Delaware, and the defenses upon the latter were piit in order and suitable
armaments provided. At Tippecanoe, at Detroit, at Queenstown Heights, at
the River Raisin, at Fort Stephenson, and at the River Thames, the war was
Upon the water, Commodores Decatur, Hull,
waged with varying success.
Jones, Perry, Lawrence, Porter and McDonough made a bright chapter in
American history, as was to be wished, inasmuch as the war had been undertaken to vindicate the honor and integrity of that branch of the service. Napoleon, having met with disaster, and his power having been broken, 14,000 of
Wellington's veterans were sent to Canada, and the campaign of the next year
But at the battles of Oswego, Chippewa, Lundy's
was opened with vigor.
Lane, Fort Erie and Plattsburg, the tide was turned against the enemy, and
The act which created most alarm to
the country saved from invasion.
Pennsylvania was one of vandalism scarcely matched in the annals of warfare.
In August, 1814, Gen. Ross, with 6,000 men in a flotilla of sixty sails,
moved up Chesapeake Bay, fired the capitol, President's house and the various
oflfices

of cabinet ministers, and these costly and substantial buildings, the nationand all the records of the Government from its foundation were utterly

al library

destroyed. Shortly afterward, Ross appeared before Baltimore with the design
of multiplying his barbarisms, but he was met by a force hastily collected under
Gen. Samuel Smith, a Pennsylvania veteran of the Revolution, and in the brief
In the severe battle with the
engagement which ensued Ross was killed.
The fleet in the meancorps of Gen Strieker, the British lost some 300 men.
time opened a fierce bombardment of Fort McHenry, and during the day and
ensuing night 1,500 bombshells were thrown, but all to no purpose, the galIt was during this awful
lant defense of Maj. Armistead proving; successful.
night that IkTaj. Key, who was a prisoner on board the fleet, wrote the song of
It was in the adthe Star Spangled Banner, which became the national lyric.
ministration of Gov. Snydei in February, 1810, that an act was passed making
Harrisburg the seat of government, and a commission raised for erecting public
buildings, the sessions of the Legislature being held in the court house at Harrisburg from 1812 to 1821.
The administrations of William Findley, elected in 1817, Joseph Heister,
in 1820, and John Andrew Schulz in 1823, followed without marked events.
Parties became very warm in their discussions and in their management of poThe charters for the forty banks which had been passed in
litical campaigns.
a fit of frenzy over the veto of Gov. Snyder set a flood of paper money afloat.
The public improvements, principally in openiag lines of canal, were proseThese lines of conveyances were vitally needcuted, and vast debts incurred.
ful to move the immense products and vast resources of the State
Judge
Previous to the year 1820, little use was made of stone coal.
Obediah Gore, a blacksmith, used it upon his forge as early as 1769, and
found the heat stronger and more enduring than that produced by charcoal.
In 1791, Phillip Giuter, of Carbon County, a hunter by profession, having on
one occasion been out all day without discovering any game, was returning at
night discouraged and worn out, across the Mauch Chunk Mountain, when, in

...
...
..
..
..
..
..,.,
.

119

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TABLE SHOWING AMOUNT OF ANTHRACITE COAL PRODUCED IN
EACH REGION SINCE 1820.
Lyken's
Lehigh,
Tons.

Schuylkill.

Wyoming,

Tons.

Tons.

Valley,

Shamokin,

]

Total Tons.

etc.,

Tons.

1820.
1821...
1822...
1823...
1824.
1825...
1826.
1827...
1828.
1829.
1830...
1831...
1832.
1833.
1834.
1835...
1836.
1837.
1838..
1889..
1840..
1841.
1842.
1843.
1844.
1845..
1846.
1847.
1848..
1849.
1850.
1851.
1852.
1853.
1854..
1855.
1856..
1857.
1858..
1859.
1860.
1861..
1862..
1863..
1864.
1865.
1866..
1867.
1868.

365

365

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1869.,
1870..

1871.
1872.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.

1,073
2,240
5,823
9,541
28,393
31,280
32,074
30,232
25,110

41,750
40,966
70,000
123,001
106,244
131.250
148,211
223,902
213,615
221,025
225,313
143,037
272,540
267.793
377,002
429,453
517,116
633,507
670,331
781,656
690,456
964,224
1,072,136
1,054,309
1,207,186
1,284,113
1,351,970
1,318,541
1,380,030
1,628,311
1,821,674
1,738.377
1,351,054
1,894,713
2,054,669
2,040,913
2,179,364
2, .502, 054

2,507.582
1,929,523
3,172,916
2,285,707
3,873,339
3,705,596
3,773,836
2,834,605
3,854.919
4,332,760
3,237,449
4,595,567
4,463,221
5,294.676
5.689.437
6,113,809

1,480
1,128
1,567
6,500
16,767
31,360
47,284
79,973
89,934
81,854
209,271
252,971
226,692
339,508
432,045
530,152
446,875
463,147
475,091
603,003
573,273
700,200
874,850
1,121,724
1,295,928
1,650,831
1,714,365
1,683,425
1,782,936
2,229,426
2,517,493
2,551,603
2,957,670
3,318,5.55

3,289,585
2,985,541
2,902,821'

3,004,953
3,270,516
2,697,439
2,890,593
3,433,265
3,642,218
3,755,802
4,957,180
4,334,820
4,414,356
4,821,253
3,853,016
6,552,772
6,694,890
7,212,601
6,866,877
6,281,712
6 221,934
8,195,042
6,282,226
8,960,329
7,554.742
9,253,958
9.459,288
10,074,726

7,000
43,000
54,000
84,000
111,777
43,700

90,000
103,861
115,387
78,207
122,300
148,470
192,270
252,599
285,605
365,911
451,836
518,389
583,067
685,196
732,910
827,823
1.156,167
1,284,500
1,475,732
1,603,473
1,771,511
1,972,581
1,952,603
2,186,094
2,731,236
2,941,817
3,055,140
3,145,770
3,759,610
3,960,836
3,254.519
4,736,616
5,325,000
5.990,813
6.068,369
7,825,128
6,911,242
9,101,549
10,309,755
9,504,408
10,596,155
8,424,158
8,300.377
8,085,587
12,586,298
11,419,279
13,9.51.383

13.971.371
15,604,492

11,930
15,505
21,463
10,000
10,000
13,087
10,000
12,572
14,904
19,356
45,075
57,684
99,099
119,342
113,507
234,090
234,388
313,444
388,256
370,424
443,755
479,116
463,308
481,990
478,418
519,752
621,157
830,722
826,851
921,381
903,885
998,839

1,073
3,720
6,951
11,108
34,893
48,047
63,434
77,516
112,083
174,734
176,820
363,871
487,748
376,636
560,758
684,117
879,441
738,697
818,403

864,384
959,973
1,108,418
1,263,598
1,630,850
2,013,013
2,344,005
2,882,309
3,089,238
3,242,966
3,358,899
4,448,916
4,993,471
5,195,151
6,002,334
6.608,517
6, 927, .580

6,664,941
6,759.369
7,808,255
8,513,123
7,954,314
7,875,412
9,566,006
10,177,475
9,652,391
12,703,882
12.991,725
13,834,132
13,723,030
15,849,899
15,699,721
19,669,778
21,227,953
20,145,131
19,712,473
18,501,011
20,828,179
17,605,262
26,142,689
23,437,242
28,500,016
29.120,096
31,793,029

120

HISTORY O? PENNSYLVANIA,

the gathering shades he stumbled upon something which seemed to have a
This
glistening appearance, that he was induced to pick up and carry home.
specimen was takea to Philadelphia, where an analysis showed it to be a good
But, though coal was known to exist, no one knew
quality of anthracite coal.
how to use it. In 1812, Col. George Shoemaker, of Schuylkill County, took
nine wagon loads to Philadelphia. But he was looked upon as an imposter
He finally sold two loads for
for attempting to sell worthless stone for coal.
In
the cost of transportation, the remaining seven proving a complete loss.
1812, While & Hazard, manufacturers of wire at the Falls of Schuylkill, induced an application to be made to the Legislature to incorporate a company for the improvement of the Schuylkill, urging as an inducement the importance it would have for transporting coal; whereupon, the Senator from
that district, in his place, with an air of knowledge, asserted "that there was
no coal there, that there was a kind of black stone which was called coal, but
that it would not burn."
White & Hazard procured a cart load of Lehigh coal that cost them $1 a
Another
bushel, which was all wasted in a vain attempt to make it ignite.
cart load was obtained, and a whole night spent in endeavoring to make a fire
in the furnace, when the hands shut the furnace door and left the mill in de"Fortunately one of them left his jacket in the mill, and returning for
spair.
it in about half an hour, noticed that the door was red hot, and upon opening
The
it, was surprised at finding the whole furnace at a glowing white heat.
other hands were summoned, and four separate parcels of iron were heated
and rolled by the same fire before it required renewing. The furnace was
replenished, and as letting it alone had succeeded so well, it was concluded to
The
try it again, and the experiment was repeated with the same result.
Lehigh Navigation Company and the Lehigh Coal Company were incorporated
in 1818, which companies became the basis of the Lehigh Coal and NavigaIn 1820, coal was sent to Philadelphia
tion Company, incorporated in 1822.
by artificial navigation, but 365 tons glutted the market." In 1825, there
were brought by the Schuylkill 5,378 tons. In 1826, by the Schuylkill,
The stage of water being in16,265 tons, and by the Lehigh 31,280 tons.
sufficient, dams and sluices were constructed near Mauch Chunk, in 1819, by
which the navigation was improved. The coal boats used were great square
At first, two of these were
arks, 16 to 18 feet wide, and 20 to 25 feet long.
joined together by hinges, to allow them to yield up and down in passing over
Finally, as the boatmen became skilled in the navigation, several
the dams.
were joined, attaining a length of 180 feet. Machinery was used for jointing
the planks, and so expert had the men become that five would build an ark
and launch it in forty-five minutes. After reaching Philadelphia, these boats
were taken to pieces, the plank sold, and the hinges sent back for constructing
others.
Such were the crude methods adopted in the early days for bringing
In 1827, a railroad was commenced, which was completed
coal to a market.
This, with the exception of one at
in three months, nine miles in length.
Quincy, Mass., of four miles, built in 1826, was the fii'st constructed in the
United States. The descent was 100 feet per mile, and the coal descended by
gravity in a half hour, and the cars were drawn back by mules, which rode
down with the coal. "The mules cut a most grotesque figure, standing three
or four together, in their cars, with their feeding troughs before them, apparently surveying with delight the scenery of the mountain; and though they
preserve the most profound gravity, it is utterly impossible for the spectator
to maintain his.
It is said that the mules, having once experienced the comfort of riding down, regard it as a right, and neither mild nor severe measures

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

121

them to descend in any other way." Bituminous coal was discovered and its qualities utilized not much earlier than the anthracite. A tract
of coal land was taken up in Clearfield County in 1785, by Mr. S. Boyd, and
in 1804 he sent an ark down the Susquehanna to Columbia, which caused
much surprise to the inhabitants that " an article with which they were wholly
unacquainted should be brought to their own doors."
During the administrations of George Wolf, elected in 1829, and Joseph
Ritner, elected in 1835, a measure of great beneficence to the State was passed
and brought into a good degree of successful operation nothing less than a
broad system of public education.
Schools had been early established in
Philadelphia, and parochial schools in the more populous portions of the
State from the time of early settlement.
In 1749, through the influence of
Dr. Franklin, a charter was obtained for a
college, academy, and charity
school of Pennsylvania," and fi'om this time to the beginning of the present
century, the friends of education were earnest in establishing colleges, the
Colonial Government, and afterward the Legislature, making liberal grants
from the revenues accruing from the sale of lands for their support, the university of Pennsylvania being chartered in 1752, Dickinson College in 1783,
Franklin and Marshall College in 1787, and Jefferson College in 1802. Commencing near the beginning of this century, and continuing for over a period
of thirty years, vigorous exertions were put forth to establish county academies.
Charters were granted for these institutions at the county seats of
forty-one counties, and appropriations were made of money, varying from
$2,000 to $6,000, and in several instances of quite extensive land grants.
In
1809, an act was passed for the education of the "poor, gratis."
The Assessors in their annual rounds were to make a record of all such as were indigent, and pay for their education in the most convenient schools.
But few
were found among the spirited inhabitants of the commonwealth willing to
admit that they were so poor as to be objects of charity.
By the act of April 1, 1834, a general system of education by common
Unfortunately it was complex and unwieldy.
schools was established.
At the
next session an attempt was made to repeal it, and substitute the old law of
1809 for educating the " poor, gratis," the repeal having been carried in the
Senate.
But through the appeals of Thaddeus Stevens, a man alwa^ys in the
van in every movement for the elevation of mankind, this was defeated. At
the next session, 1836, an entirely new bill, discarding the objectionable features of the old one, was prepared by Dr. George Smith, of Delaware County,
and adopted, and from this time forward has been in efficient operation. It may
seem strange that so long a time should have elapsed before a general system of
education should have been secured.
But the diversity of origin and language, the antagonism of religious seats, the very great sparseness of population in many parts, made it impossible at an earlier day to establish schools.
In 1854, the system was improved by engrafting upon it the feature of th&
County Superintendency, and in 1859 by providing for the establishment of
twelve Normal Schools, in as many districts into which the State was divided,
for the professional training of teachers.
will induce

—

'

'

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

122

OHAPTEE

XIY.

R. Porter, 1839-45— Francis R. Shunk, 1845-48—William F. Johnstone
1848-53— William Bigler, 1852-55— James Pollock, 1855-58—William F.
Packer, 1858-61— Andrew G. Curtin, 1861-67— John W. Geary, 1867-73—
John F. Hartranft, 1873-78— Henry F. Hoyt, 1878-82— Robert E. Pat-

David

TISON, 1882.

1837, a convention assembled in Harrisburg, and subsequently in PhiladelINphia,
for revising the constitution, which revision was adopted by a vote of
of the chief objects of the change was the breaking up of
legislation." each bill being required to have
but one distinct subject, to be definitely stated in the title. Much of the patronage of the Governor was taken from him, and he was allowed but two terms
The Senator's term was fixed at three years.
of three years in any nine years.
The terms of Supreme Court Judges were limited to fifteen years. Common

the people.

One

what was known as "omnibus

Pleas Judges to ten, and Associate Judges to five. A step backward was taken
in limiting suffrage to ivhite male citizens twenty-one years old, it having preAmendments could be
viously been extended to citizens irrespective of color.
proposed once in five years, and if adopted by two successive Legislatures,
and approved by a vote of the people, they became a part of the organic law.
At the opening of the gubernatorial term of David R. Porter, who was
chosen in October, 1838, a civil commotion occurred known as the Buckshot
War, which at one time threatened a sanguinary result. By the returns,
Porter had some 5,000 majority over Ritnex', but the latter, who was the incumbent, alleged frauds, and proposed an investigation and revision of the
Thomas H. Burrows was Secretary of State, and Chairman of the
returns.
of the Anti-Masonic party, and in an elaborate address to the
Committee
State
''
let us treat
people setting forth the grievance, he closed with the expression
This
expression
defeated."
gave great
not
been
had
if
we
as
election
the
offense to the opposing party, the Democratic, and public feeling ran high
before the meeting of the Legislature. Whether an investigation could be had
would depend upon the political complexion of that body. The Senate was
clearly Anti-Masonic, and the House would depend upon the Representatives of
a certain district in Philadelphia, which embraced the Northern Liberties.
The returning board of this district had a majority of Democrats, who proceeded to throw out the entire vote of Northern Liberties, for some alleged
Whereupon, the minorirregularities, and gave the certificate to Democrats.
ity of the board assembled, and counted the votes of the Northern Liberties,
which gave the election to the Anti-Masonic candidates, and sent certificates
By right and justice, there is no doubt that the Anti-Masons
accordino-ly.
But the majority of a returning board alone have
elected.
fairly
were
authority to make returns, and the Democrats had the certificates which bore
prima facie evidence of being correct, and should have been received and
transmitted to the House, where alone rested the authority to go behind the
But upon the meeting oE the House
returns and investigate their correctness.
the Secretary of the Commonwealth sent in the certificates of the minority of
the returnino- board of the Northern Liberties district, which gave the majorBut the Democrats were not disposed to submit, and
ity to the Anti -Masons.

HISTORY OF PENx\SYLVANIA.

123

the consequence was that two delegations from the disputed district appeared,
demanding seats, and upon the organization, two Speakers were elected and
took the platform Thomas S. Cunningham for the Anti- Masons, and William Hopkins for the Democrats. At this stage of the game, an infuriated
lobby, collected from Philadelphia and surrounding cities, broke into the
two Houses, and, interrupting all business, threatened the lives of members,
and compelled them to seek safety in flight, when they took uncontrolled possession of the chambers and indulged in noisy and impassioned harangues.
From the capitol, the mob proceeded to the court house, where a "committee
of safety" was appointed.
For several days the members dared not enter
either House, and when one of the parties of the House attempted to assemble,
the person who had been appointed to act as Speaker was forcibly ejected. All
business was at an end, and the Executive and State Departments were closed.
At this juncture, Gov. Ritner ordered out the militia, and at the same time
called on the United States authorities for help.
The militia, under Gens.
Pattison and Alexander, came promptly to the rescue, but the President refused
to furnish the National troops, thovigh the United States storekeeper at the
Frankford Arsenal turned over a liberal supply of ball and 6mcA;s/io^ cartridges.
The arrival of the militia only served to fire the spirit of the lobby, and they
immediately commenced drilling and organizing, supplying themselves with
arms and fixed ammunition. The militia authorities were, however, able to
clear the capitol, when the two Houses assembled, and the Senate signified the
willingness to recognize that branch of the House presided over by Mr. Hopkins.
This ended the difficulty, and Gov. Porter was duly inaugurated.
Francis R. Shunk was chosen Governor in 1845, and during his term of
Two volunteer regiments, one under
office the war with Mexico occurred.
command of Col. Wynkoop, and the other under Col. Roberts, subsequently
Col. John W. Geary, were sent to the field, while the services of a much
larger number were offered, but could not be received.
Toward the close of
his first term, having been reduced by sickness, and feeling his end approaching, Gov. Shunk resigned, and was succeeded by the Speaker of the Senate,
William F. Johnston, who was duly chosen at the next annual election. During the administrations of William Bigler, elected in 1851, James Pollock in
1854, and William F. Packer in 1857, little beyond the ordinary coiu'se of
The lines of public works undertaken
events marked the history of the State.
Their cost had been enormous,
at the expense of the State were completed.
and a debt was piled up against it of over $40,000,000. These works, vastly
expensive, were still to operate and keep in repair, and the revenues therefrom
failing to meet expectations, it was determined in the administration of Gov.
Pollock to sell them to the highest bidder, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company purchasing them for the sum of $7,500,000.
In the administration of Gov. Packer, petroleum was first discovered in
quantities in this country by boring into the bowels of the earth.
From the
earliest settlement of the country it was known to exist.
As early as July 18,
1627, a French missionary, Joseph Delaroche Daillon, of the order of Recoldescribed it in a letter published in 1G32, in Segard's L'Histoire du
lets,
Canada, and this description is confirmed by the journal of Charlevois, 1721.
Fathers Dollier and Galinee, missionaries of Ifhe order of St. Sulpice, made a
map of this section of country, which they sent to Jean Talon, Intendent of
Canada, on the 10th of November, 1670, on which was marked at about the
point where is now the town of Cuba, N. Y. "Fontaine de Bitume."
The
Earl of Belmont, Governor of New York, instructed his chief engineer,
Wolfgang W. Romer, on September 8, 1700, in his visit to the Six Nations,

—

,

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

124
"

To go and view a well or spring which is eight miles beyond the Seneks'
farthest castle, which they have told me blazes up in a flame, when a lighted
coale or firebrand is put into it; you will do well to taste the said water, and
Thomas Chagive me your opinion thereof, and bring with you some of it."
bert de Joncaire, who died in September, 1740, is raentiooed in the journal of
Charlevoix of 1721 as authority for the existence of oil at the place mentioned
The following
above, and at points further south, probably on Oil Creek.
account of an event occurring during the occupancy of this part of the State
given as an example of the religious uses made of oil by the
fire dances are understood to have been annually celebrated:
"While descending the Allegheny, fifteen leagues below the mouth of the
Connewango (Warren) and three above Fort Venango (Oil City), we were
invited by the chief of the Seneeas to attend a religious ceremony of his tribe.
We landed and drew up our canoes on a point where a small stream entered
the river.
The tribe appeared unusually solemn. We marched up the stream
about a half a league, where the company, a large band it appeared, had
Gigantic hills begirt us on every side. The
arrived some days before us.
The great chief then recited the conquests and
scene was really sublime.
heroisms of their ancestors.
The surface of the stream was covered with a
The oil had been
thick scum, which burst into a complete conflagration.
At sight of the flames, the Indians gave
gathered and lighted with a torch.
forth a triumphant shout, and made the hills and valley re-echo again."
In nearly all geographies and notes of travel published during the early
period of settlement, this oil is referred to, and on several maps the word petroleum appears opposite the mouth of Oil Creek. Gen. Washington, in his will,
in speaking of his lands on the Great Kanawha, says: " The tract of which the
125 acres is a moiety, was taken up by Gen. Andrew Lewis and myself, for and
on account of a bituminous spring which it contains of so inflammable a nature as to burn as freely as spirits, and is as nearly difficult to extinguish.
Mr. Jefferson, in his Notes on Virginia, also gives an account of a burning
This oil not only seems
spring on the lower grounds of the Great Kanawha.
to have been known, but to have been systematically gathered in very early
times.
Upon the flats a mile or so below the city of Titusville are many acres
of cradle holes dug out and lined with split logs, evidently constructed for
the purpose of gathering it.
The fact that the earliest inhabitants could
never discover any stumps from which these logs were cut, and tho further fact
that trees are growing of giant size in the midst of these cradles, are evidences
that they must have been operated long ago.
It could not have been the work
of any of the nomadic Indian tribes found here at the coming of the white
man, for they were never known to undertake any enterprise involving so
much labor, and what could they do with the oil when obtained.
The French could hardly have done the work, for we have no account of
the oil having been obtained in quantities, or of its being transported to
France.
May this not have been the work of the Mound- Builders, or of colonies from Central America?
When the writer first visited these pits, in 1855,
he found a spring some distance below Titusville, on Oil Creek, where the
water was conducted into a trough, from which, daily, the oil, floating on its
surface, was taken off" by throwing a woolen blanket upon it, and then wringing it into a tub, the clean wool absorbing the oil and rejecting the water, and
in this way a considerable quantity was obtained.
In 1859, Mr. E. L. Drake, at first representing a company in New York,
commenced drilling near the spot where this tub was located, and when the
company would give him no more money, straining his own resources, and his

by the French

is

Indians, as these

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

125

credit with his friends almost to the breaking point, and when about to give
From this time
in despair, finally struck a powerful current of pure oil.
forward, the territory down the valley of Oil Creek and up all its tributaries
was rapidly acquired and developed for oil land. In some places, the oil was
sent up with immense force, at the rate of thousands of barrels each day, and
In
great trouble was experienced in bringing it under control and storing it.
some cases, the force of the gas was so powerful on being accidentally fired,
as to defy all approach for many days, and lighted up the forests at night
with billows of light.
The oil has been found in paying quantities in McKean, Warren, Forest,
Crawford, Venango, Clarion, Butler and Armstrong Counties, chiefly along
It
the upper waters of the Allegheny River and its tributary, the Oil Creek.
was first transported in barrels, and teams were kept busy from the first dawn
until far into the night.
As soon as practicable, lines of railway were conFinally barrels gave place to imstructed from nearly all the trunk lines.
mense iron tanks riveted upon cars, provided for the escape of the gases, and
later great pipe lines were extended from the wells to the seaboard, and to the
Great Lakes, through which the fluid is forced by steam to its distant destinations
Its principal uses are for iilimaination and lubricating, though many
of its products are employed in the mechanic arts, notably for dyeing, mixing
Its production has grown to be
of paints, and in the practice of medicine.
give an exenormous, and seems as yet to show no sign of diminution.
hibit of the annual production since its discovery, compiled for this work by
William H. Siviter, editor of the Oil City Derrick, which is the acknowledged
authority on oil matters:
Production of the Pennsylvania Oil Fields, compiled from the Derrick^s

up

We

Hand-book, December, 1883:
Barrels.

1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872

82,000
500,000
2,113,000
3,056,606
2,611,399
2.116,182
3.497,712
3,597,512
3,347,306
3, 715, 741
4,186,475
5,308,046
5,278,076
6,505,774

Barrels.

1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883

A grand total of

9,849,508
...11,102,114
8,948,749
9,142,940
13,052,713
15,011,425
20.085,716
24,788,950
29,674,458
31, 789, 190
24,385,966

243,749,558

In the fall of 1860, Andrew G. Curtin was elected Governor of Pennsylvania, and Abraham Lincoln President of the United States.
An organized
rebellion, under the specious name of secession, was thereupon undertaken,
embracing parts of fifteen States, commonly designated the Slave States, and
a government established under the name of the Confederate States of America,
with an Executive and Congress, which commenced the raising of troops for
defense.
On the 12th of April, an attack was made upon a small garrison of United
This was rightly interpreted as the
States troops shut up in Fort Sumter.
first act in a great drama.
On the 15th, the President summoned 75,000 volunteers to vindicate the national authority, calling for sixteen regiments from
Pennsylvania, and urging that two be sent forward immediately, as the capital
was without defenders.
The people of the State, having no idea that war could be possible, had no

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

120

There chanced at the time to be five companies in
preparation for the event,
These were the Ringold Light Artillery,
a tolerable state of organization.
Capt. McKnight, of Reading; the Logan Guards, Capt. Selheimer, of Lewistown; the Washington Artillery, Capt. Wren, and the National Light Infantry, Capt. McDonald, of Pottsville; and the Allen Rifles, Capt. Yeager, of
Allentown.
On the 18th, in conjunction with a company of fifty regulars, on their way
from the West to Fort McHenry, under command of Capt. Pemberton, afterward Lieut. Gen. Pemberton. of the rebel army, these troops moved by rail
At Baltimore, they were obliged to march two miles through
for Washington.
At the center of the city, the regulars tiled
a jeering and insulting crowd.
off toward Fort McHenry, leaving the volunteers to pursue their way alone,
when the crowd of maddened people were excited to redoubled insults. In the
whole battalion there was not a charge of powder; but a member of the Logan
Guards, who chanced to have a box of percussion caps in his pocket, had distributed them to his comrades, who carried their pieces capped and half
cocked, creating the impression that they were loaded and ready for service.
This ruse undoubtedly saved the battalion from the murderous assault made
upon the Massachusetts Sixth on the following day. Before leaving, they were
pelted with stones and billets of wood while boarding the cars; but, fortunately,

none were seriously injured, and the train

tinally

moved away and

reached Washington in safety, the first troops to come to the unguarded and
imperiled capital.
Instead of sixteen, twenty-five regiments were organized for the three months'
Judging from the threatening attitude assumed
service from Pennsylvania.
by the rebels across the Potomac that the southern frontier would be constantly menaced, Gov. Curtin sought permission to organize a select corps^
to consist of thirteen regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery,,
and to be known as the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, which the Legislature, in
special session, granted. This corps of 15,000 men was speedily raised, and the
intention of the State authorities was to keep this body permamently within
the limits of the Commonwealth for defense. But at the time of the First
Bull Run disaster in July, 1861, the National Government found itself without troops to even defend the capital, the time of the three months' men being
now about to expire, and at its urgent call this fine body was sent forward and
never again returned for the execution of the duty for which it was formed,
having borne the brunt of the fighting on many a hard- fought field during the
three years of its service.
In addition to the volunteer troops furnished in response to the several
calls of the President, upon the occasion of the rebel invasion of Maryland in
September, 1862, Gov. Curtin called 50,000 men for the emergency, and
though the time was very brief, 25,000 came, were organized under command
of Gen. John F. Reynolds, and were marched to the border. But the battle of
Antietam, fought on the 17th of September, caused the enemy to beat a hasty
retreat, and the border was relieved when the emergency troops were disbanded and returned to their homes. On the 19th of October, Gen. J. E. B.
Stewart, of the rebel army, with 1,800 horsemen under command of Hampton,
Lee and Jones, crossed the Potomac and made directly for Chambersburg,
arriving after dark.
Not waiting for morning to attack, he sent in a flag of
truce demanding the surrender of the town.
There were 275 Union soldiers in
hospital, whom he paroled.
During the night, the troopers were busy picking
up horses swapping horses perhaps it should be called and the morning saw
them early on the move.
The rear guard gave notice before leaving to re-

—

—

a

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

move

12T

families from the neighborhood of the public buildings, as they inThere was a large amount of fixed ammunition in them,
fire them.
which had been captured from Longstreet's train, besides Government stores
of shoes, clothing and muskets. At 11 o'clock the station house, round house,
railroad machine
shops and warehouses were fired and consigned to
destruction.
The fire department was promptly out; but it was dangerous to
approach the burning buildings on account of the ammunition, and all
perished.
The year 1862 was one of intense excitement and activity. From about tha
1st of May, 1861, to the end of 1862, there were recruited in the State of Pennsylvania, one hundred and eleven regiments, including eleven of cavalry and
three of artillery, for three years' service; twenty-five regiments for three months;
seventeen for nine months; fifteen of drafted militia; and twenty-five called out
for the emergency, an aggregate of one hundred and ninety-three regiments
grand total of over 200,000 men a great army in itself.
In June, 1863, Gen. ttobert E. Lee, with his entire army of Northern Virginia, invaded Pennsylvania.
The Army of the Potomac, under Gen. Joseph
Hooker, follo\ved. The latter was superseded on the 28th of June by Gen. George
G. Meade. The vanguards of the army met a mile or so out of Gettysburg on the
Chambersburg pike on the morning of the 1st of July. Hill's corps of the
rebel army was held in check by the sturdy fighting of a small division of
cavalry under Gen. Buford until 10 o'clock, when Gen. Reynolds came to his
While bringing his forces into action, Reynolds
relief with the First Corps.
was killed, and the command devolved on Gen. Abner Doubleday, and the
fighting became terrible, the Union forces being greatly outnumbered.
At 2
o'clock in the afternoon, the Eleventh Corps, Gen. O. O. Howard, came to the
support of the First.
But now the corps of Ewell had joined hands with Hill,,
and a full two-thirds of the entire rebel army was on the field, opposed by
only the two weak Union corps, in an inferior position.
A sturdy fight was
however maintained until 5 o'clock, when the Union forces withdrew through
the town, and took position upon rising ground covering the Baltimore pike.
During the night the entire Union army came up, with the exception of the
Sixth Corps, and took position, and at 2 o'clock in the morning Gen. Meade
and staff came on the field. During the morning hours, and until 4 o'clock in
the afternoon, the two armies were getting into position for the desperate
struggle.
The Third Corps, Gen. Sickles, occupied the extreme left, his corps
abutting on the Little Round Top at the Devil's Den, and reaching, en echelon,
through the rugged ground to the Peach Orchard, and thence along the Emmettsburg pike, where it joined the Second Corps, Gen. Hancock, reaching
over Cemetery Hill, the Eleventh Corps, Gen. Howai'd, the First, Gen. Doubleday, and the Twelfth, Gen. Slocum, reaching across Culp's Hill
the whole
crescent shape.
To this formation the rebel army conformed, Longstreet opposite the Union left, Hill opposite the center, and Ewell opposite the Union
right.
At 4 P. M. the battle was opened by Longstreet, on the extreme left of
Sickles, and the fighting became terrific, the rebels making strenuous efforts
to gain Little Round Top.
But at the opportune moment a part of the Fifth
Corps, Gen. Sykes, was brought upon that key position, and it was saved to
the Union side.
The slaughter in front of Round Top at the wheat- field and
the Peach Orchard was fearful.
The Third Corps was driven back from its
advanced position, and its commander. Gen. Sickles, was wounded, losing a
leg.
In a more contracted position, the Union line was made secure, where it
rested for the night.
Just at dusk, the Louisiana Tigers, some 1,800 men,
made a desperate charge on Cemetery Hill, emerging suddenly from a hillock
all

tended to

—

—

—

128

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

The struggle was desperate, but the Tigers being
just back of the town.
weakened by the fire of the artillery, and by the infantry crouching behind the
stone wall, the onset was checked, and Carroll's brigade, of the Second Corps,
coming to the rescue, they were finally beaten back, terribly decimated. At
about the same time, a portion of E well's corps made an advance on the extreme Union right, at a point where the troops had been withdrawn to send to
the support of Sickles, and unopposed, gained the extremity of Culp's Hill,
pushing through nearly to the Baltimore pike, in dangerous proximity to the
reserve artillery and trains, and even the headquarters of the Union commander. But in their attempt to roll up the Union right they were met by
Green's brigade of the Twelfth Corps, and by desperate fighting their further
progress was stayed. Thus ended the battle of the second day. The Union left
and right had been sorely jammed and pushed back.
At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 3d of July, Gen. Geary, who had been
ordered away to the support of Sickles, having returned during the night and
taken position on the right of Green, opened the battle for the recovery of his
Until 10 o'clock, the battle raged
lost breastworks on the right of Culp's Hill.
The heat was intolerable, and the sulphurous vapor
with unabated fury.
The
liung like a pall over the combatants, shutting out the light of day.
fighting was in the midst of the forest, and the echoes resounded with fearful
The Twelfth Corps was supported by portions of the Sixth,
distinctness.
which had now come up. At length the enemy, weakened and finding themselves ovei'borne on all sides, gave way, and the Union breastworks were reComparative quiet now
occupied and the Union right made entirely secure.
reigned on either side until 2 o'clock in the aftei'noon, in the meantime both
The rebel leader havsides bringing up fresh troops and repairing damages.
ing brought his best available artillery in upon his right center, suddenly
opened with 150 pieces a concentric fire upon the devoted Union left center,
where stood the troops of Hancock and Doubleday and Sickles. The shock
was terrible. Rarely has such a cannonade been known on any field. For
Thinking that the Union line had been
nearly two hours it was continued.
broken and demoralized by this fire, Longstreet brought out a fresh corps of
some 18,000 men, under Pickett, and charged full upon the point which had
been the mark for the cannonade. As soon as this charging column came into
view, the Union artillery opened upon it from right and left and center, and
rent it with fearful effect.
When come within musket range, the Union
troops, who had been crouching behind slight pits and a low stone wall,
poured in a most murderous tire. Still the rebels pushed forward with a bold
face, and actually crossed the Union lines and had their hands on the Union
guns.
But the slaughter was too terrible to withstand. The killed and
wounded lay scattered over all the plain. Many were gathered in as prisoners.
Finally, the remnant staggered back, and the battle of Gettysburg was at an
end.
Gathering all in upon bis fortified line, the rebel chieftain fell to strengthening it, which he held with a firm hand. At night-fall, he put his trains
with the wounded upon the retreat. During the 4th, great activity in building works was manifest, and a heavy skirmish line was kept well out, which
resolutely met any advance of Union forces.
The entire fighting force of the
rebel army j'emained in position b'^hind their breastworks on Oak Ridge, until
nightfall of the 4th, when, under cover of darkness, it was withdrawn, and
before morning was well on its way to Williamsport.
The losses on the Union
side were 2,834 killed. 13,709 wounded, and 6,643 missing, an aggregate of
Of the losses of the enemy, no adequate returns were made. Meade
23,186.

—
HlSi'ORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

129

reports 13,621 prisoners taken, and the losses by killed and wounded must
have l)een greater than on the Union side. On the rebel side, Maj. Gens.
Hood, Pender, Trimble and Heth were wounded, Pender mortally. Brig.
Gens. Barksdale and Garnett were killed, anl Semms mortally wounded.
Brig. Gens. Kemper, Armistead, Scales, G, T. Anderson, Hampton, J. M.
Jones and Jenkins were wounded; Archer was taken prisoner and Pettigrew
was wounded and subsequently killed at Falling Waters. In the Union army
Maj. Gen. Reynolds and Brig. Gens. Vincent, Weed, Willard and Zook were
killed.
Maj. Gens. Sickles, Hancock, Doubleday. Gibbon, Barlow, Warren
and Buttertield, and Brig. Gens. Graham, Paul, Stone, Barnes and Brooke
were wounded. A National Cemetery was secured on the center of the field,
where, as soon as the weather would permit, the dead were gathered and carefully interied.
Of the enl.ire number interred, 3,512, Maine had 10-1; New
Hampshire, 49; Vermont, 61; Massachusetts, 159; Rhode Island, 12; Connecticut, 22; New York, 867; New Jersey, 78; Pennsylvania, 534; Delaware,
15; Maryland, 22; West Virginia, 11; Ohio, 131; Indiana, 80; Illinois, 6;
Michigan, 171; Wisconsin, 73; Minnesota, 52; United States Regulars, 138;
unknown, 979. In the center of the field, a noble monument has been erected, and on the 19th of November, 1864, the ground was formally dedicated,
when the eminent orator, Edward Everett, delivered an oration, and President
Lincoln delivered the following dedicatory address:
" Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that
all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing^
whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long enare met to dedidure.
are met on a great battle field of that war.
cate a portion of it as the final resting place of those who h^re gave their
It is altogether fitting and proper that we
3ives that this nation might live.
should do this. But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot conseThe brave men, living and dead, who
crate, we cannot hallow this ground.
struggled here have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract.
The world will little note nor long rememlwr what we say here, but it carts
never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work that they have thus far so nobly carried on>
It is ruther for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us
that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for whichthey here gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve
that the dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation shall, under God,
have a new birth of freedom, and that the government of the people, by the
people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth.'
So soon as indications pointed to a possible invasion of Ihe North by the
rebel army under Gen. Lee, the State of Pennsylvania was organized in two'
military departments, that of the Sasquohanna, to the command of whick
Darius N. Couch was assigned, with headquarters at Harri-sburg, and that of
the Monongahela, under W. T. H. Brooks, with headquarters at Pittsburgh.
Urgent calls for the militia were made, and large numbers in regiments, in
companies, in squadrons came promptly at the call to the number of over 36,000 men, who were organized for a period of ninety days.
Fortificationswere thrown up to cover Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, and the troops were movedi
to threatened points.
But before they could be brought into action, the great
decisive conflict had been fought, and Four regiments under Gen. Brooks were moved into Ohio to aid in arresting a
raid undertaken by John Morgan, who, with 2,000 horse and four guns, had
s
crossed the Ohio River for a diversion in favor of Lee.

We

We

—

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

-laO

In the beginning of July, 18G4, Gen. Early invaded Maryland, and made
Fearing another invasion of the
his way to the threshold of Washington.
Gen. Couch
State, Gov. Curtin called for volunteers to serve for 100 days.
was still at the head of the department of the Susquehanna, and six regiments
and six companies were organized, but as fast as organized they were called to
On the
the front, the last regiment leaving the State on the 29th of July.
evening of this day, Gens. McCa'usland, Bradley Johnson and Harry Gilmore,
with 3,000 mounted men and six guns, crossed the Potomac, and made their
way to Chambersburg. Another column of 3, (X)0, under Vaughn and Jackson
advanced to Hagerstown, and a third to Leitersburg. Averell, with a small
force, was at Hagerstown, but finding himself over-matched withdrew through
Lieat. McLean, with fifty men in front of McGreencastle to Mount Hope.
Causland, gallantly kept his face to the foe, and checked the advance at every
favorable point. On being apprised of their coming, the public stores at Chambersburg were moved northward. At six A. M., McCausland opened his batRinging the
teries upon the town, but, finding it unprotected, took possession.
court house bell to call the people together, Capt. Fitzhugh read an order to
the assembly, signed by Gen. Jubal Early, directing the command to proceed
to Chambersburg and demand $100,000 in gold, or $500,000 in greenbacks,
While this parley was in progress, hats,
and, if not paid, to burn the t(>wn.
caps, boots, watches, clothing and valuables were unceremoniously appropriated,
and purses demanded at the point of the bayonet. As money was not in hand
In less than a quarter
to meet so unexpected a draft, the torch was lighted.

of an hour from the time the first match was applied, the whole busisess part
No notice was given for removing the women and
of the town was in flames.
Burning parties were sent into each quarter of the town,
children and sick.
which made thorough work. With the exception of a few houses upon the
Retiring rapidly, the entire rebel
outskirts, the whole was laid in ruins.
command recrossed the Potomac before any adequate force could be gathered
to check its progress.

The whole number of soldiers recruited under the various calls for troops
from the State of Pennsylvania was 366,000. By authority of the commonwealth, in 1866, the commencement was made of the publication of a history
of these volunteer organizations, embracing a brief historical account of the
part taken by each regiment and independent body in every battle in which it
was engaged, with the name, rank, date of muster, period for which he enThis work was comlisted, casualties, and fate of every officer and private.
pleted in 1872, in five imperial octavo volumes of over 1,400 pages each.
In May, 1861, the Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania, an organization of the officers of the Revolutionary war and their descendants, donated
^500 toward arming and equipping troops. By order of the Legislature,
this sum was devoted to procuring flags for the regiments, and each organization that went forth, was provided with one emblazoned with the arms of the
commonwealth. These flags, seamed and battle stained, were returned at the
close of the war, and are now preserved in a room devoted to the purpose in
precious emblems of the daring and suffering of that great
the State capitol
army that went forth to uphold and maintain the integrity of the nation.
When the war was over, the State undertook the charge of providing for
all soldiers' orphans in schools located in different parts of its territory, furnishing food, clothing, instruction and care, until they should be grown to
manhood and womanhood. The number thus gathered and cared for has been
«ome 7,500 annually, for a period of nineteen years, at an average annual ex

—

pense of some $600,000.

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

131

At the election in 1866, John W. Geary, a veteran General of the late war.
was chosen Governor. During his administration, settlements wei*e made with
the General Government, extraordinary debts iDcurred dmnng the war were
paid, and a large reduction of the old debt of $40,000,000 inherited from the
A convention for a revision of the conconstruction of the canals, was made,
This convention assembled in
stitution was ordered by act of April 11, 1872.
Harrisburg November 13, and adjourned to meet in Philadelphia, where it
convened on the 7th of January, 1873, and the instrument framed was adopted
on the 18th of December, 1873. By its provisions, the number of Senators
was increased from thirty-three to fifty, and Representatives from 100 to 201,
subject to further increase in proportion to increase of population; biennial,
in place of annual sessions; making the term of Supreme Court Judges twentyone in place of fifteen years; remanding a large class of legislation to the action of the courts; making the term of Governor four years in place of three,
and prohibiting special legislation, were some of the changes provided for.
In January, 1873, John F. Hartranft became Governor, and at the election
in 1878, Henry F. Hoyt was chosen Governor, both soldiers of the late war.
In the summer of 1877, by concert of action of the employes on the several
lines of railway in the State, trains were stopped and travel and traffic were inAt Pittsburgh, conflicts occurred between
terrupted for several days together.
the railroad men and the militia, and a vast amount of property was destroyed.
The opposition to the local military was too powerful to be controlled, and
A force of regulars was
the National Government was appealed to for aid.
Unfortunately, Gov.
promptly ordered out, and the rioters finally quelled.
Hartranft was absent from the State at the time of the troubles.
At the election in 1882 Robert E, Pattison was chosen governor. The Legislature, which met at the opening of 1883, having adjourned after a session of
156 days, without passing a Congressional apportionment bill, as was required,

was immediately reconvened in extra session by the governor, and remained
in session until near the close of the year, from June 1 to December 5, without
an agreement upon a bill, and finally adjourned without having
This protracted sitting is in marked contrast to the session of that
early Assembly in which an entire constitution and laws of the province were
framed and adopted in the space of three days.
November 2, 1886, James A. Beaver was elected governor.

coming

to

passed one.

HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

132

TABLE SHOWING THE VOTE FOR GOVERNORS OF PENNSYLVANIA SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE.
1806.

182!).

1790.

Thomas

George Wolf
Joseph Kitiier
George E. Bauiu
Frauk R. Williams

27,725
2,802

Mifflin
Artiiur St. Clair

1793.

John W. Geary
Hiester Clymer

78,219
51,776
6

307,274
290,097

Giles Lewis

7

3
i8(iy.

Thomas
F. A.

18,590
10,706

Mifflin

Muhlenberg

1832.

George Wolf
Joseph Ritner

1796.

Thomas
F. A.

Muhlenberg

Joseph Ritner
Goorge Wolf.
Henry A. Muhlenberg

1,011

1799.

Thomas McKean

38,036
32,641

James Ross

David R. Porter
Joseph Ritner

James Ross, of Pittsburgh
James Ross

47,879
9,499
7,538

.John

T.J.
157,975

:!9,575

4,006
2

W.

Shields
Charles Nice

Francis R. Shunk
Joseph Markle

2
1

Julius J.

1811.

Simon Snyder
William Tighlman
Scatt'ring.no record for

52,319
3,609

whom

51,099
29,566

Isaac Wayne
G. Lattimer
J. R. Rust

910
4

William Findlay
Joseph Hiester
Moses Palmer

Aaron Hanson
John Seller
Seth Thomas
Nicholas Wiseman
Benjamin R. Morgan
William Tilghman
Andrew Gregg
,"*

Scattering (no record)

66,331
59,272
)

1
1

1

3
2
1

John A. Shulze
Nathaniel B. Boileau
Capt. Glosseader
John Gassender
Isaac

Wayne

10
2

146,081
128,148
11,247

3

William F. Johnston
Morris Longstreth
E. B.

Gazzam

Scattering (no record)

1851.
William Bigler
William F. Johnston

Kimber Cleaver

67,905
66,300
21

81,751
64,151

112
7,311

53
1

754
3
3
1

1

William Bigler
B. Rush Bradford
"

48
24

186,489
178,034
1,850

James Pollock

188,846
149,139
28,168

J.

Andrew Shulze

John Sergeant

George R. Barret
William Steel
F. P. Swartz
Samuel McFarland
George F. Horton

Scattering (no record)

12

F. Hartranft
Cyrus L. Pershing
R. Audley Brown
James S. Negley

Wendle
W. Brown

304,175
292,145
13,244
1

Phillip

1

J.

\

G. F. Reinhard
G. D.Coleman
James Staples

1
1
1

Richard Vaux

1

Craig Piddle
Francis W. Hughes
Henrv C. Tvler

1
1

1

Brown

I

George V. Lawrence

1

A. L.Brown

1

W.

D.'

1878.
H. M. Hoyt
Andrew H. Dill
Samuel R. Mason
Franklin H. Lane
S. Matson

319,490
297,137
81,758
3,753
2
1
1

R. L. Miller

1

H. Hopkins
A. G. Williams
Samuel H. Lane
John Fertig
James Musgrove
Silas M.Baily
J.

1

1
1
1

1
1

C. A.

Cornen

9
3

Seth

Yocum

1

A.

S.

Post

E. Orvis

1

1882.
Robert E. Pattison

James A. Beaver
John Stewart
Thomas A. Armstrong
Alfred C. Pettit
Scattering

355,791
315,589
43,743
23,996
5,196

36

1

George W. Woodward

1886.

1
1

1

7

1860.

Andrew G. Curtin
Henry D. Foster
A. G. Curtin

72,710
1,175
1,174

353,387
317,760
1,197

1

James A. Beaver
Chauncey F. Black
CharlesS. Wolfe
Robert J. Houston
Scattering

262,346
230,239

1863.
1826.

B.Chase

Edward
203,822
166,991
2,194

1857.

William F. Packer
David Wilmot
Isaac Hazlehurst

F. Hartrault
Charles R. Buckalen

John McKee
D. Kirk
168,522
168,225

1854.

James Pollock

1

George Bryan

160,322
156,040

Abijah Morrison

1

1833.

Andrew Shulze
Andrew Gregg
Andrew Shulze
John Andrew Shulze
Andrew Gragg
Andrew Greg
J.

1

1848.

1820.

Joseph Hiester
William Findlay

4

1,861
1

1817.

John

John
130 .")04
113,473
763
18

Lemoyne
George M. Keim
F. J.

1

1875.

1

Francis R. Shunk
.James Irvin
Emanuel C. Reigart

1

Robinson

William P. Schell

127,827

1847.

1,675

1814.

Simon Snyder

Lemoyne

John Haney
James Page

J.

1-J'_',::;21

1844.

j

Jack Ross
W. Tilghman

Banks

Lemoyne

George F. Horton
Samuel L. Carpenter
Ellis Lewis

290,552
285,956

D. Kelly

1872.

S.

1841.

David R. Porter

1808.

Simon Snyder
James R'>ss
John Spayd

94,023
65,804
40,586

1838.

1802.

Thomas McKean

W.
W.

1835.

30,020

Mifflin

John W. Geary
Asa Packer

91,335
88,165

269,506
254,171

John Hickman

1

Thomas M.Howe

1

412,285
3 9 r.34
32,458
4,835
dfi

PAET

II.

History of Columbia County,

X

A\^
-J

^^I'^J^.
^

History of Columbia County
CHAPTER

I.

GENEEAL TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
the
Pennsylvania may be generally divided
1TOPOGRAPHICALLY,
broad,
three great
region
— the southeastern

state of
divisions
of
fersection, a
tile valleys and scattered hills; the middle belt, some fifty miles wide and
two hundred and thirty miles long, consisting of peculiarly symmetrical mountain ranges and narrow valleys; and a high western plateau deeply seamed
by various water- courses.
This
It is with the middle belt that these pages are especially concerned.
region is separated fi'om the earlier settled jjortion of the state by the Kittatinny range, through which the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers force their
way along fertile valleys and rugged peaks to find their outlet to the sea. On
the north and west the limit of this middle belt is defined by the Allegheny
range, extending in a broad westward curve from the point where the lines of
New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania converge to the Maryland line in
.

into

Somerset county, where

passes out of the state.
readily divided into four distinct districts:
the Pocono wilderness, properly a part of the Catskill range, in the east; theanthracite coal region; the open country of the middle course of the Susquehanna; and the Juniata country. The mountain plateau on the western side of
the Delaware is clearly identified with the Catskill range, and while it losessomething of the high altitude of that range at the Hudson, it still retains itsrugged characteristics. It is still a mountain wilderness, where deep recesses
afford a safe retreat for wild animals, and laurel-fringed lakes supply the headsprings of the Lehigh.
Between the Delaware and Lehigh rivers this range
passes under the varying names of Poco, Pocono or Pohopoco, ending at the
last named river in the Nesquehoning mountain.
The anthracite region is a labyrinth of mountains, rising to elevations
ranging from eight hundred to one thousand feet from their bases, and dividing
this section into four generally recognized subdivisions.
These are known as
the Pottsville and Mine-Hill basins; the Shamokin and Mahanoy basins; theBeaver-Meadow mountain basins, and the Wilkesbarre and Scranton basins, or
Wyoming valley. In this region the coal measures are generally found in sharp,
rocky-sided ridges, which rise from the valleys to an elevation of some four
hundred or five hundred feet, though three well marked exceptions are found in
the small plateaus of Broad mountain, five miles wide and fifteen miles long,
which separates the Pottsville and Mahanoy basins; the Beaver-Meadow moun
it

The region thus defined may be

4

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTV.

wide and fifteen to twenty miles long, on top of which lie the
numerous little Lehigh coal basins, side by side; and the Nescopec mountain,
where it is crossed by the Lehigh valley railroads, and merges itself toward the
east in the Pocono plateau.
Each coal basin is found encircled by a great wall
of conglomerate, outside of which is found a trough or vale of red shale, outside of which again runs a second and still higher mass of white sandstone,
the outside flank of which is always fxirnished with a terrace of red sandstone.
The mountains of this region are still covered with the original forests, which
promise an abundant supply of timber for mining purposes so long as there
shall be any need of it.
The red shale valleys are slowly coming under cultivation, though, secluded as they are by their peculiar situation, their development must necessarily be slow. Here and there, however, they expand broadly
and are mf)re generally cultivated, as Lyken' s, Deep and Mahanoy valleys, which
together encircle the coal basins on the Susquehanna side Laurel valley,
drained by the Little Schuylkill; Catawissa valley, between the Mahanoy and
Beaver-Meadow coal regions; and Conyngham valley, watered by the Nescopec
" No scenery can excel these earthly paradises, when, from the sumcreek.
mits of the coal-bearing rocks, the spectator looks down upon the broad expanse of field, meadow and woodland, dotted with farm houses and barns; the
deep red of the newly turned soil in strong contrast with the verdure of growing crops and groves, and the whole landscape bounded by the outside mountain wall, rosy in June with the rhododendron in full bloom, far as the eye can
tain, eight miles

—

Teach.

'

Columbia county is thus found to lie wholly within the anthracite region
of the middle belt, though workable coal deposits have been developed within
its limits only in the Conynghanj valley.
Above the North Branch the territory of this county falls within the limits of what was originally called the
Wyoming valley. In its present restricted signification the name is usually
applied to a valley on the
North Branch, some twenty miles in length and
from three to four miles in width. In its broader application, it is used to
designate that part of the middle belt embraced within the forty-second degree
of north latitude, originally claimed and partly settled by Connecticut.
The
name is a corrui^tion of Manghu-auwama, an Indian term of the Delaware
dialect signifying " large plains,'^ and is a fair characterization of the locality
'

'

'

'

'

'

which

'

'

was ajiplied. For, though the valley is greatly diversified by hill
by upland and intervale, the broad river bottoms, extending in places
to a distance of two or three miles from the river, justify the Indian title.
Beginning where the Susquehanna emerges from a deep canon in the Allegheny range, the inclosing mountains recede, leaving broad spaces of fertile
bottom lands on either side extending toward the southeast, until the river and
valley of the Lackawanna is reached, when, turning somewhat abruptly to the
to

and

it

dale,

southwest, the course of the river continues uninterrupted until the hills close
in upon its course some twenty miles below Pittston.
Through Columbia and
Northumberland counties the valley again widens, but with less regularity
than in Luzerne, until the united branches reach the open country below.
Columbia county partakes of the broken character of the whole middle belt.
Few of its elevations, however, reach the grade of mountain altitudes, though
many of its hills afford a view of broad expanses of picturesque landscape. The
Catawissa mountain, rising in places to the height of one thousand five hundred
ieet, extends in a northwest direction from the Luzerne county line, separating
the townships of Beaver and Roaringcreek, to the village of Catawissa, where the
Susquehanna forces its way through a chasm probably formed by a convulsion
of nature. North of the river the range takes a more westerly coui-se and grad-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
iially loses its

5

mountainous character in Montour county. Dividing Locust and
is Little mountain with a parallel ridge south of it,

Conyngham townships

beyond which the Schuylkill region is reached. On the eastern side of the
county the Susquehanna valley is defined on the south by the Nescopec mountain, the estention of which follows the general direction of the river through
Luzerne.
At Mainville, the Catawissa riverfinds a passage way through this
range, beyond which the elevation is associated with the Catawissa mountain.
South of Nescopec, Scotch run forms the dividing line between it and McCauley mountain which, in turn, is separated by Beaver run from Buck
mountain in the soiatheast part of Beaver township. North of the river the
more important elevation takes its rise in Orange township and is known as
Extending - eastwardly the range divides, and
Knob or Nob mountain.
passes out of the county under the names of Huntingdon and Lee, forming
In Luzerne county, Huntingdon takes
the northern limit of the river valley.
the name of Shickshinny where it closely borders the Susquehanna, and is
pierced by the river at Charlestown just before it turns on its southwesterly
Lee mountain is pierced by the river in Salem township, of Luzerne
course.
Along the
county, and is known farther eastward as Wyoming mountain.
northern boundary of Sugar] oaf is the main ridge of the Alleghenys, which
here throws off a spur called Bald mountain.
Elsewhere in the county the surface is greatly broken by a succession of
hills of varying height and character, while winding about at their bases are
which are cultivated by the industrious
Fishing creek, with its numerous
their homes.
It takes
tributaries, is the sole di-ainage way of the county north of the river.
its origin in two branches, one of which enters the county from Lycoming at
the northern point of J ackson township, and the other through a gap in the

numerous runs, the
people

fertile slopes of

who have planted here

A little
mountains from Sullivan into Sugarloaf township, where they unite.
south of this point it receives Coles creek, and flowing southward receives
Continuing its course with little deflection it receives
West creek in Benton.
Huntingdon creek, which rushes along the base of the mountain bearing the
same name. Turning westward from this point it passes through the central
portion of Orange, receiving the waters of Green creek at this point, from
whence it follows an irregular course, forming the boundary line, in part separating Mount Pleasant and Orange, Bloom and Hemlock, and Montour and
Little
Bloom, and at last finding its outlet into the Susquehanna at Rupert.
Fishing creek enters the county from Lycoming, and, forming the separating
line of Jackson and Pine, Greenwood and Pine, Madison and Greenwood and
Mount Pleasant, and Hemlock and Mount Pleasant, joins the main creek at the
In
point where the lines of Hemlock, Bloom and Mount Pleasant converge.
its course. Little Fishing receives the waters of several mountain runs, such as
To complete the enumBlack, Late, Lick, Shingle, Spruce, Bear and Spring.
eration of the tributaries of Big Fishing, mention should be made of Painter's
run in Sugarloaf, Raven' s in Benton and Fishingcreek townships, Spencer in
Beside the Fishing,
Benton, Stony brook in Orange, and Hemlock in Madison.
the county north of the river is locally drained by several minor streams, which
find their outlet in the Susquehanna, Briar (called by the Indians, Kaicanishoning) creek, one branch rising in Center and the other in the township
bearing the same name, which unite near the village of Berwick and join the
river about two miles lower down; Cabin run, rising in Center and flowing a
direct covirse to the river, and Kinney's run, which empties at the foot of
Market street in Bloomsburg, which early served raftsmen as a designation for
the early settlement in Bloom.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

6

Soiitih of the Susqiieliauna, the region embraced within Columbia county is
The first
drained by the Catawissa, Roaring creek and the Ten Mile run.
named takes its rise in Schuylkill county, passes through the towhships of Beaver, Maine and Catawissa, reaching its outlet on the western line of the latter
Its principal tributaries are Beaver and Scotch runs, which form
township.
the dividing lines south and north, of McCauley mountain in Beaver township.
Roaring creek takes its rise in the township:) of the same name, meanders back
and forth across the line dividing Locust and Roaringcreek townships, and
taking a westerly course through Catawissa and Franklin, turns northward,
forming the western limit of the county for a short distance, and falling into
Its principal branches are
the river about three miles below the Catawissa.
the South Branch, which rises in Conyngham township, and after running
through its entire length, turns northward to form the western boundary of Locust, and joins the main stream six miles from its mouth; Mugser's run, rising
in Locust township and running westwardly, falls into the South Branch near
the Franklin line, and Mill creek, rising in Roaring creek township and emptying into the South Branch near Cherington's.
The general topography of the county is found closely connected with its
geological structure, its higher elevations being found where the Focono or
Pottsville conglomerates occur, low hills over the Catskill and Chemung area,
and valleys wherever the Hamilton, Lower Helderberg or Salina extend, while
the outcrop of the Oriskany and Clinton usually takes the form of ridges.
The rock exposure in Columbia is thus found to include only No. 5, and upward, of the Older Secondary system.
The geological structure of the state,
however, is marked by great complication of form and variety of quality and
The Lawrentian system, the oldest known to geologists, is represented
age.
in the South mountain, the Welsh mountain, and the Durham or Eastern hills.
The Huronian system, following next in age, has not been recognized in
Pennsylvania, but the Paleozoic or Older Secondary system beginning with
No. 1, the Potsdam sandstone, and terminating with No. 18, the Coal
Measures is magnificently developed through the entire state. The Mesozoie
or Middle Secondary system, which spreads itself thinly over the last, is found
in a belt of country embracing parts of Berks, Bucks, Lebanon, Lancaster,
York and Adams counties. The Kainozoic, or Tertiary system, lies outside of
the state, east of the Delaware river, in New Jersey, and forms the Atlantic
seaboard, while the Drift terraces of the Beaver and other rivers in the northwest quarter of the state must be assigned to the quaternary age, or the age
in which man appeared on the earth.
At least three notable changes in the relative levels of land and sea have conDurtributed to the characterization of the geological structure of the state.
ing the Protozoic ages Laicrentian and Huronian there was land and sea,
as the conglomerates, sandstones, mudrocks and limestones
all more or less
converted by pressure, moisture, heat and chemical action into gneiss and
granite, slate and marble
abundantly testify. Where the sea spread itself and
received its washings from the land is apparent; but where the land stood,
which bordered on, or rose from the depths of that s^a, is not discoverable. It
"^as in this period that the first of these great changes took place, preparatory
to the deposit of the Potsdam limestone. The existing formations were upturned,
eroded by the rivers, and deposited in the sea to be overlaid by the Paleozoic series.
The subterranean floor of Pennsylvania, like that of most of the
entire area of the United States, is formed of granite, gneiss, mica slate, and
marble, laying at various depths beneath the siarface, from one to twenty
thousand feet. Beneath the Anthracite coal basins, and the Broad Top coal

—

—

—

—

—

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

7

basins, wells might be sunk to the depth of more than seven miles before
reaching this subterranean floor.
At this distance would be reached the rocks

which form the Adirondack mountains of New York, the mountains of Labrador
and Canada, the hill country of Lake Superior, etc. These rocks are everywhere characterized by the presence of immense beds of magnetic and specular
iron ore and, no doubt, vast deposits of iron ore, exactly like those of lakes
Superior and Champlain, exist beneath every county of Pennsylvania, but at
depths which render them inaccessible. It is equally certain that the range of
these rocks which still shows itself above the surface fi*om Easton to Reading,
and from Carlisle to Harper's Ferry, was, in that early day, a range of mountains as high as the Alps or Andes are now.
The porosity of silica in these
rocks, however, and abundance of feldspar made th«ir erosion easy and rapid;
their peaks were tumbled piecemeal into the ravines; the ravines were deepened and widened into valleys, until nothing now remains of what was then
above the water level save what the explorer now discovers in these remains.
Standing like islands in a general ocean, their fragments were rolled by rivers
into the watery deep, forming the conglomerates and coarser sandstones of the
Paleozoic system along their shores, while their finer mud was floated far out to
sea.
Other agencies doubtless contributed to this result, such as earthquakes of
greater or less intensity, the great ocean bottom gradually subsiding as it received successive formations from the beginning to the end of the long Paleozoic era, which closed with the carboniferous bogs at the sea- level.
The second great change then took place. The ocean no longer deepened,
but the continent gradually rose into the air.
All further deposits became impossible, and the coal-beds, which were formed at the sea level, were lifted, in
some parts of middle Pennsylvania, to a height equal to the thickness of the
whole Paleozoic system that is, 35,000 feet, higher than the highest summits of the Himalayas.
In this movement the wet masses of the Paleozoic
strata were thrown into waves; di-ainage in various directions was established;

—

erosion began, hydi'ostatic pressure forced the sea-water to issue in innumerable springs, and with frost above, and the undermining floods below, began a
rapid work of destruction, which has lasted ever since.
Nearly the whole area
of the state, east of the Alleghenies, lost not only all its coal measures, but a
vast majority of all the mineral strata underneath them.
For scores of miles
the entire Paleozoic system was excavated and planed down to the limestone
(No. 11) at the base of the series, and along the center lines of some of the
valleys, the old Laicrentian surface cannot be more than a thousand feet below the present surface.
The destruction was greatest where the elevation
was greatest, along the middle belt of the Appalachian range, though western
Pennsylvania suffered somewhat in this general destruction.
Out of this general disintegration of Paleozoic formations were created
New Jersey and the tide- water country of Maryland and Virginia; and on the
western side, the lower half of Alabama and nearly the whole of Mississippi
and Louisiana. So that it appears that the Protozoic mountains were wasted
to form the Paleozoic rocks of the interior, and they, in turn, have been
wasted to form the Tertiary formations of the seabord.
Whether the elevation of the continent took place suddenly at the close of
the coal era, or somewhat before, and somewhat after that point of time, is not
known; but that the uprise was local over large areas is evident, as it left extensive regions of the western half of the American continent still under water.
In southeastern Pennsylvania an arm of the sea, with one cape at New York
and the other at Trenton, stretched itsolf np into the land across what are now
Berks, Bucks, Lebanon, Lancaster, Y'ork and Adams counties, penetrated to the-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

8

On
heart of Virginia and North Carolina, reaching the confines of Georgia.
the southeast side of this long salt-water bay ran the still lofty hill country of
the Philadelphia-Baltimore-Raleigh gold-bearing rocks; and on the other rose
Into this depression
the loftier range of the South mountain and Blue ridge.
were drained vast quantities of river sand and mud, charged with iron, forming the well-known brown building-stone of Newark and Norristown.
The third principal change in the relative level of land and sea was occasioned by the additional rise of the eastern borders of the American continent,
which drained this new red estuary, and elevated its brown beds to an unknown height in the air. At present, in spite of the destructive wear and tear
which their upper beds have suffered since this movement took place, some of
the rounded hill-tops stand as much as six hundred feet above the present
tide-level. This waste of the New Red has furnished material for the deposit of
Cretaceous and Tertiary formations of the seaboard, though the amount of erosion cannot be even estimated.
Beside the enormous amount of wear and tear of the elements, similar to
what may be observed in progress at the present time, the physical features of
the country owe their character very considerably to another powerful agency,
which, some forty years ago, was scarcely credited even by the well-informed.
This was the great northern glacier, extending hundreds of thousands of
The region of
square miles in area, and several thousand feet in thickness.
Hudson's bay has been suggested as the possible point of radiation, from
which the different glacial streams proceeded upon their southerly course, and,
from this or some other central point, a continu.ous ice- sheet advanced from
the north across the Laurentians, the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the successive mountain ranges of Pennsylvania.
Another lobe of the same ice-sheet
crossed Lake Erie, advancing into the western parts of the state, while the
main body probably covered the entire northeastern part of the continent.
The principal phenomena which afford a practical demonstration of this theory
are the scratched and polished rock surfaces over which the glacier passed, the
sha])ing and scratching of the fragments which were moved, and the transportation of boulders, which finally formed the moraines, now found regularly
These phenomena
deposited through the region of the glaciated district.
were first observed and studied among the Swiss glaciers, and the facts thus
obtained were found to be in general agreement with certain indications found
in the rocks of the American continent.
Other theories were, for a time, entertained, but one after another was found insufficient to account for the conditions presented, so that now, save a few who still cling to the floating iceberg theory, all scientists assent to the theory of a great northern glacier.
Many topographical changes were effected by this agency; valleys were filled
up, terraces were formed, rocks that were barren were covered with soil, minBy such
eral resources were buried, and the lines of drainage re-established.
means the economic character of the country was greatly changed, the glaciated
region being rendered favorable to the farmer, and unfavorable to the miner.
The general topography of the two regions, however, is very much alike, and
the dividing line is only to be discovered by a close observation of the surface
deposit.

These deposits may be generally divided into two classes, those occurring
The deposits of the
in the glaciated area, and those lying south of that area.
first class may be again divided into those made by ice and those made by
water and the deposits of the second class may be divided into those of a
In both classes of deposits the relafluviatile and those of oceanic origin.
tive elevation above tide is a notable feature, serving, in many cases, to mark
;

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

9

important distinctions, both as to age and origin.
The two classes of surface deposits meet one another in such river valleys as pass from the glaciated
into the non-glaciated region; and it is in such valleys that the relation of the
two classes of deposits to one another may be most satisfactorily studied.
The great Norihern Drift, as it has long been called by geologists, is a
scattered deposit of stones and clay, which, unlike the stratified gravels and
clays of the river valleys, is a confused mixtui-e irregularly dumped over the
ground, thick in some places and thin in others, and often unstratified and
unsorted by water.
It is an impure clay, filled with stones of all sizes and
shapes, generally rounded more or less, yet often sharp.
They lie at all
angles, confusedly mixed together, and upon close examination many of them
show fine striations. the majority of which are longitudinal. Large boulders
are scattered through and upon this deposit, and are often many feet in diamStratified gravelly deposits are also present in large quantity.
eter.
This unstratified deposit has been called by the Swiss geologists till, a term
which is used in the Pennsylvania reports to distinguish this unstratified stony
clay from various other diluvial and di-ift deposits, which occur in the region
covered by the Northern Drift, and which all overlie the till.
The term drift
is used to designate all detrital deposits which have been moved, by whatever
agent, from their original occurrence, including, among other kinds, glacial
drift river drift and frost drift, the latter term here designating such angular
drift as creeps down any declivity through the successive freezing and thawing
of the loose mass, aided by gravity.
The Northern Drift designates those detrital deposits which, in the northeastern parts of America and northwestern
parts of Europe, have generally been drifted in a southerly direction.
The
modified drift of some geologists is a general term, including such portions of
the Northern Drift as have been assoi-ted by water- action.
The till varies in depth from a mere sprinkling of boulders, by which it is
sometimes represented, to a depth of a hundred feet or more. In northwestern Pennsylvania it is in many places two hundred feet deep. In more western
states it is still deeper, a depth of three hundred feet having been reported in
certain parts of Indiana.
In eastern Pennsylvania, perhaps on account of the
inequality of the surface and the numerous mountain ranges, it is seldom
deep, and on many mountain sides is completely absent. It is usually abundant
in this section, however, at the heads of valleys and in other slight depressions, and is more abundant in valleys on the north side of a mountain rano-e
than on the south side.
"Where a deep cut exposes a fine section of till, the
lower portion is seen to be much more compact than the upper part, and of a
This is probably the original condition of the deposit before
bluish color.
being loosened and oxidized by atmospheric agencies.
The origin of the till has been explained in several ways, some holding
that it is a ground moraine, formed underneath the glaciers by its grinding
and abrasive action; some believing that large portions of it were dropped
from the end of the glacier as it melted; and others that it was formed of material beneath the glacier, but deposited mainly near its margin, where the ice
was less deep. The last view is probably more con-ect, for the upper portions
of the till, especially in the western states, fi-equently show water-action.
This deposit is in great part composed of local material, varying in composition with the geological character of the region.
The far transported boulders
lie, very fi-equently, at or near the surface of the till, as though dropped upon
it from the upper ice.
From the fact that the high summits in Pennsylvania
are rarely capped by till, but, on the other hand, often hold far- transported
boulders, it is inferred that the upper portions of the glacier were clean, bear-

10

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

ing only occasional boulders derived from a distance, while the bottom of the
ice-sheet was continually grinding up the underlying rock, and filling it up
with the debris.
The origin of the Philadelphia brick-clays may be found,
perhaps, in the muddy water which issued from the grinding base of the glacier.
When the glacier sent out lobes across a low country, or when it crossed
a great river valley, the till gives the strongest evidence of sub-glacial wateraction.
The stratified drift deposits of the great Mississippi valley, and the
sub- aqueous till of the St. Lawrence valley, indicate the presence of quantities of water circulating beneath the ice in those regions; but it cannot be
too strongly insisted upon that the till occurring in the mountainous districts
is unstratified and destitute of any trace of aqueous action.
Another and more conclusive evidence to the former presence of a continental glacier is found in the terminal moraine.
Every modern glacier pushes
up at its foot a ridge of detritus, composed of rounded, angular and striated fragments of rock, which the ice has taken up at various points along its course and
carried partly on top, partly below, to the point where the glacier comes to an
end.
It thus forms a terminal moraine, which may vary in elevation with the
foot of the glacier, and on high ground may show no signs of water-action.
Such a line is radically different from the level shore line of a body of water
whose beach, even if non-fossiliferous and covered by iceberg-borne boulders, is
mainly composed of stratified water-worn pebbles, and has terrace-like features quite unlike the rounded hummocks and interlaced ridges of a true

of Pennsylvania

moraine.

Large terminal moraines may be seen in several parts of the Rocky mounand these,, sometimes several hundred feet high, furnish undisputable
proofs of ancient glaciers.
Moraines, sometimes three hundred and fifty feet
in height, made up of angular debris and extending several miles out from the
base of the mountains, occur along the Sierra Nevada.
The moraines in the regions of South Park, Colorado, are very striking glacial features, and are even
more conclusive than strial or scratched boulders. In fact, a terminal moraine

tains,

may be regarded as the one

decisive proof of glaciation. By the discovery, therePennsylvania and in other portions of America of an immense terminal
moraine, which, as a nearly continuous ridge of unstratified and glaciated material, crosses alike mountains and valleys, and forms everywhere on high land
the boundary between the drift-covered and the driftless regions, the theory
that the Northern Drift was deposited by a glacier of immense extent is entirely
fore, in

confirmed.
In the study of the Swiss glaciers, it has been found that these great bodies of ice flow with a motion resembling that of a viscous body, the central
portion flowing more rapidly than the sides, and the upper layers faster than
the lower.
The laws of this motion have been discovered, and theories of its
cause enunciated by the great scientists, to the inestimable advantage of all
students of similar phenomena.
By reason of this onward and downward flow
of a Swiss glacier, any rock fragments which fall on its surface, or, which
are broken off by being frozen into the ice, are transported to the point in the
valley where the glacier comes to an end.
In this way a heap of detritus is
gradually dumped down at the terminus of the glacier forming a ridge of unThis
stratified glaciated material at right angles to the motion of the glacier.
ridge of debris has been called a terminal moraine.
The mass of debris accumulated under the glacier is the ground moraine, while the lines of waste at the
sides of the ice stream are its lateral moraines.
When two glacial streams,
each having lateral moraines, meet, as is often the case in Switzerland, a medial moraine is produced, and extends from the junction of the two lateral mo-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

11

raines along the middle of the glacier in a line parallel to its motion.
When a
glacier retreats, these moraines, more especially the terminal moraine, may
be left to mark its former extension.
In dealing with a glacier of the size indicated by the remains of the great
ice-sheet of America, and where projecting or bordering cliffs were probably
wholly wanting, save, in its growth and decline, some representative of the
ground and terminal moraines only are to be sought. Of the former, the till
fulfills all the conditions, while of the latter, the conditions are fulfilled by
the lines of di'ift hills, which constitute the terminal moraine in Pennsylvania.
The peculiar topography characterizing these hills is unlike that produced
either by wave-action, or by aerial erosion; while, on the other hand, it is identical with that characterizing: the moraines of modern Swiss glaciers.
The great moraine shows itself at the heel of Cape Cod; makes the Elizabeth islands and Block island; runs through Long island from end to end;
crosses Staten island; bends north at Amboy, and makes a wide curve through
New Jersey to Eelvidere. In Pennsylvania beginning a mile below Belvidere,
latitude 40° 49', it appears through the stratified drift as low gravel hills.
These, winding up over the slate hills to the west, are soon developed into an
accumulation of typical till, holding kettle-holes and filled with l^oulders.
Bending in a great curve, first westward and then northward, it reaches the
base of the Kittatinny mountain, three miles east of Wind-Gap.
Ascending to
the top of the Kittatinny mountain (1,600 feet A. T.); the moraine crosses over
it, being well shown upon the very summit and,
entering Monroe county,
crosses the great valley between the Kittatinny and the Pocono, inclosing in
its course several moraine lakes.
Having crossed this valley and reached the
base of the Pocono escarpment, it swings sharply back and around Pocono
knob.
Immediately afterward it ascends the steep face of the mountain to the

wide plateau on

top, two thousand one hundi-ed feet above the sea.
Crossing the center of Kidder township. Carbon county, it reaches the
gorge of the Lehigh river about ten miles north of Mauch Chunk, which it
crosses at Hickory run.
Without swerving fi'om its general northwestern
course, it crosses Hell-Kitchen mountain, Cunningham valley and Nescopec
mountain, in Luzerne county, and descends to the valley of the east branch
of the Susquehanna river, which it crosses at Beach Haven.
Here heaps of
di'ift have been washed down the river into terraces.
In Columbia county, after following awhile the base of Lee's mountain,
it ascends to the summit (1,350 feet A. T.), crosses the high red shale valley
and crest of Huntingdon mountain, and then descends the north slope of that
mountain to the broad, undulating valley of Fishing creek. Taking a northerly course, it follows up the east bank of Fishing creek to the North or Allegheny mountains.
From this point the moraine crosses Sullivan and Lycoming counties
westward to Ralston, and Potter county to Olean. At Little valley, in the
state of New York, it turns at a right angle and runs southwest to Beaver
county.
Across the state of Ohio it describes a great curve to the Ohio river
above Cincinnati.
After an excursion into Kentucky, it recrosses the Ohio
river below Cincinnati, traverses Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and
Manitoba, and is lost in the unexplored country west of Bafiin's bay.
The length of the line traced through Pennsylvania is about four hundi-ed
miles, and, where undisturbed, the moraine is a ridge of loose rocks, sand and
clay, a hundred feet high and several hundred yards broad at its base, its materials being fragments of all the surface formations collected and carried
southward by the great ice- sheet in its movement fi'om Canada across the state

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTr.

12

of New York and the northern counties of Pennsylvania, and left standing in
But lita disorderly heap along the line at which the ice -front melted away.
tle of it, however, is left undisturbed, and, where typically developed, this accumulation is characterized by peculiar contours of its own a series of hummocks, or low, conical hills, alternate short straight ridges, and inclosed,
shallow, basin-shaped depressions, which, like inverted hummocks in shape, are
known as kettle-holes and has an average width of about a mile. When less
typically developed, the moraine is distinguished from the glacial drift back of
it by the greater size and number of its boulders, the more distant source of
such boulders, and the more frequent striation of their surfaces.
With the exception of a narrow district, which has been denominated the
fringe, * the line of drift hills which crosses Pennsylvania lies at the precise
Lying sometimes on an ascending slope,
edge of the di-ift- covered district.

—

—

sometimes on a descending one, sometimes crossing a narrow mountain ridge
and sometimes forming an embankment across a valley, it rests against no barThe absence of stratification, the
rier and represents no possible shore line.
absence of drift wood or aqueous fossils, the angularity and striated surfaces
of its enclosed stones, together with its topographical jDOsition and its peculiar
contours, preclude any hypothesis of aqueous origin; while the fact jjroved
by the stricB that its course is at right angles to the glacial movement, taken
large and small
in its course,
in connection with the remarkable deflections

—

—

—

make it a true terminal moraine.
The moraine enters Columbia county

—

at about the center of the north

and

tolerably well defined on the county
line where it crosses a road leading northeast from Foundryville, about a mile
and a half from that village. The line trends somewhat south of west, keepIt passes about a mile and a quarter
ing along the base of Lee's mountain.
north of the village, and is recognized by its boulders and striated fragments
Northwest of Foundryville the line may be traced
at each road it crosses.
just above the Methodist grave-yard; across a small creek at the cross-roads,
a mile farther west; and thence westward into Center township, just above the
soiith line of Briarcreek township.

It

is

road which runs nearest to the mountains.
Throughout its coui'se in Briarcreek township the moraine can be recognized by the occurrence of boulders and striated pebbles, but not by any
No ridges of di'ift, no kettle-holes or stratified
special topography of its own.
kames appear, and the till is thin, and boulders scarce. North of the moraine,
moreover, and from there to the mountain back of it, the rocks are so bare, and
the covering of till or boulders so intrequent and fragmentary, that the explorer
will of ten find it difficult to determine whether he is in front or behind the line.
Its feeble development here illustrates the general rule that in front of a mountOn the northern
ain the moraine is small and the ground iincovered by till.
side of such a mountain large accumulations of drift material, such as would
have formed the moraine, are almost invariably found, but only such boulders
as were carried over the mountain by the top ice were dropped where a
terminal moraine would otherwise have been accii.mulated.
In Center township the moraine runs south of west along the base of Lee's
There is
mountain, being easily recognized on the upper road to Orangeville.
a sudden transition from the soil made up of broken shale, upon which no
boulders are seen, to that made of an impure yellow clay filled with boulders
and striated fragments. Near the Orange township line, on the upper road
to Orangeville, the fields are completely covered by boulders, many of which
At this point the moraine comes to an end and
are over four feet in length.
Found

in Pennsylvania, ouly in

ilie

western couuiies.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

1^

appears to turn back on its course in ascending the mountain; the heavy for-ests, however, renders it impossible to trace it closely.
All that can be confidently said of it is, that it crosses the combined Lee' s and Huntingdon mountain
and finds its way into the Fishing creek country beyond. From independent
observations, it is rendered probable that Lee's and Huntingdon mountains,
diverging from their union in Knob mountain, projected two long sharp headlands eastward into the sea of ice, while an arm of the latter, ending in a narrow point, extended between the two headlands several miles west from theijr
extremities.

In its course across the wide valley between Huntingdon mountain and tli^s
Allegheny mountain the moraine can be traced with great precision. A garter mile west of Asbury it turns northward toward Benton.
It keeps oq the»
east side of Fishing creek as far as Cole's mills, where, in crossing it, the
moraine forms a great ridge extending obliquely across the valley of the creek.
It then passes across Jackson township in a northwest direction to the comermade by Lycoming and Sullivan counties. Throughout the whole of this-coiirse the moraine is wonderfully well shown and has characteristic topoo-It leaves the base of the mountain at a schoolhouse one mile S. S. E.'
raphy.
of Asbury at the meeting of roads from Asbury and Jonestowi
It here forms
a distinct ridge, stretching diagonally across the valley of Huntingdon creek.
Here deep masses of stratified drift rest against the western edge of themoraine and continue down the valley of the creek, becomin
more shallow
the farther it is from the moraine.
Near the moraine this plain of stratified:
drift, composed of water- worn pebbles— at least thirty feet deep
has its surface molded into shallow ridges and depressions, all of which are parallel tothe creek and evidently made by water action.
The moraine now trends to a point an eighth of a mile west of Asbury,
where its edge is very sharply defined upon the road by the sudden change in
The yellow till gives place to a red soil, formed' by the
the color of the soil.
decomposition of Catskill shales.
Above Asbury the moraine turns somewhat
•

—

two miles west of Bendertown, as high drift
covered by large boulders and sharply defined on its edge.
On the next
road north of Asbury its limit is well marked near the forks of the road, about
a half-mile east of Fishing creek.
It is a curious fact, that although the moraine from Asbury to the Benton line runs so near Fishing creek, no drift whatever, stratified or unstratified, occurs in the valley of that creek.
The slates
and shales of No. VIII are exposed on both banks of the creek, and the sandy
alluvium forming the fertile bottom land is perfectly local.
The edgeof t he
glacier must have been drained backward.
g
The moraine enters Benton township near the point where Raven' ere k
crosses the township line, and then approaches within a mile of Fishing
creek. It forms drift hills, covered by boulders of sandstone and conglomerate
brought from the Allegheny mountain. Approaching Fishing creek still more
closely, and bending somewhat east of north, the moraine passes along the
western side of a hill which slopes toward the creek, a mile below Benton, and
fi-om thence to the top of a high hill which forms the bank of the creek 'east of
Benton. As in Fishingcreek township, the moraine has been drained backward
into some of the valleys farther east these back valleys are in fact now filled
by drift accumulations.
A mile below Benton the moraine ends abruptly on
the edge of a hill descending toward the creek, a fact at variance with any
other hypothesis than that of a glacier as the cause of the moraine.
The presence of strice and of transported boulders upon the summit of the Allegheny
mountain to the north precludes also the idea of local glaciers. It seems probV
east of north, passing not quite
hills

;

16

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

able, therefore, that the continental glacier stopped just where it did simply
because the inei'tia or moving force of the glacier, from whatever cause derived,
Increased temperature was the only
became exhausted at this point.

barrier.

In Sugarloaf township, at Cole's -creek postoflfice, Cole's creek joins FishThe moraine here forms fine conical hills in the center of the valley. At
the bridge, north of this, the glaciated region back of the moraine is reached,
and a fine view can be obtained of the back of the moraine, which appears
steeper, more regular and better defined than the front. The moraine, stretching conspicuously across the valley from Cole's creek to Fishing creek, and
ending abruptly near the bridge, can be seen for a mile or more from up the
Hence to the base of the Allegheny mountain the valley is nearly flat,
creek.
and contains no drift hills. Crossing Fishing creek the moraine continues in a
northwest direction across the southwest corner of Sugarloaf township, passing
In
near a school-house on a creek about two miles northeast of Polkville.
some places the boulders are so large and numerous as to render the soil unfit
ing.

for cultivation.

In Jackson township, as the moraine approaches the base of Bald mountain,
It crosses the upper part of the township near the
less finely developed.
The till here is very thin and often absent east of the
base of the mountain.
moraine; but the occasional striated boulders prove the region to have been
As already stated no drift occurs in fi'ont of the moraine, except in
glaciated.
In the valleys of Green, Little Fishing and other
the vicinity of streams.
creeks running southward, there occur boulders and sharp fragments of Pocono
Although they often lie
sandstone and boulders of Pottsville conglomerate.
on high ground, such ground is always near a depression down which a great
flood of water might have come, and they were probably brovTght to their locaNear Orangeville, where Huntingdon and Fishing creeks
tion by floating ice.
join, there is a plain of stratified river gravel nearly a mile in width. It forms
a terrace twenty feet high at Orangeville and is composed of smoothed, often
It was evidently deposited by a glacial
flattened pebbles, overlaid by sand.
From this point
stream, which flowed along the valley of Huntingdon creek.
the line of demarcation just touches the lower corner of Sullivan county and
passes into Lycoming.
it is

It appears, therefore, that what is popularly known as soil is due, in the
upper portion of the state, to the grinding process of this immense glacier,
supplemented by the action of frost and rain, and the vast deposits of humus.
Its original distribution was manifestly variable, in some places forty or fifty
But this condition has been greatly
feet deep, in others only a thin coating.
modified by the never-ceasing action of the elements, so that in many places
extensive erosion has taken place, and the eroded mass gradually distributed
beyond the glaciated area as well as within it. The valleys of the streams are
now the main receptacles of the original Drift, since the slopes have largely
shed the deposit left on them.
It is supposed that the glacier was succeeded by an epoch of flooded rivers.
A geoeral rise of temperature took place all over the world the winter of the
ice-age gave place to summer; unimaginable floods poured southward spreading their burdens of moraine stones, rounded and smoothed by attrition, and
finer detritus over the lowlands; the mountains again appeared and valleys were
When quieter times came, the Susquehanna and its tributary
re-excavated.
streams cut down through these post-glacial deposits marking their progress by
the terraces which border their banks.
Great heaps of rounded and polished boulders are found over a large por;

"

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

17

Columbia county below the region marked by the moraine as the limit
They occur alike in valleys, and on the summits of hills, which
of glaciatiou.
do not exceed an altitude of nine hundred and fifty feet above tide level, and are
especially abundant over the low country which stretches from I'ishing creek
westward to the "West Branch," along the line of the Milton and Watsontou-n
anticlines.
The majority of these transported boulders belong to the Pocono
sandstones (No. X.), though all the rocks of this region are represented among
them, from the conglomerates of No. XII down to the sandstones of the Clinton
{No. V).
The highest point at which these boulders have been observed is nine hundred and fifty feet above tide level, and this occurs two miles south from Catawissa, where they cover the summit of a ridge between Koaring creek and the
Susquehanna river. It is supposed, therefore, that these boulders were transported by floating ice and other means in a great lake-like river, which flowed
westward from the terminal moraine during the flooded river period, when hills,
now rising eight or nine hundred feet above tide level, were submerged.
Whatever were the means by which vast quantities of debris have been
spread so widely over the surfaces of moderate elevation in localities lying outside of the region of glaciation, there is still another class of deposits that were
certainly transported by the 'flooded rivers' which carried off the water from
the melting and retreating glacier.
These deposits are now found in great
heaps of commingled sand, gravel and boulders of almost every size, fi'om four
inches up to four and five feet, at many points along the Susquehanna, but are
especially prominent at the junction of this river and its principal tributaries.
Berwick is built upon a great boulder terrace, which extends a mile back
from the river, at an elevation of fifty feet* above it. It forms a level-topped
bluff* of that height on the river bank, and while it diminishes in height below
Berwick, becomes gradually higher above the town, until it meets the moraine
two miles above, in Luzerne county. Briar creek debouches at Berwick, and
appears to have brought in much of this boulder trash, but it is suggested by
independent observers that a much greater flood offered a more effective agency.
It is believed that when the great change of temperature occurred, the tongue
of the glacier, which occupied the wedge-shaped valley between Huntingdon
and Lee's mountain, yielded a flood which finally broke the lower barrier on
the south and cut two gaps in the latter mountain (225 and 270 feet deep)
through which the pent-up floods escaped to the lowlands, depositing the plateau on which the borough now stands.
At Bloomsbiirg, Fishing-creek valley unites with that of the "North Branch,
and a wide stretch of plain is covered by boulder trash about their junction.
Three terraces may be easily observed; the first, twenty feet above the
river (470' A. T.); the second, forty feet above the river (490' A. T.), and the
third, thirty feet above the last (520' A. T.)
On the Fishing creek side, the
second terrace is wanting, and there is an abrupt descent of fifty feet from the
top of the third to the top of the first.
The third terrace is covered with a deposit of clean reddish grey sand, fifteen to twenty feet deep, below which come
gravel and rounded boiilders.
The main portion of Bloomsburg is built on
this third terrace, while the station of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
railroad is on the second terrace.
No terraces higher than the third, above indicated, are seen at this point, but two miles below, very thick gravel beds are
seen extending to an elevation of one hundred and seventy-five feet above the
tion of

'

'

*The state authorities seem to conflict upon this point. In Volume Z, of the geological reports. Prof. Lewgives the height as in tha text, and the elevation above tide-level as n6(i feet. In Volume G, G", Prof. White
places the height of the terrace from the bed of the river at one hundred feet, and the elevation above tidelevel at 575 feet.
is,

18

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Susquehanna. This same gravel deposit is frequently seen in the old vallev
which leads from Rupert westward to Danville along the line of the Catawissa
& Williamsport (Reading) railroad, and its top is generally found at about six
hundred and twenty-five to six hundred and thirty feet above tide-level.
The Paleozoic system, which underlies these surface deposits, is divided
by Pennsylvania geologists into thirteen formations, which are indicated by the
numbers from I to XIII. The series begins with the Potsdam White Sandstone No. I and follows in regular order; the limestone of No. II, with its brown
hematite iron ores, lead, zinc, and barytes; the slates of No. Ill, which supplies the roofing slate quarries on the Lehigh; the sandstone of No. IV, forming Kittatinny, Buffalo, Montour's Ridge among many other mountains; the
red shale of No. V, with its fossil ore beds; the limestone of No. VI., with
brown hematite iron ore pockets, and lead; the sandstone of No. VII, usually
forming a rocky ridge, but in Juniata and Perry counties rising to the dignity
of a small mountain; the olive shales and soft green sandstones of No. VIII,
with hydi-aulic lime rocks, fictitious coal-beds, occasionally valuable deposits of
brown hematite, and in the northwest part of the state, reservoirs of saltwater
and petroleum; the red sandstone of No. IX, forming terraces on the white
sandstone mountains of No. X, such as the Catskill, Pocono, Mahonoy, Little,
Catawissa, Long, Nescopec, Wyoming, Knob and other mountains; the red
shale of No. XI, the white sandstone or conglomerate of No. XII, surrounding and supporting the coal basins, and forming Beaver-Meadow, Sugarloaf,
Bu-ck and McCauley mountains in the anthracite region, the crest of the Allegheny mountain, and other coal-bearing mountains; and finally No. XIII.
constituting a subordinate system of itself, and known as the coal measures.
In this series, numbers I, IV, VII, IX, X, and XII, are massive sand-

VIII and XI are

and VI are
numbers V, IX
and XI, and all mountains in the state, save South mountain and the mountains which hold the coal are merely outcrops of numbers IV and X.

rocks;

III, V,

chiefly limestone strata.

slate or shale formations; II

The red members

of

the series are

This nomenclature is not invariable throughout the country, nor in this
In the final report of the first geological survey of Pennsylvania,
latin terms, signifying the course of the sun during a single day, were substituted for the numbers; in New York, the English nomenclature has been
adopted; and in the W^est, owing to the confusion of the strata there, the
whole series, from the Coal Measures down to No. VIII, is classed as the Carboniferous system.
The real harmony existing between these different nomenclatures, and an approximate section, set forth by Prof. J. P. Leslie, is as
state alone.

follows

...
.
.

.

19

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Thickness in

Nomenclature

Penn'a

1st Geological Beport.

6—

I

New York

N. Y,

Nomenclature

Feet.

I

O f Chemung
VIII.

Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania.
500 Meridian sandstone
600 Pre-meridian limestone
350 Scalent limestone
Wanting in Pennsylvania.
Wanting in Pennsylvania.
2,600 Surgent red shales
I Levant vrbite sandstone.
1,800

-;

(

I:Portage

.

'

VL

d

r

250 Aurora calc. sandstone

)

v

^

)

Shawnyunk

(

f

j

Oneida conglomerate.
Hudson slates

\

Utica slates

^

.

Black River limestone.
a ^ Birdseye limestone
o f Chazy limestone
?
Calciferous sand-rock
[^Potsdam sandstone

i

250
200
400
500
100

gi'it

L

(

200
1,000

Medina sandstone

-j

I

I

II.

50

Lower Helderberg limestone.

4

III.

400

galli grit

Onondaga salt group
Niagara limestone
Clinlon group

400 Matinal black slates

magnesian limestone

2,001

[Oriskany sandstone

I

iv.'

.

550 Matinal limestone

1,500
1,200

group.

group

^' ^

VII.

V.

1,200 Matinal blue slates

5,500 Auroral

2,500

Genesee slates
Hamilton slates
Marcellus shales
?
limestone
I Upper Helderberg
Schoharie grit

§

Cauda

Levant red sandstone.
Levant gray sandstone.
.

N.Y.).

1

in
in

.

fr.

Old red. (Catskill group).

%

Feet.

New York

Millstone Grit (eroded

XI.
X.
IX.

600 Ponent red sandstone
3,200 Vergent olive shales
1,700 Vergent gray sandstones.
700 Cadent upper black slate.
1,100 Cadeut olive shales
800 Cadent lower black shale.
300 Post-meridian limestone..

Wanting
Wanting

Eroded from

XIII.
XII.

3,000 Coal measures
1,200 Serai conglomerete
3,000 Umbral red shale
2,500 Vespertine sandstone

Thickness in

1,000
)

[

300

i

I

4,000

32,850

j

Pri mal sandstone,

(Pri mal slates

I

50
10,850

In giving the thickness of these formations, it must be understood that
they vary greatly in different parts of the area occupied by the two states. But
the table illustrates the great thickness of the mechanical deposits toward the
southeast, in contrast with their thinness in the northwest.
The geological structure of Columbia county is found considerably more
broken than that of the region farther north. In Wyoming and Sullivan
counties, the rocks are practically horizontal, but as the latitude of Luzerne,
Columbia and Northumberland is reached, the rocks are found thrown into arches so high as to expose the upper part of No. IV, in the latter county, and
The
into troughs deep enoiigh to preserve nearly the highest coal measvires.
first of these flexures, noticed in passing into the county fi'om the north, are
the White Deer and Milton anticlinals. These are the declining ends of the six
anticlinals of the Buffalo mountains, which split up the Kisicoquilis valley, and
of the "Seven mountains," north of that valley.
A great fold comes eastward across the "West Branch," in the vicinity of Watsontown, which is
locally designated as the AVatsontown anticlinal.
It declines rapidly eastward
and ends in the upper part of Northumberland county where it spreads the
Salina beds over a considerable area.
Four miles south of Watsontown, at Milton, another of the great Buffalo
mountain anticlinals crosses the river eastward, passes through Northumberland and Montour counties, and enters Columbia in Madison township, passing
eastward nearly through the center of the township.
Here it brings uj) the
Hamilton rocks in a valley two or three miles at the west, but which contracts
toward the east, until near Little Fishing creek it is not more than a mile

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

20

Chemung rocks make ridges on the north and south from
and a half wide.
Crossing the Little Fishing, the Milton axis
three to five hundred feet high.
crosses the southeastern corner of Pine, in the vicinity of Millville, the Big
Fishing just south of Stillwater, and enters Luzerne county near the northeast
The dip of the rocks on the south side of
corner of Fishingcreek township.
this anticlinal is everywhere steeper than on the northwest, since it seldom exceeds twenty degrees on the north, but is often forty-five or fifty degrees
on the south. This great difference does not appear near the crest of the
arch, however, but begins to be noticed at some distance southeast from it.
The Lackawanna synclinal, the name used to designate a great downward
fold of the rocks, which, proceeding from the northeastern corner of Lackawanna
county as a naiTow, shallow trough, gradually deepens and broadens toward
the southwest, until in the vicinity of Wilkesbarre it retains the entire Coal MeasFrom this
ure series, and possibly a small cap of the Pernio -carboniferous.
point it begins to shallow and narrow up westward, so that at Shickshinny,
fifteen miles southwest, the Coal Measures remain only in a narrow, triangular
Westward from Shickshinny the axis of the trough
area west of the river.
runs along the center of the old drift-filled valley of West Shickshinny creek,
But the Pocono
with a mountain of Pocono sandstone both north and south.
trough gradually narrows and shallows westward, until its two rims come together at Oi'angeville, and then the Pocono beds vanish in air, leaving the
Catskill rocks to occupy the trough westward through the center of Mount
Pleasant township, and along the northern border of Hemlock, which, in
turn, tail oiit at the eastern edge of Montour county.
The next fold in the rocks is found about four miles south from the last,
and is much the greatest in this region. The axis of this anticlinal crosses the
in Luzerne, about half way between the Big and Little
North Branch
Wapwallopen creeks, and passes under the town of Berwick, from which it
The Lower Helderberg limestone is elevated to the surface
takes its name.
a short distance west fi-om Berwick, and it very probably first emerges near the
eastern line of the borough, but has been eroded and its oiitcz'op deeply buried by the terrace deposits, which cover up all the rocks to a great depth in
The Salina beds are brought up, one mile west fi'om Berwick, and
that vicinity.
then a low ridge begins along the crest of the arch, which gradually increases
in elevation westward through the southern half of Center and Scott townships,
becoming still higher across Bloomsburg township, where the Clinton rocks
'

' *

'

come to the surface.
The axis crosses Fishing creek one-half mile north fi'om the town of Bloomsburg, and about three hundred yai'ds north fi'om the Bloomsburg Iron ComFishing and Hemlock creeks trench squarely across this axis
pany's furnace.
in the vicinity of Bloomsburg, through large gaps in Montour's ridge, but
westward from Hemlock creek the very hard Clinton iron sandstones and underlying siliceous shales arching over the crest of the fold, carry Montour's
This conspicuous eleridge up to about eleven hundred feet above tide-level.
vation along the crest of the Berwick axis is known as Montour' s ridge, westward
from Bloomsbui-g, and is rendered all the more prominent from the fact that
it is bordered on each side by the soft beds of the Salina and Hamilton, which
weathering away into broad, low valleys along both the north and south slopes
This axis is
of the ridge, seem to increase the height of the latter by contrast.
of great economical importance to this region, since it brings to the surface two
belts of Loiver Helderberg limestone entirely across the county, and also those
valuable iron-ore deposits of the Clinton, which have rendered Bloomsburg
and Danville famous for their iron industries.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

21

synclinal is a term used to designate the downward
which forms a great trough, about four miles and a half south of
This is one of the most i"^markable basins which tiathe Berwick anticlinal.
verses Pennsylvania, extending, as it does, through Huntington, Juniata, Snyder, Northumberland, Columbia and Luzerne counties, nearly to the Lehigh
Through most of
river, a total length of about two hundred and fifty miles.
its course in middle Pennsylvania it is regular as to width and depth, but much
As it approaches the Susquehanna from
complicated by subordinate folds.
Crossing the river at the
the west, it begins to widen and deepen gradually.
forks, it not only deepens, but becomes complicated going east, and widens in
Columbia county into a group of basins separated by anticlinals.
The two deepest of these basins (which taken together may be considered
as representing the axis or bottom of the great trough,) hold the two projecting
spurs of the Catawissa mountain.
The other spurs of the mountain farther
south represent other subordinate basins on the southern side of the great
trough.
In the Catawissa valley, the great trough is made up of numerous
subordinate basins, in one of which stands McCauley' s movintain, and in others
lie the anthracite basins of Black Creek, Hazleton, etc.
A very strong anticlinal arch crosses the Susquehanna eastward, two miles
This fold rapidly declines east of the river, where the
above Selinsgrove.
Lower Helderberg is soon covered by the Oriskany sandstone, and that in turn
by the Hamilton beds. Traced eastward, the axis is found passing under the
town of Elysburg, and thence in a direct line to New Media, in Locust township.
At Roaring creek the Genesee beds are the lowest rocks appearing above
water-level, and east of the creek these are covered^ by Chemung.
At New
Media the Catskill beds cover the lower formation, and this is covered in
turn by the Pocono before the axis reaches the eastern line of Colambia county
in the southern part of Roaringcreek township.
Southward from this axis the dip increases, the Chemnng, Catskill, Pocono,
Mauch Chunk and PottsviUe formations coming down, one after another, dipping from forty- five to fifty degrees, to the Coal Measures of the great Sham-

The Northumberland

fold of rocks,

okin anthracite coal basin.
The Devonian rocks are alone found in the upper part of Columbia, and
cover more than three- fourths of its whole area. Of these are found the Catskill,
Chemung, Hamilton, and perhaps the Portage, but so poorly defined that it is
included under the Chemung in the reports.
The thickness of this system
gradually increases southward and probably reaches a depth of eight or nine
thousand feet.
Unfortunately for the economic advantage of the county, however, these rocks contain no valuable minerals of any description, in paying
quantities, and all search for lead, silver or copper, of each of which there are
traces, will undoubtedly prove fi'uitless.
In their decomposition they subserve
a valuable, if less attractive purpose, in furnishing the pi'incipal portion of the

farming lands.

The Catskill rocks (No. IX) are rather sharply separated at top from
the Pocono-Catskill beds by the occurrence of red shales of considerable thickness, and a type of greenish gray sandstone; but while the top of this formation can nearly always be definitely determined, it is not so with its base in
this region, as there comes in at the bottom a series of rocks having such a
mixture of characteristics belonging to both of the joining formations, that it
is difiicult to determine the exact line of demarcation.
To bridge this difficulty, the report classifies these transition beds as an intermediate CatskillChemung group. The character of the rocks'is very changeable. In one section, more than two-thirds of the whole series may be massive-looking, greenish

22

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

isandstone, with, only thin beds of red shale interstratified, while only a few
aniles distant the green sandstones disappear and in their stead are found very
«&ick red beds. A general section compiled from the vicinity of Catawissa exhibiting so far as exposures could be obtained, may be found on page 57, of volTume G", of the second state report.
The depth here is estimated at 4,330
ifeet.

Save a narrow belt of Pocono, which caps the summit of North mountain,
red Catskill covers the whole area of Sugarloaf township and a mile-wide
The southern line of this red border
.•strip of the northern part of Benton.
ipasses regularly westward through Jackson and Pine townships, though from
Jbhe line of Polkville southward the rocks belong rather to the Catskill'.CJiemung.
A narrowing belt of Catskill enters the eastern side of the county,
.the middle line of which is marked by the axis of the Lackawanna synclinal.
The Pocono mountain, called Knob, covers the central portion to Orangeville,
from whence it tapers to a point just west of the Mahoning creek. A band of
Ahe Catskill borders the northern slope of the Nescopec mountain, and, following the trend of the Catawissa range, occupies the broad angle formed by its
union with Little mountain, covering the larger portion of Franklin, Catawissa, Locust and Roaringcreek townships, and the southern half of Maine
and Mifflin townships. The Catskill beds, when shaly aUd weathered down
,into a rolling topography, make a very good soil, which produces excellent
crops of oats, grass, corn and, when enriched with lime, very fair crops of
^wheat.
When the beds become very sandy, however, and massive green
sandstones predominate, the country is barren.
The rock next to the Catskill in extent of exposure in the county is the
'iJJiemung formation.
The transitional beds which lie between these formations
are well exposed abou.t half way between Rupert and Catawissa, a section of
which may be found on page 03 of the report already referred to. The depth
In the coloring of the geological
;at this point is eptimated at 1,007 feet.
The top of
maps, however, these beds are included in the Catskill formation.
the Chemung has been fixed, for this county, by Prof. White, at the base of the
lowest red bed, and all rocks below this to the top of the Hamilton are so classed.
A section of this formation is exhibited on page 68 of his report, where he esThe Chemung rocks are finely exposed
timates its thickness at 2,443 feet.
along the Little Fishing creek, in Hemlock township, about a mile above the
junction of that stream with the Big Fishing, and there the following su.ccession is shown:

'

Ifche

_

Feet.

Red

1.

sbale, base of Catskill-

Chemnng group.

TT-pT>"p>"R

50

2.

Soft olive shales

3.

Conglomerate, gray sandstone, with

4.
5.

Olive shales, rather soft
Hard, greenish, sandy, flaggy beds

6.

Stony Brook beds, very

flat (juartz

pebbles

10

200
150

fossiliferons olive-green

sandv shales

75

Lower:
7.
8.

In

Very hard, gray,

bluish,

and dark

Genesee shales.
Total thickness of

olive

sandy beds

1,875

Chemuvg

this section appears a type of the

Chemung

2,360

that

is

found at nearly every

—

point in this region where these beds are exposed two series of rocks quite
different from each other in lithological character, taking the base of the Stony
Brook beds as the dividing plane.

The

Upifer

Chemung

is

from five to six hundred feet thick, and consists
which readily breaks down when exposed to at-

Ijargely of olive-green shale,

:

25

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

mospheric influences, cnimbling into small chips and splinters, whicli soon deThe conglomerate is not a constant member of the series, but yet it
compose.
occurs in a great many localities at thirty to fifty feet below the top of the
Chemung, being usually a grayish white rock, with small, somewhat flat pebAll rocks below the Stony Brook horizon
bles of quartz scattered through it.
may be classed together, so far as their lithological characters are concerned,
since these are practically the same throughout the eighteen or nineteen hunThey are simply a monotonous succession of
di-ed feet which complete them.
dark gray, and dark olive -green and brown sandstones, and sandy beds half
way between shale and sandstone, yet so hard as to make high ridges,
and a succession of ragged cliffs wherever cut by the streams. In weathering they are usually broken into irregular and rather thick, si)linterThe base of this series rises suddenly
like fi-agments, four to six inches long.
and sharply from the valley of Hamilton beds, which always border it, and
usually makes a high ridge of rocky, baiTen land overlooking the Hamilton
valley fi-om a height of three to four hundred feet.
There is a total and abrupt change in lithology at the base of the Chemung
series, the hard, sandy beds of which give place to dark blue and blackish
Hamilton shales and slate. This series varies so much in passing across this
region from north to south, as to call for three entirely separate descriptions.
The northern type is found in Columbia county north of the river, and is fully

exposed on Little Fishing creek, in Hemlock township, two miles north from
Bloomsburg.
The following section, observed at this point, may be taken as
typical of the character of this formation above the Berwick axis
Feet.
1.

2.

3.

4.
»

dark blue and blackish shales and slates, sometimes
slightly sandy, afld when weathered often bleaching gray or
375
even whitish
TuUy limestone, a series of dull gray and bluish gray impure limeoften
presenting
and
a
huffish
tint,
stones, weathering with a
50
slaty appearance
400
Hamilton brown, gray and bluish gray sand shales and slates
Marcellus shales, black and dark blue fissile slates and shales, some410
times getting gray at base
Genesee

slate,

Total thickness of Hamilton

1,135

The Tully limestone of this series is never pure enough to bui-n, usually being quite earthy, breaking with a dull, irregular fracture, and often weatherThis series, as displayed
ing to a light ashen, or even butfish gray color.
north of the Susquehanna, is eminently a valley maker, since all of its components readily Ireak down and disintegrate into soil, the quality of which is
excellent, some of the best farms in the county being situated on the Hamilton
The river flows in a valley of these rocks from Hick' s ferry nearly to
rocks.
Rupert, a distance of nearly twenty miles, and they may fi-equently be seen
extending in low ledges nearly across the bed of the river, notably at Berwick
and Bloomsburg. South of the Berwick axis the Hamilton seems to greatly increase in thickness, and, if any reliance can be placed on the constancy of dip,
this series must reach a thickness of two thousand to twenty-five hundred feet
at Bloomsburg.
South of the river the Hamilton retains the above typical
character, save that in gaining in thickness several new members have been
intercalated.
It is not certain that there is
this county or in the region, but

any representative of the Cauda galli beds in
on Big Fishing creek, about two and a half
miles above Bloomsburg, there occur some beds down near the base of No.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

26

which so exactly resemble the lithological appearance of the Cauda
gain that their identity with that formation seems not improbable.
A band of Chemung, spreading from near Waterville to Asbury, enters the
county from Luzerne, and, widening as it passes south westward, covers GreenThe Milton
wood, Madison, and parts of Pine, Orange and Mount Pleasant.
axis, which passes through the center of this bend, brings up an area of Hamilton rocks, which beginning in a point at Fishing creek, gradually widens toward the west, attaining a breadth of two or three miles in Greenwood and
A narrow band of Chemung bordered by a similar band
Madison townships.
of Hamilton is found on the lower slopes of the Berwick anticlinal, and a
wedge-shaped area of the former is found also in Locust township, along the
axis of the Selinsgrove anticlinal, the corresponding Hamilton being found to
the west in Northumberland.
Along the line of the Berwick axis is developed that part of the Silurian
system consisting of the Oriskany sandstone (No. VII), the Lower Helderherg
limestones (No. VI), the Salina, Bloomsburg red shale and Clinton shales (No.
The rocks which constitute the Oriskany series were not deposited everyV).
where over this region, there being no representation whatever of them on Big
They appear to be absent also from both sides of the Berwick
Fishing creek.
axis all along its course between Berwick and Bloomsburg; at least, not a single
The
outcrop or fragment of the rock is to be seen between the two localities.
most eastern k cality at which this rock has been observed is the slate quarry
Near this a quarry in the Lower Helderherg limeon Little Fishing creek.
stone reveals four to six feet of cherty, brown sandy beds, overlain by the bluish black beds of the MarceUus, and underlaid hy a few feet of Stormville
shale, which rapidly thins out to a knife edge and lets the Oriskany down in
contact with the massive limestones of the Lower Helderherg.
On the south side of the Berwick arch, the Oriskany blocks first make their
appearance in the soil just west from Fishing creek, growing more abundant
westward toward the Montour county line, where a tunnel has been driven
Here a large
through the Oriskany to reach the Lower Helderherg limestone.
amount of Oriskayiy rock has been taken from the tunnel and now lies on the
It consists of cherty, rotten, dirty yellow beds containing some lime,
dump.
and is quite rich in fossils.
A ribbon-like band of the Lower Helderherg may be traced from the river
at Berwick, whence, taking a slight curve northward to the latitude of Lightstreet, it passes in a nearly direct line westward to the west branch of the
A similar band begins at the same point and follows the bank
Susquehanna.
of the river to a point nearly opposite Mifflinville, where the river in bending
Beginning again at the point of the river's deflection, it folnorth severs it.
A sumlows a direct course to Bloomsburg, crossing the river at Danville.
marized section of this series, obtained in Cooper township at the eastern line
VIII,

of

Montour county,

is

as follows:
Feet.

1.

2.

3.
4.
5.

Stormville
Stormville
Stormville
Stormville

shale

conglomerate

limestone. ...
cement bed, etc
Bos.sardville limestone
Total..

100

44
Ill

34
105

384

The Stormville shale, as usually developed, consists of ashen gray shales,
and a considerable thickness of dark brown or nearly black beds, the latter ocInterstratified with these^
casionally making up nearly the entire thickness.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

27

are often seen thin beds of impure, shaly limestone, and occasionally some
As shown in the above section the average thickness of this
layers of chert.
formation generally is not far from one hundred feet thick. At one locality on
Little Fishing creek, about two miles north of Bloomsburg, it is seen thinThis shale seems to stand to the
ning rapidly fi'om fifteen to only two feet.
Oriskany sandstone above, and to the Lower Helderberg limestones below, in
the relation of a transition series, connecting Nos. VI and VII, without properly belonging to either.
The Stormville conglomerate is a very siliceous, calcareous sand-rock, and
sand block' by
It is called the
occurs at the base of the Stormville shale.
the quarry men, and is reported to be "as hard as granite." The beds immediately under the shale are often quite sandy, but only in the vicinity of
Grove's quarry, for a mile or two on either side of the Columbia- Montour
county line, do they look anything like a sandstone, though in one or two secOn weathered surfaces, where the
tions sometimes cherty and usually massive.
calcareous matter has leached out, some of this formation has the appearance
of a coarse, porous sandstone; in other portions it looks more like chert or
quartzite.
The Stormville limestone is frequently shaly in its upper half, and occasionWhen massive, this is often too impure to burn into
ally cherty near the top.
lime or use successfully as a flux for iron, except when largely mixed with the
purer limestone from the Bossardville group below. In fact there are only two
or three quarries for a wide region where any beds above the Stromatopora
horizon have ever been quarried for any pu.rpose.
The latter bed, which generally comes near the center of the Stormville
limestone, is designated from the number of Stromatopora concentrica which
The
it contains, being in fact simply a fossil reef of these sponge-like masses.
bed in which they are so numerous is usually about ten feet thick and never
more than fifteen, being nearly always quite massive, and standing out from
the quarries as a cliff, in which the Stromatoporce are brought into relief by
weathering, and occur in masses of every size, fi'om that of a saucer up to two
This bed is usually rather siliceous, or at least is seldom
feet in diameter.
pure enough to warrant quarrying for burning into lime or for any other
'

'

'

purpose.
The portion of the Stormville limestone below this fossil bed often contains
some very good limestone, and is largely quarried in Columbia county.
The Bastard limestone is a term in use at nearly all the quarries in Columbia county to distinguish a light gray or buflSsh blue, very tough, impure
limestone, which separates the good limestone found at the base of the Stormville beds from the still better limestones of the Bossardville horizon below.
On account of its position between the two valuable portions of the Lower
Helderberg series, its presence very often largely increases the cost of quarrying, since it must be broken up and removed as waste, or else either the upper
or lower beds must be worked out in a long trench before the other can be
Bastard limestone,
reached by cutting through the wall of
which then
remains as a great overhanging ledge directly through the center of the quaiTy.
At the Lime ridge quarries it is broken up and removed entire, some of it
being used for building the piers of bridges and other rough work.
The Bossardville limestone comes next below the Bastard horizon. The
thickness of the whole mass does not usually vary much from 100 feet, and is
the only stone from which the white lime for plastering purposes can be procured.
But not all of this is good limestone, for there is often a band of
impure layers, from twenty to thirty feet thick, or even more, near the center.
'

'

'

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

28

This valuable deposit is not exposed along the whole line of its upheaval,
Its outcrop is often covered over
but is well worth exploration to discover it.
by an uncertain* thickness of surface trash, and could certainly be found anywhere between Berwick and the " West Branch" by a systematic search along
In many localities it is doubtless so deeply buried as to
its line of outcrop.
render any attempt to quarry it impracticable, but there are many others where
it could be itncovered and profitably mined.
Lead and zinc have been found in considerable quantity just above the base
of the Bossardville limestone, along the river between Sunbury and Selinsgrove
Junction.
The mine is reported to have been first discovered about 1843, and
some of the ores shipped east in barrels on the Pennsylvania canal, but as the
This same horiresults were kept secret, no one pursued the matter further.
zon has furnished indications of the same ores about half-way between Lime
ridge and Espy, where a drift was once run into the hill, near the line between
It is reported that masses of Galena more than
Scott and Center townships.
a foot in diameter were taken from the rocks at this locality, but the ore was
not found in quantity sufficient to waiTant a continuance of the effort.
The Salina and Clinton series (No. V) make only a single belt across the
county, the latter forming the uppermost part of the Montour ridge, which
The top of this series appears on the
mai'ks the line of the Berwick axis.
surface near the center of Scott township, while next in order down the slope,
A complete exposure of this series,
along its whole extent, comes the Salina.
or nearly so, can be seen only in one locality in this county, and that is where
the Fishing creek cuts squarely across this formation, along the " Shafer

road" to Lightstreet.

The

section here observed suggests the division of the Salina series into three

—the upper,

The first is used to designate
middle and lower groups.
the succession of huffish, pale green limestones, and tinny shales which make
The base of
their appearance immediately beneath the Bossardville beds.
this group is placed at the lowest red bed, and as thus limited has a thickness
G-ypsum has not been observed in this
of three hundred and twenty-nine feet.
gi'oup, though it probably exists in small disseminated particles, as this division
sulphur stone,
fi-om the fact that in an atof the series is locally known as
tempt to burn the rocks into lime they gave off an intolerable odor of sulphur.
The middle group is used to designate that portion of tlie Salina which consists of alternating red and greenish shales, limestones, etc. which also comes
near the middle of the formation, and in the section observed has a thickness
The lower group is a thick mass of red rocks,
of four hundi'ed and seven feet.
called in the state reports Bloomsburg red shale, and may be seen along the
east bank of the Fishing creek in the cuts of the Bloomsburg Iron Company'
Nearly its full thickrailroad, at the north line of the town of Bloomsburg.
ness may be seen in this locality, but the green shales at the base of the middle
group are not quite exposed in the fonr hundred and forty feet of beds measured
here, and hence the entire thickness is possibly ten to twenty feet more.
The Bloomsburg red shale is usually sandy, and often stands up in steep
bluffs and cliffs, especially where it is cut by streams.
The color is generally
a very deep or dull red, though occasionally some of the beds are rather
bright. When well exposed to atmospheric action some thin layers of apple-green
shale are always interlaminated with the red beds.
Often for several feet no
lamination whatever appears, but the whole mass weathers away by breaking
across the bedding into small, irregular chips, which gives the cliffs a peculiar
groups

'

'

'

'

,

roughened aspect.

29

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

rocks, as a whole, like the Hamilton, make valleys along the
This is finely shown in the continuous valley on either
Montour ridge from the eastern line of Columbia county westward
The soil made by these beds, especially the upper
West Branch.

The Salina

line of their strike.

side of
to the

'

'
'

'

The topography is althe most fertile in the district.
ways gentle, and a large quantity of lime, as well as other elements of fertility,
are set free when the rocks decompose.
The Clinton series, as has been noted, is brought to the surface in Columbia
This elevation is almost perfectly straight
only on the arch of Montour ridge.
and of very regular form. Its highest and widest part is in the vicinity of
Danville, but it maintains a nearly level summit for a great length, east and
Ita
west, and declines at each end in a long gradual slope into the plain.
greatest height is about six hundi-ed feet, and its mean breadth perhaps threeFrom its east termination near Espytown to its west, at the
fourths of a mile.
Susquehanna, four miles above Northumberland, the whole length of the crest is
A low valley, generally less than half a mile
very nearly twenty-seven miles.
in width, lies immediately at the foot of the mountain, bounding it on each
side, as it were, by a broad fosse.
The Fishing creek has cut its way through the ridge in the vicinity of
Bloomsburg, and exposes the following section of the Clinton series:

and middle groups,

is

Feet.

1.

Olive

brown

shales, limey

beds and flaggy sandstones

big vein, 10 to 12 inches.

iOre,
Limy and sandy shale, 2
3.

Concealed and
bands

4.

Iron sandstone:

feet,

—fossiliferous..l50

)

3

>

Ore, little vein, 3 to 4 inches. )
olive sandy beds, together with

some calcareous
150
Feet,

(a.)

Very hard dark-red or reddish brown sandstone contain-

10
ing 10 to 15 per cent of iron
25 > 60
Shales, yellowish-green, with streaks of red
(c.) Dark Ijrown sandstone, containing thin streaks of lean
25
iron ore and some shales
Pale yellowish green and olive shales to crest of Berwick axis, in
Fishing
creek
350
the gap of
(5.)

5.

Total thickess of Clinton (No. V.) exposed

713

Sections exposed at Danville give this series a thickness of 953 and 1,038
feet 8 inches, respectively.

The Fossil iron ore of the above section has long been mined in the vicinity
Bloomsburg, on both sides of Montour ridge, and is still largely drawn on
The iron made from this ore is in
for the supply of the furnaces located here.
high repute and has long been greatly valued in the composition of gun-metal
and for the manufacture of car- wheels. Near the surface the ore usually occurs as a loose mud-like deposit, and is then called "soft" ore. When followed
farther below the surface, the
soft' ore gradually changes to a compact limy
rock, filled with fossils and containing much carbonate of lime, and is then
known as hard' or " block' ore. If the beds be followed still deeper, the
ore gradually grows poorer, in fact, an ordinary limestone containing ten to
fifteen per cent of iron.
The most of the ore from the fossilif erous horizon has
been taken out in the vicinity of Bloomsbiu'g, except what may be mined
from deep workings.
The Iron sandstone does not seem to contain any valuable ores in the vicinity of Bloomsburg, east from Fishing creek.
West fi*om Bloomsburg, in the
icinity of Danville, however, this ore becomes quite valuable, and has long been
of

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•

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

30

This sandstone is dark, reddish brown in color, and is a very
It has been quarried on both sides of Montour ridge
compact, hard "stone.
just above Bloomsburg, and also on the summit of the same near the western
It is excessively hard, and almost indestructible by
line of Scott township.
This rock forms the summit of Montour ridge fi-om
atmospheric influences.
the western line of Scott westward to the Montour county line, beyond which
West Branch.
the lower olive beds cover the rest of the mountain to the
In describing Montour ridge as a regular anticlinal wave in the strata, it
is not intended to convey the idea that it is perfectly symmetrical in its structure.
It exhibits, on the contrary, important deviations from strict anticlinal
symmetry. It is really constituted of two anticlinal crests, not precisely in a
line with each other, one north of Bloomsburg declining toward the valley of
Hemlock creek, and the other, and by far the longest, rising near this stream
on the south flank of the first, and terminating near Northumberland.
The j)ortion of the western division lying between the Mahoning and Hemlock creeks, about one-half of which comes within the limits of Columbia, is
much less valuable for mining purposes than at Danville. The anticlinal rising to the east of the Danville gap has developed the lower strata upon the
summit of the ridge, and the two parallel belts of Iron sandstone ore on its
It is found necessary in all this part
flanks are wider apart at their outcrops.
of the outcrop, therefore, to pierce each base or slope of the mountain with
tunnels, a necessity which essentially lessens the net proceeds of the mine, even
if it should be found maintaining the richness and thickness which characterBut it is practically determined that this important ore,
izes it at Danville.
which constitutes the main portion of the mineral wealth of the Danville locality, becomes much reduced in thickness, and impoverished in its amount of
oxide of iron.
The eastern, or Fishing creek division, is a very regular and beautiful anticlinal, commencing a little west of Hemlock creek and terminating about
It is thus about five miles long; its breadth
three miles east of Bloomsburg.
about three-fourths of a mile; and its height between four and five hundred
feet.
The only irregularity in its generally symmetrical oval form is along
its north side, where a large segment has been scooped out of its base to form
In their carving action the floods rea part of the valley of Fishing creek.
moved from this flank of the anticlinal a very considerable portion of the bed
of fossiliferous iron ore, which elsewhere mantle the whole north slope of the
extensively mined.

'

'

'

ridge.

The

vertical iiplift of this division of the ridge is some four hundred and
than the more favorable points in the western division, a fact that

fifty feet less

In
occasions several very important peculiarities in the condition of the ore.
the first place, the ore bed of the Surgent lower slate (Clinton) is altogether
absent at the surface, and can only be made accessible by means of a vertical shaft
sunk over the crown of the anticlinal arch in the middle of the gorge of Fishing creek.
Such a shaft, starting near the water le^el, would descend between
one hundred and one hundred and fifty feet through the slate before it would
reach the layer of ore.
To construct such a mine shaft would not involve
a cost at all commensurate with the importance of a productive bed of iron ore
of the quality which the land in question usually possesses, but in the existing
uncertainty respecting the dimensions of the bed, there is but little to induce
such an enterprise.
The next bed of ore in the ascending series is that of the Iron sandstone
formation.
This band of rocks spans the mountain at Fishing creek to a
great elevation, and is very nearly of the type which it presents at Danville.

-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

31

It agrees in all essential features, save in that which is of chief practical interest, with the bed of siliceous iron ore.
The very stratum, answering to the ore

bed, can be recognized as holding the exact position occupied by the layer at
Danville, but it does not contain more than half its proper proportion of the
oxide of iron requisite to constitute an iron ore.
In other parts of the outcrop of the sandstone, a precisely similar deficiency is discernible in the layers
holding the horizon of the ore, and it may therefore be regarded as a definitely settled fact, that throughout all this portion of the belt the Iron sandstone ore, as such, has no existence.
It would thus appear that the only available ferruginous stratum is the fossil
iferous iron ore of the Clinton ore shales.
Restricted, as this part of the chain
would at first sight seem to be, as to its share of ore, it is, nevertheless, one of
the most richly endowed of all these localities.
Although the fossiliferous ore
alone occurs above the water level, it is made, by the admirably balanced influence of a particular degree of elevation of gentle ciirvatiu-e, and of denudation
in the anticlinal wave, to hold just that position which is nearly the most favorable that can be imagined for causing it to mantle the sides and ends of the
ridge in an extensive sheet for producing the maximum amount of the soft or
infiltrated ore, and for rendering its outcropping portion widely and cheaply
accessible under a thin covering of loose superficial slate.
In consequence of
the oval form of the hill, connected with the gradual rising and expansion of
the whole anticlinal, from Hemlock to Fishing creek, and its declension and
contraction, thence to its termination, the ore laps broadly over both of its extremities, but does not rise high upon its north and south slopes.
This produces, of course, a less amount of breast on the sides than at the ends.
But there is a further difference in the value of the ores found in these two
positions, growing out of the very different extent to which the ore in its respective places has been deprived of its excess of calcareous matter, by exposure to surface percolation.
Along both flanks of the ridge, the inclination of
the strata, exceeding very considerably the slopes of the surface, there is
a rapid increase in the thickness and compactness of the slate formation reposing upon the ore bed; and consequently the depth to which the superficial infiltrations have had access is comparatively limited.
Thus it is that in these positions we usually find the change from the soft or
dissolved part of the bed to the compact, to occur at a point from thirty to forty
yards below the actual outcrop.
On the other hand, at the two extremities of the ridge, the ore bed mantles over and around the long and gently declining terminations in a dip which
is much more nearly co'incident with that of the surface above it; and therefore
a far wider outcrop of it is thinly overlaid by the slate, and penetrated and altered by the atmospheric waters.
This circumstance, and the mu.ch lono-er
breast of ore spread out where the inclination is thus gentle, confers a greatly
superior value upon these terminal portions of the ridge.
In proof of this assertion, it may be stated, that while on the sides of the mountain, the soft ore
occupies but a narrow line, it covers almost the entire east point of the ridge.
Actual excavations for the furnaces, and numerous exploratory shafts, render
it almost certain that the soft ore spreads across the end of the ridcre in a continuous sheet, underlying, perhaps, some one hundred and fifty acres or more,
at a depth below the soil in few places exceeding twenty feet.
" The Bloomsbm-g Iron Company, owning two large furnaces in the gorge
of Fishing creek, and using largely this soft variety of fossiliferous ore, possess upon this extensive ore estate rather more than two and a half miles of the
outcrop of the bed along the sides of the ridge, and in addition about forty'

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'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

32

five acres continuously nnderlaid by the soft ore
tween two and three miles of Bloomsburg.

in the east

end

of the hill, be-

Each acre of the ore stratum contains, according to the most moderate
calculation, not less than three thousand tons of ore, and the whole estate of
'

'

company has upon it between two hundred and two hundi-ed and fifty thousand tons of the soft outcrop ore; while it is estimated that the quantity of the
hnrd or calcareous fossiliferous ore in readily accessible positions amounts to
When the admirable quality of the iron deseventy or eighty thousand tons.
rived from a mixture of ores possessing a large proportion of the soft fossiliferous variety is considered, and the superior ease and economy with which it
may be smelted, this whole east anticlinal district of Montoiu- ridge must be esteemed as one of the most fortunately-conditioned ore localities in the United
the

States.

Beside these ore deposits, and the limestone which supplies a considerable
quantity of lime and a limited quantity of rough building stone, no other minFarther south, as
eral resources exist in Columbia county, north of the river.
the rock exposures, already noted indicate, these resources are wanting, but
their absence is amply compensated by the coal measures which have been preHere the sub-carbonserved in the southeastern portion of the county's area.
iferous rocks form the surface, and coal is found in the McCauley mountain,
and underlying the whole of Conyngham township, save a narrow belt along
its northern line.
This irregular area, including the McCauley, Big and Locust mountain
basins is defined on the north and west by the elevations of Pocono sandstone,
which, passing under the local names of Nescopec, Catawissa, Little and Line
Western Middle
mountain, form a continuous rim, and the western limit of the
Coalfield. " This formation is pre eminently the mountain maker of this region.
It usually begins at the top with a very hard grayish, or yellowish white sandstone, in layers from one to three feet thick, which sometimes contains small
pebbles.
Beneath this uppermost sandstone lie gray and green sandstones,
It is
interstratified with occasional beds of shale, one of which is often red.
terminated below by a massive gray and yellowish white very coarse conglomerate, which, being usually quite different from anything to be found further
down in the series, defines sharply the lower limit of the No. X rocks. This
series is about six hundred feet thick in the Nescopec mountain, but southward
from this point it increased to seven or eight hundred feet in Little mountain.
This formation holds some thin streaks of coal, and thousands of dollars have
been fi'uitlessly expended in the effort to find it here in paying quantities.
Between the Pocono and Catskill is found a group of rocks to which the
name of Pocono- Catskill has been applied. As a whole, this group is composed largely of green and greenish-gray sandstones, interstratified with which
are often found thin beds of red shales, and a considerable bed of the latter
It appears to be a transition formation
often occurs at the top of the group.
combining some of the characters of both Pocono and Catskill, and the geolo
gist, unacquainted with its changing type, would at one time place them unhesitatingly in the one, and at another would feel sure that it belonged to the
'

'

other.

H

* The above extract is taken from Prof.
D. Rogers' report in Vol. I of the Pennsylvania Geological Report.'published in IS5-. Thi'^is re-published in Vol G7 of the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania (188.3),
the
early stages of the iron manufacture, the Danville-BlooinsProf.
P.
Leslie,
with
this
comment:
"In
by
J.
burg outcrop of this ore was of greai importance; but as time went on and larger furnaces, fed with anthracite,
called for richer ores, and in quantities which the small Clinton fossil beds were incapable of producing, its
relative importance so diminished, and its cost of mining so increased, that Mr. Rogers' careful description of it
In fact, our knowledge of it wa»
is all those interested in it, whether capitalisis or geologists, can require.
nearly as complete forty years ago as it is to-day."

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

35

The relation of these beds to the Pocono is shown in the gap at Catawissa
creek through Nescopec mountain, in Maine township, where the following section may be observed:
Feet.
1.

Sandstone, coarse, gray, yellowish

2.

Concealed

3.

Massive, grayish white
several beds

4.

5.

6.

Feet,

30^
^''j*^

I

conglomerates in

m

p
rocono

fi'^n
Obu

|

300

J

Gray sandstone,

shales, and concealed with
]
massive gray sandstone at base
300 '^^p
^"r t U'n 6io
|-rocono-L/alskill.
Sandstone, graj^ above, passing down into
reddish beds at base
7,5 J

Catskille red shale

,

.

lOO

In Little mountain, at Bear-Gap, the combined thickness of the Pocono and
Pocono- Catskili beds is about twelve hundred feet, of which probably five hundred feet should be considered as belonging to the latter.
The Mauch Chunk red shale (No. XI) beds extend westward in the narrow
trough of the Wyoming basin, between Huntingdon and Lee mountains, until
the latter come together near the eastern line of Columbia.
This formation
forms the Catawissa valley surrounding McCauley mountain, and has a thickness here of not less than two thousand feet. Between Little (No. X) and Big
(No. XII) mountains, across the northern part of Conyngham township, the
valley is formed by the Mauch Chunk red shale.
The PotlwiUe conglomerate (No. XII), which underlies the coal measures,
appears on the surface only on McCauley mountain, and in the valleys of the
branches which unite to form the Little Catawissa creek.
The Coal Measures of Pennsylvania, or carboniferous formation No. XIII
of the Paleozoic system, are divisible into two series
a lower and upper,
separated by from three to five hundred feet of barren measures, and covered
by an unknown thickness of shales and thin limestones, forming the rolling
table-land of Washington and Greene counties, in the southwest corner of the

—

state, and the central hills of the Pottsville anthracite coal basin.
The total
original thickness of the whole carboniferous formation is unknown, for its
uppermost deposits have been swept away. What is left may measure three

thousand

feet.

The

coal beds of the bituminous, the semi-bituminous and anthracite
regions are the same, and the difference in the character of their products, as
well as in the situation in which they are found, is due to the different degree
of natural disturbance which affected the strata in the various parts of the

In the slightly disturbed country west of the Alleghenies the coal beds
are spread out in their original horizon; in the anthracite country these beds
are contorted, broken, jammed together, turned over on their faces, and
squeezed by enormous pressure, so as to disappear at one place, to swell out to
three times their proper thickness at another, rendering mining operations
most difficult and costly.
They plunge to depths of two thousand feet below
the water level, and suddenly rise again to hights more than a thousand feet
above it, in a series of long and narrow basins, lying side by side, and ending
invariably in two sharp points, one east and the other west, on the tops of
state.

mountains.
that no general section can be constructed which
approximate the facts to be found in the several parts of the state, or even
the varying conditions to be found in the different localities in the anthracite
region.
A section observed at Scranton will illustrate the general appearance
It is apparent, therefore,

will

of the series in the anthracite region.
10

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

36

Feet.

1

25
5

Shales

20

Shales

Coal

CoalH

7

Interval of saiulstoue and shales

90
12
80
6
50
15
40

G

Coal

Interval of sandstone and shales

CoalF
Interval of sandstones chiefly

E

Coal

Interval of sandstone.

D

Coal

8

Interval of sandstone and top slate

60
6
50

CoalC
Interval of sandstone

B

Coal

5

50

Interval of sandstone ajid slates

Coal

A

—3

.^

Conglomerate XII

At Pottsville the interval rocks are sometimes three hnadred feet thick. The
harren measures are very thick and w^ell marked, and a great thickness of top-barren measures overlie the upper coals. There are about fifteen workable beds in
They are
this basin, with about ten smaller beds one or two feet thick.
known by numerous local names, such as the Gate, the Tracy, the Diamond,
the Orchard, Primrose, Holmes, Seven Foot, Mammoth, Skidmore, Buck
The Sharp mountain beds were first tried and abandoned
mountain, etc.
more than fifty years ago, because of their crushed condition and vertical posThe Gate, Tracy and other top -beds of the series were then mined, and
ture.
almost always disastrously to the operators.
The first extensive operations were upon the Diamond, Orchard and Primrose synclinals, a mile or two north of Pottsville, and on the center line of the
Meanwhile, the superior value
basin. These beds were pretty well worked out.
of the gray and white ash beds of the lower series, leaning up against the side
of Mine hill at gentle angles, was discovered, and all the great collieries of
the Pottsville district have been established on these, and especially upon the
Mammoth and Skidmore; the Mammoth being, in fact, three beds, which for
several miles lie close enough to each other to be mined together, furnishing
from thirty

When

to fifty feet of coal.

Mahanoy and Shamokin

regions were opened up, the principal
The Mammoth
located on the outcrops of these same beds.
bed is the sole dependence of the Hazleton basin; it is also the great bed of
the Wyoming valley; but in the country immediately north of Hazleton, the
Buck mountain, or lowest notable bed of the series, is the great bed of the collieries, in thickness running from twenty to thirty feet, and in quality excellWithin a year or two a great bed, twelve to
incr all the other anthracites.
fourteen feet thick, has l^een discovered to exist near the bottom of the co7iglomerate at the west end of the Pottsville basin; its outcrop has been followed
for many miles along the outside of the mountain, and large collieries are now
This bed has been traced up the Maestablished on it in the red shale valley.
hanoy, some miles east of Ashland, and is suspected to exist in force at the
west end of the Black- creek and Wilkesbarre basins.
The reports of the survey of the anthracite coal region, now in progress, do
Western Middle Coalfield
in which the mines of
not cover that part of the
Columbia county are situated, and the compiler of these pages finds it impossible, with the data at hand, to present any adequate statement of the coal reA brief general account of their development may be
sources of the county.
collieries

the

were

all

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.

.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

37

found in the chapter on Conyngham township, and some idea of the relation
of the coal beds in this region, with their average thickness, may be gained
from the following typical section of the Shenandoah and Mahanoy basins:
coal beds.

ROCK.
Ft.

1

Slate

2
3,

Big Tracy coal bed
Dark gray slate

4,

Siliceous rock

5

Gray

6.
7.

8.

9.

Diamond coal bed
Dark gray slate
Slate, with iron ore balls
Light sandstone

16.

Conglomerate
Dark gray slate
Little Orchard coal bed
Dark gray slate
Orchard coal bed
Dark gray slate

17.

Dark sandstone

18.

Slate,

19.

Primrose coal bed
Dark gray slate, with
Holmes coal bed

15.

20.
21.

slate

22.

Slate

Coal bed

4
38
14
30

's

9

9
4

11

4
10

23
10

io

78
16

57
.

1

rock

62

12

ii

"4

'3

10
6

4

Sandstone
Slate

29.

Mammoth coal bed, top member.

56
9
.

6
5
12

.

39
coal bed, middle

'7

member

11

22
coal bed, bottom

member

Conglomerate

36. Slate
37. Skidmore
38. Slate

is

6
8
6

coal bed

39:

Sandstone

40.

Slate

41.

Seven foot coal bed

42. Slate
43. Sandstone
44. Slate
45. Sandstone
46. Conglomerate
47. Slate

10
11
3

6

8
3

42
6

4

8

6

11

9
8
11
9

178
188
191
215
226
304
320
377
385
486
498
505
509
511
573
573
630
639
652
691
698
720
735
743
750
756
760
770
781
784
791
800
803

804
813
856
862
874

Buck Mountain coal bed
Total rock.
"
coal

71
75
114
128

5
9
9

ir;8

"9

'4

27.

Mammoth
Slate

In.

4
8
60
64

iron ore balls 100

28.

33.

total.
Ft.

41

6

24. Slate
25. Siliceous
26. Slate

34.
35.

10
10
8

19
10

with iron ore balls

23.

30. Slate
31. Miunuioth
32. Slate

In.

6

11.

14.

32
18
3

slate

Dark gray

13.

Ft.

4

10.

13.

In.

6
10

3
3
7
11
ii
'3
1

7
11
5

10

11
11
11

3
3

7
4

1|

10

6
5
3

r67

107

9

This section was compiled to accompany the map of the mines between
Mahanoy City and Shenandoah, which is being published by the Geological
Survey, and is supposed to be a typical section of the coal measui-es of that
region.
There are a great many changes between these two points in the
thickness of the coal beds and the rocks which separate them.
The section
'

'

would represent more particularly the stratigi-aphy in the vicinity of the Ellancolliery.
Although the Big Tracy bed is placed at the top of the sec-

gowan

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

38
tion, there

is,

125 feet of strata on top of

at least,

it."

[2d Geol. Survey of

AA, pp. 234-235.]
[Note. The foregoing chapter

Pa., Vol.

is indebted to the various writings of J. P. Leslie,
state geologist, Professors I. C. White, H. C. Lewis and C. A. Ashburaer, of the geologLiberty has
ical survey, not only for the facts, but also for much of the phraseology.
been taken' in making extracts from the reports, to adapt the language and selections ta
the purposes of this work, and to such an extent that the usual quotation marks would
have been misleading. This note, therefore, is intended to supply the place of such,

marks.

Ed.]

CHAPTER

11.

THE PLANTING AND EXTENSION OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
after the planting of the first pertide of civilization reached the
country which has since developed into the commonwealth of
The first colony to Virginia' was planted at Jamestown in

was some three-quarters of a century
ITmanent
colony on the continent that the

densely wooded
Pennsylvania.
1607; New Netherland was planted in 1615; the "Pilgrim Fathers" came in
1620; Connecticut was foimded from 1630 to 1636; Delaware in 1638; in 1674
New Jersey settlements began to line the eastern banks of the Delaware river,
and in 1682 Penn's first colony settled on the site of Philadelphia.
The settlers who thus made their way to the interior found here a vast forest of hemlock, pine, beech, oak and maple, broken only by the craggy face
of some precipitous mountain or the widely scattered planting spots, which
Within its
the natives kept clear of the intruding forests by autumnal fires.
recesses the natives reared their lodges beside its sequestered streams, and
which came to them from the seaboard,
little dreamed that the vague rumors
portended the humbling of their power and the extinction of their race.
The earliest of the Jesuit missionaries found the possession of the region
defined by the great lakes and the St. Lawrence on the north, and the Potomac and Chesapeake bay on the south, divided between the two leading famThe Iroquois were the first to reach this region in
ilies of the Indian race.
the course of their traditional migration from the west, and settled in the lake
Subsequently the Lenni Lenape, the great head of the Algonkin
reo-ion.
family found their way hither, and fixed upon the Delaware as their national
Three branches only of this nation appear to have crossed the Allecenter.'
ehenys, of which the Turtles and the Turkeys continued their migration to
the sealDoard, where they planted their villages and remained until disposThe Wolf branch, better known by their English name
sessed by the whites.
Delaware, extending^
of "the Monseys," planted itself at the Minisink, on the
the line of their villages on the east to the Hudson, and to the Susquehanna
on the west. From this latter branch were derived the difPerent tribes which
occupy the foreground in the early annals of the state.
For a time the two great families lived on terms of friendly intercourse,
but hostilities eventually broke out between them, which, by means fair and
Delawares, as they were named by the
foul resulted in the humbling of the
formidable tribe in Pennsylvania
most
the
family,
latter
the
Of
English.
were the Susquehannas. The river which perpetuates their name marks thewhich they pushed their forays, pursuing their vicsite of their villages, from
terror in the hearts of even thetorious career to the seaboard, and inspiring
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'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

39

Their successful career terminated, however, toward the
warlike Iroquois.
Their numbers were greatly diminished by
close of the seventeenth century.
the terrible ravages of the small-pox, and in 1675, it is said, they were completely overthrown by an unknown power, and di'iven from their ancient seats.
They migrated thence to the Maryland line, where they came in contact with
Here hostilities occurred, and were waged by the Susquethe Virginians.
hannas with a persistence which resulted in their practical annihilation. Other

kindred tribes occupied the places of the one driven out, though they appear
to have done so only by permission or direction of the Iroquois.
Dates in connection with the history of the North American Indians are of
If the Susquehannas maintained their inde
the most uncertain character.
pendence so long as suggested, they must have been the last of the Lenni
Lenape to do so, for it is generally accepted that long before this time the Iro-

arms or artifice, had gained complete ascendency over the
was accomplished is differently related by the dominant
and subject peoples. It appears, however, that the growing power of the
Algonkins suggested the necessity of confederation, on the part of the Iroquois, a measure which these astute natives were wise enough to accomplish.
From this period their power began to increase among the Indian nations, and
at the time of the whites' arrival exercised almost unquestioned authority over

by force

quois,

Delawares.

of

How

this

They
the aboriginal occupants of the country east of the Mississippi river.
claimed, as conquerors of the different tribes, the absolute ownership of this
vast territory, and parceled it out to Eiiropeans and aboriginees at their sovereign will and pleasure.
The statecraft of these unlettered conquerors of the American forests finds a
Warlike tribes were divided and kept
prototype in the policy of the Romans.
employed in further conquests or in reducing refractory nations, while all were
When the whites
placed under a close surveillance arid some form of tribute.
established themselves upon the continent and demonstrated their power, many
of the subject tribes were quick to perceive how they might profit by their
friendship.
Emboldened by such alliances, some of the Algonkin tribes resisted the boundless claims of the Iroquois, and much of the bloodshed and
ravages of war inflicted upon the early settlements in all parts of the country
resulted from a too general neglect of this change of attitude in the subject nations.
Penn, fortunately wiser in this respect than many of his contemporaries, not only extinguished the claims of the dominant nation, but repeatedly
purchased the rights of the native occupants, and thus saved his colony from
much of the harrassing experiences which fell to the lot of less favored
provinces.

William Penn was well fitted by his early education and experience to entertain the highest regard for the personal rights and liberties of those whom
fortune might place in his power, and he accordingly announced to the colonists who had previously settled within the limits of the teiTitory ceded to him,
"that it hath pleased God in his Providence to cast you within my Lott and
Care.
But he assured them that though the undertaking in which he had
engaged was new to him, yet God had given him an understanding of his duty
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He declared that they should be
and an 'honest minde to doe it uprightly.
governed by laws of their own making, and live a free, and if so disposed, a
sober and industrious people and his determination not to 'usiu-p the right of
any, nor oppress his person.
These sentiments he embodied in a letter to the
colonists in his new possessions, which he transmitted by the hand of William
Markham.
Contrary to the practice which was then generally observed, Penn did not
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

40

limit the operation of his principles of justice to the colonists, but "was influIn the language of Smith's
enced by a purer morality and a sounder policy. "
Laws of Pennsylvania, 'His religious principles did not permit him to wrest
'

Pennsylvania by force from the people to whom God and nature
gave it, nor to establish his title in blood; but under the shade of the lofty trees
of the forest, his right was fixed by treaties with the natives, and sanctified, as
it were, by smoking fi-om the calumet of peace.
WhenlVIarkham was dispatched to America, in May, 1681, prominent among
the provisions of his commission were instructions to negotiate with the natives
At the
for peaceable possession of the lands necessary for the new colony.
same time the proprietor addressed a conciliating address to the Indians, ia
which he expressed the most elevated sentiments. He declared to them that
althouo-h the king of the country in which he lived had granted him a great
province in their land, yet he only desired to enjoy it with their love and consent, that they might live together as neighbors and fi-iends; that he was not
io-norant of the iinkindness and injustice too much practiced toward them by
colonists who had sought to make great advantages for themselves, rather than
to be examples of goodness and patience to them, and had thereby caused great
But, he degrudo-ing and animosities, sometimes to the shedding of blood.
clared, I am not such a man, as is well known in my own country; and if £e
anything any shall offend you or your people, you shall have a full and speedy
satisfaction for the same by an equal number of just men on both sides, that byno means you may have just occasion of being offended. These were not idle
words, and resisting the most seductive temptations to vary from his liberal
views, in the latter part of this year Penn formulated his promises to colonists
and natives in a constitution, which was subsequently submitted to the settlers.
province.
It was cordially ratified, and became the fundamental law of the
Markham held a conference with the Indians at Shakamaxon, July 15,
The land
1682, and, it is believed, then first obtained a grant from the natives.
thus obtained was included between the Neshaminy creek and the Delaware,
and extended in a northerly direction to a point on the latter stream a short
In the following November Penn
distance above the mouth of Baker' s creek.
and while there is no written,
colonists,
of
company
second
a
with
had arrived
evidence to the fact, a long line of well confirmed tradition indicates that the proHere he met
prietor held another treaty with the Indians at the same place.
the representatives of the Delaware tribes of the Lenni Lenape, of the ShawanNo concessions of
ese and of the Iroquois tribes settled on the Conestoga.
land were sought by Penn, but he established those friendly relations between
the two races settled here, which, it is the proud boast of history, were never in-

the

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terrupted by either of the contracting parties.
Various treaties, however, were subsequently entered into with the tribes
occupyino- the neighboring lands, and not long before his return to England,
Penn secured the services of Governor Dongan, of New York, in obtaining
from the Five Nations a release of their claims to "all that tract of land lying
on both sides of the river Susquehanna, and the lakes adjacent in or near the

The conveyance was finally made to Penn, on
province of Pennsylvania.
This
of one hundi-ed pounds sterling."
consideration
"in
1696,
January 13,
was but a preliminary step, however. Penn's sense of justice would not permit
him to accept the Iroquois theory of ownership, and he wisely took measures to
have this sale confirmed by the occupants, or heirs of the former occupants, of
Accordingly in September. 1700, he obtained from the "Kings
this region.
name and
or Sachems of the Susquehanna Indians, 'and of the river under that
"lying
and be
region,
this
all
of
deed
a
thereof,"
sides
both
on
lands lying
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUMY.

41

ing upon both sides of said river, and next adjoining the same, to the utmost
confines of the lands which are, or formerly were, the right of the people or
and a distinct confirmation of the
nation called the Susquehanna Indians,
bargain and sale effected with the Five Nations.
Here the Conestoga Indians interposed their objections, refusing to recogPenn at once addressed himself
nize the validity of the Dongan purchase.
with unfailing patience to overcome this obstacle, and while in the province oa
his second visit, procured from the representatives of the Susquehannas, Potomac and Conestoga tribes a full confirmation and ratification of both the preThis was in April, 1701, but notwithstanding Ponn's liberal
vious deeds.
measures to extingviish every just claim, the possession of this territory still
continued in dispute.
In their ignorance of the interior, Penn and his agents
began their boundaries at certain well known natural objects, but indicated their
extension into the unknown region by such vague tei'ms as, " to run two days'
journey with an horse up into the country as the river doth go, " or
northwesterly back into the woods to make up two full days' journey, " "as far as
There is a tradition to the
a man can go in two days fi'om said station," etc.
effect that Penn himself walked out a part of the boundary designated in
Markham's first treaty. Arriving at the mouth of Baker's creek, it is said,
that he became satisfied that a line drawn from this point to Neshaminy creek
would include land enough for his immediate purposes, and left the remainder
to be finished at another time.
Whatever the truth may be in this instance, there is no evidence that any
similar lines, subsequently provided for, were similarly measured.
Literally
defined, these lines would have extended far beyond the expectation of either
of the contracting parties, and as the country became better known to the
colonists, more definite terms were employed to define the limits of these
grants.
To this end, after examining all former deeds, a treaty was entered
into between sundry chiefs of the Delawares and the agents of the proprietor
granting all lands between the Delaware and the Susquehanna
from Duck
creek to the mountains on this side Lechay. "
This was consummjited in September, 1718; but the settlers, maintaining the authority of the original treaty
lines, or ignoring all alike, pushed their improvements beyond the later line,
much to the dissatisfaction of the natives. Their most influential chiefs remonstrated with the proprietary government, isolated cases of hostilities ensued, and the prospect of a general war appeared imminent, when wiser counsels prevailed.
AVhile the new line seemed well understood on the Delaware,
on the Schuylkill
were confounded witli
the mountains this side of Lechay
the Kittatinny range, and settlers had planted themselves at Tulpehocken and
Oley.
This difficulty was finally adjusted in 1732, when Thomas Penn purchased the Tulpehocken lands, which now form the county of Berks.
At other points of the line encroachments continued to form the subject of
complaint, until in 1736, when, at a general gathering of the Iroquois, it was
determined to put an end to the bickerings which had so long been sustained.
Their representatives accordingly repaired to Philadelphia, and renewing old
treaties, by the signatures of twenty-three of their chiefs, deeded to Penn's
heirs
all the said river Susquehanna, with the lands lying on both sides
thereof, to extend eastward as far as the heads of the branches or springs
which run into the said Susquehanna, and all lands lying on the west side of
the said river, northward, up the same to the hills or mountains.
The line
thus established made the Kittatinny mountains the northwest boundary of the
ceded lands, but on the Delaware the line established by the treaty of 1718
remained unchanged.
This fact, however, did not exclude the unscrupulous
land seeker.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

At the time of the Tnlpehocken purchase a prominent land speculator
a warrant for the location and survey of ten thousand acres

had secured

land in the Minisinks, forty miles above the Indian boiindary line.
the same time the proprietor published proposals for the disposition of one hundred thousand acres by lottery, the prize-holders to
No exception was made of the
locate upon any lands not sold or settled.
lands not yet purchased of the Indians, and settlers on such lands found
the prizes of the lottery a valuable means of securing a valid title to their illegal improvements.
All this provoked the indignation of the natives, but, as
if this was not enough, an old claim was revived by which, under color of a
treaty, the whole region as far as Shoholo Creek was seized.
In 1686, Thomas Holme, agent and surveyor-general to William Penn, was
said to have secured from certain Delaware chiefs a deed to certain lands to exThe
tend one and a half days' walk from near Wrightstown into the interior.
original deed has never been discovered, but in 1737 a musty old copy was
brought forward, and two chiefs of the band occupying the region above the
The proprietors at once advertised for
site of Easton. induced to confirm it.
expert walkers, offering five hundred acres and five pounds sterling to the one
who should make the greatest distance in the time sjiecified. The walk took
place in the latter part of September, 1737, with two Indians attending, ostensibly as witnesses for the Delawares.
Three whites entered the race, but of the whole party two of the whites
only reached the north side of the Blue mountains, the rest having been worn
out and left behind.
The next morning one of these fainted and fell, and the
survivor pushed on to the Second or Broad mountain, some sixty-five miles
from the starting point, where he arrived at noon. The outrageous character of
When the walking party, atthis proceeding, was not lost upon the natives.
tended by mounted relays provided with liquor and refreshments for the contestants, reached the Blue mountains, they found a great number of Indians
But when they
collected, with the expectation that the walk would end there.
found there was still a half day's journey to complete the line, they were loud
in expressions of indignation at what they considered a palpable fraud.
A line was subsequently drawn from Broad mountain to the Delaware river,
just below Shoholo creek, and the territory thus included claimed under the
terms of the old treaty.
The Indians, however, with one accord, refused to
yield the lands, and the proprietary government, to avoid a hostile collision
with the determined savages, had recourse to the Iroquois. They sent messengers to the dominant nation in 1741, acquainting them with their case, and
claiming that, inasmuch as the whites had removed intruding settlers on the
demand of the Iroquois, they should now use their authority in removing the
Delawares from the lands thus purchased. In the following year, therefore,
a delegation of the Six Nations, to the number of two hundred and thirty,
appeared at Philadelphia. The Delawares were also summoned and the matter
brought before the conference for decision.
The finding of the Iroquois was a foregone conclusion. They had sold their
pretended claim to the region, they were flattered by the invitation to act as
arbitrators, and they could satisfy their vindictive hatred without personal
cost.
They promptly decided, therefore, in favor of the whites, and in a most
insolent speech bade the betrayed natives to remove either to Wyoming or
Shamokin.
Beset before and behind, the remnant of Delawares and Shawanese had no other course to pursue than to obey, a part continuing their
journey to Ohio.
The expanding settlements still kept in advance of the Indian boundary
of

About

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45

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

and the demand for more room soon began to be urgently pressed. In
1749, therefore, a further cession of land was secured fi-om the natives, the representatives of the Six Nations uniting with chiefs of the Shamokin, Delaware
and Shawanese occupants on August 22, in a deed granting the region north
of the Kittatinny range on the east side of the Susqehanna, within the following limits: Beginning on the river at the nearest mountains north of the
Mahanoy creek, and from thence extending by a direct line to the main branch
Much of this region had
of the Delaware at the north side of the Laxawaxen.
already been pre-empted by adventurous squatters, while west of the Susquehanna, the line of settlements were scarcely less advanced although the
line,

purchase line on this side was still marked by the Blue hills.
In 1753, the increased activity of the French in the valley of the Ohio began to create concern for the safety of the frontier. The enemy' s agents were
known to be actively engaged in seducing the natives from their allegiance to
the English; the Shawanese had yielded to their blandishments, and the DelaA general conference of repwares and Iroquois were known to be wavering.
resentatives fi'om the threatened colonies was called to meet at Albany, and to
this the Iroquois were also invited.
The meeting occurred in 1754, and on
July 6th the representatives of Pennsylvania secured a deed from the Indians
for all the land within the state southwest of a line beginning one mile above
the mouth of Penn's creek, and running thence "northwest and by west as
far
as
the province of Pennsylvania extends, to its western lines
or boundaries."
In determining this line, however, it was found to strike
The
the northern boundary a short distance west of the Conewango creek.
sold
lands of the Shawanese, Delaware and Monsey occupants were thus
from under their feet" contrary to the express stipulation of the Six Nations
to these tribes. Nothing further was needed to completely alienate these savages, and but little more to precipitate these savages into a cruel and relentless
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war upon the defenseless frontiers.
The defeat of Braddock, in 1755, decided the last waverer, and the border,
from the Delaware to the Allegheny, was at once ravaged with tomahawk and
fire-brand. On October 18th, a party of Indians attacked the settlers on Penn's
creek, and cai*ried off twenty-five persons, after burning and otherwise destroying the improvements. Five days later, a company of forty-six men from Paxtun creek, led by John Harris, went to Shamokin to inquire of the Indians

who the authors of the devastation were.
On their return, while crossing Mahanoy creek, they were ambushed by hostile savages; four were killed
by the enemy, four were drowned, and the rest put to flight. These incidents
inspired the pioneers in this region with such terror of the savages that all the
settlements between Shamokin and Hunter's mill, a space of fifty miles along
the Susquehanna, were deserted.
On the 13th of December, Weiser reported
to the provincial government that the country about Reading was in a dismal
condition.
Consternation, poverty and confusion were everywhere apparent,
with the prospect that the settlements would soon be abandoned. On the 16th,
reports fi-om Bethlehem and Nazareth gave account of two hundred savages
invading Northampton county, murdering the inhabitants and burning their
dwellings. On Christmas, reports were received fi'om Conrad Weiser, who had
been sent to Harris- ferry and who had gone thence up the west branch of the
Susquehanna, that the Delawares at Nescopec had given that place to the
French for a rendezvous, and frequent collisions had occurred between the hostile Indians and the white rangers.
It is unnecessary to cite further details to illustrate the reign of terror and
l)lood which devastated the frontiers, and carried consternation even to the
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

46

The most vigorous measures for defense were employed.
Bounties were offered for prisoners and for scalps of men, women
and children of the enemy; a chain of block-houses was stretched along the
Kittatinny hills from the Delaware to the Maryland line, and each garrisoned
with twenty to seventy-five men.
But by far the most effective in its results
was an expedition, concerted in 1756, against Kittanning an Indian stronghold on the Alleghany river.
The movement, under the direction of General
Armstrong, was entirely successful, and resulted in the complete disorganization of the Indian conspiracy against the frontier.
The savages were once
more willing to treat, and a grand council was convened atEaston in November
of this year.
The high contracting parties were Governor Denny, on the part of the province, and Teedyuscung, on the part of the natives.
Each leader was accompanied
by a considerable retinue, the whites making special effort to impose upon the
imagination of the Indians by the bravery of their martial display.
A previous
council had been held in July, but the attendance was small, and neither party
was fully prepared to join issue. The more important business was therefore
deferred until autumn.
Meanwhile Armstrong's expedition had occurred, and
the second meeting found the two parties ready to discuss their grievances.
When questioned as to the cause of the dissatisfaction and hostility of the Indians, the eminent chief mentioned the overtures of the French and the illusage of the provincial authorities.
He boldly declared that the very land on
which they stood had been taken from the rightful owners by fraud and not
only had the country from the Tohiccon Creek to Wyoming been thus taken,
but several tracts in New Jersey had been similarly stolen from his people.
And, subsequently, when the Six Nations had given them and the Shawanese
the country on the Juniata for a hunting-ground, with the full knowledge of
the governor, the latter permitted settlers to encroach upon their lands. Again,
in 1754 the governor had gone to Albany to purchase more lands of the Six
Nations, describing the lands sought by points of compass, which the Indians
did not understand, and, by the profusion of presents, obtained grants for lands
which the Iroquois did not intend to sell, including not only the Juniata, but
also the west branch of the Susquehanna.
W^hen these things were known to
native occupants, they declared they would no longer be friends with the English, who were trying to get all of their country.
This council lasted nine days, and resulted in a treaty of peace between the
two parties. Compensation was offered for the lands taken by the walking
purchase,
but this matter was deferred until those especially interested could
be present.
A council for this purpose was accordingly held in July, 1757,
when the whites resorted to a practice too common with them in such conferences.
Rum was freely supplied, and strenuous efforts made to place Teedyuscung hopelessly under its influence. Through the aid of certain Quakers
present this was prevented, and the whole settlement finally referred to the
king and council in England.
In the succeeding year another grand council
was held at Easton for the adjustment of the whole question of Indian grievances, and representatives of the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawanese, Miamis,
Mohicans, Monseys, Nauticokes, Conoys, etc. were present to the number of
five hundred.
The Iroquois had 'taken great offense on account of the independent treaty made by the Delawares and Shawanese in 1756, and had committed sundry outrages upon the settlements in the hope of embroiling the adjoining tribes with the whites.
In this conference, also, they took great offense
because of the prominence assumed by the Delaware chieftain, and it was only
through the earnest efforts of the Quakers present that rum and intrigue with the^
citizeus of Philadelphia.

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47

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

representatives of the Six Nations did not defeat the purposes of the conferTeedyiiscung, however, bore himself with dignity and firmness, and
ence.
eeciued from the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the principal
Indian agents, who represented the whites, a release of all lands beyond the Allegheny mountains, purchased in 1754, and the lands on the ''West Branch."
For the remainder the Indians gave a deed confirming the former purchase,
more clearly defining its boundaries, and received additional compensation
for the same.

The following five years were marked by peace and prosperity on the PennIn 1762 the " chain of friendship" between the natives and
sylvania border.
whites was "strengthened" and "brightened" at a council held in Lancaster; the
frontier settlements increased in population, and the Moravian missionaries extended their stations to Wyoming and vicinity, and re-established their mission
And in 176'2, after eifecting a purchase of the Six Nations,
at Gnadenhutten.
andTwith'tEe consent of the neighboring tribes, the first company of Connecticut
But this favorcolonists began their improvements in the Wyoming valley.
The Iroquois had joined hands
able state of affairs was not destined to last.
with Pontiac, who found that, after the destruction of the French, the English,
instead of receding to their old lines, had established themselves in the strongholds of their opponents.
Amongr the first indications of the unfavorable change was the murder of
Teedyuscuag in April, 1763. This is now believed to have been the deed of
the Six Nations, but was charged upon the Connecticut settlers, with the intention of involving the Delawares in the predetermined hostilities, as well as to
In the
cover the course which their vindictive hatred had lead them to take.
following October the same evil power destroyed the Wyoming settlements,
and subsequently carried the fire-brand and tomahawk into every fi'ontier community.
The fi'ontier was again depopulated, the dismayed pioneers fleeing
with their families and movable property to the stronger stations at ShippensA series of partisan forays and reburg, Carlisle, Lancaster and Reading.
prisals, characterized by the most barbarous exhibitions of revenge, on the
In 1764, however, the
part of both white and red men, marked the period.
strength of the Indian conspiracy was broken on the Pennsylvania frontier by
the well directed campaign of Colonel Bouquet.
A treaty of peace, with a
surrender of prisoners, was effected, and the matter of a ncAV boundary line
referred to England for instructions.
In the meantime the settlers returned to their abandoned improvements;
traders once more carried their wares to the Indian wigwam, and the more adventurous squatter once more trespassed upon the unpurchased lands of the
natives.
The Indians began to renew their murmurs of complaint, and observant men began to fear a renewal of savage hostilities, when instructions
from the crown were received and a council appointed to meet at Fort Stanwix
for the adjustment of all difficulties.
Few of the Indian nations, save the Iroquois confederacy, were represented, and the representatives of the latter alone
signed the treaty and received the consideration given for the lands ceded, although by the terms of the deed it was made binding upon the
dependent
tribes." This one-sided bargain was productive of prolonged hostilities in the
west, though, fortunately, not contested in Pennsylvania.
By the terms of this
cession all the province east and south of the following line was granted to representatives of the whites: Beginning on the northern charter boundary, where
the east branch of the Susquehanna crosses, following the east side of the
stream to a point opposite the mouth of Towanda creek; thence crossing the
river and following up the course of said creek to its source lying north of what
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

48
was known

as the Burnett hills; thence in a direct coui'se to Pine creek, and
course to the west branch of the Susquehanna; thence following up
the course of the said branch to a point nearest the site of the Indian town
Kittanning; thence in a direct course to said town; and thence down the Allegheny and Ohio to a point where it crosses the charter limit of the province on
the west.
It was this purchase that formally opened up the larger part of the territory now included within the limits of Columbia county, but the eager advance
of the adventurous pioneer had anticipated this action, and a considerable population was already to be found in the upper valley of the Susquehanna.
As has been previously suggested, this valley, north of the river forks, had
been assigned in the early days of the province to various dependent tribes of
the Six Nations, and the whites found the Delawares, Shawanese, Conoys, Nanticokes, Monseys and Mohicans located along the course of the river in scattered villages, or visiting the valley on hiinting expeditions.
Any attempt to
more specifically locate the aboriginal occupants, from data now accessible,
must prove unsatisfactory, but tradition points out the vicinity of Berwick,
Catawissa and Bloomsburg as the sites of minor villages, while temporary camps
were found elsewhere in the territory included within the present county limits.
The great war-path of the Iroquois, in their forays against the Catawbas of the
•south, traversed this region, and it was deemed especially important by the
dominant nation to keep a close surveillance upon its subjects in this vicinity,
Shikelthat they might not prove obstacles in the way of their expeditions.
lamy, a prominent Cayuga chief, was therefore sent here in 1728 as a kind of
colonial governor, who took up his abode in the native village of Shamokin,
on the site of Sunbury.
This village commanded the entrance to the valley on the south, as the character of the country made the early transportation by wheeled vehicles, or even
pack animals, impracticable, and its importance to the natives may readily be understood by the number of trails which converged here. One led up the
West
Branch" from Shamokin through the gap in the Muncy hills to the principal
village of the Monseys, the site of which is marked by the borough which perpetuates the tribal name.
From this point the trail to Wyoming followed the course
of Glade run to Fishing creek, at a point where Millville now stands, and thence
along the Huntingdon creek, through the Nescoj^eck gap, and up the river to
the Wyoming village.
To the upper village of VV'yalusing, a trail continued
up Muncy creek to its head, then crossing to the Loyalsock, half a mile from
where the Berwick turnpike crosses, it passed near the site of Dushore, and
struck the Wyalusing creek near the northeast corner of Sullivan county, and
then continued to its destination.
The trail which led to the villages on the
upper branches of the " West Branch," also passed through the Monsey village,
as did the one leading to the Shesheqnin village.
The latter turned off from
the first named trail at Bonser' s run, which it followed to its source, and then
extending to the Lycoming creek near the mouth of Mill creek, followed the
course of the stream to certain beaver dams, where it turned eastwardly and led
along the course of the Towanda creek to the site of the village, on the Susque
hanna.
A more direct route led up the Susquehanna to the flats near the site
•of Bloomsburg, and thence up the valley of Fishing creek to the vicinity of
Long Pond, where it diverged to the northeast and, striking the upper waters
of the Tunkhannock creek, followed it to its junction with the Susquehanna.
All these trails found their outlet toward the settlements by way of Shamokin and the river, and, when first familiar to the whites, bore ample evidence of
constant use.
Beside these, only one important trail led to the southeastern set-

down

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

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49

tlements the one from Wyoming to the
forks of the Delaware,
at Easton.
The other route, however, was the one generally traveled to reach Philadelphia,
the latter only coming into use after the extension of the settlements up the
Delaware.
To all other points, south and southwest, the Susquehanna trail
was not only the great Indian thoroughfare for the occupants of the valley, but
for the whole Iroquois confederacy.
The development of the settlements in Pennsylvania was first along the
upward course of the streams which emptied into the Delaware, and westward,
Their progress to the
in a somewhat narrow path, toward the Susquehanna.
year 1718, is fairly indicated by the treaty line established in that year. Three
years later, the Palatine settlement on the Tulpehocken was planted, and by
1735, the line of civilization had reached a limit well up to the foot of the Kittatinny range, from the Delaware to the Susquehanna.
During the thirteen
years following, the advance of the settlements was less rapid, and was chiefly
noticeable in the region of the Delaware.
In 1739, the celebrated GeorgeWhitfield began a settlement at Nazareth, and invited the newly arrived Moravians to join him. This gave rise to complaints from the Indians, and it was
8ubsequ.ently abandoned for Bethlehem.
In 1743, however, the pious adventurers retui'ned to Nazareth, completed Whitfield's unfinished building, and
established a flourishing colony there.
Three years later Friedenshutten was
founded on Mahoning creek (Carbon county), where a large number of Mohican followers of the Moravians were established. Here a large settlement gathered, and others elsewhere in the region; speculators secured and surveyed
large areas of land, until the threatening attitude of the Indians finally brought
about the treaty of 1749.
Nine years elapsed before another important cession of land was effected,
and in this interval the frontier settlements were gradually extended toward
the mountains west of the Susquehanna, up the coui'se of that stream as far as
Penn's creek on the west side, and Mahanoy creek on the east side.
Settlements were effected on the upper branches of the Tulpehocken (now Lebanon
county), as early as 1732; but along the Susquehanna the Moravians pioneered
the way.
In 1742, Count Zinzendorf came to Shamokin, where he was hospitably received by Shikellamy, and from thence went to Otzinachson, on the
" West Branch, " where he met Madame Montovu* and other Europeans who had
adopted Indian habits. In 1745, the Reverend David Brainerd visited Shamokin and found it a village of some fifty cabins, situated partly on the east and
west banks of the river, and partly on an island in the stream. Its inhabitants,
numbering about three hundred, were principally Delawares, and were accounted the most drunken, mischievous and rutfian-like fellows of any in these
parts; and Satan seemed to have his seat in this town, in an eminent manner."
Brainerd again visited the Susquehanna towns in the following year, and in
his diary expressed a similar opinion of the whole Indian population.
This
place was prominently used as a resting place by the war parties of the Six
Nations, in theii' forays against the Catawbas and other southern Indians, and
about this time the Iroquois requested the governor of the province to allow a
blacksmith to be stationed there, that they might be saved the trouble of seeking the services of those in the Tulpehocken settlements.
This was granted, on
condition that he was to remain only so long as they continued fi'iendly to the
English.
Anthony Schmidt was accordingly sent from Bethlehem, and in the
spring of 1747, the Moravians sent missionaries and built a mission house.
They appear to have had a strong and healthful influence over Shikellamy, the
Iroquois viceroy, and probably had much to do with his continued faithfulness,
to the English cause.
'

'

'

'

'

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

50

Notice of England's declaration of war against France reached the province
on the 11th of June, 1744:, but the negotiations of the French with the Indians
had been viewed with uneasiness by the colonists since 1728, and no effort was
spared to hold the Six Nations and their dependent tribes true to their treaties
Traders from the different colonies found their way to the
of friendship.
remotest nations east of the Mississippi, and gave fi'equent cause of complaint
to the savages, whose taste for rum was beyond their self-restraint, though
they repeatedly affirmed that it was through its influence that the unsci'upuloua
trader robbed them and brought on fatal encounters which were constantly
endangering the friendly relations of the two races. To these were added the
irritation occasioned by the steady encroachment of the settlements upon lands
This was allayed by purchasers fi-om time to
not purchased of the Indians.
time; but these, in the main, proved more satisfactory to the Six Nations thaa
to the native occupants.

In 1749, Shikellamy died, the Shawanese had withdi-awn to Ohio, and the
Iroquois, under the seductive influences of French agents, began to waver in
The regular alternation of encroachments and
their allegiance to the English.
purchases seemed likely to have no end, so long as the Indians possessed any
lands, and the feeling began to gain ground among the savages that some
other means must be sought to avoid probable extermination. Until 1755, the
conflict between the French and English did not involve the Indians of the

The success of the French in 1754, however, encouraged the Shawanese to join them, and Braddock's defeat in the following year precipitated
upon the Pennsylvania border the first Indian war of its history. Its result
interior.

to depopulate the advanced settlements, and lead to a general concentration of those hardly less exposed.
It was not until the treaty of 1768 opened the "new purchase " to settlers,
that the frontier communities had regained the positions held at the beginning

was

On the conclusion of
to make fresh advances.
authorities sent a small party of settlers to the
lands from which the Connecticut immigrants had been driven in 1763, with
the hope of supplanting those who claimed the land, under an independent purIn February, 1769,
chase from the Indians and the charter of Connecticut.
a colony of some forty persons arrived from Connecticut and quietly reposA bitter controversy, characterized
sessed themselves of their former claims.
by wanton cruelty and gross injustice, was thus begun and persistently carried
of the war,

and were prepared

this purchase, the provincial

In the summer following the settlement at Wyoming, the first
appeared in the territory now within the limits of Columbia county.
The new lands found ready sale among the speculators, and but little of the
It happened, therefore,
land in this county was settled by the first purchaser.
that the attention of John Eves, a resident'.of New Castle county, Delaware, was
directed to this region by a Philadelphian, who had made a large purchase
here.
In the summer of 1769, he came on a tour of inspection; in 1770, he
came with his son and prepared a home for his family, and, in 1771, took up
his permanent residence within the territory now included in Madison town-

on

for years.

settler

ship.

For about a year, this family were probably the only white occupants of the
The trails were the only roads, and
region now marked by the county limits.
the sole dependence for indispensable supplies was Harris' ferry, or Shamokin,
where, in 1756, Fort Augusta had been erected. The Eves did not long remain in
such isolation, however.
The Scotch-Irish settlements of the Kittatinny
valley sent forth their surplus population along the "West Branch," while here
and there a family turned inland to seek a home. In 1772, some Welsh fami-

;

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

51

from Chester county settled just south of the river, within the present
Maine township. In 1774, improvements were made in what are
now Beaver and Center townships, and in the following year in Madison
It is impossible to determine the number of persons included in
township.
the settlements indicated, but probably it did not exceed one hundred.
In 1772 the county of Northumberland was erected, with limits embracing
an area from which more than a score of counties have since been formed.
Its limits included the Wyoming settlement, which at this time proved a source
of great concern, to those who bore official responsibility, and disturbance to
the whole community.
For a time, this matter engaged the public attention
and tasked its energies, but the struggle for independence beginning to cast
its shadows before, public activities were turned in another direction.
Well
founded apprehensions began to be entertained that the savages would become
involved in the approaching conflict, and the colonial authorities made early
efforts to secure their neutrality, but with no strong assurance of success.
Such a state of affairs boded very serious consequences to this unprotected region, which lay in the very path of the powerful Iroquois.
Late in the year

lies

limits of

of 1775, and in the early part of the following year, the Wyoming settlers
held unofficial talks with representatives of the northern Indians, who, while
professing the most peaceful intentions, made their replies a tissue of complaints and protests against the erection of fortifications.
On one pretext or
another they sought to make occasion for the visit of the Indians, with a view,
as the settlers believed, to turn their presence to a hostile account whenever it
should suit their purpose to " dig up the hatchet."
The only fort at this time was at Shamokin. This was garrisoned by a detachment under the command of Capt. Hunter, and served as a rallying point
rather than a protection to the frontier, which was advanced some fifty miles
to the north of it.
Stockades were soon built, however, which became known
as forts.
Of these the Wyoming settlers erected, in 1776, the fort at
Pittston; and one called after the builder, "Fort Jenkins," was erected on the
west side of the river in the same vicinity.
Northumberland county had
also its
Committee of Safety, * which lost no time in organizing those capable of bearing arms for the defense of the settlements.
On the 8th of February, 1776, the gentlemen previously nominated by
their respective townships, met at the house of Kichard Malone, at the mouth
of the Chillisquaque.
The committee thus constituted consisted of John
Weitzel, Alexander Hunter and Thomond Ball, from Augusta township;
William Cook, Benjamin Alison and Thomas Hewet, fi'om Mahoning; Captain
John Hambright, William McKnight and William Shaw, from Turbut township; Robert Roble, William Watson and John Buckalew, from Muncey townphip; William Dunn, Thomas Hewes and Alexander Hamilton, from Bald Eagle
township; W^ alter Clark, William Irwin and Joseph Green, from Buffalo
township; James McClure, Thomas Clayton and Peter Mellick, fi'om Wyoming
township none indicated from Penn's township; none from Mahanoy township;
John Livingston, Maurice Davis and
Hall, from Potter' s township
and Walter Clarke, Matthew Brown and Marcus Hulings, from White Deer
township.
The committee organized by the election of Captain Hambright as
chairman, and Thomond Ball as clerk.
The first general business of the committee was to provide for the organization of a volunteer regiment.
The county
was divided into two parts, each of which was to raise a battalion the contingent
'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

;

:

*0n June 30, 1775, the provincial assembly appointed twenty-five mea to act as a "Coimuittee ol Safety "
who met on the 3d of July and orcanized, with Benjamin Franklin as president. Subsequently, aubsid ary
committees were constituted in each county, which corresponded and acted in conjunction with the central
committee.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

52

of the lower division to be oiScered by Samuel Hunter, colonel William Cooke,'
lieutenant-colonel; Casper Weitzel, first major; John Lee, second major; and that
of the upper division to be officered by William Plunket, colonel; James Mur;

ray, lieutenant-colonel; John Brady, first major; Cookson Long, second major.
Each battalion was to consist of six companies, each of which should number
at least forty privates.

The committee was changed once

in six months,

and but few members seem

to have retained their positions more than one term. To judge from its record
Some of its appointees proved
of proceedings, it was not remarkably efficient.
tories, and others do not appear to have been in accord with its administration.
It had occasion to complain that recruiting officers from other counties took
the balk of their fighting jjopulation into other organizations, and subsequent
events proved that what stand was made against the enemy was effected largely
by local leaders in their private capacity or by the continental forces. The
Wyoming settlement raised and equipped two companies, of eighty-four men
each, under the direction of the congress, but these were drawn to re-enforce
Washington' s retreating army in ihe following winter. It is sufficient tci say that
there was no bond of union between this settlement and the lower ones in
Fortunately it did not
the county, nor did their common danger beget one.
serve the purposes of the savages to carry their hostilities in this direction in
the first two years of the war, and it was not until the latter part of 1777 that

an impending blow upon this frontier began to be credited.
any particular share in the early movements to the
They were probably included in
residents of Columbia county territory.
'Wyoming township, but the undistui'bed condition of affairs did not demand
more active duty than occasional musters, or a short scouting expedition. The
relation of Moses Van Campen, whose house was then within the present limits
of Center township, gives the only detailed account of affairs here, that can

rumors

of

It is difficult to assign

now

be obtained.

My

first service was in the year 1777, when I served three months under Colonel John
Kelly, who stationed us at Big Isle, on the west branch of the Susquehanna. Nothing
particular transpired during that time, and in March, 1778, I was appointed lieutenant in
a company of six-months men. Shortly afterward I was ordered by Colonel Samuel
Hunter to proceed with about twenty men to Fishing creek, and to build a fort about three
miles from its mouth, for tiie reception of the inhabitants in case of an alarm from the
Indians. In May, my fort being nearly completed, our spies discovered a large body of
Indians making their way toward the fort. The neighboring residents had barel}' time
to fly to the fort for protection, leaving their goods behind. The Indians soon made their
appearance, and having plundered and burnt the houses, attacked the fort, keeping a
steady tire upon us during the day. At night they witlidrew, burning and destroying
everything in their route. What loss they sustained we could not ascertain as they carried off all the dead and wounded, though, from the marks of blood on the ground, it must
have been considerable.

The incident related above was the first Indian attack on this frontier in the
revolutionary war. Scouts of the enemy had previously been discovered about
the Wyoming settlements, but always at considerable distance away, as if their
purpose was to veil their real movements and to intercept any messengers who
might be sent for succor. Authentic information having reached the board of
war, however, of an attack on this region by a combined force of British and
savages, some inadequate measiu'es were suggested to meet it; but the blow
fell before the authorities could bring themselves to act decisively.
In May,
the scouts, who had hitherto invariably retired when discovered, piit on a bolder
front and killed a settler near Tunkhannock.
A few days later they fired on
a party of six with fatal effect, but still no concerted action took place until
the attack on Van Campen' s fort, which is locally known as Fort Wheeler.

(^y^^-^^r^^zm^xrin)

1

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

s

55

It is probable that this attack was designed to destroy any hope of re-enforcement from below, that Wyoming might have reason to entertain.
The
success of the expedition was not conspicuous, and in June, therefore, an advance force was sent hither to distract the attention of the lower settlements,
while the main attack was delivered at Wyoming.
The settlers who had fled
to Fort Wheeler remained there, and inclosed a parcel of ground not far from
One evening in June, when some of the comthe stockade for their cattle.

pany were engaged in milking, the sentinel on guard called attention to a suspicious movement in the bushes beyond the cattle pen. Examination developed
the fact that a party of Indians were approaching the milkers with the intenVan Campen, who was still in command, quickly
tion of surprising them.
summoned a party of ten men, and succeeded in gaining a position between the

savages and the milking party unobserved. Advancing to an intervening ridge,
the whites came upon the Indians within pistol-range. A sudden volley killed
the leader of the band, but did no execution upon the rest, who lost no time in
getting beyond the reach of a second fire. In the meantime, the surprised
milkers, startled by the firing, made a rapid race for the fort, while the discarded milk pails, flying in all directions, served to mark the precipitation of
the stampede.
On the 3d of July occurred the terrible massacre at Wyoming, the barbarous details of which are not excelled in horror by any other incident in the
whole range of savage warfare. The few survivors of this disaster fled down
the river or to the settlements on the Delaware, enduring the most heartrendering sufferings in their flight, and spreading the utmost consternation by
the recital of their sad story.
In the meantime parties of the enemy scouted
through the whole region, murdering defenseless families and burning abandoned houses. Many of the settlers fled, never to return, and others fled to
the most accessible stockade.
On learning of this sad state of affairs, the authorities took prompt measures to stay the course of the victorious enemy.
Colonel Hartley, of the Pennsylvania line, with a part of his regiment, was ordered to Sunbury at once.
The cduncil directed four hundred militia from Lancaster, one himdred and
fifty from Berks and three hundred from Northumberland county, to concen
trate at the same place; and General Mcintosh, arresting the march of Colonel
Broadhead toward Fort Pitt, directed him to march to Wyoming. Unfortunately,
these ample re- enforcements came too late; the people of that settlement who
had not perished were already flying or fled. Colonel Broadhead therefore^
halted at Sunbury, and took prompt measures to restrain the ravages of the
enemy, and to infuse courage in the hearts of those still in the country.
Scouts were employed in watching the Indian trails; reconnoitering parties
were sent out daily, and detachments stationed at important points. One of
these, "consisting of a major, two captains, one subaltern and eighty men, including sergeants," were posted at Briar creek, "a little below Nescopec.'*
Encouraged by these measures, many of the refugees returned, and, in companies, attempted to save something from the general wreck of theii* crops.
Hartley arrived about the 1st of August, and relieved Colonel Broadhead'
forces; a few days later Colonel Z. Butler, with twenty continental troops and
forty militia, reached

Wyoming.

Both

officers actively

engaged

in secui'ing

the settlements from the daily attacks of the savages.
Additional re -enforcements were sent to Butler from Easton, and on the 9th of August Hartley
wrote the former officer: "I expect another part of my regiment to join
me every day, and some more militia. I have established a post, and a work
is built, at one Jenkins's, about six miles below the Nescopeck falls.
There1

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

56

a garrison there, which is to be strengthened to-morrow; when I am
Shonld you not think
re -enforced, my wish is to extend our post to Wyoming.
yourself able to maintain yourself at AVyoming, you are to march your troops
to Jenkins' fort, at the place I have mentioned.
Colonel Hartley had fi-equent occasion to march in pursuit of marauding
drive them
parties of savages, but with no better success than to temporarily
diligent commander reported that, notofP, and on the 1st of September this
withstanding these efforts, "we are not certain we killed a single Indian."
is

now

"
Branch,"
In the latter^'part of this month, however, he led a force up the West
"
ButColonel
with
conjunction
in
Branch,"
North
the
to
over
and then crossing
The
stand at Sheshequin.
ler, from Wyoming, brought the savages to a
forces
united
the
when
loss,
considerable
with
flight
put
to
enemy was easily
in July
retired to Wyoming, where, on October 22d, the bodies of those slain
now
was
even
and
impossible,
found
been
hitherto
had
This
•were buried.
done hurriedly, amid constant alarms of an Indian attack.
Colonel Hartley soon returned to Sunbury, leaving a small garrison in the
destination than the
fort, but no sooner had the retiring forces reached their
plied their nefarious
who
savages,
lurking
by
infested
again
whole region was
from Sun•work with apparent impunity. On November 9, 1778, Hartley wrote

bury

to the executive council:

has come down in force and invested Wyoming.
the settlements on the Northeast Branch, as far as
Fort Jenkins, where we have a small garrison, has supported itself for the
Nescopeck
About seventy Indians were seen about twenty two miles from here yesterday
present
prisoners yester•evening, advancing toward the forks of Chillisquaque; they took some
*
day With the sniall force we have, we are endeavoring to make a stand.
Wyomino- I make no doubt, will make a good defense, but the garrison is rather too
Should the enemy take that post. New York, Pennsylvania and Jersey will then
small
I am drawing some little force together, and to-morrow
think too late of its importance.
in a body and make
will endeavor to attack those Indians on Chillisquaque, if they keep
Wyoa movement toward Fishing creek, which will probably be of use to the people of
ming. If Wyoming falls, the barbarians will undoubtedly approach these towns.

The enemy within these ten
They have burnt and destroyed

clays

all

Neither congress nor council was careless of such appeals, but the demands
difficult to
all parts of the service were so urgent that the wisest found it
dispose of the meager resources at command so as best to meet the rapidly
Aid was forwarded to the commandant at Fort Augusta,
arisincr emergencies.
and every effort made to encourage enlistments, but all this fell far short of
Even the severity of the winter put but a
the necessities of the situation.
upon the savages' cruel activity, and with spring
check
partial
On the 25th
their harrassing attacks were renewed with unabated vigor.
of Fort
vicinity
in
the
living
people
the
attacked
Indians
of
party
April,
a
of
Jenkins, and took two or three families prisoners. The garrison, learning of the
matter, promptly sent out a force of thirty men and rescued their unfortunate
coyer
friends, but the enemy, rallying in a body, drove the whites back to the
of the fort with a loss of three killed and four badly wounded. After burning
several houses near the fort, and killing the cattle to be found, they departed,
taking a number of horses with them. The next day they attacked Fort Freenear Muncy hill," and ravaged the surrounding country. On the 17th
land,
Jenkins, and
of May the savages again visited the settlements near Fort
(Mifkilled and scalped a family of four persons across the river fi'om the fort
In fact, there was not a day when Indians were not
flin township).

from

'

'

some part of this frontier, who seemed to
prowling about
commit the most cniel depredations without fear of reprisal; and such was
on the eve of breakthe growing discouragement that the county appeared
the houses of
but desolation, fire and smoke,
Nothing was seen
ing tip.
seen

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

57

the inhabitants, who fled to the forts for protection, being biirned almost as soon
as they were abandoned.
Early in 1779, a campaign up the Susquehanna, under command of GenIn June the troops
eral Sullivan, was projected against the Seneca Indians.
concentrated at Wilkesbarre, the local forces being fully employed in convoyEven in the presence
ing boats bearing supplies for the proposed expedition.
of this force of three or four thousand troops, the savages boldly committed
their depredations, almost within rifle-shot of the encampment, and it was not
until the latter part of August, when the army had reached the Indian country
and ravaged it with fire and sword, that this region had an interval of peace.
In the latter part of October, the return of the victorious army was welcomed by the loud rejoicing of the inhabitants of the river settlements. Before
the end of the month the army retired to Easton, leaving a greatly depleted
German regiment to garrison the forts. The force was entirely inadequate for
the purpose. There were but one hundred and twenty effective men, exclusive
of ofiicers, and only sixty of these were available for frontier service, as the
commanding ofiicer insisted on keeping one-half at the headquarters in SunForty men were therefore stationed at Fort Montgomery (in Montour
bury.
county), and twenty men at Fort Jenkins, while a company of fourteen local
were stationed at a point on the " West Branch, " seventeen miles
rangers
above Sunbury.
As winter set in, the people began to fear that Sullivan's campaign, severe
Distressing
as its results had been, had not broken the spirit of the savages.
as the condition of the Indians must have been, there were no signs of their
readiness to make overtiires for peace, and the borderers began to fear that
they were plotting a bloody reprisal, though an early and heavy fall of snow
made it probable that the blow would not be delivered before the spring. The
On April 2, 1780, Samuel Hunter, countyevent confirmed these forebodings.
lieutenant for Northumberland, wrote the president of the executive council
'

'

'

'

as follows:

The savages have made their appearance on our frontiers in a hostile manner. The
day before yesterday they took seven or eight prisoners* about two miles above Fort
Jenkins, and two days before that, carried off several people from about Wyoming. This
has struck such terror to the poor scattered inhabitants of this county, that all the settlers
above this will be in the towns of Sunbury and Northumberland before two days. Our
•case is really deplorable, and without some speedy assistance being ordered here, I am
afraid the county will break up entirely, as the German regiment that is stationed here is
no way adequate to grant us the necessary relief required. And as for calling out the
militia of this county, it is impossible to expect it in the present circumstances the inhabitants are reduced to; for if they miss getting spring crops put in the ground for the support of their families, they have nothing that can induce them to stay, except the council
would order some of the militia from our neighboring counties to act in conjunction with
a few continental troops that are here, and without something like this is done to
encourage the people, I dread the consequences that may ensue.
The case is quite altered with us from what it was this time twelve months.
had
a pretty good fort garrisoned at Muncy,of continental troops, Brady's fort and Freeland's,
with our own inhabitants, but now we have but about forty or tifty at Montgomery's and
thirty at Fort Jenkins, the latter of which was not able to spare men enough out of
the garrison to pursue the enemy that carried off the prisoners. I suppose there was not
above thirty Indians and tories in the party, and a pretty deep snow had fallen the night
before, by which they could be easily tracked.
I am sorry to mention this, as I have seen
the time, within this three years past, that we could turn out some hundred of good
woodsmen, but now the case is altered, as our county is quite drained of our best men.

We

To such appeals, and there were many of them, the reply of the council
was sympathetic and judicious. They exhibited their situation, in which they
were reduced to the painful necessity of listening to distress they could not
Refers

to the capture of the

Van Campen

party, the details for

which may be found on page

—

Chap. IX.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

58

and to claims they could not satisfy. They declared that the poor
people, like the wagoner in the fable, must put their own shoulders to the
will endeavor, " they wrote,
wheel as well as call on Hercules.
to
supply them with ammunition, provisions and such like assistance; we will
give rewards to those who distinguish themselves in short, we will do anything to create that spirit which is so necessary in an Indian war, a spirit of
hostility and enterprise, which will carry our young men to their towns.
The lamentable deficiency among the majority of the settlers in this region
was a conspicuous lack of this spirit. Bounties of one thousand dollars for
scalps and fifteen hundred for prisoners were offered, and yet not a dozen
claims of this kind were preferred here in the whole period of the war.
Responsibility was divided, the citizens and troops were not in perfect sympathy, and too many of the settlers were totally unequipped for ,the duties and
responsibilies which a state of hostilities devolve upon the pioneer.
The
enterprising settlers of Wyoming, notwithstanding their grievous losses and
horrible sufferings, made few demands for assistance, and fewer complaints,
and had not a base covetousness dictated the fatal policy of keeping the
Wyoming companies away from the defense of their own homes and families,
many lives that were lost, not only in Wyoming but elsewhere as well, might
have been preserved.
The community in Northumberland county was "strangely divided" in
Whig, Tory, Yankee, Pennamite, Dutch, Irish and English insentiment,
The general disall operating to interfere with the general success.
fluence'
like of the Yankee settlers at Wyoming found frequent expression in the official
communications of the county authorities, and the people were "hardly restrained from complaint against the keeping up of that garrison. " At the
same time they did not fail to urge their demands for assistance, to be drawn
fi'om the militia of the lower counties, with a wearisome persistence which repeatedly called forth good-tempered rebukes from the sorely-pressed council.
It was in vain the latter urged the recruiting of the home militia, offered high
The
bounties for scalps and prisoners, and sent comparatively liberal supplies.
The German troops garrisoned a chain
regular reply was a cry of helplessness.
of forts from the east to the west branch of the Susquehanna (Jenkins, Montgomery, Bossley and Boone' s Mills), and seemed unwilling to leave their posts for
any purpose. Scouting duty was performed by the militia and volunteers, but
with little result, save the finding of burning ruins and cold trails and parties
which went out in quest of scalps came back empty-handed, with a tale of conrelieve,

'

'

We

'

'

—

'

'

'

—

;

fused

trails,

they knew not where.
summer of 1 780, the German regiment was withdrawn, and
this region devolved upon the militia, under the command of

which

Some time

led,

in the

the protection of

General Potter. At the same time the council complained of the increasing
demands of this section, declaring that the marked attention it had given this
frontier had created a feeling of jealousy in other exposed communities, and
it will, therefore, unavoidably happen that
wrote the county lieutenant that
your exertions must be considerable in the county, and that your reliance upon
distant aid must also in some degree abate.
In the meantime scarcely a day passed without its tale of murder and arson;
isolated parties of savage marauders were frequently seen, and as the harvest
time approached, lively fears were entertained that the region would be visited
'

'

'

by a formidable force of the enemy.
party of three
partially realized.

A

was garrisoned by twenty

emy turned

militia.

their attention to

On the 6th of September, these fears were
hundred savages attacked Fort Rice, which

The whites returning

a brisk

fire,

the en-

burning the abandoned houses and unprotected

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

59

The alarm was
stacks of grain, and the destruction or stealing of the stock.
speedily carried to Sunbiuy, and a considerable body of militia mustered and
marched to the scene of danger; but the savages had disappeared, and, as
usually happened, there was no one present capable of tracing their course.
The forces accordingly divided and went in every direction but the one taken
by the enemy. On the next day they were heard of at Fort Jenkins, where
they burned the stockade, abandoned houses and grain stacks, and slaughtered
Fortunately, on the first alarm from Fort Rice the
or di'ove off the stock.
gan-ison of Jenkins, consisting of twenty militia, was withdrawn, as the additions made to the stockade for the accommodation of those who had gathered
to it, made it untenable against a determined attack.
The winter finally brought some relief to the harrassed community, and
especial effort was made to organize a home force for the protection of the
frontier. In the preceding June, the council had sent commissions and money
Thomas Robinson was
to aid in the organization of a company of rangers.
made captain, and Moses Van Campen ensign, but the other commissions
went a begging.
Under such circumstances the recruiting was not likely
April
to be rapid, and in December Robinson could only report seven men.
12th he had secured forty men, but many of them were so much in want of all
kinds of clothing that they could not do duty.
In the latter part of May, he
reported forty-seven men enlisted for the war, and eighteen for seven months.
Another officer had raised fifteen men for seven months' service, and a third
had secured twenty recruits for the same term. In February, 1781, Van
Campen was promoted to a lieutenantcy, and signalized his accession to
leading responsibility by praiseworthy activity.
Captain Robinson, being
neither a woodsman nor marksman, left the active command of the company
to his more experienced lieutenant, and the company was thenceforward employed in maintaining a line of scouting posts fi'om the north to the west
branch of the Susquehanna. In the spring of 1781, this company erected a
fort near Bloomsburg,
on the Widow McClure' s plantation, and there stored
its surplus supplies.
Notwithstanding these precautions, the enemy began their depredations
early in the spring, and continued them, with their usual success, far into the
'

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'

'

Many families, which had braved all dangers hitherto, now fled, and
probable that no families remained in the territory now embraced within
but
the limits of Columbia county, save in the vicinity of
McClure' s fort'
even this was abandoned whenever a strong attack was threatened.
The latter
paxi. of the year, however, was marked by some successful counter- strokes by
the whites, but these did not secure immunity from frequent depredations on
the part of the savages, until winter brought the usual suspension of active
summer.
it is

'

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;

hostilities.

In the subsequent years of the war, the brunt of Indian attacks fell on
the settlements on the " West Branch " and in the vicinity of Wyoming, but the
end was rapidly approaching, and the year of 1782 was less marked by savage
inroads on this frontier, though occasional murders were committed, even after
the British general had given his assurance that the savages had been recalled.
In January, 1783, the great principals in the war ceased active hostilities, and
in April peace was proclaimed to the American army.
The savages did not
lay down their weapons so soon, and some depredations are noted in this year,
within the old-time limits of Northumberland county, but the people had become reassured, and were rapidly returning to their lands. Some of the
improvements had been permanently abandoned by the terrified people, but in
the larger number of instances the settlers, worn out by the anxieties

60

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

the situation, had retired to Sunbnry or Northumberland to wait for
These were the first to return. A little later some
the return of peace.
who had retreated to the older communities returned, and brought new settlers
The treaty of October, 1784, removed the last barrier, and the
with them.
long pent-up tide of emigration flowed forth, each month marking a large
increase in the settlements of the upper valley of the Susquehanna.
The character of the lands in "the new purchase" was flatteringly set forth
by those whose military duties had brought them hither, and these, with many
others fi'om the older portions of the state, eagerly turned toward the country
now opened for settlement. It was to this migration that Columbia county
was indebted for its general settlement, the earlier settlers coming from the
older counties of the state, and those of a trifle later period coming largely
from west New Jersey. The people from the two localities were not essenThe Swede adventurers had been followed by
tially different in character.
the Dutch on both sides of the river, and a society, characterized to some
With the accession of Penn
extent by the institutions of each, had resulted.
a new element was introduced, which temporarily gave ascendency to the
English Quaker influence on both sides of the Delaware, but, as the news of
the proprietor's liberal principles spread abroad, the victims of oppression
"From England and Wales, from
everywhere turned to this new asylum.
Scotland and Ireland and the Low Countries emigrants crowded to the land
On the banks of the Rhine new companies were formed under
of promise.
better auspices than the Swedes; and, from the highlands above Worms, the
humble people renounced their German homes for his protection.
Within the limits of Pennsylvania, the English Quakers came close upon
Both Swedes and Dutch had made
the advent of the earlier nationalities.
isolated settlements here, however, when the Quakers of New Jersey, tempted
by the natm-al attractions of the country, crossed the Delaware. Before
Penn' 8 arrival, therefore, they had established settlements at Upland, Shakomaxon, and near the falls of the Delaware, opposite Trenton. The arrival of
Penn's colonies re- enforced their numbers, and by the close of 1682, some
twenty-three vessels had landed upward of two thousand more of their coEach year brought accessions to the number already here, and,
religionists.
until the great influx of Germans, were in numbers, as they long were in influMany of these people were persons of wealth
ence, the predominant element.
and distinction, and were induced to come to the new land only by the vigorThey were an industrious
ous persecutions which oppressed them at home.
and prudent people, and early placed the colony upon a flourishing and prosTheir settlements were made principally at Philadelphia
perous foundation.
and along the river, though a large proportion found homes inland in the
These were principally from Sussex, the home of Penn,
county of Chester.
from Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, England.
A considerable company of Welsh came in 1683, and, settling in Chester counThe names given the site of their settlety, joined the society of Friends.
ments still perpetuates their memory. Of these, Uwchlan, settled under the
auspices of David Lloyd, of Old Chester, contributed to the early settlement
A company of German Quakers, fi'om Kresheim, was
of Columbia county.
also a notable addition to the early settlement of this county.
Next to the Quaker immigration, that of the Germans was most important
They were a hardy, frugal and
in the early history of the commonwealth.
industrious people, retaining their customs and language with such tenacity as
to leave their impress upon society to the present, and spreading their influence
over a wide scope of country through the migrations of their descendants.
of

61

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Some of these people were among the earliest arrivals, but their numbers were
not marked until about 1725, when it became so great as to excite some alarm
lest they should "produce a German colony here, and perhaps such an one as
They came princiBritain once received from Saxony in the fifth century."
pally from the Palatinate, whence they were driven by religious persecution.
Many fled to England for protection, where Queen Anne supported them from
Hundreds were transported by the royal command to
the public treasury.

New York, whence they finally found their way to WestNew Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Many of these persons, as well as of the English, Irish, Scotch and Welsh,,

Ireland, and others to

ern

—

persons unable to pay their own passage and sold to.
as redemptioners
term of service to defray this cost. The public alarm at the increasing number of Palatine and Irish immigrants, caused the imposition of a tax on all
The
such persons, and for a time the Germans were refused naturalization.
latter continued to come, notwithstanding these discouragements and the great
privations they suffered from the advantage taken of their ignorance and simIn 1755, their numbers were
plicity by unscrupulous ship-owners and agents.
estimated at upwards of sixty thousand, of which some thirty thousand were
The rest were divided among the
of the German Keformed denomination.
Lutheran, Mennonite, Dunkard, Moravian, Quaker, Catholic and Schwenkenfeldter pursuasions, the first named being rather more numerous than any of
The Germans at first settled in the lower parts of Bucks, Montthe others.
gomery, Lancaster and Berks counties a little later their settlements extended
up the Tulpehocken, in 1732. reaching its headwaters in Lebanon county.
The Scotch and Scotch -Irish portion of the early population of the province
came subsequent to 1719, and constituted an important element of the hardy

came
a

;

The persecutions of the
people who reclaimed the valleys of Pennsylvania.
Protestants in Ireland under Charles I, which resulted in the massacre of
1041, drove many who had originally emigrated fi-om Scotland back to their
In 1662, the "act of uniformity" bore with equal oppression
native land.
upon both Scotch and Irish, who promptly availed themselves of the asylum
opened in the new world, and prepared the way for many others in the subsequent " troublous time. "
The interval of toleration dating from 1691, waa
and many alarmed
schism bill,
suspended in Queen Anne' s reign by the
dissenters from Ireland and Scotland followed the path of those who had come
earlier to America.
Many of the Scotch and Scotch- Irish in this later migration found their
way to Pennsylvania, settling at first along the Maryland line. They appear
to have seized their lands by "squatter right," and as they occupied a contested region were tolerated on these terms for the protection they afforded the
more remote settlements. They were subsequently viewed with some uneasiness by the agent of the proprietor, to whom it looked "as if Ireland was to
send all her inhabitants hither, for last week not less than six ships arrived, and
every day two or three arrive also.
The common fear is, that if they continue to
They were a
come, they will make themselves proprietors of the province."
somewhat intractable people, and having been tolerated in their first usurpaThey advocated the prinations, did not hesitate to extend their operations.
ciple that the heathen had few rights which Christians were bound to respect,
and seized the Conestoga manor, fifteen thousand acres of the best land of the
valley, insisting that it was against the laws of God and nature that so much,
They were
land should lie idle while so many Christians wanted it to use.
subsequently dispossessed by the sheriff and their cabins burned, but this temp>orary triumph of Indian rights returned some twenty-five years later
to plague
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•^62

inSTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

the inventor" in the massacre of Conestoga. In 1730, they occupied Donegal,
in the northwest corner of Lancaster county.
From this point they extended
their settlements northward, to which they gave the characteristic names of Paxton, Derry, Londonderry, etc. and to the west and northwest.
They made no
very permanent impression upon society, and subsequently lost a great part of
their number by emigration to the south.
The remainder have become assimilated, their native language has been lost, and as communities they have been
generally supplanted by the Germans.
The early settlement of Columbia followed the general order noted elsewhere, though this fact is rather a coincidence, than the expression of any
natural law of development.
The first settler was an English Quaker from
New Castle county, Del. others only a little later came from the Welsh settlement at Uwchlan, fi-om the Dutch settlement at the Minisinks, from the
German settlements in Berks county, from the Scotch-L'ish settlements, and
,

;

from

New

Jersey.
Here the war intervened, and for several years the develof the county was arrested and even retrograded. But before the smoke
•of burning houses had fairly cleared away, the tide of immigration again set in.
The available Hues of travel undoubtedly had much to do in determining
the character of the immigration, and these, largely the outgrowth of the
necessities of the frontier, led to the older settlements.
The oldest of these,
therefore, followed the line of the Susquehanna from Harris' ferry to Sunbmy, and it was by this route that communication with the lower counties
was principally maintained. Subsequently a road fi'om Reading to Sunbury,

opment

was opened, passing thi'ough Bear-Gap, which had the effect of leading some
to early settle in Locust township.
About 1787, a line of travel was opened
from Easton to Nescopec falls, which opened this region to the emigration
from New Jersey, to which Columbia county owed much of its early population.
In the following year the Reading road branched off near the site of Ashland
and led to Catawissa, a road that, in 1810, was established by the state. And
in 1800, a road from Catawissa to Reading was laid out on a more direct route,
which led to closer relations between the two places.
A general relation may therefore be discovered between these facts and the
character of the subsequent settlement of the county.
The English Quakers
who had been driven out returned in 1783, bringing others with them, though,
in 1779, others of this class from Exeter had found their way hither by the
same route. From 1779 to 1790, the emigrants from the Quaker settlements
in Berks and Chester counties and from New Jersey were a marked proportion of those who came to the county, though there were other accessions in
the meanwhile, and it is doubtful if they were at any time in the majority as
to numbers.
They were an intelligent and industrious people, and for a time
wielded the predominant influence.
They were notably strong at Catawissa
and in Greenwood, but ;the character of the soil south of the river disappointed
these thrifty farmers, and they began to emigrate, the larger 2:)art of them
leaving, between 179G and 1804, for Canada and Ohio.
In Greenwood they
were better pleased and have remained, constituting a majority of the present
population of that township.
The German immigration set in about 1788 and, until 1810, continued with
unabated vigor.
These people came at first, principally from Berks county,
though a few were fresh from their native land, and settled generally south of
the river.
Subsequent additions came from Lehigh and Northampton counties and settled north of the river.
These settlers were generally a plain,
plodding people, whose persistence has enabled them to overcome the stubborn
toil and make fair farms where the natural difficulties have discouraged others.

HISTORY OF COLUiMBIA COUNTY.

65

retain, in some parts of tlie county, many of their primitive customs and
national characteristics, while in all parts they have generally retained their
native language and constitute a large minority, if not a greater proportion of
the inhabitants of the county.
The New Jersey immigration was generally English, of the dissenting
classes, and came in from 1785 to 1802, though some preceded the opening
They are found almost entirely in that
of the road from Easton by ten years.

They

part of the county which lies north of the river, and constitute, perhaps, a maTo these should be added a few who came from the
jority of the population.
Connecticut settlements farther up the " North Branch, " and others who were

The
not in any way identified with the different tides of immigration noted.
present population is generally made up of the descendants of the first settlers.
The usual changes have taken place, but of the something more than thirty
thousand inhabitants in the county, by the last census, less than one thousand
were born out of the state. In Conyngham the character of the people is
somewhat affected by the locality; farming industries giving place to mining
pursuits, has invited a mixed population of recent origin and of various nationalities.
In Locust township a considerable number of Welsh immigrants
came about 1840; they were recently from their native land, and were well-todo farmers; they retained their native language, and erected a church, but becoming dissatisfied with the locality, they removed in the fifteen or twenty years
followiner.

CHAPTER

III.

OEGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.
POLITICAL
THEexpanding

development of Pennsylvania followed in the wake of
In 1682, the counties of Bucks, Philadelphia
and Chester were formed with limits intended to include not only the populated area, but territory enough in addition to meet, for a considerable time to
It was
come, the growing necessities of the rapidly increasing immigration.
not until 1729, therefore, that the extension of settlements and the purchase
At
of new lands from the Indians led to the erection of Lancaster county.
that time the Susquehanna marked the western limit of the province, but the
purchase of 1736 opened a triangular area west of the river, which was attached to Lancaster until the convenience of the increasing settlements in this
region, in 1749, demanded the erection of York county, and a year later for
The northern extension of these counties was
the erection of Cumberland.
limited by the Indian boundary line, marked by the Kittatinny range.
Again the extension of settlements and the treaty of 1749 demanded new
county organizations, and, in 1752, Berks and Northampton were formed to include in their jurisdiction the northern portions of the older counties and the
newly acquired territory between the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. Berks
embraced the larger area, and, by the treaty of 1768, extended to the present
In the meantime, the territory acquired west of
northern limits of the state.
the Siisquehanna by the treaties of 1754-8 had made the outlying county of
Cumberland too large for the convenience of its inhabitants, and in 1771, Bedford was erected.
A similar development was rapidly taking place east of the
its

settlements.

66

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Susqiiehanna, and, in 1772, Northumberland county was formed from the counBedford, Cumberland, Lancaster, Berks and Northampton, with an area
which now constitutes twenty-six counties. Its limits are thus indicated:
ties of

Beginning at the mouth of Mahoutongo creek, on the west side of the river Susquehanna; thence up the south side of said creeli, by the several courses thereof, to the head
of Robert Meteer's spring; thence west by north to the top of Tussey's mountain; thence
southwesterly along the summit of the mountain to Little Juniata; thence up the northeasterly side of the main branch of little Juniata to the head thereof; thence north to the
line of Berlcs county; thence east along said line to the extremity of the province; thence
east, along the northern boundary, to tiiat part thereof of the "great swamp;" thence south
to the most northern part of the swamp aforesaid; tlience with a straight line to the head
of the Lehigh, or Middle creelv; thence down the said creelt so far that a line run west
southwest will strike the forks of Mahontongo [there were two streams of that name]
creek,_ wliere Pine creek falls into the same, at the place called the Spread Eagle, on the
east side of the Susquehanna; thence down the southerly side of said creek to the river
aforesaid; thence down and across the river to the place of beginning.

This generous area has been successively restricted by the erection, in 1786,
Luzerne county; in 1789, of Mifflin; in 1795, of Lycoming; in 1800, of
Center; and in 1813, of Union and Columbia. The area included in the limits
of the last named county had been variously divided, while under the jurisdiction of the original county, and to understand the lines on which it was erected it will be convenient to notice the development of the early townships.
Northumberland was a county of
magnificent distances, and the same characteristic marked its subsidiary divisions.
Augusta township extended from
Sunbury nearly to the "plains of Wyoming;" Bald Eagle was nearly seventy
miles long; and Wyoming and Ttirbut were equally extensive.
Of the earliest
divisions of Northumberland, the townships of Augusta, Turbut and Wyoming, erected in April, 1772, included more or less of the subsequent area of
Columbia.
Augusta embraced the territory south of the river fi-om the forks
nearly to Wilkesbarre; Wyoming extended from the line of little Fishing creek
eastward along the river and included the territory in the bend of the Susquehanna; and Turbut included the area between little Fishing creek and the
of

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"

West Branch, " extending north

'

indefinitely.

In 1775, the area of Turbut township was restricted by the erection of
Mahoning, and further curtailed in 1786 by the erection of Derry; in the same
year, also, Chillisquaque was formed fi-om Mahoning.
In the meantime
a change had taken place south of the river.
At the April session
of the court of quarter- sessions for 1785>
certain of
the inhabitants
of
Augusta presented a petition in which they set forth its unwieldy
proportions, which they
conceived after a division would be large enough
and sufficient for two townships," and suggested a line of division "to
begin at the mouth of Gravel run where it empties into the northeast
branch of the Susquehanna, and to extend up said run to the first
large fork; thence up the east branch of said run a direct course till Shamo'

'

kin creek between the plantations of William Clark and Andrew Gregg; from
thence a direct line to a large deer-lick on the north side of Mahanoy hill, till
it joins the line that divides the township of Augusta and Mahanoy."
The
court appointed commissioners in accordance with the request of the petitioners and at the August session, their report having been received and confirmed, the court ordered that
the upper end of Augusta township be
called and known as Catawassa forever."
Notwithstanding the far-reaching
character of the court's order, the new township next appears in the records
as Catawessa, and subsequently as Catawissa, to which the popular taste has
since restricted the name; but there is nothing in the character of official
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

67

orthography to preclude the idea that it may eventually travel the whole range
of vowel sounds.
The township thus formed was soon found to be too large for the convenience of its population, and in August, 1788, it was divided by a line "beginning at the mouth of little Roaring creek; thence up said creek to the head
thereof; thence on the ridge to the south branch of big Eoaring creek; from
thence up the said creek to Yarnall's path; thence a southeast course to the
To the upper division the name of Ralpho was given, but a
county line."
This division still left Catawissa
year later this was changed to Shamokin.
thirty miles long and fifteen miles wide, and in April, 1795, and again in August of the same year, petitions were presented praying for a division of this
township.
Although the record of the court of quarter-sessions gives no intimation of the fact, the line suggested by the later petition was evidently adopted.
This began "at a gap in the mountain by the river side called Aspy's gap;
thence to Hartman's gap, in the Catawissa mountain; thence along the ridge of
the said mountain till it intersects the Little mountain; from thence to the
bridge over the Dark rvin (which said bridge is the first below the Catawiss^
bridge between that and Berks county line) thence the same coiu'se continued
until it meets the Berks county line.
The report of the commissioners appointed under this petition was delayed by one cause or another until 1797,
when it was confirmed and the eastern division called Mifflin.
In 1786, the formation of Luzerne county had divided the comprehensive
township of Wyoming, and three years later it was ordered that 'so much of
Wyoming township as is included in the county of Northumberland, on the division line between the county of Luzerne and the county af s' d. be henceforth
called and known by the name of FisnixacREEK. " As early as 1793, there was
a movement for the division of this township but it was unsuccessful but in April,
1797, the petition was renewed and the township divided by a line "beginning
upon Little Fishing creek, opposite to the mouth of Black run near John Buckalew's mill; thence in a direct course to the south end of Knob mountain or
Lee's mountain; thence upon the main edge of said mountain thence to interThis line was confirmed in August, and the
sect with Luzerne county line. "
new township thus formed to the south of it was named by the court "Green
Briarcreek.
In the following year a petition was presented for the division
of Briarcreek, the line to be run at the discretion of the commissioners appointed by the court.
The record does not give the report of the commissioners but subsequent events satisfactorily fix the line at tlie eastern boundary
of the present township of Orange, and south in a direct course to the river.
The new township was called Bloom after one of the county commissioners.
In Januaiy, 1799, a petition was presented for another division of Fishingcreek, and commissioners were appointed to run a line "commencing at the
mouth of Green creek, thence to the 'Narrows,' and along the same; thence in
a direct course to the big bridge [ridge ?] and thence unto the North mountain.
In the August session the report of the commissioners was confirmed and the
new township named Greenwood. In the following year an attempt was made
In 1801, a
to erect the township of Center, but this proved unsuccessful.
movement was made to divide Mahoning, and Hemlock was formed, though the
record does not exhibit the line of division nor any confirmation of the commissioners' report.
In April, 1812, the next change occurred. Fishingcreek
was still twenty miles long and eight miles wide, and a petition was presented
praying that this township should be divided by a line "beginning at a chestnut oak in the road leading from Thomas Conner's to Daniel Jackson's; thence
south seventy degrees east, five hundred perches to the school-house on
's
;

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68

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

plantation; thence east thirteen hundred and sixty perches to a white pine on
the Huntington town line.
This division was approved and the upper part
erected into a township named "Harrison, after General Harrison. " There appears to have been a difference between the court and the people in the choice
of a name for the new township, and whether the name found on the record
was the result of an inadvertence or a determined overruling of the popular
choice does not appear from the evidence now at command.
It is said that
SuGARLOAF is the name which appears upon the report submitted by the commissioners, and that this was the choice of the people.
Whatever the facts in this
respect may be, the name of Harrison was subsequently supplanted by its popular rival, and remains to this day, although authority for this substitution was
not discovered in the records of the court.
The townships of Bloom, Briarcreek, Chillisquaque, Catawissa, Derry,
Fishingcreek, Greenwood, Hemlock, Mahoning, Mifflin, Sugarloaf and Turbut had thus been formed, when an act of the legislature, approved March
22, 1813, provided for the erection of Columbia county.
The extensive area,
comprised in Northumberland county, prior to the formation of Union and
Columbia, rendered it certain that a division would, sooner or later, be made,
and one or more counties be formed from it. Property interests were, therefore, not less active than the convenience of the people, in shaping the lines
which ultimately constituted the limits of the last two counties. The lines of
each were affected by the other, and the logical result was that the leading men
of the two regions united to effect their several purposes in such a way as to
serve mutual interests.
At this time the disparity in outward advantages was not such as to prevent any eligible site for a village from hopefully entering the contest for metropolitan honors.
The proprietors of the Mifflinville plat had early indicated
the advantages of its position for a possible county seat; Eyersburg was a
flourishing village, centrally located between Sunbury and Wilkesbarre; and
Danville had the advantage of an unimportant preponderance of population.
While all these points may be said to have been interested in the question of
the formation of a new county, including this region, there was at this time,
however, no open contest.
The people settled in the upper valley of Fishing
creek, were much interested in the whole question, as were the citizens of
Eyersburg and Mifflinville, but these people, while persons of worth and local
influence, were by no means equal to an advantageous contest with the influence of Danville, when the legislature was to be acted upon.
The original
limits of Columbia county were, therefore, settled practically, without consulting their preferences, and resulted in the following boundaries, which were to
be in force "from and after the first Monday in September" (Sept. 6, 1813):
'

'

Beginning at the nine-mile tree, on the bank of the northeast branch of the Susquehanna, and from thence, by the line of Point township, to the line of Chillisquaque township; thence, by the line of Chillisquaque and Point townships, to the west branch of the
river Susquehanna; thence up the same to the line of Lycoming county; thence, bj^ the
line of Lycoming county, to the line of Luzerne county; thence, by the same, to the line
of Schuylkill county; thence, along the same, to the southwest corner of Catawissa township; thence, by the line of Catawissa and Shamokin townships, to the river Susquehanna;
and thence down said river to the place of beginning.

This act left the appointment of the three commissioners to fix upon the
the proposed pulDlic buildings to the discretion of the governor, with the
provision, however, that they should be "discreet and disinterested persojis,
not resident in the counties of Northumberland, Union or Columbia."
There
is a tradition that, of the three thus appointed, one favored Bloomsburg, but
circumstances were such that he failed to meet with his conferees, and they
site of

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

69

selected Danville.
As they were required to choose a site in Columbia county,
as near the center as the situation thereof will admit,
and were made competent to transact the business in any event, the absence of the third member
'

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'

probably had no important effect upon the decision.
The commissioners' action met with a spirited remonstrance at once.
Some professed to know that
improper means were employed to secure the selection of Danville, and many
more believed it upon more or less reasonable grounds. The people in the
eastern portions of that new county thought that their interests had not been
fairly consulted, and that Danville was not a materially better location than
Sunbury.
It was pointed out that the new seat of justice was only twelve
miles from the old one, and that it was not
as near the center as the situation thereof will admit.
Operations were soon commenced to present the
facts to the legislature, and request a relocation of the county seat, and on
January 11, 1814, Leonard Rupert, then in the ''house," presented nineteen
petitions, signed by 1,046 citizens of the county, praying for the removal of
the seat of justice to Bloomsburg.
The matter was referred to a special committee, which on February 2, 1814,
reported in favor of granting the prayer of the petitioners.
They agreed with
the petitioners
that the town of Bloomsburg on big Fishing creek, a pure and
navigable stream of water, and only one mile from the river Susquehanna, will
be more convenient and much more central.
The committee held, also, that
an examination of the map showed that the location of the county seat at Danville did not "comport with the meaning and spirit of the law."
A resolution
was offered that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill agreeably to the
prayer of the petitioners, but it was
laid upon the table,
and died an easy
death.
In December, 1814, and March, 1815, similar petitions were presented, which met a similar fate, but another element was projected into the issue
at this time, which materially strengthened the position of the petitioners.
It
appeared that the townships of Turbut and Chillisquaque had been included in
the new county in opposition to the wish of nine-tenths of their inhabitants,
and they came before the legislature with an earnest demand to be re-annexed
to Northumberland.
It is hardly probable that this was a part of any secret
programme, as it would leave Danville in a far less defensible position to accede to this demand, but it was obviously better to do this than to incur their
determined hostility by holding them in the new county, when their enmity
could prove effective in aiding the cause of the partisans of removal, and on
February 21, 1815, these townships were rejoined to Northumberland.
However illogical, this action was accepted by many as an evidence of a
previous bargain, and it was loudly proclaimed that these townships had only
been included in Columbia for the purpose of insuring the location of the county seat at Danville.
The seat of justice was now truly "on the very verge of
the county,
and the opposition came to the next legislature with great confidence in their ultimate success.
But the Danville leaders were not to be so
easily beaten.
Realizing the weakness of their position under the new dispensation, they promptly effected a diversion in their favor, and on January 22,
1816, a law was passed reannexing apart of these townships to Columbia again.
This partially restored the equilibrium of the country centering in Danville,
but the county seat was still, in a marked degi'ee, west of a central location,
and those of the people in favor of a removal, apprehending the determined
character of the struggle, proceeded to organize for the accomplishment of
their purpose.
On the 15th of February, 1816, a number of townships sent
delegates to Bloomsburg, pursuant to a call
for the purpose of devising
measures to obtain a removal of the seat of justice for said county, from Dan'

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

70

Bloom was represented by Levi Aikman and
more central location.
Samuel Webb, Jr.; Briarcreek by John Stewart and George Kelchner; Catawissa by Major Joseph Paxton and William Brewer; Derry by Jacob Swislier
and Marshal Gh-ton; Fishing creek by Daniel Bealer and William Bobbins;
Greenwood by Abner Mendenhell and Henry Miller; and Sugarloaf by Philip
The meeting organized with Hon. Leonard RuFritz and William Wilson.
pert, as chairman, and Samuel Webb, Jr., as secretary, and resulted in the
appointment of Paxton, Mendenhall and Webb as a committee to urge the en'

ville to a

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for the seat of
actment of a law granting the citizens the privilege of voting
Each of the parties to the contest were represented
in the legislative lobbies by determined partisans, but in these struggles the
influence of Danville proved the stronger, and the party for removal was reguThe county seat had the weight of the legal profession of the
larly defeated.
county, which was then concentrated there; it had the only men of state reputation and influence and it had the preponderance of wealth and business, if
The justice of the complaints seems to have
not of population, in its favor.
been generally recognized by the committees to whom the various petitions
were referred, and favorable reports were generally made, but the legislature invariably defeated favorable action. In February, 1816, it was asked that a law be
passed to suspend the erection of public buildings for one year, and that the
people be authorized, in the meantime, to select a location for the county seat by
popular vote; but this petition, though obtaining the sanction of the commitIn 1821, another determined effort was
tee, was refused by the "House."
The matter proceeded as far as the framing of a bill granting the pemade.
In
tition for the submission of the question to a vote, but it got no further.
December, the matter was again brought up, referred to a special committee,
who reported adversely, and there the matter rested for years. But the star
of empire was gradually making its way eastward, and when most discouraged
the partisans of removal were surely nearing success.
The act of 1816, restoring parts of Turbut and Chillisquaque townships to
beginning at the corner of
Columbia, described the new boundary line as
Point and Chillisquaque townships, in Columbia county; thence by the line of
said townships along the summit of Montour's mountain, to where what is
called Strawbridge' s road crosses said mountain; thence by said road to where
the road fi'om Wilson's mills to Danville intersects said road; thence to the
bridge over Chillisquaque creek at James Murray's; thence by what is called
Harrison's road past Chillisquaque meeting-house to the corner of Turbut and
The portions of Turbut
Derry townships in the line of Lycoming county.
and Chillisquaque townships thus restored were subsequently named Limestone and Liberty, respectively, and from this date forward the evidences of
development were largely in favor of the eastern portion of the county.
In April, 1817, the inhabitants in the eastern part of Derry, which then included the territory of the present townships of Madison and Pine, asked for the
This was granted, the division line following the
erection of a new township.
present western line from the Lycoming county boundaiy to the eastern line of
West Hemlock; thence along said line to the limit of Valley township; thence
easterly to little Fishing creek.
In the latter part of this year certain residents in Bloom, Greenwood and Fishing creek complained that the water of
big Fishing creek seriously inconvenienced the people residing northwest of
the creek, and often prevented their attending elections and other meetings for
They petitioned, therefore, for the erecthe transaction of township business.
tion of a new township from the contiguoiis portions of those townships lying
on the north side of the river. Commissioners were appointed to examine the
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

71

matter, and, if they found it necessary, to report the bounds for a new townThe report confirmed the statement, and returned the specifications of
ship.
the proposed limits agi'eeable to the ones asked by the petitioners. These were
generally described as beginning at the mouth of little Fishing creek, and up
along said creek to the mouth of Robert Montgomery's tail-race; thence along
the comb of the swamp ridge, including John Rodger's house, to the "Narrows" of Green creek; thence along said creek till it joins big Fishing creek;
To this was also added
thence along said creek to the place of beginning.
" a small corner of Greenwood township lying on the southeast side of big
Fishing creek, opposite Miller's mill," constituting a township of about twenThe report was confirmed on April 8, 1818, and the
ty-four square miles.
township named, from a prominent natiu'al object. Mount Pleasant.
This sufficed for the growing population until the January session of the
coui't of quarter-sessions in 1832, when "divers inhabitants of the township
of Catawissa" represented this township was too large "for the inspection
It was represented that the
and supervision of the usual number of officers.
broken character of the country required a great length of road, to keep which
in proper repair was more than two supervisors could conveniently do; that
the distance necessarily traveled to reach the place of election and town meetings, was so great as to cause great inconvenience to the voters, especially the
aged and infirm, "thus, in effect, depriving such persons of the inestimable
privilege of election;" that in population and area it was equal to two other
townships in the county; and that it was practically divided by a natui'al barrier, which made its legal division the more desirable.
These reasons were accepted by the court and its appointees who investigated the situation, and in
April, 1832, the court confirmed the division line
beginning at the line of
Mifflin township, near the house of Jacob Fisher, and running thence a straight
line to the house of Adam Gorrell; thence to the fulling-mill, late of John
and Joseph Hughs; thence to Yoder's mill; and from thence to the mouth of
Musser's run, which point is on the line of Northumberland."
This is the
northei'n line of the present townships of Roakingcreek and Locust, south of
which was then erected a single township with the first mentioned name.
In April, 1833, an application was made for the division of Hemlock, and a favorable report was made by the viewing commissioners, but the court found reason to set it aside and deny the petition; but in August, 1837, the petition was
Complaint was then made that the township was too large for the
renewed.
convenience of the people in attending to public business that this inconvenience
was increased "in consequence of several bridges [ridges?] running quite
through the township, separating the inhabitants in a great measure, and compelling a large portion of the inhabitants to cross two of said bridges [ ?] to
get to the election, settlement of jownship accounts, work the roads, etc."
The "viewers" again reported favorably, and designated "the lop of the
ridge, which extends from or near the late John Montgomery's mill, in Mahoning township, to Isaac Barton' s mill, on Hemlock creek,
as the dividing line.
This the court confirmed ii^ the November term of 1837, and named the part
south of the line Montour.
In April of this year it was proposed to annex a part of Greenwood to
Sugarloaf, but this did not meet with favor fi-om the court, and in April of the
following year it was proposed to form a new township from parts of each of
The boundary line of the proposed township began at the
the older ones.
west side of big Fishing creek, at the division line between Sugarloaf and
Fishing creek township; thence west to Thomas' sawmill; thence to follow the
line between Greenwood and Madison north to the Lycoming creek; thence to
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

72

Lycoming county line east to the head- waters of West creek; thence
West creek to place of beginning." This line was confirmed
November, 1838, and the new township named Jackson. In the following
follow

tlie

to follow said

August, however, the people of Jackson, living in that part which was originally taken off of Sugarloaf, asked to be reannexed to the latter township.
They represented that they were a majority of the people in Jackson; that the
division

January

was made against

and constituted a valid grievance. On
was granted, leaving Jackson with its present

their will,

31, 1840, this petition

area.

In the meanwhile a voting precinct had been formed fi'om the adjacent
portions of Bloom, Mount Pleasant and Fishing creek, with the name of
In the January session of 1839, the people of this preOrangeville precinct.
Its proposed
cinct asked to have it erected into an independent township.
boundaries were rather irregular, and can be described only by the technical
This began "at a stone heap on the top of the
line of the commissioners.
Knob mountain; thence north 55° west, 1,138 perches to a post; thence along
the line of Greenwood, south 76° west, 683 perches; thence south 20° east,
980 perches to a point on Fishing creek; thence south 11° east, down said
creek, 577 perches to a post below what is now McDowell's mill (formerly
Jews' mill); thence along what is called the Summer hills, north 70° east, 620
perches to a post; by same north 76° east, 637 perches to a post in the line of
Briarcreek; thence along same, north 1^° west, 637 perches; thence easterly to
This line was reported in April, 1839, but was met
place of beginning."
The matter
with a remonstrance, and both were ordered filed for argument.
was thus delayed and kept under advisement until January 31, 1840, when the
At the same sesreport was confirmed and the new township named Orange.
sion of the court a petition was presented for the erection of a new township
from Mahoning and Derry, and in the next August Valley was formed.
In January, 1843, Catawissa was represented as still too large for the convenience of the expanding population, and the court was petitioned to form a
new township of its western portion. The line, as confirmed by the court at
a subsequent session in this year, began " at a chestnut oak nine perches below the mouth of Clayton's run;" thence to the run, and up its course to the
forks; thence up the east branch " forty perches to a stone-heap," in the line
between John Forten and Conrad Fenstimaker, and thence southerly to the
This township was named Franklin,
line of Roaring creek (now Locust).
and included the present township of that name and Mayberry. In the following April Bloom and Briarcreek found that the population of their outlying
territory had outgrown the early facilities, and asked the court to confirm two
lines of division, the one to begin at the Susquehanna, on the line between the
lands of Philip Miller and the heirs of Henry Trimbly, deceased, in Bloom
township, and thence in a direct line northward to strike the Orange line the
other to begin at the river, on the line between the lands of Alten Bowman
and John Freese, Jr., in Briarcreek township, and thence northwardly in a
The northdirect line to strike the Fishing creek line on the Knob mountain.
ern boundary followed the line of Fishing creek township to the Orange line,
and thence along said line of Orange to intersect with the northern end of first
line mentioned.
This proposition was met with a remonstrance, and in April,
1844, was referred to a second commission, which reported the same lines favorably, which, on November 25th, were "confirmed absolutely" by the court.
On account of its situation the new township was named Center.
The year 1843, was especially marked by the activity in township building,
and in N^ovember a third township was projected, to be formed fi'om the out;

^^^.."rJ/,,

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

75

A favorable report was had by the
lying portions of Catawissa and Mifflin.
viewers, but a spirited remonstrance caused the matter to be referred to a second commission, which returned a favorable report in August of the succeeding
There were few natural boundaries, and the lines are therefore best inyear.
dicated in the language of the report, which were to begin " at a hemlock on
the bank of the Susquehanna, and near the mouth of Thresher's run; thence
south 21° east 848 perches to a stone; thence south 16° east 494 perches to a
stone heap on the summit of Nescopec mountain; thence continuing to the line
of Schuykill County; thence along the same to the line of Roaringcreek
township; thence northwardly along same to a black oak in Jacob Fisher's
field, a corner of Roaringcreek township; thence by the same, south 65° west,
760 perches to a white pine; thence north 25° west, 1,358 perches to a beech
on the bank of said river; and thence up the same 1,587 perches, to place of
The township thus described was a quadi-alateral with a wedgebeginning.
shaped appendage extending southeasterly to the Schuylkill county line. Several siu'veys were made, and each was strongly opposed, and it was not xintil
November 25, 1844, that the objections to the above line were overruled and the
repoi't of the commissioners confirmed absolutely by the court.
In the final
report the name of the township is written Maine, though the records quite as
There is no evidence to show whether the one or
often omit the final vowel.
the other spelling indicates the idea of the sponsors of the new township.
In 1845, there was a movement to divide Roaringcreek, but a commission
reported adversely to the petition, and the matter was dropped.
At the same
term of court, however, there was presented a petition to divide Miiflin, which
eventually proved successful. The Nescopec mountain had proved a barrier to
the free communication of the people as the settlements increased south of it,
created dissatisfaction in the collection and ajjpropriation of taxes.
and
The Paxton election precinct had been formed in the territory south of the
mountain, which is occasionally referred to in the records as a "proposed
proposed" until this date.
but it was not officially
township,
In the report
confirmed by the court November 22, 1845, the movmtain was made the northern boundary from the Luzerne county line to the line of Maine township;
"thence down the summit of the mountain, south 75^^'' west, 138 perches to a
chestnut oak corner; thence striking down the south side of said mountain,
south 2G.T° west, 610 perches to a black oak in Jacob Fisher's field, a corner
of Roaringcreek and Maine township," taking off the wedge-shaped appendage of the latter township and adding it to the proposed township.
This was
called Beaver, which still retains its original shape and area.
In 1847, Derry was divided and Anthony formed. In January, 1850, SugarFive years before the same request had been made
loaf asked for a division.
and i-efused; but the growth of population now made the demand with such persistence that, notwithstanding the adverse report of the first commission appointed, it was finally divided in the summer term by a line starting on the
county boundary three and three-quarters miles above the northeast corner of
Fishingcreek, and thence north 88° west four miles and 146 perches, to a
post on the Jackson line three miles and 160 perches above the southwest corner of Sngarloaf.
South of this line the territory of the latter township was
In the January term. Madison
erected into a new township called Benton.
also petitioned for a division of its area, the petition setting forth that it contained " four hundred taxables;" but the erection of Montour county solved
this question in another way.
The division of Columbia county, in 1850, was the final outcome of the
struggle which was inaugurated in 1813; from that date to 1821 the contest
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70

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

was scarcely intermitted; but from 1821 to 1833 the matter was not carried to
In every
the legislature, though the demand for removal had not abated.
campaign this question formulated the test by which the candidates for county
or legislative honors were tried' and their election contested, but the issue was,
for a time, so confused by conflicting interests that no decisive resiilts could
be obtained. In 1822, Columbia was made a separate district, from which two
state representatives were elected, and the opposed factions being thus equally
The representation of the county in the
represented the matter was tabooed.
In
state senate also added to the difficulties of the partisans for removal.
1814, Northumberland, Columbia, Union, Luzerne and Susquehanna were
united in a district with two senatorial representatives; but with Columbia
divided and the others indifferent it was impossible to elect a senator pledged
But while thiis hampered and delayed, the eastern faction of the
to removal.
county bided the time when natural decay or accident should bring up the
,

question of extensive repairs, or the appropriation for the erection of new buildino-s.
This came in 1833, when the grand jury, at the November session, reported to the court that the public records were in great danger of being destroyed by fire for want of suitable protection, and recommended the erection
This action aroused the opponents of the Danville locaof fire-proof offices.
tion, who were determined that no public money should be appropriated
Petitions for the removal of the countyfor the repair of the old buildings.
seat were again vigorously circulated and numerously signed, and were preThese were so strenuously urged
sented in both branches of the legislature.
that bills to carry out the prayer of the petitioners were presented in each
house, the one in the senate, however, alone coming to a vote, when it was
defeated by a majority of eleven to fifteen.
This issue was further complicated, in the meanwhile, by the ambition of
Berwick to secure metropolitan honors. It was conceived that with the county
seat so far west of a central location, that the outlying portions of Columbia
and Luzerne could be brought together in a new county, with Borwick as the
This ainbition was fostered by the Danville people, as efFect
seat of justice.
ually operating in favor of their interests, and so it occurred that the extremes
This was especially true
of the county united to defeat the central faction.
from 1836 to 1840. In the first named year Columbia and Schuylkill counties were made to constitute a senatorial district, with one member, and Columbia, alone, to constitute a district, from which one member of the lower house
was elected. The senator, elected in 1837, was a resident of Schuylkill, and,
in the divided condition of Columbia at best, could be expected to do nothing.
The representative elected in 1830 was from Berwick, as was the one elected in the
following year. In 1838 and the succeeding year the representative was elected
from Danville, and in 1840 the senator was a citizen of Berwick and an earnest
advocate of the new county scheme. The Bloomsburg faction made an earnest
ficht for the election of candidates favorable to its plan in these years, but had
signally failed, and the sentiment was growing that it was no longer worth
while to resist the inevitable.
It was about this time that the Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr. came to Bloomsburg
to take charge of several Presbyterian churches in this region, of which the one
He found his congregation here
at Bloomsburg was the most important.
greatly in need of members of commanding social influence, and therefore
visited Danville with the hope of inducing some Presbyterian business men to
come to Bloomsburg, for whom there was an eligible opening. He was met at
the outset with the question whether he favored the removal of the county-seat,
and on expressing himself in the affirmative he found his church brethren en,

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

him
m?cavaher treatment somewhat
^^'1^'P?^^ *o ^^^i^t

77

in his project for building

up his charge. Such
pastor, a man of gfeat dect
activity and he gave his interrogator?
to unde"
8 and that,
stand
thttTt'^^^
if they refused him the
aid of a few business men, the
people of
Bloomsburg would take the county-seat. This
sally was met wfthTriln
They pointed to the success which had hitherto
attended the effoxis of Dan:

new

nettled the

and dec ared that they had the wealth and
influence to maintain the con
^^^ '''' *^^ -«to effect his promised revolution in
t^s
own 'Z^^''"^'^'
vil le,

«—

^"^ ^'^^'^^ ^^ *^^ ^^y °f ^easiu-es for
the accomr.b-Jn''HTi'**i''
'^''"'J''
plishment
of the desired
removal, but it was much to receive the
fresh couiage
and determined aggressiveness of the new
member of the community, and the
removal faction soon began the fight, which
steadily brought it nearer to the
In 1840 Daniel Snyder was
''' ^^°^-*^ew17^i'^"'"*r"^
elected
o the lower house r^"^^
from Bloomsburg, and re-elected each
year, unt'

^'^''^^'^ *« '^' '^^^ ^^*^r«^t«' was elected
^StdleT ?f
1
f"^'*"^'
HeiKlley,
of Berwick,
and
an earnest advocate of the new county
scheme was
the senate until 1844, when, the district
being changed so as t"^ incite Lu
zerne county instead of Schuylkill, William
S. Ross wlis elected, who proved
somewhat .favorable to Bloomsburg interests.
In the meanwhle a vigorous
agitation in which Messrs. Snyder, Funston,
William McKelvy and cliailes
H. Doebler were prominent, was maintained
in the county: petitions were nu
'"? f°™^:^.^^,*« '^^ legislature, and'th^iews anTargu:
me'nts oYth^'"'
^^^ ^^ *^^ -°^* ^--^^^ ^^^P^^ brought to the attL.

^

m

Z:%tf::ZZf'''''

The townships most convenient to Danville are the
follnwino- and
a«H contain
^^^t
*t,
lollowing,
the number of taxables, paying tax as follows:
•

Taxables.

Derry township contains

Mahoning

*

(including Danville)

"

Limestone
Liberty

^

351

^ilf.fl
1,31-3 62

?o7
ogs
"

V.'.".".

Hemlock contains 337

Tax

orrn

Jo

-rop

".

taxables, one-third 'of

^^
aqI ^^

whom are nearer to Danville than to Bloomsburg, but none of them
latter place

from the

Accommodated

more than

six miles

at Danville.'

ihe townships most convenient to Bloomsburg are:

Mount Pleasant
Bloom (including Bloomsburg)
Briar creek

37363

$i:i^^

Taxables.

_,,

-,,

109

7^
147
IV,

'

.V^X

'

Catawissa

if^

Greenwood

Ha

Fishing creek

Toq

Madison

If.^

g2

Mifflin

Roaring creek

.'::.::;:

Sugarloaf
!

Hemlock

(two-thirds)

Accommodated

at

.'

.'

!

Bloomsburg

."

!

'.

Tav

*J,o-,
\ ^H -1
r i';„
1.07o

2<^^ 94
218 78
514 45

S
fg

^,^2^8
608 99

2I8

54?

.'

!

!

!

.

**

Hf ^^
33

3,035

^

|g g^j ^5

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

78

There is another view in which the relative position of Danville and Bloomsburg may
be seen, and it shows conclusively, as we think, the propriety of removing the seat of jusEighteen hundred and forty-eight taxables residing in Bloom, Briarcreek, Mount
tice.
Pleasant! Greenwood, Fishingcreek, Sugarloaf and Mifflin townships, all pass through
Bloomsburg on their way to Danville. Few of them have less than fourteen miles, and
many of them from twenty to thirty-five miles' travel to Danville. A large majority of
657 taxables residing in Catawissa and Roaringcreek townships (say five-sixth.s) are at
least four miles nearer to Bloomsburg than to Danville, and the remainder are not more
than two miles further from Bloomsburg than from Danville— even one-third of the 350
taxables in Derry, which we have set down to the credit of Danville are nearer to Bloomsburg than to Danville, and the remainder are not more than two miles farther from Bloomsburg than from Danville. From Mahoning township, in which Danville is situated, containing 351 taxables the average travel to Bloomsburg will not be ten miles. Liberty and
Limestone townships form the Western bounds of the county and lie north and south
Limestone contains 121 taxables. Liberty contains 268 taxables these 389
of each other.
will none of them have to travel more than eight miles farther to reach Bloomsburg than
to reach Danville, and many of them not so far.
We would further remark, that Danville is as far from the center of business as from the
center of population in the count^^ It draws a large portion of its business and supplies from
a neighboring county, by which it is almost surrounded, and thus acts as a continual drain
on the circulating medium of the county. Scarcely a single dollar of the money expended
by suitors and others attending court, can ever find its way back into the interior of the
county there is no trade between them, and no reciprocity of interest between the inteOn the other hand, Bloomsburg is not only very
rior of the county and its metropolis.
near the center of territory and population, but it is also the center of business. It is the
natural outlet, and commands the trade of Hemlock, Madison, a portion of Derry, Greenwood, Sugarloaf, Fishingcreek, Mount Pleasant, Bloom, and a portion of Briarcreek
townships. It is also in the line of communication for a large portion of the county, with
the markets of Pottsville, Mauch Chunk, and places below those points.

—

—

and notwithstanding that
argument, the Danville adherents had influence
sufficient to defeat every bill introduced in the legislature to allow the people
of the county to adjust the matter in accordance with the will of the majority.
Some progress had been made in this time, however, and the election of Ross

it

For nearly ten years
urged by petition

"was

this state of affairs existed,
and.

to the state senate, in 1844, removed the great obstacle to Bloomsburg inThe friends of the old county- seat
terests in that branch of the legislature.
were not slow to road the signs of their waning power, and at once brought
into prominence the cost which the erection of new public buildings would imThis final argument of a desperate cause was promptpose upon the county.
ly met by the Bloomsburg people, who agreed to donate the grounds and erect
the buildings at their own cost, and on the 24th of February, 1845, an act to

submit the question to a vote of the people was approved by the governor.
on which should
seat of justice,
This act provided that tickets labeled
be written or printed "for Bloomsburg," or " for Danville," should be deposited in a box especially provided for the purpose, at the various polling places,
and that the people, at the next general election, should thus decide, for or
In case that the vote should show a
against the removal of the county-seat.
majority for removal, it was provided that within three years after such elecat their own proper expense,
tion, the citizens of Bloomsburg should erect,
and that
of the most approved plans,
suitable buildings of brick or stone,
the old public grounds and buildings should be disposed of, to repay the original subscribers thereto, the surplus, if any, to revert to the county treasury.
The election was accordingly held in the succeeding October, and resulted in a
majority of 1,334 in favor of Bloomsburg out of a total of 4492 votes, Berwick
casting 107 out of a total of 184 votes, against removal.
In November, 1847, Danville ceased to be, in fact, as it had in anticipation,
the seat of justice, and the defeated faction ostensibly prepared their minds to acThe
cejjt provincial obscurity with such consolation as philosophy might afford.
convention held this summer, for the nomination of legislative candidates, met in
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

79

Bloomsburg. and prominent before the convention was Valentine Best, a citizen of Danville, and the editor of the organ of that faction in the county -seat
He was an ardent advocate for complete reconciliation; the long
contest.
struggle had been stubbornly contested on both sides, the decision had been
made, and the chasm mast now be not merely bridged over, but closed; henceforth he had no disposition to revive the issues now settled, and pledged himself, if elected, to devote his energies for the prosperity of the whole county.
Such protestations were accepted by the victorious faction in good faith, and as
a ratitication of peace
an exchange of conciliatory olive branches Mr. Best
was nominated, and eventually elected to the state senate. At the capital he
found himself in company with sixteen whigs and sixteen fellow democrats,
and evidently desirous of distinguishing himself, arrived at the conclusion
that he had been providentially ordained to hold the balance of power.
The duty of redistricting the state was devolved upon this legislature, and both
political parties had made strenuous efforts to control the body for that purpose, but the whigs f-ound themselves in the minority.
Accordingly, when the
organization of the senate came up, Mr. Best made overtures to his political
opponents, agreeing to give them control of redistricting the state, provided
they would unite their votes with his own in making him president of the senate.
In proper time Mr. Best was made president, and the whigs received

—

—

their consideration.

Whether the design of forming a new county had been conceived before the
convention, or whether the success of his bargain suggested the plan to INIr.
Best and his faction, are questions for which there is no sufficient answer at
hand, but such a measure was soon introduced.
It met with great opposition
from the members of the legislatm-e, as the county was already small enough,
but Mr. Best's position was such that for several weeks he held all business at
a standstill until his favored measure was passed.
It was but natural that the
western faction of the county should forget the pleasant words of fraternal
reconciliation uttered before the convention, and should give place to animated
expressions of satisfaction.
The eastern faction, on the other hand, could not
restrain expressions of wi-ath at the action of the minority, but the whig faction did not fail to recognize that the party had received an ample quid
pro quo.

The line of division included in the new county little more than those who
had o})posed the removal, and embraced all that part of Columbia county
included within the limits of the townships of Franklin, Mahoning, Valley,
Liberty, Limestone, Derry, Anthony, and the borough of Danville, together
with all that portion of the townships of Montour, Hemlock, and Madison, lying
westward of the following line:"
'

'

Beginning at Leiby's saw-mill on the bank of the river Susquehanna; thence by the
road leading to the Danville and Bloomsburg road at or near to Samuel Lazarus house;
thence from the Danville and Bloomsburg road to the back valley road at the end of the
lane leading from said road to Obed Everett's house; thence by said lane to Obed Everett's house; thence northward to the schoolhouse near David Smith's, in Hemlock
township; thence by the road leading from said schoolhouse to the state road at Robin's
mill, to the end of the lane leading from said road to John Kinnej^'s house; thence by a
straight line to John Townsend's, near the German meeting-house; thence to Henry
Johnston's, near Millville: thence by a straight line to a post in the Lycomiug county line,
near the road leading to Crawford's saw-mill, together with tliat part of Roaringcreek
township lying south and west of a line beginning at the southeastern corner of Franklin
uylkill county line, at the northeast corner of Barry
Provided, hotcever, that at no time hereafter shall any portion of the territory
embraced within the limits of the county of Northumberland be annexed or attached

township.

now

80

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

to the said county of Montour, without the
said county of Northumberland.

unanimous consent

of the qualified voters of

the seat of justice for the
act declared, among other provisions, that
It was approved on the 3d of May,
fixed in the borough of Danville.
There was a good
1850, and was to go into effect on the 1st of November.
deal of ill-feeling over the division, in the eastern part of the county, which

The

same

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'

is

'

intensified by the fact that they regarded it a practical violation of the
pledges volunteered by Mr. Best, and when the extent of the territory taken
"Reoff was accui'ately known, there was a general determination to resist.
peal" became the rallying cry and the dominant issue in the exciting campaign which followed. Best was a candidate for I'e-election, but was beaten by
The final result, however, was not
C. R. Buckalew by a decisive majority.
This was
repeal but a limitation of the territory set off to the new county.
undoubtedly the wisest adjustment of the matter, for however unwise the division then appeared, and was subsequently proven, it would have been equally unwise to hold a vigorous minority in a relation which would have inevitably
Accordingly, by an act approved January
given rise to bickerings and strife.
15, 1853, the division line was so changed as to restore that part of Roaringcreek township taken off, and such parts of the townships of Franklin, Madison and Hemlock, which lie eastward of the following line.
Be,^iunintJC at the Northumberland county line, at or near the house of Samuel Reader;

was

thence a direct course to the center of Roaringcreek, in Franklin township, twenty rods
above a point in said creek, opposite the house of John Nought; thence from the middle
of the stream of said creek to the Susquehanna river; thence up the center of the same to
a point opposite, where the present county line between Columbia and Montour strikes
the north bank of the river; thence to said north bank; thence by the present division line
between said counties to the school-house, near the residence of David Smith; thence to
a point near the residence of Daniel 8mith; thence to the bridge over Deer lick run, on
thr- line between Derry and Madison townships; tlience by the line between said township
of Madison and the townships of Derry and Anthony to the line of Lycoming County.*

The division line of 1850 so dismembered the townships of Madison, Hemlock and Montour that some readjustment of township lines became necessary,
and, in 1852. what remained of Madison, south of Millville, was attached in
part to Mount Pleasant, and part to Hemlock, the old name adhering to that
portion which extended along the county line northwest of Greenwood. By the
act of 1853 the latter was renamed Pine, and the restored portion, with those
attached to Hemlock and Mount Pleasant, were formed into a township under
The division effected in the township of Roaringcreek by the
the old name.
act of 1850 was subsequently made permanent, the restored portion being
named Scott. This was found to conflict with a township, north of the river,
which was then under the advisement of the court, and a month later the name
was changed to Locust. In May, 1853, the citizens of Bloom presented a
petition to the court of quai'ter- sessions praying for the division of the townin order that the business at the election board may be diminished.
ship,
The commissioners to whom the matter was referred evidently found the reason
assigned entirely sufficient for the purpose, and reported the dividing line,
beginning " at a point in the middle of the north branch of the Susquehanna
river, immediately opposite the corner and division line of the farms of Peter
Mensch and Daniel Snyder," and thence in a direct line northward to the line
'

'

'

'

constitutes the present western boundary of the county, but to complete the history of the eastern
should be added, that by an act of the legislature, approved March 3, 1818, a section of the southeastern area of Mifflin and Catawissa townships was stricken off, and with a part of the adjacent area of
Luzerne, was added to Schuylkill county. The division line began " at a corner In the line dividing the county
of Columbia from the county of Schuylkill; thence extending through the township of Catawissa north ten
degrees east, four miles and a half to a pine tree on the little mountain thence extending through the townships of Catawissa and Miftiin north forty-five degrees east, five miles to a stone on Buck's mountain and in a
line dividing the county of Columbia from the county of Luzerne thence through the township of Sugarloaf
in the county of Luzerne," etc.

This

boundary

it

;

;

,

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

81

Mount Pleasant township, near the hoiise of John Howery. This report
was confirmed September 7, 1853, and the new township named Scott. The
At this time the latter
final township erected was formed, in 1855, from Locust.
township was from twelve to fourteen miles long, and from eight to ten miles
wide, '"the southern end being a stone-coal and mining region, and the northern end being a farming district."
Commissioners appointed to view the town-

of

ship reported favorably, indicating a line of division beginning at or near
where the south branch of Roaring creek, or the Brush-Valley creek, crosses
the Northumberland line, thence two hundred and twenty perches north on to
the Little mountain; thence easterly along the mountain to the Schuylkill
county line.
This report was confirmed in November, 1855, and the township
named Conyngham for the president judge of that name, who then occupied the
bench in Columbia county. In a subsequent petition it is stated that the township was erected in February, 1856, but there is nothing in the record of that
term to warrant the statement.
In carrying out their engagements, which were made a part of the conditions upon which the removal of the county- seat was effected, the Bloomsburg
people acted in no niggardly spirit.
AYilliam McKelvy and Daniel Snyder
were the prime movers in this matter, and as soon as the question of removal
was decided at the polls, entered actively upon the work of erecting a courthouse and jail.
Elisha H. Biggs, who had made a libei'al subscription, owned
the site of the Exchange Hotel on the south side of Second street, aod with a
shrewd calculation of the
main chance " boiight the lot opposite, of
Robert Cathcart, for a thoiisand dollars.
This lot he offered in payment of
his subscription as a site for the proposed court-house.
William Robinson,
who owned the lot adjoining on the upper side, also donated sufficient land, so
that after the alleys on each side were made, the building site contained about
ninety feet front.
The proffered site, in location and contour, was every way
desirable, and promptly accepted.
Mr. Snyder contributed two lots, fronting
on Center street and extending back to the iipper line of the court-house lot,
for a jail site, which were accepted.
At this time the Presbyterian church
were planning for their present house of worship, and Rev. D. J. "Waller, Sr.
went to Philadelphia to secure approved drawings, by which to erect the two
structures.
Napoleon Le Brun drew the plans, which were scrupulously
'

'

observed in the erection of both buildings.
The court house was constructed of brick in the pure Ionic order of architecture, and for years was considered the model building of its kind in the
interior of the state.
It was forty by sixty feet in size, with the county offices
below, and a court and jury rooms above.
A graceful flight of stone steps in
front led to a vestibule opening into the court room, which possessed the rare
excellence of being perfectly adapted to the purposes for which it was designed.
The passage way to the offices was made under the fi'ont platform, in the rear
of the front steps.
The cupola, which surmounted the ridge at the front end
of the building, was designed for a bell and clock.
The first was procured by

the county commissioners in 1848, at a cost of some four hundi-ed dollars; the
clock was provided somewhat later by private subscription.
In the summer of
1868 the court-house was extended by an addition of twenty-five feet.
The
additional space in the upper story was devoted to rooms for the law- library,
for the use of the jiidges and the jiuy.
In the lower story the office accommodations were enlarged, and additional fire-proof protection for the records
afforded.
In the changes incident to this improvement the comb of the roof
was raised without a corresponding elevation of the cupola, which destroyed
the true architectui-al proportions.
In 1882, a new clock supplanted the older

82

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

one, which had outlived its usefuhiess, and a year later, the steam heating
system was applied to the building.
In this condition the court-ho^^se still
remains, attractive in its outlines and situation, confirming by the test of experience that the requirement of the act of 1845, to erect buildings 'of the
most approved plan," was fully met.
'

The jail was constructed of brick and stone, and combined the usual features of a jailor's residence, and prison.
It was a two story structure, with no
claim to architectural distinction, but was conveniently located, and generally
well calculated for the purpose to which it was devoted.
It served the county
for thirty years, though its insecurity occasioned considerable complaint in
later years.
At this time there appears to have been a difference of opinion as
to the necessity of a new prison between the constituted authorities and many
of the people.
Three successive grand juries had recommended the erection
of a new one without eliciting action, but the county commissioners made it
known that if another jury recommended action it would be taken, whatever
the judgment of the officials might be.
The fourth grand jury promptly
sanctioned the action of its predecessors, aad in 1877, the commissioners began
measures for erecting a new jail.
For various reasons it was determined to
abandon the old site, and "the Pursel lot, on Market below Third (less sixteen feet in the rear)" was conditionally purchased for the purpose at a cost
of four thousand dollars.
The abandonment of the old site, the character of the
new one, and its cost, combined to give rise to severe criticism of the commissioners' plans.
On the 21st of April, the proposals for the construction of the new prison,
upon plans and specifications drawn by a Mr. Wetzell, were opened, and the
contract awarded to Charles King.
This action intensified the dissatisfaction of
the critics, who rapidly included a large proportion of the people in their numIt appears that there were ten proposals offered, ranging in i^rice from
bers.
141,075 to !S;119,025, and that the award was made to the next to the lowest
bidder, at a price $5,900 higher than the lowest mentioned.
It was at once
fi'eely charged that there were grave reasons to suspect jobbery on the part of
the architect; that his compensation, as provided by contract, was less than onethird the usual price granted to competent men of this class and that his influence
against the acceptance of the proposal of the lowest bidder was inspired by the
wish to secure a more pliable contractor.
The commissioners were therefore
urged to dismiss the architect, abandon
the new, expensive and mud bottom
location," and to either order a new letting, or promptly accept the lowest bid
already offered.
The commissioners refused to accept these suggestions, and
on the 27th of April, a Bill of Complaint in Equity was presented to the court,
asking an injunction to restrain the authorities from building on the Pursel
lot, and from entering into a contract with King.'
In the hearing had upon
this question, the fact was developed that the proposed lot was too narrow for
the structure as planned, and that this would require such modifications in the
present plans and pi'oposals as to render any action by the commissioners upon
the ones accepted, improper, and hurtful to the interests of the people, and a
temporary injunction was granted.
In the meantime D. J. Waller, Sr., had offered to donate a lot on Iron
street, between Seventh and Eighth streets, and in July the commissioners
abandoned the first site selected, and accepted Mr. Waller's donation. This
site was open to some of the same objections urged against the other site
that it was inconveniently distant fi'om the court-house, and on low, wet
ground, but the commissioners were not to be moved from their decision, and
the new prison was eventually located on this site.
In the matter of construe;

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

83

it is charged), evaded the injunction of the court,
different parte of the structure to various contractors, some of
v^ere only a cover for King, and it was further objected that the mode

tion, the

commissioners (as

by granting the

whom

agreed price of $50,975,
gave opportunity to swell the expense to seventy thousand dollars.
In all
this controversy, it is due the commissioners to say, there was no distinct
charge of venality against the county officers, and the gravest objection, which
still remains to the prison, is the suspicion that the architect corruptly profited
at the expense of the county, through the ill-advised persistence of those in
finally adopted, instead of restricting the cost to the

authority.
The prison, as it now exists, is a somewhat picturesque stone structure,
consisting of a rectangular residence, of a high basement and two stories, the
plainness of which is relieved by a square tower in its middle front, from the
top of which a good view of the town may be obtained.
An oblong extension
at the rear contains the cells, which are arranged in two tiers on either side of
a corridor, lighted by skylights in the arching roof.
The upper tier is reached
by an iron stairway and gallery.
In the basement are provided several unused
apartments, designed for workshops; a place for the storage of fuel, for the

steam-heating apparatus, and the dungeon.
The arrangements for the proper
comfort of those confined here appear complete.
Baths, water-closet conveniences, ventilation, lighting, heating and range for exercise are well provided
for, and may be economically applied.
It is reasonably secure, each cell being
metal-lined, within heavy walls of stone; the light is admitted through glassclosed slots, difficult of access, and too narrow to allow the passage of any
human being. The doors to the cells are double, the inner one of strong
metal grating and the outer one of wood, so combined that both are made
secure by one lock, which is beyond the reach of the most ingenious criminal.
This part of the structure is flanked on either side by a rectangular inclosure,
the high stone walls of which form projecting wings back of the rear line of
the residence part of the building.
The whole structure has an appearance of
massive strength, which might well cause the evil-doer to hesitate in a course
likely to place him in confinement behind its walls.
Several prisoners have
escaped from it, however, but this was rather the result of carelessness than

from any architectural default.

The only other public buildings in the county are the several district poorhouses; the county has no eleemosynary institution of its own.
In the early
history of the county, those dependent upon charity for support were provided
for under the general law by the several townships, and were
farmed out.
In later years this method was seen by many to be crude and unsatisfactory,
and in 1866 an act was passed aixthorizing the people of Columbia to ascertain
the sense of the citizens as to the expediency of erecting a poor-house for the
use of the whole county.
On submitting the question to vote it was found
that only Bloom, Greenwood and Hemlock supported the project, and it was
accordingly abandoned.
In 1869, however, an act was passed authorizing the
erection of a poor-house in Bloom, and provided also that, "at the request of
any ten taxable inhabitants of any township in the county of Columbia," an
election should be ordered to decide whether said township should join Bloom
in forming a district for the purpose. Under that provision elections were held
in 1870, by Scott, Greenwood and Sugarloaf, and these townships were united
with Bloom in the enterprise.
A farm of one hundred acres, on Fishing creek,
in Mount Pleasant township, was procured, with comfortable buildings.
There are two, a brick and a frame, the inmates occupying the former. "Water
is supplied fi'om the creek by a windmill; two bath-rooms supply the means
'

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84

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTV.

In 1869, under a
for cleanliness, and a furnace heats the whole building.
special act of the legislature, the township of (^onyngham, with the borough
farm of some seventy-five acres, in
of Centralia, organized a district.

A

Locust township, was purchased, which, with

all

personal property belonging

to this corporation, was, by a provision of the same act, exempted from all taxIn 1872 Madison township was authorized, by
ation, save for state purposes.
a special act, to form a corporation for the care of the poor, and under its
provisions a farm of about one hundred acres was purchased, where its indigent citizens are now comfortably cared for.
The removal of the seat of justice to Bloomsburg, practically marks the
origin of a new county.
Prior to this event, what is now Columbia county
was overshadowed by the maturer settlement and greater influence which made
the western section the seat of power.
The promise of the future was with
the eastern section.
Its development was rapid, and its power steadily increasing, but it was not until it had acquired the county-seat and repioved
Had the
thither the public records, that the period of its tutelage ended.
identity of the original county remained unimpaired by division, time would
doubtless have exorcised the spirit of authority which naturally lingered about
its vacant throne, but the formation of Montour intervened, and the deserted
Columbia thus
tribune was again rehabilitated with the insignia of power.
found itself in possession of the old name without the hereditary title, or rather
in the condition of one of an old partnership where, after dissolution, the one
partner retains the firm name and the old account book, and the other takes
the " old stand, " with the prestige and traditions which naturally linger
about it.
This fact is doubtless more apparent in retrospection than it was at
the time of removal.
There was nothing at that date to abate the sense of
triumph, and the records were brought to Bloomsburg with great demonstrations of rejoicing.
The crowning act of success accomplished, the more enthusiastic citizens gave themselves up to celebrating the event with ceremonies
of a bibulous character, and, in the expressive phrase of the street, "painted"
the new seat of justice a much deeper hue than a peach-blow tint.
The first court was held in Bloomsburg in January, 1848, with Joseph B.

Anthony as president judge. The original county was annexed to the middle
district of the supreme court, and the eighth judicial district of the court of
common pleas, comprising the counties of Northumberland, Union and Luzerne.
Under the amended constitution, Columbia was placed in the eleventh
district with Luzerne and Wyoming, and subsequently with Sullivan and
Wyoming in the twenty-sixth. Under the constitution of 1872, Columbia
and Montour were formed into a district, a relation that is still sustained. Of
those who preceded Judge Anthony on the Columbia county bench, Seth Chapman was the first to occupy the place. He was appointed president judge of
the Northumberland district in 1811, from Bucks county, and when this county
was formed, in 1813, held the first court at Danville in the following January.
He resigned in 1833, and was succeeded by Judge Ellis Lewis, a native of
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Beginning life as a printer, he subsequently occupied the editorial chair, and finally studied law, being admitted to the bar at
the age of twenty- five. Two years later he received the appointment of deputy
attorney-general for Lycoming county; in 1832 was elected to the legislature,
where he served with distinction on several important committees; in 1833 he
was appointed attorney-general for the commonwealth, and later in the same
year was appointed successor of Judge Chapman.
For ten years he discharged his duties in this court with marked ability, and was then transferred
to the bench of the second district.
He was subsequently elevated to the po-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

85

supreme court of the state, and was afterward
appointed one of a committee of three to revise the criminal code.
On the 14th of January, 1843, Charles G. Donnel, of Northumberland
county, was appointed to the vacancy on the bench of the eighth district, and
held his first term in Columbia county in April, 1843.
He died in the following year, after giving promise of future eminence, and receiving the respect of
the bar by his dignity and lU'banity upon the bench.
He was succeeded in
March, 1844, by Judge Anthony, of Lycoming county.
The latter began his
legal career at Williamsport in 1818.
In 1830 he was elected to the state senate, and, in 1834, to congress, to which he was reelected, two years later, by
an unprecedented majority.
In 1843 he was appointed judge of the court for
the adjustment of the Nicholson claims, and in March, 1844, to the eighth
district court.
He discharged his judicial functions with great acceptability,
deciding many important cases involving questions of considerable legal difficulty.
He died in 1851, aud was succeeded by James Pollock.
Judge Pollock was born in the borough of Milton, and began his education
under the instruction of Judge Anthony. He was subsequently graduated
from Princeton; studied law, and was admitted to the Northumberland bar in
1833 two years later, he was appointed district attorney, and in 1844 entered
political life as a whig, being elected to congress from the thirteenth district,
which was then strongly democratic. He was subsequently twice reelected,
and served with credit upon the important committees of territories, ways and
means, etc.
In 1850, he was appointed president judge of the eighth judicial
district, which then comprised the counties of Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Lycoming and Sullivan. He held this position until the amendment of
the constitution, making the judges elective, came into operation, when he declined a nomination for the place.
In 1854 he was elected governor, the
'duties of which office he dischai'ged with such approval by the people that he
was tendered a renomination; this he declined and resumed the practice of his
profession.
In 1860 he was appointed a delegate to the " peace congress " at
Washington, and in 1861 was appointed director of the mint at Philadelphia.
To him is originally due the motto,
In God we trust, which is found upon
the national coins. Resigning his office under the Johnson administration, he
was reappointed in 1869, by President Grant, and continued to hold this position until 1882, when he was made collector of internal revenue.
John Nesbit Conyngham succeeded Judge Pollock upon the bench of Columbia county. He was a native of Philadelphia, an alumnus of the University
of Pennsylvania, and for thirty years presided on the bench
with the dignity
and urbanity of a gentleman of the old school." Elected in 1851, under
the amended constitution, for the eleventh district, which included Columbia,
he served on the bench of this county until 1856, when it was included in the
twenty-sixth district.
He resigned his commission in 1870, with the profound
respect of the bar which practiced before him.
On the formation of the twentysixth judicial district, Warren J. Woodward was appointed to preside over the
new district, upon the recommendation of the several bars practicing in its
courts.
He was regularly elected to this position in October of the same year
and served until December, 1861, when he resigned to accept a similar position
in the court of Berks county.
At the end of his tirst term in Berks, he was
reelected, and served until the general election of 1874, by which he was
transferred to the state supreme court, where he served until his death in
1879.
Judge Woodward was born in Wayne county; obtained his early education at Wilkesbarre; served as printer and was subsequently connected with
the Peunsylvanian at Philadelphia in an editorial capacity.
He then studied
sition of chief-justice of the

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY,

86

law at Wilkesbarre, and for some fifteen years practiced his profession there
with eminent success, possessing at the time of his elevation to the bench, the
In the fall of 1861 A. K. Peckam was appointed to
leading place at the bar.
fill the unexpired term of Judge Woodward; he declined to be a candidate for
the succeeding ofiicial term, and at the expiration of his commission resumed
his practice at Tunkhannock, continuing until his death.
In 1862 William Elwell was elected president judge of the twenty- sixth
judicial district composed of the counties of Columbia, Sullivan and Wyoming,
no candidate being named against him; and upon the expiration of his term,
In May, 1874, Wyomin 1872, he was reelected without a dissenting vote.
ing and Sullivan were created the forty- fourth judicial district, and Montour
county was added to Columbia, the district still remaining the twenty-sixth.
Upon his election, in 1862, he removed to Bloomsburg, where he has ever since
resided.
In April, 1871,

Judge Elwell was chosen umpire to settle the difficulties
between the operators and the miners in the anthracite coal regions, and his
impartial judgment was accepted by all parties as a just and equitable soluHe has been frequently urged to become a candidate
tion of the troubles.
for the supreme bench, and he has been voted for in convention for that place;
but he uniformly declined to authorize a canvas in his favor, for the office, not
deeming it consonant with judicial propriety. And for the same reason he has
refused to allow his name to be canvassed for the office of governor of the commonwealth, for which he has been frequently and warmly urged.
On the expiration of his second term as president judge of the twenty-sixth
district, the bar of the district unanimously and without distinction of party
requested him to accept a third term, to which he consented; and the political
convention of the democratic and republican party respectively, following the
He was
lead of the bar, nominated him to the office for the election of 1882.
then again unanimously elected.
It is believed that Judge Elwell has held more special courts than any judge
now upon the bench. And in order to have the advantage of his legal learning
and ability many important cases have been certified to Columbia county from
other districts and tried before him.
Among the many notable cases which he has tried are the Williamsport bond
Tryon and Dall against Muncase Fisher against the City of Philadelphia
son, and the celebrated Cameron will case from Union county, each involving
the rights of parties to the amount of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in
On the appeal in
all of which his opinions were affirmed by the supreme court.
the will case, after elaborate argument by eminent counsel for the appellant,
the decision was affirmed, the supreme court adopting the opinion of the court
below as the opinion of that court,
The Mollie Magnire case, growing out of
the murder of Alexander W. Rea which was affirmed by the supreme court, of
itself forms a large volume, and establishes many important questions on the
law of homicide was tried before him.
Numerous cases in equity in this and other counties have been heard and
decided by him, and, with a single exception, their divisions have been susHis opinions, which appear in the state report, in the Weektained on appeal.
ly Notes of Cases and other legal publications, are considered valuable additions to the legal literature of the time.
It is worthy of mention that of all
the cases in the court of oyer and terminer, quarter- sessions and orjDhan's
court, not a single case from this district has been reversed during the more
than twenty years he has been upon the bench.
In counties of less than forty thousand inhabitants two associate judges are

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

87

elected whose chief business is to pass upon matters of county administration.
They have also, in the absence of the president judge, jurisdiction in cases involving the relief of suitors, such as the stay of execution in civil cases, the
granting of a writ of habeas corpus, and may, when united, overrule the president judge in the imposition of penalty in criminal cases.
In questions of law
simply they have no jurisdiction, and practically their activity is confined to
county administration, in which each has an equal voice with the law judge.
In the work to which the foregoing pages are indebted for the facts pertaining to the bench, Mr. Freeze thus refers to the local bar: "This is not the
place, or we might add much matter to this division, of personal history and
anecdote, of gentlemen who, upon the bench or at the bar, have given to our
county a solid and honorable reputation at home and abroad of Robert
Cooper Grier, who began the practice of the law in Bloomsburg, and rose to
be an associate justice of the United States supreme court;* of William G.
Hiirley, for more than forty years identified honorably with the bar of this
county; of John G. Montgomery, a man of great power and eloquence, elected
to the legislature and subsequently to congress, and who perished in the
National Hotel disaster; of John Cooper, himself an eccentric and brilliant
man, the son of Judge Thomas Cooper, renowned in the old world as well as
here; of George A. Frick, second to none as a man, and as a lawyer of extensive and solid attainments; of Robert F. Clark and Morrison E. Jackson,
who, among the younger members of the bar, achieved and maintained a position
at the head of the profession in the county.
Nor would it be difficult to select,
from among the living, names whose sound will long linger in the memories of
the young men of the bar, and whose courtesy, learning and chaste professional
honor it would be safe to follow and ennobling to emulate."
Of the present active members of the bar there are several whose legal acquirements and native talent make them friendly rivals for the second place,
but by general agreement the Hon. C. R. Buckalew is facile princeps.
He
was born in Fishingcreek township; studied law with M. E. Jackson, and in
1843 was admitted to the bar. In 184:5 he was appointed prosecuting attorney,

—

an olfic3 he resigned two years later.
In 1850 he entered political life, having been elected to the state senate for the district comprising the counties of
Luzerne, Columbia and Montour.
At the expiration of his first term he was
reelected, and in 1854 was appointed special commissioner to exchange ratifications of a treaty with Paraguay.
In 1856 he was chosen presidential elector, and in the following year was made chairman of the democratic state committee.
In this year he was returned to the state senate, and in the following
winter was appointed one of the committee to revise the criminal code.
He
resigned both positions in the summer of. 1858, however, to accept the appointment as minister resident of the United States at Quito. After three years'
absence he returned to his home, and, in 1863, was elected to the United States
senate.
On his retiring from congress, he was again returned to the state
senate, and in 1872 become candidate for governor of the state.
In this
campaign he was defeated, but was immediately chosen to a vacancy in the
constitutional convention, made by the resignation of Mr. Freeze, who retired
in his favor.
In the intervals of his political career, Mr. Buckalew has practiced his profession with increasing success, and has found time amid all these
demands upon his time and strength, to prepare and publish, in 1872, a work
on "Proportional Representation;" and, in 1883, "An Examination of the Constitution of Pennsylvania."
In the fall of 1886 he was elected from the
eleventh district to the lower house of congress.

88

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

There have been no local cases before this court of more than temporary
On Sunday, October
importaace save the one arising out of the Rea murder.
18, 1808, the dead body of Alexander W. Rea, a citizen of Centralia in this
county, and ageat for the Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company and the
Coal Ridge Improvement Company, was found in the bushes near the waterbarrel on the road from Centralia to Mount Carmel, riddled with bullets.
He
was last seen near that point on Saturday preceding. On the 17th of November, 1868, on the testimony of one Thomas Doorley, John Duffy, Michael
Prior and Thomas Donohue were arrested for the murder and lodged in the
Pottsville jail.
After a habeas corpus hearing, the prisoners were sent to this
county for trial.
About the time of Donohue' s arrest, Patrick Hester went to
Suspicion had already
Illinois, where he had a brother and sister living.
In the early part of January, 1869, Hester returned,
fastened upon him.

At the December sesto Bloomsburg and delivered himself up for trial.
sion of 1868, a bill of indictment was found against Donohue, Duffy and
Prior, and at the February session of 1869, a similar bill was returned against
Hester, Donohue and Duffy.
The case was called by the district attorney on February 2, 1869, the
On motion of
prisoners were arraigned and severally pleaded not guilty.
counsel, separate trials were granted, and the commonwealth elected to proOn the morning of the 3d, a jury was empanceed against Thomas Donohue.
E. R. Ikeler, district attorney, Linn
neled, and the trial proceeded with.
Bartholomew, Robert F. Clark, Edward H. Baldy and M. M. L'Velle repre^
sented the commonwealth, while John W. Ryan, John G. Freeze, Myer
Strouse, S. P. Wolverton and W. A. Marr defended the prisoner.
The theory of the i)rosecution was that this Saturday being a general payday in the coal regions, a party of assassins had concealed themselves at this
point for the purpose of securing the money which it was supposed Mr. Rea
would carry to pay the hands at the colliery. It was his custom, however, to
pay the men on Friday, so that the messenger who brought the cash from PhilThis practice was of long standing, was
adelphia could return on Saturday.
well known to every one in the region, and had been followed on the day preIt appeared pretty certain therefore, that the perpetravious to the murder.
tors of the crime were ignorant of the time of payment at the Coal Ridge ColThe
liery, and were to be sought outside of the immediate neighborhood.
trial of Donohue terminated on the 11th of February in a verdict of not
guilty, and the prisoner was discharged.
At the May term, 1869, the case of Daffy was tried and resulted in the
On the same day, the eviacquittal of the defendant on the 11th of May.
dence against Hester at that time being insufficient to convict, a nolle 2yrosequi
was entered, and he was discharged. Prior was tried and acquitted. Seven
years subsequently passed by, and no further clue to the murderers of Rea
was discovered. At this time, there was a man named Manus Cull, alias
Daniel Kelly, one of the most abandoned criminals, confined in the Schuylkill
Learning that there wore suspicions of
county jail on the charge of larceny.
his having some guilty knowledge of the Rea murder, this man offered to turn
Accordingly,
state's evidence to shield himself from the threatened penalty.
on his testimony, Peter McHugh and Patrick Tally were arrested in the fall of
1876, as participants in the murder, and Patrick Hester was re-arrested as an
They were first lodged in the Pottsville jail, and on
accessory before the fact.

came

On Wednesday, February
31, 1877, brought to this county for trial.
7th, the trial began, Messrs. Hughes, Buckalew and District -Attorney Clark
January

appearing for the commonwealth,

and Messrs. Ryan, Wolverton, Freeze,

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

89

Brockway, Mahan and Elwell for the defense.
The prisoners were formally
arraigned, Tully and McHugh answering
not guilty.
For Hester, a
special plea was presented, to the efPect that he had once been arrested and
discharged for the same offense.
This plea the court overriiled, and Hester
entered the plea of not guilty.
The three prisoners elected to be tried together. "Daniel Kelly," who
was made a competent witness by a pardon from the governor, furnished the
principal evidence against the accused, which is substantially set forth in the
judge's charge to the jury, as follows:
Daniel Kelly, an accomplice in the murder of Alexander W. Rea, has testified to
facts, which if believed to be true, establish the guilt of all the prisoners.
He says that
robbery
and murder of Mr. Rea was planned on the night of the 16th of October, 1868,
the
at the saloon of Thomas Donohue in Ashland, at the suggestion of Patrick Hester; that
there were present at the conspiracy ten persons, viz. Patrick Hester, Peter McHugh, Patrick Tully, Ned. Skirington, Bryan Campbell, James Bradley, William Muldowney, Roger
Lafferty, Jack Dalton and himself; that its object was money.
Hester informed the
others that Rea would go to Bell's tunnel the next day, and that there was money in it
eighteen or nineteen thousand dollars; that the whole band had pistols; that
for them,
it was agreed to rob, but not to kill Mr. Rea; that they all stayed in Donohue's saloon drinking all night until nearly daylight, when all except Lafferty started out to meet Mr. Rea on
the Mount Carmel road between Centralia and Mount Carmel; that Muldowney left
them saying he was lame; that above the toll-gate, Hester and Skirington left, Skirington
saying that he would [go to work in order to ward off suspicion, and Hester that he would go
to Shomokin to buy hair to put in lime for plastering; that he there handed his pistol to Kelly
saying, "your pistol is no good, take mine for I know it is sure;" that the money was to
be divided between eight of them; that the two others for some reason were to
have no part; that they were all members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Hester
being bodymaster, whose orders, according to the practices among them, they were bound
He says that the party of six arrived at the place known as the "Water-barrel "
to obey.
in the early morning, and were concealed by the side of the road; that Dalton being the
only one of the party who knew Mr. Rea, went upon the road and was to give signal by
raising his hatj after Mr. Rea had passed him; that they saw a wagon coming and went
out by the side of the road, but as Dalton did not raise his hat, went back into the brush;
that when Mr. Rea did come along they went out upon him, robbed him of his money,
gold watch and pocket-book; that then he and Tully fired at him about the same time; that
Rea ran and they all kept firing at him, McHugh following nearer than the rest, and
nearer to the side of Mr. Rea, fired upon him; that deceased fell upon his face, and Tully
put his pistol behind his ear and fired; that the party went upon the mountain and divided the sixty or seventy dollars found in the pocket-book; that he kept the watch and
gave it to Michael Graham on the evening of the same day to^keep for him, telling him
-^
* * * He further says that he saw Hester on the night of the
it was Rea's watch.
murder at Michael Graham's at a raffle; that Hester said the money was not worth dividing.
He further testified that the day after, as he thinks, Thomas Donohue was arrested for
the murder; that he, Jack Smith, Lafferty, Tully and McHugh went to see Hester, and
that Smith informed Hester of Donohue's arrest when Hester replied.
"It is near time
that I should clear out," and that he left that night, and that the next night or two the
witness, Tully and McHugh left for fear of being arrested.
'

'

'

'

:

—

The trial lasted nearly three weeks, when the jury, after being out but a
short time, returned a verdict of
guilty.
An application for a new trial
failed, and the prisoners were sentenced to be hanged, the death warrants fixing August 9, 1877, as the date of execution.
The case was carried to the
supreme conrt and a stay of execution thus effected; but in December the
supreme court rendered a decision sustaining the court below, when the case
was taken to the board of pardons, which on March 19, 1878, refused to
interfere.
In the meantime, the governor issued alias death warrants fixing
Monday, the 25th of March, as the date of execution.
Up to within about two weeks of the date of execution all three of the
men persisted in their protestations of innocence, but at this time Tully sent
word to George E. Elwell, one of his counsel, requesting an interview. At
this conference, the condemned man signified his intention of making a statement after the final action of the board of pardons was ascertained. On Tues'

'

'

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

90

had been informed that the last hope
Tully was called upon, about nine o'clock at
He then dictated a confession, which was read to him and received his
night.
signature. In it he confessed to his guilt and practically corroborated the evidence of Kelly, saying, "He swore to some lies, but most he said was true."
The other men continued to assert their innocence until Sunday night, when
McHugh rethey were informed that Tully had confessed the whole truth.
ceived the information with apparent indifference, but Hester was completely
confounded, and in a few moments both freely confessed their guilt. The gallows, borrowed fi'om the authorities of Carbon county, was erected in the
western corner of the old jail yard, and at 11:15 a. m. on the day fixed, the
penalty of death was inflicted upon the condemned men.
The miserable wretch who bore such fatal evidence against his accomplices,
at Bloomsburg, was subsequently made a witness in a similar trial at Wilkesbarre.
In these trials he freely confessed to an appalling career of crime
which justly merited the infliction of the extreme penalty of the law. His evidence was given without stipulated immunity by the authorities, and at the
February term of court in 1878, full preparations were made ti;> try him for the
murder of Rea, but at the urgent request of F. P. McGowan and others engaged in prosecuting the Mollie Maguire cases elsewhere in the coal region
cases in which the chief hope for conviction rested upon the expected confession of accomplices, the prosecuting attorney allowed the second term after
Under
Kelly' s indictment to draw to its close without appearing against him.
the rule, therefore, the prisoner was entitled to his discharge, and on ihe 18th
of May, the court granted it, concurring in the judgment of the prosecutor who
"To permit Daniel Kelly to escape without trial, will, in my opinion,
said:
give greater terror to the remainder of these criminals who are yet fugiThe event proved the wisdom of this policy. Crimitives from justice."
nals were in constant dread lest some accomplice should save himself at
the expense of the rest a condition of things which speedily precipitated
Conviction followed arraignment with a rethe very danger they feared.
morseless precision that struck terror into the hearts of the Mollie Maguires,
and disrupted this nefarious conspiracy against human life.
day, the 19th instant, after the prisoners
for

them

in this

world had

failed,

—

The tables which follow afford a convenient means of reference to the facts
more specifically stated in the foregoing chapter. The first table indicates the
order and nature of the formation of townships.

#
\

%

%,
'%

^^. ^. 3^^^M(:kA<^

..

..

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

9E
FORMED FROM.

1772
1772
1772
1775
1785
1786
1789

Turbut

Wyoming.
Augusta

Northumberland county.
Northumberland county.
Northumberland county

.

....

Mahoniug

.

,Catawissa.

.

Turbut.
Augusta.
Turbut.

Derry
Fishingcreek
Briarcreek

1797,
1797.
1798.
1799.
1801.

.

Wyoming.
Fishingcreek.
Catawissa.

.

Mifflin

Bloom
Greenwood
Hemlock

^Q,.,

loj2
1817
1818

Briarcreek.
Fishingcreek.

.

Mahoning.

iSugarloaf

Fishingcreek.
Derry.
Green-wood, Bloom and Fishingcreek
Catawissa.

Madison
Mt. Pleasant.

Roaringcreek
iMontou.
'Jackson

1^;^?

]^^'
\^-'^

lo*"
^^^3

I

Orange

Hemlock.
Greenwood.
Fishingcreek, Mt. Pleasant and
Catawissa.
and Catawissa.
Bloom and Briarcreek.

.

Franklin

'^^^*

Maine

18+4

.

Center
iBeaver
iBenton

l^l'i

JJjO
]^~^
!o-o
]^^l
^°^'^

Bloom

Mifflin

.

.

and Maine.

.

Mifflin

.

Sugarloaf.

iPine
[Locust

JMa'dison.

Roaringcreek

Bloom

iScott

iConyngbam

I

Locust.

The courts of the county are known under the
distinctive titles of quarter sessions
orphans', oyer and terminer, and common
pleas, with a iurisdic
tion peculiar to each, but practically a
single court engaged in the
'
cation of different classes of legal question!
The members ot this
consisting of a president judge and two
associates, were appointed by
the
governor unti a change in the constitution placed
their selection, in 185^1 in
,

S

Xidi

"^"^
at foflows

"^"'""''^ ^"""'^ ^°"^* ^^« been constHuted.

^^'

•

PRESIDENT JUDGES.
APPOINTED.

Seth Chapman
E Us Lewis
Charles G.Donnel

Jan.

iz^l'^^±}}''^y
James Pollock

Jan.

July

.

wi'lllZ

.

'

'

.

died"

March 18' 18il
died ::::'Slo;l8S
expired. .Nov. 5, 1851

;^i-phi8i4
1.5,

1851.' .'com.

15, 1851
19.

nT^nSil
Del lO^Sfi?

District

1856

l,^'S-^«-Nov.

-^^^^P'^^-?/^-

3,

Ilr/ell; :;::::.::

;

.

:

:

expir'e'd.'''No%.'g;

1862.. com. expired

;fc I, ,S:

ASSOCIATE

;

f ?"!:

y^"

JUDGES.

John Murray (appointed), October 11, 1813.
William Montgomery appointed), August 5,
1815
Leonard Rupert (appointed), June 27, 1816.
William Donaldson (appointed), March 20, 1840.
^

RESIGNED.
Oct. 10, 1833
Jan. 14. 1843

.'

Oct. 14, 1833.
14, 1843

John N. Conyngham
Nov.
Warren J. Woodward. apptd. May
WiHiHrn
wu nam ^i^ell
'ETwdl'"™-

11, 1811

'

Nov 6
^•- '

86^
187'>

'«

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

94

George Mack (appointed), March 27, 1840.
Samuel Oakes (appointed), March 0, 1845.
Stephen Baldy (appointed), March 11, 1845.
George H. Willits (appointed), March 12, 1850.
John Covanhovan (appointed), March 12, 1850.
Leonard B. Rupert (elected), November 10, 1851.
Geo. H. Willits (elected), November 10, 1851.
Peter Kline (elected), November 12, 185G.

Jacob Evans (elected). November 12, 1856.
Stephen Baldy (appointed). January 12. 1861.
John McReynolds (elected), November 23, 1861.
Stephen Baldy (elected), November 23, 1861.
Peter K. Herbein (elected), November 8, 1866. Died
Iram Derr (elected), November 8, 1866.

James Kester (appointed), April 23, 1869.
Charles F. Mann (elected), November 26, 1869.

in office April

Died

in office,

1,

1869.

January

24, 1870.

Isaac S. Monroe (appointed), February 1, 1870.
Isaac S. Monroe (elected), November 9, 1870.
Iram Derr (elected), November 17, 1871.
Died in
G-eorge Scott (elected), December 3, 1875.
Mayberry G. Hughes (appointed), April 26, 1876.
Franklin L. Shuman (elected), December 8, 1876.
Isaac K. Krickbaum (elected), December 8, 1876.
Franklin L. Shuman (elected), December 8, 1881.
James Lake (elected), December 8, 1881.
C. G. Murphy (elected), December 8, 1886.
James Lake (elected), December 8, 1886.

office,

THE BAR.

The names

follow the order of their admission.

Robert C. Grier, Bloomsburg, deceased.
William G. Hurley, Bloomsburg, deceased.

James Pleasants, Cata-wissa, deceased.
Samuel F. Headley, Berwick, deceased.
Morrison E. Jackson, Berwick, deceased.
Le Grand Bancroft, Bloomsburg. deceased.
B. K. Rhodes, Bloomsburg, left the county.
Charles R. Buckalew, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Robert F. Clark, Bloomsburg, deceased.
Reuben W. W^eaver, Bloomsburg, deceased.
John G. Freeze, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Elisha C. Thomson, Bloomsburg, deceased.
Franklin. Stewart, Berwick, practicing.
Ephraim H. Little, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Alexander J. Frick, Bloomsburg, left the county.
Oliver C. Kahler, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Wesley Wirt, Bloomsburg, deceased.
Agib Ricketts, Bloomsburg, left the county.
Robert S. Howell, Espy, practicing.
W. A. Peck, Berwick, left the county.
Charles G. Barkley, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Samuel Knorr, Bloomsburg. practicing.

•

April 10, 1876.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Hervy H. Grotz, Bloomsburg, not

practicing.

William H. Abbott, Catawissa, left the county.
Charles B. Brockway, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Wellington H. Ent, Bloomsburg, deceased.
M. M. Traugh, Berwick, left the county.
James K. Brugler, Bloomsburg, left the county.
Peter S. Rishel, Bloomsburg, left the county.
Michael Whitmoyer, Bloomsburg, left the county.
M. M. L'Velle, Centralia, left the county.
Russel R. Pealer, Bloomsburg, left the county.
Elijah R. Ikeler, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Charles W. Miller, Bloomsburg, practicing.
George S. Coleman, Bloomsburg, deceased.
J. B. Robison, Bloomsburg, practicing.
J. H. James, Centralia, left the county.
M. E. Walker, Bloomsburg, left the county.
O. B. Melick, Lightstreet, not practicing.
James Bryson, Centralia, left the county.
Milton Stiles, Berwick, left the county.
Le Roy Thompson, Berwick, left the county.
John M. Clark, Bloomsburg, practicing.
B. Frank Zarr, Bloomsburg, practicing.
A. C. Smith, Bloomsburg, deceased.
H. E. Smith, Bloomsburg, practicing.
John A. Opp, Bloomsburg, left the county.

AVarren J. Buckalew, Bloomsburg, deceased.
George E. Elwell, Bloomsburg, practicing.

Robert R. Little, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Nevin U. Funk, Bloomsburg, practicing.
William L. Eyerly, Catawissa, practicing.
Charles B. Jackson, Berwick, practicing.
P. Billmeyer, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Levi E. Waller, Bloomsburg, practicing.
T. J. Vanderslice, Bloomsburg, left the county.
H. C. Bittenbender, Bloomsburg, left the county.
W. H. Rhawn, Catawissa, practicing.
William Bryson, Centralia, practicing.
Paul E. Wirt, Bloomsburg, practicing.

Frank

Robert Buckingham, Bloomsburg, practicing.
L. S. W'intersteen, Bloomsburg, practicing.
A. L. Fritz, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Andrew K. Oswald, Berwick, practicing.
Jacob H. Maize, Bloomsburg. practicing.
C. C. Peacock, Bloomsburg, practicing.
Heister V. White, Bloomsburg, practicing.
A. E. Chapin, Bloomsburg, left the county,
John C. Yocum, Catawissa, practicing.
David Leche, Bloomsbiirg, left the county.
Guy Jacoby, Bloomsburg, practicing.

Wm.

Chrisman, Bloomsburg, practicing.
H. Snyder, Orangeville, practicing.
Wm. E. Smith, Berwick, practicing.
Grant Herring, Bloomsburg, practicing.

W.

85

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

96

A. N. Yost, Bloomsburg, practicing.
C. E. Geyer, Catawissa. practicing.
S. P. Hanly, Berwick, practicing.

COUNTY OFFICIALS.
The present

constitution provides that county oflScers shall consist of a
prothonotary, clerk of the courts, sheriff, register of wills, recorder of deeds,
auditor or controller, treasurer, district attorney, coroner, surveyor, commmisIn
sioners, and such others as may, from time to time, be established by law.

the smaller counties the duties of more than one office was imposed upon one
official, hence the double title of prothonotary and clerk of the courts; and
Under the constitution of 1790, all
register of wills and recorder of deeds.
county officers, save the sheriff and coroner, wgre appointed by the governor
without participation by the people; but by an amendment in 1838, it was provided that "prothonotaries and clerks of the several courts (except the supreme
court), recorders of deeds and registers of wills shall, at the time and place of
election of representatives, be elected by the qualified electors of each county,
or the districts over which the jurisdiction of said courts extends, and shall be
They shall hold their offices for three years,
commissioned by the governor.
if they shall so long behave themselves well, and until their successors shall be

duly qualified."
PIIOTHONOTARY AND CLERK.
appointed 1813
George A. Frick
appointed Mar. 15, 1821
David Petrildn

John Russel

"

Jacob Eyerly

"
"
"
"
"

James Donaldson...
James Donaldson.
James Donaldson.

.

.

Valentine Best....

Jacob

assumed

Ej'-erly elected,

December 1
Jesse Coleman
Wellington Ent
Died Nov.
R. H. Ringler

5,

Jan. 14, 1824
Jan. 19, 1830
Jan. 8,1836
May 1, 1838
Jan. 10, 1839
Jan. 18, 1839
office

elected Dec.
"
Dec.

1,
1,

1839
1863
1869

1871.

appointed 1871
elected Dec.

B. F. Zarr

William Krickbaum.
William Snyder

.

..

"
"

Jan.
Jan.

1,

7,
7.

1872
1878
1884

REGISTER AND RECORDER.
Josiah McClure

appointed 1814

Hughes
Rudolph Sechler
John Cooper

1821
1824
1830
"
1836
.appointed Jan. 18, 1839
"

Ellis

"
"

Alexander Best

Philip Billmeyer.
Philip Billmeyer elected, assumed office
1839
Dec.l
Charles Conner
elected Dec. 1, 1842
"
Dec. 1, 1848
Jesse G. Clark
"
Dec, 1, 1804
Daniel Lee
"
Dec. 1, 1863
John G. Freeze
"
Dec. 1, 1869
William H. Jacoby
"
Jan. 2, 1882
Geo. W. Steiner
"
Jan. 5, 1885
Geo. W. Steiner
.

By

the constitution of 1790, is was provided that "sheriffs and coroners
shall, at the times and places of election of representatives, be chosen by the
citizens of each county; two persons shall be chosen for each office, one of
whom for each, respectively, shall be appointed by the governor. They shall
hold their offices for three years if they shall so long behave themselves well,
and until a successor be duly qualified; but no person shall be twice chosen or
Vacancies in either of the said
appointed sheriff in any term of six years.
offices shall be filled by a new appointment to be made by the governor, to
continue until the next general election and until a successor shall be chosen
and qualified as aforesaid." The convention of 1838 so far amended this section as to require the people to choose one person only for each office, who was
to be commissioned by the governor.
SHERIFF.

Henry Alward, commissioned Januaiy

13, 1814.

Joseph Prutzman, commissioned October 19, 1816.
John Underwood, commissioned October 18, 1819.

Died

in office.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

97

William Robison, to fill vacancy, September 16, 1822.
Andrew McReynolds, commissioned October 14, 1822.
John Rhoads, commissioned October 22, 1825.
William Kitchen, commissioned October 22, 1828.
Isaiah Reed, commissioned October 24, 1831.
Isaiah Salmon, commissioned October 25, 1834.
William Kitchen, commissioned October 18, 1837.
John Fruit, commissioned October 30, 1840.
Iram Derr, commissioned 1843.
Benjamin Hayman, commissioned November 5, 1846.
Peter Billmeyer, commissioned October 24, 1849.
John Snyder, commissioned 1852.
Stephen H. Miller, commissioned 1855.
John Snyder, commissioned 1858.
Josiah H. Fui'man, commissioned 1861.
Samuel Snyder, commissioned 1864.
Mordecai Millard, commissioned 1867.
Aaron Smith, commissioned 1870.
Michael Grover, commissioned 1873.
Died in office April 3, 1876.
Charles G. Murphy, Coroner, was sworn in April 5, 1876, to'
May 5, 1876.
Charles S. Fornwald, appointed by governor May 5, 1876, to January,'
1877.
John W. Hoffman assumed office January 1, 1877.
XJzal H. Ent assumed office January 5, 1880.
John Mourey assumed office January 1, 1883.
Samuel Smith assumed office January 4, 1886.
foregoing

list

b J^G^ f"'^^^

of officials

is

derived from a History of Columbia County,

CHAPTER

IV.

THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

n^HE

evolution of a homogeneous and prosperous community out of
the various social material first planted in the broken country of the
Fishing
creek valley, and in the valleys of the Catawissa and Roaring
creeks, involved
a slow tedious process which they only can fully
appreciate, whose lives have
touched both extremes.
What one has written of the west may with equal
truth be applied to the pioneers of the interior of
Pennsylvania.
"In that
span of peaceful days there was no lack of noblest devotion to
purpose; indeed
the whole story of western settlement is one long tale of struggle
and privation
of courage and death.
The fallen in this quasi peaceful campaign vastly
outnumber the victims of war and count among them regiments of gentle
women and defenseless children. Still the drama of life was never more than
narrow and local; it was a period full of the sounds of pioneering
whose
echoes scarcely ever carried beyond the lines of township and
county."
The different factors of Columbia county's pioneer society came from widely
separated localities; they were led to immigrate by a variety
of motives, and
varied as much in social prejudices, habits and conditions
as

-L

The common

in their nationality.

object of

all

was the planting

of a

new home where

patient, perse-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

98

vering toil would gain a moderate competence for old age, and provide greater
There was no established rule for success
advantages for a growing family.
in this venture, and the problem presented by the unbroken forest contained
new difficulties enough to develop the full individuality of the pioneer. The
selection of a home-site was determined largely by accident.
The chance acquaintance with one who had bought lands in the "new purchase " for speculation, or the emigration of a neighbor or relative led to the removal of many from
the older settlements.
Very often the purchase was made before examination
of the country; in other cases a careful tour of inspection was made before
the removal was decided upon; in many others, the general fever of emigration to newly opened territory seized the head of the family, and with little
more consideration, property was disposed of, and with the proceeds of the
sale and a few indispensable household articles, the family started toward the
land of promise without definite aims.
With the meager facilities for travel, the amount of goods brought was
Carts and wagons made tedious
narrowed to the things of pressing necessity.
progress so far as Sunbury, but beyond that and by other routes, wheeled
vehicles were brought forward only with great difficulty. Pack saddles were at
first generally used,- and these were placed not unfrequently on oxen and cows
as well as horses.
Those whose location had not been determined by previous
purchase were influenced by the settlements already made, and the character
of the water and timber found, and many a grievous mistake was thus made.
In
their old home, a good soil had been found bearing a certain kind of timber, and
they naturally sought a similar forest growth as a guarantee of a similar soil,
The location once made and the family
sometimes to be greatly disappointed.
This consisted of the log
brought forward, the rude shelter was provided.
house for which the timber supplied ample material, and their experiIt required little aid other than
ence the requisite skill in constructing.
each family could command within itself, to rear this humble structure,
but where there were other settlements within a few miles there was no lack
Neighborhoods extended for miles about, and the accession of
of assistance.
numbers was too gladly welcomed to make the earlier inhabitants chary of
lending a hand at the cost of what would now be deemed a great inconvenience.

With willing and capable hands the house was erected in a day and occuwas not a laborious process.
Setting things to rights
pied on the next.
A few wooden pegs di'iven into the logs supplied the scarcely needed conveniences of a wardrobe, and two larger ones over the fire-place furnished the
common support for the rifle and powder-horn. The puncheon floor was not unfrequently a luxury afterward provided, as was also the loft flooring, reached
by a ladder, but the fire-place was the one feature of the pioneer home that
combined the characteristics of usefulness and luxury. It commonly faced
the single entrance, was of ample proportions and built of stone, which the
region amply provided. Above the genei-al reach of the flame, the throat was
constructed of small poles imbedded in mud, and, gradually contracting in
dimensions, was canied up to the height of the ridge-pole.
The careful housewife brought ticks as well as bed clothing, and these,
filled with dry leaves, furnished the bed until the first crop of corn supplied
Besides bedding, indispensable agricultural implehusks to take their place.
ments and a few culinary articles, there was only room in the restricted mode of
transportation for the women and smaller children.
Furniture was therefore
lacking until time was had for its manufacture in the woods.
This was made
from the growing timber with the aid of an ax alone, or at best, with the single
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

09

Koiigh benches supplied the demand for seats, and
addition of a draw-share.
a higher one sufficed for a table, while the bedstead, a curious fixture of the
It was said to go upon one leg, which
cabin, was constructed in the corner.
to those not initiated in the mysteries of pioneer life seemed an impossible feat,
though simple enough when explained. One end of the outer side-rail and the
foot-rail found support in the log sides of the cabin, while the ends, which met
at right angles, were supported by a post firmly planted in the ground, which
The foundation for the bed was
constituted the only leg of the bedstead.
made of a cord, if the family was so fortunate as to have one, otherwise of
deei«-hide thdngs, layers of bark, etc.

But little support could be expected fi-om the new farm in the first season,
and dependence was had upon purchases to be made of the neighbors, whose
The new-comer found no time for idling
surplus crops had no other mark-^t.
Every hand capable of wielding an ax was busily
in the meanwhile, however.
employed, from daylight till dark, in felling the timber, trimming off the limbs,
and cutting it into rolling lengths, while the women and children gathered the
It was not uncommon for the especially enerbrush into piles for biirning.
getic family to carry on this work late into the night, by the light of the burnThe log-rolling was a neighborhood afPair, and such was the
ing brush-heaps.
general demand that for years each settler annually devoted some six weeks
to the assistance of his neighbors in return for the aid similarly received.
There was no room for theoretical farming at that day. The grubbing hoe
preceded the plow, a great, heavy, wooden implement, with an iron point or
coulter.
In a soil ramified with uudecayed roots, such a tool barely scratched
the surface, but siich was the fertility of the land that it literally needed but
For many years the princithe tickling of the hoe, to laugh with a harvest.
pal object of the settler was to "improve" his property, farming operations
In fact, this was the only
being carried on simply as a means of support.
road to success. There was no market for surplus crops, nor was the rank
Beside a few vegetables, corn alone was cultivirgin soil adapted to a variety.
It revated, and constituted the main food suj)ply for both man and beast.
quired less care to grow and harvest than any other cereal; it was avail aljle for
use from the time the kernels were fit to grate; it was readily prepared for use
by the crude means possessed by the pioneer, and every part of the crop served
a useful purpose.
,
Ordinarily the support of a frontier family was not a serious question.
Each settler brought more or less stock, which found ample support in the forest, and even in the winter scarcely needed the addition of such fodder as the
Hogs fattened upon the abundant mast, and furnished a
corn crop supplied.
AYith plenty of milk, pork and meal, supplenutritious food for the farmer.
mented by the game which stocked the woods, and the profiision of wild fruits,
wholesome food was seldom wanting, nor even a touch of luxury. A patch of
flax was early sown and. formed the basis of the family clothing, and while both
sexes joined in the labor of convei'ting the raw material' into the finished garThe frontier
ment, the greater part of this work fell upon the housewife.
Housekeeping was crowded
cabin has always been the scene of busy activity.
into the smallest possible space, to give place to the spinning wheel and loom.
Every woman took pride in such useful accomplishments as were involved in
the preparation of the crude material, the manufacture of the fabric, and the
The dress of the setfashioning of the wearing apparel of the whole family.
Buckskin entered largely into men's wear,
tlers was of primitive simplicity.
but chief dependence was placed upon the liusey-woolsey, a combination of
linen and wool, which was the product of the taste and skill of the women.

100

IIISTOllY

OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

footdress was homo made, and years elapsed before calico and " cowhide " ceased to be regarded as an almost unattainable luxiiry.
The early social duties were of the simplest kind. Feeble settlements
gradually expanded in isolated situations where some favoring stream or spring
attracted the adventurous pioneer.
The necessities of the case brought the
community together for mutual assistance, but frontier life was too intensely
practical to give place to mere display or sentiment.
The sense of isolation

Even the

and mutual dependence encouraged cordial relations and a hospitality that
measured by the stock in store. Amusements were allied to useful
occupations.
Quiltings. wool-pickings and spinning-bees were made up by
the women, when the day was given to work and the night to games, the men
coming in to share the entertainment and escort their wives and sweethearts
home. House-raisings, log-rollings and husking bees were occasions when the
men, after a hard day' s work, would spend the evening with the women invited
in.
But with all this social activity, society developed in the form of separate
and independent communities. For years, the isolated settlements in the
county were really farther aj^art than the east and the west are to-day.
The
larger social questions had not yet entered to overcome the difficulties of communication and the diffidence of national or educational prejudices.
Perhaps the earliest of these fusing influences was the church. Most of
the earlier pioneers had strongly cherished religious affiliations, and were thus
brought together in some form of public worship.
This bond of sympathy
compacted the community, and eventually led to a more extended organization.
The standards of that time, it is scarcely necessary to say, were far less exacting than those of a later day, and differed somewhat in different nationalities
and different denominations. Many of the customs prevalent, while somewhat
modified by the circumstances of a new country, were still easily traceable to
the habit and customs inculcated in the father-land, from which the immigrant
had come or was derived. The use of liquor as a common beverage was
scarcely considered a question of morals, and a minister's account which contained charges for "half a hundred lemons" and "half a gallon of rum and
bottles " was not deemed peculiarly significant.
To become seriously intoxicated, however, was an off'ense to good taste, and in the case of a minister, if
an old church record may be relied upon, called for an apology.
In 1741, the presbytery of Donegal, Pennsylvania, after trying a pastor
for di-unkenness rendered the following decision in the case:
"We cannot
find cause to judge Mr. Lyon guilty of anything like excess in drinking.
* * * But inasmuch as his behavior had so many circumstances and
symptoms of drunkenness, and inasmuch as he did not make any apology, or
allege it to proceed from sickness, we judge that he is censurable; and yet, as
we apprehend that the small quantity of liquor which Mr. Lyon drank might
produce the above effect, after his coming out of the extreme cold into a warm
house near the fire, we do not find sufficient cause to condemn him for drunkenness. "
But if in
Doubtless, a kindred feeling made them wondrous kind.

"was not

some respects the

religious

community

of that period,

the characteristics of

which were not wholly lost a half-century later, were remarkably lax when
viewed in the light of to-day, in other respects it was sufficiently severe to restore the moral equilibrium.
Vanity, slander, and "vacuity of thought"
were sharply rebuked. It is related that, in the time when the most prosperous settler aspired to possess nothing better than a hewed-log dwelling, several
brothers, who were trained mechanics, conceived the idea of building a twoand-a-half story house of stone.
It was a labor of love and prospered in their
hands, and as it stood completed, towering above its humbler neighbors, the

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

101

its strange magnificence with awe, and called it "a
story of its grandeur spread in ever widening circles, attracting
people fi'om afar to look upon the new wonder, until the guardians of the public morals became alarmed and determined to discipline the ambitious brothers.
Martin was selected as the head and front of the offending, and "having re-

simple folk looked upon
palace.

The

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paired to the humble log cottage hard by the 'stately mansion, and organized
the presiding bishop called the offender before the ecclesiastical
the meeting,
'Martin was first questioned, upon conscience, to openly declare what
court.
He replied
his intentions were in erecting so large, so gorgeous a dwelling?"
'consulted only his own comfort, and that he had no sinister
that he had
views.
He was told, however, that in their view the house was too showy for
a Menonite, and the discussion of the court turned upon the question whether
the penalty should be severe censure or suspension from church privileges. At
length, '"after some concessions and mutual forbearance" by the parties, it
was resolved "that Martin be kindly reprimanded, to which he submitted.
Thus the matter ended, and all parted as brethren.
In 1781 a case is recorded, in which the principals were of the fair sex.
One young woman had uttered some spiteful criticism of her social rival;
both were highly' connected in church circles, and the session was so far embarrassed by this fact, that it felt obliged to refer the matter to the presbytery.
A strongly contested trial ensued, but the church tribunal decided that the
subject of criticismwas of "modest and excellent behavior," that the remarks
precomplained of were shameful, and therefore ordered that the culprit
sent herself before the pulpit and receive a solemn admonition. "
The penalty
was daly inflicted by the moderator of the presbytery, and white-winged Peace
once more brooded over the church of Great Conowago.
One more of many
interesting incidents may be drawn from the same record, in which the Rev.
Mr. Lyoa again figures before the presbytery. It was at the meeting immediately succeeding the one in which the accused was vindicated against the
charge of drunkenness.
This time the charge was a graver one, and one
''
which did not appeal to the sensibilities of his judges. He was accused of
whistling on the Sabbath.
The evidence does not show that his musical efforts were boisterous, nor that his selections were irreverent, but the presbytery
found sufficient evidence to convince its members that the offensive "whistling"
indicated a
vacuity of thought and a disposition at variance with the proper
spirit of the Lord' s day,
and the whole matter is closed by the significant
entrj:
"For good and sufficient reasons wholly dropped Mr. Lyon from the
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ministry.

In

all

this there is

much

to excite

derisive humor,

but

let

us

"Laugh where we must, be candid where we can."

WitH

all their foibles, the religious element of the pioneer community was a
sturdy, honest and steadily-progressive people.
It was from such a people
that the pioneers of Columbia county were di-awn.
The slow progress of
that period had only slightly modified the idiosyncracies of the fathers in the
sons, and the earliest society was thus not an unplanted field, but rather one
where a struggling crop sadly in need of cultivation strongly invited the care
of the earnest laborer.
In the absence of regular ministers, the Society of Friends were best
equipped for establishing public worship, and the presence of a considerable
number of this sect at Catawissa led to the founding of a meeting there in 1787,
which for twenty years continued to be the rallying point for the denomination in this region.
A monthly meeting was established here in 1796, but in

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTV'.

102

1808 this was removed to Mnncy on account of an extensive emigration of the
from Catawissa.
In 17U5 a meeting was established in Greenwood, and
In 1814 a monthly meeting was established at the
a year later in Locust.
A meeting was also established in 1800 at
latter place and is still continued.
Berwick, which continued with gradually diminishing strength until about
The Society of Friends was more
1865, when it ceased to have an existence.
firmly established, however, in Greenwood, where there are now two well supIn 1834 the different meetings of the sect in the county
ported meetings.
were associated in a half-yearly meeting established at Greenwood, and in
1856 the Muncy monthly meeting was transferred thither also. Although the
name is retained and occasional meetings held in Locust and Catawissa, the
chief activity of the denomination in this county is confined to Greenwood.
The Scotch-Irish were an important element in the pioneer society of the
state, and early gave prominence to the Presbyterian denomination, to which
they generally belonged. James McClure, who came in 1772, was probably the
first representative of this sect in Columbia county, but it was some years later
before any organized effort was made to propagate its tenets here.
In 1789
this region is mentioned under the name of Fishingcreek, in connection with
neighboring localities, as in the presbytery of Carlisle.
This presbytery had
been formed three years before, but this region probably remained unoccupied
until 1792, when the Rev. Mr. Henry was appointed to cultivate the field.
Two
years later the Rev. John Bryson was sent to this region and became pastor of
Warrior's run and Chilliequaque, where he continued to serve for nearly a half
In the following year, the Rev. John Porter was commissioned to
century.
start from Fishingcreek, and missionate up the river to Wyoming and Tioga
Point.
The names of the Rev. Benjamin Judd, Rev. Ira Condit, and Mr. William Spear, a licentiate, appear also as appointed, about this period, to missionate along the east branch of the Susquehanna. Revs. Messrs. Andrews and Gray
The
also performed greater or less amounts of missionary labor in this field. "*
first church of this denomination, known as "Briarcreek," was organized in Center township some time prior to 1796, when its first place of worship was erected.
In 1817 a second church was organized at Bloomsburg with three members,
which immediately set about erecting a commodious church building. A third
organization was effected at Berwick in 1827, and others in Orange in 1842;
sect

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in

Greenwood

in the following year; in Scott, in 1853; in Sugarloaf, in 1858,
to Benton; and one, in 1867, at Centralia.
introduction of Methodism in Columbia county was probably through

which was subsequently moved

The

the immediate instrumentality of Bishop Asbury, the founder of the Methodist

Episcopal church in America.
It was under his preaching in Northampton
county, that the Bowmans were converted.
They subsequently removed to
the vicinity of Berwick, and it was probably through their representation^ that
the bishop was led to come here.
At this time he ordained these earnest men,
who subsequently became such a power for good. Other itinerants who found
their way here in missionary tours, were Revs. William Colbert, James Paynter, Morris Howe and Robert Burch, but they do not appear to have effected

any permanent organization.
" In Briarci'eek valley, about fonr miles distant from Berwick, resided Rev.
Thomas Bowman, an ordained local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, a man of fervent zeal and persuasive eloquence, who, with hia
brother, Rev. Christopher Bowman, sowed pure Methodistic seed in all this
region of country. In order that his neighbors might have the regular ministra-tions of the gospel, he fitted up the third story of his dwelling
a stone house

/

—

Historical Discourse by Rev. David

J.

Waller.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

103

—as a place of

worship, and invited the Methodist itinerants to hold religious
Here, in the year 1805, under the joint ministry of Rev.
James Paynter and Joseph Carson, occurred a revival of great power and wideThe country for thirty or forty miles around felt the impulse
spread influence.
As a direct and immediate result of this religof this wondrous spirit-baptism.
This point was made
ious awakening, a class was organized in Berwick."*
a regular appointment in the Wyoming circuit, which extended from Northumberland to Tioga Point. In 1806 it was attached to the Northumberland
circuit, where it remained until 1831, when the church work had so spread,
that the Berwick circuit was formed, embracing twenty- eight preaching places,
Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg,
of which the following were in this county
Buckhorn, Espy, Jerseytown, Lightstreet, Mifflinville and Orangeville.
Since
then its organizations have multiplied in the county until only two townships
have none, while each of "the others have from one to five.
The large German immigration which so conspicuously contributed to the
settlement of the lower counties of Pennsylvania made its influence felt not
only throughout the state, but also in other parts of the nation.
The earliest
of the Palatine settlers were generally Mennonites, but they formed a center
arovmd which German immigrants of all classes and confessions rapidly gathered, extending their settlements into the surrounding country.
In 1723 a
considerable Lutheran emigration from New York took place, which resulted
in the settlements on the Tulpehocken.
These were rapidly reinforced by
the vast numbers who continued to come from the Palatinate, Wurtemberg,
Darmstadt and other parts of Germany. The latter accessions were generally
adherents of the Lutheran and Reformed creed, though the former denomination had been well represented before their coming, by the Swede settlers on
the east bank of the Delaware, and on the site of Philadelphia.
'Although deprived of the regular ministrations of the sanctuary, large portions of them, who were under the influence of religious principles, remained
true to the faith in which they had been reared.
They had brought with them
from their native land their hymn books, catechisms, and manuals of devotion,
which they faithfully read, endeavoring to keep alive in their hearts the spirit
of piety, and anticipating a more propitious season, when the means of grace
would be adequately provided. " Their circumstances had greatly improved in
this respect before the period of Columbia county's settlement and the German settlers of this region were not long without the visit of earnest missionaries.
Among the early Lutheran missionaries were Revs. Seeley, Sherrets,
Plitt, Pauls, Kramer and Baughey, who organized churches in 1795 at Catawissa; 1805, in Briarcreek; 1808, in Locust; 1809, in Mifflin; 1810, in Hemlock; and in 1812, in Orange.
It is now one of the most flourishing religious
denominations in the county and numbers some eighteen organizations.
Rev. Jacob Deiffienbach was the first minister of the Reformed church who
systematically and zealously labored for the upbuilding of that denomination
here.
There were a considerable number of this communion among the early
settlers, and a number of itinerants of the church had made occasional visits
to this region, but they did not in all cases "walk worthy of their vocation,"
and effected little toward the organization of churches among the scattered
settlements.
Mr. Deifiienbach came to Bloomsburg in 1815 he was in the
prime of life and preached at Bloomsburg in Mahoning, Catawissa, Briarcreek, Mifflin, and occasionally in Fishingcreek. His missionary labor extended over the whole extent of the county, and
through him the church in this
county was placed on a firm basis and took organic shape, and he may justly
service therein.

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*From the Berwick

Methodist,

March,

1882.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

104

In 1822 he removed to
be regarded as its founder in Columbia county."
Espy, and continued to preach until 1824, when he was confined to his bed
He preached only in the German language
with consumption to rise no more.
and is said to have been an excellent singer.
The church interests of this denomination were first associated in the
Bloomsburg charge. In this Mr. Deiffienbach was succeeded, in 1829, by Rev.
Daniel S. Tobias, who was assisted in 1844, by Mr. Henry Funk, who added a
service in English.
In 1854 the Rev. W. Goodrich succeeded and served the
people faithfully for half a century.
At the close of his ministry the charge
consisted of six congregations, and by his advice these were divided between
two, the Orange ville charge then being erected: the first consisting of the
Bloomsburg, Heller's andCatawissa congregations, and the latter made up of
the Oraugeville, Zion and St. James conscregfations.
Since then the number of congregations has doubled, the church being thus represented in
eleven of the twenty-three townships of the county.
Among the New Jersey emigrants to Columbia county were many Episcopalians and Baptists, which led to the early organization of churches of these
denominations.
The Protestant Episcopal church was the earliest of the two
to secure an organized representation in the county, the Rev. Caleb Hopkins being chiefly instrumental in this work.
The church at Bloomsburg was
founded in 1793, and about 1812 he established another in Sugarloaf. A
third organization was effected at Jerseytown very early, but it has since passed
away, leaving no record save that it was and is not. In 18G0 Rev. E. A. Lightner began to hold services in Catawissa, which resulted in the founding of a
church there, and in 1866 the Rev.
Washburn did a similar work at
Centralia.
The Baptist denomination was chiefly recruited from English emigrants and organized the first church of their faith in Madison, as early as
1817, through the labors of Revs. Wolverton, Smiley and Coombs. Two years
later Revs. Joel Rogers and Elias Dodson organized a second one in Jackson,
and about 1841 other churches were founded in Berwick and Bloomsburg. In
1851 an organization of thirty members was made in Center, and in 1886
another, of twelve members, was effected in Centralia.
Some of the old church landmarks of these earlier organizations still remain.
There are only three, however, two of which have practically been abandoned,
while the third has apparently been outgrown.
The most venerable of these
links to the forgotton past is the old Quaker meeting-house at Catawissa.
It

M

hewed logs prior to 1787, and in a plain unostentatious way still
It is now seldom used, and it stands apart, a fit type of the plain,
sturdy folk who once gathered there to worship.
A similar structure in Locust
township bears similar testimony to the honest workmanship and good care of
the Friends, who have generally passed away.
The third relic of that early
day is the "stone church" in Briarcreek, erected in 1808 by the Methodists.
was erected

of

defies decay.

It is no longer used for the purposes of worship, but it is still in a good state of
preservation and likely to outlive the century.
The other denominations represented in the county are the Church of
Chi'ist (Disciples), which organized its first congregation in 1837; the Evangelical Association, originating here in 1848; the Protestant Methodist,, in
1860; the United Brethren, in 1866; and the Roman Catholic, about the same
time.
The latter denomination celebra^^ed mass here as early as 1829, but all
services were discontinued here after a time until 1844, when again for a short
period services were held.
Occasional services were subsequently held until
the purchase of the present place of worship, since which they have been
regularly held. In 1869 a second organization was formed at Centralia. The
present distribution of churches may be gathered from the following table:

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

TOWNSHIPS.

105

106

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

This law was variously amended at
commissioners were authorized to do so.
different times, but its operation still fell far short of the results at which the
In 1833 it was estimated that less than
friends of public education aimed.
twenty- four thousand children in the state attended school at public expense,
and most of these were taught by very incompetent teachers. 'The schools were
called 'pauper schools' and were despised by the rich and shunned by the poor;
the children were classified as 'pay' and 'pauper' scholars; thus, the law practically separated the poor from the rich, and hence failed; for, in a republic,
no system of education which makes a distinction on account of wealth or birth
can have the sup];)ort of the people.
The act of 1834 inaugurated in Pennsylvania what is distinctively known
A society was formed in Philadelphia for
as the "common school system."
the promotion of education in the state, as early as 1827; a committee was set
at work coi'responding with the leading men in every community and collecting
statistics bearing upon this subject, and in this way a union of the most progressive sentiment was effected which resulted in the act referred to.
In this
the old distinction between pay and pauper scholars was abrogated; all taxable
property was brought to the support of the schools, and their local management placed in the hands of a board of six district directors. This advance was
not made without strong opposition, and in the following year a strong effort
was made to effect tKe repeal of the act, but under the lead of the Hon.
Thaddeus Stevens this effort was defeated. Some two hundred acts of the
legislature on the subject of education had preceded the one of 1834, and in
1836 its efficiency was increased by wise amendments, but it has substantially
remained unimpaired to this day, the wisdom of which is amply attested by the
growing success of the system in the state.
In the common school act, it was provided that each township should be
This was subsequently found
at liberty to adopt its provisions or reject them.
to be unwise, and in 1849 this act was made applicable to every township, but
until 1854 its efficacy was greatly hindered by the lack of power to enforce
This was then remedied, and in 1857
its mandates by the school authorities.
the general superintendency of the schools was separated from the office of the
In the same year, the normal school law was
secretary of the comm mwealth.
passed, and has since grown into an important feature of the system.
The
state is now divided into twelve normal districts, in each of which are institutions primarily devoted to the education of teachers for the common schools.
The first to be established under this law was the school at Millersburg, in
Lancaster county, for the second district, and recognized, in 1859, by the state
authorities.
Others thus recognized are at Edinboro, in Erie county, for the
twelfth district, in 1861; at Mansfield, Tioga county, for ttie fifth district, in
1862; at Kutztown, Berks county, for the third disti-ict, in 1866; at Bloomsburg, Columbia county, for the sixth district, in 1869; and for the first district, in 1871, at Winchester, in Chester county.
In pioneer times, education in Columbia county was the actual companion
of religion.
The effort to dispense its blessings was the distinct outgrowth of
the enlightened conscience, and found its most earnest and earliest support
where public worship found a similar encouragement. The genius of the com'

monwealth found a congenial home upon the frontier as well as in the older
settlements, and the sect which was found earliest established here, became
the first patron of the school.
The first organized educational effort was probably made at Millville, in 1785, but this progressive sentiment was restricted
by no sectarian limits, and primary schools multiplied, in Fishingcreek in 1794,
in Benton in 1799, in the following year at Berwick, and elsewhere in the

;

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUMV.

107

county in rapid succession. The itinerant schoolmaster, the knight of the rod
and bottle, had little if any place here. The early teachers were generally the
younger members of families who had enjoyed more than the ordinary advantages for education, and, at the solicitation of neighbors, devoted a room in
their restricted households for school purposes. When more liberal accommodations became necessary, the public school-house gradually supplanted the priThese were erected by donations upon grounds given, with
vate school-room.
scarcely a single exception, for the joint use of the church and school, and

when still held, are subject to this joint ownership.
act of 1(S34 met with some opposition in the county, its opponents
contributing in the following year five petitions, having three hundred and
This opposition was based upon the mistaken
forty-four names, for its repeal.
idea that in the general support of schools, one individual was taxed for the

these plats,

The

especial benefit of another, and, among the Germans, that the tendency of
such schools would be to displace their native language, to which they were
greatly attached.
No report was made by the county of the number accepting
or rejecting the provisions of the act at this time, but in 1845 MiiSin and ValSince 1854 the characley alone were set down in the "non-accepting" list.
ter of the common schools has made steady progress, and while there is still
ample room for improvement they are not inferior to the average of the state.
School-buildings are generally neat and comfortable one-story frame structures
in the country, and two-story brick in the boroughs, with generally commo-

dious and pleasant grounds.

Secondary instruction had also an early beginning in Columbia county, the
Berwick Academy being the pioneer institution in this movement. It was incorporated June 25, 1839, and was provided with a building in the same year. It received appropriations under the act of 1838, and flourished for a number of
years, but was eventually merged in the public school system, its building
The Millville High School was established in 1851
being torn down in 1872.
became the Greenwood Seminary in 1861, and is still doing a good work. The
Orangeville Male and Female Academy was incorporated March 11, 1858;
was opened in the following year was conducted as an orphans' school during
1864-66, when it resumed its former character, and still enjoys a considerable
local patronage.
The Catawissa Seminary was chartered February 9, 1866.
It was founded as an academy as early as 1838, and was fairly successful in its
early history; but its career in its more ambitious departure disappointed its
projectors, and about 1872 was suspended.
The Bloomsburg Literary Institute was chartered in September, 1856.
Its origin, however, dates back to
1838, when D. J. Waller, Sr. W^illiam Robison, Leonard B. Rupert and others
were made a committee, by an informal meeting of the citizens, to provide for
increased educational facilities for the community.
The project gradually developed until through the influence of the gentlemen named, certain other
citizens united in 1856 to form the " Institute."
This was finally merged in
the normal school, which is now justly the pride of the whole county.
The following table, taken from the state report of 1885, will give a sum;

,

mary

of the condition of the

common

schools:

108

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
J0UJ9TP JO

"OK:

^

»»«>• m® (-<»=><='-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTV.

From

the same report

Xumber

in

"
"
"
"
"

"
"
"
"
"

ascertained in regard to the schools that the

which the books are uniform
"

"

it is

"
"
"

160
127

is

read is
drawing is taught is
vocal music is taught is
anj^ of the higher branches are taught
bible

Ill

is

employed is
"
"
"females
who have had no experience

29
1
is

of males

"
"
"

who
"

"

taught

less

.

.

&

.

94
106
29

is

than one year

•.

4
56

is

"
"
more " tivf- j't-itrs is
intend to make teaching a permanent business is
have attended a state normal school is
" been graduated by a state normal school is

75
77
31

The connty superintendents who have served Columbia county under the
law of 1854 are as follows:
Joel E. Bradley, elected June 5, 1854.
Reuben W. Weaver, appointed January 1, 1855.
William Burgess, elected May 4, 1857.
Lewis Appleman, elected May 7, 1860.
AVilliam Burgess, appointed October 23, 1801.
John B. Patton, apointed March 81, 1863.
C. G. Barkley, elected May 4, 1863.
C. G. Barkley, re-elected May 1, 1866.
C. G. Barkley, re-elected May 4, 1869.
William H. Snyder, elected May 7, 1872.
William H. Snyder, re-elected May 4, 1875.
AVilliam H. Snyder, re-elected May 7, 1878.
J. S. Grimes, elected May 3, 1881.
J. S. Grimes, re-elected May 6, 1884.
Parallel with this religious and intellectual growth was a material development which made the former possible, and without which society would have
remained isolated fragments jealoasly retarding, rather than unitedly reaching
higher achievements.
These influences served to compact and elevate the
community in which they were supported, but there was needed something
more to bring the separated settlements into closer relations, to build up a
broader fellowship than that presented by sectarian limits, and afford incitement to the best use of the intelligence possessed and to be acquired. The
demands of pioneer life, however, had the opposite tendency.
The stern
necessity which made every man the architect of his own fortune, rendered
self-dependence an essential qualification for success.
For years frontier life
was a hand-to-hand struggle for existence, which left the pioneer little time
to consider any broader interest than the support of his own family.
Public
improvements were thus held in abeyance until the farm was so far cleared and
cultivated as to demand a market for its surplus yield.
With surplus crops
came those pioneer industries which relieved the family of some of the heavy
work which an enforced economy had imposed upon it a service, for whichi
the farmer was glad to exchange his otherwise unmarketable product.
Thus
grist-mills,
saw-mills, carding machines, fulling-mills and whisky- stills,,
gradually found a place in almost every community.
The erection of these adjuncts of pioneer life led to the construction of
These were at first only bridle trails,,
roads by which they could be reached.
and it was not until the era of stage lines that they were improved so as toAs the crops became diversified, and
afford a passage for wheeled vehicles.
the circumstances of the community improved, the more enterprising began to

—

14

112

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

This was to be found only at Reading, Easton
and Philadelphia. The latter offered the best advantages, and as early as 1787
a road was laid out from Berwick to Easton, fi'om whence the Delaware offered
It was by this tedious route that the foreign
the best means of transportation.
traffic of the county was carried on for years; but as the community grew in
numbers, and the number of settlements increased, the road to Reading was
improved, and traffic found its way direct to Philadelphia by this route.
This
traffic was simply a system of barter, and was at first carried on by the individual farmer or by several neighbors who clubbed together to secure a year's
supply of such things as the frontier farms did not readily supply.
Out of
It is related that
such ventures the first stores originated almost by accident.
John Funston, who was an early settler near Jerseytown, was thus in the habit of
disposing of his wheat. It was his son Tommy' s business to do the marketing, and
on one trip it occurred to him to purchase a half-dozen wool hats to bring back.
The old gentleman was somewhat surprised to see this strange invoice, but they
found such ready sale among his neighbors, that on the nest trip, he said:
The young merchant improved on his father'
Tommy, bring some more.
advice, and not only brought back some more hats, but invested the whole proceeds of his load in a varied supply of those things most in demand on the
frontier.
It was thus that one of the earliest stores in the county began, and
others were not slow to follow his example.
The Susquehanna river very early. suggested the most eligible mode of transAt Marietta,
portation, and the river traffic rapidly grew to large proportions.
York-Haven and Columbia there were extensive saw-mills, and vast quantities
As
of timber were rafted from this region to find a market at these places.
the product of these frontier settlements increased, the "Durham boat" was
These were rude flat-boats first made at Durham,
brought into requisition.
Down stream they floated with the curbelow Easton on the Delaware river.
poling
and
cordelling.
These
rent, but the upward voyage was made by
were laden for the Baltimore market, and were frequently broken up at the
end of their journey, and sold for what the lumber was worth. The volume of
reach out for a better market.

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this business suggested the establishment of better commu.nications with this
upper country, and in 1S20 two steamboats were built by Baltimore capitalists

This venture, however, terminated
to develo[) the trade so laboriously begun.
Other means of turning the
disastrously and the enterprise was abandoned.
It
water-way to the advantage of commerce had been agitated and discussed.
had been proposed to construct a series of dams across the river and thus make
it available throughout the year, but this suggestion never got beyond the theThe movement for the construction of a canal
oretical stage of development.
along its course supplanted it, and in 1826 its construction was begun in CoThis was a branch or extension of the Pennsylvania canal
lumbia county.
which began at Harrisburg, where it connected with the Union canal, begun in
The North Branch canal was completed
1791, but not completed until 1829.
in 1830, and in the following year the first boat passed along its course.

The canal system was of inestimable value to the commonwealth, and infused new vigor in every community located on its route, but there were regions inaccessible to this mode of transportation, the mineral wealth of which
demanded equal facilities for shipment. It was out of this demand that the
first railroad grew, and Pennsylvania shares with Massachusetts the honor of
inaugurating a system to which the nation so largely owes its phenomenal deThe first railroad in Pennsylvania was completed in*1827, from
velopment.
Mauch Chunk to Summit Hill, but Christian Brobst, of Catawissa, had five
He was a
voars earlier taken a broader view of the usefulness of the railroad.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

113

man

of limited school training, but nature had endowed him with rare foresight
of a high order.
It is said that the number of rafts
floating down the river first attracted his attention, and anxious to build up the
place of his residence, he began to reckon the advantage which would accrue

and reasoning powers

made to pass through Catawissa to its final destinatook accurate account of the river traffic and compiled statistics and
arguments which commanded the attention of capitalists. His energy did not
cease with this, however.
Once assured of the advantage of a railroad he proceeded to demonstrate its practicability. He was not able to buy the necessary
instruments for making the survey, much less to employ an engineer, but with
some knowledge of the methods employed, gained by observation, by his own
ingenuity he equipped himself for the work and ran out a practical line for the
proposed road.
Mr. Brobst possessed a
He had a tin tube of
Jacob' s stafP. "
proper dimensions made, into the upper side of which he made small holes at
either end.
In these he inserted small glass vials 'puttied' fast, which, when
half filled with water, enabled him to level his instrument.
With this crude
instrument he located and leveled a line which was considered by engineers
subseqiaently employed a marvel of accuracy.
His engineering skill did not
enable him to get a practical route over the mountain, and the apparent necessity for an expensive tunnel balked his plans for the time.
The projected road
extended fi'om Catawissa to Tamaqua. In 1825 he got certain capitalists to view
the proposed route, which made such a favorable impression on them that, in
1831, a company for the construction of the road was chartered.
In the
meantime he had enlisted the co-operation of Joseph Paxton, who was better
fitted to deal with monied men, and in 1854, after overcoming great difficulties and discouragements, the first passenger train was greeted at Catawissa.
It is now operated by the Philadelphia & Reading Company.
In the meanwhile a second railroad was projected. Bloomsburg's future
had been assured, and the canal had come to be looked upon as too slow.
In 1852, therefore, William McKelvey, Charles R. Paxton, Morrison E. Jackson, John K. Groetz, of Columbia county, with othei's, were authorized to receive subscriptions of stocks and organized a company to construct a railroad
from Lackawanna creek to Bloomsbm-g. Its route was projected from "the
village of Scranton in the county of Luzerne,
through the village of New
Troy, Kingston and Berwick to Bloomsburg, with the privilege of extending
it to Danville.
Its authorized capital stock was $900,000, but Columbia was
not a wealthy region, the undertaking grew on the company's hands, and in
1853 the company sought and received authority to increase the capital stock
by an amount not to exceed $500,000, to borrow a sum not to exceed $100,000,
and to extend its route to connect with the Pennslyvania & Erie railroad or
Susquehanna railroad at Sunbmy, or at any other point in Northumberland
or Lycoming counties.
On January 1, 1858, the first train rolled into Rupert,
At this point connection was made with the Catawissa road, and for about two
years this was the lower terminus of the road
In 1859 the company was
authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $400,000 to construct, complete and
equip the extension to Sunbury.
Northumberland was made its terminus,
however, and is now operated by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company.
By an act passed April 15, 1859, Hendrick B. Wright, George M. Hollenback and others of West Pittston, and Ralph Lacoe, Simon P. Case and others
of Montour county were authorized to receive subscriptions, and organized a
company under the name of the "Wilkesbarre & Pittston" railroad. Its route
was projected from the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg road, above Pittston, along
if all

tion.

this trafl&c could be

He

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114

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

and near the Susquehanna river, on the east side to Danville or Sunbnry. It
was required that the line between Pittston and Shickshinny should be first
constructed, but in 1867 it was provided by a supplementary act that construction might be commenced at any point on the line, and the name of the company changed to Danville, Hazleton & Wilkesbarre Railroad Company. It
was not finally opened until 1872, when it extended from Sunbury to Tomhicken.
It was subsequently sold and reorganized as the Sunbury, Hazleton
& Wilkesbarre Railroad Company, and is now controlled by the Pennsylvania
company. It is forty miles long and does a good coal traffic.
The latest completed railroad through Columbia county, like the first, is of
home origin, but unlike the first it was carried through to successful operation
by the energy, skill and resources of one man. Before the construction of the
North & West Branch railroad the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg road had a
monopoly of the greater part of the traffic in the county, and by its extortionThe people seemed
ate charges proved a great obstacle to its development.
He
powerless until D. J. Waller, single-handed, showed the way for relief.
had decided in his own mind that competition was the only effective remedy,
and he relates that as he lay in his bed at night and heard the puffing of the
struggling engines, the thought occurred to him that the formation of the
valley indicated the other side of the river as the true route for a successful
Upon his own responsibility he had a line surveyed on the south
The result was that
side of the river, and demonstrated the truth of his idea.

railroad.

was granted to himself, William Neal, James Masters, John
McHenry, D. H. Montgomery and Robt. F. Clark to organize a company to
construct a railroad from Wilkesbarre along the south side of the Susquehanna
to a point opposite Bloomsburg, and thence by a bridge over the river and by

in 1871 a charter
J.

the valley of little Fishing creek to Williamsport, with authority to construct
a branch up big Fishing creek to connect with any railroad existing or proThe plan was a far-sighted one, and in many ways
jected in Sullivan county.
The road has been extended to
still looks to the future for its fullest fruition.
Catawissa, and connects with the Sunbury, Hazleton it Wilkesbarre road at
Its immediate re
that point, and is operated by the Pennsylvania company.
suits were most happy, and have done more to bring the advantages of the railroads to the benefit of the people than all the other railroad enterprises combined.

The Bloomsburg & Sullivan railroad, projected up the valley of the big
Fishing creek from Bloomsburg, with the other terminal point still undecided,
The Wilkesbarre & Western railroad is
is now in course of construction.
another line now in process of construction, and is projected from Wilkesbarre
to Watsontown, but its course is not yet unalterably fixed.
The effect of improved transportation upon the development of the county
In fact, the year 1860 marks the beginning of a new era
has been marked.
in the history of both town and country, the course of which has been one of
Improved methods of agriculture have been entertained,
steady improvement.
public improvements have been encouraged, varied manufactures have been
introduced and placed upon a paying basis, and progressive thought has been
There is undoubted promise of
manifested in all the higher social activities.
AVith an abundant supfurther development in these directions in the future.
ply of excellent water, cheap fuel, and increasing shipi:»ing facilities, manufacThe county as a whole,
turing interests must certainly continue to thrive.
however, will continue to be predominantly agricultural in its character, but
the impetus which an extensive manufacturing center at the county- seat
would give to this industry, would greatly stimulate the
awakened in the best methods of farming.

interest already

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

115

A good evidence of the growing intelligence of the farming community is
On
the interest taken in the different agricultural societies in the county.
December 8, 1868, a charter was granted to the "Columbia County Agricultural,
Hortictiltural and Mechanical Association," on the application of B. F. Hartman, James Masters, William G. Shoemaker, Caleb Barton, Matthias Hartman, Jacob Harris, J. K. Ikeler, N. J. Sloan, Paleman John, E. R. Ikeler,
C. G. Barkley, Joshua Fetterman, Thomas Creveling and Joseph P. Conner.
The name was suggested by John Taggart. In 1885 the charter was so
amended as to provide for perpetual membership; to remove the restriction to
the authorized amount of receipts; and to empower the association to hold
by purchase or lease.
In the summer of 1855 Mr. John Taggart visited a country fair in the
northern part of the state, and was so impressed with the benefit to be derived
fi'om such an exhibition by the whole community, that on his return he began
real- estate

to agitate the question of securing

He

a similar institution for this county.

was successful in interesting a number of gentlemen in the movement, among
whom were John Ramsey, B. F. Hartman, Caleb Barton, William Neal and
A consultation was eventually held by these gentlemen in
I. W. Hartman.
Personal soliciMr. Neal' s office, where it was decided to inaugurate a fair.
and
tation was made for exhibits of vegetables, fruits, farm products, etc.
,

after great effort sufficient were secured to warrant the opening of a "fair."
The only exhibit of agricultural machinery was a grain- drill which Mr. Barton

had used for several seasons, but the whole made a good beginning. The fair
was held in Mr. Barton' s field at the foot of Second street, and the public road
was used for the race course. The "grounds" were inclosed by a common
rail fence, the admission fee was ten cents, and nearly the entire gate receipts
were required to maintain the police service.
There was sufficient left, however, to pay two dollars to B. F. Hartman, who was awarded the first premium
upon a single driving horse entered. A fair attendance, with the general satisfaction manifested, encouraged the projectors of the enterprise and gave them
good ground for mutual congratulation.
A second fair was held in the following year in the field of Mr. Sloan,
which now lies on the south side of Fifth and the west side of Market street.
This exhibition was characterized by a marked improvement in the number
and quality of the exhibits, the number in attendance and the financial returns.
The third fair was held in grounds situated on Fifth street, between Market and
East streets, and the fourth, on the grounds now used in the southwestern portion of Bloomsburg.
This property was then leased at ten dollars per acre, and
annual exhibitions have since been held here without interruption.
In 1884
the race track was increased to a half mile in length, and the association admitted
to membership in the National Trotting Association, and has since renewed its
membership from year to year. In the summer of 1886 a new exhibition hall,
fifty by three hundred feet, was erected, which, with ample stabling for horses
and cattle and pens for smaller animals, render the equipment of the grounds
superior to those owned by most of the local associations in this part of the
state.

During the first three years of this movement, each one interested worked
upon his own plan. Lunaber merchants in town loaned material for the erection of sheds, etc.
which were torn down after the exhibition, but after the
organization, in 1858, some discipline was introduced into its methods.
Since
then the enterprise has steadily gained favor with the people, and the character of the exhibitions has steadily improved.
The association is conducted on
,

strictly business principles.

It neither

pays dividends nor

levies assessments,

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

116

the surphis going to make improvements in the grounds or to increase the premiums, every one of which, that has been earned, having been promptly paid.
The original officers of the association were John Ramsey, president; Andrew
Madison, secretary; Elias Mendenhall, treasurer. The present officers are:
president, Samuel Camp; vice presidents, William Shaffer, J. M. DeWitt,
Baltis Sterling, Jere Kostenbauder treasurer, J. C. Brown; secretary, H. V.
White; librarian, Thomas Webb; executive committee, James P. Freas, John
Appleman, Dr. A. P. Heller; auditors, K, C. Ent, J. P. Sands, George Conner; chief marshal, Capt. U. H. Ent.
The Northern Columbia and Southern Luzerne Agricultural Association"
was chartered on February 16, 1884, and held its first fair in the last week of
Its grounds are situated in the southwestern subSeptember, in that year.
urbs of Berwick, a village centrally located in the region to which it looks for
Thus far it has been successful in its exhibitions, and in its financial
support.
returns.
Its career has not yet demonstrated its probable future, but if supported by the adjoining county it will undoubtedly prove beneficial to the
The Benton Agricultural Association " received
f ai'ming community at large.
its charter on October 3, 1885, and has held two fairs which give it promise of
future success.
It is questionable whether more than one fair can be profitably supported in a county of the size of Columbia, but if these different associations are the outgrovdih of the enthusiasm of the farming community, and not
simply of the enterprise of energetic individuals, they cannot fail to produce
lasting benefit.
In all this progress the public press has borne its part of responsibility
and labor, and there is no more powerful agency in stimulating progressive
Since 1818 it has been a
tendencies in a community than the newspaper.
prominent social factor in Columbia county. On Saturday, May 2d, of this
year, Mr. William Carothers issued the first number of the Berwick IndependA few of the earliest numbers were published in Nescopeek,
ent American.
but the establishment was then moved across the river and was subsequently
In 1823 David Owen, son of the founder
identified with Columbia county.
of Berwick, came into possession of the paper, and with the change of
^
independent
proprietor came a change in the name, the heading losing its
characteristic.
Orlando Porter soon succeeded to the ownership of the paper,
but at the end of the year the issue of the Berwick American ceased. .The
materials of the office were sold to George Mack, who on March 13, 1824,
He subsequently changed
issued the first number of the Columbia Gazette.
the name to Berwick Gazette, and on September 18, 1830, sold an interest in
the paper to John T. Davis, who subsequently became sole proprietor.
Some time in 1834, Evan O. Jackson began the publication of the Berwick
Argus, and the two papers maintained an existence until March, 1837, when
Messrs. J. F. Wilber and P. S. Joslin purchased and consolidated them in
the Berwick Sentinel.
In the early part of the year 1838, Levi L. Tate became editor and proprietor of this publication; two years later A. M. Gangewere became associated in. the business, but in 1843 this relation was dissolved.
With this change, the Sentinel seems to have been relieved, and The Enquirer
put in its place.
In 1845 B. S. Gilmore was associated in the ownership of
the paper and took editorial charge, Mr. Tate going to Wilkesbarre to establish
Two years later, Mr. Gilmore became sole proprietor and cona paper there.
tinued its publication until the spring of 1849 when the county- seat having
been removed to Bloomsburg, Mr. Gilmore removed his office to that place,
and began the issue of a new paper.
About a year after Mr. Wilber sold the Sentinel, and in company with Moses
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117

HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Davis, he began tbe publication of a small eight-paged paper, called the Independent Ledger. It continued a little more than a year, when it changed its
name to the Conservator, with John T. Davis as editor and proprietor. This
paper continued through the "Hard Cider " campaign of 1840, and then hid

diminished light in obscurity.
In 1843, on the dissolution of the firm of Tate and Gangewere, the latter
established the Star of the North, and published it about a year when he sold
The new prothe ofiice and publication to U. J. Jones and John H. Winter.
prietors continued its publication until 1848, when they disposed of it to DeIn 1850 it again
witt C. Kitchen, who changed the name to The Standard.
changed owner and name, when it became the Telegraph, edited by John M.
Snyder.
In 1851 James McClintock Laird purchased it, and changed the
name to The Berwick Citizen, which was published until 1853, when it was
suspended, and the outfit sold.
The Investigator was founded in the same year by Stewart Pearce and John
M. Snyder. Mr. Pearce retired at the end of a month, but Mr. Snyder continued the publication until the spring of 1855, when Levi L. Tate became its
purchaser.
The name was changed to the Berwick Gazette, with Tate and
Irwin as publishers.
In 1856 Walter H. Hibbs purchased the paper, and in
the following year he was succeeded by A. B. Tate, who published it until
The latter published the
1860, when Jeremiah S. Sanders bought the paper.
paper at Berwick until 1869, when it was suspended, and the material reits

moved

to Hazleton.
'

In June,
organ.
1871, however, the Snyders ventured again to establish a paper, which they
called the Berwick Independent.
It started out with an imposing array of
editorial talent, Charles B. Snyder acting as managing editor, Frank. L. Snyder as assistant, J. M. Snyder as city editor, and so continued until September
Mr. Bowman, having
1, 1879, when Robert S. Bowman purchased the paper.
decided in early life to become a disciple of Johann Faust, entered, when
eighteen years of age, the office of the Republican, at Bloomsburg, where he
served an apprenticeship of three years, then returned to Berwick and bought
out the Independent.
In March, 1882, the Berwick Gazette, the third paper to appropriate the
name, was established by J. H. Dietrick. On January 1, 1884, he sold the
establishment to M. B. Margerum, who in September of the following year
associated H. R. Reedy with himself, and the paper is still published by the
firm of Margerum & Reedy.
In Bloomsburg the first paper was published considerably later than in
Berwick.
This was the Bloomsburg Register, which made its first appearance
under date of October 5, 1826, with James Delavan as editor and proprietor.
In April. 1828, Thomas Painter purchased the paper and changed the name to
Columbia County Register. This paper continued in existence until 1844,
when it was discontinued. In 1837 the Columbia Democrat was established by
John S. Ingrain, with whom F. S. Mills was early associated. In 1838 the
paper was sold to Henry Webb, who conducted it until 1847, when it passed
Mr. Tate retained the paper until 1866,
into the possession of L. L. Tate.
when he sold it to E. R. Ikeler. In the meantime, the Star of the North had
been founded here. In 1849 B. S. Gilmore suspended the publication of the
Enquirer at Berwick, and removed the material to Bloomsburg, where, in company with R. W. Weaver, he founded the Star of the North. Gilmore retired
from the management in 1850, but Mr. Weaver continued it until his death
some seven years later. It was subsequently sold to W. H. Jacoby, who conIt was then susducted it until the fall of 1862, when he went into the army.

For some three years Berwick remained without an

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

118

pended until August, 1863, when he returned and resumed its publication. It
was thus conducted until February, 1866, when E. R. Ikeler, having purchased both the Columbia Democrat and the Star of the North, consolidated
these papers under the name of the Democrat and Star.
On May 5, 1866, the first number of the Columbian was issued as the
under the management of George H.
organ of the
Johnson republicans,
During the campaign of 1866 a half sheet publication called the
Moore.
"Campaign" was issued by S. H. Miller & Co. and edited by E. H. Little
as an organ of a certain political following.
It was of only a temporary nature,
but it indicated that the "organ" of the Johnsonian republicans did not satisfy their tastes, and as there were probably too few 'J. r' s' in the community to
support the paper, after issuing thirty-five numbers, a company of democrats
purchased it and placed J. G. Freeze in the editorial chair.
A fresh start was
made, and it was editorially announced that it would hereafter support the
"Jeffersonian school of politics."
Some six weeks later C. B. Brockway
became associated in the business, and eventually bought up the stock and took
entire charge and ownership of the paper.
Ou the 1st of January, 1869, he
bought the Bloomsburg Democrat and consolidated it with his own, under the
name of Columbian and Democrat. The Democrat was the descendant of, or
rather the Democrat and Star with a new name and editor.
After conducting
the latter some seven months, Mr. Ikeler had sold his interest to J. P. Sherman
andW. H. Jacoby; Sherman had published the paper until January, 1867. Mr.
Sherman then retired and Mr. Jacoby, choosing a new name, continued its publication until he sold out to Mr. Brockway.
On the 1st of January, 1871, H. L.
Dieffenbach bought the Columbian Democrat and published it a year, when
In July, 1873, Mr. Dieffenbach again took
Mr. Brockway resumed control.
charge of the paper, but on October 1, 1875, Mr. Brockway and George E.
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Elwell purchased the paper.
They conducted the paper until October 1, 1875,
place to J. K. Bittenbender.
Since then Messrs.
Elwell & Bittenbender have published the paper with increasing success.
The Democratic Sentinel was founded in Bloomsburg in 1871, by Charles
M. Vanderslice, and conducted by him with some success until 1885, when

when Mr. Brockway gave

William Krickbaum purchased it.
The Columbia County Republican was established March 1, 1857, by Palemon John, who conducted it until 1869, when it passed into the hands of a
stock company, with W. H. Bradley as editor.
The paper was subsequently
purchased by Mr. Bradley and Lewis Gordon, but in 1871 it was sold to D.
In 1873 E.
A. Beckley and John S. Phillips, the former acting as editor.
M. Wardin bought the interest of Phillips, and soon afterward became sole
proprietor.
On August 1, 1875, James C. Brown purchased the paper ^rom
Mr. Wardin, and has since conducted it.
Other periodicals of transient character have had a brief existence here.
Of these, the Bloomsburg Journal was founded by G. A. Potter in 1876. It
was intended as an expositor of the temperance question, and beginning as a
five-column folio, it expanded in 1881, to a quarto of twelve pages and finally
reached sixteen pages.
In September, 1882, Jacob Schuyler became half
owner of the paper, which was reduced to a folio form, and in 1885 was moved
The Herald of
to Wilkesbarre, where it was merged into the Watch Fire.
Freedom was a short-lived advocate of the freesoil doctrine, and had an existThe Sun was an
ence here in the transition period preceding the civil war.
ambitious venture in daily journalism.
It was published in 1881, by A. B.
Tate and W. H. Kahler, but was suspended after some eighty issues.
In January. 1870, the Christian Messenger, a monthly periodical of twenty-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

119

la 1872 its title was changed to the
four pages was founded by E. E. Orris.
Messenger and Laborer, the number of its pages increased to thirty-two, and
In January, 1875, this publication
D. Oliphant added to the editorial staff.
was changed to a four-page, twenty-four column weekly, and in the following
In December, Oliphant
October the publication office moved to Orangeville.
retired, and the paper was discontinued. In the meantime W. H. Smith, in company with Orris, began the publication of the Independent Weekly at Benton.
Its first issue appeared April 1, 1874; in October, 1875, it migrated with the
monthly to Orangeville, where Smith and Orris dissolved partnership. On
the first of April, 1876, the Independent Weekly, which was then conducted
by Smith alone, returned to Benton, where it was published until September,
1877.
It was then removed to Milton, where it has since remained, and is
now published under the name of the Argus.
In Catawissa the first newspaper enterprise was inaugurated in the spring
of 1876, when the Catawissa Advertiser was published by Harry John and
Joseph Rinard. The Advertiser did not survive to the end of its first volume,
although it offered a new feature in the way of an original serial by "Virginia."
It would be cruel to suggest that this mark of enterprise may be the
cause of the fatal result, but whatever the cause, like the early riser to whom
The News-Item is the second venthe poet Hood refers, it "died young."
Its first issue
ture in Catawissa journalism, and is a bright local newspaper.
appeared on May 16, 1878, and was a five-column folio. In the spring of
1879 it was increased to twenty-four columns, and in 1881 to twenty-eight
columns.
It is a sprightly paper, devoted to the interests of its home town,
and enjoys a merited prosperity.
The long array of names in the above recital would naturally indicate to
the casual reader a wonderful activity in newspaper enterprises here, but such
a conclusion would be somewhat modified by the fact, which examination would
But this number, on"
develop, that there were only nineteen distinct ventures.
account of the size and character of Columbia is su.fficient to excite inquiry.
The fact that Berwick was at that early date the most important interior village of the county, and that its situation on the most important turnpike of
that day promised to maintain its prominence in the future, probably led to
It is not probable that its projecthe early founding of a newspaper there.
tors had any idea of forcing the growth of the village, as the modern belief in
the efficacy of the newspaper in this direction was not then developed, but such
an enterprise was then a feature in all the large boroughs, and it was hoped
that the natural gr()wth of the village would bear the venture on to fortune and
^

success.

The early newspaper was really the people' s forum. Editorials had little
or no space in them.
Its news columns were devoted to foreign affairs, many
The
weeks and sometimes months old, and the congressional proceedings.
miscellany consisted of stories and poetry, the original production of which was
encouraged by the admission of every such contribution offered. But the most
highly prized privilege accorded to the public was the liberal space granted to
all comers for exhaustive and unrestricted discussion of every conceivable topic.
Governmental affairs and policies constituted the most favored themes, but unlike the light-armed fusilade of modern newspaper criticism, the discussions of
that day had in them the shock of armies, the crushing force of the battle-ax,
and the crash of missiles hurled from a catapult. The proscription against articles not responsibly endorsed had not then been inaugurated, and vicious personal attacks were then universally tolerated which would now properly bring
downiipon the offender condign punishment. Bat with all these objectionable

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

120

features, these old-time, polemic contributions were characterized by a remarkable knowledge of the constitutional history of the country, and were graced
with classical quotations and allusions that would dc credit to a modern profesIt is said that the citizens of the United States are not at
sor of languages.
this day, with all their superior advantages of education, as thorou.ghly versed
in the principles of their government, and as well qualified to perform their
duties as citizens, as they were fifty years ago. If this be true, it may be found
that in refining away certain crudities of taste and inelegancies of manner,
some vigor of intellect has been lost.
It was not until the period of Jackson's first administration that country
papers generally began the development which has made the newspaper a so conspicuous element in society, and it is to this development that may be largely
attributed the frequent changes in the name and owner that have occurred in
Until this time, while the prevailing senthe difPerent papers of the county.
timent of the region now embraced within the limits of Columbia county was
undoubtedly in favor of the principles supported by the democratic party in
politics, the only papers at Berwick and Bloomsburg, so far as they had a poIt was probably not
litical individuality were supporters of whig principles.
until 1832, that the Gazette, at Berwick, came actively to the support of the
democratic faith, and it was five years later when the first paper was established
From this time forward
in Bloomsburg to advocate similar political doctrines.
it has been considered a party necessity to have a regular exponent of its principles, and whenever the vicissitudes of business have extinguished the political beacon, or a heterodox editor has come into possession of a recognized
successful efforts have at once been made to repair the loss.
organ,
Viewed from the standpoint of the newspaper, the democratic party in Columbia early achieved an embarrassing success. With the suspension of The
Conservator, of Berwick, in 1840, and the Columbia County Register, of
Bloomsburg, in 1844, began a period of twenty-five years in which no opposition
organ
(save The Standard for a brief period at Berwick, 184S-50) was
published in the county.
Such a condition of things invited competition, and
democratic expositors were multiplied, which divided the party scarcely less
than the business.
Consolidations have three times been resorted to in this
county only to find a new rival immediately in the field, and in the nature of
things this experience is likely to be a fixed quantity so long as the conditions
The supporters of whig principles were too weak in numbers to
favor it.
maintain a paper in the county, and so for years they generally subscribed for
With the founding of the
the "organ" of the party, published at Danville.
republican party, the element which was naturally drawn to it, made it a far
more vigorous political factor than the whigs had been. In 1857 it secured
a representative publication, and gradually made such progress as to challenge
the respect of the dominant party.
In 1866 a gentleman was invited from
Washington, D. C. to edit a paper in the interest of Andrew Johnson's policy,
but it proved a signal failure, and after the publication of thirty-five numbers
gave place to a democratic expositor.
The more recent development of the newspaper, the
independent journal," has also had its representative in the county.
Instead of attempting to
carry water on both political shoulders, the independent newspaper has here
endeavored to secure the patronage of all without offending the political prejudices of any, an undertaking extremely difiicult to accomplish in the narrow
field of county literature, under the present constitution of society.
In Berwick the Gazette, and the News Item in Catawissa, are fairly successful examples of this class.
The newspapers of Bloomsburg are more than ordinarily
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

121

good representatives of country journalism, and in typographical appearance,
in true journalistic enterprise and editorial equipment would honor a much
larger sphere.
In the nature of the case, political honors have, with rare exceptions, been
conferred upon the members of the democratic party.
Until the question of
the removal of the county-seat was finally settled, that issue dominated all others, and various considerations brought about the election of whigs to both
branches of the legislature.
In borough elections republicans are occasionally
successful, but in contests for county ofiices, even where the dominant party is
seriously divided, the republicans are too few to elect one of their own number,
and have wisely refused as an organization to attempt to wield the balance of

power.

The eighth section of the act erecting Columbia county, in 1813, i)rovided
that the inhabitants of the counties of Northumberland, Union and Columbia,
shall jointly elect four representatives."
Those elected in 1813 were Samuel
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Bound, Leonard Rupert, Thomas Murray, Jr., and George Kreamer; in 1814,
David E. Owen, Robert Willett, Joseph Hutchison and Henry Shaffer.
In 1815 Columbia county was made a separate representative district with
one member, and James McClure was elected in that year; Samuel Bond, in
1816, 1817 and 1818; James McClure, 1819; John Snyder, 1820; John Clark,
1821.

In 1822 Columbia county was constituted a separate district with two memand in that year AVilliam McBride and Alexander Colley were elected,
and re-elected in 1823; John McReynolds and Eli Thornton, in 1824; John
McReynolds and Christian Brobst, in 1825; John McReynolds and William
McBride, in 1826; John McReynolds and Christian Brobst, in 1827; John
McReynolds and John Robinson, in 1828.
In 1829 Columbia county's representation was reduced to one member, and
John Robinson was elected; Uzal Hopkins in 1830 and 1831; Isaac Kline, in
1832 and 1833; John F. Derr, in 1834 and 1835; Evan O. Jackson, in 1836;
John Bowman (whig), in 1837; William Cost, in 1838 and 1839; Daniel Snyder (whig), in 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843; Thomas A. Funston (whig), in 1844
and 1845; Stewart Pearce, in 1846, 1847, 1848; Benjamin P. Fortner (whio-),
bers,

in 1849.

In 1850 Columbia and Montour counties were constituted a district with
one representative, and John McReynolds was elected; in 1851, M. E. Jackson;
in 1852 and 1853, George Scott; in 1854, James G. Maxwell; in 1855, J. G.
Montgomery; in 1856, Peter Ent.
In 1857 Columbia, Montour, Sullivan and Wyoming were constituted a
representative district, with two members, and Peter Ent and John V. Smith
were elected; in 1858 and 1859, G. D. Jackson and
Cakes; in 1860, H. R.
Kline and
Osterhaut; in 1861, L. L. Tate and
Tutton; 1862 and 1863.
G. D. Jackson and J. C. Ellis.
In 1864 Columbia and Montour counties were constituted a district with
one member, and W. H. Jacoby elected, and re-elected in 1865; Thomas Chalfant, in 1866 and 1867; George Scott, in 1868 and 1869; Thomas Chalfanf,

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in 1870.

In 1871 Columbia county was made a separate district with one member,
C. B. Brockway electc>d. and re-elected in 1872 and 1873.
In 1874, under
the constitutional provision of previous year, Columbia county was given two
members, and the term of service made two years; E. J. McHenry and S. P.

and

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

122

—

Ryan were elected; in 1876, E. J. McHenrv and
Brown; in 1878 and 1880,
T. J. Vanderslice and Joseph B. Knittle; in 1882, William Bryson and Thomas
J. Vanderslice; in 1884, A. L. Fritz and William Bi-yson; in 1880, A. L. Fritz
and James T. Fox.
The state senatorial district in which Columbia county was first placed, was
composed of Luzerne and Susquehanna, to which the new counties of Union
and Columbia were added. This district elected two senators, Thomas Murray. Jr., and William Ross, the former being re-elected in 1814, the first senatorial election in which the new county of Col^^mbia participated.
In 1815
the ninth senatorial district was composed of the counties of Northumberland,
Columbia, Union, Luzerne and Susquehanna, with two senators to elect.
Their term was four years, and were chosen alternately.
In 1816 Charles
Frazer was elected; in 1818, Simon Snyder; in 1819 a special election, to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the death of Snyder, resulted in the election of Robert Willett; in 1820 Redmond Conyngham was elected.
In 1822 Luzerne and Columbia were constituted the tenth senatorial district with one member, the first election under this chanoje occurring; in 1824,
and resulting in the choice of Robert Moore. The tenn was changed to three
years.
In 1827 Moore was re-elected; in 1830 Jacob Drumheller was elected,
and in 1838 Uzal Hopkins.
In 1836 Columbia and Schuylkill were constituted the ninth senatorial district, with one mamber, and in 1837 Charles Frailey was elected; in 1840,
Samuel F. Headley. In 1843 another change was made in the district, and
Columbia and Luzerne were associated to form the thirteenth senatorial district, with one member.
In 1844 William S. Ross was elected; in 1847, Valentine Best.
In 1850 Columbia, Luzerne and Montoiu* constituted the sixteenth district, with one' senator, and C. R. Buckalew was elected, and in 1853
re-elected; in 1856 George P. Steele was elected.
In 1857 Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties were constituted the thirteenth district, with one senator.
In this year Mr. Buckalew was again chosen, but
resigned after serving one session.
In 1858 Reuben Keller was elected to fill
the vacancy, and in 1860, re-elected; in 1863 D. B. Montgomery was elected.
In 1864 the counties of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Sullivan
were constituted the fifteenth district, with one senator. In 1866 George D.
Jackson was elected, and in 1869, C. R. Buckalew.
In 1871 Lycommg was
substituted for Northumberland county in this senatorial district, the numbei'
remaining unchanged, and in 1872 Thomas Chalfant was elected. The ^'.hange
in the constitution in the following year required a new districting of the state,
but this district suffered no change save in the number being changed from
In 1875 and again in 1876
Allen was
the fifteenth to the twenty-fourth.
elected; in 1878, G. D. Jackson; in 1880 E. J. McHenry was elected to till
vacancy occasioned by the death of Jackson; in 1882, W. W. Hart; in 1886,
.

Nerus H. Metzgar.
For congressional elections Columbia was originally placed in the tenth
district composed of the counties of Northumberland, Union, Lycoming, LuIn
zerne, Bradford, Potter, Susquehanna and Tioga, with two members.
1814 William W^ilson and Jared Irwin were elected; in 1816, W^illiam Wilson
afld David Scott; in 1817, Mr. Scott having resigned to accept a place on the
bench, John Murray was elected to fill the vacancy, and in 1818 John Mu^rray
and George ^Dennison were elected; in 1820, George Dennison and W. C.
Ellis; in 1821, Ellis having resigned, Thomas Murray, Jr., was elected to
fill

the vacancy.
Under the apportionment of 1822, the ninth district was composed of the

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

123

counties of Columbia, Union, Northumberland, Luzernp. Siisquehanna, Bradford, Lycoming, Potter, Tioga and McKean, with three members.
In 1822 W.
C. Ellis, Samuel McKean and Kreamer were elected in 1824 and 1826,
Samuel
McKean, George Kreamer and Espy Vanhorn; in 1828, Philander Stephens,
James Ford and Allen Man-; in 1830, Lewis Dewart, Philander Stephens and
;

James Ford.
In 1832 Columbia and Luzerne were constituted the fifteenth congressional
district with one member.
In that year and in 1834, Andrew Beaumont was
elected; in 183(3 and 1838, David Petriken; in 1840 and 1843, B. A. Bidlock.
In 1843 Wyoming county was associated with Columbia and Luzerne, and the
number of the district changed fo the eleventh. In 1844 and 1846 Owen D.
Leib was elected; in 1848, Chester Butler; in 1850, Hendrick B. Wright; in
1851, J. Brisbin, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Butler.
In
1852 the district was numbered the twelfth, and comprised the counties of
Columbia, Luzerne, Montour and Wyoming.
In this year H. B. Wright
was elected; in 1854, Henry M. Fuller; in 1856, John G. Montgomery; he
died, however, before he took his seat, and in 1857 Paul Leidy was
elected to
fill the vacancy.
In 1858 and 1860 George AV. Scranton was elected; he died
in March, 1861, and in the following June a special election
was held when
H. B. Wright was chosen to fill the vacancy.
In 1861 the counties of Bradford, Montour, Columbia, Sullivan, Wyoming and all of Northumberland, except Lower Mahanoy township, were made to
constitute the twelfth district.
In 1862 Northumberland was assigned to another district, and the remaining counties elected Henry W. Tracy; in
1864,
1866, 1868 and 1870, Ulysses Mercur; in 1872,
Strowbridge.
In 1872
Mercur resigned, and on December 24 a special election was held to fill the
vacancy,
Bunnells being chosen.
In 1873 a bill was passed designating
the eleventh district composed of the counties of Montour, Columbia,
Carbon, Mom-oe, Pike, and the townships of Nescopeck, Blackcreek, Sugarloaf,
Butler, Hazel, Foster, Bearcreek, Bucks, Roaringbrook, Salem,
Hollenback,
Huntingdon, Fairmount, Springbrook, and that part of the city of Scranton
south of Roaringbrook creek, and east of Lackawanna river, and' the boroughs
of Dunmore, New Columbus, Goldsboro, White Haven,
Jeddo

From

this district,
Collins was elected in 1874,
Klotz, in 1878 and 1880; in 1882 and 1884, John B.

Buckalew.

and Hazleton.
and re-elected in 1876;;
Storm; in 1886, C. R.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

124

CHAPTER

V.

THE STORM AND STRESS PERIOD.

THE
did

war of 1861-5 brought to the people of Columbia county as it
whole country, an experience for which their previous training
There was little of the piu'ely raartial
afforded no adequate preparation.
The first settlers were not the most successful Indian
spirit to be found here.
with the possible exception of
fighters, nor did they number among them
Van Campen any of the class whose achievements have embellished the tales
They were peaceful and industrious farmers rather than
of other borders.
civil

to the

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Indian-slayers; but such a character did not prevent their doing substantial
During the war of 1812
service where duty called or danger threatened.
Columbia was situated too far fi'om the scene of hostilities to be called actively
AVhen the attack on Baltimore was threatened the militia was
into service.
rendezvoused at Danville, but was disbanded after a few weeks of camp- life.
The requirements of the militia system, which was nominally maintained by
the commonwealth for years, were at first met with a moderate degree of faithfulness, but the amusements of training-day gradually lost their charm, and
the absentees numbered far more tban those who reported for duty on field and
muster days.
There was one company, however, which proved a remarkable exception.
Its rendezvous was at Danville, and its original organization dated in 1817;
and when, in November, 1846, the call for troops for service in Mexico came,
it reunited its ranks fi'om all parts of the then county of Columbia, took the
name of Columbia Guards, and offered its services to the governor. It was
accepted, and on the 26th of December, 1846, the county authorities appropriated seven hundred dollars to uniform them and defray their expenses to
Pittsburgh.
They were escorted thus far by a committee of citizens, and under the command of Captain John S. Wilson were mustered into the service of
the United States as a part of the Second regiment, on the 5th of January
of the following year.
They were at first commanded by Colonel Roberts, who
was succeeded by Colonel Geary. Captain Wilson died on the 10th of April,
1847, at Vera Cruz, and the command devolved upon Lieutenant Frick, who
led the company during the campaign.
Their first engagement was at the capture of Vera Cruz, and the second at
At the battle of ChapiilCerro Gordo, where they lost one man, John Smith.
On approaching
tepec they lost two men, William Dietrich and John Snyder.
the city of Mexico, the defense of San Angelos, with all the military stores,
was committed to the Guards; and on the 13th of September, 1847, they were
among the first in the triumphant entry into the city.
They retui-ned to Danville on the 28th day of July, 1849. The whole
county turned out to welcome them, and such a demonstration as was then
made had never been seen in Danville before or since. The Guards kept up
their organization until the rebellion, and entered the union service under
Captain Oscar Ephlin.
On the expiration of their term of service they were
honorably discharged, and the company disbanded.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

125

*The following is the muster roll of the Columbia Guards as the}' went into the
United States Service for the war with Mexico:
Captain John S. Wilson.
Lieutenants First, Clarence H. Frick; second, Edward E. LaClere; third, William

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Brindle.

Sergeants— First, George
Charles Evans.
Corporals

— First,

S.

Kline; second, Jas. D. Slater; third, Robert Clark; fourth,

John Adams; second, James

Arthur Gearhart.
Music Drummer, Thomas Clark;

—

Charles W. Adams,
Alvin M. Allen,

Jacob App,
Geo. W. Armstrong,
Frederick Brandt,
Samuel Burns,

Elam

B.

Bonham,

Wm.

Banghart.
John Birkenbine.
Samuel D. Baker,
Francis Bower,
Francis B. Best.
William Brunner,
Wm. H. Birchfield,

Randolph

Ball.

Peter Brobst,

Abram

B. Carley,

Michael Corrigan,

Wm.

Dieterech,

William Erie,
Daniel S. Follmer,
Chas. W. Fortner,
Robert H. Forster,
Sewell Gibbs,
Edward Grove.
George Garner,

fifer,

John Smith; fourth,

Jesse G. Clark.

PRIVATES.
Samuel Huntingdon,

Adam

Oliver; third,

Heisler.

Henry Herncastle,
Oliver Helme,
William S. Kertz,

William King,
Jerome Konkle,
Charles Lytle
Ira Lownsberry,
Robert Lyon,
John A. Lowery,
Benjamin Laform,

Benj. J. Martin,
Jasper Musselman,

Edward McGonnel,
George Miller,
William Moser,
Archibald Moonej',
Mahlon K. Manly,

John G. Mellon,"
Alex M' Donald,
Daniel Martial.
Richard H. M'Kean,
Charles Moynthan,

Robert M'Almont.
Hugh M'Fadden.

Norman

B. Mack,
William McDonald,
Casper Oatenwelder,
Daniel Poorman,
Peter S. Reed,
Philip Rake,

James A. Stewart,
Peter M. Space,
Jona R. Sanders,
Oliver C. Stephens,

Daniel Snyder,

Edward

Seler,

Peter Seigfried,
John C. Snyder,
John N. Scofleld,
William Swartz,

Joseph Stratton,
Wm. H. Sawaney.

John A. Sarvey,
Benj. Tumbleton,
Adam Wray,

Wm.

White,
George Wagner,
Jacob Willet,
Jerome Walker,
George Wingar.

Thomas Graham,
James M'Clelland.
Peter W. Yarn ell.
Shepherd W. Girton,
Tbe interest which kept up the organization of the Guards in Montour was
not shared to any great extent in Columbia county; yet the president's call for
volunteers, following Sumter's fall, met with an enthusiastic response.
The presence of W. W. Ricketts, a former West Point cadet, had fostered
a military spirit at Orangeville, and a company was quickly formed there and
put in drill, but for a time others seemed at a loss how to proceed.
A meeting, however, was called at the court-house, and addressed by Robert F. Clark
in a speech that made the young men struggle for precedence in sabscribing to
the enlistment roll.
C. B. Brockway is said to have been the first man in the
county to enlist, and others followed so that the complement of Rickett' s company was soon filled. Their services were tendered to the governor, but the
state quota under the first call was already filled.
Not to be put off in this
way, the company chartered canal boats and went to Harrisburg, where they
were subsequently accepted.
There were but few meetings in the county to
awaken enthusiasm. There was no call for them. Many volunteered without
hesitation, and company after company marched to " the front. "
Later on,
however, the quotas were not so readily filled, and unfortunate dissensions
arose, which, during and for a long time after the war, disturbed the peace
and happiness of the citizens of the county.
In the summer of 1862 a " war meeting " was held at the court-house in
*The rosier, with some of the facts concerning the career of the company,
of Columbia Counly," by J. G. Freeze.

is

derived Irom the ''History

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

126

the latier part of July, which requested the county commissioners to grant a
Only two of the
.bounty to each soldier that had enlisted from the county.
commissioners were jjresent, and they very properly declined to accede to the
request vintil assured of the approval of the county at large, and of their authority to do so under the law, but advised the calling of another meeting to
Early in August a second meeting was held with a
consider the question.
This was in the forenoon. The commissioners met in the midsimilar result.
dle of the day, but in the meanwhile another call for troops had greatly inThere was a
creased the number to whom bounties would have to be paid.
great difference of opinion on the subject throughout the county, and, still in
Their
doubt as to their authority, the commissioners refused to take action.
decision was received by the momljers of the morning meeting with indignation, and a meeting was held in the afternoon at which the commissioners' action was u.nsparingly denounced.
After the meeting, an altercation having taken place between a drunken
man and a convalescent soldier, and the former having cheered for Jeff. Davis,
Some dozen or more republicans
he was pursued and maltreated by a mob.
were arrested on a charge of riot, under a warrant issued by a justice of the
peace of Hemlock township; the accused were taken there for a hearing and
bound over for trial. The trial was had, and the accused were convicted, and
No attempt was made to ensentenced by the court to fine and imprisonment.
force the penalty, however, and the governor's pardon put an end to the
matter.
An enrollment was ordered this year, and the number subject to military
duty was found to be 4,587; the quota, under all calls prior to Sei:)tember,
1862, was 1,447; the number in the service, at the same date, was 626, leaving
a balance of 821 men to be supplied by draft or otherwise.
The militia of Pennsylvania, as generally throughout the country, was
There was a form of organization; a
practically to be found only on paper.
military tax was levied on each voter liable to duty, save those in volunteer
companies, and C. M. Blaker, of this county, by the regular removal of his
At the breakseniors, in 1861 had reached the chief command in the state.
ing out of the war, the legislature revived and revised this organization, and
The townships of
in 1862 a draft was ordered by the state to fill its ranks.
Catawissa and Pine, and the borough of Berwick, filled their quota with volunteers, biit in the other divisions of the county, the draft was drawn; a total
of 695 men was drawn, 45 from Bloom, 49 from Briarci'eek, 40 fi'om Beaver,
27 fi'om Benton, 60 from Conyngham, 54 from Center, 50 from Fishingcreek,
4 fi'om Franklin, 45 from Greenwood, 25 fi'om Hemlock, 19 fi'om Jackson, 40
from Locust, 24 from Montour, 18 from Maine, 27 fi'om Mount Pleasant, 46
from Mifflin, 48 from Madison, 9 from Orange, 86 from Scott and 29 from Sugarloaf
No opposition was manifested to this draft. In fact it had the effect
of stimvilating enlistments in the national service, as many, when they found
it necessary to enter the military service at all, preferred to avail themselves of
the advantages to be derived from such enlistments.
The drafts on the part of the general government, however, were not reThe first was di'awn at Troy, Pennsylvania,
ceived with equal unconcern.
September 17, 1863, and called for 634 men from Columbia county.
In the spring of 1864, some trouble occurred between a company of " Home
Guards," in Mifflin township, and a portion of the invalid corps, which the
A conferenrolling officer for that township had summoned to his assistance.
ence was finally had, at which it was agreed to allow a citizen of the village
to proceed with the enrollment, unmolested, and this was done.
.

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^^"

()

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

129'

Similar companies were formed in Benton and Fishingcreek townships,
but they never figured ofPensively as an organization in the history of the
period.
There was vague talk in these and neighboring localities, that there
were places in the North mountain where a hundred men could successfully^
defy a thousand, and indefinite references to "the fort," where a stand would
be made against any attempt to enforce the di-aft.
This was undoubtedly^
mere gasconade, and no such stand was ever made. There was quite a number of drafted men who refused to report for duty, and they, with theii- fi-iends,.
constituted a considerable element in the townships of Fishingcreek, Benton,.
Sugarloaf, Jackson, Pine, and the neighboring portions of Luzerne and Sullivan counties.

A

half-secret meetings had been held by disaffected
purpose of discussing the situation, and devising the safest
means to obviate the difiiculties which now appeared to be daily growing more
serious.
There was no unanimity in the choice of measures.
Some advocated
hiding, others proposed the raising of money to procure substitutes, and each
series of half-open,

parties, for the

finally acted individually

upon

their

own

suggestions.

Early in August, 1864, Lieutenant Kobinson, of Luzerne county, with a
squad of eight men appeared one evening near what is nowEaven's-Creek postoffice in this county, and attempted to stop by challenging a party of citizens,
whom they met. They were fired upon by the challenge party and Robinson
was fatally wounded. Shortly afterward, on August 13, 1864, a detachment
of government troops arrived in Bloomsburg. for the purpose, it was said, of
enforcing the draft, and went into camp on the fair grounds.
This force was
increased until it included Captain Lambert's independent company of mounted men; one section of the Keystone Battery of Philadelphia, under the command of Lieutenant Roberts; a battalion of infantry under Lieutenant- Colonel'
Stewart; and a battalion of the Veteran Reserve Corps, aggregating, it is said,
a thousand men.
On the 16th of August, Major General- Couch, commanding
the department of the Susquehanna, reached Bloomsburg, and on the sameday conferred with some of the leading republicans and democrats of the
He was assured by prominent gentlemen of the democratic party,
coui^y.
that he had greatly misapprehended the situation; that there was no fort,
there would be no resistance, and that ten men could arrest the delinquent
conscripts as safely as ten hundred.
J.
G. Freeze was at length persuaded to carry to the recalcitrant drafted men the general' s offer to remit the
charge of desertion in the case of all those who would report themselves on
or before 12 p. m. on the following Saturday, and on the 17th, General
Couch returned to Harrisburg, leaving Lieutanant- Colonel Stewart in command of affairs. The di'afted men did not report at the time appointed, and'
on the following day a body of troops under command of Stewart proceeded
to Benton.
On Saturday, August 2Sth, Major- General Cadwallader arrived in Bloomsbui'g from Philadelphia, and assuming command, proceeded on the following day with another body of troops to join the advance detachment.
On the 30th General Cadwallader was in Bloomsburg, to confer with'
the leading supi^orters of the administration, and during that night, by his.
orders, squads of troops were posted at various localities in the upper townships.
Early on the following morning about one hundred arrests were made,,
and the prisoners brought to a meeting house near the village of Benton,
where a preliminary examination was held. Of the persons arrested fortyfour were held and dispatched under guard to Harrisbiu'g.
These prisoners
were treated with little consideration.
They were compelled to make th&
IS

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

130

eighteen miles from Benton to Bloomsbnrg on foot, while some, at least, of the
Arrived at the connty seat, no delay was made in getting them
cai's, and no attempt was made to interpose any legal obstruction
This done, General Cadwallader explored the adjacent
to their removal.
country for evidences of forts and artillery, which exaggerated rumors had indicated were in that region, but which, it is needless to say, were not found.
The general pronounced the whole thing a complete farce, and on the 7th
The larger part of the troops was
of September returned to Philadelphia.
subsequently withdrawn, but the remainder was retained, and other arrests

guards rode.
on board the

'

'

'

'

made from time to time.
These summary proceedings on

the part of the millitary authorities, natur-

and properly gave rise to an investigation of their legality, and spirited
measures were at once taken to secure the release of the persons arrested.
On the 17th of October 1SG4, twenty-one of them were conditionally relieved
from arrest. Among these twenty-one, five were previously discharged on account of sickness, one, however, having died in prison before his discharge had
reached him. On the same day the trials of the remaining twenty-three were beally

o-un before a military commission, organized at Harrisburg. The general accusation brought against all that were placed on trial was the same, and charged
a citizen of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, did unite,
that the accused,
and many other disloyal persons
confederate and combine with
whose names are unknown, and form or unite with a society or organization
commonly known and called by the name of the Knights of the Grolden Circle,' the object of which society or organization was and is to resist the execution of the draft, and prevent persons who have been drafted under the provisions of the said act of congress, approved March 3d, 1863, and the several
supplements thereto, from entering the military service of the United States.
This done at or near Benton township, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on or
about August 14. 1801, and at divers times and places before and after said
Of those earliest tried seven were convicted. These were
mentioned day.
sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from six months, with labor, to
two years. In one case the penalty was a fine of $500 or a year's imprisonOf the others, one was parment, and the prisoner elected to pay the fine.
doned by President Lincoln, and five by President Johnson. Several others
were tried, but acquitted, and the charge was subsequently withdrawn in the
'

'

,

,

'

'

'

case of the

Among

rest.

the citizens of Columbia county there still exist widely varying
opinions in regard to the troubles in connection with the draft, and the sending
of troops to the county.
On one side it is claimed that there was organized and armed opposition to
the draft, that menaces and threats were used against officers in the proper
discharge of their duties, that in some townships Republicans were terrorized by
threats of incendiarism and assault, that officers of the law were in many instances in sympathy with the law-breakers, and that military interference was
On the other side it is
necessary to restore order and enforce the draft.
claimed that by means of a dishonest enrollment, it was sought to compel Columbia and other democratic counties to furnish more than their just quotas;
that there was no organized opposition to the draft; that a reign of terror prevailed among democrats, which was instituted by republicans; that military
interference was unnecessary, and was resorted to for the purpose of influencing
elections that some of the soldiers sent to the county were guilty of gross outrages, and that many innocent men suffered arrest and imprisonment without
It would be a difficult matter to prove the exact truth
cause or warrant of law.
;

HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

131

some of these charges. It is generally admitted, however, that in
Columbia county as in many other parts of the north, some of the democrats
were opposed to the prosecution of the war; that a considerable number of men
attempted to evade the draft, and in some places concert of action was had for
It is also admitted that the enrollment was very inaccurate, that
that purpose.
the force sent here and the large number of arrests were unnecessary, that
power placed in the hands of irresponsible subordinates was exercised in a vindictive manner, and that one of the results of sending troops to the county was
in regard to

a considerable republican gain at the fall elections.
Of the convictions before the military commission, all has been said when
the decision of the United States supreme court, in the case of Lambdin P. Milligan is considered.
What is there said of the petitioner in the case may be
applied to the cases from Columbia county.
On the third point in controversy
the court said in part:
It is claimed that martial law covers with its broad mantle the proceedings of the
military commission. The proposition is this: That in a time of war the commander of
an armed force (if in his opinion tlie exigencies of the country demand it. and of which
be is to be judge,) has the power, within the lines of his military district, to suspend all civil
rights and their remedies, and subject citizens as well as soldiers to the rule of Ms will,
and in the exercise of his lawful authority cannot be restrained, except by his superior
officer or the President of the United States.
If this position is sound, to the extent
claimed, then when war exists, foreign or domestic, and the country is subdivided into
military departments for mere convenience, the commander of one of them can, if he
chooses,within his limits, on the plea of necessity, with the approval of the executive, substitute military force for and to the exclusion of the laws, and punish all persons, as he
thinks right and proper, without fixed or certain rules.
The statement of this proposition shows its importance, for, if true, republican government is a failure, and there is an end of liberty regulated by law. Martial law, established on such a basis, destroys every guarantee of the constitution, and effectually renders the "military independent of and superior to the civil power" the attempt to do
which by the King of Great Britain was deemed by our fathers such an offense, that they
assigned it to the world as one of the causes which impelled them to declare their independence. Civil liberty and this kind of martial law cannot endure together; the antagonism is irreconcilable; and in the conflict, one or the other must perish.

—

Notwithstanding some opposition
means unrepresented at the front.
'

'

to the draft,
'
'

There

is

Columbia county was by no
no data at hand to show how

many men

she contributed to the army, nor how far she fell short of filling her
assigned quota; but in eighteen regiments she was conspicuously represented
in point of numbers, and in several others in a varying degree. And their patient endurance of the tedium of the camp, the toil of the march, and their
gallantry upon the field of battle, constitute a record to which she may ever
point with pride.
On the afternoon of the 15th of April, 1861, the president's proclamation,
with the summons of the state executive, was sent throughout the commonwealth,
and the state' s quota of sixteen regiments was immediately filled by the tender
of the militia, which had a more or less efficient organization.
By the first of
May the full complement of Pennsylvania was mustered, and a part already
in Washington or at other threatened points.
Among the earliest companies to form anew was the Iron Guard of Columbia county but such was the forwardness of the partially organized force
of the state, that the offer of their services came too late to be accepted under
the first call.
There were twenty-five men, principally fi-om Bei-wick however, who gained admission in the Sixteenth regiment.
They joined company
C, which was recruited in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, and were mustered into the United States service on the 20th of April.
After organization
the regiment was ordered to Camp Scott, near the town of York, where it was
uniformed and drilled. Upon the inauguration of the Shenandoah campaign
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;

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

132

the Sixteenth proceeded to Chambersburg, where its equipment for field service was completed, and in June advanced across the Potomac with the leading
In the battle of Bull Run it formed a part of the left of the line as
division.
It took part in the second movement, and had a
part of the Fifth Division.
slight brush with the enemy on the way to Martinsburg, where a halt for supOn July 15th the regiment moved to Bunker Hill,
plies consumed several days.
and two days later made a forced march toward Harper' s Ferry. At Smithfield, with its brigade, it took position to repel the attack of Stuart's cavalry,
but after the passage of the army it again resumed its march, and encamped
Here it remained until near the expiration of its
that night at Charlestown.
term of enlistment, when it proceeded to Harrisburg, and was mustered out of
the service on the 30th of Jiily.
On the 16th of April, General Patterson was appointed to the command of
the Pennsylvania contingent by the governor, and a short time afterward General Scott gave him charge of the Department of Washington, consisting of
the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, and the District of
It was well known that in the
Columbia, with headquarters at Philadelphia.
event of a war, the leaders of the South determined to make the North the
scene of hostilities, if possible, and when, on the 19th of April, the communication with Washington was cut off, in the absence of other orders General
Patterson upon his own responsibility made a requisition on the governor of
Pennsylvania for twenty-five additional regiments of infantry, and one regiment of cavalry, to be mustered in the United States service.
The recruiting of troops, which had been suspended, was at once revived
by the governor's proclamation and vigorously pushed, but when the interrupted communications were restored, the national authorities, unprepared to acThe attitude of
cept more troops, countermanded General Patterson's order.
Maryland, however, was a continu.al menace, and recognizing the danger to
which the long line of border adjoining disaffected states exposed Pennsylvania, Governor Curtin called an extra session of the legislature to provide
On the 15th of May, the governor was authorized to
for the emergency.
Reserve Volunteer Corps of the
organize a military corps, to be called the
Commonwealth, consisting of thirteen regiments of infantry, one regiment of
They were to be organized and
cavalry, and one regiment of light artillery.
equipped as similar troops in the service of the United States, and to be enlisted in the service of the state for a period of three years or for the war, but
liable to be mustered into the service of the United States to fill any quota
Under this law the governor established
under a call from the president.
camps of instruction at Easton, West Chester, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg;
each county was assigned its quota, and the enthusiastic response everywhere
made to the governor's call soon placed the full force in the course of preparation for active duties.
On the 22d of April, 1861, ten companies were organized in different
parts of the state under the first call for troops; the quota of the State having been filled before the tender of their services was received, they were not
given transportation, but nothing daunted they proceeded to Harrisburg, where
Reserve Corps " had
In the meantime the
they met each other in camp.
been projected, and these troops with others maintained their organizations
and awaited the demand for their services. The law authorizing the governor
to accept them was subsequently passed, and in June, such companies as
were not recruited to the national standard, sent out officers for recruits, and
the companies thus brought together were organized on the 22d of June as
The
the Thirty-fifth regiment of the line, and the Sixth of the reserve.
'

'

'

'

'

'

"

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

133

"Iron Guards" were mustered as Company A; their captain, W. Wallace
was commissioned colonel; William M. Penrose, lieutenant -colonel;
Henry J. Madill, major; and Lieutenant Henry B. M'Kean, was appointed
Ricketts.

adjutant.

The regiment was assigned to camp duty, which it continued to perform
On the 11th of July, compawhile perfecting itself in the manual of arms.
nies A and K were supplied with Springfield muskets, the rest of the regiment
being armed with Harper's Ferry muskets, and ordered to Greencastle, where
On the 22d it proceeded to
it received instruction in drill at Camp Biddle.
Washington, and encamped east of the Capitol. From thence it moved to
Tenallytown, where General M'Call organized his division of Pennsylvania
Reserves.
The Sixth (35th) was brigaded with Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth
regiments of the Reserves in the Third brigade under the command of Colonel
M' Calmont, and on the yth of October marched across Chain bridge to a camp
near Longley.
Until the 19th of December, a movement for the double purpose of reconnoissance and securing forage alone varied the routine of camp
life.
Early on this date, however, the brigade was ordered forward on the
Leesburg pike, where it was soon involved in the first regular engagement with
the enemy.
The Ninth Reserve was posted on the right, the Sixth in the center, the
Kane Rifles on the left, and the Tenth and Twelfth in reserve, While taking
position they were fired on by the enemy from a battery posted on the Centreville road. A section of the Easton battery responded, and the Sixth was immediately ordered to advance.
For a little time there was some doubt whether
the attacking party were friends or foes, but their true character was soon discovered and a charge was ordered.
At the word forward, the regiment
bounded the fence in front, ci'ossed the open field and in a moment had driven
him from his position in confusion, capturing one caisson and some prisoners.
Private S. C. Walter, of Company A, was killed, and thus the Reseiwes won
'

'

'

their first victory.
But little occurred, save the constant

'

round of picket and fatigue duty, to
enliven the camp-life during the next two months. In February, 1862, Colonel
Ricketts was discharged on account of continued ill-health, and, Lieutenant-Colonel Penrose having previously resigned, Major Madill was left in command of the
regiment.
On the 10th of March, the army having advanced to Centreville and
Manassas, the Sixth marched sixteen miles, to Hunter's Mills, remaining there
until the l-lth, when it was ordered to Alexandria.
While here William Sinclair was made colonel, and Henry B. M'Kean lieutenant-colonel of the regiment.
On the 27th of April the Sixth moved to Bailey's Cross Roads; on the
12th of May they reached Manassas Junction; on the 18th, moved to Catlett's
station; on the 3d of June it reached Falmouth, where comfortable quarters
were constructed from lumber obtained at a neighboring saw-mill. On the
13th of June the brigade embarked for White House, to join McClellan's army
on the peninsula. On their arrival there was considerable alarm lest Stuart,
whose forces were hovering in the vicinity, should attack the post, where vast
supplies for the army had been accumulated.
The Sixth regiment was therefore ordered to remain to guard the post, and was stationed at Tuntstall's station.
On the 19th, five companies were ordered to fall back to White House,
while the remaining companies threw up protecting earthworks.
The flanking
movement of the enemy, however, rendered White House no longer available
as a base of supplies, and preparations were hastily made for its evacuation.
On the 28th of June the advanced detachment of the regiment was recalled by
urgent instructions, and their movement hurried by repeated orders.
The en-

134

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

eniy followed, but made no attack, and the whole force, having embarked, proOn the 1st of July
ceeded down the river by the light of the burning stores.
the regiment reached Harrison's Landing, where the wagon-trains of the retreating ai-my began to arrive that night.
On the 4th of July the Sixth was transferred to the First brigade and did
On the 14th of August it
skirmish duty alternately with the Kane's Rifles.
A week
proceeded by water to Acquia creek and thence by rail to Falmouth.
From
later it set off with its division for Kelly's ford, on the Rappahannock.
thence the regiment proceeded to Rappahannock station and to Warrenton,
where it went into camp on the 24th. The opposing forces were again centering about the field of Bull Run, and on the morning of the 28th, as the troops
approached G-ainesville, they were suddenly assailed by a battery posted in a
piece of woods.
The Sixth was deployed as skirmishers and moved forward
across an open field.
No further demonstrations followed, and the regiment
On the following day the dibivouacked that night on the Alexandria pike.
vision moved to the front of the enemy's position, at Groveton, but while actively maneuvering to gain an advantageous position, the regiment was not engaged in any serious encounter. On the 30th the Sixth was ordered to support
Cooper's battery, but was subsequently moved to the left, to cover the flank of
In covering the retreat 'of Porter's corps, the Third brigade, of
the division.
which the Sixth regiment was a part, met and repulsed a vigorous charge of
A little later the brigade was placed in support of the artillery,
the enemy.
which was massed on a hill. A brisk artillery duel ensued, but, after enduring
this for a while, the enemy charged in force, to secure the road which lay beThe Reserves were immediately ordered to charge
tween the opposing lines.
They first reached the road, repulsed the rebels, and sent
the coming enemy.
them back in confusion. " In this charge the flag of the Sixth was shot from
It was instantly taken by the
the staff while in the hands of Major Madill.
gallant Reynolds, who, holding it aloft, dashed along the line, the wind catchThe loss in this
ing it as he turned and wrapping it about his noble form. "
stubborn fight, including the three days, was six killed, thirty wounded, and

eight missing.

The regiment moved thence to Centreville, Annandale, Bailey's Cross Roads
and Hunter's Chapel, to Munson's Hill. On the 6th of September the regiment took up its march to South mountain, across Long bridge, through Washington, Leesboro, Poplar Springs, New Market, Frederick City and MiddleArriving at the scene of action, it was posted on the extreme right of
town.
the army, and when the enemy was compelled to fall back on his supports, the
This movement
Sixth dashed up the mountain to gain the flank of the foe.
"The top of the mountain
was observed and the line still further withdrawn.
was only a few hundred yards distant, and when reached would end the battle on
Night was fast approaching and the battle raged futhat part of the field.
Companies A and B, Captains Ent and
riously for many miles to the left.
Roush, were ordered out to seize and hold the knob of the mountain immeThey marched from the woods, passed the enemy's flank,
diately in front.
and, firing into it one volley, made straight for the mountain top. When within one hundred yards they received the fire of the enemy, protected by a ledge
Immediately companies C, D and E, Capof rocks which capped the summit.
tains Wright, Dixon and Lieutenant Richards, were ordered to their support,
The
and, forming to the left of the first two, the line advanced at a charge.
numbers of the enemy were largely in excess of those of the Sixth,- but the five
companies, restrained during the earlier part of the battle, dashed, like a steed
The enemy,.
released from his curb, against the very muzzles of their guns.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

135

staggered by the impetuosity of the charge, yielded the first ledge of rocks and
retreated to the second, from behind which he delivered a most galling fire,
causing the advance to reel under the shock and threatening its annihilation.
The rebel line to the left, which had been passed by these companies, had in
the meantime been compelled to yield to the persistent hammering of the other
The cheers of the brigade were distinctly heard
regiments of the Reserves.
by both, when the rebels, broken in spirit by the severity of their losses and
the determined front presented by the Reserves, fled down the mountain side.
These five companies had performed an important service and driven before
them in confusion the Eighth Alabama regiment. The loss Avas twelve men

two

killed,

officers

and thirty-nine men wounded.

The regiment moved forward with its division to Antietam creek, where on
the 16th, with "the Bucktails," it was engaged in a spirited contest with the
enemy. In the early morning following, the rebels attempted to dislodge
these regiments fi'om the position they had gained, but with no success until
The Sixth,
the giving way of other portions of the line exposed their flank.
shielded by a piece of woods, still maintained their position although assailed
in front and flank, and submitted to a concentrated fire of artillery. The enemy
now desisted from the attempt to clear the wood, and, moving to the right, the
division took a position in support of the artillery, where it remained the balance of the day unengaged, but still the target of the enemy's artillery fire.
In this engagement eight men were killed, and among the wounded were four
officers.

On the retirement of Lee's army the Sixth marched to the Potomac near
Here it remained until the latter part
Sharpsburg, where it went into camp.
of October, industriously perfecting its discipline and drill and gaining the
reputation of being the best drilled regiment in the division.
From this point
the regiment proceeded again to Warrenton where it arrived on the 6th of
November. On the 11th it again broke camp and marched through Fayetteville, Bealton station, Morrisville, Grove Church, Hartwood and Stafford
to Brook's station on the Acquia creek and Fredericksburg railC. H.
Colonel Sinclair was now in comroad, where it erected snug quarters.
mand of the brigade, and. Lieutenant Colonel M'Kean having resigned, Major
,

Ent commanded the regiment.
The Fredericksburg campaign began on the 8th of December, when the
Sixth broke camp and marched to the north side of the Rappahannock, reaching the hills overlooking that town on the 11th instant.
On the following
morning it crossed the river about three miles below the city on a pontoon
bridge, where a line of battle was formed at right angles with the river, the left
of the brigade resting on it.
At day-break on the 13th the pickets became engaged, and the Sixth led the brigade across a small stream and
through a cornfield, in a dense fog, to the Bowling- Green road, where the line
was re-formed. Here the enemy was found intrenched, and the brigade at
once advanced to the attack, with the Sixth acting as skirmishers.
One after
the other, the three lines, though stubbornly contested, were taken.
"The
regiment had now lost more than one-third of its entire number, the brigade
had suffered heavily, and Colonel Sinclair had been borne fi'om the field
wounded, when the enemy was detected moving through the woods to the
right in large numbers.
At the same time a terrific lire of musketry was
opened on the left of the brigade. The line began to waver, and no supporting
troops being at hand, it finally yielded, and the regiment, with the brigade, fell
back over the same ground on which it had advanced. In this battle, of the
three hundred men who went into action, ten were killed, ninety-two wounded

and nineteen

missinof.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

136

the 20th of December, the regiment went into camp at Belle Plain.
camp to participate in the " mud march, " and returned to remain
Here it
^intil the 7th of February, 1863, when it was ordered to Alexandria.
•did guard and picket duty until the 20th of June, when it moved, to take part
Marching by way of Dranesville, Edward's
in the Gettysburg campaign.
Perry, Frederick, Uuiontown and Hanover, it reached Gettysburg at two o' clock
It remained
p. m. of July 2d, and made a charge from Little Round Top.
Toward evening the
in front all night, and on the 3d did skirmish duty.
Sixth made another charge, recapturing one gun and five caissons, besides libIt remained on the skirmish line until
erating a number of union prisoners.
the afternoon of the -ith, when it was relieved and allowed to camp on Little
Bound Top. In this engagement the regiment lost two men killed, and Lieutenant Rockwell and twenty-one men wounded.
The regiment took part in the pursuit of the retreating enemy as far as
Falling Waters, engag(5d in a continuous skirmish on the way, and from the 14th,
until the 18th of August, the regiment i-emained here engaging in reconnoissances
which involved occasional skirmishes, when it went to Rappahannock station.
Here it remained until the loth of September*. In the meantime, among other
'Changes in the officers of the regiment, W. H. Ent had passed through the
It was therefore under his command
lower grades and been made colonel.
that the Sixth proceeded on the 15th to Culpeper C. H., where it remained
Two days later it crossed the river and took part
until the 10th of October.
in the engagement at Bristol station, having three men wounded with the
enemy's shells. It shared in the various maneuvers of the army at this time,
and on the 26th of November again met the enemy at New Hope Church.
The Sixth was deployed as skirmishers and sent forward to the support of the
cavalry.
The left wing of the regiment was twice charged by the enemy, but
It's loss was two killed and four wounded.
"without success.
December 5th, the regiment went into winter quarters near Kettle Run,
At this
"where it passed an uneventful experience until the 2yth of April, 1864.
time it broke camp and entered upon the spring campaign, reaching the WilOn the next day the passage of the Wildei-ness tavern on the 4th of May.
derness was begun, the Sixth being actively engaged in the fighting which took
It had a slight skirmish on the 7th; at
place on the 5th and 6th instants.
Spottsylvania, on the 8th, it was engaged in heavy fighting, and on the 9th,
moved to the right of the line and constructed rifle-pits; on the 10th it made
two successful charges upon the enemy's works, and again on the 12th, ColoThe loss of the regiment in these engagenel Ent commanding the brigade.
ments was thirteen killed, sixty-four wounded and nine missing. In all this
active campaign the Sixth was found in the front doing valiant service, on the
22d capturing ninety men of Hill's corps.
The battle at Bethesda Church occurred after the expiration of its term of
service.
Here the regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and had gained a
position on the Mechanicsville road, when it was attacked by an overwhelming
It then protected its position by a rifle-pit, which the
force and thrust back.
enemy charged with the determination to drive out its defenders, but was
Although but about one hundred
forced to retire with terrible punishment.
and fifty strong, the Sixth captured one hundred and two prisoners and buried
Colonel Ent and Captain
seventy-two of the enemy in front of their works.
Waters were wounded and nineteen men captured. On the 1st of June the
regiment started for Harrisburg, and on the 14th was mustered out of the
service.
On the same day they reached Bloomsburg, where they were
The following were those who returned:
accorded an enthusiastic reception.

On

It

left its

,

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

137

Col. Wellington H. Ent, Adjutant George S. Coleman, First Lieutenant
A. B. Jameson; Second Lieutenant H. J. Conner, commanding company; Sergeants James Stanley, W. S. Margerum; Corporals W. H. Snyder, Benjamin
F. Sharpless, Joseph R. Hess, Marks B. Hughes; Privates Charles Achenbach,
H. C. Bowman, Alfred Eck, Thomas Griffiths, Henry Gotschall, William Hollingshead, Sylvester Hower, Theodore Mendenhall, A. W. Mann, Baltis Sterling, George' Waters, Nelson Bruner, Joseph S. Eck, Charles S. Fornwald,
Samuel G. Gottschall, P. S. Hamlin, J. H. Hughes, John Kern, Augustus
Willard, William Raup, Abraham Shortz, Alexander Zigler, Emanuel Kurtz.
To the Forty-third regiment of the line (1st Artillery) Columbia and Montour counties contributed some thirty- six men, but the officers who gave it a
certain local character were from the former county and give it a claim to
This regiment
its glory that entitles it to extended mention in these pages.
had its origin in the efforts of James Brady, of Philadelphia. On the 13th of
April, 1861, he issued a call for volunteers for a regiment of light artillery.
In three days he had thirteen hundi-ed men enrolled, but the tender of their
Before this
services was not accepted, as it was not a militia organization.
decision was reached, however, the different companies, impatient with the
delay, joined other regimental organizations until only some live hundred men
remained.
These were maintained by the officers and friends until the organization of the Reserves was authorized, when four companies were accepted and
These were subsequently joined by four other compaordered to Harrisburg.
It was ai'med and equipped by the
nies, and the regiment organized in June.
In August the regiment was ordered to
state and the city of Philadelphia.
Washington, when it was fitted for field service, and encamped east of the
Capitol.
From this point the different batteries were assigned to various
corps and dMsions of the army.
Battery F, in which Columbia and Montour counties were represented, "was
furnished in the month of August, 1861, with horses and equipments, and four
smooth-bore pieces, and was transferred shoi-tly aft.er to the camp of the Reserve
Corps at Tenallytown. On the 12th of September, it was ordered to join General Banks' command at Darnestown, Maryland, and was never afterward in any
way connected with the regiment or with the Reserves. On the 8th of October
the battery was enlarged by the addition of two Parrott steel-rifled, ten-pounder
guns, and immediately thereafter orders were received to move with the new secSoon afterward. Sergeant
tion to Williamsport, Captain Matthews in command.
Charles B. Brockway was elected second lieutenant, and placed in command of
the detached section, and was sent to oppose the enemy making demonstrations
A slight skirmish ensued, in which the great accuracy
at Hancock, Maryland.
of the rifled pieces was demonstrated, several men and horses of the enemy
A few days later it
being killed and wounded by the first shell discharged.
was reported that the enemy were destroying the railroad in that vicinity, and
Lieutenant Brockway was ordered to mask one of his pieces and open upon the
party. The first shot struck the engine employed, and the second burst among
the men, killing five and wounding twelve others.
On the 20th of December, Lieutenant Rickett's section had an engagement
at Dam No. 5, on the Potomac, where it was forced to retire after having one
gun dismounted. In January, 1862, it joined General Lander's command and
participated with signal effect in the fight with Jackson near Hancock.
Until February, 1862, the guns were in service singly and in sections between Edward's Ferry and Hancock, but on the 20th the sections were united
at Hagerstown, where new equipments were received, and the guns furnished

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

138

by the

state were exchanged for six regulation, three-inch, rifled guns, toOn the 1st of March the morngether with new carriages and Sibley tents.
ing report showed one hundred and nineteen effectives, officers and men, with
On the same day it moved with Bank's advance
one hundred and five horses.
up the Shenandoah valley, and was prominently engaged in the actions at
Bunker Hill, Winchester and Newtown, beside several reconnoissances in force.
The battery encamped at Warrenton in the latter part of March, and fi'om
In May it took part
there took part in the general movements in that region.
in the abortive attempt to cut off Jackson' s retreat, and on the 10th of August
moved with McDowell's corps to stay the enemy's progress after the defeat of
Banks.
When Pope withdrew his forces across the Rappahannock, battery F
was posted at the crossing to cover the retreat, where it did valiant service.
It had two guns disabled and several horses killed, but the pieces were all
bi'ought off.
The batteiy was then ordered to Thoroughfare -Gap to dispute
Longstreet's passage to reinforce Jackson.
Brockway's section was pushed
into position by hand, and held the enemy at bay until dark, when it was withdi'awn.
On the 30th the battery was stationed on a hill near the Henry house.
The rest of the guns were subsequently ordered elsewhere, leaving Brockway
alone.
A determined attack was made upon his position, and his supports
having been driven away, his guns were captured, and all but three of its men
disabled or captured.
Another gun with a fresh detachment of men was
placed under Lieutenant Brockway, with orders to fill " the chest with ammunition. "
He was ordered to hold his position and maintain a slow fire until
further instructed.
This he did until dusk, when the enemy made a furious
charge upon him.
Supposing he was to be supported, he stoutly defended his
position until he found himself and command in possession of the enemy. The
union forces had safely crossed Bull Run in the meantime, and* Brockway'
command was simply left behind to deceive the enemy. The ruse was entirely
successful; the retreat was effected with the loss of one gun and caisson and

eight men.

Only one gun was saved, and the remnant of the command marched all
night and encamped on the following day at Centreville.
Here the guns and
horses of an Indiana battery were turned over to Captain Matthews, and with
them the battery was i^artially refitted. At the battle of Chantilly it was in
line but not engaged.
At South mountain the battery was not engaged, and
on the 15th of September it encamped on Antietam creek. On the next day it
was moved to the right, where it occupied a position in Rickett's division. It
first occupied the historic position near the Dunkard church, in the rear of a
cornfield. The enemy's fire was soon concentrated upon it and it was advanced.
The enemy several times charged the position unsuccessfully.
Most of the
battery horses were killed or wounded, and of the men, four were killed and
fifteen

On

wounded.

the 23d Lieutenant Ricketts rejoined the battery from recruiting service; Captain Matthews left on account of sickness, and never returned.
From
severe service the battery had been reduced from a six-gun to a two-gun battery; the men were greatly redvtced in numbers and worn out with constant
service, and the horses and equipments were equally reduced in effectiveness.
Lieutenant Goldbad was dead, Brockway a prisoner. Captain Matthews and
Lieutenant Case absent, prostrated by disease, and the men scattered by wounds,
desertion and sickness.
On the 1st of September, while encamped at Brook's
station. Lieutenant Ricketts was ordered to Washington, where he obtained
two guns, fourteen men and twenty-nine horses. On the lOth the battery was
ordered to Falmouth, where it was posted to cover the laying of pontoon

s

139

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

bridges.
It remained here during the action of the next three days, and conWith the ending
tributed conspicuous aid in the movement across the river.
of this movement the battery retired to Belle Plain and went into winter quarters.
Lieutenant Brockway was exchanged and returned to his command
Early in January, 1863, the batshortly after the battle of Fredericksburg.
tery was transferred to the Third division of the First corps, and upon the
promotion of Captain Matthews, Lieutenant R. B. Ricketts was promoted to

the captaincy.

The movement upon Chancellorsville opened on the 27th of April. Battery F took part in this movement, and on the 2d of May was ordered to
relieve Seeley's regular battery, which had sufPered heavily in the previous
day's fighting.
The enemy's line was only two hundred and fifty yards away,
and Captain Ricketts was instructed to hold the position at all hazards. The
battery was the center of repeated assaults, but its death- dealing engines each
time forced the enemy to recoil with terrible slaughter.
On the 13th of May, the battery was ordered to report to General Tyler, in
command of the reserve artillery. On the 15th, the battery moved by forced
marches toward Pennsylvania, arriving on the field of Gettysburg on July 2d,
and taking position in fi'ont of the cemetery gate. It was almost instantly
The battery
engaged, and soon after was charged by the Louisiana Tigers.
Captain Ricketts had been advised that the
occupied an exposed position.
enemy would probably make

a desperate attempt to take

it,

and he was ordered

He recognized the desperate charto hold his position to the last extremity.
acter of the attack, and, charging his pieces with canister, poui'ed in deadly volleys at the rate of four discharges per minute. Never before defeated in a charge,
the Tigers held on their way undaunted, and were soon among the guns bayoneting the gunners.
The guidon was planted in one of the earthworks, and an
officer of the enemy was in the act of seizing it when its bearer rode up and shot
the assailant down.
He leveled his revolver again, but before he could fire
was prostrated by the enemy. The guidon at length fell into the hands of the
enemy.
Observing this, Lieutenant Brockway seized a stone and felled the
captor to the ground.
A scene of the wildest confusion ensued, and both conIt ended in the crushing
testants struggled with the most desperate valor.
defeat of the enemy, who, coming forward seventeen hundi-ed strong, retired
with barely six hundred.
The loss of the battery in this engagement was nine
killed, foiu'teen wounded and three taken prisoners, one-half of the number
actually engaged.

In Mead's campaign, during the remaining months of 1863, the battery
At Bristoe station it acted with especial gallantry, and was
complimented in general orders. On the 22d of November, Lieutenant Brockway commenced re-enlisting the men for the veteran service, and soon after
went into winter quarters. Early in January, 1864:, over one hundred men
having been re-enlisted, they were re-enrolled on the 10th, remustered for
After the expiration of
three years, and granted the usual veteran furlough.
their furlough, the men rendezvoused at Chester, Pennsylvania, where the
company was recruited to two hundi-ed. About the 1st of March it returned
to its old camp on Mountain run, and the surplus men were distributed to
participated.

other batteries.
On the 4th of May, the army under the command of Grant again turned
its march toward Richmond, and Battery F moved with it, crossing at Ely'
ford.
At noon of the 5th the enemy was met in the beginning of the Wilderness.
Here the batteiy was early brought into action, and did especial execution with its percussion shells. With this battle began the series of movements.

140

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

which terminated at Petersburg. At Cold Harbor the battery was attached to
the Eighteenth corps, and was sharply engaged.
For six days the battery was
in the line of battle without relief, but on the 8th of June it was returned to
the Second corps.
On the 11th, this corps reached the James river, and was
soon in position before Petersburg.
The battery took part in the diversion
toward Deep Bottom, from which it returned to the lines about the city, and
continued to take part in the siege until the final surrender.
Qn the 3d of
April it went into camp at City Point.
From this place it subsequently went
to Washington, where its guns and horses were turned over, and the company
dispatched to Harrisburg.
On the 10th of June, 1865, it was mustered out of
the service.
The Fifty-second regiment contained one company (company G) formed in
Columbia county, and another (company A) in which a number of its citizens were
enrolled.
This regiment was recruited under the president's call in July,
1861, and was organized on the 7th of October, at Camp Curtin.
On the 8th

November

it proceeded to Washington, and went into camp at Kalorama
In January, 1862, it moved into comfortable barracks, where it
remained until the 28th of March, when it was summoned to the field. It
first faced the enemy at Lee's Mills, but was principally engaged in the flanking movement which caused the confederates to abandon their fortifications at
Yorktown.
On the 20th, with its corps, the regiment took position opposite
Bottom's bridge, on the left bank of the Chickahominy, and on the 23d engaged with others in slashing timber to form a defense about the head of the
bridge.
On the 24th the Fifty-second took part in a reconnoissance toward
Richmond, and, developing the enemy in force, it was deployed as skirmishers.
A spirited tight ensued, and a partial success gained, but being under orders
not to bring on a general engagement, the pursuit of the wavering enemy was
not pushed.
On the succeeding three days the force was cautiously pushed
forward to within five miles of Richmond, and went into camp a half mile
beyond Fair Oaks.
The battle of Fair Oaks was fought on the 30fch of May. The regiment
was greatly depleted by details at guard at different points, and from its advanced position came into action later than the rest of the brigade. It narrowly escaped capture, and behaved itself with such gallantry as to be honorably mentioned in the report of General McClellan.
A month intervened before the regiment was again called into action.
On the 26th the enemy attacked the right wing of the army, and on the following day involved the
Fifty-second, which stood in water waist-deep.
For five days the safety of the
army depended on the brigade of which the regiment formed a part. The defense of the bridges in the White Oak Swamp was assigned to this command,
and many of the men were compelled, during the most of this time, to stand

of

Heights.

in the water up to their waists.
ing, and finally to Yorktown.

It retired with the

army

to Harrison's land-

In December the Fifty-second was ordered to North Carolina, with the
probable purpose of attacking Wilmington, but a severe storm at sea balked
this plan.
On the 29th of January, 1863, it proceeded to Port Royal, and on
the 6th of April embarked for Charleston, but the naval attack failing, the
regiment finally returned to Beaufort.
On the 5th of July it took part in the
expedition up the Stone river.
Landing on the James island it was attacked
on the 16th by a heavy force of the enemy, and on the following night, finding
their assailants too powerful, the command was successfully withdrawn.
On
the next night, at dark, the regiment reached the head of Folly island, and
siibsequently took part in the work of constructing approaches to Fort Wag-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

When

ner.

it

was decided

to carry the fort

by

141

direct assault, the Fifty-second

Fort Wagner on the beach and charge Fort Gregg, but
the evacuation of the fort made this hazardous du.ty unnecessary.
In December, 18G3, a large portion of the regiment re-enlisted, and was
granted a furlough.
Upon its retu.rn it was recruited to its full complement, newly armed, and attached to the Tenth corps.
It was by some unexplained circumstance detained at Hilton Head.
From this point it participated in several reconoissances, and in July, 18G4, took part in the vain attempt
to capture Charleston. The attack on Fort Johnson was assigned to the FiftyThe approach was made by boat, but, owing to miscalculations, the
second.
fort was not I'eached until daylight.
It nevertheless made the assault, but
the gai'rison, only partially surprised, rallied in overwhelming numbers and
captured the whole party that gained an entrance.
One hundred and thirtyfive men were thus captured or killed, more than fifty of the former perishing
in the Andersonville or Columbia prisons.
The regiment remained on Morris island during the summer and autumn,
working the heavy siege guns, and doing picket duty on the harbor. On the
18th of February, 1865, it was suspected that Fort Sumter was evacucated,
and Major Hennessy, taking a select boat crew and the old flag of the regiment,
cautiously scaled the old ruin to find it abandoned.
He at once proceeded to
Charleston and received its formal surrender.
Here the regiment remained
until Sherman's army came through the state, when it joined company, continuing to near Raleigh, where Johnson surrendered in April.
A few weeks'
duty at Saulsbury concluded its service, when it proceeded to Harrisburg, and
on the 12th of July, 1865, was mustered out.
In the Eighty-fourth regiment, company D was recruited chiefly in ColumIt was locally known
bia county with some from Montour and other counties.
Hurley Guards.
as the
The regiment was recruited from August to October, 1861, and in the latter month was organized at Camp Austin.
It was
ordered to Hancock, Maryland, arriving on the 2d of January, 1862, where
it was armed.
During the winter and spring it was employed in the Shenandoah valley with General Lander's command in opposing Jackson's movements.
On the 23d of March, 1862, it was suddenly attacked and severely
handled before other troops could be brought to its aid, and out of two hundred and sixty men who went into the fight, twenty-three were killed, and sixty-seven were wounded.
The Eighty- fourth, after doing provost duty in the town of Berry ville
until the 2d of May, joined in the general advance up the valley.
The regiment had one or two sharp skirmishes, but was very much worn down by the
laborious marching.
On the 25th of June Samuel M. Bowman was made
colonel of the regiment, and in the following month the regiment broke camp
and joined Pope's army. It was present at the battle of Cedar mountain, but
was not seriously engaged. On the 14th it joined in pursuit of the enemy; it
took part in the movement to Thoroughfare -Gap, but took little part in the
action there. At the second battle of Bull Run, it narrowly escaped capture, and
when it arrived within the defenses at Washington there were scarcely seventy

was ordered

to pass

'

' *

'

men

fit

for duty.

Here

it was assigned to light duty, remaining until the middle of October.
In the meantime, through the efforts of Colonel Bowman, the regiment received about four hundi'ed recruits, and in October was ordered to rejoin the
army.
In the battle of Fredericksburg, which followed, the Eighty-fourth
assaulted the works of the enemy, and received particular mention for " coolness, judgment and unsparing bravery" in General Carroll's report.
In the

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

142

Chancellorsville campaign, the regiment, after severe marching for some five
on the '2d of May, 1863, was brought in contact with the enemy. On
the following day it became involved by the inclosing columns of the enemy,
and only escaped capture by the most intrepid conduct, capturing some thirty
prisoners while extricating themselves.
In the Gettysburg campaign, the regiment was assigned to protect the corps
train on its arrival at Taneytown, and immediately proceeded with it to Westminster, where it was employed in forwarding supplies.
Upon the return of
the army to Virginia it had numerous skirmishes with the enemy, and after
the conclusion of the campaign at Mine run, returned to the neighborhood of
Brandy station and went into winter quarters. In January, 1864, a considerable number of the regiment re-enlisted and were granted veteran furlough.
On the 6th of February it started toward the Rapidan. On the opening of the
Wilderness campaign, it proceeded with its corps by the Germania Ford.
The
regiment had several brisk skirmishes, and on the 12th of May it joined
the corps of Hancock in its brilliant charge.
Until the 14th of June each
day brought its skirmish. On this date it crossed the James, and at once engaged in the operations of the seige. It took part in the diversion toward Deep
Bottom returning to the lines in front of Petersburg it resumed its part in the
It was
attack, and later took part in a second diversion toward Deep Bottom.
subsequently transferred to the extreme left of the line about Petersburg, and
early in October participated in a desperate charge upon the enemy's works.
In October, the men whose term of service had expired were mustered out, and
the veterans and recruits were organized into a battalion, of four companies,
which remained on duty until the 13th of January, 1865, when it was consoliThe battalion took part in the
dated with the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania.
It was finally mustered out on the 29th
operations on the Weldon railroad.
of June, 1865.
In the One Hundred and Twelfth regiment (Second Artillery), company F
was largely recruited in Columbia county. On the recommendation of General
McClellan, President Lincoln authorized the organization of a battalion of
heavy artillery. This was afterward extended to a regiment. The rendezvous
was established at Camden, New Jersey, and in January, 1862, the regimental
Batteries D,
organization was completed.
and
were ordered to Fort Delaware, and on the 25th of February the balance of the regiment was transferred to the defense of Washington.
In the spring of 1864, although the regiment numbered more than eighteen
hundred men, recruits still continued to come in, and it was accordingly determined to form a new regiment from the surplus men. Officers were selected
from the members of the original regiment to command the new one so long as
their services were needed, and then to be returned to the old organization.
On the 27th of May, 1864, the original regiment was ordered to join the army
of the Potomac, and on the 28th reached Port Royal on the Rappahannock.
On the 4th of June it joined the Eighteenth corps at Cold Harbor. Being too
large to maneuver as infantry, the regiment was divided into three battalions,
company F being in the second battalion under the command of Captain Jones.
On the 18th of June the Second battalion was ordered to join in a charge
Owing to a failure on the part of
on the enemy's works before Petersburg.
other troops the battalion found itself isolated and a target for the concentrated
fire of the enemy.
Screening themselves in some tall oats, the men constructed
a temporary defense with the aid of their cups and bayonets, and the line thus
During the months of
seized was afterward retained until the fall of the city.
June, July and August, the regiment did arduous work in the trenches, losing
in that time more than one-half its effective strengrth.

'days,

;

G

H

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

143

At Fort Harrison, on the 20th of September, the First and Second battalions of the regiment, under Major Anderson, were ordered to attack the confederate works in the rear; lack of support rendered the movement unsuccessful, and with ranks decimated by two hundred killed, wounded and prisoners, they were compelled to fall back, their gallant leader himself being among
the slain.
His commission as colonel reached regimental headquarters only
one day later. Captain W. M. McClure, of company F, was appointed to the
position of colonel, after the death of Anderson, and captain S. D. StrawOn the 2d of
bridge was promoted to fill the position of lieutenant-coloneL
December, the regiment was ordered to the Bermuda front, and while there,
A large number of the
in January, 1865, its original term of service expired.
men having re-enlisted, however, these with recruits secured, soon enabled
the regiment to show an effective force of over two thousand men.
After the evacuation of Petersburg, it was assigned to duty in that city,
and upon the surrender of Lee, a week later, the different companies were staWhen the departments
tioned at various points in Virginia, as provost guards.
were established, these troops were relieved, and on the 29th of February,
From this place it pro1865, the regiment was mustered out at City Point.
ceeded to Philadelphia, where the men were disbanded.
The One Hundred and Thirty-second regiment (nine months' service) was
recruited in the north central part of the state, and was composed of an unCompanies E and
were recruited in Columbia
usually fine body of men.
county, and were locally known as the " Columbia County Guards " and " Catawissa Guards."
They left for Harrisburg early in August, 1862, and were
mustered into the service on the 14th and 13th, respectively. On the 19th
the regiment proceeded to Washington, and were encamped near Fort Corcoran,
on the Virginia side of the Potomac. On the 2d of September, it moved to
Rockville, Maryland, and, on the 13th, made a forced march of thirty-three
miles, reaching the battle-field of South mountain just as the fighting for the
day closed. It participated in the pursuit of the enemy, and on the 17th was
brought in contact with the enemy in close quarters.
For four hours the regThe loss of the regiment
iment maintained its position without wavering.
was thirty killed, one hundred and fourteen wounded and eight missing.
After the battle, it moved with its corps to Harper's Ferry, and encamped
on Bolivar Heights. On the 31st of October, it joined in the movement on
Fredericksburg, and in the attack of December, the regiment was ordered to
charge the works on Marys' s Heights.
In this trying ordeal they won the
highest encomiums from its brigade commander.
After this battle, the regiment encamped at Falmouth, until near the close of April, 1863. When the
movement to Chancellorsville commenced, the term of service of a portion of
the men had expired, but when the order to march was received, there was not
In this fight, the regiment lost about
a murmur, as they promptly responded.
fifty killed and wounded.
On the 14th of May, its term of service having
fully expired, it was relieved from duty, and returned to HaiTisburg, where,
on the 24th, it was mustered out.
Company I, of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth regiment, was recruited
from Crawford, Centre and Columbia counties, the latter contributing some eighteen men.
It was mustered into the service for nine months, on August 14th,
On the 29th, the regiment was ordered to Washing1862, at Camp Curtin.
ton, in the vicinity of which it was kept, until the Fredericksburg campaign.
In the attack on the latter place, the regiment suffered a loss of one hundred
and forty in killed, wounded and missing. It took part in the subsequent
movements of this army, and in the battle of Chancellorsville saw some hard

H

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

144

It was subsequently employed, chiefly in;
fighting, and did excellent service.
routine duties, and on the 29th of May, 1863, was mustered out.
The repeated attempts of General Lee to effect a foothold in Pennsylvania
were a subject of constant fear. The exposed condition of the state, which had
suggested the organization of the Reserve corps, was not improved when the
exigencies of the national cause called these troops to the front, and when the
confederate army, after its victory over Pope, began to press northward, it became apparent that new efforts must be made for home defense. On the 4th
of September, 1862, therefore. Governor Curtin called upon the militia to arm.
On the 10th, the danger was more imminent, and a call was issued to all ablebodied men to provide their own guns and ammunition, and hold themselves
in readiness to answer a summons to the field; and on the following day fifty
thousand of this militia were called for. The people everywhere flew to arms.
Columbia county sent out four companies of these "emergency men." Two
in the Thirteenth regiment of the militia
were mustered in as companies B and
of 1862, from the 12th to the 17th, and were discharged on the 25th or 26th of
September; a third was mustered on the 15th of September, as company G,
in the Twenty-first regiment, and discharged in the last week of the same month.
The fourth left Bloomsburg on the 22d of September, but was probably not
mustered into any regimental organization. There were some twenty-five of
these' regiments, besides a number of independent organizations, assembled
They were rapidly concentrated at Hagerstown, Chamwithin two weeks.
Happily the battles of South mountain and Anbersburg and Greencastle.
tietam, on September 14th-17th, rendered the services of the militia no longer
necessary and they were as quickly as possible disbanded.
In the One Huudi-ed and Seventy-first regiment, of the drafted militia,
Columbia county was represented by some dozen or fifteen, divided between
This regiment was organized at Camp Curtin about the
several companies.
middle of November, 1862, and, on the 27th, left camp for Washington.
From the capital it proceeded to Norfolk, and thence to Su.ffolk, Virginia. On
the 28th of December it broke camp, and, under orders, went to Newbern,
North Carolina, where it took part in the movements of the army in this region;
until near the close of June, 1863, when it was ordered to Fortress Monroe.
From this point it participated in a demonstration against Richmond in favor
On the 3d of August, it proceeded to Harrisburg,
of Meade at Gettysburg.
where it was mustered oiit a few days later.
In the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth regiment, of the drafted militia,
companies A, H, I and a considerable number in F, were from Columbia
The men assembled in Camp Curtin fi'om the 20th to the 25th of Occounty.
tober, 1862, where, on the 2d of December, regimental organization was
On the 5th of December, the regiment moved to Washington, and
effected.
on the 10th, proceeded to Newport News. About a week later, it marched to.
Yorktown where it encamped, and on the 2yth went inside the fortifications
and commenced drill and garrison duty. In April the regiment was ordered
out to relieve a small garrison near Williamsburg, threatened by the enemy,
In June it participated in a reconnoisbut there was no determined attack.
The One Hunsance on the peninsula to Charles City and Providence ferry.
dred and Seventy- eighth took part in the demonstration against Richmond in
favor of General Meade at Gettysburg, and was in the column directed toward
Here the regiment had a slight skirBottom's bridge, on the Chickahominy.
It was soon ordered to Harrisburg, where, on the 27th of July, 1863, it
mish.

D

was mustered out.
In 1863 another

'
'

emergency

'
'

arose.

The confederate

victories at Fred-

.^•C^'^''

,<<^^'

.V^

^^

'^oM/' ^^^-^^=2-^^

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTV.

147

ericksburg, in December, 1862, and on the field of Chancellorsville, in May,
1863, invited General Lee again to attempt an invasion of Pennsylvania.
Some knowledge of this design came to the national authorities, and as a precautionary measure, on June 9, 1863, two departments were established, that
of the Monongahela embracing that portion of Pennsylvania west of Johnstown and the Laurel Hill range, and portions of West Virginia and Ohio, with
headquarters at Pittsburgh, under the command of Major-General W. T. H.
Brooks; and that of the Susquehanna, comprising the remaining portion of
Pensylvania, with headqu.arters at Harrisburg, under the command of Major-

General D. N. Couch. These officers were authorized to organize departmental
corps, and on assuming command they issued orders calling upon the people of the state to volunteer.
Governor Curtin aided in this movement, but
the call came when the farmers were busiest with their farm cares, and so many
unfounded fears of invasion had been previously raised that the call was to a
large extent unheeded.
It daily became more apparent that there had been no mistake made in the
judgment formed of the enemy's designs, and on the 15th of June the president
called for fifty thousand men from Pennsylvania, to serve for six months.
Troops began to arrive at the capital soon after, but there was still a reluctance
to volunteer manifested, which Governor Cm'tin sought to overcome by granting the option to the men of being mustered for six months, or the emergency.
Eight regiments were soon enrolled for the 'emergency, and meanwhile the
threatening danger grew more imminent. At this juncture all reluctance passed
away, and men came pouring into Harrisburg.
The approaches to the capital
were fortified. Chambersburg was occupied, and the militia was soon in contact with the advance of the rebel army.
On the 26th another more pressing
call was issued by the governor, and the people, alive to the real danger, flew
The greater part of the troops assembled at Harrisburg were pushed
to arms.
up the Cumberland valley, part joining the army of the Potomac, and part
standing in readiness to participate in the battle expected to take place at
Williamsport.
During the first three days of July, the battle of Gettysburg
was fought, and with the defeat of Lee ended the danger of invasion, ^^'ith
this the demand for further service on the part of the
emergency men
ceased, and in the months of August and September the majority of the men
were mustered out. With few exceptions, they were not brought in serious
conflict with the enemy, but they none the less rendered efficient service.
Columbia county was represented by companies C and H, of the TwentyEighth regiment of militia, by company E of the Thirtieth regiment, and by
companies
and I of the Thirty- Fifth.
Of the Two HiTndred and Ninth regiment, of the one year's service, company E was recruited in Columbia county. The regiment was organized on
the 16th of September, 1864, at camp Ciu'tin.
It was immediately ordered to
join the army of the James at Bermuda Hundred and was employed in such duties
as would free the more experienced troops for active operations.
On the 17th of
November it had a lively brush with the enemy in repelling an attack on the
picket line.
On the 24th it was transferred to the army of the Potomac, and
during the winter was chiefly engaged in fatigue duty on the roads and fortifications.
On the 25th of March. 1865, they were called into action by an attack of the enemy, and won high compliments from the corps commander for
their gallantry and steadiness in a very trying situation.
On the 2d of April,
the regiment participated in a charge upon the enemy's lines, and notwithstanding it was exposed to a fearful fire of infantry and artillery, they pushed
on unfalteringly, captured the line and held it. After the evacuation of Pe'

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

148

was employed in repairing the railroad track to NottoH. where it was held until the 20th, when it returned to City Point,
and thence to Alexandi'ia, where it went into camp. On the 31st of May, its
recruits were transferred to another regiment, and the balance of the men
mustered out of the service.
In the spring of 1805 a company was recruited in Columbia county for the
Some eighteen or twenty of its members, however, were
one year' s service.
drawn fi'om Wyoming county. This was assigned to the Seventy-Fourth regIn March it joined the regiment, which
iment, and designated as company H.
was then doing garrison duty on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, with headquarters at Green Spring. In the early part of April the regiment was ordered
to Beverly, where it remained doing guard and picket duty until the 12th of
May. It was then ordered to Clarksburg as guard for the stores deposited there.
The headquarters were removed subsequently to Parkersburg, and the regiment detailed in squads and companies to guard the Parkersburg branch of
It was mustered out on the 29th of August
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
at Clarksburg, and immediately sent to Pittsburgh, where it was finally disbanded.
Another company was recruited in the county about the same time, which
was mustered into the service and assigned in March. I860, as company B, to
They served in the Albemarle district
the One Hundred and Third regiment.
in North Carolina, and were finally mustered out at Newbern, on June 25,
tersburg, the regiment

way

C.

,

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1865.

In other regiments there were from one to six or eight men from Columbia
county, among which may be mentioned the Fifth, Fifty- Seventh, Eightieth,
Eighty-First, One Hundred and Sixth, One Hundred and Fifty-Second, One
Hundred and Sixty-first, and the Two Hundred and Tenth.
war, Cohimbia county has rapidly deSince the disturbed period of the
veloped. The county seat has been the center of progressive activity, and, with
increased facilities for shipping, its natural advantages are certain to invite
manufactures and interests which will eventually make the borough a large,
Its beautiful and healthful location on the side of protecting
thriving town.
hills, with its view of hill, dale and river, will attract those who resort to such
A beginning has been made in this
scenes from the heat and dirt of the city.
This institution has not always
direction in the founding of the sanitarium.
received the unqualified indorsement of the medical fraternity, but the natural
advantages of the place will eventually overcome professional scruples or lead
to the establishment of such as will meet the most intelligent scrutiny.
It is difficult to give a complete resume of the growth of this profession in
While the center of its influence is to be found at the county seat
the county.
important practitioners in
there were many in the days of long country rides
the remoter parts of the county, such as Doctor Parks, and there are such still.
A resume of the profession in the vicinity of Bloomsburg and vicinity, however, while not including everyone in the county, will yet serve to illustrate the
general career of the fraternity.
There is no account of doctors here prior to 1807. In that and the folblazed the way' for the succession of
lowing year, an enterprising Yankee
This adventurprofessional gentlemen that have since graced the fraternity.
ous knight of the pill-bag and lancet was Dr. Ethel B. Bacon, who was popuHe came from Kingston. At that time
larly known as the Yankee doctor.
tliere were few physicians, and his j)ractice extended to the headwaters of
He stood high in the estimation of the people, but removed,
Fishing Creek.
in 1817, to W^ellsboro, where he engaged in farming.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

149

About 1816 Doctors Townsend and Krider came to Bloomsburg. The
former remained only a short time, but Doctor Krider continued his practice
until his death.
About 1818 Doctor Roe came and divided his time between

He removed to a point further up
Ebenezer Daniels and Harmon Gearhart came about
apparently came lirst and was well established in the

the practice of his profession and teaching.

Fishing creek.
Doctors
1823, though the former
confidence of the people
wissa and then gave the
porary

when the latter came. Dr. Daniels located at Catafollowing testimonial to his less experienced contem-

:

Catawissa,

May

24, 1823.

Having had an acquaintance with Doctor H. Gearhart ever since he commenced the
study of Medicine and having frequently conversed with him on Medical subjects since his

am entirely satisfied that he is
eminently qualified to practice Medicine with safety and advantage to those who may be
the subjects of his care, and with honor to himself and the profession.
Ebenezer Dakiels.

return from the University of Philadelphia last spring, I

Mr. Daniels remained until about 1834, when he sold his practice to Doctor

John Uamsay, and removed to Indianapolis. Mr. Gearhart died in 1833, with
the esteem of those who knew him.
The year of 1825 was marked by the prevalence of a bilious fever of unusual virulence throughout the county.
In Bloom township alone there were
seventy-one deaths. Doctor Ramsay was a large-hearted man, who was much endeared to the community by his sympathetic nature.
He early took a leading
place in the direction of public affairs, and was especially active in educational
matters.
He died suddenly in 1803, leaving the whole community to mourn
Doctor William Petriken came here after the death of Mr. Gearhart.
his loss.
He was the son of Doctor David Petriken, of Danville, who had a great reputation,
and was invariably called in to counsel on critical cases. His son, William, inherited his father's ability, and would undoubtedly have taken a high place in his
profession, had not his career suddenly ended, in 1842, by a sudden death.
David Scott located in Bloomsburg about the same time, and his name has been
perpetuated as the popular designation of a subui'b of the town, where he built
the first house.
He subsequently removed to Kansas.
Doctor Thomas Nastine practiced here for a short time about 1833; he subsequently went to Williamsport, and from there to St. Louis.
Doctor Hawkins
came here in 1846; he remained here only a short time, and moved to Michigan.
George Hill located here about the same time, and remained three or
four years in the practice of his profession, when he removed to Muncy. Soon
after Doctor Hill came Doctor Thomas Butler, who was associated with the former in business. Doctor J. B. McKelvey began practice at Mifflinville in 1849;
he soon moved to Graysville, Kentucky, some nine months later he removed
to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and in 1851 returned to Bloomsburg, where he is
still

practicing.

About 1855 F. C. Harrison came to the county, and for a time practiced at
Mifflinville.
He had a large patronage, but subsequently went to Lewisburg,
and engaged in banking. After his departure. Doctor Wells, of A\"ilkesban-e,
About the same time, William H. Bradley lolocated there for a short time.
cated at Bloomsburg, but soon abandoned his professional labors for the ediIn 1868 Doctor Reber began the practice of medicine in this place.
torial field.
Prior to his coming here he was a surgeon in the United States navy, and his
varied experience during the war of the rebellion was an admirable school to fit
him for the successfiil practice he now enjoys. Doctor Evans began the practice of the profession also in 1861, and still continues.
Doctor A. L. Turner
came from New York in 1870, and took charge of the sanitarium.
In 1874

HISTORV OF COLUMBIA COUNTV.

150

Doctor F. B. Gardner came here from Tennessee. He was a surgeon of high
rank in the Confederate service. In 1875 Doctor H. W. McKeynolds located
in Bloomsburg, coming from Buckhorn, where he had practiced for a number
of years.

The Columbia County Medical Society had its origin in 1858. On July
Slst of that year, a meeting of physicians was held at Bloomsburg, over which
Doctor Ramsay presided, and to which the members of the profession in Montour
Among the original members were John Ramsay, J.
county were invited.
K. Robbins, George Scott, J. D. Strawbridge, H. W. McReynolds, W. M.
Beckley, F. C. Harrison, R. S. Lemington, W. H. Magill, Jacob Schuyler, D.
W. Montgomery and George Yeomans. Messrs. J. K. Robbins, F. C. HarriIn the folson and J. B. McKelvey were appointed to frame a constitution.
lowing month it was decided to make the society auxiliary to the state society, and
to extend an invitation to the profession of Northumberland county to unite
In view of this enlarged membership, the name was changed to
with them.
the Susqu.ehanna Union Medical Society; but on June 21, 1864, it was changed
to Columbia and Montour Medical Society, and still later it was changed to its
This society includes about one-fourth of the practicing physioriginal title.
cians of the county.
By the act of June 8, 1881, it was provided that the names of all medical
practitioners, with their residence and name of institution by which their degree
was conferred, should be recorded. Physicians practicing in the state since
1871, were permitted to continue, if not graduated by a medical school, and

the blanks in the following table indicate those whose experience gave them legal
The names of those who have moved are
standing in the medical fraternity.
omitted
RESIDENCE.
Catawissa
John K. Robbing
Bloomsburg
J. B. McKelvey
Hugh W. McReynolds.. Bloomsburg

Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg
Benjamin F. Gardner... Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg
Isaiah W. Willits
Catawissa
Luther B. Kline
Jerseytown
Thomas J. Swisher
Berwick
Alex B. McCrea
Berwick
George L.Reagan

Jacob Schuyler
John C. Rutter
William M. Reber

Frederick W. Redeker..Espy
Orangeville
Alfred P.Stoddart

Jordan Brown
Thomas C. McHenry

J.

Milllinville

Benton
Centralia
Ralph M. Lashell
..Mifllinville
Montgomery
David H.
Millville
John B. Patton
David H. Montgomery..MifHinville
Millville
John B. Patton
Berwick
Josiah Smith
James K. Montgomery..Buckhorn
Millville
Abia P. Heller
Pius

Zimmerman

10, 1842

1848
8, 1848
March 7, 1843
March 3, 1855
March 10, 1863
8,

March 11, 1861
March 11, 1875
March 9,1867
ISIarchlO. 1862
June 1, 1865
June, 1865
March 12, 1878
March 10,1850
March 12, 1870
March 30, 1870

March

WAS CONFERRED.

Homeopathic ^ledical College of Penna.
Jefferson Medical College.
Medical College of Virginia.
Jefferson Medical College.
Jefferson Medical College.
.Bellevue Hospital Medical College, N. Y.
Long Island Hospital Medical College, N. Y.
University of Vermont.
Jefferson Medical College.
Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia.
Jefferson Medical College.
University of Pennsylvania.

23, 1869.. ..Philadelphia

10,

February

1852

2,

1883

March
April

May

30, 1882
13, 1883

6,

March
March
April

1869
28, 1878

1883
1886
1881

1,

2,

March

3,

March 11,
March 12,
March 12,

College of Penna.
Jefferson Medical College.
Jefferson Medical College.
Jefferson Medical College.
University of Pennsylvania.
Eclectic Medical College, N. Y.
University of Pennsylvania.

22, 1854. ..Eclectic ISledical

March, 1858

1870
1869
1873
Eighth Street. ..March 3, 1857
March 14, 1876
Berwick
March 6, 1874
Berwick

Catawissa

M. D.

Jefferson Mfdical College.
University of Pennsylvania.
University of Peiinsylvania.
Pennsylvania Medical College.

Philadelphia College of Medicine.
University of Medicine and Sur.-cry.
Philadelphia College of Medicine.
February 23, 1869. ..Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery,
April 1, 1854
University of Pennsylvania.
Jefferson Medical College.
March 13, 1880

March

April

Benton
Benton

INSTITUTION

BY WHICH DEGREE OF

1852

10,

February

Catawissa
Catawissa

Rohrsburg
W. T. Vance
Norman J. Hendershott Bloomsburg.

Frank P.Hill
Everett W. Rutter

March
April
April

Numidia

J. H. Vastine
Charles C. Willits
Berwick
John W. Carothers
Laforest A. 'Shattuck... Bloomsburg
Mainville
T.
Steck
Charles
Rohrsburg.
John G. Schaller
Berwick.
Gibson
Samuel A.
Orangeville
George L. Jolly
Numidia
John C. Wintersteen

Isaac L. Edwards
Isaac E. Patterson
William B. Bobbins
David E. Krebs

DATE OF MEDICAL DIPLOMA.

Jefferson Medical College.
Jefferson Medical College.
University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Jefferson Medical College.
Jefferson Medical College.
Jefferson Medical College.
Pennsylvania Medical College, Philadelphia.
Jefferson Medical College.
Hahnemann Medical College, I'hihideliibia.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
NAME.
RESIDENCE.
Jonathan K. Goedner... Berwick.
Catawissa
B. Frank t^ha^pless
Buckhorn
Christian Leaker
Bloomsburg
Joseph K. M.Evans
Orangeville
O. A.Megargell
Louis

J. .•\dani3....

John C. Fruit
Honora A. Bobbins

Evausville

Jerseyiown
Btoomsburg

DATE OF MED-

INSTITUTION

BY WHICH DEGREE OF

ICAL DIPLOMA.

March 23, 1880
March 12, 1877
March 5, 1859
June l.S, 1859
March 10, 1877
March 7, 1857

151
M. D.

WAS CONFERRED.

Jefferson Medical College.
University of Pennsylvania.
Jefferson Medical College.
Castleton Medical College, Vermont.
Jefferson Medical College.
Jefferson Medical College.
University of Pennsylvania.

CHAPTER

VI.

BLOOMSBUEG.
standing on the Ruj)ert
and looking up the
THE
the northeast branch
the Susquehanna, beholds
scene spread out

valley of
hills
beof
a
fore him which rivals in quiet beauty the most famous landscapes in the country.
There is not in the distant profile of the Knob mountain, nor the less regular
contour' of the river, hills, that asj^ect of grandeur presented by elevations of
greater magnitude, but their proportions, and the general characteristics of the
valley they enclose, harmonize perfectly at that point in the eastern horizon
where they seem to converge. The town of Berwick is scarcely distinguishable
in the diminishing prospective. At this point, also, the river comes within range
of vision, apparently widening in its downward progress. The one street of the
village of Espy is clearly distingu.ished from its situation in a notch at the foot
of the hills.
Bloomsburg is less distinct, and presents the appeaj'ance of a
terraced grove, but this impression is dispelled by the spires and cupolas which
rise above the surrounding verdure.
The hills in the rear have been deeply
serrated in the mining of iron ore; and this, with the columns of smoke and
vapor which ascend on either side of the town, indicates one phase of the industrial character of the people. The Avinding channel of Fishing creek, for several
miles from its mouth, and the village of Rupert form the foreground of this
landscape view.
Its aspect as a whole cannot fail to impress the beholder
favorably.
It is possible that more than a century ago the first settlers looked upon
this valley with feelings of equal pleasure as far as the effect of natural scenery
was concerned.
The primeval forest had not yet disappeared before the
encroachments of advancing civilization.
swamp extended from Fishing creek
for several miles to the east, and while this may have caused grave apprehensions as to the healthfulness of the region, its luxuriant vegetation did not mar
the beauty of the landscape.
number of islands in the creek, and the waterfowl wont to congregate there, may have attracted attention.
The ceaseless
plash of the river, the cautious movements of the deer as they brushed through
this undergrowth, the stealthy tread of the savage or his shrill whoop and its
answering echo such sounds as these broke the stillness which seemed to pervade everything.
From an economic standpoint circumstances were not altogether favorable.
The soil gave promise of great fertility, but years of labor
would be required to bring it to a condition of tolerable productiveness with the
rude implements of the period.
The region was remote from any market for
its products, and the broad channel of the Susquehanna was the only available
highway of travel. When James McClure, in the year of 1772, looked upon
observer,

A

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152

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

home, it is possible that while he realized its advantages, he was also cognizant of the danger of thus living at such a distance from the limits of civilization and in a country as yet unmarked by its
this as the region of his future

influence.

Some facts regarding his previous history may indicate the motives of his
immigration.
James McClure was of Scotch-Irish descent,^ and a resident of
that part of Lancaster county then known as the Paxton district, but included
since 1785 in Dauphin county.
He was connected, by marriage, with Captain
Lazarus Stewart, and with George Espy, the proprietor of Espytown. It
cannot be definitely determined whether he took an active part in those exploits which have made the
Paxton Rangers
such conspicuous characters
in the colonial border annals, or whether he remained unmoved by those outrages which incited his neighbors to armed hostility in defiance of the j-jroprietary government.
That he was in active sympathy with his brother-inlaw. Captain Stewart, when the latter espoused the defense of the Connecticut
colony at Wyoming, seems evident fi'om certain statements in a letter from
Fort Augusta, by the military representative of the Penns, from which it appears, that, on Wednesday, May 10, 1769, James McClure, with several
others, was encamped at the mouth of Fishing creek, en route for Wyoming.
It is not further stated whether he reached Wyoming or not; but it seems
probable that, for political reasons, his residence in Lancaster county was
no longer agreeable, and that when a number of families from Paxton removed
to Hanover township, in Wyoming, he went no farther than the mouth of
Fishing creek, still, however, within the nominal boundaries of the " Town of
Westmoreland." The tract upon which he located was surveyed in June, 1769,
for Francis Stewart, who conferred upon it the name of
Beauchamp.
It
was patented for Mr. McClure, in 1772, under the name of " McClure's
Choice," and here, in a rude log cabin, James McClure, Jr., was born, in
1774, this being the first birth of a white child within the forks of the Susquehanna.
The McClures were not the only settlers in this part of Wyoming township
In the year of their arrival, 1772, Evan Owen and
for any length of time.
John Doan became their neighbors. They came from Chester county, with
the intention of forming, at the mouth of Fishing creek, a community in which
Evan
their faith should predominate, as it subsequently did at Catawissa.
Owen lived south of a small stream which flowed through the town of Bloomsburg, and near its source, John Doan's land adjoined the McClure tract.
Samuel Boone, also a member of the Society of Friends, emigrated fi"om
Exeter township, Northampton county, in 1775, and secured the title to four
hundred acres of land, including the farm owned by one of his descendants.
His land comprised the " Point" between the river and the creek, and extended along the banks of both. From all the evidence obtainable on this subject,
it would appear that but three other families, the Claytons, Coopers and
Kinneys, lived within the present limits of Bloomsburg, before the war of the
Thomas Clayton was a Quaker from Chester county; Kinney was
revohition.
from New Jersey; nothing is known concerning the Coopers, except a tragic
And thus, in the interval of
incident in connection with the Indian troubles.
comparative quiet which followed the French war, civilization was extended to
But before the settlement had experienced the first severity of
this county.
the next struggle, the death of James McClure, Sr. deprived it of one of those
most capable of acting in its defense. In abetting the schemes of Lazarus
Stewart, the apparent disloyalty to his state was a vigorous, but palliative, remonstrance against the vacillation of the authorities in providing for the
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

153

defense of Paxton; as a member of the committee of safety for Wyoming
township, in 1776, he was equally vigorous in advocating measures for the
protection of the settlements, although in the preceding year Colonel Plunkett
had passed up the river with an armed force, and repassed the McClure plantation in hasty retreat, after an iTnsu.ccessful attempt to reduce Wyoming.
His family did not rem^ain at their home long after his death. Among the
victims of the Wyoming massacre, July 3, 1778, was Capt. Lazarus Stewart.
With the assistance of friends his wife collected her household goods upon a
raft supported by two canoes, and thus descended the Susquehanna with her
family.
Alarmed by her story of danger and desolation, Mrs. McClure collected her family and embarked in a similar craft.
They reached Lancaster
county in safety, and remained until the close of the war permitted a return
In the meantime Fort McClure was built, consistto their respective homes.
ing of a row of palisades around her house, for the double purpose of protecting it and affording a safe retreat for the neighbors in case of emergency.
It is probable that during Mrs. McClure' s absence it was occupied by Major
Moses Van Campen, who had married her daughter. The site of the fort is
now marked by a dwelling-house on the farm of Douglas Hughes.
An incident illustrative of certain phases of frontier life occurred during
the last years of the war.
Robert Lyon, a soldier at Fort Augusta, was sent
from that place to Wyoming with a boat load of stores. He ran his canoe
aground at the mouth of Fishing creek, and, leaving his dog and gun in it,
started on to visit his affianced bride, the daughter of a Mr. Cooper.
His
movements were observed by Shenap, an Indian chief, and in his defenseless
condition, he was easily captured and taken to Niagara.
Here he was released through the mediations of a British officer, who, by a singular coincidence,
was his brother. The fate of Mr. Cooper was less fortunate. The mysterious disappearance of Lyon made him an object of suspicion.
He was arrested
and placed in a canoe to be taken to Sunbury jail. A rifle belonging to one of
the posse was dropped into the river by some accident, and he was accused of
having thrown it overboard.
In the altercation which followed, one of the
men seized a tomahawk and buried it in his skull. He lived about twenty
days, and expired in prison before Lyon's return had established his innocence.

When the peace of 1783 finally relieved the valley of the "North Branch"
of the harassing experiences of the five preceding years, immigration was again
directed to this county, but the lower valley of Fishing creek did not immediately receive an increase of population.
Thomas Clayton removed to Catawissa, and Evan Owen to Berwick, of which he was the founder.
This would
seem to indicate that other localities were considered preferable. There were
still occasional additions to the community, however.
About 1783 Elisha
Barton became a neighbor of the McC lures and Boones. He was born in Virginia in 1742, from whence with his father he went to New Jersey.
After his
marriage, in 1766, he removed to Northampton county, and after a second
marriage, he again changed his residence, emigrating this time to " Shamokin," by which name a large section of countly including this county was popularly known.
He built the "white" mill, owned a large farm west of Bloomsburg, became justice of the peace, and was one of the most substantial citizens of this locality.
Joseph B. Long, a Jersey emigrant, bought Owen's
land upon his departure, and in 1795 he was succeeded in its possession by
Ludwig Eyer, a native of Northampton county. In 1801 Joseph Hendershott
and Andrew Schooley bought a tract of several hundred acres adjoining the
river and east of the Kinney farm.
They settled here the previous year, hav-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

154

ing previously lived at Belvidere, N.

J.

Mr. School ey disjiosed of his inter-

Simon Wirtman, a native of Germany, a few years afterward. Jacob
Wanich, also of German descent but a native of North Carolina, settled west
And at this time the present limits
of Hendershott some time prior to 1809.
of Bloomsburg had become quite as thickly settled as any other part of the
est to

surrounding region.
Apparently dissatisfied with the slow increase of population,. and doubtless
intending to give a new impetus to settlement and improvement, Ludwig Eyer
laid out the town of Bloomsburg in 1802, thus following the example of Evan
Owen at Berwick, William Hughes at Catawissa, Christian Krenchel at MifflinBloomsburg, at that time, had no
burg, and George Espy at "Liberty."
existence except in the mind of its projector, if two buildings the Protestant
Episcopal ChiTrch and John Chamberlain's hotel at the corner of Second street
and Miller's alley may be excepted. There was also a deserted hovel with log
chimney and clapboard roof on the south side of Second street below Market.
Within a few years after the town was laid out, George Vance, a Scotch-Irish
Presbyterian from New Jersey, built a cabin on the south side of Main street,
the location of which was nearly identical with the terminus of East street at
Abram Grotz removed from Easton in 1806, and built the house
that place.
occupied by C. C. Marr, at the southeast corner of Second and Iron streets.
Christopher Kahler and John Coleman had formerly been neighbors of Grotz
in Easton, and no doubt followed him on the strength of his representations.
The former arrived in 1807; Coleman lived for two years in the tumble-down
log house previously mentioned, and then removed from this temporary habitation to a more pretentious residence on the corner of Center and Third streets.
With seeds brought from his former home he planted an orchard, which covIn 1800 Philip Mehrered the square of which his buildings occupied a part.
ling, a native Hessian, opened a store in a house which adjoined the Central
Daniel Snyder, formerly a resident in the Lehigh valley near Allenhotel.
town, removed to the village in 1810, and bought the land adjoining Eyer's
town plat from John Vance. And thus, by successive immigration from various parts of the country, Bloomsburg had become an incipient village; and in
1814 the population was distributed as follows: Henry Weaver lived in a one
and one-half story log house on Front street between Market and West; George
Frey lived on the south side of the same street near its intersection with West;
at tiae forks, on the south side of Second street, was a one-story log dwelling
owned and occupied by Daniel Snyder; Abram Grotz conducted his business
as a hatter at the southwest corner of Second and Iron; a frame house on the
east side of the Central hotel was occupied by Christopher Kahler; John
Chamberlain lived in a frame dwelling on the site of Mover's drug store; John
Hagenbuch's log house was situated opposite Kahler' s; Mrs. Moomey
resided in a fi-ame building at the southeast corner of Second and Jefferson; a
log house, at the northeast corner of Center and Second, was occupied by
Fisher; John Hess lived in the one other house on the north side of Second
street, at the location of Dr. McKelvey's residence; Caleb Hopkins' house was
on East street below Third, and James Thornton lived in the red building still
standing on the same side of that street.
John Chamberlain was a tavern-keeper at the time M'hen every guest was
expected to spend at least sixpence at the bar for the privilege of passing the
His
night with such comforts as the bare floor of the public. room afforded.
establishment was a two-story frame building at the northwest corner of Second and Center streets. Casper Chrisman is remembered as the jovial host at
a less pretentious building erected in 1810, which occupied the same site as its

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

155

Conrad Hess was the proprietor of a public
below JefFerson. The original predecessor of the
Central hotel was a log building erected in 1818 by Philip Mehrling, who lost
About the year 1825,
his life by an accident in the progress of the work.
The public house at this period
Daniel Snyder built the "Forks" hotel.
was an important social institution, not always possessing those attributes

modern

successor, the Exchange.

house on Second

street,

usually ascribed to it at the present day.
Philip Mehrling was the first merchant in Bloomsburg, and was a
man of some wealth, judging by the standard of that day. A Mr. Bishop
opened a store in 3810 at the northwest corner of Second and Center streets.

John Barton was

also a

merchant about

William McKelvey opened

this time.

the largest mercantile establishment the village had yet known in 1816, and
during the sixty years following was prominently identified with the business
In 1835 John Moyer, with a capital of one hundred
interests of the place.
dollars, inaugurated the di-ag business, which has steadily expanded to its
Eyer & Hefley was the caption of a well known business
present proportions.
In 1843 the business career of I. W. Hartman
house from 1835 to 1845.
was begun in the old Arcade building.
Local manufacturers at an earl}'^ period in the history of the town comprehended the shops of such mechanics blacksmiths, weavers, carpenters, etc.
Industrial
as formed the usual features of country villages at that time.
enterprises of greater importance were the tanneries and wagon factory.
Daniel Snyder came to Bloomsburg with the express purpose of establishing a
tannery, but found himself so seriously embarrassed financially after pui'chasFortunately for
ing land, that he was on the point of relinquishing the idea.
the prospective enterprise, Mrs. Snyder was able to sell several pounds of butter
every week; and taking a roll of some size he bartered it at the store for a
Philip
shovel, and was thus enabled to begin the work of digging the vats.
Christman' s tannery was situated in front of a stone building still standing on
Sometime in the
Third street. William Robison was afterward proprietor.
year 1816, a stranger came into the village and remained over night at a hotel.
Stranger^ at this time so rarely appeared as to be regarded as objects of curiInquiry elicited fi-om him the fact that he was a
osity, as well as suspicion.
When the landlord suggested that he
Yankee, and a wagon-maker by trade.
should stay and make him. a wagon he was repeatedly refused the use of such
tools as were needed by the different carpenters of the town, so great was the
Finall}^ William Sloan agreed to give
prejudice against New Englanders.
him a bench. He obtained seasoned wood from fences on neighboring farms,
and in due time the first one-horse wagon that ever appeared in Bloomsburg
was driven through its streets by the proprietor of the inn, to whom it gave
abundant satisfaction. Mr. Sloan at once incorporated the manufacture of
wagons with his business and established an industry of some importance,
He would
considering the size of the town and the extent of its resources.
dearborns
into adjoining counties,
send salesmen with a dozen or more
and thus " Eyerstaedtel " became better known as the location of this factoiy
than fi-om anything else connected with it. About the year 1832, it was proposed to begin the manufacture of plows, with John K. Grotz as managing
Accordingly, he made a journey to
partner of this branch of the business.
The proLewistown, Mifflin county, the nearest location of a j^low factory.
prietors refused to sell pattei-ns, but he bought a plow by strategy and started
At Sweisfordtown,
for home with his load on one of the famous dearborns.
Union county, he sold the wagon. In this dilemma, he extemporized a sled by
fastening the root of a sapling beneath the plow point, and thus traverse^ a dis-

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156

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

It does not appear that the plow factory prostance of forty miles in one clay.
pered as Mr. Grotz's efforts made it deserving. In this connection, it should be
mentioned that about the year 1832 John Whitenight built a Union canalIt was sixty- nine feet long and eight
boat on his lot in West Bloomsburg.
feet wide.
It was hauled to the "deep hole" in Fishing creek, floated to
The following year, John
Northumberland, and there launched in the canal.
Barton and Isaac Green built a similar craft at the "ark" building and
named it the " Water Witch." Isaac D. Gulick was master or captain. It
was also taken to Northumberland to be entered into the canal. This seems
to have been the extent of boat-bu^ilding in Bloomsburg; but before the canal
was excavated, grain and produce were exported by means of arks a variety
of river craft usually seventy feet long and sixteen feet wide
the building of
Samuel Ludwig and
which constituted an important branch of industry.
George Frey are remembered as master builders. The ark building was situated on Fishing creek, and the different stages of the work were as follows:
The " stringle " was laid flat upon the ground and the bottom boards affixed
thereto with wooden pins three-fourths of an inch in diameter.
It required a
force of thirty men to raise the bottom platform to a vertical position, when
it was allowed to fall upon ground prepared for the purpose; the sides were
secured by means of mortises, and the seams carefully caulked; when finally
completed another force of men was summoned, and the unwieldy structui'e
was launched. William McKelvey and John Barton were the largest dealers in
grain, and usually shipped the ark as well as its cargo, both being sold when
their destination was reached.
About the year 1838 the culture of the silk- worm was agitated in many
parts of this country.
Among those who conceived the idea that golden possibilities could be realized were Robert Cathcart and William G. Hurley, of
Bloomsburg.
An orchard of the morns multicaulis, or Chinese mulberry, was
The cocoonery was reported as in
planted on the north side of First street.
active operation in 1841
and about this time it seems to have lapsed into
desuetude.
The importance of Bloomsburg as an inland town increased as the settlement of the surrounding region became more compact, and the efforts of its
citizens were directed toward improving its business facilities and extending
In 1838 the population slightly exceeded three
its manufacturing interests.
hundred.
In the size and appearance of the houses, there was a marked improvement over those first erected, many of which had been replaced by more
McKelvey' s store and dwelling at
substantial structures of brick and stone.
the southeast corner of Second and Market streets, the Forks hotel. William
Robison's hotel, Thomas Witlit's, John R. Moyer's, and Reverend George C.
Market street extended from First to
Drake's residences were built of brick.
Third, and at either end a building fronted the open avenue, while the Forks
It verily aphotel was similarly situated with reference to Second street.
peared as though it was meant to circumscribe the growth of the town, by thus
closing all the streets except such as were absolutely necessary for ingress and
If productive of no other benefit, this arrangement prevented to some
egress.
extent that straggling appearance by which country villages are wont to apologize for being such; but the time had arrived when Bloomsburg should pass
that period of its history forever.
In the year 1822 a laborer in a field on the Montour ridge noticed a peculHe called the attention of his emiar color in the gi'ound he was plowing.
ployer to this, and, when assayed, it was found that the soil contained an
appreciable proportion of iron ore.
Drift mining was at once begun, but for

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157

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

some years the product was hauled to furnaces on the south side of the Susquehanna, thus depriving Bloomsburg of the advantage it shovild have derived
It was nearly twenty years before
fi'om the mineral wealth in its vicinity.
June 22, 1839, "The
local enterprise realized that fact ancl acted upon it.
Bloomsburg Rail-Koad and Iron Company " was incorporated by the legislature. The leading capitalists were Joseph Paxton, William McKelvey, Edward
Miller, Thomas Hayes, Robert M. Lewis, Ellis Lewis and Charles G. Donnell.
The country had not yet recovered from the financial stringency of 1838, and
The rail-road connecting Ironthe furnaces were not completed until 1844.
Irondale with the canal was the first work of this character in this county.
dale furnaces have been supplied with ore fi-om Hemlock township until recent
The
years, when the supply has been drawn largely from Snyder county.
name of the company has been so changed as to exclude the word Rail-Road.
The management during the past third of a centiuy has been directed by E. R.
and Y. P. Deinker, and the ownership of the plant continues with the original
'

'

investors or their descendants.
The discovery of ore on Montour ridge was followed by similar develop,
ments regarding the hills east of Fishing creek. Here, too, its existence was
found out by a trivial circumstance. While plowing on the side of a hill deeply
seamed with water- courses, Jacob Melick allowed his plow to retain a uniform
depth, and thus, when passing through a place where the surface soil had been
washed away, he noticed, in the substratum, that peculiar color possessed by
iron ore.
December 27, 1852, an agreement was entered into by Mr. Melick,
W^illiam McKelvey and William Neal, to erect and operate an anthracite fur-

April 1, 1853, seventeen acres were purchased from Daniel Snyder and
Joseph W. Hendershott, and on the same day ground was broken for the contemplated works, which were completed and put in full blast, for the first time,
April 14, 1854.
In 1873 the firm name was changed from McKelvey, Neal &
& Co. to William Neal & Sons, its present style. The furnaces have been
continuously operated, except occasional short periods when suspended for repairs.
Prior to January 1, 1875, the gross aggregate product was one-hundred and seventeen thousand, nine-hundred and sixty-eight tons an average
of one-thousand, eight-hundred and five tons per annum, which has been fully
sustained since that time.
Owing to the exhaustion of the ore deposits near
Bloomsburg, the bloom furnaces are supplied mainly from mines in New
Jersey.
The transportation charges thus incurred are more than compensated by the advantage of a short transit from the anthracite coal region.
While this branch of the manufacture of iron has become a permanent factor in promoting the growth of the town, the practicability of extending the
In 1863 Messrs.
industry in various directions has also been demonstrated.
Sample & Taylor established a machine-shop and foundry. In 1871 the capital was increased, facilities enlarged, and the manufacture of mine-cars
begun by the
Columbia County Iron Manufacturing Company, successors
The new firm became involved
to the gentlemen who established the business.
financially in 1873; the plant was sold by an assignee, and purchased by G.
M. and J. K. Lockard, who had been foremen in the shops since they were
first operated.
In 1875 a part of their present quarters was first occupied,
and in 1879 they became sole proprietors. In the same year a destructive
fire destroyed a part of the works, causing a loss of many thousands of dollars.
Within three months' time, the sit^ of the burned buildings was occupied by
others of improved appearance.
The succeeding four years were the most
profitable in the career of this establishment.
Upward of four thousand railroad cars were built, and the volume of business annually exceeded a million
nace.

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158

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

of dollars.
In 1870 S. M. Hess began the manufacture of car- wheels, iron
fencing, etc., and still continues in this branch of industrial pursuit.
In 1875

Harman & Hassart inaugurated

a business career which has now had an existence of more than one decade.
The Eagle Iron Works have also become well
known, through the energy of their proprietor, Mr. B. F. Sharpless.
The origin of the carriage factory of M. C. Sloan & Bro. has already
been explained. The oldest establishment of the kind in this section of country,
its management continues to retain that energy with which Major William
Sloan was wont to engage in everything he undertook.
The Bloomsburg woolen mills were established in 1882 by S. A. Caswell,
M. E. Caswell, H. C. Caswell and H. C. Halfpenny, and have been in successful operation since that time.
The plant consists of a brick factory one-hundi-ed and twenty-four feet by sixty-four feet, engine house, -fourteen looms,
and other ajoparatus of improved design. The value of the annual product has
reached sixty-thousand dollars.
The location of the mills is at the foot of
W^est street, and was given as a bonus by D. J. Waller, Sr.
The Bloomsburg School Furnishing Company was incorporated July 17,
1885, "for the purpose of maniifacturing school and church furniture, and
doing general planing-mill, foundry and machine work." Among the pi'oject-

W. Miller, W. S. Moyer and J. C. Brown.
The Bloomsburg Planing and Cabinet Company succeeded November 1,
1886, to the plant of the Agricultural and Iron Works.
Charles Krug's Plan-

ors of this enterprise were C.

ing-mills were first operated in 1880.
Sashes, doors, frames, moldings, etc.,
constitute the product at these places.
The industrial activity of Bloomsburg has resulted in great measure from
the transportation facilities afPorded by the canal and rail -roads.
The former
was opened in 1831, and rapidly fulfilled the expectations of those who advocated state aid to public works.
Its period of greatest usefulness to Blooms-

burg was the decade immediately preceding the construction of the Lackawanna
and Bloomsburg rail-road. This line of traffic was projected by citizens of
Wilkesbarre, whose only way of reaching Philadelphia was the circuitous
route via Scranton and New York.
It was originally intended that Rupert
should be the western terminus of the line, as the connection at this point
with the Catawissa rail -road effected the main objects of the projectors.
January 1, 1858, the first train of cars rolled into Bloomsburg, or rather passed
it, as the line of the road was then quite beyond the limits of the town.
For
several years one regular passenger train and one mixed train, in which
freight predominated, constituted the daily traveling facilities.
The way in
which accommodations were thus limited was due in great measure to lack of
enterprise on the part of the officials of the road. Two trains daily were advertised in 1861, three in 1871, and four in 1881, from which it appears that an
addition of one train daily has occurred for every ten years in the history of
the road.
It may fairly be predicted that Bloomsburg will become a rail-road center
of importance, second to no inland town of its size in this state.
This is inferred from its geographical position, and from the work in rail-road construction now 'in progress and approaching completion.
The reason first given is
purely theoretical the forty-first parallel of north latitude crosses the Susquehanna at the mouth of Fishing creek; this is approximately the latitude of both
New York and Chicago, and if the prcfposed air-line route between those
places
"The New York, Bloomsburg and Western rail-road" should ultimately become an accomplished fact, Bloomsburg cannot fail to derive import•ance and advantage from it.
When the Bloomsburg and Sullivan rail-road
;

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

159

has been completed, the county seat of Columbia will also become its comBut, returning to the consideration of things as they now
mercial metropolis.
exist, the business interests of Bloomsburg have materially improved since the
The history of this road
completion of the North and West Branch railway.
fi'om its first inception in the mind of the Reverend D. J. Waller, Sr. to its
present condition, is directly traceable to the tireless energy with which he
He conceived the idea that a
fought its battles and achieved its final success.
road bed of uniform grade could be constructed at the foot of the hill on the
south bank of the Susquehanna. Simon P. Case, a vigorous but unscrupulous
man, had previously projected a telegraph line, merged it into a railroad, and
finally, by deciding to tap the coal field at the Hazel region instead of at WyoMr. Waller
ming, vacated the river route from Catawissa to Wilkesbarre.
was one of those who had confidence in Case's rail-road, if not in its projector;
he wi'ote a charter for the North and West Branch Rail-Road coihpany, and
through the efforts of Hon. C. E. Buckalew, it received legislative sanction in
May, 1871. This was but the initial step, however; ten years elapsed before
the line was operated from Wilkesbarre to Catawissa.
J. C. Brown was chief
,

engineer, and Samuel Neyhard assistant, in directing its construction.
It is
provided, in the charter of this compan}', that a wagon way may be constructed in connection with its bridge over the Susquehanna, and that upon the payment of one-fifth its cost by the commissioners of Columbia county, the company shall maintain it as a free bridge for public use. There is every probability that this bridge will be built in the near future, and Bloomsburg will
then realize to the full extent what advantage can be derived from competing
lines of railway.
It seems unnecessary to state that the mercantile interests of inland towns
receive an impetus from lines of travel which bring them into more direct
communication with the commercial centers of the country. The retui'ns from
the mercantile appraisements of May 1, 1886, show an aggregate of seventyone dealers, representing .every branch of business enterprise.
similar exhibit in 1858 would not have shown one third of this number.
There are two
financial institutions
the First National Bank and the Bloomsburg Banking
Company. February 5, 1864, William McKelvey, William Neal, I. W. McKelvey, Robert Cathcart, Robert F. Clark, John K. Grotz, George Hughes,
Lloyd Paxton and C. R. Paston formed a temporary organization and began
to transact a banking bxTsiness.
February 29, 1864, the Comptroller of the
Currency issued his certificate authorizing such action; and, March 7, 1864,
the bank was formally opened with C. R. Paxton, president, and J. P. Tustin,
cashier.
In 1868 Charles Conner and John A. Funston established a broker's
office in Bloomsburg, which, in March, 1871, was merged into the Bloomsburg Banking Company, of which Mr. Funston was president; Charles Conner_, Joseph Sharpless, John G. Freeze and Wilson M. Eves were the first directors.
It is a private corporation, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars,
and a surplus equal to fifty per cent of the same. Both ai'e prosperous and
successful institutions, and have greatly facilitated the general business workings of the community.
The Bloomsburg Board of Trade, " founded for the encouragement and
protection of trade and commerce," numbers among its members the leading
merchants and other citizens of the town. It was incorporated May 12, 1886,
with Hon. C. R. Buckalew, C. G. Barkley, D. W. Kitchen, I. W. McKelvey

A

—

and

I.

S.

Kuhn,

In medical

directors.

circles,

Bloomsburg

Shattuck's Rest-Ciure Sanitarium.

is

well

It

known

was

as the location of Dr. L. A.
originally established in 1870 by

160

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Dr. A. L. Tench, who was succeeded within a few years by Dr. A. L. Turner.
His experience as a surgeon in the late war and as superintendent of Onondaga insane asyhim, rendered him exceptionally competent to treat nervous diseases with success. The location combines healthfulness, accessibility and eonDr. Shattuck assumed the management in 1882,
genial natural surroundings.
since when it has maintained a high character as a popular resort.
As this iu lustrial development of the county seat progressed, the population increased, the building area was extended, and a different political organThe town plat laid
ization followed in the wake of changed social conditions.
off by Ludwig Eyer extended from First street to Third, and from West to East
Mr. Eyer was
(Iron) street, comprising thirty-two blocks of three lots each.
not an exact geometer, but his good judgment is seen in the location of the
town, the width and regularity of the streets, and their distance from each
About the year 1815, the Eeverend Caleb Hopkins laid out a number
other.
Although this nominal addition comprised
of lots on East street below Third.
for years no other houses than the reverend gentleman's residence, it was
known and recognized as Hopkinsville. *
When the size and importance of this suburb became such as to really
require a name, this designation was succeeded by the less complimentary one
When the
of Snaketown, for which East street has finally been substituted.
canal was opened in 1831, Port Noble came into existence as the port of entry
Daniel
for Bloomsburg, and a road was made from Market street thither.
Snyder's addition, the south-west corner of Second and East streets, between
Anticipating an influx of laborers
Iron and Third, was made about 1837.
when the Irondale furnaces should begin operations, D. J. Waller, Sr., in
184-, laid off that portion of Bloomsburg, known as Welsh hill, from the prevailing nationality of its people, the northeast corner of Iron and First streets.
On
Dr. John Ramsay's addition adioins this on the south side of First street.
the west side of the same street between Oyer and Murray alleys, Messrs.
Cathcart and Hurley laid out a number of lots, after the failure of their
In 1857 Catharine street was opened; the location of the depot
cocoonery.
of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg rail-road had determined to a great extent
Passenger
the direction in which Bloomsburg has expanded since that time.
trains stopped at the Market street crossing at first, but when negotiations for
the purchase of land proved fi-uitless, a temporary station was built at East
If this arrangement had become permanent, Bloomsburg a.s then exstreet.
istino-. would have virtually ceased to be the business portion of the town.
This was averted by the prompt action of D. J. Waller, Sr. who purchased a
tract of land, and in 1859 gave the rail-road company the site occupied by its
Since this time, the area between Fourth street and Seventh has
stations.
The extension
gradually become one of the most beautiful parts of the town.
westward has been popularly known as Scott- Town, from the fact that Dr.
David N. Scott was the first person who lived below the hill on Second street
The addition by
and still considered himself a resident of Bloomsburg.
Messrs. Rupert and Barton is bounded by Fourth, Iron and East streets, and
Upon the erection of the Normal School building in 1869, Second
the canal.
,

*The origin of the name Bloomsburg cannot so easily be explained. It is said that the name was suggested
by certain of the old settlers who had formerly lived at Bloomsburg, N. J. Bloom township was formed from
the western part of Brlarcreek in 1797 and so named in honor of Samuel Bloom, one of the county commissioners for Northumberland county at that time. It is said that when the name for a post-office was discussed,
some of the citizens protested against Dyertown, notwithstanding their German nationality and respect for the
proprietor. On the occasion of a fourth of July celebration in the wood above First street, some one, with
excellent tact, called for three cheers for Bloomsburg at the instant when patriotic enthusiasm was at its
height. In the excitement of the moment, the name made a favorable impression on the popular mind. It is
not a matter of vital importance, but of curious importance, how the name originated, and the reader can best
judge which of the explanations given is most plausible.

:

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

161

was extended beyond the forks. Morgantown is the name applied to
the company houses at Irondale furnace; while Eabbtown comprehends a
number of similar structures at Bloom furnace, The population of Bloom
township in 1820 was one thousand six hundred and twenty-six; in 1830, two
thousand and eighty-one; in 1840, one thousand seven hundred and seventyfour; in 1850, three thousand one hundred and twenty-two in 1860, two thousand six hundred and sixty-eight; in 1870, three thousand three hu.ndred and
The apparent decrease
forty; in 1880, three thousand seven hundi'ed and two.
in the decade ending in 1860 is explained by the fact that Scott township was
not included in the census of that year.
In view of this constant increase in population, it is matter of surprise
that the township organization, established in 1797, and continued for seventythree years, was not sooner supplanted by a form of goverment better adapted
Efforts to secure incorporation as a borough under
to a compact community.
The reathe act of 1834, were successively made and as frequently defeated.
sons to which this may be assigned, is the situation of Bloomsburg within a
farming region too small to constitute a separate township, and the great diversity of opinion as to what limits should be prescribed for the purposed
borough. March 4, 1870, an act prepared by Hon. C. R. Buckalew, was
passed by the legislature, in which the limits of the town are defined in a
manner that com})letely obviates this difficulty, by the simple declaration,
"that the Town of Bloomsburg shall hereafter include all the territory now
included within the limits of Bloom township."
It provides for a classification of real estate, based upon the situation of property in the built up or
suburban portions of the town, or its use for exclusively agricultural purposes.
The burden of taxation is thus distributed; farm lands are assessed at a rate
equal to one-half, and suburban property, at a rate not exceeding two-thirds,
respectively, of the highest rates of tax required to be assessed in each year.
Cumiilative voting is authorized by this act, which thus provides in the only
instance in this country, a method for securing proportional representations.
The following is extracted from section fourth, of the act referred to, and sufficiently explains the distinctive features of this system of voting.
street

;

In any case where more persons than one are to be chosen in said town to the same
the same time or term of service, each voter duly qualified shall be entitled to
as many votes as the number of persons to be so chosen, and may poll his votes as follows,
to-wit:
First Where two persons are to be chosen he may give one vote to each of two candidates, or two votes to one.
Second Where three persons are to be chosen, he may give one vote to each of three
candidates, two votes to one candidate and one to another, one vote and a half to each
-of two candidates or three votes to one.
Third Where f.)ur persons are to be chosen, he may give one vote to each of four
candidates, one vote and one-third to each of three, two votes to each of two, or four
votes to one.
Fourth Where six persons are to be chosen, he may give one vote to each of six
candidates, one vote and a half to each of four, two votes to each of three, three votes to
each of two, or six votes to one.
offlce, for

—
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—

—

A

town council, consisting of president and six members, is elected annuA list of the incumbents since the organization of the town has been
compiled from official sources and is herewith subtended
1870 President, Elias Mendenhall members, Joseph Sharpless, Stephen
ally.

—

;

Knorr, W. B. Koons, F. C. Eyer, Caleb Barton, C. G. Barkley.
1871 President, Elias Mendenhall; members, Joseph Sharpless, C. G.
Barkley, Stephen Knorr, W. B. Koons, F. C. Eyer, John Rinker.
1872— President, Elias Mendenhall; members, Freas Brown, Stephen

—

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

162
Knorr, Culob BarfcoD,
B. Koons, rosignod.

— ProsidcMit,

1875J

Thomas,
1874
Hnrmau,
1875

C.

Joliii

S.

Stonier,

Stophon Knorr;

W. MiUor, Samuel Knorr,

James Dennis,

J.

H. Maize, ince

W.

members,
J. S.

Lonis Bernhard, Charles
Evans, John S. Sterner.

— President, David Ijowonberg; members, Joseph Hendt^rshott, P. S.
K. Eyer, Louis Bernhard, Stephen Knorr, W. Peacock.
— President, David Lowenberg; members, E. R. Drinker, G. W.
J.

Sterner, Eli Jones, Isaiah Hagenbuch,
vice John Caduum, resigned.

W.

O. Holmes, AVellingtoh Hartman^

—
—

187G President, David Lowenberg; members, Peter Jones, Isaiah Hagenbuch, E. 11. Drinker, Ct. E. Elwell, \V. O. Holmes, E. M. Knorr.
1877 President, David Lowenberg; members, E. K. Drinker, W. Rabb,
W. O. Holmes, Peter Jones, G. W. Correll, G. E. Elwell.
1878 President, G. A. Herring; members, J. S. Evans, E. R. Drinker,
W. Rabb, G. E. Elwell, B. F. Sharpless, W. O. Holmes.
1870 President, I. S. Kuhn; members, J. S. Evans, W. O. Holmes, G.
M. Lockard, B. F. Sharpless. E. R. Drinker, W. Rabb.
1880 President, G. A. Herring; members, W. Rabb, J. S. Evans, B.
F. Sharpless, Charles Thomas, George Hassert, W. O. Holmes.
1881 President, G. A. Herring; members, W. Rabb, George Hassert, J.
K. Lockard, I. \V. Hartmau, G. AV. Correll, C. W. Neal.
1882— President, G. A. Herring; members, C. B. Sterling, W. Rabb,
George Hassert, W. S. Moyer, L. E. Waller, I. W. Hartmau.
1883
President, G. A. Herring; members, C. B. Sterling, W. Rabb,
George Hassert, I. W. Hartman, L. E. Waller, W. S. Mover.
1884— President, L. B. Rupert; members, C. B. Sterling, W. Rabb, Eli
Jones, C. A. Moyer, Isaiah Hagenbuch, L. T. Sharpless.
1885 President, L. B. Rupert; membej's, C. B. Sterling, J. C. Sterner,
Henry Rosenstock, C. A. Mover, Isaiah Hagenbuch, L. T. Sharpless.
1886— President, B. F. 'Zarr; members, C. B. Sterling, J. C. Sterner,

—
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—
—
—

Henry Rosenstock, E. B Clark, L. F. Clark, W. J. Correll.
The election of the lirst town council expressed an almost unanimous sentiment in favor of internal improvement. Little eifort had been directed to
this object, and much had been misdirected. If one township supervisor attempted to correct the inherent muddy propensity of the streets, the conscientious
scriaples' of jhis successor impelled him to immediately suspend road making
operations on the score oi retrenchment.
As early as 1793, the brook v as
crossed at Second street by a pine bridge, a neighborhood affair which greatly
convenienced people on their way to church.
The first combined effort at
street improvement w-as made in 1813, when the town was much excited over
the prospect of becoming a county seat.
As if to emphasize its eligibility,
stumps were removed and the streets generally levelled. The commissioners
appointed to select the county town visited Milton first; after preparing
Bloomsbui-g for their reception, James McClure, John Chamberlain, Casper
Chrisman, and others, rode over to Jersey town to meet them. Although it
"was years before their object was finally attained, their efforts were not in vain.
In 1838 the hill in Second street beyond AVest was deemed too steep for travel,
and the public road followed the channel of the creek after a circuitous descent.
The Port Xolile road at this time was narrow, crooked, and almost impassable
After purchasing the land on either side of the road, Mr.
in wet weather.
Waller straightened its course, graded it as a private enterprise, and built a
bridge over the rail-road as one of the conditions for the location of the station
Market street was not fully opened until 1874, w^hen the
at its present site.

•

^^'

^
^'^
?'

OUl^

d^A^yjLyO

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

165

The Forks hotel was
Wells below Third street was removed.
house of
removed in the following year, and Second street extended to the Normal
Center street was opened and extended from Second to
School grounds.
The grading of East street was begun in 1872, and this work has been
First.
extended to every street in the town, agreeably to plans prepared by Samuel
Neyhard at the instance of the council. The initial effort toward establishing a fi e department was made in 18G8, when the Bloomsburg Fire Company,
Two similar
( known as Friendship Fire Company No. 1 ), was incorporated.
organizations have since been formed.
The police service was established by
the town council in 1870.
While the process of improving the general appearance of the town was in
progress, efforts were also made to provide public conveniences of a character
which had not hitherto been attempted. May 9, 1874, the Bloomsburg Gas
Company and the Bloomsburg Water Company were incorporated. Gas was
supplied to private houses and business places, October 28, 1874; the streets
were lighted with gas for the first time. May 1, 1875. The water company
proposed to secure an adequate s.ipply. fi'om Stony brook, a small affluent of
Fishing creek. Negotiations were opened with the municipal authorities to
dispose of the franchise to them, but before this was effected, an act passed by
the legislature, limiting the bonded indebtedness of boroughs, suspended this
proceeding in a summary manner.
August 14, 1877, a second water company
was organized. The advantage of bringing water from such an altitude that
the natural flow would raise it above the level of the town was strongly advised,
but as no springs of sufficient volume and elevation are found in the immediate
vicinity, a system proposed by Mr. Henry Birkenbine was adopted.
The
water is carried from Fishing creek into a well by a brick conduit.
It is then
pumped a distance of one-thousand, one hundred feet, into a reservoir, fi'om
which it is distributed through the town. The water- works were completed in
August, 1880. A public sewer was established in 1884 by the town authorities,
the trustees of the Normal School and the county commissioners, conjointly.
The Bloomsburg Steam and Electric Light Company was incorporated December 7, 1885.
The Birdsall-Holly system has been used, and many residences
and stores are thus heated with economy and convenience.
The extent to which industrial and commercial pursuits have been developed in Bloomsburg, the character and efficiency of its local government, and
the degree of interest manifested in public improvements, combine in establishing its claim as the most progressive town in the lower valley of the " North
Branch
Contemporary with its growth in population
of the Susquehanna.
and material wealth, it has become the educational center of this section of the
state.
There was little in its early history to indicate that it would reach its
present jDrominence in this resj)ect.
George Vance taught an English school
in a log building on the site of the Protestant Episcopal church edifice in 1802,
and about the same time, Ludwig Eyer taught a German school in a building
at the north-east corner of Second and Market streets.
Kobert Fields, William Ferguson, Murray Manville and Joseph Worden were among the immediate successors of these two pedagogues.
On the introduction of the public
school system, in 1842, school-houses were built in various parts of the town.
Practically, there was no system of grading, nor any general supervision by
any one. Consolidation was begun in 1870, when the Fifth street school
building was erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, and first occupied
with F. M. Bates as principal.
Five years later, the Third street building was erected.
I. E. Schoonover was the first principal of the schools of
West Bloomsburg, after it was occupied. In 1885 it was decided to place
'

'

17

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

166

the schools of the town under one superintendent, and D. A. Beckley
A regular course of study has been prepared, and
elected to that office.
the condition of the schools improved in various ways under his administration.
The present (1886) board of directors is constituted as follows: J. J. Lawall,
president; J. C. Brown, secretary; Stephen Krum, Isaiah Hagenbuch, William
Kramer and Henry Rosenstock.
The general unsatisfactory condition of the public schools led to many venall

was

tures on the part of teachers of more than ordinary acquirements in establishAn effort of this kind was made in 1839, when the building private schools.
ino- at the corner of Third and Jefferson streets was first occupied for school
"The standard of instruction was elevated, if judged by the
purposes.*
advertisement of the first teacher, to give instruction in the Hebrew language,
which was not extensively pursued at that early day in Bloomsburg. But the
teacher' s literary reputation dwindled, when, on perusing a copy of Shakespeare,
he inquired whether this was the celebrated author of that name, and what were
his principal works, and evinced his astonishment in the question, 'What,
This teacher took his departure the same year (1839);
these dialogues ?' "
and, by the efforts of the citizens, Mr. C. P. Waller, a graduate of Williams
college and subsequently a president judge in this state, was induced to come
He remained two years, and left it in
to Bloomsburg to found an academy.
results of this effort may be traced
far-reaching
The
condition.
flourishing
a
The existence of the
in all the subsequent educational history of the town.
academy for some years after this was merely nominal. Teachers in the public
schools during the winter months opened subscription schools in vacation.
Joel E. Bradley, one of the most successful teachers who ever made teaching
a profession, restored, to some extent, the high character and advanced standAbout the year 1854, B.
ard of the course of study prepared by Mr. Waller.
F. Eaton opened a classical school in the Primitive Methodist church building
(afterward purchased by the parish of St. Colomba's church). It was continued
the following year with such success that its friends began to consider meas-

Reverend D. J. Waller prepared
ures for making it a permanent institution.
a charter, and William Robinson and others circulated it; after obtaining the
signatures of A. J. Sloan, M. Coffman, E. Mendenhall, A. J. Evans, William
M^cKelvey, J. J. Brower, B. F. Hartman, S. H. Miller, J. M. Chamberlin,
Philip Unangst, Jesse G. Clark, A. Wltman, Michael Henderson, J. G. Freeze,
Levi L. Tate, Peter Billmeyer, W. C. Sloan, Jonathan Mosteller, A. J. Frick,
E. B. Bidleman, Robert F. Clark, A. M. Rupert, R. B. Menagh, W. J. Bidleman, Robert Cathcart, A. C. Mensch and H. C. Hoover, it was submitted to
It provided for estabthe com-t, and confirmed at the September term, 1856.
Bloomsburg Literary
lishing and maintaining a school, to be known as the
Institute." and the object of the corporation was defined to be "the promotion of education both in the ordinary and higher branches of English
Unliterature and science, and in the ancient and modern languages."
der the articles of incorporation, Reverend D. J. Waller, William Robison,
Leonard B. Rupert. William Snyder, Elisha C. Barton, William Goodrich, D.
J. Waller, Joseph Sharpless, John K. Grotz and I. W. Hartman were constituted a board of trustees. Mr. Eaton's school was continued in the building it
It was subseformerly occupied for several years, when it was discontinued.
quently opened in the old academy building, and there conducted with fair
Lowry, D. A. Beckley, Henry Rinker and others. There
success by
of teachers, nor does it appear that the board of
succession
connected
no
was
'

'

—

trustees exercised control over the
*

management

Reverend D. J. Waller's Presbyterian Centennial discourse.

of its

affairs.

As

a conse-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

167

depended altogether upon the attainments
of whom executive ability was not a charthe so-called " Literary Institute " were not

qiience, the character of the school

and

ability of the teachers, in

some

the prospects of
always encouraging.
Fortunately for the educational interests of this county, a new actor appeared upon the scene, when the condition of affairs seemed tu have reached
the lowest ebb.
This man was Henry Carver, a native of New York state, a
self educated teacher, whose power of exerting an unconscious influence over
the minds of those with whom he came in contact, was phenomenal. After serving as principal of an academy in his native state, in which capacity he evinced
marked ability, he was placed in charge of the preparatory department of
the University of California, and here his faculty for organizing was again
manifest.
He returned to his home in Binghampton, New York, and while
making a pleasure tour through the valley of the North Branch, stopped for
several days at Bloomsburg, impressed with the beauty of its natural environments. He made some inquiries regarding the general condition of tl_-j schools,
and was introduced to Reverends D. J. Waller and J. R. Dimiir, Messrs. I. W.
Hartman, D. A. Beckley, and others, who, after learning his character and profession, persuaded him to prolong his stay, and open a school.
Its success surpassed any thing in his previous career, or in the school history of Bloomsburg.
After continuing this school two years, Mr. Carver declined to remain any longer
unless better accommodations were provided than the academy building then
occupied.
There was a general feeling of confidence in his methods, and
measures for securing adequate facilities for the unrestricted gi'owth of the
school were vigorously agitated; and, that the movement might properly crystalize, the charter of the "Literary Institute" was revived, May 2, 1866.
William Snyder, John K. Grotz, L. B. Rupert, I. W. Hartman and D. J.
Waller met at the latter' s study in the capacity of trustees, under the articles
incorporating the Institute, and reorganized, with the election of D. J. Waller
as president; I. W. Hartman as secretary JohnG. Freeze, Robert F. Clark and
William Neal as trustees, to fill vacancies caused by removals of an equal number of the original board.
At the second meeting, two days later, a committee was appointed to attend to the financial necessities of the undertaking,
and another to secure a location for the contemplated building. The efforts
of the finance committee were seconded by Mr. Carver with characteristic energy.
This all important part of the work progressed to such an extent, that,
June 16, 1866, a meeting of the stockholders was held in the court-house to
decide the question of location.
After some discussion, the consideration of
this subject was postponed until the 22nd instant.
On assembling in pursuance of adjournment, various portions of the town were suggested as most eligible
for the site of the contemplated structure.
When the matter was put to^
a vote, it was found that the sentiment in favor of the location proposed by
William Snyder was almost unanimous. This was finally accepted in Au.gust,
1866, on the assurance that the owners of the Forks hotel would, at no distant,
time, remove it, and extend Second street to the front of the Institute gi-oimds.
It was formally resolved, the preceding July, to procure specifications and
plans, and contract for the erection of a building at a cost not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars.
This sum was six-fold larger than any one except Mr.
Carver had ever thought of expending. The cost of the building and its fm-niture
aggregated about twenty- four thousand dollars. Under ordinary circumstances
the project would have collapsed, but the unremitting exertions of Mr. Carver
were equal to the emergency. His faitli in its ultimate success never faltered, and
acteristic, so that

'

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'

;

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

168

was amply justified, when, on Thursday, April 4, 1867, the completed* structThe state of the
ure was dedicated to the cause and purposes of education.
weather was favorable to the enactment of the inaugural ceremonies in the
That the connection between the old academy and the
pleasantest manner.
Institute in which it was thus merged might be properly indicated, a procession,
consisting of a band of music, the members of the board of trustees, the clergy
of the town, the parents of the pupils, the pupils themselves, and lastly, the
faculty, formed at the academy building, on Third street, and proceeded to the
Hon. Leonard B. Kupert, as president of the board of
Institute building.
After
trustees, unlocked the door, and the procession entered in inverse order.
mugic of an appropriate character, and prayer by Reverend D. J. Waller,
Mr. Rupert briefly ou.tlined the progress of the work from its first inception
Professor Moss, of Lewisburg, delivered the
to the final accomplishment.
The exercises of the evening were opened with prayer by
dedicatory address.
Reverend J. R. Dimur, after which, Hon. William D. Elwell spoke upon the past
history and future prospect of the Institute, and emphasized the importance of
continued effort on the part of its friends. Among the piipils who participated
on both occasions, were many who have since risen to positions of honor and
responsibility in the various walks of life.
The initial step in organizing a corps of instructors for the Institute was
made May 25, 1866, when Prof. Henry Carver was elected principal by the
The first faculty was constituted as follows: Henry Carboard of trustees.
ver, professor of civil engineering, intellectual and moral philosophy; Sarah
A- Carver, preceptress, teacher of French, botany, and ornamental branches;
Isaac O. Best, A. B. professor of ancient languages; Martin D. Kneeland,
teacher of mathematics and English branches; Alice M. Carver, teacher of
Two courses of
music; Jennie Bruce, in charge of the primary department.
study were arranged, in one of which scientific studies predominated, while
It was proposed
the classics were represented to an equal extent in the other.
There was also a
that four years shoiild be ample time to complete either.
commercial department, and the first catalogue, issued] for the school year
1867-63, makes mention of the fact that lessons would be given in sewing.
The liberal ideas of the principal were manifest throughout. The number of
pupils in attendance and the general results of the school for this first term
were fairly satisfactory. It ceased to be merely a local institution, and became well known in other sections of the state, and even beyond its limits. To
those who were interested in educational matters the success of the Institute
,

was truly gratifying.
The first year of active work was not yet completed, however, when a
change in the character of the school was agitated. Hon. James P. Wickersham, state superintendent of common schools, passed Bloomsburg by rail
shortly after the building was finished, and was favorably impressed with its
The idea of erecting adconspicuous situation and symmetrical proportions.
ditional buildings and couvei-ting the Institute into a state normal school
seems to have occun-ed to him at once. He presented the matter to the board
At a meeting of that body, March 9, 1868, it was ^^ Resolved,
of trustees.
that the trustees of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute agree to establish in
connection with the same, a state normal school, under the act of assembly
of the 2nd of May, 1857, and to procure the grounds and put up the necessary
buildings as soon as the sum of seventy thousand dollars is subscribed by -reAt this and subsponsible persons, agreeably to the foregoing propositions.
'

'

'Properly speaking, it was not completed until the following year, when a bell, weighing two thousand,
one hundred and seveuty-one pounds, was secured through the efforts of D. J. Waller, Jr., G. E. Elwell and
Charles Unangst, who were then pupils.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

*

169

sequent meetings, plans and estimates for the proposed building were presented and discussed. A soliciting committee was alpo appointed; but from the
meagre results realized through its efforts, it was evident that the project did
That the views of
not receive the co-operation of the entire body of citizens.
all might be considered, a public meeting was held in the court-house, April
Reverend D. J. Waller was called to the chair. It was found that
18, 1868.
the opposition or indifference resulted from a misconception of the position
taken by the trustees; but when it was explained to the satisfaction of all that
the proposed change would not effect the academic character of the school,
and thus contract its local advantages, and that its influence would be extended in the manner suggested, the meeting became as enthusiastic as it had preThis is sufficiently indicated by the following minute,
viously been reluctant.
Resolved, that the trustees of the
which appears as part of its proceedings
Bloomsburg Literary Institute be earnestly requested to purchase the necessary grounds and proceed to make an agreement to carry forward the enterprise of erecting the building required; that the plans submitted by Prof.
Carver be recommended to the trustees for adoption; that it be recommended
to let the building to Prof. Carver at his estimate of thirty -six thousand dolThis was submitted to the board of trustees the same day, and on the
lars. "
strength of the financial support thus assured, Hon. Leonard B. Rupert,
Peter Billmeyer and F. C. Eyer were constituted a building committee and
empowered to contract for the erecting of the building with Mr. Carver at his
Subsequently, Hon. "William E. Elwell
bid of thirty-six thousand dollars.
and William Neal became members of the building committee instead of the
last two namad.
June 25, 1868, the corner-stone of the state normal school building was
laid.
The exercises were preceded by an address in Institute hall by Hon.
The audience then proceeded to that part of the grounds where
C. L. Ward.
the foundation walls of the building formed the exterior angle of its two
The exercises began with
wings, and where the stone was to be placed.
prayer by Reverend D. J. Waller, after which John W. Geary, governor of
the state, placed the corner-stone in position, depositing within it documents
relating to the history of the school, its charter, with the names of the trus'

:

'

and students, and of the state school board, contemporary
issues of the local newspapers, a copy of the Bible, and specimens of currency,
after which he delivered an address. Hon. William E. Elwell spoke in behalf of
the board of trustees, and Hon. Leonard B. Rupert read a history of the
Institute.
Governor Geary placed the plans and specifications in the hands

tees, the faculty

and the latter, in accepting, promised to complete the work
he thus assumed as rapidly as possible. Hon. James P. Wickersham addressed
a large audience that evening on the general aspect of educational effort, particularly as directed in the preparation of teachers for teaching, which he eraphasized as the central object in the normal school idea.
Mr. Carver pushed the work he had undertaken with his usual energy, and
the biiilding was finished within nine months fi'om the date upon which the
corner stone was laid.
It remained for the state authorities to formally recogFebruary 8, 1869, the board
nize the Institute as a state normal school.
of trustees, through its president, Hon. Leonard B. Rupert, and secretary,
Col. John G. Freeze, signified its desire that a committee should be appointed
of Professor Carver,

agreeably to the act of 1857, to consider the claims of their institution for
The following named gentlemen conrecognition as a state normal school.
Hon. James P. Wickersham, ex officio, Hon. Wilstituted this committee:
mer Worthington, Hon. James C. Brown, Hon. George D. Jackson, Hon.
Henry W. Hoyt; the superintendents of schools in the counties composing the

170

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

were nqtified, and Friday, February 19, was appointed as the day for
The committee met on the day appointed; examined the
the examination.
everything pertaincharter, deeds, organization, methods of instruction
ing to the character of the school, and embodied its conclusion in the following report:
Bloomsburg, Columbia County, February 19, 1869.
Whereas, The "Bloomsburg Literary lustitute," having made the formal application
to the Department of Common Schools for the appointment of a committee to examine its
claims to be recognized as tlie State Normal School of the Sixth District, according to the

district

—

provisions of "An Act to provide for the due training of teachers for the Common Schools
of the State," approved the 20th day of May, 1857; and
Whereas, The undersigned, being duly appointed and authorized under said act,
and having personally, and at the same time, on Friday, the 19th day of_ February, 1869,
visited and carefully inspected said lustitute. and made a careful examination thereof of
its by-laws, rules and regulations, and its general arrangements and facilities for instructing, and having found them to be substantially sucii as the law requires:
Eteolved, That the "Bloomsburg Literary Institute " is, in our opinion, entitled to
recognition as a State Normal School, with all the privileges and immunities enjoyed by
other institutions of like character in this Commonwealth.

WiLMER WoRTHiNGTON, Chairman.
J. P.

WiCKERSHAM,

Secretary.

George
James

D. Jackson.

C.

Brown.

Henry M. Hoyt.
Barkley, sup't. Columbia county.
Gundy, sup't. Union county.
William Henky, sup't. Montour county.
C. G,
C. V.

The legal existence of the " Bloomsburg State Normal School of the Sixth
District," dates from the anniversary of this report, February 19, 1869,
although the proclamation from the department of public instruction was not
promulgated until three days later.
In his report for this je^r (1869), Mr. Wickersham states that the estimated value of the buildings and grounds was one hundred thousand dollars,
and that the general equipments of the school were superior to those of any
While this was no doubt true, the troubles
similar institutions in the state.
that immediately followed threatened to compel a suspension of the school.
Mr. Carver's health was seriously impaired by his multiplied duties as princiHis departure from Bloomsburg, in
pal, contractor and business manager.
1871, was quite unexpected to the trustees, who were thus obliged to assume
At one time they personally oblihis liabilities in order to save the property.
gated themselves for an amount exceeding twenty thousand dollars. Meetings
were held every night for several months consecutively, and the whole board
was resolved into a ways and means committee. Every circumstance seemed
Every element of opposition that had ever existed seemed to
discouraging.
And when finally the crisis seemed to have passed, the boardassert itself.
Monday, September 6, a
ing hall was destroyed by fire, September 4, 1875.
meeting of the citizens was held in the court-house: Reverend J. P. Tustin preHon. William E. Elwell stated the object of the meeting. It was a
sided.
There were those who favored
critical period in the history of Bloomsburg.
the application of the thirty thousand dollars of insurance, to the improvement
of the property that remained, and an organization from which the normal
school idea should be excluded; Reverend D. J. Waller was called upon to
He did so with the force and vigor which the importance
express his views.
He stated that it was not possible that the school
of the occasion demanded.
could experience greater reverses and misfortunes than had already befallen it;
financial
that even under such a combination of unfavorable circumstances

—

embarrassments,

unfortunate selection of principals,

or the existence

of a

171

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

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vacancy in that department the results had been only such as might be expected in the incipient stages of an educational enterprise; that the inducements which prompted their first effort were still operative, but as the opportunity was greater, so was their responsibility; that it required but the influence of that energy which the supreme importance of the hour should inspire
to raise, Phoenix-like, a new building of larger proportions from the ashes of
the old; and that the time would come when a thousand students would be
•assembled on the hill for the pui-pose of securing an education. These remarks
had the desired effect. It was unanimously decided to rebuild. Temporary
accommodations were provided for the students. October 30, 1875, the cornerThe work of construction progressed
stone of the new building was laid.
rapidly, and on Wednesday, April 26, 1876, the building was opened for
students.
It has a fi'ont of one hundi'ed and sixty-two feet and an extension
Its predecessor was L shaped, with a front of one
of seventy -five feet.
hundred and twelve feet in each direction.
While the financial stringency of this period was a most perplexing probTheir constant inalem, it did not monopolize the attention of the trustees.
ability to provide for the support of teachers necessitated frequent changes in
There were ten instructors at the opening of
the constitution of the faculty.
the first annual term of the Normal School, and their respective dejDartments
were as follows Henry Carver, A. M. Principal Mental and Moral Science,
Theory and Practice of Teaching; Sarah A. Carver, Preceptress French,
Ancient Langiiages;
Botany, and Ornamental Branches; Isaac O. Best, A. M.
Mathematics and Practical Astronomy Reverend David
J. W. Ferree, A. M.
John, A. M.
Chemistry, Natural Philosophy and Physiology F. M. Bates,
Superintendent of Model School Department, History, Geography, and Bookkeeping; James C. Brown, Assistant in Mathematics; Alice M. Carver, Instrumental Music; Hattie L. Best, Vocal Music; Julia M. Guest, Assistant in the
Model School. When Professor Carver' s sudden illness, at the opening of the
second term, left the institution without a principal, the duties of the position
devolved upon James C. Brown.
His efforts and Professor Ferree' s co-operation prevented the school from disbanding, and at length it successfully passed
through the most critical period of its history. At his own request, Mr. Brown
was relieved, December 20, 1871. At Mr. Wickersham's suggestion, C. G.
Barkley assumed the principalship, and continued in that capacity until March
He was suc27, 1872, when Reverend John Hewitt was elected in his stead.
Conceeded at the commencement of 1873 by L. T. Griswold, A. M., M. D.
cerning his administration it need only be stated that the financial management was such as to limit the expenses of the school to its income, or vice versa.
In the judgment of the trustees it was thought best the change should be
made, however, and for the school year of 1877-78 an entirely different faculty
was elected, with the single exception of Professor Ferree, who retained his
position as instructor in Higher Mathematics.
The present faculty is constituted as follows: Reverend D. J. Waller, Jr., Ph. D., Principal Mental and
Moral Science; J. W. Ferree, A. M. Natural Sciences; H. A. Curran, A. M.
Rhetoric,
Ancient and Modern Languages; William Nottling, A. M.
Theory and Practice of Teaching; G. E. Wilbur, A. M., Higher Mathematics
and History; I. W. Niles Music; F. H. Jenkins Grammar and Composition; Miss Enola B. Guie, M. E.
Physical Culture and Elocution; J. G.
Cope, M. E.
Mathematics and Geography; Miss Dora A. Niles, Drawing and
Painting; E. Gertrude La Shelle, M. E.— Model School; Miss Sarah M. Harvey Assistant in Model School; I. H. Winter, B. E.
Geography and History.
That the change in 1877 was judicious seems evident from the fact that the
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

172

four professors, whose names appear in order from the head of this list, have
been continuously connected with the school since that time.
More than four hundred pupils wei-e in attendance during the term of
1885-86.
During the existence of the schools, four thousand seven hundred
and ninety- eight pupils were enrolled prior to July, 1886; four hundred and
nineteen have graduated in that time, and twenty-five were prepared for colThese facts need no comment.
lege and received since 1877.
The present principal is a native of Bloomsburg, and a graduate of La
He is a genFayette College, with which he was also connected as a teacher.
tleman of extensive and varied attainments, of natural aptitude for teaching,
His administration has been
of rare executive ability, and fine social qiialities.
eminently satisfactory. The patronage of the school has increased from year
It has become an educational power, and influences to a great extent
to year.
the character of the public schools of a large section of country,
Bloomsburg has been a prolific field for the organizatio'h of secret societies.
Whenever a movement of this character has been inaugurated it has eventually
Many of the organizations thus afifected have
secured a representation here.
succumbed to the absorbing character of these stronger rivals, thus presenting
in the rise and growth of social institutions an illustration of the principle of
The Masonic order alone has increased in
survival of the fittest.
the
numbers and influence with the added years of its existence. The first regularly organized Masonic body in this county, Rising Sun Lodge, No. 100,
was instituted June 16, 1804, by Israel Israel R. W. G. M., and George A.
The first officers of
Baker, G. S. of the R. W. G. Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Lodge, No. 100, were Christian Brobst, W. M., William Parks, S. W., and
John Curlee, J, W. The intense opposition to Masonry resulted in disbanding
"Rising Sun" Lodge about the year 1830, The efforts thus relinquished
were renewed in 1852, when Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. and A. M.
was chartered, with William Sloan, W. M. Jacob Melick, S. W. and Christian
The officers for 1885-86 were as follows: Robert R. Little,
F. Knapp, J. W.
W. M., John Appleman, S. W., George W. Bartch, J. W. A complete list
C. F. Knapp, F. C.
of the Past Masters of this Lodge is herewith presented:
Harrison, M. D. J. A. DeMoyer, Agib Ricketts, John Penman, D. A. Beckley, R. H. Ringler, C. W. Miller, J. C. Rutter, M. D., Rev. John Thomas, S.
Neyhard, W. O. Holmes, Rev. John Hewitt, A. C. Smith, J. V. Logan, W.
W. Barrett, Theo F. Hayman, I. Hagenbuch, P. E. Knapp, W. T. Callan, C.
K. Francis, D. W. Conner, V. N. Shaffer, P. S. Harman.
The charter of Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M., was granted July
The officers named therein are as follows: D. A, Beckley, H. P ;
28, 1868.
Paleman John, J. B, Robison, E, P, Lutz, and C, F, Knapp.
Mount Moriah Council, No. 10, e. s. ex, & s. m. was originally organized under a dispensation granted December 27, 1857, but was chartered June
J.
C. F. Knapp, D. I. G. M.
14, 1864, with J, A, DeMoyer, T. I. G. M.
The
B. McKelvey, P. C. W. Jacob Melick, M. E. and E. F. Lutz, Recorder.
following named individuals have been T. I. G. Masters: C. F. Knapp, P. M.
E, P. Lutz; H, S, GoodP. G. M.; J. A. DeMoyer; F, C, Harrison, M, D.
win, P. G. P. C. W. D. Lowenberg, D. A. Beckley, A. J. Frick, C, L. StowC. K. Francis, W. W. Barrett, W. J.
ell, P. E. Knapp, G. W. Reifsnyder,
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John Thomas.
Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T., was formed by virtue of a dispensaThe origtion granted March 15, 1856, and received a charter June 8, 1864.
J, B. Mcinal officers of this body were as follows: Christian F. Knapp, C.
Jacob Melick, T.
J. A. DeMoyer, P.
Kelvey, G. F. C. Harrison, C. G.
Scott,

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173

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Lewis
George S. Gilbert, J. W.
C. Bittenbender, S. W.
E. P. Lutz, R.
Enke, S. B. F. H. G. Thornton. W.
Orient Conclave, No. 2, K. of R., C. of R. & C, was chartered February 16,
Charles P. Early, F. V. R., and G. T.
1871, with C. F. Knapp, Sov.
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"Wheeler, Secretary.
,

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in the valley of Bloomsburg, Pa. " consists of four distinct bodies, numbering a total membership of seven hundred.
Bloomsburg is one of four places in this State where the Scottish Rite has
been introduced, and this fact, with its large numerical representations, sufficiently indicates the energy and enterprise of the Masonic fraternity at this

The

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place.

Enoch Grand Lodge of Perfection, 14°, was instituted October 8, 1865^
and chartered May 19, 1866, with the following members: C. F. Knapp,
George Shorkley, John Vallerchamp, Paleraan John, C. C. Shorkley, E. W.
M. Lowe. F. G. Harrison, B. M. Ellis, J. R. Dimm, C. Bittenbender, E. P.
Lutz and John Penman.
Zeriibbabel Council of 16°, was instituted and chartered on the same dates,
Its original membership consisted of John Vallerchamp, E. P.
respectively.
Lutz, C. F. Knapp, Paleman John, E. W. M. Lowe, S. G. Vangilder, John
Thomas, J. R. Dimm, John Vanderslice and John Penman.
Evergreen S. Chapter of Rose-Croix de H. R. D. M., 18°, was chartered
May 19, 1866, with the following named officers: C. F. Knapp, John Vallerchamp, J. R. Dimm, Paleman John, S. G. Vangilder, C. C. Shorkley, E. P.
Lutz and John Penman.
Caldwell S. Consistor3% S. P. R. S., 32°, was chartered May 19, 1867.
The following individuals were among the first members of this body: John
Vallerchamp, Paleman John, C. F. Knapp, C. C. Shorkley and George
Shorkley.

Van Camp Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F. was chartered November 17, 1845,
with Andrew D. Cool, N. G. Ephraim Armstrong, V. G. Edward Keifer,
and George W. Abbott. Treasurer. Among the other
S. Henry Webb, A. S.
members at this time were Anthony Foster and Robert Cathcart. The latter
died in Danville, in 1879, and was the last surviving charter member.
Bloomsburg Council. No. 146, O. U. A. M. was chartered July 16, 1868,
with the following members: Henry F. Bodine, Tobias Henry, Harman Kline,
H. J. Evans, M. S. Houseknecht. M. M. Snyder, A. S. Crossly, Robert Roane,
James M. Thornton, Frederick Gilmore, George Nicholas, I. K. Miller, J. S.
Jacoby, Edward S.earles, William Thomas, Joseph Christman, M. M. Johnson, J. S. Evans, I. Hagenbuch, P. Welsh, J. Schultz, Henry Shutt, W. M.
;

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Furman, John Culp, George Moyer and C. W. Miller.
Bloomsburg Council, No. 957, Royal Arcanum, was organized by H. E. W.
Campbell, D. G. R. of this state, February 26, 1886, with the following persons
I. W. Willitts, G. A. Clark, Thomas E. Geddis, D. A. Beckley. C. H.
Campbell, John F. Peacock, F. D. Dentler, L. F. Sharpless, C. S. Furman,
S. F. Peacock. G. M. Quick, William Reber, W. H. Brooks, and C. W.

as officers:

Miller.

A number

of flourishing church organizations attest the religious character
The
people at any period of the history of the town.
parish of Saint Paul's Protestant Episcopal church is the oldest religious orIts existence dates fi-om 1793, when Elisha Barganization in Bloomsburg.

and

activities of the

ton appeared in the diocesan convention at Philadelphia as the representative
of certain members of the church in Fishingcreek township, who had formed
The object of his mission was to present a
themselves into a congregation.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

174

request for the appointment of a rector; and in the minutes of the convention
of the following year, the name of Reverend Caleb Hopkins appears as missionary in a field which embraced all the territory within the forks of the Susquehanna among other points, Saint Paul's church at Bloomsburg. About
this time there was erected "on the west side of the grate road leading from
Esq. Barton's to Berwick" a house for worship, the outward appearance of
which suggested the workmanship of no artisan save nature herself in the unhewn logs which still retained that massive rotundity developed through years
Its interior was scarcely less strikof exposure to wind and rain and sunshine.
ing.
Thei'e was neither fireplace, stove nor chimney.
A charcoal fire burned
on a rude grating before the chancel. The minister's face was either illuminated by the fitful flames or completely obscured by the ascending smoke, which
found such outlet as the crevices in the roof or the chinks between the logs afforded.
Upon the wall there was a constant play of fantastic forms, the
shadowy outlines of rude benches and their occupants. Young people sneezed,
while their parents and grand-parents seemed to experience no unpleasantness
from the fumes of this primitive heating apparatus. The congregation assembled from all directions, and engaged in the service with that interest usually
manifested when such occurrences Avere only occasional.
Before mounting
their horses for the homeward journey, current topics were discussed, and the
social spirit of the worshippers expressed in hearty hand-shaking and kindly
inquiries for absent ones.
Churches at the present day are vindoubtedly far in
advance of their predecessors of a century ago in many respects; but nothing
has been gained in losing that simplicity which invariably characterized relig-

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ious services at that period.

The Reverend Mr. Hopkins bfliciated in this church at irregular intervals
until 1805, when he resigned, August 4. 1806; at the conclusion of service, he
was called to become stated minister. He was offered an annual salary of one
hu.ndred dollars and the use of a glebe about to be erected by the Saint Paul
and Saint Gabriel (Sugarloaf) congregations. He signified his acceptance, and
entered upon the duties of the rectorship, October 1, 1806.
From this time
his field of labor was restricted to the churches at Bloomsburg, Jerseytown
and Sugarloaf, and Saint Paul's congregation enjoyed greater frequency and
regularity of religious services.
Mr. Hopkins resided in that part of Bloomsburg properly known as Hopkinsville, until 1819, when his incumbency as
rector ceased.
Snowden succeeded him in 1820. The erecThe Reverend
tion of a new church was vigorously agitated about this time, and Mr. Snowden took measures to have the parish incorporated as a protection to its financial interests.
An act of the legislature under date of April 5. 1824, created
the church a corporate body, with Daniel Pursel, Battis Appelman, Littleton
Townsend, Isaac Green, Robert Green, Philip Apj^elman, Elias Bidleman,
Peter Melick and John Barton, wardens and vestry.
The Reverend ~ EWred
succeeded Mr. Snowden in 1825, and was the last rector who ofliciated in the
old church.
It was replaced in 1827 by a frame structure with greater pretensions to architectural beauty, which was used as a place for worship during
the ten years following.
July 13, 1837, the corner-stone of the third building
on this site was laid. This was one of the few brick structures in the town at
that time, and one of the finest churches in this section of country.
The next
effort at church building was made in 1868, when legislative action was secured
for the disinterment and removal of the dead fi'om that part of the burial
ground at the corner of Second and Iron streets, upon which it was proposed
to build.
The acre of ground upon which the church and rectory are situated
was secured by Elisha Barton, John Trembly and Edmund Crawford, the vestry, in 1795, from Joseph Long.
The amount paid was five shillings. The

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

175

The rechurch was nearly identical with that of the rectory.
maining portion of the inolosure was used as a cemetery; hence the legislation

site of the log

and disinterment agreeably to its provisions. The corner-stone of the fourth
and present church edifice was laid in September, 1868. The first service in
Ten years
the completed structure was held on Sunday, October 28, 1870.
were required to liquidate the debt of eight thousand dollars that then reThere were presmained.
Tuesday, June 28, 1881, the dedication occurred.
ent on this occasion Reverends T. H. Cullen and J. Hewitt, former rectors; J.
H. Black, G. H. Rockwell, C. E. Fessenden, H. E. Hayden, J. P. Carncross,
C. E. Dodson, G. H. Kirkland, J. M. Peck, G. Gregson, and Bishop Howe.
The certificate of the rector and vestry was read by E. R. Drinker, senior warden.
Bishop Howe conducted the service. Reverend T. H. Cullen pronounced the sentence of consecration. The ceremonies throughout were of an
interesting and appropriate character.
In 1850 the parish came into possesThe proceeds
sion of a house on East street, by the will of Elizabeth Emmitt.
of its sale were applied to the purchase of a pastoral residence on First street.
The brick rectory contiguous to the church was built in 1883, and occupied by
the Reverend L. Zahner in that year.
After completing a pastorate of ten
years, he resigned in September, 1886.
The vestry has elected Reverend William C. Leverett to fill the vacancy thus existing, and he has signified his acceptance.
Saint Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran church has been known by that
name since its incorporation, December 3, 1856, although known as Saint
Paul's during the first fifty years of its history.
During this period, the congregation worshiped in a church building at the corner of First and Center
streets.
This structure was built in 1808, and jointly owned by the Reformed
and Lutheran churches. It was nearly square, with wide galleries on three
sides and a high, "wine glass" pulpit on the fourth side.
Its seating capacity
was about five hundred, of which number as many people would be upstairs
as down, when the house was crowded.
After some years, its exterior was
weather-boarded and painted white, and this improvement seemed to give it a
new lease of life in the affections of the community. It was finally removed
in 1861, but the two congregations still retain their joint ownership of the
cemetery of which its site forms a part.
This burial ground comprises about
one acre, and was purchased for eighty dollars from Ludwig Eyer, who was a
member of this church.
Reverend Frederick Plitt is the first pastor of whom mention is made in the
records, although the fact that Reverend
Frederitze was here as early as
1800 and preached in the Episcopal church building, seems well authenticated.
March 13, 1808, the church adopted a constitution of fourteen articles, signed
by Mr. Plitt, as pastor, John Deitterick and Bernard Lilly, elders and trustees,
and Bernard Stetler, deacon. The records were made exclusively in German
until 1833, and part in that language for some time afterward.
Public worship was conducted in German until 1835; from that time until 1851, this language was used alternately with the English. The transition was finally
completed in 1851. under the ministry of Mr. Weaver.
Mr. Plitt' s name appears at the head of a list of thirtv-eight communicants
under date of May 1, 1808. From 1809 to 1816, Reverend J. Frederick
Engel served the congregation as pastor. At the communion of April 23,
1815, the names of fifty-seven persons appear upon the records.
Reverend
Peter Kessler followed him and remained until 1829.
Reverend Jeremiah
Schindel was pastor fi-om 1830 to 1837. and Reverend William J. Eyer from
1837 to 1845. The latter was assisted during part of this time by Reverend
Charles Witmer, who preached quite fi-equently at Bloomsburg.
Reverend

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

176

Monroe J. Allen assumed the pastorate from 1845 to 1847, when Mr. Eyer
Reverend Philip Weaver succeeded him in 1851, but
again became pastor.
His immediate successor was Reverend E. A. Sharresigned two years later.
The church building on Market street, since occupied by the congregarets.
Jacob Eyer was the leading spirit in
tion, was erected during this pastorate.
this enterprise, in which he was ably assisted by David Stroup and John K.
Grotz, the other members of the building committee.
The building of so
large and substantial a church edifice at this time speaks highly of the faith
and liberalty of the people. It was dedicated September 2(3, 1857. In the
autumn of the following year, the East Pennsylvania Synod convened at
Bloomsburg, numbering among its members many of the most eminent LuthReverend J. R. Dimm, D. D. was pastor from
eran divines in this country.
1859 to 1867. During his ministry the remaining indebtedness on the church
building was paid, and the finances of the congregation further improved to
Previsuch an extent that Bloomsburg was constituted a separate pastorate.
ous to this time it had received pastoral care in common with neighboring
congregations.
Reverend B. F. Alleman, D. D. was pastor fi'om 1867 to
1872, Reverend J. R. Williams from 1872 to 1875, Reverend J. McCron, D.
D., from 1875 to 1878, Reverend O. D. S. Marclay from 1878 to his death in
1881, and Reverend F. P. Manhast, the present incumbent, since June 1,
Several thousand dollars have been expended within the past five years
1881.
upon chancel and pulpit furniture, repairs to the church property, and a pipeorgan.
And thus, under the leadership of an able ministry, devoted and efficient church councilmen and Sunday-school superintendents, the congregation
has steadily developed to its present strength of three hundred and twenty
five communicant members.
A marked degree of interest and activity is manifested in Sunday- school work, while several organizations of a benevolent and
charitable character are well sustained.
As nearly as can be ascertained, the Reverend John W. Ingold was the first
Reformed minister who preached in Bloomsbiu-g. Among the German immi,

,

body of Christians was numerously represented. The services
Episcopal church building mentioned above. On one occasion,
a large congregation had assembled outside the church, when they were summarily denied admittance.
Upon the arrival of Mr. Ingold, he was requested
to announce preaching in four weeks at a school-house to be built about two
miles distant on Little Fishing creek.
Not a tree had yet been felled nor any
preparation made for the contemplated building, but it was completed within
the specified time, and Mr. Ingold preached agreeably to appointment.
The
grants,

this

were held

in the

burial ground, in the rear of the site of this school-house, is still pointed out,
and here repose many of the first settlers of this region in unmarked graves.
The Reverend John Deitterich Adams succeeded Mr. Ingold about 1807,
upon the death of the latter. It was decided to co-operate with the Lutherans
in building a house of worship more convenient to Bloomsburg. The Reverend
Jacob Dieffenbach preached the sermon at the dedication of this church.
April 1, 1815, he received a call to become pastor at Bloomsburg. He accepted,
and removed his family and household goods from Lynville, Lehigh county, to Espy, where a parsonage had been prepared for his use.
His field of
labor embraced Bloomsburg, Briarcreek, Mifflinville, Muncy, Nescopeck, Wapwallopen, Shamokin, Catawissa, and several minor points.
He was a man of
considerable intelligence, and exerted a degree of influence not usually possessed
by clergymen at this period. He died of consumption April 13, 1825, but in
the decade of his residence in Columbia county, he laid the foundations of all
the Reformed churches within its limits.
His immediate successor, the Rev-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTV.

177

erend Larosh, served the difPereat congregations for two years, when he fell
a victim to malarial fever, then unusually virulent and prevalent. The Reverend Richard Fisher, of Catawissa, preached at Bloomsburg occasionally for a
short period, but Reverend Daniel S. Tobias, who entered upon the pastorate, in
1828, and remained in charge until 1851, was the next regular pastor. He was
assisted during part of this time by Reverend Henry Funk, who preached in
Mr.
English to the live churches which constituted the Bloomsburg charge.
Funk resigned in 1854 and was succeeded the following year by Reverend
William Goodrich. During his ministry the exclusively Reformed church
building at the corner of Iron and Third streets was erected.
He resigned in
1866, and in the same year a call was extended to Reverend L. C. Sheip. He
accepted, and the charge was reduced to two congregations, which it numbers
Reverend F. J. Mohr became pastor in 1868 and added several
at present.
other churches to his charge.
In the space of three years he traveled more
than four thousand miles; but finding^ this labor greater than his strength, he
-resigned in 1871.
Reverend T. F. Hoffmier was pastor from March, 1872, to
Junel, 1876; Reverend G. D. Gurley, from 1876 to 1878; Reverend Walter E.
Krebs, from May 3, 1878, to 1883, during which time the appearance of the
church building and the finance.s of the congregation were much improved.
Raverend O. H, Strunck assumed the pastorate in August, 1885. His work
was quietly pursued, but was eminently satisfactory. In February, 1883, a
unanimous call was extended to Reverend S. R. Breidenbaugh, then pastor at
Berlin, Somerset county. Pa.
He accepted and was installed on the evening
of April 25, 1885, by a committee of classes consisting of Reverends J. S.
Peters, G. B, Deehant, and A. Hantz.
A debt, incurred in the purchase of a
parsonage, has been paid during Mr. Breidenbaugh' s incumbency. This church
is connected with the East Susqu.ehanna session of the Synod of the United
States.
Both bodies have met here— the former quite frequently, the latter
on the occasion of its annual convention, in October, 1873.
The Presbyterian element of the population of Bloomsburg and vicinity
was originally connected with the old Fishingcreek church, the organization
of which is still sustained in Center township.
This church is mentioned in
1789 in the records of Carlisle Presbytery. Reverends Henry, Bryson, Porter,
Judd, Condit, Andrews and Gray, were successively sent to missionate in the
valley of the Susquehanna, and undoubtedly numbered among their hearers, at
the Fishing creek church, the McClures, Kinney s, Sloans, Pursels, and others, who afterward formed the membership of the Bloomsburg church. Reverend
Asa Dunham, a native of Middlesex county, N. J., and a revolutionary sol-/
dier, became a resident of the Fishing creek valley in 1798, and preached in
the barn of Elias Furman, between Bloomsburg and Espy.
The fact that public worship was thus held in the vicinity of the incipient village of Bloomsburg, and also at the Briarcreek church, would seem to indicate an increasing number of Presbyterians at the former place.
Their religious privileges
were convenient only through the courtesy of the German people or the Episcopalians, while their growing numbers emphasized the importance of a separate organization, and the building of a house of worship for their own use.
Accordingly the Presbyterian church of Bloomsburg was organized in 1817,
with James McClure, Paul Leidy and Peter Pursel, as elders.
The congregation united with the Briai'creek and Shamokin churches, in extending a call
to the Reverend Samuel Henderson, whose services should be divided equally
among them. This call was made December 6, 1817, but the Bloomsburg
congregation had already taken measures to provide their quota for his support.
His energy was further manifested in the purchase of a lot at the west

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

178

It was decided that the
of Third street for a cemetery and building site.
church building should be two stories high, with galleries on three sides, and
After the foundation
that its dimensions should be thirty-sis and forty feet.
had been laid, a controversy arose as to whether the entrance should be from
the rear, agreeably to the custom of the neighborhood, or from that end of the
The more modern ideas prevailed, although a change
building next the street.
was required in the work already done. While this structure was in course
of erection, the trustees united in an agreement with the officers of the EpisAn instance in which the
copal church for the use of their church building.
announcements of the two clergymen conflicted has thus been described:
"When a communion service had been appointed, and the Rev. J. B. Patterson had been published to preach on Saturday preceding, the Rev. Caleb Hopkins, the founder and rector of the church, wrote a note to Mr. Henderson,
announcing that he wished to occupy the pulpit on that afternoon. The notice
reached Mr. Henderson, on his coming to town, to meet his congregation, who
were already gathering. Finding Mr. Hopkins in the little pulpit, which
would hold but one, he ascended the steps and asked permission to publish a
notice, which, being courteously granted, he announced that those who wished
to hear the Rev. Mr. Patterson, would repair to the German church on the
The whole congregation left. As the last were passing out Mr. Hopkins
hill.
Well, if ye will go, ye may. "
said, despairingly,
Mr. Henderson continued to preach at Bloomsburg until 1824, when he
was succeeded by the Reverend John Niblock. Reverends James Lewers,
Irvin sucCrosby. Mathew B. Patterson, Robert Bryson, and
cessively assumed the pastorate, but found no encouragement to remain any
length of time. The Reverend John P. Hudson's connection with the Bloomsburg congregation began in December, 1832, when he became stated supply,
and subsequently regular pastor, until his resignation in 1838. The vacancy
that ensued was temporarily supplied by Reverends
Tobey and Daniel M.
Barber, but the latter had established a flourishing boarding school for young
ladies at Washingtonville and declined to relinquish it, although importuned to
do so. At the instance of Reverend D. M. Halliday, of Danville, D. J. Waller,
a licentiate of New Castle Presbytery, had preached once in Bloomsburg, in
the summer of 1837; he was now invited to make his residence in the town,
and take charge of a pastorate embracing the whole of Columbia county, with
several preaching points beyond its limits.
The call was tendered and accepted in the autumn of 1838, and May 1, 1839, the pastor was ordained and installed.
The pastoral relations thus established continued through thirtythree years.
What was then included in one pastorate has now been formed
His house
into five or six.
Mr. W^aller's reminiscences would fill a volume.
was the recognized stopping place for traveling clergymen, book agents,
agents of benevolent societies, and other travelers of a miscellaneous character.
He relates that that hospitality attained such proportions that occasionally
more guests and conveyances left his house in the morning than left the
hotel; and when the village landlord erected a new sign -board in hopes of
thus emphasizing his claims upon the traveling public, some wags procured
the old one and elevated it in a conspicuous place before the pastor' s dwelling.
Upon the removal of the seat of justice to Bloomsburg in 1815, the future
prospects of the town were supposed to be improved to such an extent as to require the erection of a new church building.
The question of location was
one of importance, and the different views entertained were widely different,
and, unfortunately, equally pronounced.
That the energies of the congregation might be concentrated on the erection of the church, and thus diverted

end

'

'

—

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

179

from the consideration of this delicate subject, the pastor secured financial aid
from friends abroad and purchased the lot on Market street which is the presThe plans for its erection were prepared
ent location of the church edifice.
by Napoleon Le Brun. Its cost was about three thousand dollars. The last
sermon in the Third street church building was delivered on the last Sabbath
The new structure was dedicated on the following Wednesof August, 1848.
day, on which occasion the pastor was assisted by the Reverend W. R. Smith.
IVIr. Waller tendered his resignation in 1871; it was accepted and the reAfter an interval of one year, the Revlation terminated by the Presbytery.
erend Stuart Mitchell, D. D. was installed as his successor, October 17, 1872.
A parsonage was erected in 1880 on the lot formerly occupied by the old
The subject of building a new church has been under consideration
church.
for some time, and a fund for this object has been accruing during this period.
The erection of a more commodious church edifice certainly cannot be long
,

delayed.

The first Methodist service in Bloomsburg was conducted by Reverends Geo.
Lane, a former member of the Genesee Conference, who was obliged, in conHe preached in
sequence of lost health, to engage in business in Berwick.
This
the Episcopal church, during a vacancy in the rectorship of the parish.
was probably in the year 1829. In the autumn of 1831, while William Prettyman and Wesley Howe were stationed at Berwick, Reverend Alem Brittain visited Light Street and found it necessary to remain, although the presiding elAt Mr.
der insisted that he should return to his circuit in Center county.
It had
Prettyman' s suggestion, Mr. Howe exchanged work with Mr. Brittain.
meanwhile been publicly announced that regular religious services would be
held at Bloomsburg, and on a Sunday evening in October, 1881, Mr. Brittain
This was the first sermon
preached* to a large audience in the school-house.
A class
delivered in Bloomsburg, after it had become a regular appointment.
was formed in 1832, and consisted of Dr. Harman Gearhart, William Paul,
Preaching at that
Jesse Shannon, Delilah (Creveling) Barton, and others.
time was held in a school-house, at the corner of Second and Iron streets.
Subsequently, William Paul's carpenter- shop on Market street, between First
and Second, became the place of meeting. In 1835, a frame church building
was erected on Third street; this was replaced in 1857 by the brick structure
that now marks its site.
It was dedicated in December, 1857, by Bishop Levi
Scott.
Its appearance, both internally and externally, has been improved at
various times since.
An extensive revival was held at the dedication of the
church in 1857, during the pastorate of Rev. George Warren, and again in
1869, under the leadership of Reverend J. A. Melick.
The Primitive Methodist and Welsh Wesleyans were represented in
Bloomsburg by strong congregations during the first prosperity of the iron industry.
The African Methodist church seems to have become a permanent organization.
A building site on First street was purchased in 1868, and a
It is the place of worship of a flourfi'ame church building erected thereon.
ishing organization.
It has been thought proper in this connection to present the names of all
the Methodist clergymen who have preached in Bloomsburg or the surrounding
This section was embraced in Northcountry, by conference appointment.
umberland circuit from 1791 to 1831, with the exception of the years 1799 and
1800, when it was included in Wyoming; Berwick circuit comprehended this
territory during the fifteen years following; Bloomsburg circuit in 1847, and
Bloomsburg station in 1862. Having thus summarized the changes in the
ecclesiastical map, the list of ministers is herewith subtended: 1791, Richard

180

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Lewis Browning; 1792, James Campbell, William Colbert; 1793,
James Campbell, James Paynter; 1794, R. Manly, J. Brodhead; 1795, James
John
Ward, Stephen Timmons; 1796, John Seward, R. Sneath; 1797,

Parrott,

Lackey, D. Higby; 1798, J. Lackey, J. Leach; 1799, J. Moore, B. Bidlack, D.
Stevens; 1800, E. Chambers, E. Larkins, A. Smith; 1801, J. Dunham, G.
Carpenter; 1802, Anning Owens, J. Atkins; 1803, D. Ryan, J. Ridgway; 1804,
T. Adams, G. Draper; 1805, C. Fiye, J. Saunders; 1806, Robert Burch, John
Swartzwelder; 1807, Nicholas Joel Smith; 1808, Thomas Curren, John Rhodes;
1809, Timothy Lee, Loring Grant; 1810, Abraham Dawson, Isaac PuflPer;
1811, B. G. Paddock, J. H. Baker. R. Lanning; 1812, George Thomas,
Ebenezer Doolittle; 1813, Joseph Kinkead, I. Chamberlain; 1814, John
Hazzard, Abraham Dawson; 1815, R. M. Everts, I. Cook; 1816, John Thomas,
Alpheus Davis; 1817, Benjamin Bidlack, Peter Baker; 1818, Gideon Lanning,
Abraham Dawson; 1819, John Rhodes. Darius Williams; 1820, John Rhodefe,
Israel Cook; 1821, Marmaduke Pearce, J. Thomas; 1822, John Thomas,
Mordecai Barry; 1823, J. R. Shepherd, M. Barry; 1824, R. Cadden, F.
Macurteny, R. Bond; 1825, R. Cadden, R. Bond; 1826, John Thomas, George
Hildt; 1827, John Thomas, David Shaver; 1828, Charles Kalbfus, William
James; 1829, James W. Donahay, Josiah Forrest; 1830, James W. Donahay,
A. A. Eskridge; 1831, William Prettyman, Wesley Howe; 1832, William
Prettyman, Oliver Ege; 1833. Marmaduke Pearce, Alem Brittain; 1834-35,
J. Rhodes, J. H. Young; 1836, J. Sanks, J. Hall; 1837, J. Sanks, George
Guyer; 1838, Charles Kalbfus, J. Hall; 1839, Charles Kalbfus, Penfield Doll;
1840, James Ewing, William R. Mills; 1841, James Ewing, W. F. D.
Clemm; 1842, Thomas Taneyhill, Joseph A. Ross; 1843, Thomas Taneyhill,
Thomas Bowman; 1844, Francis N. Mills, W. L. Spottswood; 1845, John
J. W. Bull; 1847,
S. L. M.
Couser, J. Turner; 1848, G. H. Day, J. W. Elliott; 1849, John W. Gere,
P. E., G. H. Day; 1850, J. S. Lee, E. H. Waring; 1851, J. S. Lee, T. M.
Goodfellow; 1852, Thomas Taneyhill, W. E. Buckingham; 1853, Thomas
Taneyhill, J. A. DeMoyer; 1854, J. A. Ross, A. W. Guyer; 1855, J. Morehead, F.*M. Slusser; 1856, George Warren, S. Barnes; 1857, George Warren,
N. W. Colburn; 1858-59, J. Guyer, T. Sherlock; 1860, F. Gearhart, A. R.
Riley; 1862-63, D. C. John; 1864-66, R. E. Wilson; 1867, J. A. Price;
1868-69, J. A. Melick; 1870-71. B. H. Crever; 1872-73, N. S. Buckingham;
1874-75, J. H. McGarrah; 1876, J. S. McMurray; 1877-78, M. L. Smyser;
1879-80, E. H. Yocum; 1881-82, John Donahue; 1883-85, D. S. Moaroe, D.
D. 1886, F. B. Riddle.
The first efforts to establish the Baptist faith in Bloomsburg were made in
1840 by the Reverend J. Green Miles, who preached in the Methodist church
He was then in charge of the Little
building in April or May of that year.
Muncy, or Madison church. He was given the use of the union meeting
house, and preached, in all, six sermons. The next minister of this denominaIn January, 1843, he
tion was Reverend William S. Hall, of Berwick.
This was
preached two sermons and baptized John Snyder in Fishing creek.
the first baptism in Bloomsburg agreeably to the doctrine and practice of the
Subsequently, Reverend Joseph B. Morris preached several
Baptist church.
At a still later period, and after
times in the " Smoketown " school-house.
the erection of tlie Welsh Baptist church. Reverend A. D. Nichols visited the
town and preached several sermons. No continued and regular services were
held in Bloomsburg until 1858, when Reverend J. R. Shanafelts, of Berwick,
began to preach once in three weeks in the court hall. He delivered his first
sermon October 3, 1858. In less than a year from this time a house of wor-

Bowen, W. F. Pentz; 1846, John Bowen,

;

<> z^-^-^ ^':i^-'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
It is
ship was dedicated.
quired a greater degree of
dedicated July 11, 1859,
preaching on that occasion.
ward, deacon; John Snyder,

183

and substantial frame structure, and rethan would now be required.
It was
Reverends Joseph Kelley and A. F. Shanafelts
The church was organized with Martin C. Woodclerk; Daniel Breece, treasurer, and nineteen members, of whom Martin C. Woodward, Sarah J. Woodward, Isaac Tyler, Susan
Tyler, Harriet Roan and Lena Fidler were received by letters fi-om the Danville church; Sarah A. Philips, by letter from the Madison church; John Snyder, in a similar manner from the Berwick church; Richard Edward and Martha Edward, by letter fi'om England; Daniel Breece, Robert Roan, Elizabeth
Cadman and Maria Logan, on experience; Margaret Derr, Mary A. Breece,
Lucy Cosper, Mary N. Powell and Mahala Brittain, by baptism. The organization thus effected was constituted a Baptist church by an ecclesiastical
council, composed of the following clergymen, representatives of eleven different churches: S. H. Mirick, A. J. Hay, O. L. Hall, E. M. Alden and A. J.
a neat

liberality

Kelly.

Mr. Shanafelts resigned after a three years' ministry.
He was succeeded
by Reverend J. G. Penny, who remained one year. Reverend G. W. Scott
took charge January 12, 1863, and resigned in March, 1865.
Reverend J. P.
Tustin became pastor .March 15, 1865, and continued in that capacity for fifteen years.
Reverend C. Wilson Smith took charge in the spring of 1882,
and remained one year and six months. He was succeeded, in 1884, by Reverend D. J. R. Strayer. Since his resignation, in the autumn of 1885, Mr.
Tustin has again become pastor, and continues in that capacity at this time
Since the organization of this church two hundred and nine per(1886).
sons have been received into membership by baptism, fifty-six by letter and
twenty-six by experience a total of two hundred and ninety-one.
During
the same period a loss of thirty-two has been caused by death, of thirty-seven by
expulsion, of sixty-eight by erasure, and of fifty-four by letter
a total of one
hundred and ninety-one. From a comparison of these figures it appears that
the present numerical strength of this church is one hundred members.
The first religious service in Bloomsburg agreeably to the ritual of the
Roman Catholic church was held while the canal excavations were
in progress, by Reverend Father Fitz-Patrick, of Milton.
His successor
at that place, Father Fitz Simmons, held mass on several occasions, in 1841,
for the population attracted to Bloomsburg during the construction of Irondale furnace.
Services were held regularly several times a month at the
house of Michael Casey, on Iron street, below the hill and across from the culvert.
Many of the workmen attended, and if they had remained permanently
in the town, a strong organization might have been effected.
After they left
the town services were held at irregular intei'vals by the priests stationed at
Pottsville, Shamokin, Sunbury, and Danville.
Among this number were
Fathers Sherdon, Murray, McGinnis, Smith, and Noonan, from Sunbury,
and Schleuter, from Danville. Under their ministrations, a congi-egation
was gradually collected. The need of a permanent place for public worship
became apparent with every addition to its membership. The purchase of a
stone structure on Third street, between Iron and Center, formerly occupied
by the Primitive Methodists, was successfully negotiated. It was rebuilt in
1874, and the pastoral residence adjoining was purchased in 1883.
Fathers
O'Brien, Reilly, Clarke and McCann have been resident pastors.
The parish
of St. Columba's church also embraces several other points in this county
where the R^man Catholic faith is represented by members, but not by regular-

—

—

ly organized churches.
18

HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

184

The success of the Evangelical Association in extending its borders is.
largely due to the spirit of its leadership in advancing into new territory, esIn March, 1873, thetablishing missions, and taking up new ap})ointments.
Central Pennsylvania Conference of this body decided to occupy Bloomsburg
as a mission, attach to it several points in the vicinity, and place the whole
under the pastoral care of the Reverend R. C. Bowersox. Six years pi-evious, in
the winter of 1867, the Reverend U. W. Harris held the first service of this
church in Bloomsburg, in the " Port Noble " school-house. A class was formed
Among its members were Joseph Garrison,
with George Rishel, leader.
Houseknecht and Tobias
Henry Garrison, George Rishel, Elijah Strohm,
Henry. Public worship was held regularly, but the necessity of moving from
one place to another greatly hindered the growth of the society. A lot of
ground was purchased in 1873 for a building site; December 12, 1880, Bishop
Thomas Bowman dedicated the brick structure erected thereon, and the conThe following
gregation for the fii'st time worshiped in their own house.
ministers have sustained pastoral relations with the Bloomsburg mission:
1873-74, R. C. Bowersox; 1875-76, J. N. Irvine; 1877, A. W. Sheuberger
and J. S. Hertz; 1878-79, G. W. Hunter; 1879-80, L. K. Harris; 1880-81,
S. E. Davis; 1882-84, S. P. Remer; 1885—, H. W. Buck.
The Columbia County Sunday School Association is an organization which
includes all evangelical sunday schools. It is auxiliary to the State and International Sunday School Association. It is the purpose of this organization to
It has been
encoui'age weak schools and to organize schools where needed.
organized eighteen years and holds conventions annually in various parts of the
The work of organizing an
county, at which time its ofiicers are elected.
association in each township and borough auxiliary to the county association
has progressed until but four remain unorganized.
At the time when Bloomsburg is best described as a country village, the
burial ground of each congregation was in the rear of its church building.
This arrangement continued until Rosemont Cemetery was incorporated.
Messrs. D. J. Waller, Jacob Eyer, Joel Ruderow and the clergy of the
Subsequently, the different detown were the leaders in this movement.
nominational burial grounds have ceased to be used for that purpose, and
except in the case of the German cemetery, the remains of those buried
there have been disinterred and removed to Rosemont.

CHAPTER

VII.

SCOTT TOWNSHIP.

THEmade

map

of this county north of the river was.
divided, and its eastern portion
The latter was
given the name which appears at the head of this chapter.
conferred in honor of George Scott, then entering upon his second term as a
member of the legislature from the district embracing Columbia and Montour
It is inclosed beThis township is the smallest in the county.
counties.
last

change

in 1853,

in the political

when Bloom township was

tween Fishing creek and the Susquehanna, on the north and south, and between
The points of hisCentre and the town of Bloomsburg on the east and west.

SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
toric interest of

which

ment, the gi'owth of

this
its

185

sketch treats, are the circumstances of its settlethe industrial and social character of its

villages,

people.

The early settlers were principally of English origin, and emigrated from
West Jersey, and from the eastern counties of this state. Among this number
the names of Melick, Bright, Henrie, Leidle, Webb, Brittain, Creveling and!
Boone are still familiar. Peter Melick, the first of that name in this neigh-

He lived on a fariaa
borhood, emigrated from Jersey before the revolution.
below Espy, which was purchased in 1774, from the proprietaries of the provHe enlisted twice in the continental army and passed the winter of
ince.
1776-77 at Valley Forge. When the Indian troubles of 1778 threatened to>
In the spring of that year
extend to his house, he returned to its defense.
Lieutenant Moses Van Campen was placed ip. command of twenty mea and diHe^
rected to build a fort on Fishing creek, for the protection of the frontier.
selected as its site, a rising ground on the south side of that stream, about,
three miles from its mouth, near the location of the paper mills. The Salmons,.
The fort was loWheelers, Aikmans and Van Campens lived in the vicinity.
cated on the farm of Mr. Wheeler, and has been generally known by his namet
It was also popularly known as the "Mad Fort" from the appearance of its-,
walls, which consisted merely of a frame work of logs covered over withi
Its erection was timely; even before its completion a threatened^
earth.
attack compelled the inhabitants to seek protection within its walls.
PeterMelick was then living in a dwelling on the John Sherman farm below Espy„
The cellar excavation of this house is still pointed out near a pear tree, sixtyyards northward from the canal bridge.
On the 17th of September, 1778, it.
was burned by the Indians, the occupants having previously escaped to Fort
Wheeler with such valuables as they could collect. It is related that the>
enemy selected a feather tick from among his personal effects and fastened it
upon the back of a pony. The latter became frightened, broke away from his.
captors, and reached the fort with the tick, valued so highly by friend and foe^
During the night of siege that followed, the ammunition of the garrison was>
Two privates, Henry McHenry and another whose name has not
exhausted.
been preserved, volunteered to go to Fort Jenkins and secure a supply. Al though the intervening country was infested with savages, they performed thejourney in safety and the fort was saved.
Its protection was deemed insufficient however, and some of the families retired to Sunbury where they remained until the close of the war. * Other families had meanwhile made their
appearance in the vicinity. About the year 1779 Henry with his wife andl
children descended the Susquehanna from New York state in a canoe and!
stopped at Wilkesbarre until the Indian troubles had cleared away.
They
then continued the journey in the same manner as before to the mouth of
Fishing creek. A deserted log cabin within the present limits of Light Street
was occupied as a dwelling. An acre of ground adjoining was planted in potatoes; but before the first crop had matured they were compelled to dig out
for food the seed thus planted.
When this supply was exhausted, wild potatoes in the swamps were eagerly sought after, roasted on the coals, and eaten
with avidity.
A parallel instance occurred in the experience of the Webbs,,
who lived above the town of Espy. Levi Aikman had settled in Briar creek
valley the previous year and gathered in his first harvest.
The grain was put
in a sack, and a son sent to take it to mill at Sunbury.
He made the journey
in a canoe, and on the return trip recruited his strength by eating a crust of
When

the fort was evacuated its one piece of ordnance, a small brasi swivel, was sunk in a deep bo)»^ imi
The course of the stream has changed since then and all efforts to discover the missing eavvfruitless.
Its traditional location is known as " Cannon hole."

Fishing creek.

Hon have proved

18(3

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

He reached the landing
bread, the only provision he had taken from home.
aearest his home at nightfall and carried the sack of meal to Webb'e.
Mrs. Webb would gladly have given him supper, but there was no food in their
home. He shared the contents of his sack with that family, and with several
The ravages of disease were
others before he reached home the next day.
added to the hardship of insufficient food supply. Zebreth Brittain and
Robbins made a visit to the region about 1782 for the pui'pose of buying lands.
The former was attacked with smallpox; he died and was buried in the old
Derry graveyard. His family was on the way to join him when they were apThey did not turn back however, but continued to their
prised of his death.
John Bright removed from
destination and settled east of Light Street.
Mount Bethel, Northampton county, about the same time, and became a neighMr. Bright had sent a son in advance to secure land but
bor of the Brittains.
he was attacked with the fatal small-pox and died without the care of fi'iends
and kindred. Alem Marr located on a farm adjoining. And thus, through
hardships and inconveniences from which none were exempt, the first representatives of some of the oldest families in the county became residents of
Scott township
The fertility of its soil is attested by the fact that every acre of ground
The land that seemed least
that was ever farmed is still under cultivation.
The wealth
adapted to farming has in some instances proven most valuable.
This is particularly
in these cases was beneath the surface and not upon it.
true of the hills bordering Fishing creek where valuable deposits of iron ore
have been found. Rodman, Morgan & Fisher, constituting the Duncannon
Iron Company, purchased land from Samuel Melick and began the mining inThe ore was hauled to Espy and forwarded by canal.
dustry in this section.
The Bloomsburg furnaces have received ore from these hills since 1844. Matthew McDowell operated a furnace at Light Street for some years on a small
The Light Street Iron Company engaged in a similar business but was
scale.
not financially successful. A paper-mill on Fishing creek, some distance below
the town, has had a career of greater permanency. Thomas French piu'chased
a grist-mill from John Barton about 1830 and converted it into an establishIt has passed thi'ough different hands
for the manufacture of paper.
and suffered many changes, but still retains its character as a manufacturing
The lime ridge should be mentioned in connection with the mineral re
point.
The ridge has furnished employment for a nvimber
sources of the township.
It bears the
of people and a small hamlet has been formed in consequence.
poetic name of Afton, but its appearance is not likely to inspire the beholder.
The cottages are substantial and comfortable, however, while two churches
seem amply sufficient to minister to the spiritual wants of the population.
Like the iron industry, the fisheries no longer possess the importance
They were known, in order, from the mouth of Fishonce attached to them.
ing creek to Mifflin rapids, as the Boone, McClure, Kinney, Hendershott,
Kuders, Whitner, Greveling, Webb and Miller fisheries. Fishing seems to have
begun about 1780 and reached its point of greatest importance fifty years later.
Certain varieties once numerously represented are now practically extinct.
The shad, gar-fish, salmon, and rock- fish maybe mentioned among this number.
Lines used were from two-hundred to four-hundred yards in length and four
The season began the
or five yards in depth, with meshes two inches square.
A statute law prohibited fish
latter part of March and continued until June.
ing on Thursdays in order "to give fish a chance for head- waters. " Two
The
hauls per day was the rule one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
flats used were about twenty-five feet long, eight feet wide, and eighteen

ment

—

SCOTT TOWNSHIP.

187

Two men were reinches high, provided with two stout oars near the bow.
the seine, while two others
paying out
quired at each oar, one attended to
Seven men thus constituted a fishremained on shore to adjust the land end.
Two fiats were used to one seine at Webb" s fishery. It is said that
ing crew.
The price
at this place nine thousand fish were once caught at a single haul.
of shad in ISOO was six dollars per hundred; in 1830 it had risen to more
People came to the river from all points to buy fish,
than twice as much.
bringing in exchange produce of every description corn, meat, peach cider,
Both the fisheries and the ore industries have ceased
whisky, metheglin, etc.
to be important in comparison with their former influence upon the general
business character of the people.
One result of their existence was the growth of two villages Light Street
and Espytown, from their respective locations in the iron region and on the
The former originally consisted of two villages at each extremity
river bank.
In 1821 John Hazlett, Uzal Hopkins, William McCartey,
of the present one.
Lake and George Zeigler were living on the town plot of
James McCartey,
"Williamsburg." It was laid out by Philip Seidle, December 12, 1817,
'

'

'

'

'

—

—

—

of Front and Second streets, and Magdalene's alley parallel
with the public road, and Catharine street. South street, Walnut, StrawThe hamlet
berry and Cherry alleys crossing these at right angles.
about a half-mile distant in the direction of Bloomsburg was rei)resented
at this time by the blacksmith shop of Robert Gardner and the farm
house of John Deaker. General Matthew McDowell came into possession
of the Jew's mill about the year 1823, and established a post-ofiice under the

and consisted

name

Benjamin Seidle was the proprietor of the mills
of McDowell's Mills.
an earlier period and popular usage was divided between the names of SeiAs is usually the case, the post-ofiico designadletown and Williamsburg.
Mr. McDowell found his mill a profitable enterprise
tion superseded both.
and built another at the lower end of the town, previously mentioned as the
location of a smithy.
When he engaged in the iron business, this was sold
He found the disto Reverend Marmaduke Pearce, a Methodist clergyman.
tance of half a mile to post ofiice too long, and took measures to have it established at his mill.
The location was changed and also the name, which became Light Street and so remains. Mr. Pearce was once stationed in Baltimore, Md. and lived on Light street in that city.
This explains the origin of
the name.
The two villages gradually approached each other until they have
become practically one. The town contains a number of stores and hotels, two
flouring mills, three churches, a school building and a population of about
three hundi'ed.
It was a place of considerable business activity during the
prosperous period of the iron industry and still retains more of this character
than the average country town.
Espytown has not experienced the frequent changes of name which characterized its neighbor; but the mutations in its fortunes have been equally
unfavorable in their influence. It appears that in 1775 Josiah Espy purchased
from the Penns a tract of about three hundred acres of land, including the site
of the town that bears his name.
He sold this to George Espy, his son, in
the same year.
The George Espy property is supposed to have been a twostory log house about twenty-four feet square, with two rooms below and one
above, covered with shingles three feet long, fastened with wrought iron nails.
It was situated on the Abbot lot, about one hundred yards from the house
of William Carson and twenty yards from the towing path of the canal.
It
was built by Mr. Espy about 1785, and occupied by him until 1810, when he
removed to Crawford county. Pa. In locating the town he seems to have
at

,

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

188

observed a notch in the river

hill

and

a corresponding depression in the ridge

he thus meant to secure the advantage of a roadvi^ay from Fishing creek to Catawissa which would eventually
pass through those points. Directly on the line of this route he laid off twentyin the roar of his land.

It is probable that

live acres into sixty building lots, the length of the plot being eighty perches
It is supposed that this was done about the year
its width fifty perches.

and

1800, for in 180'2 several lots in "the town of Liberty" were sold by Mr.
The modesty of the proprietors was overruled by
to various persons.
the general practice of the villagers, which was confirmed in 1828 when a postAmong the residents of the
office was established under the name of Espy.
place at an early period were John Edgar, Alexander Thompson, John KenHinkle, John Haverman,
Miller and Frednedy, Samuel McKamey,
There were fourteen log-houses and twelve frame dwellings in
<^rick Woeman.
the town in 1826; the population at that time may therefore be estimated at onehundred and thirty. The first hotel was built about 1805 by John Kennedy,
rebuilt in 185(3 by Hemy Trembly, and constitutes the present Espy hotel. Tn^

Espy

frame house was owned by John Shuman, and was built of lumber sawed
The first brick house was
at the Elias Barton saw-mill in Hemlock township.
In 1820 the people were supplied with water
built in 1845 by John Hughes.
from three wells, located respectively at the Woeman hotel and the houses of
John Webb and Philip Miller. The latter was at the center of Main street at
At this time the bog in the rear of the town was
its intersection with Market.
The Indian path consisted of two rows of yellow pine
scarcely passable.
logs and lead in the direction of Light Street. The swamp extended from the
brook above Espy to the canal culvert, a mile from Bloomsburg. A corduroy
road was laid by John Hauch in 1815 to haul iron ore to his furnace at MainAmong the attractions of Espy from 1810 to 1835 was Webb's lane, a
ville.
famous racing ground. Jockeys resorted thither from Sunbury, Towanda,
The following
"Wilkesbarro, and other places, to try the speed of their nags.
anecdote of Reverend John P. Hudson is related in a historical discourse by the
Reverend David J. Waller: "On a visit to his home in Virginia his father gave
him a blooded horse, the speed of which, in carrying him from place to place
in his wide circuit, gave the clergyman an inconvenient reputation for horseOn one occasion, riding along the river road, he passed over the
manship.
old race course at Webb's lane, when a shower of rain obliged a farmer to
One horse, coming out of the field, took the
loose his horses from the plow.
Meeting the clergyman, under his umbrella, the Virtrack at his best speed.
ginia courser promptly accepted the challenge, wheeled, and took his master a
*
John Gilpin ride,' with umbrella stripped backward in the wind, and disA wag, who saw the unique performance,
tancing the pretentious plow horse.
related to a listening company the story of having seen the preacher run his
blooded horse against a famous courser of the neighborhood and win the race.
A man of high pretensions who was present, but in whom charity was not a
shining ornament, declared that it was just like those Presbyterian preachers.
This brought oat the correct version of the affair, to the confusion of
the caviller, and also evoked the confession of some young sports that they
had often stolen the preacher's horse from his stable and tested him on that
track at night.
From an industrial point of view, the town has been equally well known on
account of its boat yards,
xibout the year 1834 George and Thomas Webb
It was
built a Union canal boat on their land at the lower bank of the canal.
launched about three miles above Espy and christened " The Fourth of July."
The industry thus begun
It was about seventy feet long and eight feet broad.

iirst

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189

SCOTT TOWNSHIP.

been continued with fluctuating energy until the present time. The boatyards of Barton & Edgar, Kressler & Vansickle, Fowler, Trousoe & McKamey,
The works of the Pennhave at one time or another been locally important.
sylvania Canal Company were established in 1873, and have gradually absorbed
Manufacturing interests have also been represented by a
similar enterprises.
The first merannery, distillery, pottery, flouring mills, and brick-yards.
chant was William Mann, a storekeeper from 1816 to 1818; C. G. Ricketts,
Samuel Woeman, Woeman & Seraby, Cyrus Barton, Miles Bancroft, and Patricken, cover the period from 1820 to 1850 in their financial operations.

lias

About

sixty individuals

and firms have been engaged in business

at various

times.

The citizens of Espy have displayed a degree of interest in improving the
appearance of its streets. The Lombardy poplar was the first ornamental shade
A single shoot was
tree; it was superseded in 1836 by the weeping willow.
brought fi-om a tree in front of the Forks hotel at Bloomsburg, and planted

The planting of trees was
in a similar position before Woeman' s tavern.
pushed vigorously about 1868 by Mr. McCollum and others. Efforts have
been made for some time to secure legal action for the erection of Espy into
Should this be accomplished, the administration of its affairs by
a borough.
judicious hands would certainly be a benefit to the citizens in various ways.
The first school in Scott township was established in 1805 with Messrs.
Webb, Kennedy and Waters, trustees. The course of study included the alBetween 1830 and 1840
phabet, spelling, writing, reading and arithmetic.
grammar and geography were added. Algebra and history became part of
The first school-house stood on lot
the coui'se sometime in the next decade.
It
No. 56, in Espy, the north-eastern corner of Market and Main streets.
Was the only one for the town and vicinity within a radius of three miles. The
•ceiling of its one room was eight feet high, and unplastered, while the other
The three windows on each
dimensions were twenty and twenty-four feet.
Benches were made of slabs; threeside were filled with eight-by -ten glass.
writing tables extended around three sides of the room a " John Heacock
wood stove occupied the center; a tin cup and wooden water-bucket completed
;

The educational interests of the
the furniture of this temple of learning.
township are well sustained, if the general appearance of school buildings
and grounds may be regarded as evidence in this respect.
The religious denominations represented are the Methodist, Episcopal,
The oldest congregation of the
Lutheran, Presbyterian and Evangelical.
A camp -meeting at Huntingdon in
society first mentioned is at Light Street.
the autumn of 1819, was attended by Jacob Freas, John Brittain and others
who lived in the vicinity of the village. They were converted and formed
into a class by Reverend John Rhoads, who was then stationed at Berwick. Meetings were held at Mr. Brittain' s house for eight years befoi-e the society had
become strong enough to build a place for worship. General Daniel Montgomery, of Danville, gave the church one -hundred perches of ground in 1827, at
which time Paul Freas, John Brittain, John Millard, Samuel Melick and
Pefcer Melick were trustees.
The church building was erected the same year.
In 1851 the church was incorporated, thus rendering a new deed necessary in
order to give the corporate body the title to its property.
Two years later,
" in consideration of the love and veneration in which they hold the memory of
Daniel Montgomery, and Christiana, his wife, and their desire that their
pious and charitable acts should be confirmed," the heirs at law of William
Montgomery executed a new deed. The old log structure was removed some
years ago and replaced by a structure better adapted to the needs of a strong
and

increasino; cono-reo-ation.

190

HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY,

The Reverend Isaac John preached

in

Espy

as late as 1828.

Lorenzo

Dow

visited the place in 1833, and preached to a large congregation in the schoolhouse.
The barking of dogs in an adjoining yard exasperated the reverend

He announced with some indignation that he had come to
gentleman.
A gentleman from Light Street offered to
preach to people and not to dogs.
He declined in favor of Mr. Murray's
take him to Slainville in a carriage.
The first place for worship was built in 1838, and the present
truck-wagon.
It was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Bowman.
structure upon its site in 1883.
On the death of Reverend H. C. Chester, the pastor at that time, Reverend R. H.
Wharton, succeeded him. Reverend J. Beyer was Mr. Wharton's successor.
Reverend Richard Mallalieu has been in charge since August 20, 1886.
Reverend William Weaver, a Lutheran minister at Bloomsburg from 1851 to
A number of mem1853, preached occasionally at Espy during that period.
bers of the Bloomsburg church were formed into a separate organization.
Among those who were prominently identified with the movement were David
Whitman, John Shuman, Samuel Kressler, John Kressler, J. D. Werkheiser,
Cyrus Barton and Conrad Bittenbender. The last two named were constituted
a building committee, and in the summer of 1853 a church building was dediReverends Philip Willard, William Weaver and the pastor were
cated.
Reverend E. A. Sharrets became pastor in 1853,
present at the ceremonies.
and remained in charge until 1860. Reverend J. R. Dimm was his immediReverend D. S. Truckenmiller was pastor
ate successor, but resigned in 1863.
from 1863 to 1867, J. M. Rice from 18(57 to 1872, J. M. Reimunsnyder from
1872 to 1876, William Kelly from 1876 to 1878, and E. A. Sharrets from that
time until October 1, 1886, since when the pastorate has been vacant.
The Presbyterian church at Light Street is not a regularly organized body.
Its membership was originally connected with the Briarcreek church, but the
distance from their homes to the place of worship prevented many from attendino".
The Liarht Street church was built in 1853, but services have not been
held with any degree of regularity in recent years.
The Evangelical societies at Espy, Afton and Light Street are included in
Bloomsburg mission, but were established while this territory was embraced in
Columbia circuit. During the ministry of Reverend A. J. Irvine, he held occasional services in the Presbyterian church at Light Street, and in the winter of
1866-67 conducted a protracted meeting, which resulted in sixty conversions.
Among the members of the first class were James Pullen, Thomas Bear and
James Meradis. Measures were at once taken to build a chui'ch, and this was
highly necessary as well as feasible in view of the membership that had been
formed upon the first revival effort. August 4, 1869, the corner-stone was laid;
Afton became a preaching
the dedication occurred in the following winter.
Worship was at first held in the school-house, but when this
place in 1866.
privilege was withdrawn, a church was built. The corner-stone was laid in May,
1872, and the conseci-ation of the church occurred in the following September.
In the winter of 1875-76 Reverend J. A. Irvine was invited to preach in Espy.
February 1, 1876, he began a protracted effort, in which one hundred persons
were converted. Two classes were formed under the leadership of William Schechterley and William Heidley,with John McKamey and Clark Price as
exhorters.
Reverend H. W. Buck is the present pastor of Bloomsburg Mission, which embraces these appointments.

BRIAKCEEEK TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER

191

VIII.

BRIAKCEEEK TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF BERWICK.

BERWICK-ON-TWEED,

a

borough of Northumberland county, England,

It presents to-day,
has existed fi'om an early period of British history.
in its Gothic cathedral, fortified walls and massive battlements the characteristic features that might have impressed the visitor of two centuries ago.
The
general appearance of the town has sufPered no material change. Its circumference of fortifications has proven an effective barrier to the extension of its limits.
Consequently the population not employed at home has been compelled to
emigrate, and thus sever with reluctance endearing associations with the quaint
In different states and widely separated localities, those who thus
old town.
went forth conferred its name on the settlements they established.
Evan Owen was among those who sought to ameliorate their condition by removing beyond the seas. He was an ardent advocate of the doctrines of Fox,

and was warmly welcomed by his co-religionists iipon his arrival at Philadelphia.
When the land office was opened by the Penns in 1769 for the disposal
of their recently acquired purchase, he was among the first to take advantage
of the opportunity thus offered to secure lands at a merely nominal cost.
In
relying upon the fidelity and sagacity of the woodsman or explorer employed
to seek out the best land he was not disappointed, as the selection at Nescopeck falls was certainly judicious.
In 1772 he performed the journey from
Harris' ferry to Fishing creek in a river boat, accompanied by Benjamin Doan
and others, with the intention of establishing a Quaker village. The troublous

times that ensued compelled them to relinquish the idea.
In 1780 Owen returned and continued his journey above the mouth of Briarcreek, some distance fi"om the locality where he had previously settled.
He finally decided
upon a point opposite the mouth of Nescopeck creek as the location of the
prospective town.
Six years, however, elapsed before it was laid off, and during this period several families arrived and formed a small hamlet, conferring
upon it the name of Owensville. In 1786 the streets were surveyed, and corThe propriety of their names Oak,
ners established by blazing on the trees.
Vine, Mulberry, Pine, Chestnut and Walnut is thus explained.
When the
complicated and cooflicting titles of Connecticut and other claimants were adjusted, part of the area originally embraced in the town plot was diverted from
Owen's possession; it was included in Salem township, which in 1786 became part of Luzerne county upon its erection. The same year the townwas formally named Berwick by the proprietor, who thus expressed the attachment he still retained for his former home; like Berwick-on-Tweed, it was
also in Northumberland county, and on the bank of a river already famous in

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history.

The visitor to Berwick cannot fail to be impressed with the beauty and variety of natural scenery, which characterize the surrounding region in every direction.
Northward the outline of Lee mountain is visible from the knob to
its terminal point at Shickshinny; the Summer hills, geological formations of
an anomalous character, appear in the foreground. South of the Susquehanna
the Nescopeck range can be distinguished throughout a wide extent both
east and west, while the river hills in the distance apparently approach

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

192

The deep gorges of the Catawissa, Nescopeck and "Wapthe line of its base.
Above
wallopen creeks relieve the monotony of an otherwise unbroken trend.
the mouth of the latter " Council Cup " rears its crest and maintains a majestic silence concerning the mighty questions once deliberated there by a race
The
that has long since disappeared before the advancing tide of civilization.
location of the town itself reflects credit on the excellent judgment of the proprietor.
An elevated situation and perfect drainage preclude the idea of
the mephitic miasms from the stream below seriously affecting the general
healfchfulness of the place.
The first inhabitants of Berwick appeared upon its soil during the period
that intervened between Owen's first visit and the laying off of the town.*
Two brothers, John and Robert Brown, had but recently arrived from England when Owen, who was then in Philadelphia, induced them to remove to
his land on the Susquehanna. They reached Catawissa with no adventures other
than those usually incident to the overland journey, but were compelled to transport themselves and their goods from that point to their destination in canoes,
and this occasioned no little inconvenience and delay.
A landing was effected
The bluff was ascended with difficulty by an Indian
at the Nescopeck rapids.
path which marked the course of the road since opened.
The household goods
and meagre supply of provisions were deposited at the summit, and then they
sat down on the trunk of a fallen tree and rested. But the satisfaction of having
at last arrived at their destination could not idly be enjoyed. To add to the multiplied labors of the day, rain began to fall before provision had been made
for such an emergency
In recounting these particulars John Brown was wont
to relate that their wives, overcome at the dismal prospect of thus passing
the night without shelter, relieved their feelings in tears.
There is a tradition
current to the effect that the Browns passed the winter with only the temporary
protection afforded by pulling the tops of trees together and covering them with
bark; but this is altogether improbable, as the men were carpenters and well
prepared to erect comfortable cabins.
They did so at OQce; John Brown located on the north side of Front street, near Market, and Robert, nearly opposite, on the west side of Market.
These were the first houses erected in Berwick.
In 1786 Evan Owen built the next on the site of the St. Charles hotel.
Samuel Jackson, his relative by marriage, located on the opposite corner. Josiah Jackson was a hatter by trade, and conducted his business on Front street
below Market.
James Evans, a millwright by occu.pation, became the next
resident.
John Smith and Henry Traugh complete the niimber of those who
arrived at Berwick about 1786.
It appears that Owen had just returned from
.

*Thomas Cooper, one of the Pennsylvania Commissioners under tlie act of 1799, known as the "Compromising Law, " in the performance of his duties wrote as follows:
Northumberland, January 18, ]8it3. A part of the town of Berwick stands on a tract of land taken up
under Pennsylvania by Evan Owen, who laid out that town, and who, I understand, is now at Lancaster makiog his coui plaints on the subject, aud who, to my knowledge, most egregiously exaggerates the importance of the
case as will soon be perceived. A part of this tract and of the town of Berwick is included in the ''town of Salem."
General .Steele, Mr. Wilson and myself directed Mr.Sambourne, the surveyor, to run out the lines of interference. They can give evidence respecting it. Mr. Sambourne's return to me makes the business quite insignificant, but whether more or less, I liad to decide on principles that have no relation to the quantum of the dispute. 1 held this case under advisement on the following ground; It appeared in evidence before me by the
voluntary deposition of Evan Owen himself, that he made his commencement of settlement on the tract of
land whereon the town of Berwick now stands, on the 10th day of May, 17S7, the confirmiiiglaw having passed
on the 27th day of March preceding.
It apeared to me that this confirming law was public and legal notice to
him of an opposite and older title then recognized by the legislature and that he settled at his peril.
He
took up the land and settled it, knowing of a precedent title.
THOMA.S Cooper.
This communication would seem to establish a later date for the settlement of Berwick than that givea
above. In the act of January 29, 1818, for the incorporation of Berwick, it is expressly stated that in 1786,
Evan Owen laid out the town. It is also a well authenticated fact that certain of the first buildings were in
these streets, as then located, which would hardly have been the case if settlement had followed this survey.
Moreover, the land under dispute was merely that small, triangular portion of the original town plot included
in the "Town of Salem, " aud it is not improbable that settlement may have been male here in May, li87
"which does not conflict with the author's statement regarding settlement in the present limits of the town.

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BEIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

193

an extended journey through the lower

counties selling lots and endeavoring to
induce families to remove to his town.
He was fairly successful. Among
others who became residents in consequence of these efforts was Joseph Stackhouse, a wealthy farmer from Bucks county.
In the rear of his residence on
Second street he planted the first fruit trees brought thither, with great care
;and trouble. The square between Second and Third, Mulberry and Vine, ultimately became a hixuriant orchard.
Thomas Cole from New Jersey James
Herrin, from Northampton county
Benjamin Doan and Jacob Cooper, from
Montgomery county, were also among those who removed to the town on the
personal representations of the proprietor.
The first indications of settlement and improvement in Briarcreek township became apparent about this time.
A number of families removed from
mount Bethel, Northampton county, near the Delaware river. Among the
number appear the familiar names of Freas, Bowman, Hutton, Rittenhouse, Cauley and Mack. They emigrated in a body and entered the region in 1793,
journeying by way of Bethlehem, Nazareth and Beaver Meadows.
Mutual
assistance was rendered in the work of clearing the land and providing temporary shelter.
The tract upon which John Freas located comprised farms now
-owned by Levi Garret and Henry Bower.
On the land of the former a rude
log cabin was built, the main room of which was used as a dwelling and an addition as a stable.
Daniel Bowman and Wesley B. Freas own the tract originally occupied by Thomas Bowman.
A substantial brick and stone structure,
which superseded the log cabin first erected, was built in 1802 and was the
first house of such material in this section of coiintry.
Jesse Bowman settled
on the river road at its intersection with Briar creek.
William Rittenhouse
secured the title to an extensive tract on both banks of the creek to a considerable
distance above the junction of its north and west branches.
It embraced the
farms of Samuel Conner, William Hughes, Joseph Eck and William Freas.
The Bower, Millard, Evans, Engle, Adams and Wartz families were also among
those who arrived at an early period and located in various parts of the township.
Jacob Mack, who possessed considerable knowledge of building, superintended the erection of many of the first houses.
Certain features of the domestic and social life at this period strikingly illustrate the simplicity of the general style of living.
The spinning-wheel and
loom were of primary importance in every household. Linsey-woolsey and
cassinette, homespun fabrics of coarse texture but excellent durability, were
the usual materials for clothing.
Wooden spoons and bowls, pewter knives
and forks, constituted the table furniture. The gun and rod were indispensably necessary in providing for the wants of a family.
A general partnership
seems to have existed among the citizens. The two fisheries,
Tuckey Hoe
and
Jacob' s Plains
were the exclusive property of no one.
Every bear
killed was taken before Justice Owen and divided equally among the different
families. When strangers appeared in their midst the elastic dimensions of the
rude log cabin were so expanded as to comfortably shelter them.
In 1805 a
market house was built in the center of Market street, between Second and
Third.
The structure rested on massive wooden pillars, and was elevated sufficiently to allow the passage of horses and wagons beneath
It was used
for town meetings, elections, church and school purposes.
The inhabitants
of Berwick
utilized the water of the river in performing
the operations of the laundry.
When the women repaired thither on wash
days, the smoke and steam rising in artistic confusion from the kettles,
and the appearance of so many garments of various colors may have suggested
the idea of the decorations incident to a patriotic demonstration.
Before the
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194:

HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY.

had been established in the vicinity leather was scarce and shoes corAs a measure of economy, church-going maidens
respondingly high in price.
did not put on their shoes until within sight of the church, and removed them
One of the early preachers did not
after service, going home bare-footed.
He justified the sefully approve of this, and administered a caustic rebuke.
verity of his censure by alluding to a direct command with regard to duly revThe first marriage solemnized in Berwick was that
erencing "holy ground."
That the social custom thus inaugurated
of Annie Brown and Jesse Bowman.
has become quite popular may be inferred from the fi'equent recurrence of
these pleasant and interesting occasions.
At the period of Berwick's first settlement, Northern Pennsylvania was a
The means of communication with distant
region of magnificent distances.
As the population, productions
points were slow, tedious, and inadequate.
and wealth increased, there was an urgent necessity for better roads and more
The citizens of Briarcreek manifested a
direct routes to important points.
deep interest in promoting internal improvements of this character. In 1787
Evan Owen was appointed to superintend the construction of a road laid out
Two years
from Nescopeck falls to the Lehigh by authority of the state.
later the work was completed, and the Indian trail which marked the proposed
March 19, 1804, the Susqueroute improved so as to be passable for vehicles.
hanna and Lehigh Turnpike and Road Company was incorporated. The old
Nescopeck road was transformed into a graded pike in 1805 at an enormous
Andrew Shiner of Berwick was one of the contractors, and Christian
expense.
Bowman first traversed the road to Easton. The Susquehanna and Tioga
Turnpike Road Company was chartered in 180G " for making an artificial road
by the best and nearest route from Berwick, on the north-east branch of
the Susquehanna, or from the mouth of the Little Wopehawley, to that point
on the north line of the state which is nearest Newtown, on the river Tioga
It was finally completed to Towanda in 1818, at
in the state of New York."
Among those
an immense expenditure by the state and individual investors.
prominently identified with both these enterprises were Nicholas Seybert,
Andrew Shiner, Jesse Bowman, Jacob Mack, McKinney Buckalew and John,

tanneries

Bostian.

A connecting link between these two thoroughfares of travel, the bridge
The iniacross the Susquehanna, was early deemed important and necessary.
tiatory movement was made in 1807, when the legislature authorized the formation of the "Susquehanna Bridge Company at Falls of Nescopeck." Au\
organization was efPected five years later with Abraham Miller, Sr., presidents
John Brown, treasurer, and a board of managers consisting of Silas Engle,/
Thomas Bowman and Elisha Barton. The contract for the construction of the*
When completed in 1814 it cost
bridge was awarded to Theodore Burr.
The length was 1,260 feet, and the structure rested on piers of
$52,000.
heavy planked timber. It was entirely desti'oyed by an ice fiood in the winter
The managers forthwith delegated Jesse Bowman, one of their
of 1835-36.
number, to represent the interests of the company before the legislature. An
appropriation of 110,000 was secured, and in 1837 the present bridge was
erected.
The efforts of Josiah T. Black, Samuel F. Headley, A. B. Wilson
and Robert McCurdy, contributed largely to the celerity with which this was
accomplished.
A connected line of travel Avas thus established between Towanda and
These roads, like many similar enterprises, although advantageous ta
Easton.
the section of country traversed, have not been productive investments to stockThe benefits conferred have not been commensurate with the capital
holders.

195

BRIARCBEEK TOWNSHIP.

tjonsuraed in their construction. It was a period, however, of high speculative
excitement, not confined to the limits of any geographical section, or to any
class of the people.
The position of Berwick, at the terminal points of two turnpikes, and at
their intersection with the route traversed between points on the river rendered
The effect on its growth in size and
it a place of considerable importance.
The log cabins first erected were gradually
population was at once apparent.
superseded by structures of an improved and more substantial appearance. The
first frame house was built by Robert Brown, and is still standing opposite Odd
The first brick dwelling was erected in 1816 by H. Seybert, and
Fellows hall.
Brick buildings at the corner of
is at present known as the St. Charles hotel.
Mulberry and Front, and on Front between Market and Mulberry were built
by Thomas Kichardson and Samuel F. Headley about the same time.
John Brown opened the first hotel on the corner of Second and Market
streets; the scrupvilous care with which neatness and cleanliness were maintained rendered it the favorite stopping place of travelers on the river road.
John Jones was the next hotel proprietor; he was succeeded by Abraham
Klotz and Frederick Nicely, and during the latter' s ownership it was first
known as Cross Keys. " At a period anterior to the construction of the
bridge, William Brien conducted a public house above its approach on the
Berwick side. He also established a ferry, which was patronized by those who
Golden Lamb, and
crossed the river.
John Jones, at the sign of the
Samuel F. Headley, at the corner of Front and Mulberry, complete the list of
hotel keepers at this period.
The uniform prosperity enjoyed by this class of persons was largely derived
from the stage travel. The time at which this began cannot be definitely determined.
It did not assume a permanent character until 1810, when a mail
Previous to that time the postmaster
service was connected with the stage.
at Wilkes-Barre designated certain private houses at Nescopeck and Berwick,
and a post-rider distributed mail agreeably to his directions. Berwick first appears as a post-village in 1797 Jonathan Hancock carried the mail in 1800; and
William Brien was the first regularly appointed post-master, receiving his commission several years later.
In 1811 Conrad Teter was awarded a government
contract for establishing mail coaches between Sunbury and Painted Post. He
transferred that portion of the route between Sunbury and Wilkes-Barre to
Miller Horton, by whom the first coaches between those points were controlled.
In 1824, Miller, Jesse and Lewis Horton opened a new era in stage coach
travel.
They assumed control of a mail route from Baltimore to Owego, by
way of Harrisburg and Sunbury. Four-horse coaches, substantial, comfortThe crack of the driver's
able and attractive, rolled into Berwick every day.
whip and the blast from his horn relieved the monotony of life in the otherwise quiet village.
John Jones, tavern keeper, farmer and lime-bui'ner, became stage proprietor as well, by operating a line of coaches to Easton. The
Joshua Dodson drove the first stage
journey to that point required two days.
A week was required to reach that point and
coach from Berwick to Elmira.
return.
Joshua Kindy was toll-collector beyond Berwick on the Towanda
road.
Philip Abbot and George Root deserve honorable mention in connection with stage coach travel.
The latter, a trusted and skillful driver, served
in that capacity more than forty years.
The turnpikes, the bridge and the stage enterprises did not so fully engross
the public mind as to divert its attention fi'om the equally necessary considerIn 1797 the township of "Green Brierations of organized government.
Creek" was formed, comprising the area included between the Susquehanna
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

196

line of Briarcreek's northern boundary extended to Little FishingThis was formerly included in Fishingcreek township, and prior to>
creek.
The erection of Centre in 1844 reduced Briarcreek to its.
1789 in Wyoming.
The borough of Berwick was separated from it in 1850, prepresent limits.
vious to which time elections for school officers were not held separately.

and the

When

the borough was incorporated, January 29, 1818, burgesses, councilmen
and high constables were the only elective officers for whom provision was
made. The borough limits, as originally described, included the whole of
the town plot as laid off by Evan Owen; subsequently, the eastern boundary
was so changed as not to exclude that portion embraced in Luzerne county.
Although the borough organization was a measure of unquestioned wisdoms
and prudence, it was decidedly in advance of the general sentiment of th&
citizens, and lacked character and efficiency during the first period of its.
history.

While the internal improvements already noted were absorbing the interest
of the masses, the attention of others was directed to a question of equally
This stream was declared
serious import the navigation of the Susquehanna.
a public highway by the provincial assembly in 1771, and a sum of money apThe Dui'ham boats, in which the first fampropriated to render it navigable.
ilies ascended the river to Berwick, derived their names from Durham, a towns
on the Delaware below Easton, where they were made. They were sixty feet
in length, eight feet wide, and two feet deep, and drew twenty inches of water
under fifteen tons burthen. When manned by four men with setting poles, a
Yarioua
boat progressed at the rate of two miles an hour against the current.
improvements were attempted in the construction of boats. Isaac A. Chap-

—

It,
boat at Nescopeck, and named it "Experiment."
1824, but was unwieldy in size and shape, and was.
The farmers of Briarcreek, with those of the whole section,
abandoned.
resorted to rafts, arks, and other varieties of river craft in transporting their
In April, 1826, the "Codorus," a steamwheat and flour to Baltimore.
boat built at York Haven and commanded by Captain Elger, passed Berwick on
A crowd of people collected oa
its way to Wilkesbarre and Binghampton.
the shore and cheered with much enthusiasm the craft that moved against
The following month Captain Collins in
the current with such apparent ease.
the "Susquehanna," a boat of larger dimensions than the "Codorus," made^
On the afterthe second attempt to navigate the "North Branch" by steam.
noon of May 3, 1826, the falls of Nescopeck were reached. These rapida
were regarded as the most dangerous and difficult yet encountered. The memorable disaster that occurred at this point is thus described by Colonel Joseph
Paxton, of Catawissa: "With our rich pine we succeeded in raising a full head
The strength of the
of steam, and set off in fine style to ascend the rapids.
current soon checked our headway, and the boat, flanking towards the right
bank of the river, struck a rock. I stood on the forward deck with a long asb
pole in my hand, and was in the act of placing it in the water hoping to steady
Two young men standing near wereher, when the explosion took place.
blown high into the air, and I was hurled several yards into the water. I
All that remained
thought a cannon had been fired, and shot my head off.
The mangled
of the unfortunate "Susquehanna" floated with the current.
bodies of her passengers and crew, some dead, others disfigured beyond recognition but still clinging to life, were taken into Berwick, where every kindness,
was bestowed upon the unhappy survivors. This disaster conclusively demonstrated the impracticability of navigating the river by steam.
The construction of a canal was at once discussed as the only feasible

man

built a

"team"

was launched

in July,

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\
BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.
means

197

of transporting the increasing productions to the seaboard.
July 4,
1828, the patriotic demonstrations at Berwick were characterized by an unusually interesting featiu'e. The excavation for the " North Branch " canal was begun in the presence of a large concourse of people from various places along
Several furrows were plowed by Nathan Beach and Alexander
the river.
Jameson.
The former held the plow; the latter drove the oxen. The "Berappeared upon the scene in full military uniform.
wick Gtiards
The loose
earth was removed with shovels, a blast was fired and a mass of rock shattered;
the discharge of a cannon and several exhibitions of pugilistic skill added to
Berwick was not benefitted morally by the conthe interest of the occasion.
struction of the canal, if an inference may be drawn from the fact that there
were fourteen drinking places in the place during that period. The first canalboat, the
Wyoming, passed Berwick on the river in 1830, before the canal
was opened for navigation. It is problematical whether the "Wyoming" may
be called a canal-boat with propriety under such circumstances.
The following year the " Luzerne " passed the town in the canal.
In 1835 the " George
Denison
and
Gertrude,
packet-boats, were launched by Miller Horton
and A. O. Cahoon, respectively, for the transportation of passengers between
Wilkesbarre and Northumberland.
The Lackawanna and Bloomsburg rail-road
was opened through the town in 1858; and in 1882 the North and West
Branch railway became a valuable addition to its commercial facilities.
The manufacturing industries of Briarcreek at an early period present no
William Rittenhouse built the first mill in this region. It is
special features.
still in existence, but has not been operated for many years.
It stands within
the angle formed by the confluence of the north and west branches of the creek,
and receives its water-power by means of dams erected in both streams. Millard' s fulling mill was locally important at one time.
Evan Owen attempted to
utilize the water power of the river, and built a grist mill on its bank, but the
attempt was a failure.
James Evans engaged in a similar undertaking with
better success, locating his establishment on Briar creek.
Some half dozen
houses clustered around this mill constitute the village of Evansville.
George
Mack established a foundry in 1825, and operated it on a small scale for some
years.
The homes of the operatives here employed form the scattered village
of Foundryville.
The first representatives of their respective vocations in Berwick were Benjamin Doan, tailor; Abel Dally, chair-maker; Hiram Inman, tinner; Henry Traugh, tanner; the Browns, cai-penters; Burlingame, cooper;
Aquilla Starr, blacksmith; Bush, cloth-dyer; Joseph Stackhouse, butcher;
Polly Mullen, weaver; Samuel Herrin, cabinet-maker; John Snyder, saddler;
James Evans, wheel-wright; Roxana Cortright, milliner; Sleppy and Company,
gunsmiths, and Marshall, silversmith.
The initiatory step in conferring upon Berwick its present prominence in
manufacturing circles was made in 1840, when M. W. Jackson and George
Mack established a foundry at the corner of Third and Market streets. Their
works comprised one building forty feet long and twenty-five feet wide, with a
shed in the rear in which agricultural implements were manufactured. Fifteen
men were usually employed. The machinery consisted of a blower and lathe,
operated by horse-power.
Robert McCurdy succeeded to Mack's interest in
Louis Euke was associated with Mr. Jack1843, but retired three years later.
son fi'om 1846 to 1849, and during this time the manufactui'e of heavy wagons
received some attention. The firm of Jackson and Woodin was foi-med in 1849,
W. H. Woodin being the new partner. The iron pipes, laid by the Berwick
Water Company in 1850, were the first product of any magnitude manufactured at their works.
Bridge castings were made for the Philadelphia and
'

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198

HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Erie rail-road in 1858, and the number of operatives increased to fifty. Twenty
four-wheel cars were built in 1861, thus inaugurating the most important
Two men were able to build one car in a
branch of the subsequent business.
Improved machinery was secured, and the capacity increased to five
week.
cars a week, and ultimately to one a day. Additional shops were there erected,
and in 1865 one hundred and fifty men were employed. A destructive fire reduced the works to ashes on the morning of March 17, 1866. The following
day it was decided to rebuild. The hours that intervened marked a critical
The result was awaited with anxiety by
period in the history of Berwick.
It was everywhere discussed with approving comevery citizen of the town.
A period of building activity ensued. In 1869 two hundi-ed and fifty
ment.
men were employed at the shops. In 1872 the "long switch" was built, conMarch 1,
necting the works with the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg rail-road.
1872, the Jackson and Woodin Manufacturing Company organized, with C. R.
Woodin, president; C. G. Jackson, vice-president; Grarrick Mallery, treasurer;
M. W. Jackson and W. H. Woodin, executive committee. The Berwick Rolling Mill Company was organized the same year; M. W. Jackson, C. G. JackThe pay-rolls
son, G. B. Thompson and B. F. Crispin were its first officers.
of these two establishments aggregate several hundred thousand dollars in the
Thus have the insignificant proportions of the industry escourse of a year.
tablished in 1840 expanded to their present comprehensive magnitude.
To say that the growth of Berwick has been directly resultant from that of
In illusits manufacturing interests would be the expression of a platitude.
tration of this it may be stated that the population was four-hundred and fiftytwo in 1840; four-hundred and eighty-six in 1850; six-hundred and twenty-five
in 1860; nine-hundred and twenty-three in 1870; two-thousand and ninety -four
in 1880; and at this time (1886) probably more than three-thousand.
The extent and importance of the business interests of Berwick followed in
John Jones opened the first store about
the wake of its increasing population.
William Brien followed with the second, at his hotel. George Payne
1800.
and Thomas Richardson removed from Boston in 1807, and both became merchants.
The former located on the corner of Market and Second streets the
Other busilatter on the west side of Second between Market and Mulberry.
ness houses of local prominence at different periods were those of Matthew McDowell, J. & A. Miller, Wright & Slocum, Robert McCurdy, J. & E. Leidy,
Stowers & Ellis, J. & J. Bowman, Clark, Deilly, Scoville, Rittenhouse &
January 27, 1818, the
Shuman, Headley, McNair & Co. and George Lane.
legislatui-e authorized John Brown, John Vennet, Samuel F. Headley and
Sherman Clark to organize the Berwick Water Company. Water was brought
from Briar creek, two miles distant, in wooden pipes. The supply from
this source was inadequate, and in 1841 George Mack. Samuel F. Headley and
A. B. Wilson projected hydraulic works and perfected arrangements for pumping water from a spring below the hill.
In 1848 the Water & Hydraulic
Companies were consolidated. The decayed wooden pipes were replaced with
cement and iron mains. Upon the reorganization of the company in 1883 the
An instigeneral condition of its distributing service was greatly improved.
tution of more recent origin and scarcely less importance is the First National
Bank of Berwick. June 3, 1864, articles of association were properly drawn
and signed by M. W. Jackson, P. M. Traugh, Jesse Bowman, S. B. Bowman,
M. M. Cooper, Francis Evans, F. Nicely, A bram IMiller. W. H. AYoodin, M.
E. Jackson, William Lamon and Henry Lamon,
A charter was granted by
the comptroller of the treasury November 10, 1864. December 1, 1865, an organization was effected, with M. W. Jackson president, and M. E. Jackson,
;

SI.V*!*'''^'"'"

'«>V

^3.^y?u Cr/?/l(^i)/^7iy^-^ij^.
>
/

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BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

201

The

capital stock, originally fifty-thousand dollars, was increased,
1865, to seventy-five thousand dollars.
The din of peaceful industry has not always, as now, been unbroken by the
mingled discord of military parade. The old ''battalion days " are remembered by the older citizens as topics of absorbing interest at the time of their
occurrence.
In the latter part of May in each year, infantry and cavalry, a
cashier.

Jamiary

3,

motley crowd of men and boys in

citizens'

attire,

paraded and maneuvered to

the roll of the drum and the shrill notes of the fife.
An ancient piece of ordnance, primed, polished and mounted, represented the artillery.
The population was in attendance en masse training day was the gala occasion of all the
year.
James Pratt drilled the infantry; Matthew McDowell organized the
;

company. John M. Snyder and John Bittenbender are remembered as
George Kelekner and Christopher Bowman as majors.
Berwick furnished a full quota of soldiers to the late war. A company of
thirteen enlisted in May, 1861, and twenty-three for three years' service a short
time afterward, while others joined the ranks at intervals during the war.
A
regiment passed through the town in April, 1861, and was greeted with enthusiasm.
The remains of twenty-six soldiers repose in the Berwick cemetery.
Two of this number, Moses Davis and James Pratt, were veterans of the revolution, three of the war of 1812, two of the Mexican war, eighteen served in
the war for the union and one was a member of the National Guards.
The
military prestige of the town is still maintained to a certain extent.
The
Jackson Guards were organized in 1871, but disbanded in 1880. April 1, 1886,
Julius Hoft, formerly a student at the Prussian military academy, organized
the Berwick Guards, a juvenile company, C. C. Jackson, captain.
Jackson
Post, No. 159, Grand Army of the Republic, was chartered January 26, 1886,
with the following members
George A. Buckingham, J. T. Chamberlin, Samuel Simpson, D. W. Holly, Abner Welsh, Reuben Moyer, George Keenor, W.
H. Morton, John Withers, R. H. Little, W. C. Barnard, Minor Hartman,
Martin McAlister, Leroy T. Thompson, Tighlman Mahorter, S. C. Jayne, A.
D. Seeley, W. J. Scott, Michael Thornton, John Wooly and E. D. Lepkicher.
John H. Styer, Camp, No. 25, was instituted May 29, 1*882, with D. C. Smith,
captain; E. P. Wolfe, first lieutenant; Harry Low, second lieutenant; David
Thomas, chaplain; Augustus Low, surgeon; George Hoppes, orderly sergeant;
Harry Barnard, sergeant of the guard; David Thomas, quarter- master; Jerome
Pifer, color-sergeant; Albert Low, corporal.
The various secret societies are also represented. Berwick Lodge, No. 246,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted July 23, 18-47, with Isaiah
Bahl, N. G.
O. H. P. Kitchin, V. G. Aaron Deitterich, secretary; James
S. Campbell, treasurer.
Besides these persons the names of Stewart Pearce,
G. W". Nicely, William Brewer and B. S. Gilmour appeared among the list of
first members.
A hall was built in 1868-69 at a cost of twelve thousand dollars under the supervision of Hudson Owen, H. R. Bower and David Baughey.
Knapp Lodge, No. 462, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized March
F. E. Brockway, S. W.
2, 1872, with John H. Taylor, W. M.
G. B.
Thompson, J. W. The original members were John H. Taylor, Frank E.
Brockway, George B. Thompson, C. G. Jackson, A. B. McCrea, H. C. Freas,
C. R. Woodin, Samuel Hetler, Hudson Owen, Daniel Reedy, W. H. Woodin,
Adrian Van Houten, R. H. Little, J. W. Driesbach, George W. Fisher, J. F.
Opdyke, J. F. Hicks, S. B. Bowman, N. W. Stecker, Benjamin Evans, William Ross and Nicholas Seybert.
The following persons have been Past
Masters since the organization: John H. Taylor, F. E. Brockway, Joseph F.
Hicks, Henry C. Augstadt, Jacob F. Bittenbendei", W. A. Baugher, B. F.
first

colonels,

:

;

;

;

;

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

202
Crispin, Jr.

,

R. G. Crispin, John Everard,

W.

S.

Heller and D. H. Thornton.

105, Patriotic Order Sons of America, was estabFebriiary 17, 1880, it was reorganized
lished in 1869, but disbanded in 1878.
with the following members: N. W. Dickson, W. A. Ross, C. A. Croop,
S. C. Marteeny, F. R. Kitchin, C. E. Ross, H. C. Learn, F. S. Hart-

Washington Camp, No.

man, Anselm Loeb, Will H. Owen, W. M. Hampshire, Conway Dickson,
J. W. Kurtz, J. S. Hicks, Charles W. Freas, F. P. Hill, George B. Kester,
J. C. Deitterick, John W. Morhead, J. C. Reedy, J. M. Witman, William F.
Rough, M. E. Rittenhouse, A. J. Learn, F. G. Hull, J. E. Frey, and H. Z.
In April, 1886, the lodge first occupied its present comfortable
Hempfield.
The membership is more than one-hundred
quarters on West Front street.
and is steadily increasing.
The schools of Berwick date from an earlier period than its military and
The first school in Briarcreek township was opened in
business institutions.
In 1810 this school was removed to a buildthe old stone church building.
Cordelia A. Preston, Daniel
ing erected for school purposes at Foundryville.
Goodwin, Morris Hower and John Arney were teachers at these places. The
first school at Berwick was opened in 1800 by Isaac Holoway in the Quaker
meeting-house.
Prior to 1837 this building and the market-house were the
David E. Owen, Doctors Dutlon and
only houses used for school purposes.
Roe, David Jones and James Dilvan are remembered as teachers prior to 1818;
between that date and 1837, Messrs. Comstock, Hoyt, Richards, Crosby and
for the education of youth
Haik were their successors. Berwick Academy,
in the English and other languages, and in the useful arts and sciences, and
literature," was incorporated June 25, 1839, with Marmaduke Pearce, John
Bowman, Thomas McNair, A. B. Wilson, George Mack and A. B. Shuman,
Among the instructors connected with this institution were J. H.
trustees.
A biiilding was erected in
Rittenhouse, George Waller and Joel E. Bradley.
It was removed in 1872 and the pro1839 on the site of the market- house.
The interest of the citizens in educeeds applied to public school purposes.
cational matters is tangibly expressed in the commodious brick structures on
Market and Third streets. The former was erected in 1872, the latter in 1886.
D. C. McHenry has served as school director continuously since 1859, with
Timothy Mahoney became principal of the high
the exception of one year.
school in the autumn of 1858; Michael Whitmire in 1859; Joseph Yocum
in 1860; Henry Keim in 1861; J. G. Cleveland in 1862; Samuel E. Furst in
1863; Reece W. Dodson in 1864; William Patterson in 1865; J. H. Hurst in
1866; S. C. Jayne in 1867; H. M. Spaulding in 1868; H. D. Albright in the
four years following and in 1874; J. G. Williams in 1873; C. F. Diffenderfer in
1875; A. H. Steesinl876; W. E. Smith in 1877 and the four succeeding terms;
J. T. Bevanin 1882; L. T. Conrad in 1883; Amelia Armstrong in 1884 and
1885, and Henry G. Clark, the present jDrincipal.
The various religious bodies were early represented in Briarcreek township.
The Friends were the first to erect a house for worship. October 21, 1799, the
ground was purchased upon which the brick structure that succeeded it is
The following entry appears in the minutes of Catawissa monthly
situated.
meeting, November 11, 1800: "Friends of Berwick laid before this meeting
in a serious manner, in writing signed by Aquilla Starr, a request for the
privilege of holding a meeting for divine service on the first day of the week at
April 25, 1801, the request was favorably considered
the eleventh hour."
but the meeting thus established has long since been discontinued. Evan Owen,
Joseph Stackhouse, Andrew Shiner, William Rittenhouse. Joseph Pilkington
and Joseph Eck were prominently identified with the afPairs of this meeting.
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BRIARCREEK TOWNSHTP.

203

A union house of worship was built in 1805 by the Lutheran and Keformed
congregations of Briaicreek valley.
This was the lirst effort in this direction
made by either denomination in the county. A constitution for the joint ownership of this building was framed in 1807.
Keverends Plitt and Adams were
The English element of the Lutheran congregation subpastors at that time.
sequently separated from it and became a distinct organization.
The Reformed
congregation has usually been connected in pastoral care with the Orangeville
church.
In the minutes of the Central Pennsylvania Conference for 187(3 the following appears from the pen of B. H. Creever, D. D., regarding the origin of
Methodism

in this section:

In Brier creek valley, Columbia county, Penn., a mile or more from the north branch
of the Susquehanna, and within four miles"of Berwick, may be seen a stone building forty
feet front, as measured by the eye, and nearly or quite square.
It is severely plaui, and
might easily escape the eye of a traveler; but modest as it is, it is monumental, and, historically considered, is invested with an abiding interest.
This plain house was the first
completed church edifice belonging to the Methodists, within what are defined as the present limits of the Danville district. It was erected in 1^08.
As a shrine of religious worship it has long been deserted; but, as a lingering fragrance hangs about the broken vase, so, around this deserted temple, linger still its sacred
memories— memories of holy joy that once thrilled the hearts of its worshipers, and of
gospel triumphs once celebrated within its walls.
Events and incidents, thus commemorated, possess more than a local or passing interest; with others of similar import in adjacent territory, they constitute no unimportant
part of the early history of a great denomination. The country extending for miles from
this venerable shrine is in the highest degree beautiful, consisting of highly cultivated
farms, held by prosperous people. When this church was built, the primitive forest of
the river country had been but barely grazed by the axe (»f the adventurous frontiersman.
Hemlock, pine, beech and maple towered aloft everywhere, in solemn grandeur, from
Northumberland to the farthest reach of Wyoming.
In the rear of the church is a rural burial ground, where lie— like warriors asleep on
the field of their triumphs many of tlie moral heroes who did valiant service in the heroic
era of Methodism. At a short distance from the church is a farm house, which likewise
possesses historic interest. Like the sanctuary, it is of .stone, and so survives, while more
perishable structures hav.e disappeared. It is of unusual elevation, having in some sort
a third story. This was the home of Thomas Bowman, who, with his brother Christian,
emigrated from Northampton county and settled here in the wilderness in 1793. This third
story was a recognized place of worship, and became famous among the scattered saints
years before the erection of the church.
Here occurred, in 180.5, the first great revival of religion in the "North Branch " country, so far as it is embraced in this sketch. A spirit-baptism anj^where at that day was the
signal for the gathering of God's people from great distances, and so by an irresistible
impulse they met here, coming— some on horse-back, more on foot— from a distance of
thirty or forty miles.

—

A direct and immediate result of

this

was the formation of a

class at Berwick.

The following persons were members: William Stahl, Jane Herrin. Rachel
Traugh, Hugh Thompson, Nancy Thompson, Robert Brown, Samuel Steele,
Sallie Steele, James Herrin, AVilliam Sisty, Mary Sisty, Andrew Petit and Benjamin Doan.
Previous to this time Reverends William Culbert, James Paynter,
Morris Howe and Robert Burch had preached occasional sermons.
In 1806 Berwick appointment was attached to Northumberland circuit. In 1831 Berwick cirwas established, embracing twenty- eight preaching places in Columbia
and Luzerne counties. In 1867 Berwick became a station. The class leaders at
this time were Jesse Bowman, Isaac Smith, Amos F. Creasy, W. H. Woodin, M.
W. Jackson and C. R. Woodin.
Jesse Bowman, M. W. Jackson, H. C.
Freas, W. H. Woodin, M. E. Jackson, Paul Fortner, W. J. Knorr, E. B.
Hull and Isaac Smith constituted the board of stewards.
Jesse Bowman, M.
W. Jackson, Paul Fortner, M. E. Jackson, H. C. Freas, W. H. Woodin. J.
AV. Bowman, James Jacoby and Isaac Smith were trustees.
J. A. Gere was
cuit

pastor in 1867-68; F. B. Riddle, 1869-70;

W. W. Evans, 1872-73;

S.

Creigh-

204

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

1874-75; J. H. McGarrah, 1876-78; M. L. Smyser, 1879-81; W. W.
Evans, 1882-85; E. H. Yocum, 1885.
Services were held in the second story of the market-house during the first
Subsequently a store-room was fitted up
years of the history of this church.
In 1811 Hugh Thompson tenin a rude manner and used for this purpose.
dered a room in his house on Second street for the use of the society.
In
1817 a lot on the corner of Mulberry and Third streets was secured and the
In 1845, the second
brick structure now used as a dwelling erected thereon.
Methodist church building was erected on a lot donated by Robert McCurdy.
Gilbert Fowler, Samuel F. Headley and AV. McCurdy were the building committee. Reverend John Bowen was pastor at that time. February 19,1871, the
present church edifice was erectedon the same site as its predecessor of a quarReverend Thomas Bowman, at present (1886) the senior
ter century previous.
bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church in this country and a native of BerHouses of worship have also
wick, performed the ceremony of dedication.
been built at Summer Hill and Foundry ville.
The Evangelical AssociaHon has been represented in Briarcreek since
1826, when Reverends Seybert and Noecker conducted religious services at
The Summer Hill church building was
the house of George Zahner.
Prior to this Daniel Kahr, Simon McLane, James Dunlap
erected in 1 849.
and others continued to preach at private houses. The Evansville church was
The organizations at both points are connected with Columbia
built in 1854.
circuit.
Jacob Hartzel, John Young, George Hunter, A. H. Irvin, S. D. Bennington, P. H. Rishel, H. W. Buck, S. P. Remer, A. W. Shenburger^ W. W.
Rhoads, I. W. Pines and D. P. Kline have successively served as pastors.
The first service of this church in Berwick was held in March, 1870, at the
town-hall by Reverend P. H. Rishel. A class had been organized somewhat
earlier.
It was composed of Isaiah Bower, Hannah Bower, George P. Clewell,
Susan Clewell, Elizabeth Clewell and Fannie Kirkendall. The meetings of the
During this period, proclass were held in the hall until January 18. 1874.
In February,
tracted meetings were conducted with frequency and success.
1873, it was formally decided to build a church edifice. Isaiah Bower was constituted the building committee. January 1, 1874, the l^rick structure on Second
M. J. Carothers, presiding
street between Pine and Chestnut was dedicated.
In March,
elder, H. B. Hartzel and others participated in the ceremonies.
1875, Berwick and Beach Haven were separated fi'om Columbia circuit and
constituted Berwick mission.
W. M. Croman was appointed missionary. Under the pastoral care of Reverends J. A. Irvine, J. M. Ettinger, C. W. Buck
and J. J. Lohr, the mission has become practically self-sustaining.
The doctrines of the Baptist society were first promulgated at Berwick in
1842 by Reverend Joseph Morris, who preached in the Methodist church
building.
The onlv adherents to this faith in Berwick at that time were Levi
L. Tate and Mrs, Silas E. Craig.
In September, 1842, W. S. Hall, of White
Deer, Union county, succeeded Mr. Morris.
Services were held in a storehouse at the corner of Mulberry and Second streets owned by Saml. A. Headley, and fitted up for that purpose by him. Religious meetings were held continuously between September 10th and 15th, resulting in forty-two conversions.
The following week the converts were baptized in the canal at the head of the
At the conclusion of this
lock in the joresence of a large concourse of people.
ceremony the bridge was crossed, and the church formally organized in Williams grove on the opposite side.
Levi L. Tate, John T. Davis and Abram
Miller were elected deacons.
Mr. Hall resigned the pastorate at the expiration of
three years.
During this period, a frame church edifice was erected; it has
ton,

BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

205

subsequently been replaced by a brick structure of enlarged size and improved
appearance.
Reverends Rohrer, Worrel, Miller, Prentess, Brinsinger, Cattell,
Caterall and Galloway have successively served this church.
On Saturday afternoon, November 24, 1827, the Reverend Joseph M. OgJen, a Presbyterian clergyman, held a service preparatory to communion in the
brick church building, which appears to have been regarded as a union meeting-house at that time.
A congregational meeting was held at the close
of the regular exercises and it was unanimously decided to form a district
Presbyterian church.
William Willson and Sarah Willson became members
of this organization, having previously been connected with the church at Abington. Pa. Daniel Bowen was received from the old South Church, Boston;
Isaac and Abigail Hart, from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Mary and Eliza Polluck
from the Deny church; the remaining members, Thomas and Eleanor Lockart, Emanuel Kirkendall and Rachel Beach had been received into the church
by Reverend John Patterson on a previous visit. It was resolved that the articles of faith and covenant for admission of members at Wilkes-Barre and
Abington be adopted and enforced in a similar manner. The organization was
completed on the following Sabbath when Daniel Bowen, Isaac Hart and
Thomas Lockart were installed as elders; and at a meeting of the session,
February 19, 1828, a request was formulated for admission into Northumberland Presbytery.
July 20, 1839, Reverend David J. Waller entered a minute upon the
record of this congregation, in which he stated that the church had been for a
long time without pastoral care and, as far as the manifestations of life were
concerned, was virtually extinct. The only knowledge of the facts above stated
had been learned from the Reverend D. Gaston, of Conyngham, who sent Mr.
Waller the record in which they were embodied. It contained the approval
of the moderator of presbytery, and he accepted this as sufficient evidence
of the e.xistence of an organization, although but two or three of its original
members were any longer residents of the town. At Mr. Waller's request,
Reverend A. H. Hand took part of his extensive charge, entering upon his
duties at Berwick July 7, 1812.
He at once agitated the erection of a church
building, and with such success that on the 7th of October, 1843, the completed structure was dedicated by Reverend George W. Yeomans, president
of Lafayette College.
Its appearance was greatly improved in 1881, when the
building was completely remodeled and a tower of symmetrical proportions
erected.
The rededication occurred Jtily 10, 1881, when Reverends D. J.
Waller, S. Mitchell. D. D., C. K. Canfield and L. M. Kumler participated in
the ceremonies.
Many pastoral changes occurred in the years that intervened
between these two events in the history of this church. Mr. Hand resigned
on account of ill health, and on the 14th of July, 1845, a call was extended to
Reverend Alexander Heberton. He entered upon his pastoral duties the 1st
of August of that year, and was installed November 25th following. Reverend
T. K. Newton became pastor August IS, 1853, having for three years previous
been seamen's chaplain at the island of St. Thomas. Reverend M. L. Kumler
was installed as pastor July 10, 1881. His immediate predecessor was the Reverend James Dickson.
Reverends James F. Kennedy,
Morgan, Joseph
Marr, Edward Kennedy, James M. Salmon and P. M. Melick have also sustained pastoral relations with this church.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Berwick is an instiiution which
affords rare opportunities for cooperative effort on the part of all evangelical
denominations in svu-rounding voung men with healthful moral influences.
The genius which had transformed the country village into a manufacturing
,

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY,

206

town turned with equal energy and success to the solution of a perplexing
problem of social life how to restrain and direct the various classes of society
which had populated its expanding limits and develop fi'om them a body of

—

useful citizens. The practicability of organizing christian eflPort for the attainment of this object was quietly discussed. The movement assumed tangible
form in 1878, when, on the 9th of June, a meeting of the clergy and citizens
was held in the basement of the Methodist church edifice, C. H. Zehnder, secAn organization was
retary of Pennsylvania district, Y. M. C. A. presiding.
effected by the election of C. Gr. Jackson, president, and Isaiah Bower, viceThe Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Co. manifested their interpresident.
est in promoting the success of the Association in its incipiency by placing at
,

its disposal the third floor of their building, free of all charges for rent, light
or heat. A reading room was here opened between the hours of 7 and 9 P. M.
In June, 1879, C. H. Zehnder was appointed executive secretary, and a janiJ. F. Opdyke became presitor was employed to keep the rooms in order.
The Jackson & Woodin Co. opened a reading room on the
dent in 1880.
second floor of this building, and purchased one thousand volumes as a nucleus
Mr. A. G. Kimberley was elected librarian, and devoted his
of a library.
whole time to the task of systematizing the workings of the library and renderThe various departments of the work were susino- its results more effective.
tamed with such effect as to fully compensate the projectors for their efforts.
John W. Evans became president in 1882, and C. H. Zehnder the following
In June, 1883, the "'Young Men's Christian Association of Berwick"
year.
was incorporated, with M. W. Jackson, W. H. Woodin, C. E. Woodin, B. F.

Crispin, F. K. Jackson, S. P. Hanly, L. F. Bower, S. C. Jackson and C. H.
Prior to this time the association had been an experiment;
Zehnder, trustees.
its projectors observed with complacency their confidence in the success of its
methods gradually infusing itself into the minds of those who had at first been
Its work had increased to such an extent as to require enlarged
doubtful.

unrestricted usefulness.
officers of the association realized their requirements and took
immediate measures for the erection of a hall. The following year (1884) C.
R. Woodin deeded to the trustees a lot on the corner of Market and Second
streets, and by an additional donation of eleven thousand dollars placed the
Mrs. Lizzie Jackson followed with a
institution upon a firm financial basis.

facilities for its

The executive

W.
three-story dwelling house on Market street and two-thousand dollars.
Tao-o-art, state secretary, made personal solicitations with the board of trustees,
The plan for a hall, sugfor^fiands to supplement these generous donations.
gested bv Mr. S. Fraser and approved by the board of trustees, embodies all
The new building was formally
the latest ideas in association architecture.
The general secretary at that time was Mr. S. T.
dedicated April 7. 1885.
Dimmick, who entered upon his duties May 21. 1884. In August, 1886, he
was succeeded in this capacity by Mr. W. N. Multer. The financial exhibit
(ending June 8, 1886) shows total assets
of twenty'^seven-thousand nine-hunth-ed and thirty-one dollars and sixty-nine
cents, larger in proportion to the population of the town than the assets of
any other institution of a similar character in the world. A judiciously
for the eighth year of the association

selected library of three-thousand, five hundred volumes comprises works
The
a religious* scientific, philosophical and miscellaneous character.
leading journals and magazines are constantly on file and are generally
The manageread by those who are interested in contemporary issues.
ment has this season added to its advantages a curriculum of study embracing
courses in vocal and instrumental music, the modern and classic languages, bookof

'

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

207

keeping and penmanship, social and parliamentary etiquette, and physical culture.
But the work of training mind and body is merely accessory to that
higher culture of conscience which reaches its full fruition in the true nobility
If the question of adequate returns be asked there
of christian character.
can be but one answer. The ablest mathematicians the world has ever produced
could not compute the influence exerted by such institutions in molding individual character by surrounding pliant minds with a healthful, moral atmosphere.

CHAPTER

IX.

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.
certain citizens of Bloom and Briarcreek petitioned the court for
INthe1843
erection of a new township to be formed from the adjacent portions of

The court accordingly appointed Joseph

each.

George A. Bowman commissioners

Brobst, Isaac

Welch and

to locate the boundaries agreeably to the

In the succeeding January, these commissioners subterms of the petition.
mitted their report with a plat of a township "to be called Centre," which
was approved by the court, and its organization ordered.
The township thus erected extended from the Susquehanna to the top of
Lee mountain, which separates it from Fishingcreek and Orange; and from
the valley of Briar creek on the east to Orange and Bloom, which then inThe regularity of its western boundary is broken by the excision
cluded Scott.
of its northwest corner in favor of Orange.
Two distinct ranges of hills extending in a direction parallel with the course of the river, diversify the surface.
A narrow, rugged valley ^parates Lee mountain from the Summer hills,
and between these and Lime ridge is one of the most fertile valleys of the
county, in which the west branch of Briar creek takes its rise.
South of the
ridge the surface slopes gradually down to the level lands of the river
bottoms.
This region was among the earlier settled sections of Columbia county.
Here in the valley of the west branch of Briar creek, the Van Campen, Salmon,
and Aikman families reared their homes, which were subsequently involved in
the devastation which fell with savage cruelty upon the flourishing colony at
Wyoming. In the year 1777 Alexander Aikman emigrated from New Jersey
and built a cabin on the bank of a stream known from this circumstance as
Cabin run. In the autumn he returned to Northumberland. The Van Campens and Salmons remained, relying on the forts in the vicinity for protection.
In the spring of 1778 the house of the former was burned. Joseph Salmon
was a near neighbor. Recognizing in the smoke indications of the presence of
an enemy, he hastened from the field to his own cabin to take his wife and
child to a place of safety.
Between it and the clearing was a marsh crossed
by a corduroy bridge. It was not until he reached this point that he observed
the cabin already surrounded by savages.
He approached near enough to see
that his wife and child were prisoners, but that apparently their lives would be
spared.
Unfortunately the Indians discovered him; he sought concealment in
the bridge, and th>y were unable to dislodge or murder him there, although
several attempts were made to burn it.
Exasperated with this failure, they
'

'

'

208

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

scalped his wife and then set her at liberty, while her infant child was inhumanly killed before her eyes.*
The Van Campens wei-e reserved for a fate even more sanguinary in its
details of savage ferocity.
In the spring of 1780 the Indian disturbances
having apparently subsided, several members of the family left Fort Wheeler
to make preparations for rebuilding the house destroyed two years previous.
About the same time a small party of Indians and Tories, after committing
various depredations in the neighborhood of Wyoming, pushed down the river
to Fishing creek. March 30th they reached the head-waters of the west branch
of Briar creek.
As the spring opened, the Van Campens, who had taken refuge in Fort
Wheeler, determined to go out to their place, rebuild their destroyed cabin and
put in crops for their future support.
They appear to have been an exception
among the settlers in their freedom from apprehension of molestation by the
Indians, and left the fort in the latter part of March, the party consisting of
Moses Van Campen, his father, a younger brother, an uncle, and his son about
twelve years old, and one Peter Pence.
The sequel, as related by Van

Campen,

is

as follows:

We

hadbeeu on our farms about four or five days when, on the morning of the thirtieth
of March, we were surprised by a party of ten Indians. My father was lunged through
with a war spear, his throat was cut and he was scalped, while ray brother was tomahawked, scalped and thrown into the fire before my eyes. While I was struggling with
a warrior, the fellow who had killed my father drew liis spear from his body and made a
violent thrust at me.
I shrank from the spear; the savage who had hold of me turned it
with his hands so that it only penetrated my vest and shil-t. They were then satisfied with
taking me prisoner, as they had the same morning taken my uncle's little son and Pence,
though they killed my uncle. The same party, before they reached us, had touched
on the lower settlements of Wyoming and killed' a Mr. Upson and taken a boy prisoner of
the name of Rogers. We were now marched off up Fishing creek, and in the afternoon
of the same day came to Huntington, where the Indians found four white men at a sugar
camip who fortunately discovered the Indians and fled to a house. The Indians only fired
on them and wounded a Captain Ransom when they continued their course till night.
Haying encamped and made their fire we, the prisoners, were tied and well secured, "five
Indians lying on one side of us and five on the other; in the morning they pursued their
course, and leaving the waters of Fishing creek, touched the head-waters of Hemlock
creek, where they found one Abraham Pike, his wife and child. Pike was made prisoner
but his wife they painted and told Joggo, squaw, go home. They continued their course
that day and encamped the same night in the same manner as the previous.
It came into my mind that sometimes individuals performed wonderful actions and
surmounted the greatest danger. I then decided that these fellows must die, and thought
of a plan to dispatch them.
The next day I had an opportunity to communicate my plan
to my fellow-prisoners; they treated it as a visionary scheme for three men to attempt to
dispatch ten Indians. I spread before them the advantages which three men would have
oyer ten when asleep; and that we would be the first prisoners taken into their towns and
villages after our army had destroyed their corn; that we should be tied to the stake and
suffer a cruel death; we had now an inch of ground to fight on and if we failed it would
only be death, and we might as well die one waj'' as another. That day passed away and
having encamped for the night we lay as before. In the morning we "came to the river
and saw their canoes; they had descended the river and run their canoes upon Little Tunkhannock creek, so called. They crossed the river and set their canoes adrift.
I renewed my suggestion to my companions to dispatch them that night, and urged
that they must decide the question. They agreed to make the trial; but how shall we' do
it. was the question.
Disarm them and each take a tomahawk and come to close work at
once. There are three of us; plant our blows with judgment, and three times three will
make nine, and the tenth one we can kill at our leisure. They agreed to disarm them
*Another version of this story, and proliably the correct one, is as follows: When Mr. Salmon reached
the house, the Indians were on the point of killing his wife and child. He interposed and had some influence
with the chief, who promised to spare their lives and assured him of a safe return if he would accompany them
as a prisoner. He agreed to do so, and remained in captivity more than a year. He accompanied the chief on
his expeditions, but the latter never mentioned his promise "of granting the release, nor did Salmon dare do so.
After following the chief alone through a whole night, they reached the summit of the North mountain at daybreak. Salmon recognized with joy the outline of Knob mountain in the distance. " Go," said his captor, " thus
can Indians keep their i)romises." He did not hesitate to obey the command, and followed Fishing creek to
his home, where he lived for many years.

209

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

and after that on<; take possession of the guns and fire at the one side of the four, and the
other two take tomahawks on the other side and dispatch tliem. I observed that would
be a very uncertain way; the first shot tired would yive the alarm; they would discover
Peter Pence was
I had to yield to their plan.
it to be the prisoners and might defeat us.
chosen to fire the guns. Pike and myself to tomahawk. We cut and carried plenty of
wood to give them a good fire; after I was laid down one of them had occasion to use his
knife; he dropped it at my feet; I turned my foot over it and concealed it; they all lay
down and fell asleep. About midnight T got up and found them in a sound sleep. I
slipped to Pence, who rose; I cut him loose and handed him the knife; he did the same for
me and I in turn took the knife and cut Pike loose; in a minute's time we disarmed them.
Pence took his station at the guns. Pike and myself with our tomahawks took our stations.
That moment
I was to tomahawk three on the right wing and Pike two oa the left.
Pike's two awoke and were getting up; here Pike proved a coward and laid down. It was
a critical moment; I saw there was no time to be lost; their heads turned up fair; I dispatched them in a moment and turned to my lot as per agreement, and as I was about to
dispatch the last on my side of the fire Pence shot and did good execution; there was
only one at the off wing that his ball did not reach; his name was Mohawke, a stout, bold,
daring fellow. In the alarm he lumped off about three rods from the tire; he saw it was
the prisoners who made the attack, and giving the war-whoop'he started to take possession
of the guns; I was as quick to prevent him; the contest was then between him and myself.
As I raised my tomahawk he turned quick to jump from me; I followed him and struck at
him, but, missing his head, my tomahawlc struck his shoulder, or rather the back of his
neck he pitched forward and fell at the same moment my foot slipped and I fell by his side;
we clinched; his arm was naked; he caught me round my neck; at the same time I caught
him with my left arm around the body and gave him a close hug, at the same time feeling
for his knife but could not reach it.
In our scuffle my tomahawk dropped out. ]\Iy head was under the wounded shoulder
and almost suffocated me with his blood.
I made a violent spring and broke from his
hold; we both rose at the same time, and he ran; it took me sometime to clear the blood
from my eyes; my tomahawk had got covered up. and I could not tind it in time to overtake him; he was the only one of the party that escaped.
Pike was powerless. I always had a reverence for Christian devotion Pike was trying
to pray, and Pence swearing at him, charging him with cowardice, and saying it was no
time to pray, he ought to tight; we were masters of the ground, and in possession of all
their guns, blankets, match coats, etc.
I then turned my attention to scalping them, and
recovering the scalps of my father, brother, and others, I strung them all on my belt for
safe keeping.
We kept our ground till morning and built a raft, it being near the bank
of the river where they had encamped, about fift^een miles below Tioga Point; we got all
our plunder on it and set sail for Wyoming, the nearest settlement. Our raft gave way,
when we made for land, but we lost considerable property, though we saved our guns and
ammunition, and took to land; we reached Wyalusing late in the afternoon. Came to
the Narrows; discovered a smoke below, and a raft laying at the shore, by which we were
certain a partj^ of Indians had passed us in the course of the day, and had halted for the
night.
There was no alternative for us but to rout them or go over the mountain; the
snow on the north side of the hill was deep; we knew from tlie appearance of the raft ihat
the party must be small; we had two rifles each; my only fear was of Pike's cowardice.
To know the worst of it, we agreed that I should ascertain their number and give the
signal for the attack; I crept down the side of the hill so near as to see their fires and packs,
but saw no Indians. I concluded that iheyhad gone hunting for meat, and that this was a
good opportunity for us to make off with their raft to the opposite side of the river. I
gave the signal; they came and threw their packs on the raft, which was made of sniall,
dry pine timber; with poles and paddles we drove her briskly across the river, and had got
nearly out of reach of shet, when two of them came in; they fired; their shots did no injury;
we soon got under cover of an island, and went several miles; we had waded deep creeks
through the day, the night was cold; we landed on an island and found a sink-hole, in
which we made our fire; after warming we were alarmed by a cracking in tlie crust; Pike
supposed that the Indians had got on the island, and was for calling for quarters; to keep
him quiet, we threatened him with his life; the stepping grew plainer, and seemed coming
I
directly to the tire; I kept a watch, and soon a noble raccoon came under the light.
shot the raccoon, when Pike jumped up and called out: "Quarters, gentlemen! Quarters,
gentlemen!" I took my game by the leg and threw it down by the tire: "Here, you cowardly rascal," I cried, "skin that and give us a roast for supper."
The next night we reached Wyoming, and there was mucli joy to see us; we rested one
day, and it being not safe to go to Northumberland by land, we procured a canoe, and
with Pence and my little cousin, we descended the river by night.
;

;

;

Fort Jenkins was erected in 1778, and became an important place of retreat
for the settlers along the river.
It appears that the fort was merely the house

210

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

of a Mr. Jenkins, barricaded and surrounded by a stockade.
In September,
1780, a party of Indians from the Chillisquaque, having passed through the
Fishing creek valley below Knob mountain, crossed the Summer hills through
the defile of Cabin run and burned the cabin built by Aikman three years previous.
Fort Jenkins had been evacuated by its garrison, who retreated to a
point farther down the river.
The Indians burned the fort, which was never
rebuilt.
In an appendix to the " Pennsylvania Archives," the following particulars concerning it are credited to a communication from Jacob Hill under date
of October 2, 1855.
"Its location was about twenty rods from the river, and
about half the distance from the " North Branch canal. " It stood upon the very
spot where my house now stands.
There are no remains left above ground,
but I think there might be some pieces of the logs found buried in the ground.
There is a very low spot between my house and barn, which is said to have been
the well inside the fort.
There is also another such spot near my house,
and about four rods from the former which is said to be the cellar of
a house built by Jenkins; and in digging the cellar for my house my
hands found a quantity of stone which I took to be the foundation of
some building, among which were some brick of rather singular dimensions, four or five feet under ground.
The fields in the vicinity are scattered
with arrows such as Indians use." Upon the cessation of hostilities the sense
of security and repose, so welcome to the weariecf settlers after the harrassing experiences of the preceding years, attracted to their depleted ranks a class
of pioneers whose characteristic energy and perseverance gradually removed
the traces of war and bloodshed.
Alexander Aikman returned from New Jersey, whither he had removed with his family.
In 1782 Benjamin Fowler, a
young Englishman who had participated as a British soldier in the surrender of
Cornwallis at Yorktown the previous year, traversed the distance fi'om New
York to the Briar creek valley on horseback. Here he formed the acquaintance
of a Miss Fowler, whose family had but recently entered the region.
He conceived a strong attachment for her, and amid the multiplied labors of his first
year on the frontier, found time to learn that his feelings were reciprocated.
The marriage that ensued might be chronicled as the first in Centre township,
if there had been a clergyman in the vicinity to perform the ceremony.
Under
the circumstances a journey was made to Reading, where the wedding was
celebrated.

In 1792 Frederick Hill purchased from Jenkins a tract of land embracing
the location of the old fort.
On the site of the original building: he erected a
house and opened the Fort Jenkins hotel, then the only public house in the
present limits of the county.
The following year a number of families from
Mount Bethel, Northampton county, attracted to the region by reports of its fertile soil, located in the valley of Briar creek.
Among ihose who settled within
this township were John Hoffman, Nehemiah Hutton and James Cauley.
The
same year Henry Hidlay, having secured the title to "Mendham," a tract
"situate three miles northwest of the Susquehanna," removed his family and
household goods thither in a covered wagon.
These families journeyed from
Easton by a road recently opened from that point to Nescopeck falls, across the
Broad, Buck and Nescopeck mountains.
Travel between different points along the river had increased to such an extent since the opening of the Fort Jenkins hotel, that Abram Miller, in 1799,
established another.
From its position midway between Bloomsburg and Berwick, it was afterward known as the Half- Way house.
When a stage-line was
established between Sunbury and Wilkesbarre, its land-lords became widelyknown for their hospitality and for the celerity and promptness with which an

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

211

Thomas Miller succeeded his father,
exchange of horses could here be made.
but the establishment reached the zenith of its prosperity under the management of Samuel Harman, who was proprietor at a period when stage travel was
necessary for

a

large class of people.

When

the

canal was opened, the

narrow boat drawn by six horses, was regarded as a more
rapid and comfortable conveyance than the coach, and received a fair degree of
The decade immediately preceding the
patronage during the summer months.
construction of the rail-road, was the most profitable one in the finances of stage
proprietors. The volume of travel was such as to give a lucrative business to sevSince the opening of the railroad in 1858 the Half- Way house
eral companies.
has ceased to be a place of popular resort, as the conditions under which it became such no longer exist. To the imaginative observer the quaint appearance
of its broad porches still suggests the hurry and confusion of the old stage-expacket,

a long,

change.
of Abram Miller is also associated with an early industry of Cenand one that has adapted itself to the changing characters of the
circumstances under which it has been conducted. The tract purchased by him
in 1799 embraced a portion of lime ridge, in which the strata of limestone
were but thinly -covered by soil, and appeared in some places at the surface.
This was conveyed to
Quarries were opened and the stone reduced to lime.
different points by means of flat-boats and wagons.
A considerable portion was
used in constructing the first brick buildings of Wilkesbarre. When the manufacture of iron was begun at Danville, Roaringcreek, Hemlock creek, Shickshinny and Wilkesbarre limestone for smelting purposes was obtained at this
point.
The canal-boat superseded the batteau as a means of transportation.
The limestone was thus taken to Lackawanna in 1841, then at the head of navigation, and from there by a gravity railroad to Scranton, where it was used in
considerable quantities for some years. The Millers, Abram and Thomas, operated quarries at the west end of the Centerville surface strata, John Jones its
eastern, and John Knorr its central portion.
Since 1854 Low Brothers have

/

The name

tre township,

controlled three-fourths of the product.
The quarries are practically exhausted
at sorae places, although still operated to a limited extent.
The village indications on the map of Centre are somewhat misleading.
Two or three locations are dignified as postoffices, where no villages are visible
to the naked eye.
An aggregate of dwellings variously known as Centreville
and StoneyJ:own is somewhat more tangible. About 1845 several lime-kiln proprietors, desirous of securing better shipping facilities, purchased twenty-four
acres of land bordering the canal.
After erecting suitable wharves, the remainder of the land was disposed of to quarry hands as building sites on
which some fifteen or twenty cheaply constructed dwellings were built. The
name Lime Ridge applies exclusively to some half-dozen more substantial residences subsequently erected to the west of these. During the greatest activity
of the lime business Centreville was a thriving hamlet, and still does considerable business, though many of its residents are now transferred from the quarries to canal-boats.
Two stores, which conduct a thriving local trade, and two
church buildings add to the attractiveness of the place.
The denominations
represented here are the Evangelical and the Methodist.
The condition of the
former is not as flourishing as formerly, a large proportion of the membership having moved to other points. The latter was organized in 1832 by Isaac Low,
George Sloan, Henry Trembly and Aaron Boon, in a school-house at some distance
from the village. Ten years later its present house of worship was built. A
second structure for Methodist services was dedicated at Fowlersville, November 3, 1867. The congregations at both places are connected with the
Mifflinville circuit.

212

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

The only

society represented at Centreville is Centre grange, No. 56.
Briarcreek Farmers Mutual Insurance Company was organized by its
membership January 11, 1875, with Levi Aikman, president; Samnel Neyhard,
secretary; and George Conner, treasurer.
These persons have held their respective offices continuously to this time (September, 1886), and have condiicted
the company's affairs through a decade of prosperous usefulness.
Briarcreek Presbyterian church has existed fi"om a period compared with
which the societies above mentioned are of but recent origin. Its history
begins with the early settlement of the township.
By indenture of August 19,
1796, Henry Hidlay conveyed to Andrew Creveling, George Espy and Conrad
Adams, trustees of the Briarcreek Presbyterian society, an acre of ground for
the location of a house for worship.
It is probable that the latter was erected
the following year, but this cannot be positively stated.
The following names
constitute a list of pew-holders, August 17, 1807: William Sloan, rJohn Freas,
Moses Oman, William Hutchison, William Parks, Samupl Webb, Hugh Sloan,

Tlie

Samuel Bellas, Alexander Aikman, William Aikman, William Henderson. Benjamin Boone, Andrew Creveling, Daniel McCartey, John Kennedy, William
Marr, John Bright, Samuel Creveling, James Hutchison, Joseph Brittain,
Joseph Salmon, Ephraim Lewis, William Oman, Josiah McClure, James Fowler,
Benjamin Fowler, John Stewart, Henry Hidlay, Levi Aikman and John
Brittain.
In 1792 the Presbytery of Carlisle appointed Reverend Henry to
supply this congregation.
Two years later, he was succeeded by Reverend
John Bryson. Asa Dunham was pastor from 1798 to 1816. Reverends Henderson, Crosby, Lewers. Patterson, Bryson, Hudson, Waller, Hand, Williamson, Newell, Salmon, Melick, Dickson, Spear and Cantield have successively
been the pastors of this organization. August 28, 1838, a new structure was
dedicated on the foundation of the old one.
In the burial ground adjoining
are the graves of many of the original members.
Lutheran and Reformed congregations have also worshiped in the Briarcreek church building.
Reverend Isaac Shellhammer in 1816 was the first
to minister to the latter.
At a later date Reverend William Fox organized the
former.
With the Centre English Lutheran church, it forms part of Briar
creek charge. Reverends Sharrets, Dim and Bergstresser were its first pastors.
Whitmire Evangelical church and Briarcreek Baptist society, complete the
number of religious organizations in the township. The first meeting of the
former was conducted by James Fowler and Emanuel Kohe in David Fowler's
house.
Its first church building was erected in 1819; the second was dedicated
August 29, 1880. The latter religious body was admitted to Northumberland
Baptist Association in 1851, with John H. Worrell, pastor, and thirty members.
It has generally been connected with the Berwick church.
FORT JENKINS.
site

For the following interesting facts in relation
on which it stood, the editor is indebted to Mr.

to Fort Jenkins and the
C. F. Hill, of Hazleton,
at great pains to furnish the following details, not elsewhere to

who has been
be found in any published work:
The following letter is from the Hon. Steuben Jenkins,

of Wyomini^,

recognized authority on early history of this portion of the

state, especially of

valley.

He

Pa.,

writes as follows:

Wyoming, October
Bear

who is a
Wyoming

2,

1886.

Sir:

In reply to yours of the 28th ultimo, I can add but little to the account of Fort Jenkins which Avill be found on pages 380, etc. of the "Appendix" to the Pennsylvania
Archives. You are right in suggesting that Van Campen was " Big Indian" and his nar-

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

213

rative is a tissue of brag and falsehood, mingled with a little truth that makesjthe falsehood the greater deception. None of his statements are to be relied on. On Friday,
16th April, 1809, accompanied by Henry Woodhouse, Esq., of Wyoming, and W. W.
Smith, president' of the board of county comm'rs of Luzerne county, I visited the site of
Fort Jenkins. We found the site about a mile below Willow Grovestation, on the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg R. R., and just opposite the lower part of the town of Mifflinsville,
on the opposite side of the river. The situation was high and dry and commanded a
fine view of the country around and of the Susquehanna river, on the east.
The location
was beautiful and well adapted for defence. We were shown by the wife of Jacob Hill,
who occupied the premises, the place of the well and one of the ditches of the fort. They
are situated between the house and the barn, somewhat nearer the barn than the house.
The land around it is of the first quality for farming purposes. The Hill family were not
able to give us much of the history of the fort. They only knew that a family by the
name of Jenkins came there before tlie revolutionarj' war, built a blockhouse, which in
the early part of the war was converted into a fort; that they got tired of the place, there
were so many Indians about, and built a boat and in that went off and left it, and the
Hills afterward bought the place of them.
After we had examined the premises around,
we passed on down to upper Lime Ridge, where we fell in with an old man who gave us

account of the fort and premises:
Sometime before the revolutionary war, two brothers by the name of Jenkins built a
blockhouse, which was afterward converted into a fort, by setting up saplings sharpened at
the upper end, making a kind of stockade; that the Indians had a town on the opposite
side of the river, at the mouth of a small stream; that during the war the Indians became
troublesome, and under cover of an island in the river, they passed over to the island unseen, and from that point had shot and killed one of the brothers as he was down at the
river.
The other brother, with the women and children, got into a boat and passed down
the river to Sunbury, and from there over the country to Berks countv, or Philadelphia,
where they traded their title to the Fort Jenkins property to James Wilson, attorney at
law, Philadelphia, who conveyed the same to Jacob Zoll, of Hamburg, Berks county,
15th of July, 1796, who conveyed the same to Frederick Hill, of Richmond, Berks county,
17th of June, .1797, the ancestor of the present owner. An entry under date of Thursday,
September 14, 1780, in the journal of Lieut. John Jenkins, says: This day we heard
that Fort Jenkins and Harvey's Mills were burnt.'
This fort need not be confounded
with 'Jenkins Fort,' in Wyoming, which was built by John Jenkins, Esq. The one at
Wyoming is invariably called 'Jenkins Fort.' while the one about which I have written is invariably called Fort Jenkins." This lati,er was built as a 'blockhouse,' of hewed
logs, closely laid together, and stockaded by the provincial authorities of Penns3'lvania,
on land owned by James Jenkins, a merchant of Philadelphia himself and family afterward of Northumberland, Pa., at and near which place, and in Buffalo valley, they carried
on merchandising, milling, farming and iron smelting. The following memoranda of
title would seem to fix the dates when Jenkins obtained the land at Fort Jenkins and
when he parted with it. I have in my possession a patent issued by John Penn, dated
25th Feb., 1775, in behalf of himself and Thomas Penn, for a tract of land called
New Orleans,' situate on the westerly side of the N. E. Branch of Susquehanna
river, county of Northumberland, beginning at a marked black oak at the side of the
N. E. branch of said river; thence by Wm. Chambers' land N. 30° W. 304 perches;
thence by vacant land S. 61° W. 166 perches to a pine, thence by Rev. Doctor Francis
Allison's land S. 30° E. 312 perches to a white oak on the river, thence up said river to
the beginning, containing 304f acres.
Surveyed for Daniel Bees, 24 Oct., 1774, on warrant dated 24 Oct., 1774, who assigned to Jaines Jenkins 25 Feby., 1775."
This is enough to give you dates, etc., besides what you have, and I will end this
part of the case here. Hon. Samuel Freeman Headly gave me the following in reference to
this

"

'

'

—

the fort:

"James Pratt was wounded at Fort Jenkins by a shot in the hip. He kept the
As he was coming up from the river to the fort some person pursued him. There
was a girl by the name of Utley outside of the fort milking a cow; he called to her to run

ferry.

for her life; she ran for the fort and arrived in it in safety; date not known.
At the time
of the invasion of Wyoming by the combined forces of the British tories and Indians,
Capt. Clingman was in command at Fort Jenkins with a force of ninety men. He was
sent for by express, the urgency and danger of the situation made known to him and his
assistance with his command earnestly solicited, but he failed to respond. The force were
Pennamites who felt no interest in defending the settlers, but rather were willing they
should be destroyed, and so they left them to perish.
Fort McClure was about a mile above the mouth of Fishing creek on the Susquehanna. Fort Jenkins was where I have stated, some six or seven miles above, and these
were all the forts there were on the west side of the Susquehanna above Northumberland.
Abraham Pike remained after the revolutionary war and settled in Lehman township,
about 12 miles from Wilkesbarre and died a town pauper about 1834. Van Carapen had

HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

214

no farm. He settled on land under Pennsylvania, but I do not know tliat he ever owned
what might be called a farm.
j.
.^.
.^oa »
My grandfather, Lieut. John Jenkins, in his diary says:— 1780, Apr. 4, " Pike and two
were
taken
the
that
by
Indians
made their
boys
two
and
creek
Fishing
from
men"
escape by falling on the guard of ten Indians, killed three and the rest took to the woods
and left the prisoners with 12 guns and about 30 blankets."
Col. Franklin, April 4, says:— Pike and others returned, made their escape at Wysox
on the ist; killed 3 Indians and took all their arms. Van Campeu. after describing the
conflict with the Indians says, in his Falstafflan way, "Nine Indians were lying dead
upon the ground." (Life, &c., of Van Campen, Page 305.)
Van Campen was of Low Dutch descent and came there from Delaware river and
was a neighbor of the Van Gordons, the Van Ashtines, Van Leers, etc. Two of the family
were residents of this place for many years, leaving for Illinois about 1840. One Garret
was a biacksmith, the other, Aaron, a general laborer. They were both great story tellers,
and none too honest in general. Pike was a wanderer, settling and staying anywhere,
never pretended to farm or own lands. Heave it for you to reconcile V. C. with the facts.
to the fort.
I would like the Jenkins surveys, deeds and title
Yours respectfully.
,

.

To

.

.

Steuben Jenkins.

C. F. Hill, Esq.

Hazleton, Pa.
Vacant
B. O.

Pine

W.

I'an

.3043;

/

New

.3G1.

/

Reese

and allow.

Cirleans'

'St.

James''

Fort .Tonkins.

Susquehanna.
N. E. Branch of

A draught of a tract of land called "New Orleans," situate on the westerly side of the
northeast branch of the Susquehanna river, below and joining land surveyed for William
Chambers in the county of Northumberland, containing three hundred and four acres and
three-quarters of an acre besides the usual allowance of 6 per cent for roads, etc., surveyed
the 26th day of November, 1774, for Daniel Reese in pursuance of a warrant dated the 24th
dav of October,

1774.

^
r>
CiiAS. Stewart, Bep.
By ^
t^

c
our.

CENTEE TOWNSHIP.
To Johu Lukeus,

215

Esqr., S. Gen'l.

In testimony that the above is a true copy of the original remaining in
have hereto set my hand and seal of office at Philadelphia'this 18th July, 1796.

my

Daniel Brodhead,
The following

is

a brief of

title

to a tract of land in Centre

O.

Township. Columbia Co.,

Pa., called "New Orleans" on which js the site of Fort Jenkins.
Surveyed the 21st day of October, 1774; Warrant dated 34th day of October,
copy of survey herewith.

New

S.

office I

1774.

See

Orleans.

Patent James Jenkins dated the 25 February, 1775.
In pursuance of a warrant dated the 24th October, 1774, there was surveyed for Daniel
Reese a certain tract of land called "New Orleans," situate on the westerly side of the
north east branch of Susquehanna river in the county of Northumberland. Beginning
at a marked Black Oak at the side of the north east branch of the Susquehanna river,
thence by William Chambers' laud north thirty degrees west three hundred and four
perches to a marked Black Oak, thence by vacant land south sixty-one degrees west one
hundred and sixty-six perches to a marked pine, thence by the Reverend Doctor Francis
Allison's land south thirty degrees east three hundred and twelve perches to a marked
White Oak at the side of the aforesaid branch, thence up along the side of said branch to
the place of beginning, containing three hundred and four acres and three quarters and
allowance, etc., under one penny per acre to Penn's.
Daniel Reese by deed dated same day conveyed to James Jenkins. lurolled in Pat
Book A. A. 15, page 107, the 27th Feby.. 1775.
St. .Tames.

Patent James Jenkins dated 25lh Feby., 1775.

Inrolled in Pat. Book A A 15 naee'lOS
^ ^ the 27th Feby., 1775.
Warrant dated 24th October, 1774, to William Chambers, a certain tract of land called
St. James, situate on the westerly side of the north east branch of Susquehanna river in
the county of Northumberland, beginning at a marked Red Oak at the side of the north
east branch of Susquehanna river, thence by Philip Johnston's land and vacant land north
thirty degrees, west three hundred and twelve perches to a marked White Oak, thence by
vacant land south sixty-one degrees, west one hundred and sixty-eight perches to a marked
Black Oak, thence by Daniel Reese land south thirty degrees, east' three hundred and four
perches to a marked Black Oak at the side of the north-east branch aforesaid, thence up
along the side of the said river one hundred and sixty-nine perches to the place of
beginning, containing three hundred and three acres and three quarters and allowances,
'

'

'

'

etc.

Wm.

Chambers by deed dated 24 Oct., 1774, granted to Philip Johnston. Philip Johnston by deed dated 25th Feby. instant granted the same with appurtenances unto James
Jenkins in Fee under One penny per acre.
I do hereby certifv the above to be true extracts taken from the records this 14th day
of July, 1796, for Nath. Irwin, Esq., M. R.
(Seal.)
C. Hunt.
InroUment

office

of Pennsylvania.

Daniel Rees of the
county of Philada

1

Deed Poll

|

to

James Jenkins
city of

y

in

of the

Philada
Merchant.

D»ted Feby 25th

in behalf

of himself

and Thos

Northumberland County,

|

J

1775.

Witnesses Phil Johnston

John Penn

Consideration 100 £ a certain warrant obtained out of
the Proprietary's land office for 300 acres more or less
on the North East Branch of the Susquehanna and
below and joining lands granted to William Chambers

Wm.
1

New

Orleans,

[

J

James Jenkins, and^Phebe,

his

wife of the county of Lancas-

1
|

ter Pa.
(^

Philadelphia Attorney.

Tract of Land called

!

Penn Patent to
James Jenkins.

Gentleman. Deed to
James Wilson of the city

Gray.

j

of

\

J

Dated 25 Feby 1775.
July 27th 1781.
Tract Land called New Orleans 304f acres
Consideration 500 Pounds.
Acknowledged before the Hon. William A Atlee
one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Pa Auo- 24
1781.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

216

Witnesses Stephen Chambers,

Morgan Jenkins.
Recorded

in

Northumberland County Oct 13 1781 Book

James Wilson and Hannah his
wife Deed to
Jacob ZoU of Hamburgh
Windsor Township county of
Berks, Yeoman.
Jacob Zoll

1

^
|

J

"1

Frederick Hill of

county of Berks, Pa.

Yeoman.

Two

[_

in the said

|

|

tracts

page 286.

1796.

of land

New

Orleans

And

St.

James,

*

400 acres.

Dated June

Two

to

Richmond township

Date July loth

B

17tli 1797.
tracts of land the

whole of

tract called

New

Orleans 804| acres and part of the tract called St. James
in all 400 acres.
Consideration of 3500 Pounds Gold and Silver.

J

Witnesses Joseph Hoch, John Spyker.

Acknowledged before James Diemer one of the Judges of the Common Pleas of Berks
County Pa. June 20th 1797.
Recorded on Northumberland County in deed Book K page 66 &c Jan. 33 1798.
The following is a copy of a legal opinion given to Frederick Hill of his purchase
from Judge Wilson, and evidently relates to the purchase of the Fort Jenkins Tract.
"Frederick Hill, the purcluiser of a tract of land in Northumberland county the title
of which is derived from Judge Wilson generally asks my opinion whether or not judgments against said Wilson can affect the aforesaid tract of land?

~ " To

this I answer,
" 1. That judgments against Mr. Wilson in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia cannot.
"3. That judgments in the supreme court of Pennsylvania against Mr. Wilson upon
action brought within the original jurisdiction of said court cannot.
"3. That judgments confessed in Northumberland county or generally judgments
rendered in said county will bind the land aforesaid.
"4. That judgments upon actions removed from any county into the supreme court
will also bind the said land.
" But as Mr. Wilson has constantly resided in Philadelphia it is not probable that
judgments of the 3rd and 4th description have been rendered against him, therefore, I think
Mr. Hill safe in his purchase.
June 3rd 1797.
(signed)
Jno. Spayd."
Frederick Hill settled upon the site of Fort Jenkins in 1797 about seventeen years
after the fort had been destroyed by the Indians.
He was the son of Leonard Hill of near
Kutztown, Berks county Pa. and was married to Catherine Connor a sister to John
Connor the tanner, of Briarcreek.
good home had been built on the site of the destroyed fort by Judge Wilson to which Frederick Hill built a large addition and opened
the Fort Jenkins Hotel, which he conducted until his death in 1823. In the year 1807 he
was appointed a captain of the 6th company 113th Regt. Second Brigade of Ninth DivisHis commission bears
ion of the Militia of the counties of Northumberland and Luzerne.
date August the 3rd 1807, and was issued by the second governor of the State of Pennsylvania, Governor Thomas McKean.
It is not known that a muster roll of Captain Frederick Hill's company is in existence although efforts have been made to find one; the following is a copy of a report found among his papers which gives the names of a number
of persons who belonged to his company.
" Absendees of Capn. Freaderick Hills Company the 113Regemont of Northumberland
County Millitea Commanded by CoUonel Leonard Ruppert for not Attending Muster
Fild Days in October 1807.

—

A

&

/-^-^-^ ^.^^^

FISHINGCEEEK TOWNSHIP.

•

219

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

220

The division line between Fishin 1840 upon the ei-ection of Orange.
ingcreek and Briarcreek became a topic of heated discussion, as the question
at issue involved the making of roads over the Lee and Huntington mountains,
and through the intervening Shickshinny valley. The northern or HuntingKnob
mountain referred to in the
ton range was finally decided to be the
Huntington township, Luzerne
description of the line as originally located.
county, adjoins Fishingcreek on the east.
There is a general similarity in the topography of both these townships,
While thebut the circumstances of their settlement were widely difPerent.
Connecticxtt Susquehanna Land Company was populating the region at the
head waters of Huntington creek, the land speculator, the squatter and the
settler were gradually possessing the valley at its lower course, and secui'ing^
Connecticut settitles from the proprietary and commonwealth governments.
of their native state to the section east
steady habits
tlers transplanted the
of the Luzerne county line; the pronounced Pennamite proclivities of their
neighbors on the opposite side of the line appeared in marked contrast.
It was not until the former had appeared in some numbers that settlement
In the summer of 1783 Daniel
in Fishingcreek township actually began.
McHenry became the first settler in the valley of Fishing creek above OrangeOriginally a native of Ireland, and successively resident in New Jersey
ville.
and near Milton, on the " West Branch," he secured the title to a tract of land
above the present location of Stillwater on the representation of a brother who
was connected with the land office. He visited his purchase in 1783, carrying
The gun
with him a gun, axe, hoe and provisions sufficient to last six weeks.
afforded protection from the dangers of the unexplored forest; the blows of his
axe and the crash of falling trees re-echoed through its dark recesses; and
when the work of clearing a small plot had been accomplished, the woodsman and hunter became farmer as well, and used his hoe in planting Indian
corn, drawing the loose earth into a small mound and depositing the grains
Mr. McHenry removed his family to their
therein after the Indian custom.
new home the following year (1784); and here, September 13, 1785, John
McHenry was born. This was the first birth of a white child in this county
north of Knob mountain.
Abram
The second family to enter this township appeared in 1786.
Dodder, from Muncy, having bought the confiscated lands of Mr. Bartram,
scrip
at six cents per acre, removed thither and located on
a tory, with
Huntington creek at the mouth of Pine creek. His father came two years
he died in 1790, and was buried in the Dodder
later and settled near his son
cemetery near Jonestown. So far as known this was the first death and burial of
a white person in this section. Ludwig Smith removed from Berks county about
1800 and settled on Huntington creek adjoining the county line. A Mr. Craig,
a former neighbor, continued to be such by occupying an adjoining tract. Henry
Yaple, from Montgomery county, arrived in 1796, and Sebastian Kisner, a
The former was a veteran of the revolutionary war. He was
few years later.
one of five brothers whose term of service was four years and nine months.
Captain Weidman, his former commanding officer, owned land in this section,
and transferred it to him at a merely nominal price. Sebastian Kisner removed from one of the lower counties and located on Huntington creek near
Ludwig Smith in 1808. John M. Buckalew settled on the farm now owned
by John M. Buckalew, Jr. Samuel Creveling and Samuel Cutter entered the
change

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

;

township in 1810 Richard Brown, Benjamin Jones and John Paden became
Subsequent settlement has gradually
same time.
residents about the
extended until the township has become quite as thickly populated as its agricult;

.

nSHINGCEEEK TOWNSHIP.

2'21

Benjamin Jones and Richard Brown built a gristural resources permit.
John M. Buckalew operated a
mill on Huntington creek in 1810 and 1811.
saw mill in 1808. A woolen mill was established about 1820 by
Kennedy
on Little Pine creek. It has long since ceased to be operated, and Fishing
creek continues to be an exclusively farming district.
The antagonism between the Yankee and Pennamite was expressed in the selection of a name for the first post-office. It was strenuously averred by the latter that the stream known as Huntington creek (named in honor of a certain
governor of Connecticvit) was the east branch of Fishing creek, and should
Accordingly the post-office of Fishingcreek was
be know by that designation.
The name has not,
established in 1815 with Benjamin Jones as post-master.
however, received popular sanction.
The stream will continue to be Huntington creek as long as it has an existence.
Fishingcreek was at this time the only intermediate post-office on a mailroute of which Shickshinny and Jerseytown were the terminal points. The next
postoffices, at Stillwater and Pealertown, were established about ISrlO by James
McHeni-y and Daniel Pealer, respectively. Daniel McHenry succeeded to the
Pealertown was changed to
former in 1854: and is tie present incumbent.
Forks in 1855, v^hen Bernard Ammerman became postmaster. It was reestablished under its former name in 1801; ten years later, J. M. Ammerman
again became postmaster, and has continued the office to the present time under
Van Camp post-office was established in October, 1857,
its old name of Forks.
He has held this position since then
with George M. Howell as postmaster.
continuously.
Mail was first received by this route from Bloomsburg to Cambra.
Runy on post-office was opened January 8, 1886, at the village of Asbury.
Various names were suggested by the citizens, and successively rejected by the
department. The name finally accepted is that of an ex-soldier and former resident of the village.
Jonestown derived some importance from its position on the old turnpike.
In connection with the latter it may be stated that John M. Buckalew graded
one mile for the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars; and that,
although the prerogative of collecting tolls fi'om the travel on this road has
not been exercised by the Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike Road Company for
years, it has not forfeited its corporate existence.
Moreover, an item of some
thousands of dollars invested in this road by appropriation of the legislature,
Asbury aspired to becoming the busistill appears in the assets of the state.
ness center of the township, but the equally accessible positions of Stillwater
and Pealertown prevented any one of them from reaching that distinction. Forks,
Ikelertown and Bendertown also rejoice "in that strange spell, a name. "
Christopher Pealer taught the first school in this township in connection
with his occupation of weaving.
Jonathan Colloy taught in a building erected
for school purposes at Pealertown.
A similar structure was also built near the
location of Zion church.
In 1885 Fishingcreek supported nine schools for a
term of six months. The average attendance of pupils is about two hundred

—

and

forty- nine.

The

establishing of the first churches in this section was contemporary with
the appearance of the different denominations in other parts of the country.
The first services of a religious character were conducted by John and Christopher Bowman, Methodist Episcopal clergymen from Briarcreek.
These services were held at the house of Al)ram Dodder, but the time at which they
began cannot be definitely determined.
In 1812 the names of seven of this
family appear on a list of the membership of the Southold Huntington
church.
Preaching was continued at Dodder's until school -houses were built.
The Jonestown Methodist church building was erected in 1880.

222

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

John Andrews, Martin Andrews, Albert Ammerman and others removed from
Rush township, Northumberland county, in 1836 and at once made arrangements

for the holding of religious services by the Methodist itinerant clergyin charge of Berwick circuit.
The first meetings were held

men who were then

at John Andi-ews' house, on the road from Asbury to Huntington.
Subsequently, a schoolhouse west of Asbury was occupied.
The church building
was erected in 1848, Reverends John Tongue and William Gwinn being pastors at that time.
The name of the founder of American Methodism was conferred upon the church previously organized, at the suggestion of John
Andrews.
The Stillwater church organization was being effected about this
time in the house of Alexis Good, which stood on the bank of Fishing creek
some distance fi'om that village. The meetings of the class were afterward
held in the school-house at Stillwater.
The corner-stone of a church edifice
at that place was laid July 4, 1880.
Both these churches are included in the
Orangeville circuit.
The following with reference to Reformed churches in this township, is presented through the courtesy of Reverend A. Houtz, who has been in charge of
Orangeville pastorate for some years, and has collated valuable data regarding
the introduction of that denomination into this section:
Occasionally, in the latter part of his ministry (18'20-1822), Reverend Jacob Deiffenbach preached in private houses and in a school-house located where the old Pealer and Bellas
graveyard is in Fishingcreek township.
Tradition says he was a fine German preacher and an excellent singer. After his death Reverend John Nicholas Zeiger, who resided below Wilkesbarre, preached here from perhaps 1822
to 1825.
His son occasionally filled his appointments. About the year 1825
there was a Lutheran Reformed church built at New Columbus.
The Reformed congregation moved their place of worship to this church and procured
the services of Reverend Isaac Shellhammer.
Here they worshiped till 1840,
'when they moved to the Creveling cross-roads school-housa. Here they remaimed till 1852. The St. James church being now completed, they occupied
iit and have continued there ever since.
While the congregation was worshiping at the cross-roads school-house, the desire for some English preachings was expressed on the part of a few members.
Accordingly Reverend H.
Funk, who had already been preaching at the old log church where the present St. Gabriel church stands, was secured and he became the regular English
pastor while Reverend Isaac Shellhammer remained their German pastor.
They continued thus to have two regular pastors till the close of Reverend I.
Shellhammer' s pastorate in 1858, when the transition from the German to
the English language was completed.
Rev. W. Goodrich became the immediate successor of Reverend H. Funk
in 1854, and served this congregation with great acceptance and success till
1865.
During his pastorate of this congregation he baptized sixty- seven and
confirmed sixty-four.
In the spring of 1866 Reverend E. B. Wilson took
charge of his congregation and served them till 1868, during which time he
baptized fifteen and confirmed eight.
On the 1st of August, 1869, Reverend
A. Houtz took charge of the congregation, and up to the present time (1881)
baptized fifty-seven and confirmed sixty-one.
In December, 1878, this congregation was incorporated under the title of St. James Reformed Church and
adopted the constitution recommended by General Synod.
" Thus the St. James congregation, at first like a tenant, moved from one
place to another until it finally settled down permanently in its present house
In its progress it has absorbed kindred interests and elements,
of worship.
and nowhas the form of a solid phalanx. Its membership is composed of sub'

'

,

'

FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

223

aud devout in their worship. Here
Here are found unity of feeling, singleness of purpose, and great church attachment. Here parents generally bring
their children to their church, have them baptized, catechized and confirmed.

Here

stantial material.
all,

from the

all

are attentive

least to the greatest, sing.

The members of this congregation are noted for their liberal support of their
pastor and benevolent objects, also for their attendance; those coming three
and four miles are as regular as those living near. This is a model congregation, and has commended itself to the observing and unprejudiced community.
Within the last four years the congregation added a number of improvements to their church Ibuilding, and surrounded the graveyard with a neat
picket fence."
He thus speaks of Zion Reformed congregation: " The first regular Reformed service in this neighborhood was held in 1842 by Reverend D. S. Tobias in the old Stucker school-ho\ise located where the Zion graveyard is in
Fishingcreek township. Previous to this time the few Reformed families in this
locality worshiped either at the old IVIcHenry log church, located a short disIn the
tance west of Orangeville, or at the old log church at New Columbus.
winter of 1843, or about that time, Reverend Tobias was assisted by one RevThere lieing good sleighing
erend Loader in holding a protracted meeting.
As the school-house
the people came from near and far in great sled loads.
was too small they obtained permission to hold their service in the old church at
Stillwater.
After occupying this church one week, they were denied further
During this
privilege, and they were obliged to return to the school-house.
revival a number made a profession of religion who subsequently became the
virtual founders of the Zion congregation.
This Stucker school-house continued from 1842 to 1857 as a preaching point, and the congregation, without
church organization, was served by Reverends D. S. Tobias. H. Funk aud
W. Goodrich. On the 17th of February, 1857, the Zionchiu'ch was dedicated,
and on the following Saturday the Zion congregation was organized with thirty
members: They were principally from Orangeville and St. James congregations.

'

Stillwater Christian church (Disciples) was among the first of that denomIn 1835 Reverends John
ination established in this section of the country.
Ellis, J. J. Harvey and John Sutton associated themselves together to propagate its doctrines, and established preaching places from Union county to
Luzerne.
Mr. Sutton visited Stillwater at the request of certain persons
there residing and preached occasionally during the two succeeding years. The
success which attended his work was such that in 1838 a monthly appointment
was begun and sustained. In compliance with the general desire of his people
he made his residence among them. The material of an old log school house was
purchased, and when rebuilt constituted the first parsonage in this region.
On Friday, August 10, 1838, Reverends Sutton, Richards, Harvey, Philips and
McConnell inaugurated a protracted meeting. It continued for some days,
resulting in twenty conversions.
Sabbath, Atigust 17, three persons were baptized; the ceremony was again performed four weeks later and twelve more accessions were made to the church.
The interest in the revival culminated
8, 1838, when, after a sermon by Reverend J. S. Thompson, an organization was effected with twenty-nine members. The design of the organization is thus expressed: " That the believers in Christ may the better support the
truth and in a united capacity let their light shine as a city set upon a hill
that cannot be hid that they may watch over each other for good and not for
evil; that they may meet together and improve the gift that God has given
them, exhorting and teaching, comforting and strengthening each other in the

December

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

224

faith of the gospel; and that they may thus grow up together, an holy temAugust 11, -1839, Moses McHenry and
ple in the Lord, their living Head."
Benjamin Morriss were deputed to present to the Pennsylvania Christian Conference a request for admission into that body.
August 26, 1841, and August
The discussions on both occasions
80, 1861, that body met with this church.
resulted in disseminating their doctrines and strengthening the church.
October 23, 1842, the lirst house of worship was dedicated. Reverends Rodenbaugh,
The last service was held here May
Hance, Miller and Sutton being present.
A new structure marks the site of its predecessor. The following
27, 1877.
elders have been regularly in charge of this chiu'ch: John Sutton, Theobald
Miller, Jacob Rodenbaugh, J. J. Harvey, J. G. Noble, Zephaniah Ellis, E.
E. Orvis and D. M. Kinter.
It has been for years the religious center of this

denomination in this region.

CHAPTER XL
SUGARLOAF AND BENTON TOWNSHIPS.
SUGARLOAF.

AN

interesting and peculiar characteristic of the population in the extreme northern part of Columbia county is the tenacity with which the
descendants of the original settlers have remained in the locality of their birth,
while the Qu.aker settlers in the valley of Roaring creek and at Catawissa, with
others of a different nationality and faith north of the Susquehanna, have been
supplanted to such an extent that their family names are in many instances no

longer represented.

The

larger proportion of the population of this section

descended from those hardy pioneers who first reclaimed its soil for civiliThe passing years have witnessed the appearance of successive generzation.
ations of Hesses, Coles, Kiles, Fritzes and McHenrys, apparently well content
to remain where their ancestors had lived and where the circumstances of birth
had placed them.
One hundred years ago there lived in Williams township, Northampton
county, a wealthy fanner whose name was John J. Godhard. He was an EngHis wife had died
lishman, a patriot and a member of the Episcopal church.
previous to the time at which this history commences, leaving her unfortunate
husband to support, protect and educate a large family of daughters. If any
part of the skill in the culinary arts displayed by their descendants in this section has been inherited from them, it may be correctly inferred that their education was rather useful and serviceable in its character than ornamental and
liberal, while the symbol of an unknown quantity, which appears as their respective signatures to an old deed, affords additional evidence to the same effect.
The custom of the period, as well as a virtual expedienc)'^ in this case, constrained the father to consent to early matrimonial alliances for his children,
and thus relieve himself in a measure from the exercise of that care and solicitude of which they had always been the recipients, but which could not always
The son-in-law who particube extended in view of the casualties of life.
larly concerns this sketch was William Hess, while four grand-daughters of Mr.
Godhard became respectively the wives of Philip Fritz, Christian Laubach,
is

225

SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP,

With the exception of Mr. Fritz, who was enEzekiel Cole and John Kile.
in business in Philadelphia, they were all engaged in farming in Williams and Forks townships, both of which border upon the Delaware river,
A considerable part of the area
while the Lehigh forms a mutual boundary.
diy lands, which are not remarkably fertile though
of both consists of the
gaged

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fairly productive.
There was a strong tide of emigration fi'om this section of country Berks
and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania, and the contiguous portion of New
North
Jersey on the opposite side of the Delaware to the lower valley of the
Branch." It was a hazardous undertaking for those who inaugurated this
movement; but, relying on the favorable nature of their reports, those who followed could do so with much more certainty and satisfaction. Among this
number was John Godhard. He sold his plantation on the Lehigh some time
prior to 1789, and invested the proceeds in a tract of much greater extent at the
It appears that this purchase was made at the
head-waters of Fishing creek.
The former had seriously iminstance of Philip Fritz and William Hess.
paired his health by too close application to business, and wished to seek its
recovery by engaging in other pursuits. The latter had a family of twelve sons
and six daughters, for whose maintenance the limits of their farm on the dry
seemed far too contracted. There were other members of Mr. Godlands
hard' s family and those among his neighbors who were also interested in the
new country, the security of which, since the fortunate issue of the late war,
seemed to invite immigration. It was prudently resolved to personally investigate the advantages claimed for this region before finally deciding to make it
Accordingly Mr. Godhard and those of his family already mentheir home.

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tioned by name, with William Coleman, Matthias Rhone, Benjamin Coleman
and others of their neighbors, made a jom-ney on horseback to the valley of
They explored that stream from mouth to source, minutely
Fishing creek.
examining the quality of soil, character of the land with regard to water, and
This latter cirthe diflPerent varieties of timber which constituted its forests.
cumstance was regarded as an infallible criterion of the other two, indicating
the presence of a fertile or a sterile soil, and affecting the permanent character
The price uniformly asked for lands was two dollars
of the springs of water.
an acre. It is hardly necessary to acquaint the reader with their final decision,
which seems unaccountable at the present day. It must be borne in mind,
however, that the river could not confer a great degree of benefit as a highway
of traffic upon a region for whose productions there was no market; while the
canal and railroads which parallel its course had scarcely an existence in the
most progressive minds. The best judgment of the prospective settlers directed them to the region at present known as Sugarloaf and Benton townships
as one of fertile soil, equable climate and abundant game.
The following year (1 792 in all probability) the actual immigration occurred.

The route pursued was the Susquehanna and Lehigh road from Easton to NesIn their progress up Fishing
falls, laid out by Evan Owen in 1787.

copeck

creek they passed a few houses in the vicinity of Light Street, one at OrangeWilliam
ville, the Klines above the Knob, and Daniel McHeniy at Stillwater.
Hess owned a tract of land four miles in length, extending fi-om Coles mills to
North mountain. He built a log cabin near a small spring, the site of which
His sons, George, John, Anvis on land in possession of Andrew Laubach.
drew, Tobias, Conrad, Frederick, Henry and Jacob took up their residences
John
in the valley of the creek above their father in the order of their names.
Kile and Ezekiel Cole located in the immediate vicinity of William Hess.
Christian Laubach settled at first in Montour township (then Mahoning) prior

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HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY.

226

and about two years thereafter removed to Sugarloaf township. John
G. Laubach, his grandson, has succeeded to his land. When Leonard Rupert,
the near neighbor of Christian Laubach in Montour township, had returned from
assisting to move his effects to the North mountain country, he is reputed as saying that that region was certainly at the end of the world.
Whether it was or
not, Philip Fritz followed his relatives thither in 1795 and took possession of
Fritz' s Hill.
Jonathan Robbins arrived in the same year from Bethlehem
township, Huntingdon county, New Jersey.
He located upon land now owned
by David Lewis and planted an orchard at that place with seeds brought from
his former home. Two brothers of Mr. Robbins, Daniel and John, also settled
to 1795,

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Godfrey Dilts and William Bird, from New Jersey, David
and Jacob Herrington from New York, became residents of this section at a
later period.
James Seward, Jesse Hartman, James A. Pennington, Ezekiel
Shultz, William Shultz and others have crossed from Fairmount township, LuThe population of Sugarloaf in 1800 consisted of the Hesses,
zerne county.
Kiles, Laubachs, Robbins and Coles. Excepting a comparatively small element
of the inhabitants the same remark applies equally well to-day.
The North mountain country has always sustained an excellent reputation
among the patrons of gun and rod. The Fishing creeks and their numerous tributaries were literally alive with trout, if the stories of old residents may be credited.
The successful angler was not, as now, an exceptional personage nor was
The chase was pursued
the shooting of a deer or bear an unusual occurrence.
by some for adventure and by others for profit, while with the majority of hunters the two motives were combined.
An incident of more than ordinary interest at the time occurred in the winter of 1836, and forcibly illustrates a
phase of hunting experience of which it can be stated that there has not been
At this time much of Sugarloaf township
a similar occurrence in this region.
was a wilderness, and game of all kinds was plenty. A deep snow fell in February, and after successively thawing and freezing, a crust was formed on the
surface, which, as it was not strong enough to bear the weight of either deer
or hunters, greatly impeded the progress of the former, while it placed the latter at no serious disadvantage.
On a morning in the month of March, John
Hoover, John Harp and Joseph Dugan, residents in Luzerne county, crossed over
into Columbia on a hunting excursion.
They traveled all day, and became so
fatigued and exhausted that but one of their number, John Harp, was able
W'hen he found that his
to exercise himself sufficiently to keep warm.
comrades could go no farther he left, them to seek assistance and finally reached
the house of Robert Moore, to whom he made known their unfortunate con1VL-.
Moore started with
dition, but was unable to conduct him to them.
food and stimulants and reached the perishing men by following Mr. Harp'
tracks.
Hoover was able to eat and drink, but Dugan was not. Both were
unable to walk, and as Mr. Moore could not carry them himself he was obliged
When he returned, Dugan was not
to leave them in order to get assistance.
He expired soon
able to speak, although he still showed faint signs of life.
The
after being removed to Seward's tavern, but his comrade recovered.
place where the men lay in the snow was a few rods west of where Alem White
in this region.

;

now

lives.

An

instance of how two planters gratified their feelings of revenge, quite natural under the circumstances, and were well remunerated for so doing,
occurred at an earlier date. The object of their vengeance on this occasion was a
panther, and this animal in general seemed to have been most destructive in its
incursions upon the cattle and sheep of the farmers. Frederick and Henry Hess
found one of their cattle mangled by one of these unwelcome visitors, and took

SUGABLOAF TOWNSHIP.

227

prompt action to punish tlie marauder. A steol trap was baited, and on thefollowing morning the brothers had the satisfaction of seeing this wily thief
successfully ensnared.
It was beyond the county line that the trap had been
set; in order to secure the bounty of ten dollars, a crotched stick with a noose
attached was thrust over the neck of the brute, which dragged the trap, nolens
volens, a mile or farther into Sugarloaf township, and was then killed.
John
McHenry was the most famous representative of that class of hunters who were
such as much from practical considerations as fi'om a keen enjoyment of the
Born in 1785, he shot his first deer at the age of thirteen years, and
chase.
his last seventy years afterward, having killed in that time upwards of twothousand deer and a number of wolves, panthers, bears and smaller game.
He took pleasure in recounting the varied experiences of his life, and was urged
The old gentleman failed
to have them compiled into a connected biography.
to comprehend the interest such reminiscences would possess, and only replied
that
it might help young hunters.
He preferred the 'still hunt, and could
pursue the game with a stealth, caution and cunning rarely equaled. The only instance in which he admitted that his life was endangered was in an encounter
with a bear at a narrow defile in the mountains.
The brute had received the
contents of one barrel of his gun, but was only infuriated by the wound. Rising upon his haiiDches he advanced upon the hunter in a threatening manner.
IVIr. McHenry took aim with his usual precision, but to his surprise and discomfiture, the gun missed fire.
He threw the weapon aside and advanced with
his tomahawk for a life or death struggle with his dangerous foe. Several well
aimed blows dispatched him, and his glossy coat was added to the trophies of
his veteran antagonist.
The latter, with numerous other professional hunters,
spent several months of each year in the woods.
They preserved the salable
portions of the deer they had killed, usually by suspending them some distance
from the ground on stout saplings bent over for that purpose. The saddles
were collected and hauled to Philadelphia, where they were converted into
money or such supplies as were needed in
The
households.
back country
mutual confidence placed in each other by these hunters, in thus leaving their
game exposed and unprotected for days and weeks, suggests thoughts of a
practical honesty which is not universally characteristic of human nature.
The chase did not so completely absorb the energies of the people as to
leave no time for the pursuits of a farming community.
Agricultural implements were simple in construction, serviceable, durable and easily replaced.
It may siirprise certain of the present generation to learn that much of the land
was first broken with wooden plows, manufactured at the smithy and carpenter shop in the neighborhood.
The first step in the transition to the present
construction of the plow was the substitution of an iron point for one of wood,
and the addition of a coulter to further strengthen the implement. Subsequently the wooden mould board was covered with sheet iron, which was regarded as a great improvement. John Knopsnyder was an expert workman in
making plows. His services were not required for pitch-forks and harrows,
which every farmer could make for himself. Grain drills and cultivators datetheir introduction from a comparatively recent period.
The general status of
Sugarloaf township as a farming region has been greatly elevated within tho
past few years.
A Grange is well sustained, and numbers among its membership the most progressive farmers of the region.
Buckwheat is a staple agricultural product, and the flour manufactured here is well-known in various,
sections of the country.
Cole's mill was built some time in the last decade of the last century.
The
summer of the previous year was extremely dry. Vegetation suffered and
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

228

There was at this
small streams were literally absorbed by the intense heat.
The volume
time a mill on a branch of Hvintingdon creek in Luzerne county.
of water in that stream was reduced to such an extent that the mill could not
Catawissa thus became the nearest milling point, and continued
be operated.
The
such during the following winter, which was one of unusual severity.
farmers at the head-waters of Fishing creek resolved to have a mill, and they
Four generations of Coles have successively owned the mill of that
got it.
Like
name, and as many difPerent structures have occupied its original site.
the Irishman's knife, which received a new handle one year and a new blade
the next, but still continued "the same ould knife," the Cole's mills of to-day
are nominally identical with the Cole's mills of nearly a century ago.
A circiimstance in this connection illustrates the manner of laying out roads
While Ezekiel Cole was building the fi-amework of his mill
at this period.
with a sound of axe, chisel and hammer, quite unusual in the quiet depths of
the forest, a party of hunters from Huntingdon heard the noise from a neighboring mountain (or hill, in deference to popular usage), and descended to asThey were agreeably surprised to see the almost completed
certain its cause.
structure, and returned in a few weeks with their ox-teams and sled loads of
No serious delays occurred in crossing the country, although it was
grain.
They avoided ravines and water
covered with a hitherto unbroken forest.
courses as much as possible, as the dense undergrowth and heavy timber there
found would have greatly hindered their progress. They ascended hills by
the steepest way if that was the most direct route to the summit, as there was
then less danger of upsetting, and the view from the eminence thus gained aided
The axe was used in removing obstacles where it was
in directing their course.
absolutely necessary; corduroy roadways were constructed in marshy places;
and thus the first road eastward through Sugarloaf was laid out. It need
It was traveled exhardly be stated that it was hilly to a remarkable degree.
tensively for many years, but finally gave place to an easier and more direct
The ox- teams have also been superseded to a great extent. People
route.
usually traveled on horseback to weddings, venison dinners, church, and in
The carriage of the period would correspond
attending other social occasions.
"
to the spring wagon of the present, excepting the springs, which were " D
Elliptic
shaped, seasoned white oak, and placed directly under the seat.
The next
springs were introduced about 1840 and at once became popular.
addition to the traveling facilities of this region will far surpass anything in
When the railroads under conthat direction that has yet been attempted.
struction have been completed, the unrestricted development of farm, forest
and mountain, will work such changes as must be relegated to the future his-

torian for discussion.

Herrington' s Foundry was established by Newton R. Herrington in August,
1866.
The building is 26x50 feet, and they originally made sled shoes and
plows.
In 1882 a saw-mill was built in connection by the same party, and
now they make plows, sled shoes, mill gearing, bells, shingles, etc. The capacity of the shingle and circular saw-mill is 4,000 to 5,00(3 shingles per day,
if kept busy.
Here they intend to continue the business in all its branches,
and the place will be known as Pioneer Station, Coles Creek.
While the past has witnessed gratifying progress in the material prosperity
of the people, their educational advantages have correspondingly increased.
Philip Fritz taught the first school in Sugarloaf township in a log building
which marked the site of Saint Gabriel's church. The first house for school
The public school system was established
purposes was built on West creek.
in 1837 with

John Laubach, William Roberts, Matthias Appelman, Henry H.

SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP.

229

Eighty-eight
Fritz, Samiiel Krickbaiim and William E. Koberts as directors.
Two schools were started, Hess' and
voters were present at the election.
In 1885 there were seven schools in the township.
Cole's creek.
There are three post-offices in Sugarloaf Cole's Creek, Guava and Central.
Central was established in 1836 under the name of Campbell, through the exUpon his removal the office was discontinued
ertions of a doctor of that name.
Joshua B.
until 1850, when Peter Hess was commissioned as postmaster.
Hess succeeded to that position in 1861, Henry Hess in 1876, and Elijah
Hess in 1886. Cole's Creek was formerly known as Sugarloaf. Ezekiel Cole,
Alinas Cole, Benjamin Cole and Norman L. Cole have successively been incum-

—

Guava was established May 11, 1883, at Andrew Laubents as postmasters.
He has continued in charge of the office. These points are on
bach's store.
the mail route from Benton to Laporte, Sullivan county.
While the industrial, social and educational character of the people was being
formed, religious bodies were assuming a permanent and influential condition.
The Sugarloaf
log church
was the only structure of its kind in the two
It was begun in
townships during the first fifty years after their settlement.
1810 and finished two years later, though not dedicated until July 15, 1828,
when Right Reverend Henry M. Onderdonk performed the ceremony of conThe
secration agreeably to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal church.
following names appear in
An account of the subscribers to the building of
"
Saint Gabriel's church on a settlement had on the 26th day of December, 1812:
Caleb Hopkins, W^illiam AVood, Ezekiel Cole, Matthias Rhone, James Peterman, John Keeler, Philii? Fritz, Jacob Cough, Conrad Hess, Henry Fritz,
Uriah McHenry, John Kile, William Ozborne, George Hess, William Hess, Sr.,
Daniel Stone, Jacob Hess, John McHenry, Tobias Hess, John Knopsnyder,
Andrew Hess, Cornelius Coleman, Frederick Hess, John Roberts, John Hess,
Daniel Robbins, Levi Priest, George Rhone, Jonathan Robbins, William
Edgar, Benjamin Coleman, Abraham Kline, Sr. Jacob Rine, Conrad Laubach,
Peter Yocum, Abraham W^hiteman, William Hess, Jr., Samuel Musselman,
Paul Hess, Jonathan Robbins, Henry Hess, William Waldron, William Yorks,
Christian Pouts, Edward Roberts, Casper Chrisman, Emanuel W^hiteman,
Daniel McHenry, Jesse Pennington, John Emery, William Willson. Thomas
Miller, Frederick Harp, Benjamin Stackhouse, Silas Jackson, John Whiteman
•and Jacob Whiteman.
The structure was built of hewn pine logs, with galleries around three sides of the interior.
After being occupied sixty-four years
as a place of worship it was burned to the ground on Palm Sunday, April 9,
1876.
It was jointly owned by Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Lutherans.
The Episcopal chui'ch organization was effected July 1, 1812, when Christian
Laubach and James Peterman were chosen wardens and William Willson, Jacob
Rine, John Roberts and Matthew Rhone were constituted the vestry.
Reverends Caleb Hopkins,
Eldridge, Benjamin Hutchins, James De Pui,
Burns, George C. Deake,
Harding and John Rockwell have been connected with this church as regular pastors.
On Easter Monday, April 17, 1876,
a meeting of the congregation was held in the grove to consider ways and
means for the rebuilding of Saint Gabriel's. Reverend John Hewitt of Bloomsburg presided, and Jacob H. Fritz was chosen secretary. On motion Thomas
B. Cole, John Moore, Montgomery Cole, Benjamin Cole and John Swartwout
were constituted a building committee. The corner-stone of the new structm'e
was laid May 23, 1876. A number of clergymen was present, and Colonel
John G. Freeze delivered an eloquent address. The dedication occurred May
Reverend T. F. Caskey, now in charge of
1, 1877, Bishop Howe officiating.
the American chapel. Dresden, preached on this occasion.
Saint Gabriel's is
Ihe only Protestant Episco]>al j^arish within a radius of twenty miles.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

230

Three other denominations, the Church of Christ (Disciples), Methodist
Elders John
Episcopal and Methodist Protestant are also represented.
Ellis, J. J. Harvey and John Sutton introduced the doctrines of the sect first
mentioned in the autumn of 1836, when they held a protracted meeting in
It resulted in a number of conversions; four persons,
Hess' school-house.
John Kile, Richard Kile, Kebecca Cole and Sarah Steadman were baptized
These were the first
near Guava on the 8th day of December, 1836.
accessions to this faith in Columbia county.
In 1855 Elijah Fulmer, a local Methodist Episcopal preacher, conducted
A number of persons
a revival at the school -house near Central post-office.
were converted and a class was formed. Ten years later, during the pastorate of the Reverend John A. DeMoyer at Berwick, he conducted a protracted efThis was
fort, and at its close began to agitate the building of a church.
forthwith accomplished, and the church named Simpson chapel, in honor of
The appointment at this place is filled by the resident pasBishop Simpson.
A second class was formed some time since, and with the aid of
tor at Benton.
Lower Hess' church was built. It
other persons in the neighborhood, the
is now the place of worship of a flovirishing Methodist Protestant society.
The necessity for separate political organization, and the obvious con'

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venience and advantage of such an arrangement became apparent with theIn April, 1812, a petition
gradual but permanent increase of the population.
was laid before the court requesting a division of Fishingcreek township. It
was granted and the name Harrison conferred upon the new division by
The record does not show in what manner this was
authority of the court.
supplanted by " Sugarloaf," although it is obvious that the latter was sugThe record of elecgested from an important natural product of the region.
This day a meeting was held at
tions begins as follows: " October 1, 1813
the house of Ezekiel Cole in and for this township of Sugarloaf for the purpose of voting for by ballot, agreeably to law, the several township officers,
one assessor and two assistant assessors; nineteen voters present;;
to wit
the candidates were as follows: for assessor, Philip Fritz, John Keeler,
Uriah McHenry and James Peterman for assistants, Philip Fritz, JohnKeeler^
Philip Fritz was clerk of the meetAlexander Colley and Matthias Rhone.
ing.
At the second election, March 18, 1814, twenty-one individuals availed
The several candidates
themselves of the highest prerogative of citizenship.
were, for constable, John Kile and Daniel Robbins; for auditors, Philip Fritz,
Christian Laubach, James Peterman and Alexander Colley; for supervisors,
Philip Fritz and William Willson; for overseers of the poor, John Roberts
and Conrad Hess; for fence viewers, Jacob Rine and William Hess, Jr. for
There were
judges of the meeting, Alexander Colley and Christian Laubach.
This waa
at least fourteen office holders, two thirds of the number of voters.
certainly the golden age with aspirants for political honors and emoluments,
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in this section.

BENTON.
for the erection of Benton was made in 1 845, but the Court.
The imrejected the petition and also one of similar import in January, 1850.
portunity of the petitioners was at length effectual, and in April, 1850, the^

The

first

move

ninth township from the original area of Fishingcreek was formally erected.
It was named in honor of Thomas H. Benton, then in the zenith of his power,,
and warmly admired by his political coadjutors in this region. The eastern
boundary of Benton was formed in 1786 upon the erection of Luzerne county;
its western limit was established in 1799 as the eastern line of Greenwood;

BENTON TOWNSHIP.

231

the line of separation from Fishingcreek was marked out in 1813 as the
southern boundary of Sugarloaf and the division of the latter in 1850 was
effected agreeably to the terms of the petition by virtue of which Benton was
;

erected.

Nothing of striking importance characterized the settlement of the latter
township.* Benjamin Coleman bought land from Daniel McHenry about 1791,
and was the first to improve what is known as the John Laubach farm. Jonathan Colley settled on Fishing creek prior to 1797, as is shown by the fact
that his name appears in a list of purchasers at a vendue which occurred in
The first house in which he lived was built across the brook from
that year.
Swartwout' s mill, where an old orchard of his planting marks the place. He
was formerly a resident of Norristown, and was accompanied by- Peterman and
The latter built the first saw-millf on the waters of the
Jesse Pennington.
upper Fishing creek. Joshua Brink, from New Jersey, settled upon a farm with
which his name is still associated in that locality. Robert and John Moore entered this region when they were young men and tried the experiment of
keeping " bachelor' s hall " on their lands at the sources of Raven and Little Pine
<5reeks.
A descendant of the former remarks that this was only a temporary
expedient as they soon dissolved partnership and each began life on an indi-

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vidual basis.

William Eager, Samuel Rogers and John Keeler removed from Orange county,
Daniel Whiteman, Peter Robinson and
N. Y., and settled on adjoining farms.
Jonathan Hartzel were among those who formerly lived here, but have moved to
Seneca county, Ohio. Daniel Jackson improved a tract of land which embraced the site of the town of Benton.
He lived upon it from 1800 to 1833,
when his right of possession was successfully disputed by a rival claimant. It
appeared that the lands for which Mr. Jackson held the title were situated on
His house for many
another Fishing creek in a distant part of the state.
It now
years comprehended all of the village of Benton that then existed.
comprises about forty dwellings, two excellent hotels, a number of stores, a
school building and two churches. Its central location in the midst of a fertile
farming district and the prospect of soon becoming a rail-road point insure
the continuance of its importance as an inland business town.
Having thus outlined the settlement of this valley, certain contemporary
The following
features of social and domestic life should also be noticed.
observations of a writer of this section apply equally well to both townships
" It was not an uncommon thing to find a family
included in this sketch.
consisting of parents and fi'om six to a dozen children living in a house about
twenty-two feet square with rooms and loft, the latter reached by a ladder.
In the lower apartment were one and sometimes two beds (besides the trundlebed, which in the day time was pushed under the other), a bureau, a table, a
few chairs, benches and cooking utensils. In the chamber were the beds for the
*The Penn Manor Lands here surveyed Kovember 8, 1769, and consisted of two separate tracts of five
hundred and thirty acres each. The warrantee names were James Athill and Francis Hopkinson. The warrants were Issued March 6, 1770, and the returns made the 13th day of the same month. These lands were said
to be " situate on a large branch of Fishing creek, eight or ten miles above the end of Fishing creek mountain," or about two miles north of the town of Benton. "Putney Common" is the name applied to this manor
in the original survey.
fOn the night of ,Tuly 2, 1848, the waters of Fishing creek rose to an unprecedented height, destroying
waterspout burst upon the mountain
this mill and inflicting much damage upon property along its course.
side near Central P. O. Trees were uprooted, huge boulders removed from their foundations, and such lesser
obstacles as decayed logs and uneven surface completely obliterated. Where the full force of the deluge was
experienced, the country presented the appearance of having been carefully swept. Aaron Lewis was living at
this time in the valley of the creek but some distance from its channel; a jam of logs and defcm diverted the
stream from its former channel, and placed his farm buildings at the mercy of the torrent, the violence of which
swept away the foundations of his house and compelled its Inmates to seek safety on the roof. Not until five
o'clock in the afternoon of the next day had the waters subsided suflBciently to permit their rescue.
few
rods from the site of Swartwout's mill was a similar structure owned by Isaiah Cole. It was entirely destroyed
and one of the mill stones has not been found to this day.

A

A

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

232

larger children, surrounded with barrels, boxes and heaps of grain of variousAnd yet, as limited as the whole concern appeared to be, there waa
kinds.
room enouo-h for all, so easy is it to adapt ourselves to circumstances. There
were buildincrs of larger dimensions, better divided and more comfortably arranged, but, compared with the spacious and beautiful residences that

Nor waa
dot the valley in all directions, their number was insignificant.
their furniture more elaborate, judging by the standard of the present. Cooking stoves began to be introduced about 1835, the old ten plate serving for
room stove if there was any place to put it. The great wide fireplace, with
Here the
its trammels of pot-hooks and hangers, was found in every house.
good mother and grown up daughters over a roaring fire made of a huge
back-loo-, front-stick and a pile of other wood— fried the meat, baked the
Plain chairs, bottomed with hickcakes, and boiled the mush for the family.

now

'

'

—

ory or oak splints, were the only kind used; even the rocking-chair was of the
same style and material." The wants of the people were simple and readily
Within the house^
supplied from the circumstances that surrounded them.
the whirr of the spinning wheel and the clatter of the loom attested the reInclination as well as necessity compelled
quirements of assiduous industry.
the stronger members of the family to develop to their fullest extent the reMaple sugar and syrup were staple comsources of forest and stream.
The sugar season was anticipated with the degree of interest now
modities.
It was scarcely less important, and
felt in an approaching wheat harvest.
would be equally profitable if it could be made to yield the returns realized
fifty

years ago.

*Benton schools date from 1799, when Isaac Young opened a school in the
Upon the close of this school another was opened
vicinity of Benton village.
in a private dwelling upon the site of Eli Mendenhall's barn, above the village.
The first houses for school purposes were two in number, one being situated
on West creek, and the other below the village. Hon. Alexander Colley sustained the same relation to public matters in general in this section as Philip
He was a surveyor, a school teacher, a member of the
Fritz in Sugarloaf.
legislature, and at the time of his death, in 1881, was the last surviving member of the first school board.
The propriety of mentioning post-offices as educational influences may perhaps be questioned, but in sparsely settled districts, where it is impossible to
maintain schools more than five or six months in a year, the general intelligence
Postal
of the people is directly proportional to the circulation of newspapers.
facilities were extended to this section in about 1836, when a mail route was established from Fairmount springs in Luzerne county, to Taneyville in LycomJames N. Park was
ing, by way of Cole's creek, Campbell and Davidson.
contractor, but Orrin Park usually carried the mail, traversing a distance of
forty miles on foot, and experiencing considerable hardship in breaking roada
Not until 1848^
in winter, and danger in walking foot-logs over rapid streams.
twelve years later, had the amount of mail matter become too great to carry oa
July 1, 1852, the route fi-om Pealertown (now Forks), was undertaken
foot.
by Mr. Parks. Stillwater, Benton, Cole's creek. Central and Davidson were
Daniel Hartman was first postmaster at Benton.
the intermediate points.
upon the files of the department since Noappeared
has
O.
P.
Creek
Raven
vember 11, 1872, when Peter Laubach was commissioned to conduct it. O.
M. Smith succeeded him March 9, 1886. During Mr. Daubach's incumbency
Cambra. A daily mail h^as since
it was on the line of the route fi'om Muney to
and Cambra. July 17, 1886,
Camp
via
Van
Stillwater
from
established
been
R. T. Smith was appointed to take charge of Taurus post-office on the road from

BENTON TOWNSHIP.

233:

Fairmount Springs to Raveu Creek. The usual difficulty was experienced in
selecting a name, and the projectors were finally compelled to go beyond the
This office is connected with Raven Creek
pale of civilization in their search.
by a tri -weekly messenger seiwice.
The organization of religious societies in Benton did not begin until the
The
character of the people in other respects was practically established.
Methodist Episcopal church is represented by two churches, the Presbyterian,
Church of Christ (Disciples), and Methodist Protestant by one each. The congregation last mentioned was disbanded a few years since, and the chiu'ch
property is about to be sold by the general conference of that denomination.
The building was erected in 1872 through the exertions of the Reverend A. E.
The Christian church at the vilKline, then in charge of Pine creek circuit.
lage of Benton was organized about the year 1849 by John Sutton with thirty
members. Robert Colley and Elias McHenry were elected elders and have
served continuously in that capacity to this time, 1886.
A meeting-house was
Reverends Theobald Miller, Jacob Rodenbaugh, J. J. Harvey,
built in 1856.
J. G. Noble, Zephaniah Ellis, E. E. Orvis, C. M. Cooper and D. M. Kinter
have been pastors of this church. Mr. Ellis was the author of "The White^
Pilgrim,
a poem widely coj^ied by the press at that time.
The Methodist congregation at Benton village has worshiped in the frame
church building erected by them in 1872, prior to which time the West creek
church was occupied. A class of sixteen was formed in 1870, with William Y.
Hess as leader. The place of worship of the Hamlin church was built in 1879,
near the site of a similar structure built in 1845.
The first class was formed
about ten years previous with Charles Snyder, leader.
Both congregations are
embraced in Benton circuit, which formerly formed part of Bloomingdale.
Reverend Gideon H. Day was the first pastor in charge of the former after the
Reverend John F. Brown was pastor when the Benton church was
division.
built, and H. B. Fortner when "Hamlin" was rebuilt.
Reverend S. P.
Boone, the present resident minister at Benton, is a native of Luzerne county,
and acquired his education at New Columbus academy and at GaiTett Biblical
Institute, Evanston, Illinois.
He was a teacher eight years prior to his entrance into the ministry.
He is a man of progressive ideas and enthusiastic
devotion to his work, which explains the success which has everywhere attended his efforts.
Presbyterian services were probably held at Saint Gabriel's church in
Sugarloaf as early as 1812; but, as no record was preserved, particulars canIn 1859 a number of persons fi-om Cole's mills and the surnot be given.
rounding neighborhood petitioned the Presbytery of Northumberland, then in
session at Berwick, for a church organization in that vicinity.
In response to
which, John Doty, Esq., Reverends D. J. Waller and John Thomas were appointed a committee to inquire into the propriety of such action.
They met
at the "log church " on Friday, August 12, 1859, and proceeded to organize a
church consisting of Earl Boston, Frederick Laubach, James Willson, Simon
W. Tubbs, Freas Conner and others. July 1, 1872, a congregational meeting^^
was held at Hamlin church, where services had been held for some time previous, as it was more convenient for many of the members.
It was decided to
build a new place of worship, and to change the name to " Raven Creek Presbyterian Church."
Peter Laubach, Samuel Willson, Samuel Krickbaum and
William R. Mather were constituted a building committee. November 7, 1874,
the completed structure was dedicated.
The congregation has usually been
'

'

connected with the Orangeville pastorate.

HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

234

CHAPTER

XII.

GREENWOOD AND JACKSON TOWNSHIPS.
GREENWOOD.

GREENWOOD,

one of the original snbdivisions of the county, and the
fourth in order of time erected within its present limits, embraces an
In a
area of considerable extent between Little Fishing and Green creeks.
strictly topographical sense the name is applied to a valley extending east and
west between these streams, from the hills of Pine and Jackson to the more
The larger
regular elevations at the south, known as the Mount Pleasant hills.
portions of the township of that name, and of Jackson, were embraced in the
boundaries of Greenwood as originally defined in 1799; previous to that date,
the region was included in Fishingcreek, and still earlier in the extensive

township of Wyoming.
It was during this early period of the political organization of Northumberland county that Greenwood valley ceased to be public land, and received
Benjamin Chew, a prominent citizen of Philadelits first white inhabitants.
phia, secured successive warrants at various dates for sm-veys in the Green creek
valley, and eventually became owner of a tract the area of which approximated
two -thousand acres. This tract was the largest in the county held by a single
individual.
The site of the town of Millville was originally possessed by
William and Elizabeth McMean. Their applications for warrants were dated
April 3, 1769, and the corresponding surveys were among the first in this region.
This part of the township was also the first to receive settlement and
cultivation.
The title to the McMean tracts and others adjoining passed to
Reuben Haines, a Philadelphia brewer, and from him, in 1774, John Eves
purchased twelve- hundred acres of land for the sum of one-hundred and fortyfive pounds.
There is a difference of opinion as to the time when he became
a resident of the valley of Little Fishing creek, but the preponderance of evidence seems to indicate that he settled upon his land before the title was acquired or the purchase concluded.
If this view is correct, his first visit to the region was made in 1769.
Leaving his homo at Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle county, Delaware, and
Folcrossing Lancaster county, he reached the Susquehanna at I£arris' ferry.
lowing the river to Sunbury, he crossed to the east bank of the " West Branch,
which he followed to a settlement near the present site of Milton. Here he
made diligent inquiry concerning Little Fishing creek, and the location of
He was unable to glean any information
lands then owned by the McMeans.
from the settlers, but two Indians offered to giiide him thither; they followed
to Nescopeck, until they reached the foot
the Indian trail from
ye great isle
When they had ascended to its
of Fairview, an eminence overlooking Millville.
summit, his guides pointed to the valley below, and Eves knew that he had at
After examining the timber and
last reached the vicinity of his future home.
soil they returned that day to the Susquehanna, whither he continued his
joiu'ney to Mill Creek Hundi-ed.
The next summer he returned, and with his eldest son, Thomas, built a
The following
small log cabin in a ravine to the west of Little Fishing creek.
'

'

'

'

GEEENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

237

spring he made his third journey fi'om New Castle county, accompanied this
time by his family.
They followed the same route as he on his first joui'ney,
but, from the mouth of the Chillisquaque, were obliged to cut a road through
the woods.
Shortly after their arrival at the cabin, built the previous summer,
an incident occurred which caiised some regret concerning the trouble taken in
bringing hogs from Delaware.
These animals found shelter in a bank of
leaves among the branches of a fallen tree.
The porcine community was one
night invaded by an enemy from the forest, and one of its numbers died a violent death; the next day the di-ove went into the woods, apparently upon their
usual foraging expedition, but failed to return at night.
Some months later it
was ascertained that they crossed the Susquehanna, and fi"om all appearances
were progressing in a bee-line to New Castle county.
The first effort to introduce hogs into Greenwood, was thus a failure.
The abundance of all kinds
of game, however, prevented any serious inconvenience in consequence.
The family at Little Fishing creek were not utterly isolated, although
their nearest neighbors were in the valley of the " West Branch. "
Parties of
Indians from Wyoming traversed the trail on visits to their dusky brothers
at points farther west, passing and repassing the solitary farm, and bringing
its occupants into constant contact with every phase of savage character.
The
opportunity to receive them with uniform courtesy and kindjiess was well
improved.
The presence of the family on an exposed frontier at a time when
others found safety only in flight, and the refusal of John Eves, with others of
the society of Friends, to take up arms when the war of the revolution began,
caused the provincial authorities to suspect him of being a tory.
Spies were
sent to inquire into the matter, but the charge could not be substantiated.
It
was not sym})athy with the British, biit exceptional wisdom and kindness that
secured for them an immunity from the ravages of the border warfare.
The day after the Wyoming massacre, J.uly 4, 1778, a friendly Indian gave
timely warning of the approach of danger.
By noon of that day the household goods were on the wagon, and by nightfall the party reached Bosley's
mills, a stockade on the site of Washingtonville.
From this point the journey
was pursued to Mill- Creek Hundred.
In 1785 or 1780, the settlement of Greenwood valley was again begun. On
their return the Eves found their buildings a mass of charred ruins, and the
fields overgrown with biishes.
Two houses and a mill were built, the latter
being the first in the township.
Piles at the side of the old mill race are still
in a good state of preservation after the lapse of a hundred years.
Others
began to enter the township about the same time. Among these families
appeal- the familiar names of Lemon, Lundy, Link, Battin and Oliver.
The
Lemons located about the center of the township. The Lundy family built a
house in which Reuben S. Kich. a descendant, now lives. Jacob Link, in
In the same year four brothers
1797, opened the first tavern in the township.
Thomas, Samuel, John and W'illiam Mather, removed from Buffalo valley to
Green creek. Joshua Bobbins, Archibald Patterson. George and William McMichael, native Scotchmen, settled in the same locality.
The first road through this region followed the course of the Indian trail
fi'omthe " West Branch" to Berwick. Until 1798 the trail itself constituted the
only highway to the " North Branch. " In that year a road was sui-veyed from
the river across the Mount Pleasant hills.
At this early date, and to a greater
extent dui'ing certain periods since, the Green and Little Fishing creeks have
been the channels by which the timber on their banks has found its way to the
Susquehanna, and thence to the mills at Harrisburg and Marietta. During
autumn and winter, trees were felled, and logs collected where the banks of the
2

I

^

238

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

They were here built into rafts of such shape
streams were high and steep.
when the stream's current had risen to a suiScient height these coxild be
pushed mto the seething torrent below. Skillful piloting was required to conSometimes the fastenduct them safely to the broader channel of the river.
ings of a raft would burst asunder, and the logs and driftwood form a compact
dam, diverting the waters of the creeks into the meadows on their banks; or
perhaps the jam would break, and the pent-up volume of water rush madly on
The sluggish appearance of these streams in the
with overpowering velocity.
summer months cannot convey an adequate idea of their importance in years
As early as 1820 an effort was
past in connection with the lumber industry.
made to obviate the danger of thus transporting the principal commodity of
It was not until 1856 that
the region by opening another road to the river.
The legislature in that year
the final success of this project was assured.
made an appropriation for the construction of a road from Bloomsburg to
The
Laporte, in Sullivan county, through the valley of Little Fishing creek.
extensive travel which has ever since passed over this highway proves its
The year 1856 begins an era of rapid development
necessity and importance.
and improvement in the whole township, but particularly in the struggling vil-

that

lage of Millville.
It had an existence, however, long before the first inception of the state
road in the minds of its original projectors, and has completed the first century of its history, darting the beginning at the time when the Eves' mill was
Thomas Eves succeeded his father in the ownership of the mill, and
built.
built the first house in the village on the site of a structure recently erected
by Josiah Heacock. In this house, in 1827, David and Andrew Eves opened
Four years later David Eves was commisthe first store in the township.
sioned postmaster; Andrew Eves succeeded him; James Masters held the
position from 1842 to 1849; George and William Masters were in charge from
the latter date until 1886, from which it appears that during a period of more
than fifty years but two families were represented in the list of incumbents.
The mail was brought from Berwick until October, 1879, at first once, but
Subsequently, a route was opened from Bloomsburg
afterwai'd twice, a week.
A daily mail
to Sereno, and mail received at Millville three times a week.
has since been established.
The business interests of Millville are represented by a number of stores,
In 1813 John Watson started a woolen factory.
factories and planing-mills.
The plant comprised two carding machines and a fulling-mill. Wool was
brought here by farmers to be cleaned and carded; the process of weaving was
performed at their houses, after which it was returned in the shape of " home-

Chandler Eves succeeded Watson, and
spun," to be colored and pressed.
built a large brick structure on the opposite side of the water- course from
UnfortiTuately, it has not fulfilled its promise of
the site of his first building.

The wagon factory established by
an extensive manufacturing establishment.
The wagons here made
Charles Eves in 1837 has had a different career.
have always sustained an excellent reputation for durability and superior finish.
Under the management of John Eves, the present proprietor, the quality of
Henry
the work has not deteriorated from its high standard of excellence.
Getty and William Greenly started a planing-mill in 1881; Shoemaker and
Lore followed with another three years later. The lumber here manufactured
market in the vicinity, or is shipped to various points. It is probable
that these industries will be important and permanent factors in furthering
the growth of the town.
A striking feature of the business enterprise of this village, not often found
finds a

"

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

'DV.!

in places of its size, is the " Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Millville.
It was incorporated September 7, 1875. and organized the following month
They have held
with Joseph W. Eves, president, and Ellis Eves, secretary.
For the
their respective offices continuously to this time (September, 1886).
six years preceding July 31, 1886, there was no assessment whatever, notNothing further need
withstanding the low rate at which policies are issued.
be advanced in proof of the prosperous condition of the company' s finances.
Amid all this business activity, the social necessities of the people have not
The Millville Reading Circle was organized in the winter of
been neglected.
In order to increase and ex1882-83, and met at the houses of its members.
Good Intent Litertend its usefulness, it was subsequently merged into the
ary Society." A large library has been collected through the co-operation of
'

'

the citizens and public schools.
Millville
Several fraternal and beneficent societies are also represented.
lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 809, was organized August 20, 1872, with twenty-one
members. Its first officers were ElJis Eves, William Burgess and John Richart.
After an existence of ten years the interest had abated to such an extent that
Valley Grange, No. 52, is one of the oldest in
the charter was relinquished.
It was charterefl with twenty members, February 4, 1874, having;
the state.
The library owned by the association combeen organized the previous year.
The grange numbers one-hunprises a number of judiciously selected works.
dred members, and exerts an influence in the direction of more general intelligence among the agricultural community.
J. P. Eves Post, No. 536, Grand Army of the Republic, was mustered September 3, 1886. by M. M. Brobst, A. D. C. as P. C, assisted by M. L. Wagenseller, of Post No. 148, Selinsgrove, William Mensch, T. F. Harder and J. M,
The following is a list of its
Seitzenger, of Hoagland Post, No. 170, Catawissa.
members: James W. Eves, Henry J. Robbins, George W^. Belig, B. F. Fisher,
Isaac M. Lyoos, John Shaffer, J. C. Eves, W. G. Manning, Emanuel Bogart,
Jacob Derr, Henry J. Applegate, John Thomas, D. F. Crawford, Charles M.
Dodson, William L. Caslan, W. H. Hayman, Richard Kitchin, George W.
Perkins, John Applegate, Harvey Smith, John Krepneci and John M. Mordan. [J. P. Eves, in whose honor the post has been named, was a member of
Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
He was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg and died in the field hospital.
His remains found their last resting place in an unmarked grave on the banks
of the Rappahannock.]
Greenwood township comprises, in addition to Millville, three villages of
minor importance Rohrsburg. lola and Eyer' s Grove. Rohrsburg is so named
from Frederick Rohr, a Prussian who had fought against Bonaparte, and who
It was included in
secured the site of the town in 1825 fi'om Samuel Sherts.
one of the Chew surveys. In 1826 the wheel-wright shop of Robert Campbell
comprised all of the village that then existed. In 1828 Peter Venett opened a
store in this shop, and, at a later date, Shoemaker and Rees became the second
Rohrsburg Grange, No. 108, was organized February
merchants of the place.
The report of its secretary for the quarter
12, 1874 with thirty members.
A commendable'
ending June 30, 1886, showed a membership of eighty-four.
degree of energy is displayed in testing and discussing various methods of
:

conducting farming operations.
Industries of varied character have been established in the vicinity of
Rohrsburg.
A flouring-mill below the town on Green creek was built by
Joseph Fullmer of Limestoneville, but this original structm-e has long since
disappeared.
In 1832 a fulling and carding-mill was operated on the same

240

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

For many years lumbering was a thriving business. In
1820, four brothers, Joseph, Jonathan, Isaac and William Lemon, started a
They owned a tract of timber
«aw-mill on Green creek below the village.
In 1847 Kester Parker esextending three miles in the direction of Millville.
It is still operated with a fair
tablished a pottery on the Greenwood road.
degree of prosperity.
Eyer's Grove and lola are situated on the Bloomsburg and Laporte road
and Little Fishing creek. The former comprises fifteen dwellings, a store
and mill built in 1860 by Jacob Eyer on the site of a similar structure, erected
At the latter place, in the winter of 1828,
in 1807 by Robert Montgomery.
Joseph and John Bobbins established a milling business.
stream by Joseph Sands.

The industrial development of Greenwood and growth of villages in
No large town has grown
consequence have been outlined at some length.
within the limits of the township; no great manufacturing enterprise has ever
The development of the lumber interests has largely resulted
been attempted.
from individual enterprises, and received capital and encouragement fi'om the
Greenwood valley is a region of great fertility. The
immediate vicinity.
presence of an intelligent agricultural community, and the prospect of improved facilities for the transportation of its products, indicate a steady and
permanent prosperity.
It is a natural inference and a correct one that the township has religious
and educational advantages commensurate with the wealth and intelligence of

Six denominations of Evangelical Christians are represented in
its people. ^
eleven different church organizations.
The Society of Friends is first in order
of time.
A meeting house was built at Millville in 1795, and the indulgence of
holding services at this place granted by Exeter (Berks county) monthly meetAt a meeting of a body similarly constituted at Catawissa, May 21,
ing.
1796, Jesse Haines and Jacob Clayton, on behalf of Fishingcreek Friends,
It was granted, and William
requested the continuance of this indulgence.
Ellis, Thomas Ellis and John Hughes were appointed to the supervision of
affairs at that point.
In 1799, at the instance of Catawissa Friends, the Philadelphia Quarterly established the Muncy monthly meeting, alternate sessions
of which were held at Fishingcreek.
In 1856 the name was changed to Fishingcreek monthly meeting of Friends, held at Millville.
In 1832 Roaringcreek Friends suggested to Philadelphia yearly meeting the
propriety of establishing a half-yearly meeting at Millville.
The matter was
referred to a committee consisting of John Foulk, Amos Basly, Ruth Pyle

and Mary Pike, and on their recommendation Roaringcreek and Muncy were
October 18, 1834, this body
united into "Fishingcreek half-yearly meeting. "
William
convened for the first time. Thomas G. Rich was appointed clerk.
Watson, James Millard, James Stokes and Benjamin Kester were elected deleIn 1845 an effort was
gates to the ensuing yearly meeting at Philadelphia.
made to incorporate Fishingcreek and Centre Chester county into Centre yearly
meeting, but this was never effected.
Since 1795 it does not appear that Fishingcreek Friends have deviated
fi'om an established regularity in their appointments for religious services.
These have been attended and supported during this period by successive generations of the families by whom they were commenced.
A record of this character, unbroken for nearly a century, cannot be claimed by any other religious

organization in the county.
Methodism also found adherents among the early settlers of Greenwood
The first service was held in 1809 in Thomas Eves' mill. A class of
valley.
eleven members was formed, among whom were William, Lydia, John and

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

241

Elizabeth Richie, Mary Richie and Jacob Evans, who was apFor sixteen years they held meetings in William Robbins'
pointed leader.
A house of worship was built in 1825, and after thirty-five years of use
barn.
was abandoned as unsafe. In November, 1882, the corner-stone of a new buildThe site of the first structure was at the forks of the roads from
ing was laid.
The adjoining burial ground is known as Greenwood
Millville to Rohrsburg.
cemetery.
The second and third Methodist church buildings were erected in
The pastors at this time were Reverends Joseph
1850 at Rohrsburg and lola.
Eyer' s Grove and Chestnut ridge appointments
S. Lee and George H. Day.

Mary Bobbins,

1860 and 1881, respectively.
of Rohrsburg has been a regiilarly organized body
since 1843. Previous to that date the Presbyterian element of the population
worshiped at Orangeville, and attended occasional services at school-houses
in the vicinity.
Finally application was made to the Presbytery of Northumberland for aid in efPecting an organization, and Reverends Williamson, ThomPhilip Sipley, Elias Smith,
son and Boyd were appointed to that service.
James Wilson and Charles Fortner were among the original members of the
congregation thus formed, which for seven years met for service in William
Mather's barn.
In 1850 the church edifice still occupied was completed. This
church forms part of the Orangeville pastorate.
The Christian church at Rohrsburg was the third and last religious body
formed at that place. August 4, 1870, Elder J. J. Harvey organized this conServices were held in Appelman' s
gregation with a membership of thirty-one.
This
shop until the following year, when a house of worship was completed.
In 1870 and 1871 Elders Harvey and
society is also represented at Millville.

were formed

in

The Presbyterian church

occasional services in the school-room of the seminary.
number of citizens assembled here to consider the feasiS. B.
bility of erecting a church building for the use of all denominations.
Kisner, R. M. Johnson and Josiah Heacock were appointed a committee to
In November of the
superintend the financial requirements of the work.
same year the " Free- Church " was dedicated. At this place, in the autumn
of 1881, Reverend F. P. Manhart organized the Millville English Lutheran
church; a charge was formed embracing St. Paul's, in Pine township, and
Cady's church, in Lycoming county.
The most recent addition to the number of religious bodies is the Greenwood Evangelical church. April 22, 1 880, Reverend W. H. Lilly conducted
The following year, through the
its first service at the house of Eli Welliver.
efforts of David Albertson and Wilson Kramer, a church building was erected.

Radenbaugh held
February

21, 1880, a

The appointment is embraced in Waller circuit.
The religious and educational institutions of a community are reciprocally
related in various ways.
With the Quaker settlers of Greenwood, schools and
One end of their first meetchurches received an eqiial degree of attention.
ing house was partitioned from the rest and used exclusively for school purIn 1708 Elizabeth Eves instructed the children of the vicinity in this
The first
room; Jesse Haines and John Shirely were among her successors.
scho®l-house in the eastern part of the township was situated on the farm of
Jacob Gerard.
The school was subsequently removed to a building erected
for its iise where Catharine McCarty now lives.
If the Friends deserve honorable mention in connection with the early
schools, much more should their later educational efforts receive favorable
comment. In the year 1851 a number of citizens of Millville, influenced by
a desire to provide for their children better educational advantages than the
public schools could confer, erected a suitable building by their joint efforts

poses.

242

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

and planned an institntion known as the Millville High- School. In the following year, William Burgess, a man of broad culture and liberal views, was
He opened it in the autumn of 1852
called to the principalship of the school.
Durwith an enrollment of thirty, and continued at its head for twelve years.
ing this period, although the school as such was a complete success, it became
involved to an extent that threatened to result in its permanent suspension.
To avert this impending danger, the Greenwood Seminary Company was orIt
ganized March 30, 1861, with a capital stock of five-thousand dollars.
assumed the liabilities of the former management; made extensive improvements and additions to the buildings, and established the school on a firm
financial basis.

July 17,
Professor T. W. Potts, of Chester county, took charge in 1865.
Three years later William
1866, the property was leased to C. W. Walker.
Burgess returned and remained until 1872, when he resigned to accept an
appointment on an Indian reservation tendered him by President Grant. He
During the winter of 1874-75 Florence
•was succeeded by R. H. Whitacre.
Heacock, of Benton, conducted the school. March 6, 1875, the trustees leased
Professor
the property to the Fishingcreek monthly meeting of Friends.
Two years later the property
Arthur W. Potter was employed as principal.
reverted to the trustees, and R. H. Whitacre was again placed in charge.
During the succeeding seven years the seminary was conducted only in the
.summer.
John M. Smith, Harold Whitacre, M. C. Turwell and A. L. Tustin
mere the teachers during this period.
At the opening of the present school year (1886) the Fishingcreek monthly
aneeting of Friends has again become lessee of the property. The buildings and
grounds have been improved in appearance, courses of study have been prepared,
and every arrangement completed for the accommodation and instruction of a
The management has not been disappointed.
large number of students.
August 16, 1886, the school opened with seventy-five pupils. Anna C. DorHer assistants are Roland Spenser and
land, of Philadelphia, is principal.
Frances Foulk.
A normal class is under the tuition of Lizzie Hart, of Doylesiown, Sidney B. Frost and George L. Mears, of Philadelphia.
Among those who have attended this school may be mentioned B. Frank
Hughes, of Philadelphia; Charles B. Brockway and Thomas J. Yanderslice, of
Bloomsburg, and J. B. Knittle, of Catawissa, all of whom have at various
times been members of the state legislature. It remains to be seen whether the
record of the seminary in the future will approach its usefulness in the past.

The unwieldy proportions of Greenwood interfered with the convenient
transaction of township business to such an extent that in April, 1837, a
proposition to annex its northern portion to Sugarloaf was laid before the court.
The petitioners met with better
It was not favorably considered however.
success the following year by requesting the formation of the new township of
Jackson from the contiguous portions of Greenwood and Sugarloaf. Fishing
«reek became its boundary on the east, and Little Fishingcreek on the west.
This arrangement continued in force until January 31, 1840, when the area
formerly included in Sugarloaf was reannexed to it, thus reducing Jackson to
its limits as at present defined.
Settlement does not appear to have advanced to this region until other portions of the county were marked by the presence of an aggressive population.
To a certain extent this may be attributed to the nature of the tenure by which

s

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

243

The Asylum Land Company, a syndicate of land specuthe lands were held.
lators, secured a large tract embracing the whole of this township and the adjoining portions of Sugarloaf, Greenwood and Pine, and of Lycoming and
The character and methods of such corporations at this
Sullivan counties.
period were not such as to recommend them to prospective settlers.
This class
of people feared, and not without reason, that after paying for lands on the
representations of unscrupulous agents, they might find the titles defective,
The existence of these circumstances,
or perhaps fail to find their lands at all.
the utter absence of good roads, and the distance from markets seemed insuperable obstacles in the way of advancing settlement.
Not until 1800 did the
smoke from a cabin reveal the location of a human habitation. Jacob Lunger
removed from Northampton county in that year and settled on Green creek.
In the autumn of 1805 Abram Whiteman made an improvement at the head
waters of that stream, about four miles ficm the North mountain and the same
distance from the southern boundary of the township.
Jonathan Robbins,
formerly a resident of Bethlehem township, Huntingdon county, New Jersey,
entered this township about 1810, having rct'led in Sugarloaf, in 1795.
In 1811
Paul Hess located north of Waller on a Irictof two hundred and forty acres.
At this time Levi Priest was living southeast of that village, and George Farver on land bought in 1809 by John Conrad Farver of James Barber.
These
families comprised the population of the township at this time.
Subsequent
immigi'ation was drawn principally from Greenwood, although several families
removed from New Jersey and the lower counties. The familiar names of
Yorks, Golder, Waldron, Everhart, Campbell and Parker may be mentioned

among this number.
An incident in connection

with the early settlement should not be passed
unnoticed, as it afPords a striking illustration of the dangers incident to pioneer life, and the courage which characterized the early settlers.
Abram
Golder, Sr., had gone into a swamp near the present residence of Daniel
Young, for the purpose of cutting hoop-poles. His only defensive weapon was
a small hatchet, but no danger was apprehended, although it was known that
bears and other wild animals infested the region.
He had scarcel*^ begun his
work when a panther crossed his path.
True to his instinct Mr. Golder' s dog
attacked the animal, while he himself called for a gun.
Not waiting for it,
however, he seized a large pine-knot, and when an opportunity was presented
struck the panther's neck with such force that it fell dead at his feet.
The
animal measured eight feet from the nose to the tip of its tail. Mr. Golder'
presence of mind was equaled only by the skill with which he delivered his
blow.
The first well constructed road through this section was opened from Unityville, in Lycoming county, to Benton in 1828.
The first post-office, Polkville,
was established on this road in 1848, at the house of John P. Hess near his
present residence, one-half mile west from Waller.
Lot Parker succeeded Mr.
Hess in 1863, and the office remained at his house until 1860, when D. L.
Everhart became postmaster.
At the expiration of his term of 5ffice it was discontinued several years and was next established at Waller on the mail route
from Benton to Muncy. The village comprised at that time a church building,
school-house and store.
The number of buildings has since increased to thirteen, while the fine location and central situation warrants the prediction that
it will become a place of considerable local importance.
Postal conveniences
were extended to the southern part of Jackson in 1878, when the enterprising
citizens of that region secured the services of a caiTier to bring their mail from
Rohrsburg.
December 22, 1879, Derr s post-office was established with A. J.

Derr as postmaster

at his store.

244

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

The introdiiction of cliiu'ch and school organizations followed in the wake
of increasing population. John Denmark was the first teacher, and conducted
his vocation in a log dwelling near the location of the Union church building
school-house
This school was opened in the winter of 1821-22.
at Waller.
was built in this vicinity the following year, and here John Keeler and William
Yocum continued the work begun by their predecessor. The first house for
Cornelius McEwen, Helen
school purposes in lower Jackson was built in 1825.
The
Calvin, Joseph Orwig and Peter Girton successively taught at this place.
The appearance
township maintains four schools for a term of five months.
of the buildings and grounds compares favorably with similar school establish-

A

ments

in thickly settled localities.
different religious denominations represented did not secure houses of
As early as 1819 the township
worship until a comparatively recent period.
was visited by ministers of the Baptist denomination on their missionary tours

The

Joel Rodgers and Elias Dodson, the former a licentiate,
through this section.
the latter an ordained minister, regularly held monthly services, preaching in
houses, barns, in the open air, in the woods and in school-houses, when thev
Subsequent to this Samuel Chapin, Brookins Potter and
were erected.
Merrit Harrison made excursions fi'om Huntington, Luzerne county, and mainThey all labored withtained the appointments in Jackson for several years.
They were plain, earnest men, and supported themselves
out compensation.
Elders William S. Hall and J. Edminster,
by farming at their homes.
preached occasionally, 1845-49. In 1852 Reverends A. B. Runyon and F.
Langdon visited Jackson and held a series of meetings which resulted in a
number of conversions. For some years previous to this time efforts had been
made to build a house of worship. Upon the death of John Christian in 1849,
who was deeply interested in this, the work stopped. Finally, September, 11,
In the autumn of 1848 Rever1853, the completed structure was dedicated.
end John S. Miller held a protracted meeting, and thirty or forty accessions
were made to the church. The necessity of an organization became apparent.
March 24, 1856, the Benton Baptist church was organized with a membership
of nineteen* resident principally in Jackson, although twenty-two persons had
been converted at the former place the preceding winter through the efforts of
Reverend E. M. Alden. The following summer this church was admitted into
Reverend J. Shanafelts succeeded
the Northumberland Baptist association.
The violent political agitation of the succeeding six years
Mr. Alden in 1859.
Reverends Alden, Furresulted in virtually disbanding this congregation.
man, Zeigler, Stephens and Tustin preached occasionally. May 5, 1866, at
the instance of Mr. Furman, a meeting was held at Benton to consider the proIt was at once decided to do this.
priety of attempting a reorganization.
John R. Davis and Theodore W. Smith were elected deacons, and John F. Derr,
clerk.
March 6, 1869, the name was changed to "Jackson Baptist church,"
which it still retains. The Sunday-school was organized in 1870. The resigRevernation of Mr. Tustin in 1872 severed his connection with this church.
end Benjamin Shearer was pastor from 1873 to 1882. Mr. Tustin again became pastor in 1882, but was succeeded in the winter of 1885-86 by Joseph
W. Crawford, a licentiate of the Northumberland Baptist association. Considering the difficulties under which the existence of this church has been
maintained, there is much encouragement in its present prosperous condition.
The Church of Christ (Disciples) of lower Jackson was organized in 1858
with eleven members, among whom were Luther German, Iram Derr, Thomas
W. Young, and Absalom McHenry, all of whom had formerly been connected
The following persons have suewith the churches at Benton and Stillwater.

MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

245

cessively been its pastors
John Sutton, J. J. Harvey, A. Reutan, Edward E.
Luther German
Orvis, Charles S. Long, C. W. Cooper and D. M. Kinter.
and Iram Derr have been elders of this church since its organization. The
church edifice in which this body worships was built in 1879, and dedicated in
:

November of that year by Reverend C. G. Bartholomew and John Ellis.
The Evangelical Association is represented in this township by two organizations.
The -older, at upper Jackson, was established by Reverends James
Dunlap and Jeremiah Young. The former preached at "Hilltown" (Waller)
in 1846. The first class was formed by Reverend James Seybert and consisted
of George Hirleman, Henry Wagner, Michael Remly, David Remly and Frederick Wile.
At this time the congregation was embraced in Columbia circuit,
which included the whole of this county. The union church building at Waller
was built in 1854. The Evangelical class at lower Jackson was formed in
Reverends
1876 with nineteen members, and D. B. Stevens class leader.
T. Shultz and C. D. Moore are at present in charge of Waller circuit.
It is to be regretted that church buildings in this section were erected with an
Though a necessary expedient at the time, this
undenominational ownership.
has done much to retard the growth of the different churches.

James

CHAPTER

XIII.

MOUNT PLEASANT AND ORANGE TOWNSHIPS.
MOUNT PLEASAKT.

PREVIOUS

to August, 1789, the region at the junction of the two Fishing
creeks was included in Wyoming township, Northiimberland county;
during the succeeding ten years, in Fishingcreek fi'om 1799 to 1818, in Fishingcreek. Greenwood and Bloom.
In January, 1818, the township of Mount
Pleasant was erected, a comparatively small area north of Big Fishing creek
being received from Bloom, and all that part of the township northward to the
Mount Pleasant hills, from Greenwood and Fishingcreek.
It was while the latter township comprehended this whole area that it began
to show the results of settlement and improvement.
Those features of the region which most favorably impressed the land-buyer were its strong growth of
timber and inexhaustible supply of water.
The nature and quality of the timber, particularly, was such as to insure a fertile soil and invite improvement
and cultivation. Although distinguished at a later period by a strong German
element, the population of the region soiith of the Mount Pleasant hills was
originally composed of English people fi'om New Jersey.
They werefrom Sussex county, in that state, and followed their neighbors who had located in the
vicinity of Jerseytown.
Not until the close of the revolution, however, and
the establishing of peace and security on the border, did this section receive
the attention of those who subsequently made it their home.
It appears that
Peter Eveland and Jacob Force were among the first to permanently locate
here, the former near Welliversville, the latter at Kitchen's church, in the
north-east part of Mount Pleasant township.
Abram Welliver's land adjoined
the farms of both of them, and embraced the site of the village which bears
his name.
Frederick Miller, a German from Northampton county, was the
;

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

246

proprietor of the village of Millerstown, but did not enter the township until a later
John Mordan, who had lived in the same township of Sussex county,
period.
New Jersey, as Eveland and Force, followed them to the Mount Pleasant hills
but removed a few yiears later to Little Fishing creek, where he built the
John Kester located on
first saw-mill in the present limits of the township.
In 1798 a road was surveyed over
the hill above the village of Mordansville.
the Mount Pleasant hills to the Greenwood valley beyond; from that time unThe potil 1856 it was the only highway from north to south in the region,
sition of the township near the growing towns of Bloomsburg, Orangeville,
and Millville prevented the growth of any important villages on its own territory.
Its exclusively agricultural resources and the inconvenience of distributing any products that might be manufactured, have not favored the establishment of industries of this character.
Quiet country villages have, however, clustered round each of the two hoWellitels that formerly received the travelers on the Mount Pleasant road.
versville, first known by that name when Thomas Wolliver was commissioned
postmaster in 1857, comprises several substantial farm-houses, and the shops
At Millerstown the first post-office in the township was
of two mechanics.
opened in 1831 by Frederick Miller, in the days when every package or letter
was receipted to the sender, and the date of its delivery, its destination and
Subthe amount of postage paid, reported to the department at Washington.
sequently the office at this point was discontinued; it was again established in
1873 under the name of Canby, the year the gallant general of that name
was treacherously killed. At this point a dozen houses, a place of worship and
a school-building suggest thrift and prosperity.
The last village to make its appearance was Mordansville, the nucleus of
which was the saw-mill of John Mordan, built in the early years of the township' s settlement.
The Mordansville woolen-mills, established in 1858 by Joseph E. Sands and Thomas Mather, have made the place a well known point.
Mr. Sands became sole proprietor in 1860; on his death, in 1881, Charles S.
Sands succeeded to the business.
During the first years it was in operation
farmers brought wool here to be carded, and after spinning, and weaving the
cloth, returned it for the finishing touches of the fulling and pressing machines.
Mr. Sands' enterprise and energy did not long submit to a process
He early introduced improved
of manufacture subject to so many delays.
machinery, and was thus enabled to perform every process of the manufacture.
The product of these looms found a ready sale in the coal regions of
He established, also,
this state, and continues to do so wherever introduced.
the only store that still exists in the township, and secured for the community
In
a post-office, known first as Bear Eun but subsequently as Mordansville.
addition to these features of the place, it comprises a number of private
houses, two saw-mills, and the shops of various mechanics.
The church buildings of Mount Pleasant township, three in number, are
Two of the congregations are
located near the old Mount Pleasant road.
The former are known
Methodist Episcopal, and one an English Lutheran.

The Kitchen church-building was
as the White and Kitchen appointments.
erected in 1859, but services for many years previous had been held in the
Welliversville school-house, and, previous to its erection, in the house of Harman Kramer. White's church-building was erected in 1875, during the pastorate of Reverend Frank P. Gearhart.
The White^^Oman, Shipman, Melick
and Hilbern families were connected with this organization during its eai'lier
history.

The English Lutheran church

of

Canby was organized November

18, 1859,

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

247

The
in the Millerstown school -house by Keverend E. A. Sharrets, of Espy.
The congregation is conpresent house of worship was built two years later.
nected with the Espy charge of the Susquehanna synod.
The early schools of the township, as well as its villages and churches,
were formed near the old Mount Pleasant road. Peter Oman, desirous of providing some educational advantages for his children, employed an instructor
Children of neighboring families were also
to teach them at his own house.
Subsequently three houses were built, located rereceived into this school.
spectively on lands of Joseph Gilbert, Aaron K ester and Andrew Grouse.
The substantia] appearance of some of the school-houses of Mount Pleasant,
and the taste exhibited in the arrangement and shading of the grounds, evince
a progressive spirit among some of its citizens.

Orange is situated in the southern part of the fertile Fishing creek valley.
There are two townships westward to the Montour county line; it is also
the third township from Luzerne county. Its position in that part of the county
«of Columbia north of the Susquehanna river is as nearly central as the irregular form and unequal area of the different townships permit. As elsewhere in
creek here follows a winding channel, the current in
its course Fishing
some places splashing and foaming as it widens over a primitive bed of redshale or a sand-bar of its own creation; in others, quietly meandering along
the base of wooded hills and in the shade of overhanging trees, whose reflection in the clear depths of the stream below is not disturbed by the slightest
In this township the volume of the stream is considerripple on its surface.
ably increased by the waters of Green creek, which enter it just above Orangeville, and several miles farther in its course by Stony brook, a smaller tribuAt the point of its junction with the former Fishing creek makes
tary stream.
a bold curve around the Knob mountain.
This elevation is an interesting and peculiar feature of the topography.
Rising abruptly from the low valley of the stream, the mountain continues in
an unbroken trend for miles to the east. It is but a natural surmise that
its regular crest formed the division line of the townships at its base; and this
indeed it did at the time when Bloom and Fishing creek met each other, and
Mount Pleasant adjoined both just across the creek. Now, however, the western
extremity of the Knob has ceased to be a boundary, and overlooks on all sides
the hills and valleys of the township of Orange.
It is only since 1840, however, that this order of things has existed.
Previous to that date the part of
of Fishing creek and a line which passed just north of the
present limits of the town of Orangeville was embraced in Bloom township that
portion west of Fishing and Green creeks, in Mount Pleasant; and to complete
the enumeration of the townships iu which Orange was originally included, the
part east of Green creek and north of the Knob was within the limits of Fishingcreek.
few years previous, in deference to the wishes of the electors of

Orange south

;

A

the locality, about the same area had been formed into the election district of
Orange.
Previous to this change primary meetings were held at Light Street,
while Bloom was the voting plac^ for the whole region.
The obvious inconvenience of this arrangement suggested the propriety of the change, and the
erection of the new township met with little opposition.
The earliest mention of people living in this part of the Fishing creek valley occurs in connection with Salmon's capture by the Indians in the year
1780.
It is said that the same party of savages with whom he joui'neyed as a
prisoner murdered a family who then lived at the foot of Knob mountain on

248

•

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

the bank of the creek.
The rangers who followed from Sxinbury buried themangled corpses where they were found, on the east bank of the stream.
Since then the channel has gradually crossed to the west side of the swamp,
whose subsequent drainage has opened for cultivation quite a wide strip of
land formerly covered with water.
While plowing here a few years since
some workmen discovered a human skull, and on further excavation unearthed
two complete skeletons, which, however, ci'umbled to ashes when removed
from their rude coffin of decayed logs. The people would fain associate the
appearance of these "fearful guests" with the Indian outrages of 1780, and
there seems a degree of probability that their view is correct.
Following the coiu'se of the stream, the savages camped for the night
under a spreading white oak tree on the point of land at the junction of Green,
and Fishing creeks. The next morning two of their number left the camp,
crossed Fishing creek, and after an absence of several hours returned with
their blankets filled with a dark-looking substance apparently cut with tomahawks.
They proceeded to melt it, upon which it was seen to be lead ore of a
very good quality.
This has induced the owners of the knob to make investigation concerning the presence of an out-crop of this valuable ore; but no discoveries of any value have as yet rewarded their efforts, although the Indians
certainly obtained lead from such a deposit.
The occurrence has always
existed in the traditions of the locality, and seems fairly probable.
About the year 1785 the region around Knob mountain was again invaded,
this time by a party of peaceful immigrants.
They journeyed from New Jersey across the Broad mountain to the present site of Berwick, and thence westward to the mouth of Fishing creek. Following its course north-ward they
cut their way through the almost impenetrable wood from Light Street, then
represented by a single house, and the farthest settlement from the river in the
valley; pushing farther to a distance of three or four miles they reached their
destination, and established their camp under the same tree and on the same
ground occupied by hostile savages more than a decade before. The waters of
the creeks subsequently washed away the point of land between thern; and irt
a freshet about twenty-five years ago the tree itself was carried away by the
resistless current.
A sand-bar now occupies the place where it once stood.
The party consisted of Abram Kline, his vvife, and a family of grown sons,

some of whom were also married and accompanied by their families. They
lived in their wagons and a tent beneath this tree diu'ing the first summer until
a cabin was built.
This first structure erected by them is still standing on the
land of Hixson Kitchen,
An important article of food was the milk from
their cows.
They felled lin-trees, the leaves of which served for both grass
'

*

'

'

and hay. During the second and third summers the united labor of the
family had cleared a tract of considerable extent, and some wheat and corn
was raised. The nearest mill was at Sunbui'y, thirty-five miles distant. When
the wheat had been thi'eshed and cleaned it was put into sacks, which were
securely fastened to the backs of several horses.
The man in charge led the
foremost horse, while the bridles of those behind were united by a rope to the
load of the animal in front.
Thus equipped the "caravau" wound slowly
through the woods to the river, where the grain was transferred to a batteau or
raft, and thus completed its journey.
Subsequently a mill was built at Catawissa, and was a great convenience.
Matthias, Isaac and George Kline built
cabins for their families and farmed the region between the creeks just abov&
their father's homestead.
Thus was established what was, at this time, th&
out-post of civilization in the Fishing creek valley.
It was not until 1796, however, that Abram Kline, being firmly convinced

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

249

that the region was fertile and the climate healthful, secured a title for his
By a waiTant of April 3, 1769, the tract had originally been surveyed for
laud.
This was one of the earliest surveys in the Fishing creek valHester Barton.
Hester Barton subsequently married Paul Zantzinger, fi'om whom, under
ley.
date of April 21, 1796, the title passed to Abram Kline.
The tract was of
considerable extent, and adjoined the lands of Randall Mitchell, Jonathan McClure and Charles Smith in right of William Anderson.
Including several
tracts on both sides of Green creek, which the Klines secured by patents, their
lands comprised an area of six and seven hundred acres.
Other owners of lands north of Fishing creek were George Cutts, William
Montgomery, Catharine Razor, Frederick Yeungling and Andrew Grouse.
South of that stream were the tracts of Whitehead Jones, Thomas Christy,
Richard Peters, Enos Randall and Abner Kline.
Abram Kline and his sons did not long remain the only settlers within the
present limits of Orange township.
The Whites, Parks and Gulps followed
from New Jersey; George and Frederick Rantz, James VanHorn, the Netenbachs and Weremans came fi'om Berks and Northampton counties.
Peter
Blank and Andi-ew Larish came fi-om New Jersey about 1800, and Samuel
Staddon about the same time from Lancaster county. Ludwig Herring and
the Vance and Patterson families arrived among the last years of what may be
called the early history of the township.
To lessen the labor of building houses and barns Abram Kline constructed
a saw-mill before he had been in the region many years, in all probability prior
The demand for sawed lumber, however, did not reach his
to the year 1800.
•expectations, and the mill decayed from disuse.
It was abandoned and nearly
all traces of it were obliterated seventy years ago.
This mill was situated near
the present site of Laurel-Hill cemetery.
A few years afterward two Jews built a grist-mill several miles farther
down on the site of a modern building now owned by John Hoffman. This
mill was owned for many years by General McDowell of Berwick.
Another
old mill was built by Henry Geiger, but sold by him to Jacob Seidle in 1822;
Wesley Bowman, the present owner, came into possession twenty-two years

'

later.

The road opened by the Klines fi-om Light Street to their homes was soon
extended by the settlers who followed them to the settlements farther north in
the Fishing creek valley.
The trading point for all this region was Bloomsburg, as no town then existed farther up the valley of the creek.
But in 1822
Clemuel G. Ricketts, a native of Fairview county, Ohio, conceived the idea of
planting a town at the foot of Knob mountain.
The advantages of this location for a commercial center lirst presented themselves to his mind; all the
travel from upper Fishing creek passed this point, the base of the mountain and
the channel of the stream being but little farther apart than the width necessary for a road- way.
There was here a level plot of ground, hemmed in by the
mountain, creek and surrounding hills, but amply large enough to accommodate
the prospective growth of the town.
With a sagacity, penetration and energy
rarely equaled he began the work of laying out his town within a few months
after entering Columbia county.
He purchased fi-om Henry Dildine and
others, heirs of Andrew Dildine. the ground on which the town of Orangeville
now stands. This deed was dated March 15, 1822. The tract was included
in a much larger one, originally patented to Thomas Minshall.
His executors,
William Crabbe and John Ewing, by indentui-e of May 14, 1793, conveyed it to
Henry Dildine and John Frutchey, executors of the will of Andi-ew Dildine;
and from his heirs, as above stated, it came into possession of Clemuel G.
Ricketts.

^"

250

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY,

When, in 1822, he bought the site of the town, a log building occupied'
This was a farm,
the site of the house owned by the late John Covanhoan.
Another was farther down,
house and was occupied by Abraham Eveland.
along Spring run, just where the stable of the Orangeville hotel has since^
The lower timbers of this house were so rotten that it wa»
been built.
The former tenant,
necessary to support the corner with a stout prop.
Harman Labour, having vacated it, the proprietor of the town took possession and occupied it with his family until a more substantial habitation
In the meantime, however, the course of the road, which
could be erected.
here made a curve round the foot of the mountain, was so changed as to
be exactly straight; and, on either side, lots of convenient size w^ere laid
Two of these, situated where Spring run crosses
off and offered for sale.
the road, a short distance from the house occupied by Eicketts, were bought
by Elisha Boon, who at once erected a dwelling house and tannery, thus beginning a manufacturing industry when the town as yet hardly had an existHe pushed his new house to comence except in the mind of the proprietor.
pletion as rapidly as possible, and in the same year (1822), having purchased
the stock of goods of an Espy merchant, he removed them to bis house and
opened the first store in Orangeville. Ludwig Herring was employed to bring
a wagon load of goods from Philadelphia, and in the following year repeated
the journey quite frequently.
Daniel Melick built the third new house, which was at once occupied by
The house
Philip Snyder and Solomon Siegfried, from Northampton county.
On the corner now
is still standing, and is now owned by Mrs. Hayman.
owned by Alexander B. Stewart, Clemuel G. Ricketts built the next house, in
Just opposite, the proprietor now
which David Fausey opened the first hotel.
John
completed a brick residence known at present as the Orangeville hotel.
linger removed to the village in 1824, and built many of the first houses.
Some interesting stories are related of the experiences of the people with
It appears that the fastnesses of the Knob mountain were^
bears and wolves.
Occasionally a black bear would comethe favorite haunts of these animals.
down from the mountain, walk through the "town " with the most perfect unconcern and self-possession, and break into the swamp below; for at this time
between the road and creek there was a dense growth of underbrush, with
here and there the bare, naked top of a dead pine rising above the foliage and
On one occasion the little daiighter of a farmer who lived
the mire below.
She ran down the road a
just above the store was sent to bring the cows.
short distance and returned with the news that she had seen somthing big and
The first traveler over the road in the morningblack which was not a cow.
For weeks afterward the mothers
reported having seen the tracks of a bear.
could not repress a feeling of uneasiness when their children were out of sight.
It does not appear, however, that any loss of life resulted from the depredations
of these fierce brutes.
The number of houses in the town having increased to five or six, the estabThis involved the choice of a name as
lishment of a post-ofiice was agitated.
The sages of the village having, as usual, congrea necessary preliminary.
gated in the store, the question was fi'eely discussed. Knobtown was suggested
as significant of the locality; Rickettsville, as a deserved compliment to the
founder, and " The Trap" in consideration of his foresight in locating the
town where it intercepted all the travel from the region above. Mi. Ricketts
observed that some of the old residents might enjoy hearing the familiar
names of their former homes, and it appeared that some of those farther up the
creek had come from Orange county, New York, and others fi'om Orange, New

ORANGE TO\YXSHir.

251

Thomas

Mills, his clerk, thereupon suggested the name Orangeville,
once adopted, and has clung to the place ever since.
Elisha Boon continued his tannery for many years.
A distillery was once
in operation on the same ground now occupied by the Methodist church-building.
Benajah Hayhurst began the manufacture of farming inplements soon after.
William Schuyler succeeded to the business in 1853, and continued it for
After passing through various hands and experiencing succestwenty years.
sive reverse and prosperity, the manufacturing industry is now conducted by
White and Connor. The Orangeville plows and grain-threshers have a high
reputation wherever introduced.
Alfred Howell in 1853 opened an undertaking establishment.
In 1855 James B. Harmon became proprietor and extended the business in various directions.
He introduced the first hearse
ever used in the region, and manufactured furniture for many years.
The
town at present comprises more than a hundred substantial homes, numerous
stores and three church -edifices.
All of the latter were preceded in the time of their erection by the old McHenry chiu'ch-building. It was situated about two miles west of Orangeville.
Andrew Larish gave land for the church site soon after he entered the region
in 1800; the church -building was erected about 1810, and was used as a house^
of worship by the Reformed, Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations for
more than a quarter of a centixry. Among those who preached here were Reverends DieflFenbach of the Reformed chiarch; Baughey and Benninger of the
Lutheran, and Patterson and Hudson, Presbyterians.
In 1818 Harman
Fausey fenced off a part of his farm for a burial ground. It had however been
a place of interment five years previous.
Edward McHenry came into possession of the farm in 1828, and increased the size of the grave-yard.
The placa
took its name from him.
Among those buried here are Enzius Vance, Archibald Patterson, Frederick Rantz, Andi'ew Dildine and others of the first set-

Jersey.

which was

at

tlers of the region.

In 1837 the roof of the church-building collapsed beneath the weight of
a heavy snow.
The make place for a school-house. But the ravages of time cannot destroy the
good that has resulted from the services of worship held in this rude log
church.
During the succeeding year there was considerable discussion as to where
the new church-building should be located.
The influence of Clemuel G.
Ricketts resulted in the choice of Orangeville.
The three denominations
who had worshiped at McHenry's again united their means and in 1839 erected
the union church building, at a cost of one-thousand six-hundred dollars. The
churches had now increased in membership, and from this point may be considered separately.

The Presbyterian appointment was at this time a preaching station of the
old Briarcreek charge.
Occasional services in the Orangeville school-house
were held by pastors on their way to McHenry's.
Reverend David J. Waller, Sr.
of Bloomsburg, became pastor in 1838, and from that time services
were held with a greater degree of regularity than formerly.
The church was
formally organized in 1842, with Samuel White, John B. Patterson and John
B. Edgar, elders.
The other original members were their wives, Sarah White,
Ann Charity Patterson and Elizabeth Edgar. Isaac Kline and Mary Kline,
John White and Lucy White, Ann Kline, Ruth Dildine and Mary Welsh complete the list of the original members.
Mary Welsh is the only one still in
connection with the church.
It was Isaac Kline, the father of Colonel Hiram
R. Kline, who raised the subscription for the building.
Reverend Charles
,

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

252

Williamson became pastor in 1843, and Reverend George W. Newell four years
later.
The latter still lives at an advanced age in Nebraska. He was sucIn 1861 Reverend Nathaniel
ceeded in 1858 by Reverend W. P. Teitswortli.
Spear settled here, preaching also at Rohrsburg and in Benton township. In
1876 Reverend David J. Waller, Jr., was called to the pastorate. He remained for a year and a half, when he resigned to take charge of the Bloomsburg State Normal School. He was followed in 1877 by Reverend C. K. CanSince that tinie the membership has increased fi'om
field, the present pastor.
The present handsome church edifice was built
forty-eight to one-hundred.
in 1885 and dedicated during the following year.
The Reformed congregation at Orangeville was formerly part of the Bloomsburg charge. When the Reverend AVilliam Goodrich resigned his position as
its pastor in 1865, the Orangeville charge was formed; it embraced the congreApril 1, 1866, Reverend
gations at Orangeville, St James and Mount Zion.
E. B. Wilson was called to this pastorate at a salary of five-hundred dollars a
He is buried in the cemetery
year; he served until his death, in May, 1868.
Though not an educated man, his rare abilat Arentdsville, Adams county.
ity made him peculiarly useful at a time when the charge needed a strong
For three years the charge was without a pastor; the removal
guiding-hand.
In August, 1869, Revof many prominent members created discouragement.
erend A. Houtz, the present incumbent, became pastor; since then its condition has materially improved, its membership has increased, and the contributions to benevolence made more systematic and regular.
The Orangeville Lutheran charge was organized by Reverend P. BergAs directed by the Susstresser; he arrived at the place in September, 1857.
quehanna Conference (since grown to the Susquehanna Synod) he organized
a charge consisting of the congregations at Orangeville, Rohrsburg, Zion's

and Briarcreek.
The Orangeville Methodist Episcopal church was formerly embraced in
In 1852 the Orangeville circuit was formed, with
the Bloomsburg circuit.
Reverend Albert Hartman as first preacher in charge. * Twenty-three years
previous, however, in 1829, Reverend J. W. Dunahay preached the first sermon ever delivered in Orangeville, from the twenty-first verse of the third
Religious services were held in the school-house
a brick church building was erected opposite Snyder's mill.
The growth of the church in numbers and wealth rendered the building of a
new house of worship a feasible, as well as a necessary, undertaking. At a
meeting of the trustees January 10, 1880, it was decided to begin the enterprise.
The present location at the corner of Pine and Mill streets was selected
two weeks later. On Sunday, April 10, 1881, the corner-stone was laid; September 11 of the same year the new structure was dedicated; Reverends T.
O. Clees, Elial M. Chilcoat and A. B. Hooven have been pastors since that

chapter of Revelations.
until 1848,

when

time.

During the same pastorate Reverend T. O. Clees
striicture at the

McHenry appointment;

it is

now

built a tasteful

frame

the place of worship of a

growing congregation.
Mountain Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 264, of Orangeville, has an existence
It was instituted September 17,
nearly as old as any of its church buildings.
1847, with Abraham Covel, N. G. George W. Lott, V. G. Joseph E. Sands,
secretary; and Elijah G. Ricketts, treasurer.
November 12, 1870, Oriental Lodge, No. 460, F. & A. M. of Orangeville
was instituted. The original members were James B. Harmau, Miles A.
Williams, Frederick Laubach, John F. Brown, Alick H. Megargall, Jeremiah
;

;

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

'ioo

Comstock, Hiram C. Eves. Jacob M. Harmaii, Nathaniel Spear, John Heacock,
It was chartered December 7, 18G9.
Orville A. Megargall and Peter Laubach.
Both these societies hold their meetings in the Odd Fellows' hall.

The early school history of Orange township, as well as its early settlement, is associated with the Kline family; for it was on the farm of Hiram K.
Among these early teachers were
Kline that the first school was taught.
George Vance opened a
Daniel Kake, Philip Doder and Jonathan Colley.
school in a log building which stood below Orangeville, at a later period.
Among those who subsequently taught here was Clemuel G. Ricketts. The
first school house in Orangeville was built in the year 1824, and stood at the
intersection of Mill and Pine streets.
It was a place for the holding of religious services as well.
Among the first teachers were Abraham Kline and
Ira Daniels.

The growth of a population of more than ordinary intelligence and enterprise has resulted in tlie establishment at Orangeville of an institution of learning
The Orangeville Male and
far superior to the average village high-school.
Female Academy was incorporated by act of assembly dated March 11, 1858.
Pursuant to the directions of the charter a board of trustees was elected-

C

This first board consisted of George W. Lett, Samuel Achenbach, Michael
Vance, James S. Woods, Wesley Bowman, Hiram R. Kline, and Edward
Lazarus. They appointed Reverend Peter Bergstresser first principal.
He prepared a course of stiidy contemplating a period of three years for its completion.
On May 1, 1860, the Orangeville Male and Female Academy was opened in
the public school building with thirty-two students.
Reverend Bergstresser
continued as principal two terms, when the conflicting duties of his pastorate^
and school-room compelled him to relinquish the latter. At his recommenda-^
tion John A. Shank, a graduate of Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio^

was elected as his successor.
The trustees, meanwhile, had formed a stock company

for the purpose of
obtaining funds for the erection of a school building.
This was completed and
occupied by Professor Shank and his school in the autumn of 1861.
The attendance was large, and the school enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity in every
At the beginning of the next year, 1862, Reverend H. D. Walker, s
way.
Baptist clergyman, was placed in charge.
Two years later, in 1864, he wascalled upon to take charge of a number of soldiers' orphans.
He rented the
academy building and grounds from the trustees, and transformed the institution into a "Soldiers' Orphan School."
He also erected a building on a lot
adjoining the academy grounds for the occupation of the children.
Prior to
its completion they were received into private families, and every provision for
their comfort made by the citizens of the town.
The "Home" was occupied
in the spring of 1866.
Under the efficient government of the principal and
matrons, Mrs. Charles Walker and Priscilla Snyder, the appearance of the
school children was always neat and cleanly.
The general management of theschool and its results compared favorably with the reports from other schools;
of a like character in the state.
But the supervisor of orphans' schools. Colonel John F. MacFarland, in consequence of untrue reports to which he gave ai
too-ready belief, ordered the removal of the children and suspension of the
school.
The summary execution of his directions caused quite an excitement
in the village.
Nor did it end here. Reverend Wajker carried his case before
the bar of the state senate, and secured from that body an appropriation of
ten- thousand dollars to remunerate him for the pecuniary loss he suffered fi-om
the unwarranted action of the supervisor.
There was nothing in the record of
this orphan school of which the village of Orangeville need feel ashamed.
22

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

256

In 1870 Professor Isaac E. Schoonover became principal of the apademy,
which had now been virtually suspended six years. He remained in charge
In 1875 Reverend Alfred Houtz, the present Reformed
four years and a half.
pastor, succeeded him; John Aikman and Francis HeiTing taught the yearly
term of 1876 and 1877. Reverend Charles R. Canfield was principal from
1877 to 1882; Professor Francis Heck from 1882 to 1884; Professor James F.
Harkens, of Juniata county, is the present principal.
The school has had a checkered career, but in the main has done good
It has ceased to be governed by a board of trustees, and the property
work.
is now owned by Silas A. Conner, a public spirited citizen who has materially
improved its appearance. Although its patronage is confined to a comparatively
limited area, in
social life of the

moulding individual character and elevating the tastes and
immediate community, it has done a work the importance of

which can hardly be estimated.

CHAPTER

XIV.

HEMLOCK AND MONTOUR TOWNSHIPS.
HEMLOCK.

AT

November session of the court in 1801, Hemlock was erected out of
Mahoning township, both being then in Northumberland county. It is
therefore one of the twelve townships embraced in Columbia county when it was
the

originally organized. A part of Hemlock, as at present constituted, was included
in Montour county by the provisions of the act first defining the boundary line.
The act of January 15, 1853, however, provided for a revision of the line, and
fixed the present western limits of this township.
In the earliest warrants for surveys, this region is mentioned as Wyoming
Hemlock creek is here mentioned, but
township, Northumberland county.
the location is more definitely fixed by reference to Fishing creek, a larger
The extreme northeast corner of the township was surveyed, in
stream.
pursuance of a warrant granted to John Nicholson, southward along Little
Fishing creek; Robei-t Bogard, William Oike, Philip Hahn, David Lynn and
The land at the forks of Fishing and
Elizabeth Gray were the warrantees.
Hemlock creeks was surveyed for William Patterson; north of this, and east
of the Hemlock, were the tracts of Evan Owen, Michael Bright, Henry Funk,

Samuel Emmitt, Sebricht Wagner, Alexander Johnson and
of the Hemlock, Margaret and Daniel Duncan, Thomas
Barton, Daniel Montgomery, Nathaniel Brader, Peter Brugler, Andrew Waltman and John Lilly secured large tracts.
Philip Gable,

James

Ellis.

West

Peter Brugler entered this region about the year 1788 or 1790, being among
His
the first to permanently locate within the present limits of the township.
iand extended across its western end, from Frosty valley into the Liebenthal, a
-deep, narrow valley, through which the west branch of Hemlock creek finds its
The house he built on
This track embraced about six-hundred acres.
way.
the southern slope of Frosty valley was destroyed by fire some years since. On
one occasion while out hunting, he had an adventure which illustrates how

HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP.
much

the

life

of the pioneer sometimes

257

depended on cautious but decisive

action.

The ground was covered with snow to the depth of several inches. He had
followed a deer for some distance, when, on turning a hill, he came upon what
at first appeared to be an entirely different trail, but the discovery of his own
footsteps proved that he had made a circuit, and reached the same trail he had
previously traversed, and at the same instant he noticed before him in the
snow the prints of an Indian moccasin. Their contrast with his own tracks
may have caused a momentary fear, but this only intensified the keenness of his
He remembered
faculties, as the certainty of his danger became conclusive.
It required but
having seen a hollow tree when he first passed over the trail.
The
a few minutes to reach it and conceal himself within its dark recess.
stealthy tread of the pursiiing savage could be plainly heard at a short distance,
and presently his duslcy form emerged from the pines into full view. Brugler
The sequel must
waited till his rifle was well aimed at the eye of the Indian.
In relating the story he never went beyond this point.
be inferred.
A few years after the coming of Brugler, Peter and Philip Appelman entered
the township. Peter Appelman succeeded to the ownership of part of the Duncan tract, but was misinformed regarding the location of his land, and built a
house before the mistake was ascertained. Margaret and Daniel Duncan secured patents for their land under date of December 17, 1774, but subsequently
disposed of both to George Clymer, a Philadelphia merchant. It was fi'om him
that the Appelmans received their titles; pai^t of the tract was sold to Hugh
McBride, in whose family it remains to-day.
Other German families who came with the Bruglers and Appelmans, or followed them in the course of a few years, were the Ohls, Hartmans, Neyharts,
Whitenights, Leidys, Girtons, Menningers, Merles, Grubers, Yocums and
Haucks.
They emigrated from the older counties of Berks and Northampton,
and the adjoining region of New Jersey across the Delaware. They journeyed
over the Broad and Little mountains by a road which has since been known as
Berwick was its northern terminus,
the Lehigh and Susquehanna turnpike.
and practically the end of the journey. Sunbury and Catawissa were the points
from which supplies were first obtained. The Germans purchased their land
from the patentees; few of them received it direct from the state. These first
owners were the predecessors of the more recent land jobbers, but their profits
were in most cases merely nominal.
Henry Ohl, a soldier of the revolution, entered the township in 1804, from
New Jersey. He bailt a house on the land now owned by his grandson, SamLudwig Neyhart's land is now
uel Ohl.
It has long since disappeared.
owned by Lewis Gh'ton. The old house was built in a hollow near where Mr.
Michael
Girton's buildings have since been erected, but nearer the springs.
Menninger located his buildings on a hill above Little Fishing creek. Heniy
Warrich was the owner of an adjoining tract. The house he built is still in
use on the farm of John Girton.
In the Liebenthal a saw-mill was erected at
an early day, but all trace of it disappeared fifty years ago.
The township of Hemlock is, to the casual observer, almost exclusively
agricultural.
The hills of the Fishing creek, the Liebenthal and Frosty valley
present nothing in appearance more striking than fields of waving grain or
forests of hemlock but on the slope of Montour ridge, deep seams and f uitows,
certainly not the water-courses of exhausted springs, arrest the attention and
awaken interest. From these drifts, however, the only mineral wealth of the
township, iron ore, has been removed until it is practically exhausted.
The first discovery of the ore was made about the year 1822 on the land of
;

258

HISTORY or Columbia county.

Robert Green, by Henry Young, a farm laborer. He noticed the peculiar
color of the ground he was plowing, and procured a pick and shovel to ascerAn examination revealed its true character and
tain how deep it continued so.
The entirevalue and led to the immediate commencement of drift mining.
pr-oduct, until 18-14, was hauled across the river to be smelted at Bittler's EsBut in that year the Bloomsburg Railther furnace and the Penn furnace.
Road and Iron Company began to operate their works, and for ten years
Since 1854
received nearly all the ore that was mined in Hemlock township.
the firm of McKelvy and Neal, now William Neal and Sons, have divided the
product with them.
Bank and Farrandsville
The company first mentioned owns the
The latter was purchased fi-om the Farrandsville Iron Company, which
farms.
mined several hundred tons of ore, and had it forwarded over the canal to their
works in Centre county, some time prior to 1844, but never manufactured a
The ore was here unloaded and forgotten, apparently, until a
ton of iron.
few years since, when an enterprising boatman reloaded it and brought it
back to Bloomsburg. The Bloomsburg Rail-Road and Iron Company also retains the ore in land purchased by them from Caleb Barton, but now owned by
Edward W. Ivey. It is land bought from Charles R. Paxson and Leonard B.
Rupert, and is the Robinson farm now owned by Daniel Yocum.
William Neal and Sons have succeeded McKelvy and Neal as lessees of
A few years since, having
the land of Daniel, Isaac and Sylvester Pursel.
exhausted the surface basins, a shaft was sunk on the north side of Montour
Mining in this way is attended with so much expense as to render it
ridge.
But for the fact that the hard ores thvis obtained are needed to
unprofitable.
mix with others of a difFerent character, the shaft would be abandoned en'

'

'

'

'

'

'

tirely.

The ore drifts of the Montour ridge have contributed largely to the
The villages of Buckhorn and
wealth and prosperity of the whole region.
Wedgetown were built for a class of laborers for whom there is no longer emIt is not probable that Hemlock township has any resources whose
ployment.
development will necessitate a return of this floating population.
Seventeen years ago, however, when even the most sanguine were forced
to admit that the drifts had passed their period of most profitable production,
the bluffs on Little Fishing creek began to be looked upon as the probable
A quarry at this point had for years
site for the opening of another industry.
supplied the furnaces at Bloomsburg with limestone; just above this, from the
appearance of the shale on the perpendicular surface of the bluff, Reverend
Thomas, a clergyman from Northampton county and interested in the manufacture of slate, conceived the idea that suitable material was here availIn the year 18G9 the Thomas Slate Company, thi'ough William Milnes,
able.
its president, purchased twenty-three acres of land along Little Fishing
On this land a building was erected, valuable machinery arranged
creek.
therein, quarries opened, and the manufacture of roofing-slate and slate-manThe fine quality and superior finish of their
tels begun on an extensive scale.
mantels created an encouraging demand. But the death of Mr. Milnes caused
the suspension of the works within a few years after they were first operated.
The plant has been allowed to I'ust and rot for the past twelve years. There
are no indications that the manufacture will ever again be resumed, although
such an occurrence is possible, as slate of superior quality certainly exists.
The circle of local manufactures is thus narrowed to three flouring mills.
The Red mill, built some years ago, has recently come into the possession of
Near it there were at
I. W. McKelvy, who has enlarged and improved it.

'

HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP.

'259

one time two establishments known respectively as Groetz's tannery and MinBut the pursuits here conducted, though locally importshall's fulling-mill.
ant at one time, can

now be

Although the village

of

ref eri-ed to only as

Buckhorn has been

'

'

lost arts.

'

built as the result of the dis-

covery of ore, there is associated with its name a story that begins many
It is said that before any settlement had been
years before that occurred.
made in this section the antlers of a deer, fastened between the forked branches
of a white-oak sapling, marked the course of an Indian trail through this reThis tree stood on the edge of a swamp, within three miles of Catagion.
wissa.
When, subsequently, it became necessary for the pioneers of the upper Fishing creek valley and North mountain to communicate with the forts
on the Susquehanna, a path was blazed through the woods, crossing the
Indian trail at the Buckhorn tree.
The sight of this tree to the weary traveler
from the distant settlement, was an assurance of his nearness to friends and
safety.
Other way-marks disappeared; the blazing on the trees became quite
indistinct; and the trees themselves succumbed to decay; but the sapling
grew apace, and gradually locked the antlers in a vise-like embrace. It
finally completely concealed them in the widening circles of its yearly growth.
The story of the buck' s horn within was received with questioning credence
from the " oldest inhabitants. " A few years since, along-billed bird made
an opening to the hollow interior of the tree, revealing the antlers, and also
establishing the fact of its early usefulness and later imprisonment.
It was
removed, and a part has been preserved in a museum at Allentown.
Just opposite this tree, where the house of Isaac Pursel now stands,
Vaniah Rees built the first house in the village. It was a hotel, and received
the patronage of the stage line from Bloom to Muncy.
He bought land from
James and Robert Dill, and laid out the town. In 1832, twelve years after
Rees built his hotel, Hiigh Allen erected another on the site of the present
one.
Rees built the third house at the opposite end of the village, and in
1836 opened the first store. He subsequently built about twelve houses,
nearly one-third the present number.
Hugh Allen was the first postmaster. Noah Prentiss carried the mail
from Bloom once a week for many years. About 1850 Israel Bittler was
commissioned to carry it twice a week. In 1866 a tri-weekly service was
begun by Jacob Crawford, but not until 1883 was the daily mail established.
In 1843 Marshall Shoemaker succeeded Allen as postmaster. The office has
been in the same building ever since, except one year.
The village comprises a number of well built houses, two stores, a hotel,
carriage-shop, school-building and two houses of worship. N. Patterson Moore,
proprietor of the carriage-shop, has been justice of the peace for fifteen years.
Previous to this Jacob Harris filled the office for twenty-one years.
Henry
Ohl was the first justice of the peace in Hemlock township after the formation of Columbia county.
The school-building, erected some years since at a cost of thi-ee-thousand
five-hundi-ed dollars, compares favorably with others of a similar character anywhere.
It was originally intended that the school here conducted should be
a township high-school, but this design has never been fully carried out. Under
the principalship of Josephus Grimes, the first principal and present county
superintendent, and his successors, it has done much to raise the standard of
teachers and teaching throughout the entire township.
The first school in Hemlock was opened in 1801, the same year that the
township was erected.
It was held in a dwelling house on the road leading
from Buckhorn through Frosty valley. A Mr. Davidson was the first teacher.

260

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Another was opened shortly afterward by Thomas Vanderslice, and a third in the
Liebenthal, just within the present limits of the township. It was widel}' known
as a place for social gatherings and singing- schools.
John Nevins was one of
its early teachers.
Other old teachers were Henry Ohl, Jacob Wintersteen and
Charles Fortner.
The present well-built school-houses, and the improved
methods of teaching generally pursued, certainly indicate a progress which
has kept the system abreast of the times.
It is probable that the school in Frosty valley was opened before religious
services of any kind had been held in the township.
It is said that Reveren d
Frederick Plitt, a German Lutheran minister from Philadelphia, followed
those of his nationality and faith across the mountains and into the valleys
where they had planted their homes. He ministered to the settlers in the
Hemlock region; his successors, Reverends Ball, Frey, Weaver and Oyer,
preached occasionally in the old school-house a short distance from Buckhorn.
TJie first house of worship, however, built by contributions from persons of all
denominations, but dedicated as a Methodist church, was completed in the
year 1848, and occupied a lot of ground formerly owned by John McReynolds.
Reverends Funk, Price and Consor, of the German Reformed, Evangelical and Methodist denominations, respectively, preached in this building
in the years immediately after its erection.
Only the Methodists, however,
were regularly supplied with religious services. Among the Reverend Consor' s successors were Reverends Hartman, Taneyhill, Buckingham, Gearhart,
Ross, Bolton, Warren. McClure and Chilcoat.
The old church building, having been in continuous use for twenty years,
began to show indications of decay. Reverend T. O. Clees, the pastor in
1868, began to agitate the necessity of immediately replacing it by a new
structure.
With characteristic energy he pushed the work to completion, and
in the following year dedicated an edifice costing seven-thousand dollars.
Thomas J. Vanderslice, John Appelman, Jacob Richart and John Kistler, trustees, secured the funds for both this building and the parsonage.
The latter
was erected several years later on a lot adjoining the church property. The pastors of this church in recent years have been Reverends Bowman, Brittain,
Ale, Savage, and W. H. Tubbs, the present incumbent.
The Frosty valley Methodist congregation, as part of the Buckhorn circuit, has had the same pastors as the Buckhorn church, since its organization.
It worshiped in a school-house until 1869, when a substantial fi'ame church
building was erected on the road from Bloomsburg to Mooresburg, three
miles from Buckhorn.
December 23, 1878, Elisha Brugler conveyed to Henry
Hodge, William McMichael, John Gulliver, Samuel Runsley, Peter Brugler
and Pooley, trustees, the ground on which the building had been completed
nine years before.
The membership has been weakened considerably in recent
years by the removal of persons formerly at work in the mines on the Montour
ridge.

Reverend William

J.

Eyer, the Lutheran minister mentioned above, began

to hold religious services in the old Methodist church immediately after it was
built, and continued to do so for some years.
It was his successor, Reverend
E. A. Sharrets, who first organized its scattered membership into a regular con-

gregation.
In the winter of 1859-60 he held a protracted meeting which resulted in the conversion of forty-three persons.
The organization was effected
in the spring of 1860 and numbered sixty-three members.
In 1867 Reverend Sharrets was succeeded by Reverend J. M. Rice. During these seven years neither a complete organization nor regular religious service had been maintained.
Sunday, Oct. 20, 1867, a re-organization was

MONTOUR TOWNSHir.

261

by the election of James Emmitt and Peter Werkheiser, elders, and
George Wenner and John H. Miller, deacons. "Christ's Evangelical Lutheran
became part of the Espy charge, and took meas
Congregation of Buckhorn,
effected

'

'

The aggressive spirit thus,
ures to provide for the support of a regular pastor.
displayed was further manifested in the appointment of a committee to select
One month later, at a congregational
a suitable lot for a church building.
meeting called for the purpose, the present location of the house of worship
was chosen, and James Emmitt, Peter Werkheiser, Sr., JohnH. Miller, Reuben
Bomboy and George Russell constituted a committee to solicit contributions for
On the 2yth of November, 1869, the new edifice was dedicated
the enterprise.
by Rev. E. A. Sharrets, president of the Susquehanna synod. The cost, about
Succeeding pastors have been;
five-thousand dollars, was fully provided for.
Reverends B. F. Selleman, H. C. Haithcox, J. M. Reimunsnyder, William
Kelley and E. A. Sharrets, who began his second pastorate April 28, 1878, and
has been in charge ever since.
MONTOUE.
position of Montour is best indicated by reference to the county
It adjoins the county of
the Susquehanna river and Fishing creek.
the same name, while the Montour ridge separates it from the township of
Hemlock on the north. From the county line it extends east to the Fishing^
and Hemlock creeks, and from the Montour ridge south to the river. East of
Fishing creek, the north bank of the Susquehanna for some distance is a level
area of exceptional fertility; but west of the mouth of that stream an elevation
abruptly terminating at the water's edge appears in striking contrast. Between
these river hills and the Montour ridge at the opposite side of the township is
the Dutch valley, so named because of the nationality of the first occupants of

The

line,

its soil.

When it is stated that these first settlers were of German origin, it need
hardly be added that they emigrated from Berks and N(nthampton counties.
The first to make their appearance were the Ruperts. They followed the same
route as those who preceded them to the region of Roaring creek and Catawissa.
Leaving the city of Reading in the sjjring of 1788, they crossed the
mountains of what is now Schuylkill county over a rough wagon track or bridleFrom Catawissa the journey, though
path, since known as the Reading road.
The contents of the wagons
comparatively short, was extremely dangerous.
were placed in canoes and thus taken to the opposite side. The wagons were
transported in the same way, two canoes being required for this purpose. The'
two wheels on each side were placed in one of them, while the rowers took
A landing was effected
their places between the wheels and under the wagon.
A rude log cabin, apparas desired just below the mouth of Fishing creek.
ently used by a "squatter" for a short time and then abandoned, was occuThis "house,"'
pied until a more substantial habitation could be erected.
which stood near the present site of the Paxton mansion, was considered a
It comprised three rooms
marvel of frontier architecture in size and finish.
Built in
instead of the single apartment usually constituting a dwelling.
1788 it was occupied by the Ruperts for thirty years, and a portion has since
been incorporated in one of the farm-buildings of the Paxton estate. Thus,
in 1788 did Leonard Rupert become the first permanent occupant of any part
of Montour township.
The tract of land he owned comprised the site of theOriginally siirveyed in pursuance of warrant
village which bears his name.
No. 1,000, issued April 8, 1769, to John Spohn, it was patented February 4,
1784, a half interest having been previously secured by Michael Bright, the:

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

'2<>2

owner
j)atent

of large tracts of laud iu different parts of the state.
The original
designates the tract "Partnership," and locates it "on the North

Branch Susquehanna, at the mouth of Fishing creek."
Leonard Rupert's father-in-law, and transferred the title

Michael Bright was

him in 1801, thirteen years after his first occupation of the soil.
Among those who followed
him were the Tucker, Frey, Dietterich, Blecker, Lazarus Hittle and Leiby
families, who located in the region beyond the river hill, appropriately known
as

'
'

Dutch

valley.

to

'

Although separated from its nearest town by the broad channel of the Susquehanna, the region at the mouth of Fishing creek was not necessarily en-

On

the other hand its j^eople had rare facilities for learning
at other places in the outside world.
In 1786, and during the subsequent twenty-five yearg, Sunbury and Wilkesbarre were the seats
of justice in the valley of the "North Branch," and the only towns of any importance in that section of the state.
The constant stream of travel between
these two points found a road near the river, its shortest and easiest route.
From Danville to the moiith of Fishing creek, however, the course of this
highway avoided the almost impassable river hills, and traversed the Dutch
valley in their rear.
At the muuth of Fishing creek the stream was crossed
by a ferry. Although not a regular public-hoixse, Leonard Rupert's establish The
.distinguished ])ersouages of the day, judges and lawyers, with others of every
.character and occupation here found a ready welcome.
A ferry was established at the exact points of the river now crossed by the
railroad bridge.
Its first proprietor was William Hughes, and afterward a Mr.
Clark.
As they objected to paying Mr. Rupert for the use of his lands at
the terminus on his side of the river, he established a ferry of his own,
which eventually absorbed its rival. In 18'29 the "North-Branch " canal was
^opened and the packet became a formidable rival to its predecessor, the stagecoach.
The work of excavating a channel at the base of the river hills, and
ihe building of an aqueduct across Fishing creek, were among the most difficult works of their respective characters accomplished throughout its entire
extent.
In the summer of 1853 the rail road bridge across the Susquehanna
was begun. September 5, 1854, the first train passed over it, and Rupert station, on the Catawissa, Williamsport and Elmira rail road, was established.
tirely secluded.

what was transpiring

Wesley Fleming was appointed first freight agent at this point, and still
remains in his original capacity after thirty-two years of continuous service.
As the only rail-road point in Columbia county, north of the river, Rupert became a place of some importance, although it comprised, when the rail-road
was opened, but two houses, the Paxton mansion and the lock-keeper's house.
Four years later, January 1, 1858, the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg rail-road
was opened to Rupert, which was for some months its southern terminus. But
before discussing the subsequent growth of the town, it is necessary to state
an important circumstance in the history of the township in general.
One of the results of the opening of the "North-Branch " canal was an increase in population more rapid in proportion to the relatively shorter time required to perform the journey from the lower counties. And a result of this
was the formation of the township of Montour. The agitation of the pnblic.•school question, however, was the immediate cause of the change in the political organization of the county.
Originally embraced in the extensive township of Turbot, the "region on the North Branch Susquehanna at the mouth
of Fishing creek" was subsequ.ently included in Mahoning and Hemlock, and
i:i 1837 erected into the
township of Montour.
It appears that some of the

MONTOUR TOWNSHIP.

263

anost prominent citizens of the township thus formed had tried in vain to secure
efficient schools under the act of 1834; failing to do so, they sought a separate
Having made
organization, with results, educationally, highly satisfactory.
this necessary digression, the account of the growth of the village of Rupert
from the time it became important as a rail-road point may be resumed.
Three years after the completion of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg rail
road, W. M. Monroe established a powder-keg manufactory at its junction with
From a comparatively small beginning, this enterprise
the Catawissa road.

With improved machinery and
has grown to considerable local importance.
a full force of workmen, it has a capacity of one-thousand kegs per day. They
lind a ready sale at the Dupont powder- works at Wapwallopen, in Luzerne
county, and Wilmington, Delaware.
It* was several years after this, however, that what promised to be the
most important industry of the place was begun, by the establishment of ex-

The Susquehanna Slate Company had begun the manutensive paint works.
facture of paint at their slate works some distance from Rupert on the Fishing creek.
In order to extend this branch of their business and avail themselves of the rare facilities of Rupert for the shipment of their product, the
plant was removed thither in 1871, and the manufacture of paints begun, unThe works had been in operation but
der the firm name of Reay and Drehr.
While the ruins were
ten days when a destructive fire reduced them to ashes.
yet smoking, new buildings were begun and pushed to completion with energy.
Owing to the financial depression of 1885 and the following year, the manufactory was temporarily suspended.
Beside the two industries mentioned, Rupert comprises about twenty-five
dwellings, a store and hotel, the "Rupert Marble Works," and the coal-office
of Paxton & Harman.
It combines a beautiful and healthful location with
Its educaexceptional convenience of access to all parts of the country.
tional and religious interests are represented by a commodious school-building
and a house of worship the only one in the township.
The original predecessor of the Rupert school-house was a rudely framed
building occupied by contractors while constructing the aqueduct across Fishing creek. Harriet Rupert opened a school here in 1831, but removed it to
The present
a more comfortable and suitable building on her father' s land.
school appliances and methods in Montour township compare favorably with
Until 1884 the school -building was the
others in rural districts anywhere.
In June, 1870, Reverend Creever of
place of religious services as well.
Bloomsburg delivered the first Methodist sermon in Rupert in the dwelling

—

house of James Farnsworth. From 1869 to 1872 Reverends Barsaux, Irvin,
Shuneberger and Hertz conducted Evangelical services in the school-house.
In September, 1884, the corner-stone of a Methodist Episcopal church was laid
with appropriate ceremonies by Reverend G. W. Stevens, then pastor at BuckIts general appearance is
horn.
It was completed the following winter.
tasteful, substantial and attractive.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

264:

CHAPTER

XV.

MADISON AND PINE TOWNSHIPS.
MADISON.

THIS township embraces that part of

Columbia county west of Little Fishing creek and Pine township, north of Hemlock, east and south of the
adjoining counties of Montour and Lycoming.
A striking feature of the topography is the "divide,'' a continuation of a spur from the Muncy hills. It
extends in a direction nearly parallel with the course of Little Fishing creek,
and defines the basins of that stream and of the Chillisquaque. The latter
here takes its rise, and flows in Madison, through the fertile Jerseytown
valley.
This is the only area of any extent in the county drained by a tributary of the
West Branch.
"'Frozen Duck" is the literal meaning of the Indian designation, Chillisquaqufe.
The contribution of this people to the history of the region about its
source is not, however, confined to the single circumstance of bestowing upon.
it this name.
The Indian trail from the " WestBi-anch" to Nescopeck crossed
the "divide" several miles above Jerseytown; one of the early surveys locates
an Indian town about the point where Lycoming, Montooi' and Columbia meet,
and therefore partly in Madison township and even after the whites had begun
to occupy the soil in considerable numbers, the savage clung tenaciously to a
region that had once been a favorite hunting ground.
A thrilling incident of
their struggle for its possession, and one of the last outrages committed in the
region was the murder of the W^hitmoyer family.
In the year 1775 this family, with two others, the Billhimes and Wellivers^
made their apj)earance at the head-waters of the Chillisquaque. All camefrom the region in New Jersey on the opposite side of the Delaware from
Northampton county. In their journey they crossed eastern Pennsylvania to
Harris' ferry, and followed the Susquehanna and
Frozen Duck
to the Jerseytown valley. Michael Billhime located on Muddy run. where he built a
cabin and cleared six acres of land. Daniel Welliver fixed his residence on Whetstone run, an affluent of Little Fishing creek.
The "Whitmoyers settled a
short distance west of Jerseytown.
The dangers incident to frontier life were
early realized by the Billhimes and Wellivers, who retired to a place of greater
security; but their unfortunate neighbors remained in fancied and apparent
safety.
On a morning in the month of March, 1780, there was unusual stir at
their solitary cabin.
It was evident from the preparations made that certain
members of the family were about to leave in order to establish a sugar camp
and it would have been a happy circumstance if the departure of all had
taken place.
Some time diu'ing the day, a party of hostile savages passed
through the region, leaving in their rear traces of the tomahawk and firebrands.
TheIt is disputed whether three or five of the Whitmoyers were murdered.
son returned the following morning in quest of a needed utensil, or perchance
Turning with a shudder
with a premonition of the tragedy already enacted.
from the melancholy spectacle which met his gaze, he fled in haste to Fort
The next day a party of rangers reached the spot and buried theAugusta.
'

'

'

;

'

'

'

'

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

265-

dead.
Their graves are still pointed out on the old road from Jerseytown to
Washingtonville.
In the autumn of the same year, the Billhimes and Wellivers returned from
New Jersey. They came by a route different from that taken on their previous journey.
Following the Delaware some distance northward, and crossing^
the ranges of the Blue Ridge and Kittatinny in a north-westerly direction, the
North Branch of the Susquehanna was reached through the Nescopeck Gap.
Daniel Welliver was accompanied by three cousins, John, Adam and Christopher, and in course of time this family became numerously represented.
The
purchase of the latter included the site of Jerseytown.
John located where
the Whitmoyers had previously lived, and Christopher occupiad an adjoining
tract.
Michael Billhime found his former residence in possession of a " squatter," and was obliged to make a second clearing on Spruce creek.
Joseph
Hodge and Peter Brugler, former neighbors in J ersey, continued to be such by
securing titles to contiguous su^rveys.
In 1785 Thomas Pegg settled on the
Chillisquaqiie two miles south-west of Jerseytown. Three years later Phineas
Barber became owner and occupant of a tract on the opposite side of that
stream.
The following year Hugh Watson became a resident of the vicinity.
John Funston located one mile west of the village, and Evan Thomas about
the same distance east on the Millville road, near the lands of Richard Demott,
who had entered the region several years previous. Lewis Schuyler, an exrevolutionary soldier, came to the neighborhood in 1794, and permanently
fixed his residence in the valley of Spruce creek five years later.
This seems
to have been regarded as a desirable locality, for in 1794 Jacob Swisher, and
in 1796 George Runyon also became residents here.
The former was appointed justice of the peace by Governor Snyder, and continued in that capacity until the ofiice became elective.
Other early settlei-s were James Laird,
Thomas Laird, John Smith, Henry Kitchen and Hugh McCollum. The trials
and inconveniences of this pioneer community were lessened to each of its
members in being shared by all. A mitigating circumstance was the fact that
the larger proportion of families represented had previously resided in Sus
sex county. New Jersey, and there foi'med the acquaintance of each other.
Those who were not among the first to enter the region did not on their arrival
have the feelings of
strangers, in a strange land.
They were constrained
to leave Sussex by gratifying reports of a fertile soil and equable climate at the
frontier settlement, which appropriately bore the name of their native state.
From a comparison of the dates above given with the time at which other
portions of Columbia county received settlement, it appears that Madison is
one of the earliest settled townships north of the Susquehanna. A person considering the relative value of the river land and the Jerseytown valley at the
present day, would doubtless conclude that this order should have been reversed.
The comparison in 1780, however, was between the swampy, malarial
region near the mouth of Fishing creek, and the healthful, undulating, and
well watered hill country further north.
At this period, and to a certain extent
since, the quality of the timber was regarded as a criterion of the quality of
the soil.
At Sussex, in Jersey, the best lands were invariably covered with
luxuriant forests of pine and oak.
The natural inference from this circumstance explains the priority of settlement and improvement at localities which
would not now be regarded as preferable. The indefinitely increasing value
of the river lands between Fishing and Briar creeks, and the growth of a
thriving town contiguous to an apparently irreclaimable swamp, were contingencies which no foresight could then determine.
Jerseytown valley vyas not exempt from the ubiquitous operations of the
'

'

'

'

"266

HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

The class of individuals which originally owned the largei
portion of its area secured their titles without the remotest idea of ever becoming resident proprietors. In the immediate vicinity of the village William
Wilson, John Rogers, Jasper Yeates and Benjamin Humphreys were the warrantees.
One of the most singularly shaped surveys ever recorded in the land
In proof of its irregular form it may be
office was that of Joseph Codd.
stated that thirty-four corners and ten adjoining surveys are mentioned in a
Some of the hrst settlers secured titles from
description of its boundaries.
the warrantees; others ''squatted" on the land, and were not disturbed in its
possession.
The notorious carelessness and indifference of the latter with regard to its ownership have resulted in legal complications which might otherwise have been avoided. There was not, however, any apparent fear of defective
titles to discourage settlement.
The population increased; the opening of a
road from Bloom to Muncy, and of another from Berwick to Milton, both of
which passed through this region, gave a new impetus to the improvement of
lands and farm bu.ildings.
The growth of population called for a separation from the old and extensive
Accordingly at the April sessions, 1817, of the Columbia
township of Derry.
county court at Danville, the new township of Madison was erected and its
organization ordered.
The president of that name was just completing his
second term.
The compliment thus bestowed indicates the political faith of
those who conferred it.
The democratic majorities in the township through a
series of years would seem to signify hereditary tendencies in the expression
of political prefei'ences.
The complexion of the township in this respect has not
ibeen changed by the reduction of an area originally including Pine and part of
West Hemlock to its present limits.
The stage line from Bloom to Muncy in the years immediately following
received a fair degree of patronage.
At the former point it connected with
The Muncy hills and
other lines for Reading, Sunbury and Wilkesbarre.
the valley at their base may have been a pleasant region to traverse in summer
and autumn; but this was amply compensated by the almost impassable condition of the road in winter and spring.
The wheels of the vehicle sank in the
mire to their hubs.
When further pi'ogress became impossible, the impatient
passengers alighted unceremoniously, and gave vent to their feelings in vigorous
and energetic efforts to assist the team in surmounting the obstacle. Sometimes the coach obstinately refused to move, and a fence rail was hastily imWhen this was ultimately
provised as a lever to pry the wheels from the mud.
accomplished, the journey could be pursued until an occurrence of a similar
character relieved its monotony.
The village of Jerseytown reached its present proportions during the most
prosperoiis period of stage travel.
The first store in the township was opened
lay John Funston on the site now occupied by Conrad Kreamer, and formed a
nucleus for subsequent growth.
Evan Thomas was the first blacksmith and
hotel proprietor of the place.
Jacob McCollum began the manufacture of
leather in 1826; Hugh McCollum succeeded to the business in 185Gand E. W.
McCollum became proprietor twenty years later. James Masters, who settled
on Spruce creek in 1788, built the first saw-mill in this section and operated
the first carding machine north of Danville.
No grist-mill has ever existed in
Madison as none of its numerous streams affords adequate or reliable motive
Besides the tannery above mentioned Jerseytown comprises about
power.
forty dwellings, two stores, a church building and school-house.
The predecessor of the latter was the first of that character in this region.
The school opened here in 1799 was taught by Mr. Wilson. In 1810 Thomas
land speculator.

PINE TOWNSHIP.

267

Lane opened another in a dwelling on the land of Leonard Kisner. A third
opened in 1815 whore the Reformed church has since been built, and a fourth,
conducted in the eastern part of the township, completed the number of earlyschools.

Organized religious bodies appeared in Madison at a later period than the
schools just noted.
Many of the early settlers, the Demotts, Runyans,
Hulits, Hodges, Wellivers and Swishers were members of the Baptist society,
and retained their religious preferences in their new homes. September 27,
1817, Elders John Wolverton of Shamokin, Smilej of White Deer, and Simeon
Coombs of Middleboro, Massachusetts, organized the Little Muncy (Madison)
Baptist church in the union meeting house of Moreland.
This society is one
of the oldest within the present limits of the Northumberland Baptist Association.
Its representatives at the formation of that body in 1821 were Heniy
Clark and Silas E. Shepard, pastors; James Moore, Richard Demott, James
Hulit and Powel Bird, lay delegates.
In 1845 the Madison church edifice was
erected.
Elder Clark remained in charge until 1829; his successors were J.
Green Miles, Joseph B. Morris, Henry Essick, A. B. Runyan, Henry C. Munro

and R. M. Hunsicker.
In 1826 the German element of the population erected a church building
on the exact site of a structure in which the Reformed congregation now worships.
Many of those connected with this body reside in the adjoining township of Hemlock.
Reverend Jacob Dieffenbach organized
Heller
church
about 1820; among his successors were Daniel S. Tobias, Henry Funk and
William Goodj'ich.
The Methodist and English Lutheran denominations were the last to secure
a representation in the township.
The Jerseytown appointment of the former
is connected with the Washingtonville circuit.
A house of worship was erected
in 1882. Vandine Lutheran church was organized in 1869 by Reverend George
'

'

'

'

Eicholtz of Lairdsville, Lycoming county.
A building for religious services
was erected in the following year. Reverends Miller, Bodine, Battersby and
Hutchison have successively preached at this place.

PINE.

The exteme northern and western parts of Columbia county comprise an
extent of surface drained by Fishing and Green creeks.
The chief features
of this region are the mountains and foot-hills in which niunerous tributary streams find their sources.
That part of this district adjoining Lycoming county, and bounded on the south and east by Little Fishing creek, is
embraced in the political division the name of which appears at the head of
this chapter.
Although possessing the general characteristics of the entire
Pine township has peculiarities distinctively its own.
The Muncy
their forests of waving hemlock and pine overshadow apparently
insignificant streams and shallow water courses which have, by centuries of
constant attrition, deeply seamed their ribs of rock.
The picturesque and
diversified character of the landscape is presented in a most favorable aspect
when the last rays of the setting sun gild the clouds above the horizon and
irradiate from the foliage which forms it, bringing into exquisite harmony an
infinite variety of contour, elevation and color
the frame of a picture of
wooded hills, verdant slopes and winding brooks scarcely less beautiful.
Natural beauty of scenery, although desirable, was not an essential feature
of a prospective agricultural region.
It was its economic resoiu'ces, a fertile
soil and the growth of timber to indicate it, that engrossed the interest of the
sections.

hills

and

—

^

268

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

farmer, or attracted his attention.
Thus neglected by the class of persons
as permanent settlers, that part of Cohimbia county to the northwest
of the headwaters of Little Fishing creek remained a wilderness long after
the adjoining valleys of Jerseytown and Greenwood had been marked by the
presence of an aggressive and enterprising population.
During this period, however, it was not unknown nor entirely unoccupied.
The deer, panther and bear, here found a secure retreat; and even here they
were eventually pursued by hunters of undoubted bravery, prominent among
whom appears the name of Peter Brugler. It appears that he removed from
New Jersey to Spruce creek for the sole purpose of gratifying a decided predilection for the enjoyment of the chase.
He discovered the deer-lick above
Sereno which bears his name, and kept the matter secret for some years.
Not
content with this as his exclusive property, he "salted" the earth at a locality
more accessible, and so well imitated the natural deposit as to completely deceive the deer.
On one occasion a companion had a narrow escape fi'om death
in an encounter with a panther.
He had emptied the contents of his gun into
the animal' s flank, but this only served to make it more furious.
The hunter
had only time to reload before the brute sprang toward him and seized the
end of the rifle barrel between his teeth. At this instant it jvas discharged
and took effect in his throat. The iron was perceptibly indented by the death
grip of his teeth.
The reminiscences of a farmer in the vicinity of Millville
present some curious incidents of his experience at a later period, when wild
animals had been partially exterminated.
He rode into the brush one evening
in search of his cows, which had failed to return at their usual hour.
On a
rising ground beside Little Fishing creek he found the herds with erect heads
and dilated nostrils, apparently in great fright and about to stampede. At a
short distance from the rest stood one of the number with his head firmly
planted against a tree, bellowing furiously.
It was discovered that in this
position he held the body of a wolf in which signs of life were not extinct,
but which was speedily dispatched by a blow from a cudgel in the hands of
the farmer.
Beside the patrons of gun and rod the hills of Pine were visited by the
shingle makers from Muncy. who built lodges in the forest but made no effort
at improvement and cultivation.
The first work of this kind was reserved for
John Lyon, a native of Sussex county, New Jersey. Emigrating to Greenwood in 1790 he remained there until six years later, when he crossed the
Muncy hills to their summit, the region known as the pine flats.
At this
place, on the land now owned by Jeremiah Fowler, he made the first improvement in the township. In the course of a few years he was followed from

known

'

'

'

Greenwood by David Hamilton and Daniel Whipple, who

settled

'

some

dis-

Hamilton's cabin was on the site of a bark-house at James
Ritchie's tannery.
The next comers were Joshua and Samuel Davis, with
their families, originally from the same region in Jersey as Lyon.
They
built the first saw-mill in Pine township, on the same site as the present one
Subsequently Jno. Thomas built another on Little Fishing dVeek,
at Sereno.
and these two mills did all the sawing that was done in Pine at an early day.
Much of the timber was merely cut into logs and rafted down the creeks and
the Susquehanna to Harrisburg and Marietta.
There are neither adequate
shipping facilities nor reliable water-pcwer to justif}' the establishment of an
extensive lumber manufactory, and hence the population of Pine has not been
materially benefited by the development of its timber resources.
In 1853
Henry Battin built the California mill, and about the same time Zebulon
Robbins embarked in a similar enterprise. The latter bought three-hundred
tance above Sereno.

;

PINE TOWNSHIP.

269

acres of land formerly embraced in a track of several thousand acres owned by
Frederick Veates.
He was a member of a corporation known as the Asylum Land Company,
which owned the larger portion of Pine township. To evade the requirements
and restrictions of the land laws, warrants were obtained for the prescribed
four-hundred acre tracts, although the real owners were members of this powerful syndicate of speculators.
These warrants were issued December 29,
1792; the names that appear most frequently among the list of holders are
Montgomery, Cornelison, McHenry, Giiiin, Mackey, Sample and Strawbridge.
Some of this land has never been patented. However, under the management
of the company which first acquired possession, no conflicting titles or boundary disputes involving any great interest have ever resulted in consequence.
At the time when William Montgomery as deputy surveyor was marking
ofP these tracts, the region was included in Derry township, Northumberland
county; from 1817 to 1853, in Madison, in Columbia.
By act of assembly
approved January 15 of that year, the township of Pine was erected, its boundaries fixed and its organization ordered as one of the provisions of the act providing for a readjustment of the division line between Columbia and Montour
This new feature of the political organization of the former was
counties.
not however, entirely resultant from the division process.
The geographical
isolation of that part of Madison, thus separated from it, and the numerical
minority of its citizens when voting on questions of roads or schools had created a wish for the change some years previous.
Since this time (1853) the village of Warnersville has not perceptibly increased in size.
It practically began in 1837 with the erection of a tannery by
Edward Ritchie, which is still in operation. During Buchanan's administration the post-ofiice (named Sereno at the suggestion of John Starr) was removed
to lola; but in 1861 Francis B. Masters, the present postmaster reopened it.
The village comprises a store, several dwellings and a school-house. In the
predecessor of the latter, John Masters, in 1830, opened the first school in
The schools in the township compare favorably with those in more
Pine.
thickly settled localities.
lola Lodge, No. 711, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized at lola
July 5, 1870, by C. F. Knapp and others, members of Van Camp Lodge at
Bloomsburg. The charter members were Wilson M. Eves, N. G. John Lore,
V. G. John Leggatt, treasm-er; William Burgess, secretary; W. H. Hayman, assistant secretary; Ira C. Pursel, S. W.
Isaac K. Titman, J. W.
William Lowtou, O. G.
Benjamin Lore, L. S. S. Amos Harlan, R. S. S.
It was removed to Pine Summit, October 1, 1881, at the dispensation of the
Grand Lodge. The present officers are Samuel Williams, W^illiam Kingston,
J. R. Fowler and J. F. Crist.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1879 by Reverend
N. A. Whitman; May 4, 1880, a house of worship was dedicated by O. D. S.
Marcley, his successor.
The officers at this time were John Bruner, P. W.
Sones, Samuel Eckman and A. E. Girton.
Owing to a change of faith among
its members the congregation disbanded.
At this time, September, 1886,
there is no regularly organized religioiis body in Pine township.
;

;

;

;

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

270

CHAPTER

XVI.

CATAWISSA AND FRANKLIN TOWNSHIPS.
CATAWISSA.

CATAWISSA was

formed from Augusta in 1785, and originally covered thft'
triangular area now embraced in the townships of Beaver, Conyngham,
Franklin, Locust, Maine, Mifflin, Mayberry, in Montour county, and part of
Practically, it has been reduced to its present limits by
Union, in Schuylkill.
the formation of Roaringcreek in 1832, Franklin in 1843, and Maine in 1844.
It is the oldest political subdivision of the county, having completed the first
century of its history.
Authorities differ as to the nationality of the aboriginal tribe which conferred upon the mountain, creek and town their beaiitiful and euphonious
Redmond Conyngham, who has extended his researches intodesignation.
everything relating to the primitive history of the region, states that "The
Piscatawese, or Gangawese, or Conoys had a wigwam on the Catawese, at CataStewart Pearce asserts that the Shawanese, after sucwese, now Catawissa. "
cessive immigrations from New York to Florida, from there to the Wabash,
and from that region to the Susquehanna valley, established a village at CataThe orthography of the word affords no
wissa in 1697, or about that time.
Catawese occurs in the different dialects of
additional light on the subject.
the Shawanese and Delawares, and always with the same meaning, "pure
water.

'

first Europeans who visited Catawissa were not interested in attemptJames Le
ing to dissipate the obscurity which involved its primitive history.
Tort, an adventurous Indian trader, found the valley of the Susquehanna a

The

profitable field for

his

operations.

The

provincial

authorities

fi-equently

employed him on diplomatic missions to chiefs of the various tribes. In 1728
he bore the governor's compliments to the celebrated Madame Montour and
strowd match coat "as an
several Delaware chieftains, presenting to each a
The communication in which Le Tort
expression of continued friendship.
acquainted the executive council with the views of the chiefs, though throwing
no light upon local affairs, still possesses special interest, inasmuch as it conIt is herewith
tains the first mention of any part of Columbia county.
'

'

inserted:

CATAWA6SE, May ye 13, 1728.
always thought the Governor knew nothing of the fight betwene the Shawaynos
and the White People. We desire the Governor to warn the back Inhabts Not to be so
Ready to attack the Indians, as we are Doubtful they were in that unhappy accedent, and
we will use all Endeavaurs to hender any Such Like Proceeding on the part of the
We Remember very well the League between William Pen and the Indians,
Indians.
which was, that the Indians and white people were one. and hopes that his Brother, the
present Governor, is of the same mind, and that the friendship was to continue for three
Generations; and if the Indians hurt the English, or the English hurt the Indians, itts the
same as if they hurt themselves; as to the Governors Desire of meeting him, we Intend
as soon as the Chiefs of the Five Nations Come to meet the Governor, we will Come with
them; but if they come not before hereafter, we will to Philadelphia to wait on the Governor. We have heard that W^illiam Pen Son was come to Philada., which We was veryJames Le Tokt.
Glad of.

We

^^^^2^^-^

'

273

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP,

After the visit of the French trader, the place is not again referred to unwhen Conrad Weiser, in a letter from Shamokin, mentions Oskohary,
supposed to be identical with the Catwasse of Le Tort, and the Catawissa of
Lapackpitton, a Delaware chief who figured prominently in the
the present.
settlement of disputes at the close of the French war, made his residence at
Local tradition asthe village, which was known for some time by his name.
signs to this dusky warrior the character of "• Hunkee Punkee," in J. W. Alder's
'•
Indian Legend." It appears that Minnetunkee, his daughter, was disposed
to encourage the advances of a lover whose prospective position as a member
On a summer
of the family was not received with complacency by her father.
evening he followed them to the summit of an eminence known as "Lovers
Leap, and announced his presence in a manner characteristic of Indian nature.
The younger brave, mortally wounded by an arrow, fell over the precipice.
The plash of the river as the body parted its waters had scarcely subsided
when the maiden, with a cry expressive of defiance, triumph and despair,
threw herself fi'om the dizzy height, and followed her lover to a watery grave.
The sequel harmonizes with generally recognized ideas of the succession of
The whole tribe removed fi-om a locality rendered to them intolerably
events.
sad by this tragic occurrence.
The region of pure water did not long remain unoccupied. A number
of English Quakers from Maiden creek and Exeter, in Berks county, planted
their homes in the Catawissa valley. Following the route generally traveled from
Reading to Sunbury, and the valley of the "North Branch" from that point,
they finally reached their destination after days of exhausting labor, and nights
The natural advantages of the locality had been
of weariness and insecurity.
early recognized by land-jobbers and others who preferred to be proprietors
without being residents.
Among those who succeeded to their titles, or established claims as warrantees, were AVilliam Collins, William Hughes, James
It was
Watson, John Lore, John Mears, Isaiah Willits and John Lloyd.
between 1774 and 1778 when these persons arrived. Moses Eoberts in 1774 built
the first house in the vicinity of Catawissa.
Subsequent additions to their number represented a different nationality.
Some were Germans, but a few were English. They journeyed on horseback,
and followed an Indian trail over the Broad, Bhie, Locust and Little mountains.
Among those who reached Catawissa in 1782 were Michael Geiger,
Joseph Mclntyre, John Furry, Thomas Wilkinson, George Huntzinger and
Conrad Wamphole. About this time a party of Indians re-established a wigwam at the old site of Lapaclq^itton' s town, greatly to the annoyance of the
settlers.
Thomas Wilkinson inciured their displeasure by interfering with
their fishing operations, and on one occasion was compelled to seek shelter in
the river.
He was unable to swim, but waded out into the channel where the
depth was sufficient to cover him. He was obliged to raise his head above the
water in order to breathe, and whenever he did so, became a target for several
Alpracticed Indians who had taken a commanding position on the bluff.
though thus subject to the greatest danger he reached the opposite shore in
safety, much to the chagrin of his foes, who thenceforth believed that he bore a
gauging the
charmed life. His explanation to the effect that he was only
water," created some merriment over the incident, and secured for him the
til 175,4,

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'

'

'

'

'

name

'

Tom

'

Ganger.
Another occurrance was more tragic and less jocose in its details and reJuly 26, 1782, a party of Indians made a descent upon the German
sults.
John Furry had
settlement, the exposed condition of which invited attack.
His family consisted of two daughters
settled on the west side of the river.
of

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

274

The three older sons, John, Jonas and Lawrence, were absent,
and four sons.
On their return they found their
having gone for flour to the mill at Sunbiiry.
Their mangled remains were interred
parents and sisters killed and scalped.
under an apple tree near the house. The brothers buried their household
goods and farming imj^lements in the ground and returned to Reading. The
panic seemed contagious, for several other families became alarmed and followed them. The sequel of this story would seem to verify the old adage that
" Truth is stranger than fiction." Years afterward Jonas and Lawrence Furry
were in Montreal, and there formed the acquaintance of Henry Furry, a prosThe similarity of names was at once noticed. Mutual experous trader.
planations followed; his indentity as their brother was readily established.
He described to them the tragic death of their parents and sisters and the
brutal treatment he had received on the joiu'ney with his captors to Tioga. At
that place he was ransomed by a Frenchman, and treated by him with kindness and consideration.
Notwithstanding the general alarm the Quakers remained, and in 1787
William Hughes laid out the town of " Hughesburg, alias Catawissey, in the
county of Northumberland, state of Pennsylvania, North America," on the
"bank of the north-east tract of the river Susquehanna near the mouth of
Catawessey creek, about twenty miles above Sunbury and about one-hundred
and six miles from Philadelphia." William Gray and John Sene were thesur
Water, Front, Second, Third and Fourth streets extend east and west,
veyors.
parallel with the course of the river; Lumber, South, Main and Pine cross
The proprietor provided that
these, and are named in order from the creek.
lots were to be disposed of by lottery, and this seems to have been customary, in
order to prevent partiality. It does not appear that this was done, for in 1789
John Mears secured titles to sixty-five lots, and became virtual proprietor. It
is well authenticated that William Henry, by virtue of his warrant for its survey in 1769, was the original owner of tlae tract in which the town plot was embraced; but Edward and Joseph Shippen were the patentees, and from them
In 1796 James Watson laid out
the title was transferred to Hughes.
"Roberts addition," extending Second, Third and Fourth streets, and opening
Walnut and North, parallel with Pine.
The size of the town plot was the* considerably in advance of its population or business interests, although the latter were of considerable local imIn 1780 Isaiah Willits established a tannery at the corner of Third
portance.
and South streets. Knappenberger and Willits were proprietors of a ferry,
and landed their flat where the bridge approaches have since been constructed,
The Watsons,
(ireorge Hughes and William Mears were justices of the peace.
Jacksons, Lounts, Lloyds andHayhursts were familiar to the whole community
In 1774 the first mill in the county was
as substantial, hospitable farmers.
It was a primitive
built on the site of the Paxton mill on Catawissa creek.
structure and was frequently out of repair; at such time Sunbury was the
In 1789 Jonathan Shoemaker built a grist mill on the
nearest milling point.
north side of this stream. This was then the only mill in a radius of many miles,
and at once received an extensive patronage. In 1799 Christian Brobst erected
It was coma second and larger mill a short distance above Shoemaker's.
pleted in 1801, and when a boat began to ply regularly between points on
both branches of the Susquehanna, Catawissa became an important and well-

known

point.

Another circumstance to which this may be attributed was the existence
there of a store, one of the first between Sunbury and Wyoming. Isaiah Hughes
was proprietor. The building occupied by him is still standing on the river

CATAW'ISSA TOWKSHir,

'J

<

5

bank at tlie foot of South street. The second merchant was Joseph Heister,
whose store was located on Water street several doors below Main.
John
He was a man of courage and determination
Clark was its second proprietor.
as may be inferred from the following incident: He was making a journey to
Philadelphia on horseback to make his usual purchase of goods when a robber
seized the bridle of his horse and summarily demanded his money.
The merHe di'ew a
chant was unarmed, but his ready wit was equal to the occasion.
In the darkness the sharp click
spectacle case from his pocket and opened it.
The horse plunged forward while the
of the lid produced the desired effect.
highwayman was both deceived and nonplused.
At this period the shad fishery was of considerable local importance. Salt
was brought from Reading and exchanged for fish which sjld for six cents
The circulating medium was extremely scarce, a result of which was
apiece.
New stores were opened at
that nearly all business was transacted by barter.
irregular intervals, as the growth of population or enterprise of the proprietors
justified it.
Among those who will be remembered as merchants during the
early histoiy of the town are Thomas Ellis, Stephen and Christopher Baldy,
In all of their stores there
David Cleaver, Jacob Dyer and Samuel Brobst.
was an assortment of every variety of merchandise dry goods, groceries, hard-

—

ware, drugs,

etc.

The importance of a bridge across the Susquehanna was realized by public
spirited citizens at an early period.
The original projectors were Christian
Brobst. Joseph Paxton, Leonard Rupert, Philip Marling, William Baird,
Isaiah N. Willits and Richard Dennett, of Columbia county; Cadwallader Evans
and Samuel Wetherill, of Philadelphia; J. K. Boyer. Lewis Reece and Gabriel
Heister, of Berks county; James Linton and Daniel Seager, of Lehigh; Daniel
Graff and James McFarlin, of Schuylkill, and Samuel Baird, of Montgomery.
The site at first proposed was the present crossing of the Catawissa railroad.
March 15, 1816, the legislature passed an act authorizing the opening of books
It does not appear that flattering progress was made
to receive subscriptions.
Thirteen additional commisin organizing the company for eight years later.
sioners were appointed for that purpose, among whom Columbia county was
represented by David Cleaver, William McKelvy, John Barton, William
Miers, Jacob Rupert, James C. Sproul and John Derr.
With the citizens of the county the success of the project was a matter of
primary importance; the only bridge within its limits crossed the river at Berwick, a point where it failed to confer material benefit on the large proportion,
of the population south of the river.
Although disappointed for twelve years,
those most interested at Catawissa continued to present this consideration with
unabated persistence, and finally, in 1828, secured an appropriation of fivethousand dollars fi'om the treasury of the state. Half of this was to be paid
when the abutments and piers had been constructed, and the remainder when
the entire work had been completed; but no part could be secured iintil tenthousand dollars had been paid by individuals, and an amount additional subscribed sufficient to finish the bridge.
George Taylor and Jacob Alter, of
Philadelphia; Philip and John Rebsome, of Muncy; George Keim, George*
Getz and Henry Foster, of Berks county; John C. Appelman and Samuel
Brooke, of Schuylkill; Benjamin Beaver, Peter Schmick, George H. Willits,
Stacy Margerum, John Barton and William McKelvy, of Columbia, were
appointed to reorganize the company and establish its finances on a firm basis.
The North Branch canal was at this time in course of construction; it was
plainly apparent that the bridge was a necessity if Catawissa was to derive
any benefit from that line of traffic, and this consideration induced many to

276

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

The bridge was finally completed at
subscribe to the stock of the company.
a cost of twenty-six-thousand dollars, and opened for travel January 15, 1833.
In view of the inconvenience of reaching the county-seat (then at Danville),
Subit was not built, as originally proposed, to the moiith of Fishing creek.
sequently the stock in the bridge held by the state was sold, and the proceeds
applied to the construction of a public road on the berme side of the canal
between Rupert and the bridge approach on the north side of the river.
The bridge has repeatedly suifered fi-om the freshets and ice floods which
In 1846
periodically threaten life and property in the Susquehanna valley.
March 17,
five spans were destroyed; they were rebuilt the following year.
1875, the entire structure was swept away. A Howe trass, thirty feet above low
water mark, was constructed the same summer on the piers of its predecessor.
It was opened for travel November 22, 1875.
The slowness and vacillation which characterized the bridge scheme did
not prevent Chi'istian Brobst from planning an enterprise, the futiu-e development of which he scarcely comprehended. He conceived the idea of a railroad from Catawissa to Tamaqua, and in 1825 traversed the distance between
the two points on foot, studied the topography of the Quakake valley, and
With Joseph Paxton he interviewed
concluded that the plan was feasible.
prominent capitalists of Reading and Philadelphia and interested them in the
He induced several who seemed favorably impressed with his represcheme.
Monsentations to accompany him on horseback over the proposed route.
March 21, 1831, an
cure Robinson, a civil engineer, was one of the party.
act was passed by the legislature authorizing Christian Brobst and Joseph
Paxton, of Catawissa; William McKelvey and Ebenezer Daniel, of Bloomsburg, and others at Philadelphia and Reading, to receive subscriptions for
The
the stock of the Little Schuykill and Susquehanna Railroad Company.
terminal j)oints of the road were to be Catawissa and the Broad mountain
The
where the Wilkesbarre state road intersected the Little Schuylkill.
mountains were to be avoided by traversing the valleys of Mosser's run and
Catawissa creek.
Edward
Energetic measures were at once taken to execute these plans.
Contracts were issued for
-Miller, an experienced engineer, surveyed the line.
Capital was furnished by the United States
'grading and building bridges.
bank of Philadelphia. W^ith the collapse of that institution, in 1838, and of
other corporations dependent upon it for financial support, the projectors of
For fifty years the
the railroad were compelled to abandon their enterprise.
unfinished embankments and bridges reminded unfortunate investors of the
alluring prospect which prompted their erection.
March 20, 1849, the original corporation was reorganized under the name
During the
Williamsport and Erie railroad Company.
fof the Catawissa,
The first locomotive
succeeding five years, the road was finally completed.
Massachusetts,
which was brought
that ever appeared in Catawissa was the
from Philadelphia by canal and transported across the river on a flat. Sunday
William Cable was
July 16, 1854, the first passenger train entered the town.
vGonductor and John Johnson, engineer.
Unfortunately the new company was not financially prosperous, and in
pursuance of an order from the supreme court of the state, its property was
sold; March 21, 1860, its purchasers were constituted the Catawissa Rail-Road
Company. In November, 1872, the Philadelphia and Reading Rail-Road
Company became lessees. In 1858 the Lackawanna and Bloomsbiirg RailRoad' became an available line of transportation from Catawissa. In 1870
ca third road, the Danville, Hazelton and W^ilkesbarre, was opened through the
'

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CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.
• The
latest acquisition to
West Branch Railway, completed

town.

its

commercial

facilities

_:

i

<

was the North and

in 1882.

It is a matter of surprise that extensive manufacturing industries have not
been established at a place commanding such advantages. The Penn furnace,
operated by Fincher and Thomas, and a nail factory conducted by Thomas
Hartman on a small scale at the time when a laborious and tedious hand process was employed, were formerly of some local importance.
The only establishment of any magnitude that now exists, the Catawissa wood-pulp mill, haa
had an existence of three-quarters of a century. It was established in 1811 by
Benjamin Sharpless. It appears that he lived near Sunbury, but resolved tO'
remove to Ohio and settle there. He visited a brother on his journey and
found him amassing wealth manufacturing paper. Returning to Catawissa, he
embarked in a similar business in company with John Clark. The Shoemaker
mill was purchased, and, with small expenses and trifling alterations, adapted
to the prospective industry.
Raw material became finished fabric after undergoing a slow and laborious process.
The first stage was the reduction of
straw or rags to pulp; this was removed from the vat with a wire sieve and
poured over a felt cloth when a certain number of alternate strata of pulp and
felt had accumulated, the water was extracted by powerful pressure; the sheets
were then dried, folded and pressed, when they were ready for the trade. After passing through different hands, the mill has come into possession of McCready Brothers, of Philadelphia. It was completely destroyed by fire in 1882.
In the structure as rebuilt, the manufacture of wood pulp receives exclusive
attention.
The general management is entrusted to E. B. Giiie, a gentlemen
of extensive business experience and thorough acquaintance with all the details
;

of the manufacture.

The development of the railroad scheme of Christain Brobst and Joseph
Paxton has been briefly outlined. If the existence of the road is to any extent
due to the sagacity and persistence of Catawissa' s citizens, it is also true that
the town has been amply compensated for their efforts.
This is rather a coincidence than the expression of any feelings of gratitude or obligation the railroad or its management might be supposed to have entertained.
It had not
been operated six months until the superintendent found it impossible to move
the trains south from Catawissa that could be brought to that point from the
This is due to the altitude at which the mounnorthern terminus of the line.
tain is crossed, the slope of which begins at the Susquehanna.
AiTangements
were therefore made for the general forming of trains at Catawissa, which thus
became the home of nearly all the operatives employed in the freight service of
Extensive repair shops were also established there in 1864.
the company.
They have become an important factor in furthering the growtli of the town.
The rapid increase of population in consequence created a tendency among
property holders to advance rents, and a demand for homes. Two institutions,,
the Catawissa Land and Building Company, and the Catawissa Mutual Building Fund Association, were oi'ganized in 1865 and 1870, respectively, to
Although their operations have
assist their stock-holders to obtain homes.
been severely criticised, they were, in the main, conducterl in the interest of
A result of their existence
the class of persons it was proposed to benefit.
was a period of considerable building activity, extending from 1869 to 1873.
The number of dwellings was still inadequate, and in 1882 F. L. Shumart
purchased the Zarr farm, and laid off " Shumantown. " Poplar, Shiiman.
Zarr and Mill streets extend northwest from the creek.
Cemetery street
crosses these at right angles, and is deflected fi-om its course at the cemetery,
where it intersects the public road. There was au immediate extension of the

HISTOHY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

278
town over

The efforts of citizens in thus
this addition to its bxiilding area.
homes is an earnest of an improved condition of society in every

establishing
respect.

In 1870 the population of the township was one-thousand, six hundred
in 1880 it had increased to two-thousand and four, and at that
It is estimated
time four- fifths of this number were residents of the town.
that a census at the present time would show a population of two-thousandStrenuous efforts have been made for years to secure legal enfive-hundred.
Township governactments for the erection of Catawissa into a borough.
ment is notoriously inadequate. It makes no provision for police regulations,
the lighting and grading of streets, or the promotion of internal improvements
When this is recognized and judiciously considered, incorporof any kind.
ation will logically and promptly follow.
Private enterprise, however, has to some extent supplied this deficiency.
Sidewalks have been constructed along the principal streets, and lamp-posts,
erected and supplied at private expense, are found here and there in the town.
Soon after the laying out of the village a market house was erected, but this
It early
appears to have been too far in advance of the ideas of the people.
fell into disuse, and became the resort of the village cows and hogs.
Thenceforward it was chiefly noticeable for its fleas, and was generally declared a
nuisance, though tliere was sufficient influence to save it fi'om destruction.
Sometime after 1820 its demolition was determined upon, and one night a
loud explosion called out the startled inhabitants to find that the market house
had been blown up. Some fruitless attempts were, made to discover and punish the perpetrators, but no immediate effort was made to replace the building.
In 1831 it was propo5ed to erect a town-hall and market house in Main
Discusstreet at the intersection of Third, on the site of the old structure.
sion on this proposition became acrimonious and personal; the project was
A more unfortudefeated, and no attempt to revive it has since been made.

and fourteen;

nate result of this difference of opinion was the dissolution of the only fire
The " Catawissa Fire Company"
existed in the village.
^was organized May 17, 1827, at Stacy Margerum's hotel, with Joseph Paxton,
president, and Ezra S. Hayhurst, secretary. The latter, with Christian Brobst,
Oecrge Hughes, Stephen Baldy, George H. Willits and Jacob Rupert, was
Four days later
appointed a committee to draft an essay of a constitution.
the "essay" was adopted and signed by fifty-four persons. Meetings were
held quarterly at Margerum's; an assortment of buckets, ladders, hooks and
chains was secured and distributed so as to be conveniently accessible in an
emergency.
The utmost harmony prevailed until the building of a hall was
In Febniary. 1882, after re| eated adjournments the organization
suggested.
was unceremoniously disbanded.
The volume of business transacted at Catawissa has been constantly augmented since 1864. Large general stores have not yet been superseded by
The Catawissa Deposit bank
special and exclusive lines of merchandising.
(originally incorporated May 26, 1871, as The Catawissa Deposit and Savings
It was orbank) has been known by its present name since April 12, 1872.
ganized in that year with John K. Robbins, president and B. R. Davis, cashier.
The capital stock is fifty-thousand dollars. The Catawissa Water Company,
chartered June 29, 1882. is another prominent business feature of the village.
F. L. Shuman, P. H. Shuman, William H. Rhawn, Gideon E. Myers and
Reuben Shuman were the first board of directors. The water is obtained
from Catawissa creek and distributed to every part of the town.
Various fraternal and becevolent societies are numerously represented.

company which has

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CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.

279

Lieutenant H. H. Hoagland, Post No. 170, Grand Army of the Republic, was
organized in October, 1868, with the following members: M. M. Brobst,
Samuel Waters, Daniel Walters, John G. Forborg, Thomas Harder, I. W.
Willits, Clark Harder, Henry Thomas, Arthur Harder, T. P. Hause, B. B.
In
Schmick, George W. Waters, John R. Brobst and John Reicheldeefer.
1876 it was disbanded for want of a quorum. June 16, 1880, a reorganization
was effected. M. M. Brobst, D. W. Spalding, G. W. Reifsnyder, I. W. Willits, John R. Brobst, I. H. Seesholtz, D. ^Y. Walter, John McCoy, J. G. Waters, B. B. Schmick, Joseph P. Hause, T. E. Harder, Theodore Fox, John
Wotstine, Joseph Walter. John Getkin, M. V. B. Kline, Thomas F. Harder,
C. F. Harder, Daniel Giffin and J. C. Fletcher constituted the membership at
The Post is in a flourishing condition with encouraging prospects
this time.
of future usefulness.

Concordia Lodge, No. 60, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was chartered
The first officers were Owen D. Leib, N. G. John F.
24, 1838.
Mann, V. G. Michael Farnsworth, secretary, Joel E. Bradley, assistant, and
Meetings were held at the house of the latter
Christian A. Brobst, treasurer.
on Main street until April, 1882, when the Pine street school building was occupied.
It was purchased the previous year.
Catawissa Chapter, Holy Royal Arch Masons, No. 178, was instituted February 19, 1855 with James D. Strawbridge, H. P.; John K. Robbins, K. and

September

;

;

J.

Boyd McKelvy,

S.

Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, Free and Accepted Masons, was granted its
Its first
charter by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania December 5, 1864.
W. M. Monroe, S. W., and Walter Scott,
officers were John Sharpless, W. M.
;

J.

W.

December 8, 1869, the Catawissa Masonic Association was organized by the
following persons, members of the chapter and lodge: I. W. Seisholtz, George
S. Gilbert, M. V. B. Kline. Walter Scott, AV. B. Koons, J. B. Knittle, W. H.
Abbott, C. Ellis. I. Monroe, John K. Robbins, C. B. Brockway and John
The association
Thomas. A hall was erected in 1870 at a cost of $15,000.
subsequently became involved, financially, and was obliged to sell its property.
Catawissa Council, No. 96, Order of United American Mechanics, received
The following persons
its charter fi'om the state council October 1, 1866.
were original members Simon Raup, Charles Garner, J. Q. A. Brobst, Henry
S. Geiger, Valentine Metz, Jacob Millard, Nathan Northstein, John Getchey,
P. Reese, Gideon Haldeman, John M. Gordon, Adiy Bowers and Charles
H. Kateer.
The Catawissa Silver Cornet Band Association became a corporate body
April 7, 1869.
The names of Mom'oe Seitzinger, Jeremiah S. Cornelius,
Allen J. Brandt, Emery Getchey, Charles Schmick, Perry Walters, A. Z.
Lewis, J. M. Walsham, Luther Eyer and F. D. Berninger appear in the list
:

C

members.
Washington Camp, No.

of its first

132, Patriotic Order Sons of America, was organ1870, with the following members: W. H. Inhoff, Jacob Cool, J.
K. Rhawn, Harry Yeager, Charles H. Bibby, Samuel H. Young, C. P. Pfahler, C. D. Hart, George L. Kostenbauder, W. K. Russel, P. A. Brown,
Thomas E. Harder, Dennis Waters. William F. Bibby, Jacob Morrison,
Thomas B. Cullihan, A. W. Stadler, Charles D. Cool, W. H. Abbott, O. D.

ized April

3.

Kostenbauder and

J. Kostenbauder.
Catawissa Grange, No. 216, Patrons of Husbandry, was chartered April 30,
1874.
Among its first members were Matthias Hartman, Josiah Roberts, E.
M. Tewksbury, Solomon Helwig, Martin T. Hartman, Samuel Fisher and John

280

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

*

Mensch. May 25, 1883, the Caiawissa Grange and Hall Association was
incorporated.
A commodious brick structure was erected the following year
June 13, 1884, the hall was dedicated by
at a cost of six-thousand dollars.
James Calder, D. D. May 28. 1884, a stock company was formed for its
management with William T. Creasy, president, E. M. Tewksbury, secretary, and
William J. Martin, treasurer. It may be proper to mention in this connection
several agricultural discoveries for which Catawissa is noted.
The Catawissa
monthly raspberry has been propagated from a single plant discovered in the
Friends burial ground some years ago.
Blossoms and berries appear at the
same time from July to October. In 1872 J. K. Sharpless originated the
Sharpless seedling strawberry, and in 1878 William J. Martin discovered a new
variety of an extensively cultivated cereal widely known as Martin's amber
wheat.
Sylvania Division, No. 23, Order of Railway Conductors, was organized
May 18, 1881, with the following members: John W. Dent, P. S. Eobison,
Samuel L. Bowers, William H. Berger, James F. Miller, Lewis C. Reifsnyder,
Peter Runker. Benjamin F. Ryan, Theodore Schmick, George W. Forrer and
S.

N

John W. Fenstermacher.
Mountain Grove Lodge, No. 324, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, was
organized July 14, 1886.
The members at that time were Daniel Geiger,
James Kelley, Jeremiah Haley, Charles Brown, George D. Bowman, Jame&
Fisher, Charles E. McAfee, George E. Mensch, Ham. Yeager, William R.
Smith, Ira B. Ervin, Boyd Longenberger, Frank Perry, John L. Getkin, John
I. Chambers, George W. Ervin and G. W. Linn.
The Quakers who first settled Catawissa shared in that devotion to their
which characterized its adherents at this period. Their meeting-house
be seen on a knoll a short distance from the confluence of the creek and
Susquehanna. It is a log building, nearly or quite square, and no entrance is
visible from the front.
It presents a weather-beaten but substantial appearance.
The furniture of the interior is severely plain and not suggestive of comfort or
elegance.
In the rear of this structure is a burial ground surrounded by a
stone wall.
Within the inclosure are a number of trees, the massive trunks
and spreading branches of which would seem to indicate great age. The majestic oaks, the low, wooden building and the quiet burial ground are invested
with associations of the most sacred character.
This plain structure was the^
first completed house of worship in the valley of the "North Branch " between
faith

may

Sunbury and W^yoming.

How

has been a place of worship cannot be definitely determined.
and this statement implies an existenceof more than a century.
In 1787 William Collins, W^illiam Hughes, James
Watson, John Love and other Friends resident in the vicinity were granted
permission to hold religious services here by the Exeter (Berks county) meeting,
the ecclesiastical body in the jurisdiction of which they were embraced.
At
the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, November 2, 1795, Exeter Friends reported having for some time been considering the advisability of forming a new
meeting within their limits. After due deliberation the proposed change was
made and Catawissa monthly meeting established.
April 23, 1796, the body
thus instituted held its first session.
It was attended by Ellis Yarnall, Arthur
Howell, Henry Drinker, John Morton, James Cresson, David Potts, Thomas
Lightfoot and Benjamin Scarlot, from Philadelphia; and by Amos Lee, Jacob
Thomas, Owen Hughes and Thomas Pearson, fi'om Exeter. An organization was
effected by the election of Isaac Wiggins as clerk. Among other business transacted was the appointment of Ellis Hughes and William Ellis to prepare suit-

long

it

It is the oldest building in Catawissa,

CATAWIS^A TOWNSHIP.

281

able mfirriage certificates; and of James Watson, John Lloyd, Joseph Carpenter, Benjamin Warner, Thomas Eves, Reuben Lundy, Nathan Lee and John
Hughes to care for the Friends burial ground.
The meeting thus begun continued for twelve years.
Toward the close of that period the Friends had become 80 reduced in numbers that this body dissolved December 24, 1808. Since
that time meetings have been held by the few Friends who still reside in the
vicinity, but such occasions are neither frequent nor regular.
The German element of the population also took measures at an early date
to secure for themselves those religious privileges they had previously enjoyed.
When Christian Brobst entered Catawissa in 1795 he was accompanied by Reverend Seely, a Lutheran pastor from Berks county. May 1, 1796, a communion was held at Brobst' s recently built cabin.
The following persons participated: Michael Raup, Michael Hower, Daniel Geiger, Christian Brobst, John
Wirts, Jacob Yocum, Conrad Geiger, Catharine Wirts, Barbara Brobst, Regina
Hartel, Maria Gillihans and Catharine Hower.
This is the first service of this
kind held at Catawissa.
January 1, 1796, the first baptisms recorded ocThe subjects were Joseph, Edna and Maria, children, respectively, of
curred.
Christian Brobst and Frederick Knittle and Daniel Yocum.
Denominational distinctions were but slightly observed in those days. Reverend G. V. Stock became Lutheran pastor in 1802, and Reverend John Dietrich
Adams six years later is mentioned as occupying a similar position over the
Reformed congregation. March 10, 1804, articles of agreement in the joint
ownership and use of a house of worship for both denominations were signed by
Michael Hower, Jacob Yocum and Harmon Yost, elders, Samuel Felter and
Christian Brobst presented a building site.
Daniel Geiger, deacons.
In
the same year the church building was completed and dedicated.
It was a
stone structure.
The furniture and arrangement of the interior conformed to the usual style
The galleries extending round three sides, and
of the period in that respect.
the nine-glass pvdpit would present a novel appearance if viewed at the present day.
In 1853 this building was replaced by the brick edifice of which
Saint John's German Lutheran congregation is now exclusive owner.
Reverend Frederick Plitt succeeded Mr. Steely in 1808; Peter Hall became pastor
in 1817; Peter Kester in 1820; Jeremiah Schindle in 1831; William J. Eyer
in 1838; William Laitzel in 1874; L. Lindenstreuth in 1878; and J. H. Neiman in 1881.
Mr. Eyer's pastorate covered a period as long as those of his

predecessors combined.
At his suggestion June 25, 1845, a meeting was held to devise means for
the organization and government of that portion of the congregation which preferred English services.
Christian Brobst was called to the chair and Charles
Witmer appointed secretary. It was decided to make the proposed division,
and confer upon the new organization the name of Saint Matthew' s English
Lutheran church. William J. Eyer, Stephen Baldy, Joseph Brobst, Jacob
Kreigh, John Hartman and Peter Bodine were dii-ected to prepare a constitution.
July 13, 1845, the draft submitted by them was adopted; and
November 19, 1850, the church became a corporate body. William J. Eyer
remained in charge as pastor until 1851; J. F. Wampole and J. R. Dimm
served in that capacity until 1867, when Daniel Beckner became regular pastor; Sylvanus Curtis followed in 1870; C. F. Coates in 1871; R. F. Kingsbury in 1872; E. H. Leisenring in 1875; F. P. Manhart in 1878; J. F.
Deiner in 1879; D. M. Henckel in 1882; and U. Myers in 1883. In 1851
a church edifice was erected; in 1884 this was remodeled at a cost of tenthousand dollars.
The rededication occurred October 14, 1884. Reverends

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

282

Sharrets, Manbart, Schindel, Leisenring, Bodine, and resident ministers of
other denominations, assisted the pastor.
Reverends Diefenbach, Knable, Tobias, Fursch, Steeley, Daniels, Moore,
Dechant and Derr successively followed Mr. Adams as pastor of the Reformed
During Mr. Dechant' s pastorate the joint ownership of Saint
•congregation.
May 18, 1882, the corner-stone of a new
John's union church was dissolved.
The building operations were directed by Mr. Dechant,
Saint John's was laid.
who was entrusted with entire supervision over the work, financial and otherMay 6, 1888. the completed edifice was dedicated. The pastor was aswise.
sisted by Reverends O. H. Strunch of Bloomsburg, and William C. Scheaffer
of Danville.
The history of Methodism in Catawissa is different from that of the denomThe latter owe their existence to emigration from localinations mentioned.
the former dates its origin from a
ities where they were already established
Tradivisit of Bishop Asbury, the founder of that religious body in America.
tion asserts that he stopped at Joseph Mclntyre's on a journey fi-om Sunbury
to Wyoming; that he held services there which resulted in the conversion of that
family and others: and formed a class, which in course of time became a reguAsbury was followed by other intinerant missionaries
lar appointment.
Services were held in
Nathaniel Mills, James Paynter and Benjamin Abbott.
In 1828 a church
Mclntyre's house and barn, where E. M. Tewksbury lives.
At
building was erected; July 4, 1869, a second structure was dedicated.
that time it formed part of Elysburg circuit, but has since been transferred to
Catawissa.
In the town of Catawissa Methodism has been represented since 1834 by a
church building; the second structure was built in 1854, and a third in 1884. At
ah adjourned Quarterly Conference held November 4, 1888, the following action
was taken " Resolved, that it is the judgment of this Quarterly Conference
that we enter at once upon the work of building a new church; and that a
Pursuant to
committee be appointed to take subscriptions for that purpose.
which, Reverend R. E. Wilson, J. M. Smith, L. B. Kline, H. F. Clark and
February 16, 1884,
C. C. Sharpless were authorized to solicit subscriptions.
a building committee was appointed composed of R. E. Wilson, H. F. Clark,
W, W, Perry, J. M. Smith, C. C. Sharpless, Jesse Mensch and L. B. Kline.
Sunday, February 15,
Saturday, July 12, 1884, the corner-stone was laid.
1885, Doctors Vincent and Upham dedicated the structure in the presence of
a large concourse of people.
The services of the Protestant Episcopal church were first held in Catawissa in 1860 by the Reverend E. N. Lightner, rector of Christ church, Danville.
Some years later the Reverend T. H. Cullen, rector of Saint Paul'
church, Bloomsburg, held services monthly, and administered baptism to a few
In 1870 his successor, the Reverend John
adults and infants at various times.
Hewitt, conducted bi-monthly services in Masonic hall, alternating with the
Reverend J. M. Peck of Danville. During this time the Right Reverend
William B. Stevens, bishop of the diocese, officiated at two confirmations.
George S. Gilbert, Walter
In May, 1871, Saint John's parish was formed.
Jones were
Scott, Isaac H. Seesholtz, William H. Abbott, AV. B. Parkins and
They immediately applied to the convention
elected wardens and vestrymen.
of the diocese of Pennsylvania for a charter, but for some reason failed to
Catawissa being geographically within the limits of the Central
secure it.
Pennsylvania diocese, that body at its first annual convention received the
A short time previous, the Revparish into union with itself June 12, 1872.
April 2, 1872, he
•erend Joseph L. Colton was called to the rectorship.
;

—

'

'

—

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.

283

In January of this
(entered upon his duties, and opened a parochial school.
year, the church purchased the property of the Catawissa Seminary Company,
but worshiped in Masonic hall until the necessary alterations had been made
The communion was tirst celebrated in the town
in its interior furnishing.
agreeably to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal church the first Sunday in
Two weeks later the congregation worshiped in its own building.
June, 1872.
July 21, 1878, Mr. Colton's connection with the parish ceased with his resigDecember 31, 1881, Reverend Charles E. Fessenden resigned after
nation.
The Reverend L. Zahner, of Bloomsburg, has
a rectorship of six months.
conducted occasional services since then.
The educational history of Catawissa, as well as its religious record, was
begun by the society of Friends June 24, 1797. John Mears informed the
monthly meeting that a siim of money raised by general subscriptions among
Philadelphia Friends had been placed in his hands, for the purpose of establishfor the education of children in useful learning,
ing a school at Catawissa
and
that he had expended part of it in the purchase of a lot of ground, the title to
which was held in trust by John Lloyd, Robert Field, Charles Chapman and
Ellis Hughes.
The following year the gratifying announcement was made that
John Pemberton, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia, had bequeathed the
sum of twenty pounds toward the encoaragement and support of the school,
to be applied to the instruction of children of members of oui' society in useful and necessai'y school learning."
The school thus begun in 1797 was continued with satisfactory results until the dissolution of the monthly meeting.
The Germans also manifested a degree of interest in establishing and maintaining schools.
In 1800 Martin Stuck, of Hamburg, Berks county, opened a
school in Michael Geiger's dwelling near Mclntyre's.
The following year
he removed to a building erected for school pui'poses nearer Catawissa creek.
He was employed by Peter Fornwald, Archibald Hower, Frederick Knittle,
Thomas Fester and others. In 1804 Mrs. Mary Paxton opened a school in
her house at Catawissa.
In addition to the usual branches, she taught the
girls to sew and knit.
Elijah Barger and Ellis Hughes were teachers about
this time in the Friends' school.
Messrs. Kent and Ely, of New York, succeeded to the patronage of Mrs. Paxton' s school when she closed it.
In 1818
Thomas Barger established the most extensive educational institution that had
yet existed.
His scholars came from Mainsville and other points as well as
the immediate vicinity.
The "institution" was conducted on the second
floor of a spring- house.
The year 1838 marks the beginning of a new era in the school history of
Catawissa.
The advent of the new regime is thus explained:
'

'

'

'

•

'

Catawissa, March 16, 1838.
Gataioissa Township:
meeting
of
the
qualified
electors
a
of said district, held this day at
the house of Stacy Margerum, in pursuance of an act of assembh' entitled: " An act to
consolidate and amend the several acts relative to a general systeni of education by common schools," passed the 13th day of June, 183(3, they, the said electors, determined by a
majority of those then and there present and voting on the question, to accept of the system of common schools as established by said act, of which you will take notice, and
govern yourselves accordingly. Witness our hands the date above mentioned.

To

the School

Board of

Gentlemen At
:

Ezra S. Hayhurst,
Charles Conner,
Secretaries of said meeting.

Accordingly March 19, 1838, a meeting of the first school-board was held.
"William Clayton. Isaiah John, Ezra S. Hayhurst, Caspar Hartman, Christian
A. Brobst and Milton Boone constituted this first board of directors.
They
were called to or
284

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

and Ezra S. Hayhurst for secretary. Both were elected unanicode of resolutions, fourteen in number, was presented by the
secretary and adopted as rules of order.
Messrs. Clayton, Boone, Hartman
and John, agreeably to instructions from the board, divided the township into
ten sub- districts.
Provision was made for the erection of ten houses, the
amounts paid ranging from one-hundred and eighty-five to two-hundred and tea
dollars.
More than foiir-thousand dollars were expended the first year. The
taxation necessary to provide for this was regarded by many as onerous and
unnecessary.
At an election held March 19, 1841, the continuance of the system was sustained by a small majority. It was again submitted May 5, 1846,
and this time there were but four dissenting votes.
Although the system gave general satisfaction, there were those who desired better educational advantages than it could confer.
After mature deliberation on the part of those most interested, it was decided to establish a
school "for the promotion of education, both in the ordinary and higher
branches of English literature and science, and in the ancient and modern
languages."
To accomplish this, they secured a charter for " Catawissa
Seminary." February 9, 1866, George H. Willits, Charles W. McKelvy,
Samuel B. Diemer, George Scott, Isaiah John, Henry Hollingshead, David
Clark and John K. Bobbins were its first trustees.
Professors Lance, Forsyth and Case were among the teachers.
The general rasults of the school
were satisfactory and beneficial; but on account of the limited patronage received, it was closed before completing the first decade of its history.
Althoitgh not apparently a fortunate occurrence, this circumstance has indirectly advanced the educational interests of the community in general.
When the seminary closed, intelligent and public spirited citizens began to
for president,

mously.

A

direct their attention to the improvement of the common schools, which had
retrograded from the high standard established by Joel E. Bradley in 1838.
The question of replacing the dilapidated school-house with a structure of adequate size, and of lengthening the term, was agitated with energy and persistence.
A director of pronounced views in favor of both changes was elected
The movement gained strength, and in 1879 its supporters had a
in 1877.
controlling influence in the board.
The ideas which actuated their policy of
improvement are tangibly expressed in the imposing structure which Catawissa
has dedicated to the cause of education.
It is pleasantly located at the head of Main street and commands a view of
the most picturesque section of the Susquehanna valley.
The surroundings
are eminently adapted to exert that unconscious influence on pliant minds

which creates in them aspirations

The

for

what

is

beautiful, true

and good

in char-

The building prehealthful, salubrious and agreeable.
sents an attractive, symmetrical and substantial appearance.
A marble block
in the brick wall is inscribed with the names of E. B. Guie, B. R. Davis, G.
W. Reifsnyder, J. B. Yetter, L. Eyer and Dr. W. Walter, directors; W.
W. Perry, architect, and Charles King, contractor. The interior is conveniently and judiciously arranged.
It was first occupied for school purposes in April, 1882.
Charles H. Albert was principal and E. B. Guie^
acter.

location

is

A library of well selected books, to which pupils have conand a cabinet of philosophical and chemical apparatus add
interest to every study embraced in the curriculum.
The establishment of this
institution, and its successful operation under the management of competent
teachers and enterprising directors, reflect credit on the intelligence of the en~
tire body of citizens.
first assistant.

stant access,

-

FEANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

285

FRANKLIN.

At the January session of the court in 1843, certain

citizens of Catawissa

petitioned for a division of that township "on account of the great inconvenience of attending elections and other township business.
The prayer of
the petitioners was granted, and a favorable report having been received from
the commissioners appointed to inquire into the matter, the new township was
erected with the name of Franklin.
Its limits included the area now embraced
in the townships of Mayberry and Franklin.
AV'hen Montour county was
formed in 1850 it became one of its sub-divisions; but when, in 1853, the division line was re-adjusted, Franklin was divided, the portion remaining in Montour being erected into Mayberry township.
Settlement in this region began at a later period than in the Catawissa
In 1783 John Cleaver, a Quaker from Chester county, visited friends
valley.
who had located there and decided to purchase a tract on the opposite side of
He returned with his family in the spring of the following year,
the river.
but was deterred fi'om completing his purchase by accounts of a Hood the pi'eThe river rose to an unprecedented height, overflowing its
vious winter.
banks and compelling families living on the " bottoms " to leave their homes.
The Cleavers thereupon settled on the hills above Roaring creek. The Claytons,
another family of the same religious preferences, followed them from Chester
At a later period German settlers also made their
county to their new homes.
appearance.
Frederick Knittle, from Richmond township, Berks county,
located on the Esther furnace road.
In 1795 Daniel Knittle became owner of
John and Peter Mensch located north of Roaring creek,
an adjoining tract.
Michael Hoover settled on the hill road to Danville, and
near the river.
Christian Hartley on the site of Pensyl's mill.
Catawissa has always been the town for this section. Its business interests
are represented by two stores, located respectively at Parr' s mill and at Pensyl.
A post-office is connected with the latter. It was formerly known as Willow
vale, but has been re-established under the name of Pensyl.
The churches and schools attended by Franklin people were also located in
Catawissa township. The following with regard to the latter appears in the report of William H. Snyder, county superintendent in 1876:
After the school
closed at Mclntyre's, a house was built just above the foundry to accommodate
the settlers at the mouth of Catawissa creek.
Mr. Stuck, who had taught at
Mclntyre's, was succeeded in this school by Daniel Krist and Daniel Bigles.
Several married men availed themselves of the opportunity to receive instruction at this school.
Near where Joseph T. Reeder lives, Joseph Horlecker
opened a school which was called Clayton' s school, by which name it is now
known. The one established below Esther furnace was taught by Samuel Bitler and James Stokes.
The religious organizations. Bethel and Mount Zion churches, have been
formed with a membership originally connected with the Mclntyre appointment.
The Bethel church edifice was erected in 1859, at which time David
Zarr, Jonas Berninger, Joseph Hartman, John Teitsworth, Nicholas Campbell, William Reeder, Peter Yocum and William Kiesle were trustees.
In
1874 Mount Zion church was built. At this time the trustees were William
Fisher, Joseph Reeder, Peter G. Campbell, Wellington Cleaver, Jackson
Cleaver, John Hile, Joseph Fisher, Sylvester Cleaver and Eli Keilner.
Both
appointments are connected with the Catawissa circuit, and embraced in the
Danville district of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
'

'

'

'

'

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

286

CHAPTER

XVII.

MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.
was erected in 1799, in the last term of Thomas Mifflin's inTHIS township
as governor of the state. It was one of the two political divisions-

cumbency
Susquehanna embraced in Columbia county at the time of its forBy
mation, and was originally formed from the eastern portion of Catawissa.
an act of assembly approved March 3, 1818, part of this territory was annexed to
Practically, however, Mifflin was reduced to its present limSchuylkill county.
ited area by the erection of Maine and Beaver in 1844 and 1845, respectively.
It extends from the Susquehanna to the summit of Nescopeck mountain, and
The foot-hills of the Nescopeck range
adjoins Luzerne county on the east.
extend in a south-westerly direction from the mouth of the stream of that
name to a point where they are intersected by Ten-Mile creek. The triangular area of level land between the base of these hills and the river is known as

soxrth of the

Mifflin "flats."
The date of the earliest settlement in this region cannot be definitely deterThere were some families here in 1779 who were probably recent setmined.
One of these families was murdered by a band of hostiletlers at that time.

Indians in this year, and their more fortunate neighbors fled across the river
The last
to Fort Jenkins for protection. Whether they returned is unknown.
Indian tragedy in this region occurred about the year 1785, and was perpetrated
by a party of savages on their way to New York state. A family of three
flats.
They had
were murdered on the Mifflin
father, mother and son
pushed some distance ahead of the body of immigrants with which they traveled, and who, upon reaching the summit of the hill on the following day, saw
Returning in a few days,
the smoke from the cabin and retired to Catawissa.
It appears that a neighbor of this unforthey buried the dead in one grave.
tunate family, with a presentiment of danger, crept into a potato-hole or cavecellar for protection; in the dead of night he came out to reconnoiter, and
found the savages sleeping on the floor of his cabin. He retreated to his
asylum and was not discovered. Of the subsequent permanent settlement,
the first families came after the close of the war, and included the familiar

—

'

'

'

'

names of Creasy, Angle, Gruver, Aten, Kirkendall, Brown, Koder, Bowman and Kern. All these families came from Warren county. New Jersey,
a section that gave to Columbia county many of its best citizens in the
Those who appeared first followed the Headearlier years of its history.
ing road to Catawissa, and from that point made their way over the river
hills.
At a later period the. journey was made by way of Beaver meadows and the Sugar- Loaf across the Buck, Broad and Nescopeck mounThe river "bottoms," now acknowledged to exceed in fertility any
tains.
other part of the township, were regarded by the pioneers as pine "barrens."
They turned from them to the surrounding hilly region, well watered and
covered with a luxuriant growth of timber.
Nicholas Angle located on Ten-Mile run* a mile from
The name

of this stream has no reference to its length.
veyed, ten miles had just been completed upon ascending the
plained.
*

When
bill.

its

source.

West-

road from Catawissa was surThe propriety of the name is thus cxt
the

hill

-

MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.

28T

made an improvement,
neighborhood Thomas Aten and Jacob Schweppenheiser also setThe latter built the first saw-mill in the township on a branch of Tentled.
Mile creek. On the ridge above this stream were the Creasys, John and David
Brown and the Kirkendalls. John Brown, Sr. in 1793 located in the valley
of the creek on a tract of four- hundred acres purchased by his father for
It included the Brown mill property, the Fr}'mire
twelve dollars an acre.
and Snyder farms.
A considerable German element from Berks and Lehigh counties appeared
Among the number
subsequent to the arrival of the families just mentioned.
the Hartzels, Hostellers, Zimmermans and Mensingers are still represented.
In August, 1794:, John Kunchel and William Rittenhouse laid out a town
on the Mifflin "flats," and conferred upon it the name of Pennsylvania's first
The original draft describes it as "situate on the south side of
governor.
the river Susquehanna, opposite to three islands in Catawissa township, Northumberland county, about thirty miles above Sunbury, and the same distance
below Wilkesbarre. " The last part of this description is significant. The
erection of Northumberland county in 1772^ and of Luzerne in 1786, with their
seats of justice sixty miles aj^art, made it probable that the formation of a
county from the adjacent parts of each would eventually be necessary, and
these enterprising founders, taking time by the fore-lock, sought to emphaWhile the
size the eligibility of Mifflinsburg as the county seat of the future.
population of the township was receiving constant additions in rapid succession, the town of Mifflinsburg increased in size with a slowness which characterized the growth of other places in this section at the period.
The floods of nearly a century have gradually but effectually denuded the
islands of their once fertile soil, leaving a barren sand-bar to mark the location of each.
At this point the course of the river is slightly curved away
flats,
and the bank is steep and high. Front or First street
fi'om the
Market crosses it at a right
extended along the river a distance of one mile.
In the
ansrle and extends the same distance through the center of the town.
rear of Front are four parallel streets, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth.
Ferry street is above Market, at the eastern limit of the town plot. West
Market and Third are one-hundred
street forms the opposite boundary.
and thirty-two feet wide. Their intersection formed the public square, in
which an acre of ground was reserved for the site of public buildings. All
the corner lots on Fourth, ten in number, were reserved as locations for houses
The public spirit of the proprietors was further manifested by
of worship.
appropriating two lots on Third for the respective locations of a German and
an English college. Neither of these institutions ever progressed further than
this incipient state, if we except a school opened in 1794 by David Jones in a
hut which stood among the scrub oak and pine beyond the limits of the prosward,

and

at

the base of Nescopeck mountain, Paul Gruver

in his

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pective town.

The first house in the village was built by Peter Yohe, a German from
It is said that beforeBerks county, and occupied a lot adjoining Hess hotel.
his first crop had matured, being reduced to the last extremity for food he wentIt may be into Wilkesbarre in a canoe, and there procured a bushel of corn.
ferred from this circumstance that he entered the region at a very early date.
Other old houses stood at the south-west corner of Race and Third, on Market
between Front and Second, and on Front above Market. Their respective ocThe
cupants were John Reynolds, Christian Kunchels and Michael Wehr.
Raftsmen
landing of the ferry was some distance above its present location.
on the river frequently replenished their supplies of rnm and provisions at

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

288

Subsequently, Jacob Harman
the hotel of Matthias Heller, on Front street.
built another public house a short distance from the site of the present one,
and here opened the first store in the township. About the year 1825 Clement Millard, M. D. a native of Philadelphia and nephew of Dr. Benjamin
Rush, located in the town as its first regular physician.
The sagacity of the proprietors in locating it midway between Sunbury
and Wilkesbarre, and in making generous provision for religious and educaSo
tional institutions could not compensate for its commercial disadvantages.
apparent was this, that no attempt was made to accomplish their original deIn 1808 an unsuccesssign when the new county was eventually erected.
ful effort was made to induce the projectors of the Mauch Chunk and Towanda
The North Branch canal
turnpike to locate its course through the town.
might have conferred substantial benefit on the place had it not been constructed
on the opposite side of the river. To reap the greatest advantages from this
line of trafiic, Captain Yants proposed the erection of a bridge, and with
characteristic promptness and energy secured subscriptions to the amount of
some thousands of dollars. Although a comparatively small amount in additional pledges would have secured an appropriation from the legislature, the
enterprise was never consummated.
Failing to realize any pecuniary benefit from the town, the proprietors
Many of the lots were occeased to exercise any supervision over its afPairs.
cupied and improved without any formal purchase, and are held to this day
under no tenure save the right^of possession. The streets and commons origembraced one hundred acres. Many of the citizens curtailed the
inally
width of the streets by appropriating for cultivation those portions adjoining
To such an extent had this been carried that in some places the
their lots.
public ways were scarcely wide enough for the passage of a single vehicle.
Such proceedings demanded a vigorous protest from the conservative element
Accordingly on the evening of Saturday, March 28, 1835,
of the population.
thirty-one citizens assembled in the school-house to take into consideration the
Captain S. B. M. Yants was called to
propriety of opening the streets.
the chair, and Benjamin Seidle appointed secretary; John Keller, S. B. M.
Yants, Benjamin Seidle, Samuel Harman and Charles Hess were elected a
town committee for a period of six years. They were empowered to take
measures for a re-survey of the town, to rent the public lots, and to call meetThough not regarded as a legally constituted body,
ings of the citizens.
these town committees have never been opposed in the exercise of their prerogAfter five days' work in locating the corners of the streets, Ezra E.
atives.
Hayhurst, the surveyor, produced a plat of the town in which the original
wide streets and broad commons were again a prominent feature.
With no facilities for transportation until the construction of the North and
West Branch railroad, Mifflinville has not been a desirable point for the loOn a small scale the manufacture of blasting
cation of industrial enterprises.
powder was begun in 1855 by Matthew Brown and Samuel Snyder. Their
mill had been in operation but three days when an explosion completely shatSuch occurrences, from their fi-equency,
tered the building and machinery.
The old stamping process was here
eventually ceased to attract attention.
The product found a ready sale in the coal regions of the state; but the
used.
manufacture has been abandoned, having ceased to be profitable since the openContrary to the wishes of its
ing of works on a larger scale at other points.
The town
citizens, the rail-road station has been given the name of Creasy.
comprises one hundred houses, six stores, a commodious school building and
At Zion church, some distance in the country, an Evanthree church edifices.
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MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.

291

Considering the provision made for
gelical congregation meets for worship.
buildings of this latter character, it is a matter of surprise that more religious
societies

have not gained a footing.

The Lutheran and Reformed congregations were

the first to avail themselves
April 19, 1809, articles of agreement for
of the generosity of the proprietors.
the erection of a union church building were signed by their respective rej^reIt was begun the same year, but not completed until four years
sentatives.
Among those who have ministered to the Reformed congregation may
later.
be mentioned Reverends Dieft'enbach, Sbellhamer, Tobias, Hoffman, HuttenThe Lutheran congregation was organized in 1809 by
stein and Dechant.
Reverend John Paul Ferdinand Kramer. His predecessor, Reverend Shelhardt,
was one of the pioneers of his church in the Susquehanna valley. The Wolf,
Hetler, Creasy, Brown and Gruver families formed the first organization.
Its
successive pastors were Reverends Kessler and Schindle; Isaiah Bahl fi'om
1830 to 1862; William Fox from that date until 186_8; S. S. Henry, the succeeding four years; Thomas Steck from 1873 to 18/9, and J. P. German in
In January, 1882, the union between the two
charge since August 1, 1881.
congregations was dissolved.
The Lutherans laid the corner-stone of a new
structure August 14, 1883, and dedicated it December 2 of the same year.
During the winter of 1859-00,* as a result of radical difference of opinion regarding certain points of doctrine and discipline, a portion of the German

Lutheran congregation separated from it and organized an English Lutheran
Reverend E. A. Sharrets has been succeeded by Henry R. Fleck,
church.
David Truckenmiller, William E. Krebs, M. V. Shadow and J. E. F. Hassinger, the present pastor.
A neat brick structure erected in 1860 has since then
been used as a house of worship.
About the time the German element was establishing a church home,
Methodist services were held in the house of Samuel Brown, and when the
growing nu.mber of adherents to this faith could no longer congregate here, in
the barn of Henry Bowman.
In 1819 Samuel Brown built a small frame house
A gallery extended around three sides
near the burial ground of his family.
of the interior, and was reached by ascending a ladder; the pu.lpit had the appearance of a bird's nest affixed to the wall some distance above the floor.
It
was scarcely large enough to contain the portly form of Reverend Marmaduke
Pearce, but as this was one of the few appointments on his circuit with any
house of worship whatever, he cheerfully submitted to this inconvenience. A
frame church building erected in Mifflinville in 1831 was used for Methodist
In 1861 it was replaced by the
services during the following thirty years.
This congregation is connected with the
house of worship now occupied.
Danville district of the Central Pennsylvania conference.
The South Mifflin Mills were erected in 1869 by George Nungesser, who
conducted them until 1881, since which time they have been operated by
William J. Nungesser.
The mills are equipped with three run of buhrs, and
have a capacity of grinding 100 bushels of grain per day, and are supplied
with water from Ten-Mile creek, which flows by the mill.
The building is
36.k45 feet, and three stories in height.

24

292

HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

CHAPTEE

XVIII.

MAINE TOWNSHIP.

PREVIOUS

to 1799, what is now Maine township was
tensive territory of Catawissa; for nearly fifty years
portion adjoining Mifflin was embraced in that township,
Maine still forming part of Catawissa. In January, 1844,
court, the township of Maine was erected, its boundaiy on

included in the exafter that date the
the western part of
by authority of the
the north being the

Susquehanna, and on the south Catawissa mountain.
The distinguishing features in
It comprises a beautifully diversified area.
this respect are the blufPs which overlook the Susquehanna; the Mifflin valley
in their rear, at the base of the Nescopeck mountains the regular contour of
this range, and its abrupt termination above the Catawissa creek; the valley of
that stream, as it winds around the projecting spurs of the mountain of the
same name, and the mine-gap road, where it ascends Catawissa mountain.
It was while this region was known as Augusta township, and included in
Berks county, that its first permanent settlers appeared upon the soil. In the
year 1709 Samuel John emigrated from Wales to tlwchlan, Chester county.
Samuel John, Jr., removed from his father's farm to Exeter, Berks county, and
from this place, in 1772, his son, Isaac John, with Margaretta (Broug), his
wife, having purchased three-hundred acres of land in the valley of Catawissa
creek, removed, thus becoming the first residents within the limits of the
During the summer of 1778 they were twice compelled
township of Maine.
to leave their farm, and, to increase their misfortunes, a loss of one-hundred
pounds was incurred by the depreciation of Continental currency. They occupied a log cabin, a story and one-half high, the door being in the roof, and
It seems almost incredible, but
reached by a ladder within and one without.
it is a well attested fact that a family of ten children was brought up in this
house, one of whom, Abraham, was the grandfather of Wesley John, the present owner of the land on which it was situated.
Among those who followed Isaac John and pushed farther up the valley of
the creek were Peter and John Klingaman, both of whom located in the vicinJacob Gearhart, from Allamingo, Berks county, made a
ity of Mainville.
Jacob Bower, from Lehigh county, setclearing on the hill above the town.
These persons were all in the region prior to
tled on a tract nearer the river.
The route followed by them
1808, and complete the number of early settlers.
from the lower counties was the Reading road from Catawissa a passage was
opened by themselves into the valley of the creek at the gap between the
John Hauck in 1815 erected the first
Nescopeck and Catawissa mountains.
iron furnace in Columbia county.
The advantages of this location were the water-power available, an abundant
supply of fuel and the short distance to the Reading road. The ore was brought
in wagons from the bogs of Locust mountain; the most important deposit was situated near the present site of the town of Centralia. It was hauled through Roar
It is said that
ingcreek, and thence by the Mine Gap road to Hauck' s furnace.
at a spring at the foot of Catawissa mountain the teamsters were accustomed to
Such a deception
pour water over the ore, in order to increase its weight.
could not be readily discovered, as the ore was naturally damp and heavy.
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MAIKE TOWNSHIP.

'2iT6

Its
several years this furnace was the only one in Columbia county.
product was sent to Reading to be forged and returned for local consumption.
In 1821 Ml'. Hauck built a mill near his furnace, the first in Maine township.
In 1881 Abraham Creesemer became proprietor of both. Harley and Evans in
1826 constructed a forge on the same stream. It was operated until 1883;
but the fui'nace, abandoned as no longer profitable, had succumbed to decay

For

some years previous.
The Mainville Mills, grist and saw-mills, J. M. Nuss & Son, proprietors.
The grist-mill was erected in 1814, and after nearly three-quarters of a century
The edifice is 45x50 feet, and three stories and a half in
still remains.
height.
The old process was used up to 1885, but in May of that year the
roller process was introduced, and the capacity of the mill is now fifty barrels
per day.
The miller is Nathan Houck, who has had an experience of twenty
The mill is conducted by John M. Nuss & Son, who
years in the biisiness.
have operated it since 1876. A sawmill, which is run during the winter and
spring, is also operated by this firm.
The prospect of a successful manufacturing enterprise being established at
Mainville was not always as discouraging as it has finally become. From 1832
to 1838 the Catawissa rail-road was graded at various sections of the line m
Maine township. The gap between Nescopeck and Catawissa mountains was
crossed by a network of trestling, constructed at an enormous cost.
Then the
work suddenly ceased. In 1853, nearly twenty years later, work was resumed
and the road was completed. In the mean time, however, the bridge timbers
at the Catawissa crossing had become so rotten as to necessitate the removal of
A second railthe entire stru.cture before even a track had been laid over it.
road, the Danville, Hazleton and Wilkesbarre line, was built through Mainville some years later, and at a still later period the North and West Branch
rail-road was constructed at the extreme northern boundary of the township,
On the Catawissa railroad
on the southern bank of the Susquehanna.
stations are located at Mainville and Forensty; on the Sunbury, Hazleton and
Wilkesbarre road (so known since the sale and reorganization of the Danville,
Hazleton and Wilkesbarre), at Mainville and Mainville Trestling.
Mainville
The place comprises twenty
has in consequence a degree of business activity.
dwellings, three stores, a lumber yard, school-house and church edifice, in which
a Methodist congregation worships.
Previous to 1880 religious services were held in the school-building.
At
the Second Quarterly conference of the Mifflinville circuit, August 7, 1880,
E. W. Low, Lafayette Creasy, J. J. Brown, C. L. Benscoter, J. D. Bodine
and J. W. Shuman were appointed a committee to erect a house of worship at
Mainville.
John W. Shuman deeded ground for the location. October 10,
It was completed and dedicated the
1881, work on the building was begun.
Reverend C. L. Benscoter, pastor at that time, has been sucfollowing year.
ceeded by Reverends John W. Hoening and J. K. Dearor.
The oldest religious societies in Maine township are the Lutheran and Reformed.
In 1813 they erected a rude log structure, the first predecessor of a
commodious church edifice which replaced it in 1877. The corner-stone was
laid July 15th of that year, and the dedication occurred November 11th following.
The corner-stone of the second church building was laid September
The burial ground
This edifice was dedicated January 16, 1833.
23, 1832.
near the church was deeded by Henry Fisher, Peter Bowman, John Neuss
and John PeifFer. In a cemetery adjoining, many of the first residents of the
township are buried.
These churches have generally been connected with
those of the same denomination at Catawissa.

:294

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

The primitive striicture at Fisher' s was used for school as well as religious
purposes.
In 1824 John Watts opened a school here, which was continued by
different persons until public schools were established. In 1820 the first school
in Maine township was opened by Jacob Gensel, near George Fleming's carding mill, on Scotch run.
During the term ending June, 1, 1886, five teachers
were employed for a term of five months, at an average salary of thirty dollars
per month.
This compares favorably with reports from wealthier and more
thickly settled localities.

CHAPTER

XIX.

BEAVER TOWNSHIP.

BEAVER

TOWNSHIP,

the fifth in order of time formed from the original

territory of Catawissa, derives its name from a small stream, Beaver run,
which flows through a valley of the same name, and empties its waters into the
Catawissa creek after a course of ten miles frc>m its source at the Luzerne
The region drained by this stream is a comparatively narrow valcounty line.

The former terminates abruptly
ley between Buck and McCauley mountains.
a short distance from the point where these two streams unite. The latter is
an interesting and peculiar feature of the topography. Rising to a considerable altitude above the surface of the valley at a point just within Columbia
county, it extends westward in an unbroken trend for a distance of five miles,
where, by a gradual slope, it sinks to the level of Catawissa creek; northward from the McCauley ridge is Nescopeck mountain a natural and effective
barrier, appropriately utilized as the boundary between Beaver and Mifflin
The regular and symmetrical proportions of these elevations aptownships.

—

pear in strong contrast with the varying characteristics of the Catawissa range.
Distinguished by the spurs and foothills which mark its northern slope, it enAt its base the
closes Beaver township within its semi-circular convolutions.
Catawissa creek meanders through a region of unbroken quiet disturbed only
iby the plash of its waters, or the shrill whistle of a locomotive as it rounds a
A no less secluded retreat is the
curve, or rumbles over a trestling above.
valley of Scotch run, a small tributary stream whose course marks the lowest
depression between the Nescopeck and McCauley mountains.
A region of alternating elevations and depressions, with no advantages of
fertile soil or accessible location, did not attract settlement and improvement
As early as 1774,
until the more desirable lands were no longer available.
however, Beaver valley was entered by Alexander McCauley, an account of
whose mysterious disappearance is given in the history of Locust township.
It is said that at this time his nearest neighbors were in the vicinity of Catawissa, excepting a community of beavers, who erected a dam on the stream,
which derives its name from this circumstance, a short distance above its
Beaver swamps inThe region known as
junction with Catawissa creek.
cluded the area drained by both the affluents of this creek, Scotch run and
Beaver run. The beaver, bear and deer were followed to these fastnesses by
a class of men with whom danger and distance were no unfavorable consideraAlexander McCauley retired from the frontier in 1776, none too soon
tions.
to escape the ravages of the border warfare; but Andrew Harger, his neigh'

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295

BEAVER TOWNSHIP.

remained
bor on Catawissa creek, with more courage than prudence,
For some days his
summarily abducted by a party of hostile savages.
captors pursued their journey in a northerly direction, their destination apWithout any apparent
parently being what was then known as Upper Canada.
reason they turned about when they had reached a point in western New York,
and after several weeks of suspense and anxiety Harger realized that he was
He had
somewhere in the vicinity of the north branch of the Susquehanna.
now been in captivity nearly a year, but was not guarded as closely as at first.
Embracing a favorable opportunity of escape, he made his way to the river by
With a surprising
night, and concealed himself beneath a pile of drift wood.
degree of physical endurance, he kept his body beneath the water, while,
through the crevices between the logs, his foes were plainly seen engaged in
For seven days he continued his joui'ney, subsisting on such roots
the search.
and herbs as were nutritious, and on a maimed turkey he was so fortunate as to
Greatly emaciated, he at last reached a frontier settlement wiser
capture.
by one year's experience as an Indian prisoner.
Beaver swamps
No attempt was made to resume the settlement of the
No considerable number of people were
until after the close of the revolution.
Thomas Wilyet residents at the time Mifflin township was formed, in 1799.
kinson, an Englishman, lived in a cave along Catawissa creek near the site
of an Indian town and burying ground, but does not appear to have extended a
very cordial welcome to the settlers who followed him and invaded the solitudes
he seemed to have regarded as his exclusive property. James Van Clargan,
the Klingamans, Oaks, Parig, Mensinger, Swank, Longenberger and Fisher
The Van Clargans
families were among the first to become permanent settlers.
The farms owned by
cleared the farm now occupied by Charles Michael.
the Klingamans were claimed by Daniel Oaks, an Englishman from New Jersey,
but his rights were disputed by Reuben Eyerly. Oaks and all his family were
Eyerly was seen in the neighborhood the
one night burned in their house.
preceding evening; there was not, however, sufficient evidence to criminate him,
and he was set at liberty. He was subsequently hanged on a similar charge.
About 1810 JohnDalins, a German from Lehigh county, made an improvement
Following the course of
near Catawissa creek, at the foot of the mountain.
the creek John Rarig, Ludwig Mensinger and John Hoats, from Berks county,
John and
cleared the land on what is now the Catawissa and Ringtown road.
Christian Shuman, from Catawissa, erected a tannery and saw mill on the site
of the present tannery at Shumantown.
The route followed by these persons from the southern counties was the
Reading road to Catawissa, and from that point a way opened by themselves
This road was subsequently extended to Reading
along Catawissa creek.
but was not improved until 1852, although traveled extensively long before
For many years the hotel of Adam Michael, at the foot of Buck
that time.
mountain, was a prominent place of social resort. When Mifflin township was
erected in 1799 Mifflinville was the voting place for the population of Beaver
valley subsequently the Paxton election district, so named in honor of Colonel
Joseph Paxton, was formed out of the region south of Nescopeck mountain,
and a voting place was established at Michael's hotel; finally in November,
1845, the township of Beaver was erected, comprising nearly the same area
While these changes were
previously included in the separate election district.
being made in the political organization of the region, plans were being matured
the execution of which promised to revolutionize the industrial character of its
The object of those who projected these changes was the developpeople.
ment of rich deposits of coal supposed to exist in the McCauley and Buck
mountains.
until

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

296

As early as 1S2<) the presence of coal in the McCauley mountain was an
Ten years later Nicholas Biddle and others projected the
established fact.
Catawissa railroad, and graded various sections of the line in Beaver township.
Not until 1853, however, was the road open to traffic and travel. The attention of capitalists and others was then directed to the coal measures of the
McCauley and Buck mountains thus brought within reach of transportation
facilities.
By an act approved May 5, 1854, the McCauley railroad company
was incorporated, the rail-road projected being a line five miles in length to
eonnect the coal veins of McCauley mountain with the Catawissa rail-road. By
an act approved April 27, 1855, Charles B. Penrose, LeeW. Buffington, M.D.,
and John C. Sims were constituted the Columbia Coal and Iron company. By
the provisions of its charter the capital stock was fixed at five-hundred thousand dollars, and its oj)erations confined to Columbia and Montour counties.
By an act approved April 19, 1858, the McCauley rail-road company was conThe construction of the
solidated with the Columbia Coal and Iron company.
rail-road and of an extensive coal breaker was begun, a tract of land embracIt
ing two-thousand four-hundred acres having previously been purchased.
embraces four tracts, originally surveyed for John Reese, John Brady, Jeremiah Jackson and Robert Gray, in pursuance of their warrants issued December
In 1867 coal shipments from the McCauley colliery were begun.
7. 1793.
The same year Simon P. Case erected another breaker, and formed the Beaver
Five years later the coal deposits at both points were
creek Coal company.
In September, 1869, both breakers and the track of the
practically exhausted.
McCauley rail-road were removed. The shaft of the Columbia Coal and Iron

company

is

under lease from James Long, James Hunter and P. W. Shaffer,
Allen Mann, who operates it to a limited extent to supply lo-

its successors, to

cal consumption.

Although the mining of coal on the east side of McCauley mountain had
resulted disastrously to the corporations which attempted it, Simon P. Case,
having completed the construction of the Danville, Hazelton and Wilkesbarre
rail-road, as pretended owner of a tract of land on the line of that road and the
west slope of the McCauley mountain, leased the Glen City colliery to J. H.
After several years of litigation between
Losee for a period of ten years.
Simon P. Case and George Longenberger, the latter secured a verdict in his
The lease of J. H. Losee
favor as rightful owner of the Glen City colliery.
1, 1881, when the colliery was suspended for five years. In 1886
James and Mary McAlarney completed improvements and repairs about the
Adjoining
works, which resumed operations under favorable circumstances.
the Glen City colliery, Allen Mann and F. L. Shuman, as lessees of Long,
Fisher and Shaffer, successors of the Columbia Coal and Iron company, operated the McCauley colliery from 1873 to 1876. With reference to the development of the coal product of Beaver township, it is only necessary to state further
that Coxe Brothers & Company are the operators of a colliery at Gowen, in

expired April

Luzerne county, the excavations of which extend into Columbia county, folThe coal measures at this point have not, as
lowing the Buck mountain vein.
yet, been exhausted.
In addition to the rail -road above mentioned, Beaver is traversed by the
Tide-Water Pipe-Line, the features of which, as a factor in distributing an imThe
portant commodity of the state, are of an entirely different character.
economy and convenience of transporting petroleum from the wells to shipping
points by means of pipelines was realized by the proprietors of oil-wells at an
early period in the development of the oil region of Pennsylvania. Until 1880,
In that
however, no pipe-line of any extent had been successfully operated.

BEAVEK TOWNSHIP.

297

year the Standard Oil Company practically demonstrated the feasibility of
transporting crude petroleum long distances through iron tubes, the principle
being to take advantage of the action of gravity upon the flov^ing liquid whenever possible, and surmount the obstacles of varying elevation by powerful
With the object of lessening the expense of
force pumps when necessary.
transportating oil to distributing points on the sea-board, the Tide-Water Pipe
Line Company in 1882 secured the right of way for a pipe -line from Rixford,
in McKean county, to Tamanend in Schuylkill, a distance of one-hundred and
Notwithstanding the violent opposition of rival corporations,
eighty miles.
the enterprise was successfully consummated in the autumn of the same year.
The course surveyed enters Columbia county after crossing the Muncy hills,
passes several miles north of Jerseytown and about the same distance south of
Buckhorn, crossing the Fishing creek and Susquehanna at the mouth of the former
The course of Catawissa creek is followed through the townships of
stream.
Main and Beaver. The mains are six inches in diameter, the cost of construcAlthough involving this enortion aggregating six-thousand dollars per mile.
mous expense, the financial success of the enterprise may be inferred from the
fact that it has reduced the cost of oil transportation to one-twentieth of the
former freight charges. A telegraph lino connects the ofiSce of the general
superintendent at Williamsport with the several pumping stations along the
These are located at Eixford, McKean county; Olmstead, Potter
route.
county; County-Line and Muncy, in Lycoming; and Shuman's, in Columbia.
The distance between the last named two is one-hundred miles; between Shuman's and Tamanend, the terminus of the line, seventeen miles. Owing to
the presence of a considerable elevation between Shuman's and Tamanend, the
pumping apparatus is there constructed on a larger scale than at Muncy. The
altitude to be surmounted, and not the distance, determines the amount of
force necessary to propel the stream of oil.
Shuman's pumping station is situated in Beaver valley, near the line of
The buildings and grounds comprise an area of five
the Catawissa rail -road.
acres.
The plant consists of an oil tank, furnace and boiler, a steam engine
and pumping apparatus. The oil tank is thirty feet high and ninety-five feet
in diameter; wrought-iron plates, a half-inch in thickness, and a canvass roof
enclose an air-tight compartment with a capacity of thirty-five-thousand barrels.
The two pumps are capable, respectively, of elevating fifteen-thousand
«nd ten-thousand barrels of oil in twenty-four hours to an altitude of onethousand three-hundred and twenty-five feet, the vertical distance from Beaver
A battery of three Riter and Conley boilers, and a
valley to the summit.
Murphy smokeless furnace generate the power which performs this work,
while the machine which applies it is a Holly engine of three-hundred horsepower.
By means of an elaborate system of gauges, the superintendent is
enabled to compute with mathematical exactness the amount of work performed
by every pound of coal or gallon of water consumed. The buildings throughCleanout are equipped with every appliance of convenience and comfort.
liness, order and discipline are everywhere apparent, the results of a rigid,
personal supervision by Mr. F. G. Laner, who has now (September, 1886,)
been superintendent for several years. The ceaseless whirr of the machinery
is the only disturbing element in the quiet of the surrounding neighborhood.
The present mill structure was commenced in 1876,
Beaver Valley Mills.
the old building having been destroyed by fire while the proprietor, F. L.
Shuman, was at the Centennial at Philadelphia. In 1881 Mr. Shuman sold
the mills to Charles Reichart, who was the proprietor until December, 1885,
when he sold to Dr. A. P. Heller of Millville, who bought for his son, Sher'

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•

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'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

298

man Heller, and April 1, 1880, the present fii-m, McHenry & Heller, was
organized.
The building is 36x40 feet, three stories high, and equipped with
two run of buhrs, one chop stone, and the roller process for buckwheat. The
power to move the mill is supplied from a dam across Catawissa creek. M.W.
McHenry, one of the firm, is the miller.
Failing to give more than a temporary impetus to the industrial pursuits of
Beaver township, the erection of railroads has also failed to impart permanent
In 1821 Isaac Davis taught
benefit to the schools and churches of the region.
the first school in the township, at Kostenbander' s mill.
Four years later he
opened another in his dwelling, in the southern part of the township. In the
same year Henry Schell taught in a dwelling near Beaver church, and Adam
Holocher near the old Michael hotel.
Education was conducted by these pedagogues with a primitive simplicity admirably imitated by their successors at
the present day.
The first Methodist sermon in Beaver was delivered in the year 1815 in the
house of David Davis. Reverends Dawson, Rhoads, Taneyhill and Monroe
continued these services, the last named clergyman in the winter of 1822-23
Owing to a lack of harmony among its members,
organizing a congregation.
The house of worship is now occupied by an
it was subsequently disbanded.
Evangelical congregation.
A union house of worship, built by the Lutheran and Reformed denominaBeaver Church.
tions, has long been known as the
Both congregations,
have had many pastoral changes, and are now served by the pastors at Ringtown, Schuylkill county.
'

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CHAPTER XX.
ROARINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

ROARINGCREEK,

the third township formed from Catawissa, embraced,,
erected in 1832, the townships of Locust and Conyngham in addition to its present limited area.
A semi-circular spur of the Little mountain
forms the eastern boundary, and extends farther only a short distance until it
is merged into the Catawissa range.
This natural barrier separates Roaringcreek from the adjoining county of Schuylkill.
It formerly included the head
waters of both branches of the creek, from which circumstance with great propriety it received its name.
When this designation was first applied to the
stream cannot be definitely ascertained.
Under its Indian name of Popemetunk, it is mentioned at various times by early visitors to the region; but in
the earliest warrants for surveys the Indian name is nowhere mentioned, the
stream being always referred to as Roaring creek.
In the year 1850 the township was reduced to its present limits by the form
ation of Montour county.
There had for some time been a desire for a division of the township; however, as may be learned from the history of Locust,
the provisions, under which the division was at first effected, failed to entirely
satisfy those most concerned.
By a re-adjustment of the county line it was
proposed to again include in Roaringcreek the territory taken from it; but
meanwhile both divisions of the original township had elected their respective
officers.
This arrangement was abandoned in view of the complications which

when

KOARINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

299

woiild have inevitably resulted, and the township has been neither increased
nor diminished since 1850.
Among the first persons who located within the present limits of Roaringcreek were Samuel Hunter and Bezaliel Hayhui'st.
The former secured a
patent under date of July 25, 1774, for a tract of land known as "Trout
Springs" farm. He died in 1784, having made his will in a house on the

now owned by John Whitner.

From Alexander Hunter, who succeeded
ownership of part of this tract, it passed into possession of George
Randall, and from him to Abram Whitner, the father of the present owner.
Other persons who secured tracts in the southern part of the township at the head
waters of Roaring creek were Samuel Morris and Anthony Morris, Hugh
and Michael Hughes, Francis Artilla and Barbara Artilla, Henry Hurtzel,
Andrew Helwig, John Hemrninger, John Harmon, George Groh, George^
Duvald, Stephen Feabody and George Dewees.
"Four Springs Farm," along Mill creek, was patented to Adam Zantzinger November 9, 1784, although the warrant for its survey had been issued
ten years previous to that date.
It adjoined the lands of Jonathan Pearson,
Bartholomew Wambech and the Wilson and Robinson tract.
Christian
Immel, Peter Minnich, Frederick W^agoner, William Lamon and Christian
Shultz owned the mountain lands above the Mill creek. What has since proved
to be the best farming land in the township was originally surveyed for Matthew McGlath, Charles Truckenmiller, John McKay, Jacob Shakespear and
land

to the

Thomas Fisher.
Some of these

persons, the Immels, Hayhursts, Hughes, and others,
planted their homes here and are now resting in unmarked graves in the
Friends' Roaringcreek burial-ground.
Of scarcely a single tract can it be
said that it remains in the family of the original owners.
German families,
the Whitners, Rarigs, Kunkles, Driesbachs, Houcks, Holstines, Kreischers
and Songenbargers, followed in the wake of the Quakers, and rapidly gained
the ascendancy in population and wealth.
They followed the Reading and
Sunbury state road from their former homes in Berks and Northampton
counties to a point beyond Ashland where it was intersected by a turnpike leading northward; this was traveled to Bear Gap, in Locust township, from
which the distance to the upper branch of Roaring creek was comparatively
short and easy.

A road from Catawissa direct to Reading, entering the present limits of the
township at its northern boundary, and, crossing the Little mountain in a
southeast direction, gave to the people on this upper branch the same advantages conferred by the turnpike to the people at the Gap, and by the other
Reading road to the farmers midway between the two.
At first, wheat
was the only article for which there was any market; the best white
wheat had to be hauled to Reading in order to be worth forty or fifty cents a
bushel.
Subsequently, when the orchards first planted began to bear, dried
apples became a valuable commodity.
Stage coaches were run on this road
for a few years immediately after it was opened, about the year 1812.
The
advantages of an easier and shorter route over the older Sunbury and Reading
road as far as Ashland, and thence to Catawissa, caused their transfer to the
latter road.
The highway to Reading through the valley of upper Roaring
creek has certainly done much to develop the timber resources of the region.
It has been, and is still the route over which nearly all the produce of the
farms finds a market in the mining towns of Schuylkill county.
The first mill in the township was erected about the year 1816, shortly
after this road was opened.
James Hibbs, Senior, was the proprietor, and the

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

300

is still known as Hibbs' mill.
March 13, 1793, in partnership with Josepb Hampton, he bought a tract of land from John Nixon and Alexander
Foster, Philadelphia merchants, who, under date of Sept. 26, 1783, had secured a patent for it.
Judah Cherington in 1856 built the present mill,
which is now owned by Peter Swank. Abner Hampton, a son of Joseph
Hampton just mentioned, built a small mill on Mill creek some years after
It subsequently came into possession of William
the Hibbs mill was built.

place

Heupka, who removed it and erected the present building. It is now owned
by John Mourer.
A few houses were built around Hibbs mill, eventually forming the village
of Mill Grove. Judah Cherington opened the only store in the township in 1859;
it is now owned by O. W. Cherington, who, as the result of his energetic persistence, opened a post-office a few years since.
It is the only one in the
township and certainly a great convenience to the people.
The Hibbs name is also associated with the first school in the township. In
the year 1816, in a dwelling owned by Mahlon Hibbs, a son of James Hibbs,
Senior, Joseph Stokes opened a subscription school.
In the following year

Thomas Cherington,

a teacher of thirty-six years' experience in Bei'ks county,
He was also a surveyor; a work on mathematics pre-

entered the township.

pared by him and still preserved in manuscript form evinces considerable ability and carefulness.
It was for the purpose of instructing the family of his son
Samuel, who was a mill-wright, that he was first induced to come over the
mountains.
He cheerfully took the children of neighboring families into his
school, however, and continued it several winters. Samuel Cherington succeeded
his father and remained a teacher for many years.
In 1821 the school in
Mahlon Hibbs' house was reopened by Charles Brush.
David Chase was another early teacher.
The first house used exclusively for school purposes was
built in 1830 where number two school is now held.
In this school-house for
twenty -three years the only religious organization in the township held its
services.

The Roaringcreek appointment of the Methodist Episcopal church has had
an existence of seventy years. Previous to the building of the school-house,
people of this faith met in the barn of John Yocum, about a mile from the
school -building, on the farm now owned by Elijah Horn.
Mrs. Yocum' s family,

the Maclntyres of Catawissa township,

may

well be called the leaders of

Methodism in this whole section.
Among those who worshiped here were
Phoebe Dyer, J. J. Thomas, Joseph Jesse, and Ezra Yocum and Samuel
Horn.
The first preachers were Reverends Oliver Ege, Alem Brittain and

Thomas

Taneyhill.

In the year 1853 measures were taken to erect a church-building. William
Yocum, David Case, J. J. Thomas and William Rhoads, trustees, pushed the
work with energy, and on the ninth day of June, in that year, the corner-stone
was laid. The dedication service was held in the following autumn. The congregation since then has been served by Reverends Black, Tongue, Mendenhall,

John Haughawant, Frank Gearhart, T. A. Cleese, S. V. Savage, John F.
Brown and Jonathan Guilden.
In 1873 William Yeager, who had but recently entered the township from
Parks county, offered one-hundred dollars and an acre of ground to any denomination of Christians who would build a house of worship thereon.
Two
years later Reverend M. P. Saunders, of the United Brethren church, held a
bush-meeting in the vicinity, which resulted in the conversion of fourteen
The Free- Will congregation. United Brethren in Christ, was organized, and the erection of a church-buildinor on the land of Mr. Yeager at once

persons.

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.

301

It was dedicated in the autumn of 1876, and a revival held the followbegun.
The pastors since have been
ing winter increased the membership to sixty.
Reverends S. R. Kramer, H. S. Gable and G. W. Herrold, at present in

charge.
It does not have
Roaringcreek is distinctively an agricultural township.
the rare advantage of an exceptionally fertile soil, nor are the markets for its
But, in the tranproducts as accessible or convenient as would be desirable.
sition from the log-houses and rude stables of fifty years ago to the substantial
dwellings and barns of to-day; and in the contrast of the neglected, uninviting
appearance of church and school buildings but twenty years ago with the com-

fortable, attractive structures of the present, there are evidences of a material
prosperity and certain progress, slowly apparent, but nevertheless permanent

in its character.

CHAPTER

XXI.

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.
•^r^HE

erection of Locust grew out of the controversy regarding the
boundary between Columbia and Montovir counties. As at first defined
Montour embraced nearly the whole of Roaringcreek township. But by a readjustment of the division line in 1853, Roaringcreek township, in Montour,
became Scott, in Columbia. By this name it was known for about one month,
"when, by act of assembly dated April 18, 1853, the name was changed to
It is one of the eight townships originally embraced in Catawissa,
Locust.
when it was part of Northumberland county.
In the year 1708 the proprietary government acquired the title to all the
.i__

northeastern section of the state, the southern limit of this purchase in Col-

umbia county being nearly identical with the southern boundary of Locust
township.
The earliest warrants for surveys in this section were issued the
In these early records this region is mentioned as the valley
Roaring creek, in Augusta township, Berks county. From the older settlements of Maiden creek, Exeter and Reading, within the present limits of that
county, the early Quaker settlers, after weeks of toilsome travel, reached the
Their first point was Harris' ferry; from here
wilderness of Roaring creek.
the journey was continued, partly by water and partly by land, to Catawissa,
which was practically their destination.
Warrants for surveys in this township were early issued in rapid succession,
but there were comparatively few actual resident patentees until after the revolution. On the cessation of hostilities, however, the increased quiet and security of the frontier is indicated by the coming of many more families in 1785
than in any previous year.
Among those now in the township were the Siddons, Bonsalls, Whiteheads, Hughes, Lees, Williams, Millards and Starrs.
Their names are not even locally remembered.
In their pronounced opposition to all ostentation, they would not suflPer the erection of a marble slab to
perpetuate their memory.
But in the early development of this fertile valley
they have written a histoiy of untiring toil for which few of them ever received
any adequate return.
Pioneer life in this section was not devoid of adventure.
To the labor of
redeeming the waste places there was added the tear of wild beasts and still
following year.

•of

302

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

wilder men.
An occurrence that created wide spread interest at the time, was
He came from Edinburgh, Scotthe disappearance of Alexander McCauley.
Fearing an
land, in 1771, and settled in Beaver valley three years later.
Indian raid, his wife and three older daughters returned to Harris' ferry.
They were followed in the fall by Mr. McCauley, his youngest daughter, JeanIn 1783 they returned to the farm.
In
nie, and her brother, still younger.
the autumn of that year his horses strayed away, and he followed them
through the woods into what is now Locust township. At a hoiise near
Roaring creek he obtained information which induced him to continue thesearch.
He was never again seen. Twenty-five years afterward, twenty Spanish dollars and a number of silver buttons were found in a deep ravine near
Bear Gap. He was known to have carried such money, but any connection
between his disappearance and this discovery can only be matter of conjectiire.
In 1769 Samuel Mears arrived at Philadelphia and settled near Valley
In the winter of 1777-78 several American officers were quartered at
Forge.
June 6, 1787,
his hoiise, and General Washington was a fi'equent visitor.
he secured from the commonwealth a patent for land in the Roaring creek valIn March, 1794, his eldest son, Alexander
ley, and at once removed thither.
Mears, was married to Jeannie McCauley, who as a young girl has been menThe bridal party
tioned as descending the Susquehanna eleven years before.
left the house of William Collins near Catawissa, and rode en horseback to.
The ceremony was here perthe prospective home of Mr. and Mrs. Mears.
It was.
formed, and was duly celebrated after the manner of the olden time.
Cataone of the first marriages within the present limits of Locust township.
wissa being the residence of the notary, and place of meeting for the Quakers,
seems to have had a monopoly of these interesting occasions.
The first roads were merely bridle-paths from house to house, converging
This was the only point from
to a rough wagon track leading to Catawissa.
which supplies were to be obtained. That only a minimum quantity was needed
is readily apparent when it is remembered that only home -spun was worn, and
that the style of living was as simple as the avowed religious character of the^
people could make it.
About the year 1798 Samuel Cherington, mill-wright of Maiden creek,
erected a grist-mill and saw- mill for Thomas Linville on the site of the present one at Slabtown. It was the first in the present limits of the township, and
was a great boon to the people.
Shortly afterward he built a grist-mill for Nathan Lee on the site of one now
operated by Jeremiah Snyder.
The machinery for this mill was brought from
Philadelphia.
The money was carefully stowed in two wooden boxes, which
were concealed between the linings of a wagon-top and thus taken to the city.
During an extremely cold winThis was the largest mill in the whole region.
ter just before the war of 1812, people resorted to it from all directions, as its
strong water-power enabled it to continue after the ice had compelled others tO'
stop.
But at last it too stood still. Then Nathan Lee resolved on an expedient of which, too late, he saw the folly.
He placed a mass of straw around'
the water-wheels, and hoped, by firing it, to release them from their icy fetters.
It
In one hour his mill and its bins of grain and meal were reduced to ashes.
almost resulted in a famine.
About the time that these mills were built, and during the decade following, there was an influx of people from the same old county of Berks, but differing widely fi-om the Quakers who preceded them.
They were Germans,
some of whom had but recently come to this country, and by several years of
service in the lower counties were obliged to redeem their passage money

,

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.

303

They entered the Roaring creek country by a road just
Reading northward across the roountains. This was a shorter
Many of these people at once
route, biit not an easy one by any means.
became proprietors. The price of land had appreciated from the twenty-five
cents per acre, paid by the original patentees, to eight or ten dollars for cultiThe German element rapidly supplanted the Quaker, and has
vated land.
retained its predominance to the present day.
The road fi'om Reading did not cease to be useful when the emigrants' load
It forthof goods and small di'ove of domestic animals had passed over it.
with became his road to market; and Reading, on the Schuylkill river and
canal, superseded Catawissa and Sunbury as the "town" for this section.
Great covered wagons loaded with grain and corn wound slowly over the
Twenty bushels of wheat were load enough for two horses. The
mountains.
The price of wheat
journey to Reading and return required eight or ten days.
was five shillings (sixty-two and one-half cents) per bushel.
About the year 1817 a sum of money was appropriated to improve the
Reading road. Then a local strife of much bitterness ensued regarding its
Caspar Rhoads finally induced the viewers to decide
course in this township.
on the upper road, which passed his hotel. The amount appropriated was not
jet exhausted, and the lower road was also graded, to the satisfaction of all
A line of stage-coaches appeared in 1825, Joseph Weaver being proparties.
Benjamin Potts started an opposition line in 1839, and for some
prietor.
The opening of the Catayears both changed at Yeager's hotel in Slabtown.
wissa rail-road rendered them no longer profitable, and they were soon afterward discontinued.
The improvement of this Reading road led to the opening of the only manufacturing industry of any magnitude that has ever existed in Locust township.
Directly after its completion, Esther furnace was built by Samuel Bittler.
It
was situated on land originally patented to Samuel Shakespear under date
The tract was located "on Roaring creek, nineteen
of August 17, 1773.
now Sunbury. David Shakespear inherited the
miles from Fort Augusta,
land, and died in Newcastle county, Delaware.
John Harland, as his executor, deeded it to Jacob Yocum, from whom it passed to the Bittlers.
There
was neither iron ore nor limestone in the vicinity, but an abundant supply of
wood for charcoal, and a location near the Reading road were thought to comThe bulk of the ore was carted from the
pensate for these disadvantages.
The articles at first manufactured were stoves, and the
Fishing creek valley.
first cast-iron plows used in the region.
Subsequently it was enlarged and
leased successively to Trego & Co. Lloyd Thomas, and Fincher & Thomas.
The opening of a canal along the Susquehanna made Catawissa the shipping
point, and rendered the location less advantageous.
In 1845 Samuel Diemer became lessee, and in 1861 proprietor. From him
it has passed successively to John Richards, John Thomas, D. J. Waller, Sr.
and Caspar Thomas, and is now owned by Jacob Schuyler and J. B. Robison.
A crumbling wall, overgrown with bushes, marks the place where the last blast
was taken off twenty years ago.
About the year 1840 a new element, the Welsh, made its appearance in
Among the families were the Watkins, Evans, Humphreys,
Locust township.
Reeses and Joneses. They bought farms with money brought from Wales; but
after building a church many of them removed to the west and Canada.
The character of the early settlers of Locust township, its exclusively agricultural resources and the absence of any rail-road, have not favored the growth
of towns.
A small village, however, clustered around each of its old hotels;
before going farther.

opened

fi-om

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,

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

304

but since the stream of travel over the Reading road has been diverted in other
directions, their growth has ceased, the erection of a new house, or opening
of a new store occurring only at long intervals, as the clearing of the forests
and increase of population required.
The village of Slabtown was the first to receive a name. When Thomas
Linvill began to saw lumber for the first houses, a few sheds were built of rough
The name was suggested by their novel
boards several rods above the mill.
Linvill
appearance, and is retained by the village that has succeeded them.
bought his land from the Penroses, who secured it from James Lukens and
John Pemberton, the original patentees. Lukens also sold a part of his tract
to Andrew Trone, who built a log-house about the year 1797, a short time beHe opened a tavern at once, but in 1804 sold it
fore the saw-mill was built.
to John Yeager, who continued as landlord for many years.
At that time Catawissa was the post-office for all this region. At Slabtown,
however, there were postal facilities which were both appreciated and patronIn front of Yeager' s hotel, a box with a.
ized by the farmers of the vicinity.
Persons going to Catawissa would look
sliding lid was fastened to a post.
over its contents and take with them the out-going "mail; " on their return
they would deposit what they had received at Catawissa in the box, retaining
whatever was addressed to themselves, or to persons whom they would see on
Everybody had access to the box. This postal service was.
the road home.
perfect in its simplicity, but its workings were hardly free from friction, unless
the prying propensities of human nature have but recently been developed.
The appointment of John Yeager as post-master and of a regular weekly carrier, did not immediately result in entirely discontinuing the old way of disAbout the year 1847 the post-office was removed to the
tributing the mail.
rival village of Numidia; but in 1855 it was again opened, and has been conThe village at present emtinued ever since under the name of Roaringcreek.
braces about a dozen substantial houses, a store, hotel, school-house and church.
The Roaring
Yeager' s tannery has been in successful operation since 1837.
creek is here spanned by an iron bridge, built in 1874, at a cost of one-thousand, five-hundred dollars.
Shortly after Andrew Trone built his hotel oh Roaring creek, Caspar
Rhoads built another about two miles father south, on the upper Reading road.
Samuel Cherington subsequently built the mill now owned by William Snyder.
The place has been known as Kernville since 1840, when John Kern became
July 12, 1884, the post-office of Newlin was
proprietor of the village hotel.
established, but this new name has not yet entirely superseded the older one

popular use.
Caspar Rhoads succeeded in having one course of the Reading road opened
past his property, but the stage driver obstinately persisted in preferring the
That the family might yet share in the profits of this travel, Isaaeother.
Rhoads, his son, in 1832 became landlord of a public-house on the lower
The half-dozen
road, built three years previous by Benjamin Williams.
A post-office
houses built around it have since been known as Rhoadstown.
under this name was here opened fi'om 1855 to 1864, when it was removed to
Numidia.
in

The

latter village is geographically nearest the center of the township, surIt is situated on
finest farms of the Roaring creek valley.

rounded by the

and it was his son-in-law, Peter
land originally patented to Nathan Lee
It was situated on the ground
who built the first house in the village.
In
1832 a store was opened in
garden.
Wintersteen'
s
Dr.
by
now occupied
It was not the first in the township, however, as one had been
this hotel.
;

Kline,

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.

30 5-

kept by John Yeager at Slabtown

five years previous.
About the year 1835Elijah Price laid out the town and changed the name from Leestown to New
Subsequently Anthony Dengler built the present hotel and store.
Media.
By his energetic efforts the post-office was removed to Numidia from Slabtown
the local strife was renewed at frequent intervals, and in 1855 the
in 1847
office for the southern part of the township was removed to Rhoadstown.
It
was again opened at Numidia in 1864, and has since remained there.
A knowledge of the principles of Odd-Fellowship, gained from members of
the order in other places, led to the formation of a branch of the society in Numidia.
Good Will Lodge, I. O. O. F. was chartered April 17, 1847, but this
charter was destroyed by fire and another issued four years later.
George F.
Craig, N. G. Henry Apple, V. G.
Harmon Fahringer, secretary, and Christian Small, treasurer, are the present officers of the society. The lodge erected
This hall was also,
a hall some years ago at a cost of one-thousand dollars.
used by another society until its meetings were discontinued a few years
since.
Camp No. 204, Patriotic Order Sons of America, was chartered December 13, 1873. The twelve. original members were D. N. Bachman, Joseph
C. Knittle, William H. Moms, John Fetterman, John Gable, W^illiam H.
Billig, David Fetterman, Charles W. Fisher, John H. Helwig, Albert Sevan,
J. H. Vastine, Daniel Morris, Franklin Fetterman and Harmon Fahringer.
Numidia comprises a number of comfortable homes, and a store, hotel,
carriage-shop and smithy, the usual and necessary features of a country village.
The Quaker pioneers of this region were characterized by a simplicity of
life which permitted few wants their own efforts failed to supply; but, however
well contented they may have been with the natural wealth of forest and farm,
their industry was rapidly developing; they had a desire for general intelligence
among their children which was never to any extent gratified. As soon as their
numbers had so increased as to render it necessary, they erected a school-building and employed a teacher.
The school-house was situated on the road from
Newlin to Slabtown, near where the old Friends' meeting-house stands. William Hughes was one of the first teachers. In 1796 the school passed to the
care of the Catawissa monthly meeting of Friends, by whom it was continued
for twelve years.
The German population did not seem so desirous of continuing this school
as the Quakers had been to secure it.
However, they patronized the meetinghouse school, which was subsequently taught by James Miller, and also others
which had meanwhile been opened at Slabtown, Kerntown and Esther Furnace..
Among the early teachers were Joseph Stokes, Alexander Mears, Joseph
Hughes, Isaac Maish and a Mr. Crist.
In 1839 the public school question was voted upon, having been previously
submitted to the people several times.
The result was the establishment of
public-schools, accomplished, it is said, by a majority of only one vote.
Nine
buildings for school purposes were erected that year in the districts known as
Numidia, Beaver, Miller, Fisher, Wynn, Leiby, Eck, Deily and Furnace. This
number has since been increased to thirteen. All the present buildings are in
good repair many of them are furnished with a degree of comfort, care and
taste in strong contrast with the forbidding, neglected appearance of their
earlier predecessors.
The first church-building, as well as the first school-house, was erected by the
Quakers. It was built in 1796 on land adjoining their school-building.
The
;

,

;

;

;

Exeter monthly meeting granted them permission to hold weekly meetings at
least ten years previous; subsequently a preparative meeting was established,
which in 1796 became part of Catawissa monthly meeting, and was known as

306

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

the Roaringcreek preparative. In 1802 Amos Armitage was appointed overseer
of this meeting in place of Joseph Hampton, who had held the office for some
December 24, 1803, John Hughes and Thomas Linvill were appointed
time.
to assist Isaac Wiggins in the care and education of certain poor children of
December 12, 1804, Thomas Penrose succeeded Amos
deceased Friends.
The latter, with Job Hughes, Isaac Penrose, James
Ai'mitage as overseer.
Hughes and Samuel Siddons removed to Pelham, Upper Canada, the following
Later in the same year Isaac Wiggins and Thomas Linvill removed to
spring.
Yonge Street, Upper Canada, and John Lloyd to Shortcreek, Ohio. February
In the same
2, 1808, Bezaleel Hayhurst succeeded to the office of overseer.
year he, with Thomas Penrose and Jeremiah Hughes, was appointed trustee
The title to the property was
to succeed Isaac Wiggins and Jacob Strahl.
held in trust by these persons as long as any of their number was connected
with this meeting; when the removal or death of some of them made such action
necessary, a new board was appointed, to whom the title was transferred.
In 1808 the Roaringcreek preparative meeting was attached to Muncy, the
monthly meeting of Catawissa having been discontinued. In 1814, Muncy
Friends having first made the request, the quarterly meeting of the society at
Philadelphia established the Roaringcreek monthly meeting.
This was a virtual re-establishment of the old Catawissa meeting under a new name, for it
embraced Catawissa, Berwick and Roaringcreek, the original territory.
Although miich reduced in numbers the Friends of the vicinity have held
regular meetings in the Roaringcreek meeting-house until a few years since.
For ninety years it has been a place of worship. The quiet of the burial ground,
within its crumbling, moss-grown wall, and the quaint appearance of the
house itself, suggest thoughts of a people whose peculiar religious ideas and
customs were but the expression of a sincere and uncompromising regard for
truth and virtue.
In the year 1808 other religious teachdrs and preachers made their appearReverend John Dieterich Adams, a Reformed minister from Sunbury,
ance.
preached to the German people in a barn then owned by John Helwig, a short
distance north of where Numidia has since been built.
At the same place,
and but a short time afterward, Reverend Frederick Plitt held services for the
Lutherans.
He rode on horseback from Philadelphia, and may be regarded as
the pioneer minister of his church in Northern Pennsylvania.
In October,
1815, Rev. Jacob Dieffenbach succeeded Mr. Adams, whose inconsistent life
made the change necessary.
About this time measures were taken to build a house of worship. Caspar
Rhoads, George Miller and Matthias Rhoads were appointed a building committee.
They bought a lot from Jacob Kline and began to build at once. In
the fall of 1810 the new structure was dedicated.
It had not been completed,
however, and remained in an unfinished condition for fifteen years.
For years after this religious services were held here once in every month
by the two denominations, alternately. Denominational distinctions were not
observed however; the whole church-going element of the German population
attended all the services without regard to the liturgy used or the minister who
preached.
The privilege of hearing the Word expounded twelve times a year
was too precious to be neglected.
The succeeding Reformed pastors were Reverends Knable, Tobias, Fursch,
Steeley, Daniels and Moore; the Lutheran ministers. Reverends Baughey,
Benninger, Schindle and Eyer.
Reverend Eyer' s pastorate began in 1837, and
ended with his death in 1874, covering a period of thirty-seven years. During his ministry and that of Reverend Moore the present brick church build-

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.

309

Reuben Fabringer, Leonard Adams, John Reinbold and
Henry Gable were the building committee. Its cost was seven-thousand c"©!Reverend William Litzel
lars.
It was dedicated in the spring of 1870.
became pastor of the Lutheran congregation in 1874, and in 1878 Reverend
L. Linderstreuth, who was succeeded in 1881 by Reverend J. H. Neiman, at present in charge. Reverend George B. Dechant has been, since
1872, pastor of the Reformed church.
ing was erected.

Unfortunately the relations between the two congregations in recent years
In the spring of 1882 the officers of the Lutheran
have not been harmonious.
congregation established a Lutheran Sunday-school in the union church-building.
In July, 1883, the officers of the Reformed church, in a written protest, objected to the holding of a sectarian school in the house of worship jointly
owned on the alternate Sundays, when its use for service belonged exclusively
to them.
An effort was made in 1885 to effect a peaceable settlement. It
failed, however, owing to a want of unanimity among the Lutherans, and the
matter has been referred to the civil court.
A desire for religious services in English, on the part of persons not connected with the Society of Friends, led to the establishment of a Methodist
congregation, or at least the holding of Methodist services, about the year
1835 at the houses of Nathaniel H. Purdy and Michael Philips, near RhoadsThe early pastors. Reverends Oliver Ege and Thomas Taneyhill, were
towti.
stationed at Sunbury.
Two of the Methodist congregations in Locust township form part of the
Previous to 1879 they were embraced in the Elysburg cirCatawissa circuit.

The oldest, however, known as the Bear- Gap church, is still included in
It has existed as an organization forty-five years, and is at presthat circuit.
ent served by Reverend H. B. Fortner.
The Slabtown congregation worship in a building erected by the Roformed
Three years later a Methodist camp-meeting was held in
church in 18-48.
the vicinity; it resulted in the conversion of the most prominent of the Recuit.

formed members, and many others. The church-building thereupon became
a Methodist place of worship, and as such it is used at the present day.
In 1864 the Welsh chapel appointment was begun by Reverend Franklin
George Wheary was one of the first members. Some of the
E. Gearhart.
Quakers, and many English speaking persons from German families, speedily
Reverends Henry S. Mendenhall,
connected themselves with the organization.
John F. Brown, T. A. Clees, John Guss, John Z. Lloyd, Thomas Owens and
W. S. Hamlin have successively served this and the Slabtown appointments.
In 1871 the services were held in a school-house. The discomfort of this
arrangement led to the erection of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. It
was completed at a cost of twenty- two hundred and fifty dollars, and dediIsaac Dyer, Daniel Levan, Thomas Seaborne
cated in the autumn of 1872.
and William Kline were the trustees at the time.
The Welsh chapel mentioned above was built in 1850 on lands given for
The Welsh Baptists
the purpose by James Humphreys and Michael Philips.
It is now
first occupied it, with Reverend William Jones as their first pastor.
a preaching point for the United Brethren church. This religious denomination
was the last to make its appearance in the township. There are at present two
St. Paul's conother organizations in the township, St. Paul's and Fisher's.
gregation was first served in 1866 by Reverend John Swank. The church-building was erected that year on land deeded to the church by John Richards.
Fisher's church has resulted from a bush-meetinor held in the summer of 1883

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

310

by Reverend J. G. M. Herrold. Ground for a house of worship was secured!
from Isaac Fisher. The new church-building will be completed before long.
The increase in the number and efficiency of church organizations and
schools has resulted from the changed condition of the people in general. The
last twenty years have been marked by greater material prosperity than any
two succeeding decades in the previous history of the township. Woodland
has been cleared and brought under cultivation; judicious drainage has improved the farming land and increased its value, and with more comfortable
homes there are also better facilities for the intellectual and religious instruction of the people.

CHAPTER

XXII.

CONYNGHAM TOAYNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF CENTRALIA.

CONYNGHAM

was the seventh and last township formed out of the origiAfter being embraced successively in Roarnal territory of Catawissa.
ingcreek and Locust, the extreme southern part of the county, at the FebruIt was named
ary court, 1856, was erected into the township of Conyngham.
in honor of the president judge. Honorable John Nesbitt Conyngham, and by
an unforeseen coincidence the township which perpetuates his name was
formed at the last session in Bloomsburg over which he presided. The propriety of this tribute in appreciation of his upright character and unswerving
integrity is attested by his eminent ability and untarnished record as an impartial judge

and an honorable man.

Until the year 1830 Conyngham township, and indeed the western middle
coal field, was known only as a wild, mountainous country, whose fastnesses
were the haunts of the deer, the fox and the catamount. The region was not,

The Sunbury and Reading state road passed
however, entirely unknown.
through Ashland, just at the foot of Locust mountain, and from that point a
rough wagon track led over the mountains northward. About the year 180-4
the Red tavern was built on the top of Locust mountain by John Rhodeburger.
Subsequently, when inl816orl817 the bridle path was so improved as to be really
a good road, there was an almost ceaseless stream of travel past the Red house.
Stage-coaches dashed down the level grade above, while the echoing horn inFour hosttensified the hurry and confusion of the always noisy tavern yard.
lers emerged from the stable door, ready to grasp the bits and undo the fastenings of the coach horses the moment they were stopped; others brought
out the relay that had been resting, and the coach was ready to renew the journey before the jaded passengers had scarcely become aware of the stop. A
new driver mounted the box, deftly grasped the reins, uttered a quiet signal
to start or noisily cracked his whip, and the coach disappeared in a cloud of
dust.

Nearly the whole of Conyngham township was surveyed about the year sevNo one, at that time, would have supposed
enteen hundred and ninety-three.
that beneath its rugged surface were the store houses of a vast mineral wealth.
But during the succeeding thirty years rumors of discoveries of coal and iron
began to be circulated and credited. The confirmation of these reports caused

'

CONYJSGHAM TOWNSHir.

311

On various pretexts,
a fever of excitement among the capitalists of the period.
the land commissioners were induced to issue vi^arrants for the resurvey of
some of the most vahiable portions of the anthracite coal region during 1830
and the following years. There are tracts of land in this township which are
covered by two and even three titles from the commonwealth.
Among the first to foresee the possibilities of wealth to accrue from the
mining of a commodity, then hardly known, was that sagacious financier,
Stephen Girard. April 30, 1830, he purchased from Horace Binney, James C.
Fisher, Joseph Sims, Archibald McCall, Samuel Coates, Henry Pratt, John
Steele, Paschal Hollingsworth, George Harrison, Abijah Hammond and Alison
Walcott, trustees of the bank of the United States at Philadelphia, an extensive tract of land on the waters of Catawissa and Mahanoy creeks and the
Little Schuylkill river.
It extended into the southeastern part of Columbia
county.
Stephen Girard at once pushed the construction of roads and bridges through
his new domain.
Though left in an incomplete condition these substantial
archways have defied the storms and floods of fifty years. He expected to find
iron ore, and amass wealth from its manufacture
the discovery of coal has
given the college which bears his name apparently inexhaustible resources, surpassing even his most sanguine hopes.
It was nearly a quarter of a century after the Girard purchase was made
before any considerable quantity of coal was mined in Columbia county.
The
Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company, the corporation which took the
initiatory step in developing the region, and controls the most valuable coal
land in the county at the present day, was not formed until 1842.
In the year
1854 Mine Hill rail-road was opened to Big Mine run. Two years later MineRun colliery shipped the first coal over this road from Columbia county. In
the same year Locust-Run and Coal Ridge collieries were opened, the former
being operated by Repellier and Company, the latter by Longstreet and Company.
The Hazel Dell colliery was completed in September, 1860; the CenThey were leased respectively by Robert GoiTell and
tralia colliery in 1862.
The Centralia breaker was bm-ned Sunday, OctoJ. M. Freck and Company.
ber 21, 1866, and twice subsequently.
In 1863, on the Girard estate, the Continental colliery was opened by RobIt was leased successively by Goodi'ich and Comert Carter and Company.
pany and Gorrell and Audenried; it is operated by the Lehigh Valley Coal
Company. Union colliery, on the same estate, was opened in the same year
by John Anderson and Company. It is known as North Ashland, and is leased
by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. In 1865 the Le;

high and Mahanoy rail-road was opened from M*t. Carmel to Mahanoy City,
through the property of the Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company. In
the following year the Mahanoy and Broad Mountain rail- road was made availIn 1867 the Locust Run
able for coal shipments from the company's works.
colliery produced one-hundred and forty-seven thousand tons of coal up to that
date, the largest annual yield of any colliery in the anthracite region.
In 1869 Thomas R. Stockett was appointed chief engineer and agent of
the corporation above mentioned. In 1872 he was succeeded by Lewis A. Riley.
He resigned in 1880, and in 1881 Lewis A. Riley and Oompany leased the
In the same year they erected the Logan
Centralia and Hazel Dell collieries.
About the same time Isaac May and Company
breaker in South Conyngham.
began to mine coal on Morris Ridge.
From the geological report is compiled the following statistics in regard to
the mine product for the year 1882, since when there are no reliable data available:

312
Name of colliery, 1882.

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP.

313

Three years later, in 1865, the Lehigh and Mahanoy rail-road, since known
Lehigh Valley, was built through the town on what is appropriately
known as Rail-Road avenue. With its entrance into the section several new colleries were opened and the town began to grow in size, population and wealth. In
this very circumstance, however, there was an element of danger. The influx of
people of different nationalities and conflicting creeds threatened to involve thecommunity in disorder and lawlessness, and demanded provision for a more
stringent enforcement of the laws.
Accordingly, at the February court, 1866, the borough of Centralia was
incorporated.
James B. Knittle was elected president of the town council ;
L. S. Boner, town clerk and James Dyke, Chief Burgess of the town, an
ofl&ce which he has held during the stormiest periods of its history.
The persons thus elected officers of the borough, with other public spirited men,
took measures to maintain and improve the state of order, and were, in
as the

;

the main, successful.

An undertaking in which the projectors sought to prevent reckless and^.
improvident expenditure by many of the operatives was the Centralia Mutual
Savings Fund Association.
It was organized Feb. 2, 1866, with E. S. Betterly, and a board of directors consisting of A. W. Rea, James Dyke, Henry
W. Sable, Reuben Wasser, M. M. L'Velle, L. S. Boner, Joseph H. Dawes,.
Edward Sweet, William James, William Peift'er, J. J. Hoagland, David Camp
and John M. Belf ord. For a time its results were satisfactory and profitable but
it subsequently became involved, and is now being closed by James Dyke. Although apparently a failure, it has certainly accomplished a good work. Many
of the homes in Centralia trace their first inception in the minds of the ownersto the comfortable sum which had here slowly accumulated.
One of the greatest disadvantages of the location of the town is the abseticeof an adequate water supply. To supply this want the Centralia Water Company
was chartered in 1866. A reservoir was constructed on the side of Locust mountain, and wooden mains were laid to conduct the water to its consumers. In the
course of a few years the pipes began to decay the expense of removing thenr
and securing others of a more durable character seriously involved the company.
Its property was sold on execution of Mayberry Hughes, and was bought by
William Brydon Oct. 26, 1876. This transfer closed the first ten years of the
company's history, and the result was total failure. From AVilliam Brydon,
the property passed into possession of A. B. Fortner, Daniel C. Black, Edward Williams, Jr., A. K. Mensch, A. B. Willard and John W. Fortner. In.
their hands the property has been much impi'oved and pays a fair return.
The water supply of this company is obtained from springs in the vicinity
of the town.
The exhaustive pumping process necessary to keep the minesfree from water threatened to seriously affect their permanency.
To meet theincreasing need for an absolutely inexhaustible supply of water the Locust
Mountain Water Company was chartered October 24, 1881, with a capital
stock of fifty-thousand dollars, to which the Lehigh Valley Rail-road Company
largely contributed.
A large dam was built across Brush valley run and a
reservoir on the top of Locust mountain, while three miles of undergroundl
mains connect the two.
The works were completed two years ago and remove the possibility of any " water-famine " in the future.
;

;

The borough organization, beneficial as it was in every respect, failed to curb?
the spirit of ruffianism which asserted itself in the years which immediately followed.
About the time it was effected, the Mollie Maguire troubles began in,'
Schuylkill county.
This organization, one of the most formidable that hasever existed in defiance of law, rapidly extended over a large extent of the ad-

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

314

On the 17th of October, 1868, Alexander W. Rea was murjoining counties.
dered on the road leading from Centralia to a colliery of which he was superintendent.
The object ostensibly was to rob him of some hundreds of dolThe murlars it was supposed he would have with him, as it was pay day.
derers secured but ten dollars from his person and made good their escape.
Ten years afterward, Hester, Tully and McHugh were tried and convicted as
They were hung at Bloomsburg, March 25, 1878.
accessories before the fact.
This murder begins a period in the history of Centralia which had its parThere was a virtual reign of terallel in every town in the anthracite region.
ror.
Sentence of death seemed to be pronounced against every miner- boss
who dared perform his duties and oppose the roughs. When the life of Alexander Rea, a man who had been identified with every project to benefit the
miners and improve the town, could be sacrificed to the hatred and cupidity of
designing villains, all security of life and property seemed to have disappeared.
Many of the leading citizens fled. It was not safe to be in the streets after
The outrages in Centralia
night-fall, and hardly safer to remain indoors.
reached a culminating point in 1874, when Michael Lanathan was shot in the
streets, and Thomas Dougherty was murdered on his way to work.
These
tragedies occurred within a month of each other; both were shrouded in
mystery, but every circumstance pointed with moral certainty to the "MaWith the disclosures of Mcguires " as the conspirators and perpetrators.
Farland, the reign of law was once more established and Centralia shared in
the feeling of security which soon became general throughout the whole region.
Another phase of the lawlessness of the period was the frequent occurrence of
incendiary fires.
In March, 1872, a destructive fire consumed four blocks on
the east side of Locust avenue.
In the same year a half-square between Centre
Raili-oad streets was reduced to ashes. Januaiy 12, 1873, a whole square on
the west side of Locust was burned, leaving only three houses on that side of
the street.
In the four succeeding years, several business houses and private
residences were burned, all of which with one exception were believed to be the
work

of incendiaries.

Centralia has entered upon its period of greatest prosperity within the last
few years. The discovery and development of rich veins of coal in the immediate vicinity give promise of labor for hundreds of men for years to come.
It Comprises a population of about threa-thousand; a number of well established
biisiness houses, distributing every commodity within the circle of the needs of
any community; five congregations of evangelical christians, with an equal
number of places of worship; a large and substantial school-building; and a
number of benevolent and co-operative associations. The religious and social
development of the people has made great advances in the past few years, and

may be examined

in detail.

into Centralia in January of 1803, and was
therefore the first denomination represented in the town. Morris Lewis was appointed leader of a class of eight by Reverend W. M. Showalter, who was then
pastor at Ashland.
Two years later Reverend N. W. Guire, from the same
place, organized the Methodist Episcopal appointment of Centralia, formed a
In April of the same year
class, and appointed William M. Hoagland, leader.
the appointment was connected with the Mt. Carmel circuit of the East Baltimore Conference. Reverend J. M. Mullen was in charge the three succeeding
years.
During the summer of 1806 the church edifice was begun by John
James and Joseph Steel. Assisted by others favorable to the cause, they excavated the foundation without the expenditure of a single dollar. The cornerIn Febstone was laid in the autumn of 1866, by Reverend W. A. Stephens.

Methodism was introduced

CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP.

315

ruary of the following year, the basement was completed and dedicated by RevDaring the pastorate of Reverend J. A. Dixon, the SunJ. B. Riddell.
In March, 1869, Centralia station was established
day-school was organized.
by the annual conference and C. D. McWilliams, S. R. Nankervis and A. C.
In 1871 the andience room was
"Crosthwait successively appointed pastors.

erend

dedicated.
Several

other appointments were annexed to Centralia about this time.
Reverends H. B. Fortner and Samuel Barnes served as pastors until 1873,
when Centralia again became a station with Reverend A. H. Mensch as pastor.
Being unable to sustain itself, the annual conference of 1874 again connected
Reverends G. W. Lamed, N. S. Buckingham, G.
it with its former circuit.
W. Marshall, T. H. Tubbs, J. P. Benford, R. L. Armstrong and J. S. Buckley
have been pastors since then. In 1883 it again became a station, and since then
has increased in membership sufficiently to warrant the erection of a new churchbuilding.

The next denominations to make their appearance were the Presbyterian
and Protestant Episcopal. The former was organized July 31, 1867, by RevReverend L. L. Haughawant became first pastor and
•erend S. W. Reighart.
A church building was
ministered to a congregation of eighteen members.
It is an attractive, substantial
erected at a cost of three -thousand dollars.
Reverend J. H. Fleming became passtructure, and has a pleasant location.
tor in 1871, and in 1874 Reverend J. Caldwell, who was succeeded in 1883 by
Reverend J. F. Stewart, the present pastor. The Protestant Episcopal church
•edifice was erected in 1867 at a cost of four-thousand dollars, contributed
largely by Robert Gorrell and J. M. Freck. Bishop Stephens, of the diocese of

Reverend M. Washburn was the first rector; he
Harrisburg, consecrated it.
His
resigned in 1870, when Reverend Charles E. D. Griffith took charge.
successors have been Reverends Robert H. Kline and D. Howard, the present
incumbent.
The parish of St. Ignatius' Catholic church, Centralia, is in the diocese of
Harrisburg.
Right Reverend J. F. Shanahan selected the Very Reverend
Before the erection of the see of Harrisburg
D. J. McDermott to organize it.
the Catholic population of Centralia formed part of St. Joseph' s congregation at
Ashland. Previous to Father McDermott' s advent no public service had been held
He arrived in the place April 12, 1869, and the
in the town by a Catholic priest.
following Sabbath celebrated two masses in a school -house which has since
been abandoned as unsafe because it stood on the verge of a " cave- in.
The
congregation was organized but there was no ecclesiastical property of any kind
belonging to the Catholics of Centralia, and there was no money, for the miners had been on an eight months' strike and had not yet resumed work.
The first property was acquired by the donation of four lots from the Locust
Mountain Coal and Iron Company. The corner-stone of the church building
was laid by Bishop Shanahan July 18, 1869. It was completed the following
November. Father McDermott completed the pastoral residence in the next
year.
The church edifice, rectory and cemetery cost twenty-two thousand dollars.
In 1872 the number of souls in the congregation numbered fifteen hundred.
In that year Reverend Edward T. Fields became pastor; he remained in
charge until his death in 1884, when he in turn was succeeded by Reverend
James I. Russell, the present pastor. He is assisted in the work of the parish
by Reverend J. A. O' Brien. During the twelve years of Father Field' s pastorate his assistants were Fathers Davis, McShane, Kenney, McKenna and Barr.
The Baptist denomination has secui'ed a representation. In April, 1886,
Reverend B. B. Henchy, of Girardville, organized a congregation of twelve
'

'

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

316
members.

A

church building will be completed in course of a short time.
spirit, and will no doubt have a

The new organization has shown an aggressive

prosperous and useful career.
The secret societies represented in Centralia are the Odd-Fellows, Patriotic
Order Sons of America, Miners' and Laborers' Amalgamated Association and
Knights of Labor. Centralia lodge, I. O. O. F. No. 586, was chartered
September 22, 1866, but this charter was burned, and another issued NovemA new hall is in course of erection on Centre street, above Lober 25, 1872.
It will have two floors, one
Its estimated cost is four thousand dollars.
cust.
of which will be furnished for public entertainments, thus meeting a long-felt
want. The present membership is seventy-one. The officers are James Thomas,
James Thompson, C. B. Spurr and Seth Thomas.
Camp No. 106, Patriotic Order Sons of America, was organized in 1866
with thirty-six members. Its first officers were J, P. Hoagland, president; C.
It was reorganized in 1872,
G. Freck, secretary, and J. F. Scott, treasurer.
and rechartered February 17, 1883, with twenty-four members. This membership has since increased to sixty.
District 16, of the Miners' and Laborers' Amalgamated Association, was organized February 15, 1885, with one-hundred and seventy-five members. The
district comprises four branches, and has a membership of about eight-hunAssembly 4641, Knights of Labor, was formed December 13 of the
dred.
same year. April 17, 1886, Assembly 6364 was organized. These two have a
combined strength of two hundred and forty members.
The central location of Centralia in the coal-field of the township has
caused more than half of its population to collect within the borough limits or
on the land adjoining, thus preventing the growth of other towns in the vicinSeveral small villages have, however, gathered around the collieries at a
ity.
Montana, Germantown and Locustdale were built in
distance from Centralia.
the years immediately following the opening of the coal-mines; but, for the
reason just given, never approached in point of size their older neighbor, Cen,

tralia.

The village of Locustdale is situated in the adjoining counties of Schuyland Northumberland, as well as Columbia. The first buildings were erected
in 1856 by George C. Potts and Company, the proprietors of the colliery still
known by the name of its projector. The following year this colliery was first
The growth of the
operated, and in 1858 the shipment of coal was begun.
village was energetically forwarded by J. L. Beadle, the first manager of the
kill

Mrs,
A. S. Morehead, of Pottsville, in 1859 opened the first store.
The first hotel, however, was built in
the next merchant.
1840 by Jacob Brisel before any prospect of a village was apparent.
J. S. Beadle and William Rearsbeck invented a device for the ventilation:
of coal-mines, first adopted by the Potts colliery in 1860, but now extensively
colliery.

Mary Young was

used.

Montana was laid out in 1865 by Samuel Seidy. The Reno
opened by Morris Robison and Company, gave employment ta
many laborers, and the town rapidly expanded to its present proportions. The
Red tavern, a great place of social concourse during the old stage days, has
The United Brethnot outlived its usefulness, but is still fairly patronized.
ren church, organized in 1871 by Reverend J. G. Fritz of Mt. Carmel, Northumberland county, meets in the school-house. The membership has increased

The

village of

colliery, just

to thirty-two.

A new

church-building is

An enumeration
out mention of

'
'

now

in course of erection.

of the villages of the township is manifestly incomplete withstraggling collection of dilapidated houses;
The Shanties. ' '

A

CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP.

317

appropriately bears this name; and
about a dozen houses, of more substantial appearance, however, at the opening
of an abandoned shaft of the same colliery have been known as Germantown,
from the fact of several of the first, families being Germans. The oldest of the
shanties was built on a Sunday in the summer of 1856, and the village of Germantown the following year. It now comprises about a dozen houses and a
school building, whose predecessor was one of the first built in Conyngham
township.
The first school-house, however, was situated above Montana, where the
road turns to descend into Bush valley. It was built about the year 1840, but
even then there was hardly population enough to warrant its erection.
The
work of education was here pursued under difficulties of which only the pedagogue of that early day can form an idea. Unlike the generality of schools,
then as now the attendance was discouragingly small.
To the teacher this
was a vital consideration, as his salary and the continuance of the school depended on the presence of a certain number of pupils. It is said that one of
the first teachers was constrained under these circumstances to sometimes carry
several small children to the school from their homes.
It is possible, however,
that even these difficulties would be an agreeable alternative if presented to
the teachers of the over-crowded schools which have grown from this small
beginning.
The school at Locustdale was opened in 1859, with John Wagner as first
teacher.
The year previous, the first school building at Centralia was erected.
It was subsequently engulfed in a " cave-in " of a coal mine. It was in this building that the Methodist, Catholic and Presbyterian churches were organized.
For ten years it was the only place for public gatherings in the town. The
commodious building which has succeeded it indicates a progressive and libat the site of the old Eepellier breakers

among the citizens.
Conyngham township is, in many

eral spirit

respects, unlike any other portion of ColGeographically, it is isolated.
Its people are compelled, in
order to reach the county seat, to make a circuitous journey of sixty miles by
rail, or resort to the less convenient modes of travel near akin to the stagecoaches of forty years ago.
Topographically, it is characterized by the Little and Locust mountains,
two parallel ranges. The crest of the former is a natural boundary between it
and the adjoining township of Locust; the southern slope of the latter extends
into Schuylkill county.
Between the two, and extending completely across the
township from east to west, is the Brush valley, a deep, dark ravine, whose
almost impenetrable thickets attest the propriety of the name.
The Brush valley run rises from a spring on the northern slope of Locust mountain; within
These
a mile of this, to the south, are the head waters of the Big Mine run.
streams are branches, respectively, of the Shamokin and Mahanoy creeks,
two of the most important tributaries of the Susquehanna river. Their respective basins are thus determined by Locust mountain.
In no other township of Columbia county is the surface so mountainous and rugged and utterly
unfit for agricultural purposes.
Nor has the mining of coal any where else

umbia county.

become an exclusive industry.
For this reason more than any other there is a marked difference in the
While the Quakers and Germans were
general character of the people.
bringing the valleys of Roaring and Fishing creeks under cultivation, the
new settlers hurried over the Locust and Little mountains, relieved when the
bold outline of the latter was behind them against the southern horizon. And
when, a half century

later,

the population that

first

developed the resources of

318

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

these mountains finally began to arrive, it differed in nationality from that
which had preceded it, and passed to the farming region beyond. The history of the people, their churches, schools and the towns they have built, is a
history of a rapid growth of population with the successive opening of the different collieries of the region.

T. C.

HARTER. M.

D.

Biographical 'Sketches,
CHAPTER

XXIII.

BLOOMSBURG.
CHARLES GILLESPIE BARKLEY, attorney at law, Bloomsburg. is a native of
that place, born January 30, 1839. When young he obtained an academic education,
then turned his attention to mechanics and learned the trade of a carriage-maker, serving
nearly three years of an apprenticeship with William Sloan & Son. When his term of
apprenticeship was nearly expired, while engaged in the work, he met with an accident
which for a time disabled him. He then returned to educational pursuits and prepared
for the work of teaching, in which he engaged in 1857. In May, 1863, he was elected county
superintendent of common schools, and in this office, being re-elected in 1866 and 1869,
served nine years. He was a member of the first and second town councils of the town
of Bloomsburg upon its organization in 1870. By appointment, from time to time, of the
superintendent of public instruction, he has been since May, 1874, and still is, a member
of the board of trustees of the State normal school of the Sixth District located at
Bloomsburg. He is a member of the F. & A. M. In the First Presbyterian Church of
Bloomsburg he has held for some years the position of elder, superintendent of the Sunday-school' and member of the board of trustees. In 1860 he entered upon the study of
law with Col. John G. Freeze, and was admitted to practice in September. 1863. Since
his retirement from the office of county superintendent, in 1872, he has given his entire
attention to his legal profession. He married, June 3, 1864. Margery A. Wilson, a daughter
of Samuel Bond Wilson and Margery (Strawbridge) Wilson, formerly of Washingtonville,
They have three children: Mary Garrison Barkley. Josephine
Montour Co.. Penn.
Redfield Barkley and Jennie Wilson Barklev. Mr. Barkley is a descendant of the early
His paternal ancestor,
settlers of this county and State, of Scotch and Irish ancestry.
Iddings Barkley, born at Churchtown, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1781, of Scotch parents, married in 1803 Mary Jackson, a Quakeress, a native of a neighborhood then
known as "The Forest," in Robeson Township, Berks Co., Penn. They (Iddings and
Mary) lived at Pottsville, Penn., about two years, and in 1806 moved to a house at the
•'Red Mill " in Hemlock Township, Columbia County, where the present mill house is
built; thence to a houfee where the farm house of James Barton, deceased, now is,
Montour Township, and from the latter place they moved to Bloomsburg. where he built
and lived in the house first erected on the lot now owned and occupied by I. W. Hartman.
Subsequently he became the owner of the lot at the northeast corner of Second and West
Streets, and for many years in a long story and a half frame house which stood on West
Street a few rods back from Second,"he lived and carried on the business of a cabinetmaker. Some years prior to his death he built the brick dwelling on the same lot now
owned and occupied by K. C. Ent. In this latter house his wife Mary died in 1854, and
he in 1857. Iddings Barkley was an active and prominent citizen of the early days
of the township and county, and held numerous positions of trust, both public
and private. His son. John J. Barklej-, the father of Charles G., married December 18,
To them six children
1838, Rachel McBride of Hemlock Township. Columbia County.
were born, Charles being the fifth. John J. Barkley died July 5, 1876, his wife Rachel
having died April 8. precedinc:, both having lived useful and active lives in much esteem
illin the county.
The maternal grandfather and grandmother of Charles G. Barkley,
iam and Mercy McBride of Irish ancestry, soon after 1800 settled upon a large tract of
land, of wliich he was owner, in Hemlock Township, part of which, where the old buildings formerly stood, is now owned and occupied by Hugh D. McBride, one of their children. William McBride was active and proiuinent in public and private life, but died a

m

W

^

comparatively young man, his widow surviviua: him

to old age.

322

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

BARTON FAMILY.
from England

to

Thomas Barton was one

America early

who emigrated
He settled in Virginia, his
England to Hannah Clark, a daughter
of three brothers

in the eighteenth century.

brothers in Connecticut. Thomas was married in
of Daniel Clark, and he had ten children: Daniel, Elisha, Theophilus, Roger, Undrel,
Thomas, Clark. Amelia, Sarah and Isabella. Amelia was the wife of Abraham McMurtrie
and was the only daughter who married; she lived in New Jersey and became the mother
of a large family, some of whose descendants are now living in Columbia County. Elisha
was born in Virginia June 21, 1743; immigrated to Pennsylvania; in 1766 married Mary
Simonton in Northampton County, who died leaving one son, Thomas. His second marriage occurred July 10, 1771, with Anna McCarty, who was born in New Jersey March
20, 1754. Her father came from Ireland, and her mother, Mary Paine, was a native of New
Jersey.
Elisha after his second marriage moved from Northampton County to Northumberland County, and from the latter to Columbia County about 1781, and located in the
neighborhood of what is now Bloomsburg. He was a justice of the peace here and a
farmer, and built what is known as the " Red Mill," and furnished the lumber gratis for
He died September 12, 1816, and his widow
the first Episcopal Church in Bloomsburg.
January 11, 1828, and both are buried in the Episcopal churchyard. Their children were
as follows: Mary, born December 16, 1772, married in November, 1795, to John Boone,
and died November 2, 1796, of hydrophobia; Amelia, born October 2, 1774, died September 15, 1796; Elisha, born September 21, 1777, married March 22, 1806. to Rachel Miller,
died August 26, 1815; Isaiah, born June 21, 1780, married March 1, 1810, to Mary Thornton, and died April 6, 1842; Hannah, born May 25, 1783, married in January, 1801, to James
Boone, died July 6, 1859, in Geneseo, 111.; John, born May 10, 1785, married February 15,
1816, to Mary C. Kreider, and died May 23, 1856; Anna, born January 6, 1788. married
December 13, 1821, to Abraham Klotz, died January 30, 1864; Sarah, born May 22. 1790,
died September 12, 1796; Caleb, born November 26, 1792: married in 1823; Mary
Craig, died December 30, 1863; an infant (deceased); Cyrus, born Maj' 3, 1796, married in
December, 1826, to Catherine Brewer, and died March 8, 1862; Betsev, born January 30,
1799, married January 30. 1816, to William Robison, died June 9. 187f.
CALEB BARTON, Bloomsburg. was born August 30, 1812, a son of Isaiah and Mary
(Thornton) Barton, and a grandson of Elisha and Anna (McCarty) Barton. He was reared
on the farm of his father, and in February, 1836, married Sarah, daughter of Peter Rupert, and by this union there were six children: Evelina B., born February 6, 1837, married to Dr. McReynolds; Mary (deceased); Thomas J., born September 28, 1841, married
to Henrietta Guild; Catherine B., born March 10, 1842, married to Alfred Ale (reside in
Warsaw, Ind.); Emma B., born May 24, 1844, married to John Moore (is now a widow
and resides in Indiana); Anna B., born September 27, 1846, married to Thomas Webb, of
Bloomsburg. The mother of this familj' died in September, 1854, and the father married,
in February, 1862, Delilah Creveling, and he and wife now reside at Bloomsburg.
Mr.
Barton has followed agricultural pursuits all his life., and still owns a farm one mile from
town, on the main road to Catawissa. where he erected a house in 1856, and resided until
The old "white grist mill," owned by his father, is
his coming to Bloomsburg in 1875.
When Elisha Barstill the property of his descendants, our subject yet owning a share.
ton, the grandfather, first came to the county, he located on the present site of the red
mill, which he built, and lived in his wagon until his cabin was erected.
Mr. Barton is a
member of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican. The parents of Mrs.
Barton, John and Charity (Moore) Creveling, were born, respectively, March 10, 1772,
and December 1, 1773. The former was probably a native of this county, his ancestors
coming from New Jersey and settling near Esp}', this county, at an early date. Mr. and
Mrs. Creveling had ten children: Martha, born February 1, 1790, married to John Mellick, died December 2, 1853; Margaret, born December 17, 1801, married to Dr. Herman
Gearhart; Jonathan, born June 26, 1803, died in 1807; Andrew, born January 22, 1806,
married to Ann Henry; Moore, born May 5, 1808, married to Mary Fowler, died December 13. 1881; John, born October 22, 1810, married to Sophia Roseberry; Jared, born
January 24, 1813, died March 4, 1826; Delilah, born November 4, 1814, married to Caleb
Barton; Nelson, born February 14, 18
married to Phebe Eck. Mr. and Mrs. Creveling
died, respectively, August 27, 1827, and July 12, 1858, and are buried in Afton Cemetery
near Espy, this county, formerly known as the Creveling burying-ground.
MRS. MELVINA BARTON, a daughter of Daniel Snyder, and widow of Elisha C.
Barton, was born July 1, 1818, in Bloomsburg. Elisha C. Barton was born in 1816 and
was for several years a merchant with Leonard Rupert at Bloomsburg. He owned and
operated a furnace at Paxinos, in Northumberland County, for six years, and later, while
living at Lewisburg, owned and operated a furnace at Dry Valley.
He died at Mt.
Carmel, Penn., in 1878, leaving two children: Mary A., married to Jefferson M. John, of
Shamokin, who died in 1877. He was a coal operator; read law at Sunburj', was admitted to the bar of that city, and practiced at Mt. Carmel. His two children are Helen and
Barton. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Barton is Matilda, who married Sanderson
Lazarus. Elisha Barton was a stanch Republican, and himself and family early identified themselves with the Episcopal Church.

—

,

323

BLOOMSBURG.
D. A.

BECKLEY,

superintendent of public schools,

Bloomsburg,

is

a native of

Union County, Penn., born December 25, 1833, a sou of Benjamin and
Barbara (Stees) Beckley, the former of whom was long a merchant at Mifflinburg.
Our subject obtained his early education in the academy of his native place, where he
also prepared for college, and at the age of twenty or twenty-one years, became a
student at Dickinson College. He graduated from that institution in 1859, delivering the
German oration on that occasion. The same year he became principal of the Bloomsburg
schools, holding the position for six years, and in 1865 was appointed by President Lincoln (two days before his assassination) postmaster at Bloomsburg, and was removed in October. 1866. "May 1, 1869, he was re-appointed by Gen. Grant, and held the office until removed by President Cleveland in June, 1885. He held the chairmanship of the Republican County Central Committee for Columbia County for ten years; was delegate to the
noted conference nominating Grant for a second term, and also to the National ConvenHe was appointed by Gov. Hoyt in 1879
tion at Cincinnati, which nominated Hayes.
chairman of the commission locating and building the Miners' Hospital near Ashland,
this State.
This was entirely an honorary position, and for three years occupied in its
construction Mr. Beckley devoted a great part of his time. He is a Knight Templar; a
member of the Royal Arcanum, Council No. 957, and is now Past Regent of the order at
Bloomsburg. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-three
years, and has served the church as Sunday-school superintendent for ten years, as well as
Mr. Beckley was elected in 1885 superintendent of schools and
in other official positions.
Mifflinburg,

re-elected in 1886.
He has been twice married; first in 1860, to Miss Amanda Devling of
Clinton County, Penn., who died in 1870, leaving two children, William and Annie. In
August, 1873, Mr. Beckley married Ella Johnson, who has borne him one child, Jennie.
In September, 1862, Mr. Beckley volunteered in the emergency service and served for
about one month. His regiment was then ordered to Hagerstown, Md., arriving there
while the battle of Antietam was in progress, but the emergency passing, it was discharged and returned home. In March, 1871, Mr. Beckley bought "the office of the RepubHe
lican, and two years later sold out, but retained his position as editor for ten years.
is a member of the board of trustees of the State normal school, having served as such
for twelve years, and has always been active in his efforts to sustain and promote the

best interests of that institution.

LOUIS BERNHARD, watchmaker and
When he was a year old
in 1839.

jeweler, Bloomsburg. was born in Bavaria,
his parents immigrated to America, settling
Here our subject
in New York City, and a few years later in Wilkesbarre, Penn.
passed his youth and early manhood, meanwhile obtaining a good education in the
Wilkesbarre schools. Whenj seventeen years of age he began an apprenticeship at the
watchmaking trade with John F. Jordan of that place, under whose instruction he remained several years, and in 1858 located at Bloomsburg, where he established the watchmaker's and jeweler's business, which he still continues. He exhibited at the county fair
This, within 1859 a chronometer watch, all the parts of which were made by himself.
out doubt, was the first watch ever made in Columbia County, and since then he has
all of
apprentices,
made many. During his residence in Bloomsburg he has had eleven
w^hom served their time and subsequently made a success of their vocation. Mr. Bernhard
is also an architect, and has furnished plans for many buildings, among them the LowenCadman block, the Episcopal parsonage and his residence on Fifth Street. Even
berg
the iron fence surrounding his well kept and ornamental grounds was cast from designs
drawn and furnished by him. In his house many evidences of his mechanical skill and
artistic talent meet the eye, as he is also an artist in oil painting and a carver in marble
and wood. Among the articles of the latter class may be mentioned a most elaborately
finished case of black walnut, an astronomical clock of most intricate and perfect workmanship, which runs for two months after one winding, and valued at upward of $500;
an elegant inlaid box for his drawing instruments; a large black walnut looking-glass
framed elaborately carved, reaching from floor to ceiling; a center table, and many other
handsome articles. His walls are hung with several oil paintings executed by himself,
several landscapes representing some of the choicest scenery in the vicinity of Bloomsburg, also several copies of famous paintings, among them " Shakespeare and his Friends."
of these paintings are well executed and denote a high order of artistic skill. He has
Mr.
also executed oil portraits of himself and wife and other members of his family.
Bernhard has been a resident of Bloomsburg for nearly thirty years; is progressive and
He married in
public-spirited, and has served his vicinity as a member of the council.
April, 1862. Anna J. Townsend, who has borne him six children: Annie J., Ida, Laura
Mr. and Mrs. Barnhard are members of the
E., Louis F., Carl G. and Lillian Mabel.
Episcopal Church. He made a study of civil engineering at Wilkesbarre Academy, and
completed his studies in New York City.
W. BERTSCH, merchant tailor, Bloomsburg, is a native of Mauch Chunk,
Carbon Co., Penn., and a son of Daniel G. Bertsch. a merchant tailor of that place. He
began to learn the trade of cutter and tailor with his father, and remained with him until
He carries a full line of gents' fine furnishing
1883, when he located at Bloomsburg.

Germany,

&

AH

GEORGE

324

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

goods of every description. In clothing bis business is all order work; is now in its
ifourth year in town, and has gradually increased until he now does one of the best trades
He was married, in October, 1884, to Miss Fleckenstine. Mr.
in his line in the place.
Bertsch is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., Council No. 957, R. A.
He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr.' Bertsch is an enterprising
young business man of Bloomsburg, a thorough master of his business in all its branches,
and makes a specialty of fine suits to order. For this class of work his long training under his father as a fashionable and scientific cutter makes him specially adapted, insuring
the latest fashions and best fitting garments to his customers. In politics he is a straight
Republican.
FRANKLIN PIERCE BILLMEYER, Bloomsburg, district attorney of Columbia
County, is a native of this county, boru December 31, 1853, son of Peter Billmeyer, who
was sheriff at the time, residing in the old jail. The subject of this sketch obtained his
early education at the schools of Bloomsburg and Bloomsburg Literary Institute, where
he completed his preparatory studies for college. He entered Lafayette College in the
second term (the Freshman class), in January, 1870, and was graduated from there in
June, 1873. He was a member of the " Theta Delta Chi " fraternity, a popular student,
a proficient in athletic exercises, class orator on public occasions, and was class historian
and orator on graduating. After his graduation Mr. Billmeyer read law in the office of
E. R. Skiler, was admitted to the bar in 1875, and the following spring began the practice
of law at Bloomsburg. He has taken an interest in the politics of the county and State,
and in September, 1877, was elected a member of and secretary of the board of trustees of
the State normal school, and still serves in that capacity, the balance of the board being
composed of men of fifty years of age and upward. In the spring of 1877 he was elected
town treasurer, an office lie filled two years. In 1879 he took a prominent part in organizing the water-works, and in July was elected secretary of the citizens' meeting called toIn August a permanent organization was effectdiscuss the feasibility of the enterprise.
ed, of which he was elected secretary, an ofiice he has continued to fill, and since 1881 he
In
1881
he
was
again
elected town treasurer for one year; in 1882 was
has been treasurer.
elected a director of the Rosemont Cemetery Company, and still fills the position; in 1884,
for the third time, he was elected town treasurer; in June, 1885, he was one of the organizers of the School Furniture Company, was elected secretary, and as such is still serving.
In September, 1885, Mr. Billmeyer was appointed district attorney by the court to fill a
vacancy, and in November was elected to the office, being the present incumbent. He was
also one of the organizers, in 1886, of the board of trade, and was elected its secretary..
He was also one of the proprietors of and is now a stockholder in the Oak Grove AssoMr. Billmeyer was married in December, 1879, to Anna D. Snyder, youngest
ciation.
daughter of Wm. Snyder, an old and prominent citizen and business man of Bloomsburg. They have one child, Helen May.

JOHN K. BITTENBENDER, of the firm of Elwell & Bittenbender, proprietors of
" The Columbian." Bloomsburg. was born in Centre Township, this county, June 4, 1854,
a son of Conrad and Lovina(Knorr) Bittenbender, the latter of whom died October 14, 1875.
They were the parents of three sons and one daughter. The father was a farmer, but
moved to Bloomsburg in 1869, where he carried on aplauing-mill and lumber business, and
He was treasurer
for many years was one of the most substantial men of this place.
of the Bloomsburg Lumber Company, and had charge of its financial affairs during its existtwo
but
years
old
his
moved
subject
was
parents
to
Bloomsburg
our
where he
ence. When
was reared. Up to 1870 he attended the schools of the borough, and graduated at the normal
school in 1874. In 1870 he began to learn the traile of printer, and after graduating taught
school for one year. In 1875 he opened a job printing office in Bloomsburg, which he conducted for three years; then sold out and became interested in a planingmill about a year.
In 1878-79 he accepted the position of foreman in the office of The Columbian, and held it
Our subuntil October 1, 1879, when he became one of the proprietors of the paper.
ject married, January 19, 1881, Alvaretta, a daughter of I. S. Kuhn, and they have one son
Claude K. The family attend the services of the Lutheran Church.
SAMUEL VASTINE BOONE, farmer, P. O. Bloomsburgh, was born November 5, 1828.
in the old homestead in Bloom, whrre he has always resided. The first of his ancestors to
settle in this county was Samuel Boone, who was born in Exeter Township, seven miles
below Reading, and came to this township about 120 years ago. He took up nearly 400
He
acres, 123 of which being where our subject now resides, a part of the old homestead.
was a member of the society of Friends and a man highly respected. He and his wife,
whose maiden name was Eleanor Hughes, are buried in the Friends' burying-ground at Catawissa. Their son, Samuel, was the father of our subject, and was born September 3,
He married August 18, 1813, Mary Vastine, a native of Rush
1786, in Bloom Township.
SubTownship, Northumberland Co.. Penn., and a daugliter of Benjamin Vastine.
He learned the blacksmith's
ject's father inherited the farm and always resided there.
trade though he was principally engaged in farming. He attended the Friends' meetings.
He and wife had five children, four of whom lived to be married: Elizabeth, born July 3,
1815, became the wife of David Clark, and is now deceased; Anna, born December 19,

—

BLOOMSBURG.

325.

was the wife of Andrew Clark and is now deceased; Benton, died aged twenty-three
was born December 31, 1816; James, born March 5, 1821, married Anna Ohman
and died aged forty nine, and Samuel V., our subject. The mother of this family died in
Our
1835, and later the father married a Mrs. Slirock, by which union there was no issue.
subject's father died October 9, 1863, and is buried by the side of his wife in the Friends'
burying-ground at Catawissa. Samuel V. inherited the liomestead after the death of his
father and there he yet resides. He married, October 23, 1856, Nancy, daughter of Gideon and Anna (Dodson) Post, and they had five children,four sons and one daughter Rosa
Eleanor, who died in childhood. Of the sons, Samuel D. is the eldest, Josiah B. is the
second. John S. is the third and Frank W. the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Boone are both
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JEREMIAH JOHN BROWER, merchant, Bloomsburg, was born in the village of
BrowerTown, Union Township, Berks Co., Penn., April 10, 1821, asonof John Brower, and
from him the village took its name. John Brower was the patentee of a grain scoop that had
a very extensive sale, also of door locks and many other manufactured articles that were
universally used. He was a native of Berks County. Penn., and a son of Abram Brower.
The father of our subject was of German, the mother of Quaker descent. John and Frances (Millard) Brower had two children: Jeremiah John, and Matilda, who married Richard
H. Jones, now a widow and resides at BrowerTown. Our subject was educated in the
common schools and when seventeen taught school, which profession he followed eight
years. He came to this county in 1839, where he resided until 1843; then for twoyeara
kept a boarding-school at Brower Town. In 1846 he came to Catawissa, this county; from
1848 to 1850 he resided in Mifflinville, and in the latter year opened a general store in Bloomsburg, which he conducted nineteen years. He was elected in 1870 justice of the peace, and
1818,

years; he

—

served ten years. He has also served as school director and has taken an active part in
forming four building and loan associations, and is now treasurer and secretary of the
Mutual Building and Savings Fund Association, of Bloomsburg. The first which became a success was organized October 19, 1867, and terminated in June, 1877, Mr. Brower
being its president. Our subject was married in 1841 to Eliza, daughter of Dr. Eleazer
Broth well, of Mifflinville. They have four children: Eleazer B. Brower, Frances J., wife
of James K. Brugler, now of Butler, Bates Co., Mo.; Ada Eveline, wife of L. S. Wintersteen; Mary Eliza, wife of J. H. Lingle, of Belief onte, Penn.
Mr. Brower established
erected the building ocin 1881 his present business, trading in carpets, oil cloths, etc.
cupied by him in 1868 at a cost of $25,000 and has occupied it since 1869.
editor and proprietor of the Columbia County Republican, BloomsJ. C.
burg, is a native of Mifflinville. Columbia Co., Penn., born April 29, 1848, a son of
William N. and Loretta (Yonker) Brown. He was reared to the life of a farmer until about
sixteen years of age, attending the schools of his township and a seminary at his native
place. At the above age he became a student in Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, from
which he graduated in the classical course in 1868, with the highest honors of his class.
That year he accepted a position as teacher in the Bloomsburg Literary Institute, which
subsequently was merged into the State normal school, and where he remained until
January, 1872, serving the last year as principal. He then engaged in civil engineering
and was on the original survey for the North
West Branch Railroad, of which he was
director six or eight years, and is still connected with the profession of engineering. August
1, 1875, he bought the office, presses and other material from E. M. Wardin, of the Republican, and has since conducted that paper.
It is an eight-column quarto, and has a circulation of upward of 1,200; is Republican in politics as its name indicates. Mr. Brown is
now a member of the board of directors for the proposed New York, Bloomsburg Western
Railroad; has served the town as member of the school board nine years; is a member
of the Methodist Church, and has been for several years a member of the board of trustees;
is treasurer of the Columbia County Agricultural Society; is one of the managers of the
school furnishing company; a director of the steam heating company. In 1884 he was
elected and served as a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago.
Mr.
Brown's ancestors were of Scotch descent, immigrated to America in the early part of
the eighteenth century and settled on Long Island, afterward moving to Warren County,
N. J. His great-great-grandfather, James Brown, was born November 12, 1718. His children were John Brown, born June 25, 1746; James.. Martha, Sarah, Daniel and Charity.
John Brown was a blacksmith by trade and served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution.
His first wife, Mary (Brugler) Brown, died in Warren County, N. J., October 3,
1793.
He married for his second wife Mrs. Margaret Haines, October 21, 1794, and removed to Columbia County, Penn. He and his family settled about one mile south of
Mifflinville in 1795, where he bought a mile square and resided until his death, September
He had five children, all by his first marriage: James; Samuel, born April 2,
24, 1819.
1778, married Dorothy Nice, died October 12, 1823; Mary, who married Joseph Otto and
moved to McKean County, Penn., where she died; Elizabeth, who married George Hess
and moved to Benton Township, this county, where she died; Sarah married Henry Bowman and lived and died in Mifflin Township, this county. Samuel, above mentioned, was
the grandfather of Mr. J. C. Brown, and at his father's death inherited the homestead.
;

BROWN,

&

&

326

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

He was the father of the following named children: John; Margaret, who married Samuel
Creasy; Sarah, married to George A. Bowman; William N.. born February 15, 1807, the
father of Mr. J. C. Brown; Matthew; Elizabeth, widow of Alexander Thompson of Berwick, Penn.; James, who died when a young man; George B. and Elisha B. The old
homestead of 130 acres is still owned by the Brown heirs, and has been in the family name
The early Browns and their descendants were members of the
for ninety-three years.
Methodist Church, and were among the principal founders of the early Methodist congregation at Mifflinville. Only one of the fourth generation still resides at Miffiinville, Margaret Creasy; two more of that generation are living: George B., in Danville and Elizabeth Thompson in Berwick. William N. Brown (father of J. C.) was twice married, and
by his first wife, Nancy Freas, live children were born: George, Albert, John F., Almira
and Dorcas. His first wife died in 1846, and in 1847 he married Loretta Yonker, who bore
him two sons and three daughters: James C. (whose name heads this sketch), Martha,
Samuel C, Melissa J. and Victoria. Mr. Brown died September 17, 1876. and is buried in
He had retired from farming in 1870 and l)uilt a house in
the family lot near Mifflinville.
Mifflinville, where he died and where his widow still resides.
PETER BRUGLER, capitalist, of Bloomsburg, was born in Hemlock Township, this
county, October 7, 1824, a son of John and Mary A. (Kinney) Brugler, and grandson of
Peter Brugler, who came to this county, and settled at Limestone about 1790. He
subsequently moved to Jerseytown, and thence to Hemlock Township, where he purchased 200 acres of land, on which he erected buildings and where he died, aged about
ninety-four years. His wife also died there aged about seventy years, and both are buried
He was of Dutch and his wife of Enin the Columbia graveyard. Hemlock Township.
glish descent. John Brugler, the father of our subject, was born in this county, married
Mary A. Kinney, a native of New Jersey. John was a farmer all his life and lived on
and owned the homestead, to which he added until it consisted of 360 acres. He was a
member of the Presbyterian Church and an elder for many years. During the latter
years of his life he resided at Bloomsburg, where he died, aged about sixty years. His
wife died aged about fifty-nine years, and both are buried in Roseraont Cemetery. Our
subject lived on the old homestead which was owned by himself and his brother,
Elisha, until 1872, when he moved with his family to Bloomsburg, where he resided in a
commodious residence on Third Street, engaged in the care of his estate and the loaning of
money. He is a member of the Methodist Chiu-ch, and has officiated as church steward
He married, July 16, 1862, Sue Billig, who was born February 18,
for several years.
They have had five children:
1842, a daughter of Daniel and Martha (Talbert) Billig.
Anna May, Lizzie J. (deceased), John (deceased), Elmer and Martha.
DANIEL BRYFOGLE, farmer, P. O. Bloomsburg, was born in Nescopeck Township,
Luzerne Co., Penn., July 5, 1833, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Keen) Bryfogle, the
former a son of Daniel, a native of Berks County. Daniel's father came from Germany.
Jacob was a farmer in Luzerne County and owned 125 acres of land, where our subject
was reared. October, 1854, Daniel Bryfogle married Emma Jane Gould, and they began
keeping house the same year on ninety-three acres, owned by his father-in-law, in Salem
Township. There they lived for eighteen years, and in 1873 they moved to this county and
settled on 105 acres in Bloomsburg (now one of the finest improved and most productive
farms in the county, the result of Mr. Bryfogle's labor and industry). He is a Republican,
and, with his wife and family, a member of the Christian Church. They have had seven
children: Sarah E., born in 1855, died in 18(32; Jacob J., born in 1858, died in October,
1862; Winthrope, born in 1863; Ellanora Viola and Ellen Estella (twins), born August 13,
1866 (EUea died at the age of one year); Stanley Grant, born August 4, 1869; Philip F.,
born September 25, 1874, died April 2, 1876. Mrs. Emma J. (Gould) Bryfogle was born
November 18, 1832, and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Davenport) Gould, the former
a native of Plymouth and the latter of Ithaca, N. Y. The Goulds were among the earliest
The graudmotlier of Mrs. Bryfogle was a Lamareau, and married
settlers of Plymouth.
a Davenport. During the Indian wars, while her husband was with the army, she vras
left alone at Plymouth, and in order to. escape from the Indians took a boat and, with
her children and goods, rowed tiie whole distance to Port Deposit, where she arrived
safely.
Mrs. Bryfogle's father, John Gould, died September 27, 1883, and is buried in
Beech Grove graveyard, Salem Township, Luzerne Count.y. His widow now resides with
our subject. On their farm in Bloomsburg, Mr. Gould donated land for the Christian
Church. This farm of ninety-three acres was willed to Mrs. Bryfogle by her father, but
On her mother's side she is of French
later she sold it to a brother, who now owns it.
and German descent, while the Davenports were among the earliest settlers of this country.
Ziba Davenport, her grandfather, built and owned the first hotel in Plymouth, and
was the first to freight coal down the river to Port Deposit. He was also a colonel in the
The father of Ziba, named Stephen, owned
militia and was highly honored and respected.
a large portion of the land where Ithaca now stands.
was born in Fishingcreek Township, Columbia Co.,
CHARLES R.
Penn., December 28, 1821. He received an academic education, taught school, was clerk
in a store, studied law and was admitted to the bar of Columbia County, August, 1848.

BUCKALEW

BLOOMSBURG.

He

327

Bloomsburg December, 1844, was appointed prosecuting attorney for ColumCounty and served from 1845 to 1847, when he resigned. He was elected to the State
Senate in 1850 from the counties of Columbia, Luzerne and Montour, and re-elected from
the same district in 1853. In 1854 he was commissioner to exchange the ratifications of
a treaty with Paraguay, serving as such in the summer and fall of that year between
sessions of the Legislature. Mr. Buckalew was chosen presidential elector in 1856 at the
head of the Democratic electoral ticket for the Slate; was chairman of the Democratic
State Committee in 1857 when Packer was elected governor, and was again the same year
elected to the State Senate from the district composed of the counties of Columbia, MonThe following winter he was appointed one of the
tour, Northumberland and Snyder.
commissioners to revise the penal code of the State, which position and the office of senator he resigned in 1858, upon being appointed minister resident of the United States to
the Republic of Ecuador. Under that appointment he resided with his family at the city
of Quito for three years — 1858 to 1861. January 13, 1868, our subject was elected by the
Legislature of Pennsylvania United States senator by a majority of one vote, and served
as such for six years or until March 4, 1869.
In the fall of 1869 he was elected to the State
Senate for the fourth time from the district composed of the counties of Columbia, Montour,
Northumberland and Sullivan. In 1872 he was the Democratic candidate for governor of
Pennsylvania, but was defeated upon the popular vote. Served in the Constitutional Convention of 1873, and took a leading part in framing the present Constitution of Pennsylvania.
In 1876, his name headed the Democratic State electoral ticket. May 3, 1886, he was elected
president of the Bloomsburg and Sullivan Railroad Company. In November. 1876, he
was elected Representative in Congress from the district composed of the counties of
Columbia, Montour, Carbon, Monroe and Pike, and parts of the counties of Lackawanna
and Luzerne. In 1872 Mr. Buckalew published a volume upon " Proportional Representation," edited by Col. Freeze; in 1877 he contributed an article upon the same subject to
Johnson's Cyclopa?dia, and in 1883 gave to the public an elaborate work upon the Consettled at

bia

stitution of Pennsylvania.
liveryman, Bloomsburg, was born in Cambria, Luzerne County,
R. C.
Penn., July 9, 1836, a son of John and Rachel (Creveling) Buckalew. He was reared on
a farm, where he remained with his father until 1862.
In the spring of that year he
enlisted in Company F, Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and participated
in many engagements; was through the Seven Days' fight, second Bull Run, Harper's
Ferry and through Virginia, where he served on detached duty, taking part in several
engagements and skirmishes; was at the battle of South Mountain and Antietam. He
was mustered out at Philadelphia in the spring of 1865, having served just three years
and three days. Returning home he remained there until 1871, when he went to
York City where he was engaged by Dufais
Walter, cotton brokers, one of the most
prominent firms in that business in
York. There he acted as shipping clerk and
cotton sampler, for which oflEice he was licensed by the
York Cotton Exchange.
These responsible positions he held until 1879, on October 1 of which year he came to
Bloomsburg, and the day after his arrival bought his present business. Mr. Buckalew
married January 28, 1880, Mary E. Gager, who has borne him two children: Louis
Walter and Lillian, aged respectively four and two years.
liveryman, Bloomsburg, was born in Cambria, Luzerne
Co., Penn., October 11, 1837, a son of John and Rachel (Creveling) Buckalew.
He
was reared on a farm, educated in the schools of the vicinity, and remained at liome until
twenty-tive years of age, when he married, January 4, 1879, Mrs. Mears, nee Creveling.
Mr. Buckalew came to this county in. April, 1869, and entered the employ of George
Reiswick, in the livery business. October 3, 1879, he purchased it in company with his
brother R. C, and since then they have conducted the business. They keep on an
average ten single buggies, some carriages, and also run the stage lines to Rupert and

BUCKALEW,

New

&

New

New

AMOS BUCKALEW,

& Western Railroad.
ROBERT McREYNOLDS BUCKINGHAM,

the Delaware, Lackawana

Bloomsburg, deputy United States revenue collector for the Eighth Division of the Twelfth Pennsylvania District, including
the counties of Columbia, Montour and Northumberland, is a native of Centre Township,
Columbia County, born December 14, 1856. He was reared in the family of his grandfather, John McReynolds of Hemlock Township, this county, and completed his education at the normal school at Bloomsburg, graduating June 26,1873.
He began to teach
the same fall, and continued for four successive terms of ten months at Milnesville, Luzerne County. He then accepted the position of principal of Room No. 3, of the graded
school of Bloomsburg for one term of nine months, and an unexpired term of four months
at Mainville, this county.
During part of that time he had given considerable attention
to reading law, having registered as a student in 1876, with Charles G. Barkley, Esq., of
Bloomsburg, and September 2, 1879, was admitted to the" bar at that place. In 1882 he
was elected chairman of the Columbia County Democratic Standing Committee, and
served one year. In 1883 he was elected district attorney, serving until September 1, 1885,
when he resigned to accept his present ofllcial position. Since his majority Mr. Bucking26

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

328

ham

has been an active participant in the politics of the vicinity, and an earnest worker

Democratic party.
was born April 10, 1815, in the parish of Effin, County Limerick, Ireland, and came to the United States in the sprin.ij of 1836, landing in New York.
County, and finally came to Bloomsburg in 1842. His
Columbia
He settled in Catawissa,
parents were Patrick and Ellen (Clarey) Casey. Mrs". Michael Casej% a daughter of John
and Margaret (Griffith) Boice, Wtis born November 16, 1818, in Berks County, Pcnn., died
June 30,"l878. Her grandfather was Abraham Boice, a native of Berks County, and a
Revolutionary soldier and pensioner. He died in 1888. Her father, John Boice, and his
brother, Abraham Boice, served in the war of 1813. John Boice settled in Roaringcreek
Township, Columbia County, in 1840, and in Bloomsburg in 1847. Daniel Boice is the
only one of John's children now living in Columbia County. Eight children have been
born to Michael and Mary Casey: Margaret, born November 27, 1842, intermarried with
Thomas Downs, who resides in Beaver Township, this county; John B., born June 1,
1844; Ellen, born April 24, 1846; Thomas P., born July 31, 1847; Michael J., born April
8, 1849; Edward, born August 6, 1854, died July 31, 1855; Joseph A,, born February 4,
All of the above children are now living, and except
1857; William, born March 25, 1860.
Margaret, reside at Bloomsburg, this county.
JOHN B. CASEY, commissioner's clerk of Columbia County, Bloomsburg, was born
June 1, 1844, a son of Michael and Mary (Boice) Casey, the former a native of County
Limerick, Ireland, and the latter of Berks County, Penn., and a daughter of John Boice.
John Boice was a son of Abraham Boice, and a soldier in the Revolution. Our subject
was educated in the schools of Bloomsburg, also at Millville Seminary, and completed his
Mr.
studies by a course at the Crittenden Commercial College at Philadelphia m 1863.
Casey served as deputy sheriff in 1877-78, and has, since 1879, held the office of commisHe was married December 29, 1868, to Masioner's clerk, a position he fills with credit.
Edward, born June 14,
tilda E. Murphy, and seven children have been born to them:
1870; John M., born March 25, 1872, died July 19, 1872; Mary E., born August 31, 1874;
Matilda, born February 12, 1877; Michael H., born October 20, 1880; Charles, born February 17', 1883; Henry, born August 24, 1885. In politics Mr. Casey is a Democrat. The
in the interest of the

MICHAEL CASEY

family attend the services of the Catholic Church.
CASWELL. The Bloomsburg woolen-mill was established in 1882 by

S.

Alfonso and

who were

reared to the business from their j^outh. The factory is a
brick structure 54x124 feet, three stories high, with a boiler and engine house 26x36 feet,
and cost $15,000. It is fitted with fourteen looms and other machinery of the latest improved and modern kind for the manufacture of ladies" fancy dress goods, and is adapted
to manufacture all kinds of work machinery, boilers, engines, etc., costing upward of
$30,000. The establishment furnishes employment for forty hands, two-thirds being females, and turns out annually $75,000 worth in manufactured goods. They use only
The facfine merino wool, buying mostly in the Philadelphia and New York markets.
tory is still owned by the original proprietors, but has been operated from its completion
by S. A., E. C. and Marcus E. Caswell and H. C. Halfpenny. Marcus E. Caswell died
three months after the factory was completed, leaving a widow and one son Carlton A.
Caswell, and since then the mill has been conducted by the three surviving partners,
under the firm name of Caswell Bros. & Co. It occupies about one and three-quarters
acres, located on the south end of West Street adjacent to the Delaware, Lackawana
& Western Railroad, which land was given as a bonus to the firm, to induce them to put
in the plant, by D. J. Waller.
S. ALFONSO CASWELL, the senior member of this firm, was born in Douglass,
Worcester Co., Mass., March 8, 1836, and when but twelve years of age was employed in a
cotton-mill at Southbridge, Mass., and continued in that employment until seventeen
years of age. He then engaged as an employe in the Granite woolen-mill at Burrillville,
R. I., and at nineteen was given charge of a room as overseer. From that time until he
was thirty-eight years of age he was employed as overseer at different mills, at times having fifty or sixty hands under his direction. In 1874 he formed a partnership with his
brother, E. C, and George and William Youngman, and leased the Nippenose mills, in

Edwin

C. Caswell,

—

XX

—

Antes Fort, Lycoming County, which he conducted successfully for eight years.

came

to

Bloomsburg

EDWIN

He then

in 1882.

CASWELL,

partner in the Bloomsburg woolen-mills, was born in the
Co., Conn., July 16, 1838, son of Whipple and Ohve H.
(Blacknar) Caswell, the former a native of Douglass, Mass., born in 1808 and now residing in Bloomsburg; the latter was born in Abington, Conn., in 1812 and died in Antes
They had nine children eishtboys and one girl— all of whom are
Fort, Penn., in 1881.
The third son, Edwin C., the subject of this sketch, at
living except the youngest son.
the early age of ten years commenced working in a factory in Woodstock, Conn., as
"mule boy." At the age of fourteen his parents moved to Burrillville, R. I., where he
had his first experience in a woolen-mill, first learning to weave fancy cassimere, then
had the care of looms, and finally the art of weaving or designing, which requires a general
knowledge of the whole process of the manufacture of woolen goods. After holding sev-

town

of

C.

Thompson, Windham

—

"

BLOOMSBUEG.

329

eral positions as boss weaver in different mills in INIassacliusetts and Rhode Island, and
in 1868 in the Johnstown (Penn.), woolen-mills he accepted a position as boss weaver and'
designer in the lar^e twelve-sett Uxbridge woolen-mills in Uxbridge, Mass., having seventy-five hands under control.
In 1870 he accepted a similar position in "Maple Grove
woolen -mills, Adams, Mass., at a salary of $1,500 a year. In 1874 he commenced manufacturing along with his brother, S. A. Caswell, at Antes Fort, Penn., since which time
their business operations have been identical.
They are self-made men, and have realized
their early ambition to own and operate a mill of their own, which they now have in
successful operation. Jerome O. Caswell, the fifth son, is employed as boss dyer, and
Miss
L. Caswell, the sister, in the management of the weaving department.
of the firm of Clark
J.
Son, dealers in dry goods, fancy goods,
notions, etc., Bloomsburg, was born at Catawissa, November 4. 1829, a son of James and
Sarah (Funston) Ciark, the former of
was a native of Catawissa. and a son of John
Clark, one of the original settlers of that place. Our subject, when young, learned the
tinsmith's trade, which he carried on at Muncy, Lycoming Co., Penn., for several years.
In 1868 he came to Bloomsburg, where he has been interested in various lines of business,
and established his present enterprise in 1870. Mr. Clark has been identified with the
business interest of Columbia County for nearly thirty-eight years, with the exception
during that time ©f four or five years, part of which he spent in the army at Washington,
D. C, during the Rebellion. When the " Exchange Hotel " was burned in 1869 Mr. Clark
was the proprietor, and the following year, 1870, he established his present business
which he has since continued. His stock is probablj' the largest of its kind in the county
and its arrangements and appearance are equal to many pretentious stores in metropolitan
cities.
This establishment does an average business of from $2.5.000 to $30,000 per annum. Mr. Clark has the reputation of being an enterprising and public-spirited citizen,
and one of the most substantial business men of the town. He has one son, who is asso-"
ciated with him in the business, firm name being H. J. Clark
Son.
was born near Orangeville in 1815, and spent his boyhood davs
the
farm
with
his
father.
on
At an early age he began as clerk in the Montoiir Hotel in
Danville, and remained there several years. During his stay he identified himself with
the Episcopal Church and formed associations with the best families of Danville; at his
death he left Mrs. Brady, the widow of Samuel A. Brady the proprietor of the Montour House, in whose employ he was $1,000 as a reward for her kindness ia his delicate
health.
This was of great benefit to her in her declining years.
a boy he was
a clerk in the store of the late Judge Baldy, of Catawissa. He engaged in rnercantile
business in Bloomsburg, and was subsequently elected register and recorder of Columbia
County. He was appointed to adesk in the auditor-general's oflSce at Harrisburg and served
for about seventeen years, antl in 1868 lie entered life insurance partnership with J. A.
Funston. He was also identified with Mr. Funston in starting the Bloomsburg Banking
Company. About the year 1872 or 1873 he went to live with his half-sister Mrs. Fisher of
Orangeville, and died there in January, 1875, aged about sixty years.
Hon. William Elwell and John A. Funston were selected in his will as executors of his estate. The inventory amounted to about $35,000; through the accumulation of interest and premiums
on filing the account about one year after, the estate amounted to $42,000. He bequeathed
to his half-sister. Mrs. Fisher, the semi-annual interest on $8,600 during her life, after her
death said $8,600 is left in trust Avith his executors for the University of the South, at
Sewanee, Tenn,, and to the three children of said Mrs. Fisher, viz. :'Lizzie, Jesse and
Charles, $2,000 each, to be paid to them with interest when twenty-one years old.
Mrs.
Jane Brady, $1,000; Mrs. Rev. Robert Allen Castleman, $1,000; to his three namesakes,
Charles Conner Sharplas, Charles Conner Evans and Charles Conner Tate, and his
nephew, Millard F. Conner, each $500; to the rector and vestry of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church in Bloomsburg for use of said church, $1,000; and the rest, residue
and remainder of his estate to St. Paul's Protestant piscopal Church in Harrisburg, which
enabled this parish to build a neat and comfortable church. The will was written and
dated December 4, 1873.
His executors purchased a lot in Rosemont Cemetery at
Bloomsburg. where he was interred; a neat metallic fence incloses his lot. and a plain
but substantial and beautiful Scotch granite monument marks his resting place.
W. CORELL, retired, Bloomsburg, was born in Upper Mount Bethel
Township, Northampton County, July 4, 1824, to John George and Susannah (Shock)
The father was born in Northampton County and reared to farm life. He was
Corell.
twice married; first to ]\Iiss Beck, who died leaving one child, Elizabeth, who married
George Winner of Columbia County, and died in 1883; his second marriage was with
Miss Susannah Shock, who bore him twelve children, eight of
are living: Sallie,
widow of John Grover, in Monroe County; Philip, in Upper Mount Bethel Township,
Northampton County; Joseph, in Mausdale, Montour County; Mary, wife of Jacob Snyder, in Lower Mount! Bethel Township, Northampton County; George W., our subject,
Margaret Ann, wife of Jacob Darhone, in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton

Emma

HENRY

&

CLARK,

whom

&

CHARLES CONNER

—

—

When

E

GEORGE

whom

County; Susan, widow of Robert Dunbar of Lebanon, Penn., and Henry, who resides in
Republic, Seneca Co., Ohio. The deceased are Catharine, Samuel and two infants

330

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

wlio died unnamed. The father of this family died about 1865, aged eighty years. The
mother died about 1863, aged seventy-four years, and both are buried at the new school
Lutheran Church, Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County. The latter
was a member of that church, but Mr. Corell belonged to the Reformed Church. Our
subject was reared at the place of his birth, and in his eighteenth year went to Richmond
in the adjoining township of Lower Mount Bethel, to learn the trade of cabinet maker
with Jacob Keefer. lie remained there three years and three months learning his trade,
and after arriving at age was employed by Mr. Keefer as a journeyman for nine months,
and then worked a year at his trade and carpenter work for John Wagner, in Upper
Mount Bethel Township. He then moved to Bloomsburg, and for a while carried on carpentering, and in the fall of the same year, 1847, opened a shop and embarked in the

undertaking and cabinet-making business. He conducted this for about twenty years,
and then put in aline of furniture and conducted the business in this way until 1878, when
he sold out to his eldest sons. About two years later the Farmers Exchange was organized, in which Mr. Corell bought stock, and since that time the business of the concern
has increa.sed to about $100,000 per annum. August 8. 1883, he and his step-son, Lloyd, purchased a drug store in Hughsville, which is conducted by his step-.sou, under the firm name
of Corell & White. Mr.Corell also owns forty acres of land left in Hemlock Township, after
The latter he
selling eleven acres in 1885; also eighty-three acres in Northampton County.
He married in Northampton County, in
rents,"but the former is supervised by Mr. Corell.
1845, Miss Amanda Mack, a native of Northampton County, a daughter of Samuel and Isabel
Mack, who are both living in that township. Mrs. Corell died in 1870, and is buried in RoseBy that marriage there were ten children, four of whom
mont Cemetery, Bloomsburg.
died in infancy. The living are William J., married to Agnes Faust, and George Winner
(these two sons are engaged in the furniture and undertaking busmess in Bloomsbvirg,
succeeding their father); Mary, wife of Frank C. Casper, who lives at Pittston, where
he conducts a job printing otlice; Isabel, wife of N. M. Hartman of Nauticoke, proprietor of The Sun (newspaper) office at that place; Albert Henry, who has a job office in
Bloomsburg, and Edwin, who is employed by William Krickbaum. Mr. Corell married,
February 28, 1871, Mrs. Mary Ann White, widow of Russell White, by whom she had
four children, two now living: Cyrus, who lives at Cherokee City.Iowa, engaged in the bakery
and confectionery business, and Lloyd M., who conducts the drug business previously menMr. and Mrs. Corell are members of the Methodist Church, as is
tioned, at Hughsville.
also the elder of their children, of which church Mr. Corell has been trustee for the past
thirty years; was treasurer of the church from 1854 to 1884, when he resigned; has been
He was a member of the borough council two terms;
class-leader for twenty-five years.
was school director of the township before it became a borough, and was tax collector of
He is manager and treasurer of the Farmers Exchange, which
the borough one year.
positions he has held since the establishment of the institution.
FRANK D. DENTLER,boot and shoe merchant, Bloomsburg, is anativeofParkville,
St. Joseph Co., Mich., born March 7, 1851, a son of Franklin G. and Mary (Cathcart) Dentler,
natives of McEwensville, Northumberland Co., Penn., the former of German and the latter
of Scotch ancestry. The father, who was always engaged in the stock and f armbusiness,
when a young man went to Michigan, and has lived nearly ever since in the vicinity of
Our subhis present home, St. Joseph Co., Mich., where he owns some 300 acres of land.
ject lived with his father on the farm until he was fifteen years of age, when he became a
clerk with I. W. Pur.sel & Co., Schoolcraft, Mich., with whom he was engaged four
The following two years he spent in the store of his uncle, Joseph Cathcart, at
years.
Clarinda, Iowa, and t!i3 next two j^ears at Constantine, Mich., in the store of Briggs &
Davis; was then engaged one year with C. H. Gfiinsley at Schoolcraft, Mich. In 1874 he
came to Bloomsburg and accepted the position of head clerk in the store of I. W. McKelvy,
which he held seven years. In the spring of 1881 he established his present business in
the building now occupied by the postoffice, and subsequeutly|built the block he now occuMr. Dentler married in 1873 Mary Pursel, daughter of Sylvespies, on Second Street.
ter and Mary J. (Emmett) Pursel, and they have one son, William C.
J. LLOYD DILLON, florist and seedsman and proprietor of the greenhouses on Normal Hill, Bloomsburg, is a native of that place, born July 7, 1851, and was educated in
the schools of his native place. In 1867 his father bought a farm just in rear of the present greenhouses and, besides general farming, was extensively engaged in market gardening. From the age of sixteen our subject became interested in the raising and selling
At twenty-one he became a partner
of vegetables, for which he had a special liking.
with his father, and as their business increased they annually grew a large quantity of
lettuce in hot beds, but the amount of labor involved in procuring manure and protecting
the beds from freezing, the impossibility of opening and working the beds in s<^vcre cold
weather, made the cost of growing the lettuce very expensive. In the spring of 1875 our
subject rented ground of his father and proceeded to build a greenhouse 20x60 with the
view of having lettuce for sale all through the winter, and at a lower cost of production
than in hot beds. This was the first greenhouse built in Bloomsburg and, when commenced, J. L. Dillon had less than |150 capital, part of which he expended for lumber.

BLOOMSBURG.

331

and durina; mornings, evenings and odd spells, he ripped and worked by hand all the
sash bars, planed and painted all the lumber and did the greater part of the work of building the greenhouse himself. The demand for lettuce not meeting his expectations, Mr.
The partnership with
Dillon began giving his attention to the raising of flowers.
his father being dissolved, he devoted his entire time to the raising of flowers and
small fruits. About that time the famous " sharpless strawberry" became known, and
Mr. Dillon raised thousands of the plants, taking an active part in introducing them
throughout this country and Canada, sending orders as far as Victoria, British Columbia.
He bo'ughl in 1879 uearly ten acres of ground on Normal Hill, adjoining the grounds and
northeast of the normal school buildings, and removed the old greenhouse to this site.
He has since added four more and is now building the sixth. The present buildings have
over 10,000 square feet of glass surface, and, when the new one is completed, there will
be 12,000 square feet. The entire buildings are heated by steam from two twenty-horse
power steam boilers, with pipes radiating in all directions and providing a uniform temperature during the coldest weather. The furnace and boilers are fitted with an automatic
attachment tbat may be set or gauged to furnish a certain amount of heat, and requires no further attention for ten or twelve hours at a time. It is one of the first greenhouses in the country successfully heated by steam. The water supply is from an artesian well on the premises, sunk to a depth of 150 feet through the solid rock. (The windmill that now pumps the water from this well, also drilled the hole through the solid rock
from which the water comes. The mill was first erected and by an ingenious invention
of Mr. Dillon, the drill was attached to the wind power and thus the well was made.
These greenhouses are the most extensive ones in central Pennsylvania as well as being
the most successfully conducted.) In a greenhouse containing 3,600 square feet of glass,
built in 1885 for raising carnations and for other purposes, Mr. Dillon gathered and sold
ofE of 1,610 square feet 185,000 carnations, realizing from them alone in one crop enough t©
pay for the entire cost of the greeenhouse and heating apparatus. The establishment cultivates every variety of flowering plants, but makes a si)ecialty of roses, verbenas and cut
Mr. Dillon also ships large quantities of loose flowers to nearly all the large citflowers.
It is one of the important industries of Bloomsburg and has grown
ies of the country.
steadily from its start in 1875 with an annual sale of !tS513, to the year ending July 1,
Mr. Dillon was married in May. 1873,
1886, when the annual sales amounted to $4,500.
to Eliza J. Barkle, a native of England, who came when young with her father, William
Barkle, and settled in Bloomsburg. To this union three children were born: Alice'M. J.
Lloyd, born January 31, 1882, and died April 8, 1882; and Max G. Our subject's father,
Patrick Dillon, a native of Dublin, Ireland, immigrated to this country when eighteen
years of age and located in Bloomsburg. He was employed for years as a clerk in the
Irondale Iron Company and subsequently bought the farm above mentioned. He married
Mary Emmerson (the mother of our subject), who was born in England, but came with
her parents to this country when she was but a year old. They still live on the farm north
east of the normal school.
DRINKER, manager of the Bloomsburg Iron Company.
Bloomsburg, was born near Clifton postoffice, Covington Township, Luzerne, now
Lackawana, County, November 5, 1830. His ancestors were from England, and settled
in Philadelphia about the time of William Penn, and one, Edward Drinker, was the first
white cbild born where Philadelphia now stands. The grandfather of our subject was
Henry Drinker, a direct descendant of the Edward above named. Henry was for many
years cashier of the Bank of North America at Philadelphia, where he died about 1830.
His wife's maiden name was Mary Howell, and tbeir son, Richard Drinker, the father of
our subject, first came to Luzerne County with his brother Henry W., to take charge of a
tract of 25,000 acres owned by their father.
They received the charter for the railroad
from Great Bend to Delaware River, now the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western. They
also built fifty miles of turnpike in that county.
In 1846 Riciiard moved to Bloomsburg,
and bought a farm just adjoining the village. In 1854 he moved to Scranton and engaged
in conveyancing and real estate business, and there died in November, 1861.
He married
Lydia, a daughter of John Wragg, a native of England, wlio came to this country aiiout
the time of tlie French revolution; while on the ocean the ship was captured with all on
board, and Mr. Wragg was detained a prisoner on shipboard a long time. Later he settled in Luzerne County, Penn., but died at Beloit, Wis., aged about ninety years.
Our
subject became identified with the iron business in 1846, being employed as an ofllce boy,
and when seventeen became bookkeeper; continued as such for twenty-seven years, and
for the last six years has been manager. He has served his vicinity in various local olfices,
and was a member of the council for five yenrs; is a member of tiic Episcopal Church; he
He was married to Martha Mend^nhall in 1859, and they have three chilis a F. & A. M.
dren: Edward W., Richard C. and Lydia AV. In 1862 Mr. Drinker enlisted as an emergency man, and soon after went with his regiment to the front, arriving during the battle of
Antietam, after which the regiment returned home and was disbanded.
Francis Perot Drijnkek, brother of the above, was born in Luzerne, now Lackawanna, County, November 16, 1832. He became identified with the Bloomsburg Iron Com;

-

EDWARD RODMAN

BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:

332

in 1848-50, as bookkeeper, and lias acted in that capacity up to the present time, with
the exception of a few intervals. He was a member of the Anderson Cavalry, a cavalry organization belonging to Philadelphia, Penn. This cavalry organization was at the battle of
Murfreesboro.Tenn., at which battle Mr. Drinker was taken prisoner by Wheeler's rebel
By them he was stripped of his uniform and accoutrements, and then paroled
cavalry.
and turned loose to shift for himself. After wandering about sick and without medicine
or food, he finally reached Columbus, Ohio, where he remained for some time for exchange. He was finally discharged on account of sickness, when he returned home. Subsequently he enlisted again, and was at the battle of Gettysburg and in other engagements. He married in 1864 Miss Mary Chamberlain, who has borne him the following
named children: Martha C, William W., Margaret, and Francis P., Jr.
ELWELL, attorney at law, and one of the proprietors of the
GEORGE
Columbian, Bloomsburg, is a native of Towanda, Bradford Co., Penn., born in October,
He was educated primarily in the
1848, a son of Judge William Elwell of Bloomsburg.
Towanda schools, and prepared for college at Barker's select school in Philadelphia. In
1867 he became a student at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., and took a three years' course
in the class of 1870. After leaving college he accepted the position of teacher in the Fifth
Street School, Bloomsburg, being so employed for one year and a half, and filled the chair
of English literature at the normal school, also of French and German for a year and a
half.
He in 1873, in the meantime, began the study of law; hecame in the summer of
1873 a student in his father's office, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1874. He
immediately formed a partnership with C. B. Brockway, and in 1875 they bought the
Columbian, though still fully attending to law practice. In October, 1879, the partnership
was dissolved, J. K. Bittenbender buying Mr. Brockway's interest in the paper, the firm
becoming Elwell & Bittenbender, and since 1879 Mr. iSlwell has conducted his law pracOur subject married in October. 1876. Miss Mary A., daughter of I. W.
tice alone.
McKelvy. Mr. Elwel! is a member of the Episcopal Church, and has been a vestryman
for the past ten years. In politics he is a Democrat; served in the town council four
years, and was a member of the Democratic State Committee for three years.
HON. WILLIAM ELWELL. president judge of the Twenty-sixth Judicial District of
Pennsylvania, resident in Bloomsburg for the last twenty-four years, was born at Athens,
His father, Dan Elwell, was a native
in Bradford County, on the 9th of October, 1808.
of Massachusetts, and his mother, nee Nancy Prentice, of Connecticut. They were of
English extraction. Their lineage is traceable back to the time of Cromwell. His father
was a carpenter and builder and a mathematician of considerable notoriety. He was an
active promoter of the cause of education in the community in which he lived, his own
children having the best advantages which the common schools and an academy of high
standing afforded. He married Nancy Prentice at Athens in 1800. She was the daughter
of Dr. Amos Prentice, a physician and surgeon in the army of the Revolution. Dr. Prentice suffered great loss at Groton, Conn., by the destruction of property by the soldiers of
Arnold, the traitor, he and his family barely escaping with iheir lives. He afterward
moved to Athens, Bradford County, where he died in 1805. One of his sons, William,
after whom our subject was named, was a lawyer, whose books and papers on his death

pany

EDWARD

It was the perusal of these, together
into the hands of the father of Judge ElwelJ.
with the fact that he was a namesake of his uncle, a lawyer, that inspired the young
mind of the future judge with the idea of becoming a lawyer. His father died in 1868 at
the age of ninety-four years, and his mother died in 1858 at the age of eighty-three
years.
They had eight children, William being the fourth child and third son. Two of
the sons now dead were ministers, the eldest being an Episcopal and the fifth a Methodist clergyman.
Two sons, the only members of the family now living, became lawyers
and subsequently judges, one in Wisconsin and the other (our subject) in Pennsylvania,
as first stated.
He received a good academic education and continued his studies years
after his school days.
He began teaching school when but seventeen years of age, and
taught for several years. In 1837, having previously acquired a knowledge of surveying,
he was employed with the corps of engineers under Chief Engineer John Randall, engaged under tlie authority of the State in running advance or exploring lines on both
sides of the North Branch of the Susquehanna River from the State line south, for the canal
proposed to be constructed from the State line to tide water. The use of the compass
and other practical knowledge acquired during the progress of that survey was afterward
very beneficial to him in preparing ejectment cases for trial. In September, 1830, he
commenced the study of law in the oftice and under the preceptorship of Hon. Horace
Williston, a lawyer of the old school well versed in the principles of the common law.
He came to the bar in the State of New York, and was familiar with equity practice and
principles as administered by the courts of that State, under the administration of Chancellor Kent and other eminent judges of that day. On the 13th of February, 1833, Judge
Elwell was admitted to the bar of Bradford County. He at once became the partner of
his preceptor on equal terms, opened an office at Towanda and for the next sixteen years
the firm continued in practice in the northern tier of counties.

came

BLOOMSBURG.

333

In 1849 the senior partner was appointed judge of the district. From that time until
1862 the junior continued the practice alone, retaining all the business of the old firm. In
1841 Judge Elwell was elected to the House of Representatives for 1842 from Bradford
County. He was chairman of the judiciary committee of that session. That committee
was composed of men of mark. Four of its members were afterward president judges,
one became chief justice of the supreme court of the State, one was Thaddcus Stevens,
afterward known in Congress as the great commoner, and one of them was subsequently
minister to a foreign government.
In the course of his practice Judge Elwell had been often employed to procure the
release of persons from prison who had been committed for the non-payment of debts.
Impressed witb the barbarity of the law which permitted arrest and imprisonment for
such a cause, he, without a petition requesting it and without any public agitation upon
the subject, prepared, introduced and reported from his committee a bill to abolish imprisonment for debt and punish fraudulent debtors. The bill as it came from his hands,
containing many sections, was passed and became a law on the 12th of July, 1842, and
stands upon the statute book to-day intact. The prison doors were at once thrown open
and the poor debtor set free amid general rejoicing that a relic of barbarism had been
swept away. The Judge was elected to the House for 1843 and served as chairman of
the committee of ways and means, then the most important committee owing to the depressed condition of the finances of the State.
In April, 1871, after a general and protracted strike of miners and other employes in
the anthracite coal regions and all attempts at settlement or compromise had failed, the
Judge was unanimously chosen by a joint committee, representing both the operators and
He heard the parties for two days and
the miners as umpire to decide between them.
rendered his decision in writing which was acquiesced in by both sides. The strike was
ended. Worii was resumed the rulings on all hands were considered eminently just,
both as to control of the works and wages to be paid.
Judge Elwell resided in Bradford County, when, in 1862, he was elected president judge
of the district composed of Columbia, Wyoming and Sullivan. In 1872 he was re-elected.
In 1874 Columbia and Montour Counties were made a separate district, of which he was
continued the judge. In 1882 he was elected again without an opposing vote, as had been
the case in the two preceding elections. He has been, it is believed, more frequently
called to hold special courts in other districts than any other judge in the State.
His decisions, which have undergone review in the Supreme|^Court, have with few exceptions
been affirmed. In the criminal courts no case has been reversed. In equity and the Orphans' Court but three degrees have been either reversed or modified. Among the cases
tried before the judge are some of the most celebrated of the time, to wit: The Williamsport bond case, amount involved more than half a million of dollars; the city of Philadelphia against Fisher, involving title to 12,000 acres of land; the Cameron will
case; the trial and conviction of three Mollie Maguires for murder, whose execution, in
connection with convictions in other counties, broke up the most desperate gang of murderers and outlaws that ever existed in this countr}^
The Judge is now, and has been for many years, president of the board of trustees
of the State normal school at Bloomsburg, an institution in the prosperity of which he
takes a deep interest.
He has been twice married; in 1832 to Clamana Shaw, daughter of Loren Shaw, Esq.,
of what is now Waverly, N. Y. By this wife he had four children two of whom survive
their mother, who died October 5, 1840, to-wit: William, ex-mayor of the city of Sheboygan, Wis., where he is largely engaged in the milling business and the plaster trade, and
Clamana E., widow of P. H. Smith, who was a successful merchant of Plymouth, Wis.,
and State senator from the Sheboygan District, serving his second term at the time of his
death.
On the 19th of September, 1844, the Judge married Mary Louisa Thayer, daughter of
Col. E. Thayer, of Watkins, Schuyler Co., N. Y.
Six children have been born" of this
marriage, four of whom are living: Ephraim W., agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad
at Towanda; George E., attorney at law, editor and co-proprietor of the Columbian newspaper establishment; Mary L., married to N. U. Funk, attorney at law, and Charles P.,
student. Two of the children died at Bloomsburg, one in its sixth and the other in its
third year.
The Judge and his family are members of the Episcopal Church. He is of a
retiring disposition, enjoys the comforts of home, dislikes a crowd, is happy with his
family, his books and his garden. He is an amateur gardener of the most enthusiastic type
as all who pass his grounds can attest.
He says he has voted fourteen times for the
Democratic nominee for President of the L'nited States, and claims that he has voted
seven times for the candidate that was elected. Although a Democrat of decided convictions, it has never been charged that his politics have in any manner influenced his
judgment or decision in judicial proceedings.
HON. PETER
(deceased) was born in Roaringcreek Township, this county,
February 11, 1811, a son of Charles and Elizabeth Ent.
He was a carpenter and contractor, and during the later years of his life carried on mercantile business and also

—

ENT

334

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

iron furuace at Light Street.
He was a prominent Democrat, one of the county commiswhen the county seat was removed to Bloomsburg; was collector of tolls at Beach
Haven; was elected a member of the House of Representativs of Pennsylvania, and served
two terms 1856-57, and was a delegate to the Democratic Convention at Charleston, in
1800.
He died in 1876, at Light Street.
UZAL H. ENT, bookkeeper, Bloomsburg, a son of the Hon. Peter Ent, was born
January 18, l8o8. He obtained his education in the schools of Light Street, and enlisted
October 1, 1861, in Company D, Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as first
lieutenant, and served until October, 1862, when he was honorably discharged on account
of physical disability. He participated in the following engagements: Winchester, Port
Republic, Cedar Mountain, Thoroughfare Gap and second Bull Run. On leaving the army
he came home, and in 1863 enlisted as an emergency man; was made captain of Company H, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia and served about six weeks;
was under fire at Hagerstown, Md., while following up Lee's army on its retreat to
sioners,

the Potomac. He then returned to Light Street, and was engaged in farming and
milling for ten years. In 1879 he was elected sheriff of Columbia County, serving three

now employed

as bookkeeper in Krug's planing-mill.
Mr. Ent was married
Helen M. Martz of Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn. They have six children: Alonzo M., Ramsay M., Oscar W., Nellie M., Jessie B. and Minnie E. Mr. Ent is
a member of Oriental Lodge, 264, F. & A. M. of Orangeville, and also of the G. A. R. In
politics he is a Democrat.
The family attend the services of the Reformed Church.
WELLINGTON H. ENT, deceased soldier, was born in Light Street, Columbia Co.,
Penn., August 16, 1834, and attended the common schools, and at Williamsport, Penn.
He read law in Bloomsburg, and graduated in the same class with Postmaster-General
Vilas, at the law university of Albany, N. Y., May 25, 1860, under the able instruction
of President Reuben A. Walworth, and Profs. Ira Harris, Amasa J. Parker and Amos
Dean.
He was appointed, by the governor, notary public, December 5, 1860; was
admitted to the bar of Columbia County at the September term, 1860. At the breaking
out of the Rebellion he went to the rescue of his country, going in June, 1861, as first
lieutenant in a volunteer company to Harrisburg, where he was chosen and commissioned as captain of Company A.. "Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves. He was subsequently
promoted to the following offices in his regiment: After Antietam as major, September 21,
1862; after Fredericksburg as lieutenant-colonel. May 1, 1863, to rank from March 26, 1863;
after Gettysburg as colonel, July 1. 1863, to rank from May 23, 1863; as brigadier-general
United States Volunteers, March 13, 1865, for gallant conduct at the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvaniti Court House, Bethesda Church, Va. he served in the Third Brigade,
McCall's Division Pennsylvania Reserves, September 16, 1861; reconnoitered beyond
Dranesville, October 19-21, and Dranesville, December 20; With the Second Brigade,
Second Division, First Corps, Army of the Potomac, 1862; advance on Manassas, March
10, 1862; advance on Falmouth, May 2; ordered to Peninsula June 13; with Third
Brigade, Seymour's Division, Fifth Corp, guarding supplies at Tunstall's Station, and
White House, June 14-29; transferred to First Brtgade, July 4; ordered to reintorce,
the Army of Virginia with the First Brigade, Third Division, First Corps, in August;
Gainesville, August 28; Graveston, August 29; Bull Run, August 30; South Mountain,
Md., September 14; Antietam, 16-17; in command of regiment at Fredericksburg, December 11-15; Burnsides Second Campaign, January 20 and 24, 1863; with Twentysecond Corns in defense of Washington. Fe"bruary7 to June 25, and with First Brigade,
Third Division of Fifth Corps, Jiine 28; Gettysburg, July 2-4; Bristow's Station, Va.,
October 14; New Hope Church, Noveml)er 26; Wine Run. November 26-30; Wilderness,
May 5-7, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 8-12. In command Third Brigade, Third Division.
Fifth Army Corps, May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania' Court House, May 12-20; Hanover, May
He surveyed and
23, 26; North Anna, May 24-27; Bethesda Church, May 30 (wounded).
laid out the first "Signal Camp" in the army, and Gen. Fisher, of Philadelphia, was
placed in command of it; served for a time in the signal corps; mustered out June 11,
1864, as one of the most gallant officers of the war.
In the course of the engagements
he had two horses shot under him, and at Dranesville the heel of his boot was shot off.
In the battle of the Wilderness he was four nights and three days without food, save
what berries he could gather from the bushes, and at Bethesda Church his favorite warhorse, "Billy " (which died September 15, 1884, at the age of 29 years and 6 months), had a
portion of hfs fetlock shot off, which, although in the thickest of the fight, was the only
injury he received.
At this same battle Gen. Ent's regiment was three times outfianked
and compelled to retreat, and on each occasion the whinnying of "Billy" served as a
signal to rally the men.
He was appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania to visit
the Army of the Potomac to receive the soldiers' votes, September 28, 1864; captain
and brigade paymaster First Brigade, Ninth Division, V. C. P., June 1, 1864.
Died November 5, 1871. He was married January 14, 1869, to M. E. Petrikin, daughter
of Dr. W. H. Petiikin, and granddaughter of Hon. Daniel Snyder. This marriage resulted in one daughter Anna M.
He was engaged in a furnace at Light Street after the
war. In 1868 he was nominated and made the race for surveyor-general of Pennsyl-

years,

June

and

is

10, 1863, to

;

—

335

BLOOMSBURG.

vania but with his party was defeated. In 1869 he was elected prothonotary of Columbia County, and served creditably until his death. February 23, 1863, he wrote to Capt.
Potter Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Hertzleman's corps as follows: "Sir— I have the honor
C
Alexandria, Va., since
to represent that I have been in the Prince Street Hospital,
the 10th inst., most of the time dangerously ill, and to request that an order be
issued allowing me to be transferred to Washington City to report to Dr. Clynsier for
Most respectfully your obedient servant, Wellington H. Ent,
medical treatment.
His mother, Mrs. Sarah Ent, had five sons,
Major Sixth Regiment, P. R. N. C."
surviving, suffering from
all of whom she gave to the rescue of their country, only one
bronchitis contracted in the army. In this work appears an elegant portrait of our subHe was a worthy A. F. A. M. was knighted
ject, placed there by his estimable widow.
April 19, 1864. At a regular conclave of Crusade Commandery No. 12, K. T., held at
and C. F.
their Asylum December 21. 1871, Sir Knights D. A. Beckley, J. B. Robison

H

&

;

presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unammously
adopted.
Knight
Whereas, Providence has seen fit to remove, by death from our Asylum our late esteemed Sir called
to
Welliuston H. Ent and although no word or deed ol ours can now avail our brother who has been

Knapp

for the memory
appear where the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone can secure everlasting life, yet in respect
humble
who was zealous in the advancement of the interests of our order, we do resolve; Ihat in the
member ot
submission of God's will we deplore the loss of a worthy officer of our Commandery, and a beloved

of one

thedisem""^"'/.Wferf, That in this dispensation of our Creator, while we commit to His merciful hands,
an entrance
bodied spirit ol our brother with hope that he may have joined, in the precious blood ol our savior,
templars we are again adinto tlie blessed regions ot light and lile eternal, yet we rem^iber that as Knights
path ot
monished that in the midst of life we are in death, and that it is our duty ever to persevere in the
honor, truth and integrity.
,,..,,•
v,
,
a
and
bereavement,
their
in
sympathy,
our
deep
we
tender
Henolved, That to the family of the deceased
may the God ot the widow and the orphan give them strength to bear up under the trials which their loss may

newspapers for
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the widow, and another to the
Commandery to be
publication. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and the seal of this
1871.
affixed at Bloomsburg,
"' Pa., this 22d day of December,

Thomas E. Geddis.
RUDOLH H-. KiMC.LE.
John Thomas.

C. F.

Knapp,

Becorder.

FREDERICK CHRISTIAN EYER,

merchant,

Bloomsburg, was born

Septem-

His father. Rev. William J. Eyer, was born
in Dutchess County, N. Y.
January 4, 1803, in Lebanon County, Penn., and came to Columbia County when thirtyfour years of age, and in 1838, settled with his wife, Charlotte (Havemeyer) Eyer, at Catawissa.
They were married May 7,1839, and their children were as follows: Frederick
C, born September 15, 1830; Susannah C, born Atigust 18, 1834; Catherine, born January
born
23, 1838; William, born December 7, 1843; Mary, born November 8, 1840, and Luther,
\ork City,
March 13, 1846. The father was a Lutheran minister and graduated in
ber

15, 1830,

New

where he remained for a long time under the instruction of the Rev. Geisenhammer. In
1838 he took charge of the Lutheran congregation atCatawissa, Bloomsburg and RoaringHe was much loved
creek, and acted as their minister until his death, February 9, 1874.
for his many Christian and kindly characteristics, and was highly respected by all denominations.
His wife died February 3, 1876, and they are buried side by side in the cemeterv at Catawissa. Before taking the above charges he had preached for the congregation
Our
at iiliinebeck, N. Y., for several years, and there his two eldest children Avere born.
subject was educated in the schools of Catawissa and learned the trade of cabinet-making,
but at the age of twenty-four opened a general store at Catawissa, which he conduct edj^six
years.
In 1861 he came to Bloomsburg and kept store two or three years; thence moved to
Ashland, where he was interested in flour-mills. In 1873 he was appointed steward at the
He returned
State Hospital for the insane at Danville, and held that position ten years.
to Bloomsburg in 18S3 and since has been interested in the clothing business under the tirm
name of Evans & Eyer. Mr. Eyer married in 1861 Emma, of Catawissa, daugliter ot
Reuben Lins. They had four children: Charlotte, died at the age of twelve j-ears; \\ arren H., Mary S. and Edward A. Mr. Eyer is a Democrat and served as a member of the
town council tw^o terms; is also a member of the Lutheran Church.
JAMES K. EYER, merchant, Bloomsburg, was born in Madison Township, a sou of
Ludwig w\as a dyer by trade and owned
Pliilip P. Eyer, who was a son of Ludwig Ever.
the land and laid out the town of Oyertowh, now Bloomsburg, his dyeing shop, being
located near the bridge leading to Hemlock. He later bought a farm near Black
Run, where he also had a saw-mill and there resided until his death. He was a member
of the Lutheran Church, and donated the land where the First Lutheran and German Reformed Churches were built; his son, Jacob, donated the land for the present Lutheran
Church on Market Street. Philip P. Eyer was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade,
a business he carried on many years at Black Run. He died in Bloomsburg in 1883, at the
age of ninety-two years. His wife, Catharine Kenney, died at Bloomsburg and she and
her husband are both buried in Rosemont Cemetery. They had ten children— five sous:
James K., John A., Andrew J., F. Philip and Jacob (all deceased except J. K. and F. P.),

336
and

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

married D. Wilson; Rebecca, married Dr. Willits; CathaMary, died single, and Martha, wife of Amos Ohle. James
K. Eyer was reared on a farm and in 1863 or 1863 came to Bloomsburg; iu 1844 he married
Elmira HoUinshead of Catawissa. Mr. Eyer has the following named children, living:
John Wesley, Harriet E.. wife of Mr. Noyer, and S. Lettie; five are deceased.
Mr. Eyer
has been a member of the Methodist Church for forty-five years and class-leader for
nearly thirty years. In politics he is a Republican.
JOSHUA FETTERMAN, retired, Bloomsburg, was born in what is now Locust
Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 20, 1815, son of George and Elizabeth (Soule)
Fetterman. The father was born in Berks County, where he married, and coming to
Columbia County bought land in what is now Locust Township, where William Fetterman now lives (the tract then consisted of 240 acres), and erected the buildings now occupied by his grandson. Here he followed farming until his death. He and his wife,
Elizabeth (Soule) Fetterman, were the parents of ten children, five of whom are living:
John, in Franklin Township; Joshua, our subject; Catherine, wife of Henry Harner. in
Catawissa; Sarah, wife of William Yager, in Catawissa; Elizabeth, wife of Hamilton
Fisher, also in Catawissa. The names of the deceased are as follows: Solomon, Henry,
George, Jonas and Reuben.
The father of this family died in September, 1860; the
mother in April, 1844, and both are buried in Numidia Cemetery. Joshua Fetterman was
reared in Locust Township, and assisted his father on the farm until seventeen years of
age.
He then went to Girardsville, Schuylkill County, and worked at the stone mason's
trade, which he learned from his father.
Three mouths later, accompanied with others,
he went to Phoenixville, and engaged in m;ison work on culverts. He then w^orked for
about a year on the high bridges of the Catawissa road, principally at the Mainville
Bridge; thence he went to Franklin Township and worked on the construction of a furnace at the mouth of Roaring creek, and later on the erection of a furnace at Danville;
thence to Rolston, and after a couple of months on construction there, returned to Danville and superintended the building of the Grove furnace in that city.
He then contracted to build canal bridges in the Pennsylvania Canal, which engaged his attention
until the following spring.
He then went to Danville and engaged in the construction of
the furnaces which now belong to the Reading Railroad. In 1842 he moved to Pottsville,
and there was engaged as stone cutter and brick mason, doing considerable work for the
Pottsville Bank, and in the following January returned to Columbia County and spent
the winter in repairing furnaces. May 1, 1844, he came to Bloomsburg to superintend
the construction of the Iron Dale furnaces, and here has since remained. He superintended them until 1881. In 1882 he was elected county commissioner of Columbia County, which position he held for three years.
Since then he maybe said to have withdrawn
from active labor, although he has superintended farming on a piece of land on the outskirts of Bloomsburg.
He married in this county, August 25, 1844, Miss Rebecca Miller,
of Columbia County, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Mostellar) Miller.
Her parents
came from Northampton County to Columbia County, and in Mifflin Township her
father followed farming until about ten years before his death, when he removed to Mifflinville and led a retired life.
He died in August, 1860. his v,'ife having preceded him
about twenty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fetterman six children were born, two of whom
are living: Lizzie, wife of William Allen, a merchant of Bloomsburg, and Harriet. The
deceased are William H., who died at the age of four months; Rachel Alice, died at the
age of one year and four months; Charley Miller, died aged six years and five month.s, and
Frances M. died August 12, 1886, aged forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Fetterman are members
of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fetterman is a member of Bloomsburg Lodge, A. F. & A.
M. He owns a residence and business properties in Bloomsburg, including part of the
Exchange Block, and has about four acres in the eastern part of the city. He also is interested in the company, owning and operating the lime quarries in Centre Township.
COL. JOHN G. FREEZE, attorney al law, Bloomsburg, is a native of Lycoming
County. Penn., born November 4, 1825, a son of James and Frances (Gosse) Freeze. The
Freezes w^ere from New Jersey, and the grandfather, Peter Freeze, with his wife and
family, settled in Northumberland County, a short time after the Revolution, in which
conflict he served as a soldier in what was known as the " Jersey Line." He was a farmer,
and lived and died at Tuckahoe. His son James was a miller "by trade; carried on business for many years, and died at Bloomsburg aged eighty-two years; his wife died aged
about seventy-five years. Both are buried in Rosemont Cemetery. Col. Freeze obtained
his education at the Danville Academy, and by private tutors, thus acquiring a good classical training. He began reading law in 1846 with Joshua W. Comly, Esq., of Danville: was
admitted to the bar April 19, 1848, at Bloomsburg, and has since been in constant practice
of his profession. He served as register and recorder of Columbia County from 1863 to
1869, and was a member of the constitutional convention in 1872. but resigned in favor of
Hon. C. R. Buckalew. Our subject is generally know^n as Col. Freeze, a title he acquired
through being appointed to Gen.Bigler's staff, on which he served with rank of lieutenantcolonel. In his practice he has been identified with, or had charge of many celebrated and
important cases before the courts of this and surrounding counties, notably " Biggs »s.
five daughters: Sarah A.,
rine, married William Pursel;

BLOOMSBUEG.

337

Doebler," "Longenberger »s. McReyuolds," ejectments began in 1863 and continued in
"
one place or another until 1885; was also engaged in the defense of the " Mollj' Maguire
cases. "Commonwealth vs. Patrick Hester and others." Col. Freeze was married in 1854
to Margaret Walker of Lancaster County, Penc, a daughter of Robert Walker of LancasOur subject and wife had a family of five children (all now deceased). They are
ter.
members of the Episcopal Church; he is a member of the standing committee of the diocese
and chancellor of it. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society; the author
of a history of Columbia County, and of a volume of poems, entitled "A Royal Pastoral,"
a 13mo. volume of upward of 300 pages.
L. FRITZ, attorney at law, Bloomsburg, was born on the old homestead
His great-grandfather,
in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia Co.. Penn., August 30. 1850.
Philip Fritz, lived on Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, and from that city he moved with his
family to Columbia County about the year 1797, where he purchased a large tractof land.
He was the first school teacher and justice of the peace in the northern part of the county,
and was a great scholar and local public character of more than ordinary influence. His
father, Jesse Fritz, present owner of the old homestead, which had been transmitted to
him from his grandfather Philip, and his father, Henry, is a farmer, and has been justice
of the peace for a number of years, which office he still holds. Our subject obtained an
academic education at the Orangeville and New Columbus Academies and the Bloomsburg
State Normal School, He began teaching school when about sixteen years of age in his
native township; followed that profession for eight years, except part of the time during
the summer months he assisted his father on the farm. In 1875 he took up the studj-^ of
law in the office of Hon. C. R. Buckalew, and was admitted to the bar of Columbia
County in May, 1878. In November of the same year he was admitted as an attorney at
Scranton, Penn., but subsequently decided to make his home in his native county. He
was appointed and served as deputy sheriff for three years, and was appointed by the
county commissioners and acted as collector of taxes for the town of Bloomsburg in the
year 1879, and was tendered the same position in 1880, but refused to accept. He was secretary of the town council of Bloomsburg for nearl}' three years successively, when he resigned, and was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1884,
wliere he served on the judiciary general committee the most important in the House,
and he was also appointed and served on several other committees. Among other good
measures, he advocated and made a speech in the House in favor of equalization of taxaBut the bill failed to pass. Mr. Fritz was renominated in 1886 without opposition,
ation.
At this session he is also acting on the judiciary
and was elected by a large majority.
general committee, and is now taking an active part on the floor of the House and in the
discussions before the several committees to which he belongs. He was married in
1879 to a daughter of A. J. Evans of Bloomsburg, and has one child a son about six
years old.
was born near Hagerstown, Md., May 7, 1816. He was bapREV.
At an
tized in infancy and confirmed in youth as a member of the Reformed Church.
early period of his life he felt his heart drawn toward the holy ministry, and in order to
prepare himself for the holy oflice, he entered Marshall College at Mercersburg in the
eighteenth year of his ag'?. As a student he was diligent and exemplary. He graduated
in 1841, and immediately entered the Theological Seminary, in which he took a full course,
having spent, altogether, in both institutions nine years. Having finished his studies he
became a licentiate and as such supplied Boonesboro charge for the space of six months
In the fall of 1844 Mr. Funk was called as assistant
in the absence of the regular pastor.
English pastor to Rev. D. S. Tobias in the Bloomsburg charge, Columbia County, Penn.
December 8, 1844, he was ordained to the holy ministry and installed in his charge at
Orangeville by Rev. E. Kieffer and Rev. H. Harbaugh. a committee of the Susquehanna
Classts.
His field was large and laborious, but he served it for a space of ten years with
great faithfulness and self-sacrifice. He married a daughter of Daniel Snyder, a well
known and prominent citizen of Bloomsburg. She preceded him to the better world.
They had one child which survived its parents N. U. Funk, of Bloomsburg. A few
years before his death his health began to decline, but he still pursued his calling as best
he could. At length a slow consumption had done its work and he "fell asleep in Jesus"'
April 16, 1855, at the age of thirty-eight years, eleven months and nine days. His
remains repose in the graveyard of the Reformed Church at Hagerstown. Mr. Funk was
an earnest, zealous and faithful laborer. He preached very often, and it is said that he
arranged one sermon for everj' day in the month, too much for his bodily strength. His
field had been considerably desolated by distraction and division previous to his entering
upon it. and much labor and wisdom were required to cultivate it. He. however, succeeded
well, and the heritage over which he presided gradually put on beauty and strength under
jNIuch of the fruit of his labors has only
his ministry and that of his worth}- colleague.
ripened since his death, and the hands of his successor have been greatly strengthened by
the preparatory work performed by him. His preaching was solemn and solid, and
always left a good impression. In his general character and life, Mr. Funk manifested
the most excellent traits of a man and a Christian. He was amiable and modest, gen-

ANDREW

—

—

HENRY FUNK

—

338
tie

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and humble, warm and

God and

the church.

and sincere in his devotion to
from earth there are many who cherish

true in his friendships, childlike

Though he passed

earl3'-

pleasant recollections of his beautiful life, and
safely at home among the " Saints in Light."

JOHN ALBEUt FUNSTON

all

who know him

was born February

9,

1820, in

feel assured that

Madison Township,

he

is

this

count3%the birthplace also of his father, Thomas A. Funston, a son of John Funston, a native
of Northampton County, Penn., whose father, Nicholas Funston emigrated in an early day
from the North of Ireland to reside near Easton, Penn. The mother of our subject was Hannah, a daughter of Andrew Schooley of English origin, who was a native of New Jersey
at Schooley Mountain.
John Funston settled on and purchased a large tract of land
soon after the Revolutionary war, near where Jerseytown has since been built, and there
opened one of the tirst stores in the county, beginning with a limited stock of goods and
a limited trade in a very sparsely settled region.
By dint of energy, however, the business was successfully continued there and in Jerseytown by himself and sons for many
years.
John Funston died December 6, 1844, on o'ne of his farms near Jerseytown at the
advanced age of ninety-two years, closely identilied with the church and after having
lived a respected and useful life, having held the office of justice of the peace and many
positions of trust and honor in his locality.
His wife, formerly Mary Ateu, died Novembor 23, 1838, aged seventy-five years, the mother of ten children: Henry, who married
Sarah Thomas; Jesse, who married a Miss Strawbridge; Thomas A., married Hannah
Schooley; Nicholas, a bachelor; Rachel, married John Richart; Mary, married Jesse Barber; Sarah, married James Clark; John, who died young; Caleb, married Rachel Swisher
and James Campbell, married Rachel Updegraph. The children still living are Sarah
Clark at Catawissa, Penn., who still enjoys life'at the advanced age of eighty-six years, and
Rachel Updegraph, the widow of James" C. Funston, living at Newberry, Penn. Thomas
A. Funston was reared to mercantile pursuits, delivering grain and produce by team to
Easton, Reading and Philadelphia, where he purchased goods for the store. After his
marriage, however, he devoted himself to farming. He was an influential Democrat,
served in many local oflices with credit and two terms in the State Legislature, by whose
enactmehts the county seat was removed from Danville to Bloomsburg. After thirty
years' agitation Thomas A. Funston died in 1874, aged eighty-three years, and left to survive him his widow, who died in 1879 aged seventy-nine years, both being interred at
Jerseytown.
They Avere blessed with ten children: John A., Andrew Schooley, now
of Colfax, Wash. Ter., married to Sarah A. Ever; Mary Jane, married to Nehemiah
Welliver; Martha A., married to Jacob Dieffen'bach; Sarah, who died when a young
lady; Catharine H., of Bloansburg, widow of Rev. Henry Wilson; Elizabeth M., d'ied in
early womanhood; Desdemonia W., married William Johnston; Wilbur F. and Susan,
who both died young. John Albert Funston was educated at the common schools and at
the Mifllinburg Academy, Union Co., Penn., kept by Prof. James McClure.
He remained at home engaged in liis father's interests until twenty-five years of age, teaching
school during the winter months. He then took tlie responsibility of making his own way
tlirough life, doing so witli remarkably small capital, save industry, perseverance and a
determination to succeed by deserving it. On solicitation he accepted, temporarilj^ a
position in the L-ondale Company store near Bloomsburg, Penn., in the vear 1846; then,
after a summer in Pottsville. he "took charge of the large store of Judge William H. Cool
& Co., in Beaver Meadows, Penn. While there, in August, 1848, a proposition to purchase
the store and stock of Richard Fruit, at Jerseytown, was, after a day's consideration, accepted, Mr. Funston taking charge of the'business September 16, l'848.
Although supplied
with limited capital, watchful care and discreet management soon placed his store and
business on a profitable basis that met constantly increasing trade and respect. On account of failing health, in consequence of close application for eight years, the business
was disposed of to Conrad Kreamcr, Mr. Funston retaining a private interest of one-third,
and retiring to spend a few more years in collecting and securing outstanding del)ts and
book accounts. Within the year after the store business was disposed of, Mr. Funston
purchased what is known as the Phineas and, afterward. Thomas J^arber homestead, a
rich tract of about 200 acres on the east branch of the Chillisiiuaque'Creek, which land he
has leased to tenants for thirty years, three of whom realized a sufficient amount to enable
tliem to purchase farms for themselves, one costing over $5 000. This tract was originally
taken up by Joseph Galloway of the province of Marvland in 1769, who conveyed to William Patterson of Northumberland County, Penn., October 29. 1772, who sold to Robert
McClenahan and he to Phineas Barber, January 10, 1787, 100 years ago, for £50.
Phineas Barber then sold to Thomas Barber in 1830. and Thomas BaVber's heirs
to John A. Funston in 1857.
The tract originally contained 400 acres. Two farms of 100
acres each were sold to James Coats & Bro., both of which were afterward bought by
John and Nicholas Funston. referred to above, and now owned and occupied by Jacob
Coonfer and Jacob Wintersteeu. The old log house and part of the barn built 115 years
ago, have until very recently been used, and only torn away to make room for the more
commodious buildings now (1887) being erected. Mr. Funston then gave some attention
to dealing in real estate, and owned several farms and properties in the vicinity of Jersey-

BLOOMSBURG.

339

finally selling his store property to William Kreamer in 1865, and
In tlie same year he rehis residence in Jerseytowu to Dr. Thomas J. Swisher in 1867.
moved.to Bloomsburg and erected his present dwelling at Fifth and Market Streets, where
was
directed
since
1868.
In
year
1868
attention
to the high rate of
the
he has resided
road and poor taxes for the township of Bloom, Bloomsburg being within this township

town and Bloomsburg,

and being unincorporated; roads and streets in town and township were insufficiently
cared for, and under the then existing plan of providing for the poor and collecting and
disbursing poor taxes, excessive amounts were required to meet the demands of a list of
self-constituted and undeserving paupers, that under the mild and liberal methods then
Seeing the demoralizprevailing, preferred to live on the community rather than work.
ing effects of this high rate of. taxation and the accumulating debt, Mr. Fuuslon called
upon the Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr., and after a short interview, a supplement was drawn
transferring the act for the Luzerne Poor District to Bloomsburg. The move was approved
citizens.
The necessary enactment was passed by the Legislature appointing
Mr. Funston, Mr. B. F. Hartman and Dr. J. Schuyler directors to buy a farm and establish
a home for the poor. The list of over fifty paupers was reduced to sixteen, owing to an
unwillingness to accept the new and comfortable home, and the rate of poor taxes reduced from 10 mills to 3 mills. The incorporation of the town of Bloomsburg was
similarly effected. In 1868 the fire and life insurance firm of John A. Funston
Co.
was instituted, the late Charles Conner being associated with Mr. Funston. While in
this business it was discovered that a banking business could be profitably carried on by
the firm. The banking business soon followed and an extensive discount line was reached
and prosperously maintained by the firm for some two and a half years without loss. Out
of this private banking business grew the present Bloomsburg Banking Companj^ a
flourishing banking institution organized in 1871 with a capital stock of $50,000, taken by
fifty stockholders, and of which institution Mr. Funston is now and always has been a
director and president. An unusual number of important positions of trust have been
filled by Mr. Funston, among others that of county treasurer, to which he was elected as
a Democrat by his party in 1860 and into which office his usual tact and ability were carHe took a very active interest in various improvements of the town of Bloomsburg
ried.
and county, and has been a member of the board of trustees of the State normal school at
Bloomsburg since 1868; is president ofthe Bloomsburg water-works, Bloomsburg agricultural works and vice-president of the Bloomsburg Steam, Heat and Electric Light Company.
He was married January 23, 1850, to Almira Melick of Light Street, Penn. He has three
children: Sara M., married to Paul E. Wirt, attornej"- at law and inventor of the now
widely known Paul E. Wirt fountain pen; Eva Lilien, married toH. O. Rodgers, born and
reared at Ironton Iron Works, Ohio, but now of Hazleton, Penn., manager of the Hazleton, Mauch Chunk »& Pittston Oil Company; Charles W., remains with his parents and is engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements etc., in Bloomsburg. The family
are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
We find in the possession of Mr. Funston a number of old papers and memoranda which had been in possession of his grandfather, John Funston, relating to the raising of money to build what was known as
Christ's Protestant Episcopal and Lutheran Church, Derry Township, Northumberland
Co., Penn., on the road from Jerseytowu to Millville; also the subscription papers with
the names and amount subscribed by each person in pounds, shillings and pence, together
with the original autographs of many of these pioneer church people and including several autographs of the Rev. Caleb Hopkins, the first minister of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in this county, also letters and autographs of Bishop White, the first Protestant
Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Pennsylvania, these different papers bearing various
dates from 1790 to 1800.
GROSS, beer bottler, Bloomsburg, was born in Sawarton, Rawnfolz, Bavaria, June 20, 1825, and came to the United States in 1860.
He married in Germany,
Philopina Young, and had four children born in the fatherland: Jacob, killed in Danville by a railroad accident; David, Margaret and Leanna, and the following named born
in the United States: Daniel (deceased), William, Clara, Peter, Elizabeth and John.
Mr. Gross first settled in Danville, and worked in a furnace. In 1871 he came to Bloomsburg and opened a bottling business, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr.
Gross is a member of the Catholic Church, Mrs. Gross of the Lutheran. Politically he is
a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the afl'airs of the county.
K. GROTZ, cue of the oldest citizens and natives of Bloomsburg now living,
was born October 22, 1810. in a frame house which is still standing on the southwest
corner of Iron and Second Streets, built by his father, Abraham Grotz, in 1806. He began
to learn the harness-maker's trade in September, 1826, and in 1833 opened a shop atlhe
head of Market Street, where he followed his trade. In 1835 he bought the lot which is
now occupied by the banking company; erected, the same year, a iframe shop, and the
next year a dwelling. He carried on business there until 1856, though in 1849 he built the
brick structure occupied by the bank. From 1850 he carried on a tannery business in
Hemlock Township, retiring in 1870. Mr. Grotz goes back, with great distinctness, to
1814, and relates the names of people, the number of buildings in Bloomsburg at that

by leading

&

PETER

JOHN

340

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

time, as follows: A lop; house on First Street, occupied by Henry Weaver, where Mr,
Tustin now resides; an old frame house, which is still standing on First Street near West,
occupied by George Fry; at the Forks on the east end of Second Street was a one-story
log house, owned and occupied by Daniel Snyder; a house on the soutiiwest corner of
Second and Iron Streets, occupied by Abraham Grotz, still standing; a house occupied by
Christopher Kahler, on the lot east of Central House; a frame one-half story, where
Hendersliott's drug store now is, occupied by John Chamberlain; a log house opposite the
Kahler House, owned by John Hageubuch; a one-story frame storeroom, opposite the
southwest corner of Second Street, kept by Philip Mehrrling, afterward by William McKelvy, Cyrus Barton and E. H. Biggs, respectively. The last named tore down the old
building and erected the present block: a hotel, frame, two stories, where the Exchange
now is; a one-story frame on the southeast corner of Jefferson Alley and Second Street,
occupied by Mrs. Moomey; a log house on the northeast corner of Centre and Second
Streets, owned by Mr. Fisher; a frame twostory hotel on the northwest corner of Second
and Centre Streets, occupied as a hotel by John Chamberlain, the first regular hotel in
Bloomsburg. On the north side of Second Street there was no house nearer than where
Dr. McKelvy now lives; it was a log house, occupied by John Hess.
On East Street
below Third was a place called Hopkinsville; an Episcopal minister named Hopkins owned
and
laid
a
out
number of lots, and thus gave the place its local name. The Episthe land
copal Church, a frame building, stood on the site of the present Episcopal Church parsonage; the church building was moved to the lot in the rear of the store on the southwest corner of Second and Centre Streets, and is now" used as a storehouse. The first
wagon shop was established by Israel Wills on the southeast corner of the alley on Market between Second and Third Streets. The only school then was a one-story frame on
the northeast corner of Second and Iron Streets. It was a subscription school, and ita
The town as originally laid out by Eyer was from Iron
first teacher was a Mr. Ferguson.
John K. Grotz was one of the original stockholders and directors of the
to West Streets.
national bank in Danville. He resigned and became an organizer and director of the
First National Bank in Bloomsburg.
In 1870 he sold out his interest in the First National
Bank, and was one of the organizers of the banking company, of which his son is cashier.
Mr. Grotz has been treasurer of the Bloomsburg poor district for the last seven years.
His wife, Elizabeth Fistu, died in 1883. There are three of their children living: H. H.,
Mary N. and Henry C. Abraham Grotz was a native of Northampton County, Penn., as
was also his wife, nee Mary Kuhra. They came to Bloomsburg in 1806. He was a hatter
by trade and carried on that business on the corner of Iron and Second Streets until 1832.
He then moved to Stark County, Ohio, and bought a farm near Uniontown, where he
and his wife both died.
T.' L. GUNTON. proprietor of the marble works, Bloomsburg, is a native of Plainsville, Luzerne Co., Penn., born February 18. 1851.
Thomas W. Gunton, father of our
subject, moved from Plainsville to Bloomsburg in the spring of 1854, and established a
broom factory. Here our subject was reared, and when seventeen years of age he went
to Danville, and served four years at the trade of a marble-cutter, with Hon. Peter
Hughes. His present business was established by Anthony Witman in the year 1853.
His shop was located on Main Street, where Hendershott's drug store now stands. From
this location he removed to the court-house alley, in the rear of the old log building, the
present site of the Paul E. Wirt (formerly Brower's) building. Later on he located at the
southwest corner of Main and Market Streets, where he continued until 1868, when he
leased the ground and erected a portion of the wooden buildings now owned and occupied by our subject on the same street nearly opposite the last named location, where he
continued business until his death in November, 1870. After his death the place was
bought by the present proprietor, who began business December 27, 1870. Our subject
now manufactures all kinds of monumental work in granite, marble and also granite
and marble coping, posts, etc. His shops are fitted with steam power and machinery for
polishing the largest pieces of stone or marble. It is the only business of the kind in the
place, and Mr. Gunton does not only a portion of the work of the county, but also of the
surrounding country, and has the reputation of doing first-class work and using the best
He was married September 23, 1885, to Amanda Gunton (of no blood relationmaterials.
ship), a daughter of Richard Gunton, of Wilkesbarre. Penn.
Mr. Gunton is a member of
the Lutheran Church. He owns a business lot on Main Street, where his shops are located,
and a modern and commodious residence on Fourth Street, where he lives.
C. HALFPENNY, one of the partners in the Bloomsburg woolen-mills, is a
native of Laurelton, Union Co., Penn., born February 24, 1843, a son of H. S. and Julia
Ann (Buck) Halfpenny. He began his experience in woolen-mills with his uncle, Mark
Halfpenny, in his factory at Laurelton, when but fifteen years old, remaining six years.
He then enlisted, February 24, 1864, in Battery F, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery,
and served until January, 1866; then returned to Laurelton to his uncle's mill, which was
destroyed by fire the same fall. His uncle then moved the business to Lewisburg, Penn.,
and he remained in his employ until 1870. He left there to take the position of overseer in the carding, spinning and weaving department in Larry's Creek woolen-mill, in

HENRY

BLOOMSBURG.

341

Lycoming County. In the above position be remained about two years and then became
overseer of the carding and spinning department in the Nippenose Mills, at Antes Fort,
Lycoming County, where he continued ten or twelve years; then came to Bloomsbufg,
on the formation of the present partnership in 1882. Mr. Halfpenny gives his special attention to overseeing the carding and spinning department, in connection with his other
He was married October 1, 1866, to Carrie D. Deckard,
interests attached to the business.
of Mifflinburg, Union County. They have one son. Grant D., now assistant foreman in
the carding and spinning department of the Bloomsburg mill. The Halfpennys are of
an old English family, and have been largely identified, through its various branches, in
the manufacture of woolen goods. The grandfather of Henry C. Halfpenny immigrated
to the United States previous to 1800, and settled in the neighborhood of Muucy. Penn.
Four of his children learned their trade as manufacturers of woolen goods with Samuel
Kogers, of Muncy, a very prominent and prosperous manufacturer of that place. The
names of these four were Mark, now a prominent manufacturer and one-half owner of
the Lewisburg woolen-mills; John (now deceased), who owned and operated a factory at
Bells Mills, Blair Co., Penn.; James, formerly a partner with his brother Mark (died in
1885), and William R., who is devoting his latter years to farming.
BENJAMIN F. HARTMAN, Bloomsburg, was born at Catawissa. January 10, 1812,
and is a son of Thomas and Sophia (Leidenberg) Hartman. He has been a resident of
Bloomsburg for fifty-two years, with the exception of four years he spent at farming two
miles from that place. He is by trade a blacksmith, but has been engaged in a collection
and fire insurance business since 1848. From 1865 to 1869 he acted as deputy United
States revenue collector. Mr. Hartman was married in 1836 to Abigail Maria Pursel, who
died in 1883 aged seventy years, a daughter of Daniel Pursel, of an old Columbia County
family. Mr. and Mrs. Ilartman had two children: Henry H., who died aged two years,
and Celestia, who married O. T. Wilson (she was born February 7, 1838, died in June,
1881, and is buried in Roseinont Cemetery; she left five children: Lilly H., Frank H.,
Arthur N. (killed in a mill in June, 1886), Harry S. and Charles P.) Mr. Hartman is a
member of the Episcopal Church; has been secretary, treasurer and warden for twentyIn politics he is a Republican.
five years.
C. HARTMAN, merchant, Bloomsburg, was born September 18, 1822, in
Catawissa, Columbia County. The Hartman family of Bloomsburg is descended from
Nicholas and Isabella Hartman, of Baden-Baden, Germany. Their son, William, at the
age of twelve or thirteen came to America September 14, 1753, locating temporarily at
He
Bristol, Bucks Co., Penn., and paid for his passage to this country after his arrival.
was a tanner by trade, and later settled half-way between Bloomsburg and Berwick previous to the massacre of Wyoming. One day on his return from the mill he found his
cabin in ruins, having been set on fire by the Indians. His wife had discovered the presence of the savages in time to escape with her infant child, and was overtaken by her husband while on her way to Catawissa. There they afterward settled. He was a man of
very genial nature, kind to the poor, and a pioneer known far and wide as one of good
He and his pioneer wife are both buried in the old Quaker graveyard at Catarepute.
wissa.
Here he was probably married, his wife's maiden name being Frances Reamy.
He owned about 300 acres of land, which with the aid of his children he cleared up; he
died aged about eighty-three years. He and his wife were Lutherans, parents of twelve
children, of whom Thomas was the father of Henry C, the subject of this sketch. Thomas
married Sophia Ladenberg. He was a nail-maker by trade, but during the greater part of
He was an old line Whig in
his life was a farmer in Montour Township, this county.
His children were as follows: Charles, Benpolitics, and attended the Methodist Church.
jamin F., Jane, Wellington, William, Daniel, Henry C. and Isaiah W. Henry C, a grandson of the first settler, was reared on the farm, and when young learned the chairmaking and painting trades, after completing which he served two months as a journeyman.
He then began clerking for J. K. Sharpless at Catawissa, and October 10. 1848, opened a
general store with his brother, I. W., which partnership continued twenty-one years.
April 23, 1874, our subject opened his present store, in which he keeps a full line of carAugust 8. 1862, he was mustered in Company E, One Hundred and
pets, oil cloths, etc.
Thirty-Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for nine months, and served ten. He
married in 1852 Martha F. McClure, a member of the Presbyterian Church.
I. W. HARTMAN, merchant, Bloomsburg, was born two miles east of Catawissa, this
county, October 20, 1825, a son of Thomas Hartman, a farmer of that locality. He was
reared to the life of a farmer near Bloomsburg, and (his father having moved to Hemlock
Township) was educated at the schools of the neighborhood until sixteen or seventeen years
of age.
He then attended the Catawissa school taught by Mr. J. J. Brower one session,
and on leaving there, in August, 1843, engaged as a clerk with Eyer & Heffly, of Bloomsburg, in the building that Mr. Hartman now occupies. Five years later" he formed a
partnership with his brother, H. C. Hartman, and opened a general store in the old Arcade
Building, continuing there until 1855. During that time they bought the building where
our subject had been employed as clerk, and there they carried on a general business
under the firm name of H. C. & I. W. Hartman, until January 1, 1869. In that year our

HENRY

342

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

subject bought his brother's interest, and conducted the enterprise alone until August,
He then took in his son, Edwin V., as a partner, and the firm is known as I. W.
1883.
Hartman & Son. This business, as will be seen, was established in 1848. The sales that
year amounted to $12,000, and for many years averaged $;30,000 and upward per annum.
Mr. Hartman has been longer in continuous business as a merchant than any other man
He is a Republican and has served his vicinity in several offices in the
in IBloomsburg.
council; as school director; was superintendent and treasurer of Rosemont Cemetery
twenty -five years. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of
which he lias been class-leader, steward for twenty-seven years and trustee for many
He married, February 26, 1850, Mary Melinda Ritter, of Bloomsburg, and they
years.
have had six children, four of whom are living: Anna I., Edwin V., Ada M. and Robert E.
& HASSERT, car-builders, founders and machinists, Bloomsburg. This
firm was established in 1875 by Peter S. Harman and George Hassert, who still conduct
the business. Their first start was in a building 60x50 feet, which was occupied as a foundry and machine shop, where they manufactured plows and stoves and did custom work
with an annual business of about |2,000. In 1879 the business had grown to such an extent that they were obliged to enlarge their facilities by erecting additional buildmgs, increasing their capacity and employing from twenty to thirty hands. At the latter date
they added the building of mining cars to the business and have so continued u]) to date.
They make all kinds of castings and custom work, repairing of threshing machines, and
the business averages about $55,000 per annum. The foundry and shops are located on
the south end of East Street, near the D. & L. R. R.

HARMAN

George Hassert was born in Reichensachsan, Hesse Cassel, Germany, November 5,
He learned the trade of a mill1824, a son of George and Elizabeth (Wagner) Hassert.
wright in his native country, and when twentj' years old enlisted as a soldier in the
German Army. He served some six years and participated in several battles in the war
between Denmark and Germany. In 1848 he was in the regular army at Baden, engaged
He was wounded by a sabre
in suppressing the rebellion, and was stationed at Carlsruhe.
in the forehead and chin at the storming of Dabbelar Fort in Denmark. After leaving the
army he immigrated to the United States and located at Philadelphia, where he worked at
He came to Bloomsburg in 1856, and worked at his trade
his trade for four or five years.
He was married in Philadelphia, February
until the present business was established.
12, 1854, to Magdalena Decker, and to them were born the following children: Charles
W., Henry, Annie, Elizabeth, Emma, Ella and George A. Mr. Hassert is a member of
the Lutheran Church; in politics a Democrat.
Peter S. Harman was born in Orangevdle, this county, June 5, 1831, a son of
George and Mary (Knorr) Harman. The father, a native of Northumberland County, was
a very early settler in Columbia County, settling first at Mifllin and afterward at Orangeville.
He was a tanner by trade for many years, and died at Orangeville in 1881. Our
subject learned the trade of molder when but thirteen years old, with Louis H. Maus
of Bloomsburg, and followed it until establishing his present business as above stated. In
1861 he began on his own account in Mahanoy City, Penn., where he started and operated
a foundry'and machine shop for three years. Later he came to Bloomsburg and formed a
partnership with B. F. Sharpless, under the name of Sharpless & Harman, which partnership continued four years, and, two years after dissolving the partnership, established his
present business with Mr. Hassert. Mr. Harman was married in 1856 to Rebecca Freeze,
and nine children were born to them, seven of whom are living: Grace, Fanny, Jennie,
James Lee, Mary, John G. F. and Paul Zahner; Frank Freeze died aged five years, and
Howard Feton at the age of three years. The family attend the Episcopal Churcli. In

Harman is a Republican.
G. A. HERRING, farmer, P. O. Bloom.sburff, was born in Orangeville, Columbia
His greatCo., Penn., December 13, 1833, to John and Rachel (Snyder) Herring.
grandfather, Christopher Herring, came from Germany and located in Berks County,
Penn., where his son Frederick was born. The latter married, in Berks County, Miss
Susan Bright, and they afterward removed to Columbia County, locating in Roaringcreek Township; thence to what is now Orange Township, bought land where Henry Melick now resides, and here lived until his death, which occurred in 1838, having been suddenly stricken with paralysis. He is buried in the Orangeville Cemetery. John Herring,
father of George A., was born in Lynn Township, Berks County, and when a boy of about
eight years was brought by his parents to Columbia County. With them he remained until he was married, when he bought a lot in Orangeville on which he moved, and there
followed the trade of a carpenter and joiner. He has now been a resident of that place for
upward of half a century. He married in this county Miss Rachel Snyder, also a native
of Berks County, and who came to Columbia County with her parents when she was a
To him and his wife nine children were born, six of whom are living: C. D., in
child.
Wilkesbarre; George A., our subject; Priscilla, wife of John S. Neyhart, in Wilkesbarre;
A. B., in Owensville; Calvin, in Orangeville, and E. R. in Kankakee, 111. (the last two
named are twins). The deceased are Rebecca, wife of Henry J. Knorr, and an infant unnamed. John Herring is still a resident of Orangeville, but his wife died May 11, 1882.
politics Mr.

BLOOMSBUEG.

348

She was a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a member of the German Reformed
Church. Our subject was reared in Orangeville until the age of eighteen years, when he
began to learn the molder's trade. He tlien came to Bloomsburg and for three years
worked at his trade for Lewis Moss and also for Joseph Sharpless. He then went into
partnership with his uncle, John Snyder, then slieriff of the county, and together they
conducted the Excliange Hotel one year. The next two years he spent in Ohio, Indiana,
Michigan and Illinois; then returned to Columbia County, and for the next two years
worked at his trade. He then engaged in boat-building at Lime Ridge with a brother, C.
He
D., for three years and for the next two years carried on the same business alone.
then moved to Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, and there engaged in mercantile business
for twelve years, and for six years of that time was also engaged in the coal trade; thence
he removed to Bloomsburg in April, 1876, and there carried on the tanning business until
188L In 1879 he bought a farm of 180 acres in Mount Pleasant Township, and, since giving up the tanning business, has farmed. He married, at Lime Ridge, May 9, 1861, Miss
M.. A. Hess, a n;itive of Mifflinville, Columbia County, and a daughter of Daniel and PrisBoth her parents were natives of that township, but the Yobes were
cilla (Yobe) Hess.
originally from Berks County, where Mrs. Herring's grandparents were early settlers.
Her father died July 29, 1850, 'and her mother October 24, 1880; both are buried "in Mifflinville Cemetery.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Herring, tliree of whom are living: Grant Stanley, married to Emma Jones (resides in Bloomsburg; he is a graduate of
Lafayette College, of the class of 1883); Ida, attending Mount Holyoke Seminary, South
Hadley, Mass., and John R., who was prepared for the college at the Bloomsburg Normal
University and is now attendinij- the Lafayette College. The deceased are Florence GerMrs. Herring is a
trude, who died at the age of three months, and an infant unnamed.
member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Herring was county treasurer of Schuylivill County
two years and was president and superintendent of the water compan}' at Shenandoah six
years, and also superintendent of the gas company at that place; served in the town council six years; was treasurer of the savings fund for a like period, director of the Shenandoah Valley Bank six years, and treasurer of tlie Miners' Hospital fund at Shenandoah,
one year. He has been elected to the position of town council, president of Bloomsburg
four terms, and w^as assistant county treasurer of Columbia County six vears. He is a
member of Shenandoah Lodge, No. 591, I.;0. O. F. and of Blue Lodge, No. 611. A. F. &
A. M. at Shenandoah. He pas.sed all the chairs in the former lodge and was Past Grand Master a number of years; also held a number of offices in tlie latter lodge.
He was one of the
charter members of the Shenandoah Lodge, I. O. 0. F.
GRANT STANLEY HERRING, attorney at law. Bloomsburg, is a native of Centreville, Columbia Co., Penn., born May 19, 1862.
He is a son of George A. Herring, who
was formerly county treasurer of Schuylkill County, Penn., where he resided, but isnowa
resident of Bloomsburg. Our subject ol)ta;ned his preparatory education in Bloomsburg
Normal School, and became a student at Lafayette College in 1879, graduating in June,
1883. He registered as a law student in January, 1883, with E. R. Ikeler, Esq.. and was admitted to the bar in February, 1885. On the same day he formed a partnership with his
preceptor, and the firm is known as Ikeler & Herring.
J. M. HESS, retired farmer, Bloomsburg, was l)orn at Wapwallopen, Luzerne County,
February 22, 1823. to Jeremiah and Mary (Fenstermacher) Hess. The father was born in
Easton, Penn., and came from there to Luzerne County with his parents, when a boy. He
bought a mill property at Wapwallopen, ami operated it about eiglitor nine years; then
traded it for a farm in Salem township, and later bought another place, part of which he
sold, and for the last twenty or twenty-five years led a retired life.
He was twice married; first to Mary Fenstermacher, who bore him ten children, eight of whom are living:
Philip, near Fairmoimt Springs, Luzerne (Jounty: J. M., our subject; Nathan, in New Columbus, Luzerne County; Aaron W.. in Mifflinville; Reuben, in Town of Bloomslmrg;
Polly, wife of Thomas Brady, in Salem Township, Luzerne County; Elizabeth, wife of
Charles Hill, also in Salem Township, Luzerne County, and Catherine, wife of Reuben
Hill, in Dixon. Lee County, 111.
The deceased are Susan, wife of John Fenstermacher, and
John. Jeremiah Hess died in 1877; his first wife died in 1857, and both are buried in
Beach Haven Cemetery, Luzerne County. Our subject was six weeks old when his parents moved to Salem Township, and there he was reared to farm life. He made iiis home
with his parents until his nineteenth year when he went to learn the blacksmith's trade
with Charles Hagenbuch of Centre Township; but after nine months he abandoned the
trade and went to Salem Township where he married. He then moved to Orange Township and commenced farming on his own account, renting his father-in-law's farm, which
he bought twelve years later. There he resided until 1869. when he bought a residence
property in Bloomsburg, and has since made it his home. He married, January 26. 1843,
Miss Maria Pohe, a native of Mifflin Township, and a daughter of Joseph and Polly (Wolf)
Pohe. The Pohes were early settlers of the county, and here the parents of Mrs. Hess
passed their lives. Her father died September 5, 1880, in the ninetieth year of his age; his
wife died in 1883, and both are buried in Mifflinville Cemetery, Eight children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Hess, four of whom are living: George Wilson, married to Sarah Smith,
27

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

344

resides on Mr. Hess' farm; Mary Catherine, wife of Frank Cavanee, in Bloomsbiirg;
Sarah Agnes and Jeremiah A., who is engaged in the shoe business in Bloomsbnrg. The
deceased are Clarence, Sylvester, and two infants unnamed. Mr. Hess is a member of the
Reformed Church, Mrs. Hess of the Lutheran. Mr. Hess is a member of Mountain Lodge
No. 264, at Orangeville. He served as supervisor of Orange Township.
WILLLIM H. HOUSE, surgeon and dentist, Bloomsburg, was born at Danby, Tompkins Co., N. Y., May 17, 1850, a son of Oakley A. and Julia Ann (Payne) House. His
father was a farmer and is now living at Owego; he was also a veterinary surgeon and followed the profession for many years. Our subject obtained his education at Spencer
Academy, Tioga County, N. Y., and when twenty-one began learning the carpenter's
trade, but not finding it altogether to his taste, when twenty-two years old took up the
study of dentistry with Dr. 11. T. Dearborn of Mecklenburg, Schuyler Co., N. Y. He
remained with him about three years and then formed a partnership with his preceptor
which continued one year. March 17, 1874, he located at Bloomsburg where September
and has been continually in
1, same year, he opened a dental office on his own account,
His office is fitted with all the modern appliances requisite to the
practice up to date.
and
he
grown
into
first-class
office,
has
successful
practice. Mr. House
a
completeness of a
married, December 25, 1873, Miss Allie Bogart of Spencer, Tioga Co., N. Y., and a daughter of Isaac Bogart, a farmer of Spencer. They have had three children: Maggie J., died
aged ten years, March, 1885; Jennie E., died February 4, 1885, aged about nine years.
The former of meningitis and the latter of peritonitis, and Cora Belle, born March 29, 1881.
The Doctor and Mrs. House are members of the Methodist Church.
HIRAM C. HOWER, surgeon and dentist, Bloomsburg, was born in 1824, a son of
John and Rebecca (Davis) Hovver. The family is an old one in the county and settled
near Catawissa. The father, John Hower, was a soldier in the war of 1812. The Davises
were also old settlers, Jonathan Davis, the grandfather of our subject, settling also near
Catawissa. Dr. Hower was reared on a farm and learned the chair-making and painting
He was educated at the schools of his vicinity,
•trades, which he followed three years.
and at the age of twenty-two began to study dentistry with his uncle, Dr. Vallerschamp,
of McDowell's mills. After reading and studying with his uncle for about a year and a
half, he opened a dentist's office at Light Street and subsequently at Wilkesbarre, where he
was associated with Dr. Wadhams, but with the exception of two years since he began to
The Doctor is an adept in the profession,
.practice he has been located at Bloomsburg.
and during the thirty-six years he has been in Bloomsburg he has acquired a large pracFor ten years from 1867 he kept a general store at Bloomsburg and at the same time
tice.
also was interested in the sale of reapers and sewing-machines which business he conducted while holding a large practice in his profession. He married Caroline, daughter of
Oharles Ent, an old resident of Columbia County, and ten children were born to them,
The living are W. Ella, married to Moris Mitchell of Camden, N. J.;
ithree being dead.
Emma, wife of John F. Caldwell of Bloomsburg; Rettie, wife of Erastus Conner of Nanti'Coke; Cora, wife of A. M. Wintersteeu, a dentist at Bloomsburg; Myrtie, Wilbur and
Hiram Clarence, at home with their parents. Dr. Hower has the largest practice of any

and

sectian; is frequently called upon at his office to operate for people living
!n Philadelphia and other portions of this State; as also frcmi New York City and other
sections. While equal to the best in his general practice and diligent in acquiring all the
latest improvements in his business, he is making a specialty of gold-filling in which he has
no superior.
is descended from Irish ancestry, who came to the United
DOUGLASS
States from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1793. The first of the family to settle in Columbia County was Isaiah Hughes, who located with his wife, Henrietta (Tea) Hughes, in
Douglassville, Berks County, at a very early period. They were members of the society
of Friends and died in this county. Their children were as follows: Mary, died unmarried; Ann, died unmarried; Lydia, became the wife of Samuel Hartman, and George, who
married Ann, a daughter of Err and Sarah (Dunlap) Harder. George and his wife became
the parents of the subject of this sketch, and were both natives of this county, born October
'dentist in this

HUGHES

George
31, 1803, respectively, and were married February 1, 1823.
They were both members of the Methodist
his wife August 23, 1871.
Church and were buried in what is known as the Friends' burying-ground in Catawissa,
this county. He followed the wheelwright trade and also the foundry business at Catawissa
for a number of years. They had seven children: Harriet, born November 8, 1823, died
at the age of four years; Douglass, our subject, born December 27, 1825, married Novem
ber 27, 1849, Matilda, a daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Fornwald) Baldy of Catawissa;
Maberry, born July 21, 1828, unmarried; Marshall, born March 28, 1830, married Matilda
Klutz, and died May 4, 1862; Ann Eliza, born February 29, 1832, and married Ransloe
Boone; Marks Biddle, born July 19, 1834, and died, unmarried, October 14, 1859; Henrietta
and Sarah (twins) born March 23, 1840 (the former married Edward Smith, and the latter
Dr. Jacob Vastine of Catawissa, this county). Douglass Hughes learned the chair-making
and painter's trades with his father, with whom be remained, except a year or two, until
1848.
He then established himself in a chair-making and painting business, on the south18. 1798,

and March

died April

10, 1881,

BLOOMSBURG.

345

corner of Iron and Second Streets, Bloomsburc^. and conducted it for seven years.
then bought a farm one mile from town, on the Susquehanna River, where he lived
In 1882 he moved to Bloomsburg, bought a residence, and in 1884, his
for twent}' j'ears.
present place, which is known as the "Bidleman property." Mrs. Hughes is a member
of the Methodist Church, of which her husband is also an attendant. Thej^ are the parents of three children: Clara Augusta, born March 15, 1853, married John Waggenseller
of Bloomsburg; Mary A., born June 2, 1854. married Alfred Harman of Catawissa, died
in Ma,y, 1883, and George Marshall, born September 38, 1858, married Rose Farnsworth of
Rupert, this county.
ELIJAH R. livELER, attorney at law, Bloomsburg, was born in Greenwood Township, this county, February 37, 1838, a son of Isaac Ikeler, an old and respected farmer of
that township, now deceased.
Our subject at the age of sixteen became a student at the
Greenwood Seminary. Millville. Subsequently he learned the miller's trade at Millville,
and on completing it bought a part interest and continued the business until 1865, when
he moved to Bloomsburg, meanwhile keeping up his studies. After coming here he registered as a law student with Col. John G. Freeze iu the fall of 1864.
April 1, 1865, he
became a regular student iu his office, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1867. In 1869
he was elected district attorney and served during the tirst of the "Molly Maguire " trials,
and upon the town organization was elected its first treasurer. Mr. Ikeler is a Democrat
and during the war was an active supporter of the Union cause. In 1865 he bought the
Columbia Democrat and consolidated it with the Star of the North, and called the paper
the Democrat and Star. He was connected with it one j^ear when he sold his interest and
has since devoted his time exclusively to his profession. He marrtfed, March 33, 1863, Miss
Helena Armstrong, a daughter of Ephraim Armstrong, of Bloomsburg. and a descendant of
the Rittenhouses, of near Philadelphia. They have two children, Frank A. and Fred T.,
aged respectively eighteen and sixteen years. The ancestors of the Ikeler family in Columbia County were originallj' Germans and came to America in 1760. The great-grandfather
of our subject was Joseph, who settled in Belvidere, N. J.; the name was Then spelled
Eggler. He was a farmer, and on- the outbreak of the Revolution enlisted and served on
He died iu New Jersey. His sou, Andrew J., was the founder of the
the colonial side.
family in Columbia County. He was married in New Jersey to Christiana Johnson, and
was a magistrate in this county about the year 1835. He and his wife came the entire distance from New Jersej' on horseback, bringing with them their effects, and located in
Greenwood Township. He took up about 1.000 acres, which still remain in possession of
his descendants.
He was a leading citizen and held many local and county offices. He
died in 1854 aged eighty years; his widow in 1866, at the age of ninety-three. Both are
buried in the family lot on the old homestead. He was for a long time colonel of militia;
raised a regiment for the war of 1813 and led it to the field.
His son. Isaac, married Mary
Taylor, a native of New Jersey, and they became the parents of Elijah R. Isaac was a
farmer and a highly respected citizen. He died in 1884 at the age of eighty years, and his
wife in 1879, aged sixty-five years. Both are buried in Mount Pleasant Township, this
county.
CAPTAIN A. B. JAMESON, civil service. Washington, D. C, was born in Schuylkill
County, Penn,. August 33, 1836, in tlie family of nine children born to Judith and Daniel
Jamison,* eight of whom are living, four sons having given their services to the cause of
the Union during the war of the Rebellion. The father removed with his family to Columbia County in 1839 and established the hotel known as "The Halfway House," between
Bloomsburg and Berwick on the Susquehanna. This hotel was but short lived, however,
to Mr. Jamison, for, having connected himself with the Methodist Church in 1843, he
abandoned the business. Our subject attended the public schools until he was sixteen
years of age, and then left his home to battle for himself with the realities of life. Later
he secured about two years' schooling at Dickinson Seminary and the academy at New
Columbus: then taught a district school one year. April 31, 1863, Mr. Jameson enlisted in
Company A, Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves: was commissioned first lieutenant September 31,
1863, and breveted captain United States Volunteers at the battle of the Wilderness.
At
the battle of Antietam he received a contused wound of the knee joint, on account of
quartermaster
of
which disability he was appointed acting
the regiment, in which capacity
he served during the last year of his service. After serving the full term of his enlistment
(three years), Capt. Jameson left the army a cripple, and had, therefore, to accept a position in the civil service. He also commenced the study of medicine, in which he graduated
from the University of Georgetown, D. C, Medical Department. March 5, 1867. Capt.
Jameson takes pride in the fact that he has assisted in the adjustment of the accounts of
the interest on the public debt; redemption of Government securities; funding and refunding of national loans caused by the war of the Rebellion, involving millions on millions
in amounts passed upon, requiring fidelity to the Government and honesty and care in the
settlements; and it can be truly said of him, without adulation, that he has always held the
confidence of those under whom and with whom he has served in any capacity. Reared
in the Calvinistic faith by consistent orthodox parents, our subject has had engrafted on
•east

He

*A8 spelled by Capt. Jameson's

father; correct spelling, however, is

Jameson.

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

34G
him pure

Christianizing influences. In mature years, however, not being ahk? to subscribe
iron-bound creeds and dogmas as advanced by Calvin, he sought what lie considered
the more liberal, larger and broader faith, and became united with the Unitarian Church.
DANIEL W. KITCHEN, manager of the Farmers Produce Exchange, Bloomsburg,
was born in Rohrsburg, this county, in 1859, a son of Amos H. and Sarah Ann (McHenry)
Kitchen. Amos H. was a son of Henry and Matilda (Davi.s) Kitchen, and Henry was a
son of a pioneer, who first settled in this county in 17—, near Itohrsburg. He was a native of Ireland, a farmer by occupation, and a member of the Methodist Church.
He took
up some 400 acres in the neighborhood of Rohrsburg, where he resided many years and
family
of
a
thirteen
children.
Many
his
descendants
are
still
leaving
of
found
died,
in
Daniel W. educated at Starkey Seminary, Yates County, N. Y., and when
this count3^
twenty-one began teaching, which profession he followed two terms. He then engaged
as a clerk in the general store of William Masters, at Millville, and continued in his emplo}'
for fifteen years. In 1883 he was appointed by the directors of the Farmers Produce Exchange as their business manager, and assumed charge in January, 1882, in the old building adjoining the present store. The annual sales then averaged about $1,000, but under
the supervision of Mr. Kitchen the sales of the first three months amounted to $1(5,000.
Shortly after he took charge a grain trade was established, which resulted in a regular
grain market. In 1886 the present large three-story structure 73x42, was built at a cost of
The Exchange has an annual sale of about $80,000, and regularly declares divi$7,500.
dends from 6^ per cent upward. The business carries a general stock and requires the
attention of four men, besides occasional outside help. The most of the produce is sold
Mr. Kitchen married, September 2, 1873, Lizzie J. Warner of Muncy,
at local points.
a daughter of James Warner, and they have one child, Carola J. Mr. Kitchen is a
strict temperance advocate and for many years was a member of and worker in the
to tlie

Good Templar
C. A.

organization.

KLEIM,

druggist, Bloomsburg,

is

a native of Philadelphia, born in 1847, son of

Henry and Dorotha(EichoUz) Kleim, natives respectively of Hesse Cassel and the village
of Eisenach, in Saxony, Germany.
They came to the United States in 1846, and in 1857
to Bloomsburg, where they still reside, and where the father keeps a grocery store on
Our subject obtained his early education in the schoolsof Philadelphia, and
Street.
pleted his studies at the Bloomsburg Classical School kept by Mr. Henry Carver.

East

com-

He

then learned the drug business with Moyer Brothers, serving a three years' apprenticeship, and soon after, in 1872, bought the present business from E. P. Lutz.
He carries a
full line of drugs, has a regular prescription business, and does one of the best trades of
the kind in the town. He was first married in 1872 to Clara J. Seasholtz, who died in
1883 leaving one child Harry C. His second marriage took place in September, 1884,
with Miss Addie Johnson. Mr. Kleim is a Democrat and an active worker in the interests of his party, and has served two terms as secretary of the Democratic committee of
the county. He is now serving as director of the poor for Bloomsburg District. He is a
member of the Lutheran Church.
C. F. KNAPP, insurance agent, Bloomsburg, was born in the citj' of Besigheim, Wurtemberg, Germany, October 12, 1822, a son of John B. and So]>hia Dorathea (Konzman)
Knapp, former of whom was born in the same city in March, 1784, and the latter in
Stadten, August 9, 1791; they were married in April, 1814, at Besigheim. The father
was a wine-dresser in his native country, and followed that occupation until April, 1831,
when, with his wife and six sons, he set out for America, landing at Philadelphia on the
9th of August of that year. Here Mr. Knapp obtained employment in the glass works at
Kensington, and twelve years later moved to Potts Grove Township, Montgomery County,
where he purchased a farm and resided the remainder of his days. They had ten children,
five of whom are living: our subject; Ernest, engaged in the stone and marble business
inPhoenixville, Chester County; Charles A., a locomotive engineer in Philadelphia; Caroline D., widow of John Ellis Van Natta, residing in Philadelphia; John G., engaged in
iron works in Pottstown, Montgomery County, and Jacob, a farmer near Pottstown. Montgomery County. The deceased are John David, Christian G., Louisa Clara,G. Gottleib and
William F. John B. Knapp died in Montgomery County; his wife died in Potts Grove,
same county, on the 26th of August, 1848, some years before her husband. Both are
buried in the Swamp Cemetery of the Lutheran Church, Montgomery County. C. F. Knapp
was nine years of age when the family came to Philadelphia, and in the schools of that
When a boy he drove a horse on the towpath of the canal,
city received his education.
and later drove a cart on the construction of the Reading Railroad. At the age of
twenty-one he came to Bloomsburg and worked on the construction of the first furnaces
After their erection he went into the mines and helped to produce the first ore that
here.
was used in these furnaces. After three years he abandoned mining, apprenticed himself
to learn all the branches of masonry, and spent about four years in acquiring a thorough
knowledge of the business. He was then disabled by a fall, and later was appointed first
assistant revenue assessor of this district, and served in that capacity during the adminisHe then en
tration of President Lincoln, but was one of the first discharged by Johnson.
gaged in the fire insurance business, which he has since followed, and is now the special

—

BLOOMSBURG.

347

agent and adjuster for the State of Pennsylvania for three companies, a position he has
held since 1876. He married in Bloouisburg, October VS, 1846, Miss Maria Elizabeth Van
Natta, who was born in Bloouisburg October 18, 1825, a daughter of Peter and Rosina
Van Natta. Her parents were natives of Bloouisburg; her grandparents of New Jersey.
To Mr. and Mrs. Knapp five children were born (four of whom are living): Caroline Margaret, wife of William F. Bodine, of Bloomsburg; Sophia Amelia, wife of Harvey Long,
residing atNanticoke; Johu Ellis (deceased); Peter E., married to Clara Wicht (resides
in Bloomsburg and assists Mr. Knapp in his insurance business), and Mary Catherine,
married to George S. Bobbins, iu Bloomsburg. The family are all members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Knapp is a Republican politically. He joined the I. O. O. F. in 1846,
has held the secretaryship of Van Camp Lodge, No. 140, ever since, and for thirty-two
years has held the o"ffice of District Deputy Grand Master of the order. He became a
member of the Susquehanna Encampment, No. 60, in 1848, and was District Deputy Grand
Patriarch for seven years. September 28, 1851, he became a member of Danville Lodge, No.
224, A. F. & A. M., from which lodge he withdrew and instituted Washington Lodge,
No. 265, at Bloomsburg, of which he has been secretary almost from its organization;
served as Deputy Grand Master eight years; He joined Girard Lodge, No. 214 iu 1854,
became a Royal Arch Mason in Catawissa Chapter; from which chapter he withdrew and
started. No. 218, at Bloomsburg, and has been a member of that organization up to date,
serving live years as Deputy Grand High Priest. He has been secretary of Mt. Moriah
Council, No. 10, R. S. & S. M., from its organization, served as Grand Master for Pennsylvania of that body from 1859 to 1876, a record equaled by no other living man. He became
a member of Park Coramandery, No. 7. March 6, 1856, and started Crusade Commandery,
No. 12, at Bloomsburg, and has served as its recorder almost from its organization; was
installed as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania
at the city of Reading in 1860 and was Grand Lecturer of the State 1861-63. He received the
A. A. S. rite, Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S. Thirty-second Degree, March 5, 1865. and was
Commander-in-Chief of the same organization to December, 1885. When he retired from the
service he was presented with a valuable silver service; was made Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Thirty-second Degree and active member of the Supreme Council,
September 18, 1872; was admitted to the order of the Knights of Rome and Red'^Cross, of
Constantine, December 7, 1870; Past Grand Sovereign of the Slate of Penn,sylvania and
Past Grand Master of the United States^of America, and received the Order of the Grand
Cross, of which there can only be thirty in the Nation.
SAMUEL KNORR, attorney, Bloomsburg, is a native of what is now Centre Township, this county, born December 24, 1836, and is a son of Henry D. and Sarah (Kelchner)
Knorr, of the same township. Henry D. was a son of Henry and Margaret (Deitrich)
Knorr, who was a son of Leonard Knorr, a native of Germany, and located in Centre
Township about the year 1782. The father was a farmer, and prominent in the affairs of
the township and county in an early day. He was a member of tbe Reformed Church.
A great-uncle, John Knorr, had a large family, and owned a farm in Centre Township.
One of his descendants, Mrs. Ann Hess, now lives at the mouth of Fishing Creek. Until
the age of sixteen our subject remained on his father's farm. He then came to Bloomsburg and attended the higli school in the summer and taught schoo'l in the winter for two
years.
He then returned home and remained one year, continuing his studies and teaching that winter. Li 1856 he became a student in Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport,
where he remained two years, and in 1858 began to read law in the office of William G.
Hurley of Bloomsburg, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1860. That winter he
taught school, and immediately after the firing on Fort Sumter he enlisted, April 22, 1861,
in what was known as the "Iron Guards of Bloomsburg," afterward as Company A,
Sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. Mr. Knorr served in the company as private and first .sergeant until October 6, 1861, when he was promoted to the second lieutenantcy of the company, in which capacity he served until October 28, 1862. He was
then mustered out on account of physical disability. He was in command of the picket
line in the advance, and opened the battle of Dranesville; was actively engaged in the
Peninsula campaign, in the engagement at second Bull Run, and the battle of Sharpsburg. Disease contracted in the Peninsula campaign, followed by the fatigue and privations of the second Bull Run campaign, caused the sickness on account of which he was
discharged. On his return from the service he went we.st and established an office at
Davenport, Iowa. Three months later Lee invaded Pennsylvania, so abandoning his
office Mr. Knorr returned home, in 1863, and recruited Companies A and I, Thirty-fifth
Six weeks after the regiment %yas
State Militia; was appointed major of the regiment.
mustered out and returned home. In October, 1863, the Government began organizing
colored troops, and Mr. Knorr was commissioned captain of Company A, Nineteenth
He was on recruiting service at Baltimore
Regiment, United States colored troops.
From that date the regithat winter, and joined the Army of the Potomac May 4, 1864.
ment was in a succession of constant engagements until June 17, when it took position in
When the
front of Petersburg, and participated in the charge on the rebel works.
famous mine explosion took place, one-third of the regiment was killed. In December

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

348

they were transferred to Bornuula Hundred, where they repulsed a char^^e of the rebels.
January 1, 1865, they became part of the Army of the James; were on siege duty at Fort
Steadman; entered Richmond at Lee's surrender; assisted in putting out the fire, and in
June, 1865, Avere sent to the Rio Grande. Mr. Kuorr was promoted to major October 5,
1864, and lieutenant-colonel February 27, 1865, and served in that capacity until he reHe at once opened an office at Bloomsburg
signed, January 6, 1866, and returned home.
and resumed the practice of law. He was one of the electors in 1868 in the election of
President Grant, and was present at the inauguration. In 1869 he was appointed assessor
of internal revenue for the Thirteenth Congressional District, and held it until 1873, when
the office was abolished. Mr. Knorr has served the town as member of the council, of
the school board, and the State as a trustee of the State normal school for thirteen years.
L. Ettla, of Harrisburg,
Mildred, now seventeen
class,
and Clifton C. His secyears of age, a student at Vassar College in the sophomore
sister of his first wife.
Ettla,
a
December
with
Mary
A.
24, 1876.
ond marriage occurred
Mr. Knorr is a member of the Methodist Church.
KNORR, blacksmith, Bloomsburg, was born in Milton, Northumberland
Co., Penn., in 1837, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Brumheller) Kuorr, who settled in
Briarcreek Township, this county, about the same year. Jacob followed agricultural pursuits, and resided during the later years of his life on a farm two miles north of Berwick,
where he died in 1841. He left a fair estate; was a Democrat, and served his locality in
various local offices. He was buried in Briarcreek churchyard, and his wife in Rosemont
Cemetery. They were both members of the German Reformed Church. Stephen Knorr
until his father's death lived on the farm, and when eighteen began learning the blacksmith trade. In 1848 he opened a shop of his own between the Exchange and Central
Hotel; in 1861 built his present shop on the corner of Second and West Streets, and has
He also conducts a wagon-making business in connection with
since carried on both.
blacksmithing. He married Minerva, daughter of George Fry, one of the first settlers of
Bleomsburg, having come here when there were but three buildings in the place. Mr. and
Mrs. Knorr'have four children living: Susan E., married to Edward Searle; Ida, widow of
Christian R. Alleman; William E., married to Jennie Wintersteen; George S., married to
Louisa Andes. Alice died at the age of sixteen months. Mrs. Knorr is a member of the
Lutheran Church. Politically Mr. Knorr is a Democrat, and has served as member of the
town council six terms, and president of the same one year, school director for about nine
He has resided in
years, and has held other local offices such as judge of elections, etc.
town continuously, and all the custom blacksmiths, except one, now doing business in
Bloomsburg, learned their trade with him.
WILLIAM KRICKBAUM, editor of The Sentinel, Bloomsburg, is a native of Catawissa Township, this county, born September 18, 1835. His father, Henry Krickbaum. a
farmer, owning some 200 acres of land in that township, died when our subject was but a
year old, and his widow, Susan (Breisch) Krickbaum, married for her second husband, Benjamin Miller. William remained on the home farm with his mother and stepfather until
twenty-one years of age, and during that time attended the common schools of the vicinity
two months each year for several years; also two terms at Millville Seminary; subsequently

He has been twice married, first in November, 1864, to Emma
who died July 15, 1875, the mother of two children now living;

STEPHEN

at Williamsport, Dickinson Seminary, and one more term at Millville. Previous
to his last term at Millville in 'March, 1857, he married Miss Judith, daughter of George
Miller of Maine Township, this county. During his student days he had taught school,
and followed that vocation before and after his marriage some twelve terms. From his
majority he had always taken an active part in politics, and worked in the interest of the
Democratic party, to which he is now and has always been an adherent, and in 1866, while
still teaching, was appointed commissioner's clerk for Columbia County, a position he
filled for twelve consecutive years, during a greater part of that time also acting as depuIn 1878 he resigned the clerkship to accept the office of
ty treasurer and as sheriff's clerk.
prothonotary, to which he had been elected the same year. He served two terms as prothonotary, and in 1884 was a candidate for a third term, and, although in reality having a
majority of 175 was, under the limited system of voting in choosing delegates, defeated.
For a period of upward of twenty-five years Mr. Krickbaum has been officially and otherwise prominently and influentially identified with the politics of Columbia County. Probably no man ever held public office in Columbia County who worked with a truer regard for
the interest of the taxpayers and its public welfare than did Mr. Krickbaum through his long
It is proverbial that, in his taking charge of the proservice to the county as an official.
thonotary office, and indeed, from the first years of his service as commissioners' clerk,
many fees in the sheriff's and prothonotary 's office which he thought exorbitant and an
injustice to the citizens, were reduced through him to a lower and more considerate figure, and remained so during his official occupancy. April 12, 1885, Mr. Krickbaum bought
the office and plant of ihe Democratic Sentinel at Bloomsburg. The paper was then 24x
He has enlarged it to an eight36 inches, seven columns, and had a circulation of 600.
page eight-column paper, size 26x40 inches, with a circulation increased in less than two
years to 2,500 subscribers. The Krickbaums are of German extraction, and the first of the

two terms

BLOOMSBUEG.

349

family to settle ia the United States located in Montgomery County, Penn. The first to
His wife's maiden
settle in Catawissa Township was Philip, in the spring of 1794.
name was Susannah Trexler of Hickorvtown. near Philadelphia, and of German parentage.
He died in 1822, aged sixty-three years: his wife also died in Catawissa Township, and
both are buried in "Catawissa Cemetery.
CHARLES KRUG, proprietor of Krug's planing-mill, Bloomsburg, was born im
Berne Township, Berks Co., Penn., November 11, 1848, a son of Adam and Ann Eliza
(Eisanhart) Krug. of that county, former of whom, a farmer, died in that county; latter is
Adam. Our subject was
still living in Wliite Ear Valley, Union Co., Penn., with her son,
reared on a farm, but when eighteen began learning the carpenter's trade; came to Bloomsburg in 1867, and in 18G9 began the business of contractor and builder. He purchased the
plant of his present business in 1880. remodeled the buildings, refitted with new boilers
and engines of forty-horse power, and the latest improved machinery, including two steam
When running under full
planers'^ one a twenty-six inch and the other a fourteen inch.
headway the mill furnished employment to from forty to fifty hands. The principal articles of manufacture are doors, sash, blinds, sidings and all kinds of dressed lumber toorder. The establishment turns out annually $59,000 worth of business with a pay-roll to
employes of about $12,000 per annum. Mr. Krug also does a large business in contracting
and building and was awarded the contract for erecting the addition to the State normal
school at a cost of $12,500 and upward. He also built the large school-house at Catawissa, the opera house at Bloomsburg, the E. 11. Ikeler house, Episcopal parsonage, and
the large l)usiness blocks west of the "Exchange Hotel," the Furman Block, the "Derrick House," at Mahanoy City, and others too numerous to mention, having probably
erected in Bloomst)urg and vicinity upward of a thousand buildings of diflferent descripAmong one of the lai-irest was the Lutheran Church at Milton, a brick structure
tions.
partly Goihic in style. Mr. Krug has been twice married; fir>t, in December, 1864, to
Frances Ann Yeager, who died in Februarv, 1882, leaving ten children: Laura Agnes,
who mirried Henry Jones; VVillitz, Edward, Cora, Celesta Ann. William. Morris, ArHis second marriage occurred in May, 1882. with Margaret Ana
thur, John and Paul.
Frederick, who has borne him three children Sarah. Julia and Helen. Mr. Krug is a
:

of the F.
A. M., No. 265, at Bloomsburg; a member of the Reformed Church.
In politics he is a Democrat.
ISAAC S. KUHN, stock dealer, Bloomsburg, isanative of Northampton County,Penn.,
born at Easton in 1830, a son of Andrew and Matilda(Brutsman) Kuhn. The parents were
descended from prominent farmers of that county who.se ancestors came trom Germany at
an early day. Andrew Kuhn moved to this county in 1832 and settled in Bloomsburg,
where he owned and operated a farm just back of the present normal school. He and his wifewere both members of the Lutheran Church, and later moved to Akron, Ind.. where they
died.
Our subject when young learned the harness trade at Easton and followed it for
ten years. In 1855 he came to" Bloomsburg and established a butcher business which he
continued for thirty years, but, the last two years, has been handling stock, shipping cattlefrom Buffalo, bringing to this market fifty or sixty carloads per season, averaging from
twenty to twenty -four head per car. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr.
Kuhn married Susan Dengler, of Schuylkill Haven. Penn., in 1856, and they have six
Mr. Kuhn
D., May A., Lottie L. and Bessie R.
children: Alvaretta V., Eliza M.,
is one of the most substantial citizens of Bloomslnirg.
H. LITTLE, attoruev at law, Bloomsburg, was born March 23, 1823, im
His father, George Little, moved with his family to Bethany,
the State of New York.
Wayne Co.. Penn.j when our subject was quite young, and there resided, carrying on n
tannery until our subject was ten years old. He then moved to Montrose. Susquehanna
Co., Penn., and engaged in mercantile business. Our subject obtained his early education
at the schools of Montrose, and in his eighteenth year began reading law as a student in
Little, of Montrose, Penn.. but completed his legal studies at Morris,
the oflSce of Lusk
Grundy Co., 111. There he was admitted to the bar in 1844, and practiced law in Joliet.
same State, for two years. He then practiced two years more at Morris. 111., and while
a resident of that place, on one occasion went hunting prairie chickens when his gun accidentally discharged, lacerating his arm in such a manner as to render its ampuiation
necessary. In 1847 he returned to Montrose. Penn.. and in 1848 opened a law office at
Tunkhannock. Penn. In 1849 he was appointed weighmaster on the canal at Birchoveu,
and acted as such for two years. In December. 1850. he married Eliza Seybert, and in
the spring of 1851 came to Columbia County, and located at Berwick, where he practiced
He then came to Bloomsburg. and has been in continuous and
his profession until 1860.
Mr. Little is a Democrat; was elected district atsuccessful practice here up to date.
torney for Columbia County in 1856. and re-elected twice, serving nine years in all, and
In addition to his law practice
is well known throughout the country as an able lawyer.
with his son, R. R. Little, he also superintends and oj)erates a farm of 135 acres, located'
He is a member of the Baptist Church.
three and a half miles from Bloomsburg.
R. LITTLE, attorney at law, Bloomsburg. was born at Berwick, this
county, in May, 1852. He obtained his literary education at the schools of Bloomsburg

member

&

Emma

EPHRAIM

&

ROBERT

350

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and iTiuduiUed at tlx; nornial school in the el iss of 1871. He completeil his studies at
Kocheslcr Utiiversity and llnindtoii College, Cliuton, N. Y., and then began the study
of law in his father's otlice.
In 1874 he was admitted to the bar, and in the same year began the practice at Bloomsljurg, in ])artnershlp with his father. He was elected district
attorney of Columbia County January 1, 1878, and re-elected in 1881. serving six years.
He is now serving as chairman of the Democratic standing committee of the county.
In 1878 lie married Deboiah T. Tustiu, and one child was born to their union.
He is a
meml)er of tlie Baptist Church.
GEORGE M. & JOHN K. LOCKARD, car builders, general nuichinists and founders,
Bloomsburg. This important business industry was established iu 1863 by Semple
& Taylor, who conducted a machine shop and "fourulry for some years, and in 1871 the
])lant was bought by the Columbia County Iron & Manufacturing Company.
The latter enhirged the facilities somewhat and added car building, but, "becoming involved, in
1873 the plant was bought by M. W. Jackson, of Berwick, of the car-building firm of
Jackson & Woodin. G. M. Lockard became identified with the business in 1871 as foreman ()f the wood department for the Columbia County Iron & Manufacturing Company,
and in 1872 with J. K. Lockard, who had also become identified with the business,

bought a one-quarter interest in the concern. On the closing up of the affairs of the
•Columbia County Iron & Manufacturing Company they both returned to Berwick,
and to the employ of Jackson & Woodin, with whom they had previously been engaged
for upward of five years as foremen of different gangs of men in the car works.
In 1875
they contracted.for and took possession of their present establishment, and in 1879 by
purcliase became sole owners.
In 1879 tlie buildings were destroyed by fire with a loss
of 140,000. and only $18,000 insurance. The Messrs' Lockard immediately began erecting
new buildings, which, wiih machinery ready fitted, were completed for work and under
full iieadway within ninety days from the date of the fire, with' treble the capacity they
had before. The following four years they built over 4,000 twenty-ton railroad cars, and

amount of other work.' The business antuially amounted to nearly $1,000,000
and employed from 200 lo 250 men, with a pay-roll amounting to $10,000 per mouth.
Since 1883 the work has been principally the building of mining cars, car wheels,
mining supplies, etc., averaifing about $100,000 per annum, and employing forty to fifty
men. The JNIessrs Lockard have won, while comparatively young, a foremost place
among the business men of Columbia County, with varied and diversified interests extending even to Florida, wiiere G. M. Lockard has a farm of 175 acres in Marion County.
There they made a visit in 1885. on the tnp crossing the Gulf of Mexico, visiting New
Orleans, up the Mississippi to St. Louis, Chicago and other western points, and thence
did a vast

Jiome.

Gkokge M. Lockakd was born

in BriarcreeK Township, near Berwick, June 6,
John ami Elizabeth (Seybert) Lockard. His father w.is a carpenter and
our subject when but fourteen years old began learning the same trade. He obtained
his education in the schools of the vicinity and completed his studies at the academy at
New Columbus, Luzerne Co., Penn. subsequently he taught school during winters for five
terms, and for about five years owned and operated a boat on the canal. ^ In 18G1 or 1862
he again returned to his trade, in the employ of Jackson & Woodin in the capacity
above mentioned, and remained with them until he came to Bloomsburg. He married,
April 7, 1864, Esther J. Tompson. Mr. Lockard is a Democrat and an active worker in
the interests of his part};-; has served on various occasions as delegate to the county and
State conventions, and has also been a mem!)er of the town council.
He and his wife reside in a commodious house nearly opposite his place of business, and he also owns his
old homestead at Berwick, this county.
John K. Lockahd was born near Berwick, Columbia County, May 23. 1846, a son of
Alexander and xVnn (Cope) Lockard. His father was a farmer and John K. remained at
home until he was eighteen, when he learned tlie carpenter's trade, having previously received a good English education in the schools of the vicinity. After completing his
trade he was employed in the car works of Jackson & Woodin, as before mentioned. He
married, iu 1869 Celenda V. Edwards, who has borne him six children: Anna V., Jennie L., William C. Alexander T.. Leiha and Richard.
Mr. Lockard is a Democrat, and
1835, a son of

;

has served in the council of Bloomsburg. He lives on Fifth Street in one of the finest residences iu town, which he erected in 1884 at a cost of $15,000. It is built of brick, with
a cement-finish, and finished inside throughout v^^itli black walnut, and supplied with all

modern improvements.
M. P. LUTZ, insurance agent. Bloomsburg, was born in Benton Township, Columbia
County, January 13, 1841, to' Adam and Sidney (Travis) Lutz. His grandfather. Peter
Lutz, was born in Berks County, Penn., and in 1810 came to this county and located in
Benton Township on what is now the State road, one mile below Cainbra, where he
bought a tract of land. This he improved, erected comfortable dwellings and here
resided until his death. While in Berks County he married Catherine Belle's, and it was
a few years later when they moved to this county.
He died in 1831 and his widow in
1862, and they are both buried near Pealertown.
Adam Lutz was the second son of Peter

BLOOMSBURG.

351

our subject. He was reared in his native township, Benton, and
his parents until his marriage, assisting on the farm and in the meantime learning the carpenter's trade. He married in January, 1838, Miss Sidney Travis,
who was a native of Luzerne Countv, and after marriage moved to Fairmount Township,
Luzerne County, where they bought a farm and resided four or five years. There Mrs.
Lutz died, and her husband sokflhe property and resumed the carpenter trade until his
second marriage, which occurred in Jackson Township. Columbia County, in January,
He then located on tlie old homestead of his father and
1851, with Catherine Knouse.
farmed it for six years. In IS.")? he bought a farm near the town of Benton, and there
resided until the spring of 1861, when he removed to Benton and built a house in which

and became the

made

bis

fatlier of

home with

By his first marriage there were four children, three
tinie of his death
are living: N. A., wife of Geo. Hazlett. in Bloomingdale, Luzerne County; M.P.,
our subject, and F. M., in Benton Township. The deceased one was named Sidney Mary.
By his second marriage there were also four children, of wliom three are living: N. A..
wife of Reuben Whitmire of Wilkesbarre; Clarissa C, wife of Sylvester Sollider, of
Bloomsburg; and S. A., who lives in Centre Township; Phebe J. is deceased. Adam
Lutz died in 1866 and is buried at Benton. His widow resides at Espy and is now the
wife of Judge James Lake. M. P. Lutz was reared until the age of twenty years in Benton Township, and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood at
be resided until the
of

whom

Columbus Academy, and took a commercial course at Kingston. In early life he asAt the age of twenty he entered the service of his country
sisted his father on the farm.
and remained until December, 1862. He then engaged in the furniture business in Benton
until August, 1864, when he again entered the service and remained to the close of the
war. He then returned home and embarked in the millwright business at Wilkesbarre
In 1866 he engaged in the dry goods business, becoming a clerk
until the fall of 1865.
Frantz of Wilkesbarre with wiiom he remained over two years.
with Coolbaugh
the

&

then bought the interest of Mr. Reed, of the firm of Reed & Kennedy, and for one
year engaged in the shoe trade, under the firm name of Lutz & Kennedy. He then sold
ins interest in the shoe store and bought out the interest of A. J. Sloan, of Bloomsburg,
and conducted a dry goods business, the first exclusive dry goods business in Bloomsburg,

He

and was the first merchant in the town to dress his windows. February 23, 1870, his
was destroyed by fire, and in March he bought out J. J. Brower, general merchant,
and again eneaged in dry goods. He conducted the business alone for four years, and
then took in H. W. Sloan as partner, and the firm was thus constituted until April 1,
1885, when Mr. Lutz closed out his interest to his partner and embarked in the insurance
business.
He represents the branches of ftre, life and accident insurance, being insurance
broker for his companies and agent for the Mutual Benefit Life Company, Newark, N. J.
He married in Bloomsburg, January 13, 1868, Miss Anna A. Brockway, a native of Berwick,
and a daughter of Col. B. S. Brockway. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz are the parents of two children: Charles B. and Frank E. He has filled all the ofiiees in the Odd Fellows' order,
During
also in the K. of P. and Good Templars, but is not now a member of any order.
the war he was a member of Company A, Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
and served in the Army of the Potomac under McClellan. He was in the engagements
at Gaines Mill, siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks; at the latter place he
was taken ill and removed to the hospital, and in December, 1862, was discharged on acstore

count of disability. In August, 1864, he returned to the service, enlisting in Company A,
One hundred and Ninety-ninth Penn.sylvania Volunteer Infantry, was promoted to sergeant and participated in the siege of Richmond, the operations about Petersburg and
was present at the grand review at Washington, and carried home with him, as a memento of the struffgle, a rebel flag which he took at Richmond.
THE McKELVY FAMILY. William McKelvy, a native of the North of Ireland,
was the founder of the family of this name in Bloomsburg, Penu. His wife's name
was Phffibe, and they located in Lancaster County, Penn., where the eldest child was
born in 1782. The names of their children are as follows: John, born April 23, 1782;
Mary, born September 1, 1783, married John Neal. January 11, 1791; and Elizabeth,
born January 17. 17—. The father of this family having died, his widow, Phcebe, married James Boyd.
She subsequently came to Bloomsburg to live, where she died a widow
May 15, 1824. This family are from what is generally known as Scotch-Irish extraction,
and Presbyterians in religion. The first of the family to settle in Columbia County was
William McKelvy, a son of William and Phffibe McKelvy; was born in Lancaster County,
January 11, 179l! His parents were in moderate circumstances and unable to give him
much other than a common education. But he was possessed of uncommon energy and
he set out from home with the determination to succeed. In 1810 he engaged as a clerk in
tlie store of John Cark at Catawissa, with whom he remained until June 16, 1816. He then
•opened a general store on his own account, at Bloomsburg, and fromth:it time for nearly
sixty veai^s he was prominerttlv identified with the mercantile and other interests of the
place.' He was reared a Presbyterian, and although never a member, worshiped in that
church all his life, and always sustained an envial)le reputation as a citizen. He was progressive in every sense and liberal in support of public enterprises for the benefit of the

352

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

which he lived, and few, indeed, were those of any kind accomplished at
Bloomsburg during his life or residence there, with which liis name was not prominently
connected as a promoter. He erected the building on the southeast corner of Second and
Market Streets for a residence and store in 1832, and which is now occupied by the bank,
and which he occupied as a store and homestead for many yeare. He also erected a number of other buildings that still stand as a memorial of his handiwork. He was nut a politician in the general acceptance of the term, but was an ardent adherent of the Whig
party during early and middle life, and later of the Republican party. He was never a
seeker for or holder of any office, but served his vicinity in local offices, such as overseer
He married, December 1, 1818, Elizabeth, a daughter of Isaiah Willitts
of the poor, etc.
of Catawissa, and by this union there were born the following named children: Martha,
born June 28, 1822, married David L. McKinny; Harriet, born May 2, 1828, married Rev.
A. A. Marple; Mary, born February 17, 1839, married John I. Hess, became a widow
and married J. H. Harman; James Boyd McKelvy; Andrew Clark McKelvy, born October 9, 1826, died in December. 1850; I. W. McKelvy, born October 8, 1830, married
Miss Elmira Barton; and Charles W. McKelvy, born Sejitember 13, 1832, married Miss D.
William McKelvy and his wife, Elizabeth (Willitts) McKelvy, died, respectJ. Ramsay.
ively, March 14,1875, and June 24, 1858, and arc buried in llosemont Cemetery at Bloomsvicinity in

burg.

JAMES BOYD McKELVY,

M. D., Bloomsburg, is a native of tliat place, born
He obtained his
in September, 1824, a son of William and Elizabeth (Willi tt*^) McKelvy.
literary education in the schools of Bloomsburg, and attended for one year Lenox AcadLenox,
Mass.
About the age of seventeen he became a student at Williams
emy, at
College, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1845. The same year he
began reading medicine with Dr. John Ramsay, of Bloomsburg, and subse(|uently attended the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, where he received his diploma as a
physician and surgeon in the spring of 1849. That year he began to practice at Mifflinville, relieving a physician there while on a vacation.
Shortly after he opened an office
at Kentucky, Penn., and nine months later located at Arkadelphia, Ark., where he
opened an office and remained a year. He tiien returned to Bloomsburg, where he has
been in the continuous practice of his profession to date, and occupies an enviable and
honorable position as a physician and surgeon. The Doctor w^as married December 35,
1851, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of George and Mary (Craig) Abbett of near Water Gap.
They have had seven children: William, born November 17, 1852, educated in the Bloomsburg schools and graduated at the Medical University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and
is now practicing at Breckenridge, Summit Co., Col.
George Abbett, born March 1,
1855, educated at Bloomsburg, and is now keeping a drug store at Millersburg. married
Miss Nora Jacoby; Henry W., was born July 9, 1858. married Isabella Hunter Suydam,
and is now in the wholesale drug establishment of Fuller & Fuller, Chicago, 111.; Elizabeth Willitts, born June 12, 1860, 'died June 15, 1864; Mary Craig, born April 29, 1862, died
February 5. 1867; Martha Wilbur and Harriet Neal (twins), born April 7, 1865.
ISAIAH W. McKELVY, a son of William and Elizabeth (Willitts) McKelvy. was
born in 1830. He was trained to mercantile business and in the meantime obtained
his education in the schools of Bloomsburg, and at West Chester, Penn. Later he became
a partner with his father and William Neal, under the firm name of McKelvy, Neal & Co.
in 1852, and in 1872 bought out his partners' interests, and he has since conducted the
business alone, doing the largest trade in the place, averaging probably .$75,000 and upward per annum. Mr. McKelvy also owns and operates the flour-mill known as the
"Red mill" on Hemlock Creek. It has a capacity of fifty barrels per day. He is also
quite largely interested in freighting and transportation by canal, running a line of
eighteen boats the whole length of the canal and its branches. Mr. McKelvy was married, in the fall of 1851, to Miss Elmira Barton.
They have three children: Mary A.,
wife of George E. Elwell; Elizabeth W. and Charles W., both at home.
CHARLES W. McKELVY, Bloomsburg, a son of William and Elizabeth (Willitts)
McKelvy, was born September 13, 1832. He was reared to mercantile business in his
father's store, and at the age of maturity moved to Catawissa, where he engaged in conducting a paper-mill, making book and news paper, etc. He then operated a flour-mill and
farmed for twenty-five years.
His wife, Deborah J. (Ramsay) McKelvy, whom he
married June 16, 1858, was a daughter of Dr. John and Mary Ann (Downing) Ramsay.
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. McKelvy have four children: Frank R., M. Louise, Anna and Josephine.
Mrs. McKelvy is a member of the Presbyterian Church, which her family -dlso
attend.

In politics Mr.

McKelvy

a Republican.
the father of Dr. McReynolds, was born near Watsontown, Northumberland Co., Penn., April 3, 1788. He was a son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Snoddy) McReynolds, both natives of Belfast, Ireland. Hugh was born in January,
1750 (the first Monday old style), was married October 21, 1784,'and died February 28, 1797.
He served on the ContinentJil side during the Revolution, and after that struggle settled in
Black Hole Valley near Watsontown. "He had a family of children as follows: Esther,
who married Thomas Laird; Andrew, married to Jane Mann; John, married to Agnes
is

JOHN McREYNOLDS (deceased),

BLOOMSBUEG.

353.

McHard; Matthew, married to Lucinda Bennett; Robert, married to Susan Moyer; Eliza,
married to Thomas Morrison; Isabella, married to Benjamin Hall, and Samuel, who went
South and located somewhere in Kentucky, but of whom trace was lost. John McReywas a farmer, and soon after his marriage, August 11, 1814, he settled
Derry Township, now in Montour County, and remained there until 1835, when he
moved to Buck'horn, and in 1869 to Bloomsburg, where he died in March, 1880. Besides
farming, he. after moving to Buckiiorn, kept a hotel. He was active in all public affairs
and an influential Democrat. In 1824 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and re-elected for four more successive terms. He was again elected in 1850.
He was nominated for Conto the State Legislature at Harrisburg, serving one term.
gress by the Democrats in 1858, but defeated; was elected associate judge in 1861, served
one term of five years, and declined re-election. Besides these positions, in 1843-44 he
was supervisor of the North Branch Canal, and afterward was collector of tolls at Berwick for three years. He was a member of the electoral college in the election of President Franklin Pierce. He was also twice appointed by the judges of his judicial district as.
one of the Revenue Commissioners for Pennsylvania, for the equalization of State taxes and
served under two appointments. He and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian.
Church. They are buried in Rosemont Cemetery, Bloomsburg. They had six children: twins, died in infancy unnamed; Elizabeth, married to Simon P. Kase and died in
March, 1874; Mary, married to Joseph R. Vanderslice; Dr. Hugh W. (see sketch); Sarah
Ann, married to William E. Buckingham.
HUGH W. McREYNOLDS, M. D., Bloomsburg, is a native of Derry Township,
Montour Co., Penn., born July 4, 1822, and is a son of John and Agnes (McHard)
McReynolds. He received his literary education at the Danville Academy and at the
select school of Andrew Foster, of Bloomsburg.
He read medicine with Dr. A. B. Wilson of Berwick, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1848. Later he
practiced with Dr. Hill a few months in Bloomsburg, then returned to college and took
another course. In 1849 he began to practice at Catawissa, and continued for two years.
He then went to Buckborn and practiced twenty-five years, and in 1876 came to Bloomsburg where he has since resided. The Doctor in 1875 was elected treasurer of his county^
serving three years; is one of the trustees of the State normal school for the Sixth District.
The Doctor has a wife and two children. He and his family attend the Presbynolds, our subject,

in

terian Church.

JACOB HENRY MAIZE, attorney at law, Bloomsburg. was born near Sunbury.
Northumberland Co., Penn., August 14, 1845, a son of David O. E. Maize, a miller by
trade, and for some time a merchant in Sunbury, but now a resident of Boston, Mass..
Our subject enlisted, August 23, 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-third
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; was mustered in at Camp Luzerne December 4, 1862;.
January 1, 1863, was promoted corporal, and soon after encamped at Fort Slocum near
Washington. February 17, 1863, with his regiment, he was ordered to the front and assigned to the Third Division, First Army Corps. He participated in an expedition to.
Port Royal, where a feint was made, and was under a brisk fire for some hours there, and
was in the engagements below Fredericksburg and at Chancellorsville. The regiment
marched nineteen days to participate in the battle of Gettysburg, and arrived there July
1.
They were in the entire three days' fight, and during the first day Mr. Maize was
color corporal, or guard around the United States' colors in the advance, where Gen.
Reynolds was killed. About the time Gen. Reynolds was killed Col. Dana ordered an
advance with the colors about fifty feet or more, and the colors placed on an elevation,
which was done, and immediately after placing the colors on the elevation a shell struck
the colors and tore them all to pieces. At the same time a rifle ball struck the hat of Mr.
Maize and just missed his head. The enemy fought desperately to capture the colors,
but were unsuccessful. There were two color-bearers and eight guards, eight of whom
were killed and wounded, our subject being one of the two left unharmed. He personally seized the colors of his regiment, and triumphantly bore them during the balance of
the day's fight, delivering them to his company's ofl3cers in the evening after their retreat
to Cemetery Hill, where they encamped on the night of the first day's fight. The regiment lost that day from 400 to 500 men, killed, wounded and missing. On that occasion
the colors were offered to him to carry henceforth, a promotion, however, he declined,
preferring to handle his gun, an excellent piece that he had affectionately named "Old
Sal," and on which he had carved his name.
On this day's fight the men that were left of
his company had all thrown away their rations for three days, except Mr. Maize, and these
three days' rations were divided among the company, and was all they had to eat that
night.
During the succeeding two days' fight they subsisted on comparatively nothing. The afternoon of the second day they supported Sickles' corps, and the third day occupied the left center of the Union lines, and helped to repulse the rebel Gen. Pickett's
famous charge. Mr. Maize was one of the men on that occasion at the "stonewall,"
where the rebel line was overthrown and turned back defeated. During this onset a comrade by his side was instantly killed, half of his head being shot off. the body falling partly
against our subject. After this memorable battle, the results of which did so much to

354

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

stem the tide of rebellion, Mr. Maize was detailed on recruitin<? service, and so served until the close of the war, and was mustered out June 26. 18G5.
After his return to civil life
he followed merchandising until 1879. He had, however, in 1866, registered with M. E.
Jackson, Esq., to read law, and in 1875 with Hubert F. Clarl<, Es(i., of Bloomsburg; and
again in September, 1879, with Hon. C. R. Buckalevv, and was admitted to tbe bar in February, 1881, and since tlien has practiced at Bloomsburg.
In 1880 he was elected and
served three years as justice of the peace, when he resigned. Mr. Maize was married to
Miss Blanche A. Campbell, daughter of James and Elmira J. Campbell of Beach Haven,
Luzerne Co.,Penn., April 30, 1868, and they have three children living, viz.: Annie Elmira Maize, Edith Maize and Boyd Freeze Ma. ze. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a
member of the Episcopal Church since 1869, and a member of tlie vestry for the last two
years.
In politics he is a stanch Democrat, taking considerable interest in the election of
county officers, and more especially in State and National, from tlie close of the war in 1865
down to the present time, by advocating the principles of his party and the qualities of his

man.

CHARLES W. MILLER,

attorney, Bloomsburg, was bora at Mifflinville November
H. and Lavina (Ivline)\MiIler. He graduated at the State
normal school, Millersville, and registered in the office of William G. Hurley, of
Bloomsburg, as a law student, in 1865; in 1867 was admitted to the bar, and the same
year began to practice at Bloomsburg. Pie is a Democrat, politically, and has served
Bloomsburg in the council and school board. In addition to bis legal business, Mr.
Miller has been identified with the various improvements in tlie place, one of the organizers of the Water, Gas & Steam Company, and School-Desk Company.
He is secretary
of the Gas Company and also a member of the Board of Trade. Mr. Miller married
Miss Cora L. Eshleman, of Schuylkill County. He is a member of the Knight Templars; F. & A. M.; I. <). O. F., and "of the Presbyterian Church.
He is also a member of
the board of directors of the State normal school and has been for twelve or fifteen
years and was largely instrumental in securing the sewage and telephone system to
Bloomsburg. His grandfather, Isaac Kline, was an early settler of Columbia County;
was a prominent man and served in the Pennsylvania Legislature his son, Hiram R.
Kli^ie, was also a member of the Legislature.
Abraham %tnd Anna Charity (Kramer)
Kline, the great-grandparents of Mr. JMiller, lived to be upward of ninety years of age.
They came from New Jersey up the West Branch to Milton, and thencecut their way
to the end of Knob Mountain.
They had five sons and one daughter, and settled two
miles north of Orangeville on the left; bank of Fishing creek, wliere they built a frame
house, which was occupied by three generations'of their descendants, and is siiil standing.
Their younger son, Isaac, the grandfather of Mr. Miller, married Mary Willitt, whose
mother's maiden name was Britton. Mr. and JVIrs. Kline had seven daughters and three
sons, all of whom married and lived to middle age.
Lavina married Stephen H. Miller,
and they became the parents of our subject. Elmira married M. C. Vance, whose grandparents, George and Martha Vance, came from Donegal, Ireland in 1804, and settled in
Bloomsburg, and later moved to the banks of Fishing creek west of Orangeville.
John Vance, their eldest son, married Etfie Patterson, whose parents came from Scotland about 1800. George Vance erected a house that is now occupied by M. C. Vance,
the third generation.
STUART MITCHELL, D. D., was born in Bucks County, Penn. His parents dying while he was an infant, he was adopted and reared in Philadelphia by his aunt, Martha Mitchell Stuart, and her husband, James Stuart. After some boyish experience of
business life he entered the University of Peu.sylvania and graduated with first honors,
and then studied theology in the seminary at Princeton, N. J. He began his ministerial
wprk at Warsaw, N. Y., and continued it as a home missionary at Newport and Kilbourn
City, Wis., and subsequently as a district missionary of the Presbyterian Board
for Wisconsin and Minnesota. On account of feeble health he gave up his work and
traveled in Europe and the East; returning to Philadelphia he supplied the Second Presbyterian Church of Altoona for a year. In 1873 he was installed pastor of the church at
Bloomsburg. He was married first to Miss Jane F. Patterson, of AVarsaw, N. Y., who
accompanied him to Wisconsin and died in western New York; afterward he married Miss
C. Janet Peirikin of Muncy, Penn.
They have two daughters, named Renee and Margaret.
He has published "The Church, its Constitution and Government" (Presbyterian
Board of Pub.,) "Jonah the Selfwilled Prophet" (Randolph), and some smaller treatises.
WILLIAM NEAL, of the firm of Neal & Sons, Bloomsburg, is a native of what is
now Muncy, Lycoming Co., Penn., born September 8, 1813, a son of John and Mary
(McKelvy)Neal. His mother died when he was an infant, and his father died when he
was a small boy. He became a member of the family of his uncle, William McKelvy, at
the age of ten years, though he came to Bloomsburg with his grandmother, Mrs. Phoebe
(McKelvy) Boyd, with whom he lived until her death. He was a member of his uncle's
family until 1839. In February of that year he married Catherine, a daughter of Casper
and Mai-y Christman. He was educated at the subscription schools of Bloomsburg, and
became a clerk for his uncle at the age of fifteen, and spent one summer under the tuition

20,1844, a son of Stephen

;

355

BLOOMSBUKG.

ITe continued as clerl< until the
of Williaiu G. Harley, Esq.. and Dr. Ebenezer Daniels.
age of twenty-two, and in November, 1884, was given a salary, and in 1840 became a half
partner in his uncle's business. This partnership continued until 1852, the firm being
known as William McKelvy
Co.
In January, 1852, I. W. McKelvy, son of his partner,
Co.. and so continued
was taken into the business and the firm became McKelvy, Neal
until January, 1873.
In 1853 William McKelvy, William Neal and Jacob Mellick, the
latter having one-fourth interest, erected an iron furnace, which is still known as " Bloom
Furnace." In 1873 ]\Ir. Neal bought out Mr. Mellick, and the next year Mr. McKelvy'g
interest, but sold his own interest in the store. The same year he took in his sons, Clinton
W. (a graduate of Lafayette College) and Robert C. (a graduate of the Troy Polytechnic)
Sons. The product in
into the furnace business, under the firm name of William Neal
1854 -was between 6,000 and 7,000 tons, and at present is about 9,000 tons annually. The
firm now employ about forty men, but when they mine their own ore have employment
for about 200. Mr. Neal is a member of the Presbyterian Church, has been trustee for
twenty years, and is also an elder in the same. He is a Republican politically. One of
his sous, C. W., served as quartermaster of a regiment in the civil war. His children by his
first wife are Clinton W., who married Emma, a daughter of William Snyder, of Bloomsburg; Mary C, who died at about four years of age; Harriet M., wife of Ephraim Elwell,
and Robert C, married to Ella Clark, a daughter of Robert C. Clark, of Bloomsburg.
Mrs. Neal died in January, 1850, and in June, 1854, Mr. Neal married Mary L., daughter
of John C. Boyde, and she bore him the following children: James B., a graduate of Yale
College and post-graduate of Yale scientific, and of the medical universit3' of Philadelphia,
is now a medical missionary in China, where he and his wife (a daughter of Rev. W.
Simonton. of Emmitsburg, Md.), now reside; and Anna M., wife of Morris S. Shipley, of
Cincinnati; and Montgomery B. (died in infancy). The Neals are of Scotch-Irish descent.
CLINTON W. NEAL, Bloomsburg, one of the proprietors of the " Bloom furnace,"

&

&

&

was born

in Bloomsburg, this county, November 9, 1839, a son of William Neal.
He obtained his education in the schools of Bloomsburg, and in 1858 became a student in Lafayette College, where he was graduated in 1861.
Subsequently be'was emploj^ed in mercantile business, and in 1867 established a wholesale and retail coal business.
In 1870 he
a
formed
partnership with his brother, Robert C. Neal, under the firm name of C. W.
Neal & Bro., and in the year 1873 with his brother bought one-half of the entire plant of
the Bloom furnace, his father retaining one-half interest, which the}' have conducted up to
date.
Robert C. Neal is also treasurer and secretary of the Tyrone Iron Company. Our
subject was married in 1870 to Emma H. Snyder, a daughter of William Snyder, of
Bloomsburg, this county. They have had four children, but three living: William S.,
Grace L. and Mabel R. His wife, Emma H.. died January 8, 1887, of meningitis.
DR. RUSSELL R.
came from Ireland and located at Jerseytown as a boarder
with John Funston. The Doctor began practicing medicine at once, and is thought to
have been the first resident physician in that part of the countj^ his practice extended for
many miles, even as far as Bloomsburg, Light Street and Orangeville. He married Martha, a daughter of the Rev. Caleb Hopkins, and reared and educated a large family of
children, only one of whom is in this portion of the country Mrs. Alexander, of Danville.
He died June 5, 1851, aged seventy-four years and six months, and was buried in the
cemetery of the Episcopal Church of Bloomsburg, together with his wife and son William, and was later removed to Rosemont Cemeterv, Bloomsburg, Penn.
GEORGE
QUICK, deputy protlionotary of Columbia County, Bloomsburg, is a native of Montour Township, this county, born November 15, 1856, a son of
William Grier and Sarah (McBride) Quick.
His grandparents. John II. and Sarah
(Moore) Quick, both natives of New Jersey, settled in Montour Township in 1831, the
former of whom was a boot and shoemaker, which trade he carried on all his life there,
in connection with a farm of 155 acres that he owned and operated.
He was an honored
citizen in his day, and a thorough Presbyterian.
He died aged sixty years, and he and
his wife are buried in Rosemont Cemetery.
William Grier Quick, their son, was born in
Rush Township, Northumberland Co., Penn., September 4, 1815. He was a shoemaker
and farmer, owning forty acres in Montour Township, this county, and was in the employ of the State as foreman of a division of the north branch of the Peun.sylvania Canal,
extending from Danville to Stony Town, for about nineteen years. Subsequently he was
employed by the Wyoming Valley and the Pennsylvania Canal Company, respectively
ten and eleven years, as supervisor, making in all about forty years in which he served as
an official on this canal.
In 1868 he was elected county commissioner, serving three
years.
He died March 4, 1879. His widow, Sarah (McBride) Quick, still (1886) survives.
George M. Quick was educated in the schools of Montour Township, and finished his
studies by an academic course at the Bloomsburg Normal School. Subsequently he was in
the employ of the Pennsylvania Canal Company as a sub-foreman for seven or eight
years;
at his father's death he was appointed foreman, and served from March,
1879, to January, 1880.
He then resigned to accept his present position as deputy prothonotary. Mr. Quick was married, December 27, 1877, to Eva Bidleman, and they have
two children: William Grier and Clarence Eugene, respectively aged six }'ears and twelve

PARK

—

MATTHEW

356

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

months. Mr. Quick and family are attendants of the Lutheran Church. Since his appointment, in 1880, he has acted in his present position with the exception of one year,
and is well and widely known throughout the county as a prompt, courteous and popular
official.

WILLIAM RABB,

grocer, Bloomsburg, was born in Lubeck, Prussia, January 3,
son of Frederick and Caroline (Young) Ilal)b, who came to the United States in
1839 and settled in Little York, York Co., Penn. There Frederick, who was a baker, followed his trade, and in 1842 moved to Bloomsburg, where he also established a bakery
and subsequently was interested in a pottery in partnership with his son-in-law, John
Ream. He was a member of the Lutheran Church; he died in 1872, his wife in 1870. They
are both buried in Kosemont Cemetery.
They had seven children, only one of whom was
born in this country: Augustus. William, Lewis (died at the age of two years), two infants
(twins deceased), Hannah (died at the age of fourteen) and Charles. William Rabb
when young learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and when twenty- one years old established himself in busmess at Bloomsburg.
He continued it for about thirty years, when
he bought a farm about seven miles from town, and operated it three years. He then returned to Bloomsburg and has carried on a general grocery store since. Mr. Rabb is a
Democrat and has served as a member of the town council eight years, and in 1887 was
elected one of the board of school directors of that town.
He married in 1856 Abigail J.
Bell, and they have five children: Luther I., married Camilla De Sheppard, of Philadelphia; Martha A.; Clara E., married to Charles Welliver, of Morris, Tioga County; Ida
V. and Charles W. Mr. and Mrs. Rabb are members of the Lutheran Church. William
Rabb has been successful in his business.
DR. I. L. RABB, the dentist, was born September 19, 1856. in Bloomsburg. Graduated
from the Philadelphia Dental College in the spring of 1877. He married July 19, 1877, Camelia E. De Sheppard, of Philadelphia, and three children have been born to them: Fredericka, Inaz Sneden and William A.
Dr. Rabb is master of the dental profession and has
a practice second to none in Bloomsburg. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
1828,

—

Church and

in politics a

Democrat.

JOSIAH RALSTON,

of the

Bloomsburg Iron Company, Bloomsburg, was born Jan-

His father, James Ralston, was also a native of that
1838, in Glasgow, Scotland.
city, born in 1791, and there married Martha Poultney, who bore him nine children: Agnes, Robert, James, Hugh, Susannah, John, Martha, William and Josiab, all of
were born in Glasgow.
our subject was three months old his parents with their
family arrived at
York and located soon afterward at Farrandsville, Penn. On the
invention of the hot blast, which worked such a revolution in the iron trade, James Ralston was the first to put it in practical operation. He was then in the employ of the Clyde
Iron Company at Dunlap, Scotland. The Company placed their No. 3 furnace at his
disposal, and after a trial an improved apparatus was introduced similar to those now in
In 1836 an agent of the Farrandsville (Penn.) Iron Company, visited Mr. Ralston
use.
and induced him to try his fortunes in the United States and bring out hot blast pipes
with him. He accordingly had them made at Glasgow and took passage on the South
Carolina ship, "Leonore," arriving at
York in February, and at Farrandsville, Penn.,
in the early spring of 1837.
Here he superintended the erection of machinery and started
the first successful hot blast on this continent. He was soon engaged at the pioneer furnace at Pottsville, Penn., to try smelting iron with anthracite; was assisted by Benjamin
Perry, and succeeded with the celebrated ninety-day blast, beginning October 20, 1839,
and terminating January 18, 1840. This was about the first successful attempt to use anthracite coal in the blast furnace; next he put tlie Vallej^ furnace in operation and then
removed to the Roaring creek furnace. In 1845 he superintended the "lining up" and
"blovvingin" of the Irondale furnace (which had never been excelled for successful
working) to the time of his death, May 19, 1864, at Irondale. There he had resided and
•superintended the adjacent furnaces for nineteen years. He was well and favorably
known throughout the iron regions as a thorough and practical master of his business.
Josiah Ralston, our sul)ject, at twenty had completed learning the machinist trade and
soon after entered the employ of the Bloomsburg Iron Company as superintendent of the
furnaces, which position he has since held. He married in 1862 Sarah L. Hozenbach,
and two children, Edward Elmer and Roy Rodman, were born to them. Mrs. Ralston
died October 1, 1880. Mr. Ralston next married March 14, 1882. Elizabeth Heist. The
family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Ralston

uary

1,

whom

When

New

New

is

a Republican.

JOHN RAMSAY (deceased).

The parents of Dr. Ramsay were natives of Scotmaiden name being Baxter. They emigrated and settled in Chester
County, Penn., where our subject was reared. Dr. Ramsay was married at Orwigsburg,
Schuylkill Co., Penn., in 1830 to Mary Ann Downing; located in Bloomsburg in 1831,
and there practiced until his death. He died in February, 1863, aged sixty three years.
His widow died December 30, 1883, aged sixty-nine years. They left a family of seven
children: Deborah J., wife of C. W. McKelvy; Josephine, wife of G. N. Willets; James
H. Charles P.; Anna D., wife of C. C. Hagenbuch; William P., married to Elizabeth.
DR.

land, the mother's

;

BL00M8BUKG.

357

Ramsay, a cousin; Robert X., married to Mary Sallade. Dr. Ramsay was a graduate of
the University of Pennsylvania, and first began to practice at Birdsboro, near Reading,
and afterward at Port Carbon, being in the two places three years. While at the latter
place he was married, and soon after came to Bloomsburg.
WILLIAM M. REBER, M. D., Bloomsburg, is a native of Lewisburg, Union Co.,
Penn., born in 1843, a son of David and Margaret (Musser) Reber, of that county, the
former of German and the latter of Scotch-Irish extraction. Our subject attended the
schools of Lewisburg, and finished liis studies at the university of that place. At the age
of eighteen he began reading medicine in the office of Dr. Hayes, where he remained one
The next he spent in the office of Dr. Pancoast of Philadelphia, and graduated at
year.
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in March, 1863. In April succeeding he was apSointed assistant surgeon in the United States Navy, assigned to the Naval Ho.spital at
lorfolk, Va., and subsequently to the gunboat squadron on the Ohio River, but was
stationed mostly on the receiving ship, "Grampus," at Cincinnati, Ohio. In the fall of
1865 he was assigned to the Naval Hospital at Brooklyn, and in the spring of 1866 was assigned to the United States steamer "Lackawanna," which proceeded on a cruise to the
Sandwich Islands, and which extended over two and one-half years. He returned in the
He located in Bloomsburg, and in
fall of 1868, and in December of that year resigned.
February, 1869, resumed the practice of his profession. The Doctor was married in the
They have two children: Edith
fall of 1871 to Miss Elizabeth McKinney, of Bloomsburg.
McKinney and William McKelvy. The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
WILLIAM ROBISON (deceased), the father of James Boyd Robison was born at
McVeytown, Penn., January 19. 1789, a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (McKee) Robison.
His mother became a widow, married a Mr. Barber, and died in the house of her son
William in Columbia County. They were all of Scotch-Irish descent and Presbyterians
in religion. William Robison came to this county in 1810 and married Betsy Barton
January 30, 1816. When he first came to the county he located near Orangeville and kept
a store. Subsequently he moved to Bloomsburg and carried on a tannery with liis brother
John. From 1836 to 1840 he conducte 1 a hotel on the northwest corner of Second and
Center Streets. From 1840 to 1846 he farmed and then returned to Bloomsburg and kept
a general store where he liad formerly kept hotel, and retired from business in 1855. He
was appointed sheriff of Columbia County in 1833 and served for some time. While in
the hotel business, and after, he owned and operated several lines of stages and was extensively known throughout the country.
He was a Whig in politics. In the contest to
remove the county seat from Danville he took a prominent and active part, at one time
being a member of a committee to present the claims of Bloomsburg to the Legislature at
Harrisburg, and accomplished his purpose against Valentinq^ Best, then speaker of the
House. He died at Bloomsburg in 1866. His wife was borrf January 30, 1799, and died
June 9, 1877; both are buried in Rosemont Cemetery. They had a family of thirteen
children, of whom all except one grew to manhood or womanhood: Alexander, born November 3, 1816, married to Mary E. Thompson, November 19, 1850, died at Mauch Chunk,
in April, 1878; Jane McKee, born January 19, 1819, married September 18, 1848, to Lynd
Elliott; Anna Maria, born November 35, 1830, married August 39. 1848, to Ariovistus
Pardee, of Hazleton; Martha E., born January 1, 1833, married October 13, 1854, to
Andrew M. Rupert, and died April 4, 1874; Harriet, born November 6, 1834, and married
May 34, 1860, to Charles E. Frazer, now lives in San Francisco, Cal. Ellen, born December 34, 1836, married to Dr. William B. Hawkins, June 1, 1848, died in October, 1884; Emily,
born February 8, 1839, married to George B. Markle, January 19, 1848; Isabella, born
February 15, 1831, married, January 7, 1869, to Nathaniel L. Campbell, and died April 17,
:

1873 (she was during the war a volunteer nurse, serving the entire four years); William
Barton, born September 31, 1833, died October 5, 1837; Mary Augusta, born January 35,
1836; James Boyd, born January 3, 1838, married October 16, 1873, to Mary Jane Breece;
Isaiah B., born January 10, 1840, was killed while leading his company at the battle of
Peach Tree Creek, July 30, 1864— he enlisted in the Union Army June 38, 1861, as sergeant,
and at his death was first lieutenant; Hannah Amelia, born June 13, 1844, and married
June 13, 1866, to Frederick E. Barber, now living at McPherson, Kas. William Robison
presented to the county one-third of the lot on which the court-house now stands, the
other two-thirds were given by Elisha Biggs. Mr. Robison was several times nominated
for the Legislature and associate judge, but, being in the minority, party was defeated.
JAMES
ROBISON, attorney at law, Bloomsburg, was born at Bloomsburg,
January 3, 1838, a son of William and Betsy (Barton) Robison.
His father being a
merchant, he assisted in the store when quite young and acquired an academic education
at Bloomsburg.
When sixteen years of age in January, 1854, he taught a school in
Mifflin Township three months, and August 19, 1854, received the first permanent certificate issued by the county superintendent of Carbon County, and followed by teaching
a seven months' term in the Summit Hill District, same county.
In 1855 he served on an
engineer corps for two months, laying out the Yeddo Branch of the Hazelton Railroad, and
in the fall of 1855 became a student at Lafayette College at Easton, where he remained
two years, subsequently, in 1867, receiving the degree of A. M. He went to Washington,

BOYD

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

358

D. C, and was engas^cd ia writing patents for the land office for five months.
He was then
engaged three months l In 1858 and the
summer of 1859 he spent in Illinois, teaching in Tazewell County, and part of the time
in selling books through Henrj^ and Mercer Counties, and during that time attended
various political meetings addressed by Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas
in their famous senatorial contest.
The day after the State election deciding that contest, Mr. Robison suggested the nomination of Lincoln fc)r President; that was in 1858.
In August, 1859, he came to Mercer, Mercer County, this Stale, and began reading law with
Jason T. Giebner, Esq., and paid his way while a student by cleiking in the sheriff's
office, in that place.
In the spring of 1861, when Ft. Sumter was fired upon, he announced his intention of entering the service.
The following day he drew up an enlistment paper for the Mercer Rifles, a military company, heading the list with his own
name.
This company was organised as Company (t, tenth Regiment' Pe.insylvania
Reserve Volunteer Corps, enlisting three years. They left the town June 11, 1861, and
were mustered into the State service, June 19, 1861, under Capt. (afterward Gen.)Warner of silver bill fame. Mr. Robison was appointed sergeant of the company, and
participated in all the Seven Days' batile and in the s-econd bull Run battle, in Which
engagement he was wounded in the left hand, which disabled him to such an extent that
he was sent to the hospital discharged December 18, 1862. In June, 1863, Company
H, Thirty-fifth Regiment emergency men, was organized in Columbia County, and on its
arrival at Harrisburg the captain was promoted to major, and Mr. Robison was elected
to the captaincy.
This company remained in service until August, and was on
duty from Gettysburg to Greencastle. On his return to civil life Mr. Robison resumed
bookkeeping for iiis brother a short time, when he returned to Mercer, resumed his
legal studies, and was admitted to the bar at Mercer in November, 1863.
He then taught
school at Sandy Lake that winter. June 1, 1864, he went to Wasnington, D. C, and became a clerk under Capt. J. T. Giebner in the commissionery department, and was
assigned to the Ninteenth Army Corps, under Sheridan in th^ Shenandoah Valley. September 23, hi was capture! by rebil stragglers, kept by gu a-riUas somi time, and, October
17, placed in Libby prison and confined there until February 17, 1865.
When Mr.
Robison first enlisted in 1861, lie was examined by an army surgeon, and declared unfit for
military service on account of heart disease, the surgeon saying he would not live through
the excitement of an engagement, and was only accepted after earnest solicitations from
him.
The result proves that even doctors are sometimes at fault.
On his return ta
Mercer in 1865 he was elected district attorney, served one year of court and resigned
then he removed to St. Louis, and engaged in the real estate business for one year.
In
1867 he located at Bloonn^urg and began the practice of law; was appointed United
States commissioner an 1 served some three or four years, resigning the otfice in 1872.
He was notary public from 1872 to 1875, and has also served his town three terms as
corporation counsel or solicitor. In 1870 he was nominated by the Republicans for the
Legislature; in 1880 was nominated for Congress by the Greenback party, and received
double the number of votes Weaver had for President; was a candidate again in 1884.
Mr. Robison is a Knight Templar and in the thirty-second degree Scottish rite, and
has served the order in nearly all of its various offices; is a member of the Patrons of
Husbandry, and of theG. A. R., Colonel Ent Post of Bloomsburg. From 1881 to 1885, he
was engaged in operating a farm about four miles South o: C itawissa. He has been a
member of the Presbyterian Cliurch since 1866. He was married October 16, 1873, to Miss
Jennie Breece of Bloomsburg, a successful teacher, a daughter of Daniel Breece. They
have had seven children four girls and three boys: Martha E., James Boyd, Bessie May,
Isaiah (deceased), William Daniel, Jennie B. and Emily.
LEONARD BRIGHT RUPERT, Bloomsburg. John Philip Rupert, the first of the
family to come to America, was a native of Germany, born near Guttenburg, in January,
1738.
He emigrated as a soldier in 1754, and served four years in the British Army in the
French-English war. On the outbreak of the Revolution he became an active and zealous
supporter of the American cause, served in the militia as an officer, and was in the army
stationed near Trenton at the capture of the Hessians; was also at the battle of Brandywine, and died at Catawissa August 6, 1829, aged ninety-one years. He lived and died in
the religious faith of the Reformed Church, and for a long time served as a ruling elder.
He married, December 14, 1762, Catherine, daughter of Michael and Catherine Rosch. Ta
this union were born fourteen children, the eldest being Leonard Rupert, born at Reading, Penn., October 11, 1763.
He also served in the Revolution as a filer on the war ship
" Hyder Ali " under command of Com. Barney, and was in a naval engagement
during that war with the British man-of-war "Wasp." He married Sally Bright in
March, 1788; moved and located at the mouth of Fishing Creek, in what is now^ Montour
Township, Columbia Coimty, in 1788, on 220 acres that were bought by his fatherin-law, Michael Bright, some years prior, and which was originally purchased by John
Spohn December 31, 1769. This land is now partly occupied by the village of Rupert,
and the farming portion left is still owned by the descendants. A daughter of Leonard
Rupert, Mrs. Rupert Paxton, is now (December 26, 18S6) one hundred years old. This
;

;

—

BLOOMSBURG.

SoQ'

land was deeded October 12, 1774, to Michael Bn\^ht. Leonard Rupert died March 11,
The\^ are l)uried in Rosemont Cemetery.
1848, and his wife March 17 of the same year.
They had a family of twelve children. Leonard was a man of more than ordinary abilitj^
was self-educated, and served as colonel in the State militia for several years. He was
elected about 1804, and served eleven years in the House of Representatives; first at LanHe also served for many years as associate judge,
caster and afterward at Harrisburg.
and in other local offices. He was reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, but about
1818 united with the Presbyterian Church, to which many of his descendants still adhere.
Their children were Catherine, born December 26, 1786, at Reading, married Col. Joseph
Pdxton; Pet'^r, born September, 1788, in this count}', married Catherine Dhiel; Rebecca,
September 26, 1790, married IMaj. James Shearer; Bright, born August 18, 1793, died in
1815; Mary, born April 7, 1795, died unmarried in 1857; Sarah, March 20, 1797, died in
1817; Rhoda Ann, September 26, 1801, died in April, 1875, unmarried; Lavina, September
1806, resides at
2, 1803, died in December, 1846, unmarried; Harriet, born January 2,
Bloomsburg; Charles, March 23, 1808, died February 9. 1831; Leonard B., horn June 19,
1810; Elizabeth, born July 23, 1799, married Thomas W. Lloyd, and died April 5. 1882.
Leonard Bright Rupert became a clerk in William McKelvy's store when eighteen years
of age. After his marriage he farmed the old homestead for five years, and then opened
a general store at Bloomsburg in 1845, which he continued for twelve years. He then retired.
Mr. Rupert is a Democrat, and was appointed in 1839 or 1840 as county treasurer
to fill a vacancy caused by ilie death of the treasurer, and when the appointment expired
he was elected to the office for one year and re-elected for two years. He was elected associate judge November 10, 1851, and served five years. He was subsequently appointed justice of the peace, and served a year and a half; was president of the town council two terms
(1884 and 1885), and held other local offices.
Mr. and Mrs. Rupert have had nine children,
four of whom died young, five are still living: Clara, born December 17, 1832, married,
November 9, 1858, Dr. W. H. Park of Springfield, Mo.; Sarah, born November 29, 1834,
married Daniel Stick December 28, 1859; Ata, born Ma}'^ 24, 1846, married I. K. Miller
February 16, 1870; Leonard Barton, born January 8. 1849, married Mary Riswig January
26, 1876, and live in Republic County, Kas. ;and Eva, born November 1, 1851, lives at

home.

JOHN C. RUTTER, M. D.. Bloomsburg, was born near Wilmington, Del., December 12. 1826, a son of Thomas, a farmer, and Sarah (Baker) Rutter. At fourteen years of
age he left his father's house and lived with his grandmother in Newcastle Hundred, in
the meantime attending the schools of the neighborhood until seventeen. He was then
employed as a clerk in Wilmington, and at twenly-one began reading medicine in the office of Dr. Caleb Harlan of that city.
He subsequentely graduated at the Homeopathic
Medical College of Pennsylvania (now known as the Hahnemann) March 3, 1855. The following May he located at Bloomsburg. where he has been in constant practice since, and
has enjoyed a large patronage. The Doctor was married August 26, 1848, to Jane Clayton
of his native place, a daughter of John and Ann (Perkins) Clayton. John Clayton was a
carpenter by trade; carried on that business in Brandj'wine Hundred and in Wilmington,
Del.
He lost his first wife by death in 1857 in Delaware, and was married again and
moved to Monroe Count}', Penn., where he died in 1875, near Strasburg, aged about seventy years.
Dr and Mrs. Rutter have a family of eight children: tlie eldest, Lamartine,
married a Miss Rodemoyer, and lives in Bellefonte, Penn.; Henry Harlan married a Miss
Cloud, and is editor and proprietor of the Hvghesville Mail; Everett Webster, M. D., residing in Luzerne County; Mary Ella, wife of Dr. D. W. Conner of Wilkesbarre; Adah
Louisa, wife of Newton W. Barton; Margaret; Rachel M. (single), and John Croghan, a
printer connected with the editorial department of the Democratic. Sentinel &t Bloomsburg,
and married to a daughter of Dr. J. B. McKelvy February 17, 1887. The family attend
St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Bloomsburg.
The Doctor is the pioneer homeopathic physician of Columbia County, being the first of that school to practice within its boundaries.
He has always been a firm and consistent temperance advocate on all occasions. Politically, he is Democratic.
His grandfather, Joshua Rutter, was a native of England and
came to this country with a brother, Thomas, who became a merchant at Baltimore previous to, or about, 1790. Joshua located on a farm near Baltimore City. His wife's name
was Elizabeth and they reared a family of two sons and two daughters. The sons were
John and Thomas, the father of Dr." Rutter, and who was born alwut 1792 and died in
1848, near Chester, Delaware Co., Penn., aged fifty-six years.
The daughters were Margery and Mary. Joshua's wife was a native of Sweden", and they were probablv married
near Baltimore. The grandfather of the Doctor on the maternal side was John Baker,
whose wife was Lydia Marks. He was a plasterer by trade, and carried on the business
Brandywine Hundred, Newcastle Co., Del., all his life.
WILLIAM M. SHAFFER, farmer, Bloomsburg, was born in Montour County, July
and is of English and Scotch ancestry. His father, Samuel Shaffer, was born in
Lewisburg. Penn.. and was a son of Matthias Shaffer, for many years toll-keeper
atLewisburg. Samuel learned the trade of a cooper, came to this county in 1848, and
contracted for getting out limestone for the Bloomsburg Iron Company six j'ears. He sub28

in

8, 1835,
1809 in

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

360

sequently became a large landholder, owned some 350 acres near Bloomsburg (our subject
on 100 acres of it), and 140 acres at Millville. In early life he was a Methodist, but
He
later he joined the Lutheran Church, and died July 31, 188i, leaving a large estate.
married, when not quite twenty, Margaret Gulp, a daughter of Peter Gulp of Montour
Gounty, Penn. They had twelve children, ten now living: Mary, married to Michael Snyder; Henry, married to Gatherine Whitenight; Matthias, married to Mary Zeigler; David,
married to Hester Johnson; William M., our subject; Samuel, Jr., married to Catherine
Zeigler; John, married to Lydia A. Lee; Jane, married to Benjamin Lee; Simon C, marApril 8, 1858, our subject
ried to Sarah Culp, and Charles, married to Elizabeth Zeigler.
married Gatherine A., daughter of Thomas Fry, and by this union seven children were
February
Mary
Hiram
born
20,
1859;
M.,
boru
June
born:
A.,
13, 1860, now the widow of
Paul Gadman, and has one child, Pauline; Hester J., born February 10, 1862; Henry, born
Aprir20, 1864; Thomas, born December 16, 1867; Ellen, born June 16, 1868; William,
born October 6, 1869. The mother of this family died October 27. 1869, a member of the
Reformed Church, and was buried in Rosemont Cemetery. Mr. Shaffer's second marriage
took place December 2, 1873, with Mary Johnson, a daughter of David Johnson of
Beaver, this county, and by this union there is one child, Martha E., born September 25,
1873.
Mr. Shaffer is a Republican, a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a farmer
and has ninety-three acres under cultivation.
JOSEPH SHARPLESS, Bloomsburg, is descended from John Sharpless, a native of
England who immigrated to America about two months before the first coming of William
Penn, and settled in Chester, Delaware Co., Penn. The first of his descendants to come
to Columbia County, was his great-grandson, Benjamin Sharpless.
The family were originally members of the society of Friends. Benjamin was boru in 1764 in Chester County,
young
man
crossed
in
1857.
When
a
he
the
mountains
and died
and settled in Sunbury,
where he bought and operated a grist-mill, and also taught school for some time. He subsequently moved to Catawissa, wliere he purchased a farm and also a grist-mill adjoining,
now the site of the paper-mill at Gatawissa. Here he established a paper-mill and paid,
When
for years nine cents per pound for white rags, and manufactured paper by hand.
young he learned the saddler's trade, but never followed it in this county, except to make
his own harness.
He married Hannah Bonsell, also a member of the society of Friends,
and by this union there were eleven children, two of whom died young. Those who grew
to maturity were as follows: Maiy Ann, deceased wife of Dr. Wadsworth of Gatawissa,
this county; Eliza, unmarried, and now eighty-three years old; Edward, married first to
Betsy Roth, and after her death to Nancy Pancoast, now a resident of Marion, Ohio; William was three times married, and now resides at Gatawissa; Joseph, married Mary E.
Foster of Gatawissa; John, married Sally A. Harder; Harriet, married George ReifsnyJoseph
der; Sarah, married Louis Yetter; and Kersey married Mary Margaret Harder.
Sharpless of Bloomsburg was born December 6, 1808. and reared to the paper-mill busiHe
then
beness with his father, with whom he remained until twenty-six years of age.
gan on his own account and has been identified with the business interests of Bloomsburg
and of the county since, and for thirty years conducted what was known as the Sharpless
Foundry, at Bloomsburg. Several years ago he sold the foundry to his son, and has now
Mr. Sharpless is a Republican and has served his vicinity in
retired from active business.
such local offices as meml)er of the council, school director, and during the war was an
earnest supporter of tlie Union cause. Mr. and Mrs. Sharpless have had nine children,
seven of whom grew up: Harriet R., born February 23. 1837; Lloyd T., born March 18,
1839, married Mattie Waggenseller; Benjamin F., born May 33, 1841, married Sophia
Hartman; Loretta A., born January 4. 1843, married Jefferson Vanderslire, of Ford County,
Kas. Clara, born November 13, 1844, died April 4, 1849; Elizabeth A., boru September
7, 1846, married Wesley Eyre of Bloomsburg; Araminta E.. born November 34, 1848. married Jasper Wilson; Mary Ellen, born October 16, 1853, died September 9, 1855, and Harry
F., born October 4. 1863. now in Ford County, Kas.
BENJAMIN F. SHARPLESS, proprietor of the Eagle Iron Works, Bloomsburg,
is a native of Locust Township, this county, born in 1841, a son of Joseph and Mary E.
(Foster) Sharpless. At the age of twenty years (in 1861) he enlisted in Company A, Sixth
Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, served about three years and participated in the following engagements: Dranesville, second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Bristoe's Station, New Hope Church and the battles of the
Wilderness. At Antietam he was wounded by a bullet, the force of which, however, was
spent by striking his belt and accoutrements, otherwise it would have passed through his
body. He was mustered out June 13, 1864, returned to Bloomsburg, and six months after
began learning the trade of an iron molder. That was in January, 1865, and in April,
1868, he formed a partnership with Mr. Harman, under the firm name of Sharpless &
Harman, and bought the foundry of Joseph Sharpless. Three j^ears afterward the partnership was dissolved, and our subject has conducted the business alone up to the present
time.
Mr. Sharpless was married, in 1866, to Sophia Hartman, a daughter of Charles
Hartman. Mr. and Mrs. Sharpless have four children: .Joseph L., Charles H., Ray F.
and Arthur W. Mr. Sharpless is a member of the Methodist Church, and in politics is a
Republican.
living

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BLOOMSBURG.

LAFOREST ALMOND SHATTUCK,

361

M. D., proprietor of the Bloomsburg (Penn.)
born in Cornville, Someiset Co., Me., Januarj^ 15, 1846.
He obtained his literary education at the schools of his native town and at the Siiowhegan
Academy. When but tifteen years of age he began teaching school and in 1862 began to
read medicine in the office of Dr. Green at the Boston Medical Institute, where he had
excellent opportunities to study surgery and surgical diseases. A year later he entered
the medical department of Harvard, and for five years in college and hospitals was a close
student in the allopathic school.
In 1868 he took two courses of medical lectures at
Philadelphia, graduating with honors.
Being ambitious and desirous of a greater knowledge of the eclectic system of practice, then attracting considerable attention, he entered
the Eclectic Medical College of the city of New York, where he received the ad eundem
degree in 1869. He then commenced the practice of his profession at Augusta, Me..
making a specialty of surgical diseases and soon came into prominence through his success in critical operations considered impossible of achievement by older surgeons,
la
1870, in addition to his professional duties, he assumed the editorial charge of the American Litevarii Revkw, which he ably conducted until the spring of 1871, when failing
health compelled him to relinquish all business cares and take a much needed rest. In
the autumn of that year, being desirous of a larger field of practice, he decided to locate
at Chicago, and started for his new field of labor in September. While remaining over for
,a week at New York City to attend the National Medical Convention as a delegate from
the Maine Eclectic Medical Society, of which he was secretary, the great fire at Chicago
occurred, which decided him to remain East. It was at this time he was urged by the
president of his New York alma mater to accept the chair of demonstrator of anatomy at
that college, but modestly declined, and proceeded at once to locate for the general
practice of his profession at Bridgeport, Conn., where he enjoyed a large and lucrative
practice for eleven years, and where he attracted attention, not only as a skillful surgeon,
but for his remarkable success in diphtheria and his discovery of a remedy for the cure of
Bright's disease. In the autumn of 1883, his health again breaking down through overwork and the influence of the coast climate, he sold out at Bridgeport and purchased the
institution at Bloomsburg, a sanitarium possessing superior facilities, such as baths of all
kinds, mental and physical rest, massage, electricity, Swedish movements, etc., for
the treatment of nervous, kidney and chronic diseases, in which he has acquired a high
Dr. Shattuck comes of good old New England stock, being the eldest son of
reputation.
Luther Tarbell Shattuck, who, with Prof. Shattuck of Harvard College, Judge David O.
Shattuck, the Whig candidate for governor of Mississippi in 1841, Lemuel Shattuck, the
historian and compiler of Shattuck's memorials. Judge Francis W. Shattuck of California.
Judge Joel Parker of Cambridge, Mass., Hon. John A. Dix, and the Rev. Morgan Dix, of
New York, were descendants of William Shattuck [Shattuck Memorials, pages 57 to 289,]
who died in Watertown, Mass. Dr. Shattuck was married, April 17, 1872, to Miss Ella
Frances Mosher of Augusta, Me., an estimable and talented lady, connected with some
of the best families in Maine and one of the heirs of the English Mosher estate.
M. C. SLOAN & BRO., carriage manufacturers, Bloomsburg. The firm consists of
M. C. and C. P. Sloan, and the business was estaltlishedin 1826 bj" William Sloan, father
of the present proprietors. His shop stood on the site of the present Lutheran Church
building on Market Street, and he manufactured the first " Dearborn wagon " in this
vicinity.
He followed manufacturing large numbers yearly, employing men who would
start with fifteen or twenty and sell them throughout the country.
In 1832 he erected the
shops occupied by the present firm, with the exception of the wood shop, which was burnt
and rebuilt in 1843. He was born near Lime Ridge, this county, and died in 1864,aged seventy
two years. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Thornton, was a native of Blooms
burg,died in 1875, and both are buried in Rosemont Cemetery, Bloomsburg. In early life he
was a carpenter and while stopping at a hotel in Bloomsburg, a man namedWells, a wagonmaker, came along. Up to that time there were no one-horse wagons in the neighborhood, and the landlord insisted on Wells making one. s.) Mr. Sloan accompanied Wells to
his (Sloan's) farm, adjoining town, and from the fences secured sufficient seasoned oak timber to make one. This was the first one-horse wagon ever made in Bloomsburg, and was
•after the style commonly known as "Dearborn."
This was the start of Mr. Sloan's long
and successful career as a ^carriage manufacturer.
M. C. Sloan was born at Bloomsburg in 1826, and after acquiring a good education in
*the Bloomsbui'.e: schools he learned the carriage- making business, and in April, 1853, became a partner with his father under the firm name of William Sloan & Son, and has
•ever since been identified with the business as proprietor.
He was married in 1853 to Miss
Emily Pursel, and they have the following named children; Maggie T. (now Mrs. W. C.
McKinney, Dodge City, Kas.), W. Clark, Anne W. and Morris R. Mr. Sloan is a substantial and enttrprising business man.
The present firm of M. C. Sloan & Bro.nvas formed
in 1864 after the death of their father, and manufactures the finest kind of light work.
Charles P. Sloan was born March 12. 1840, and received his education in the schools
of his native place. At the age ©f eighteen he began learning the trade of carriage trimming and painting. In 1862 he enlisted, and was appointed sergeant in Company E, One
Sanitarium, was

362

-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer

Infantry, and six weeks

later participated in the battle of Antietam; also was in engagements at Fredericksburg
and at Chancellorsville. He had enlisted but for nine months, and at the expiration of
his term returned to Bloomsburg, and has since been engaged in tlie carriage business.
Mr. Sloan was married in 1863 to Phwbe A. Lott, a daughter of Dr. G. W. Lolt of OrangeThey have four children: Hattie L., Frank H., Lilla G. and George G.
ville.
SMITH, sheriff of Columbia County, Bloomsburg, is a native of Butler
Township. Luzerne Co., Penn., born May 8, 1841, a son of William and Elizabeth (WashJersey and came with his fatlier, Samuel
burn) Smith. The former was a native of
Smith, to Luzerne County when he was a boy of six years. He was a prominent farmer
was
but
three
years
moved
son
Samuel
old
to Nescopeck, where our subject was
and when his
reared until the age of eighteen years; then he began learning the blacksmith trade at Whiter
uncle,
John
Wash])urn,
with
his
and
after completing the same carried
Penn.,
Haven,
on the business in Nescopeck Township for four years. He was then employed by the
Dupont Powder Company at Wapwallopen for two years. In 1869 he moved to Fishing
Creek Township, this county, where he bought a farm and carried it on for fourteen
In 1883 he moved to Stillwater and followed blacksmithing for three years. Mr.
years.
Smith is a Democrat and has for the past ten years, taken an active and influential part
He served Fishingcreek six years as member of the school
in the politics of the county.
board, and in 1885 was elected sheriff of Columbia County, and is the present incumbent.
He married in 1861 Hannah Harter, and thirteen children have been born to them:
Aaron Freeze (deceased), Alice Margaret, William Jacob, Clara Ann, Eudora. John Clark,
Albert Newton. Amanda Ella, Samuel Theodore, Charles Day and Daisy Delphine (twins),

SAMUEL

New

,

Leona Mabelle and Hannah Edna.

DANIEL SNYDER (deceased), 1783-1855. was born in Northampton County, Penn..
and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Stickle) Snyder, also natives of the same county, and
he was one of six children, viz. Catharine, married to Gen. Robert Brown, a gallant soldier
of the Revolutionary war, elected to Congress several terms; Susan, married to Philip Wolfe;,
Mollie, married to Harness Neele}'- John, a tanner atWatsontown, Northumberland County,
where he died: Peter and Jacob. Our subject attended the English schools of his native
county but a short time, and when about twenty-one years of age his father died, and
he and a brother entered into a partnership on a farm. In one year Daniel became dissatIn 1809 he married Maryisfied with farm life and withdrew to learn the tanner's trade.
Magdalene Mickley, born April 2, 1792, in Allentown, Penn., daughter of Peter Mickley,
who was born January 18, 1772, and Sarah Biery Mickley, born January 30, 1773 (Peter
Mickley was a grandson of John Jacob Mickley (or Michelet) who came from Amsterdam,
Holland, in the ship " Hope," of London, arriving in Philadelphia, August 28, 1733). Mr.
and Mrs. Mickley had the following named children Mary M. Catharine, married to Daniel
Berkholder Sarah; Hannah; Susan; Christina; Jacob, and Charles. In 1810 Daniel Snyder
came to Columbia County and bought twenty-six acres lying now within the limits of
Bloomsburg. paying for the same £550. He returned to Northampton County for his wife,
and was told that the little' stream which ran through his new farm in Columbia County, on
which he intended to locate a tannery, would occasionally run dry. He for a time contemplated giving up his claim. Finally he started on a second trip to accomplish his original
purpose. On the route he met Squire Hutchison, who was going to Easton with a load of
wheat, and the Squire assured him that the stream was a never-failing one. Fully convinced, he returned to Easton and employed Squire Hutchison to haul him, his family and
all to the little log cabin, which stood where now Second and East Streets, Bloomsburg, meet.
He brought with him some leather, which he hoped to exchange for hides, but everybody
whohad pelts forsale wanted money,and Mr. Snyder, having only $100 left after erecting his
tannery, was a second time discouraged, because he had to pay money for hides and sell
A Mr. Wertman. who lived near, observed the pluck manifested by our
leather on trust.
subject, and offered him a few hundred dollars, which sum was accepted, and with which
the'foundation of his future success was laid. In ten years he was able to build a two-story
brick house, and later turned it into a hotel, known as the "Forks Hotel." He subsequently rented it and moved into another property erected by him. His industry and
economy added daily to his possessions, and aside from the tannery he owned considerHe was elected to the
able town property and five or six large farms, before his death.
State Legislature a number of terms, and worked with all the*energies in his power to secure the county seat at Bloomsburg. History tells in this work his complete success.
His ever faithful consort, who still survives, blessed him with ten children: John, born
December 3, 1810; William, born March 12, 1813, married first to Regina Worraan, second
to Mary Funk; Sarah A., who married Dr. William Petrikin, the father of Mrs. Gen. W.
H. Ent, mentioned elsewhere; Melvina, who married Elisha Barton, the father of Mrs.
Alice John and Mrs. Dr. Lazarus; Polly, born July 24. 1821; Daniel, born April 19, 1824.
married Sarah W. Creveling, by whom he has Clinton C, a civil engineer, now in Florida;
Mary B., married to William Milens who lives in this county, and Anna, who died young.
(Daniel has followed the planing-mill business and is now a farmer and resides in Bloomsburg, and his aged mother lives with him. He has been overseer of the poor and is a
:

:

;

;

363

BLOOMSBURG.

Tvorlhy, upright man); Matilda, born January 18, 1827, married Rev. Henry Funk, a Reformed minister, the father of Neviu U. Funk, mentioned elsewhere; Mary C. born September 18, 1829, married Dr. F. C.Harrison; Martha Alice, who married Dr.T. C. Harter;
Clinton B., born June 32, 1837, and died single Deember I'S, 1852. In this volume appears
an elegant steel portrait of Hon. Daniel Snyder, made from ilie latest photograph that could

be found. It was contributed by Daniel Snvder, Nevin U. Funk, Mrs. Melvlna Barton,
Mrs. Sarah A. Petrikin, Mrs. Dr. Harter, C.'W. Neal and Frank P. Billmeyer.
WILLIAM SNYDER, born March 12. 1813, died October 11, 1867, married first to
Regina Worman (by whom he had two cliildren, both now deceased, to wit: Charles W.
Snyder and Emma H., who was the wife of Mr. Clinton W. Neal), secondly, to Mary
Funk (by whom he had one child, Anna Dora, now the wife of F. P. Billmeyer). William
succeeded to the tanning business of his father, which he pursued with_ vigor and
great financial success, and became one of the leading business men of his native town of
Bloomsburg, and one of its most wealthy and substantial citizens. He was a kind and
gentle father, a faithful husband, a consistent member of the Reformed Church, a helpful

Every enfriend, an honest, reliable man and a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.
terprise that had for its object the promotion of the best interests of his fellow-citizens,
and the improvement of his town found in him a strong support. His purse, as well as
He was one of the chief prohis mind and hand, was ready for every worthy object.
moters and contributors to the erection of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute, which grew
and expanded into the now beautiful and stately normal school of the Sixth District.
Besides giving his counsel and labor and thousands of dollars to this great and noble educational project, he with his sister, Mrs. Martha Alice Harter, donated the beautiful and
extensive grounds attached to this institution. He was its first treasurer, in which office
he continued to the time of his death. He laid out the William Snyder addition to the
town of Bloomsburg, and it was while he was engaged in this and other plans of kindred
public improvement that he was called away to his rest.
H. SNYDER, prothonotary of Columbia County, Penn., was born in Orange
Township in 1840, a son of John and Catharine Snyder. His father, a native of Berks
County, Penn., of German descent, when a boy came to Columbia County. He was a
stone-mason and plasterer by occupation, and served as constable of Orange Township
He was elected sheriff of said county in 1852, and re-elected in 1858,
for seventeen years.
serving in all two terms or six years. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and
died in 1878 aged sixty-seven years. He was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of
Henry Wolf, who also came to Columbia from Berks County, where he had been engaged
in teaching German school. Mrs. Snyder is still living at Orangeville at the age of
seventy-eight years. They had eleven children four boys and seven girls three of whom
H. Snyder was educated at the Ora,ngeare dead: Mary C. Frank R. and John H.
ville Academy and Greenwood Seminary, and began public school-teaching while a minor,
which profession he followed for fourteen years. In 1872 he was elected county superintendent of public schools of Columbia County, which position he held for three terms
or nine years, then declined serving longer. During this time he registered as law
student with E. R. Ikeler, Esq., and was admitted in 1882; was elected prothonotary in 1884, which position he holds at present. He was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah
M. Fleckenstme, daughter of Nathan and Catharine Fleckenstine, of Orangeville. Her
ancestors are also of German descent; her father is a member of the Reformed and her
mother of the Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder had six children, of whom but
one, Paul R., an infant, is living. John B. died in i879; Willie R. in 1881, and Jennie
a few weeks apart, of diphtheria, at Orangeville in
•C., Charles J. and George R. but
1884.
They were aged respectively sixteen, thirteen and nearly two years. All are buried
in Orangeville Cemetery. Jennie C. was a member of the Reformed Church, of which
her parents are members.
W. STERNER, register and recorder of Columbia County. Bloomsburg, is
a native of Madison Township, this county, born April 2, 18-^6, a son of John S. and Juda
(Trump) Sterner. His father is a contractor and Imilder and has carried on that business
•extensively in Bloomsburg, and through the county from 1837 to the present time (1886),
besides brick-making and farming. George W. was educated in the public schools and
normal school of Bloomsburg, also attended Dickinson Seminarj' at Williamsport, two
After finishing his studies he
years, and one year the State Institute at Ypsilanti, Mich.
engaged in teaching, and followed that profession for thirteen terms, six of which were
spent in Bloomsburg.
He was married August 6, 1873, to Mary A., a daughter of Ira
Davenport, a merchant and banker at Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Penn. In 1874 he built the
large store-building on the northeast corner of Second Street and Murray's Alle}% part of
which he occupies as a residence. In that year also he began the business of a contractor
and builder, brick-maker, etc., which he followed until the fall of 1877. He has always
taken an active part in the politics of the county, and in 1868 was adelegate to the county
convention, also served in that capacity for several consecutive years. In 1875 he was
elected assessor in the west district of Bloomsburg, and was a member of the Bloomsburg
C-ouncil.
In 1878 he was a candidate, though not nominated, but in 1881 was nominated

WM.

—

Wm.

GEORGE

—

364

BIOGEAPHICAL

SKETCHES:

and elected register and recorder; re-elected in 1884, and is the present incumbent. To the
duties of his office he is very attentive; his books and records are models of neatness, and
his courteous treatment of all who have business with him, whether official or otherwise,
is the well deserved cause of his universal popularity, not only as a trusted public official,
but as an honored and respected citizen. As an ardent Democrat there is none more
loyal to his party; as a citizen he is enterprising and substantial, and as a soldier he was
brave and patriotic. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and
Thirty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in August
The regiment was soon ordered to Camp Whipple near Wash6, 1863, for nine months.
ington; was part of the reserve at second Bull Run, and was afterward attached to Gens.
Sumner's and Couch's corps, Third Division. Third Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.
He participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and on
the expiration of his term of service, returned home. August 31, 1864, he enlisted for one
year in Company E, Two Hundred and Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
in which he was appointed second sergeant of the company and subsequently color-bearer
sergeant of the regiment. The regiment reported at Bermuda Hundred and participated
in skirmishes in and around that vicinity, and afterward took part in the fight at Hatcher's
Run, Fort Steadman and in the charge on the enemy's works in front of Petersburg, Va.,
April 1, 1865, and subsequently was engaged with the Army of the Potomac until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. After the battle of Petersburg he was in command of the
company until mustered out May 31, 1865, when he returned home and resumed the occupation mentioned previously, remaining, however, with his father until of age. Our subject's religious convictions are Methodist.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterner have four children:
Hattie E., John D., Mabel Estella and Mary Edna.
G. W. SUPLEE, Bloomsburg, was born in Chester County, Penn., July 29, 1825, to
Samuel and Catherine (Rinewalt) Suplee. The Suplee family are of French extraction
but for several generations have been residents of Pennsylvania and have followed farm-

Samuel was born and reared in Chester County, where he married Miss Catherine Rinewalt, also a native of the same county.
To them were born five children, four
now living: George W.; Emeliue, widow of Charles H. Soper of Los Angeles, Cal.; John
R., in Lawrence, Kas., and Mary, wife of Robert Evans, in Philadelphia.
Sarah is deSamuel Suplee died April 23, 1875; his widow survived him just ten years, dying
ceased.
April 23, 1885. They are buried in the Green Tree Church graveyard, in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County. He had farmed in that township until ten years
before his death, when he and his wife removed to Philadelphia, where he lived a retired
life.
Our subject was reared to the age of nineyears in Chester County, when his parents
moved to Philadelphia, and three years later to Montgomery County, where he lived until
the age of thirty-two years; then he bought a farm in Anthony Township, Montour County,
and farmed here for eight years. He then sold out and bought a farm in Madison Township, Columbia County, where he resided until April, 1886, wlien he bought a residence
property in Bloomsburg, moving to the city and renting his farm. He married in Montgomery County, April 4, 1852, Miss Sarah Hamer, a native of Montgomery County, and
daughter of Humphrey and Mary Hamer. When Mrs. Suplee was a child her mother died,
and her father in 1845. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Suplee, four of
are living: Antoinette, wife of Cyrus De Mott, in Madison Township; Gertrude, wife of Albert Girton in Madison Township; Horace G. and Annie. The deceased are Emeline, Mary
Catherine, Sallie Wells and George, who was accidentally killed by falling from a window
of the normal school where he was a student, January 25, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Suplee are
members of the Baptist Church. While a resident of Montour County, he was justice of the
peace for one term, and held many township offices while a resident of Madison Township, Columbia County.
He has a farm in that township of 135 acres.
R. TUBBS, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, Bloomsburg, was bora
in Wetherly, Carbon County, in 1835, a son of William A. and Elizabeth (Henritzy)
Tubbs. When a young man he learned the watch-making business, and in 1862 engaged
in keeping hotel at Shickshinny, which he continued three years.
In 1868 he took the
Rupert Hotel and conducted it. except one year, until 1878, when he leased the Exchange
Hotel at Bloomsburg, buying the furniture. This house has sixty-five rooms, with all
modern conveniences and heated throughout with steam (and all the improvements have
Seen made by Mr. Tubbs), and was the first really first-class hotel established in Bloomsburg.
Mr. Tubbs married in 1862, Margaret, a daughter of Samuel Harmon. The Harmon
family is an old one in the history of Columbia County. Mrs. Tubbs' father resided
many years at Mifflin, and was a thorough hotel man. The Exchange Hotel is fitted
throughout in the most approved style. The kitchen is a model of cleanliness, the pastry
room adjoins, while close by is a large refrigerator fitted with compartments or rooms
like a house; tiie dining-room is large, "light aiid pleasant, while the parlors and sample
rooms on the first floor are commodious and well furnished. The upper floors are arranged in sleeping apartments and suites of rooms, with bath rooms adjoining. The
hotel is one of the best conducted in the Stale and is deservedly popular with the traveling public.
ing.

whom

WILLIAM

BLOOMSBURG.

3G5

REV. D. J. WALLER was boru January 15, 1815. ut Wilkcsbarrc, Pennsylvania.
His parents were Pbineas, born at Wyoming in Januarj-, 1774; son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Weeks) Waller, and Elizabeth, born October 9, 1780. daughter of Dr. David H. and
Patience (Bulkley) Jewett, of New London, Conn. David Jewett, the father of David H.,
was born June 10, 1714, and was graduated from Harvard College in 1785. He was a chaplain in the British Army, and subsequently served in the same capacity in Washington's
army. Nathan Waller was a soldier in the Revolution in the Continental service and was
the first of the name to settle with his family at Wilkesbarre. The subject of this sketch
spent his boyhood in his native town, pursuing his early education at the academy in
Wilkesbarre until the age of fifteen, when he entered Williams College, from which he
was graduated in 1834. In the fall of that year he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1837. In the following year he began his work
in the ministry at Bloomsburg, assuming the pastorate of the church there and supplying
all the English Presbyterian Churches between Danville and AVilkesbarre, as well as those
in the valleys of Fishing creek.
For thirty-three years he proved indefatigable in
this work, eventually introducing four additional workers in the field to care for as
many separate charges. In 1848 the present brick place of worship in Bloomsburg, built
under his direction at a cost of
Church had reached the point of

In 1871, when the Bloomsburg
.|3. 100, was dedicaierl.
self sustentation, Mr. Waller resigned his pastorate, but

still occasionally preaches as his health will permit.
It was with considerable reluctance
that he laid down the active work of the ministry, but after the arduous labor of so many
years, having achieved the object of his original mission, he felt that the demands of his
growmg family called upon him to devote his energies to their care and education. During
the active part of his ministry Mr. Waller found ample scope for tlic employment of the
energy and executive ability with which a Divine providence has Idessed him. Notwithstanding the arduous character of his early missionary work, be interested himself and
others in procuring advanced educational privileges for the community. He was chiefly
instrumental in founding a classical school in Bloomsburg in lb'3!», securing his brother, C.
P. Waller, as principal.
This gentleman, subsequently president judge in Wayne and
Pike Counties and now deceased, was admirabl.y fitted for the vvork and laid a foundation
on which the State normal school was subsequently erected. Mr. Waller's interest in
the educational features of Bloomsburg have not languished since this initial effort, and
in all the history of the growth of secondary instruciicm in the county seal is found his
guiding and supporting influence. His contribution to this school readied $3,500. But
while thus engaged in fostering the educational and religious interests of the comiiiunity
with which he had cast his lot, he could truthfully appro|)riate the poet's lines, "Homo
sum; nil humani a me alienum puto." He came lo Bloomsburg at the time when the
movement for the removal of the county seat was at its ebb tide and the most sanguine of
its supports were about to despair.
He espoused the sinking cause with undaunted
courage, and with the co-operation of Dr. John Ramsay and William McKelvy succeeded
in buoying the stranded movement to the deeper waters which led to eventual success.
Since devoting his attention more exclusively to business matters his career has been remarkable in that, after devoting the active years of this life to the seclusion of the study,
he has proved so eminently successful in ventures which have always taxed the abilities of
those especially trained for the particular service. In all his enterprises Mr. Waller has
evinced a public spirit which has accrued to the highest advantage of the town of his
residence.
On leaving the ministry he devoted his attention to farming with eminent
success.
He soon felt the diflirulties which the comnmnity there labored under for the
lack of transportation facilities, and discovered the latent possibilities for Bloomsburg
which he determined to develop. In 1859 he bargained for ninety five acres that is all now
included in the borough of Bloomsburg. This tract includes the plat of the borough
bounded on the north by the alley between Fourth and Filth Streets; on the east by a line
a little east of Catherine Street; on the south bj' Canal Street and on the west by the Irondale Railroad; and now contains from 150 to 200 houses. It comprises the most substantial residences of the town, several of them erected by Mr. Waller, among which are the
elegant residence he occupies, on the corner of Fifth and Market Streets, and the Sanitarium Buildings, costing upward of 115.000. He owns 150 acres south of the canal adjoining this plat, which will doubtless some time be included within the corporate limits
of the town.
In these private ventures Mr. Waller has not been neglectful of public interests, and in spite of persistent opposition has secured to the town, at his own expense,
a broad street, lined with attractive residences, which is the peculiar charm of the place.
In 1861 he secured the location of the railroad depot at an accessible point, and in 1870
began to devise means to relieve the business interests of tlie burden which the railroad
monopoly placed upon it. The result of his efforts in tliis direction was the construction
of the North
West Branch Railroad, which be constructed bvhis own efforts and in
spite of the most determined opposition of other corporations.
Even his friends felt that
it was a foolhardy undertaking and his success has won for him the well merited respect
not only of his fellow-townsmen but of the railroad magnates who tried in vain to thwart
him. His ambition is to make Bloomsburg a vigorous manufacturing center with railroad

&

3()fi

BIOGEArHICAL SKETCHES:

second to n()iic in this section of the State, and if bis life is spared and bis efforts
are crowned witb tlieir usual success, the near future will see this result obtained. Every
public iniprovemenl receives bis bearly co-operation, and when the public is slow to proceed his own judgment doesiiot falter. The lot on which the new jail stands was donated
by Mr. Waller as well as the land on which the fiourisbing woolen-mill stands. In 1876
he was nominated by the Republican party as a candidate for Congress for this district.
The hopeless adverse majority gave little hope for his success, but he nevertheless ran 500
ahead of the Hayes electoral ticket.
He was married in 1839 to Julia Ellmaker, of Philadelphia, a daughter of Levi and Hannah (Hopkins) Ellmaker of that city. Their children
are Hannah Ellmaker, born August 30, 1840; Elizabeth, born May 14, 1842; Maria Louisa,
born May 29, 1843, died February 8, 1844; Harriet, born November 16, 1844, died June 13.
1845; Diivid Jewett, born June 17, 1846; William Patterson, born January 20, 1848, died
April 22, same year; Levi Ellnmicer, born July 16, 1851; George Phillips, born April 2,
1854; Julia, wife of Charles W. Hand, and Laura Pettit.
REV. DR. D. J. WALLER, Jr., principal of the State normal school, at Bloomsburg, his native place, was born in 1846.
He prepared for college at the Bloomsburg Literary Institute, and graduated from Lafayette College in 1870, where he was tutor one
year.
He resigned this office to enter Princeton Theological Seminary in 1871, and
was graduated at Union Theological Seminary of New York City in 1874. During 1874
and 1875 he was pastor of the Logan Square Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia; then
accepted the pastoral charge of the Presbyterian congregation at Orangeville, Rohrsburg
and Raven Creek for one and a half years. Subsequently, in 1877, he was elected principal
of the State normal school.
Under his administration the affairs of that institution have
had a constant, steady and prosperous growth. Dr. Waller justly holds an enviable reputation throughout the country as a thorough scholar, educator and Christian gentleman.
He WHS married May 14, 1874, to Anna Appelman, a daughter of Matthias S. and Lydia
(Biliig) Appelman, and seven children blessed their union.
The family attend the services of the Presl)yterian Church.
Li politics Mr. Waller is a sti aight out Republican.
L. E. WALLER, attorney, Bloomsburg. was educated at Lafayette College, where he
graduated in 1873. In 1874 he began reading law with Hon. C. R. Buckalew, the following year attended Columbia Law School and inl876w^as admitted to the bar. He began
practice in 1877 and has served as solicitor for the town of Bloomsburg two years, and
has been a member of the council two years. He married in 1881 Miss Alice M. Buckalew.
Mr. Waller is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically a Republican.
HIESTER YANDERSLICE WHITE, attorney at law, of Bloomsburg, was born in
Orange Township, June 27, 1858, a son of Jnlin M. and Tacy E. (Vanderslice) White. He
obtained his literary education in the schools of his vicinity, the Orangevdle Academy
and at Bloomsburg Normal School.
He registered as a law student September 2,
1879, with Col. J. C. Freeze, and was admitted to the bar December 6, 1881.
January 1,
1881, he became a partner with Col. Freeze and M. F. Eyerly to continue three years under the firm name of Freeze, Eyerly & White. At that time Mr. White bought the valuable law library of Cul. Freeze, and on the termination of the partnership continued
in the practice of his profession.
At the age of fifteen Mr. White began teaching school
and followed the profession until he was admitted to the bar. He is the manager of the
grain shipping business of H. V. White & Co.. handling on an average 150,000 l)ushels of
grain per annum, sliipping mostly to the mill,'^ and mining sections. He married, January 4, 1884, Clara E., daughter of Levi Ackman, and of an old family of the county. Mr.
White has been secretary three years of the Columbia County Agricultural, Horticultural
and Mechanical Association, and is now trustee of the Pennsylvania State College in Cenfacilities

tre

County.

GEORGE

E. WILBUR, professor of higher mathematics and history in the State NorBloomsburi!:, is a native of what is now Waverly, Lackawanna Co., Penn.
His father. Rev. John F. Wilbur, is a minister of the Methodist denomination and resides
at Peckville, Lackawanna County.
Prof. Wilbur prepared for college at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and wiien nineteen years of age became a student at Dickinson College,
where he took a classical, scientific and law course, graduating in 1873. At the age of
twenty-five, in 1875, he came to Bloomsburg and held the position of principal of the
public schools two years. He then filled the chair of ancient languages, hi.story and civil
government in the normal for seven years, when he was transferred to his present chair.
The Professor married in October, 1874, Miss Fredericka, daughter of Rev. F. L. Hitler,
then pastor of Central Methodist Episcopal Church at Wilkesbarre.
Three children
have been born to this union: Fred, born Februaiy 14, 1877; Harry, born December 19,
1881, and Elmer, born Autrust 23. 1884.
ISAIAH W. WILLITS, M. D., Bloomsburg, was born at Catawissa, May 22, 1843,
a son of George H. and Jane (Clark) Willits.
He attended the schools of his native village until twelve years of age, followed by two j'ears at the select school at Bloomsburg
of Eaton & Wells. He then attended the seminary at Millville. one year, and completed
liis literary studies by a year at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Luzerne County.
On leaving school he entered tb' general store of W. Bittenbender & Co., of which firm his

mal School,

BLOOMSBURG.

367

father was a silent partner, and there remained two years. In 1861 he was employed with
D. G. Driesbach, of Beach Haven, with whom he remained until 1862. August 8, of
that year, he enlisted in Company II, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and on the organization of the company was elected orderly serDecember 9 he was promoted tirst lieutenant, and participated in the battles of
geant.
Antielam and Fredericksburg (where he was severely wounded in the left knee by a piece
of shell, disabling him for several months), and afterward at Chancellorsville. His term
of nine months' enlistment having expired he returned home and raised a company, afterward known as Company E, Thirtieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and
on its muster, June 20, 1863, he was elected its captain. The regiment was assigned to
the department of the Susquehanna under Gen. D. N. Couch, and during its term of enlistment, SIX months, was assigned principally to guard duty on the Cumberland Valley
Railroad and other dutv in Pennsylvania. On leaving the army in the fall of 1863 our
subject began reading medicine with Dr. J. K. Robbins of Catawissa, and in 1864 became
In 1866 he began to practice at
a, student at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
Centralia and in 1868 moved and practiced at Catawissa. In 1874 he took a third term at
Jefferson Medical College, wliere he graduated in the spring of 1875. He returned to Catawissa and followed his profession there until August 1, 1883, when he removed to Roanoke, Va., and remained until March, 1885. He then came to Bloomsburg and opened an
The Doctor has been twice married:
office, where he has established a successful practice.
Reifsnyder of Catawissa, who died November 2,
•first, March 29, 1866, to Marcella R.
George H. Willits
1877; secondly, to Mrs. K. P. Reifsnyder, nee Scott, April 9, 1879.
was a native of Catawissa; a tanner by trade, which he followed for a short time when
young, but for many years was a contractor. He built a half-mile section of the Pennsylvania Canal, and was also largely interested in operating coal mines in Schuylkill County.
Subsequentlv he discontinued tlie above interests and bought 300 acres of land opposite
Catawissa, where he reared his family, but the last few years of his life he lived retired at
Catawissa. He was an honored and respected citizen, a Republican, and served as associate
judge of Columbia County five years, being the only Republican that ever held that office
by the vote of the people. He also served his vicinity in various local offices, and died
March 22, 1881. His widow died January 11, 1883, and both are buried in the Friend's
•burying-ground at Catawissa.
LLOYD S. WINTERSTEEN, attorney, Bloomsburg, is a native of Mifflinville, born
November 2, 1849. He obtained his literary education in the schools of his native place,
and subseijuently took a commercial course at Hazleton Commercial College, and in
Hazleton was in the employ of A. Pardee & Co. as bookkeeper, and was from 1874 to
1877 superintendent of the colliery of C. Pardee & Co., at Hollywood, near Hazleton.
In 1876 he began the study of law and in June, 1877, entered the law office of E. P.
Kisner, Esq., of Wilkesbarre, Penn., as a student, and in July, 1877, he became a student
in the office of Col. S. Knorr, and was admitted to the Columbia County bar in September,
1879.
Soon after he was appointed deputy prothonotary, and served until March 2, 1880,
when he formed a law partnership with Col. Knorr, which still continues. Mr. Wintersteen is a son of Joseph O. andLydia (Wolfe) Wintersteen. His father is of Holland descent, born at Forty Fort, Luzerne County, and was for many years a blacksmith and auctioneer
Lydia Wolfe was a daughter of Christian Wolfe, an early settler of that section,
and a prominent citizen and formerly county commissioner. Our subject was married
AprU 16, 1885, to Miss Ada E., daughter of J. J. Brower. Politically. Mr. Wintersteen
is a Republican.
He served three years as a notary public from 1879 to 1882, and January
Mrs. Wintersteen is a member of the Epis25, 1887, was re-appointed by Gov." Beaver.
•copal Church.
Mr. Winters'teen attends the same church but is not a member.
WOLF, dealer in agricultural implements, Bloomsburg, was born November
27, 1834, in Mifflin Township, this county, to Abraham and Catherine (Hill) Wolf, the
parents of three children. John Wolf was educated in the common schools of his native
township and was brought up in rural pursuits. At the early age of fourteen years the
sole management of the "Old Homestead " of 150 acres devolved upon him, and success
In 1865 he engaged in mercantile business in
followed his industry and economy.
Bloomsburg, which he continued for fifteen years with his usual success. In 1880 he began dealing in agricultural implements in Bloomsburg and has established a large trade.
iie has given his personal attention to the business and has made his patrons permanent
ones.
Pebruarv 9, 1854. he was married to Mary P. Pohe, born June 9, 1837, daughter of
Joseph Polie, whose portrait appears in this volume. By this union he has three children,
He was
viz.: Mrs. Hudson J. Kase, Mrs. Henry G. Huppert, Mrs. Harry G. Eshleman.
drafted but exempted from the late war. and has been a stanch advocate of the principles
been
has
of the Republican party since its inception. Since locating in Bloomsburg he
indentitied with the public improvements of the city and is an honest, upright citizen. He
and family are strict adherents of the Lutheran Church.
N. YOST, attorney at law. Bloomsburg. is a native of Fishingcreek Township, born in 1855, a son of David and Sarah C. (Creveling) Yost, for a long time residents
-of this county.
His grandfather, Samuel Yost, settled in Fishingcreek this county,

JOHN

ALFRED

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

368

Our subject received his education in the schools of the vicinity and at the
Orangeville Academy. He taught school for seven terms in Luzerne County, and while
teaching he registered as a law student in 1880 with E. R. Ikeler, and was admitted to the
bar at Bloomsburg in 1884. Since then he has practiced there.
ZARR, attorney, Bloomsburg, is a native of Catawissa, this country,
B.
born December 31, 1843, a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Reninger) Zarr, the former,
of whom, born in Berks County in 1810, came with his parents, George and Catharine
(Keifer) Zarr, to Catawissa, where they settled in 1811 on a farm on which the southern
part of Catawissa now stands. Our subject was reared on a farm until eight years of age,
and when a youth, began learning the paper-making business in the paper-mill at
Catawissa. Unfortunately, while employed around the machinery, he became accidentally
entangled with it, necessitating the amputation of the right arm at the shoulder. He was
then but seventeen years of age. and was obliged on account of the accident to somewhat
change the plan of his future life. He exerted himself to obtain a tliorough education,
and attended the Greenwood Seminary at Millville, and the Millersville State Normal
School; subsequently he taught school in Columbia and Schuylkill Counties for seven
years.
In 1869 he began reading law with Col. J. G. Freeze of Bloomsburg. and was
In 1869 Mr. Zarr was appointed deputy prothonadmitted to the bar in February, 1872.
county, under Gen. W. H. Ent, and served as such for twentyotary of
the
In December, 1872, he was elected prothonotary of the county,
three months.
In 1879 he resumed
and re elected in 1875, serving si.\ years and one month.
Mr. Zarr has also
the practice of his profession, which he has continued up to date.
served in various local offices; is now president of the town council of Bloomsburg, and
has taken a prominent and active part in the educational interests of the county, and in
securing good school buildings to the place. He also served some eleven years as memHe was elected and served for some time as
ber of the school board of Bloomsburg.
deputy superintendent of public schools, under C. G, Barkley, Es(i. Mr. Zarr is also
interested in agriculture, owning two farins near the village, one of which he personally
superintends.
He is a member of the Lutheran Church. In 1866 he married Fanny C.
Person, and they have two sons and one daughter: Robert Rush, Josephine and Frank
Person. Mr. Zarr has been an elder in his churcli for upward of seven years, Sundayschool superintendent for same length of time.
He was the youngest man ever electedThe Zarrs came from the eastto the office of prothonotary in the county of Columbia.
ern part of France, and settled in America at a very early date. The name was originally
about 1840.

FRANK

spelled Scar.

RECEIVED TOO LATE TO BE INSERTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.
HARTER, M.D., Bloomsburg.wasboru atNescopeck, Luzerne Co., Penn., Novem

T. C.

In 1872 he attended school at Dickinson Seminary, and afterward came to
B. F. Gardner. He graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., in 1880, after which he practiced medicine at Espy and Bloomsburg two years, and then at Nescopeck, Luzerne County, until
August 26, 1886, when he sold out at the latter place, and at present is traveling. The Doctor expects t© take a special course in New York on diseases of the throat, heart and lungs,
after which he will settle at Bloomsburg, where he will follow his profession. The Doctor
has already become noted for his successful treatment of diseases of the throat and lungs,
especially diphtheria. He has shown much skill as a surgeon, and has brigiit promises for
the near future in his chosen profession.
ber

10, 1850.

Bloomsburg where he studied medicine with Dr.

CHAPTER XXIV.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP.
THE DAVIS FAMILY, postoffice Zion's Grove, Schuylkill County. David Davis,
one of the early settlers of Columbia County, a native of Philadelphia, and a minister of
the Methodist Episcopal denomination, came to this county in 1814. His father-in-law,
Roberts, had taken up land in what is now Beaver Township, and David Davis took possession of same, where he lived a number of years and then removed to Roaringcreek
Township where he died. His wife died several years prior and both were buried in the
Michael Cemetery, Beaver Township. They were the parents of fourteen children, only two

BEAVER TOWNSHIP.

whom are now living,

369

John, in Hastings, Adams Co., Neb., and William in Beaver TownIsaac Davis, the second of their children, was born May 29, 1792, in Philadelphia.
His father moved from there to Sunbury, Northumberland County, and there our subject
remained until he was sixteen years of age; then removed with his father to Columbia
County and remained with him until he was twenty years of age. He then bought a
piece of land in Beaver Township and lived on it (with the exception of three years spent
in Chester County) imtil his death. He married in Chester County in 1817 Miss Julianna
Thomas, a native of that county, a daughter of Samuel and Esther Thomas. Mr. and
Mrs. Davis came to Columbia County and here resided until their death, he dying September 30, 1868, and his widow March 26, 1872; both are buried in the family cemetery on
the old homestead. They were the parents of the following named children: those living David, a resident of Greenfield, Hancock Co., Ind.; Julianna, widow of Robert C.
Diehl. in Hopeville, Luzerne Co., Penn.; Maria, Anthonj' Wayne and Eliza Jane; those
deceased John Wesley. William A., Isaac Roberts, Esther Ann, wife of William Matthews, and Margaret Ann. wife of Henry F. Bird, who is also deceased. The Davis family are members of the Methodist Church.
Politically Isaac Davis was a Republican,
Five hundred and ninety-one acres of land belong to the heirs of Isaac Davis, deceased.
JAMES T. FOX, dentist and representative elect of Columbia County, Beaver Valley, was born in Greenwood Township, Columbia County, July 2, 1847, a son of Daniel
and Jane (Morris) Fox. His grandfather, Jacob Fox, came from Berks County, Penn.,
settled in Catawissa Township and there lived until his death.
His great-grandfathers
came from England and Scotland, respectively. Our subject's father was a farmer
and teacher, following the former occupation in summer and the latter in winter;
he died in August, 1849, and his widow in March, 1878; the former is buried in Greenwood Township and the latter in Bloomsburg. Our subject lived in Greenwood Township until he was five years of age, when he removed with his mother to Hemlock Township, where they resided nearly two years, moving thence to Jerseytown and afterward
to Millviile.
He attended school at Jerseytown, and on moving to Millville, completed a
course at the Millville Seminary. On leaving school he commenced to study dentistry;
then practiced dentistry in summer and taught school in winter until 1880, since which
time he has turned his entire attention to dentistry. His practice extends over all the
country on the south side of the river and into a portion of Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties, and he is considered master of his profession.
He has been a member of the County
Democratic Committee, and has served as tax collector, assessor, auditor, justice of the
peace eight years and school director a number of times. He moved to Beaver Township in 1866 and has been a resident of the same since June, 1871. He received the nomination as representative of the Democratic party in the Legislature July 27, 1886, and was
elected by 2,351 majority. Mr Fox married in this county, June 10, 1871, Lydia Ann
Fisher, a native of this county, a daughter of John and Sarah Fisher, former deceased,
latter residing in Beaver Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Fox are the parents of six childrenMinnie Elmerta, Fannie Adora, John C, Sarah E.. Mary R. and Elsie J. The family
attend the services of the Reformed Lutheran Church.
J. F. HASSRICK, an employe of the Tide-water Pipe Line Company, Beaver Valley, was born at Schenectady, N. Y., Juue 24, 1857, a son of Julius and Catherine Hassrick, the former of whom is a farmer, residing in Montgomery, Lycoming Co., Penn.; the
latter died at Gloucester, Atlantic Co., N. J., when our subject was but three years old,
He was but one year old when his parents moved to Gloucester, N. J., and after residing
there "kbout nine years the father moved to Egg Harbor City, where he followed the
butchering business. Later they moved to Allenwood, Lycoming Co., Penn.. and here
our subject followed railroading on the Catawissa Railroad (now the Philadelphia &
Reading). He then went to Montgomery to learn the machinist business with Houston.
Smith & Co., and was employed by them something over two years. He then engaged
with the Tide-water Pipe Line Company as patrolman, walking the line from Williamsport to Sollidaysburg. He was thus engaged about two months when he went to Olm^
stead. Potter Couuty, and was there employed at the Tide-water company's station as
operator until August, 1882, when he was transferred to the company's station at ShU'
man's or Beaver Valley, where he was operator until December, 1885. He was then pro
moted to the position of assistant engineer of the station, and has been connected with the
works longer than any one now at Shuman's Station. He married, July 2. 1884, Miss
Mary Brown, a native of Roulette, Potter County, a daughter of Philip and Helen Brown,
Mr. and Mrs. Hassrick are the parents of one child. Romain Calvin.
F. G. LAUER, superintendent of Tide-water Pipe Line Pumping Station. No. 5, Shuman's Station, was born at Phifnixville, Chester Co., Penn., February 10, 1854. His.
parents, Maurice and Catherine (Loeb) Lauer, natives of Berlin, Germaii}', came to this
country when young, and were married in Philadelphia, moving thence to Chester
County, Penn. The father was a chemist, having acquired his knowledge of the science
in his native country, and followed it after removing to Chester County.
In 1859 he and
family moved to Laporte, Sullivan Co., Penn., where he kept hotel until his death. May 8,
1886.
His widow still resides in Laporte and conducts the "Mountain House." Our subof

ship.

—

—

370

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ject commenced to learn the machinist trade at the age of sixteen years in Camden, N. J.,
at the National Armor Works, where he remained two years.
He then went to Muucy,
Lycoming Co., Penn., where he finished a five years' apprenticeship by serving three
years with P. M. Trumbower
Co. After completely learning his trade he worked there
about six weeks, and then went to the Dixson Manufacturing Company at Hcranton, where
he remained nearly two years, putting together the fine parts of locomotives, and some of
his work was sent to the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia.
He was then employed
in the machinery department of the Reading Railroad Shops, at Catawissa. Returning to
Muucy he had charge of the shops there about one year; was then employed by Waldron
Sproat, Muncy, about six months; then worked four weeks for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Renovo, and again returned to Muncy, remaining several months as assistant engineer for his present employers; thence he went to Williamsport, and after seven
weeks came to Beaver Valley and took charge of the works of the company at this place.
Mr. Lauer was married in Lycoming County December 20, 1876, to Miss Allie Lillie, and
one child, Roy G., was born to them. Mr. Lauer is a member of the Masonic lodge at
Catawissa. In politics he is a solid Republican. The family attend the services of the

&

&

Methodist Episcopal Church.

DANIEL L. LINGLEY, merchant, Beaver Valley, was born in Beaver Township,
•Columbia Co., Pena., January 15, 1850, a son of Daniel and Mary (Lehr) Lingley. Jacob
Lingley, grandfather of our subject, was born in Berks County, and from there after his
marriage came to Columbia County and settled at what is now^ called Mifflin Cross-roads,
in Beaver Township.
He was a farmer by occupation, which he followed until his death
in 1844, his widow surviving him until 1853; both are buried in St. Peter's churchyard in
Beaver Township. The father of our subject was born and reared in this township, and
has always followed farming. He married Miss Mary Lehr, a native of Columbia County,
and a daughter of Henry and Catherine Lehr. Her parents, natives of this Stale are now
deceased, and are buried in St. Peter's Church graveyard. Mr. and Mrs. Lingley were the
parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, our subject being fourth. Both parents reside in Beaver Township. Our subject was reared to farm life, and remained with
his parents until thirty-one years of age, when he conmienced in mercantile business
at his present location.
He was married in Columbia County Novembers, 1874, to Miss
Catherine Bredbenner, a native of Columbia County, and a daughter of Nathan and Leah
(Swank) Bredbenner. Thej"^ were born in tliis county, but their parents came from Berks
County, and are now deceased, Nathan Bredbenner died in March, 1881, and is buried in
St. Peter's churchyard.
His widow makes her home with Mr. Lingley. Our subject and
wife were the parents of five children, of whom four are living: Nathan Tiliman, William
Lloyd, Ida Leah and Mary Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Lingley are members of the Lutheran
Church. He has held the office of tax collector one term.
M. W. McHENRY, one of the proprietors of the Beaver Valley mill, was born in
Fishingcreek Township, Columbia Co., Penn., June 4, 1826, a son of Daniel and Mary
(Coleman) McHenry. His grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Stillwater, Fishingcreek Township, was a farmer by occupation and at one time the owmer of immense
•tracts of land in the Fishing creek country.
Daniel McHenry was born in Fishingcreek
Township, followed farming and also had two or three sawmills in the locality;- he cut a
great deal of lumber, and was a very active man, retaining his vigor to the last; it may be
related of him that he was elected assessor at the age of seventy and went his rounds on
foot; was also supervisor and held other local and township offices.
He died in March,
in the eightieth year of his age, his widow surviving him some three years; both are
buried at Stillwater, Fishingcreek Township. They were the parents of eleven children,
nine of whom are living: IBenjamin, residing at Benton, this county; Mary, widow of
Elisha Olverson; William, in Sullivan County, Penn.; Adaline, wife of Thomas Peeler;
Martha K., wife of Jacob Carey, residing in Cambria; M. W., our subject; U. P., residing
at Mlllville; Joseph, at Stillwater; Elizabeth, wife of George Laubauch, who died at the
age of about seventy; Charlotte, wife of George Laubauch, residing at Orangeville, this
county, and Sarah, wife of James Edgar, who died at the age of about seventy. Our subject was reared in Fishingcreek Township and made his home with his parents until he
had reached the age of about eighteen years, when he went to Huntington Township,
Luzerne County, to learn the miller's trade at the Dodson mill. He remained there
three years and after learning his trade moved to Greenwood Township, this county,
and took charge of the lola mills of that place, remaining one year. He was then
employed at Jones' mill, Fishingcreek Township, over one year; Lingtrell's mill,
Luzerne County, three years, and Dodson 's mill, Luzerne County, over three years.
He then bought a house and lot at Town Hill, Luzerne County, and lived there
while he worked at different mills at Huntsville, Luzerne County, three years and six
months. He then farmed for two years in Sugarloaf Township, "Columbia County, but
his house and barn were destioyed by fire, and he resumed the milling business at
Swortnort's mill, Benton Township, where he remained seven years; worked at Franklin mill. Roaring creek, twelve years, the last two years and a half renting the mill;
then at Eyer's Grove mill. Greenwood Township, six years.
He then bought a lot

BEAVER TOWNSHIP.

371

and built on it. and for one year and a half engaged at Fowlersvillo mill.
After that he went to Helm's mill, Benton Township, and was there engaged until
coming to take charge of the mill of which he is now one of the partners. He was married'
in tiiis county on the 18th of April, 1850, to Miss Sarah Ann Montgomery, a native of
Washingtonville, now in Montour County, and daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann Montgomery. Her father was born at Lewisburg, Penn., and both her parents are buried at
Beech Grove, Luzerne County. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry were the parents of ten children,
seven of whom are living: Ruggles, in Franklin Township; Alice, wife of George Williams, in Catawissa; Margaret Adaline, wife of Charles Hazleton, in Dallas Town.ship,
Luzerne County; H. G., miller at lola mills: Lizzie, wife of George J. Munson, merchant, at
Beaver Valley; Blanclie B., wife of Sherman Heller, her father's partner, and Charles W.,
miller at Miner's mill, Luzerne County; the decea.sed are Minnie, Annie and Nettie.
Mr. McHenry has a house and a lot of six acres at Ej'er's Grove. He and his wife are
members of the Christian Church. Mr. McHenry has served as auditor; is a member of
an old family of the county, and is a miller of wide practical experience, having followed
the business for forty-four consecutive years. He is constantly improving and remodeling
his present enterprise.
JAMES B. MARTIN, operator at Beaver Valley Pump Station, No. 5, Tide-waterPipe Line Company, is a native of Ohio, born February 19, 1865. His parents, John W. and
Sarah S. (Bell) Martin, were both born in Armstrong County, Penn., and were of ScotchIrish descent.
His grandfather, Dennis Martin, came from Scotland and settled at Oil
His maternal grandfather
City, Venango Co., Penn., where he remained until his death.
came from Ireland and lived the remainder of his life in Armstrong County, Penn. The
parents of our subject reside at Rixford, Penn., where the father is a machinist. They
had twelve children, of whom nine are living; Frederick, Joseph, James B., John, Harvey, Mary, Belle, Frank and Charles. The deceased are Margaret, Nellie and an infant.
Our subject at the age of seventeen years commenced to learn telegraphy, and served an
apprenticeship of one year at Rixford. In 1884 he was employed by the Tide-water Pipe
Line Company, and for the first four mouths was stationed at Allentown. He was then
transferred to the office at County Line Station, where he remained until taking his
present position, January 1, 1886. He is an accomplished operator and deservedly popular.
In politics he is a Republican.
LEVI MICHAEL, merchant, Beaver Valley, was born in Berks County, Penn., March 5,
1833, a son of Manassah and Susannah ( Hossler) Michael.
Adam Michael, the grandfather,
a native of Columbia County, was a farmer and kept hotel in the house now occupied by
Charles Michael, near Singley's store, until his death in 1841.
His widow died several
years after, and both are buried in the family cemetery on the old homestead. Manassah Michael lived with his parents until arriving at manhood, when he removed to Berks
County, where he married and followed boating on the Schuylkill, having his own boat.
He was engaged in the coal-carrying trade from the vicinity of Pottsville to Philadelphia until his death in December, 1838. He is buried in Michael's Church Cemetery,
Barn Township. Berks County. About 1850 his widow and family removed to Columbia
County, and located in Beaver Township, where she died February 16, 1884. and is buried
in St. Peter's churchyard, in Beaver Township.
They were the parents of four children,
of whom three are living: Levi, our subject; Angeline, wife of Judffe V. L. Shuman, residing at Catawissa; Manassah, a hotel-keeper at Pottsville; (William is deceased).
When Levi was eighteen years of age the family moved to Columbia County, and here he
has since resided. He worked by the month until 1863, also farmed a piece of land
which he had purchased. He then went into the service of his country, and after returning clerked in the store of Judge F. L. Shuman for twelve years, and in 1878 started in
business for himself. He handles a general stock valued at f 1,500, besides plows, castings, etc., for farm use.
He was married in this county, July 20, 1874, to Miss Emma
Jane Gearhart. a native of this county and a daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Shuman)
Gearhart, both members of early families and now residing at Shumantown. Mr.
and Mrs. Michaels are the parents of five children: Harry Mannassah, Alfred Levi,
George Walter, Gertie Enola and Lottie Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Michael are members of
the Lutheran Church.
He has held the office of judge of elections and overseer of the
poor.
In 1863 he enlisted in Company H, Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, at Pottsville, and proceeded to Harrisburg, where he was mustered; his regiment was connected
with Sheridan's cavalry and took part in the campaigns of those famous troopers until
the close of the war. Mr. Michael was at Gettysburg, Spottsylvania Court House, all
through the Wilderness, at Cold Harbor, Chancellorsville, and in fact in most of the
heavy engagements of the war, and took part in the operations which resulted in the fall
of Richmond and surrender of Lee. He was discharged in August, 1865, at Clark's mill,
Virginia, and returned home.
GEORGE J. MUNSON, merchant, Beaver Valley, was born in Kingston Township, Luzerne Co., Penn., a son of David A. and Louisa (Johnson) Munson, natives of Luzerne
County, and of German-English descent. His great-grandparents were among the pioneers
of the Wyoming Valley, and were living there at the time of the massacre; there, also, the
in that place

372

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

two generations of the family in this country resided. Our subject's father was born
Luzerne County, and there grew to manhood. He removed to Columbia County, in 1873,
and is now living in Franklin Township, where he owns a fine farm, and is well respected.
He is the father of live children: George J., Miner S., Mary E., Nelson J. and Walter S.
Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until twenty-four years of age,
when he went into business for himself. In the spring of 1885 he bought the store of C.
A. Shuman at Beaver Valley, which he now conducts. He carries a general stock of
merchandise valued at $3,500. He married, February 15. 1883, Miss Lizzie, daughter of
Moses and Sarah McHenry. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are the parents of one child, Iva R.
they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Munson enjoys a good busiHis building is 30x50 feet, two stories high, with a large salesroom and a smaller
ness.
storeroom. Mr. Munson is assistant postmaster of Beaver Vallev.
SAMUEL NUNGESSER, retired farmer, P. O. Beaver Valley, was born in Mifflin
Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 35, 1818, a son of George and Barbara (Swank)
Nungesser. His grandparents came from one of the lower counties to Columbia and here
the grandfather purchased a piece of land along the Ten Mile Creek, erected a grist-mill
and being a miller opertited it until his death in the early part of the present century.
He is buried at Mifflinville, where his widow, who died about 1830, is also buried. George
Nungesser was born in this county, where he followed farming until a few years before
His wife preceded him bv about fifteen years and both are buried at
his death, in 1851.
Our subject was reared in Mifflin Township, and on arriving at manhood
Mifflinville.
went to learn the blacksmith's trade with Christian Lutz, of that township. He served
two years and then worked at journey work for about eight years; then bought a lot in
Mifflin Township; erected a blacksmith shop, which he conducted four or five years. He then
went to Black Creek, Luzerne County, where he erected a large shop, which he operated
about ten years; then bought a farm in Beaver Township, and carried it on Until the spring
of 1885, when he rented out his farm, bought a lot near McAuley's Station, and erected the
house where he now resides. He married in Black Creek Township, Luzerne County. April
2, 1848, Miss Mary Tornbach, a native of Luzerne County, and daughter of Samuel and Mary
She died in 1858 and is buried in Black Creek Township. By their mar(Hill) Tornbach.
riage there were two children: Frances, married to William E. Yaeger.and an infant who died
Mi-. Nungesser married. May 3, 1860, his present wife, Lydia,
at the age of four months.
daughter of Peter and Veronica (Schweppenheiser) Longenberger, both deceased, her
father having died in the spring of 1876, and her mother in 1858; the former is buried at
Ringtown Cemetery, and the latter at Mifflinville. Mr. and Mrs. Nungesser are the
parents of one child, Henry William, a telegrapher, who acquired his knowledge of the
Mr. Nungesser is a member of the Reformed
Brt at McAuley's Station, P. & R. R. R.
Church, and Mrs. Nungesser of the Lutheran; both are descended from well known
pioneer families of the county. In politics he is a Democrat.
ALBERT PETIT, operator for the Tide-water Pipe Line Company, at Shuman's,
was born in Pine Township, Lycoming Co.. Penn, December 3. 1857.
His grandfather Petit was a soldier under Bonaparte, in Russia. His parents, Francis and Virginia
(Guillaume) Petit, were born in France near the Swiss border; when young, came to this
country and were married in New York. Their first permanent settlement was in Cogan
House Township, Lycoming County, where the father purcha.sed a farm which he still
owns and conducts. During his early life Francis Petit serj^ed an apprenticeship at the
mason's trade, and also a term in the French army. To him and his wife were born
^even children, five of whom are living: Augustus, Albert, Theodore, Clare and Florence.
Our subject was reared on the farm and remained with his father ujitil twenty-two years
In the spring of 1883 he
of age, when he went to Oberlin, Ohio, to learn telegraph}'.
entered the service of the Tide-water Pipe Line Company, and was located at Salladasburg. After one year he was transferred to Waterville; thence to Tamanend, and after
fourteen months to County Line Station No. 3. Fifteen months later he came to his present
locatioH, and is still in the employ of the Tidewater Company.
He was married May 37,
Both are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he
1886, to Miss Emma D. Bell.
is a Democrat.
ABRAHAM RICE, retired merchant and farmer, Beaver Valley, was born near
Heidleberg, Baden, February 31, 1839, a son of Samuel and Bertha (Sterbergt) Rice,
natives of Baden, where the father was a drover and butcher. Our subject commenced
life for himself as a clerk in his native country, and followed that occupation until 1848,
when he took passage on a sailing vessel bound for America. After a voyage of over a
month he landed at New York, where he remained about two months and then moved to
Easton, Penn., where he engaged first at peddling and later at clerking. He remained at
Easton about three years and then went to Ringtown, Schuylkill County, where he
clerked for two years; thence moved to Port Carbon, where he clerked for the same firm
Desiring to start in business
as at Ringtown, Culp & Strauss, and remained three years.
for himself, in April, 1859, he came to Numidia, Columbia County, bought a stock of
goods and conducted a general mercantile business until 1868. He then purchased a store
and property at Beaver Valley and carried on the mercantile trade until 1876, when he
first

in

BEAVER TOWNSHIP.

373

retired.
He marrie;!, of Norlhumberlaiul County, and a daughter of Ephraim and Anna Sophia Parent, both
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have six children: Clara, wife of Benjamin Michael, residing in Beaver Township; Paulina, wife of Davis Runyan, a telegraph operator at Beaver
Valley station; Sophia, married to Franli A. Robins, residing in Shamokin, Northumberland County; Samuel P.; Emanuel, wlio married Mi.ss Anna Reeder, and resides in Beaver
Township, and Nathan. Mr. Rice has about 300 acres of land in Beaver Township and
forty acres on Roaring creek, some of which he rents out and some he has farmed. He
is a memljer of the following: A. F. & A. M., at Catawissa; the I. O. O. F.. in which he
has passed all the chairs; the K. of P., being one of the charter members and originators
of Lynchburg Lodge at Beaver Valley (still retains the charter at his home). He was the
representative to the State lodge as long as the local lodge was in existence, and was DisHe also belongs to the Free Sons of Israel, of
trict Deputy of the lodge for seven years.
Philadelphia. He was postmaster at Numidia from 1862 until the time he left that place,
and retained his commission two years afterward. He was appointed postmaster of
Beaver Valley after coming here, and held the office continuously until the coming in of
the present administration.
He was jury commissioner of Columbia County for the threeyear term ending January 1, 1886. Mr. Rice has been a very active man, taking a live
interest in public affairs, and is the present overseer of the poor of Beaver Township.
JESSE RITTENHOUSE, farmer, P. O. Mountain Grove, Luzerne County, was born
in Black Creek Township, Luzerne Co., Penn., May 14, 1841, to Amos and Nancy (Wolf)
Rittenhouse, both natives of the same township. The grandfather, Martin Rittenhouse,
came from Germantown (now in Philadelphia) in an early day, followed farming and
erected and operated a grist-mill until a few years before his death. Subject's father
followed farming in his native county until the death of his father, Amos Rittenhouse,
when he took charge of the mill and followed milling, also farming to some extent until
Subject's mother died in May 80, 1881, and November 11. 1882, his father died.
his death.
Both are buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery. Our subject resided in Luzerne County
until he was twenty-six j'ears of age when he came to Beaver Township, Columbia County,
and has since here resided. He bought his present tract of land, consisting of 158 acres,
from his father. He was married in Luzerne County, March 22, 1866, to Miss Elmira
Smith, a native of that county, a daughter of Abraham and Catherine Smith, former of
whom is deceased, latter still resides in Blaclv Creek Town.ship. Luzerne County. By this
union there were six children, five now living: Charles, Catherine, Thomas, Sallie and
Robert; (Ida is deceased). Mrs. Rittenhouse died March 25, 1879, and is buried in MounIn 1881 our subject married for his second wife Miss Jane Cathtain Grove Cemetery.
erine Johnson, a native of Stockton, Penn., and to this union were born four children,
two now living: Abram and Grover Cleveland; the deceased two were named Gertie and
Mnnie. Mr. Rittenhouse is one of the school directors of Beaver Township. In politics
he is a Democrat.
THOMAS J. SHUMAN, merchant, Beaver Valley, was born in Beaver Township,
Columbia Co., Penn., March 6, 1S42, a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Hendershot)
Shuman, natives of this county, and of German descent, the great-grandfather of our
subject having been of German birth. His grandfather was one of the early settlers of
this county, locating near Catawissa, where he followed farming until the time of
Christian Shuman, father of our subject, was born in Columbia Count}' in
his death.
On starting out for himself he located
1805, and learned the tanner's trade at Bethlehem.
at Beaver Valley, and built a tannery which he conducted for several years, also keeping
a hotel. He owned a large farm as well, and besides hotel-keeping and tanning carried
on agriculture. He was also engaged in mercantile business for a few years. His wife
died in 1881, he August 14, 1885, and they are buried in Harriger's Church Cemetery.
They were the parents of eleven children, eight living: Joseph, Elizabeth (wife of Daniel
Gearhart), Frank L., Catherine (wife of Henry CroU), William, Johanna, Thomas J. and
Charles. The father was quite a prominent man, well known, and has held the office of
Thomas J., our subject, was reared on a farm
justice of the peace for over tweniy years.
and remained at home until twenty-four years of age. He then engaged in railroading
employ
about sixteen years. In the spring of 1885
was
in
Railroad
and
its
on the P. & R.
he embarked in mercantile business at Beaver Valley, and so continues, carrying a genHe married, May
eral line of merchandise and owning the building which he occupies.
22, 1866, Miss Lucy Sont, and four children have been born to them: Harvey, Clark,
Dora and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman are members of the Lutheran Church. He has

supervisor two years.
proprietor of "Shuman's Hotel," P. O. Beaver ValleJ^ was born
in Shamokin, in the Mahoning Valley, this county, April 2, 1854, a son of Aaron and
Mary E. (Fry) Smith. John Smith, his grandfather, was born and reared near Trevorton,
Northumberland County, this State, where he farmed, dying there in about 1882. Aaron
Smith was born in Irish Valley, near Trevorton, and lived there until about 1832, following the trade of stone-cutter and stone-mason. In 1832 he removed to Shamokin, where
he followed contracting on stone-cutting and mason work, and has erected most of the

held the

office of of

JOHN

P.

SMITH,

374

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

large stone structures in that city for the last twelve years, among which may be menHe followed business actively until the time of his.
tioned the Polish Catholic Church.
death, December 12, 1883. His wife died in March, 1882, and both are buried in Irish
Valley, Northumberland County. Our subject was reared in Sliamokin, and at the age
of sixteen commenced railroading on the Shamokin division of the Northern Centra!
Railroad. He acted as brakeman on a freight train for about five years, and then went
on the passenger train for about eighteen months; was then employed at flagging for
about two years for the Pennsylvania Company, on the Delaware, Lackawanna
Western Road. After that he was appointed to a freight conductorship on the Sunbury division, which he held until March, 1883, when he resigned on account of feeble health.
Later he took charge of the hotel which he now controls, and bought in December. 1885,
a piece of land in Beaver Township, consisting of about fifty acres, to whicli, in March,
He was married in Black Creek
1886j he added thirteen acres and 'twenty perches.
Township, Luzerne County, June 18, 1873, to Miss Mary C. Fry, a native of Columbia
County, daughter of Henry and Catherine Fry. Her father was a soldier in the civil
war; was captured by the rebels, and died during the latter part of the war in AndersonHer mother resides at Branville Prison, where he had been confined some four weeks.
donville, Schuylkill County, and is now the wife of Henry Croll.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
are the parents of two children: Cora Belle and Gertrude. Mrs. Smith is a member of
the Reformed Church. Mr. Smith is a member of Lodge No. 22, A. F.
A. M., at

&

&

Sunbury.
C. W. STEAD, agent and operator on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at McAuley Station, was born in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, October 19, 1856, a son of
Samuel and Mary (Long) Stead, the former a native of England. The parents reside near
Muncy, Lycoming County. When ©ur subject was ten or eleven years of age his parents
moved to Lycoming County, Penn., and there he resided until coming to Columbia County to fill his present position. He entered the office of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at Muncy, about 1876, and served an apprenticeship. He worked as extra operator
at the different offices of the Phihidelphia & Reading Railroad between Lofty and Williamsport for over two years, and was assigned to his present position in April, 1882.
DANIEL E. TROY, farmer. P. O. Zion's Grove, Schuylkill County, was born in
Beaver Township. Columbia County, July 22, 1843, a son of C. B. and Priscilla (Davis>
Troy. The father was born in Allegheny County and moved thence to Columbia Count}',
where he still resides in Beaver Township. Subject's maternal grandfather, David Davis,
was born in Columbia County and followed farmingunlil his death. Daniel E. was reared irs
Beaver Township and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he
started out for himself, rented a piece of land in Beaver Township, and, after farming for twoyears,bought the farm consisting of 212 acres where he has since resided. Besides farming he
carries on lumbering to some extent. He was married November 13,1869, to Miss Nancy Jane
Gearhart, a native of Columbia County, a granddaughter of Peter Gearhart, who was a
soldier in the Revolutionary war and is buried in Mifflinville Cemetery.
Her parents
were Henry and Catherine (Buck) Gearhart, both natives of this county, former of whom
died in Carbon County, latter is still living and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Troy.
Our subject and wife are the parents of six children; Charles Henry, Anthony Marshall.
William Wesley, Elsie lola. Daniel Garfield and George Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Troy aremembers of the Methodist Church.

CHAPTER XXV.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
ELIJAH P. ALBERTSON, liveryman, Benton, was born at Stillwater, Columbia
County, October 23, 1857. In 1861 he removed with his parents to Sugarloaf Township
and remained with his parents on the farm until 1876. He then took a trip west and was
gone about three years. Returning home he farmed his father's place, and June 23, 1879,
married Mi.ss Ella, a daughter of Cyrus Larish of Sugarloaf Township. Four children
have been born to them: E. Joe, Atta, Charley and Chancey. After his marriage Mr.
Albertson continued to farm and in partnership with his father did some lumbering
until 1884.
He then received the contract to carr}' the mail between Benton and
Bloomsburg. His commission will expire July 1, 1889. He continued to carry the mail
and also drove stage between these places until the summer of 1886, when he hired

BENTON TOWNSHIP.

375

to attend to that business and devoted his time to the livery luisiness in Benton.
His father, Elijah J. Albcitsou, is a resident of Sus^arloaf Townsliip and was l)orn in
Greenwood Township, Columbia County, March 18, 1819, a son of John H. .-md Jane
(Kitchen) Albertson. June 13, 1841, lie married Sarah A., daughter of John and Martha
(McHenry) Stiles. In 1865 he moved to the place he now occupies, purchasing eightyseven acres of the Robert Moore property. Tiiis has been highly improved and is now
one of the nicest places in the township. To him and his wife uine children were born:
Melissa J., wife of A. Fullmer, of MiUville: Alonzo B., Martha A., wife of William Kase;
Clarence E., of Benton Township; Esther E., wife of William Keeler, of Cincinnati, Ohio;
Mary E.. wife of Cliristian Rantz, of Lycoming County; John W., Elijah P.. Sarah A.,
wife of Samuel Pennington, of Catawissa. The parents are members of the Christian
Churcli at Benton. Mr. Albertson has served in all the offices in the township.
HIRAM ASH, farmer, P. O. Benton, was born in Fishingcreek Township, November 22, 1828, a son of Christian and Magdalena (Osderday) Ash. October 22, 1852, he
married Mary Davis, daughter of John R. Davis (deceased). Until his marriage he remained at home, but after that event he engaged in wagon-making, removing to Benton
Village.
After a time he bought the farm of ninety acres on which he now lives, where he
has made most of tlie improvements, and has a pleasant home. Here he has reared his
children, eight in all, as follows: Christian D. (deceased), Dora A. (deceased), Elizabeth
E. (deceased), John B., Hiram Thomas, Hosa R., Mary C. (wife of R. L. Sighfried. of Benton Township) and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Ash and family are members of the Hamline
Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch.
THOMAS BELLES, farmer. P. O. Benton, the eldest living representative of the
Belles family, was born March 27, 1818, in Union Township, Benton Co., Penn.
William
Belles, grandfather of Thomas, was a native of New Jersey, and upon coming to Benton
settled on what is known as the "old Belles farm," in 1820.
He first settled in Shickshinny. Luzerne County, in 1813, where he kept hotel until his removal in 1820. He and
his wife, Catherine Belles, are buried in the cemetery devoted to the family use.
They
had a family of twelve cliildren: Elias, Susan, Chrislena, Salloma, Catharine, Elizabeth,
Maiy, Anthony, Simon, Andrew, Adam and Peter. Elias Belles, father of our subject,
had a family of seven children, as foUow^s: Thomas, Elia^, Lydia (died April 19, 1826),
Susanna (died in 1883), Margaret (died August 4, 1834), William, John (died February
Thomas Belles removed to his present home April 2, 1844. He married in
19, 1832).
Februaiy, 1844, Susan Ann Krickbaum, and eleven children were born to them, Lydia E.,
Mary C, Frances I., William L., Elias S., Samuel B., Isaac P., John W., Cyrus L., Sydney E. and Thomas F. Mary C, Samuel B., Elias S., Sydney E. and William L. are
dead and lie buried in the Hamiline Cemetery. The farm consists of 130 acres, with at'out
100 acres under cultivation.
Mr. and Mrs. Belles are members of the Hamline Methodist
Episcopal Churcii, of which Mr. Belles has been class steward for manv years.
DR. T. S. CHAPIN, dentist, Benton, was born June 1, 1851, in Luzerne County,
Penn., where his early life was spent, and where his father, William Chapin, still resides.
Like most country boys he was obliged to work on the farm, attending school when he
could be spared, but still received a good education. At the age of nineteen he commenced the study of dentistry, and coming to Benton was engaged for a short time in the
office gf Dr. Laubach.
He then went to Bloomsburg, where for si.\ months he was in the
office of Dr. H. C. Hower, and also for a time clerked in a store and w^orked at other busiHaving relatives in Michigan he went there in 1882 and worked in the city of
ness.
Schoolcraft; thence to Howell, where he entered the office of Dr. Wing, a prominent
dentist, and was under his instruction for about four months.
He then returned to
Schoolcraft, and in 1883 to Benton, where he has since remained and enjoys a large practice, extending through Columbia, Luzerne and Sullivan Counties.
His wife is a Miss
Savage, daughter of Rev. George Savage, now of Muhlenburg, Luzerne County, but then
a resident of Benton.
EZEKIEL COLE was born where he now lives, son of Benjamin Cole, who came to
the county in an early day. Our subject was married to Christena, daughter of Conrad
Hess, and they then located east of Benton Village, coming in 1860 to their present place
which compi-ises about 200 acres of well improved land. Mr. Cole has kept hotel since
March, 1864, and since 1876 a general store. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have had a family of
twenty children, thirteen now living: John, Lavina. Susanna, Clinton, William B., Alice,
Christy Ann. Sarah L., Elmira, Mary E., Alfred, Delila and Charles W. Mr. Cole owns

some one

which was
Clinton Cole, son

the saw-mill

built in 1832.

of Ezekiel and Christena (Hess) Cole, was born July 8, 1842, near
Benton, this count}^ on the old Cole farm. He was married Januaiy lO!^ 1869, to Miss
Elnia E., daughter of William Y. Hess, and they had four children, three now living:
Ella B., Dora R. and Arden B. (Hurley R. is deceased). After their marriage, j\Ir. and
Mrs. Cole lived on the old farm till the spring of 1875, when they moved to near Benton,
remaining there one year, and then came to their farm of 122 acres, which is rented,
near the Thomas mill.
Our subject and wife attend the services of the Evangelical
Church.

29

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

376

NORMAN

COLE, farmer and merchant, P. O. Cole's Creek, was born near where bis
stands in this township, March 20, 1857, son of Alinas and Rhoda Ann (Kile)
Greenwood
Township, this county. He commenced business in November,
of
1883, buying out W. B. Cole's general stock, and his store is near the old Cole mill.
Mr.
Cole was married March 13, 1873, to Miss Kate M., daughter of George Steadman, of
Sugarloaf, and by her has four children: Nina C, Atta Maud, Luella G. and Perry
Reece. V/hen first married our subject and wife moved to Raven Creek, and there remained one year; thence to Daniel Laubach's place, and from there to their present home
Mr. Cole operated the farmfouly till 1884, and is now engaged in farming, storein 1875.
keeping, and huckstering to Nanticoke and Wilkesbarre.
STOTT E. COLLEY, farmer, P. O. Benton, is a sou of Alexander Colley, St., of whom
so many speak, and whose record in the county will be found elsewhere.
He was born
November 6, 1813, and December 28, 1838, married Miss Sarah Hess, and has continued to
reside on the same place where he was married, and where he owns 143 acres of improved
He and wife have eight children, four living: Melissa, wife of Benjamin Peterman;
land.
William, living in Jackson Township; Alexander A., at home, and Wesley S. in Benton
Village, a blacksmith.
EDGAR, farmer, P. O. Benton, was born in Sullivan County May 31, 1839,
a son of Andrew Edgar, a native of Town Hill, Luzerne County. His mother died in
Thomas resided in Sullivan County until he enlisted in
1878, but his father is still living.
1861, in Company B, Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, third brigade, third corps,
Army of the Potomac, and participated in the following battles: Bath (Va.), Hancock
(Md.), Winchester (Va.), Port Republic, Slaughter Mountain, Rappahannock Station,
Thoroughfare Gap, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wapping Heights, Kelley's Ford, Mine Run(Va.), Wilderness.and was with Grant until discharged. December 18,
1864, front of Petersburg, he was wounded by being thrown from a mule and both ankles
injured.
He returned home after being mustered out and remained in Sullivan County
about four years. February 4, 1866. he married Miss Rosanna M., of Sullivan County,
daughter of C. B. Sperry. In 1869 Mr. Edgar came to Columbia County and bought fortyeight acres which he has since improved. Mr. Edgar is a member of the Grange, and
politically a Republican.
Benton, is a native of Lime Ridge, Centre Township,
I. L. EDWARDS, M. D.,
Columbia County, born November 36, 1846, and is a son of William Edwards, who was
Briarcreek
Township,
in
born
and now resides in Berwick. At the age of eighteen he
entered the academy at Orangeville, where he spent two terms, teaching a part of
the time. In the spring of 1866 he entered V/yoming Seminary in Luzerne County,
Penn., where two years later he graduated in the literary course. Previous to entering
the seminary he had taught one term at Wilkesbarre, and on leaving that institution he
again taught at the same place. He began to study medicine in 1868 under Dr. P. M.
Senderling, of Berwick, and later entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from
which he graduated in 1871. He immediately commenced to practice at Oranaeville,
store
Cole,

now
now

THOMAS

where he remained until 1873, when he came to Benton and remained two years. Thence
he went to Berwick, remaining one year, when his attachment for Benton brought him
back to the village, and here he has since resided. Dr. Edwards owns property beautifully located in the village, a nice residence, and also a farm near the village of seventytwo acres. He married, March 11, 1873, Sally, daughter of William Patterson, of Orange
Township, and three children have been born to them: Myron P., Anna C. and Garrett.
Dr. Edwards is a well posted gentleman, and is held in high favor in the village.
HIRAM F. EVERITT. lumber dealer, Benton, was born in Northampton County,
Penn., a son of James and Mary Everitt. The parents were of German descent, and
reared a family of ten boys and six girls and are both deceased. Hiram F. was reared on
a farm, and resided near Orangeville until 1853. He learned the carpenter trade and followed it until 1859, when he went into the mercantile business, and later, in 1873, the
lumber business, which he has since continued. He also keeps a store. He married in
1854 Miss Hannah Stiles, by whom he had seven children: Mary A., Elliott B., Anna R.,
Nora M., Jennie M., Lizzie G. and Hervey E., all living but the eldest two. Mrs. Everitt
died July 36, 1873, and our subject married. May 1, 1877, Elmira, daughter of Benjamin
McHenry, and one child bles.ses their union, Tressie E. Mr. Everitt owns a farm near the
village, on which there are two dwelling-houses, and also'owns a storehouse on said farm.
During the late war he was drafted in the $300 draft, and paid over his $300 without complaint.
He was arrested at his home on the night of August 34, 1864. and incarcerated in
Bomb Proof No. 3, in Fort MifHin, for four months, and was discharged the same manner
lie was arrested, without knowing any cause for arrest or discharge.
JOHN HEACOCK, merchant, Benton, was born in Greenwood Township, September
His father was a mechanic and followed
18, 1833, a son of Joseph and Margaret Heacock.
building and millwrighting, and with him John worked until he was twenty-two years
In 1855 John came to Benton and began clerking in the store of his brother, Samuel,
old.
with whom he remained until 1860. In 1866 he purchased the cabinet and undertaking
business of S. C. Krickbaum and conducted it until 1870. From 1876 to 1880 he was

BENTON TOWNSHIP.

377

postmaster, his brother, Samuel, being the postmaster. Our subject became
postmaster Fel)ruary 1, 1881, and served as such until tlie incoming of the present administration; although the people wished him retained, he was dismissed.
He married, June
17, 1880, Miss Hannah, daughter of William W. E. and Mary (Hess) Roberts.
Mr.
Heacock has suffered many years with rheumatism, incapacitating him from manual
assistant

labor.

He

is

HIRAM

a member of the Masonic fraternity.
HESS, proprietor of the E.Kchange Hotel

at Benton, was born in Centre
Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 28, 1821. a son of John Hess, Jr., whose father
was John Hess also. The latter with his family(of which John, Jr., was the eldest) came to
ColumbiaCounty from the "Dry Lands" and settled in Centre Township. He died in Centre
Township about 1851, between seventy and eighty years of age. John Hess, Jr., settled
after his marriage in Centre Township, later moved to Wapwallopen, Luzerue County,
but returned in 1831 to this county. His wife, Mary Hogenbaoh, came with her people
from the "Dry Lands" and bore her husband eight children. Of these our subject is the
eldest, and when a young man rented land from Elias McHenry.
At the time of his
marriage he lived in Centre Township on the farm of his grandfather. He married Olive,
daughter of Elias McHenry, in October, 1849. That jear he purchased a farm near
Stillwater, of 108 acres, and in the fall of 1851 moved on it; it now consists of 130 acres
under a splendid state of cultivation. Here they resided until 1872 when thej^ came to
Benton and began keeping hotel across the street from their present location, and in 1873
moved into their present commodious quarters. In 1864, in connection with E. J. McHenry, Mr. Hess purchased the flouring-mill at Stillwater; operated it there two years
and then sold out. In 1878 he bought 165 acres two miles below Benton, on Fishing
creek, and in 1880 twenty-two acres adjoining, but in Benton Township; on this farm
in 1884 they erected the finest house and barn between Bloomsburg and the North Mountain, costing upward of $5,000, and in securing so much valuable property Mrs. Hess has

been a great aid. Two children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hess: Francis M.,
born January 29. 1850, married in 1871 Cymantba Thomas (they have four children:
Cora, Charley W., Warren and Ray) and Wesley M., born July 3, 1855, married in 1881
Miss Allie, daughter of S. P. Krickbaum (thej- have one child, Ray,) and reside on the
farm two miles south of Benton. The E.xchange Hotel was built in 1872 by Hiram Hess.
The main part is 20.\;40. three stories high and contains seventeen rooms, besides the
public bailor ball room; another part. 20x35, two stories high, contains four rooms, three
below and one above, besides a kitchen 14x18 as another addition. A barn 40x50 feet
is also near, for the accommodation of horses.
The hotel is situated on the corner overlooking the bridge roads and Fishing creek and is well known to the traveling public.
Mrs. Hess is one of the best cooks in the State, and for forty miles around the people
come to partake of her buckwheat cakes. No lady in the State knows better than she the
wants of the traveling public, and the house is kept in perfect order. The bar is always
supplied with the choicest wines and liquors.
WILLIAM HULME (deceased) was born December 9, 1812, in Jefferson Township,
Morris Co., N. J., a son of William A. and Susan (Strait) Hulme. The former was born
May 5, 1770, in Passaic County, N. J., and died in Jefferson Township, Morris County, same
State, October 25, 1829.
The paternal grandfather of our subject w^as William Augustus
Hulme, a native of England, who upon coming to this country settled in New Jersey,
where he pursued his trade, that of a miller. His maternal grandfatlier, Christopher
Strait, removed to Columbus, Ohio, and there he and uis wife are buried.
William remained at home until the age of twentj'-two, when he moved to Luzerne Count}', Penn.,
and remained two years, engaged in charcoal burning to which he had been reared.
Later he came to Columbia Countj'. March 10. 1836, he married Miss Mar}', daughter of
Jonas and Elizabeth (Shellhart) Buss. Mr. Hulme remained with his father-in-law until
April 4, 1843, when he went to Salem, Luzerne County, and there tended locks in the canal
until the fall of 1846.
At that time he was engaged witli William R. Maffet to superintend
the work at the Blackman mines, and when the railway was built from Pitson to Hanley,
forty-seven miles, he went to Greenville. At that time he formed a partnership with
Hudson Owen, contracting and clearing $2,500. In 1852 he was engaged on the railroad
by Mr. Pardee for six months, and in 1853 went to Nescopeck and worked in the store of
J. W. Fry.
In 1855 he again engaged with Maffet a short time on the canal, and again went
to Nescopeck.
There he engaged in erecting some buildings, having l)y this time a goodly
start in worldly affairs.
His first wife having died April 1, 1855, he married, June 18,
1857, Phoebe E., daughter of John Stoker, and one child was born to their union, Hilbert
Hudson, born August 14, 1860. Hilbert H. was educated at Lafayette College, Easton,
Penn., entering that institution in September, 1880, and remaining until December, 1882.
His intention was to complete a course in civil engineering and he has drawn several contour maps. He intends, however, to follow agriculture iu which he is well posted, and is
at present engaged in breeding Duroc-Jersey hogs from registered stock.
To William
Hulme's first marriage no children were born. His late residence in Benton dates
from 1857; while passing through the beautiful valley he negotiated for the land
at a good bargain and at once commenced improving it. The home place consists

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

378

of fifty-six acres of fine lanrl, all under cultivation, and the air of neatness and thrift
which pervades the surround iu.irs causes the passer-by to remark: "This is one of the
neatest places in the county." iNIr. Hulme also owned the first mill up the creek from
Benton, formerly known as Cole's mill, and valuable timber land. He started out a poor,
friendless, uneducated boy, but by thrift, exertion and careful business transactions he
made his mark in the world. William Hulme died February 14, 18S7. at 9:37 A. M., and
his remains were interred in Slauyher's Cemetery, near Nescopeck, Luzerne County.
WILLIAM IPHER, farmer, P. O. Cambra, Luzerne County, was born in Huntington
Township, Luzerne County, March 10, 1836, where he lived a part of the time before his
marriage, which occurred September 21, 1863. Mrs. Ipher was Sibyl, the only daughter
of John C. Doty, and was born in Benton Township, Columbia County, July 6, 1889.
Her mother was Martha Benedict, who died March 24. 1842, and her husband followed,
June 7, 1872. They are both buried in the family cemetery. Joseph Doty, grandfather
of John C, settled in New Jersey upon coming from the mother countr}-. One of his children, David, married Sibyl Clark, and their family consisted of John C, Joseph. Jonas,
Sarah, Anthony. Martha and Clarinda. Jonas Doty settled in Fishingcreek, and John C.
The latter settled in the southeast part of the township and took up
in Benton in 1840.
fifty acres at first, subsequently adding until he owned about 300 acres, all of which fell
Some of this land was very rough, but the coal which was disto his daughter Sibyl.
covered on it made Mr. Doty quite wealthy. He was very strongly allied to DemoHis only child.
cratic principles of government, and was a good and kind neighbor.
Sibyl, with her husband, Mr. Ipher, own 345 acres of land and have three children:
John D., born April 25, 1869; Sarah A., born July 8, 1873, and James W.. born Novem-

ber

19, 1877.

LAFAYETTE KEELER, farmer, P. O. Benton, son of George Keeler, was born
near where he now lives October 20, 1849. His great-grandparents, John and Elizabeth
(South) Keeler, were early settlers in this county. They came from Orange County, N.Y.,
and were born respectively December 11, 1764, and November 24, 1766. They were the
parents of the following named children: Ebenezer, born November 16, 1788; Jane, August 12 1790; James, November 10,1791; Nancv. March 12, 1793; Mary, September 23,
1794; John, June 12, 1796; Elizabeth, March 28, 1798; Benjamin. December 20, 1797;
Esther, August 3, 1802; Susanna, September 23, 1804; William, May 28, 1806; and Phebe,
September 23, 1810. John Keeler married for his second wife Eleanor Wilson, who was
born August 27, 1795, and bore him two children: Harriet E., born December 10, 1835,
and Sarah Agnes, February 7, 1840. Ebenezer Keeler married a Miss Priest, and to
them were born the following; Henry, born October 27. 1817; Jane, September 10, 1819;
Elizabeth, May 24, 1822; John, August 2, 1824; George W. P., January 2, 1827; Dorothy,
June 15, 1829; Levi, December 13. 1831; Elizabeth T., December 11. 1833; Magdalene.
July 6, 1835. George W. P. was the second child born in Benton Township. He mar
Their children were
ried Elizabeth, born September 29, 1830, a daughter of John Fritz.
Lafayette (our subiect); Levi F.. born August 16, 1851; Daniel E.. November 11. 1852;
Harriet May 14, 1854; Magdaleua C, December 23, 1855; Leonard, February 18, 1857:
Esther Jane, September 22.^1858; Clara, March 18, 1860; George B.. January 20, 1862;
16, 1864; Thomas, June 21. 1866; Mary Ann, January 2, 1868; Dorothv E.,
Magdalena died January 22, 1870; John
1869; Harry Bruce, July 29, 1872.
E. died September 4, 1868, and Thomas, April 2, 1870. Lafayette (subject) in early life
learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1880. December 4, 1875, he married Miss Marv A., dau have blessed their union: Anna E.. born October 21, 1876; Clarinda A., August 25, 1881.
and Malan A., March 11, 1882. Mr. Keeler is now engaged in the lumbering busines.r
and also in farming. Since 1876 he has been superintendent of the Maple Grove Sundayschool, in which he takes a great interest.
S. KLINE, farmer, P. O. Benton, was born in Luzerne County, Huntington
Township, December 18, 1840, a son of A. J. Kline, of Fishingcreek. He married. February 1, 1870, Mary E. Appleman of Benton Township. She was born July 31, 1844, a
daughter of Samuel Appleman. They were married in the house they now occupy, and
the farm of 100 acres, which IMr. Kline owns, was a part of the old Appleman homestead.
They have had four childi en: Rosa M.. born September 24, 1871, and died January 6,
1872; Lillian M., born February 9, 1876; Samuel R., December 26, 1879, and Otis C, OcMr. Kline enlisted, January 1, 1862, in Battery F, Second Pennsylvania
tober, 8, 1884.
Heavy Artillery. One Hundred and Twelfth in the line; was mustered in Philadelphia as
His
a private, and mustered out as first lieutenant. January 29, 1866, in City Point, Va.
company joined Grant's army at Cold Harbor, and operated with him until the close of
months
in
the
west,
on
returning
and
the war, when he came home. He then traveled six
hired on his father's farm. Mr. Kline has also been engaged in teaching school; is a good
business man.
is
an
experienced
education.
He
of
the
modern
modes
penman, and favors
and has been connected with many of the enterprises of the town, as will be noticed else-

John

E.,

June

November

JOHN

where.

5,

BENTON TOWNSHIP.

379

KINNEY

KRICKBAUM, farmer, P. O. Cambria, Luz^enie County, was born
ISAAC
His father,
in Benton Township on the farm now occupied by him, February 23, 1825.
Philip K. Krickbaum, was born in Montgomery County, October 10, 1793, and was a son
of Philip, who was born in the same count}" in 1759, and died in 1822. Philip K. passed
his early life in Catawissa Township, and came to Benton Township in 1819, and in 1820
His sister kept
built a cabin near the creek, a little beyond the place where he last built.
house for him, and he cleared about twenty acres and built a house, which after two years
was destroyed by fire, but on the site of which he built another. March 24, 1824, he married Anna, daughter of Joim Kinney, who settled in Bloom Township about 1800.
Mrs.
Krickbaum was reared on what is known as the " Waller Farm," and her people were
from New Jersey. Our subject's father died November 10, 1856, of typhoid fever after
an illness of a few days, and with his wife is buried in Benton Cemetery. Isaac Kinney
Krickbaum married, February 22, 1866, Miss Susanna Drum, of Butler Township, Luzerne
County, and a daughter of Philip Drum, deceased. Mr. Krickbaum is one of the prominent
and prosperous men of the township; served as justice of the peace continuously from 1860
to 1877; was elected associate judge in 1877, and served five years, and has also held
minor positions. His education has bejn acquired bj' his own efforts, first attending
school at Cambria when he was ten years old. The advantages at Catawissa were very
poor, and, moreover, he was the eldest of six children, as follows: Isaac K., Susan C, born
September 30, 1826; Mary A., born in October, 1827, and died April 6, 1829; Samuel Powell,
Margaret and Elmira. Both the last named are deceased. Our subject's farm consists
of 196 acres, with about 140 under a high state of cultivation, and considering the stony
nature of the country and the terrible task to clear and fence a farm, Mr. Krickbaum
has succeeded admirablv.

SAMUEL

P. KRICKBAUM. farmer, P. O. Cambria, Luzerne County, was born April
and spent his early life on his father's homestead, which the latter had cleared
and improved. February 26, 1857. be married Miss Margaret McBride, daughter of Hugh
McBride, who now resides near Columbus. Mrs. Krickbaum was born near Berwick,
Columbia County, where her father was a farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Krickbaum have
been born two children: Clara A., wife of Francis I. Shultz, of Raven Creek, and Mary
R., at home.
When the Krickbaum estate was divided, 186 acres were given to our subject, and at this time he has 100 acres under cultivation.
On coming to the farm he built
a plank house, which was very substantial, but when the country became miproved was
torn down, and the new white house erected in 1880. All the other improvements have
also been made by Mr. Krickbaum.
He is a popular citizen, and has held some minor
offices, especially in his school district.
He comes of a family whose members were
alwaj's useful citizens, and foremost in lending a helping hand to worthy enterprises.
PETER LAUBACH, farmer, P. O. Raven Creek, was born April 15, 1825, in Sugar
Loaf Township, on a part of the old Laubach homestead. At the age of eight years he
moved with his parents to Benton Township, and lived on the old John Laubach farm,
first settled by Benjamin Coleman.
December 14, 1848, he married Miss Susan C, daughter of Philip Krickbaum.
After his marriage he conducted a store in Benton about nine
months, and in 1847 purchased 100 acres where he now resides. This he improved with
buildings, etc., and moved on it in 1850.
He now owns 440 acres and is considered one of
the most substantial farmers in northern Columbia County. The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Laubach; Isaac K. K., born October 28, 1849, married
Anna, daughter of Thomas Gibbons, audircsides in Benton Township; John C, born January 12, 1851, died September 17, 1854; Rhoda Ann and Margaret Ann (twins), born April
the former is the wife of Henry C. Learn and resides near Berwick, Margaret Ann is
5, 1855
the wife of Frank P. Dildine, near Benton; Sarah E. B. and Freace Brown (twins) born
September 19, 1858; the latter died in infancy, the former is the wife of Alvin W. Dresher and
resides 'in Benton Township; Winfield Scott, born April 26, 1861, conducts the home farm
and married February 10, 1886, Elizabeth C, daughter of Samuel Roberts, and Susan Matilda, born November 25, 1868, died January 19, 1869. Mr. Laubach joined the Presbyterian
Church in 1863 and has served as ruling elder, secretary of the session and treasurer of the
church fund. He was postmaster at Raven Creek from November 11, 1872, to March 9, 1886.
Politically he is a Republican; is a member of the Masonic frateruity, R. A. degree, charter member of Oriental Lodge, No. 460, at Orangeville.
He was drafted twice, sent two
substitutes to the civil war, one in the nine months' draft and the other in the last three
years' draft service. John G. Laubach (great-grandfather of our subject), emigrated
with his father from Holland and settled in Philadelphia in 1736. His children were
Susan, John Michael. John. John Christian, Ann Mary, John Conrad (died young), John
Conrad, Anna Margaret. Catharine, John Ge married Anna Mary Frutchy, wlio was born February 3, 1773. She died July 8, 1823, and
he March 15, 1825, and both are buried at St. Gabriel's Church. He was the first Laubach
to settle in Columbia County in 1790, and came to Sugarloaf Township in 1793.
There
he took up a farm on what is now known as " Fritz Hill, " a tract of about 400 acres. His
family consisted of Susan, who married John Moore, to whom she bore eight children
fi,

1829,

—

380

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and died in her ninety-first year; George married Eiizabetli, daughter of Benjamin Coleman, one of the first settlers in Sugarloaf Township and now in his ninetieth year and
lives in Michigan; Frederick, married Mary Larish, and their eight cliildren are now all
married and living; Peter, died in childhood; Hannah, resides in the Town of Bloomsburg.
the widow of Thomas Connor, and has three sons and two daughters: Elizabeth, wife
of William Cole and mother of nine children, eight now living: Anna Margaret, married
William Ikeler, and died in Fishingcreek Township; Polly wife of John Ikeler,
they reside in Michigan and have five children living; Catharine, is the widow
of John R. Davis, and lives in Benton she has nine children living; Christian, married
Hannah Hefley and resides in Danville, Montour County; John (father of our subject), married Ann, daughter of Abraham Kline, Jr.
The following are the names of
their children: Abraham, in Washington Territory, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal
Church; Rhoda Ann, married J. H. Harrison and died January 29, 188-1. in Union Township, Luzerne County; Isaac, married Sarah, daughter of Christian Ash, served in the
civil war three years as volunteer and volunteered three more years, now resides in Iowa;
Peter; George, married Charlotte McHenry, a daughter of Daniel McHenry, Jr.; George,
enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers and served one
year, receiving an honorable discharge; Christian, married Sarah Ann, daughter of
Jonathan C. Pennington; John Frutchy, married Susan Taylor, and died October 24,
1863; Daniel S., married Elizabeth Young, served in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth
nine-months' draft men; David Kline, married Mary Pennington (he served in the One
Hundred and Ninety-ninth Penn.sylvania Volunteer Infantry), and Frederick, married
Lucy, daughter of Rev. M. H. Harrison; he enlisted in the Ninety-third Pennsylvania
Volunteer three years, and enlisted three years more after the close of his first term, and

—

died October 29, 1881.
DR. J. B. LAUBACH, dentist. Benton, was born in Sugarl;)af Township, Columbia County, January 8, 1849, a son of Andrew and Nancy (Britton)Laubach, natives, respectively, of Columbia and Luzerne Counties, the former of whom is well known in
Tracing the ancestry, we find that Frederick Laubach, the grandfather of
this county.
our subject, was a native of Germany, of a very hardy stock, and whose descendants
have all been strong, healthy men and women. Our subject remained on the farm until
the age of twenty, when he went to Batavia, N. Y., and engaged for two years with Dr. J.
Larish, and then moved to Muir, Mich., where he was with John Kuder for a time. In 1873
he came to Benton and remained until 1876; thence moved to Stanardsville, Va., where
he remained two years. In 1878 he returned to Benton, where he has since been engaged
January 1,
in the practice of his profession, and is now the oldest dentist in the village.
She died
1872, he married Miss Alvaretta McHenry, a daughter of Benjamin McHenry.
December 10, 1881, and our subject married for his second wife Hattie Derr. of Hughesville, Lycoming County, and two children bless their union: Frank B. and Emma B.
Dr.
Laubach has a nice home in the village, where he has settled down, intending to serve
the people to the best of his ability.
ELIAS McHENRY, insurance agent, Benton, the eldest son of Moses McHenry,
was born March 25, 1817, in a log house which stood near the present residence of Daniel

McHenry, in Stillwater, Fishingcreek Township. September 6, 1838, he married Sallie
Ann, daughter of John Stoker of Fishingcreek, and shortly after the young couple removed to Jackson Township, where they resided until the fall of 1840. Mr. McHenry
then purchased a farm in the southwest part of the township of Benton on which he remained until 1873. He then sold to his son and removed to Benton Village, where he
clerked for his brother, and four years later began to solicit for insurance, in which business he has since been constantly engaged. He has resided on the same lot since coming
to Benton, and a few years ago erecfed a comfortable home.
To Mr. and Mrs. McHenry
six children were born, as follows: Russell P., born in 1839, married to Sarah A. Apple
man August 24, 1859, and resides near the village (they have had seven children, three of
whom are living); John S., born December 28, 1841; Mary E., born May 27, 1843, wife of
Ellis McHenry of Jackson Township; James A., born October 22, 18
and died at the
age of three months; L}'man P.. born December 22. 1846, married Anna Applcman, and
resides in Benton, and 'Myron T., born November 15, 1849. Mr. McHenry has served his
district as school director and supervisor, and his fame as a fisherman extends throughout
,

the entire county.

JAMES

B.

McHENRY,

the genial host of the

Greenwood Township, February

McHenry House, Benton, was born

In 1863 he
8, 1851, a son of Benjamin McHenry.
his parents to Fishingcreek Township, where he remained three years.
He
then went to Cambria, Luzerne County, and began to learn the trade of blacksmithing,
to which he applied himself for four years.
In 1875 he came to Benton and followed his
trade until 1886, when he assumed the control of the McHenry House. Mr. McHenry has
been an active, industrious business man. and has made scores of friends. He married,
February 8, 1871, Miss Maria, daughter of George Moore, of Sugarloaf Township.
Mrs. McHenry was born November 2, 1849. and has borne her husband four children:
Annetta, born August 26, 1872, in Cambria; Rebecca A., August 30, 1882, in Benton Village;,

in

moved with

381

BENTON TOWNSHIP.
Lloyd C, born April
in Benton Villas^e.

2,

1884, in

Benton Village; F. H. McHenry, born October

30, 1886.

merchant.Benton.wasborn April 3,1834. at Stillwater, Columbia
J.
At the age of^ twenty-three he
Co., Penn., and spent his early life at home.
Schuyler, and while thus employed
went to Rohrsburg, engaired as a clerk with Mills
married Miss Sarah, daughter of John Lundy, a nierchant of Rohrsburg and Danville,
the ceremony bein? performed at the latter place. After the marriage he remained four
years in the store of Mr. Lundy, removing thence to Mifflinville, where he conducted
a store for the same gentleman. He next removed to Berwick and remained six years;
thence to Cambria, Luzerne County, and after seven years' residence at that place came
Here since 1865 he has been engaged in mercantile business, and since
to Benton.
He
1880 has also engaged in handling and cutting lumber at Benton and other points.

JOHN

MrHENRY,

&

To Mr. McHenry
has a half interest in 100 acres of timber land in Su^arloaf Township.
and wife the following children were born: Anna M., Albert L., Harriett E. (wife of J.
W. Hoyt). Hudson O. (married to Miss Anna Stadon, and engaged in the business with
his father), Mary M. and Charles J.; the latter possesses fine musical talent and is engaged in teaching the art. Mr. McHenry is a good citizen and owns considerable property
in the village,
fortv.

becomes

of a hardy family, and looks and acts as

young

as

most men of

ALEXANDER McHENRY, farmer and teacher. P. O. Benton, was born near Stillwater, Columbia Co., Penn.. March 26, 1828, the eldest child of James D. and
Rachel (Colley) McHenry (both now deceased). He was educated in tlie common schools and
at the age of eighteen began teaching at West Creek schoolhouse, and followed the profession for seventeen successive winters and still teaches,h!iving taught eleven terms since
the war.in the winter season. While teaching he enlisted.September 2,1864.in Company D,
Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Infanlrv, atTroy,and was discharged May 27, 1865,
at Annapolis, Md.
He was taken prisoner at Five Forks Marcii 28, I865,and remained two
days and then paroled. While in the service he acted as company clerk and corporal.and
In 1867 he
in this double capacity worked so hard that his health was severely affected.
Hi- married at
bought his present place of fifty acres two miles southwest of Benton.
Town Hill, January 1, 1852, Elizabeth. d;iui;hter of James Buckalew Mrs. McHenry was
born January 9, 1883, and died February 9,' 1882 the mother of the fo, lowing children:
Lucretia A., born September 22,1855, died November 28, 1876; Harriet Ida. born September
29. 1858, died March 21, 1875; Mary Mott, born July 5, 1861; Alice Maude (wife of A. C.
Karnes of Benton); Franklin G., born May 8, 1867, died May 15, 1867.
M. D., Benton, was born in Greenwood Township, ColC.
umbia Co., Penn.. February 9. 1844. son of Benjamin and Lovina (Conner) McHenry.
He spent his early life on a farm, and at the age of eighteen went to the iwademy at New
Columbus, Luzerne County, where he remained two or three years. He then went to
Lewisburg, where after two years he graduated in 1867. He then commenced the study
of medicine with Dr. Bradley of Blooinsburg; then attended lectures at tlie University of
Ann Arbor, Mich., where he graduated in 1870. That year he commenced to practice his

THOMAS

McHENRY.

profession in Benton, and now has a large patronage in Columbia. Luzerne and Lycoming
Counties. In February, 1871, he married Susan Millord. who died within a year after
marriage, and March 24, 1874, Dr. McHenry married Lizzie Ikeler. They have two children: Lula M.. born February 25, 1875. and Benjamin J., b)rn August 17. 1882. Benjamin McHenry. father of the "above, was born in Stillwater. Coumhia County. May 13.
When about twenty-three years
1812. and is the eldest of the name living in the county.
of age he left Stillwater and went to Greenwood Township, where h? married Lavina
Conner. She was born in Greenwood Township. April 13, 1814, ilied October 16. 1884.
and is buried in Benton Cemetery. At the age of thirty-eight Mr. McHenry moved to
Fishingcreek, where he remained about six years; thence to Maucli Chunk. Carbon
County; later returned to Greenwood. Columbia County, and thence to Fishingcreek,
where he conducted the hotel, "Cottage Inn," during the "latter part i-i the war. He then
resided in Greenwood until shortly after the death of his wife, since which event he makes
his home with his sons in Benton and Cambria.
ISAAC E. PATTERSON. M. D., Benton, was born in Orange Township, Columbia
Co., Penn., April 1, 1844, a son of William Patterson, who was born in Greenwood TownAfter his father's death
ship, this county, and died in Fishingcreek Township in 1852.
Isaac returned to Orange Township and remained under the care of an uncle. M. C. Vance,
From 1862 to 1864
until eighteen years of age. attending school a portion of the time.
he was a student in Orangeville Academy, and on Septemiier 2 of the latter year enlisted
in Company D, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was
mustered in at Harrisburg. He served until May 31). 18f)5. and iSIarcli 1 of that year
was promoted quartermaster-sergeant. Heparticipated in many of the hard-fought battles,
among which may be mentioned Arlington Heights, before Petersburg, with the Army of
the Potomac. Bellfield raid. HatclieV's Run. and in the destruction of the Weldon
Railroad. Gravel Run and Appomattox, where the flag of truce was carried back
through the lines of his company, and at the close of the war he i)articipated in the

382

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

graucl ri'view at \V:ishin_i,4()ii.
Reluniint^ to Orangeville lie a2;aiii entered school, and in
the winter of lS6.")-6fi was en>!;aged asateaclier jit Beach Haven, Luzerne County. The
next summer he beu:ati the study of medicine under Drs. llittenliouse and McRay, and the
following wintrr (IH66-6T) again taught scliool, continuing tlirough the summer also. He
tlien entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he took his first course of
lectures in the winier of 1867-68; attended tlie summer session and graduated in March,
1869.
He commenced practice in Beach Haven, Luzerne County, whore he intended
locating, hut moved to Laporte, Sullivan County, where he was employed by the tannery
companies to practice among their people. He remained there until 1874, when he came
to Benton and bought the real estate and practice of Dr. Chapin, who continued to
" ride " with Dr. Patterson for one year. Our subject then formed a partnership with
Dr. Elwards, which lasted four years, since which time he has been alone. The Doctor
married, April 7, 1870, Miss Martha Seeley, a native of Salem, Luzerne County. Dr. Patterson owns a farm of sixty-five acres a short distance north of Benton and his residence
in the village.
SMITH (deceased) was born January 2. 1830, on the banks of the Susquehanna River, Hanover Township, Luzerne County, and w^as the eldest of ten children.
His parents were of German descent and moved to Columbia County when he was fourteen years of age.
He was reared on the farm and received a good common-school educa-'
tion. In 184;^ he married Miss Charlotte A. Campbell, of Scotch descent. He was converted
about 1842, joined the Methodist Episcopal CUiurch and served as class leader about thirtyfive years, or up to the time of his death.
He contributed largely to church and church
funds, and was a great pillar of support to the Hamline Methodist Episcopal Church, of
which he was a member from the time of his conversion. After the death of his first wife
he married Amanda L. Davis in the spring of 1884. He took a trip through the Western
States and returned home in the summer of 1884 and died June 14, ISSo.^aged sixty-five
years, rive mcmths and twelve days.
He was buried in the Hamiline Cemetery. There
were l)orn to the union of Aaron and (Charlotte A. (Campbell) Smith. Firman S., born
January 27, 1844; Richard T., July 4, 184;j; William A. and Alice A. (twins), June 3, 1856,
and died in infancy, and H. WiU)er, February 26, 1860.
Firman S. S.mitii, P. O. Raven Creek, is a son of Aaron and Charlotte A. (Campbell)
Smith, and was l)orn in Benton Township, Columbia Co. He lived with his parents on the
farm assisting his father in the summer and attending school in Benton District in winter
until he was nineteen years of age. He then attended school for one year at New Columbus
Academy. Luzerne County, after which he taught school during the winter of 1863-64 in
Benton Dislnct. He enlisted at Troy, Bradford Co., Penn., March 31, 1864, for three
years or during the war, and was in the following engagements: Wilderness, Mine Run,
Spottsyivania Court House, Va., North Ann River, Cold Harbor, and the charge in front
of Petersburg, June 17 and 18, 1834. His company was later detached from the regiment
to serve in mortar battery, and engaged in all the artillery movements in front of Petersburg, throwing over 6,000 shells in tiie rebel works and blowing up three magazines. The
company was relieved frour the battery August 24, 1864, and ordered back to join the regiment. At Ream Station, Va., Mr. Smith was taken sick and sent to the division hospital
in front of Petersburg; thence to City Point; thence to Fort Schuyler McDougall General
Hospital. N. Y. furloughed November 1. 1864. and remained at homesick eighty-four
days.
He returned to the hospital January 23, 1865. and served as ward master at general
kitchen department until discharged June 17, 1865.
During the winter of 1865-66 he
taught school, and in 1866 married Mi.ss Huld.di R. Dodson, tlie daughter of George and
Hannah (Seely) Dodson. In 1867 Mr. Smith attended Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and graduated August 15 of the same j'ear.
He engaged in mercantile

AARON

;

business at Mahanoy City in 1868. Subsequently he returned to BentonTownship, Columbia County, where he purchased and located on a farm, and has since been engaged in
farming and teaching, having taught twenty-three terms.
The following are tlie names
of the children born'to Mr. and Mrs. Smith:" Lcnore E-itelle, b irn March b. 1867; Minnie
Gertrude, born July 17. 1868; Aaron Raymond, born December 31, 1869; Fannie Evada,
J)orn August 16, 1871. died Julv 10, 1875; Jennie Adrielle, born May 6, 1874; Ada and Eva
(twins) born and died March 20, 1873; Ninolia Tlieberne born May 18, 1876; Susie May,
horn May 1, 1879; Carrie Josephine, born March 28, 1881; Pei'millie liorn November 19,
1882, and Geraldine, born November 5, 1884.
Mrs. Smith is of English descent on the
paternal and German on the maternal side, and was born August 5, 1846.
RICHARD T. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Taurus, was born July 4, 1845, in BentonTownship. and remained on the old liomestead until 1872.
In 1873 he worked on the N. W.
R. R., and in 1875 located on a farm in Briarcreek Township this county, one year, removing thence to Ncscopeck. He came to his present home in 1878, buying a farm of
ninety-seven and a half acres. This was the George Dodson estate, is well cultivated and
kept neat and tidy. Mr. Smith began teaching in 1869, and followed that profession for
four successive winters, and again in 1875, since which time he has devoted his attention
to farming, but still takes a groat interest in educational matters, and likes to see all
modern improvements in school work succeed. Besides teaching and farming he has en-

BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

383

A.t
•gaged in lunibcrinir for three years at Nescopeck, his family residing on the farm.
present he is engaged in conjunction with C. A. Wesley in erecting a large planing-mill
and sash and door factory at Benton this county. Mr. Smith married, February 5, 1870,
Frances, daughter of George and Hannah (Seeley) Dodsou. and the following children
have been born to their union: Torrence C, born January 31. 1871; Anna G., May 24,
1872; Edna G.. May 23, 1876; Verdie E.. December 4, 1877; Atta M., Mayo, 1879; Lane
Mr. Smith is a member of the
T., December 17, 1884, and Firman E.. November 13. 1885.
George Dodson, the father of Mrs. Smith,
I. O. O. F., and keejjs the Taurus postoffice.
came to Benton Township in 1839 from Town Hill. He was born February 1, 1804, near
Harveyville. Luzerne Co., Penn.. and died January 20, 1885, at his home at R. T. Smith's
in Benton Township, Columbia Co., Penn. Until his marriage he made his home at " Dodson's mill," on Pine Creek, in Huntington Township, Luzerne County. July 10, 1828, he
married Hannah Seeley. who was l)orn in Salem Township July 4, 1806. In 1839 Mr. Dodson and his wife came "to Benton Township, this county, where he took up a tract of land,
450 acres in all, covered with timber, and began to make a home out of the wilderness.
Until 1866 he lived in a small house, which was situated across the road from the present
residence of our subject. Later he erected the house which still stands there, but which
has been greatly repaired. Here a larsre family was reared as follows: Susan B., born May
28. 1829; 'Mary'Ann, April 14, 1831; Elias E., February 2, 1833; Margaret S., December 5,
1834; James t., June 11, 1837; Charles M.. June 17, 1839: Caroline B., December 13, 1840
(died April 11. 1876); Chester S.. January 6, 1843; Hulda R.. August 5, lb46, and Frances
A.. December 17, 1848. Mr. Dodson was a man universally esteemed in Benton Township,
and his death was deeply regretted. He was true to his principles of right, very evenly disHis widcw makes her home with her
positioned. and reared a family worthy of himself.
daughter, Mrs. R. T. Smith.
JOHN C. WENNER. farmer. P. O. Cambria, was born April 10, 1836, in FishingOur
creek Township, near Bendertown, a son of Jacob and Leah (Kauff) Wenner.
subject remained at home until his marriage, January 1, 1859, to Hannah, a daughter of
They were
William Savage and Mary (Clinerman) Savage of Fishingcreek Township.
natives of Berks County, Penn., are l)oth deceased and buried in Fishingcreek Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Wenner lived about two years in Fishingcreek before removing
to their present home in Benton in 1861. The farm consists of seventy acres and is well
improved; the house is comparatively new, having been built by Mr. Wenner, and is
nicely located, making quite a desirable home. There are three children in the family, as
follows: Rebecca, born December 9, 1859; Frances A., born November 28, 1861, wife of J.
F. Ashelman: Sallie C, born March 23, 1864, wife of William Ashelman, all living near
him. Mr. Wenner was engaged in school-'teacning a long time— from 1858 to 1882 and
almost every winter found him in that capacity in Fishingcreek and Benton Townships.
During the term of 1858-59, he taught the village school at Benton, but his health failing
He is a correspondent to the
he abandoned the profession and engaged in farming.
Benton papers, and a friend of education. The family are identified with the Reformed
church in Fishingcreek.

—

CHAPTER XXVI.
BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF BERWICK.
ENOS L. ADAMS,

retired farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Briarcreek Township,
son of Samuel and Esther (Hill) Adams, natives of Columbia County and
of German descent.
His great-grandfather came from Germany and located in Berks
The
County, and over 130 years ago bought 900 acres where our subject now lives.
grandfather of Enos L. next took the homestead in this county, where he farmed all
his life, and here also his son, subject's father, farmed. Enos L. is of the fourth generation
now on this farm where he was born and reared. He owns 265 acres of land, beside three
houses and lots in Berwick. He married in March, 1847, Margaret Kisner, a native of
Luzerne County, and nine children blessed their union, eight of whom are living: Alice,
wife of James Freas; Samuel. Kenny, Anna M., William. Elliott. Margaret and Fannie.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the
-Orange and has held the office of townsliip assessor.
GEORGE
ASH, proprietor Briar Creek Excelsior Mills, P. O. Berwick. Tais mill was built in 1874, to take the place of one destroyed by fire, by Ruckle &
Ash. The mill was owned bv that firna up to 18S0. when Charles Ash. father of George
"Wesley,, bouglit the interest of Mr. Ruckle, and the i)laut is now owned by the Messrs.

July

28, 1824, a

WESLEY

384

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Charles and George W. The building is 40x50 feet in ground area, and is three
stories in height; is supplied with three run of buhrs; is run by water, and
power is supplied Ifrom a turbine wheel. They have a dam across Briar creek from
which the water is supplied. George W. Ash is the managing miller. George Wesley
Ash. operator of Briar Creek Excelsior Mills, was born in Fishingcreek Township, this
county, October 15, 1850, son of Charles and Sarah (Ruckle) Ash. Christian Ash, grandfather of George W., came to this county in the early days from Northampton County,
Penn., and bouglit a tract of land along Briar creek, now known as the " Bower place."
There he resided a short time, and then moved up into what is now Fishingcreek Township, where he bought a trantof iand now owned by William and Charles Ash, two of his
Asli,

and one-half
tbe

sons, and here he lived until his death.
He died about 1879. his wife having preceded
him in death by a number of years. They are Ituried at Zion Church. Fishingcreek
Township. Charles Ash, father of G. W., was born in Northampton County, Penn., and
was but a boy seven years old wlien his parents removed to this county. He made hi&
home with his parents until he married, and then bought a part of the old homestead of his father, in Fishingcreek Township, where he has resided ever since.
He was
married in this county to Miss Sarah Ruckle, and they were the parents of nine children,
of whom eight are living: George Wesley, William S., who lives in Briarcreek Township,
this county; Pierce Wilson, who lives in Fishingcreek Town.ship. this county, farming
his father's place; Harvey Reuben, who lives in Berwick, this county; Stewart Alexander, who works in the mill; Miles Wilbert. who lives on the old homestead, and with his
brother. Pierce Wilson, farms the place; Thomas Elliott, who lives on the old homestead,
and
Florentine.
Alvin Willits is deceased. The father of this family still resides
on the old homestead, which was bought by his father when he came to Fishingcreek

Amy

Township. His wife died February ji9. 188G. andis buried in Zion Church graveyard.
George Wesley Ash, subject of this sketch, was reared in Fishingcreek Township, this
county, and when he had reached the age of nearly twenty-two years he went to learn the
milling trade in the mill which stood on the site of the one he at present operates. This
mill was then owned by his father and Mr. Ruckle, and wben it burned down and the new
one was rebuilt he continued in the employ of the firm, and the second year after it was
rebuilt he was the miller of the plant.
The mill is now owned by Mr. Ash and his father.
George Wesley and his brother, William, erected a distillery in 1883, and have operated it
up to April 31, 1886, when Mr. Ash bought his brother William's share, and since that date
has operated it himself. The capacity of this distillery is considerable. Mr. Ash and his
father have an eight-acre lot in connection with the works, which he farms. He was married in thiscountv February 22, 1880, to Miss Amelia Freas. a native of Columbia County,
and daughter of William L" and Fannie (Rittenhouse) Freas. Mr. and Mrs. Ash are the
parents of one child. Wilbert Charles. Our subject is at present one of the school directors of Briarcreek Township, having been elected in 1884.
DAVID BAUCHER. mason, Berwick, was born in Mahoning Township July 27,
1822, and is a son of .Jacob and Zena (Zimmerman) Baucher, natives of Schuylkill County,
Penn., and of German descent. His great-grandfather came from Germany and located'
in Schuylkill County.
His grandfather followed farming and died in that countj'.
Jacob Baucher was reared in Schuylkill County and remained there until he was thirtyfive years of age.
He then moved to what is now Montour County and bought a farm in
Mahoning Township, which he had operated by his sons. He was a millwright, which
trade he followed nearly all his life. He died in 1827. He was the father of nine children, five of whom are living: Joseph, Nancy, Jacob, David and Thomas.
Our subject
was only seven years old when his father died, and he remained with his mother until he
was twenty-one, in the meantime learning the mason's trade. In 1842 he came to Berwick and worked at his trade several years; then in partnership with Daniel Reedy he
began contracting. After some years the partnershij) was dissolved and Mr. Baucher
continued in business alone. In April, 1844, he married Rachel Sybert, a native of Luzerne County. They are the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: Fannie,
wife of Frank Corkins; William E., Eliza, wife of Joseph G. Williamson; Lillie, wife of
Sterling Dickson, and Gilbert. The deceased are Cordelia A.. Jane R. and Janetta. Mr.
and Mrs. Baucher are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the
I. O. O. F., in which he lias passed all the chairs.
He has been on the town council several terms, and school director; has also been constable.
He is steward in the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
ISAIAH BOWER, merchant and real estate dealer, Berwick, was born in Briarcreek
Township. Columbia Co., Penn. .March 19,1829, a son of George Michael and Mary (Zahner)
Bower, natives of Columbia County and of German descent. His grandfather, George
Michael Bower, was born in Germany; came to America when thirteen years of age and
settled in Lehigh County along tlie Leliigh.
He came to Columbia County in the latter
part of the last century and settled in Briarcreek Township, at which time there was but
one house in Berwick. He bought a large tract of land and there resided until his death.
Both the grandfathers settled here. The grandfather, George Zahner, was a great hunter,
and at the time of his coming, game was very plentiful. He first built a log cabin. The

BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

385>

was then at Philadelphia or Reading. George Michael Bower was a
trade, also followed farming and taught a school at his own house.
prominent man in his day, he died in Briarcreek Township in December, 1863, in his eightyHis wife died about six years prior. Isaiah was reared on a farm and when
third year.
eighteen years of age went to learn ihe carpenter's trade and the building of threshing
machinery. He was thus employed until 1852 when he came to Berwick and worked for
Jackson
Woodin two and a half years. He then rented their foundry and did all the
manufacturing of plows, threshing machines, etc., for twelve years. In 1864 he engaged
in mercantile business which he has since carried on, with the exception of two years he
was engaged in running a foundry and manufacturing agricultural implements. He owns
several small farms and a great deal of town property, also some in Nescopeck.
In December, 1850, he married Hannah Hagenbuch. Mr. Bower has also been extensively engaged in the real estate business. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association, to which he has belonged for thirty-eight years.
Berwick, was born in Briarcreek Township, Columbia Co.,
J.
Penn., December 21, 1835; a son of Jesse and Anna (Brown) Bowman. His grandfather,
the Rev. Thomas Bowman, Sr., was born in Bucks County in 1760, and in 1782 married
Mary Treas, of Northampton County. In April, 1793, he and his family left the old farm
at Mount Bethel, traveling by* wagon via Mauch Chunk, Nazareth and Lehigh, to make
their new home in a wilderness country.
They settled in Briarcreek Township, Columnearest market

A

weaver by

&

EDMUND

BOWMAN,

bia County, and occupied, temporarily, a log house near the site of the three-story Pilkington dwelling, situated upon the public road leading from Berwick to Orangeville.
The grandfather was a Methodist preacher, wiiose talents were of a commanding order.
Socially, he was very agreeable; humorous, apt at anecdote, keen in argument, ready of
utterance and quick at repartee, and in a public address he was often powerful. Subject's
father was the fourth son and child and was in his fifth year when his parents moved to
Briarcreek. The next year he began to attend school and succeeded in acquiring a practical education.
After his marriage he lived in Briarcreek eleven years, when he moved
to Berwick Plains in 1820.
Two years later the Rev. John Thomas, who was then
preacher in charge of Northumberland Circuit, appointed him class leader of a little socicomposed
of
pious
ety
the
neighbors who gathered on Sundays to hold prayer-meetings,
Sunday-school and class meetings. In 1829 he was transferred to Berwick, where he continued his leadership until the close of his life, a period of almost fifty consecutive years.
For fifteen years he had the chief management of the camp-meetings at a time when the
ruder elements of society opposed Methodism in the spirit of hatred. He was held in high
esteem by the entire community by whom he was called " Uncle Jesse." He was a director of a State bank at Danville for many years and also of the National Bank at Berwick,
and through his personal efforts with the Legislature of Pennsylvania, a subsidy of $10,000 was secured from the State for the building of the present bridge across the Susquehanna River, at Berwick. In 1821 he was appointed captain of the first company of the
Second Brigade, Eighth Division of the State Militia. He was recognized as a pioneer in
the matter of higher education, and was among the first in the community to give his children a classical education. He was a member of the board of trustees of Dickinson College about 1847. In 1849 he sold his farm and moved to Berwick, resolved to live retired.
He died in 1880, his wife's death occurring four years prior. The Bowmans were among
the early settlers of the county and have been a noted family^in its history. Our subject's
maternal grandfather Robert, with his brother, John Brown, were among the founders of
Berwick, closely following Evan Owen. Robert had three children: John, who died
young; Anna, who married Jesse Bowman, and Sarah, who became the wife of a Mr. Hicks
and settled in Salem Township, Luzerne County. Edmund J. Bowman, our subject, is
the youngest of his father's family and early evinced a taste for intellectual pursuits. He
received liberal educational advantages, having attended Williamsport Dickinson Seminary; later graduated from DickinsonlCollege, "and at one time attained considerable local
fame as a public .speaker. In his public lectures his subjects were well chosen and evidenced broad reading. In a recent newspaper notice he is spoken of as " one of the finest
lecturers in the State."
He never chose a profession, but as his pen productions were of
a high order, he figured somewhat as a contributor and correspondent of the public journals.
For some years his occupation was that of a school-teacher, and he served his country as a soldier in the civil war.
He owns 160 acres of land, also property in Kansas City,
Mo. He is the only member of the family unmarried.
S.
postmaster, Berwick, was born in Centre Township, Columbia Co., Penn., July 8, 1858. a son of D. A. and Jane S. (Clark) Bowman, natives of Pennsylvania. The latter, of Irish extraction, was a descendant of the Clarks of Revolutionary
fame, her grandfather being a colonel during that struggle. Our subject's great-greatgrandfather, who spelled his name Baumann, came to this country from Germany when
thirteen years of age.
The grandfather, 'Jesse Bowman, was 'born in Northampton
County, but came to this county in the latter part of the last century, took a large tract of
land, and was among the first settlers of the place.
He followed farming, and died in
1828.
Our subject's father was born in Columbia County in 1803; was reared on a farm.

ROBERT

BOWMAN,

386

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and followed agricultural pursuits. He was twice married, and was the father of eight
children, tliree by his first wife and five by his second.
Six of the children still survive:
Caroline, Sarah A. (wife of Thomas F. Scliuyler), Charles S., George D. (married to Kate
Kerns), John A. (married to Annie Large), Robert S. (married to Mary Isadore Gilroy).
The deceased are Ezekiel and Jesse G. The father died in 1877, but "the mother is still
living, and resides in Mifllinville.
Robert S., our subject, was reared on a farm until
twelve years of age, when his parents moved to the town of Mifilinville. There he
attended school until he was eighteen years of age, when he entered the Republican otfice
at Bloomsburg.
He served.a tliree years' apprenticeship, and at the age of twenty-one, in
1879, came to Berwick and bought out the B/rwick Independent.
Mr. Bowman was
appointed postmaster at Berwick, under Arthur's administration, and took ciiarge of the
office in that mouth.
Oct )ber VS. 1881, he married Mary Isadore Gilroy. a native of Berwick, and their union has been blessed witli two childVen: Roy W. and Clark A. Mr.
Bowman is a member of the Met'uodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Bowman of the

Baptist.

JONAS CRTSMAN,

miller, P. O.

Berwick, was born in Warren County, N.

J.,

March

1881, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Hill) Crismati, natives of Warren County, N. J.,
and of English-German descent. His grandfather came from Germany, settled in New
Jersey, built the first grist-mill in Warren County, and was extensively engaged in mill4,

He shipped flour to all parts of the country, but chiefly to Philadelphia. He was
very wealthy, and at his death his property was divided among his ten children. Our
subject's maternal grandfather. Gen. Hill, came from England and settled in New Jersey.
He was obliged to flee from his native country on account of siding with the colonies,
and, after arriving in America, served in the Revolution under Washington. After the
close of that struggle he built a mill and followed milling.
Our subject'slfalher was born
in WaiTen County. N. J., in 1795; was reared on a farm and engaged in milling, which he
followed all his life. He served in the war of 1813, and while rejoicing over the election
of President Harrison, in 1841, he was accidentally killed by the explosion of a cannon.
ing.

He was

the father of ten children, five of

whom

survive: three reside in

New

Jersey,

one in California, and one in Pennsylvania. Jonas Crisman was reared to the miller's
trade, which he followed in New Jersey until coming to this State.
He owned two or
three grist-mills in New Jersey, and followed milling extensively. In 1883 he sold out,
came to Columbia County, and purchased the grist-mill which lie is now operating. He
also has the contract to run the stage from Berwick to Conyngham.
In October, 1855, he
married Ellen Gray, a native of New Jersey, and six children were born to them: Annie
(wife of F. P. Freas), John (married to Mary Linaberry). Frederick, Frank, George and
Virgil H. Mrs. Crisman is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Crisman is a F.
& A. M.
B. F. CRISPIN, Jr., teller of the First National Bank, Berwick, was born in Philadelphia July 21, 1847, a son of Benjamin F. and ERzabeth R. (Glenn) Crispin, natives of
Philadelphia, and of English descent. His father was born August 1. 1834. and educated
in Philadelphia, where he has always resided.
Our subject was reared and educated in
Philadelphia, and during the great excitement in oil circles, being then eighteen years old,
he took charge of his father's business, while the latter was absent in the oil regions. He
remained with his father until 1870, when he engaged as a partner in the firm of Lougacre
& Co., in the printing and lithographing business. Thus he remained until the spring of
1873, when he came to Berwick and was employed as secretary of the Berwick Rolling
Mill Company; was later elected treasurer, and held both offices until the mill closed in
January, 1873. He then entered the First National Bank as teller, and in 1880 was elected
one of the directors. In the spring of that year he engaged in the iron business under
the firm name of Jackson Bros. & Crispin, in the manufacture of charcoal, pig iron,
etc., in which he is still interested, the business being now conducted under the firm name
of Jackson Iron Co. jMr. Crispin married, in 1873,
Maggie, daughter of M. W. and
Margaret (Gearhart) Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Crispin are the parents of three children: M.
Jackson, Clarence G. and Helen. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. Crispin is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
R. G. CRISPIN, merchant, Berwick, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., a son of B.F.
and Elizabeth (Glenn) Crispin, both natives of Philadelphia, and of English-Welsh descent.
His ancestors came over from England in 1653, with William Penn, and located in Philadelphia.
The grandfather, Benjamin, was born in Philadelphia, and there learned the
saddler's trade, which he followed in his youth.
In the prime of life he became quite a
politician; somewhere about 1840 was speaker of the Senate and also served as lieutenantgovernor for some years. His latter years he spent in retirement,havin2c amassed a fortune.
Our subject's father was also born in Philadelphia, and there attended school. He served
as public weigher in that city for many years, and still resides there.
Our subject, the
third of eight children, was reared in Philadelphia until twenty-one years of age, and
there received his education. At the age of seventeen he engaged in the insurance business, which he followed until leaving the city.
In 1870 he came to Berwick and engaged
an mercantile business, which he has since followed.
He carries a general stock of dry

BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

387

goods, boots, shoes, groceries, etc., valued at |7,000. In September, 1873, he married
Fannie Bowmun, a native of Columbia County.
EMMOIi DIETTERICH, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Centre Township July
7, 1821, a sou of Lewis and Elizabeth (Hoofnagle) Dietterich, natives of Penn.sylvania and
His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in Nortiiampof German descent.
ton County, Penn., where he resided until his death. He was among the first settlers of
His son, Jacob, was a farmer and came to Columbia County in 1800, and
that county.
He owned a large tract of land, all_ timber, which required
settled in Centre Township.
many years of labor to clear. He was a strong Democrat in politics, and was sixty-four
Subject's father was only ten yenrs old when his.
years* old at the lime of his death.
parents came to this county, and he used to take the grain on horseback to the old Rittenhouse mill. He was a carpenter by trade, which he followed all his life as long as he was
able to work. He was the father of five children: Emmor, Stephen and Sarah (wife of
Andrew Terwilliger), living, and Phoebe and Elias, deceased (the latter served in the
Our subject was reared on a farm,
civil war and died "a short time after his discharge).
and has followed agricultural pursuits since he was seventeen years old. He farmed for
his father until he was twenty-four years old. and then farmed on shares until he was
twenty-eight. He bought the farm where he now resides in 1870, and owns seventy acres
of good land in Briarcreek Township. He married, March 4, 1849, Mary Mosteller, and
four children were born to them, two of w^hom are living: Edella and Dora, wife of Warren Terwilliger. The deceased are Clark and Lewis H. Mr. and Mrs. Dietterich are
members of ^he Lutheran Church. He has served as school director, auditor, judge of
elections and inspector, and was supervisor eleven terms.
B. F. DREISBACH, dealer in pianos, organs and sewing machines, Berwick, was
born in Roaringcreek Township, Columbia Co., Penn., October 30, 1837, a son of Nathan
and Sarah (Levan) Dreisbach, natives of Pennsylvania and of German-French descent.
His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled first in Philadelphia, and after
several j^ears immigrated to Northampton County, where he died. Subject's maternal
great-grandfather came from France and resided in the Wyoming Valley during the
Indian massacre. Our subject's great-grandmother was captured l)y the Indians during
the massacre and kept a prisoner eleven years. She had a little girl with her at the time,
who was two years old. All the other children were burned to death by the Indians in
the cabin. The great-grandmother was taken into Ohio and had tried to make her escape
several times, but was always unsuccessful. She was compelled to many the Indian
While the Indians were on a trading trip she made her
chief, and bore him two sons.
escape. Yost Dreisbach, subject's grandfather, settled in Salem Township, Luzerne
County, in 1800, and was a millwright, which trade he followed most of his life. He
bought a large tract of land in Roaringcreek, about 1,000 acres, which he divided among
Nathan Dreisbach has followed millwrighting all his life, which was the
his children.
occupation of his ancestors. He now resides in Jonestown, this county, and is now
engaged in mercantile business. He reared a family of eight children, six living:
Mrs. Forniuger, Benjamin F., Mrs. Kunkel, Mrs. Hosier, Nathaniel and Albert. Our
subject was reared on a farm until about two years of age, when he resided eight years in
Kerntown, where his father was engaged in mercantile business. He then lived with
his uncle, John P. Levan, four years, and later went to Ashland, Schuylkill County, where
he clerked for fourteen years and had an interest in the business for two years. He was
for three j'ears in partnership with R. P. Bellman, and then sold out on account of ill
health and moved to Conyngham, Luzerne County, where he enaraged in mercantile
business three years. He then moved to Fishingcreek, where he followed the same business two years. In the spring of 1877 he moved to Berwick, where he has since been
engaged in his present business. He was employed as traveling salesman for a dry goods
house in Philadelphia three years, and also dealt in musical instruments. He married
January 7, 1867, Doretta Distlehurst. and they are both members of the Lutheran Church.
He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R. In 1863 he enlisted in Companj'"
C, Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantrj', and served three months; then re-enlisted, this
time in Company C. Fifty-first Regiment, and served one year. He was then drafted, but
paid a substitute. He participated in the battles of Antieiam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg and several skirmishes.
He was postmaster at Conyngham,
Luzerne Covinty, three years.
J. W. EVANS, insurance agent, Berwick, was born July 7, 1845, at Evansville, this
county, a son of George and Rebecca (Shellenbarger) Evans, natives of Columbia County,
and of Welsh descent on tlie father's side and German on the mother's. The first of the
family settled in Briarcreek Township the latter part of tlie last centurj-, and his grandfather, James Evans, was the first millwright of the county.
He built nearly all tlie old
mills in this county, and also owned a large tract of land. Our subject's father learned
the millwright's trade, which he followed a number of years, then learned the tanner's
trade and built a tannery at Evansville, following the business until his death in 1870.
His widow died in 1880. Our subject received a liberal education. At the breaking out
of the Rebellion, when a mere lad, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventv-eightli

388

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

in Capt. J. M. Buckalew's (a brother of the Hon. Charles R.
Buckalew of Bloonis])urg) companj'. He rendered gallant service to his country in the
ranks, where he served fourteen months, and was then honorabl}' discharged. At the
close of his soldier experience he went to Hazelton and entered the large mercantile house
of William Kisner, remaining three years; then he went toW\'oming Seminarj', at Kings-

Pennsylvania Volunteers,

Upon his graduation from this excellent inton, taking a full three years' course of study.
stitution he received the appointment of teller of the First National Bank of Berwick, in
which capacity he served .seven ,years with distinction as a financier and accountant. In
1877 he established the now well known Berwick Insurance Agency, which, by the way,
Only old and well established
is the most reliable and largest agency in Columbia County.
He has had
fire, marine and life insurance companies are represented by Mr. Evans.
quite a number of heavy losses in each of these departments of insurance, which have
been promptly and satisfactorily adjusted. At present he offers perfect security in the
following first-class companies: ^Etuaof Hartford. Liverpool and London and Globe, Commercial Union of London, Phcenix of Hartford, Fire Association of Philadelphia, ^tna
Life of Hartford, Springfield of Missouri, Fire and Marine. Any information by mail or
tjtherwise will receive prompt attention by addressing Mr. Evans.
He also is largely interested in real estate transact ions in this town. He has laid out and is offering for sale some
building
the
upper
end
of
Market
Street,
suburb
of
Berwick. Mr. Evans
very fine
lots at
a
is the president of the home Young Men's Christian Association, and a leading member
of the Metiiodist Episcopal Church. He is a gentleman of fine business and social qualities,
having hosts of friends at home and abroad, won by a genial disposition and uniform
courtesy which always mark the true gentleman. He married, November 15, 1871, Anna
E., daughter of Rev. Jared H. and Sarah B. Young.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents
of five children, one living John Harrison. The deceased are Daisy B., aged seven
years; Sarah Y., aged five and a half years; Anna F., aged four and a half j^ears, and an
infant son. Mrs. Evans is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and has passed all the

—

chairs.

CHARLES C. EVANS, attorney, Berwick, was born in Briarcreek Township Coliimbia Co..Penn., January 10, 1858, a son of Francis and Jane (Lamon) Evans, natives of
Pennsylvania, and of Welsh and Irish descent. His great-grandfather came from
Wales, and his grandfather, James Evans, was born in this county in 1799. The
latter was a millwright by trade, which he followed most of his life, and built nearly
all the grist-mills in the neighborhood, some of which are still standing.
He also
was interested in agriculture, but never followed it extensively.
He built and
owned an oil-mill near Evansville, and died in Luzerne County, in June, 1879, in the
eighteenth j'ear of his age. Our subject's father was reared on a farm and followed
agricultural pursuits
extensively until 1885, when he moved into Berwick, and
Charles C. was reared on the farm and attended the disis now leading a retired life.
trict school until 1874, when he attended the State normal school two years.
In tlie winter of 1876-77 he taught school in the township of Briarcreek, and in the fall of 1877 went
He then entered the office of the
to Lafa.yette College, where he graduated in June, 1881.
Hon. Simon P. Wolverton, of Sunbury, and read law under him for two years. July 14,
1883, he was admitted to practice^in the several courts of Northumberland County, and was
subsequently admitted to the bars of Columbia and Luzerne Counties. August 23, 1883,
he opened a law office in Berwick, where he has since remained. Mr. Evans is a man of
He is a member of the Phi
fine intellect and well fitted for the profession he has chosen.
Delta Theta fraternity and of the Presbyterian Church.
'P.
was
born in Newport Township,
JOHN M. FAIliCHILD, farmer,
O. Berwick,
Luzerne Co., Penn., October 6, 1853, a son of John and Martha (Line) Fairchild, natives
of Luzerne County, and of German descent.
His grandfather, Solomon Fairchild, came
from Connecticut, and settled in Luzerne County, Penn., where he followed agriculture
all his life.
Our subject's father ali^o followed farming, and the farm owned by him, on
which he first settled in Luzerne Count}', is now cut up into town lots for part of Nanticoke. He was the father of six children, four of whom are living: Henry, Alfred, Martha
(wife of O. F. Ferns) and John M. The last named was reared on a farm, and remained
with his parents until their death. He then took the homestead and lived on it until the
spring of 1886, when he moved to Columbia County. Here he bought 148 acres where
he now resides, in Briarcreek Township, and wliich are well improved. He has been
twice married: first, in 1878, to Nettie Curtis, who died April 7, 1883; second occasion,
January 27, 1884, to Clara B. Wolfe, who has borne him two children: Willie J. and Wesley B. Mrs. Fairchild is a member of the Reformed Church.
OLAF F. FERRIS, farmer, was born in Mehoopany Township, Wyoming Co.,
Penn., March 21, 1848, a son of Simeon and Hiley (June) Ferris, natives, respectively, of
Connecticut and New Jersey. The former moved to New Jersey, where he married and
engaged in farming many years. He then immigrated to Wyoming County about 1820,
bought a farm, and there resided until his death in 1875. He was the father of twelve
children: Apollos, David L., Michael (deceased), Harriet (deceased), Jane, Henry (de-

BRIAECREEK TOWNSHIP,

389

Levi (deceased), Emily, Charles (deceased). Clarissa. OJaf F. and Simeon
Henry died in the service of his country, and Levi was Icilled at the battle
(deceased).
of Fair Oaks. May ol, 1863. Charles also died in the army. Olaf F. was reared on a
farm, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age. He then commenced to learn
the carpenter's trade, and followed it in Luzerne County, having moved to Nanticoke in
In March, 1885. he moved to Columbia County, and bought 150 acres
the spring of 1870.
of valuable land about one-half mile from Berwick. There he built a large two-story
house about a year prior to moving into it, and also owns another house on his farm,
which he rents. Since then he has bought an adjoining farm of 133 acres, with good
He was engaged in mercantile business in Nanticoke for about four years,
buildings.
and still owns an interest in it. He married, in January, 1875, Martha L. Fairchild, wiio
bore him four children: Ada A.. John H., Martha E. and Olaf C. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris
are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity,
K. T. and Grange. While living in Luzerne County he was a member of the town counHe has passed all the chairs in the Masonic lodge. He is also a member of the I. O.
cil.
O. F., having passed all the chairs in the lodge. He has represented the Masonic lodge
for two years in the Grand Lodge.
farmer. P. O. Berwick, was born in Briarcreek Township, May
His
25, 1830, a son of Gilbert and Sarah (Freas) Fowler, natives of the same township.
came from New York State and located in Briarcreek in 1775,
grandfather, Daniel
and was among the early settlers of that place. He bought a large tract of land, most of
which was in timber, and the place now occupied by our subject was all scrubby pine
Gilbert Fowler was born in
trees, but is now one of the best farms in the neighborhood.
He followed farming, and owned
1792, and always made Briarcreek Township his home.
He was the father of seven children, four of whom are now
at one time about 500 acres.
Gilbert died in January, 1885, and his wife
living: Andrew, Freas, Charles and Lyman.
in 1878. Freas Fowler was reared on the farm, and received his education in Berwick.
age, when he went into business with his
twenty-two
years
of
He remained at home until
brother-in-law, keeping hotel at Berwick. He served as constable and collector of Berwick five years. In 1862 he took the homestead farm, and has since been engaged in
agricultural pursuits, and in 1882 bought the farm, which consists of 129 acres of fine land.
In 1858 Mr. Fowler married Sarah Hagenbuch, a native of this county, and one child
blessed their union, Ida A. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler and daughter are members of the MethIn 1879 Mr. Freas Fowler was elected as one of the vice-presiodist Episcopal Church.
dents of the Columbia County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Association, in
which he served four successive years, and in 1883 was elected as president of the same
association, in which he served three years successively.
F. P. HILL, M. D., physician and surgeon, Berwick, was born in Centre Township,
Columbia County, February 12, 1853, a son of John and Mercy (Hoffman) Hill, natives
of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His grandfather, Frederick Hill, settled in CenHis grandfather Hoffman moved to
tre Township the latter part of the last century.
Berwick, where he lived during the latter part of his life. Our subject's father followed
farming in Centre Township until 1872, when he moved to Berwick, bought property and
He was the father of eleven children, eight of whom are living:
there has since resided.
Sarah.wifeof Wesley Fortner; William, Phoebe, Ezra B. , Thomas G., Alice M., Hester A. and
Frank B. Our subject was reared on a farm until sixteen years of age, and attended and
taught school until he was twenty years of age. He took a course at Bloomsburg State
Normal School and Williamsport Dickinson Seminary, where he graduated at the age of
nineteen. He also took a course at the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston. In 1873 he came to
Berwick and entered the office of Dr. R. H. Little as a student, and there remained until
He graduated at Jefferson
he completed his medical course in the spring of 1876.
Medical College in 1876, after which he became a partner with his preceptor. Dr. R. H.
Since then Dr.
Little, and contiuued practice with him until his death in January, 1885.
Hill has been alone and has a large and lucrative practice both as a surgeon and physician.
Wesley,
a
member
of
the
Methodist
Church.
in
March,
1886.
Hattie
Episcopal
He married
farmer, was born in Columbia County, Penn., April 2,
M. L.
1840, a son of Solomon and Mary (Miller) Housknecht, both natives of Pennsylvania and
of German descent. His grandfather, Martin Housknecht, was born in Northampton
County and moved to Luzerne County after his marriage, where he bought a farm near
Butler and resided until his death. Our subject's father was born in Northampton
County and has followed cabinet-making the most of his life. He resided in Bloomsburg
about fourteen years and on the farm about six years. In 1875 he moved to Berwick,
where he still resides, and is now in his {seventy -first year. His wife is living also, in her
seventieth year. They were the parents of three children; of these our subject is the only
«urvivor.
He was reared in Mifflinville and there received a part of his education. He
entered a store as clerk when he was fourteen years ;of age, and remained until he was
twenty-nine. He also attended school at Bloomsburg and Union Seminar}% New Berlin.
In 1869 he moved to where he now resides, purchased a farm, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. He married in November, 1862, Annie M. Hosier, and seven children

-ceased),

FREAS FOWLER,

,

HOUSKNECHT,

390

.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

to them: Mary E., John S. (a bookkeeper in Philadelphia and a graduate of the
College of Philadelphia), Fannie, Ezra, Addie, Freas B. and Charles C. Mr. and Mrs.
Housknecht are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served as auditor

were born

and

assessor.

JACKSON, proprietor of the rolling-mill, car shops, wheel foundry and:
manufacturer of castings, etc., Berwick, his native place, was born January 28, 1815, a
son of J. C. and Elizabeth (Doane) Jackson. His father was a native of Goshen, N. Y..
and his mother of Chester County, Peuu., and of the Quaker faith. His grandfather,
Benjamin Doane, was born in Chester County, and immigrated to Columbia County in the
latter part of the last century, settled at Berwick and followed his trade, that of a tailor,
Our subject's father came to this place in the early part of the
until his death in 1845.
present century, and here resided until his death, in 1850. Our subject was reared in
Berwick and educated at such schools as the neighborhood afforded in his youth. He began life for himself without a dollar, acting as clerk in a store for about six years.
While in this position he gained a little more knowledge of business ways and determined
In 1840, in connection with George Mack, he
to embark in .some business of his own.
started a foundry on a small scale for the manufacture of plows and plow castings, ketThe present site of his dwelling
tles and almost everything that farmers would want.
was at that time an orchard, and Berwick was very small. The partuei-ship continued
bought
out
Mr.
Mack
took in Robert McCurdy as a
Jackson
and
three years when Mr.
partner, and continued thus about three years. He then l)Ou,!>ht out Mr. McCurdy and
continued the business alone up to 1849, when he took in W. H. Woodin as a partner, and
the firm continued under the name ofjjackson & Woodin up to 1873. The name was then
changed to The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, and incorporated under the
laws of the Legislature, with Clarence G. Jackson and C. R. Woodin as the active men.
our subject and Mr. Woodin retiring from active business. Mr. Jackson's son died May
The company is now organized with
3, 1880, but the stock is still retained by the family.
C. R. Woodin, president; G. Mallory, vice-president; Charles H. Zehnder, secretary, and
M. W. Jackson and W. H. Woodin, executive committee. The foundry was first started
on a very small scale, doing a business for the first few years of about $10,000 to $20,000
per annum. In 186(5 the t)uildings were all destroyed by fire but were immediately rebuilt.
The firm worked night and day and their business increased very rapidly until now they
do about $1,500,000 per year, and give employment to about 1,200 men when running at
The firm also own and operate a large store and do a business from $100,full capacity.
M. W.

000 to $125,000 per annum. The capacity of the rolling-mill is forty to fifty tons per day
of finished iron or merchitnt bar iron. The car wheel factory manufactures from 150 to.
200 wheels per day, and in connection with the wheel foundry they manufacture all kinds
of castings. The pipe factory runs twenty-five to thirty tons per day, from three ta
twelve inches in diameter, used for water and gas. Wiien the works are run under full
This gives some idea of the work
capacity, 140 to 150 tons of pig iron per day are used.
done by them. The car shops have a capacity of twenty cars per day. Mr. Jackson has
one of the finest residence properties in the borough, beautifully located, and by industry and
economy he has amassed quite a fortune. He has been twice married; first in 1839, to Margaret Gearhart, granddaughter of Judge Gearhart, a native of Northumberland County, who
bore him seven children, two living: Marg?iret Jackson (wife of B. F. Crispm. Jr.) and
Frank R. (married to Miss Amniprman). Mrs. Jackson died in 1871, and our subject next
married in 1877, Mrs. Mary (Shuize) Gotwalt, niece of Gov. J. Andrew Shulze, of PennMr. and Mrs. Jackson are members
sylvania, who has borne him one child, Mary Woodin.
He is president of the First National Bank, and
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
owns about 1,200 acres of land, and is quite extensively engaged in farming. He is one of
the most popular men in Berwick, standing very high in the estimation of all who have
had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
COL. CLARENCE G. JACKSON, deceased, was born March 25, 1843, in Berwick,
where he spent his early years. He was a sou of M. W. and Margaret (Gearhart) Jackson.
At the age of fourteen he entered Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, where, two years
He then entered Dickinson
later, he graduated with the highest honors of his class.
College, Carlisle, where, at the age of eighteen he graduated at the head of his class. After
his college career he returned home, wliere he remained during the eventful period covering the beginning of the civil war. At the age of twenty years he felt that it was his duty
to aid his country -and entered the service, August 2. 1862. as second lieutenant of Company H, Eighty-fourth Regiment. January 2, of the following year, he was promoted
first lieutenant, and passed safely through many sanguinary battles. At Chancellorsville
he was captured by the enemy and taken to Libby Prison, where he remained many
months, but not without making a daring attempt at escaping. He with his companions
succeeded in getting away from the prison to the country, but was captured and brougiit
back. Later he was exchanged and appointed to a ca])taincy, serving in that capacity
At the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded and again
until the close of the war.
taken prisoner and returned to that prison from which he had been released but a short
time before. His stay, however, was short, for he Avas included among 600 officers that

BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

;391

were taken to Charleston and placed under lire of the Federal cannon that thundered on
them from Ft. Moultrie. From Charleston they were taken to Columbia and placed in a
guarded field, with no roof to shelter them, and where Ihey dug underground cells for
themselves. Our subject was finally exchanged and returned home to engage in a more
peaceful occupation. In 1870 he was appointed major on Gen. Osborne's staff and later
promoted to colonel on Gov. Hartranfl's staff. In 1879 he was honored by an appointment from Gov. Hoyt, making him quartermaster-general, which office he held at the
time of his death. He was a delegate-elect to the convention at Chicago. Occasionally
he appeared before the public as a lecturer, where he was always appreciated. At the
time of his death he was vice-president of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, president of the rollirig-mill, a director of the First National Bank, and a member
of the firms of Jackson. Woodin & Jackson, bankers, and Jackson Bros. & Crispin. He
was a trustee of Dickinson College and of the State normal school at Bloomsburg, a
director of the schools of Berwick, and a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, all
of which positions he creditably filled. He was liberal in thought and deed and a liberal
friend of the laboring class. He had just completed a fine residence at an enormous expense, in which he resided one year before his death. The firms with which he was connected have lost an able, active associate, the church a valuable and liberal supporter, the
town a progressive citizen, and the county a loyal, patriotic and brave soldier. February
1, 1866, he married Elizabeth Sybert, by whom he had two children: Henrietta M. and
Jane B. Mrs. Jackson is a liberal supporter of Christianity and a member of the MethodisS
Episcopal Church.

FRANK

&

R. JACKSON, director of The Jackson
Woodin Manufacturing Company,
in Berwick, November 10, 1850, a son of M. W. and Margaret (Gearhart) Jackson, natives of Pennsylvania.
He was reared in Berwick and remained at home until he
became of age. He received his education at Berwick, Williamsport and Mcchanicsburg.
In 1870 he became interested in the firm of Jackson
Woodin, and still retains an interest
in the same; in 1880 he bought a third interest in tlie Jackson Iron Company in Union
County, and is also one of the directors of the National Bank. He is treasurer of the
agricultural society and trustee of the Y. M. C. A. Mr. Jackson married, September 3, 1873,
Alice Ammerman, a native of Danville. They are the parents of one child, Catherine E,
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a gentleman of fine education, very enterprising and has a host of friends.
N. KISNER, druggist, Berwick, was born in Luzerne County, Penn.,
May 26, 1859, a son of Reubert and Cordelia (Seybert) Kisner, natives of Luzerne County,
and of German descent. His great-grandfather came from Germany, and first settled in
one of the lower counties. His grandfather lived in Luzerne County and there followed
farming. Reuben Kisner was also a farmer, owned a farm in Luzerne County and died in
1882.
His widow is yet living on the old homestead near Berwick, in Luzerne County.
Charles N. Kisner was reared on a farm until eighteen years of age when he engaged in
the drug business in Berwick, where he remained two years. He then attended lectures
at the college of pharmacy, Philadelphia, Penn., tw-o terms.
He then returned to Berwick
where he has since been engaged in the drug business. He carries a stock valued at
$3,500 and has a half interest in the business, his partner being I. E. Grove, who resides

was born

&

CHARLES

in Philadelphia.

LEVI KURTZ, or more properly spelt Kutz, was born in Fork Township, Northampton Co., Penn., March 80, 1825, a son of Henry and Charity (Snyder) Kutz, natives of
Pennsylvania. He is of German extraction, his great-grandfather having emigrated from
Germany and being one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania. The father of the subjecS
of this sketch served with honor in the war of 1812; he died in 1830, in the sixty-fifth
year of his age, in Northampton County, Penn. There were ten children in the family
of whom Levi and five older than he
Henry, Millie (wife of Frederick Ullmer. residing
in New Jersey), Jeremiah, William and Samuel— survived the father.
In 1843, when nineteen years old, Levi came to Columbia County, then thinly settled, and began the world for
himself. Having saved enough to buy a small farm, he followed the plow'for twelve j^ears.
He traded the farm for a store in Foundryville, Columbia County, in 1858; but subsequently
moved his store to Evansville, same county, where he remained until 1862, when he disposed of his store and removed to Berwick. In 1870 he established the Berwick Marble
Granite Works. In 1879 he took his son, Jennings U., into partnership and the firm is now
known as L. Kurtz & Son. In April. 1844, Mr. Kurtz married Elizabeth, daughter of
Daniel and Annie (Moore) Schlabach. Twelve children were born to their union, of whom
six are living: C. Louisa, Jennings U., D. Morris, Annie S., Kittle E. and S. Burton.
GEORGE P. LEARN, retired farmer, was born in Luzerne County, February 7,
1819, a son of George and Mary Catherine Learn.
His grandfather, Jacob Learn, was
born in Northampton County, Penn., and lived and died in that county. He followed
farming, and as the country was in a wild state, he had many diflicuitics to contend
against.
Indians were also numerous, and his wife and brother were killed by them..
George Learn, our subject's father, was born in Northampton County in August, 1788=.
and resided there with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age. He then moved

—

&

30

392

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

to Luzerne Countj', where he engaged in farming until his death, at the age of sixty-two
years. He married Mary Catherine Dreher, an aunt to Judge Dreher, of Monroe County.
Our subject resided in Hanover, his native townsliip, until he was forty-seven years of
March 31, 1850, he married Lenora Keller,
age, and then moved to Columbia County.
who bore him five children: Henrj- Clinton, married Rhoda Laubach; John M., married
Mary Jane Mowrer; Alexander Jameson, married Ida Hess; Mary S.. wife of W. S. Ash,
and Augustus Frederick, all of whom reside in Columbia County. Mr. Learn has served
as overseer of the poor and school director. He and Mrs. Learn ai"e members of the

Reformed Church.
M. LEVY, clothing merchant, Berwick, was born

in Alsace, France (now Germany),
His father is
1853, a son of Joseph and Mary (Woog)[Levy, natives of France.
still living in his native country, engaged in the mercantile business, which he has followed since a boy, and is now sixty-eight 3'ears old. He is the father of seven children,
are living: Emanuel, Marx, Caroline, Jeanette and Flora.
five of
The deceased
are David and Elise. Marx, our subject, was engaged in the mercantile business with
until
in
France
when
the
fall
of
1873,
that year he took passage on the
his father in
steamer " Queen," and after a voyage of seventeen days landed in the City of
York.
There he remained one year, engaged in mercantile business. He was then employed
York dry goods house and sent west to travel, his points being Chicago, St.
by a
Orleans, and all the large cities, and was thus engaged about five years.
Louis and
then went to Philadelphia, where he was engaged about two years in mercantile
iiusiness.
In the fall of 1883 he came to Berwick and engaged in "the clothing trade,
which he still follows. He carries a general line of clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps,
Srueks, etc., his stock being valued at about $7,000, insured. In March, 1882, he married
Rosa Dukes, a native of San Francisco, Cal. Thej- are the parents of three children, two
are living: Mabel and Arthur. Mr. Levy is a member of the Free Sons, and he
of
and wife are of the Jewish faith.
L. McBRIDE, Berwick, was born in Columbia County, January 29, 1835.
a son of Hugh and Mary (Mack)'McBride, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish descent
on the paternal side. HughMcBride was born near Danville; has always followed farming,
and now resides in Luzerne County, retired from active life. He was the father of seven children, four of
are living: S. L., Sallie, Roxana and Margaret. Our subject was
reared on a far.i and followed agricultural pursuits until 1861, when he came to Berwick,
and has since been in the employ of The Jackson
Woodin Manufacturing Company for
fifteen years.
He married, in i854, Caroline A. Taylor, and two children were born to

April

2,

whom

New

New

New

He

whom

SHADRACK

whom

&

Fannie, wife of Thomas W. Sherwood, and Samuel H., married to Martha
Mr. and Mrs. McBride are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

their union:

Henry.

GARRICK MALLERY, vice-president

of

The Jackson

& Woodin Manufacturing Com-

pany, Berwick, was born in Mechanicsburg, Cumbei'land Co., Penn. His father, Garrick
V. Mallery, a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., resided in Cumberland County, Penn.,
at his death in 1864, and was a nephew of Judge Garrick Mallery, who lived for a timeat^^
Wilkesbarre; was afterward judge of Berks County, and for many years a resident of
Philadelphia. Our subject was reared and educated in Mechanicsburg, and came to Berwick in July, 1864. He entered the store of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Comtpany as clerk, which position he held until January 5, 1865. He was then promoted book-

and retained that position until the reorganization of the firm
1873.
He was then made treasurer, which position he held until December, 1883, when
he was made vice-president of the company, and has since served as such, giving entire
satisfaction.
He married in October, 1872, Helen A. Hoyt, a native of Columbia County,
who has borne him three children, two living Garrick, jr., and Pauline; the deceased one
was named Earnest. Mr. and Mrs. Mallery are members respectively of the Methodist
Episcopal and Pres])yterian Churches.
W. ELLIS MICHAEL, dentist, Berwick, was born in Briarcreek Township, Columl)ia Co., Penn., August 30, 1857, a son of Stephen and Sarah A. (Gensel) Michael, natives
of Columbia County and of German descent. His grandfather came from some of the
lower counties and settled in this county in the latter part of the last century. Our subject's father was brought up on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits all his life.
When he married he moved to his present place, where he has since remained; he bought
300 acres of land but has since divided it up, his sons purchasing a part of the homestead.
*Our subject was reared on a farm and attended school until sixteen years of age. In the
•spring of 1881 he entered the Philadelphia Dental College and graduated in the spring of
1883.
In the spring of 1884 he located in Berwick, where he has since practiced. Prior
to entering the dental college he attended and taught school. He married, February 14,
1884, Laura McHenry.
Mr. Michael is an enterprising gentleman and he and bis wife are
anembers of the Christian Church.
GEORGE W. MILLER, farmer, was born in Maine Township, Columbia Co., Penn.,
April 15. 1839, a son of David and Susanna (Eaton) Miller, natives of Mifflin Township
and of German descent. His paternal grandfather came from New Jersey and settled in
Mifliin Township in the latter part of the last century, where he bought a farm and refkeeper of the company,
iin

—

BRIARCREEK TOWNSajP.

393

was born in 1812 and remained in Mifflin Township unwhere George W. now resides, ani died March 28, 1873. His
widow is yet living in her seventy-fifth year. George W. was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. He was engaged by Reuben Miller as a traveling salesman, with whom he remained two years. His farm where
he has alwaj's resided, contains 216 acres. He married in 1860 Mary A. Sitler, and seven
sided until his death.

til

1851,

His

when he moved

fatlier

to

children blessed their union, six of whom are living: Dora, Delia P., Catharine A., Gertrude, Elizabeth and Robert C. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Evangelical Church.
OWEN, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Canal of the Wyoming division, was born in Orange County, N. Y., January 25, 1811, a son of William and Nancy
(McCord) Owen, the latter a native of Ireland. His father was a native of Orange County, N. y., but of Welsh descent.
He was a tanner by trade and followed the'business
during the earlj^ part of his life. He owned a tannerj^ and property in Middletown, N,
Y. In 1819 he sold out and moved to Wyoming County, where he bought a farm and resided until about three years before his death, when he went to live with his .son, Hudson,
at Berwick, where he died in 1855.
His wife died in 1814. William Owen served in the
war of 1812 and belonged to the Light Horse Company. He was a life-long Democrat
and a man of prominence in his day. lie had a family of four children by his first wife,
only one of whom is living Hudson, and by his last wife had five sous, three of whom
are living: John, in Washington Territory; Shubel, in Wisconsin, and Boyd, in Dodge
Centre, Minn. Our subject was only three years old when his mother died, and at the age
of sixteen he was employed by the Delaware Canal Company at Port Jervis, N. Y., where
he remained about one year. He was then emplo^'ed on the Juniata Canal for one year.
In Januar3^ 1839, he went to Danville, Penn., and was employed by the Pennsylvania
Canal Companj' and helped build the canal. He became foreman of one division and remained in that position until 1858, when he was appointed superintendent of the Wyoming division and has since remained as such. In 1836 he removed to Berwick, where he
has since resided. When he moved to Danville he was appointed under a Democratic
governor and it was necessary that the canal men should support that ticket, but when a
Republican was elected, Mr. Owen was still retained in his position. He began to work
for the company as a laborer, and since 1829 has held nearly all the offices of the company. He married in July, 1837, Emily Jackson, a sister of M. W. Jackson. To them
were born seven children, four living: Frances (deceased), who was married to Robert
Gilroy, a resident of Shickshinny, Luzerne County; Harriet, wife of Jerome Welcott, in
Cold Water, Mich.; Saral), wife of Jeremiah S. McMurtrie; Augusta, wife of Abner
Welch, and Ellen E., wife of H. D. Albright, in Union County. Mrs. Owen died in 1855,
and in 1856 Mr. Owen married Elizabeth Jackson, a sister of his first wife, and five children were born to their union, four of whom are living: William, in Helena, Mont.; Kate,
wife of Augustus Shuman, in Nescopeck; George and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Owen are
members of tlie church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternitj^ and the I. O. O.
F. He has been town councilman and school director for a number of terms and has
been a life-long Democrat.
MATTHIAS H. PETTY, farmer, was born in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne Co., Penn.,
November 25,1832, a son of William and Lydia(Stroh) Petty, natives,respectively, of Northampton and Berks Counties and of French descent. His grandfather, John Petty, came
from Connecticut and settled in Northampton County, where he bought a farm and followed agriculture all his life. William Pettj" was born January 81, 1787, was reared on a
farm and followed lumber dealing for eleven years in Northampton Count}', where he
owned a tract of timber land. He immigrated to Luzerne County in 1827 and engaged in
farming for about ten years for Judge Hollenbach; he then moved to Pittston and
farmed five years; he then bought a tract of land in Hanover Township, Luzerne County,
erected a grist-mill, which he operated until some time before his death, when he sold it
and lived retired. He died in 1869 aged eighty-three years. His wife, who was born in 1797,
died in 1883. Both were consistent members of the German Reformed Church. They had
four children, three now living: Levi, in Colorado; Amie, wife of Peter Wagner, of PittsOur subject remained at home until twentyton, and Matthias H. (Peter is deceased).
He farmed in Hanover Township, Luzerne County,
three years of age, when he married.
fourteen years and then moved to Salem Township, same county. There he bought a
farm and'remained six years. In March, 1876. he moved to Columbia County and settled
He bought a farm of sixty acres and has
in Briarcreek Township, where he now resides.
a fine residence, out-buildings, etc. He married December 28, 1S54, Mary Pell, a native of
their
union:
Hattie, wife of James E. Smith;
children
blessed
Luzerne County, and ten
Amy; Samuel; William, a graduate of Long Island Hospital Medical College, Brooklyn,
N. Y., and now a practicing physician; Charles M., Maggie, Mary, Lulu, Edith and Emma.
Mr. and Mrs. Petty are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the
•Grange and is overseer of the poor. While residing in Luzerne County he was justice of
the peace one term.
DANIEL REEDY, mason, w^as born in Columbia County, Penn., May 14, 1835, a son
of Peter and Leah (Clause) Reedy, the former a native of Lehigh County, as was also his

HUDSON

—

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

394

mother, and bolh of French-German descent. His grandfather, Peter Reedy, came from
France and settled in Lehigh County, Penn., where he resided for several years. He was
a local evangelist and often preached away from home. He came to Columbia County,
bought a farm near the Montour line, and there spent the remainder of his life. Peter
Reedy was quite young when his parents moved to this county. He followed carpentering all his life, and was accidentally killed by a falling tree in 1843. His widow is yet living^
atthe age of seventy-nine years. They were the parents of six children, five of whom
are living: Eliza, wife of Hiram Kitchen, resides in this county; Daniel (subject); Jeremiah, residing in Michigan; Josiah, in Columbia County, and Peter, a resident of Berwick.
The deceased one was named Mary. Mrs. Reedy is a member of the Lutheran Church, of
which her husband was also a member. Our subject was only seven years old when his
father died, and he was put out to work for his board and clothes until he was thirteen. He
then worked for two years at the rate of $3 per month, attending school in the winter.
Until eighteen years old the highest wages he received was $8 per month. He then
drove a team two years, hauling iron ore to Danville, and at this earned enough to take
care of his mother. In 1855 he came to Berwick and learned the mason's trade and
worked as journeyman for about ten years. He then, in 1870, began taking contracts for
building in partnership with David Baucher, and so continued until 1879, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Reedy now has a good business and is doing well; he owns a
In 1880 he took a pleasure trip west and
fine residence in Berwick and also some land.
was absent about two months. September 17, 1856, he married Martha J. Heavner, a
native of Luzerne County, Penn. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom are
living: Alice, wife of John D. Creary; Lillie E., wife of S. A. Peck; John C, Harry R.,
William J., Sadie and Daniel. Jeremiah is deceased. Mr. ar>d Mrs. Reedy are membersof the Methodist Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., of the Masonic fraternity
He has served as a member of the Berwick school board and borough
and is a K. T.
council several years; has also been assessor, treasurer and collector, and is treasurer
of the board of managers of the Berwick fair.
M. H. RITTENHOUSE, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Briarcreek on the old
homestead, December 25, 1836, a son of Henry and Rachel (Hulton) Rittenhouse, natives
of Columbia County. His grandfather, William Rittenhouse, came from Philadelphia tO'

Columbia County in 1794, and settled in what is now Mifflinville. He and John Kunckle
In 1798 he removed to what is now
laid out Mifflinville and there remained a few years.
Briarcreek Township and bought two tracts of land, which were patented; both contained
about 700 acres. In 1800 he erected a grist-mill on the forks of Briarcreek and operated it a
number of years. He also built a woolen factory and saw-mill, which he conducted until
his death.

The

factory

was destroyed by

fire,

but the old mill frame

is

still

standing.

He always had his farming done for him; was very successful and had a host of friends.
He reared a family of sixchildren. Of these Henry, subject's father, was the youngest
He
and inherited the homestead, where he resided until his death, engaged in farming.
was born September 7, 1792. and died April 2, 1873. His wife was born in October, 1793,
and died August 17, 1872. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are
now living: Sarah, wife of William Eddiugs; Mary, wife of John Rittenhouse; Enoch;
Margaret, wife of Asa Hull; William; Uzilla, wife of John Mosteller; Elizabeth, wife of
David Kline; Hannah, wife of Wesley Freas; Nehemiah; Fannie, wife of William L. Freas
and Morris H. Ann died July 12, 1881. Our subject, Morris H., Avas reared on a farm
and remained home until his marriage, after whicht he resided seven years on the old
homestead. In 1869 he moved to and bought the farm which he now owns and on which
he still resides. He married 'July 31, 1860, Effle A., daughter of W. A. J. and Mary A.
Mr. and Mrs. Rittenhouse are
(Craig) Brittain, who were both natives of this county.
the parents of four children, three of whom survive: Henry, Gertrude and Mary. The deceased was named Hattie. Mrs. Rittenhouse's great-grandfather, Silas Engel, was among
He located in Briarcreek at a very early day and
the early settlers of this county.
followed farming. He came here from Philadelphia, where he was educated for the legal
profession, but which he never practiced, although he did a great deal of business for the
people of his day.
THOMAS W. SHERWOOD, superintendent of rolling-mill, The Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Co., Berwick, was born in Montour County,' Penn., Feb. 3, 1856,a son of Eli
and Ellen (Kemp) Sherwood, the latter a native of Pittsburgh and of English descent.
His father was also a native of England and left his native country when he was twelve
years of age. He settled with his parents near Danville when there were but a few houses
He learned the puddler's trade in Danville and followed it until 1877, when
in that place.
he moved to Berwick, where he has since resided, and has charge of the puddling depart-

He is the father of eleven children, eight of whom are livJoseph, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Anna, Bertha and Sallie. At the
age of ten years our subject went to work in the ore mines, and after remaining there
eight months left and went to school three months. He then went to work in the mills
He then
at Danville, at the age of eleven, carrying water for the puddlers two weeks.
ran iron from the squeezer to the rolls about one year, and worked around the rolls five

ment when
ing:

it is

in operation.

Thomas W., Mary,

BKIARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

395

years in tbe same mill. He worked in Northumberland mills one year. In 1875 he came
to Berwick and entered the employ of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company.
He was first engaged to help the puddlers, then squeezing the iron, until he received inAs soon as he was
juries which necessitated his arm being amputated at the shoulder.
able to resume work he was engaged in one of the offices, and there remained until the
mill,
which position
of
the
rolling
then
appointed
superintendent
fall of 1878.
He was
he still fills. He married, in January, 1880, Fannie McBride, and one child has blessed
Mrs. Sherwood is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
their union, Mabel T.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 240.
SAMUEL E. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Berwick.was born in Mifflin Township Feb. 9, 1828,
a son of Samuel and Jane (Engle) Smith, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter
of Mifflin Township. His great-grandfathers on both sides came from England and fought
with Wolfe at the capture of Quebec. They afterward settled in New Jersey, purchased
a farm and followed agriculture. The maternal grandfather, John Engle, came from New
Jersey to this county in the latter part of the last century, while he was a young man, remained a short time, made a settlement, returned to New Jersey, where he married; then
came back to this county and resided until his death. During the Revolution he drove four
horses to an ambulance, and on one occasion the heads of the two leading animals were
taken off by a cannon ball. He was among the early settlers of Mifflin Township, and
used to farm the old Henry Rittenhouse farm, now owned by S. J. Conner. Samuel
Smith was quite young when he came to this county. He followed farming and was
accidentally killed by a train of cars. He reared a family of twelve children, nine of
whom are still living. Samuel E. was reared in Mifflin Township, and there remained
untrl the spring of 1865; in 1866 he moved to where he now resides and bought a farm of
seventy-one acres, on which he has made all the improvements. Part of his land is in
the borough of Berwick. In 1850 he married Esther A. Hull, and they are the parents of
four children, two of whom are living: Boyd M. and Ida M. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served two terms as auditor, and
has also served as supervisor and overseer of the poor. Our subject's maternal grandfather, while in the Revolution, was sent out to capture some cattle, which were in a field
surrounded by a brush fence, and while thus engaged he received a buckshot wound.
Mr. Smith's father owned the first iron plow in this countj', which he ordered made when
he first settled at Mifiiin. His nearest market at that time was Easton; fifteen and twenty
bushels of grain were counted a big load.
J. D. THOMPSON,retired farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Berwick, Nov. 7, 1820,
a son of Hugh and Nancy (Dodson) Thompson, the former of Scotch-Irish descent. His
grandfather came from Ireland to this State at a very early day, and located in Berwick
when there were but a few houses in the town. Our subject's father was only fourteen
years of age when his parents moved to this county. He learned the potter's trade, but
also carried on farming,, owning a farm near Berwick.
He died at the age of eighty-eight
years, and was the father of six children: Richard, Alexander (deceased), Susanna (wife
of Oliver Ege), Jane (deceased), Joseph D. and Elizabeth. The last named was born and
reared in Berwick, and remained with his parents until 1866, when he moved to the farm
where he now resides. He owns sixty-five acres of good land, but originally owned a
great deal more, which he has sold off as town lots. He has been twice married; first, in
1847, to Mary Bonam, who bore him one child, now deceased.
His first wife died in 1854,
and in 1858 Mr. Thompson married May Hull, who has borne him two children, Hugh
and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He has served as town councilman for a number of years.
REV. E. H. YOCUM, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Berwick, was born
in Columbia County. Penn., September 20, 1843, a son of Jesse and Martha (Mears) Yocum,
natives of Pennsylvania and of German-Scotch descent. His ancestors, as far back as four
or five generations,came from Germany, and first located in Berks County, but later moved to
Columbia County during its early settlement, took up a large tract of land and carriedon
farming extensively. Jesse Yocum was born in 1807 and was reared to agricultural pursuits,
which he followed in Columbia County until 1849. He then moved to Union County,
where he purchased a farm and remained a few years. He then sold out and removed to
what is now Snyder County, which was then being organized. He moved next to the
borough of Seliu's Grove, where he remained a short time; thence to Northumberland
County, where he purchased a farm and resided until his death in 1872. His wife died in
September, 1843. Our subject w^as but seven days old when his mother died. He remained at home until about seventeen y^ears of age, when he began teaching school; taught
two years and also attended school. In 1860 he entered the old Bank of Northumberland,
afterward organized as the First National Bank of Sunbury. He served the bank as clerk
until the fall of 1866, when he entered Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, where he
graduated in the classical course in June, 1868. He returned to the bank at the solicitation of his former emplo3'ers, and remained twelve mouths.
In March, 1869, he became a
member of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
was sent to the Muhlenburg Circuit, Luzerne County, as his first appointment, and spent

BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:

896

one year at this point; was next appointed to the Shickshinny station and served one year.
In March, 1871, he was ordained a deacon, and at that conference was appointed to HazelHis next appointment was at Newberry,
ton, where he served as its pastor three years.
or Seventh Ward, Williamsport, where he remained three years; thence went to Tyrone,
Blair Coiiuty, where he spent two years; thence to Bloomsbur^, where he also remained two
years.
In March, 1881, he was appointed presiding elder of the Williamsport District, in
which office he served four years. In 1885 he was appointed pastor of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Berwick, which charge he still retains. March 21, 1871, our subject
married Laura M. Caslow, a native of Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Penn. They are the
parents of four children, three living: George C, Lottie M. and John P. The deceased
one was named Grace P. Mr. Yocum is a finely educated gentleman, and has made a host
of friends.

CHARLES H. ZEHNDER, secretary and superintendent of The Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, Berwick, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., April 16.
His grandfather came from Germany in the early part of the
1856, of German descent.
present century. He followed his trade, that of a miller, nearly all his life, and was for
some years a resident at Rupert, this county. Subject's father has spent most of his life
in Columbia and Montour Counties; is also a miller by trade, and a resident of Danville.
In 1874 he was employed as clerk in the Danville National Bank, which position he held
He then went to Harrisburg where he was employed as assistant secuntil October. 1878.
retary of the Y. M. C. A., and remained as such three months; thence moved to Norristown,
where he was general secretary of the association for four months. He then re.'iigned on
account of ill health, and in March, 1879, was employed as private secretary to Col. JackAfter that event he served in
son, and remained in that position until the latter's death.
same position for C. R. Woodin for some time, when he was elected secretary of the company, and still retains that position, and in December, 1885, was also installed superinHe is one of the active members of the Y. M. C. A., having been president of
tendent.
the association, and was managing trustee during the erection of their building and is, at
present, one of its managers.

CHAPTER

XXVII.

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.
STEPHEN

BALDY, merchant, Catawissa, was born in Tamaqua, Penn., January 20,
1860, a son of Peter R. and Sarah (Horn) Baldy, natives of this State and of Germi.n deHis grandfather, Stephen, engaged in mercantile business in Catawissa in the year
scent.
1817, followed it for a number of years, but retired when he was getting old, and the
remainder of his days was spent in serving the public. He was associate judge an(l jusHe was a faithful
tice of the peace a great many years, and filled several minor offices.
member of the Lutheran Church; politically a Democrat. Our subject's father, Peter,
Reading Railroad
was born in Catawissa, and has been an employe of the Philadelphia
Company for a number of years, now holding the position of time clerk. Stephen Baldy
came to Catawissa at the age of five years, and attended school until thirteen years of age,
when he entered the store of W. P. Jones as clerk and remained four years. Since 1877

&

he has been engaged in mercantile business, having bought out I. John & Sons, and
during eighteen months of that time was associated with H. C. John as partner. Mr.
Baldy carries a general stock of groceries, dry goods, crockery, etc. He owns a house
and lot where he resides. He was married October 20, 1880, to Hallie R., daughter of
John and Caroline Chrisman, and three children have been born to them: Helen, Lucy
and Sarah. Mrs. Baldv is a member of the Episcopal Church.
T. D. BERNINGER, painter, undertaker and dealer in furniture, P. O. Catawissa,
was born in Columbia County, this State, January 21, 1842, a son of Aaron and Anna
(Yost) Berninger, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His grandfather,
who was born in Berks County, Penn., was a millwright and came to Columbia
County, where he followed his trade until his death. Our subject's father was also bora
in Berks County, and lis a millwright, but has followed the manufacture and repair of
furniture for a number of years. He also carried on the furniture business in Maine Township for twenty years, and is now seventy years of age. He is the father of four sons.
Our subject was reared near Catawissa, and when eighteen years of age served an apprenticeship at the chair and cabinet-maker's trades, and went to work in the Philadelphia &
Reading shops at painting and car building, in which employ he spent twenty years. la

CATAWISSA TOWNSHir.

397

April, 1883. he boueht out the stock of furniture of William Hartmiin, put in anew stock
of furniture, and has since continued the business. The stock is valued at $3,000 and is
insured at almost its value. Mr. Berninger married in January, 1866, Margaret Bowdoin,
-who has borne him seven children: Anna M., William, Martha, Aaron, Maude, Susan and
Tobias. Mr. and Mrs. Berninger and two elder daughters are members of the Lutheran
Church. He is a member of the United American Mechanics' Organization. Mr. Berninger does house and sign painting and devotes his time almost entirely to his business,
WW*l(
employing four steady hands.
WILLIAM BERNINGER. miller, P. O. Catawissa. was born in Maine Township,
Columbia County, October 6, 1843. a son of Aaron and Phoebe A. (Yost) Berninger. natives
of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His grandfather, Henry, was born in Berks
County, and was a miller, which trade he followed the greater part of his life. He moved
Our subject's father was
to this county about 1825 and here remained until his death.
born in Berks County, Penn.. and was ten years of age when his parents moved to this
county. He is the father of four children; three of these reside in Catawissa and one in
Mifflinville, Penn.
Our subject was put to the miller's trade when about eighteen years
old, and learned the same under Noah Crites in the same mill which he now operates. He
worked for him eighteen months and then went to Franklin Township and worked in the
Mendenhall mill for three years; thence to Roaringcreek, where he remained six years,
and thence to Rupert, where he worked in the mill five years. In the spring of 1879 he
bought his present mill from I. W. McKelvy, and has since operated it. The mill is in
constant use except on Sunday. Mr. Berninger supplies the home trade and competes
with some of the best mills in the State, both in price and quality. He has the combination process, three run of buhrs, one double roller-mill, (>ne twenty-inch underrunner,
Ewell smutter, etc. The mill is run by waterregrinder, bolts, purifier, etc.. Home
power and is equipped with all the necessary machinery. Franklin, his brother, is an
employe in the mill, and has been working here more or h ss since Mr. Berninger purchased it. Mr. Berninger married, November 14, 1867, Matilda, daughter of Michael and
Margaret Mensch. and they are the parents of seven children, lour living: Minnie B.,
Franklin, Lloyd P. and Vaughn. Mr. and Mrs. Berninger are members of the Lutheran
Church. He owns eighteen acres of land south of Catawif^sa on which he has his mill
and residence. He also farms to some extent.
W. R. R., Catawissa, was born in Lakesville.
A. BIBBY, agent, D. L.
January 26, 1842, a .son of Henry and Sarah (Graham)
Dorchester Co.. Md..
His father was born in Maryland ancl was a
Bibby, and of Scotch-English descent.
farmer, which occupation he followed near Lakesville, Md., until his death in 1860.
Our subject was reared on a farm until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered D.
In 1862 he
W. Wells' store in Havre de Grace, Md., and remained seven years.
went to Baltimore where he clerked in the store of George H. Edgar, until 1868, when he
removed to Renovo, Penn., and entered the ofHce of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad as
clerk.
There he remained until the fall of 1871, when he came to Catawissa and here
W. R. R., as station agent, express and freight
has since been employed by the D. L,
agent, and operator of the' road— and the positions he has filled with perfect satisfaction
He married May 23, 1872, Julia, daughter of
to the company l)v which he is employed.
David W. and Elizabeth (Boon) Clark, and three sons were born to their union: David
Mrs. Bibby is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
B., Frank and Robert.
JOSEPH BREISCH, farmer, P. O. Catawissa. was born in Catawissa Township, this
His parents
county, August 15, 1822, and is a son of George and Rebecca (Wall) Breisch.
His grandfather. Jacoh Breisch, was
were natives of this State and of German descent.
His grandfather, Wall, was sold
born in Germany and came to America at an early day.
Our suitject's father was born in
on board of a vessel to pay his passage to Ameiica.
Montgomery County, this State, and came to Columbia County in 1802, locating where
our subject now resides. He died on the place now owned by John T. Shuman. in 1870,
and which he at that time owned. Joseph was reared on the farm and remained with his
parents until 1852. In 1853 he married Harriet Miller, l)y whom he has five children:
J. (married to Chas. W. Newhauser) and John E. (twins). Rebecca, Harmon
and Regina. In 1852 Mr. Breisch bought the farm where his son John now lives, consisting of 153 acres, moved on it in 1854 nnd there resided uutil 1864, when he came to
He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
his present place of 250 acres.
E. BREISCH, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Catawissa Township,
this county. November 3. 1854. a son of Joseph and Harriet (Miller) Breisch. natives of
Pennyslvania and of German descent. His great-grandfather came from Germany at an
early day and settled in Columbia County, where he owned a farm and followed
Subject's father was born in this county; has Ix'en
agricultural pursuits all his life.
a farmer all his life, and is yet living on his farm. John E. was rearrd on the farm and
remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he married and moved to where he
now resides and owns 155 acres of good land with about 100 acres under cultivation. He
has been building during the last few years and now has one of the finest farm residences
In this part of the county.
He married, November 22, 1875, Lydia Fram, a native of

&

MATTHEW

&

&

Emma

JOHN

.

398

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Schuylkill County, Perm. They are the parents of two children: Cora E., and Raymond E.
Mr. and Mrs. Breisch are menil»ersof the Lutheran Church at Catavvissa. He is almember
of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. in 1885 Mr. Breisch started a dairy business at which
he has since been enga<;ed. He has a good, trade and keeps fifteen head of fine cows.
CHUIST[AN E. CLiEWELL, merchant, Catawissa, was born in Catawissa, July 12,
1840, a son of Jacob and Eliza (Brobst) Clewell. natives of Pennsylvania and of German
descent.
His grandfather, Jacob, lived near Catawissa, was a farmer and owned two
farms; he resided here until his death in 1862. Our subject's father came to Catawissa
when a young man, also followed agriculture and lived on a farm adjoining the old
homestead. He died in 1877 at his home. Our subject was reared on a farm, and remained with his parents until the war broke out. August 8, 1861. he enlisted in Company
H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and
served nine months under Capt. Brobst. He was in the battles of Chancellorsville and
Fredericksburg, and after the expiration of nine months returned home, and until 1883
followed agriculture, which he was obliged to abandon on account of ill health. At the
last mentioned date he moved to Catawissa, bought property, and engaged in mercan
tile business, which he has since followed.
He carries a general line of groceries, flour
and feed. He married, July 30, 1863, Amelia Martz, by whom he has had six children,
five of whom are living: Sarah C. (wife of Porter S. Sook), John, Anna, Ella and George.
Mr. and Mrs. ClewelT are members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Clewell has
built up a good trade and is doing a thriving business.
JACOB H. CREASY, P. O. Catawissa, traveling salesman for the notion house of File,
Derr, Haney «fe Co., of Philadelphia, was born in Mifflin Township, thiscount3% October 7,
1838.
He is a son of Levi and Catherine (Hartsell) Creasy, natives of Columbia County,
Penn., and of German descent. His grandfather, Adam Creasy, was born in this county

(Adam Creasy's) brother was a member of the Legislature in the early
subject's father was reared in Mifflin Township, where he also followed farmJng.
He was lieutenant of a military company during the war of 1812, owned about 200
acres of land, was a member of the Lutheran Churcii, and died September 15, 1876. Our
subject was reared on a farm until about eigliteeu years of age when he worked at the
carriage trade for about eighteen months. He was then employed as clerlv with Swank
Grover, at Hobby, Luzerne County, for seven months; then moved to Berwick where he
was engaged as clerk two years. In 1861 he engaged in mercantile business for himself in Catawissa Township for two years and nine months.
He then formed a partnership with N. P. John, which continued until 1867, when the firm dissolved, and Mr. Creasy
Sons,
again conducted the business alone. In the spring of 1868 he sold out to I. John
and in 1869 moved to Mifflin where he engaged in mercantile business until the spring of
1872, when he again sold out. The same year he returned to Catawissa and bought a cigar
in 1780, and his
times.

Our

&

&

at Berwick, which he conducted seven months, and again returned to Catawissa where lie has since resided. In Jul}', 1873, he was engaged by his present employers. He married January 23, 1866, Sarah E., daughter of Isaiah and Mary (Bitler)
John, and they are the parents of four chiklren, two living: Milton B. and Harry B. Mr.
and Mrs. Creasy are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he has been a member
of the I. O. O. F. and American Mechanics and of the K. of P., but lately has dropped
out.
He owns a lot in Catawissa and 618 acres of good land.
WILLIAM T. CREASY, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in this township, February 23, 1856, a son of Nathan and Susanna (Krickbaum) Creasy; the latter was a native
of Catawissa Township and of German descent. Tlie former's ancestors came from Germany and settled in New Jersey, whence they moved to this county about 100 years ago.
Some settled about Mifflin Township, this county, wliere they farmed. Subject's grandfather William was one of the earlier settlers in Catawissa Valley, Schuylkill County.
He was a farmer, whicli occupation he followed all his life, with the exception of the last
few years, wiien he lived retired in Catawissa. He died in January, 1886, being in his
seventy-ninth year. Our subject's father was born in Catawissa Valley, and was there
After his marriage lie bought a farm where Henry L. now resides, and there rereared.
mained until his death in 1881. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife
died in 1883. Our subject was reared on a faim and remained with his grandparents until twenty years of age.
He graduated at Bioomsburg Normal School in 1875; began
teaching when sixteen years old, and taught eleven terms. In 1876 he moved to where he
now resides. He married, March 23, 1876, Sarah Jane Weaver, by whom he has three
Mr. and Mrs. Creasy are members of the Lutheran
f:hildren: Charles, Katie and Sadie.
Church. He is a member of the Giange and is at present school director. He was one of
the originators of the White Plymouth chicken, which breed now adorns his poultry yards.
Mr. Creasy has three brothers and two sisters living, and two sisters dead.
Catawissa Township,
HENRY L. CREASY, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born
September 12, 1861, a son of Nathan and Susanna (Krickbaum) Creasy, both of whom were
horn and reared on the farm wliere our subject now resides. They :were of German descent, and were the parents of eight children, six now living: William T., Francis P.,
Elmira (wife of W. H. Hess), Heiirv L., Nathan and Dora. Our subject was born and

and tobacco establishment

m

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.

399

reared on the old homestead where he now resides, and owns 135 acres of good land, all
under cultivation. This farm originally contained 300 acres, but has been divided into
two farms. Mr. Creasy was married in 1884 to Anna Sweppenhiser, of Centre Township,
Mr. and Mrs. Creasy are
this county, and one child has been born to them, Hiram W.
members of the old Lutheran Church. He is an intelligent and enterprising farmer; has
just commenced in life forliimself, butis^gifted with that energy which is sure to succeed.
PETER B. ERVIN, harness maker, Catawissa, was born August 21, 1864, in Catawissa, a sou of John and Henrietta (Bodine) Etvin, natives of this county, and of German
and English descent. His great-grandfathers came from the old country and settled in
this county, near Catawissa, and Jonas Metz, a brother to his great-grandmother, was the
The great-grandfather
first farmer in the vicinity of Catawissa, and lived and died here.
lived to be ninety-four years of age, and was a soldier in the Revolution. Our subject's
maternal grandfather was a cabinet-maker but during the latter part of his life followed
farming. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Ervin, is yet living at the age of eighty years; is
stout and strong, and does a good deal of his farming. He owns a farm, a part of which lies
in Locust Township and a part in Catawissa. He learned the mason's trade and worked at
He helped to build the furnace at Danville, and, while so engaged,
it in his younger days.
he had three ribs broken and was otherwise injured. Our subject's father was born on
the homestead in Locust Township, and learned the carpenter's trade. He served in the
'war of the Rebellion, and after marriage moved to Catawissa, where he since worked at
his trade.
He is now employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, as car builder.
Our subject was reared in Catawissa, attended school until seventeen years of age, and
He then engaged for three years in the confectionlater was employed by T. E. Harder.
ery business. In October, 1885, he commenced to learn the harness-making trade, and
has since been engaged in making and selling harness. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; is also a member of the P. O. S. of A. In politics he is a Republican.
WILLIAM EYER, surveyor and draftsman of the Catawissa division of tlie Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, P. O. Catawissa, was born in that place in 1844, and is a son
of William J. and Charlotte (Havemeyer) Eyer, former a native of Pennsylvania, latter
of the city of New York. His grandparents on both sides came from Germany at an early
day, and located in New York City, where they engaged in the manufacture of sugar, in
which the Havemeyer family are still engaged, and have one of the largest manufactories
His grandmother
in New York. They have also a large sugar refinery in Philadelphia.
Havemeyer was about ninety-eight years of age when she died; his grandfather died at
the age of eighty years. Our subject's father was born in Selin's Grove, Snyder Co.,
Penn., and was reared on a farm until about twenty-one years of age. He began educating himself when young, studied for the ministry, and was ordained a minister of the
Lutheran denomination. He came to Catawissa, where he was engaged in the ministry
until his death.
He was a man of noble qualities and beloved by all who knew him.
Our subject was brought up in Catawissa and attended school until twenty years of age,
when he commenced work at surveying for the Catawissa Railroad, at Summit Station,
and was employed there two years. He was then engaged as station agent at Catawissa
for six years; then entered the office of W. G. Yetter, division engineer of Catawissa
He was married,
division, as surveyor and draftsman, which po.siti®n he still holds.
January 11, 1873, to Mary Ritter, a daughter of David and Eliza Ritter. Mr. and Mrs.
Eyer are the parents of two children, John R. and Susan H. Mrs. Eyer is a member of
the Lutheran Church.
LUTHER EYER, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born March 12, 1846, son of Rev.
William J. Eyer (whose sketch and portrait appear elsewhere), and was educated principally at Millersville, Lancaster Co., Penn. During the years 1868-69 he was engaged
with Havemeyers & Elder, New York, in a sugar refinery, and in 1870 resumed farming
in Montour Township, this county.
In 1873 he was married to Jane, a daughter of
David Clark, son of Andrew Clark," one of the pioneers of Columbia County. By this
union Mr. Eyer has been blessed with four children: William, David, Kate and George.
After marriage he settled on his farm in Montour Township, where he remained until
1880, when he bought property in Catawissa where he now resides, but still attends to his
farm. He took anactive interest in helping to establish the present excellent school and
building, of which institution he has served as school director. For ten years he has been
a director of the Catawissa bank. In politics he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM L. EYERLY, attorney at law. Catawissa, was born in Bloomsburg,
Penn., August 18, 1852, a son of Michael F. and Eliza T. (Kluge) Eyerly, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His maternal great-grandfather came from Germany.
His grandfather, Jacob Eyerly, was appointed, by Gov. Wolf, prothonotary of Columbia
Count}-, which office he filled "for about thirty-five years.
He died in Bloomsburg. Our
subject's father was born near Danville, this county, but later moved to Bloomsburg, where he was employed as clerk in the prothonotary's office for a number of years.
He was then employed with W. F. Clark, attorney at law, as clerk, with whom he
remained several years. He then formed a partnership with Col. John G. Freeze, attorWilliam L.
aiey at law, and was with him several years, but is now leading a retired life.

400

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

attended school at Bloomsbur,!^ until twenty years of age, when he graduated and entered
Col. J. G. Freeze's law office in 1873 as a student.
After two years of hard study he was
admitted to the bar in September, 1874, and the same month located at Catawissa, where he
has since been in practice, and is admitted to the supreme court. Mr. E.yerly was married, November 15, 1877, to Maggie M., daughter of John and Nancy Reifsnyder, and
they are the parents of one child, Paul R., born May 15, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Eyerly are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Eyerly owns a house and lot on North
Third Street. He is a member of the College society, and is one of the prominent men
of his profession, to which he is well adapted.
BENJAMIN P. FORTNER, of the town of Catawissa, was born in Locust Township.
Columbia Co., Penn., October 81, 1811, a son of John and Sarah B. Fortner. Natives of
Pennsylvania, the Fortner family are of Scotch descent, being the descendants of Lord
Archibald Douglas, of Bothwell Castle, Scotland, whose only daughter, Isabella, having
a desire to see this continent, prevailed upon her father to consent to her coming to
America, in company with a lady friend, which they did, and while on their passage the
vessel in which they were was seized by a piratical crew of Algiers and robbed of all their
effects, and they were landed in New York destitute of friends or the wherewith to support themselves. It happened that a farmer from New Jersey met them, of whom they
inquired what they should do, and he replied he would take them home with him, which
he did. Isabella JDouglas resided with his family and married a man by the name of
Fortner. and resided in New Jersey until their death. They had twelve children, one of
whom, Jona.s, went to Canada during the Revolutionary war with England, as he wasprejudiced against the war. The grandfather of Benjamin P. Fortner was born in New
Jersey, and at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war he enlisted in the army and
served nine campaigns in the army under Gen. Washington; was in the battle of Brandywine; was in camp in Valley Forge all winter, and marched with his regiment on foot
from Philadelphia to Yorktown, and was there at the surrender of the Briti'sh army. He
moved to Columbia County near MifHinville, Penn., and he had three sons and four
daughters: George, Andrew, John, Anna, Naomi, Frances and Mercy. He died near
MifHinville, aged sixty-five years.
His occupation was a farmer. Our subject's father,
John, was born in Sussex County, N. J., and when about fifteen years of age moved with
his father to Columbia County, Penn., and after marriage purchased a farm south of
Catawissa, where he lived and died in his fifty-ninth year. He was the father of three
children, two sons and one daughter, viz.: Benjamin "P., Jonathan and Martha B., who.
died in 1837. Benjamin P. remained with his father until he was eighteen years old,
when he engaged with Samuel D. Brobst, of Catawissa, as a salesman, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years, when lie was elected constable, and served in that
office two years.
On March 5, 1835, he married Mary Davis, daughter of John and Sarah
Davis, near Catawissa. In 1836 he and his father-in-law purchased a hotel at that place,
which they lived in and kept as a hotel until 1838, at which time they sold the hoteL
He then bought and ran two boats on the Schuylkill Canal, hauling coal from Pottsville
to Philadelphia.
In consequence of the completion of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad boating became poor, and he sold out and bid for and was allotted work grading otk
the Tioga & Corning Railroad. After finishing, he, in 1840, got work on the Wisconsin
Canal, and worked there until the work was abandoned, after which he bought a farm
near Catawissa, which he resided on with his family until 1860 (which he yet owns),
when he moved to Catawissa. having considerable property there, where he now lives a
retired life.
He was, while living on his farm, elected justice of the peace, and in 1849'
he was elected a member of the Legislature from Columbia County, and served one term.
At the commencement of the Rebellion he was appointed by President Lincoln internal
revenue assessor for the Tliirteenth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, and served
about two years, when he resigned and accepted the appointment of revenue collector for
Columbia and ^Montour Counties, which he held for three years, after wiiich he Avas reelected justice of Catawissa. which office he still holds. His wife was the mother of ten
children, five of whom are still living, viz.: Burton W., Alem B., Alice M. Millard, John
W. and Sadie Myers. Four of her sons were in the army, either as volunteers or enlisted,
one of whom died in the service in Camp Mary, near Washington, D. C, named Harrison
Fortner. B. P. Fortner's father married Sarah Brooke, whose father lived in Columbia

County, Penn.

CLARK F. HARDER, contractor and builder, Catawissa, was born in Columbia
County, Penn., September 28, 1841, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Feister) Harder,
natives of Pennsylvania. His grandparents were among the first settlers of Catawissa
Township, being here before the massacre at Wyoming. His maternal grandfather came
direct from Germany to this country, and his paternal grandparents from Switzerland.
His grandfather Harder was a blacksmith, which trade he followed a number of years.
His grandfather Feister kept a hotel for a number of years where the Catawissa House
now stands. They both took quite an active part in politics, the former being a Democrat
and the latter a Whig. Our subject's father was born in Catawissa Township, and when
quite young learned the blacksmith's trade which he carried on a number of years and

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP,

401

He owned a farm in Catawissa Township. He was a Republican
also followed farming.
He died in 1860. Our subject was only fourteen years of age when his father
in politics.
At sixteen years of
died, and he then remained with his mother until her death in 1872.
age he began to learn the carpenter and cabinet-maker's trades, which he had just mastered when the war broke out. August 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company H. One Hundred
and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers in the nine months' service. He served eight
months, participated in the battle of Antietam, and after that engagement was detailed
to take care of the wounded, but was taken ill and removed to the convalescent camp ia
Virginia, where later on he was discharged on account of disability. After his discharge
he went to Washington and wanted to join his regiment, but was refused. He arrived
home one month before the return of his regiment and tried again to enlist, but would
not be taken on account of disability. He then resumed his trade which he has since
followed. In 1866 he built a planing-niill which he has since operated, and is doing a good
He built seventeen houses in the summer of 1885, furnishing all his own mabusiness.
terials and has erected more houses in Catawissa than any other man.
He formerly
owned seven houses and lots, but has sold off until he now owns but two, also a lot 100x80
feet on which his mill and wareroom (the latter 20x65 feet, two stories in height) stand.
Mr. Harder married, March 11, 1868, Sarah Hayhurst, granddaughter of Stephen Baldy.
and they are the parents of five children: Err, Edwin, Bessie, Jennie and Robert. Mr. and
Mrs. Harder are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.,
No. 60, Catawissa, and G. A. R., No. 170. He has held all the offices in the Odd Fellows
lodge, having passed all the chairs. Mr. Harder is Republican in political views.

THOMAS E. HARDER, proprietor of the mammoth furniture store, furnishing
undertaker and embalmer, Catawissa, was born in Catawissa Township, this county, in December, 1843, a son of Washington and Mary (McAllister) Harder, natives of
Pennsylvania and of German descent.
His grandfather Err was a blacksmith, and
died in Catawissa. Our subject's father was born in Catawissa, this county, and was a
wheelwright, which occupation he followed the most of his life. He died here in 1861.
Our subject was brought up in Catawissa, where he attended school and learned the
cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed until going into business for himself.
He
started on a small scale, and his business grew to such an extent that in 1888 he built a
large four-story stone building, with basement and attic, at a cost of about $15,000.
He manufactures furniture in the basement, and the balance of the building is stored
with goods common to his line. His stock of furniture is valued at $12,000. Tliis building
is a magnificent one, and the largest in this section of the country, which shows that Mr.
Harder's business has been a success, and that he has won the confidence of the people by
his honesty and low figures.
He manufactures a great deal of his furniture, and does
painting of all kinds. He is also engaged in the undertaking business. He married, in
January, 1873, Clara Hamlin, by whom he has three children: Charles M., Guy W. and
Pearl.
Mr. Harder is a member of the Masonic fraternity, M. S. of A. and G. A. R., No.
170.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving nine months; was in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and at the end of nine months entered the Thirtieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as second lieutenant; was detached as sergeant-major of his
regiment, which commission he held about three months during an emergency. He then
enlisted in Company D, Third Heavy Artillery, and served two years.
He was on detached service as paymaster's clerk, but previous to getting that charge served in the
front at Fort Spring Hill, and subsequently at Dutch Gap Canal, but no very heavy engagements occurred. Mr. Harder, during his campaign, marched through Maryland,
West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and during the battle of Gettysburg his regiment was to
the left at Carlyle, and no doubt Harrisburg would have been captured haid it not been
that his regiment aided to the success and headed the enemy off. Gen. Smith was the
division general. Mr. Harder was a brave soldier, and never flinched where duty called.
He is now one of the most successful busines.s men in this vicinity, and one of the leading
men of Columbia County. He takes no part in politics, but sides with the Republicans.
NELSON C. HARTMAN, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in this county December 8, 1845, a son of Moses and Rebecca (Clayton) Hartman, the parents of the latter being among the early settlers of this county. Her ancestors came from Scotland and her
husband's from Germany. Our subject's grandfather, Casper, was born in this county,
his father coming direct from Germany, and settling where Nelson C. now resides about
1760, and taking up a section of land. At the outbreak of the Revolution he was thought
by many to have been a Tory; he was a man of few words, strong ideas, orthodox in
religion, and strongly opposed to war, but when the crisis came and one side or the other
had to be recognized, his sympathies were with the American colonies. He was a tanner
by trade, tanned hides for the Indians, and prepared all kinds of furs. He lived here until his death, after which the estate was divided, and Casper, the grandfather of our subject, got a third of the homestead and lived on it until his death.
One of his sons moved
on the great-grandfather's place. Our subject's father was born on the homestead of his
father and after years bought the place where our subject now lives. He resided there

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

402

to Catawissa, where he died ia 1871.
He
are living: Harriet, wife of Nelson John,
residing in Minnesota; Deborah, deceased; Nelson C, and Jane, wife of J. M. Smith, residing in Catawissa. Nelson C. was reared on a farm and remained at home until twenty
years of age, when he went West through Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and as far as
the Rocky Mountains. After an absence of one year he returned home and was emReading Railroad as fireman for four years. He abandoned
ployed on the Philadelphia
Here he owns about 200 acres
that, however, and went on the farm, where he now lives.
of good land. February 16, 1870, he mai-ried Alice, daughter of Andrew and Anna
parents
of
two
children,
Andrew
and Harry Garfield.
(Boone) Clark, and they are the
Mrs. Hartman is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hartman has served as school
director several years. He has one of the finest farms in this section and one of the best
residences, with all the latest improvements.
M. HENKEL, D. D. Catawissa, was born in Point Pleasant, Monas
REV.
•Co., W. Va., April 12, 1820, and is a son of Rev. Charles and Mary (Siegrist) Henkel, natives of West Virginia.
The first of the family to come to this country was Gearhart
Henkel, who came from Frankfort, Germany, and who served as chaplain under Duke
(not now known), and located at Germantown, Philadelphia, in 1735, where he resided
He was found by the roadside
until his death, which was occasioned by an accident.
He was a Lutheran minisdead, and the supposition was that his horse had thrown him.
ter.
The generations back are Gearhart. Justice, Jacob, Paul, Charles and David M.,
the last being the sixth generation, and it may be stated that a number of the ancestors
were Lutheran ministers. Paul, the grandfather, was the father of six sons, five of whom
were ministers, and one a physician. The grandfather died in New Market, Shenandoah
Our subject's father was the first Lutheran minister in Columbus,
Co., Va., in 1825.
Ohio. He moved from Columbus to Somerset, Ohio, where he lived until his death,
which occurred in 1840. Our subject was still young when his parents moved to Columbus, Ohio, and was educated at the Capital Universitj'' of that place, where he also received his theological training. He graduated in 1849 and was ordained a pastor of the
Lutheran Church. His first charge was at Goshen, Ind., when it was j'et in a wild state.
He remained here only eighteen months, when he was forced to leave on account of sickness, and returned to the valley of Virginia until he had recuperated, when he took the
charge at StewartsviDe, N. J. In 1859 he was called to Danville, Montour County,
there organized and built Trinity Lutlieran Church and served as its pastor eight years.
He was then called to Stroud.sburg, Monroe Co., Penn., where he organized and built
He was then
St. John's Church, in that county, and remained as its pastor four years.
sent to Richmond, Va., to build up an English church, but his health failing him he was
unable to accomplish his undertaking. He then moved to Mount Pleasant, N. C; thence
to Nokomis, 111., where he remained six years, and, failing in health, he in 1882 moved to
Catawissa, where he has no regular charge, but still delivers sermons. Mr. Henkel is a
very able speaker, and has been engaged in this good cause since 1848. He married first,
in September, 1849, Heleah Henkel, who bore him six children: Mary, wife of Rev. C.
W. Sifferd; Leah, wife of Rev. A. L. Youut; Charles, married to Miss Lease, of Nokomis,
Solon, William and Luther. Mrs. Henkel died in 1873, and he next married, in
111.
November, 1875. Susan C. Eyer, eldest daughter of Rev. W. J. Eyer, of Catawissa. who
was born in 1803, and came to Catawissa in 1838. He served as minister in the Lutheran
Church until his death in 1874. Mr. Eyer was a noted man, an able speaker, and his
death was deeply felt by his friends and family. Mrs. Htjnkel's grandfather, Frederick
C. Havemeyer, opened a sugar refinery in the city of New York in 1823, and made it one
of the largest concerns in that city. It is still in the Havemeyer name, and the family is
also connected with a sugar refinery in Philadelphia.
HILE, traveling salesman for A. Shumway Co., of Philadelphia, Penn.,
was born in Northumberland County, Penn., January 23, 1834, and is a son of James and
Hannah (Campbell) Hile, natives of Penn.sylvania and of German descent. His great-

about thirty years, but in

moved

was the father of four

whom

liis later days
children, three of

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grandfather, Henry Hile, came from Germany and located near Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Penn., where he owned and cultivated two farms. He moved to Clearfield
County and bought a farm where he resided until his death. Our subject's father, a
native of Northumberland County, Penn., was a farmer, and resided near Sunburj^ for a
number of years, when he moved to Clearfield County, where he followed farming until
1866 (previously he came to this county and bought a farm of 220 acres, in 1856, in Franklin Township, which he still carries on).
He is seventy-seven }'ears of age. Our subject
was reared on a farm and at the asre of twenty-four years, married and moved to Franklin
Township, this county, where he engaged in farming for about four years. He then bought a
farm in Catawissa Township, moved on it, farmed and operated a dairy. He was the first
man to start a dairy in Catawissa, and continued it three years and two weeks. In 1869 he
moved to Philadelphia, where he was employed by a wholesale tea firm for a short time. Then
moved back to Catawissa, this county, and he and his brother. Amos, started a dry goods
and grocery store in the place, which they conduced six j^ears. He was engaged with a Reading boot and shoe house for about four years, as traveling salesman. In 1877 he was em-

403

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.

Shumway &

Co., boot and shoe dealers of Philadelphia, as traveling salesemploy. He married, April 22, 1859, Hannah Fox, wlio has
borne him three children: Elizabeth (wife of E. G. Sanburn, Jersey City), Anna B., and
Elmer, who carries on a boot and shoe store in Catawissa. Mr. and Mrs. Hile are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Hile owns a house

ployed by A. A.

man, and

is still

and

Catawissa.

lot in

in their

ALFRED HOWER,

teacher, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Numidia, Penn., Novemson of Michael and Catherine (Bachraan) Hower, natives of Pennsylvania
and of German descent. His great-grandfather settled in Catawissa about the latter part
of the eighteenth century and was one of the first settlers in this part of the country. He
owned about 1,000 acres and lived and died here. Our subject's grandfather Sebastiaa
was reared on the homestead, and while young learned the carpenter's trade, but later
bought a farm near Slabtown in Locust Township, where he lived until his death which
occurred in 1860. Our subject's father was reared near Slabtown, but had lived in the
coal regions a part of his time. He moved to Numidia, where he lived until his death ia
1882.
He was a blacksmith, which trade he followed the most of his life; also carried on
farming to some extent. At the age of eighteen our subject learned the carpenter's trade
at Shamokin, Penn., where he worked about a year. Previous to learning this trade he
had taught two terms of school, and after completing his apprenticeship, again taught in
He attended Bloomsburg Normal
the winter and went to school in the summer.
School, Greenwood's Seminary and Lowell's Commercial College at Binghampton, and
graduated in 1874. In the fall of 1877 he moved to Catawissa, and resided here four years,
teaching school. In 1882 he moved to Oranfeville where he lived two years, having the
principalship of the graded school. In the spring of 1884 he moved back to Catawissa
where he has since lived, engaged in teaching in the winter and working at this trade in
the summer. He owns two houses and lots, and is at present engaged in building a twostory frame house. He married, December 4, 1877, Isabella, daughter of John T. and
Mr. and Mrs. Hower are the parents of four children-.
Catherine (Breisch) Shuman.
John S., Lillian C, Laura Jennie and Warren A. Mr. and Mrs. Hower are members of
the Lutheran Church. One of Mr. Hower's relatives was buiied in the cemetery here in 1802.
PETER KERN, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Warren County, N. J.,
November 17, 1817, a son of John and Gertrude (Ridgeway) Kern, both of whom were
born in Warren County, N. J., and were of German descent. His grandparents on both
sides came from Germany, emigrating direct to Pennsylvania, where, however, they remained but a short time, when they emigrated to New Jersey where they lookup land and
lived until their deaths. The grandfather died in his eighty-fifth year.
He and his wife
were highly educated in the old country. Our subject's father was born in Warren
County, N. J., in 1809 and was in his sixty-eighth year when he died. He was reared
Peter was reared on the homestead in his nato farming which he followed all his life.
tive State, where he remained until married, when he and his father-in-law came to Pennsylvania and bought a tract of land where he now resides. This was in 1840. The tract
was a very large one, and when it was sold Mr. Kern bought 120 acres of the estate on which
he has since lived. He married, August 23, 1839, Jane Davison, a native of New Jersey,
by whom he had seven children, five of whom are living: Emma, wife of George Teitsworth; Martha, widow of Hiram Cool (Mr. Cool was wounded in the service of his country at the battle of Antietam, a bullet entering under his eye and coming out at the back
of his neck; he suffered from this for seven years, at times in intense pain, and died November 10, 1870. His widow and three children make their home with Mr. Kern Albert
L., married to Matilta Rue; Ida, married to Wm. B. Snyder, and Norman G., a graduate
of Bloomsburg Normal School); Easic D., married to Loretta Reinbold; John B., married to Hannah Traub; Margaret, wife of Rev. John B. Bodine; Jane and Lemuel are
deceased. Mrs. Kern died April 1, 1884, deeply lamented by her husband.
He is a member of the church; in politics a Republican.
LUTHER B. KLINE, M. D., physician and surgeon, Catawissa, was born in Rush
Township, Northumberland County, this State, December 24, 1842, and is a son of Harmon G. and Mary (Bassett)4Kline, natives of Pennsylvania and of German-Scotch descent.
His grandparents came from New Jersey to Northumberland County at an early day, and
engaged in farming until their death. Harmon G. Kline is a farmer and resides in Northumberland County, near Sunbury, where he owns a farm. Luther B. was reared on a
farm until about eighteen years of age, when he taught school several years, and also
attended the Sunbury Academy. In the fall of 1865 he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in March, 1867.
In April following he came
to Catawissa, where he began his now extensive practice and has since resided.
He married, September 14, 1870, Desda W.. daughter of J. K. and Mary M. Sharpless.
They
and
living:
Charles
S.
are the parents of four children, two
Grace E. Dr. and Mrs. Kline
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Lodge No. 349, Catawissa; has held the office of school director and is now serving
his second term. Dr. Kline is a member of the State Medical Society and Incorporated
County Medical Society.

ber

10, 1851, a

—

404

BioGRArniCAL sketches:

WILLIAM J. MARTIN, farmer and brickmaker, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Saxony, Germany, April 24, 1825, a son of John and Catherine (Keel) Martin, natives of Germany, the former being a farmer. When fourteen j^ears of age our subject left school and
learned the cutler's trade, at which he worked until nineteen years of age. He and
his brother, Charles, then took passage in a sailing vessel bound tor America, and after
a voyage of six weeks lauded in New York. There they separated, Charles going to Delaware, while our subject remained in New York and worked at his trade for two years.
Jle then went up the Hudson and engaged in the manufacture of hames, receiving $1.50
per day, but after six months, not liking his associates, he returned to New York. There
he again worked at his trade, receiving $3 per week and his board. In 1856 he moved
to Danville, Penn., and worked in a rolling-mill one year, then came to Columbia County
and hired on the farm of Judge Baldy, which he now owns; then worked a year for A.
Feterolf; then, March 4, 1860, he married Susan M., daughter of Judge Baldy, and here
has since remained. Our subject and wife have four children: Sarah B., George B. (married to Rebecca Fetterman, and residing in Bloomsburg, this county), Stephen B. and
Lizzie.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He
owns 140 acres of cleared laud and 100 acres of mountain land. In 1883 he commenced
the manufacture of briciv, which he has since carried on. Mr. Martin introduced the
" Martin Amber Wheat," in 1878, and took it to the Philadelphia State fair, where he sold
it for ten cents per grain.
He has taken the first premium in wheat at every fair for the
county and

REV.

Stale.

MYERS,

P. O. Catawissa, was born near Easton, Northumberland Co.,
son of Abraham and Mary (Root) Myers, natives of Pennsylvania
and of German-English descent. His great-grandfather on the maternal side came from
-Germany and located in Bucks County, where he followed farming, and his grandfather,
Philip, was a cabinet-maker and also carried on farming until his death at an advanced
age, in 1883, near Easton.
Our subject's father was for a number of years a justice of the
peace at Bethlehem, Penn., but is now living a retired life. During his early life, in the
Mexican war, he organized a militia company of which he was captain, and waited for
orders, but was never called out, although he stood ready.
He was captain in the militia
for a term of years, also assisted in drilling companies during the civil war. He is now
about sixty-eight years of age. Our subject was brought up as a clerk until about sixteen
years of age, when he entered upon and pursued a course of study for the ministry. He
then laught a number of terms, holding a State professional certificate. He entered the
work of the ministry as a home missionary in 1868, and after continuing in tlie good cause
for one year was ordained a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1869, but continued in the mission work for eighteeen months later. His first charge was organized by
his efforts in Lycoming County, Penn., along the Allegheny Mountains.
In 1870 he was
called to a large field of labor at Turbotville, Northumberland Co., Penn and there remained during a successful ministry of nine years. In 1880 he was called to Seneca
County, N. Y., where he labored two and one-half years, when, suffering from an attack
of pneumonia, he was compelled forest, spending one year near Muncy, Penn. In May,
1883, he took charge of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Catawissa. and has
since been laboring here with acceptance and abundant success. He has taken a great
Interest, wherever he has labored, in the building of new churches, and since coming here
the church has been rebuilt and nicely furnished, while the membership has been doubled.
Rev. Mr. Myers was married October 11, 1870, to Sadie J., daughter of Isaac and Mary
(Sechler) Beeber, of Muncy, Penn.
DAVID R.
was born August 21, 1818, in Cheshire County, N. H.. and
died August 31, 1875. His father, Joseph Randall, was a farmer, and moved to McDonough, Chenango Co., N. Y., when David was about six years of age. Some eight years
later his father died, leaving him the eldest child and only son of a family of eight children, and but little propert}'. Young Randall thus found himself, at the age of fifteen,
the head of a family who looked to him for support, with nothing to assist him in the
struggle of life but his own perseverance of character, guided by the counsel of a devoted
mother and the kind hand of a beneficent Providence. Left thus with seven sisters, he
struggled on to support the family and educate himself. Daylight found him at his work,
night at his books by the light of pine faggots. In this way he educated himself and
supported his mother and sisters till he arrived at the age and acquired the necessary education to enable him to become a teacher, having passed a most flattering graduation
from Oxford Academj', Oxford, N. Y. Asa teacher he labored with the same energy
that had characterized him from boyhood, and at the age of twenty-six was elected superintendent of common schools for the county of Chenango. His labors in belialf of the
common schools of Luzerne County, Penn., will ever be gratefullj' remembered by that
people. Devoting his time and efforts to the cause of education in this capacity for two
years, he then concluded to enter upon the study of law, and accordingly entered his
name as a student in the ofiice of Hon. Ransom Balcomb, now one of the judges of the
supreme court of the State of New York. This was in 1843, and he continued to read law
with Judge Balcomb until 1846, being obliged, however, to devote much time to teaching

U.

Penn., January

23, 1847,

,

RANDALL

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.

405

In 1846 Mr. Randall left his home and came to Hyde Park,
to support liis famil}'.
Luzerne Co. (now Lackawanna County;, commencing here to build up his fortune by
teaching, and soon afterward entered ins name as a law student with Chai-lesH. Silkman,
Esq., of Providence, now a portion of the city of Scranton.
He was admitted to the bar
of Luzerne County November 4, 1847, and opened an office at Providence, wuere soon his
frank manners and ready business tact brought him clients, whose numbers increased up to
the time of his sickness. Mr. Randall had all his life been a Democrat, aud in the fall of
1860 he was nominated as a candidate for Congress bj^ the Democracy of the Twelfth
Congressional District of Pennsylvania, composed of the counties of Luzerne, AVyoming,
Oolumbia and Montour. His opponent was Hon. George W. Scranton, the strongest man
by all odds in his party, and who defeated Mr. Randall by a majority of 695 in the district where Col. Scranton had two jears before received a majoritj^ of 3,980.
Upon the
death of Hon. E. B. Chase, the district attorney of Luzerne County, Mr. Randall was
appointed February 18, 1864, by Judge Conyngham, district attorney of the county until
Upon receiving this appointment he removed to Williesbarre, the
the next election.
county seat. When the Democratic convention met in the fall of the same year he was
unanimously nominated as the candidate for district attorney. He received a majority of
2,335 in the county. This was the last time he suffered his name to go before the people
as a candidate for office. Upon the incorporation of the city of Wilkesbarre iu 1871, Mr.
Randall was appointed chief assessor of the city by Hon. Garrick M. Harding, a Republican judge, upon the unanimous recommendation of the members of the city council and
the commissioners of the county-, serving until his death. Mr. Randall was twice married, August 25, 1849, to Mary Child, who bore him four children (none of whom are
living), and died February 7, 1855. March 5, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth S. Emerson,
of McDonough, N. Y., who survives him. She bore him seven children, of whom two
sons, Charles E. and David V., and two daughters, Nettie E. and Jennie M., survive him.
The qualities of the deceased endeared him to his friends and commanded the respect of
He was a true friend and generous foe. Bluff, hearty and outspoken
all who knew him.
in his dealings with his fellows, he was honored and beloved, and has now left to his children the priceless legacy of an unstained name. The grave, dark and silent, has shut up
from sight his manly form. His firm step and cheerful voice will be heard no more in the
haunts of men; but the memory of his generous deeds, his kindly waj^s, his warm friendship, his heart}" humor, and his sturdy courage will be long remembered by those who
knew him. Extract from Luzerne Legal Register.
CHARLES E. RANDALL, of the firm of Randall & Yocum, editors and proprietors
of the Vatmoissa News Item, Catawissa, was bcrn in Providence, Luzerne Co., Penn., November 4, 1856, a son of David R. and Elizabeth (Emerson) Randall. (See sketch.) His
maternal grandfather, Moses Emerson, a merchant and miller, was a native of New HampHis paternal grandfather, Joseph Randall, was also a native of New Hampshire
shire.
and was a farmer. Our subject received his education at Wilkesbarre and at the age of
seventeen had finished his course in the high school at that place, and was given his choice
of a profession or a trade. He chose the latter and entered the office of the Luzerne
Union, under H. B. Beardslee, where he served an apprenticeship of four years, after
which he worked at his trade in that place until 1879. His health failing he went to White
Haven and worked at his trade two years. In the fall of 1881 he came to Catawissa aud
was employed as foreman of the Catawissa News Item until October, 1884. At that date
he and John C. Yocum, Esq., purchased the office of G. E. Myers, and have since been the
owners and proprietors of the Ntios Item, Mr. Randall conducting the editorial department and office in general. The paper is a newsy sheet, 24x36, seven columns, and has a
circulation of 1,500. The office is supplied with a three-horse power engine, and is the
best equipped and only one operated by steam in the county. In September, 1880, Mr.
Randall married Lizzie M., daughter of Elijah and Sarah Search, and one child has blessed
their union, Eugene Y.
Mr. Randall edits the paper independent in politics, is well
adapted to his chosen profession and gives satisfaction to all his readers.
W. REIFSNYDER, merchant, Catawissa, born in Schuylkill County, Penn.,
March 24, 1848, a son of George and Harriet (Sharpless) Reifsnyder, natives of Pennsylvania and of German-English descent. His grandfather came from England; was one of
the settlers under William Penn. His grandfather, Benjamin Sharpless, came to Catawissa at an early day and was one of the founders of the paper-mill here, and also of the
Quaker Church; he owned and operated the mill for a number of years and died at the
age of ninety-four years. Our subject's father was born in Montgomery County, this
State, in 1804, and lived there but a short time; thence moved to Perry County and thence
to this county, where he engaged in mercantile business for several years.
He then
moved to Schuylkill County and located at New Castle, where he carried on mercantile
business, and there resided until he reared his family, which consisted of twelve children,
five of whom are living: Mrs. William Hartman, Mrs. E* S. Jackson, (a resident of Scranton), George W. (our subject), Mrs. Isaac Hartman (a resident of Ontario, Canada), and
Mrs. Charles Pearson (a resident of Berlin, Ontario). The father died in 1856.
Our subject was about nine years of age when he came to Catawissa where he received his edu-

—

GEORGE

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

406

In 1874 he engaged in conducting tlie yiisquehanna hotel which he continued!
proprietor of until 1883, when he embarked in mercantile business. He carries a general
He married in
line of dry goods and groceries, his stock being valued at about $5,000.
December, 1870, Anna Kostenbauder, by whom he has had five children, three living:
Samuel, Leonard and Karl. Mr. and Mrs. Reifsnyder are members of ihe Lutheran Church;
he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the G. A. R. In 1862 he enlisted in the
State militia, and in January, 1864, enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Artillery, and
served until 1865; was one year on picket duty continuously, and the rest of the time
served on detached duty; he served two years in the militia and regular service. He owns
several properties in Catawissa; he is the best pigeon shot in the county.
SOLOMON RIDER, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Montour County, Penn., in
June, 1827, a son of John and Betsey (Berkhart) Rider, natives of Berks County, Penn., and
His father came here at an early day and settled in Montour County,
of German descent.
"where he lived several years and then moved to Lycoming County, where he bought a
farm and resided until his death in his eighty-eighth year. He was a soldier in the war of
1812.
Mrs. Betsey Rider died in her eighty-sixth j^ear. She was the mother of fourteen
children, twelve of whom are living: John; Katie (wife of Daniel Shuler); Samuel; Sarah
(deceased);Peggy (wife of Daniel Miller, residing in Lycoming County, Penn.); Lawrence;
Daniel (residing in Lycoming County); Rachel (wife of Cleaver Davis, residing in the
West); Susan (wife of Jacob Hertman); Jacob (deceased); Solomon; Mary and Hannah,
(twins). Our subject was only six years of age when his father moved to Lycoming Countyand vrhen eighteen years of age he came to Schuylkill County, located at Ashland and remained there about ten years, being engaged as stable foreman. He then came to Columbia County and bought a farm where his son-in-law now lives, and there resided for three
years, when he sold' out and bought the farm of 112 acres adjoining; moved on it and there
has since lived. He married, in October, 1848, Hannah Leiby, and nine children were
born to them, two living; Mary J. (wife of William Davis) and Martin. Mrs. Rider is a.
member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Rider is a Democrat.
WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Montour Township, this county, April 28, 1846, a son of Josiah A. and Anna M. (Clewell) Roberts,
natives of Columbia County, and of Welsh-German descent. His grandfather, Edward,
was reared near Philadelphia, and came to Columbia County at an early day, where he
He was found dead, after a
settled and cleared up a farm and resided until his death.
storm, between Catawissa and his home, and the supposition is that he was killed hy
lightning.
He started out to purchase a knife for his grandson (our subject) but never reSubject's father was also born in Montour Township and was reared a farmer.
turned.
He is master of four trades, being a stone-mason, stone-cutter, plasterer and brick-layer.
He owns a farm in Montour Township, and is the father of eleven children, nine of whoni.
are living: William H., Harvey, Arthur, Sarah, Edw^ard. David, Anna, Clarence and
Joseph E. William H. was reared on the farm, and attended school until after he wastwenty-one years of age. He worked for Sloan, in Bloomsburg, this county, a short time,
and then started out for himself. After marriage he located near Danville, Montour Co.,
Penn., on a farm, where he lived one year. He was appointed keeper of the Columbia
County poorhouse, but, finding it unsuitable to his taste, after one year moved back to
the farm and remained three years. He then resided two years in Mechanicsville, Penn.^,
and then moved on the Holfingshead farm where he remained for one year. In 1884 he
bought the farm where he now resides, and which consists of 140 acres. This property
He married, in September, 1868, Ellen Barnd, a
is the old homestead of his mother.
daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Barnd. They are the parents of nine children;
Charles, Josiah, Frank, Andrew, May, Elizabeth, Mattie, Lutora and Roy. Mr. and Mrs.
Roberts are members of the German Reformed Church; politically be is a Republican.
K. ROBINS, M. D., P. O. Catawissa, was born in Sunbury, Northumberland:
His parents, Aaron and Rebecca (Richardson) Robins, were
County, April 14, 1820.
natives of Pennsylvania and of English descent. His paternal ancestors came from England to this country with Wm. Penn. His paternal ancestors are traced to three brothers,
cation.

JOHN

to this country from England; two of them remained at Rhode Island, and the
His grandfather, Joseph Richardson, went into the
to Philadelphia, Penn.
Revolutionary war when about eighteen years of age, was wounded at the battle of
Brandywine and suffered from lameness the rest of his life. About the time of the Revolution he had begun the study of medicine; but after that struggle turned his attention to

who came
other

came

farming, and owned two farms near Danville. Our subject's father was a contractor and
He built the abutments for the Sunbuilder, which occupation he followed all his life.
bury dam, which was a noted piece of work. He owned 200 acres of land in Michigan, a
farm near Sunbury, another at Union Corners, a number of town and city proj^mies
in different places, and was quite wealthy at his death, which occurred in Sunbury in
John K. remained at home and attended the schools of his neighborhood. At the
1843.
age of twenty years he commenced the study of medicine and graduated in the allopathiccourse at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1842. In April of the same year hewent to Shamokin, Penn., where he soon had a good practice and remained three years.

407

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.

In January, 1846, he removed to Catawissa, where he has since enjoyed a very large practice.
In 1874 he took his son, WilHam B., who is also agraduate of Jefferson Medical College, into
partnership with him, and the firm has since been known as John K. Robins & Son. Dr.
Robins married, in November, 1847, Jane, daughter of Joseph Brobst. Five children have
been born to their union: Mary, wife of A. H. Sharpless; Ada; William B., married to
Emma Cleaver; Joseph and Rebecca. Dr. Robins is a member of the Episcopal Church,
and also of the Masonic fraternity. Lodge tSTo. 349, Chapter 272. He has held nearly all
the ofHces of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, and is a member of the Crusade Knight

Templars

at Danville.

I. H. SEESHOLTZ, merchant, Catawi'^sa, was born in Catawissa, Columbia
His father
Co., Penn., November 14, 1837, a son of Philip and Mary (Hull) Seesholtz.
was a native of Pennsj'lvania and his mother of New Jersey, and both were of German
descent.
His paternal grandfather came from Germany and located in Northumberland
County, near Sunbury, where he owned a farm and cultivated it until his death. Subject's father, a native of Northumberland County, Penn., was a potter, which trade he
followed a number of years. He came to Columbia County about 1830 and located in
Roaringcreek, where he resided several years, and then moved to Catawissa, bought
property and followed his trade a few years. He then bought a couple of farms and
turned his attention to agriculture, which he followed until his death in 1872. He lived
He was the father of the
in one house over fifty years; was a Republican in politics.
following named children: Matilda, Piifaler, Jeremiah S., Christian B., James M.,
the
Wilderness), and Sarah
(who
the
battle
of
Edmund H., Isaac H., William
was killed at
C. Sharpless.
Our subject attended school until 1859, when he read medicine and
attended two courses of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. In April,
1861, he enlisted in Company A, Sixth P.
V. C, "Iron Guards," and served under
Capt. Wallace Ricketts. He was appointed and served as second lieutenant six months;
resigned and enlisted in Company H, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and
was soon commissioned first lieutenant; in a short lime he resigned and joined Company
C, One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and rose to the position of
captain.
In June, 1865, he was mustered out.
He participated in nearly all of the battles
of the Army of the Potomac; was wounded September 20, 1862, at Shepardstown, Va.,
by a gunshot, which disabled him from duty for three or four months. He was. again
wounded by a gunshot in 1863, at Peeble's farm. Capt. Seesholtz was a brave soldier, to
which is due his promotion. At the close of the war he returned home and engaged in
mercantile business, which he has since carried on. He keeps a general line of merchandise and fertilizers, and his stock is valued at f o.OOO, insured.
He owns four houses and
four town lots and his store building. He married, in November, 1880, Martha Poland,
and they have one child, Sarah P. Mr. and Mrs. Seesholtz are members of the church.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R., Post 170; is serving as
quartermaster, and has held most of the ofl[ices of the post. He is a member of tiie
school board of which he was president in 1885, and is its present secretary. Politically
he is a Republican.
H. SHARPLESS, clerk, P. O. Catawissa, was born May 29. 1852, a son of
John and Sarah Ann (Harder) Sharpless, natives of Catawissa.
Benjamin Sharpless,
grandfather of our subject, came to this county while a young man. and was one of the
originators of the Catawissa Paper Company, with which he was connected until his death
in 1855.
At the time of his death he was ninety-tbree years old, and his wife had preceded him a number of years. They are buried in the Quaker Cemetery at Catawissa.
Our
subject's father was reared in Catawissa, and in early life was employed in the papermills.
He erected the building which is now known as "the corner drug store," there
kept a general stock of goods and operated the store until his death in 1868. He is buried
in Greenwood Cemetery, Catawissa.
His wife died in 1852 and is buried in the Quaker
Cemetery at Catawissa. Both were members of the Society of Friends. Our subject was
reared in Catawissa and received his early education in the schools of that place. In 1861
he entered the Kingston Seminary where he spent two years, and in his nineteenth year
became a student at the Westchester Classical Institute, where he also spent two years.
He then returned to Columbia County and commenced business in a store, building on
what was then known as " the Willetts farm," but now as " the Sharpless farm." He continued in this place doing business for three years, when he came to Catawissa and entered
the employ of C. F. Harder, with whom he remained until taking his present position

CAPT.

R

GEORGE

Truckenmiller, in May, 1886. He was married at Catawissa November 23,
Schmick, a native of Norristown, Penn., and a daughter of Daniel and
Catherine (Baldv) Schmick, natives of Catawissa, where the latter still resides, the former
having died in Korristown, in 1855. where he was general manager of the canal.
Mr.
and Mrs. Sharpless have four children John, Gilbert, Kate and Anna.
The parents
are members of the Lutheran Church.
In politics he is a Republican-Democrat.
FRANKLIN L. SHUMAN, associate judge, Catawissa, was born in Beaver Valley,
Penn., October 6, 1834, a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Hendershot) Shuman, both natives
of Pennsylvania and of German descent.
His great-grandfather came from Ger-

with A.

S.

1873, to Miss Ella

:

31

408

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

early day. His paternal grandfather, John, was one of the early settlers of
Catawissa ToAvnship, and here purchased a farm where he lived until his death.
He was a 'leading citizen and a substantial Democrat. Our subject's father. Christian,
was born and reared in Catawissa, and when about eighteen years of age, moved
to Northampton County, this State, where he learned the tanner's trade and worked
He then moved to Beaver Valley, this county, where he bought a mill
at it some time.
In 1855 he
property, which he operated several years, and also carried on tanning.

many at an

He owned three farms, a grist-mill.
entered mercantile business at the same place.
He at one
tannery, store and hotel, all of which he had in operation at the same time.
period possessed considerable wealth, but owing to misfortunes it w^as very much reduced
As a Democrat he took a deep interest in politics, and, although
at the time of his death.
never an aspirant for office, had a great influence over his Democratic friends. His death
occurred in 1885. Our subject was reared in Beaver Valley, this county, where he attended school until he had reached the age of nineteen years. Being of a very ambitious
character he longed for something higher and made up his mind to do something for himHe commenced to work for his father at one thing or another on his farm, in the
self.
store and the mill, and so continued until he was married, when he engaged in the lumber
business, keeping hotel at Beaver Valley, which industry he carried on until 1873. In the
meantime he had owned a half dozen farms, but disposed of them, except twenty acres
In 1870 he built a house in Catawissa into
adjoining Catawissa, which he still retains.
He then erected a large
which he moved, but which was destroyed by fire June 7, 1885.
two-story frame house, built on the same spot, in which he lives at present. He had only
resided here a short time after his first move when sickness attacked his family, and he
was compelled to abandon his home here and seek other quarters. However he was not
long in making up his mind, so he moved back to his old home in Beaver Valley, and
again embarked in mercantile business, to which he soon after added coal trade, also
carrying on a number of trades while living here. He moved back to Catawissa in 1875
In 1881 he bought the Zarr farm, which consisted of forty
where he has since lived.
acres, adjoining Catawissa, and laid it out in town |lots. which is known as "Shuman's
addition," on which there have been erected over 100 houses within the last few years.
The schoolhouse, one of the finest in the county, is also built on this addition. In 1884
he put in water-works in the town, which he and his sons control and are the individual
In the
owners of, although, under a chartered company, it is all in the Shuman family.
fall of 1885 he laid out a new cemetery in Catawissa in the'east end of Shuman's addition.
and
performing
serving
first
term
his
In 1876 he was elected associate judge, and after
He
hisduty'so manfully, he was re-elected in 1881, and is now serving his second term.
several
July 27, 1854, Angeline,
the
peace
terms.
He
married,
justice
of
been
has also
daughter of Minessa and Susanna (Hosier) Michael and to them have been born four children, only one of whom survives Paris H., married to Ada Boyer. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman
are members of St. John's Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has probably done more for Catawissa since living here in the way of building it up than any other
man in the vicinity. In educational interests, public improvements and all that pertains to
progress and advancement of the town, Mr. Shuman has taken an active and prominent part, and the record of his life will live, in the memory of those whose rugged ways
he smoothed and softened, after he has passed away.
M. A. SWANK, merchant, Catawissa. was born in Catawissa Township, this county,
May 6, 1845, a son of Jacob and Lydia (Waterhouse) Swank, natives of Pennsylvania and
of German descent. His grandfather, George, lived in Northumberland County, Penn.,
where he owned a farm and followed agricultural pursuits all his life. Our subject's
father was born in Northumberland County, and was a brick-maker by trade, w'hich he
followed until coming to this county, in 1838, and for a number of years thereafter. He
was then employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad for about eleven years; then
took up farming and gardening, which he has followed since. He resides about two miles
east of Catawissa, -where he owns a farm; is now in his seventieth year, but hale and
He was the father of nine children, si.x of whom are now living: Sarah Getchey,
stout.
Martin A., Wellington, Elwood, Clara Irwine and Anna Getchey. Our subject was reared
on the farm, but, being crippled, never worked much on it. He attended school until he
was about eighteen years old, and remained at home until the spring of 1877, when he
engaged in rnercantiie business in Catawissa, and here has since remained. He carries a
general line of groceries and dry goods valued at $5,000; has quite an extensive trade
and is one of the leading merchants of the town. He married in 1881 Louisa Geist, by
whom he bad two children: George and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Swank attend the services
of the Church.
E. M. TEWKSBURY, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Brooklyn, Susquehanna
Co., Penn., September 10, 1837, a son of Reuben and Martha (Cory) Tewksbury, the
former a native of Vermont, the latter of Rhode Island. The family is of pure English
descent, dating back to the early history of England. Among the London merchants was
John Tewksbury, one of the oldest friends of the Scriptures in England. As early as 1513
he had become the po.ssessor of a manuscript copy of the Bible and had attentively

—

'

CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP.

40'9"

studied it. Being a man of understanding, clever in all he undertook, a ready and fluent
speaker, and liking to get at the bottom of everything, Tewksbury, like Monmouth,
became very influential in the city of London, and one of the most learned in the Scriptures of any of the evangelicals. Our subject's grandfather was born in Massachusetts.
Reuben Tewksbury moved to Susquehanna County, Penn., witii his father, Sergt. Tewksbury, in 1803, and there resided until his death in 1861. He was a farmer and owned a
good farm. Our subject was reared on a farm, and remained witli his parents until fifteen years of age, when he entered Harford University, Susquehanna County, Penn., from
which he graduated after three years' hard study. His next pursuit was teaching school
in Dauphin County, near Harrisburg, Penn., where he taught one term in the winter of
1855-56.
In the summer of the latter year he came to this county and taught school in
Catawissa Township. He was engaged in teaching school and farming up to 1869, when
he bought the farm of 160 acres, where he has since remained. Tliis farm was taken up
in 1772 by David Shakespeare, who bought it from Thomas and John Penn, proprietors of
Pennsylvania. They paid £10 18 shillings for the whole tract of 218 acres. It is one of the
oldest farms in the section, and is known as "Shakespeare Springs." eighteen miles
north of Ft. Augusta (Sunbury). This section was then in Northumberland County, and
it is said to be the oldest title paper for many miles, having been patented during the
reign of George III. The next deed was from David Shakespeare to Joseph Mclntyre,
recorded August 26, 1797, but was sold in 1796. The next transfer was a will and deed byJoseph Mclntyre to his heirs and deed of heirs to William Mclntyre, April 29. 1816. The
first heirs were William Mclntyre, Mary (wife of John Yocum), Rachel (wife of Jacob
Fox), Patience, Sarah and Eleanor, and were the heirs among whom the estate was
divided. The next deed is given by William Mclntyre, April 9, 1840, to William H. Davison, from New Jerse}% the father of E. M. Tewksbury's wife. This deed covers a tract of
about 400 acres. The next title is by a will made in 1849 by William H. Davison to his
wife during her lifetime. After her death the farm fell to Barnett D., Jane (wife of
Peter Kern). Mary (wife of John Osburn), Elizabeth (wife of Lemuel Titsworth). Sarah
This family were
C. (wife of Franklin Titsworth) and Ellen (wife of E. M. Tewksbury).
The tarm was divided among them in tracts by deed of aboveall born in New Jersey.
named heirs of AVilliam H. Davison, deceased, to Edward M. Tewksbury, bearing date
April 1, 1869, who retams the 160 acres. One part of the original tract is owned by Peter
Co. at the same date.
Kern; 120 acres and sixty-five acres were deeded to Billmeyer
Mr. Tewksbury was married July 3, 1858, by the Rev. D. J. Waller, to Ellen Davison, by
whom he has two children: Martha D. and Eugene D. The family are all members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Tewksbnry is a prominent and successful citizen.
He was run over by a team of horses and suffers from lameness. In addition to his other
business he operates a dairy, and has been in that business for nine years. He is a member
of the Grange, in politics a Democrat; and now (1887) a member of the board of county
auditors, having been elected by a leading vote on the ticket.
WILLIAM H. TUTHILL, yard-fqreman of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad,
Catawissa, was born in Orange County, N. Y., November 2. 1833, and is a a son of Harris
and Mary (Duzenberry) Tuthlll, natives of the State of New York and of French-German
descent. His grandfather was born in the above named State and was a farmer, as is
Our subject, at
also Harris Tuthill. who is yet living in Orange Count}', N. Y.
twenty-five years of age, went to Tioga County, N. Y., and engaged in farming five
In the spring of 1864 he came to Catawissa and was employed by the Catawissa
years.
Railroad Company as a laborer with a gang of carpenters, building shops, and worked,
himself up to different positions until he was promoted yard-foreman, which oflice he has
He is one of the company's trustworthy men and an
held for about seventeen years.
active railroad man. He was married in December, 1858, to A. E. Cornwall, a native of
They have an
the State of New York, and they are the parents of one child, Mahala.
adopted daughter, Annie E. Mrs. Tuthill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Tuthill politically is a Democrat. He owns two houses and lots in Catawissa.
JOHN AVALTZ, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Schuylkill County, this
His father
State, September 21, 1830, a son of John and Magdalene (Schmidt) Waltz.
was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and his mother of Alsace, France. The former
left the old country about 1823, landed in Baltimore and then came to Chester County,
this State, where he remained for some years; then moved to Schuylkill County, where
he married and lived a number of years. He came to Columbia County, bought a lot in
Maine Township, where he lived about fifteen years, when he moved to Mifliiu Township,
and there resided with his daughter until his death, at the age of eighty-three years.
Our subject was reared in Schuylkill County until about five years of age, when he came
Heto this county with his parents and remained with them until he was twenty-one.
was then employed on the Lehigh Valley Railroad for about fifteen years in Carbon
He then came to Catawissa and was employed by the Catawi.ssa'
County, this State.
Railroad Company for about ten years. In 1871 he moved to where he now lives where
he had previously bought a small farm. He at once commenced to improve the place and
He now owns seventy acres of good land on which
built a fine barn at a cost of $1,100.

&

410

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

he does all kinds of trucking. Mr. Waltz has the name of being the best berry (" Big
Bob" and " Sharpless") raiser in this country, making it a specialty. He ships berries
as far as California, and has raised some of the finest in the country, eight making a
quart. He was married in 1857 to Anna L. Shuman, who bore him two children, Cv^ighlon S. and AlfrettaJ H., and died iu 1865. He next married, in 1869, Barbara Ritter.
Mr. Waltz and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. He formerly was a member of the K. of P.
W. G. TETTER, division engineer of the Catawissa division of the Philadelphia &
Reading Railroad, Catawissa, was born in Columbia County, Peuu., 'December 10, 1838,
a son of Lewis and Harriet B. (Gearhart) Yetter, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German
His grandfather, John, a shoemaker by trade, lived in Catawissa, where he
descent.
served as justice of the peace for a great many years. Our subject's great-grandfather.
Samuel, came from Virginia and settled near Catawissa, where he followed farming until
He served as major under George Washington, and after the war located near
his death.
Catawissa. Subject's father was born in 1811, and during his early life learned the trades
of chairmaker and painter. He afterward took up surveying, which he followed about
He served for thirty-five years as justice of the peace, and as notary
thirty-five years.
public for a long time, and had settled up some forty-five estates at the time of his death.
He was a substantial Republican. He was the father of five children, three of whom are
now living: William G., Albert and Mrs. Hannah A. Decker. He died January 24, 1880.
Our subject was brought up iu Catawissa, and attended school until about twenty years
of age, when he took up surveying under:ihis father, and followed it until September 20,
1862.
He was emplioyed by the Catawissa Railroad Company as rodman. which position
he held until 1865, when, on June 10 of that year, he was appointed roadmaster of
the Catawissa division, a responsibility he held until 1877, when he was promoted to
engineer, which office he held until 1882, when the title was changed to " division roadmaster" until 1885, when he received the title of '" division engineer." While serving as
roadmaster he did a great deal of railroad building for the company, and in 1871 built the
extension line from Milton to Williamsport, and also several short branches. He has
been an active railroad man since in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
Company. He has an interest in the Catawissa Bridge Company, owns two houses and lots
Mr. Yetter married, March 19, 1867, Diana,
in Catawissa, and also two lots in the town.
daughter of Seely and Sarah (Shoemaker) Swartwood. Mr. and Mrs. Yetter are the parents of two children: Harriet and Harry. Mrs. Yetter is a member of the Lutheran
Church. Mr. Yetter is widely known all over the Slate, is connected with the signal
service, is prominent in his county, and has hosts of friends.
W. A. YETTER, proprietor of the Susquehanna House, Catawissa, was born in Mainville, Penu., June 11, 1849, a son of Isaac and Mary (Kostenbander) Yetter, natives of the
same State. His grandparents on both sides, farmers, came from Bucks County, Penn., to
this county, where his paternal grandfather settled in Franklin Township and there died.
Our subject's father first settled in Franklin Township, but later moved to Maine Township, where he still resides, and is now about eighty years of age: his wife died iu NovemThey were parents of eleven children, of whom survive Elizabeth, wife of
ber, 1885.
William Hauk; Esther, wife of William T. Shuman; Matilda, wife of John Stokes; Jacob
B. Alfred; Wright A. and Boyd. Our subject was reared on a farm, and at the age of
eighteen learned telegraphy, and was given an office at Fairview on the Lehigh Valley
Railroad. After a short tune he was appointed telegraph operator and assistant freight
agent on the Catawissa Railroad (now the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad), which position he held five months, when he was promoted to an agency at Ringtown, for the same
company. He occupied that place about two years, when he accepted a position as operator on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, which, however, he resigned after a short time
With that
to accept a more remunerative one on the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad.
company he remained five months, when he was appointed to a position with the Catawissa Railroad Company, and remained with them until 1872, when the road was changed
With the latter company he remained as station agent at
to the Philadelphia & Reading.
Summit for about two years; then was transferred to Williamsport, where he acted as superHe was then transferred to a
intendent's clerk and car agent for three and a half years.
better position and increased salary at Temple, Berks County, where he acted as station
agent for four years and a half. In September, 1883, he took charge of the "Susquehanna
House " at Catawissa, which hotel he has since conducted, and which is first-class in every
Mr. Yetter married, November 10, 1875, Harriet Reifsnyder Keller, and five chilrespect.
dren were born to this union: Robert E., Hobert R., Desdamona, Marshall and Isaac.
Mr. Yetter is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 349. In politics he is a Republican.
JOHN" C. YOCUM. attorney at law, Catawissa, was born in Roaringcreek Township,
Columbia Co., Penn., April 23, 1854, a son of Elijah and Jane (Campbell) Yocum, natives
of Pennsylvania and of German-Scotch descent. His grandfather, Capt. John Yocum,
;

came from Germany to Amercia when quite young, and settled in Roaringcreek TownHe
ship, this county, where he purchased a farm and followed agriculture all his life.

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

411

He was a very large man and always
a good farmer and owned considerable land.
took great delight in showing his strength, and it is thought his life was shortened by
overdoing himself. He died at the age of fifty-two years, in the prime of life. He was
a Democrat poiiiically, which is rather remarkable, as all his children except the father
of our subject, who was always a Democrat, are Republicans, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject's father was a farmer and also
He owned three saw-milis in Locust Township, this county, and started
dealt in lumber.
At the time of his death he
in life wiili not money enough to buy a team of horses.
owned l.^OO acres of land. He died in 1883, in his sixty-ninth year. He had been a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church until the war when, politics being introduced
Our subject was reared on a farm
into the pulpit, he became disgusted and withdrew.
but was engaged in the lumber business with his father until seventeen years of age,
when he entered Ebysburg Academy, which he attended four terms. He then entered
Lebanon Valley College at Annville, Penn., where he graduated from the classical department in 1879. Previous to that, however, he had taught four terms of school at intervals
during the college course. In 1880 he entered the office of the Hon. Charles R. Buckalew
at Bloomsburg, with whom he read law two years, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1881.
In April, 1882, he came to Catawissa, and has since been practicing law here.
Mr. Yocum is a very able attorney. He married, October 28, 1885, Fannie C, daughter
of Jacob S. and Louise Killinger, a native of Annville, Lebanan Co., Penn. Mr. Yocum
is a member of the United Brethren Church, and Mrs. Yocum of the Reformed Church.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, No. 349, Catawissa Lodge; in politics a Democrat.
Mr. Yocum is the owner of a tract of land in Locust Township in timber, and
the house and lot where he resides. In October, 1884, he and C. E. Randall purchased the
Catawissa News Item, which is a neat seven-column, four-page sheet, and has a circulawas

tion of 1,500.

DANIEL ZARR, Jr., farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Berks County, this
March 17, 1835, a son of John and Catherine (Sline) Zarr, natives of Pennsylvania
and of German descent. His ancestors came from that country and settled in Berks
County where Ihej^ followed farming. His grandfather, George, lived in that county for
a number of years, later moved to Columbia County nearly a century ago, bought a farm
and built the stone house in the south end of Catawissa, which is now owned by Frank
Shumau. There were but two or three houses in Catawissa when he moved here. Our subject's father was born in Northampton County, Penn., and came here when a boy, but remained onl}^ a short time; then he moved to Berks County, where he remained a tew years
and, about 1835, returned to Catawissa where he resided until his death which occurred in
July, 1881, at the home of his son Daniel. He had been drafted in the service of his country,
but the war closed before he was called to the field. He was the father of nine children,
six of Avhom are living: David, John, Benjamin, Joel, Daniel and Jeremiah.
Three
daughters are dead. Daniel was only a babe when his parents moved here, and he remained at home until he was of age, attending school. He then worked for anybody and
everybody in order to support his parents, whom he cared for till their death. In 18^81 he
bought a farm of eighty-three acres of good land, where he now^ resides. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is an intelligent and enterprising citizen.
State,

CHAPTER

XXVITT.

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.
LEVI AIKMAN, farmer, P. O. Light Street, was born in what is now Centre
Township, this county, on the farm on which he now resides, on IMarch 4, 1816, son of
Levi, Sr., and IMargaret (Hutchison) Aikman, the latter of whom was born in Northampton County, Penn., her father being a farmer; she was reared in Northampton County,
and, her parents dying when she was a child, slie afterward came to this county.
Her ancestors were of Scotch-Irish extraction.
The Aikman family are also of Scotch-Irish extraction, Alexander Aikman having emigrated from the North of Ireland to this country.
He came to this county from Morris County, N. J., during the progress of the Revolutionary war, about 1777 or 1778. He had been previously married in New Jersey to Miss
Mary Lewis, and they came to this county with th^'ir children, among whom was Levi
Aikman, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch. With him also came three brothers.
He located on a tract of land which he purchased, the land on which Levi now resides

412

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ijeiiii? part of his original purchase, although he himself located about a half mile east.
Tliere were but few settlers in this vicinity when he came, probably a couple of families,
and he found his purchase, which is in the Briar creek valley, covered with a very heavy
growth of timber. He commenced by cutting down trees enough to hew out the logs for u
culnn in which he could domicile his family, and, this task accomplished, he set about clearing up a farm in the heart of the wilderness. Here there were bears and wolves in large
jiumbers, and Levi Aikman, Sr., often related to his family in later days that when he
came deer were more plentiful than are sheep at the present day. He became quite expert
Jn deer hunting, and killed quite a number of bears during the time he lived in the county.
When Alexander Aikman tirst came out he was accompanied only by his three sons, and
after getting his 900 acres located, his cabin built and three acres of turnips planted, he
and his sous went back to the neighborhood of Sunbury, Northumberland County, to bringout the remainder of the family who had been temporarily left there. While they were
at that place making prei)arations to return to this localit.y, the Indian war broke out.
.rendering it unsafe to venture back to their then western home.
So when Alexander
Aikman received an offer from a man who wished to purchase a part of his land, he sold
600 acres. He afterward often related how the compensation he got for this large tract
was realized from the sale of thirty yards of tow cloth, he having been obliged to Take his
paj- in Continental money.
They then returned to Morris County, N.J. After the Indian troubles, however, the family came out to this county, and here Alexander and his
wife lived until their death. The former died in the latter part of the last century; the
latter survived him some time.
They are buried in Scott Township, but not in a regular
•cemetery, as there was none in the county at the time of their death.
Of their seven
.children Levi, Sr., was the second in order of age.
Born in New^ Jersey in 1766, he was
but a boy when his parents came to this county, and as he grew up he also witnessed the
/gradual progress of what is now Columbia County.
He macle his home witii his parents
until he was married.
He had received some educational instruction in New Jersey, liut
-on coming to this locality the meager educational facilities of that day allowed him but a
month or so more of schooling. He spent his l:)oyhood days here at work on his father's
ifarm, and when he was about thirty years of age he was married to Miss Margaret Hutchison.
Before his marriage he had bought the land on which his son Levi now resides, and
on which he had previously done some work, and after his marriage lie and his wife settled
on this land. Here he followed farming until about fifteen years before his death, after
which time he lived a retired life. They were the parents of eight children, of whom two
.are living: Levi, subject of this sketch, and James Emmett, born April 19, 1819. and
who makes his home with Levi. Those that died were Sarah, wife of George Hidlay;
Esther, wife of Abraham Willett; Elizabeth, died at the age of three or four years; Mary,
wife of James Dewitt; John Wilson and Margaret. Levi Aikman. Sr., died in 1846, being
preceded in death by his wife some six or eight years. Thej^ are buried at the Hidlay
Union Church. Levi Aikman, subject of this sketch, is next to the youngest of their eight
children.
He was lioru and reared on the tract of land where he now resides, has always
made it his home, and has only removed once, and that time out of an old house into a
.new one. He was reared to farm life, and received the advantages of the schools of his
day. He taught school three teims when a young man, but did not like the occupation,
and afterward gave his attention to farming. He was married in Hemlock Township, this
county. April 24, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Ohl, a native of Hemlock Township, and daughter of John and Lena (Girton) Ohl, the former of whom came when a bo.y with his parents
to this county from Montgomery County, Penn.: the latter was Ijorn in Hemlock Township, but her parents came from New Jersey.
The Ohls were originally of German, the
Girtons of English, lineage. Henry Ohl, grandfather of Mrs. Aikman, was a captain in
the Revolutionary war. He died at the age of eighty-six years, and is buried in the Lutheran
cemetery, in Bloomsburg, as is also his wife. The parents of Mrs. Aikman are both deceased, her father dying in 1855, at the age of sixty-three years, eleven months, and her
mother in 1869, at the age of seventy years. They are buried in Rosemont Cemetery,
Bloomsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Aikman are the parents of four children: John Hervey, a graduate of the State Normal School, Bloomsburg, Penn.; Lena Margaret, wife of Arthur C.
•Creasy of Centre Township, this county; ClaVa Elizabeth, wife of H. V. White, attorney
:and grain dealer, of Bloomsburg, Penn., and Mary Alvernon. Mr. and Mrs. Aikman are
members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Aikman was identified in times past with the
Whig party, and cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He is now a Republican.
J. E. An Township, this county, April 28, 1819, son of Levi, Sr., and Margaret (Hutchison) Aikman, a full sketch of whom appears above. Our subject made his home with his parents
until they died, following farming, and helping his father until twenty-one years of age,
after which he worked on shares on the place.
After the father's death J. E. and Levi,
Jr., purchased the old homestead, J. E buying about 137 acres.
He now has 100 acres of
fine farm land, among the finest in the valley, and also has thirty acres of timber land.
He received his education in the subscription schools of his day, spending about three
.months in the year in school during the time of his attendance, and the remainder of the

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

-ilS

year at work on the farm. He is a Republican politically. During the war he was a
strong Union man. and contributed largely" from his funds toward the Union cause. He
is a rnember of the P. of H. and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JACOB AUL, farmer, P. O. Lime Ridge, was born in New York City, March 30, 1847.
son of Jacob and Catherine (Berger) Aul. Both parents were natives of Germany, but
were married after coming to this country.. When Jacob was an infant of four weeks his
parents removed to this county and located at Bloomsburg, where the father worked at
ihe Irondale furnace. Both parents died at Bloomsburg; the father in 1854, and the
mother about 1877, and are buried in Rosemont Cemetery. Jacob was reared at Bloomsburg till reaching the age of eleven years, when he returned to New York Cit3^ and was
engaged in different occupations, among which were driving express wagon and working
in the market, etc.
He remained there about six years, and then entered the service of
After coming out of the service he
his country, although hardly seventeen years of age.
went back to New'York, and was engaged in the market a short time, and then went
to New Market, N. H., where he was engaged in the New Market Cotton Manufacturing
Company's employ. He remained there one winter, then returned to New York and
Here he comremained there about three months; then came back to Bloomsburg.
menced the blacksmith trade with Maurice Sloan, and remained with him and Stephen
Know, while learning his trade, about two years, one year with each. Having finished
his apprenticeship he was employed in the tunnel at Oxford, N. J., on the D. L. & W.
Ry., throughout its construction, and after that returned to the blacksmith trade at
Bloomsburg. He remained there one summer and then again went to New York, where
he enlisted in the regular army in Company A, Fourth United States Cavalry, and from there
went to Carlisle, where he stayed two weeks; then to St. Louis; was there one year; then
to Jacksboro, Tex., and was there six or eight months; thence marched to Fort Clark on
the Rio Grande, where he remained about one year; thence to McKavitt, and there he was
transferred to Company G; was there five or six months, then went to Curryvillle, Tex.,
and after a short time was ordered back to Fort Clark; and after a time marched to Texas
and to the Cheyenne Agency, Indian Territory, at which place he was discharged. During the time of his service he was engaged in Indian fighting, and was in one regular
engagement on Mexican soil. After his discharge he came back to Bloomsburg, and made
that city his home until coming to his present location, which he bought and moved on
in 1884.
During his last residence in Bloomsburg, however, he traveled a great deal,
'taking in," among other places, the Centennial at Philadelphia. He was married at
Bloomsburg in September, 1877, to Miss Catherine Traub, a native of this county, and
daughter of Jacob Traub. Her parents are both deceased and are buried at Numidia,
this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Aul are the parents of five children, of whom four are living:
George E., Mabel Alice, Harry and Bruce Raymond. Mary is deceased. Mr. Aul is a
Democrat, politically. As previously stated, he enlisted in the Union Army when not seventeen years of age. That was August 11, 1863, in Company H, Tenth New Hampshire
Volunteers. He was in the Army of the Potomac under Butler, and was in engagements
at Cold Harbor, and participated in the hot work and all the principal engagements in
the vicinitj'of Petersburg and Richmond, and surrender of Lee. He remained in the service till the close of the war, was discharged at the Point of Rocks, and returned to New

York.
H. C. BARTON, farmer, P. O. Lime Ridge, was born at Epsy, this county, January
10, 1832, son of Cyrus and Catherine (Brewer) Barton.
Elisha Barton, grandfather of our
subject, was born in Virginia, June 21, 1743, and was a son of Thomas Barton, a native
of England.
Elisha Barton came into Pennsylvania and located finally in what is
now Hemlock Township, Columbia County, close to McKelvy's mill. He bought a
very large tract of land which was of considerable width, and extended in length from
Fishing creek to the vicinity of Buckhorn, a distance of between three and four miles.
This land was, at the time he acquired possession, covered with a heavy growth of timber, and he set about clearing up a portion of it, and on this cleared land he carried on
agriculture.
The maiden name of his wife was Anna McCarter, born in New Jersey,
March 20, 1754. They reared a large familj', but none of their children now survive. On
this land Elisha Barton and his wife lived until their death.
They are buried in the old
Episcopal graveyard at Bloomsburg. A portion of this large tract of land was afterward
discovered to be very valuable ore land, and one of his sons, Caleb, afterward became
wealthy from the proceeds of this land, having an income of between $4,000 and $5,000
per year from that source. Cyrus Barton, father of H. C. was born at the old homestead
of his father, where he was reared. He made his home with his father until arriving at
When he came to Bloomsburg
age, assisting his father a portion of the time on the farm.
there was but a cluster of houses there, none of its industries having been then developed,
and he and his brother John entered mercantile business, being among the early merchants of the place. There they remained in business until about 1828 or 1829, when
Cyrus removed to Espy, and commenced keeping store in a building which had been put
up by one Henry Edgar for a residence. In a portion of this Mr. Barton kept his store,
and in the remainder he and his family lived. He was the first merchant in Espy, and

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

4:14

be ranked amoug her business

men until about 1860, when he sold out his stock and reHe died there about three years later and is buried at Afton.
resides at Espy in the same house the family lived in so long.
They were
the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living: Anna Eliza, wife of Jacob Adams,
a minister of the Methodist denomination at Delaware, Ohio; H. C.; John A., cashier of
Pardee
Co., at Hazieton, Penn. (he has held that position for over twenty years); Mary
Alice, who resides with her mother at Espy; William A., bookkeeper at Hazieton, Penn.;
Charles Frank, residing at Buffalo, N. Y., where he is bookkeeper for a large milling concern; and Florence, wife of William Inglehart, an extensive miller, of Evansville, Ind.
H. C. Barton, subject of this sketch, made his home with his parents until he was eighteen
years of age, engaged principally in clerking in his father's store. He attended the
schools of Espy, and when sufficiently advanced, went to the Wyoming Seminary, at
Kingston, which he attended about one year. On arriving at the age of eighteen he
went to Scranton, Penn., and sold goods for a merchant named Thompson for about six
tired

from active business.

His widow

still

&

months; then engaged with the Scrantons, with whom he remained about two years
selling goods.
One year he sold $50,00(3 worth of goods behind the retail counter, an
extraordinary amount for one clerk. After leaving their employ he entered the service of
Weils & Co., who were then engaged in an extensive contract on the construction of the
Lackawanna Railroad. While with them he clerked in their store, assisting on their
books, etc., and was in their employ one year. He then returned to this county. While
with his last employers he was appointed postmaster at Stanhope, a position he held until

returning to his native county. At this time he embarked in mercantile business at Lime
Ridge, and so continued about one year. Then in 1856 he moved to Espy, where he
spent a portion of the summer, and then went back to Scranton and engaged in mercantile business in partnership with one Hawley.
This business continued until the spring
of 1858, when our subject again entered, along with his brother-in-law, E. W. M. Low,
into mercantile business. This partnership continued until the spring of 1860 when he
removed onto the farm then belonging to the heirs of Isaac Low, his wife being one of the
heirs.
At a sale afterward he became the piu-chaser and owner. In 1866 he went to Williamsport, where he was engaged in contracting and building, and afterward in the manufacture of axes, continuing in tiiat until the spring of I871,"when he moved back to their
farm in Centre Township, on which he has since"^ resided. He was married in the house
in which he now resides while a resident of Scranton. May 8, 1856, to Miss Mary Frances
Low, a native of what is now Centre Township, this county, born in the house where she now
resides, and daughter of Isaac and Maria Low.
Mr. and Mrs. Barton are the parents of
two children: Laura and Edith, the latter a stenographer at Dansville, N. Y. Both
were educated at the State Normal School at Bloom.sburg. Mr. Barton is a member of
Centre Grange, No. 56, P. of H.
He was its tirst secretary, a position he held for
about three years: has been Master of the Grange and is now tilling the position of lecturer
for the local Grange.
He is a trustee of Lime Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church, of
which denomination Mr. and Mrs. Barton are members.
N. L. CAMPBELL, retired farmer, P. O. Espy, was born in Warren County, N. J.,
March 10, 1835, son of Richard and Mary C. (Lanning) Campbell. Daniel Campbell,
grandfather of our subject, was born in New Jersey, of Scotch descent, his parents having
come directly from Scotland to New Jersey. He was married to Rachel Howe, in New
Jersey, and in that State they remained until coming to Northumberland County, Penn.,
where they died. Daniel belonged to a uniformed company of light infantry in the Continental service, and served seven years in the colonial forces through the Revolutionary
war immediately under Washington, and participated in the engagements at Bunker Hill
and Brandywine; was also at the surrender of Cornvvallis at Yorktown. Although he
went through that terrible winter at Valley Forge, he came through his seven years of
service without having been on the sick list a single day, and was never wounded,
although his military hat. which was kept in the family for a number of years after independence was gained, showed seven bullet holes in it, as mementoes of the struggle. He
was a man of iron constitution, and considerably above the average in height, standing
six feet two inches in his stockings.
When he came to Northumberland County he located in what is called the Irish Valley, and took 1,500 acres of land, several of his sons
locating around him. These sons were John, Robert, William, Benjamin and Daniel.
His sons, Elijah, Jarred and Theodore, also located there, but when Richard, the father of
N. L., came to that locality, these three had removed to Ohio.
George Campbell,
anotiier son, was the only one of the family who came immediately to what is now Columbia County. He located at Berwick when there was only a cluster of houses to mark
the spot where that flourishing borough now stands. He lived there until he died, carrying on the tailoring business. Daniel Campbell, grandfather of N. L., died at his Northumberland County residence in 1834, at the age of ninety-six years.
His wife
had preceded him in death by a number of vears.
They are buried in the
Warrior Run Cemetery. Part of the land which Daniel took up is now used by the
Treverton Coal Company, which does an extensive mining business. Richard Campbell,
father of N. L., was born in New Jersey, and there grew up and was married to Miss

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

415

Possessing the military spirit of bis father he went out in the war of
C. Lanning.
through Avhich he served, and on returning he remained at home until 1817, when the
Indian troubles breaking out afresh, he again offered his services, and remained out until
quiet was restored. He traveled about considerably in his early life, and was thirty-seven
Sears of age when he settled down and married. In 1882 he and his family removed to
forthumberland County, and from there they came to Madison Township, this county,
thence to Hemlock Township, and thence to Centre Township, where they died while
makina: their home with their son, N. L. The mother died October 31, 1855. the father
one month later. They are buried in Rosemont Cemetery at Bloomsburg. They were
the parents of six children, of wiiom four are now living: Rachel, wife of Evanuel
Houpt, in Johnson City, Tenn. N. L. James I., living near Orangeville, this county;
Andrew Jackson, living at Danville, this county. The deceased are Mehitable Ann. wife
Our subof Joseph Hunter, died in Danville, and Sarah "Elizabeth, who was unmarried.
ject was seven years of age when his parents removed to Northumberland County, Penn.,
and two years later they came to this county, where he was reared to manhood. He
made his home with his parents until he was married, and then located at his present residence in Centre Township. He was married, February 21, 1849, to Miss Sarah Webb, a
daughter of Samuel and Mary Webb, both natives of this county, whose parents came
here from one of the lower counties in Pennsylvania at a day when it was necessary to go
Both the parents and grandparents of Mrs. Campto Northumberland County to mill.
Mr.
bell died in this county, and are all buried in Briarcreek Union Church Cemetery.
and Mrs. Campbell were the parents of three children: David W., married to Miss Martha
Bittenbender (they live in this township); Elmira Jane, wife of C. W. Walker (they live
Mrs. Campbell died in the latter part of
at Atchison, Kas.), and an infant (deceased).
December, 1854, and is buried in the Bloomsburg Cemetery. Mr. Campbell then married,
in 1856, Miss Eleanor N. McVicker, a native of this county, and daughter of James and
Sarah McVicker. She died in 1866. In 1868 Mr. Campbell was married to Isabella RobiBy this marriage there were three chil
son, a native of this county, who died in 1872.
The deceased were Infants unnamed. Mr.
dren, of whom one is living— Ario Vistus.
is
member
of
the
Presbyterian
a
Church at Bloomsburg. He has sixty-three
Campbell
acres of land in this township, and thirty-two in Hemlock Township, this county. Mr.
Campbell has been connected with the schools of Centre Township as director. He is a
member of the P. of H., and was the organizer oT Centre Grange, No. 56, serving as MasHe afterward served
ter of the Grange for three years, the first one to hold this position.
two terms as lecturer for the Grange. Mr. Campbell's last wife acted as volunteer nurse
through the civil war in Mrs. Bigelow's corps. She was an eminently Christian woman, an
affectionate wife, a kind mother and a warm friend until death.
Her remains are buried in
Rosemont Cemetery, at Bloomsburg. Our subject says he "was an active supporter of
his Government during the late Rebellion; was twice summoned to Harrisliurg as wiiness
on the trial of one who was a reported leader of what was then called the Fishingcreek
confederacy. The rebutting testimony on that trial, which is now a matter of histor}-, is
so wide of the truth and so improbable under the circumstances, the idea of an unarmed
man going into a neighborhood where it was reported and confidently believed at the time
that there were 500 armed men to resist the draft and prohibit the enlisting of men for the
service
and entering into a quarrel with a reputed leader, and in the presence of four
bar-room loungers and communicating his business, is so highly improbable, that he
never intended to treat the matter with any other than silent contempt, as no one but an
idiot would ever believe the statement unless he believed he (our subject) possessed more
courage than the combined Fi.shingcreek confederacy."
PHILIP CREASY, farmer, P. O. Lime Ridge, was born in Mifflin Townshifi. this
county, July 30, 1826; son of John and Margaret (Dietrich) Creasy. Philip Creasy, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in one of the lower counties of Penns^^lvania, and from there came to what is now Columbia County, when a young man. and
located in Mifflin Township, where Philip Creasy now resides. He was a farmer by occupation, but game being plentiful when he came, he indulged a great deal in hunting. He
was married in tliis county to a Miss Bauman, and they lived on that place until their
death.
He cleared up the land on the place where he located, all of it being then covered with a heavy growth of timber. He and his wife are both buried on the old homestead.
John Creasy, father of the subject of this sketch, was born and reared on the old
homestead of his father, and worked with the latter until his marriage. He then bought
land in the vicinity of his father's home, part of which had been previously cleared, and
on which there were some building improvements. He afterward sold that place, about
1839, and bought a farm in what is now Centre Township, to which he removed. That tract
He found about half of it cleared, and
is now the farms of Philip, Elias and Lafayette.
he and his boys cleared up the remainder. He died while living on this place. He was
married in this county to Miss Margaret Dietrich. Her parents were also early settlers,
having come from one of the lower counties. Mr. and Mrs. John Creasy were the parents
of eleven children, of whom eight are now living; Elias, in Centre Township, this county;
Eve, wife of Daniel Hess in Mifflin County; Jacob and Philip, twins, the former in Vir-

Mary
1812,

;

—

—

;

416

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ginia; Lafayette, also in Centre Township; Caleb, in Mifflinville, this count.y; John, in
Fishingcree'k Township, this county, and Stephen in Gartield County, Iowa. John
Creasy, father of the above, died in iS45: his widow survived him until I8t2. The former
is buried at Creasy Cemetery in Mitflin Township, the latter at the Brick Church, Briarcreek Township, this county. Philip Creasy, subject of this sketch, was but a boy when
his parents removed to Centre Township, and here w'as reared to manhood.
He made his
liome with his father until the latter's death, and continued to live on the homestead until
he built his present large brick residence in 1872. He was married in this county about
1851, to Miss Mary Rachel Hageubuch, a native of this township, daughter of Daniel and
Elizabeth (Hill) Hagenbuch. Mr. and Mrs. Creasy are the parents of seven children:
Arthur Clarence, married to Miss Margaret Aikman (they reside in this township); John
Daniel, married to Miss Alice Reedy (they live inNescopeck, Peun.); Elizabeth, wife of T.
D. Strauss (they live at Lime Ridge, Penn.); Verua, Charles, Wilson and Frank. Mr. and
Mrs. Creasy are members of the
School Lutheran Church. He has held local township otfices, having been school director, overseer of the poor, supervisor, etc.
He is a
member of the Grange Association. John Creasy, father of Philip, started west about
two years before coming to Centre Township. Taking two horses and a truck wagon he
and t3is wife teamed it through as far as Kalamazoo, MicJi., through a country, much of
which was then inhabited by Indians, camping out at night. He went out merely on a
visit, and would probably have stayed if tlie locality had suited him.
He could then have
bought all the good land he wanted there for 10 shillings per acre, but it did not suit
him. and he returned by the same means as he had gone.
CREVELING, farmer, P. O. Light Street, was born in what is now Centre
Township, this county, September 30, 1830, a son of Alexander and Rebecca (Marr) Creveling.
Andrew Creveling. grandfather of Samuel, came to what is now Columbia County from the State of
Jersey, and located near what is now Espytown, in Scott Township, where he bought land and made improvements after the fashion of that day.
At
that time, and for years, there were no milling facilities closer than Sunbury, and he
used to send his boys down to Sunbury with wheat to be ground; the}^ generally loaded
about fifteen bushels of grain on a canoe, "poling " to Sunbury and retuni. He was married in
Jersey before coming to this county, and, on locating in what is now Scott
Township, they made their home in that vicinity until they died. Of their children all
are deceased.
Alexander Creveling, sou of the above, and father of Samuel, was born in
what is now Columbia County, Penn.. and was reared to farm life. This he followed
alone until 1850, when he built the tannery now owned bj' Jacob Rink, in Centre Township.
He had bought land, on part of which the tannery is located, in the early part of
the present century, and after putting up the tannery, he managed that business and carried on farming until his death.
He was married in this county to Miss Rebecca Marr, a
native of this county and daughter of Lawrence Marr. Her parents came to this county
from Scotland, located near Eastou, Penn.. and from there removed to this county, where
both died and are buried in Hidlay Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Creveling
were the parents of sixteen children, of whom three are living: Cyrus, in Buffalo Valley,
Union Co., Penn.; Samuel, and Franklin, in Centre Township, this county. Alexander
Creveling died August 10, 1857; his wife in January, 1833. They are burled in Hidlay
Cemetery. At the time of his death Mr. Creveling was the owner of 187 acres of land and
the tannery property. Samuel Creveling, subject of this sketch, was born and reared at
the place where he now resides. When'a boy he principally assisted his father in the
farm work, but worked occasionally in the tannery, especially in winter, and in about
1849-50 he used to haul hides in the winter season from Scranton, Pittston, Wilkesbarre
and other places to the tannery. Scranton at that time contained but a few houses, and
depended entirely on one or two ^collieries. After his father's death, however, Samuel
gave his attention entirel}^ to farming. He was married in this county September 24,
1857, to Miss Mary Ann Lamon. a native of this county and daughter of James and Hannah (Spear) Lamon, natives of Ireland, who on coming to this country first located near
Mauch Chunk; from there they removed to Briarcreek Township, this county, and there
they lived until their death; the former died in 1872 and the latter in the fall of 1878,
and are burled at Berwick, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Creveling were the parents of
nine children, of
six are living: Hiram Jasper, married to Miss Sarah Melick, living at Pittston, Penn.; Marietta, wife of Elmer Creveling, living near Espytown, this
county; Ella, Willbert 6., Clarence Alexander and Grace Edna. Annie Irene, Jennie
Eudella and Charles Wesley are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Creveling are members of the
Methodist Church. He has 177 acres of land. The place on which his home is located
is a part of the first tract taken up between the mouths of Fishing creek and East Briar
creek, the original grant, still in Mr. Creveling's possession, bearing the name and seal of
William Penn, and bearing the date of 1769. The Creveling family were great hunters
and rifle shots, and some of them were very expert at the latter act". The father of Samuel killed two bears in the vicinity of the latter's home.
He, like the other men of the
family, was a fine rifle shot.

Xew

SAMUEL

New

New

whom

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

JOHN

417

CRYDER,

farmer, P. O. Willow Spring, was born in Briarcreek TownThomas S.
1860, son of Isaac L. and Mary (Hicks) Cryder.
Cryder, irraudfather of John C, removed from Philadelphia to this coimtj' in the early
He had been a carpenpart of the present century, coming- with his mother and sisters.
ter in Philadelphia, an occupation he followed to some extent after coming to this county.
death
by
a
number of years, and
having
him
in
preceded
He died March 16, 1878. his wife
was buried in Philadelphia. He (Thomas S. Cryder) was buried in Berwick, Penn. Isaac
L. Cryder, father of John C, was born in Philadelphia in August, 1834, and was reared to
farm life. He bought a farm of 100 acres in Briarcreek Township, on which he located,
and in November, 1867, removed to the Briarcreek grocery, which he conducted for eighteen
months. In 1869 he bought the farm where his sou L. H. now resides in Centre Township,
and there he lived and died. He was married in this county to Miss Mary Hicks, February
18. 1858, and they were the parents of three children, two of whom are living: John C.
and Leoni H. Edwin A. is deceased. The father of the family died May 5, 1877, and is
buried at Berwick, this county. His widow resides with her son, Leoni H. John C. Cryder,
the subject of this sketch, was reared in Briarcreek Township to farm life, attending the
schools of Briarcreek and Centre Townships, and the State normal at Bloomsburg, where
He was married in this county
lie remained about two years taking the classical course.
February 17, l88o, to Cora A. Creveliug, a member of an early settler's familj' of the
Mr. Cryder and
count}', and they are the parents of one child, Harold Creveling Cryder.
Leoni H. Cryder was boin
his brother, Leoni H., have 143 acres of land in this township.
in Briarcreek Township, this county, August 5, 1865, and was reared in Briarcreek and
Centre Townships. He makes his home in Centre Township, he and his mother living
together.
He received his education in the schools of Centre Township, attending also
twc) terms at the State normal at Bloomsburg.
Z. T. FOWLER, dealer in grain and coal, etc.. Willow Springs, was born in what is
now Centre Township, this county, September 30, 1848, son of Gilbert H. and Catherine
(Smith) Fowler. Benjamin Fowler, grandfather of Z. T.. came to what is now Columbia
County from Reading, shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war. He was l)orn in
England, and when seventeen years of age came to America, and, being a Briton by birth,
he naturally drifted into the British army, and was engaged in that war entirely through
that struggle, participating in all of the battles in which his regiment was engaged,
being with the army at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. After the war he went
into the Wyoming "Valley with a number of others, but those of the class to which he
belonged did not affiliate in friendship with the Pennamites, or French and Indian classes,
and the latter having the odds in numerical strength, Mr. Fowler and his friends, for
their own safety, took their departure from the valley by way of New York State. From
there they went to Reading, but being determined to locate farther up and along the
Susquehanna River, he came to what is now Columbia County on a pack horse, and took
up land— the home farm of Lafayette Creasy being part of the tract settled on. He found
this land covered with scrub oak and hazel brush, and he settled about putting up a shanty
for his own occupancy, but about the time he got started clearing up the place he was
driven off by the Indians. He went back to Reading, and while there was married to
Miss Catherine Fowler, who had previously lived in this vicinity. They packed provisions enough to last them a year, corn and rye being the principal staples, transporting
them to their new home by packs. Arriving here they located on land which S. H.
Swank now owns and lives on, and there Mr. Fowler built a log house. He had put out a
small crop of corn and rye at his previous location, and when it was ripe he went up there
and gathered the crops. There were two or three other families living within a radius of
a few miles when they came, and when they found there was a new family among them,
they being almost destitute, came and borrowed corn meal and other supplies which had
been brought by Mr. Fowler, until nearly all his supplies were gone, and for four months,
on account of their generosity, the only food they had besides wild game was dried apples
and milk. At this location both Benjamin Fowler and his wife lived until they died.
They are buried at the Stone Church, in Briarcreek Township, this county. Gilbert H.,
the youngest of their nine children, was born in the log house erected by his father, and
here he was reared to manhood. He lived on that place until his death. He and his
brother William purchased their father's farm of about 100 acres during the hard times of
1836.
Gilbert H. was twice married.
His first wife was a Miss Mack, and by her he had
ten children, the following named now living: M. P., at Shenandoah, Penn.; Charles S.,
at Scrautou, Penn. A. P., also at Scranton; John W., in Lehigh County, Penn. Jane, wife
of J. R. Millard, in Dunlap, Kan. The deceased are Sallie Ann, wife of Samuel Bittenbender (he now lives in Kansas); Lydia, wife of J. P. Conner (both were drowned in the
canal April 8, 1878), and three who clied in infancy. Mr. Fowler's second wife was a Miss
Catherine Smith, born in Mifflin Township, this county, and by her he had four children,
following named now living: S. S., living in Elizabeth City, N. C, where he is engaged
in tlie dry goods and notion business, and also carries on the manufacture of cotton, he
having established one of the first cotton factories in the South after the war; Elmira.
wife of Samuel J. Conner, living in Briarcreek Township, this county, and Z. T. Clemuel
C.
ship, this count}-,

March

;

1,

:

418

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

L. died at the age of four years.
Gilbert H. Fowler died March 24, 1873, at Elizabeth
City, N. C, where he had been spending the winter on account of his health, and is buried
in the Berwick Cemetery.
Z. T. Fowler, subject of this sketch, received his early education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and afterward attended Williamsport

Seminary. After returning from school he became engaged in general merchandising and
farming in connection with his brother, S. S. After four years the latter went South, and
Mr. Fowler's father took his interest; but after one year he retired from the farm, and Z.
T. carried on Ihe business for three years alone. He then sold out his store, and bought
a farm of twelve acres and residence at Willow Grove Station, since which time, 1875, he
has carried on the coal and grain business there. He also has charge of the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western R. R. office at this point. He was appointed postmaster there when
he came, which position he has since held. He was married in this county November 17,
1868, to Miss Jennie S. Watts, a native of Luzerne County, Penn., and daughter of John
W. and Julia Watts (both deceased), the former born in Juniata County, the latter near
Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are the parents of three children,

two

of

whom

Dayton Watts

died in their infancy.

is

the

name

of their living child.

Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are members "of the Methodist Chnrch. He is a Republican, politiHe was postmaster at Fowlerville for four years, succeeding his father, who had
cally.
held the office from the time of Lincoln's first election.
WESLEY B. FREAS, farmer, P. O. Fowlersville, was born in Briarcreek Township, this county, April 10, 1813. son of Philip and Sarah (Fowler) Freas.
John Freas,
grandfather of Wesley B.. was born in Mount Bethel, Lehigh Co., Penn., and was there
reared to farm life. He was there married to Miss Dorcas Hoffman, and they moved from
Mount Bethel to what is now Columbia County, about 1795, and located on land which
now belongs to Levi Ganett, in Briarcreek Township. He bought a small piece of rather
rough land there, which he found covered with a heavy growth of timl)er. They had
come up by wagon, and while Mr. Freas was enirageil in putting up his cabin, the family
lived in their wagon.
He cleared up a space sufficient to place his buildings on, and with
the timber thus cut down, he put up his rude log cabin.
At one end of his cabin he erected a shed, in whit'h t» keep his cow. After getting up his cabin he cleared up a small
piece more, and put out a small crop of rye.
Thus thingswent on until he had cleared up
a good portion of this land, each year putting out a little larger crop.
Game of all kinds
was abundant. The Indians were yet numerous, and when trouble was expected, the
family were in the habit of retiring to Fort Jenkins until such excitement would calm
down. He lived at this place a number of years, and when he left it and moved to a farm
he had bought in what is now Centre Township (now owned l)yM. W. Jackson) his family
was all grown up. Tiiere he remained the remainder of his lifetime, and when he died at
the age of eighty-four years, about 1839, he was quite well off. His widow survived him some
five orsix years.
They are buried at the Stone Church, Briarcreek Township, this couuty.
Of their twelve children, Philip, father of our subject, was the second in order of birth.
He was born in Mount Bethel, Penn., and when the family removed to what is now Columbia County, he was about ten years of age. He made his home with his parents until
he was married, and after that removed to the place which his father had bought, now
known as the M. W. Jackson farm. There he lived only about eight years, and then
bought a farm which Jesse Freas now owns, also in CV ntre Township, and there he lived
until his death.
He was married to Miss Sarah Fowler, a native of this county and
daughter of Benjamin Fowler, and they were the parents of eleven children, of whom six
are living: Wesley B.; Rebecca, wife of Paul Zaner. living in this towMiship; Martha,
widow of Abraham Hartmau; Minerva, wife of Stephen Hutten. living in Orangeville, this
county; Jesse, also living in Orangeville; Berch, living in Bloomsburg. this county. The
father of this family died in about 18(55; his widow survived him by about six j^ears. They
are buried at the Stone Church. Briarcreek Township, this county. Wesley B. Freas. subject of this sketch, was reared in this county, and madeliis home with his parents until he
was married, when he removed to part of the land which he now owns, and lived there
until removing to his present location, in 1869. He was married in this county on March
23. 1858, to Miss Hannah Rittenhouse, a native of this county, and daughter of Heniy and
Rachel (Hutten) Rittenhouse. both natives of this county, where they lived and died.
Both are buried in the Berwick Cemetery. The Rittenhouse and Hutten families were
both early settlers, and figured in many of the early events. Mr. and Mrs. Freas are the
parents of one child Bruce B., who was educated in the schools of his township and at
Orangeville. Mrs. Freas and her son are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Freas
is a member of Briarcreek Grange. P. of H., of which he has held the office of treasurer.
He was commissioned by Gov. David R. Porter. May 15, 1839. second lieutenant of
the Briarcreek Riflemen, attacDed to the volunteer brigade of the Columbia Guards, in
the Second Brigade of the Eighth Division, Pennsylvania Militia, composed of tlie counties
of Northumberland, Union, Columbia, Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wayne, and held the
position until 1842, when he was commissioned captain of the Briarcreek Volunteer
Rifles, Second Regiment, Second Brigade, Eighth Division Militia for the same counties,
and served a term of four years. Heis a Democrat politically. He owns altogether 185
acres of land in two farms.
.

—

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

FREDERICK HAGENBUCH,

419

farmer, P. O. Espy, was born in Centre Township,
a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hill) Hagenbuch. John Hagenbuch, grandfather of subject, was born in Northampton County, Penn., but when a young
man his parents removed to this county and located where F. H. Hagenbuch now resides,
just east of the Hidlay Church.
There they lived all their lives, following farming.
They are buried in the Hidlay Cemetery. John Hagenbuch was married while in Northto
Miss
a
Dreisbach, and they were the parents of eight sons, all of whom
ampton County
Their names were Conrad, who resided where Mrs. Simon Frj^ now lives
are deceased.
(he afterward moved to the West Branch, and there resided until his death); bimon lived
near Summer Hill, in Centre Township; John lived where A. C. Hagenbuch now resides;
Jacob lived adjoining, where J. S. Hagenbuch now resides; Michael lived where Joseph
Hess now resides; Daniel, who lived where F. H. Hagenbuch now resides; Junius, who
lived where Jacob Aul now resides, and Charles, a blacksmith by trade, who lived between the residences of Junius and Michael. John Hagenbuch, father of the foregoing
family, bought 400 acres of land from a man named Smith, which he set about clearing,
and as his boys grew to manhood and set up in business for themselves, he erected buildings for them on this tract. In this waj' Conrad set up in weaving after learning the
trade, and had about thirty-live acres to start with; Simon engaged in farming and
freighting to and from Philadelphia; he had sixty-three acres; John, also a farmer, began
with fifty-seven acres and later bought out Conrad; Jacob, a wheelwright and colorer,
started with about thirty acres; Michael, a wheelwright, had seventeen acres to begin
life, also a timber lot; Daniel, a farmer, had sixty-three acres when he started, and afterward bought out Simon and Charles; Junius, a weaver, began with about twenty acres;
Charles, a blacksmith, started with twenty acres, and afterward sold out to Daniel, moved
to Northumberland County, and died near the Sinking Springs.
John Hagenbuch followed farming until about twenty-five j'ears before his death, when he led a retired life,
and his place was farmed by Daniel and Jacob. John Hagenbuch died about 1845, his
first wife, the mother of the sous mentioned above, having preceded him by a number of
years. Daniel Hagenbuch, father of Frederick, and the sixth in order of age of John's
eight sons, after his father had retired, still remained with him and divided the large
farm among John's eight sons; built a little house on one part of the place near a flowing spring, and John lived there until his death, each one of his sons paying him a sort
of dowry, or contributing to his support. So that, although the land that Daniel held
was his own, it was still subject to this dower right, and Daniel contributed to his
father's support.
Daniel grew up and married Elizabeth Hill, a native of what is now
Columbia County, and daughter of Frederick Hill. Her parents came to this county
from Berks County, and here lived all their days. They aie buried in the old Hill homeMr. and Mrs. Daniel Hagenbuch were the parents of seven children, of whom
stead.
six are living:
Frederick; Rachel, wife of Philip Creasy; Wilson, in Atlissa, Muscatine
Co., Iowa; Sarah, wife of Manuel Kelchner, of Bloomsburg, this county; F. H., living
on the old homestead of Daniel and John Hagenbuch, grandfather and father; Hester,
wife of T. W. Hagenbuch, lives on the old Hill homestead; Josiah died at the age of
thirty-three years, in April, 1861. Daniel Hagenbuch followed farming activelj* until
the last few years of his life, after which he lived retired. He died in April, 1878; his
wife died in May, 1867, and they are buried in Hidlay Cemetery.
Frederick (our
subject) lived with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age, engaged in farming.
He then married and rented land from his father-in-law for two years, when he
purchased his present home farm in partnership with his father, locating on this place in
1855.
He at once began to make improvements on the place, replacing the tumble down
buildings by handsome and substantial ones. He also bought the place which he had
first rented, and now owns 354 acres of farm land and sixteen acres of timber in Orange
Township, this county. He married, February 33, 1853, Miss Margaret Hidlay, a native
of Centre Township, this county, and daughter of George and Sarah (Aikman) Hidlay.
Her parents came to this county from New Jersey and settled where Arthur Spear now
resides, and there lived until their death.
They are buried in Hidlay Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Hagenbuch are the parents of five children: George M., married to Mary
Purcell, resides near his father; Oscar D. married Ella McHenry, and lives at Stillwater;
Ida E., Clara E. and Sadie M. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr.
Hagenbuch has held the offices of school director and supervisor in the township. He is
a member of Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Bloomsburg; is also a member of the
Grange, and has held offices in both. Mr. and Mrs. Hagenbuch are both members of
early families. The first grant to the home farm now owned by Mr. Hagenbuch was
made to Henry Owen, who sold to John Bittenbender, and he to Enos Fowler and S. H.
Fowler, and in 1855 Mr. Hagenbuch and his father bought it.
ELISHA HAGENBUCH, farmer, P. O. Light Street, was born in Centre Township,
this county, June 7, 1838, son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Fulmer) Hagenbuch.
Jacob Hagenbuch, grandfather of Elisha, was born in this county, his parents having come here at
an early day. His father bought a tract of land near where Elisha now resides. He found
the land he had purchased mostly covered with a heavy growth of timber, and he set
this county.

May

27, 1837,

420

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

about cleariui^ enough to put up log buildings, using the timber cut down in the construction of his cabin, etc.
He followed farming until his death, which occurred al)out 1845.
He and wife are buried in Hidlay Cemeterj'. Jacob Hagenbuch, grandfather of Elisha,
was born and reared in this county, and learned the trade of wagon-making, and dyeing
When he became of age his father gave him, as he did other members
at different times.
of the family, seventeen acres of land, and on this he cut logs and put up buildings for
himself.
Some idea of the density of the timber at that time may be gathered from the
fact that he had to clear the land in order to dig a well.
Although he had a very litile land
to start with, every time he got $5 or $10 ahead he would buy two or three acres of land
tinally
had 106 acres, and every time he added to his land he
to add to his farm, until he
would increase the size of his barn, or put a shed on the edge of it, until these sheds entirely surrounded his barn, and he then tore down the whole building and erected a new
He was married in this county to Miss Abalona Hay man, a native of this county,
one.
whose parents were also early settlers. He followed farming steadily until the last year
or two of his life, when he gradually lessened his labors.
He died about 18(51, his wife
having preceded him some live or six years. They are both buried in Hidlay CemeThey left one child, Jeremiah, who was reared wiiile this vicinity was yet young,
tery.
and amid the scenes generally attending the clearing up of a primitive country. He lived
on his parents' place until both of them had been called away, and in the last years of his
father's life he farmed the latter's place.
He was married in this county to Miss Sarah
Fulmer, a native of the county. Her parents were born in Columbia County, and removed
to Clarion County, Penn., where they both died. Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Hagenbuch were
the parents of six children of whom two died in infancy. Those living are Elisha, Margaret E. (wife of A. C. Hagenbuch); Jacob Sanderson, in this township, and F. P., who
Jeremiah Hagenbuch died February 20, 1883, and is buried
also lives in this township.
in Hidlay Cemetery.
His widow lives at the place where her husband resided
at the time of his death.
Elisha Hagenbuch, subject of this sketch, was reared in Centre
Township, and made his home with his parents until he was married, which event took
place in January, 1862. His wife's maiden name was Delila Creveling. She was born in
Scott Township, this county, and is a daughter of Andrew and Anna Creveling.
Her
father died September 1, 1886, in the eighty-second year of his age, having been preceded
by his wife by about twenty-four years' Mr. and Mrs. Hagenbuch are the parents of two
children: Anna B. and Sadie.
Mr. and Mrs. Hagenbuch are members of the Lutheran
Church. He was school director of Centre Township for nine years; also a member of
the Grange. He has 127 acres of land in Centre Townhip.
When Jeremiah Hagenbuch
died he had not only the farm his father left him, but also two others, making in all 890
acres of first-class land, for some of which he paid as high as f 117 per acre.
F. P.
farmer, P. O. Light Street', was born in Centre Township,
this county, December 11, 1852, son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Fulmer) Hagenbuch.
Jacob
Hagenbuch, grandfather of F. P., came to this county from one of the' lower counties,
and located where J. S. Hagenbuch now resides, in Centre Township, and bought a tract
He came up alone and cleared up enough of the land on which to put up a
of land there.
cabin, using the timber cut down in the erection of a building.
At that time the vicinity
was very wild, and the land he bought was covered with a heavy growth of timber. In
after years he often related how he could have just as well located on more open land up
near Berwick, but instead, like most of the settlers of that day, he cho.se the heavy timber
land, all of which had to be cut down and carried off before the land was fit for farming.
He has also related how they used to put bells on their horses and turned them loose, and
in the morning they would find them on Summer Hill or beyond.
In early life he was a
wagon-maker, which he afterward abandoned and gave his attention to farming. He was
married in this county to Miss Abalona Hayman. Both are deceased and are buried in
Hidlay Cemetery. Jeremiah Hagenbuch, father of F. P., was their only child. He
made his home with his parents until death called both of them away, and after that
lived on the old homestead until about 1875, when he removed onto another place which
he had previously bought, and resided until his death. He was married in this county to
Miss Sarah Fulmer, a native of Berks County, Penn. They were the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are Elisha, in Centre TowMiship, this
county; Margaret Alice, wife of A. C. Hagenbuch, also in Centre Township, and F. P..
subject of this sketch,
Jeremiah Hagenbuch died in 1884, and is buried in Hidlay
Our subject was reared in this township, and made his home with his
Cemetery.
parents until his marriage, working with his father on the farm, and receiving his education in the Hidlay school in the neighborhood of his home. After his marriage he
bought his present home and residence, consisting of 115 acres of land, and here he has
He was married in June. 1878, to Sliss
since resided.
M. Miller, a native of this
county, and daughter of George P. and Anna Miller, the former of whom is deceased and
is buried in Hidlay Cemetery; the latter lives in Centre Township, this county.
Mrs.
Hagenbuch, mother of F. P., is still a resident of this township, living at the place where
her husband died. Mrs. Hagenbuch is a member of the Lutheran Church.
JESSE
farmer, P. O. Espy, was born in Centre Township, this
county, January 1, 1830, son of William and Annie (Dietrich) Hoffman. Philip Hoffman,

HAGENBUCH.

Emma

HOFFMAN,

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

421

great-graudfather of our subject, came to this county from the vicinity of Bethlehem.
Penn., in the early days of the county, and located in what is now Centre Township,
near Fowlersville. He was a farmer by occupation, and when he came here he found
this country a wilderness, and had to clear up all the land he had for agricultural purposes.
He was in the Revolutionary war. He and his wife both died in this county,
and are buried in the cemetery near the old stone church, which is now used as the
Grange Hall. John Hoffman, grandfather of Jesse, was either born in Columbia County
or moved here when very young with his parents. He went from this county to the war
He followed farmof 1812. He had about 17() acres of land, most of which he cleared.
ing until about twenty years before his death, and after that lived a retired life. He resided in the county until his death, which occurred about 1849, when about seventy-five
years of age, having been preceded by his wife, who died about 18-10. (His second wife
was Elizabeth Styer). They are buried in the cemetery at Berwick,^ this county. William HofEman, father of Jesse, was the second in order of age of his parents' famil3' of
four children. He was reared in this township, and resided with his parents until he was
of age. He married Miss Annie Dietrich, born in this county, but whose parents were
from Germany. After his marriage he bought his father-in-law's farm, carried it on six
He followed agriculture
years, and then moved back to the old homestead of his father.
They were the parents of six children, of whom three are living: Jesse
until his death.
John, proprietor of mills at Light Street, and Sarah, wife of Mordecai Millard, in Centre
Township, this county. Charles, William and Elizabeth are deceased. William Hoffman died July 4, 1858, and is buried in the same cemetery as his parents. His widow is
now living with her daughter Sarah, at the age of eighty-six years. Jesse Hoffman,
subject of this sketch, was reared in Centre Township, this countj', and made his home
with his parents until twenty-six years of age. His father was then proprietor of what
is now Wolverton's mills, and when Jesse was a boy he used to help his father in the
mill.
He was engaged there altogether four or tive years. On November 10, 1857, he
was married to Miss Frances L. Millard, a native of this county, and daughter of Reese
and Elizabeth Millard, both now deceased and buried at Berwick, this county. Mr. and
Mrs. Jesse Hoffman are fjarents of five children: Charles (deceased in infancy); Cora
(deceased when three years old) William, married to Sarah J. Miller, is an engineer at
Creveling's Quarry, and was educated at the State normal, Bloomsburg, Penn., Reese
and Ray attended the State normal school, Bloomsburg, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hoffman has 164 acres of land,
well improved. Six generations of the Hoffman -.family may now be counted as having
inhabited Columbia County in the various epochs of its history, and all six have been
entirely identified with Centre Township.
GEORGE H. HENKELMANN, farmer, P. O. Lime Ridge, was born at Dornburg,
Hesse-Cassel, Germany, June 17, 1883, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Carl) Henkelmann.
the former of whom served for thirty-three years as a soldier, being in all the campaign
against the first Napoleon. When not in the army he followed the business of miner,
and also did something at weaving. Mrs. Elizabeth Henklemann died June 17, 1833. Our
subject lived with his father the remainder of his stay in the old country, learning the
trade of butcher, and when he had reached the age of eighteen years, he and some
friends decided to go to America to try their fortunes. Accordingly, taking a farewell
leave of his friends and relatives at his native town, he went to Bremen, where he took
passage on a sailing vessel bound for Baltimore, and after a somewhat stormy voyage of
forty-one days, in which the ship collided with another one, they arrived at that city
June 15, 1853. He started the next day for Philadelphia, and from there came to Hazleton, Luzerne County, where he engaged in the mines, and was thus employed about
seven months. He then secured employment in the chemical works of Dornnemann &
Matener, the senior member of which firm was a relative of Mr. Henkelmann. In their
employment he remained about one year and a half, and then went to work in the mines
again, in which he was employed for several years; then went toTamaqua, Schuykill Co.,
Penn., and was employed in the mines there for several months; and then recommenced
He worked for him about six or
his trade of butcher in the shop of Thomas Brod.
eight months, and in the latter part of March, 1856, he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and became employed as a freight handler for the Western Transportation Compam-, loading
and unloading canal boats. He remained in the employ of this company during October,
1856; then went to Stockton, Luzerne County, where he worked at the butcher trade for
William Dresaat, and afterward for the coal company, Packer, Carder & Lindemann.
From there he returned to Tamaqua, and after working a short time in the mines, engaged again in butchering. He remained; there three years in the latter business, and
then moved to Hazleton, where he engaged in the butcher business for himself, continuing about four years, and then went to Jeddo, Luzerne County, and opened a butcher
shop, which he conducted sixteen years; then, October 14, 1883, located on the farm
where he now resides, which he had bought in 1874, and where he has nearly seventytwo acres of land. He was married in Tamaqua, Schuykill Co., Penn., October 4, 1857,
to Mi.ss Anne Elizabeth Stein, a native of Saxony, Germany, and daughter of Michael
;

;

422

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

When Mrs. Henkelmann was young her mother died, and her father died in 1883,
near Wilkesbarre. Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Henkelmann were the parents of nine chikiren,
of whom seven are living: Anna S., wife of Adam Fernan (they live at Drifton, Luzerne
Co., Penn.); George, married to Miss Heneretta Vendamard (they live in Wanamie,
Luzerne Co.. Penn.); Alice, married to George Weigand, January 25, 1887, and residing at
Jeddo, Luzerne County; Matilda, Heneretta, Augusta and Clara. Cassie and Lizzie both
died in March, 1886, twelve days apart. Mr. and Mrs. Henkelmann are attendants of the
Lutheran and German Reformed Churches, Briarcreek Township. He is a member of the
I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 65, at Hazleton, and of German Lodge, No. 79, at Hazleton.
He
has passed all the chairs in the latter. Politically he is a Republican.
HENKY HESS, retired farmer, P. O. Lime Ridge, was born near Easton, Penn.,
December 12, 1808, son of Frederick and Catherine (Fleury) Hess. The grandparents of
our subject came to this country from Germany, and located near Easion, where they
lived all their days.
Frederick Hess, father of Henry, was born and reared near Easton,
Penn., and there learned the mason's trade, which lie followed altogether until coming to
what is now Columbia County, about 1812; he located just above where the canal lock is
situated at Lime Ridge.
He bought fifty acres of this land, then mostly covered with timber, and set about clearing up a portion of it.
He w^as married twice before coming to
this county, and after the death of his first wife he married Elizabeth Fleury, by whom
he had four children, three now living: Henry; Susan, widow of Samuel Hagenbuch, and
Rebecca, widow of David Coleman. Elizabeth, wife of Charles Hagenbuch, is deceased.
After coming up here Frederick Hess ran the Stonytown ferry, followed his trade of mason
and had his land cultivated. He died in,.1820, and is buried at the BricK Church, Briarcreek Township, this county. His widow, Elizabeth, survived him a number of years,
dying about 1847. She is buried in Hidluy Cemetery. Henry Hess, subject of this
sketch, was but a child when his parents moved from the neighborhood of Easton to what
is now this county, and his father having died when he (Henry) was but twelve years of
age, he was taken by his second cousin, John Hess, of Wapwallopen, Luzerne Co., Penn.,
and with him our subject worked on the farm until he was in his nineteenth year. He
then came to what is now Centre Township, this county, and commenced to learn the
wagon-making trade with Michael Hagenbuch, who had a shop on land now belonging to
Joseph Hess, son of Henry, and adjoining Henry's land. Here he remained about three
years, and after he had learned the trade he went down to Lime Ridge, and commenced
tending lock on the canal there.
He was in charge of that lock for ten years, and also
worked at times at his trade, and farmed a little. After he had been there he was married
March 25, 1832, to Miss Maria Hayman, a native of Berks County, Penn., and daughter
of Peter and Sevilla Hayman, who removed from Berks County to this county when Mrs.
Hess was about three years of age.
They located about two miles from Orangeville on
Fishing creek, and there lived the rest of their days, both dying in 1827, within four weeks
of each other. They are buried in Hidlay Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Hess, after their
marriage, lived at Lime Ridge, and then thej' moved onto the farm in the neighborhood
of where they now reside, and which farm Mr. Hess had previously purchased. He bought
his present residence and lot in 1871, and since that they have lived retired from active
labor.
Mr. and Mrs. Hess were the parents of nine children, two of whom died in infancy.
Those living are Sevilla, wife of Daniel Mourer, lives at Afton, this county; Levina, wife
of Wesley Hess, lives in this township; Joseph A., married to Levina Coleman, also lives
in Centre Township; William Henry, married to Sevilla Hayman, lives on the farm of his
parents; Isaiah Jacob, married to Alice Hess, lives at Lime Ridge, this county; Emma
Jane, wife of Lloyd Conner, live at Hazleton, Penn. James Harvey, clerking at Berwick,
this county.
Mr. Hess is a member of the German Reformed Church, in which he has
been deacon and elder, and Mrs. Hess of the Lutheran denomination.
He has held the
office of road supervisor in times past.
Mr. Hess owns about ninety acres of land, and
his
has yet in
possession the old deed of his farm, which shows the survey of the laud to
have been made in 1769. This deed is written in a good hand on sheepskin, and makes a
very large document.
ISAAC
was born in Lycoming County, Penn., April 6, 1802, a son of John Low,
who was a blanket weaver and carried on the manufacture of fancy bed spreads in
Lycoming County on the Muncy Hills. He died in 1813, Isaac being but eleven years of
age at the time. Isaac then went to live with his brother, Thomas, by whom he was reared
to the age of eighteen years.
He then went to work on a farm for Jesse Bowman, in
Columbia County, and was thus engaged for two years. He and Mr. Bowman then
bought a team and carried goods from J^ew York and Philadelphia to supply the stores of
this section, there being then no other freighting facilities, canals and railroads being
then in the future. He was thus engaged for two or three years and then he and Mr.
Bowman bought the farm of Abram Miller's heirs, in what is now Briarcreek Township,
this county, and known as the old Clover mill property; the other farm was located at
Lime Ridge, now in Centre Township. This property consists of 300 acres, which lie in
the shape of an L around the point and rear of Lime Ridge. He then went to farming
the Clover mill tract in Briarcreek Township, which was farmed about four years. John
Stein.

;

LOW

—

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

423

previously been holding the Bowman interests in common, and at
wishing to make a change iu their relations, offered Mr. Low his choice
of the Briarcreek or Lime Ridge tracts, and he chose the latter; he then moved on
He found the only improvements on the place to be log buildings of
it and went farming.
early construction, but afterward erected substantial improvements, which still remain.
On this place he farmed until two years before his death, when he bought his residence
property in Lime Ridge and there lived until his death. He married, in this county, in
Her
1823, Miss Maria Miller, a native of this county and daughter of Abraham Miller.
parents came from Chester County, Penn., to this county and lived in Briarcreek Township until their death. They are buried at Bloomsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Low were

and Jesse

Bowman had

this period,

the parents of ten children, of whom three are now living: E. W. M., the subject of the
following sketch; C. W.. who resides at Orange ville, this county, and Frances, wife of H.
The deceased are Thomas, Abraham, George L., Thomas B.,
C. Barton of Lime Ridge.
Maria Emily, S. Alice and Elizabeth M. Isaac Low died May 27, 1847; his widow survived
him until 1856. The latter was born May 10, 1802, and both are buried in Lime
Ridge Cemetery. Dr. E. W. M. Low was the third in order of age of the family of ten
children and is the eldest of the three now living, and made his home with his parents
He attended the schools of his neighborhood when a
until the time of their death.
boy and then went to Williamsport, this county, where he attended the seminary for two
years.
He was engaged in the boating business during 1853-54-55. He then entered on
the study of medicine with Dr. F. C. Harrison at Bloomsburg, Penn., and commenced
attendance in the winter of 1855 at Castleton, Vt., and there took his first course. He
then entered Pennsylvania Medical College at Philadelphia and graduated from that instiHe engaged at his profession, however, but little, as he devoted
tution in March, 1857.
himself to the mercantile and limestone interests on the first of the following June, at
Lime Ridge in company with C. W. & G. L. Low, under the firm name of Low Brothers;
a few years later the firm changed to E. W. M. & G. L. Low, and this firm continued
without any change until about 1870, when the stjde became Low Bros. & Co. Both firms
are, however, doing business to-day.
G. L. Low died in 1877 and on his death his son,
Myron I., and his daughter have taken his interest. E. W. M. Low was married in this
county, in 1860, to Miss Rebecca J. Hill, a nativeof this county and a daughter of Jacob
and Anna Hill, the former of whom is decea.sed and is buried in the family graveyard on
His widow resides with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Low are
the farm near Lime Ridge.
the parents of nine children, of whom eight are living: Elmer E., Helen May, Elizabeth
A., Mary Rebecca, George L., Alice L., Thomas H. and John Vincent.
Banks is deceased.
Mr. Low is a Republican in politics. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. but withdrew,
and is now a member of the A. F. & A. M. and A. A. & S. R. at Bloomsburg, in which
he has had a number of offices. He is one of the directors of the First National Bank of
Bloomsburg and general manager of the firms of E. W. M. & G. L. Low and Low Bros.
& Co. Mr. and Mrs. Low are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE L. LOW, late of Lime Ridge, Penn.. the fifth child and son of Isaac
and Maria (Miller) Low, and member of the firm of E. W. M. & G. L. Low
and Low, Bro. &_Co., was born February 25, 1834.
The first eleven years of his life
were passed with "his parents on the- farm, and, during the winter months, in the public
school.
The days of his youth were spent within a quarter of a mile of the old home.
As manhood approached he went to Williamsport Seminary to complete his education.
Returning home, teaching engaged his attention. He did credit to the profession, in not
only inculcating "first principles, " but in illustrating practically "birch" appliances, as
even now some of his older pupils feelingly assert.
Since teaching iu the country was
too periodical and the remuneration too small, some more permanent and lucrative employment must be found, and merchandising was decided upon. A partnership, under the firm
of C. W. & G. L. Low, was created and subsequently a portion of the quarry now owned
by Low, Bro. & Co. was purchased. The financial panic of 1857 came, and with it financial
embarrassments to this firm, which were overcome soon after E. W. M. Low, M. D., became the third member, he changmg his plans, which led him into a business life instead
of a professional one. Later the firm of E. W. M. & G. L. Low was organized and its
success assured financially, through the energy, sagacity and integrity of its organizers.
In 1869 one portion of the firm of E. W. M. & G. L. Low was merged into Low, Bro. &
Co., although both firms exist to-day. George Lane Low was married January 15, 1857, by
Rev. Thomas Barnhart to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Webb) Garrison.
The
marriage was a happy one, as the domestic felicities of after years attested. In 1862 Mr.
Low, in answer to the second emergency call, went out as a volunteer in the service
for a short time in defense of the Union.
He was commissioned second lieutenant of
Company H, Thirty-fifth Regiment under Andrew G. Curtin, July 7, 1863; served as
postmaster from 1864 until the time of his death, which occurred February 6, 1877.
Mr. Low possessed remarkable business ability, sound judgment, unquestionable
integrity and other personal qualities which not only won for him a fair name,
but made many lasting friendships.
His last illness was long, weary and trying
a great sufferer, afflicted, yet not a murmur of impatience fell from his lips. He accepted

32

424

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

the inevitable with a gentle resignation, realizing that the hand that afflicted, comforted.
His death in the prime of manhood is universally deplored. To his memory is a granite
monument erected in Lime Ridge Cemetery. The following we quote from a pres&
obituary: "Take him all in all, George Lane Low was a model man. Quiet, modest and
always moral, he only needed to be known to be appreciated.
So unassuming was he,
and so correct in his conversation and life, that many believed him, long before he made
religious
man.
Before
his
death,
when
told he hacTonly a few hours
a profession, to be a
ready.'" Mrs. Mary (Garrison) Low
said
'I have been expecting this; I am
to live
died June 19, 1881, and is buried by the side of her husband. One son and one daughter
survive, Myron I. and Annie B.,who hold their father's interest in the two named firms,
the business in relation to this interest being done by the former. Both were educated
Myron I. Low was born at Lime Ridge, March
at the State normal school, Bloomsburg.
11,1858, and received his education first at the Lime Ridge schools and finally at the
In church affiliation he is a
Bloomsburg Normal School, where he graduated in 1876.
Methodist, in which body he is a zealous Sunday-school worker; in education he is an
ardent Chautauquan; in politics a consistent Republican.
MORDECAI MILLARD, farmer, P. O. Willow Spring, was born in Centre
Township, this county, in the house he now lives in, April 7, 1831, son of Reese and Elizabeth Millard. Joseph Millard, his grandfather, was one of the old settlers, moving into
the county some time before 1800. He bought a tract of land consisting of something over
500 acres. Joseph Millard was a Quaker and was regular in his attendance at meeting
twice a week. He moved into this county from Berks County, Penn., settling upon land
along the river now occupied by John C. Cryder, and within sight of where Mordecai
now lives. Here he lived and died. Reese Millard, father of Mordecai, was born and
reared in this county. He was twice married, first to Catherine Rittenhouse, and they
were the parents of six children, four living; William, in Illinois; Joseph B., in Kalamazoo, Mich.; Rebecca, wife of Col. James Tubbs, in Shickshinny, Penu.; Catherine, widow
of Isaiah Conner, in Orangeville, this county. The mother of this family died in about
1818, and is buried at Berwick, this county; and Mr. Millard afterward married Elizabeth
Horton, by whom he had four children; Mary B., deceased wife of D. K. Sloan, of Orangeville, this county; Frances L., married to Jesse Hoffman, residing in this township; Mor(He
decai; and Reese, who married Jane Fowler, now residiug in Morris County, Kas.
was captain in the One Hundred and Twelfth Artiller}^.) Reese Millard, father of the
Mordecai Millard, subject
above, died in 1833, and his widow survived him until 1852.
of this sketch, in 1867 received the nomination of the Democratic party for the office of
sheriff of Columbia County, and removed to Bloomsburg, to reside there during his term
of office. After serving his term as sheriff he was appointed steward of the State Normal
University at Bloomsburg, and served in that capacity one year. The office was then vacated for the time being. He received the appointment of doorkeeper of the State Senate
He resided
for the session of 1871-72, and served in that position throughout that session.
He
in Bloomsburg until 1875, when he returned to his farm and has since conducted it.
was married in this county December 1, 1852. to Miss Sarah J. Hoffman, a native of this
county, and daughter of William and Annie (Dietrich) Hoffman. Mr. and Mrs. Millard
are the parents of nine children, of whom four are living; William H., Annie E.. Mary I.
and Ernest S. the deceased are John L., Reese M., Fannie H., Charles B. and Hattie L.
The family are members of the Methodist Church.
ELISHA RINGROSE, farmer, P. O. Fowlersville. was born at Schuylerville,
Luzerne Co., Penn., September 13, 18-45, son of Aaron and Catherine (Fowler) Ringrose.
The father of our subject was born in Wellingboro, England, and there was reared
and learned the butcher trade, an occupation he followed there until coming to America.
On arriving in the United States he located in Luzerne County, Penn., followed droving
and butchering, and there lived until he died, following those lines of business. He was
married in Luzerne County to Miss Catherine Fowler, a native of this county, and daughter of William and Susannah (Rittenhouse) Fowler.
She was a member of an early setMr. and Mrs. Aaron Ringrose were the parents of eight children, of whom
tler's family.
seven are living: Delias, wife of William Sterner, of Bloomsburg. this county; Mary;
William, also a resident of Bloomsburg; Sarah, wife of William Stack, of Berwick, Penn.;
Ellis, in this township; Elisha; J. W., in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co., Penn.; Henry,
died in Briarcreek Township, this county. The father of this family died in about 1855.
He is buried at Berwick. His widow now resides at Bloomsburg. Elisha Ringrose, subject of this sketch, went to live with Mr. and Mr.^. Ashel Fowler, of Briarcreek Township, when he was but five years of age, and was by them reared to manhood, following
farming. He then engaged in boating on the canal from Wilkesbarre to Baltimore for
about four years, when he bought a boat and embarked in the canal carrying trade for his
own account between the points mentioned. He continued in this for three years, and
then boated two years more for Weaver & McKelvj', of Bloomsburg, Penn. He then
went to Bloomsburg and commenced the blacksmith trade, but after six months he
engaged in carpenter work for John Sterner, helping in the construction of the "Exchange Hotel " at Bloomsburg. He was employed al this trade about eighteen months.
'

'

:

;

CENTRE TOWNSHIP.

425,

and then ran the engine of the planing-mill company for about eighteen months; the»
removed to this township and commenced farming, erecting his present residence in the
fall of 1876, into which he moved in the following year,
lie was married in this county
February 22, 1872, to Miss Mary Hutten, a native of this county, and daughter of John
and Catherine (Kane) Hutton, the former of whom is deceased; the latter is a resident of
Centre Township. Mrs. Ringrose is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Ringrose
is now overseer of the poor of Centre Township.
GEORGE RUCKLE, farmer, P. O. Oraugeville.was born in what is now Centre Township, this county, March 29. 1S39, son of Joseph and Margaret (Whitmire) Ruckle.
Jacob
Ruckle, grandfather of our subject, came from Berks County, Peuu., to this county in its
early days, and located on the place now owned by Jacob Keller, where he had bought
land,and there lived until his death. He and his wife both died at this place. Joseph Ruckle,
father of George, was born and reared at the place where his father located when he came
He was brought up to farm life, and made his home with his parents
to this county.
until his marriage, when he bought 110 acres of land in what is now Centre Township,
where George now resides, at $3.50 an acre. He found this land covered -with a heavygrowth of timber, and he set about clearing it up and building a cabin. Here he lived,
gradually clearing off his land, until he had a good farm. He was married in this county
to Miss Margaret Whitmire, a native of this county, and daughter of David Whitmire.
Her parents came to this county from one of the lower counties^ the father died in Snyder
County, Penn,, and the mother in this county. Before he removed to Snyder County'Mr.
Whitmire had owned three farms here, but he sold them to his sons, and moved dowa
there. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ruckle were the jWents of seven children, of whom six are
living: Wesley, living in this county; Joseph, living in Bloomsbnrg; George; David, living
in Danville, this county; Elizabeth, living in Light Street, this county; Hester, wife of
Conrad Hippenshet, living in Scott Township, this county; Sarah, wife of Charles Ash,
died February 1, 1886.
The father of these children died about 1874, the mother in
They are buried in Hidlay Cemetery. George Ruckle, subject of this sketch, was
1855.
reared in what is now Centre Township, this county, until he had reached the age of
eighteen years, when he went to Espy to learn the miller's trade with his brother Wesley,
who was then operating the mill. Here he remained about fourteen years, and then he
and Charles Ash purchased a mill on Briar Creek. They bought in March and the mill
burned down in December. They at once rebuilt it, and Mr. Ruckle retained his interest
for eight years, when he went to Espy and remained there one year engaged in the grocery business; then removed to the place he now owns and resides on, which he had bought
live years before.
He was married in this county, December 30, 1875, to Miss Alvaretta
Kline, a native of Orange Township, this county, and daughter of Hiram and Emily Kline,
the former of whom is deceased; he is buried at Orangeville, at which place his'widow,
now the wife of Jacob Snyder, resides. Mr. and Mrs. Ruckle are the parents of five children: Stanley, Maud, Clifton, George and Elsie. Mr. Ruckle is a member of the Reformed
Church, Mrs. Ruckle of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican politically, and was
elected justice of the peace for five years in Briarcreek, this county, but left the townshipbefore he had completed his term.
SHAFFER, retired farmer, P. O. Fowlersville, was born in what is now
Centre Township, this county, December 8, 1818, son of John and Susan (Dietrich) Shaffer.
Henry Shaffer, the grandfather of our subject, came to this county in its early days from
Berks County, Penn., and located in Briarcreek Township on land now owned by Alfred'
Steiner.
He bought two pieces of land, one of which contains about 160 and the other 25
acres, all covered with a heavy growth of timber; brought his family with him and set
about clearing up a space sufficient to put up what buildings it was necessary to have.
The log house which he erected contained a living room and a kitchen, and he also put up
a log barn. At that time of course there were not many conveniences, and although there
was plenty of meat to be obtained, they often had to stint themselves in other necessaries^
of life, and .sometimes had to cook their wheat bran for bread. He afterward put up a
frame house, which is now occupied by Alfred Steiner. He died about 1843. His first
wife, whom he married in Berks County, had preceded him in death by a number of years;
his second wife survived him.
He is buried at the Brick Church, of tiie Lutheran denomination, in Briarcreek Township. John Shaffer, father of the subject of this sketch,
was born at the old homestead, in Briarcreek Township. He made his home with hisfather until he was married (although he worked out part of the time), and some time
after that event he bought a tract of land adjoining where his son, Henry, now lives.
From there he removed to where Henry resides, and here he lived and died. He had-,
learned the carpenter trade with a man named Daniel Merkle, and this he followed, together with farming, until about two years before his death. He had been married im
this county to Susan Dietrich, and they were the parents of seven children, of whom four
are living: Henry; Angeline, wife of Levi Ganett (they live in Briarcreek Township);
Susan, widow of Stephen Crawford (lives in this county), and Julia, wife of Jacob Slager
(they live in Binghamton, N. Y.) The deceased are Phoebe; Elizabeth, wife of Peter
Wenner, and Emily, wife of Mahloft Hicks. The father of this family died May 9, 186S;.

HENRY

426

BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:

the mother died September 12, 1861. They are buried at the Brick Church, iu Briarcreek
Township. Henry Shaffer, subject of this sketch, was born in the liouse where he now
He was reared to farm
resides, and which was built by his grandfather, Jacob Dietrich.
life and has lived in this house and on this place where his father located when he lirst
came to Centre Township, all his lifetime. He was married in this county, December 31,
1861, to Miss Mary Ann Creasy, a native of Miftiin Township, this count}^ and daughter of
Samuel and Catherine (Nungesser) Creasy. Her father died in the spring of 1860, her
mother about 1848. They are both buried in the Creasy family graveyard. Mr. and Mrs.
Shaffer are the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy. Their living child
Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr.
is named Sarah Alice.
Shaffer has been connected with the schools of the township as director, and has been
supervisor of the townsiiip. He is a Democrat pGlitically; is a member of the Briarcreek
Grange P. of H., and has held the office of steward in Centre Grange. He is the owner
of 80 acres on his home tract, and 160 on another farm also in Centre Township.
WILLIAM SHAFFER, farmer, P. O. Lime Ridge, was born in Briarcreek TownThe
ship, this county, December 30, 1821, a son of Francis and Nancy (Hetler) Shaffer.
Shaffer family is originally of German descent. Francis Shaffer was born in the vicinity
of Bethlehem, Penn., where he was reared, but came to this county when a young man,
and bought something over 300 acres of land in Briarcreek Township. He found this
land covered with a heavy growth of timber, while wild game abounded. He commenced
by clearing up enough space on which to erect his buildings, and when he had got enough

land cleared for that purpose, he used the timber so cut down in the construction of his
log cabin, etc. Tlaere he lived until his death. He was married in this county to Miss
Nancy Hetler, a native of the county, born on the Mifflin Hills, and whose parents were
early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer we're the parents of five children, of whom four are
William; Nathan, living in Jones County, Iowa; Catherine, wife of Samuel
living:
Dalius, living in Maine Township, this county; George Washington, living in Greene
'County, Iowa. Mary married Benjamin Miller, and both are deceased. The mother of
these children died about 1831, and was buried in the Brick Church graveyard, in Briarcreek Township, this county. Francis Shaffer died in October, 1833, and is also buried in
the Brick Church graveyard. By the early death of his parents, although he was the eldest of their children, William was left an orphan before he was eleven years of age, and
he was reared by Philip Freas, for whom he worked for his food and clothes until he was
He then worked for Mr. Freas by the month, and after one year he
sixteen years of age.
worked for Andrew Freas by the year for two years. He and Andrew Freas and William
Hoffman then bought a canal boat, and James K. Polk then being in the zenith of his
popularity, they gave it his name. They followed boating in the coal trade from Pittston to Columbia for one season, and then sold out the boat. Mr. Shaffer, taking sick the
same fall, was unable to do anything the following winter. In the next spring he commenced farming on the old place of his father, and taking the farm at the appraisement
He then removed to Briarcreek, near
lie worked it a year and a half and then sold it.
Bowman's mill, farmed for Thomas Bowman, and hauled flour into the coal region for
about eighteen months; then rented the Briarcreek grocery, where he carried on mercantile business for four years; then removed to the Rittenhouse mill, and was engaged in
operating that mill and hauling flour, etc.. to Hazleton, Beaver Meadows, and other places
He was here altogether four years, and then removed to another
in the coal regions.
He then bought the
place, and was engaged for one year iu huckstering to Hazleton.
farm where he now resides, and moved to it the following spring. This was in 1856.
Mr. Shaffer was married in Luzerne County, Penn., May 7, 1844, to Miss Sophia Mowery,
a native of Mifflin Township, this county, and daughter of John and Catherine (Hetler)
Mowery, the former of whom was bora near Mauch Chunk, Penn., and the latter in
The father died iu 1824, his widow surviving him until
Mifflin Township, this county.
about 1871. They are both buried at Mifflinville, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer
were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Winfield Scott, married to
Miss Flora Mosteller (they live in Briarcreek Township, this county); Wesley, married to
Miss Harriet Knoop (they also live in Briarcreek Township); Alfred C, married to Miss
Rachael Freas (they live in this county), and William Madison, who lives with his parents.
Fannie Dorcas, Sarah Jane and Mary Minerva are deceased. Mr. Shaffer has 237 acres,
being one of the large land holders of Centre Township. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer are members of the Lutheran Church. He has held the office of county commissioner for three
years, having been elected about 1871. He is a member of Centre Grange, No. 56, P. of H.
A. W. SPEAR, farmer, P. O. Light Street, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., November 4, 1848, son of Rev. N. and Diantha( Wells) Spear. Theformer was born in Ware, Mass.,
and was there reared until he was a young man. His parents died when he was young,
and he went to Wayne County, N. Y., where he followed tailoring and kept a store and
He removed from there to Wayne County, Penn., and there became connected
postoffice.
with the American Tract Society and the American Bible Society, in the interests of
which he traveled a number of years. He then acquired a taste for the ministry and educated himself for it while connected with these societies. From Wayne County he re-

CENTKE TOWNSHIP.
moved

42T

Penn., and after severing his connection with these causes, he removed
where he became pastor of the Presbyterian Cliurch. Hepreached atOrangeville, at Raven Creek Church, in Benton Township, at Rohrsburg and
afterward at New Columbia, Hemlock Township. He also preached at Light Street.
This and Hidlay Church in Centre Township were his last charges. He retired from theministry in 1883, and then bought property in Bloomsburg, where he has since resided.
He is now tlie county agent of the American Bible Society. He has a farm of seventysix acres in Centre Township.
A. W. was ten years old when his family removed toScranton and two years later moved to Orangeville, and lived with his parents, except
seven years in Berwick and Wilkesbarre, Penn., working at the machinist's trade
until he was married, when he located on his father's farm, where he now resides.
He
was married at New Columbia Church, this county, December 24, 1878, to Miss Anna
M., a native of Montour County and daughter of Cornelius and Rosanna Steyer. Mr. and.
Mrs. Spear are the parents of two children: Eunice F. and Ruth W. The family aremembers of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. He is secretary of the
Columbia County Sunday-school Association; is also one of the county auditors, and is an.'
auditor in the Briarcreek Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company.
JOHN M. WHITE, farmer, P. O. Light Street, was born in Orange Township, this
county, December 30, 1833, son of William and Jane (McMurtrie) White. Peter White,
grandfather of .lohn M., a farmer, came to this county probably in the latter part of the
last century.
He located near Orangeville, where he lived until about 180(5, when he
removed to the vicinity of Light Street and bought a farm iust on the edge of that village.
This farm is now owned by Henry Hartman. Here he lived all his days, and his wife
also died there.
They are buried at Light Street., Of his family of ten children, William,
father of our subject, was the fourth in order of age, born in what is now Orange Township, this county, in 1803.
He lived with his parents until he was married, and then
bought a farm about a mile north of Light Street. This farm was partly cleared, and had'
some improvements on it. There he lived for about twenty-tive years; then bought
another farm adjoining it, to which he removed and here erected new buildings. There
he lived until he died. He was married in this county to Mi^^s Jane McMurtrie. a native
of Warren County, N. J., born near Belvidere, a daughter of Abraham McMurtrie, whowas a farmer in New Jersey, but toward the latter part of his life kept hotel. Herparentsboth died in new Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. William White were the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are living: Elizabeth M., wife of J. D. Melick, a traveling salesman/
residing at Muncy, Penn.; Mary, wife of George Conner, residing in Centre Township,
this county; John M. Abram M., in Wood County. Ohio; Isaiah S., in Orange Township,
this county; SamanthaA.. wife of Peter Evans, living near Rupert, this county; W.
Pierce, in Union County, Penn.; Anna Margaret, widow of Alem Van Liew, living in
Light Street, this county, and M. Alvaretta, wife of A. P. Howell. Sarah Jane, wife of
Howard Grimes, is deceased. The father of this family died February 18, 1879; the
mother in 1871. Our subject was reared in this county, and made his Jiome with his
parents until he was over twenty-three years of age. After that he cultivated one of his
father's fotir farms for several years, and bought the tract of land on which he now resides in 1868, and three years later moved on to it.
When he first purchased it there was
a tannery in operation on the place, btithe rented that for several years and then sold it.
He was married in this cotmty February 10, 1857, to Miss Tacy E.Vanderslice. a native
of this county, and a daughter of John Hiester and Catherine (Melick) Vanderslice. Her
father was born in Chester County, Penn., and her mother in this county. The Melicks
came to this county from New Jersey. Both parents are deceased and are btiried in the
Vanderslice graveyard in Hemlock Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. White are
parents of five children: Hiester V. (an attorney at law and senior member of the tirm of
H. V. Wliite & Co., dealers in grain, flour, feed, coal, etc, at Bloomsburg; he is married
to Clara E. Aikman), William L., Clara, Hattie and John.
William LeRoy White wa&
born in Orange Township, this cotinty, September 18, 1860. second son of John M. and
Tacy E. (Vanderslice) White. After obtaining a liberal education in the scliools of his
vicinity and the Orangeville Academy, he commenced teaching in l»Ti), and in 1880 he
went west, spending some time in the States of Michigan, Illinois and Iowa, teachingschool and at times working on the farms. On his return he ente"ed into the grain shipping business with his brother, and is still the junior member of the firm of H. V. White
& Co. He resides in Bloomsburg, Penn., where he has general supervision of their business.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. White is a Democrat
politically and has held local offices in the township.
PAUL ZANER, retired farmer, P. O. Fowlersville, was born in what is now Centre
Township, this county, June 7, 1815. son of Daniel and Hannah (Adams) Zaner. The
grandfather of Paul, on his father's side, came from Germany, and located in what was
then a wilderness in the neighborhood of the present town of Tamaqua. Schuylkill Co.,
Penn., but then in Northampton. This country was then very wild, and bears, wolves,
panthers, deer, etc., were about the only other living occupants of the surrounding forests.
Fish of all kinds were abundant in the streams, and Mr. Zaner spent a great deal of his
to Scranton,

to Or'auireville, this county,

;

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

428

fishing.
He and his wife died and are buried in that vicinity. They
were the parents of ten children— eight boys and two girls. Of these, four came to this
county; Adam, Abraham, and George came to what is now Columbia County in about
He carried on this busi1800, and Abraham put up a distillery in Briarcreek Township.
mess a few years only, but lived here until his death in 1833. He is buried at the Brick
Cluirch. Briarcreek Township. George is buried in the turnpike cemetery in Briarcreek
Township. Adam moved out to Ohio. About eight or ten years after these three came out,
their brother Daniel came and lived with his brothers a couple of years, then married and
'bought land, which J. L. Wolverton now owns and lives on. He had learned the milling
trade in the mill of his brother in Schuylkill County, and when he located at the place
mentioned liere, he put up a grist-mill, the first one on the site of what is known as
"'
Wolverton mill." That mill was put up in 1816, and he operated it, carrying on farmfing to some extent until 1851, when he sold the property and moved to where David Z.
Remaley now lives, and there spent the remainder of his daj^s. He was married in this
county to Miss Hannah Adams, a daughter of Anthony Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel
Zauer were the parents of six children, of whom five are living: Paul; John, living in
Fishingcreek, this county: Julia Ann, wife of John Eckroth, Light Street, this county;

time hunting and

M., wife of Daniel W. Miller, living in Audubon County, Iowa; Levi, also in AuduCatherine, wife of Charles Werkheiser, of Milllinville, this county,
The fatlier of this family died January 24, 1856; the motlier in September,
is deceased.
1870.
They are buried at the Briarcreek Church, in Briarcreek Township. Paul Zaiier,
subject of this sketch, was born and reared in the house where J. L. Wolverton now
He made his home with his ]iarents until he reached the age of
resides, in this township.
twenty-one years; and up to that time had assisted his father in the mill. But this work
not being beneficial to his health he, on arriving at age, went to learn the trade of mill-wrighting with Chamber Davis, of Bloomsburg, Penn. Mr. Davis went out of the busi.aess about eighteen montlis later, and then Mr. Zaner worked with another-mau about
two months. In 1837 he went to work on the Berwick bridge, being employed all sumrner on its construction. He then followed all kinds of work in wood, and now has a
shop at his place. He has worked on the construction of nearly all of the buildings in
this vicinit.y since that time, and in the summer of 188.~), at the age of over seventy years,
ihe did nearly all the inside work on the house of Aaron Kelchner, making the doors and
Mr. Zaner is known as a very skilled worker in wood. He bought his
'sashes himself.
.present place in 1854. He has twenty-five acres of land in his tract, and nine acres in another lot. He was married in this county January 34, 1841, to Miss Rebecca Freas, a
native of this county, and a daughter of Philip Freas. Mr. and Mrs. Zaner were the
parents of six children, of whom four are living: Charles W., married to Harriet Strow,
living in Danville, Montour County; Alverua, wife of Addison Zimmerman, living in this
township: Clemuel. at home; Alice, wife of Albert Kelchner, living in tWs township.
The deceased are Mahaln. who died about 18.58, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Zaner is a
Republican politically. He owns a much prized relic in the shape of a clock, about as
old as himself, and which keeps excellent time, which Jacob Diefenbach, a Presbyterian
minister of Bloomsburg, made for him.

Mary

bon "County, Iowa.

'

CHAPTER XXIX.

CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP AND

BOROUGH OF CEN-

TRALIA.

CHATLEY BLACK,

merchant, Centralia, was born in County Donegal, Ireson of David and Martha (Chatley) Black. In 1845 the family
came to America and located at Minersville, Schuylkill Co.. Penn., where the father
was engaged in coal mining, and where the mother died in 1852. In 1861 oui' subject and
Our subject^then sehis father came to Centralia, and here the latter died June 3, 1873.
He
cured a position in the " Hazel Dell" colliery as engineer, which he lield until 1870.
then opened a store which he still conducts, handling groceries, flour, feed, etc. He marAllentown,
ried in Union County, July 15, 1869, Miss Carrie E. Danowsky, a native of
Penn., daughter of Dr. W. F. Danowsky of that place, whodied"therein 1875, and where he
held a high rank as a physician. Her mother's maiden name was Carrie Barrens. She
also of whom five are living: Carrie, Saliie. Jennie, Addie and Tillie: the deceased are Mattie
D.

land,

December

4,

1838,

429

CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP.

Willie.
Mr. Black owns besides his store building and stock, a one-sixth interest in
the Centralia Water Compan}\ He was one of the promoters and builders of the water
system, and is justice of the peace of the borough of Centralia, having been elected in
1884.
In politics he is a Republican. Mr, Black's ancestors on both sides were of ScotchThey were
Irish extraction, and were born in the town of Letterkenny, Ireland, in 1798.
Presbyterians on both sides, to which church Mr, Black and his family belong.
W. BILLMAN, proprietor of the Montana Hotel, Centralia, was born in
Schuylkill County. Penn., Octobers, 1851, son of Charles M. and Christina (Geist) Billman,
natives of Barry Township, Schuylkill Co., Penn., where the former still re-ides; the latter
died there about 1861, and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery at Kimmels, Schuylkill
County. George W. w^as reared in his native county, and there engaged in farming. In
April, "1884, he came to Columbia County and purchased the Montana hotel, at Montana,
Penn., which he still conducts. He married, in Schuylkill County. February 14, 1884, Miss
Christina Miller, a native of New York City and daughter of Franklin and Catherine
Miller, natives of Germany, former of whom died in New York, and the latter in Ashland,
Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Billman have one child, Agnes Florence, born August 20, 1884. The
parents are members of the Lutheran Church at Kimmels. In politics Mr. Billman is a
Democrat. The above named house was built by a Mr. Roadenberger, in the year 1830; of
stone, and was kept as a hotel by Mr. Roadenberger for a number of yeai's; he was succeeded by a Mr. Joseph JMiller, William Hughes, Joseph Zimmerman, Isaac Betz, Jacob
Zimmerman, Adam Claj-berger, John Jones, Peter Hower, Samuel Leiby, William Goodman, Samuel Leiby, Isaac Edwards, Daniel E, Kelnes, Jonathan Faust, George W. Bill-

and

GEORGE

man.

W. BRYSON'. attorney and representative in the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, Centralia. was born at Minersville, Schuj^lkill Co., Penn., June 13, 1849, a son
of John and Catherine (Gorrell) Bryson. They were both natives of Ireland, and, coming
to this country, were married in Philadelphia, whence they removed to Minersville,
Schuylkill County. The mother died at Harrison, that county, but the father still resides
"
at Philadelphia.
Our subject attended the public schools of Schuylkill Count}^ and in
1867 entered the State normal school at Bloomsburg. He also attended Dickinson College
at Williamsport, and is a graduate of Prof. A. Davis' Commercial College at the latter
city.
In July, 1863, he mov^ed to Columbia County, located at Centralia and taught school
in the adjoining townships.
He was afterward employed as bookkeeper in the First
National Bank at Ashland, which position he held three years. He then went to BloomsSon, and was adburg, this county, and commenced reading law with C. R. Buckalew
mitted to the bar at Bloomsburg in 1875!
That year he opened an office in Centralia,
where he still has his home. He was nominated by the Democratic party for representaIn the autumn of 1884
tive in 1882, and elected to that position in the fall of that year.
he was re-elected to represent the county in the Legislature, and is a member of the present
House. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Bloomsburg.
DANIEL F. CURRY, postmaster, Centralia, was born in Schuylkill County, this
State, August 15,1843, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Moran) Curry. "^His father died in
Schuylkill Countj', October 23. 1857.
Daniel F. early engaged in mining and at the age
Oliver,
of seventeen years was employed as superintendent of the collier}' of Hennett
Schuylkill Couutv, which position he held until 1864, when he came to Centralia and beHe had
Co.
came foreman of the Continental colliery, operated by Charles Goodrich
charge both inside and out until 1870, when he retired from mining, and embarked in the
wholesale liquor business at Centralia, which he carried on about three years, at the end
He then
of which time the block in which his store was situated was destroyed by fire.
started in the hotel business, which he still conducts.
He is a Democrat; was appointed
postmaster of Centralia January 1, 1886, and has been a member of the borough council,
also held other local positions.
He was married November 1, 1865, to Miss Mary Farrell,
daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Farrell. Mr. and Mrs. Curry were the parents of
ten children, of whom seven are living; Margaret, Annie, Thomas, Mollie, Elizabeth.
Mr. Curry enDaniel and Gertrude. The deceased are Lizzie, Josephine and Michael.
listed in April, 1861, in company C, Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, colonel Mc-

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Dowell. They were assigned toGen.Heiutzelman'scorps, and were in Alexandria atthe time
of the shooting of Col.'Ellsworth.
Mr. Curr.y was mustered out with his regiment at
At the time of the invasion of
Harrisburg at the expiration of the term of enlistment.
Gen. Lee he raised a company in Schuylkill County, and was commissioned first lieutenant
Thecompanj^ was mustered
by Gov. Curtin. his commission bearing date June 15, 1863.
in Company K, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, and mustered out;later in the year,
there being no further need for the number raised at that time.
G. W. DAVIS, Jr., druggist, P. O. Centralia, was born in Minersville, Schuylkill Co.,
Penn., September 5, 1855. His parents, George Wood and INIary E. (Edwards) Davis,
were natives of Wales, and came to this country', the former in the early part of 1854,
the latter arriving on the 7th of the following November, on which date thej' were married in New York. Thej^ then moved to Minersville, Schuylkill County, where the
father engaged in mining. In 1880 he weut to the big mine run, and engaged as con-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

430

He returned to Minersville, and later came to Centralia, and
tractor in sinking a slope.
Co., miners and shipof the contractors for sinking the slope for J. M. Freck
pers of coal. He continued to mine coal at that colliery until a spell of idleness, caused
by the miners standing out for higher wages, compelled him to engage with R. Gorrell
Co. At the Continental colliery, with six others, he was employed on a slope at night,
V/hile returning from work about
to avoid stopping the hoisting in the daytime.
1 A. M., they were shot at from an ambush while walking through a cut on the Lehigh
Valley Railroad track, the lights on their heads making them easily discernible. Their
Mr.
assailants probably supposed that their victims had intended to take their places.
Davis was shot through the lungs and so severely wounded that he never entirely recovered from the effects. Some time after he was engaged with J. P. Jones at the No. 5
An opening then offered to him
tunnel, Lausford, where he remained about two years.
at his home in Centralia, and he became foreman of the mine of G. M. Prevost, and after
Mahanoy
colliery
No.
Plain.
From there, after three
1,
six months went to Bear Ridge
years, he went to Ashland and became foreman of the tunnel colliery. Philadelphia
Reading Coal and Iron Company, and was thus engaged about two years, when he acCo. While thus encepted a similar position at the Big Mine Run colliery, J. Taylor
gaged, passing through an entry November 7, 1885. a large piece of coal fell from the
roof and so injured him that ne was confined to bed for three mouths. He then resumed
his duties, but a day's trial compelled him to return to bed, and he died May 31, 1886,
and was buried in the Oddfellows cemetery, Centralia. His widow and eleven children
George W., Jr., commenced the drug business in 1869, and finished his
still reside here.
apprenticeship in 1872. In 1874 his father, who was then appointed postmaster, bought a
drug store in the postoffice building. George W., Jr., who had been an assistant in the
postoffice since 1869, conducted the store and transacted the principal business of the postHis father was postmaster until December, 1885. Our subject was a member of
office.
the borough school board for 1886. succeeding his father. The latter was a member of
the I. O. O. F., and highly respected by all who knew him.
H. J. FERGUSON, railroad agent L. V. Railroad, Centralia, was born in Minersto Thomas and Martha (Christopher)
ville, Schuylkill Co., Penu., January 1, 1853,
Ferguson, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1842, and located at Pottsville,
Penn. J'rom Pottsville they removed to Branch Dale, thence to Minersville, thence to
Shenandoah, where the father died in September, 1883, and where the mother still resides.
Our subject was educated at Minersville, Fort Carbon and Boylestown, and on going to
Shenandoah taught school in the vicinity and afterward in the borough. In 1870 he
entered the ofiice of the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Shenandoah, where he was assistant
agent under his brother. There he remained about eight years, varying his occupation
sometimes by teaching school. In October, 1878, he was appointed bj^ the railroad
managementi as agent at Centralia, which position he has held since that time. The
business of the Centralia office, over which he has control, will amount to probably
$30,000 per year; this is exclusive of the coal trade, with which this office has nothing to do.
A. B. FORTNER, stoves and tinware, Centralia, was born in Catawissa, Columbia Co., Penn., Julj^ 28, 1843, son of B. P. and Mary (Davis) Fortner.
They were
both born in Columbia County, the former now living at Catawissa the laiter died
there in April, 1884. Our subject was reared in Columbia County, and was employed on
the Catawissa Railroad about nine months. In 1863 he was appointed assistant internal
revenue assessor for the Thirteenth District. He was engaged in the Government service
about one year, and then came to Centralia, and embarked in his present business which
he has since followed. He married.'at Catawissa, in November, 1865, Miss Mary N. Dean,
Her father
a native of Columbia County, Penn., and a daughter of Thomas L. Dean.
now resides in Catawissa. Her mother is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Fortner are the parents of
five children, three of whom are living: Elizabeth, Charles and Mary
the deceased are
Harry and an infant. Mr. Fortner is a member of the K. of L. His father was a
representative in the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania at the time of the division
of the counties of Columbia and Montour, served one term and al.so held the position of
general internal revenue assessor of the Thirteenth District for about three years.
agent of mining companies, P. O. Centralia* was born in
Northumberland County, Penn., August 14. 1825, a son of William and Sarah (Wetzel)
Goodman, natives of Northumberland County where the former died about 1828. W^hen
William had reached the age of about five years he moved with his mother to Columbia
County, where she died March 15, 1882, William was reared in that county and on the
23d of January, 1845, married Miss Rosanna Levan, a native of Columbia County,
and a daughter of Daniel, Sr., and Elizabeth (Houck) Levan. Both died in this county,
the former in 1863 and the latter about 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman are the parents of
nine children, seven of whom are living: Elizabeth, wife of Ira Roadermel, residing in
Montana Daniel, married to Harriet Person, also residing in Montana Isaac, married
to Amanda Moyer, residing at Girardville, Penn.; Benjamin, married to Mary Harris,
residing in Conyngham Township Christiana, wife of Jerry George, residing in Montana
Catherine, wife of Levi George, in Centralia, and Ira. The deceased are William and

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WILLIAM GOODMAN,

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431

CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP.

Clinton. In 1869 Mr. Goodman was given charge of the lands of the coal companies in Conyngham Township by the coal and mining companies, and in 1878 he was
given charge of all repairs and buildings on the public roads. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman
are members of the Presbyterian Church in Locust Township.
J M. GWINNER, M. D., Centralia, was born at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co.. Penn

Henry

,

and Mary M. (Gross) Gwinner, former of whom, a
native of Wurtemburg, Germany, died in Schuylkill County, this Stale, where his widow

October

25, 1858,

a son of

Jacob

J.

Our subject commenced his education in the public schools of St. Clair,
resides.
finishing at the Palatinate College, this State. After finishing at the Palatinate College,
he entered the oflice of Dr. A. P. Carr, St. Clair, as a student and remained with him until
In the fall of 1879 he entered the Pennsylvania University,
his graduation in medicine.
the
and graduated from that institution in March, 1881. After graduating he remained
office of Dr. Carr until October, 1881. when he came to Centralia and entered upon the
He was elected coroner
practice of medicine and surgery, and has since remained here.
of Columbia County at the fall election of 1885, his term commencing January 1, 1886.
He has built up a good practice and made an enviable record since becoming a citizen
of Centralia. Dr. Gwinner still retains his membership in the Schuylkill Medical Society.
IRVIN, of the firm of Irviu Bros., Centralia, was born in Ireland,
June 12, 1844, a son of William and Ann Jane Irvin. His father died in that country, and
in 1861 the family removed to the United States, and located at Christian Hundred,
Brandy wine Banks, Del. There they resided until coming to Centralia, Penn., about
Thomas worked on the repairs in the mines for about three years and then obtained
1863.
the position of boss of the loading, at which he was employed a number of years. He
then engaged as clerk in the coal company's store and was there employed until 1879,
when he and his brother embarked in mercantile business under the firm name of Irvin
They carry a general stock of clothing, dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries,
Bros.
Thomas married in 1866,
flour and feed, and own the building in which the store is kept.
Miss Mary, a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., and a daughter of John and Catherine
Bryson. Mr. and Mrs. Irvin were the parents of nine children, six living; Robert, Catharine Ann, Thomas, Mary, Eva Lillian and William John. The deceased are John,
Jennie and an infant unnamed. In 1861 Mr. Irvin enlisted in Company B, Fifth Delaware Infantry, Col. McComas, and was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Delaware. He
remained in the service nine months and then returned home. Mr. Irvin is a member of
the Joe Hooker Post, G. A. R., at Ashland, and, with his family, attends the Protestant
Episcopal Church. John Irvin, brother of Thomas, was born in Ireland, March 8, 1858.
He came with his family to Centralia; is a member of the I. O. O. F. at this place.
H. J. KELLY, foreman of the Logan colliery, Centralia, was born in MonmouthIn 1863
shire, South AVales, June 6, 1844, son oif James C. and Elizabeth (Jones) Kelly.
the family came to America and located in St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Penn., where our
subject went to work in the mines. His father died at St. Clair, December 9, 1884; his
mother still resides there. Our subject commenced work in the mines of his native country when he reached the age of eight years, and on arriving at St. Clair became engaged
There he worked until 1864, when he enlisted in Comat the Mount LafEee colliery.
pany H, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry; served in Virginia and Maryland, and at the
He then went back
close of the war was mustered out at Harri-sburg in July, 1865.
to Si. Clair and to the mines, where he remained until 1872, when he went to Mahanoy
City and there worked Jn several of the collieries. In^April, 1875, he went to Ashland
Reading Coal
to take charge of the Bast colliery. Big Mine Run, for the Philadelphia
Iron Company. He remained there until 1877, when he,. took charge of the Richardson
He was thus engaged for nearly four years, and in 1881,
colliery for the same company.
on the opening of the Logan colliery, he came to Centralia to take charge of it, and has
held that position since, having under him 400 men and boys. He was married at St.
Clair July 30, 1867, to Miss Ann Jones, a native of St. Clair and a daughter of Evan and
Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are the parents of nine children, eight
Celia Jones, both deceased.
of whom are now living: Frank, Harry, Elizabeth, Rhoslyn, Ida and Edith (twins), Annie
Logan and Celia; the deceased one was named Mary. Mr. Kelly is a member of Minersville Lodge, No. 222, A.,F.
A. M.; is one of the directors of the poor of the Conyngham
and Centralia District, having served as such since April. 1884.
JAMES McBREARTY, engineer, Centralia, was born in Carbon County, Penn.,
July 18. 1854, to Bernard and MaVy (Martin) McBrearty, both natives of Donegal, Ireland,
where they married, and, immigra'ting to America, settled in Carbon County, after a short
stay in New York City. The former died in Boonesboro, Iowa, and the latter at Centralia.
James came to Centralia with his parents when he had reached the age of eight
years, in 1862, and here has since resided. When a boy he commenced work on a breaker,
and afterward as a driver in the mines. He then served as fireman, and in 1871 was
appointed engineer at the Centralia colliery. He remained there until 1875, and then
engaged in the same capacity at the Continental colliery, where he was employed until
1883. He then obtained a similar position at the Hazel Dell colliery, which he still holds.
He married at Centralia, March 28, 1872, Miss Sarah, a native of Schuylkill County, and
still

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THOMAS

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BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES.

432

Mr. and
a daughter of James and Mary (McCarthy) Colihan, residents of Centralia.
Mrs. McBrearty are the ])areuts of three children: Mary, John and Bernard. Mr. McBrearty retired from his position as engineer of the Hazel Dell colliery, and is now
devoting himself to his business on Locust Avenue, Centralia, wliere he has a hotel.
CHARLES G. MURPHY, merchant, Centralia, was Ijorn in County Fermanagh,
He is the son of Charles Murphy and Mary (Corrigan).
Ireland, January IS, 1844.
Murphy. The former was the youngest of four brothers and died in 1879 at the advanced
age of eighty-two years. The latter is still living in her native countrj^ and is now about
eighty years old. Early in 1862 our subject came to this country, and after trying various
occupations with indifferent success, finally, in 1864, came to Centralia,ColumbiaCo., Penn.,
not knowing a person in the county, worked at the coal mines and labored on the then new
branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, spending his spare time studying the American
system of education. After successfully passing an examination he was appointed to a
school in Centralia in Januarj*, 186;'), which occupation he followed till 1874, when he
embarked in mercantile business. This he has followed successfully since. He held a
number of important positions, being treasurer of The Citizens Building and Loan Association since 1872; elected justice of the peace, he .served for fifteen years, retiringof his own
choice; has been school director and secretary of the board since 1876; was twice elected
coroner of the county. and in 1886 was elected one of the associate judges of the Twenty-sixth
Judicial District. Mr. Murphy was married to Maggie Curry in 1869, by whom ten children were born to him, four of whom are living: Mary, Maggie, Josephine and Susan. The
family attend the Roman Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Murphy is a strong Democrat,
and frequently represented his county in the State Convention.
REESE, superintendent of the collieries of L. A. Riley & Co., Centralia,
was born in South Wales, May 29, l8o9, a son of Thomas and Hannah (Bull) Reese. There
Edward became engaged in
his father was engaged in mining, and there his mother died.
the mining industry in his native country, and in 1863 came to America, and located at
Wadesville, Penn., in the vicinity of which place, at Ball's Slope, Schuylkill County, he
engaged in mining. He remained there but a short time, making his home, however, at
After eighteen months he made a trip to Wales, returned in February,
Wadesville.
1865, and went to Mount Laffee, Schuylkill Co., Penn., where he worked for three years
as a miner. He was then appointed mining foreman and held that position three and
one-half years, when he received the appointment of inside boss at Bear Ridge. After
four months he returned to Mount Laffee, Beechwood colliery, as superintendent, which
position he filled about three years, and then took the position of inside foreman at the
tunnel colliery at Ashland, Schuylkill County. After two years he went to Mahanoy City,
where he was engaged for six months sinking slopes etc., as inside foreman. He then
went to Alaska to sink the Mount Carmel shaft in Northumberland County; thence to
Ashland to accept the position of assistant mining superintendent of the Philadelphia &
Reading Coal & Iron Company. This position he held for about five years, when his abilities were recognized by his promotion to the position of assistant mining inspector by the
same company. He had charge of 22 collieries, or all north of the Broad Mountain, and
remained in that position until September, 1880, when he was offered and accepted the
position of general superintendent of the collieries of L. A. Riley & Co., at and near Centralia, Columbia Count3^
AVhen it became knowni that Mr. Reese had severed his
connection with the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, a grand reception was gotten up at the Odd Fellows Hall, Ashland, and there on the evening
of September 25, 1880. about 400 of the leading people connected with the mining
interests assembled to bid him farewell, and whicli was one of the greatest social
gatherings known in the coal regions, on which occasion Mr. Reese was made the recipient
of a splendid gold-headed cane. He had charge of the Centralia, Logan and Hazel Dell
collieries, Columbia County, and in February, 1886, was made general superintendent of
the Park No. 1, Park No. 2 and Park No 3 collieries of Lentz, Lilly & Co., Schuylkill
County. He now has general supervision over works employing 3,000 men and boys. He
married in Wales in 1863, Miss Ann Lewis, and to them have been born the following named
children: Thomas, Rachel, James, George, John, Daniel and Edward. Mr. Reese is a member of the Mineral Odd Fellows Lodge at St. Clair; of the Masonic Anthracite Lodge, A. F.
& A. M. at St. Clair and Griscom Chapter, R. A. M. at Ashland. He has worked his way up
from a poor boy to his present high position in the confidence of two of Pennsylvania's
great coal mining and shipping firms. His father died at Ashland in 1880.
GEORGE TROUTMAN, coal operator. Centralia, was born in Schuylkill County,
Penn., May 23, 1835, son of Jacob and Rosina (Gabelbecker) Troutman, both natives of
Alsace (then in France, now in Germany). The father died in Schuylkill County, and
the mother in Columbia County. Mr. Troutman first commenced work in a breaker, in
what was then the New Philadelphia colliery, about six miles from Pottsville. He afterward went to work in the mines, and in 1861 was made inside foreman at the Stewartsville colliery, of which he remained in charge about three j'ears, and then went to Girard
colliery as foreman about five years, then went to Nevada to try his fortune in the gold
fields.
Not finding things to his liking there, in the fall of the same year he returned to

EDWARD

CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP.

433

PenusVlvauia and obtained the position of inside foreman in the Girard colliery, GirardHe then came to Centralia and about twelve
ville. where he remained for six 3^ears.
months was foreman at the "Continental" colliery. He then leased laud west of Centralia, and commenced the mining business for himself on a small scale, taking out only
the out-crop coal. He continued in this line of mining about three years, gradually increasing operations, and in 1880 formed a partnership with Isaac May, Harr}- Morgan and
James May, under the firm name of Isaac May & Co. The firm then constructed a breaker
and continued operations on an increased scale, in tiie slope which Mr. Troutman had
commenced in 1879. They employ about 400 men and boys, and the out-put in 1885 was
103,000 tons, which was turned out. working on reduced time so that this amount does
not represent the full capacity of the colliery. Their principal market is New York, and the
works are on the line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Mr. Troutman was married in Schu3ikill County. Penn., September 2, 1856, to Miss Mary Jane Quick, and they are the parents of
twelve children, eleven of whom are living: Maria, Samuel J., Jennie, Laura, George F.,
Sallie, Edward J., Katie, Grayson, Lucretia and Eva; the deceased one was named
Samuel. Mr. Troutman is a member of the A. F. & A. M. at Ashland, and of the I. O.
O. F. at Girardville.

JOHX

WILLIAMS, mining

inspector of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, CenMerthyr Tydvil, South Wales, April 32. 1838, son of Jacob and Mary
Williams. In 1841 they immigrated to America, landing in New York on the 4th of
July; then came to Pennsylvania and located in the Schuylkill Vallej', three or four
mires above Fort Carbon, where the father of our subject engaged in the mines. There
John J. was reared, and there, at St. Clair, Pottsville and Sanford, they remained until
the fall of 1854. Our subject went to Jo Daviess County, 111., with his parents, and there,
in the spring of 1855, his mother died, and the father, who was then temporarily in Pennsylvania, went to Illinois, and, after the funeral of his wife, returned to Pennsylvania and
died at Ashland in 1882. Our subject remained in Illinois until the spring of 1857 when
he was engaged in farm work, but at the time mentioned he returned to Pennsylvania,
and went to work in the Coaldale colliery, at Summit Hill. He was there emploj'ed until
the winter of 1862-63. when they removed to Ashland, where and in the vicinity he followed mining, at Keystone, Locust Run, Continental, James R. Cleaver's, Preston No. 3
of Girardsville, and iVIahanoy Plain, in all thus engaged until 1873. He was then employed by the Reading Coal & Iron Company as mine in.spector of the Ashland District,
anil remained in their employ until December, 1875, when he removed to Centralia and
accepted the position of mining inspector for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company which he
still holds.
He was married at Mahanoy City May 27, 1879, to Mrs. Mary Williams, a
native of Minersville, Penn., and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones, who are
both residents of Mahanoy City. Mr. and Mrs. WilJiams have two children: Arthur Lin
and Clarence. Mrs. Williams had one son by her former marriage: Howard Williams.
Mr. Williams is a member of the Ashland Locust Mountain Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the
Encampment at Ashland. He is also a member of the Ashland Lodge, A. F. & A. M.,
and a member of the Centralia Borough Council. In politics he is a Republican. The
familv attend the Presbvterian Church.
EDWARD WILLIA5IS, Jr., foreman Centralia collier}^ Centralia, was born in Cornwall. England, August 21, 1849. a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Daws) Williams.
He
commenced to work in the mines in England in an early day, and in 1870 came to America ;md located at Buffalo, N. Y.
After six months he came to Centralia and worked at
the Hazel Dell colliery. One year later he worked at the "Excelsior" colliery, Northumberland County, Penn.. and after another year returned to Centralia and took charge
of the " Continental " colliery, where he remained one and a half years, and in the fall of
1876 accepted a similar position at the Hazel Dell colliery. After eight months there he
returned to the "Continental" colliery and remained until taking charge of the " Centralia " and Hazel Dell collieries in September. 1881.
He now has charge of both these
collieries, which employ about 300 men and boys inside.
Mr. Williams was married at
Oakland, now in the borough of Ashland, on the 19th of Februarj'. 1874, to Miss Martha
D. Goldsworthy, a native of Devonshire, England, and daughter of James and Eliza Goldswor^h}^ both of whom died in Centralia. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were the parents of
three children, of whom two are liying: Martha G. and James G. Mr. Williams is a
member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Centralia, No. 586.
tralia,

J.

was born

in

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

434

CHAPTER XXX.
FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.
PHILIP APPLEMAN, Sr.,
who came from New Jersey and

farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, is a son of Matthias Appleman
After
settled in Montour Township, near Bloomsburg.
his marriage he bought a farm in Madison Township on which he erected a distillery, and
seventy-five.
age
of
many years after bought 300 acres in Benton on which he died at the
His wife, nee Margaret Beers, died some years previous, aged sixty-four. Their children

were Hannah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Matthias, George, Peter and Samuel, deceased; William,
in Benton; Mary Ann, wife of Samuel Betts, of Ohio, and Philip, who is the eldest of the
Our subject.was
survivors. Matthias was a member of the Episcopal Church in Benton.
born February 17, 1808, and lived with his parents until the age of twenty-four. He then
bought a farm of 240 acres where he now lives, and to which he added until he had 400
He erected a water mill which he operated four years, and when that failed erected
acres.
a steam mill which is yet running. In 1830 he married Mary Ann Dnvis, of Benton, who
was born March 26, 1808. They have had six children: Matthias M.. in Rohrsburg; Catherine M., wife of George W. Staten, in Illinois; Reuben D., in Iowa; Samuel, died aged one
year; Mary E., died in 1870, aged twenty-eight years, and Philip D., who farms his father's
Mr. Appleman has led an active life; he has cleared his farm, brought it to a high
place.
He has held township offices, but refused
state of cultivation and engaged in lumbering.
When supervisor he put the roads in good order for a smaller
to be justice or constable.
sum than was ever required. He has given all his children a good start in life. He and
Mrs. Appleton are members of the Christian Churcli, and he is now one of the oldest
residents in the township.

CHARLES ASH, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a native of Northampton County,
Penn., born October 18, 1820, a son of Christian and Mary (Osterday) Ash, natives of the
same county. They removed to Briarcreek Township, this county, when our subjeci was
seven years old; there the father bought a small farm and remained seven years, when he
There he moved and died
sold out and bought the place where his son Charles now lives.
His wife died about nine years before. They had ten children, all living: Mary,
in 1879.
widow of Russell Creveling. in Wisconsin; William, residing in the house where his
father died on a part of the home farm; Sarah, in Iowa; Hiram, in Benton Township;
Catherine, in Luzerne County; Delia Ann, in Briarcreek; Christian J., in this township;
Elizabeth and Hester in Benton, and Charles. Our subject is the second child, and on his
marriage took possession of the home farm, his father moving to another part of it. He
married' October 24, 1848, Sarah Ruckel, of Briarcreek, who died February 19, 1886. They
had nine children, one of whom died in infancy; the others are George Wesley, husband
of Amelia H. Freas, and William S., married to Hettie Learns, having one cliild named
Clarence Reagan, both residing in Briarcreek; Pierce, married to Susan Werkbeiser, having one child, named Trellie Clementine, living on his father's farm; Harvey R., married
to Mary Hill, having one child, N. Ernest Augustus, and living in Berwick; Stewart A.,
married to Murtie D. Freas, having one child, named Roscoe Laine, and living in Briarcreek; Miles Wilbert, married to Clara Smith; Thomas Elliott and Amy Florentine, living
with their father. Mr. Ash has served as supervi-sor, school director, overseer of the poor
and collector. He was also engaged in huckstering eleven years, but his time has been
principally given to his farm which is in an excellent condition, improved with fine brick
residence and out-buildings. He is a member of the Columbia Grange, and has been a
deacon in the Lutheran Church, this township, for years.
LEVI BEISHLINE, retired farmer, P. O. Van Camp, is a grandson of Michael
Beishline, who came from Germany in the last century, settling in Luzerne County. Penn.
His son, Henry, was the father of Levi and was born in that county, April 16, 1796, and
lived there until his marriage.
He then bought a farm in this township, near Van Camp,
where he died in 1876 at the age of eighty years. He married, January 16, 1821, Elizabeth
Yost, of Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County, who was born September 28, 1800, and
died in her seventy-seventh year. They had eleven children: John, who died in infancy;
Michael resides in this township; Margaret Ann was wife of Sol Heller and died in Luzerne County; Susanna, wife of Andrew Wenner of Luzerne County, where she died;
Lavina, wife of Anthony Lutz, died in Benton Township; Henry died unmarried; Jacob
lives in Luzerne County; Solomon died when young; Sarah Ann is the wife of Andrew
Stein of Benton Township; William lives in Greenwood Township. Levi is the third son
and was born July 21, 1827, and in his youth,, with his brothers, helped to clear the farm.

nSHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP,

435

in woods. A few months after his marriage he bought a lot at Bendertown, this township, to which he added until he had a farm of [eighty acres, on which he
lived until 1884 when he retired. He also bought another farm near by, both of which he
owns. In 1862 he was drafted and served nine months in the One Hundred and Eightyseventh Pennsylvania, Company A. Dec. 19, 1847, he married Maria, daughter of Daniel
Wenner, of Butler Township, Luzerne County, who was born August 31. 1827. They have had
fourteen children: Catherine Ann. born February 8, 1849, died October 8, 1855; Daniel, born
April 17, 1850, married Emma Coleman and resides in Nebraska; Henry J., born August 31,
1851, died December 6, 1858; Elias, born July 5, 1853, died September 27, 1855; Sarah, born
January 9, 1855, died January 24, 1869; Susannah, born July 4, 1856. died February 26, 1870;
Andrew, born in 1857, died at birth; Samuel, born November 8, 1858, lives in York County,
Neb.; Mary, born Novembers, 1858, died February28, 1870; John F., born July 20, 1860,
died March 3, 1870; Nathaniel, born November 2, 1861, and lives on the home farm of his
father; Eliza, born May 20, 1864, lives ^itli her parents; Amanda, born April 26, 1866,
wife of Wallace W. Wenner (son of Michael Wenner), and lives near Bendertown and AdaMr. Beishline has never held any office
line, born June 20, 1867, living with her parents.
He is now a school director and president of the board.
which he could avoid holding.
He has accumulated what he has by hard work and is a self-made man. He and Mrs.
Beishline are members of the Reformed Church at Van Camp, of which he has been deacon and of which he is now trustee. Politically he is a Democrat.
EVAN B. BEISHLINE, United States guager, Stillwater, is a great-grandson of
Michael Beishline, who came from Germany iu the latter part of the last century. He
His son, John, was the
settled in Butler Township, Luzerne County, and was a farmer.
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and was born in that place in 1801, and died in
iBenton Township, this county, iu February. 1877. When a young man he accumulated
some money, bought a farm in Benton Township, on which he resided until his death.
In 1830 he married Miss Elizabeth Pealer, who is still living near Orangeville, this count3^
They had ten children, of whom five are deceased, as follows: Samuel, who was drowned
in a flood at Huntington Creek; Erastus, who died when young; Elias R. was a teacher
and died at the age of about forty-four years; Susanna was the wife of P. Sittler, and
John W,, who was captain of a company in a Pennsylvania regiment during the civil
war, and died about seven j'ears ago. The living are Catherine, wife of Russell Shultz
of Benton Township; Savilla, wife of Jacob Shultz, living in Orange Township; Gideon
in Berwick, foreman in the car shop of Jackson & Woodin, and chief policeman of the
borough; Frank H., unmarried and engineer on a railroad in Texas; and Jacob M., the
father of Evan B. and the eldest survivor. Jacob M. was born July 28, 1831, in Benton
Township, and lived on the home farm until his marriage at the age of twenty-two. His
father then bought him a farm, to which he moved and which he has ever since made his
home. In early life he joined the Reformed Church, in whicli he has been an elder for
twenty-five years, and a greater part of the time has also been superintendent of the
Sabbath-school. He is a consistent citizen and good Christian. June 14, 1854, he married
Miss Mary M. Krickbaum of Benton Township, who was born in 1832. To their union
eight children were born as follows: Mary E.; Oliver C, married Miss Kate Ruckle and
lives in Benton Township; Eli A., single, "living with hisparents; Ida A., wife of Emanuel
Wenner, of Benton Township; Charles N., died in childhood; Harvey W. and Susan I.,
both of whom reside with their parents, and Evan B. Our subject is the eldest of the
family and was born April 25, 1855. He lived at home and worked on the farm until he
was seventeen years of age. He then went to school, attending various academies and
seminaries. In 1876 he began teaching, which profession he followed for eight winters.
In 1881 he and his brother Eli A. engaged extensively in lumber operations, but on the
night of May 8, 1884, their saw-mill, which was the largest in Columbia County together with a large quantity of lumber, was destroyed by fire and was uninsured. Since
Ihen he has been emplo3-ed at carpentering, and in August, 1866, he was appointed United
States ganger. December 23, 1882, he married Frances I., daughter of Stephen Drescher
of this township.
She was born August 8, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Beishline are prominent
members of the Christian Church, in which he is an elder, and also superintendent of the
Sabbath-school. He takes a warm interest in all religious matters, and has the respect of
all who know him.
Politicallv he is a Democrat.
ELIAS P. BENDER, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a grandson of ]\Iorton Bender, a
farmer, who died in Mount Pleasant Township, near Orangeville. His children were Jacob
and Thomas, who died in Iowa; David and George (twins), the former living in Nebraska
and the latter in Sullivan County, Penn.; Poll3\ who died in Mount Pleasant; Catherine,
in Greenwood; Lydia, in Orange; Mary, in Sullivan County, and Aaron, the father of our
subject.
Aaron was born in Reading, May 17, 1814, and on his marriage bought a farm
near Bendertown; in 1849 he bought another near the place where he now resides, and
has always followed farming. His wife (Salome) daughter of John Pealer. of this township, bore him the following named children: George Washington, who died in infancy;
Samuel, who married Elizabeth Wenner (resides at Berwick, where he has been boss of
the planing-mill for twenty years); Enandus, a farmer, married to Catherine Wenner (re-

which was endrely

,_

436

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

^

sides in this township); John M., lumberman, married to Mattie Derr (lives in Mimcy,
Lycoming County); Thomas, a farmer, married to Sallie Cramer, after whose decease
he married Maggie Kline (lives in Benton Township); Frank P., a farmer, married to Eliza

Pealer (lives in this township); Susanua, wife of Elias Wenuer, of this township; Salome,
unmarried, in this township, and Elias P. Our subject was born February 11, 1838, and
He then married and worked
lived with his father until he was twenty-five years of age.
for a year at shoemaking, later buying a farm near Jonestown in this township. At the
end of three years he sold out and bought another at Pealertovvn, which he sold after two
years, and bought a farm in Greenwood Township, on which he resided three years.
He
then moved to Bendertown, where he built a store which he conducted for a year, going
thence to Benton; then returned to Bendertown, and eight years later bought the farm
In October, 1862, he was drafted and entered
on which he now resides near Stillwater.
the Union Army in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment, and served nine
home,
then
returned
married,
and in the fall of 1864 enlisted in the One
months. He
Hundred and Ninety-eighth Regiment and sei-Ved until the close of the war. He was
severely wounded at Lee Farms, Va., where he received a bullet through his neck and a
April 14, 1864,
flesh wound in the arm, and was laid up in the hospital for three months.
he married Rebecca, daughter of Jacob Markle, of this township. She was born March
25, 1843, and has borne her husband six children: Clara; Torrance, who is a clerk in
Wilkesbarre; Lloyd; Sallie C. Pearl; and Mary Agnes, who died December 19, 1877. Mr.
Bender takes an active interest in political matters and has held many township oflices.
He is an active member of the G. A. R., and also a member of the German Reformed
;

Church.

PERRY BUCKALEW, farmer, P. O. Fishingcreek, is a descendant of the Buckalew
family mentioned in the succeeding sketch. He was born January 30, 1820,and in early life
was engaged with his father farming and lumbering. After his marriage he farmed for
his father, and in 1858 took the part of the farm which he afterward inherited and on
which he has since resided. He is a man who has always lived a quiet life. In 1842 he
married Sarah, daughter of William White, of Town Hill, Luzerne County, and who was
born November 6, 1821. They have had eight children, one of whom died in infancy. The
others were Maria, who died unmarried at the age of thirty years; Wadsworth, who
entered the Union Army in his eighteenth year served two years in the One Hundred and
Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died a year after the close of the war, of
disease contracted while in the service; Charles is unmarried and works on the farm;
Alfred W. is married to Alice J. Kindig, and lives in the same house with his father, whom
he assists on the farm; John M. is single, a painter by trade and sometimes works on the
farm; Mary is the wife of Alfred Chapin, of Jonestown, and Rebecca is married to Chester Chapin, a farmer of Huntington Township, Luzerne County.
Mr. Buckalew has been
a hardworking man, and his property has been acquired by his industry and strict attention to business.
He is of careful, correct habits, and like his brother, votes the Repub-

—

lican ticket.

JOHN
Buccleuchs,

M.

BUCKALEW,

who went from

lumberman, P. O. Fishingcreek, is descended from the
Scotland to France with Queen Mary, and becoming Prot -

estants, two brothers, Francis and Gilbert, immigrated to Long Island about 1663, while
They were both married in this country, and in
it was in the possession of the Dutch.
time their names became corrupted, Francis being called Buckalew, and Gilbert Boileau.
Francis went to South Amboy, N. J. An old will, now in possession of our subject, made
by Samuel Buckalew, dated 1782, devises to his son John a certain tract at the place menFamily
tioned, which it states was bequeathed to him by his father, Francis Buckalew.
tradition has it that Francis lived to be one hundred and ten years old, and his son Samuel
is known to have been ninety-six years old at his death in New Jersey in 1792.
He was
the great-grandfather of John M. His son John was born April 14, 1743, and in 1773
married Mary McKinney, who was born October 5, 1754. Shortly after the young couple
immigrated to where the town of Muncy now stands, in Lycoming County. He was a
millwright and miller, and it is supposed carried on the business there. The next we
hear of him is that in 1776 he and Robert Robb were appointed a committee of safety for
Turbot Township, Northumberland County, under Franklin's central committee, at
Philadelphia. In 1778 they were obliged to leave in consequence of Indian troubles,
which culminated with the death of " Capt. Jim Brady," who was a near neighbor, and
with whom they fought the redskins. John Buckalew's father-in-law followed him into
the wilderness and went to Harrisburg. John went to Maryland and rented a mill at
Rock Run; there he ground grain for the army under contract with the Continental Congress, and an old unpaid account of nearly £fOO is still in existence.
At the close of the
Revolution he returned to Northumberland County and settled on the Chillisquaque
Creek, and there remained for a few years, thence going to Little Fishingcreek, and later
to this township, where he died July 3, 1833.
His wife Mary died November 25,
They had five sons and seven daughters. One of the sons, John M., was the
father of our subject. He was born at Chillisquaque on December 17, 1786; learned his
father's trade in Catawissa, and worked at it for a few years. In 1808, while still young.

came
1829.

FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

437

he purchased and removed to the place now occupied by his sons, Perry and John M. He
a farmer and lumberman, and died November 15, 1859, aged seventy-three years.
He married, in 1813. Martha Funston, who was born in 1789 and died in 1840, aged fiftyThey had nine children, four of whom died in childhood. Those who
one years.
lived to maturity were William, who died on the homestead in 1864; Perry, who
now owns a part of the farm; Charles R., of Bloomsburg, ex-United States senator;

became

Mahala
subject

B., wife of Benjamin C. Hess, of this township, and John M., the j'oungest.
Our
was born October 17, 1836, in a house a short distance from the one he now occu-

He

has always been engaged in lumbering and farming. In 1863 he enlisted a
at Harrisburg, which was assigned to the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth
Pennsylvania as Company A. He commanded the company until the expiration of his
On his return he re-engaged at his former occupation, which he has
|.erm of service.
ince followed. In 1861 he was married to Miss Delilah K., daughter of Andrew and
Theresa Creveling, of this township. She is a sister of Rev. S. A. Creveling, whois a

pies.

company

pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, connected with the Central Pennsylvania ConOf unbounded energy and force of character, Mr. Buckalew is a man of mark,
ference.
and exercises a wide influence in the community. In politics he is a Republican.
LEWIS M. CREVELING, farmer and insurance agent, P. O. Van Camp, is on the
paternal side, descended from German ancestry. His great-grandfather, Andrew Creveling immigrated to this country with his wife and settled near Asbury, Warren Co., N.
At the outbreak of the Revolution he entered the
J., where he engaged in farming.
Continental Army and served all' through the war. He was in the battle of Monmouth
June 28, 1778, and on that day his son, Samuel, the grandfather of our subject, was born.
After the close of the war he removed with his family to Columbia County, Penn., where
he died, and is buried with his wife in the Afton graveyard near Bloomsburg. Samuel
Creveling became a farmer and after his marriage, in 1803, removed to the farm now occupied by our subject, which he had bought. This farm he cleared and erected a cabin, the
site of which is not far from the place where Lewis now lives.
His farm at that time
comprised 350 acres. During the war of 1813 he was drafted, but several young men
one
as
a
Mr.
wanting to go in his stead, he selected
substitute,
Creveling having a family
of young children. He lived on his farm until his death, in 1859, at tlie age of eighty-one.
His wife, Catherine Willets, of this county, died about five years before her husband.
Both are buried in Zion graveyard, this county. They had the following named children:
Andrew, Isaiah, Samuel, Russell and Rachel, all deceased. Peter, John and Sarah are
living.
Peter and John each live on a portion of the old homestead which they inherited;
Sarah is the wife of Jacob Wenner, and resides at Benderstown, this township. Isaiah
was the father of Lewis M. and was born May 29, 1810, on the part of the farm now occupied by our subject, on which he lived until his marriage, when he moved to Huntington
Township, Luzerne County, where he remained a few years. He then bought a farm in
Fairmount Township, that county, where he resided until his death. He never engaged
in any occupation than farming.
He took a somewhat prominent part in local political
matters, holding many township offices. Twice he was elected justice of the peace and
was noted for his talents as a peacemaker, having great influence among his neighbors,
which he exerted for good and was also noted for his charitable disposition. As a hunter and
a fisherman he excelled. He died December 39. 1864, aged nearly fifty-five years. In 1835
he married Catherine M.. daughter of Andrus Fellows, a prominent citizen of Huntington
Township, Luzerne County, and the first white child born in that township. Mr. Fellows
was a wealthy and enterprising farmer, and resided sixty years on the place where he died
and where he accumulated a large fortune. He was a plain, unassuming man and was
known as a philanthropist. In middle life he took his rifle and traveled to Kalamazoo
County, Mich., where he took up land, but later came back to Pennsylvania. Isaiah
Creveling and wife had six children, two of whom died in infancy: Andrus F. (resides on
part of his father's farm in Luzerne County). Samuel W. (on the old homestead with his
mother), Rachel B. (wife of Zephariah L. Kile, a farmer of Sugarloaf Township), and
Lewis M., who was the second child. Our subject was born September 3, 1838, in Luzerne
County, and lived on the farm until the breaking out of the war. August 8, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, the "second bucktails," in which he served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and twenty other engagements. He went out ak a private,
was promoted successively corporal, first sergeant and commissioned second lieutenant,
which rank he held on his return. While sergeant he commanded the company ail through
the battles of the Wilderness and was fortunate to escape with only one wound all through
the service. He was shot through the face at Spottsylvania Court House. On his return
from the service he married and moved to the farm which he now owns and which was a
part of the original tract, and has since been engaged in farming and lumbering. He is
an incorporator in and director of the Fishingcreek Mutual Insurance Company, of which
he is also an agent. September 11, 1865, he married Angeline Moss, daughter of Joseph
and Emily (Trescott) Moss, of Fairmount. Luzerne County (and both are still living). Her
father was born February 13, 1809, and Mrs. Moss April 6, 1809. He has been a farmer

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

438

and lumberman and for years operated a mill in that county. He is a prominent and
He also takes a leading
active citizen and one of the oldest settlers in the township.
position in religious matters in his neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Creveling have seven
Eveline,
Joseph
C,
Albert E., Andrus Felchildren living: Isaiah Osborne, Francis W.,
Mr. Creveling is a prominent man
son, Irviu, died in infancy.
lows and Katie Emily.
He is a
in the political affairs of his township, and has held several township offices.
thorough-going, active business man, and stands high in the community. Politically he

A

is

a Democrat.

CLINTON K. DeWITT,

farmer. P. O. Stillwater, is the eldest son of Isaac DeWitt
James M. DeWitt), and was born in Scott Township, June 25, 1837. In early
He relife he began working on a farm and has always followed agricultural pursuits.
mained at home until his marriage, at the age of twenty-three, when he rented a farm in
Greenwood Township, on which he resided for two years. He then moved to Centralia
and followed the butchering business for three years. He then returned to Greenwood
Township and for six years worked on farms, later renting a farm on which he resided
three years. For the following six or seven years he followed huckstering and then removed to Fishingcreek Township, on the farm owned by his brother, James M., where he
has since remained. January 5, 1860. he married Miss Emma J. Mu.sgrave, who was born
January 8, 1842, in Mount Pleasant Township, and died June 14. 1884, aged forty-two
To this union ten children were born: Dorcas A., who
years, live months and six days.


keeps house for her father; William, who died when four years of age; Norman M., living
with his father; Ida May, wife of Clarence Yost, a son of David Yost of Van Camp, Fishingcreek; Minnie P., Isaac M., Amanda M., Heniy C, Hettie C. and Paul H., who make
Mr. DeWitt is a hard-working man and gives his time and
their home with their father.
attention to his farm. He is not a politician, was once elected justice of the peace
Among his neighbors he bears the
for live years, but resigned at the end of the year.
reputation of an honest, iionorable and upright man in all his dealings.
JAMES M. DeWITT, farmer, butcher and lumberman, Stillwater,is a grandson of John
DeWitt, who was a resident of New Jersey. John's children were James, who died in Greenwood Township, this county; Nellie, who was the wife of John Case, of Northumberland
County, where she died; Sarah, wife of J. R. Patten, and died in Greenwood Township
(her husband is now ninety years of age and resides in Light Street); Elizabeth, was the wife
of Isaac Kline, and died in Augusta Township, and Isaac, who was the father of James M.
Isaac was reared in Northumberland County, where he learned the trade of a wagonmaker, which he followed until a short time before his death in July, 1877. He lived in
Scott, Orange and Greenwood Townships, this county, but died at Light Street while on
a visit. He was an honest man and respected by all who knew him. For many years he
was justice of the peace; he was also a tax collector, and had taken the census of the
county. Late in life he became a member of the Presbyterian Church of which his wife
had long been a member. He was twice married; his first wife, whose maiden name was
Haughawant, died a few years after her marriage, leaving one child, John, who died at
Light Street. His second wife was Nancy Stewart, the daughter of James Stewart, who then
resided at Light Street. She died November 8, 1876, a few months before her husband.
They had six children, viz.: Dorcas, died young; Amanda, w^as the wife of Jacob TerwillWilliam, who died leaving two
iger, of Light Street, where she died; Clinton K.
children; Joseph P., who lives in Rohrsburg; three who died in childhood, and Jame.s M.,
who is the second son. Our subject was born March 9, 1839, in Light Street. He lived
with his parents until his marriage, and on attaining his majority, engaged in butchering
and cattle dealing, and after his marriage moved to this township to the house in which
he now lives, which has since been his home and which he bought thirteen years ago. He is
still engaged to some extent in the lumber business. December 17, 1868, he married Esther
She was born January 14, 1842, and
v., daughter of Jacob B. Stoker of this township.
died April 28, 1872, leaving one child, Elliot E., who was born November 6, 1871. Novem-,
ber 28, 1874, Mr. DeWitt married Miss Phebe E., daughter of David Coleman, of Asbury,
She was born March 20, 1847, and has borne her husband three children:
this township.
Clyde S., born September 13, 1875; Atta C, born December 27, 1877, and Gertie May,
born May 23, 1884. Mr. DeWitt takes an active part in the political affairs of his town,
but refuses to hold office. He belongs to the K. of P., and Columbia Grange. He is an
active business man, and applies himself closelj' to his affairs, and never deserts a friend in
need. Politically he is a Democrat.
JONAS DOTY, deceased, was descended from a Puritan of the same name. Hisgrandparents, Joseph and Martha Doty, resided in New Providence Township, Essex
One of their sons, David Doty, was the father of Jonas.
o., N. J., where they died.
He married Sybil Clark and moved with his family to the Wyoming Valley, where he
bought a farm on which he lived until 1850. He then removed to Luzerne County, near
the Columbia County line, where he bought a farm, and where he and his wife both died.
They are buried in a private burying-ground in this county. They had seven children,
as follows: Joseph, on the home farm in Luzerne County; John lived and died in Benton Township, this county; Anthony died in Benton Township; Sarah died unmarried;
;

FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

439

Martha was

the wife of Thaddeus Newton, and died in Huntington Township, Luzerne
County: Claiinda is the wife of William Belles, and lives in Huntington Township, Luzerne County, and Jonas. Our subject was born August 9, 1808, in New Jersey. He lived
with his parents until his marriage, when he bought a place in the Wyoming Valley, on
which he lived until 1849, when he sold out there and removed to this county, buying the
farm on which he has since lived. The house to which he removed stood on the site of
his present residence, and was destroyed by fire in 1868. Mr. Doty was engaged in both
farming and carpentering, but a few years prior to his death retired, and his son, Israel,
now conducts the farm. In 1838 he married Jennet Campbell, who was born June 30,
Mr. Doty next married, in 1880, Elizabeth Kennedy. By his first
1816, and died in 1875.
wife he had ten children: David, born March 30, 1840, married Elizabeth Pealer, and refather's
sides on part of his
farm, which he now owns; Ira, born January 22, 1843, married Cordelia Rinard, and resided in Briarcreek Township; George, born October 31, 1843,
married Alice Heath and resides in Huntington Township; Mary Margaret, born January
17, 1846, and died in childhood; Jeremiah O., born February 10, 1848, married
Moore,
and lives on a farm adjoining his father's; Sarah Elizabeth, born March 5, 1850, wife of
Lewis W. Rozelle, in Kansas: Eugene, born May 16, 1852, died in childhood; Martha A.,
born September 13, 1853, and lives with her parents; Israel, born April 4, 1856, married
Alveretta Eveland, resides on his father's farm, and Luther B., born August 16, 1860, single and living with his mother.
Mr. Doty was a Republican, never held office, but was
the candidate of his party for associate judge and other offices. He was an honest,
straightforward man, who worked hard for what he acquired, and was respected by his
fellow citizens. He died August 28, 1886.
B.
EDGAR, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a grandson of James Edgar, a native of the State of New Yorii, who removed to Benton, Penn., thence to this, township
in the latter part of the last century and died in the State of Ohio, whither he had later
removed. His children, all deceased, were John, married Hester Zimmerman, died in

Emma

FRANK

Indiana; Robert, married Susannah McHenry. died in Benton Township; Martha, wife
of Moses McHenry, died in this township; Ellen, wife of Elias McHenry (brother of
Moses), also died here; Elizabeth, wife of John Jackson, died in Indiana; Edward, married and died in Ohio; Teanu, wife of Silas McHenry, died in Ohio.
James, the youngest, was the father of our subject.
James was born on the farm where his father resided, in this township, August 23, 1806, and died April 16, 1883, aged twenty-six years
and seven months. He was a farmer and lumberman. He [sold his place in Benton
Township and moved here. He took an active part in public'affairs, but never held any
office except that of constable, which he filled several years.
In 1828 he married Sarah,
daughter of Daniel McHenry, a son of the pioneer of that name. She was born April 28,
1810, and died in this township September 10, 1882.
To this union were born nine sons
and one daughter, the latter dying at the age of three years. The sons, all now living,
are as follows: Daniel, married to Louisa Stoker, lives in New Columbus, Luzerne County;
Robert, unmarried, resides with his brother, T. Hardy (he was a soldier in the Union
Army, in the Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in which he served a
year, until the close of the war, and received injuries which render him lame for life);
Emanuel, married to Martha McHenry, and resides in Sonestown, Penn.; George W.,
married Nellie Smith, of Pittston, who died in Nebraska, where he resides and is married again; William E. Hiram R., in Nebraska; James C, who married Rosa Smith, a
sister of Nellie, and resides in this township; T. Hardy and B. Frank.
The last named
was born September 9, 1836, and remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of
age, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about" twenty years.
He also learned the distilling business, at which he worked in this township for eight
jears, and at which he acquired some means, which he invested in farm property, owning three farms in different parts of the township. He has since disposed of two of them,
retaining only the one on which he now lives. Before coming to this place he lived on
iis farm, on the State road, ten years. In 1880 he moved to his present home, and in
August, 1886, established a distillery on the place. Mr. Edgar has been twice married,
first, June 30, 1864, to Susanna, daughter of Solomon Hartman, who was born June
4,
1843, and died May 4, 1874, the mother of the following named children: Warren, born
December 8, 1864, now in the drug business in Nanticoke; Dora B.,born February 1, 1866;
Oharles M., born Marcli 23, 1869; Alfred H., born November 11, 1870; Hattie M., born
December 16, 1873, and Thomas E., born August 16, 1867, who died when six years of
age.
April 18, 1879, Mr. Edgar married Martha Golder, born January 4, 1859, daughter
of Abraham Golder, of Hemlock Township, and by her he has three children: Herald,
born June 27, 1880; Aimer, born April 8, 1882, and Madge, born April 1, 1884, all living
with their parents. Mr. Edgar has held several responsible positions in the township:
Constable, three years; auditor, two years: tax collector, three years; and in 1881 was
elected county commissioner, which position he filled to the satisfaction of the citizens of
the county for three years.
WILLIAM E. EDGAR, farmer, P. O.Van Camp, is the sixth son of James Edgar, and
was born February 10, 1841. He remained at home until the age of sixteen years, when
;

33

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

440
he went

to learn the trade of carpenter with

Jackson Ale.

This he followed twelve years,

when he moved to the farm which he had previously purchased, on which he now lives, and
has since made it his home. During the time spent at this trade he also lumbered on West
Branch four years. On February 2, 1867, he married Sadie E., daughter of James Deimer
McHenry; she was born September 14, 1846; educated at the seminary, Starkey, N. Y., and
later taught school five j'ears. On e child has blessed this union — Gracie May, born August
Mr. Edgar has never held any public office, but contents himself in doing his
duty as a citizen at the polls, and takes a warm interest in the Democratic party, with
which he is identified.
T. HARDY EDGAR (brother of B. Frank), lumberman, Stillwater, was born February 15, 1845, in this township. He worked on the farm until he was eighteen years old,
when he went to Cambra, where he learned the trade of cabinet-maker, which he followed in different places until 1867. He then resided two years in Rohrsburg; thence
moved to Centralia, where he remained a year; thence to Mt. Carmell, Northumberland
County, in both of which places he kept store. His store in the latter place being destroyed by fire he moved to Benton and worked in the planing-mill, the machinery of
which he purchased and moved to North Mountain; thence, in 1877 he moved it to this
township to the property which he owns, and where he now resides in a house near the mill.
He married, December 26, 1867, Miss Cecelia Alice McHenry, born July 26, 1848, daughter of James Deimer McHenry, and she has borne her husband three children: Harry O.,
born April 16, 1869; Lelia I., born June 11, 1871, and Orvis Roy, born February 9, 1883.
Mr. Edgar takes a warm interest in public affairs. He and Mrs. Edgar are members of
the Christian Church.
BENJAMIN M. COLDER, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a grandson of Abraham
Golder, who came to this county from New Jersey. He settled in Jackson Township,
where he took up 400 acres, on which he lived for thirty years. He then moved to Ohio
where he died. His wife died in this county. They had a family of eight children, most of
whom moved west, and none of whom are now living. Peter Golder, the father of our
subject, was born in Jackson Township, September 7, 1808, and died May 31, 1878, in the
seventieth year of his age. His wife, Martha McHenry, was a daughter of Benjamin McHenry, and was born April 16, 1810. She now resides with Benjamin M. To her and her
husband eight children were born: Abraham, who married Mary Brosius (resides in Mordansville, Luzerne County); Elizabeth Jane, wife of Peter Evelard (in Light Street);
Sarah, who died young; Daniel, married to Sarah Tucker (living in Minnesota); Cordelia,
wife of Reason Conner (living in Nebraska); Mary Ellen, wife of Jos. Tucker, died at
Stillwater; Hiram Francis, married to Samantha Brosius (lives in Nescopeck, Luzerne
County), and Benjamin M. Our subject is the eldest of the family and was born January
He followed carpentering until 1862, making his home with his parents until he
23, 1828.
was seventeen years of age. He then lived in this township until 1853, when he bought
the place where he now resides, and carried on his trade and farming. January 1, 1853,
he married Rebecca Ann, daughter of Thomas Davis, of Benton Township, and who was
born Jul}' 21, 1833. To this union seven children were born, two dying in infancy. The
living are Joshua Deimer, married to Laura Dietrick, in Union County; Thomas Milard,
married to Minnie Williams and lives with his father; Davis Lee, unmarried; Edith
Lenora, and Sarah Ellen. When Mr. Golder bought this farm it was uncleared, and he
has brought it to its present high state of cultivation. He and Mrs. Golder are member*
30, 1875.

of the Christian Church at Stillwater.
J. HARRISON, farmer, P. O.

SAMUEL

Van Camp, was born in Wales, June 26,
His father, Samuel, came to America from Wales in 1838, locating first in Pittsburgh
and later in Pittston, where he followed the occupation of a mason for about twelve
years.
He then bought a farm in this township on the Mill road, near Bendertown,
whither he removed in April, 1857, and there died November 25, 1884, aged seventy-six
years.
He was of a happy, genial disposition, and well liked throughout the country.
His wife, Jane Price, whom he married in Wales, died three months after her husband,
at the age of seventy-four.
She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for
Jane died in
thirty years, and bore her husband nine children, eight of whom survive.
Wales.
The living are Elizabeth, wife of George Johnson, living in Illinois; John, who
married Hettie Jones of Wilkesbarre (she is deceased), and is now living at that place, a
minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church; Harriet, wife of Joseph Ireley, a car-builder
in Berwick; Caroline, wife of J. E. Snyder, a jeweler of Berwick; Mary Jane lives with her
brother in Wilkesbarre, taking care'of his two orphan children; Thomas AV., who married Lottie Schultz, lives on the old homestead; Hannah J., unmarried and residing at
the homestead with her brother, and Samuel J. Our subject was but a year old when his
parents came to this country. He worked on the farm until his marriage when he went
to Pittston and engaged in coal mining.
In 1864 he enlisted in the Fifty-first Pennsyl
vania Volunteers, Company G, in which he served until the close of the war, when he
was honorably discharged. He was in the engagements in front of Petersburg, and took
part in all the battles before that event until the surrender of Lee, and was mustered out
On his return he followed coal mining for sixteen years, when he
June 2, 1865.
1837.

FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

441

worked two j'ears as a breaker boss at Pittston, when, owine to failing health, he
bought the farm on Fishing creek, where he now resides.
November 7, 1861, he
married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Dietrich. She was born in Briarcreek
county,
and
her
four
Township, this
bore
husband
children: William Bruce, born
November 27, 1863, died June 13, 1867; John W., born September 30, 1864, married Eliza
Thomas (whose father, Joseph, was killed at Hatcher's Run, in February, 1865, while a
member of the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers); Joseph Warren,
born August 14, 1868. and James Garfield, born October 4, 1881, both of whom live with
Mr. Harrison is a member of Thistle Lodge, No. 512, I. O. O. F., of Pittstheir parents.
ton, and in politics is independent.
AMOS HARTMAN, farmer, P. O. Van Camp, is a grandson of Frederick Hartman,
who was born in Northumberland County, but who resided in this townsliip most of his
life. He was a farmer; lived within half a nule of where our subject now resides and died
in 1871.
His wife died in 1824 at the age of twenty-eight years. He was eighty years
and eleven months old at the time of his death. They had six children who lived to maturity: Mary Ann was twice married, first to John Laubach of Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, after whose death she married William Blish of the same place, where
both died; Catherine, a twin sister of Mary Ann, is the widow of Henderson Baker of
the same place, where she resides; Jesse is married to Lydia Gearhart and lives in Sugarloaf Township; Eliza, widow of Thomas Lauderbauch, in Henry County, 111.; Frederick
is married to Eliza Kendig, and both reside in this township. The third of this family was
Solomon, father of Amos, and was all his life engaged in farming in this township, where
he owned a farm, on which he died shortly after purchasing it. He had worked in various
places but always at farming, and was noted for his industry, in fact, his comparatively early
death was due to excessive labor and to his anxiety to provide well for his family. He died
at the age of forty-one years, and six months, a member of the Reformed Church at Van
Camp. His wife was Henrietta Lauderbach, of this township, who, after the death of
her first hu.sband, was married to Samuel Yost of this township, where they live on a farm
adjoining that of our subject. To Mr. Hartman she bore the following named children:
Susanna, deceased wife of B. Frank Edgar; Amanda Ellen, wife of Wilber C. Pennington; Thomas L., and Sarah Catherine, widow of Eli Pealer, all of this township, and
Amos. The last named is the second child, and was born April 5, 1848. He worked
on his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age, when he worked at carpentering and on various farms until 1874. He Ihen went to Illinois, returning in 1875 to
this township, where, for one year, he worked on the farm of B. C. Hess; a year later he
drove a huckster wagon and another year worked at farming for B. F. Edgar. The year
following he gave his time almost exclusively to his office of constable, which he refused to
hold longer, returning to his trade for a year. He then began farming again at New Columbus, Luzerne Count}^ and a year later rented the farm from his stepfather, Samuel Yost,
where he has since resided. December 8, 1877, he married Miss Carrie Hartman, daughter
of Frederick Hartman, and who was born in Huntington Township, Luzerne County,
October 3, 1849. They have two children, Sarah Luella, born February 11, 1880, and
Lillian May, born January 9, 1884. Mr. Hartman has held several township offices and is
now town clerk. He belongs to the K. of P. and he and his wife are members of the St.
James Reformed (German) Church at Van Camp, in which he is a deacon.
AARON HESS, farmer, P. O. Fishingcreek, is a grandson of John Hess, who came
from Germany about the middle of the last century. He located in Wapwallopen, Luzerne
County, where he owned a farm on which he died. He had a family of twelve children:
John, Jacob, Charles, Thomas, Abraham, Isaac, Jeremiah, Aaron, Susannah, Mary, Hannah and Nancy.
Of these Aaron is the only survivor; John was the father of our
subject, and died in Centre Township about 1846. Mrs. Catherine (Knorr) Hess died about
1824, and after her death her husband married Catherine Conner, who also died, wlien he
married Mary Fenstermacher, who died in Salem Township, Luzerne County, at the age
of ninety-two years. Aaron (our subject) was born in Briarcreek August 8, 1813, and in his
youth worked at wagon-making. He lived with his parents until his marriage, when for
about seven years he worked on farms in summer and at his trade in winter. In 1840 he
rented the farm on which he now lives, and seven years later bought it. At that time it
contained 330 acres, forty of which were cleared. Later he sold off some acres, a part of
which, however, he has since purchased back, and the remainder has been bought by his
son, Benjamin, so that the farm is virtually in possession of the family.
Augu.st 25, 1832,
he married Judith Ann, daughter of John Sterner, of Briarcreek Townshijj. She was
born on the same day as her husband and twelve children were born to them: John, born
December 12, 1834, works for his father on the home farm; Thomas J., horn May 10, 1838,
died when ten months old; Mary C, born February 15, 1840, wife of Abrahani Kline, of
Orange Township; Benjamin, born June 11, 1841, resides in this township; Peter, born
August 13, 1843, lives with his parents; Francis, l)orn April 2, 1848, died j'oung; Ira D.,
born January 29, 1845, lives in Benton Township; Matilda, born December 13, i"847, wife
of Joe Albertson, of Greenwood Township; Harrison, born May 27, 1849, lives on his
father's farm; Aaron, born January 23, 1851; Ann Eliza, born March 29, 1853, wife of

442

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Nathaniel Driesbach, near Jonestown; Julia Ann, born September 2, 1855, died June 19,
1868; Catherine Ann, born December 27, 1833, died in infancy, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Hess is one of the oldest citizens in the township.
GEORGE M. HOWELL, merchant and postmaster. Van Camp, is a grandson of Noah
Howell, who was a cooper and lived in Lawrence, near Trenton, N. J., where he
His great-great-grandfather on his mother's side was John Muirheid, who was
died.
born in Glasgow, Scotland, immigrated to this country, married on Long Island, November 22, 1706, Rebecca Bailey, and died in 1725. His son. Andrew, was born in 1717, and died
Andrew's son, George, was born September 25,
in 1794 at the age of seventy-seven years.
He was the
1760, and died April 6, 1851, aged ninety years, six months and eleven days.
maternal grandfather of Mr. Howell. Noah Howell was born in New Jersey, where he
was married to Hannah Lawrence. They had four children who lived to maturity, all
now deceased. Their names are Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary and Jesse who was the father
When a boy of fifteen, Jesse,
of our subject and was born in New Jersey, August 8, 1789.
on the death of his father, came to Easton, Penn., where he worked for his uncle in
marriage
engaged
in
merchandising
his
he
on his own account.
After
business.
mercantile
This he gave up later and was made bookkeeper in the old Easton bank, nov/ the First
National Bank of that place, which occupation he followed until his death. He was a
pious, charitable man, and noted for his generosity; was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church of which he was an elder for many years and superintendent of the Sabbath-school for twenty-four years. He was twice married; first to Sarah Hunt, August 11,
1815, who bore him one child, Alfred, born January 11, 1816, and died at Cogan Station,
Penn., May, 1886. His second marriage was with Deborah, daughter of George Muirheid,

and their children were Mary Elizabeth, who was the wife of Dr. F. L. Crane and died at
Easton in 1845; Sarah, widow of James Pollock, residing in Easton; Jesse Lawrence, who
died May 4, 1875, in Minnesota; John Guild, who died in infancy; Ellen, wife of William
Maxwell, of Easton, where she lives, and George Muirheid, the second child, who was
born in Easton, September 2, 1822. Our subject attended school at that place until he
was sixteen j^ears of age, when he went to Philadelphia and clerked in a store until 1842.
He then removed to Orangeville and learned the trade of cabinet-making at which he
worked for five years, when he went back to clerking, and after his marriage went to Van
Camp, where he worked at his trade. He then clerked in a store at New Columbus for
In 1851 he built the place he now occupies at Van Camp, and started a genthree years.
There he has since carried on business and has been instrumental in getting a
eral store.
postoflice established at that point, of which he was appointed postmaster, October, 1857,
and has served under various administrations. March 8, 1849, he married Margaret A.,
daughter of Samuel Yost, of this township, and wiio was born October 6, 1827. To their
union seven children have been born, two of whom died at birth. The others were
Charles M., born July 17, 1851 (is married to Frances E. McCollum, of Carbon County,
Penn., and resides at Leisenring, same State); Henry Yost, born March 18, 1854 (died
December 15, 1862); Edward W., born November 4, 1856 (died September 24, 1868); Alfred,
born January 22, 1861 (died February 4, of the same year), and Deborah, born December
1, 1861 (is now the wife of Charles H. Moore, and resides with her parents at Van Camp).
Mr. Howell takes no very active part in politics, but has served as county auditor. He
and Mrs. Howell are members of the Reformed Church (St. James) of this place, in which
he has been a deacon and is now trustee. TJie greater part of his life has been passed
where he now resides, and among the people who have known him all that time he bears
an unimpeachable reputation.
JAMES N. JONES, retired, Fishingcreek, is a grandson of Richard Brown, who. with
his son-in-law, Benjamin Jones (father of our subject), came to this township in 1809,
The old log house erected by them is still
settling directly in the village of Jonestown.
standing, but has been remodeled and weather-boarded and is now used as a store by
Jones & Davis. About 1820 Richard Brown removed to Greenwood Township, but Benj.
Jones and wife remained. In 1809 they built a saw-mill, and in 1811 a grist-mill, and after
the departure of Mr. Brown, Mr. Jones conducted botli mills until his death in 1849, at
the age of seventy-four years. When the postoffice was established, about 1820, he was
appointed postmaster and continued to hold that ofiice until elected justice of the peace,
when he resigned. He served in the latter oflice until a few years before his death. He
was an active enterprising man, acquired good property by his industry, and stood high in
the community. His wife, Nancy Brown, died in 1868, aged eighty-two years, and their
children were Richard. James N., Mary Ann, Eliza E. and Matilda. The last named is
the widow of Reuben Hess and resides near Van Camp. The only survivors are Mrs. Hess
and the subject of this biography, who was born September 17, 1813, in the old log house
mentioned. He learned the trade of a miller, at which he worked together with lumbering,
sawing and farming for his father until the latter's death. Then he and his brother,
Richard, inherited the farm, grist and saw-mills, wiiich thej^ conducted in partnership
They then divided the property, Richard taking the saw-mill and farm and
until 1857.
James taking the grist-mill, which he rebuilt. This is the same mill now standing in
Jonestown.

In this he took into partnership his brother-in-law, John Merrill,

who

sold

443

nSHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

out a few years after to William Mears, and this partnership continued until Mr. Jones
Since then he had been living retired. December 1, 1846,
sold his interest to Ira Thomas.
he married Caroline Matilda Merrill, who was born in Hemlock Township, May 13, 1826.
and is yet living in the old home. Two of their children died in infancy and four now
survive: Henry C, born April 4, 1848, a bookkeeper in Kingston, married Merilda,
daughter of William Buckalew, who died a few years after their marriage; Ashbel W.,
born March 31, 1857 (merchant in Jonestown, married March 4, 1883, Lizzie, daughter of
Robert Maguire. a farmer in the vicinity of Jonestown); William W., born April 19, 1861
(married Ann Eliza Fahringer, and is a civil and mining engineer in WilkeSbarre) and
Estella, born March 1, 1851, the wife of John Kimball, and resides in Vernon Center.
Minn. As soon as he was of age James N. Jones was commissioned postmaster of Fishingcreek under Jackson's administration and held the office for forty years. Mr. Jones
has taken a warm interest in politics; first a Henry Clay Whig; then a Republican, which
party he still votes with.
FRANCIS W. JONES, miller, Fishingcreek, is a son of Richard B. Jones, a brother
of James N. Jones, whose sketch appears above. Richard B. was born September 3,
He also learned the
1815, and died July 3, 1877, aged sixty-one years and ten months.
trade of milling and lumbering which he followed until he and his brother, James N.,
dissolved partnership, when he devoted himself exclusively to farming and lumbering
until a few years before his death.
He married, in 1840, Miss Sallie Ann, daughter of
George Kline of Orange Township. She was born October 23, 1815, and died March 14,
1869,"aged fifty-one years, four months and twenty-two days. They had five children,
two of whom died young. The others were James E., a farmer, who died in 1886 in
Asbury, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, from which he was discharged on account of sickness, and, on recovering his
health he enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-Eighth Regiment and served until
the close of the war; Rebecca M., wife of Park Eveland, living in Steuben County, N.
Y., and Francis W.
Our subject was born June 1, 1846, and in his youth worked for his
father on the farm and at lumbering until 1864. He then enlisted in the One Hundred
and Ninety-Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers and served 100 days re-enlisted, this time
in the Sevent3'--fourth and served until the close of the vrar, when, with his regiment, he
was honorably discharged. On his return he taught school for four terms and worked at
lumbering in summer." In 1868 he and his brother, James E., bought from Mears &
Thomas the grist-mill originally built by his grandfather, which he is now conducting,
besides being engaged in lumbering. On his marriage he removed to the house where
Our subject then bought
his father lived and the latter resided with him until his death.
the property, and in the summer of last year built for himself a fine new residence a
few rods from the old home, to which he removed. July 24, 1870, he married Monema,
daughter of Jacob Gregor}\ She was born in Union, Luzerne County, January 9.1849,
and had been a teacher in that county for several years. To their union tliree children
were born George G.. born December 5, 1872 Ellen, born August 26, 1877, and Fanny
G., born March 25, 1881.
Mr. Jones is a Republican.
JOHN J. KARNS, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a grandson, on the maternal side, of
Moses McHenry, the son of the pioneer McHenry, under which name, in this township,
will be found a full history of his ancestors.
His paternal grandfather was John Karns,
who was a farmer in Benton Township where he died. He was one of the early settlers
of the county and cleared a farm there. He died at an advanced age in 1876, the father
of seven children, none of whom now survive. Tunis was the father of our subject, and
was born on the home farm in Benton Township, where he lived until his marriage. He
then removed to a farm which he owned in the same township, now known as the Russel Karns farm, where he lived until his death in 1857.
His wife was Isabella, daughter
of Moses and Martha McIIenry. To Mr. and Mrs. Karns six children were born: Lavina
in Benton Township; Moses in Colorado; Mary, wife of Hiram Siegfried, in Iowa; Frank
J., who married Lavina Kauf and both are now deceased; Cyrus H., who is living in this
township, and. John J., who is the youngest of the family. Our subject was born on the
homestead in Benton Township, October 11, 1851. When less than four years old he
was taken in charge by his uncle, Silas McHenry, and his father dying shortly after, he
was reared by his uncle, with whom he remained until his marriage. He then went to
farming on his own account until the death of his uncle, when he gave up the farm on
which he then was, and moved back to the place which had always been his home and to
which he was much attached. His uncle, in fact, had supplied the place of a father to
him, and the widow was fortunate in having one who so loved her husband to take his
place in operating the farm. In 1878 he married Miss Effie P. Burger, of South Danville,
Steuben County. N. Y., daughter of William Burger. They have three children: Will;

;

;

3, 1880; Maud E., born December 15, 1883, and Hardy E., born August
After his marriage, Mr. Karns worked in the planing-mill of T. Hardy Edgar
for two years in Stillwater, thence went to his uncle Silas' farm, which he now owns.
Mr. Karns has never held any political office. He is a member of the K. of P. belongs
to the Christian Church, and is also connected with the Sabbath-school.
He is a hardworking, industrious man and a good citizen.

iam

E.,

born July

21, 1886.

;

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

444

DAVID M. KINTER, minister, P. O. Stillwater, is a native of Indiana County, Penn.,
and was born April 5, 1836. The first of his family to settle in that county was his grandAt the time of his settlement
father, John Kinter, who went there from Centre County.
He had but one neighbor, and his
the neighborhood was very wild and sparsely settled.
He
supplies had to be brought from Hollidaysburg, east of the Allegheny Mountains.
had a tract of 330 acres, which is now owned by the father of our subject. He died April
29, 1836, and his widow, whose maiden name was Isabella Finley, died some years later,
aged eighty-eight years. They had nine children, all of whom are now deceased except
one son, Isaac (father of our subject). The latter was born August 6, 1805, and was two
years old when his parents moved to Indiana County. He was the youngest of the family; was brought up on the farm, on which his entire life, except one year, has been
He worked with his father, and when he became a man was the mainstay of his
passed.
For some years, in addition to carrying
parents, who lived with him until their death.
on the farm, he kept a store, which he gave up about thirtyyears ago, and after the death
of his wife resigned the active management of his farm to two of his sons, with one of
whom he makes his home. In August, 1834, he married Miss Hannah Moyers, who was
born August 3, 1812, and died July 2, 1868. They had eight children, viz. Sarah Isabella,
wife of James McLaughlin, resides on a farm adjoining the homestead; Peter Craig died
in the service of his country early in the civil war; John was a captain in a Pennsylvania
regiment, and now resides on the old homestead; Christiana was the wife of Peter W.
Dilts, and after his death married George Gourley, and is now living in Jefferson County;
Jacob Foster is living at Punxsutawney; Martha Jane died before reaching her majority;
Isaac Newton is married, and resides on the old homestead, and with him his father
makes his home, and David M. Our subject, is the eldest of the family. In early life he
worked on the farm; helped in his father's store, and at the age of sixteen began teaching
school. This profession he followed for seven winters, working on the farm or attending
school in the intermediate seasons, and for two summers of that time clerked in the office
In 1859 he spent the winter in
of the register and recorder in the borough of Indiana.
Louisiana and Mississippi, and in the spring of 1860 went to Adair County, Mo., where he
was engaged on a farm for three months. He then obtained the position of teacher of the
school in that place, and while there also united himself with the Christian Church; was
baptized in February, and in March, 1861, w^as called to the ministry. He was then engaged in preaching and teaching until Februar}% 1862, when he entered the Eleventh MisThe regiment was then
souri Cavalry, in which he served as a private for nine months.
consolidated with the Second Missouri Cavalry, in which he was commissioned second
lieutenant, and five months later, in May, 1863, was promoted first lieutenant, and served
He then returned to Kirksville, where he
until August of that year, when he resigned.
continued teaching and preaching until September, 1865, returning to his birthplace in
Indiana County, and remaining until the spring of 1868, engaged in ministerial work.
He then located in Johnstown as pastor of the Christian Church, remaining until 1870;
thence went to Lock Haven, where he was pastor of a church until the spring of 1876. In
that year he came to Stillwater, and has since served as pastor of that church, also of the
churches at Benton, Jackson, Millville, Waller and Rohrsburg, this county, and at
Cambra, Luzerne County. During that time he has organized three new congregations,
built four meeting-houses, and repaired several others; married many couples, and baptized between 800 and 900 people.
November 22, 1860, he married Miss Maggie P. Dabney, daughter of Thomas Jeff. Dabney, of Adair County, Mo. They had two children;
:

when five months old; the survivor is Minnie, now fifteen years of age.
religious bent of Mr. Kinter's life was primarily due to tlie teachings of a devout
mother and grandmother, which bore fruit later in his joining the church, in which his
labors have been arduous and successful. He has the respect and love of a large and growing circle of friends and parishioners.
S. KITCHEN, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, is a grandson of Wheeler Kitchen,
who was a resident of Greenwood Township, where he owned a farm on which he died.
His children were Henry, Sarah, Margaret, Elsie, Jane, Ann and Daniel. The last named
was the father of our subject and was born in Greenwood Township, in 1800, in the house
now occupied by his son, Daniel S., and there died in 1872, in his seventy-third year. He
was a farmer all his life and was highly esteemed. His wife, Elsie Smith, died sliortly
after they removed to this farm, in 1832.
They had four children: Samuel, who died unmarried; A. Hiikson, who resides in Orange Township; Sallie Ann, who died when quite
young, and Daniel S., who was but four weeks old when his mother died. After his first
wife's death, Mr. Kitchen married Mrs. Hannah McHenry, who died before her husband.
Seven children were born to their union: Emily, Mary Ann, Angeline, Savilla, Matilda,
Sylvester (who died young), and Nehemiah. Daniel S. was born on the farm where he
now resides, March 7, 1832, and has spent most of his life in the same place. He lived
with his father until he was of age, when he farmed the home place for a couple of years;
he then rented a farm in Benton, on which he resided about four years, when he resided
in Greenwood two years.
He then lived on a farm on the State road and owned by his
father, when he returned to the home place.
Mr. Kitchen has been twice married; first
the eldest died

The

DANIEL

FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

445

Mary M., daughter of Daniel Roth, of Millville; she was bora September o, 1834, and
November 26, 1863, the mother of one child, Hannah Mary, who died in infancy,
December 17, 1868, he married Mary M., daughter of Jacob Herring, of Orangeville. She
was born August 15, 1843, and bore her husband three children: William M., born August
to

died

born December 5. 1873, and Clark, born October
has never held any office, preferring to give his time to his farm.

23, 1869; John,

ABRAHAM

J.

KLINE,

retired farmer, Stillwater,

is

now

27, 1877.

Mr. Kitchen

the oldest resident of the

His paternal grandfather, Abraham Kline, came from New Jersey to what is
now Orange Township, where he took up a large tract of land, which was subsequently
divided into several farms. When he first settled he had to cut a road through the forest
which covered his land. He died there at an advanced age. His wife, Annie, survived
him several years. Their children were Abraham, Matthias, George, Harmon, Isaac and
Elizabeth, all now deceased. George was the father of our subject and was born in New
Jersey.
When a boy he came with his parents to this county, and on his marriage, his
His wife, Catherine
father gave him a farm on which he lived until his death, in 1853.
Johnson, was also from New Jersey, and died in 1854. Their eight children were named
wife
of Absalom Mcas follows: Abraham J.; Mary, who died unmarried; Permelia,
Henry, now deceased; George Lowry, served in the Union Army and died at Fortress
Monroe after the war; Elizabeth Willett, died in infancy; Sally Ann, deceased wife of
Richard Jones; Grazillai H.,-wife of George W. Jacoby, of Light Street, and Malvina
Mineiva, deceased wife of Jacob Melick. Our subject was born November 8, 1802, and
lived with his parents until his marriage. He then resided three years on his grandTwelve years later he moved to his
father's place, moving thence to Luzerne County.
father's farm, and in the spring of 1854 came to the place where he now resides, and
which he had previously purchased. February 25, 1826, he married Mary, daughter of
Thomas McHenrj of Greenwood Township. She died May 30, 1886. They were parents
of the following children: George Dunham married Sarah J. Richart, and resides in
Dushore; Andrew Jackson died in infancy; Wesley Banghart, married to Margaret
Dewitt, and living in Bradford County; Hiram W. is unmarried, and operates his father's
farm; John S., married Elizabeth Appelman and lives in Benton, and Sarah A., wife of
Francis I. Belles, of this township. While in Luzerne County Mr. Kline was captain of a
militia company, and after coming to this county was, in 1858, elected justice of the
peace, which office he filled for fifteen years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopa.
Church, of which he was for a long time class leader. He has always been a good neighbor and citizen. Jacob Johnson, father of Catherine Kline, was a native of Germany,
and came to this country with the English army during the Revolutionary war. He
deserted the English and espoused the American cause, enlisting in Washington's army;
he was afterward taken prisoner, and to escape a prison life again enlisted in the English
army; at the first opportunity he came into the American lines and once more joined the
American army, serving until the close of the war.
C. KLINE, farmer, P. O. Fishingcreek, is a great-grandson of Harmon
Kline, one of the first settlers of this county. His son, also named Harmon, was the
grandfather of our subject; was twice married, and became the father of twenty-four
children.
His first wife, Susanna Gilbert, died about sixty years ago, the mother of
twelve children. His second wife was Sally Fox, and died in 1848. Her husband died in
John, a son of the first wife, is the father of our subject,
1852, aged seventy-five years.
and was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, November 11, 1810, and after several changes
bought a farm in this township, which he subsequently sold. He then bought a small
place near Jonesboro, where he yet resides. He has been twice married; first in June,
His first
1832, to Mary E. Crawford, who died in 1852, when he married Sophia Coker.
wife bore him the following named children: Harmon C; Joseph, residing in this township; Andrew, who died of disease contracted while in the Union array; Stephen, residing in the West; Elizabeth, deceased; Susan and Amanda, living in Luzerne County,
Penn., and Mary Ann, deceased. His second wife is the mother of two children: Emanuel
and Anna, living at home. Harmon C. was born November 11, 1832, and on coming of
age, went west for a year.
He then returned, married and settled ou the farm of his
father-in-law, in Huntington Township, Luzerne Co., Penn., residing there for eighteen
years, when he bought the property where he resides. March 6, 1856, he married ElizaShe was born August
beth, daughter of William and Mary White, of Luzerne County.
19, 1828.
Her father was an old resident of Huntington Township, having settled there
when the place was a wilderness, and cleared up a farm. He died about seventeen years
ago.
His wife died five years prior. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have four children: John W.,
born February 11, 1857, married Emma Hayman. and farms in Mount Pleasant Township;
Mary C, born June 6, 1859, wife of William Wilson, a farmer in this township; Sarah
E., born October 2, 1862, wife of Dallas Emor}', a farmer, of this township, and Susan A.,
born June 18, 1867, lives with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Kline are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church at New Columbus, of which he has been trustee for several
years.
Mr. Kline, with the aid of his faithful wife, has accumulated a competence, which
he is now enjoying in his comfortable home and pleasant surroundings. Politically he is
a Democrat.
township.

HARMON

446

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

MANDUS

ELI
KUNKEL, blacksmith, Fishingcreek, is a son of D. and Lydia
(Fahringer) Kunkel, residents of Roaringcreek Township, this county. They were married in this county, also, having come from Lehigh County when quite young, and settled with their parents in what is now Locust Township.
After marriage the father of
our subject bought a small farm in Roaringcreek, where he has since lived. He is a blacksmith by trade, and for years carried on that business beside working on his farm, and is
now living, retired, enjoying the fruits of his active years. He and his wife have had
eleven children three died young, and Andrew, who was a soldier in the Union army,
gave his life for his country on the historic field of Gettysburg. The other children are
William, a blacksmith, in Roaringcreek; Charles, a carpenter, in Bloomsburg; Jeremiah,
a blacksmith, in Roaringcreek; Mary E., wife of William Roup, in Kansas; Sarah, wife
of Ed Strausser, of Allegheny County; Elizabeth, the wife of William Lawrence, a railroad engineer, in Catawissa, and Eli M., our subject. The last named was born August
15. 1846, in Roaringcreek, and when fourteen years of age began working on a farm at
which he continued until sixteen. He then began to learn the blacksmith's trade, working in various townships in the county until the spring of 1870, when he built the shop in
Jonestown where he now carries on his business, and a couple of years later bought the
house in which he resides. December 24, 1871, he married Elizabeth Driesbach, daughter
of Nathan Driesbach, a merchant of Jonestown. They have no children of their own,
but have an adopted daughter, Mary Ada, born July 19, 1879. Mr. Kunkel has never
held any township office, but is now postmaster of Fishingcreek. Mrs. Kunkel is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Kunkel of the Reformed Church. The
people among whom the greater part of his mature years were passed give Mr. Kunkel a
high reputation for integrity.
ELIAS M. LAUBACH, farmer and pump manufacturer, P. 0. Forks, is a grandson
of Peter Laubach, who resided near Easton, Northampton Co., Penn. He immigrated to
Columbia County and settled near Lisht Street, in Scott Township, locating near what is
known as Pealertown. He died in 1840, aged eighty-six years. His wife was Elizabeth
Stetler, who died eight years after her husband.
Peter Laubach was a cooper by trade,
and in the latter part of his life devoted bis time entirely to farming. He and his wife
were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and the parents of five children
Jacob, Lydia and George, deceased, and one who died in infancy John is the only one now
living. George was the father of our subject and was born in Scott Township in 1804, and died
March 24, 1852, aged forty-seven years and eleven months. He was a carpenter, and also
owned a small farm in Fishingcreek, where he lived until his death. He was an esteemed
citizen and took a deep interest in public affairs, and held nearly every township office.
He was temperate and pious and a member of the Christian Church. His comparatively
early death was mourned, not only by his family, but by the entire community. He
married, in 1826, Miss Elizabeth McHenry, daughter of Daniel McHenry of this township.
She died March 6, 1883, a consistent member of the Christian Church. Their
children were Mary, wife of Geo. Gearhart, living in Huntington Township, Luzerne
County; Sarah Ann, wife of A. W. Patterson, of Berwick; John C, married to Sarah
Eveland, and living in Luzerne County; An j aline, wife of W. W. Miller, of Shickshinny;
Elias M. ,the eldest. Our subject was born November 14, 1828, in this township, and
woi-ked at the carpenter trade until 1857. He then gave it up to engage in pump-making,
which he still follows, and also owned a farm, to which he added as opportunity offered.
In 1883 he bought the farm of Ed. Hull, across Huntington Creek from Forks, which he
has since made his home. May 27, 1852, he married Miss Savilla, daughter of Daniel
and Catherine Pealer, both now deceased. She was born February 14, 1825, and bore
her husband two children: Mary Catherine, born April 21, 1855, married May 23, 1883, to
Nevin Ale, and resides on her father's farm at Pealertown, and Alice Elizabeth, born
March 21, 1857, and married January 27, 1881, to William B. Pennington; they live with
her parents. Mr. Laubach is held in high esteem by his neighbors, and he and wife are
members of the Reformed Church.
ABIJAH LEWIS, farmer and merchant, P. O. Forks, is a son of Isaac Lewis, who
was a farmer and lumberman in the State of Maine, where he was born. He followed these
occupations in Maine and other eastern States many years, lumbering principally on the
Penobscot, where he had a large hotel and farm. About 1848 he moved to Bethlehem,
Penn., and engaged in lumbering on the Lehigh, near Stoddartsville, where he kept store
;

;

and

finally settled in

Gouldsborough, Lackawanna County, where he

now about

still

resides

and

is

eighty-four years of age. He has been three times married; his second wife,
Sarah Woodsome, was the mother of our subject. She was born in Maine and died at
Stoddartsville, Penn., about thirty years ago, leaving three sons and three daughters,
all of whom are still living, except Olive, who died young.
The others are Christiana,
wife of David Perkins, in Wyoming. Luzerne County; Elmira, wife of L. W. Holbrook, of
Stroudsburg; Isaac, who lives in East Rockaway, N. Y. Charles W., at Pittston, and
Abijah. who is the eldest of the sons. He was born in Maine, on the Kennebec River,
April 20, 1832, and was sixteen years of age when his parents came to this State. He
remained with his father assisting hira in his farming and lumbering until he was thirty
;

FISHINGCKEEK TOWNSHIP.

447

years of age. He then married, May 22, 1862, Miss Mary, daughter of Henry G. Daggers
of Brooklyn, N. Y., where Mrs. Lewis was born March 20, 1840; he then went to work on.
Bloomsburg division of the D. L. & W. R. R., and was engaged with that company four
years, and was also engaged during that time in buying and shipping produce. The latter
business he later devoted himself to exclusively, resigning his position on the road, for eighteen years and for the last sixteen years has been engaged in Bloomsburg. At that time he
bought the farm where he now resides and in the spring of 1886 opened the store at Pealertown, which he still conducts with the aid of his family. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis three
children were born: Charles H., the second child died when in his thirteenth month;
WilJiam Edgar, born March 17, 1863, resides in Orangeville engaged in the bakery busiMr. and Mrs.
ness, and Lizzie B., born September 17. 1870, at home with her parents.
Lewis are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Bloomsburg. He does not
take much interest in politics but votes the Republican ticket.
GEORGE L. LINES, farmer, P. O. Fishingcreek. is a grandson of Coonrad Lines, who
was a native of Connecticut, whence he emigi-ated to Pennsylvania after the Revolution, in
which he had been a soldier. He took up a large tract of land in Luzerne Coupty, including two islands in the Susquehanna below Shickshinny, called the Bald Eagle Islands,
and 120 acres on the opposite side of the river in what is now Conynghan Township. On,
first coming to this part of the country he lived in Luzerne County and after buying the
farm built a tannery, having learned the trade in his old home. He died at an advanced
age.
His wife was of German extraction, her name being Sarah Schlutte, a sister of the
general of that name who fought in the war of 1812. She died about fifteen years after
her husband. On his mother's side Mr. Lines is a grandson of Abraham and Sally Courtwright who were members of the Massachusetts family of that name, and this family are
the legitimate heirs of the great English estate of that name which has been accumulating
for a long period. Coonrad and his wife had a large family, all of. whom are now deceased.
Their names were as follows: John, Peter, James, Coonrad, Martin, Maria and Sarah. Martin
was the father of our subject and was born on the farm in Luzerne County, where he lived
until his death, in 1838, in the thirty-third year of his age. He learned the carpenter's trade,
at which he worked until after his marriage, but some years before his death he becanie a
farmer. He had a genius for working in wood and in the possession of Mr. Lines is a
small chair with turned legs and posts which he made when seventeen years of age. He
married in 1827, Ellen Courtwright, a daughter of Abraham and Sallie Courtwright, and
the following children blessed their union: Clara, the widow of Hiram Berlin, of Salem
Township, Luzerne County; Sallie C, wife of John Davis of Wilkesbarre; Huldah, wife of
William Wridall in Nebraska; Jane, wife of Minor D. Harrison, in Huntington Township,
Luzerne County; and George L., who is the third child. After her husband's death Mrs.
Lines married Jared Harrison of Huntington Township, and both are now deceased; they
had one child, Adaline, who is the wife of Rush M. Fink, of Luzerne County. Our subject was born October 30, 1832, and when eighteen years of age learned the trade of a.
carpenter, which he followed for fifteen years. He then began farming, and, in 1866.
bought the place where he now resides, and to which he removed in November of that
year. May 6, 1855, he married Ann Brittain, who was born May 11, 1828, and who died
September 9, 1864 She had two children, Sarah Ellen, born February 20, 1858. died September 12, 1861, and Clara Josephine, born June 30, 1861, the wife of Charles Emory and
resides in this township. December 19, 1872, Mr. Lines married Hannah A., daughter of
Elias and Charlotte Wenner. She was born May 14, 1851, and is the mother of two children, Martin Elmer, born June 29, 1881, and Ada Maud, born October 13, 1884. Mr. Lines
has held the office of school director for seven years. He is a member of Waterton
Grange, and a straightforward^ honorable man, whose neighbors speak in high terms of his

honesty and integrity.

THE McHENRY FAMILY deserves a prominent place in the history of this part of
Columbia County, of which they were truly the pioneers. The ancestors were of ScotchThey possessed the
Irish extraction and the first to settle here were Daniel and Mary.
characteristics of honesty, industry and thrift, which distinguished that people. They
here took up a
Daniel,
and
built their cabin on the site now occupied by their grandson,
Here they both
large tract of land which is yet in the possession of their descendants.
died.
Daniel is buried at St. Gabriel's Church in Sugarloaf, and Mary in the cemetery at
Their children were
Stillwater, which was just opened a short time before her death.
Benjamin, a farmer and lumberman, who died of yellow fever while down the Susquehanna on a raft; Daniel, who resided all his life on a tract across the creek from Stillwater and was a strict religious man of retiring disposition; John was also a farmer and
(He was never known to fail when
was known in this region as "the old hunter."
he started after a deer and record shows that he killed about 2,000 in his lifetime.)
Uriah, the next son, a farmer and shoemaker, was an intelligent and well-read man.
Moses was born in 1791 and died in 1855; was a farmer, a man of marked religious characteristics, and really the founder of the Christian Church in Stillwater, where he wa»
the first person baptized by immerson; Elias was a farmer, being all his life occupied on
the place where he was born; was also a colonel in the old State militia and a stirring

448

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

active man. All of the family were men of influence, who have transmitted to their
Below will be found a
•descendants the characteristics inherited from their ancestors.
record of the prominent members of the family now living in this township.
DANIEL McHENRY, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Stillwater, is now the representHe is a son of Moses, whose wife was Martha, a daughter of
ative head of the family.
James Edgar. They had eleven children, viz.: Cynthia, wife of Samuel McHenry of
Benton Township; Isabella, deceased wife of Tunis Karns; Elias, living in Benton; Mary,
widow of Samuel Ammerman, of Benton; James, living in Cambria, Luzerne County; John
J., in Benton; Ellen, wife of John Evans of Madisouville, Luzerne County; Martha, widow
of Hiram B. McHenry of this township; Cyrus B. (see sketch); Silas, who died in June,
Our subject was born May 15, 1837, and when in his twentieth year,
1886, and Daniel.
At the end of
in company with his brother, James, opened the first store in Stillwater.
five years he bought his brother's interest and conducted the store alone for fifteen years.
During that time he bought a part of the farm of his uncle Elias, and some land adjoining
from William Ikeler. Later he bought ninety acres more of his uncle's land and other
He has
additions give him a farm of over 200 acres besides 140 acres of woodland.
been an active man, in addition to farming, engaging extensively in lumbering, and
Dell,
with
son,
Orvis
his
In partnership
operating mills for more than twenty years.
he is still engaged in that business. In 1854 he was appointed postmaster under President
September 30, 1867, he was appointed by the
Pierce, and has since held that position.
Secretary of the Treasury, Hugh McCulloch, assistant assessor for Division No. 5, of the
Thirteenth Internal Revenue Collection District, and held that position until the district
was consolidated. In 1862 he was elected county treasurer and served three years and
has also held many minor positions. In 1876 he built a fine residence on the site of the
original cabin, and in digging for foundations, found the remains of the old house, besides
November 17. 1859, Mr. McHenry married Mary A., daughter
several relics of the past.
of James Deimer McHenry, and two children blessed their union: Orvis Dell, born
November 17, 1861, is a graduate of Lafayette College, Easton, and his father's partner in
business; is a young man of excellent repute; and May, born March 17, 1867, a graduate
of the Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry are members of the
Christian Church. A man of mark in the community, thorough-going in business, he exercises a wide influence, and has the respect of all.
CYRUS B. McHENRY, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a brother of the above, and was
born November 3, 1830, on the homestead, where he remained until his marriage. He
then moved to the place where he now resides, which was a part of the original tract and
•on which he built a large and well constructed house, arranged with every convenience.
In 1880 he built a barn which is a model of its kind and is probably the best in thevalley,
and is built in the most thorough manner. He has also added to his farm by buying the
remaining twenty-seven acres belonging to his uncle, Elias, now all owned by himself
and Daniel. He has also been engaged" in lumbering and has been successful in both
occupations. December 28, 1852, he married Priscilla, daughter of John Cowenhoven of
Orangeville; she was born February 23, 1830, and to their union have been born the following named children: Oliver, born March 20, 1854, died August 4, 1873; Lilly B., born February 18. 1859, wife of H. B. Low of Orangeville, and William L., born February 18, 1864,
Mr. McHenry takes much interest in politics, but
is married and resides with his parents.
He is a man of unexceptionable manners
rarely holds any except honorary positions.
and habits, and a leading member of the Christian Church, of which he has been an elder
for twenty-five years.
STOTT E. McHENRY, farmer, Stillwater, is a grandson of Benjamin McHenry, who
died of yellow fever, and of whom mention is made in the sketch of the McHenry family.
His wife was named Elizabeth and they had six children, viz.: Daniel; James Deimer,
now deceased; Martha, widow of Peter Colder of Columbia County; Elizabeth, widow of
Thomas Davis of Greenwo»d Township; Maria, deceased wife of Isaac Kline; Sarah Ann
was twice married, first to Mr. Wintersteen, after his death to Mr. Lyons, and died in
Oreenwood. James Deimer was the father of Stott E., and was born on the farm which
His wife was
is now owned by his son, November 30, 1803, and died Julj^ 19, 1883.
Rachel, daughter of Alex. Culley. She was born May 19, 1811, and died May 9, 1885.
Their children were Alexander.living in Benton, who married Elizabeth Buckalew, now deceased; Hiram married Martha McHenry and died suddenly; Mary Ann, wife of Daniel McHenry (see above); Elizabeth.wife of Moses McHenry (also noticed above); Benjamin Franklin married Maria Hays of Indiana, and is a professor in Merom College; Rebecca Margaret
married Smith Kimbal and died in Williamsport;Emma,wifeof John V. McHenry, of Stillwater; Almira,wife of Silas McHenry; Sarah Ellen, wife of William E. Edgar, of this township; Cecelia Alice, wife of T. Hardy Edgar, also of this township, and Stott E. Our subject is the third child and was born January 23, 1831, and has always resided at the place
of his birth. Until his marriage he lived with his father and, on the hitter's death, inherNovember 26, 1868, he married Annie,
ited the old homestead, where he now resides.
daughter of Rev. E. B. and Lucinda Wilson, both of whom are now deceased. He was a
Mrs. McHenry was born
minister of the Reformed Church of the Orangeville charge.
^

PISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

449

August 13, 1848, in Washingtonville, Montour County. They have had six children, as follows: Miriam Rosalie, born" June 18, 1871; Percy Marion, born November 23, 1875; Daisy
Tessora, born September 26, 1881: Carroll Leon, born November 23. 1883, all living; Darcy
Stuart, born January 16, 1877, died July 13, 1880; Arthur Wilson, born October 7,
1886.
Mr. McHeury is a good farmer and a man of independent and straightforward
character, commanding the respect of his neighbors. With a fine famil}^ growing up
around him he is happy in his circumstances and looks carefully after their interests. Mrs.
McHenrv and children are members of the Reformed Church.
JOSEPH F. McHENRY, merchant, Stillwater, is a son of Daniel and Mary (Coleman) McHenry. His father was the second son of the founder of the family, and was
born March 27, 1783, and died on the seventy-ninth anniversary of his birth. His wife
was born in 1793 and died October 13, 1865. They had eleven children, as follows: Benjamin, in Benton Township; William, in Dushore; Moses, in Beaver Township; Uriah P.,
in Millville; Elizabeth was the wife of Geo. Laubach, and both are now deceased; Sarah
married James Edgar, and both are now deceased; Mary, widow of Elisha Albatson, and
resides in Greenwood Township; Adeline, wife of Thomas Pealer and resides in Renovo,
Clinton County; Martha, wife of Jacob C. Carey, and lives in Cambria; Charlotte, wife
of Geo. Laubach, of Orangeville, and Joseph F. Our subject is the youngest son and was
born March 28, 1831, on the farm of his father, across the creek from Stillwater, on the
place now owned by J. S. Woods. He worked on the farm until he was eighteen years of
age, when he began learning the trade of a carpenter and served an apprenticeship of
three years. May 4, 1869, he opened a store on the opposite side of the street to where
he now keeps and there remained about six years. He then built the new store which he
has since occupied. During that time he built several houses in the village of Stillwater.
He also dealt largely in lumber in addition to his merchandising. He, for many years,
when timber was plentiful, operated a mill, but now has his lumber sawed for him.
November 7, 1853, he married Miss Almira Stucker, and three children blessed their union:
Ella C. born April 2, 1856, now the wife of Oscar D. Hagenbuch, residing in one of her
father's houses in Stillwater; Laura Delphine, who died when about eighteen months old,
and Eva D., born December 12, 1868, resides with her parents. She has been attending
the young ladies' seminary at Millville and also at Orangeville. Mr. McHenry has held
several township offices and is now its treasurer.
He owns several pieces of land and
lots in Stillwater Village, but his time is mainly taken up with his store and lumber business.
He built for himself a fine residence opposite his store and is very comfortably situated. He and Mrs. McHenry and all his family are members of the Christian Church,
and he is looked on by his fellow men as a good citizen.
MOSES McHENRY, merchant, Stillwater, is a grandson of John, the "old hunter,"
and Helena Cutter, his wife, who had ten children, viz. Jennie, who married Joseph
Lemmons and after his death Amos Ellis; Elizabeth, wife of Lorenzo Mendenhall; Samuel,
father of Moses; Stephen and Ephraim, all now deceased; the living are Matthew, iu
Jackson Township; John, Rhohr and Maria (widow of Thomas Hess). All live in Benton, and Sally (widow of Thomas Young) resides in Jackson Township.
Samuel C, the
father of Moses, was born in Benton in 1808, and on his marriage removed to Jackson;
thence to Benton in 1842, to a farm which he received from his father, cutting down the
woods to make room for his house. This farm he cleared and lived on until his death,
January 19, 1880. He was an industrious man and also inherited his father's love for
hunting. Notwithstanding that he paid a large sum of bail money for others, he accumulated a good property, leaving three farms paid for at his death. He was a plain man,
a captain in the militia service and a member of the Christian Church.
For a number of
years after returning to Benton he kept a hotel, called the " Hunter's Home," which he
gave up later in life. He married, in 1828, Miss Cynthia McHenry, who resides on the
homestead in Benton. They had seven children: Eli, married Sarah Young, of Benton;
John v.. married first to Martha Stocker, and after her death to Emily McHenry; James
M., now married to Catherine Hess, in Benton; Benjamin Franklin, who died when a
child; Martha, also died young; Sarah is the wife of Theo. Lewis and resides in Benton,
and Moses (subject), who is the second son and was born October 7, 1832, in Jackson
Township. In 1854 he went to Stillwater and clerked for his uncle, Daniel, who then kept
a store and a hotel in that place. After working for him for five years he became his
partner in both hotel and store, which relationship continued some three years. They
then dissolved, and until February, 1865, our subject worked for his uncle, when a partnership was again formed, which lasted until 1876, when he bought the real estate and
divided the goods, gradually closing out. He remained out of business until 1878, when
he built the store iu which he has carried on the business since in partnership with his
brother.
June 14, 1866, he married Elizabeth McHenry, a distant cousin. They have
two children: James Gaylord, now in his nineteenth year, who assists his father in the
store, and Bertha Leah, now in her tenth year.
In February, 1886, Mr. McHenry was for
the third consecutive time elected justice of the peace, and has been acting postmaster
for his uncle Daniel almost ever since he came to Stillwater. He and his wife are members
of the Christian Church, and he has the reputation of being a careful and upright business man.
:

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

450

WILLIAM MEARS, retired. Fishingcreek, is a grandson of John Mears, who emigrated from England early in the last century, and during the Revolutionary war was a
captain in the patriot army. After the war he located in Catawissa, and being a physiHe was among the first settlers of that
cian, engaged in the practice of his profession.
part of the county, and died in 1818. His wife was a member of the Society of Friends.
They had three sons and one daughter, all now deceased. The youngest son was Jesse,
the father of our subject, and was born in Catawissa about the time of the Revolution and
died about 1837. During the war of 1812 he was a soldier in the American Army. He
was a cabinet-maker, but a few years before his death he gave up that trade and devoted
himself to teaching school, being a well educated man. His wife, Leah Benn, was born
in New Jersey and died in 1827, the mother of four children, all of whom attained
maturity: Lydia, widow of Elijah Howe, died at Harrisburg; John, died at Milton;
Maajerum, who was in the Mexican war and died in that country, and William, who is
the sole survivor of the family. Our subject was born October 16, 1812, and when he
was fifteen years old his mother died. He worked by the month until he was seventeen,
when he learned the trade of a wagon-maker at Catawissa with Joseph Hayhurst, remaining
He then started afoot to Ohio, working on the way,
there until he was twenty-one.
stopping at Little Sandusky; thence to Lower Sandusky, and thence to Perrysburg, on the
Maumee River. He returned as far as Cleveland, and thence to Euclid, where he obtained
work; thence to Franklin, Penn., where he remained a week, and thence back to Catawissa.
He was then employed on the Shamokin Railroad as overseer, but was taken sick
and obliged to return home. Later he worked six months at Foundryville, and then with
the engineer corps on the Catawissa Railroad for nearly three years, saving from hismeager salary $450, whicli he put out at interest, and which gave him a start in the
world. Coming to Orangeville, he went into partnership with his brother in the harnessmaking business for three years, and then carried on that business alone for nineteen years,
saving $6,500. While thus engaged he also operated a tannery for seven years, using his
own leather in harness. He then bought a farm of 220 acres, which he now owns, near
Jonestown, and on which he resided nineteen years, engaged in farming and lumbering,
having a saw-mill on his property. Later he bought another farm, on Chillisquaque
creek, which he owned twelve years, selling it for $6,558, and subsequently bought from
John Merrill a half-interest in the grist-mill at Jonestown; later bought a quarter-interest
and thus owned three-quarters until 1877, when he sold one-fourth. In 1882 he disposed
of the rest and has since been retired. In the latter year he bought another farm, of eighty
acres, which he still owns, together with the fine property in the village of Jonestown,
where he resides. In 1838 he married Anna Matilda Kelchner, who died in 1857, leaving
four children: Lydia, wife of Peter J. Weaver, of this township; Mary, wife of John Merrill,
of Kansas; Leonora, wife of Jesse Runyan, of this township, and Camden, who reside*
in Bloomsburg. In 1858 Mr. Mears married Mrs. Mary Abbott, widow of William Abbott,
and who was a daughter of Jacob Noggle, of Centre Township. She was born October 4,
1822, and by her first husband had six children, three of whom are now living: Margaret,
wife of Wesley Eveland, of Jonestown; Jesse, married to Norah Mears, and Tilman Runyan, married to Ida Kingsbury, in this township. By his second marriage Mr. Mears had
six children, three of whom are living: Matilda, wife of Jonathan Dodson, in Mansfield, Ohio; William, at home, and Valerie, wife of Losson McHenry, living on her father's farm. May 13, 1878, Mr. Mears started on a trip west, visiting points in Ohio, Indiana,
Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska; also crossed over to Canada and visited
Niagara Falls. Mr. Mears has never had a lawsuit or been on the stand as a witness, and
has never held any office, except that'of overseer of the poor. He and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Jonestown, of which he is one of the chief supporters, and in which he has served as elder, trustee and steward.
Politically he is a Republican.

CHARLES

H.

MOORE,

merchant,

Van Camp,

a son of N. Patterson Moore, of

is

Buckhorn, Hemlock Township, under whose name appears a history of the ancestor of
the family. Charles H. was born February 15, 1861, in Benton Township. He remained
at home until he was twenty years of age, working at wagon-making in summer and
teaching school in winter. He then moved to Shickshinny, where he was principal of
the schools of the borough, which position he held for a year. He then sold books for
one summer, and the following fall went to Catawissa, where he taught one year. He then
gave up the profession on account of failing health, and moving to Van Camp engaged
in mercantile business in the store of George M. Howell.
August 16, 1883, he married
Miss Deborah, daughter of Geo. M. Howell, and two children have blessed their union:
George Howell, born November 5, 1884, and Paul Willet, born November 23, 1886. Mr.
Mr.
Moore and wife are members of St. James Reformed Church at Van Camp.
Moore is assistant superintendent of the Sabbath-school and also teacher of the Bibles
class; is treasurer of the school and leader of the chiirch choir.
He is a young man of
correct habits and good character, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him.

He

is

a graduate of the Sixth District

Normal School,

a

member

of the class of 1879.

FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

451

SAMUEL J. PEALER, surveyor and engineer, P. O. Forks, is of German and
English descent. His grandfather, Paul Pealer, lived in Berks County; was a soldier in
the Revolutionary war, in the Continental army, and after the close of that struggle
returned to Berks County, where he died. His son, Samuel, father of our subject, was
born at Reading in 1787, and died in Iowa in 1854. He was a millwright, and in early life
settled in this county, where he bought a large tract of land near Jonestown, on which
he erected a mill. He also engaged in farming, but some j'ears before his death gave his
farm to his eldest son. He then bought a small place in this township on which his wife
In politics he was first
died, and while visiting his daughter in Iowa, he himself died.
a Democrat, then a follower of Henry Clay, and later a Republican. To him and his
wife, nee Mary Sheidy, of Luzerne County, Penn., were born the following named children: Paul, deceased (four of his sons entered the army in the war of the Rebellion;
Isaac K., who enlisted in 1861 in the First New York Dragoons, was shot in the forehead
at the battle of Cold Harbor, and died instantly; S. L., who also enlisted in 1861 in the
First New York Dragoons, was shot dead through the temple at the engagement at Winchester; Frank A. enlisted in Company F, Two Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Volunwas shot through the thigh at Bermuda Hundred; S. F. was orderly
teer Infantry,
sergeant of Company A, One Hundred .and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry); Peter, in this township (his son Oscar enlisted in the war of the rebellion in
Company F, Two Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner at Bermuda Hundred, and was starved to death in Salisbury prison, N. C); David, in .-^
Wyoming, Iowa (was mustered into the United States service July 22, 1861, by Maj. Wood,
United States Army, at Lafayette, Ind., in Company E, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following engagements: Flood, Hatteras Inlet, November 2,
1861; fight between Monitor and Merrimac March 8 and 9, 1862; seven days' battles before
Richmond; battle near Fair Oaks June 19, 1862; battle of Orchards June 25, 1862; Glendale June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill July 1, 1862; second battle of Bull Run August 29 and
30, 1862; Chantiliy September 1, 1862; Fredericksburar December 11, 12, 13, 1862; Cedars
May 1, 2, 1863; Gettysburg July 2, 3 and 4, 1863; Manassas Gap July 23. 1863, from which
date he continued with the Army of the Potomac, same regiment, sharing in its arduous
duties to the close of the war, having received during the time three light wounds. He
participated iu the battles of Petersburg, etc., up to the surrender of Lee's army, and
was mustered out at Arlington Heights in June, 1865); Levi, in this township; George
died young; Mary, widow of Jacob Bender, in Iowa; Catherine, wife of Robert McCalmont, in Iowa; Barbara, died in that State; Elizabeth, widow of John Beishline, in this
township; Savilla, died unmarried; Margaret, deceased wife of Peter Evelard of this_r^^^
township, and Samuel J. The subject of this sketch was born "January 18, 1833, and
remained with his parents until his father's death, when he moved to Asbury and lived
with his sister Margaret. He was educated at the common schools and at New Columbus
and Lancaster, and at the age of sixteen became a teacher. Two years later he took up
field work under the late William Buckalew, and was three years on government work in
Minnesota. In July, 1863, he was commissioned second lieutenant of Capt. R. F. Clark's
company of emergency men when the State was invaded. In 1864 he also did con
siderable special duty by and under orders of Maj. -Gens. Cadwallader and Couch,
also by and under orders of Gen. Charles Albright.
He enlisted in Company E, Two
Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and shortly after was detailed as a
recruiting officer, and served in the judge advocate's otfice with the rank of second lieutenant. He recruited three companies and was made captain of one. Company A, Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which he joined at Spring Run, Va. He was
later elected major, receiving twenty-four votes out of a possible twenty-seven.
At the
close of the war he returned to Asbury, taught school and engaged in surveying and civil
engineering. He is now in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and has done
the chief work and mine engineering for the Salem Coal Company. January 18, 1862, he
married Samantha C, daughter of Cornelius Coleman of Asbury, who was born March
They have eight children: Alice M., wife of Ezra A. Chapman, in Huntington
19, 1838.
Township, Luzerne County; Lizzie C, wife of George Vanliew; Stuart died at the age of
two years; Woodin W. Ella Eva; Robert Samuel; Charles Revere and Blanche Florence.
Mr. Pealer takes a warm interest in politics and votes the Republican ticket. He is a
member of the I. 0. O. F., Mountain Lodge, No. 164, Orangeville. He and Mrs. Pealer
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Asbury, and he is recording steward
of the Orangeville charge. For eight years he was superintendent of the Sabbath-school,
which position he resigned, but is now assistant superintendent and teacher.
RUSSEL R. PEALER, circuit judge. Three Rivers, Mich., was born January 1, 1842,
in Greenwood Township, Columbia County, a son of George and Rebecca (Hampton)
Pealer (former now residing at Asbury. Columbia Co., Penn.; the latter deceased); was
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, the New Columbus Normal School
and Orangeville Academy. He first left home to attend school in February, 1859, taking
his provisions, bed and furniture on a sled to New Columbus, where he rented a room and
boarded himself all through the school course, except when in good weather he would

^d

;

/

A

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

452

to and from home a distance of about five miles, which he many times did.
studying as he wended his way. He taught school at intervals in order to obtain money
whereby to defray his expenses: the Asbury school two winters, and the Light Street
High School in the summer of 1861; then returned to school at Orangeville, which he left
the following fall to enter the army. While at ^is stuiiies as a boy our subject was a
close, hard-working scholar, conscientious and imceasing in his application to his books,
and these characteristics he carried with him into early manhood, the traits of which he
owes to a precious mother and a kind father. Judge Pealer enlisted during the war of
the Rebellion on September 9, 1863, in Company E, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and
during a period of three years was promoted from time to time to rank of non-commissioned officer of his company, and on September 21, 1864, an order, of which the following is a copy, was made:

walk

Special Order No. 61.

Headquarters Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
September

)

21, 1864. \

n. Second Sergt. Russel R. Pealer, Company E, for meritorious conduct as a soldier
and as actmg sergeant-major, is promoted to sergeant-major Sixteenth Pennsylvania CavTo date from September 1, 1864.
alry, and will be obeyed and respected as such.

By command

of
J.

K. ROBISON,
Lieut.- Col. Sixteenth Penn. Cavalry,

Commanding

regiment.

E. Cormany,
Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant.

Samuel

After this he served as adjutant, and did considerable staff duty. November 30, 1864,
he was commissioned second lieutenant of his company, and April 1, 1865, was promoted to first lieutenant, afterward commanding a company most of the time. July 24,
1865, he was assigned by a special order to the command of Companies E and I, which
command he held until mustered out. The judge was in over thirty cavalry engagements,
and was twice wounded in action while in command of a battalion at the battle of
Hatcher's Run, Va., February 6, 1865. He was present at the battles of Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and many of the engagements about Petersburg;
was discharged with the regiment at Richmond, August 11, 1865; returned home and commenced reading law, September 3, 1865, with Robert F. Clark, then the leading lawyer of
the county, and was admitted to the bar September 3, 1867. Judge Pealer soon after
moved to Three Rivers, Mich., and there located November 12, 1867, and has since been
engaged in the practice of his profession. He has held various municipal and local
In April, 1881, he
offices; twice circuit court commissioner; twice prosecuting attorney.
was elected circuit judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Michigan for a term of six
He is president of the First National Bank of Three
years, and is now on the bench.
His parents being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Judge early
Rivers.
In politics he is a stanch Republican.
in life became a member of the same denomination.
The boy, student, teacher, soldier, attorney and judge has accumulated handsome and
valuable properties in the town where he resides, together with excellent farms adjoining.
The judge enjoys good health, although he suffers severely at times from a wound received in the leg while in action. He also has a distinct and vivid recollection of the real
existence of the noted Fishingcreek confederacy, and says that his generous and able law
preceptor, Robert F. Clark, took a very active part in summoning and hastening the
" boys in blue " to the banks of the beautiful and famous trout stream, to suppress it (the
Confederacy).

GEORGE

PENNINGTON,

blacksmith, Fishingcreek Township, P. O. Van
1854, and is great-grandson of Jesse Pennington, who was a
Jersey and later a resident of Sullivan County, Penn., where he died about
native of
twenty-six years ago". His wife, Rebecca, died ^bout ten years since. Their sons were
are living except Edmund. Jonathan is
Jonathan. Jesse, Edmund, John, all of
the grandfather of our subject, and was born in Sullivan County on the banks of FishingHe married, when about twenty-one
creek, on the farm which his father had cleared.
years of age, and bought a farm at Fairmount, Luzerne County, which he cleared and
where his family were reared. There he has since resided and is now eighty-four years
His wife, Phoebe Tubbs, died in 1881, aged seventy-eight. They had five sons and
old.
three daughters: Nathan T., Jesse, James, John, Alexander R., Sallie, Mary and Lola.
Nathan T. was the father of our subject and followed blacksmithing until 1864. He then
enlisted in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and was wounded at Five Forks, Va., after
the surrender of Gen. Lee, and died at Carna Hospital, Washington, three weeks later.
He was a partner in the store at Van Camp until his death. His body was interred at St.
James' Reformed Church Cemetery at Van Camp. In 1849 he married Mary, daughter of
Samuel Yost, and seven children blessed their union; Wilber C. and Wdliam R. (twins),
both residing in this township; Samuel Yost, in Catawissa; Ellen, Jesse, and one who

H.

Camp, was born June

30,

New

whom

PISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

453

died ia infancy. George H. is the third son and lived with his mother until he was
seventeen years of age, when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with Wilson Myers,
in Benton Township, serving an apprenticeship of four years.
He has since worked at
the trade in different places, but is now located at Bendertown, this township. May 1,
1877, he married Catherine M., daughter of J. D. McHenry, Jr.
She was born October
17, 1856, in Benton, and has borne her husband two children: Mary D., born June 14, 1878,

and Marvin Alfred, born March

WILLIAM

19, 1883.

PENNYPACKER.

miller, Fishingcreek. is a son of John B. Pennypacker, a farmer in East Coventry, Chester Co., Pena. The latter was reared in Montgomery County, and learned the trade of a blacksmith in Chester County, working at it until he was of middle age, when he gave it up and began farming a place he had bought in
that county. A few years ago he sold his farm and retired to a small place which he
owns, in East Coventry Township, Chester County. He was born March 31, 1821, and is
an active and vigorous citizen. His wife, Mary A. Stetler, was born in Montgomery
County, and is yet living.
They have four children: Sylvester S., in Philadelphia,
engaged in the milk business; John S., in a needle factory, in East Coventry; Sallie S.,
with her parents, and our subject. William S. Pennypacker was born August 6, 1850,
and when twelve years old engaged as a clerk in a store at Earlville, remaining two years;
thence moved to Pottstown, where he worked in a grocery a year. He then worked at the
confectionery and bakery business for two years, going thence to learn the trade of milling,
which he followed in various places for a couple of years. In 1875 he came to Jonestown,
and worked in the grist-mill for five years, and then operated the mill on shares for a
couple of years. He then went to Philadelphia to assist his brother in the milk business,
but returned a year later, and again assumed control of the mill, and is now operating it
for Messrs. Jones. November 33, 1876, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Joseph
Kline, of this township. She was born December 24, 1856, and has borne her husband
five children: Sallie Blanche, born February 28, 1878; Laney Maud, February 26, 1880;
John K., August 27, 1881; Charles Ray, April 5, 1882, and Mary Alvernon, December 29,
Mr. Pennypacker takes no active part in political matters, but is deeply interested
1884.
in the Republican party.
A. SEVISON, practical horseshoer, coachsmith and wagon-smith, Stillwater, is descended from a Holland ancestor, who came to America prior to the RevoluOne
of
his
sons was the grandfather of our subject, and first lived in New Jersey;
tion.
later came to this State, settling in Snyder County, where his son Michael, father of Herman A., was born. Michael learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked until a
short time before his death. He was considerable of a traveler, having visited most parts
of the United States both before and after his marriage. Seven years of his life were
spent in the State of New York. He took contracts to erect buildings, and made considerable money, but his wife being accidentally drowned while he was yet a young man,
he went away, and for a long time strove to forget his loss among new scenes. He finally
settled in Appanoose County, Iowa, where he remained five years.
He returned to Pennsylvania in 1868, and located in Delaware Township, Northumberland County, with his
son, Thomas, with whom he remained five years.
He then lived with the subject of this
sketch until his death in 1875. His wife, Sarah Catherine Ire, was born in Selin's Grove,
Snyder County, March 8, 1799, and was accidentally drowned November 16, 1847, in a new
and unfinished well that had just been dug on the premises in Delaware Township, Northumberland County. It was supposed she slipped and fell off the planks which had been
temporarily laid across the top. Mr. and Mrs. Sevison had twelve children, only two now
living: our subject and his sister Lavina, wife of James Hollopeter, a coachsmith, living
in Clearfield County, Penn.
Six of the family died when quite young, and four when
arrived at maturity, as follows: Sarah, who died in Iowa; Sophia, died in Delaware Township, Northumberland County; Thomas, in the same place, and Harrison, in Northumberland County. Herman A. was born August 22, 1841, in Lewis Township, Northumberland County, and his mother dying when he was not quite five years of age, he was taken
by Cornelius Rynearson, who reared him. When he was sixteen years of age he went to
live with John G. Oakes in Lycoming County for a year; then to Ohio and New York for
a year, and in the spring of 1858 began to learn the blacksmith's trade with William Hood,
at McEwensville, Northumberland County.
There he remained three years. On the
breaking out of the war he enlisted (the first volunteer from that place) in Company G,
Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers; served three months, and the following year again
enlisted for nine months, this time in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment. In 1864 he enlisted, determined to see the close of the war, in the Seventh Veteran Volunteer Cavalry, and has three honorable discharges, of which he may be justly
proud. He was a brave soldier, and took part in five of the great battles of the war,
besides skirmishes, especially while in the cavalry. After his second return from the
service he married, in September, 1863, Miss Lucretia Van Dine, who died in 1879, the
mother of four children, all living at the present time, viz.: Sarah C, wife of Mr. Kahler,
of Bloomsburg; William A., who has learned his father's trade and works in his shops in
Stillwater; Margaret L., who lives in Bloomsburg, and Elizabeth C., living near Millville,

HERMAN

S.

454

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Emma, daughter of John Mull, who has borne him one child, John F. On his return
from the war, Mr. Sevison was sought out by his old employer, William Hood, and given
charge of the shop in wiiich he had learned his trade, and there remained a year and a
half; thence to Limestoneville, Montour County, where he was in business two years.
After several changes he settled in Greenwood Township, and remained there eleven years;
thence to Catawissa three years, and in December, 1885, came to Stillwater, where he
Ijought a fine residence, and is doing a good business. Mr. Sevison has no time to give to
politics, but his record as a soldier shows that he was not backward when his country
needed his services.
BARTLEY E. SHANNON, miller, P. O. Stillwater, is a son of Richard Shannon,
whose grandfather came from Ireland and settled on the west branch of the Susquehanna,
where some of his descendants still reside. Richard Shannon was born in July, 1812, at
White Deer, Union County, and is now seventy-five years of age, and has almost all his
He is now employed in the car shops of Jackson & Woodin,
life been engaged in farming.
He married, in 1884, Miss Mary, daughter
at Berwick, and is an active and hearty man.
She was born in 1818, and is yet living. Eight
of Abraham Lewis, of Union County.
children were born to her and her husband, two of whom died in infancy. The living are
William, married to Emma Boone, and living on Black creek, Couyngham Township;
Isaiah, unmarried, in Berwick; Samuel, married to Sarah Hoofnagle, and died in Berwick; Wesley, married first Annie Linden, and, after her death, Alice Stevens, in Berwick;
John, who resides in Berwick, and our subject, Bartley E., is the fourth son, and was born
October 20, 1850, in Bloomsburg, where his parents then resided. In infancy he was
brought to Centre Township, where his youth was passed. When quite young he began to
farm and attended school in winter until he was sixteen years of age. He then began to
learn the trade of a miller at FuUner's mill, in that township, where he remained ten
years. Thence he went to Milflin, where he had charge of the Yohe mill for two years;
thence to Beach Haven, where he conducted a mill for D. G. Driesbach for four years;
thence to Jonestown mill for a year, and in 1886 came to Stillwater to take charge of the
mill at this place. June 12, 1873, he married Elvira, daughter of Samuel Zimmerman, of
Orangeville, this county, who was born September 12, 1849, and had always lived with
her parents until her marriage. They had six children, one of whom died in infancy.
The living are Bruce E., Clark W., C. A., Howard L. and Mattie. Mr. Shannon is a
young man of excellent reputation, and since he has lived in Stillwater has won the good
He and wife are consistent members of the Methodist
will and respect of its people.
Episcopal Church in Stillwater.
JACOB F. SHOEMAKER, farmer, P. O. Orangeville, was born in Wurtemberg,
Germany, February 17, 1821, and came to this country with his parents when he was
thirteen years of age. They located first in New Brunswick, N. J., where his mother
died eighteen days after arriving in this country. His father then moved to Easton, and
six months later went to Hamilton, and later to Huntington Township, Luzerne County,
The latter worked on farms and also on
at which time Jacob F. was fifteen years old.
the canal for nearly seven summers. In 1848 he bought a team and farmed on shares the
farm of Bernard 'fubbs. Town Hill, Luzerne County, and the next year farmed James
Tubbs' place. He then rented the farm of Eliphalet Edson, on the other side of Town
Hill, where he remained five years; then came to the farm of Samuel Creveling, in this
township, near Van Camp. After residing there two years, he bought, in the spring of
1857, the farm in the southwest part of this township, which has since been his home.
December 28, 1848, he married Miss Ellen, daughter of Henry Traxler, of Huntington
Township, where Mrs. Shoemaker was born September 7, 1830. Mr. Shoemaker is a
He and Mrs. Shoemaker are
quiet man, who attends strictly to his own business.
prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rohrsburg, of which he is
steward and trustee, and has been for many years. For a long time also he was class
leader, but increasing years have caused him to relinquish active work in the church,
though not to cease his labors in its behalf. He is widely known as one of its most
liberal members.
He and Mrs. Shoemaker now enjoy the fruits of a well spent life.
ELLIS S. STOKER, farmer. P. O. Stillwater, was born May 17, 1842, in this townHis father, John Stoker, occupied the farm now owned by John Zaner until 1844.
ship.
when he moved to a farm of 300 acres, which he had purchased across the creek, and
which is now occupied by Ellis S. There he died in August, 1853, sixty-three years old.
He was a man of great integrity and benevolence, and took deep interest in the Christian
Church, of which he was a leading member. His wife, Esther Bright, died February 14,
Their children were as follows: Jacob, who died in this
1880, aged eighty-one years.
township; Sallie Ann, wife of Elias McHenry, of Benton; Russell, in Iowa; Phebe Ellen,
wife of William Hulme, of Benton; Almira, wife of Jos. F. McHenry, of Stillwater;
Louisa, wife of Daniel Edgar, of Luzerne County; James F.. of Philadelphia; Martha,
wife of John V. McHenry (she died in 1863); William Mc, of this township, and Ellis S_.,
our subject, is the youngest of the family, and was but twelve years of age when his
father died. He remained with his mother, working on the farm and in the saw-mill

FISHINGCKEEK TOWNSHIP.

455

when he moved to that part of the farm where he now resides, and
which he received from the estate. Five or six years ago he erected a fine substantial
house and out-buildings, to which he removed, and in August, 1886, bought back the old
homestead and tlie part of the farm which had been sold to John Zaner, thus getting a
farm of 170 acres and two sets of buildings. June 21, 1863, he married Miss Hannah A.,
daughter of Thomas Davis, of Benton Township. She was born May 22, 1838, and has
borne her husband three children: Howard Dell, born in April, 1864, and died at the age
of three weeks; Lewis A., born May 18, 1865, and Hilbert Stanley, born April 3, 1873,
both of whom live with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Stoker are members of the Chrisuntil his marriage,

tian

Church.

OLDEN STOKES,

tanner, P. O. Forks,

moved from Bucks County

is

a great-grandson of

James Stokes who

Bear Gap, Northumberland County (near the Montour
County line), and where he owned all the property on what is now the grist-mill, and
His son, Joseph, came to Roaringcreek Township, this county, and was the
there died.
first teacher and surveyor (making the original surveys) in that part of the count)'.
He
and wife, Mrs. Rebecca (Lee) Stokes, settled in that part of Roaringcreek which is now
Bucks
years
Township.
He
died
in
County
forty-five
ago,
aged
about
Locust
seventy
years.
His wife died in Locust Township. He had a numerous family, and his descendants are still lo be found in the county. His son, James, the father of Olden, was born
He followed carpenter work and cabinet-making during the
iu 1791 and died in 1860.
summer, and taught school in the winter seasons, but in his latter years devoted himself
exclusively to teaching. He was a member of the Society of Friends and a leading member in meeting, of which he was for years clerk. His tastes were literary, and he contributed considerably to papers and periodicals, and was also a poet of no mean order.
His wife, Deborah, daughter of Mahlon Hoar, was born about the same year as her husband and died in 1861. Their children were Hampton, who died when a young man;
James, in Minnesota; John C, who died in Scranlon, Penn., in 1885, and Olden, our subHe received such an education as
ject, is the second child, and was born August 3, 1826.
the times afforded, and in 1844 began to learn the tanner's trade, at which he worked
many years in Catawissa; thence to Berwick, and later to Black Creek, Luzerne County,
where he remained four years. He then spent three years in Hollenback Township, same
county. He then bought a tannery at Foundryville, in Briarcreek, Avhich he operated
fourteen years; then sold out and bought a property at Martzville, near Berwick, where
he resided two years, when he exchanged it for the property he owns in this township,
on Huntington Creek, w'here he resumed the tanning business. July 1, 1866, he married
Eliza, daughter of Michael Fort, of Lehigh County, where* she was born in 1827.
They
had two children, one of whom died in infancy, and Hannah Janie, born January 7,
Mr. Stokes was born and reared among the Society of
1868, who lives with her parents.
Friends, but his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WESLEY W. SUTLIFF, dentist, Runyan, is a grandson of Miles Sutliflf, who, with
his wife, came from Connecticut and settled in Huntington Township, Luzerne Co., Penn.
There they had a farm and also a hotel, which was probably the first in the township, and
there both died. They had eleven children: Bernard, Stiles, Daniel, Abel, Wells, Washington, Wesley, Miles, Hannah, Amelia and Roxana; two now survive: Daniel, in Huntington Township, and Hannah, widow of George Souder, in same township. Abel was
the father of our subject and was born May 2, 1808, and died in the same township June
His wife, Lydia Brader, was born October 27, 1809, and is now living on the old
28, 1868.
home in Luzerne County. Abel was a large landholder, owning three farms; he was .a
member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is also a member. They had fourteen children: Miles M., in Shickshinny; Samuel B., a farmer; Rosanna E., unmarried, with her
mother; Roxana, widow of Andrus Zimmerman; John W., a farmer; Amelia M., wife of
John W. Kingsbury; Sterling D., a farmer; James M., a farmer, all in Huntington Township; Ross C. died in that township, leaving a wife and son to survive him; Bernard, died
in infancy; Cornelia A., wife of John A. Fulkison; Emma T., wife of Biugly Franklin;
an infant, who died unnamed, and Wesley W. The last named was the sixth child, born
on the home farm September 30, 1838, and lived on the farm until he was twenty-one
years old; then worked and earned enough to attend school three years. He graduated
in 1863 at Crittenden Commercial College, Philadelphia.
While attending the Orangeville Academy he was drafted, and after serving some months was discharged on account
of disability.
In July, 1863, he served in the emergency corps at Chambersburg. For a
year after graduating he worked as clerk and agent, and August 27, 1864, enlisted for
three years in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving until the regiment was discharged.
He was then transferred and made
corporal to Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania, and served until
December 14, 1865, when he was finally discharged at City Point, Va. Coming home he
accepted an agency, at which he worked until 1873, when he began the study of dentistry
in the State of New York, and has since followed that profession.
In 1874 he built the
residence in Asbury, this township, which he has since made his home. His practice
covers a large territory, which he visits at regular intervals.
When Dr. Sutliff built his
34
to the

456

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

home he determined on making

This he has succeeded in doing, taking
it a model one.
water from a spring fifty rods from his house. He has it conducted in underground pipes
In the house, by an.
to his house and barn, in both of which he has an unfailing supply.
ingeniously arranged system of pipes of his own invention, he runs a thirty-inch wheel
from a huge tank, containing seventy-five barrels of water, in his cellar, which operates
a churn in his buttery above, a gate, which is regulated in an instant, guaging the supply.
This wheel also gives the power, by a connection below, to run aji ice-cream freezer.
When not in use the water can be shut off in a moment. The overflow from the tank runs
through a large trough in the cellar, in which is kept butter, cream, etc. From there the
waste water is conveyed through pipes into a large fish pond, in which are German and

French carp. The apparatus, entirely of his own invention, is simple, practical and a
great labor saver. November 9, 1871, Dr. Sutliff married Catherine, daughter of Peter
Eveland, of Asbury. She was born December 24, 1838, and has borne her husband two
children: Bruce E., born in Huntington Township October 4, 1873, and Myrtie M., born
The Doctor is a member of the Mounin Asbury, March 16. 1875, died February 20, 1880.
tain Lodge, 264, I. O. O. F., of Orangeville, also of the K. of P., of the Grange, and of
the Columbia County Agricultural Society. He is a member of the Baptist Church, of
which he has been deacon, but Mrs. Sutliff is a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

JOHN WENNER, farmer, P. O. Van Camp, was born in Butler Township, Luzerne
County, October 2, 1816. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany before the Revolution, and acquired quite a property which he sold, receiving payment in continental
money, and, of course, lost all. His son, Christian, who was born in Snyder County, Penn.,
was a soldier in the Revolution, and after that struggle settled on his farm in his native
county. Later he moved to Butler Township, Luzerne County, where he died. His family were Jacob, Andrew, Daniel, George, Christian, Leonard, Jonas, Catherine, Regina
and Barbara, all of w'hom are deceased. Jacob was the father of John, and was born in
Snyder County in April. 1786; died in September, 1865, aged seventy-nine years and five
months. His wife was born in March, 1795, and died in March, 1865, within a few days
of her seventieth year. Jacob Wenner was a soldier in the war of 1812, but the war closed
before he saw active service. When he w^as sixteen years old he came to Butler TownHe was always a farmer, working for his father
ship, Luzerne County, with his parents.
and others until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then married Elizabeth, daughter
Aftei his marriage he bought a farm in that
of Michael Beishline, of Builer Township.
county on which he resided five years. His father-in-law had bought attract of 300 acres
of land in this county and Jacob came here in 1817 and bought 100 acres of that land; later
bought 118 acres more. Here he put up a house on the place where his son John now
He was an honest, upi'ight man, a
lives, and here he passed the remainder of his life.
member of the German Reformed Church in Van Camp, of which he had been for years
a deacon and elder. His wife was also a member of the same church. They were the
parents of the following named children: Jacob; Daniel, who lives in this townshi^D;
Magdalena, deceased wife of Benjamin Hess; Susanna, deceased wife of Elias Pealer;
Elizabeth and Sarah, both died j^oung, and John. Of these John, our subject, is the
second son and has passed his entire life within a mile of where he now resides, and has
always followed farming. On his marriage he removed to a farm adjoining his father's,
which he had purchased and there resided eleven yeai's. He then purchased a farm on the
other side of his fatlier's to which he moved and on which he lived nine years. He then
bouglit the home farm, wiiich had been inherited by his brother Daniel, and there has
since lived. August 10, 1838, he married Eve Cope, who died April 9, 1856, leaving eight
children, one child, Matilda, had died prior. The survivors are Rachel, wife of Charles
Kindig; Michael, married to Rosanna Hosier; Elias. married to Susanna Bender; Margaret, widow of Leonard Kline; Jacob, married to Elizabeth Bobbins; Susanna, wife of
J. Ogden Wilson; Sarah, wife of Wesley Eveland and resides in Huntington Township,
Luzerne County, and Melinda, wife of Joseph Deitrich, all residing in this township except Sarah. June 13, 1858, Mr. Wenner married, as his second wife, Sarah, widow of
William Kauff and daughter of Jacob Huntsinger, of Sullivan County, and who was
born June 22, 1814. No children were born to this union, but Mrs. Wenner has two
children by her first husband Amelia Ann, wife of Simon Mj'ers, residing in WilliamsMr.
port, and David who married Charlotte Hartman and is a merchant at Bendertown.
Wenner has always led a quiet and peaceable life. He has never identified himself with
He is treasurer of the Fishingpolitics, but has been elected to many township offices.
creek Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He and
Mrs. Wenner are members of the German Reformed Church, of which for about forty
years he was an elder and deacon. In the community in which his life has been passed
Mr. Wenner bears the record of an upright and good citizen.
MICHAEL WENNER, farmer, P. O. Van Camp, is the eldest son of John Wenner, and
was born September 25, 1841, on the old Wenner homestead where his father still resides.
At the age of twenty-three he married and removed to Briarcreek Township where he
farmed a year. He then came to this township and settled on the farm of his father ad-

—

FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.

457

joining the homestead, where he has since lived. This he rented and worked on share^
until four years ago when he purchased it.
December 22, 1864, he married Rosanna
•daughter of D. R. Hosier, of Jonestown, this township, who was born November 2, 1846,
and had always lived at home until her marriage. To this union nine children were born':
William Wallace, born September 29, 1865, married Amanda, daughter of Levi Beishline,
lives in this township and farms his grandfather's farm; Ellis Bruce, born April 21, 1867;

M

Laura Roella, born December 9, 1869; Mary Alice, born June 13, 1871; Torrence Meldon,
born October 9, 1873; Clement B., born September 20, 1875; Estella Eudora, born June 13,
1877; Emma Bernetta, born October 25, 1880, and Anna May, born January 17, 1884.
Mr!
Wenner has always followed agricultural pursuits, except one summer that he engaged
at carpentering.
He has never taken a very active part in politics, but has held several
township offices. He and Mrs. Wenner are members of the German Reformed Church at
Van Camp, in which he was a deacon for ten years; and also taught in the Sunday-school
_

several years.

ELIAS WENNER,

Van Camp, is a son of John Wenner and was born
farm in this township. At the age of eighteen he went to Light
Street, 'and later to Berwick, where he learned the trade of a blacksmith. On completing his
apprenticeship he opened a shop in Bendertown, which he conducted eight years. He then
abandoned the trade and removed to the farm about a mile west of Bendertown. This
property he had previously purchased from Henry Schaeffer, and there has since resided,
and where, in 1879, he built an elegant and commodious residence. January 1, 1867, he
married Miss Susanna, daughter of Aaron Bender of this township. Mrs. Wenner was
born April 80, 1844, within half a mile of where[she now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Wenner have
had six children: Forrester C, born October 26, 1867, died January 17, 1869; Herbie B.,
born January 16, 1869; Martha A., born July 18, 1871; John W., born October 14, 1874Frank E., born March 12, 1877, and William Clarence, born May 15, 1881; all at' home
with their parents. Mr. Wenner is a reliable and upright gentleman and with his wife a
member of the St. James Reformed Church at Van Camp.
B.
farmer, P. O. Van Camp, is a son of Jacob and Christian
(Pegg) Young, who resided in Jackson Township, this county, where his grandparents
also resided.
Jacob was a farmer and lived to an advanced age, dying in 1884 in his ninetieth year.
He was a blacksmith and was three times married, the mother of Benjamin
B. being his second wife.
She had ten children, Sarah Ann, Jane, Daniel, Benjamin B.,
Jesse. William, Ellis, Mary, Samantha and Uzilla.
All are now living except Jesse, who
died in Iowa. Sarah Ann is the wife of Abraham Trevelpeace of Greenwood Township;
Jane is the wife of Washington Eikher living near Cambria, Luzerne County; Daniel
lives in Jackson Township; William resides in Berwick; Ellis in Greenwood Township;
Mary is the widow of Philip Kanouse of Benton; Samantha is married to Samuel McKinney and resides in Espy; Uzilla is the wife of John Hess of Jackson Township. Benjamin B. is the second son and was born in Jackson Township, March 20, 1828, and reared
He lived with Dr. G. W. Lott of Orangeville from the time he was seven
to farming.
years old until he was nineteen; then worked for twelve years for Andrus Fellows in
Huntington Township, Luzerne County, and in 1868 bought the farm where he now resides.
He married in 1860, Mrs. Huldah McCreaner, and Albert E. was their only child,
and was born April 3, 1861, and died April 8, 1875, aged fourteen years and five days. Mrs'.
Young was the daughter of Andrus Fellows, one of the prominent men of Luzerne County
and the first white child born in Huntington Township, of which his father was one of
the early settlers. Mr. Fellows was a kind, charitable and thrifty farmer and left a name
honored by his descendants. He accumulated a good property which he left to his children. Miss Fellows married first Thomas Bowman October 10, 1833, who died December
They had two children: Alfred B., who died in November, 1883 (his widow
7, 1836.
lives in Nevada, Mo.); the other child was Rosa, who is the wife of Myron W. Britton of
Cambria, Luzerne County. May 9, 1857, Mrs. Bowman married Henry McCreaner of
Mauch Chunk, who died January 1, 1859. He was a soldier in the Mexican war and died
from the effects of a disease contracted in the army. He left no heirs. In 1878 Mr, and
June

15, 1843,

on his

BENJAMIN

farmer, P. O.

father's

YOUNG,

Mrs. Young erected the commodious and comfortable residence in which they live. It
stands near the site of the house in which Samuel C. Creveling lived. Their farm was a
part of that original tract and is 110 acres in extent. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are highly respected by those who know them
Mr. Young has never aspired to political notoriety and has never held office.
DAVID YOST, farmer and justice of the peace, Van Camp, is of German extraction,
his great-great-grandfather having emigrated from Germany and settled in Chester
County, Penn., where his great-grandfather, John Yost, was born. The latter removed
to Pottstown, Montgomery County, where he died.
He was twice married: first to Mollie Krause, by whom he had the following named children
Henry, Philip, Samuel, Elizabeth and Mary. His second wife was a Miss Seivel, who bore him five children
John
Jacobs., a congressman, and State marshal under President Buchanan; Catherine, Rachel and Sarah, all now deceased. The grandfather of our subject was Henrj'.
He was
born in Chester County went with his parents to Pottstown, and, after his marriage, re:

:

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

458
moved with

his wife and cliild to Roaringcreek, in this county, where he erected a tan
nery. There he stayed seven years, when he sold his tannery and rented a farm at Catawissa, on which he lived four years, and in 1811 went to Sugar Loaf Township, Luzerne
County, where he bought a tract of land, on which he lived until his death in 1862, at the
age of eighty-seven years and nine months. His -wife died six weeks prior, at the age of
Her maiden name was Margaret Rickert, and she bore her husband
eighty-five years.
seven children, as follows Susanna, widow of Joseph Minnich, resides in Luzerne County Elizabeth; John; Solomon, and Henry (deceased); Mary, wife of William Woodworth,
of Wilkesbarre, and Samuel, the father of our subject, who lives in this township.
He
was born June 13, 1805, in Roaringcreek, and when nineteen years of age, served an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter, at which he worked until 1842. He then bought a
farm in this township, and a few years later bought the place where he now resides" and
He married, in December,
erected the house thereon. Since 1866 he has lived retired.
Margaret Ann, wife of George M. Howell,
1826, Esther Winters, who had four children
wife
and
May
(twins),
the
former
the
of
William Lauderbach, and
of Van Camp Sarah
the latter of Nathan Driesbach, both of this township, and David (subject). His first wife
dying, Samuel Yost married, in 1871, Henrietta, widow of Solomon Hartman, and by this
union there are no children. He has been a prominent man in the public affairs of the .township, and has been deacon and elder in the Reformed Church for many years.
Our sub:

;

:

;

was born December 12, 1830, in Conyngham, Luzerne County, and after his marriage
removed to a farm belonging to his father in this township, and eleven years later to his
father's home farm, where he now resides.
July 1, 1854, he married Sarah Catherine,
daughter of John Creveling of this township. She was born December 18, 1836, and have
had eight children Alfred Nevin, born August 23, 1855, living in Bloomsburg Mary
Alice, September 17, 1857, wife of Noah W. Hess, of this township
Clarence Wilber,
September 5, 1869, living on the farm of his grandfather Creveling John Creveling, born
February 18, 1862, died May 4, 1885 George D., August 14, 1864 Bruce C, June 30, 1867;
Dora Esther, February 2, 1870, and Samuel, September 23, 1878 the last four reside with
their parents.
In September, 1884, Mr. Yost was appointed justice of the peace to fill a
vacancy, and the following year was elected for a term of five years.
He was the first
superintendent of the Sabbath-school connected with the Reformed Church at Van Camp,
holding the position twenty-five years, when he resigned. He was deacon about the same^
time, and is now elder of the church, and in 1887 represents it at the general synod in
Akron, Ohio. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but attends the
Reformed, of which all her children are members.
ject

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CHAPTER XXXI.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
CHRISTIAN L. ARTLEY, farmer, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Catawissa, this county,
February 8, 1828, a son of Henry and Peggy (Loreman) Artley, natives respectively of
Columbia and Berks Counties, Penn., and of German descent. His great-grandfather
came from Germany and settled in Windsor, Bucks Co., Penn., where he resided until his
His grandfather. Christian Artley, was born in Bucks County and was a milldeath.
wright, which trade he followed during his early life. He moved from Bucks County to
Snyder County and thence to Columbia County, about 1780; settled in what is now
Franklin Township, on the present site of Pensyl's mill; owned some 400 acres of land
and operated a saw-mill. He died in 1847, and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery at Catawissa, as is also his wife. Our subject's maternal grandfather,
Loreman, was born
in Germany, and immigrated to Berks County, Penn., but later moved to Northumberland County, and resided in Shamokin Township, where he followed farming. Henry
Artley was reared in Catawissa Township, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he
followed most of his life. He died in 1873, his widow, February 12, 1880, and both are
buried in Catawissa Cemetery. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church, and
were born in 1796 and 1806, respectively. Our subject was reared to the carpenter's trade,
which he learned under his father. At the age of twenty-two he started out for himself,
worked in Schuylkill and Northumberland Counties, erected quite a number of houses
and employed twelve men. In 1860 he bought the farm where Ranslow George now
resides, consisting of ninety-seven acres (no buildings), for which he paid $1,200, and
after erecting good buildings on the place sold it for $2,400. In 1862 he bought a lot of
thirty-two acres, where he now resides, and erected all the improvements, which are first-

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

459

He has owned several farms, but sold or traded them o^ again, and now owns
He followed his trade until 1874, when he turned his
sixty-four acres of good land.
attention mostly to farming. In 1862, while erecting a house, he was drafted, but procured a substitute for which he paid $600. He was married January 23, 1856, to Harriet,
daughter of Samuel and Maria (Marsh) Raup. Mr. and Mrs. Artley are the parents of
seven children, five of whom survive: Alfred, David, Ellis, Clara and Alice; the deceased
are Sarah and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Artley are members of the Presbyterian and Lutheran
Churches, respectively; he is a member of the Fire Insurance Company.
FRANCIS E. ELY, farmer, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Mayberry Township,
Montour County, this State, March 2,1854, a son of James and Lydia E. (Hull) Ely, natives
of Pennsylvania and of English descent, former of whom was born in 1821, died
His parental grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, his maternal grandin 1855.
father was a great hunter. James Ely was a farmer in Montour County; owned a tract
His mother is yet living on the old homestead
of land where he resided until his death.
Subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until nineteen
in Montour County.
years of age, when he was married; he farmed the homestead until 1881, when he bought
He married in December, 1874, Margaret A.
162 acres of land where he now resides.
Woodruff, a native of Northumberland County, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Reeder)
Woodruff, who were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: Joseph,
Jacob, Hiram, Elias, Sarah, Elizabeth and Margaret A., wife of F. E. Ely. Mr. andMrs. Ely
are the parents of eight children (seven of whom are living): Lou M., Gilbert, Arthur,
Mr. and Mrs. Ely are
Elizabeth B., Harry, Mary (deceased), James and an infant son.
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ely is the present school director of
He is the Sunday-school superinhis township, and served as tax collector one teriiu
tendent of the Methodist Sunday-school; is one of the enterprising young men of his
Two
vicinity; takes a great interest in educational matters; is a Republican in politics.
of the sons of James and Lydia E. Ely, William and Wesley, participated in the civil
war; the former died of consumption, and was brought home from the service by his
father.
Wesley and Francis E. are the only survivors of the Ely family.
W. G. FISHER, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Rush Township, Northumberland Co., this State, May 6,1834, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Scheffler) Fisher,
natives of Pennsylvania and ot German-English descent. His father located near Bear
Gap, Columbia County; worked on a farm most of his life and died in Rush Township,
Northumberland County, in 1842. Our subject was only eight years of age at the time of
He remained with his mother about one year, and then lived with his
his father's death.
brother Joseph six years on the same place. He then worked four j'ears for Jesse Mench
on the same farm on which he was born; later for Jacob Shultz in Mayberry Township,
Montour County, with whom he remained three j^ears. He then moved to Danville and
remained one year, when he married and settled about two miles from Danville on the
Boyd farm east of the mill, and remained three years. In 1859 he bought a farm belonging to his father-in-law near Franklin Township, Columbia County, and lived there six
He then resided
years, when he sold out and moved to Danville, where he dealt in coal.
two years on Boyer's big farm, and in 1867 moved to where he now lives and bought 143
acres of good land. He has made nearly all the improvements on the farm and has one of
the best places in the township. He was married December 20, 1855, to Sarah A. Swayze,
who has borne him two children: Charles J. and Lizzie C, the former of whom is a graduate of the Bloomsburg Normal School; has taught five years and is now the principal
teacher of the Catawissa graded school, having been elected June 21, 1886. Mr. and Mrs.
Fisher are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been school director,
supervisor and overseer of the poor.
H. FORTNER, retired farmer, was born in Maine Township, Columbia
Co., Penn., March 4; 1813, a son of John and Sarah (Brooke) Fortner, natives of this State
and of English descent. ,His grandfather came to this county from Sussex County, N. J.,
and located near Mifllin, where he lived until his death. He was a raftsman on the Delaware River. Our subject's great grandmother was a daughter of Lord Archibald Douglas,
of Scotland, who had one son and one daughter; the son was drowned and the daughter left
Scotland at sixteen years of age. She went out on a pleasure trip and was captured by
Algerine pirates and sold on board a vessel to a man named Clark, who took her to Philadelphia. There she became acquainted with Mr. Fortner and they were married, and settled
in New Jersey; lived there until their death.
Our subject's father was reared to agriculture, which he always followed, and owned 133 acres at the time of his death, Januarj' 23,
1848.
Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until his father's death.
The farm was willed to our subject by his mother, and he has been living on it for nearly
three-quarters of a century, or seventy-three years. Mr. Fortner is now one of the oldest
men living in this township. He owns two farms aggregating 267 acres. He was married
May 4, 1848, to Mary A. Campbell, by whom he had two children, Dabney and Alfretta.
Mrs. Fortner is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Fortner is a Methodist.
JAMES HILE, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Rush Township, Northumberland Co., Penn., November 30, 1810, a son of Henry and Mary A. (Johnson) Hile, natives
class.

JONATHAN

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

460

His grandfather, Henry, came from New Jersey and settled ia
of Sussex County, N. J.
Rush Township, Northumberland County, where he bought a large tract of land, which
he cleared and where he remained, engaged in farming. He and a man named Beaty
bought 400 acres of land and had to carry the money to make payments all the way to
Philadelphia, as there were no mails, railroads or canals. Henry Hile was a farmer and
lived in Northumberland County until he became old, when he moved to Clearfield

County, Penn.. where he bought 500 acres of land, and there lived until his death, which
occurred April 8, 1853; his widow died in Missouri February 2, 1872. Our subject was
reared on a farm, and when twenty-six years of age married and located near Sunbury,
where he remained one year. He then moved to one of his father's farms, where he lived
eleven years; thence to Clearfield County and bought 110 acres of land, where he remained until 1866, when he came to where he now resides and bought 222 acres. March
30, 1834, he married Hannah Campbell, who bore him twelve children, eight of whom are
living: Minner; Henry; Amos; John; Elizabeth, wife of James C. Bloom, residing in
Clearfield County; Mary A., wife of William Teple, in Franklin Township, Columbia
County; Joanna, wife of Obadiah Yocum, in Locust Township, Columbia County; and
Eliza J., wife of James P. Louis, residing in Wilkesbarre. Mrs. Hile died in 1873.
AVhile living in Clearfield County Mr. Hile held a number of township ofiices. In politics

he

neutral.
C. HILE, farmer, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Clifton County, Penn., October
11, 1847, a sou of James and Hannah (Campbell) Hile, natives of Pennsylvania and of
German descent. His father, who has alwaj^s followed farming, resides in this township.
Our subject was nineteen years of age when his parents came to this county, and he remained with them until he was twenty-two years of age. He then married and moved to
Mayberry Township, Montour Co., Penn., where he remained one year, and in 1867 came
He owns 138 acres of land, well improved. January 28, 1868, he
to where he now lives.
married Mary C, daughter of Valentine and Maria Vought. They are the parents of
eleven children: Charles W., Harriet E., Cora J., James V., Bertha M., Jeremiah M.,
Mary E., Ulam H., Katie V., Rebecca E. and Ambrose S. Mr. Hile is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife of the Lutheran, and the three eldest children of the Methodist Episcopal. He has been a member of the T. of H., but, it being
too inconvenient for him to attend the lodge, has given it up. He has held the office of
school director and several township offices.
retired farmer, P. 0. Catawissa, was born in MifHin Township,
Columbia Co., Penn., March 8, 1820, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Kostenbander)
Hower, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His ancestors on both sides
came from Germany. His grandfather settled in what is now Franklin Township, on
Our subject's
the farm adjoining that of Moses Hower, where he lived until his death.
father was reared a blacksmith, and settled in Mifilin Township, where he traded for
some time, and finally traded for 212 acres of land in this township, moved on it and
He was the father of five children, three living:
lived there until his death in 187,1.
Moses, Daniel and Hiram Y. His father served in the Revolutionary war, holding a commission in the service. Our subject was reared on a farm, and remained with his parents
until twenty-six years of age, when he married and remained with his parents about two
years. In 1850 he moved to where he now lives and bought forty-seven acres of land,
but has since added to it until he now has .100 acres. In 1846 he married Elizabeth
are living): William E., Mary
Stocker. They are the parents of six children (five of
His wife died about 1858,
J., Sarah C, Hannah E., Maria E. (deceased) and Moses S.
and he next married Hannah Yetter, who died a few years after marriage. His present
wife is Elizabeth Bittner, by
he has three children: Laura A., Clark B. and Nimon
W. Mr. and Mrs. Hower are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hower has held the
offices of school director, overseer of the poor, collector of county taxes, and has resided
here nearly half a century.
He owns 100 acres in the home tract and a stone quarry,
which affords good building stone. He owns altogether over 300 acres and some lots Id
Riverside, also two lots in Catawissa. Some years ago, he, with three others, bought 3,000
Mr. Hower has been one of the
acres of land in Lycoming County, but has since sold it.
largest landholders in the county.
During the war he followed the butchering business.
carpenter, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Columbia County,
Penn., February 6, 1841, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hendershot) Hower, former of
was born in Columbia County, Penn., of German descent. Our subject's grand
father settled near Mifflin, Penn., where he followed his trade, that of a blacksmith, carry
ing on farming also. He moved to this township, where he died in 1866. Our subject's
father is a shoemaker, but carries on farming in this township. He was the father of nine
children, eight of whom are living: Sylvester; Catherine, wife of Elijah Fields, residing in
is

JOHN

MOSES HOWER,

whom

whom

SYLVESTER HOWER,

whom

E. and Kersey C;
charge in front of Richmond.
Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until eighteen years of age, when
he began the carpenter's trade and served an apprenticeship of three years. In the spring
of 1861 he enli!!:ted in Company A, Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves. The company

Danville, Penn.; Lloyd

Elmira A, was

W.; Isaiah

J.;

Hannah M.; Joshua M.; Sarah

killed at the battle of Petersburg

on the

first

FRANKLIN TOWNSHir.

401

raised and taken to Harrisburg for the purpose of being placed in the three months'
service, but on arrival at that place it was discovered that the tield was full of men enlisted
for that period, so the whole regiment enlisted for three years, July 27, 1861. From Harrisburg they were taken to C4reencastle, where they were kept about two weeks. They
were taken to Washington; thence to Maryland, and December 20, 1861, fought their first
Mr. Hower also participated in the engagements of the regiment at
battle at Dranesville.

was

Bull Run, South Mountain, Autietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. He was wounded
at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, by a gunshot in the right hip, ana was
disabled for about three months. After the battle of Gettysburg he participated in the
battles of Mine Run, Va., through the Wilderness to Cold Harbor, marching day and
night and engaging in several battles. During the battle of Bull Run he had nothing to
He was discharged June 11, 1864, and shortly aftereat for three days and three nights.
ward was employed by the Government building bridges for Sherman's army. In 1865
he bought the farm where he now lives, which was a dense forest, but having a willing
mind and strong arms, set about clearing it off, and now has a good farm, having made all
In the spring of 1878 he moved to Seward City, Neb.,
the improvements himself.
where he remained two years, working at his trade. He married, July 4, 1865, Harriet
Yeager, and they are the parents of five children: Henry C, Anna C, Mazey E., Daniel
T. and James Gartield. Mrs. Hower is a member of the Lutheran Church.
H. HOWER, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Girardville, Schuylkill Co.,
Penn., November 1, 1853, a son of John and Lucetta (Gable) Hower, natives of PennsylHis grandfather was born in Columbia County, Penn.;
vania, and of German descent.
was a carpenter by trade, and lived where Jeremiah Kostenbander now resides. Our subject's father was born in this county, and was brought up a farmer, but kept a hotel in
Girardville for about twenty years, and was also engaged in the lumber business. He
He was the
carried on both occupations up to the time of his death in December, 1883.
father of twelve children, eleven of whom are living: Harriet, wife of T. P. Churnington;
Sarah, wife of Theodore Myers, residing in Michigan; Mary, wife of J. M. Glick, residing
in Girardville; Emma, wife of G. W. Earnhardt, residing in Girardsville; Elizabeth, wife
of S. K. Cleaver, residing in Berks County; Clinton G.. John H., William E., Albert L.,
Clara A. and Thomas C. His father owned 180 acres of land at the time of his death.
Our subject was brought up in Girardville, where he received his education, and where he
was employed as clerk until coining to this township. He came to Columbia County in
He married, June 2, 1875, Helen S. Achenbach, by
1879, and here has since resided.
whom he has four children: Curwin E., Clara E., Elsa E. and William J. Mrs. Hower is
Church; Mr. Hower a member of the P. O. S. of A.
Methodist
Episcopal
a member of the
CHARLES HUGHES, farmer, P. O. Catawissa. was born in Kingston Township, Luzerne Count}', this State, October 28, 1821, a sou of James and Hannah (Smetland)
Hughes, former of Welsh descent, the latter a native of Connecticut. His great-grandfather came from Wales and located in Berks County, Penn. His grandfather, Hugh,
married a lady named Hutton, a relative of the Buttons of the present day. His maternal
grandfather was Joseph Smetland, who with his family fled from Wyoming Valley during
the massacre of 1812. After the war closed he came back and remained until his death.
His grandfather, Hughes, moved up to Rush Township, Northumberland County, in
1786, and there built one of the best stone houses in that county, the mechanical part of
which was pronounced to be the best ever seen. The inside was as smooth as glass, with
not a scratch on the wall. He also built the grist-mill near Danville, Penn., and lived
there until his death. Our subject's father was only eight years of age when his parents
moved to Northumberland County, and there he lived with them until 1812, when he
moved into Wyoming Valley, where he purchased a farm and resided until his death. The
farm he bought is a very valuable one on account of the vast amount of coal that it possesses, and is leased for twenty years, the six living children getting a royalty of $1,000 a
piece annually. His father was born in 1778, and was in his ninetj'-third year at the time
of his death.
He was the father of twelve children, three sons and three daughters of
whom are surviving: James, Jr., Charles, Edward, Mary A., Ann M. and Margaret. He
was a life-long Republican, and served as justice of the peace; was one of the early surveyors of the Wyoming Valley, and was often called on for explanations of surveys and
Our subject was reared on a farm and redrafts, and was also an excellent millwright.
mained with his parents until he was twenty-nine j^ears of age, when he married and
remained one year at home. He then resided on one of his father's farms in the same
township for five j'ears; then moved on Rev. George Peck's farm, and resided four years;
thence to Plymouth Township on a rented farm, where he remained eighteen years. In
1874 he bought the farm where he now lives, but did not move on it until 1881. His sons,
George P. and Hugh, had charge of this farm for about six years before he moved here.
He owns 139 acres of good land. He has been twice married: first, to Ester Pettiborn,
who bore him eleven children, six living: George, Husrh, Mary, Gordon S., Charles and
Isabel.
His wife died February 20, 1874, and January 1, 1878, "he married Mrs. Elizabeth
(Suttliff) Mellick. by whom he had five children, four living: Margaret D., Jennie D., Stephen and Stanley. Mrs. Hughes has also a child by her former marriage, Olena V. Mel-

JOHN

462

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:,

and Mrs. Hughes are members of the Church. His first wife experienced
iliirieeu years of age, and was taken into full membership of the Methodist
Episcopal Churcli, to which she was a faithful member during life. Mr. Hughes was
lick.

i\Ir.

religion

when

twice elected a justice of the peace, but did not serve.
R. S. McHENRY, miller, P. O. Catawissa, was b of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather, Daniel., settled at Stillwater, where he operated
a saw-mill. His grandfather, Samuel T. Montgomery, was a shoemaker; later entered the
ministry and was the founder of the Pljnnouth Christian Church in Luzerne County. He
died in West Rittsiown in 1885, in his eightieth year. Our subject's father was born at
Stillwater, is a miller by trade, and has been conducting mills since he was eighteen
years of age.
He now lives in Beaver Township where he operates a mill. He was
drafted in the civil war, but paid $700 for a substitute. He reared three sons and seven
daughters (seven of whom are living); Ruggles S. Alice, wife of George Williams; Addie,
wife of Cliarles Hazletine; Elizabeth, wife of George Munsou; Gaylard, a miller at lola;
Minnie (deceased); Blanche, wife of Sherman Heller; Charles, a miller in Luzerne County;
Anna (deceased), and Nettie (deceased). Our subject commenced to learn his trade when
fifteen years of age and worked eight years with his father.
He then went to Paxinos,
where lie had charge of the mill for six years; then went to Eyer's Grove, and worked six
months; thence to Mendenliall's mill, and worked two and one-half years; thence]to Eyer's
Grove for another year. In the spring of 1883 he rented what is known as Parr's mill on
Big Roaring creek, since wliichtime he has operated the same. He was married in September, 1873, to Annie S. Yetter, and thej' are the parents of six children: Lillian, Nettie,
Robert, Pearl, Freddie and Celia. Mr. and Mrs. McHemy are members of the Christian
Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
DAVID A. MUNSON, farmer, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Kingston Township,
Luzerne Co., Penn., August 17, 1835, a son of Abel and Elizabeth (Atherholt) Munson,
former a native of Connecticut, latter of Berks County, this State, but of German descent.
His grandfather, Christian, was one of the first settlers in Kingston Township, Luzerne
County, where he took up a large tract of land, lived and died. Our subject's father followed farming all his life in Luzerne County. He was the father of eight children, four
of whom are living: Philip, A.sa, George (a resident of Iowa) and David A.
The father's
death was caused by an accident. He was one night coming from market along the narrows of Tobey Creek, where there was room for only one vehicle. He was driving two
horses, one of which was blind and got over the bank.
The wagon was upset and Mr.
Munson was found next morning with the wagon bed over him, his head out of the water
and frozen to death. Both horses were drowned. He was buried in Dallas Township,
Luzerne County. Our subject was only eighteen montiisold when this accident occurred,
and he remained with his mother until he was of age when the estate was divided. He
bought a farm adjoining the old homestead, and remained there until tlie spring of 1872,
when he bought 136 acres in this township, where he lias since resided. He has one of
the best farms in tiie township, and also a fine residence and has made some of the improvements since coming here. He was married in Dc-ceml)er, 1859, to Elousi L. Johnson, a native of Luzerne Count}'.
They are the parents of five children: George J., a
merchant in Beaver Valley; Miner S. Mary E.; Nelson J. and Walter S. Mr. and Mrs.
Munson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bethel. In 1876 Mr. Munson
was elected justice of the peace, and is still holding that office. He is one of the prominent men of this county. Has been school director and has done more for the county in
the way of building schoolhouses than any one who has held the office.
His mother lives
with him at the age of ninety years, and has never betni confined to her bed by sickness
for tweuty-four hours, within the memory of our subject.
PARR, farmer. P. O. Catawissa, was born in Columbia County,
Penn., October 4, 1824, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shuman) Parr, natives of PennsylTania and of German descent. His grandfather came from Germany at an early day and
settled in Catawissa, where he bought a tract of land and resided until his death.
Jacob
Parr was born in this count3^ and was a blacksmith by trade, which he followed a number
of years at Lime Ridge, this count}'.
In 1834 he bought a farm in Catawissa Township,
where he followed agricultural pursuits until his death in 1847; that of his widow occurred
in 1870.
Our subject was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until the death
of his father, when he rented the homestead and farmed it nine years, when it was sold.
He then moved on his father-in law's farm in this township and farmed eight 3'ears. He
was engaged in mercantile business from 1858 to 1867. In 1864 he bought fourteen
acres of land, where he now lives, on which he erected nearlj' all the buildings, made improvements and has since resided. He now ovvns ninety acres of good land, also the Willow Grove grist-mill, better known as " Parr's mill." He also bought a saw-mill, which,
however, he has since abandoned. The grist mill is almost in constant use with It. S. McHenry, miller. Mr. Parr married, in April, 18-19, Maria, daughter of John and Christiana
Mench. Mr. and Mrs. Parr are the parents of three children, two living Alice, wife of
Samuel Loreman, residing in York, Neb., and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Parr are members of
;

;

WASHINGTON

:

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

463

the Lutheran Church. Mr. Parr was elected county commissioner in 1884, and has since
served the public with satisfaction; has also been overseer of the poor, school director and
stands high in political affairs. In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN W. RIDER, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Locust Township, this
county, April 1, 1853, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Yetter) Rider. His father was
a native of Berks County, Penn., and his mother of this township, both of German descent. His paternal grandfather came from Berks County to Columbia County in 1812, and
settled in Mayberry Township, in what is now Montour County, where he lived several

He then moved to Lycoming County and bought a farm where he lived until his
death in 1868. Our subject's father was only four years of age when his parents came here,
and when about the age of twenty-five he returned to this county and worked in this and
Locust Townships. He bought the place where he now resides in 1862, built ou it and made
He was the father of seven children, of whom three sons and three
all the improvements.
daughters are now living: Lloyd. William. John W., Sarah (wife of Christian Artlej'),
Mary (wife of Abram Stine) and Harriet (wife of Jerry John). Our subject has always
lived on the homestead. In 1879 he went west and was absent about eight months stopping the most of his time in Lucas County, Iowa. He then returned and resumed farmHe married, December 25, 1881, Emma, daughter of
ing, which he has since continued.
Henry and Betsey Yost. They are the parents of two children, Ira P. and Howard E.
Mr. and Mrs. Rider are members of the United Brethren Church.
WILLIAM ROHRBACH, farmer, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Bethlehem, Lehigh
County, this State, November 29, 1816, a son of Jacob and Mary (Fenstamecher) RohrHis grandfather,
bach, natives of Berks County, Penn., and of German descent.
Lorenzo, came from Germany when quite young with his parents and settled in Berks
out; enlisted
war
broke
•County. He was seventeen years of age when the Revolutionary
in the service.
He lived iu Berks County until his death, which occurred in his onehundredth year.
He worked in one of the many forges that were then in the county.
His wife was in her ninety-eighth year when she died. Oursubject's father was born in
He came to this county in
Berks County in 1781, and died iu his seventy-fourth year.
1817, settled 'in Catawissa Township, near the old Catawissa furnace, in which he was
founder several years.
He moved thence to a farm on Roaring creek, where he lived
about ten years; then moved to where James Hile now lives and resided there until his
death. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until he was married.
He followed his trade, that of a tailor, for seventeen years, having learned it at the age of
fourteen.
In 1853 he moved up the south branch of Roaring creek, built a saw-mill and
He
followed lumbering until 1865. He cleared some land and farmed while living here.
In 1865 he moved to
bought some 400 acres off which he took the timber and sold it.
acres
owns
130
where he now resides and purchased 300 acres, but has sold off until he now
of good land on w^hich he has all the improvements. He has cleared a good portion of the
land himself. He married, in 1852, Levina Startzler, a native of this county, and they are
the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: Margaret, wife of John Ashworth;
Lorenzo D., married to Josephine Reigel; Lydia, wife of Erviu Vought; Harriet A., wife
of Charles Reigel and Zenith S. Mrs. Rohrbachis a member of the Methodist Episcopal
In politics he is a DemoChurch. Mr. Rohrbach is one of the pioneers of this county.
crat.
In 1841 he moved to Sunbury and purchased an interest in a foundry, but, becoming dissatisfied, in 1842 moved back to this county and worked at his trade, doing a great
deal of work for the furnace hands.
WILLIAM STOCKER, farmer. P. O. Catawissa, was born in Northumberland County,
Penn., March 9, 1822, a son of Alexander and Jane (Shannon) Stocker, who were born
near Belfast, Ireland. His grandfather, Samuel, came from Ireland at an early day, and
He first contracted on the canal, but soon
settled in Northumberland County, this State.
adopted farming, which pursuit he followed during life. His parents were married on
coming to America, and settled in Northumberland County. There his father contracted a
few years on the canal, but in 1831 moved to Rush Township, where he followed farming.
In 1833 he moved to Danville, where he farmed and did teaming. He lived here until 1840,
when he moved to Columbia County and settled in Franklin Township, where he farmed
Our subject was reared on a farm until
until his death, which occurred April 8, 1868.
twenty-five years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade in 1847 in Schuylkill County,
and followed it twenty-one years. In 1855 he bought the farm where he now lives, but
In 1869 he moved on the farm now owned by Charles
remained on it only one year.
Hughes. Mr. Stocker now owns 247 acres of land, two first-class houses and three fine
farms. He was married in May. 1850, to Christiana Yetter, and they have one daughter,
Sarah J., wife of Washington F. Manhardt.
years.

464

1
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

CHAPTER

XXXII.

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.
SYLVESTER ALBERTSON,

farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born on the farm where
resides November 16, 1833.
John R. Albertson, father of our subject, was born
in Tuscarora Valley, September 16, 1795, and was six years of age when he came to this
township. His father, David, was born November 30, 1766, and was married February
26, 1788, to Charity Bellis, who bore him four sons and three daughters: Cornelius, "William, John R., David C, Abigail, Sarah and Mary. John R. married, February 11, 1817,
Jane Kitchen, a daughter of Samuel Kitchen, and after marriage he located on a part of
the homestead and engaged in farming.
He died in February, 1859; his widow survived
him until October, 1876. They were the parents of seven children: Elijah, Samuel, David,
married and reared families, except
Sylvester, Joel, Beulah and Elizabeth, all of
Elizabeth. Sylvester married, November 29, 1860, Mary, daughter of John and Elsie
(Albertson) Richart, former a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Robbing) Richart. Mr. Albertson located on the farm after his marriage, and there has since resided. He has eightyseven acres of land, having sold off fifty-two acres twenty years ago. To him and his wife
were born four children: Narcissa B., Lorenzo D., Marshall B. and Floranius H. Mr.
Albertson has followed farming and lumbering for several j'ears. Politically he is a
Republican. " On Saturday, August 29, 1885, a reunion of relatives was held at Sylvester
Albertson's, in Greenwood Township, Columbia County, in memory of the old homestead
of John R. Albertson, who had long since gone to a homestead not built with hands.

he

now

whom

Nearly 200 persons were present and mostly relatives, being from Columbia, Cameron,
Montour, Lycoming and Sullivan Counties, Penn., also from Wilkesbarre, Bloomsburg
and Danville, Penn.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Newark, N. J.; Bangor and Braganza, Ga.
Speeches were made in the forenoon by Rev. Wm. R. Mather, and in the afternoon by
Rev. J. W. Messenger, which were appropriate to the occasion and brought forth old
memories anew that were long forgotten by the old and which will form a new history
never to be forgotten by the young. Refreshments were given about 2 o'clock on tables
suitable for the occasion, erected in the beautiful grove in front of Mr. Albertson's home,
where all seemed to be happy and protected from the scorching rays of the sun. The
music was well chosen, and brought tears to many eyes in thinking of the past. Instrumental was furnished by Miss Narcissa B., daughter of Sylvester Albertson, and vocal
by four sisters. Misses Richart, of Rohrsburg. Stereoscopic and cabinet views were taken
of the homestead and of thejwhole party in a consolidated group, by J. W. Knouse, of
which nearly all families procured one or more copies as an emblem for the future. Those
who had not seen the old homestead for many years past were more than pleased with
the grand improvements made, and the pride Mr. Albertson has taken in making his
home pleasant for all, and his taste in beautifying a home should be imitated by others. All
parted for their homes in the eve, feeling that they had been welcome— some perhaps
never to meet again until the grand reunion is permitted above, where all the faithful reunite never more to part."
MATTHIAS MILLER APPLEMAN, wagon-maker and proprietor of theplaning-mill,
Rohrsburg, was born October 21, 1831, in Sugarloaf Township, a grandson of Matthias
Appleman, who was the first of the name to come to this county. His father, Philip
Appleman, born February 17, 1808, in Hemlock Township, remained here some years, and
with his father carried on a distillery for several years in Hemlock Township. On leaving there he located in Sugarloaf Township, where he married Mary, daughter of
Reuben Davis. When very young our subject removed with his parents to Fishiugcreek,
where he was reared to maturity, remaining with them until he was twenty-three years
of age; then came to Rohrsburg and not finding farming congenial to his tastes began
wagon-making. He soon picked up the trade, and in addition to his wagon business
added a planing-mill and saw-mill, also a blacksmithing shop and foundry, which give
employment to several hands. May 4, 1854, he married Margaret Jane Barber, of Madison Township, a daughter of Wm. Barber, and seven children were born to them: Mary
E., William H.. Philip D., James C, George B., Phineas M. and Boyd W.
Mary E. is the
wife of Clark W. Albertson, and resides in Mississispi; William H. resides in Huntsville.
Ala.; Philip D. is in the blacksmith business here; James Clyde is in Mississippi; the
others are home. Mr. Appleman is a member of the Christian Church and has been officially connected with the same.

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

465

HENDRICK W. BANGS, farmer. P. O. Greenwood, was born October 7. 1823, in
Plymouth Township, Luzerne Count}-, son of Alba Bangs, a native of Massachusetts, who
removed to Luzerne County when a young man, and there married Hannah, a daughter
of Samuel Pringle, who bore her husband eight children, Hendrick W. being the youngest
son and fifth in'the family. Only four of the number are now living. When twenty- two
years of age our subject came to this county, having learned blacksmithing in Plymouth before coming here, and for fourteen years he carried on his trade at Benton. In
the spring of 1864 he came to this township, and purchased the Morris farm, consisting of
ninety acres, which farm is of a century's settlement. November 29, 1849, he married
Sarah Ann, daughter of Enos and Mary (Ogden) Heacock. Mr. and Mrs. Bangs have five
In 1863 Mr. Bangs went
children: Jacob E., Enos E., Samuel A., Jennie and William A.
out with the militia to repel the rebel invasion, and subsequently enlisted in Company A,
One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment, serving until August, 1863. He has three
brothers living: Benjamin, Alva and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Bangs are members of the
Christian Church.

BENJAMIN F. BATTIN, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, is descended from one of the
prominent families of the county. John Battin, who was of English descent, married
Susan McDermin, a native of Ireland, and at the time of the Revolutionary war they
hved in Chester County, Penn., near where the battle of Brandywine was fought. They
reared eight children: William, John, Henry, Marshall, Susan, Hannah, Mary and Martha.
John Battin, Sr., moved with his family from Chester County to near Millville, this
county, in about 1787. Of his children, William was a tailor by trade, and died near
Reading; John married, and had one daughter, who married a Cornelison; Marshall was
a blacksmith, and settled in Sullivan County; Henry, the father and grandfather of those
living in Greenwood Township, married, February 24, 1791, Sarah, daughter of John and
Edith Eves. They were Friends or Quakers, and had thirteen children, all deceased
except Joseph (in Brooklyn), Mary (in New Haven, Conn.) and Rachel (in this township).
The subject of this sketch was reared in this township, and located on the farm which he
now owns, it being the place his grandfather bought. January 6, 1859, he married Elmira,
daughter of Elijah and E'leanor (Parker) Lemon. They have four children: Ethelind F.
(wife of William P. Robbins, of this township), Mary E., Sarah E. and Rachel B. (at
home). Mr. Battin has an elder brother, Isaac, who has resided in Albany, N. Y., and
since 1861 he has been superintendent of the gas works in that city.
JACOB K. BERLIN, shoemaker, Rohrsburg, was born May 9, 1826, near Berwick, a
son of David and Susan (Kisner) Berlin; former, a native of Northampton County, followed blacksmithing near Berwick for several years; latter a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Kisner. Our subject.left home at the age of eighteen and wentto Berwick, where he
In 1850
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed as journeyman for some years.
he came to Rohrsburg, opened a shop and in the spring of 1853 purchased the property
where he now resides, and by his industry has acquired a good home. He married in
March, 1850, Minerva, daughter of John Chamberlain. She died of typhoid fever, December 24, 1868, the mother of three children, all now deceased: William W., died at the
age of three years; Margaret J., at the age of nine years and Willson Boyd July 18, 1873,
aged seventeen years. Mr. Berlin on January 11, 1872, married his second wife. Ruth Ann,
daughter of Isaiah Kline, and she bore him one child, Hannah E., who died July 11, 1878,
aged ten months and four days. Mr. Berlin is a member of the Presbyterian Church, ef
which he is an elder and clerk. Mr. Berlin was appointed postmaster at Rohrsburg in
March, 1862, and held the office until January, 1874, then lesigned.
JOHN BLACK, retired, Rohrsburg, one of the old timemillersof the county, was born
October 26, 1809, in Northumberland County. His father, Jeremiah Black, a native of Ireland, a Protestant, a miller and millwright by trade, immigrated to America in the early part
of 1800. On coming to this country he located in Northumberland County, Penn., and shortly
after moved to this county, where he followed his vocation to the time of his death. He was
accidentally drowned December 7, 1827, below Bowman's mill, while crossing the creek,
which was swollen. At this time our subject was a lad of sixteen, assisting his father in
the mill, and had become pretty well versed in the business. For several years after hisfather's death he contributed largely to the support of the family. His mother died January 27, 1865. Mr. Black's first milling was done in the Huffman mill above Light Stieet,
later at the Bowman mill, and subsequently had charge of different mills in this locality.
On account of failing health he was obliged to abandon practical milling and then gave
Later he came to thishis attention to buhr dressing and the care of the mill-stones.
township, and for several years engaged in mercantile business, also in the lumber and
furniture trade. He also kept hotel some years and carried on farming, but during later
years has retired from active life, only assisting his son Perry in the store. He married
January 31, 1833, Ann, daughter of Jonathan Lemon. Seven children were borntothemi
Lemon J., Isaac F., Perry D., Mary C, Alfred B., William W. and Elizabeth. Alfred
Bruce died February 22, 1866, of disease contracted while in the army. He volunteered
in 1864 in Company D, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the
Mr. Black for
war; William also served in the army and returned home unscathed.

'

466

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

many

years has been a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church. He takes little
interest in political affairs.
BRUNER, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born July 5, 1830, in Franklin Township,
Lycoming County, the eldest child of Peter Bruner, who was a son of John Bruner,
whose ancestors came from Germany. Peter Bruner married Hannah, daughter of John
A. Hartman, and they had seven children: John, Margaret, William, Andrew J., Samuel,
Lydia and Mary. Jolin remained at home until of age, and soon after began for himself.
He was married May 20, 1853, to Martha C, daughter of Robert and Edith (Battin)
Fairman, and granddaughter of Henry Battin and Sarah, and William Fairman and his
wife Mary. After his marriage our subject worked out for 50 cents per day, and
about 1855 had saved some money and bought thirty acres of timber land near where he
was born, and began clearing this up; he kept this land until 1857, when he sold it and
came to this county and rented land in this township for seven years, then moved to
Pine Township and bought 100 acres, 30 of which was partially cleared, and cleared
about 90 acres; having bought other land he had in all 275 acres. He lived here until the
spring of 1882, when he removed with his family to Millville, where, he lived until the
spring of 1886, when he moved on the farm he now owns, known as the Henry Battin
farm. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner have six living children: Mary I., Hannah E., Anna M.,
Sarah E., John W., Susan E.; William P. died in 1863. aged nearly four years; Henry J.
Bruner died in 1881, aged twenty-three years and ten months. Mr. Bruner has been an
active member in the church, and was the principal founder of the Pine Centre organization, in Pine Township.
He has given his elder children good school advantages, some
of them liaving taught school. As a business man he has made a success in life, and
acquired a goodly competence. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
ALINAS COLE, farmer and miller, P. O. Derrs, was born July 4, 1820, in Sugarloaf Township, on the farm that his grandfather, Ezekiel Cole, settled when he came
from
Jersey.
Ezekiel's last wife was Elizabeth Hess, by whom he had three sons
and three daughters: Ezekiel, William, Isaiah, Rebecca, Lana and Adaline. Ezekiel, the
father of Alinas, married Sarah, daughter of Silas Jackson. After marriage he settled on
the homestead farm, and died here June, 1848, aged about forty, his widow surviving
him until the fall of 1885. They reared four sons and one daughter: Alinas, Lana, John,
Benjamin and Dennison. Alinas was born and reared on the homestead, and raised to
farming and milling, and at twenty-three he began life for himself. He married Rhoda,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fritz) Kile. Since 1848 he has been principally engaged
in milling, yet has carried on farming and lumbering in the meantime.
In April, 1876,
he came to the place he now owns, formerly owned by Robbins, the mill seat being first
built by Henry Fullmer about 1836.
Mr. and Mrs. Cwle have seven children: Albert and
Norman, residing on the old homestead; Byron, in Tuscola County, Mich.; Arthur, at
home; Howard, in Mifflin Township; Sarah E., wife of J. B. Ikeler, and Rose. Mr. Cole
owns 400 acres in Greenwood Township, 160 acres in another tract, and 156 in Sugarloaf.
W. DERR, farmer, P. O. Derrs, was born July 4, 1834, in Orangeville,
this county, and lived under the parental roof until his first marriage, October 30, 1856, with
Miss Lucinda, daughter of William Robbins, of Greenwood, this county. After marriage
they lived at the saw-mill of Iram Derr till 1860, and in 1861 moved to present place
of forty acres in Greenwood Township. They were the parents of three children:
J. and an infant son (deceased), and Leah C.
Mr. Derr's second marriage was October
18, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth F., daughter of William G. Lawtou, of Greenwood, this county,
and to this union have been born two children: Sarah A. and Charlie F. The family attend the services of the Christian Church. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and was
elected jury commissioner in 1882, which position he still holds.
DERR, merchant. P. O. Derrs, was born March 18, 1838, at
Orangeville, this county, and remained at home until he was married, January 26, 1865,
to Mary Jane Davis, daughter of Thomas Davis, of Greenwood Township, this county.
His first occupation was in his father's mill in Jackson Township. This mill he operated
from 1861 to 1874, in which latter year he came to Greenwood Township and opened a
store, putting up the buildings. His stock consists of general merchandise, and he does a
good business. Mr. and Mrs. Derr are members of the Christian Church. He is postmaster at Derrs, and in politics is a Democrat.
ISAAC A. DeWITT. The DeWitt family came originally from Holland, and was
first represented in this country by two brothers, Isaac and Jacob, who immigrated prior
to the Revolution.
Isaac settled in
Jersey and Jacob in
York, on the Hudson
River. Isaac, who served in the Revolution, had several sons: John, Jacob, Isaac and
James. Isaac and John settled in Northumberland County. Jacob removed to Ohio, and
James, it is supposed, remained in
Isaac married Margaret Gardner, by
Jersey.
whom he had two sons and four daughters: James, Isaac, Catherine, Nellie, Elizabeth
and Sarah. Catherine married Isaac Demott and settled near Jerseytown; Nellie settled
in Northumberland County, the wife of John Case; Elizabeth settled in the same county,
the wife of Isaac Kline; Sarah married Joseph Patton and first settled in Northumberland
•County, and later removed to this township; James married Mary Aikman and had two

JOHN

New

GEORGE

Emma

ANDREW JACKSON

New

New

New

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

467

sons and one daughter: Isaac A., John W. and Margaret. John W. is a physician in
Delaware; Margaret is the wife of Wesley B. Kline, of Bradford County, Penn. James, thefather of our subject, was born in Northumberland County in 1801, and died in 1841. His
wife was born in Briarcreek Township July 18, 1807, and died December 21, 1840. James
was a tanner by trade, which he followed as long as he lived. He came to this township
His successor is our subject, Isaac A., who is the only child now
after his marriage.
remaining in the county. He has been for many years engaged in teaching, and also
learned surveying; he is a bachelor. John W. DeWitt served in the civil war as surgeon in the Army of the Potomac.
JOHN EVES, the ancestor of the Columbia County family of that name, was one of
the earliest settlers in the valley of Fishing creek. He immigrated thither from Mill
Creek Hundred, New Castle Co., Del., and located on a tract of 1,200 acres in the townships of Greenwood and Madison, including -the site of Millville. This land was secured
by deed dated November 29, 1774, the former owner having been Reuben Haines, a
brewer, of Philadelphia. It would appear, however, that he had concluded the purchase
and settled in this region some years previous to the time this title was acquired. As hissettlement in this section marks an important period in its history, it is described at length
in another part of this work.
But little is known regarding the personal history of John Eves. He was an Irish.
Friend, born in 1720, and removed to America about the year 1738. He was in good circumstances at Mill Creek Hundred, and held various offices involving a degree of responsibility. One of his experiences as constable reveals the resolute and determined character
of the man. He was given a warrant for the arrest of a miscreant who defied the power
of the law, and threatened to take the life of the officer as he approached. But the latter
walked boldly forward and disarmed him without a struggle. The victory was not yet
complete, however, as the obstinacy of the culprit was equal to his cowardice, and he
refused to walk, whereupon the constable tied his prisoner to his horse, and they proceeded without further difficulty. Another trait of his character is illustrated by an
occurrence during his residence here. While in Philadelphia on one occasion he advanced^
the passage money of Larry Fhnn and his wife, two destitute Friends who had recently
arrived from England. They would then have been obliged to remain in his service for
several years, but he received them into his family and they never left it. In 1751 John
Eves married Edith Yeatman, an English lady, said to have possessed great strength of
character as well as personal beauty. They were the parents of seventeen children, fourteen of whom" reared families. Their names with dates of birth are as follows: Sarah,
4th mo., 24th,°1753 (died in 1762); Thomas, 2d mo.. 5th, 1755; John, 2d mo., 22d, 1757;
Joseph, 10th mo., 30th, 1758; Mark, 7th mo., 16th, 1760 (died in 1762); William, 2d mo., 2d,
1762; Chandlee, 12th mo., 14th, 1763; Elizabeth, 12th mo., 30th, 1765; Sarah, 5th mo.,
14th, 1767; Edith, 5th mo., 14th, 1767; Andrew, 6th mo., 4th, 1769; Mary, 11th mo., 24th,
1770; Priscilla, 11th mo., 3d, 1772; Mark, 4th mo., 8th, 1774; Ann, 4th mo., 21st, 1775;
Samuel, 1st mo., 28th, 1778; Ezra, 6th mo., 28th, 1782. John Eves, Sr., died 7th mo., 1st,
1802; and Edith (Yeatman) Eves, 4th mo., 14th, 1818. The children of Thomas Eves and
Rachel (Wilson) Eves were Edith, John W., Phebe (Mather) and Thomas; of John Eves
and Lydia (Judge) Eves: Peter, Jesse, Nehemiah, John, James and Lydia; of Joseph
Eves and Sarah (Parvin) Eves: Parvin, Ezra, Milton, Sarah (Shively), Asenath (Ashton),
Francis, Elizabeth (Swisher) and Mary (Marten); of William Eves and Sarah (Philips)
Eves: Mary (Brunn), Edith (Kitchen), Prudence (Staton), Ann (Clayton), John, William,
and Elijah; of Chandlee Eves and Rachel (Kertes) Eves: Annie (Eves), Elizabeth, Yeatman, John K, George F., Benjamin, Chandlee, Sarah (Wilson) and Rachel |(Shively);.
Elizabeth Eves married Thomas Mather, and died without issue; Sarah Eves married'
Henry Battin and was the mother of thirteen children, viz.: Edith (Fairman), John,
William, Chandlee, Isaac. Henry, Samuel, Susan (Kisner), Sarah, Joseph, Mary (Cox),
Rachel and Enoch; the children of Isaac Philips and Edith (Eves) Philips were William,
Samuel, Mary (Armitage). Ann (Armitage), and Sarah (Hughes); of Andrew Eves and
Martha (Marten) Eves: David, James, Edith, Margaret (Fairman), Andrew, Joseph,
Martha, Sarah and Yeatman; of Nehemiah Reece and Mary (Eves) Reece: William,
Sarah, Edith (Kertz). Mary. Philip, John. Joseph, Nehemiah, Louisa (Eves). Sarah
(Whitacre). Aaron, Mary and Hannah (McHenry); of William Mather and Priscilla
(Eves) Mather: Mary and Elizabeth (Lemon); of John Watson and Ann (Eves) Watson:
John, Sarah, Edith. Thomas. Mark and Dorcas: of Samuel Eves and Tamar (Kitchen)
Eves: Priscilla (Watson), James, Thomas, Edith, Elizabeth, Reuben and John. In the
above the line of descent has been traced to the second generation from the original
progenitors of the family in this countv. It is estimated that the descendants of this
pioneer settler of the Little Fishing creek number at this time 1,000 souls; and many
of those who bore his name have occupied positions of honor and respectability in the
various walks of life.
GEORGE F. EVES (deceased) was born November 23, 1804, the third son of ChandHe married November 5, 1829, Louisa, daughter
lee Eves, who was a son of the pioneer.
of Nehemiah and Mary Reece. Mrs. Eves was born December 10, 1808. After marriage,

468

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

they moved to the homestead which was a part of the tract taken up by John Eves, the
grandfather of our subject. There he remained until May, 1875, when he removed to
Millville, and retired from active business.
He died February 27, 1877. His wife died
December 16, 1869. They had a family of ten children, eight of whom attained maturity:
Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Philip, Emory S., Hannah, Sarah L., Priscilla M., Reuben, Milton
and Chandlee R. Emily married David Rote; Hannah married J. H. Kitchen; Milton
married Priscilla E. Lemon; Philip married Sarah A. Runyan; Chandlee married Sarah
E. John, and resides on the old homestead in Madison Township; Elizabeth died in October, 1878; Milton's second marriage was to Emily Shultz; Sarah L. and Priscilla M. reside

March 16, 1855.
retired, Millville, is a great-grandson of
29, 1820, in this township, the eldest son of

together in Millville; Reuben died

FRANCIS

P.

EVES,

John Eves, the

pioneer,

and was born January
Ezra and Susanna (Kester) Eves. They were the parents of the following named children: Francis P., Benjamin
Francis P. was reared to farming and
K., John R., Elizabeth, Lucretia M. and Joseph E.
about the time he reached his twenty-sixth year,married Elizabeth, daughter of Francis and
Mary (Welliver) Rote. Mrs. Eves was born in 1820, in this township and has borne her husband five children: Addra Anna, wife of J. Barton Eves; Warren Wilbur, engaged in
farming in Lycoming County; E. Truman, residing on the homestead; M. Eva and Mary
Bertha at home. After marriage Mr. Eves located on the homestead, where he remained
until 1878, when he came to Millville and has here since resided.
WILSON M. EVES, merchant, lola, was born near Millville Penn., December 2, 1829,
the eldest son of John W. and Rebecca (Brown) Eves, the latter a daughter of Richard
Brown. He was reared near the town of Millville, and learned the carpenter's trade with
his father and made it his business for several years.
In 1854 he came to lola, purchased
a saw-mill and engaged in the cabinet-making trade, which he conducted in connection
with his carpenter business.
In 1879 he engaged in merchandising, to which he has since
given his attention. Hejmarried, April 15, 1851, Amelia, daughter of John and Mary (Woodard) Robins. They hare five children: Clara S., John E., Rebecca A., Orpha L. and
Aquilla W. Rebecca is the wife of John C. Christian and resides in this county; Orpha is
the wife of F. P. Masters. Mr. Eves, in 1865, under the administration of Lincoln, was
elected justice of the peace and served continuously for twenty years. He served as postmaster prior to his election as justice. Mr. Eves' business is conducted under the firm
name of Wilson M. Eves & Sons. They do a general merchandise trade and deal also in
lumber, furniture, organs, etc. Mr. Eves is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and of the Masonic fraternity.

JAMES WATSON EVES, retired, Millville, was born December 17, 1829, the second
son of Milton and Mary (Mather) Eves. Milton was born in Madison Township, Columbia Co., Penn., August 12, 1797, and died October 1, 1831. His wife was born in Catawissa June 7, 1797, and died October 28, 1868. To them were born six children: Lydia B.,
Sarah P., Thomas E., Asenath E., James W. and Mary M. Lj^dia B. married Chas. Kister,
and after his death Joseph Van Horn, who is also deceased; Sarah P. became the wife of A.
H. Phillips and died leaving three children (one of whom, Milton E., is now a professor in
Simpson College at Indianola; the other two children are dead); Thomas E., died leaving three children: Francis resides in Michigan; Willis B. (Willis B. Eves is a son of a
former wife of Thos. E. Eves the daughter of John H. Eves, her name was Rachel; and
Henry W. in Millville); Asenath is the wife of F. E. Rote of Greenwood Township; Mary
M., resides in Madison Township, Columbia County, wife of John P. Runyan. James
Watson Eves was born in Madison Township on a part of the old Eves property,
where he grew to manhood. He remained on the homestead until he was forty-eight
years of age, when he came to this township and engaged in farming pursuits and the
harness business until April, 1886, when he retired from active labor. He married, December 29, 1831, Elizabeth A., daughter of Isaac and Edith (Eves) Kitchen. She was
born May 30, 1832, and died May 7, 1875, the mother of eleven children, five of whom
survived her; Dilwin P., died in 1886, leaving one child; Clark H., died April 28, 1884;
Wilmer W., Sherman and Loraine. After the death of his wife Mr. Eves resided with his
son, Dilwin, and since his death with his sister, Mrs. Lydia B. Van Horn.
He enlisted
April 1, 1865, in Company I, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until
the close of the war. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., 809 Millville Lodge.
SHADRACH EVES, miller, P. O. Millville, was born August 16, 1829, in Madison
Township, the fifth son of a family of thirteen children born to Parvin and Anna Eves.
Parvin was born December 9, 1790, on the original plat of ground that his grandfather
John located on. Anna Eves, mother of Shadrach, died in the fall of 1872, being about
seventy-five at the time of her death. The children born to Parvin and Anna were Chandlee, Joseph, Francis, George, Sarah, Rachel, Shadrach, Elizabeth, Parvin, Ezra, Chalkley, Susan, and Elijah.
All lived to be grown except Elijah. Shadrach was reared in
Madison Township, and when seventeen years of age he was hired out on a farm, his
father having the benefit of his earnings until he became of age. After that he worked
for his uncle Benjamin; at the age of twenty-four he married Sarah, daughter of Nehemiah Reece; she died in the spring of 1858, and by her he had one child that died when

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

469

His present wife was Rachel, daughter of Robert Mather, and they
Preston, Adella, Robert, Phoebe and Eleanora, all living except Rob•ert, who was drowned in the creek below the dam aged eight years. Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Eves bought a farm in Pine Township opposite lola, and farmed here until
1873, when he came to Millville, -where he has since resided.
His father lives with him;
he was aged ninety-six years, December 9, 1886. Shadrach is engaged in manufacturing;
woolen-mill
and
does
custom
work
for
farmers.
(has a
the
CHARLES W. EVES, farmer and merchant, Millville. was born June 30, 1831, in
North Millville, Columbia County, the eldest son of Benjamin andPriscilla (Wilson) Eves.
His father was born February 3, 1807, a son of Chandlee Eves. His mother was born
February 23, 1810, the daughter of Thomas and Susanna Wilson. To Benjamin and his
wife were born Charles W., Susan W., wife of Dr. Heller; Rachel S. William C, in Marshall County, Kas.; John M., in Chicago, and Martha.
In early life Benjamin
Eves was engaged with his father, Chandlee, in conducting a factory here, which the
latter had purchased from John Watson about 1828.
They carried on carding, spinning,
fulling, etc., until about 1852, when Benjamin, with our subject, carried on the business
for about six years. Benjamin then retired and died December 23, 1876. His wife died
February 27, 1869. After his death Charles W. continued the business and is also engaged in farming, merchandising, milling, lumbering, and has several farms. He married
June 30, 1852, Sarah B., daughter of George and Margaret (Mathers) Masters. She was
born in October, 1832, and bore her husband children as follows: Narcissa M., wife of
Olemuel Henrie; Morris E., in business with his father; Myra M. and Maggie, at home;
Laura E., deceased wife of James O. Warner; Alfred H., Geo. M., Ben A., Cora P. and
Marv A. all died young.
JOSEPH W. EVES, surveyor, Millville, was born December 7, 1838, on the homestead in this county. His father, John K. Eves, was born in 1802 and died December 27,
1868.
He married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Whitacre, of Muncy Valley, a surveyor and
farmer. John K. was a farmer and also followed surveying. He reared following named
children: Rachel, Mary, Annie, Emily, Joseph W., Hannah M. and Eleanor, all of whom
are married and have reared families except Emily. Rachel married Elwood Eves and
died leaving one child; Mary married Thomas Wilson, of Montour County, and had four
children; Annie married William M. Reece; Hannah M. married Morris Masters, and
Eleanor married Joseph Eves. Joseph W., the fifth in order of birth, was reared on
the homestead and engaged in farming and surveying until 1878, since which he has resided in Millville, but carries on his farm by renters. He married Sarah T., daughter ot
James and Julia A. (Jones) Warner, and one child has blessed their union. Mr. Eves is a
member of the Society of Friends; is politically a Republican and very much in favor
of Prohibition, and will leave the party unless it goes against the saloon and in favor of
the home.
ELLIS EVES, merchant, Millville, was born January 16, 1834, the eldest son of
Charles and Sarah (Kester) Eves. On arriving at manhood he succeeded his father in
t)usiness in 1855, and subsequently associated with him his brothers, John, W. W. and J.
B., in the manufacturing business.
In 1870 he engaged in mercantile business with
his brothers as partners, which association continued until 1875, when James B. took
-charge of the mill and hub factory, the others continuing as before until 1883, when John
retired.
Since then our subject has been associated with W. W. under the firm name of
Ellis, Eves & Bro., dealing in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hardware, notions, china,
lumber, etc., doing a large trade. Mr. Eves has been twice married: first, to Mary Margaret, daughter of George Masters.
They were married July 21, 1857, and November 12,
1870, Mrs. Eves died, leaving four children: Lois M., wife of Hiram J. Demotte, of this
township; Charles M., in Nanticoke, in the grocery business; Paschall L. and Georgeanna.
December 8, 1880, Mr. Eves married Elizabeth, daughter of David and Sarah Eves. In
matters relating to the general interest of the community, Mr. Eves takes a prominent
part.
He is one of the principal officers in the local insurance company here, and is
deeply interested in the railroad which is being built to this place.
JOHN EVES, manufacturer, Millville, was born in this town May 4, 1843, a son of
Charles and Sarah (Kester) Eves. During his youth he worked for his brother Ellis, and
on becoming of age associated with him in the business, and after several changes in the
partnership he took the entire interest in the wagon manufactory, which includes the
saw, bending and planing-mill, turning-lathe and hub factory, blacksmith and paint
shops, and, in fact, all the necessary appliances for the successful manufacture of the excellent wagons turned out of the place.
He employs regularly about fifteen workmen,
and his business is constantly increasing. He has attained success by his strict attention
to business and in the manufacture of a first-class article, which meets the requirements
of his patrons. His wife is Susan, daughter of James Masters, and their children are
Charles, Louisa, Rebecca, Mildred and Helen.
W. WEBSTER EVES, of the firm of Ellis Eves & Bro., Millville, was born
July 12, 1848, in South Millville, the fifth son of Charles Eves and was raised to
farming pursuits. In 1870 he associated with his brothers in the mercantile and manuthree years old.

have

five children:

;

I

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

470

facturing business, and so continued several years, when his brother John withdrew,
They are engaged in mercantile, lumber
and the firm is now Ellis Eves & Bro.
Mr. Eves married Anna M., daughter of Joseph E. Sands.
and planing-mill business.
They have five children: Pliny, Edward R., Esther I., Winfred and Frank C. Mr. Eves is a
member of the Society of Friends.
JOSEPH C. EVES, wheelwright, P. O. Millville, was born in Sereno, January 24,
The
1844, the second son and third child of Chandlee, who was a son of J. Parvin Eves.
was Mary Reece, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Columbia
mother of J.
County. The father of our subject was a tanner by trade, and for some time was interested in the tannery at Sereno, and here died in the spring of 1846; his widow yet survives him. Three children lived to be grown, viz.: John P., Anna R. and Joseph
John P. was a member of Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-si.xth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was severely wounded at the close of the battle of
Fredericksburg, by a piece of shell in the arm, and died three days afterward. Joseph C.
enlisted in Company H, in the 100-day's service, and upon his return drove team one
He was
year, and then learned the trade of wheelwright, which he has since followed.
married, October 28, 1871, to Charlotte, daughter of Charles S. and Hannah W. (Watson)
Heacock. They have three children: May B., Curtis C. and Charles S. Mr. Eves is a

C

C

member

of J. P.

TRUMAN

Eves Post, No.

536.

farmer, P. O. Millville, was born on the farm he now owns,
son of Francis P. and Elizabeth (Rote) Eves this farm being the
August
one his father had located on after his marriage, which tract is embraced in the original
Truman was reared
tract located by John Eves, the pioneer, previous to the Revolution.
on this farm, and brought up to farming pursuits; he married, January 11, 1872, Alice,
daughter of Jesse and Julia (Merrill) Mather. After his marriage he lived one year on the
farm now owned by James O. Warner, which was formerly a portion of the original farm.
The next year he located on the place where he now lives, and has since resided here,
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has three children: J. Stanlej^ A. Mabel and Francis
Henry. Marion E. died in July, 1876, aged three years.
P. EVES, furniture dealer, Millville, was born in this township April 21,
The latter was born in East Millville and also
1852, the only son of Benjamin K. Eves.
dealt in furniture.
His wife was Mary, daughter of John and Jemima Eves, Vernon P.
was reared in this township and learned the furniture business with his father, whom he
succeeded. From 1878 to 1884 he conducted it alone, since then he has been associated
with George W. Henrie, under the firm name of V. P. Eves & Henrie. They operate a
furniture and undertaking establishment and also manufacture spring mattresses. Mr.
Eves married Maggie E., daughter of George W. and!Hannah (Heacock) Henrie and have
two children: Clemuel La Ru3 and Bernice C. Mr. Eves was elected justice of the peace
in 1885, and has since held the office.
WILLIAM EYER. The Eyers are of German stock. The name of the father of our
subject was Ludwig Eyer, son of Martin Eyer, born about the year 1746, place not known,
and located first at'Upper Mount Bethel where several of his family were born; he married
Catharine, daughter of Joseph Long. From Upper Mount Bethel he came to what is now
Bloomsburg and laid out the town; he was a dyer by trade which business he followed
here at Bloomsburg, andfinallj^ moved out on BhickRun, in Madison Township, where he
settled and built a saw-mill, farmed to some extent, and died here about the year 1816.
He reared a family of ten children: Philip, Jacob, John, Adam, Sarah, Henry, Margaret,
Anna, William and Mary. But two are now living, John and Margaret (now Mrs. Samuel
Johnson). William Eyer, the subject of this sketch, was born April 25, 1811, in Bloomsburg, and removed with his parents to this township when a mere child; was reared
to manhood in this locality.
When in his teens he learned the shoemaker trade which he
followed for fifteen years when he engaged in farming in Madison Township; finally he
came to Greenwood and carried on his brother's farm for several years, then located permanently in what is now Eyer's Grove, laid out by and named for his brother, Jacob
Eyer. He was married October 4, 1832, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Sarah (Demott) Mannon. To them have been born eight children: Catharine (Mrs. John Dollman),
Mary (Mrs. Jacob Hileman), Margaret (Mrs. Robert Beagle), Minerva (Mrs. William
Hileman), John, Turner, William B. and Robert. Mr. Eyer is Democratic in politics,
and cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson.
S. FAIRMAN, farmer. P. O. Rohrsburg, was born September 11, 1835, being
the youngest son of Robert and Edith (Battin) Fairman. The paternal grandfather of
Hugh was William Fairman, whose advent to this country was shortly after the Revolution.
He married Mary Ewing, and by her had the following children: Robert, William,
Thomas, Ehzabeth and Margaret. Robert, the father of H. S., reared several children,
viz.: Thomas, Reece, Henry, William, Sarah, Edith, Joseph, Martha, Hugh and Mary.
Hugh left home at the age of twenty, when his father died, and for several years worked
out by the month, and for six years was engaged in the lumber woods. In 1862 he married Christeen, daughter of Elijah and Margaret (Ikeler) Albertson, and for seven years
lived on rented farms. In 1870 he located on the farm he now owns, which he cultivates sueE.

EVES,

24, 1848, first

VERNON

HUGH

—

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.
cessfull}'.

Of the

471

six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fairman,
In politics he is a Democrat.

Cora

B.,

Elmerta

and

J.

Clarence C. are living.

JACOB GERARD,

farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born July 15, 1823, in Huntington
County, N. J., a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Smith) Gerard, of French descent. Isaac
was a son of Joseph and Mary (Robbins) Gerard, to whom were born six children: Amos,
Isaac, Jonas, Hannah, Mary and Elizabeth, all of whom reared families.
Isaac and wife
reared a family of five children: Jacob, Catherine, Joseph, Isaac and Mary. Isaac was
drowned, when a young man, in the Delaware River. Jacob left New Jersey in December
1841.
He came to Columbia County, Penn., in 1843, and worked at the blacksmith's
trade as a journeyman until 1843. He then set up in business for himself in Rohrsburg, at
which he continued until 1860. He then moved to where he now resides and which place he
had previously purchased, and which was known as the Pealer property. There were nc
buildings on the place and the land was overgrown with briars. Mr. Gerard has, by
proper cultivation and care, made it into a good farm of 112 acres.
He also owns a farm'
of 400 acres in York County, Va., and has acquired a competence for his declining years.
He married, March 26, 1846, Rosieta, daughter of William and Catherine (Shoemaker)
Girton. Eight children were born to their union: William, John, Stephen, Ulysses G.,
Catherine, Jane, Anna and Sarah.
William died in 1876; John and Ulysses G. reside in
Minneapolis, employed in the Washburn mills; Stephen is on the home farm; Catherine
is the wife of Nelson Freece; Jane is the wife of James Patterson; Anna is the wife of
Ellis Yokum, and Sarah is at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerard are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Republican; had been Master of the Grange for years,,
and is now Past Master.
WILLIAM B. GERMAN, blacksmith, P. O. Millville, was born September 9, 1855,
and was reared in this county
son of John German and Elmira (Welliver) German,'
daughter of Samuel Welliver. William B. was left fatherless at an early age his father
was a volunteer in the late war, a member of the One Hundred and Fourteenth
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and lost his life in defense of his country ;
his widow still survives him and is now married again.
When eighteen years of age
our subject commenced learning the blacksmith trade with his uncle, Hiram R. Albertson,
and after serving the usual apprenticeship, worked for five years in John Eves' wagon
manufactory. In the fall of 1884 he came to Millville and purchased the property he now
owns.
He has a good business, which is largely on the increase, his mechanical skill
being second to none in his line. He gives considerable attention to breeding fancy
fowls, making a specialty of Plymouth Rocks, Brown Leghorns and Wyandotts.
He
was married September 1, 1881, to Delia, daughter of William and Eleanor (Starr) Rich.
They have no children. He is a member of the Christian Church.
GREENLY, retired farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born November 22, 1824,
in Hereford County, England, and emigrated in 1832 from England to this State,
with his parents, Richard and Hannah (Bradford) Greenly. They made their first location at Pottsville, and then located in Pine Township, October, 1832,
bought timber land,
engaged in building and clearing land, and built a saw-mill on Wolfhouse Run, getting
on pretty well till June 29, 18,36, when a great storm came thunder and hail and hurricane—wind blew nearly all the timber down fields of grain were destroyed and covered
with rails and trees and brush, and blew the barns down and spread them about the ground,
and the flood washed the mill-dam partly down house and family were in great danger
they fixed up as best they could and wintered over till spring much discouraged, they
moved. May 10, 1837, to Port Carbon, near Pottsville George stayed to take care of some
loose property five weeks later his father came back and sold the land; got along well,
but the man could not pay for the land and returned or threw the land on the parents in
the winter of 1839. Through'some panic, the parents moved back onto the same place in Pine
Township in the last week of March, 1841 engaged again in building, clearing land, farming and lumbering, and prospered and lived there till they passed away from old age the
mother was eighty-one and the father eighty-eight years old the mother died March 16,
1873, and the father died in November, 1875.
George Greenly moved to his present location in Greenwood Township, March 20, 1855. In connection with his farming he has been
engaged in lumbering to some extent, having a saw and shingle mill on his premises,
where he manufactures shingles and does custom sawing. In 1858, in Pine Township, he
married Melinda, a daughter of George Welliver, a descendant of one of^the pioneer families
of the county. Mr. Greenly has seven children living Frank L., William, Emma, Howard,
Charles, Anna M. and David.
Frank L. is a resident of Sereno William, one of the proprietors of a planing-mill in Millville Emma, wife of Wilson Kinney.
The remaining
children are at home.
Mr. Greenly has been for several years retired from active life,
and is a man of conservative principles both politically and religiously.
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GEORGE

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ELISHA HAYMAN,

retired, lola, was born in Berks County, October 7. 1814, and
county with his parents when he was but two years old. He was reared
Township, and in youth learned the miller's trade and for a time worked as a
journeyman. In 1851 he came to lola (which place he named), situated about one and a
quarter miles from Millville. Here he purchased a grist-mill, which he operated about

removed

to this

in Scott

3£

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

472

He then sold out to U. P. McHonry and retired, but still conducts his farm.
been twice married; first, in 1840, to Susan Eyans, by whom he had four sons,
named died at the age of nmeWilli-uu H Theodore F., John N. and Robert B. (the last
His second wife, Mary, daughter of Peter Applegate, bore him one daughter,
teen years)
William H farms in Pine Towmship Theodore is engaged in milling at Shamokin,
Glara
the Methodist
and John N is a bachelor at home. Mr. Hayman is an official member of
this county about
Eniscopal Church and a Republican. The Hayman family first came to
what
181'>
Peter Hayman remoyed here from Berks County; made a settlement
there resided until his death in 1832, at the age of seventyis now Orano-e Township and
Benjatwo years ^His wife was Sayilla Hall, and their children, John, Jonas, Joseph,
min Abigail Mary Maria, all of whom are married and settled in this county and reared
when young. John married Marfamilies except Joseph, who was accidentally killed
Maria. Peter, Phebe, barah,
garet Overderf and seven children were born to him: Elisha,
John and Amanda. John resides in Michigan; the others settled in this county, and
Boone; Maria
Elisha John and Amanda are the only surviyors. Amanda is the wife of C.
married Jeremiah Pursel; Phebe married Joseph Fry, and Sarah became the wife of J,
thirty years

He

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Miller

PETER HAYMAN,

farmer,

O.

P.

Rohrsburg, was born in Orange Township,

December 20 1836 the younoest of the sons bora to Jonas and Mary (Miller) Hayman.
To
Jonas was born in Berks County, Penn., about the year 1799, son of Peter Hayman
Albert, Peter
Jonas and Mary were born eight children: Joseph, Benjamin, Jacob, Jesse,
Township to Greenwood
Esther and Mary, all now living. Jonas removed from Orange
Ikeler, also made the imnear Rohrsburo" 'and built the mill now owned by Johnson H.
provements on the Ikeler farm; he owned the farm owned by John Black and built the

improvements on the same. He operated a distillery for several years; after the distillery
on
and mill burned down he rebuilt the mill, which he ran for several years, carried
at home
farming and died in 1867; his wife died several years previous. Peter remained
He was married, in 1862,
until twenty-five years of age, when he embarked for himself.
in 1872, leaving one child Anna,
to Ann daughter of James^Mather; Mrs. Hayman died
was with Savilla,
wife of William Kester, of Iowa. Mr. Hayman's second marriage
Bruce,
daughter of Daniel Kitchen, and by her he had six children: Minnie L., Norah M.,
Willie F. and Ha M. Willie is deceased. After marriage he spent one
A John
farm he now- owns,
year in Fishiiigcreek Township engaged in farming, then bought the
H.,
owned by Phiiip Reece, consisting of fifty acres. Mr. Hayman is a member of the P. ofTwo
year, and served in the
also of the Presbyterian Church^ He was in the army one
Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
township, on the
ISA'^.C HEACOCK, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born in this
Heacock homestead, June 20, 1824, eldest son of Enos and Mary (Ogden) Heacock; has
pursuits; also
always been a resident of the township, and been engaged in agricultural
and introducing fertilizers
for many years been engaged in selling farm machinery
For several years he farmed the homestead, but, since 1858, has
amono- the farmers
married Octobeen a resident of his present farm consisting of eighty-three acres. He was
Lydia (Lundy) Harvey,
ber 5 1853 to Mary Jane, eldest daughter of Benjamin C. and
township. Of their
the latter a daughter of Stacy Lundy. one of the pioneers of the
(married Alverna
four children reared to maturity (three are living): Harvey E.
Charles C. are
Kelchner, and has one son); Stacy L.; Charles C. and AnnaS. Harvey E. and
Dr. Stacy
both commercial men and represent a woolen manufactory at Wilhamsport.
received his diploma while
L died June 6. 1881; he had just graduated with honors, and
on his death bed. He was a young man of rare promise, a thorough scholar, a Christian
gentleman, esteemed by all who knew him.
on -.00-7
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ALFRED HEACOCK, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born December 20, 1837, on the
farm he now owns, the second son of Enos and Mary (Ogden) Heacock. He grew to manhood on his present farm, which he took charge of in 1865 and came into possession of in
first, February
1876 and which consists of ninety-four acres. He has been twice married;
daughter
22 1865 to Martha J. Mather, who was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., the
She died eight months after marriage. Mr. Heacock married, as his
of' Jesse Mather.
Townsecond wife Mary E daughter of John Ruckle. She was born in Mount Pleasant
children: Lizzie, Harry
ship this county,' and to her and her husband have been born four
Grant Enos Raymond and Lattimer. Politically Mr. Heacock is a Republican.
JOSIAH HEACOCK, miller, Millville,was born September 20, 1841, on the homestead
The first of the name to settle here w^as Josiah, who came from Northin this township
ampton County, Penn., but the family came originally from New Jersey. His wife AbiJeremiah, Amos, Jesse, Enos,
gail J Green, bore him the following children: Joseph,
part of
Richard Hannah. Rosanna, Lavina, Mary and Sallie. Josiah settled in the south
Heacock. Enos married
the township on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Alfred
and
Mary Ogden who bore him six children: Isaac, Sarah A., Rachel, Elizabeth, Alfred
township. Josiah
Josiah all of whom were born on the homestead, and still living in the
business,
remained on the homestead until his eighteenth year. He learned the milling
began on
and worked at it for some time in Luzerne County near Kingston. In 1864 he

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GEEENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

473

own

account. In 1870 he associated with George Masters in operating the Millville
which partnership continued until in September, 1871, when Masters died. In 1882
Mr. Heacock bought out the entire interest, and tooli charge April 1, 1883, and has since
been owner and proprietor of the same, and is doing an excellent business. He has been
twice married; first to Mary E. Ikeler, a native of Fishingcreek, and a daughter of Williim Ikeler. She died in 1868, leaving one child Minnie. His second wife was Hannah
G. Lawton, daughter of William G. Lawton, and by her he had two children: Myra (living) and Sara (deceased).
Mr. Heacock volunteered twice in the service of his countrj.

ihis

imills,

—

Politically he

is

a Kepublican.

W. W. HEACOCK, merchant,

P. O. Millville, was born in this township, April 16,
second son of C. S. and Hannah (Watson) Heacock. He was reared in this
^township. At an early age he entered the store of William Masters as clerk, and clerked for
him about fourteen years, learned the business thoroughly, and in recognition of his
services and ability he was taken as partner March 27, 1884, under the firm name of Masters & Co., which still exists.
They are doing an excellent business, and are among the
leading merchants in the county. He was married, May 4, 1876, to Sarah, eldest daughter of
To them have been born four children, three living: Lulu, Mellie and LillS. B. Kisner.
ian; deceased: Zella, aged four years.
ABIAH P. HELLER, M. D., Millville, was born in Hemlock Township. April 9,
1829, the only son of James and Hannah (Phillips) Heller.
James was born February 20,
1801, in Lycoming County and died in this county at the age of seventy-four years.
His
father, Jacob, was from Lancaster, Penn., of Scotch ancestry.
Dr. Heller's maternal
grandparents were Abiah and Sarah (Guess) Phillips, to whom were born six children:
George W., Hannah, Martha, David, Marian and Henry G. To James Heller and wife
were born two children, Abiah and Margaret Ann; the latter married Samuel Harriman
and located in Lycoming County; she is now deceased. Our subject was left motherless
at the age of four years and was brought by his father to this township in 1839.
When
sixteen years of age he left home and obtained employment among the farmers in the
and
attended
school
in
summer season
the winter. At the age of nineteen he began
teaching and his earnings he gave to his father to assist him in paying for his farm.
When Abiah P. attained his majority and began for himself he had nothing, and was in
debt for his suit of clothes. Shortly after he began the study of medicine with Dr. P.
John of Millville, and pursued his studies until his graduation at the Pennsylvania Eclectic College, February 22, 1854.
He located in Centre County, Penn., and began the pracThere he continued three years, when he returned to this county
tice of his profession.
and succeeded his preceptor, Dr. P. John, who had removed to Bloomsburg. Here Dr.
Heller has since remained, and has also, in addition to his practice, attended to his farm.
November 28, 1854, he married Susan W., daughter of Benjamin and Priscilla Eves, by
whom he has had three children. Benjamin, the eldest, died when five years old. The
living are James Sherman and Frank Wellington.
JOHNSON H. IKELER, retired, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born February 5, 1813, in
this township and is descended from one of the early settlers of this part of the county.
William Ikeler, the first of the family to settle here, came from New Jersey and located
on the farm now occupied by George Ikeler, about one century ago. He married a Miss
Barnhart and by her had four children: Andrew, William, Elizabeth and Barnabas, all of
whom settled in this township, except Barnabas. Andrew married Christian Ann, daughter of Isaac Johnson, who came from New Jersey.
To Andrew and wife were born six
children: Elizabeth, William J., Margaret, Isaac, Andrew J. and Johnson H., all of whom
settled in this county.
Andrew, the father of our subject, was born April 18, 1773, and
died November 24, 1850; his wife was born in 1774 and died December 29, 1865. Mr.
Ikeler was not a member of any church, but gave liberally to all Christian denominations.
He was a Democrat and served as commissioner and supervisor, and also held other township offices. He was a colonel in the militia and was called out in the civil war, but after
twelve days' service returned, as he was not required. Johnson H. began farming at the
age of twenty-two years, when he took charge of the farm on which he lived until the
spring of 1881. He then moved to Rohrsburg and has since led a retired life. He yet
owns the homestead farm and another south of the town, and also a mill property, which
he operates. He married, October 31, 1834, Maria, daughter of Jonathan Lemon, and
they have reared six children: Christian Ann, Emeline, William P., Elmira, Iram B. and
Elizabeth.
Emeline married Reuben Appleman, and resides in Illinois; Christian Ann
married Joseph Reece, and died in 1866; William resides in Greenwood; Elmira married
Henry E. Mather; Iram B. resides on the homestead; Elizabeth is the wife of Dr. T. C.
McHenry._ Mr. Ikeler since Buchanan's time has been a Republican; has served twenty
years as justice of the peace and deputy revenue assessor for six years; has also held
other offices and been prominently identified with the interests of the township for many
years.
He was never defeated for any office. He is not a member of any church society
but gives liberally to all charitable causes.
WILLIAM P. IKELER, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, is descended from one of the
prominent families of Greenwood Township, where he was born December 22, 1838, on
1853, the

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

474

Ikeler and remained at home
the Ikeler homestead. He is the eldest son of Squire J. H.
He then married Savella Goho, a native of Mifuntil he was twenty-four years of age.
and Anna (Hess) Goho. Three months after his
flin Township and a daughter of Jacob
has since been engaged
marriao-e Mr Ikeler located where he now resides, and where he
He owns 113 acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation.
in farrning
Raymond
To him and Mrs. Ikeler six children were born: Milroy B., clerking at Millville;
Otto P., William H. and Clarence H. Politically Mr. Ikeler is a RepubG Vinnie
engaged with his farming and stock
lican, but gives little attention to politics, being

W

IKELER, farmer, Millville, is descended from a prominent family
He is the youngest
1844.
of this township, and was born on the homestead, February 11.
resided on the homeson of Johnson H. Ikeler, was reared to farming and has always
Sallie, daughter of
stead engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married January 10, 1877,
AUnas Cole of this township. Mrs. Ikeler was born in Sugarloaf Township, and spent
age of sixteen; she has
the early part of her life in school-teaching— the first term at the
Mattie Ellsworth.
borne her husband four children: IrmaB., Jessie C, Jay Harold and
and of the P. ot H.,
Mr. Ikeler is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mountain Lodge, No. 264,
No. 52, Millville
^~, ^n-^
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i^r
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IRAM BENTON

JAMES L JOHN, merchant, Millville, was born May 17, 18o2, m Mount Pleasant
Township son of James M. and Hannah (Kester) John. He was left fatherless while an
manhood. At the age
infant and was reared under his mother's care until he arrived at
taught school and
of eighteen he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, but later
school, and in the
clerked for Ellis Eves & Bro. one year. He then taught and attended
Co. and remained about one
sprin"- of 1876 engaged in business with Isaac Underwood &
business
year^ In 1877 he went to Half Moon, Centre Co., Penn., and then embarked in
then went to
on his own account, in which he continued one year and nine months. He
April, 187J, he
Sereno Columbia County, where for six months he conducted a store. In
he came
went to Lairdsville, where he remained five and a half years. October 31, 1884,
has since remained engaged in
to Millville erected a store and other improvements, and
Jesse and Lydia
mercantilei business. August 31, 1876, he married Edith, daughter of
and Brand L.
(Parker) Heacock. They have four children: Watson I., Jesse M., Mary H.
conveyances
Mr. John has a livery in connection with his store and furnishes horses and
at reasonable rates

on short notice.

t

farmer, P. O. Millville, is descended from the Johnsons who were
grandfather, w;as
the early settlers of Columbia County. John Jacob Johnson, his
British and brought to America
a native of Germany; was enrolled in the service of the
Deeming their cause a just one, he watched his opportunity,
to fight the colonists.
He
of the war.
ioined the American forces and served as a cavalryman until the close
pension.
was wounded during his service in the cheek and leg and subsequently received a
County, and
Soon after the close of the Revolution he came to what is now Columbia
He was by trade a tailor, and married Mary Barnlived for several years at Orangeville.
Catherine (who married
hart who bore him six children: Barney, Jacob, William,
the wife of
George Kline), Elizabeth (married Harmon Kline), and Sarah (who became
Nevp Jersey,
Georle Snyder). William, the father of Ira, was born February 7 1788, in
Elizabeth
and died January 24, 1877. He married Jerusha, a daughter of Robert and children:
(Robbins) Richart. William was a tailor, and to him and wife were bora six
Sarah (wife of Demar Johnson), Minerva (wife of William McMichael); Phi-

IRA JOHNSON

,

i

i,

among

Wesley

R.,

and Ira. Ihe lastlena L. (wife of Jackson Robbins), Arsintha (wife of James Manning)
with
named was born May 21, 1822, one mile east of Millville, and when young worked
He niamed
to farming.
his father at the tailoring business, but later gave his attention
sons blessed their
Sarah, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Snj-der) Thomas, and two
union': Charles Britton and Arthur Wilson.
,
^ ^ ^ ,
t i
io iqqo ^, Ar.^T.
MonJuly
19, 1830,
WILLIAM KARSCHNER, retired farmer, P. O. lola, was born Madison)
with bis partour Township, near Danville, and moved to Pine Township (then
farm now owned by
ents when nine years of age. His father, Michael, located on the
Karschner
William There were only eight acres of improved land on the place when Mr.
fifty-four years
purchased, paying $2 per acre; he died here August 25, 185:3^ aged
and Anna (Lox)
Subiect's mother's maiden name was Dorothy Ann, daughter of George
to be grown: John,
Sechler. To Michael and Dorothy were born eight children who lived
on the
Mary William, Anna, Michael, Levi, Elizabeth and Elihu. William was reared
since owned and earned it on
farm,' and took charge of it at his father's death; and has
Charity (Dildine)
He was married October 6, 1856, to Margaret, daughter of Philip and
his
Mr. Karschner located in lola in the summer of 1885, and has since rexited
Kline
Church),
Episcopal
farm He has four children living: Loyd (a minister of the Methodist
killed at the sawElmer, Alvaretta, and Riley H. Boyd, the second son, was accidentally
member of the Methodist
mill at lola June 17, 1885. aged twenty-five years. He was a
wife and daughEpiscopal Church, and esteemed for his many qualities. Mr. Karschner,
Church.
ter are members of the Methodist Episcopal
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KESTER, butcher, Millville, was born in Mount Pleasant, Columbia U>.,
father
his
succeeded
he
family,
the
of
youngest
the
Penn February 24, 1828, and, being

m

AARON

475

GKEENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

on the homestead, where he remained until 1851. He then came to Millville, and for five
years worked in Eves' wagon manufactor}% after which he returned to Mount Pleasant and
resumed farming, continuing until 1883. He then returned t© MiUville and again worked

He next began the butchering business with his son, S. W. Kester,
continues, meeting with great success. January 10, 1853, he married Esther,
Mr. and Mrs. Kester have three
daughter of Richard and Esther (Caldwell) Pollock.
children Alvina J., Richard C. (who resides on the homestead in Mount Pleasant, and
married Clara E., daughter of Matthew Kindt), and Samuel W. (who married Pet Ikeler,
Pleasant Township
J. Ikeler). The Kester family came to what is now Mount
dau"-hter of
John Kester, the grandfather of Aaron, was born in New Jersey,
about the year 1T90.
in the manufactory.

which he

still

:

A

July 31 1744, and died in July, 1835. His wife, Hannah Webster, was born March 19,
1747 and was the daughter of Benjamin and Rachel Webster. Their children were Rachel,
Ann Samuel, Hannah, Mary, William, John, Benjamin, Ruth, Joseph and Aaron. The
New
last named became the father of our subject, and was born August 2o, 1787,
Jersey At the ageof three years he came with his father to Mount Pleasant Township, Columbia County, Penn. He married Tamar, daughter of Amos and Mary Parker^^and to
them were born the following children, who arrived at maturity Sarah, John, Hannah,
Amos P., Anna, Jacob, Mary E., Aaron and Tamar J.
NICHOLAS KINDT, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born August 30. 1812, in RhenWhen a young man he learned the blacksmith trade and left the land of his
ish Prussia
birth in 1831, arriving in New York in September of that year. Going to Erie, Penn., he
worked three years at his trade for James Little, who was engaged on some public works
In the spring of 1835 he left Erie, and after working a short time at differat that place.
ent places between Erie a^ New York, he came to this county to visit his uncle, Frederick Rohr, of Rohrsburg. Liking the country, he concluded to remain, and worked that
winter for John Richart. He next opened a shop for himself at Rohrsburg, and plied his
trade continuously until 1863, when he located on the place which he now owns, and
engaged in farming. November 23, 1837, he married Marion, daughter of George McMrs. Kindt was born in this county, December 29, 1810, and has borne her husMichael
band the following children George P.; Euphemia, deceased wife of John Kitchen Elizabeth, died at the age of seventeen Maria L. is the wife of Richard Kitchen. Mr. Kindt
attends to the farm himself, and,
is still as vigorous of mind and body as a man of thirty
He and Mrs. Kindt are
though beginning poof, has secured for himself a competency.
both members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder for many years.
He is a Democrat in sentiment, but the principles embodied in the platform of the Prohibition party meet his approval. Mr. Kindt's parents were John and Henrietta (Rohr)
Kindt, who had a family of eight children Adam, John, Peter, Nicholas, Anna, Beebe,
Mary and Matthias, all of whom reared families except Anna. Four of the above came to
Adam settled in New Orleans Mary married a Mr. Major who was murthis country
dered in California for his money (his widow now resides in Allegheny County, Penn.);
Matthias located in Mount Pleasant Township.
SAMUEL B. KISNER, blacksmith, P. O. Millville, was born March 16, 1828, MadJohn Kisner was born
ison Township eldest son of John and Susan (Battin) Kisner.
December 9, 1800, at Maidencreek, Berks County, at the foot of Blue Mountain. John
was a son of Leonard Kisner, born at Maidencreek, Berks Co., Penn., and came to
Spruce Run at an early day, and settled there in 1806 he married Elizabeth, daughter of
John Buck. To Leonard and Elizabeth Kisner were born Jonas, Elizabeth, John, Jacob,
Anna and David. All reared families except Anna, who died of small-pox. John was
reared in Madison Township. He married Susan Battin December 30, 1824, and they had
Elizabeth, married Phineas
Sarah, wife of J. P. Smith, in Rohrsburg
five children
Welliver, in Madison Township; Samuel; Anna C, wife of James Welliver, in Greenwood
Henry, died aged twenty-four years. Samuel Kisner moved to this township in 1846, and
learned the blacksmith trade. In 1849 he began business for himself, and in 1851 he came
In 1878 he took in his son Henry, and the
to Millville, and has since carried on his trade.
firm is now S. B. & H. W. Kisner. Samuel Kisner was married, December 9, 1847, to
John, residing
Martha, daughter of Amos and Mary Parker. They have nine children
Roy, a miller, residing at lola Sarah, wife of W. W. Heain this place"; Elijah Henry
cock Susan, at home Mary, married G. McHenry, at lola Kate, died aged seventeen
Amos, died at the age of one year. In politics Mr. Kisner is a Republican.
RICHARD KITCHEN, Millville, was born in this town March 7, 1837, the eldest son
of Henry Kitchen, who was born in this township February 26, 1801, on the farm now
owned by G. W. Utt. September 17, 1829, Henry married Elizabeth Demott, who was
born September 9, 1807, and died August 16, 1853. Henry died November 23, 1863. They
had a family of seven children, all living: Mary J., who married Uriah R. Harrar and
settled in Muncy; Richard; Harriet, wife of W. A. Thomas, of this township; Sarah, resides at Welliverville, the wife of Isaac Kline: John Amos, in Mount Pleasant TownRichard was
•ship, and McKelvy, in Washington County, Kas., engaged in farming.
reared on the farm, and in 1862 enlisted in Company H. One Hundred and Seventyeighth Regiment, and served nine months. He returned home and the next year, Sep-

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BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

476

tember 20, 1864, married Maria, daughter of Nicholas and Marou (McMichael) Kiudt
Mrs. Kitchen was born in this township February 31, 1847, and has borne her husband
one child, Clinton A. The latter resides on the home place, and in 1886 married Agnes
daughter of Jonas Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen are members of the Baptist Church.
NEHEMIAH KITCHEN, farmer. P. O. Rohrsburg. was born July 16, 1844, in Fishingcreek Township, to Daniel and Hannah (Shively) Kitchen. He was reared on the
farm, and there r'^maincd until December, 1872, when he moved to this township and
erected the buildings on the place now occupied by him, which is a part of the old homeHe married, March 1, 1866, Margaret C. Lemmon, who was born in Greenwood, a
stead.
daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (Lockard) Lemmon. They have two children livHarry D. died at the age of three months. Mr. Kitchen
ing: Dora Jane and Elmer L.
has eighty-six acres of valuable land under a fine state of cultivation. He is a RepubHe is a member of the
lican, and was elected justice of the peace in the spring of 1885.
Grange.
KRAMER, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born March 29, 1814. near
Stillwater, Penn., and when two years of age was brought by his parents to Orange
Township. Seven j^ears later he was brought to Fishingcreek, where he remained until
He then purchased property in Rohrsburg, and carried on mercantile busi1866.
ness for about eight years. In 1873 he retired from that business, and the next year
moved to one of his farms, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Although he began poor he now owns three fine farms. He married. December 27, 1838,
Sarah, daughter of Reuben and Catherine (Miller) Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer had ten
children, as follows: Matthias; infant (deceased); Mary Ellen (deceased); Elmira (deceased); Philip D. (deceased); an infant (deceased); Minerva Alice (deceased); an infant,
deceased when born; Sarah E. and Alexander S. Sarah E. was the wife of Thomas J.
Bender, and left two children, Bessie M. and EflBe M. Matthias, the eldest son, has one
Mr. Kramer politically
child. Atta M. Alexander 8. married Anna Everett, of Benton.
The Kramer family came from New Jersey to this county, locating
is a Greenbacker.
in Fishingcreek Township about 1798, when George Kramer came with the Kline family.
George married Sophia Kline in New Jersey, and Abram Kline, a brother of Sophia,
George and Sophia Kramer had ten children:
married a sister of George Kramer.
Matthias, Morris, Charles, William, Harmon, Samuel, Abram, George, Anna and Betsey.
All reared families and settled first in the county, but later some of them moved west.
Matthias was born in 1774, and married Mary Ann McCray, a daughter of Alexander McCray, a seaman who sailed the ocean for years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kramer the following
named children were born: Sophia, William, Sarah, George. Mary, Alexander (whose
name heads this sketch), Abram and Rebecca, all of whom settled in this locality except

ALEXANDER

;

MATTHIAS KRAMER,

farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg. is one of the descendants of the
early pioneers, and was born September 21, 1839, in Fishingcreek Township, eldest son;
of Alexander Kramer.
He was reared in the township in which he was born, and remained here until his marriage, which event occurred in the fall of 1865, to Louisa, only
daughter of Edward Albertson. Mr. Kramer lias a snug farm one-half mile below Rohrsburg, and is a successful farmer. They have but one child, AttaM. Mr. Kramer, wife>ud
daughter are members of the Christian Church.
G.
retired farmer, P. O. Derr, was born February 22, 1814, \n
The family
Yorkshire, England, a son of Benjamin and Anna (Goldthorpe) Lawton.

WILLIAM

LAWTON,

embarked at Liverpool May 21, 1828, and landed at Philadelphia July 6, 1828, having
been six weeks and four days on the voyage. They remained for a lime in Schuylkill
County, Penn., and in the fall of 1832 came to this county. William G. learned the
builder's trade, which he followed several years, but subsequentl}" gave his attention to
farming. In 1839 he married Sarah A., daughter of Robert Fainman, and thirteen children blessed their union. Mr. Lawton came to the farm he now occupies in 1851, but is
now living retired from active labor, spending the evening of his life in the quiet of his
home. Politically he is a Democrat and has filled several oflnces of trust in the township,
and in the fall of 1871 was elected commissioner of the county. He is a member of the
Christian Church.
ELIJAH LEMON, retired. Greenwood, was born December 10, 1818, on the Lemon
homestead, where he grew to manhood. John Lemon, a native of New Jersey, was a
wagon-maker by trade and was employed during the Revolution repairing army wagons.
After the close of that struggle he turned his attention toward seeking a location, and
about 1790 came to Greenwood Township, Columbia County. Here he purchased 300 acres,
out of which fine farms have since been made. That year he planted about two acres in
wheat and erected a small cabin. In the fall he returned to New Jersey, and in the
spring, coming again to this township, found that the deer had eaten his wheat. The Indians were hostile and he again returned to Jersey, but came again to his farm in the
spring, bringing with him his sons, George and Joseph, and this time made a permanent
location.
By his wife, Elizabeth Titmon, he had a large family as follows: George,
Joseph, Jacob, Balse, Jonathan. Jacob, Isaac. James, William, Michael, Betsey, Catherine-

GEEENWOOD TOWNSHIP.
and

Sally, all of

i77

whom settled here, except George, Jacob and Balse. William, the father of
New Jersey and came here with his father. John Lemon carved

our subject, was born in

his name and the date of his coming upon the back of a turtle, which was seen about
one score of years ago by his grandson. Elijah, and many times since and never over a hundred yards from the same place. William married Elizabeth Parker, daughter of John
Parker, and by her had ten children: Sarah, George, Elijah, Elisha, Malinda, Samuel,
Lucinda, Elizabeth, William and Frank, all of whom, except Elijah, moved west and
settled in Illinois and Wisconsin.
When he was sixteen years of age Elijah left home
and bought his time from his father for $8 per month until he attained his majorit}'. He
then began to learn the millwright's trade with Marshall Kinney, and after completing
it, began on his own account, contracting, which he followed for over tifty years, retiring
about 1884. He married in the fall of 1839, Eleanor, daughter of Amos Parker and a
native of this township. To them were born the following children: Mary, Elmira. Harvey. William, Anna, Frances R. Mary is the wife of Wesley Morris; Elmira is the wife
of B. F. Battin; Harvey resides in Muncey Valley, a millwright by trade; Anna is the
wife of Bartley Heacock; Frances R. is the wife of Calvin Demott. and William died
when a young man. Mrs. Lemon died in 1871. Mr. Lemon next married Elizabeth,
daughter of Fred Derr. Mr. Lemon is a member of the Christian Church.
"JONATHAN LEMON (deceased) was born in New Jersey about the year 1790, son of
John Lemon. Jonathan married Margaret Lockard, and by her he had the following
children: Eliza, deceased; Harriet, married Thomas Reece and resides in Cass County,
Neb.; Sarah J., wife of Lorenzo Mendenhall, of Allen County, Kas. Margaret, married
M. Kitchen; John; Jacob, farming in Cass County, Neb., and Jonathan. Jonathan, Senr.,
settled in the township where the Lemon brothers resided one-half mile west of Rohrsburg, was engaged in the lumber business for many years and carried on the saw-mill,
which he rebuilt, being first built by his father in 1802. He was a soldier in the war of
He died in 1852. John Lemon
1813, and his widow survives him. drawing a pension.
was born March 19, 1833, on the farm, and has always lived here. He was married to
Mary, daughter of David Kitchen. Thej^ have no children. John Lemon has been engaged
in operating a saw-mill and farming, and has recentlv sold out to his brother Jonathan.
URIAH P. McHENRY. retired. Millville, was born September 34, 1838, in Fishingcreek Township, the ninth in a family of eleven children. He remained at home on the
farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Stillwater and worked in Col.
Kline's grist-mill. There he learned the miller's trade, and afterward worked at farming
In 1847 he began for himself, worked in Cole's mill for a time, and in
in different places.
1849 went to Danville, where he remained one year; then went to Huntingdon Creek and
for four years; thence to West Creek, where he remained about
Jones'
mill
in
worked
This mill was then purchased by Mr. Kimball, and Mr.
five years in the Heacock mill.
McHenry remained with him three 3'ears and operated the mill. He then conducted tlie
Robbins mill in this township, but, his health failing, he engaged at buhr dressing. He
then returned to the mill at Stillwater, where he had learned his trade, and remained
about two years. He then purchased a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits, also
attending to the mill. While here he purchased a half interest in the mill, and continued
there until the spring of 1874, when he came to Millville and purchased an interest in the
Masters & Heacock mill. He then formed a partnership with Mr. Heacock, under the
firm name of McHenry & Heacock, which lasted until the spring of 1883. Mr. McHenry
then sold out his interest and purchased the Hayman mill at lola, which he has since conducted, and hires a miller to attend to it, having retired from active labor. He married,
July 4, 1855, Elizabeth, daughter of Enos Heacock. They have no cliildren of their own,
but a niece of Mrs. McHenry, daughter of Josiah Heacock, known as Minnie McHenry,
given to them by her mother at her death, has since lived with them.
H. GAIL McHENRY, miller, P. O. lola, comes of a family of millers; his father,
Moses, is a miller, and his two brothers, Ruggles and Charles, are also millers. Gail was
born December 7, 1856, in Huntsville, Luzerne County, and when one year old removed
with his parents to Fishingcreek, where he lived seven years, then moved to Roaringcreek, where he commenced learning his trade at the Mendenhall mills, and when competent took charge of the mills. In December, 1880, he came to E3'er's Grove and had
charge of the mill three years, and in the spring of 1883 he associated with U. P. McHenry
He was married in October,
in the lola mills, and has since been in charge of the same.
They have two children: Myrtle and
1883, to Mary Kisner, daughter of Samuel Kisner.
Uriah. They are members of the Christian Church.
JOHN McMICHAEL, farmer. P. O. Millville, was born June 14, 1818. on the farm
now owned by J. M. Denmott. which was formerly a part of the old McMichael homeHis father, George McMichael, was born in Scotland in 1773, and died May 29,
stead.
He came to America and settled in Greenwood Township, Columbia" Co.,
1860.
Penn., about 1801. He married Agnes, daughter of William and Elizabeth McMichael,
Mrs. McMichael was born in 1779 and died April 1, 1866.
a distant relative of the family.
To her and her husband were born ten children, as follows: Jane, Verronica, Euphemia,
Seven of these reared
James, Marian, Elizabeth, George, Agnes, John and William.
;

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

478

Verronica married Ed. Henrie; Marian married Nicholas .Kindt; Elizabeth
families.
the wife of Robert Nixon, and Agnes married Samuel Stetler, all of whom settled
in this section of country. Our subject married at Jerseytown, January 9, 1844, Sarah Ann,
daughter of Henry Bombay. For several years after his marriage, Mr. McMichael worked
at different places and at various vocations, hut flaally purchased the old homestead and
and has since engaged in farming. Mrs. McMichael was born
located thereon,
December 80, lS2i, in Roaringcreek Township, and has borne her husband three
children: Mary E. (who resides in Delaware County, Penn., the wife of Joseph R. Kester,
and has four children: Raymond, Stewart, Bertha and Clara); Rosetta, married Harmon

became

Mordan, of Mount Pleasant (has two children— Myron and Erma,) and Beujamau F.,
who farms the homestead and married Mrs. Clara Kramer, the daughter of F. E. Rote. Mr.
McMichael has for many years been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church;
has always been a Republican, but believes in the final triumph of the Prohibition parly.
WILLIAM MASTERS, storekeeper, Millville, is descended from one of the prominent
families of the township, and was born November 8, 1841, in Millville. His father, George,
David
a son of David Masters, was born November 3, 1810. in Madison Township.
married Mary Eves, who bore hini eight children, of whom George was the eldest. When
and
learned
town
the
this
miller's
trade
the latier was fourteen years of age he came to
in his father's mill, with George Hepler, and was given entire charge when he was sixteen years of age. He tiien continued for nine years in charge of the mill until 1835 or
1836.
In 1849 the mill was destroyed by fire, when George Masters and John Betz bought
the site and built the mill that now stands in the town, and which they continued for
several years.
In 1835 George Masters engaged in merchandising with Samuel B. Mather,
which partnership lasted about nine years, when Mr. Mather retired and Mr. Masters
continued the business alone until 18o7, when he disposed of a half interest to his son
David, and in 1863 disposed of the remainder to William Masters, who continues the
business.
George remained half owner of the mill, however, up to the time of his death,
September 14, 1871. His widow died September 16, 1886; she was born March 31, 1808.
Mr. Masters was a prominent member of the Society of Friends. He left several pieces of
David Masters, brother of William, went to Philadelphia in 1870, is successreal estate.
fully engaged in business on Market Street, and has a tasty home on Baring Street. West
Philadelphia.
E. MATHER, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born August 37, 1842, in
His grandfather was
Pottsville, Penn., only son of Jesse and Julia A. (Merrill) Mather.
Jesse Mather, who married Margaret Shively, by whom were born Henry, Sallie, Hannah,
Henry E. came to Greenwood when sixteen years
Betsey, Samuel, John, James and Jesse.
Henry's father
of age and h is since lived on the farm his grandfather Jesse settled on.
died iu 1859. his widow surviving hiri one year. September 22, 1834, Heur}^ E. married
Almira M., daughter of JohnsoiTH. Ikeler, of this township, and to thom have been born
three children; Bertha Z., Jesse and Truman. Mr. Mather is a Republican and a member
of the P. of H.. also of the I. O. O. F.
MORRIS, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born in ]\Iount Pleasant Township,
Columbia County, in 1837. son of John Morris. June 4, 1863, he married Mary E. Lemon,
daughter of Elijah and Eleanor (Parker) Lemon. Mrs. Morris was born in this township
August 14, 1840. and she and her husband have four children living: Ella, John, Wilhelmina and Eckley E. William E. died at the age of eighteen months; Harry D. at the age
of three weeks, and Francis J. at the age of five months. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Morris
located on his present farm, which was a part of the original Lemon tract. It consists of
sixty-seven acres, and here Mr. Morris is engaged in agricultural pursuits, but is a blacksmith by trade. Mr. Morris has been elected and has served as poor director of the district
composed of Scott, Sugarloaf, Greenwood and Bloom; as assessor, assupervisor, as school
director, and overseer of the poor, and has served as tax collector by appointment.
MUSGRAVE, deceased, was born February 7, 1803, in this township, a son
of Aaron and Sarah (Woodrow) Musgrave. Aaron, Sr., was born February 17, 1760, and
became the father of the following children: Isaac; Ann, who became the wife of Daniel
Smith and removed to Fishingcreek Township; Rachel, wife of Joseph Kester, of Mount
Pleasant Township; iNIarv, married William Kester. and moved west; Isaac and James,
September 18, 1833, our
settled in Mouni Pleasant, and Aaron, settled in this townsliip.
subject married Sarah, dausrhter of D iniel and Mary Force. She was born August 8, 1799,
and bore her husl)and four children: Daniel. :Mary Ann, Sarah W. and William McKelvy.
Mr. Musgrave was an honored and respected msmber of the community among whom he
had resided since his marriage. He was a consistent member of the Christian Church, and
He died in November, 1871, his widow
politically a Republican, thougli not a partisan.
surviving him until August 14, 1877. Of their children. Mary A. died iu 1863, the wife of
Hiram Kester (left three children: Aaron M., Thomas C. and William Alpheus. all of whom
removed west); Daniel resides in Mount Pleasant Townshij^ and William McK., who took
charge of the homestead farm in 1873 and conducted it until 1878. At that time the place
was sold and he purchased the property where he now resides. He has acquired a competence and lives in comfortable circumstances with his sister, Sarah W., who keeps house
for him.

HENRY

WESLEY

AARON

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

479

B. PATTON, Millville, was born April 9, 1833, in Rush Township, NorthPenn., a son of Joseph R. Patton, who was born April 10, 1797, in
Joseph R. was a son of John Patton, who came
Briarcreek Township, this county.
from New Jersey when a young man, married Mary Richart and located in Briarcreek
Township, on the Susquehanna. He was a house carpenter and to him and his wife were
born three sons and two daughters: Joseph R. Catharine, who married Jacob DeMott and
settled in Madison Township; Margaret also settled there, the wife of Jeremy Welliver;
John settled in Danville and died there leaving four children; Samuel removed to Mason
County, 111., and is now deceased. Joseph R., the first named, married Sarah De Witt, daughter of Isaac De Witt.
To them were born nine children: Oliver P., Margaret, William G.,
Louisa J., Isaac D. and Mary L. (twins), John B., Joseph M. and Sarah C. (twins), all of
whom except Louisa J. reared families. Louisa married Squire Jacob Terwilliger and
resides in Light Street.
John B. was reared on the homestead and left home at the age of
nineteen and attended school, first at Millville and later the Wyoming Acadenay. He then
taught school some years to enable him to attend college, which he entered in 1854, and
graduated in 1860 at Lafayette College. After srraduating he taught for a time in Columbia
Academy, and while there, in December, 1860, married Mary M., daughter of James Masters.
In the spring of 1861 he went to Parkesburg and took charge of the Parkesburg Academy
for one year, but the outbreak of the civil war took away many of the students and the
school was temporarily closed. Dr. Patton then came to Millville and for eighteen months
was associate principal of the Greenwood Seminary. In the spring of 1864 he took charge
of a select school at Orangeville for one year. This school was broken up by an arbitrary
act of the soldiers sent to put down the [so-called Fishing Creek confederacy at the instigation of partisans of a rival school. In the spring of 1865 he went to Montana Territory,
opened a school in Virginia City, and also engaged in mining for one year; then conducted a drug store at Bannock City for a time. In 1868 he returned to this county and completed his medical course. He began to practice at Sereno, but after six months, finding
an opening in Sullivan County, Penn., went there andremained until 1872. He then came
Dr. and Mrs. Patton have
to Millville and has since remained practicing his profession.
two children: James M., Francis J.
H. PHILLIPS. Among the old time millers of Columbia County is Mr. Phillips, P. O. Eyer's Grove, who was born January 6, 1825, in Bucks County, Penn., the

DR.

JOHN

umberland

Co.,

;

ALLEN

whom were born Moses, Aaron, Robert, David,
Thomas, Rachel, Mercy and Elizabeth. Thomas married Sarah Phillips, and by her had
eight children that lived to be grown: Joseph, Allen H., Andrew J.. Harrison, Alraira.
Rebecca, Eliza, and Jane.
Allen H., when fifteen years of age, went with his uncle
David to learn the miller's vocation at Perryville, in Northampton Countj', and since that
time has been constantly ena-aged in that business, not having lost a year's time, principally
He was married in 1845, to Sarah E. Eves, daughter
in Columbia and Montour Counties.
of Milton Eves; she died leaving three children: Milton, Thomas and Charles, none living
but Milton, a teacher in Simpson College, Iowa. He married for his second wife Margaret Schuyler; she died leaving five children: Alfred C, now a physician in Booneville, Iowa;
Thomas L., a farmer in Madison Township; Louis S., milling with his father at Eyer's
His third wife was
Grove; Samuel, telegraph operator in Danville; Ada M., at home.
Rebecca, daughter of Isaac Welsh; by her he has one child, Isaac, on the farm. His present
wife was Mrs. Runyon, daughter of Daniel Welliver. He came to Eyer's Grove the last
time in 1883; and has since been a resident. He carries on a farm in Madison Township.
second son of Thomas Phillips, to

In politics he

is

a Republican.

JOSEPH W. REECE,

farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born February 15, 1829, in this
Nehemiah Reece was the pioneer of the family to settle in Greenwood TownHe came from one of the
ship, and from him are descended all of the name now here.
lower counties and took up the land now owned by our subject, about the year 1800. He
married Marv Eves who bore him a large family, nine of whom reared families: Edith,
John was born
Philip, John, Hannah, Nehemiah, Sarah, Louisa, Aaron and Mary.
January 1, 1801, was reared to manhood in this township and became the father of

township.

Joseph W.

He married Mary, daughter

of Joseph and Catherine (Adams) Whitaker, and

He died
after his marriage located on this farm where he spent the remainder of his life.
March 25, 1858, his widow surviving him until October 10, 1879. They reared to maturity
Philip was
five children: Joseph W., Nehemiah, Philip, Margaret C. and Benjamin.
killed by a horse when sixteen years old; Nehemiah resides in Iowa; Margaret married
Thomas Mather and reared four children. Joseph W. remained at home until attaining
his majority, after which he worked for some years on a farm and clerked in store at
Millville.
January 28, 1858, he married Christiana, daughter of Squire J. H. Ikeler. and
He then
«ettled on the farni now owned by W. P. Ikeler, where he remained four years.
located on the old Reece farm, where be has since resided. Mrs. Reece died October 12,
Mr. Reece next
1866, the mother of three children: Gula E., Johnson H. aud Benjamin.
married Mrs. Elizabeth Parker, daughter of Jolin and Mary Rautz. She died March 9,
Mr. Reece then married his present wife, Deborah
1871, and by her liad one cliild, John L.
Warner, a naiive of Muncy and a daugliter of James and Julia Ann ('Jones) Warner. Mr.

480

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Reece has made all the improvcmeuts on his ])laee,
120 acres. His house is the fourth one erected on

he owus abd which consists of
farm since Nehemiah Reece lived

wlii<:h
llie

there.

REUBEN L. RICH. Millville, was born September 19. 1833, on the farm which
owns, a son of John G. and Lydia (Lundy) Rich, the latter a dautrhter of Reuben
and Esther (Bunting) Lundy, who were the parents of eight children. John G. and Lydia
Rich were the parents of ten children: Mary A., Sarah, Benjamin, William, Reuben L.,
Esther, I Lundy, Henry, Jane, and J. Gillingham. Reuben L. now resides on the Lundy
farm, upon which his grandfather, Reuben Lundy, settled in 1792; the house now occupied by Dr. Rich was built in 1798, and a pear tree which still bears fruit was planted in
the same year. Benjamin Rich, the paternal grandfather of the Doctor, married Sarah
Gillingham, and to them were born four children: John G., Sarah, Ann and Benjamin.
John G.«was born about 1801 and came to this township when a young man. He was a
tanner and later carried on tanning in the valley for years, and died in 1873. His wife
died ten years prior. Reuben L. was reared in this township and began the practice of
dentistry in 1855, but since 1869 has been also engaged in farming. He married, December 27, 1864, Elizabeth, second daughter of James Masters. They have three childrtn
living:^nna Watson, Mary L. and Bessie A. Willie died in 1881, aged nine years and
six rnonths; John and Harry died in infancy.
Dr. Rich is a member of the A. Y. M. He
and his wife belong to Valley Grange, P. of H., and the Society of Friends.
JACKSON ROBBINS. The Bobbins family take rank among the early settled famiJoseph Robbins, grandfather of our subject, married
lies in Greenwood Township.
Catharine Harris, by whom he had nine children six sons and three daughters: William,
Jerusha (married to William Snyder), Vincent, Hannah (married to William Eves), Joseph, John, Catharine (married to John Sibert), Robert and Jesse. John Robbins, father
of our subject, was born on the homestead now owned by the latter, and married Mary,
daughter of John Mannon, whose wife was a Demott. The children born to John and
Mary Robbins were Jackson, Sarah (married to James Demott), Catharine (married to
George B. Thomas), Charlotte (single) and Ira. Our subject was born on his farm in
1832, and with the exception of three years' residence in Fishingcreek Township, this
county, has lived continuously on the farm where he was born. He has been twice married: first to Paulena L., daughter of William Johnson; at her decease she left four children: Robert, Elizabeth (married to B. Mannon, of Eyers Grove), Harriet (married to
John Barber, of Stillwater), and John. Robert and John reside in Greenwood. Mr. Robbins' second wife was Anna Beckford, by whom he has the following named children:
Mary. Louis, Samantha, Efiie, Orra and George.
VIRGIL D. ROBBINS, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born January 9, 1832, in Madison Township, on the old Barber farm. He is the eldest and only surviving son of William Robbins, who was born about 1784, being a son of Joseph Robbins, a native of New
Jersey. Joseph reared a large family, as follows: Vincent, William, Hannah, Jerusha,
Robert, John, Joseph, Jesse and Catherine, all of whom lived to rear families except
Joseph and Robert. Vincent moved to Canada, Jerusha married William Snyder and
moved to Indiana; Catherine married Samuel Seibert and settled in this township, as did
the others. William, the father of Virgil D., was born in Greenwood Township about
1784, and married Sabrina Teeple; she was born September 30, 1805, in New Jersey.
After his marriage William removed to Madison Township and engaged in farming until
His wife died in 1841.
April, 1842, when he came to this township, and here died in 1871.
Of their seven children, but four lived to be grown: Sarah J., who married John Christian and located in this township, as did the others; Lucinda, who became the wife of
George W. Derr, and William O. The only ones now living are Virgil D. and Sarah J.
Our subject remained on the homestead until the spring of 1883, when he located on the
farm which he now owns. He married, November 29, 1855, Mary Ann, daughter of John
and Jane (Edgar) Staley. Mrs. Robbins was born September 19, 1833, in Pottsville, Penn.,
and has borne her husband five children: William P., married to Efiie Battin, daughter
of B. F. Battin; Emma Jane, wife of Thomas Smith, resides in Jackson Township; John
C. married Emma Manning, daughter 'of William Manning; Diebald and Charles O. at
home. Mr. and Mrs. Robiiins are members of the Christian Church.
FRANCIS E. ROTE, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born on the border of MadThe Rote family came to this townison Township, near Millville, January 16, 1827.
ship prior to 1800. Francis, who was born October 5, 1775, was the pioneer of the
name in this county, and was of German descent. He married Mary Welliver and
had six children who grew to maturity: Charity, William, Margaret, Daniel, AbiHis wife was born
gail and Elizabeth, all of whom were born near Millville.
November 20, 1782, and died June 20, 1855. William, who married Elizabeth Eves,
daughter of William Eves, became the father of Francis E. They reared but two
children, our subject and Sarah, wife of E. B. Brower, of Bloomsburg. Francis E.
was reared in this neighborhood and began to hold the plow when ten years of age. He
married, March 11, 18.52, Asenath, daughter of Milton and Mary Eves. After his marriage
he located on the farm which he now owns, and where he has since resided. He has four
Dr.

he

now

—

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP;

*

4811

first married Philip Ki-amer, and after his death Ben McMiehael,
resides in this township; Marv resides in Madison Township, the wife of R. L. DeMott; Henry is a farmer, at home, a'nd William, unmarried. Izora. the daughter of Clara
B. and her first husband, resides with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Rote.
B. SHULTZ, farmer and miller, Rohrsburg, is descended from one of the
His grandfather, Daniel ShuJtz, settled here prior to 1800'
early families of this township.
and located three-quarters of a mile from Rohrsburg, when the place was a wilderness.
He married Elizabeth White, who bore him Philip. James, Isaac, Samuel, John and
Sarah. Daniel died April 80, 18o2, aged eighty-three years, one month and twenty-eight
days; his wife, Elizabeth, died March 2-i, 1853, aged eighty-eight years and three months.
Subject's great-grandfather was Philip, whose ancestors came from Germany and settled
Philip died April
in New Jersey and later removed to this locality, as mentioned before.
aged eighty5, 1816, aged seventy-five years; his wife, Barbara, died September 20, 1828,
four years. James, the father of John B., married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Stucker
and Catherine (Peeler) Stucker. Four children were born to them: Ellen, John B., CathEllen resides in Orange Township, the wife of Daniel Kline; Cathererine and Esther.
ine married John Moore and resides in this township; Esther married John H. Parker and
The father of this family was a farmer, which pursuit
settled in Greenwood Township.
he followed until his death; he died May 23. 1826, aged twenty-six years, eight months,
sixteen days; his widow, Elizabeth, died July 17, 1873, aged seventy-seven years, seven
months, four days. John B, was born Aug. 17, 1821, on the homestead near Rohrsburg. He
was reared a farmer and when of age turned his attention to the management of the mill,
which he now owns and which he conducted up to 1884, when his son assumed charge of
He married Hettie, a daughter of Jonas and Mary E. (Miller) Hayman. They have
it.
two children livina, Jonas and Lestie. Jonas resides with his parents, married to Dora-.
Henry. They have one child, Lelie Maude. Lestie is in Iowa, the wife of Clark Khne.

children living: Clara B.,

and

JOHN

a member of the Grange.
painter and trimmer, P. O. Millville, was born August 24,
1841, in Turbotville, Northumberland Co., Penn., eldest son of Isaac and Caroline
(Keener) Stadler. August 23, 1850, his father dying, he was placed in the care of strangers,
and was brought up by a strict Presbyterian, who gave him good school advantages and.
who had designed to tit his protege for the ministry, while Tillman had aspired to become
a physician. This conflicting of previously formed plans resulted in an estrangement
between the two, and Tillman, having received the elements of a classical education, and
being ready for the second year in college, now gave his attention to teaching, and continued until the breaking-out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted April 24, 1861, in Company
G, Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three months. After serving his time he returned home and was prostrated with camp fever for several weeks, but,

Mr. Shultz

is

a

Democrat and

TILLMAN STADLER.

after teaching one term of school, gained his health, and August 1, 1862, enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for
nine months, and was promoted to first sergeant. After serving out his time he went out
with Company C, Two Hundred and First Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

(time of enlistment one year), as color corporal, and served until the close of the war,
being for six months of the last enlistment on detached duty as chief clerk of court marAfter returning from the service he went to Lewisburg, Penn.,
tial in Alexandria, Va.
and worked under instructions as carriage painter and trimmer. After his graduation he
worked in various localities in the State, and since the fall of 1868 he has been permanently located in Millville in charge of the painting and trimming department in the
noted Millville Wagon Manufactory. He was married in 1867 to Elmira, daughter of
Peter Fogleman. They have two children: Frank and Ada M. Mr. Stadler is a member
of the Christian Church; of the A. Y. M., Bloom Lodge No. 264; of the L O. O. F.; and.
the G. A. R., Bryson Post No. 225..
AUGUST STAUDER, tanner, Rohrsburg, was born September 17, 1837, in Reistenhausen, Prussia, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hoenig) Stauder. His parents had a.
family of five children, August. Caroline, Frederick, Rosa and Delia, none of whom
came to America except August. At the age of thirteen August began to learn the tanner's trade, serving five years' apprenticeship, after which he traveled for five years and
worked in many places. In 1864 he landed in New York and worked in the Steinway Piano
Manufactory for some months; then went to Elirabethtown, N. J., where he worked in a
tannery, returning after a year to New York, where he worked at his trade. A year
later he went to Scranton and worked for some months in Huntsdale and Wilkesbarre,
Penn., and in the latter place was foreman in a large tannery. He then moved to Light
Street, where he worked as foreman for a time; then moved to Briarcreek and for four years
worked for Joseph Conner, and during the four years saved $1,999, and with the money
came to Rohrsburg and purchased the tannery of Perry Smith, and eighteen- acres. Here
he has since resided and has added to his land from, time to time until now he has ninetytwo acres. He has erected the principal buildings and operates the tannery. He married,
Fry, who was born in this county, a daughter of Frederick.
September 22, 1874, Sarah
Fry. Mr. and Mrs. Stauder have four children: Maggie, Rosa, Joseph and Bertha. Mr.
Stauder is a member of Albright Church, and politically is a Democrat.

K

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

482

GEORGE W. UTT,
Penn.,

May

26, 1837, the
August 15, 1805, in

farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was bora in Northampton County,
fourth son of David and Mary (Evans) Utt. The former was

boru
Northampton County; the latter born June 27, 1801. When
•George W. was two and a half years old he came to this county with his parents and
located in Greenwood Township one mile north of Rohrsburg, where he remained until
.he was of age.
At the age of twelve years he began to work out and assist in the maintenance of the family. He received a good education, taught school several years, and in
1861 enlisted in Company F, Second Pennsylvania Artillery (112ih inline). "Shortly after
he was made sergeant and promoted, Maj^ 4, 1863, to second lieutenant. Later he was commissioned first lieutenant and finally captain in Battery I, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth
Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was wounded in front of Petersburg and discharged on
the expiration of his term of enlistment, receiving the following commendatory letter from
his

commander:

Headquarters Provisional Brigade,
Defences of Bermuda Head, Va.
December

29, 1864.

)

v
)

bearer, George W. Utt, lieutenant Battery F, Second Pennsylvania Artillery, has
day been honorably discharged from the service of the United States by reason of ex-

The
this

It affords me pleasure to state that during his connection with the
regiment he has always performed his duties faithfully and efficiently. While in command of his company in the trenches on the Petersburg front, m July last, he was severely
wounded by a fragment of one of the enemy's shells.
W. M. McClure,
Colonel 2d Penn. Art. Comd'g.
Upon his return home he farmed one year, and in 1866 purchased a farm. He has
been twice married. His first wife, Mary E. Appleman, was born in Fishingcreek Township, a daughter of Philip Appleman.
She bore him three children— Philip C, William
Ernest and Mary A.— and died April 28, 1872. His second marriage was with Sarah A.
Keller, also born in Fishingcreek Township, a daughter of John Keller.
She died July
18, 1886, the mother of eight children: Laura M., Ella M., Susan J., Anna B., Grace E.,
Etta, James G. and George F. Politically Mr. Utt is a Democrat, and has served as school
director two terms.
He is a member of the Christian Church, in which he has been an

piration of his term.

elder since 1875.

VAN

J. CLYDE
HORN, farmer, P. 0. Rohrsburg, was born February 15, 1853, in this
township, eldest son of James Van Horn, who was a son of James and Polly (Wilson)
Van Horn, whose offspring were Betsey, Sallie, Ella, Nancy, Charity, James, Joseph and
William. James Van Horn, father of J. C., was born May 8, 1819, in Orange Township,
and died April 15, 1886; his wife was Margaret C, daughter of John and Letty (Miller)
Wilson. Letty being a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Miller. Mrs. Van Horn survives
her husband. Our subject resides on the homestead, engaged in farming. In 1878 he
married Maria, daughter of William and Mary Ann (Hurtman) Blish. They have one
child, Elmer Dovle, born April 3, 1881.
In politics Mr. Van Horn is a Democrat.
JAMES O. WARNER, farmer, P. O. Millville, was boru February 23. 1857, the only
son of James and Julia (Jones) Warner. James Warner was born in "Lycoming County,
Penn., in 1805, a son of Benjamin and Deborah (Kitely) Warner; Julia (Jones) Warner was
born in 1814, in Lycoming County, Penn. James Warner was a farmer and also carried
on mercantile business. He died in 1867, a member of the Society of Friends. To him
and his wife were born six children: Mary, Deborah, Sarah. Susan, Elizabeth and James
O. Mary is the wife of James Whipple, of De Kalb County, 111.
Susan, wife of Edwin
A. Whitacre, also of De Kalb County, 111. Deborah, wife of Joseph W. Reece, near Rohrsburg; Sarah, wife of Joseph W. Eves, of Millville; Elizabeth is the wife of Daniel Kitchen, of Bloomsburg.
James O. is the only male representative of the name. When he
was but ten years of age his father died and he remained with his mother. He came here
in 1875, attended and taught school two terms and worked on the farm, and in 1879 purchased the farm he now owns, consisting of eighty acres on the edge of Millville. He
was married August 26, 1884, to Laura E., daughter of Charles W. Eves. She died May
17, 1885, leaving no issue.
JACOB E. WELLIVER, merchant, Ej^er's Grove, was born in Madison Township,
August 1, 1836, son of John and Anna (Eyer) Welliver. John Welliver was born about
the year 1801, son of William Welliver, who came from New Jersey and settled in
Madison Township at an early day. Severaljchildren were born to William Welliver,
among whom was John, the father of our subject, and who was reared in Madison Township; he married Anna, daughter of Ludwig Eyer, by whom he had seven children:
James, Uriah, Catharine, Jacob E., Jeremiah, Elizabeth and John. Jacob E. was reared in
Jerseytown, and when a young man clerked for several years in different localities, came
to this place in 1874, and succeeded William Eyer in the merchandise business, and has
since carried on a general store.
He has had charge of the postoffice several .years, and
has been postmaster since 1881. He was married to Almira, daughter of "Philip and
Rachel (Dye) Cottner. They have five children: William, Loyd, Clyde, Irene and Jay.
In politics he is a Democrat.
REUBEN WILSON, retired, Millville, was born February 12, 1806, in the old house
;

;

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.

483^-

Montour County, where the Wilsons were among the early
John Wilson came from England prior to the Revolution, in which struggle he
sided with the colonists. After the Revolution he taught school, and resided for a short
time in Schuylkill County, Penn. He then came to what is now Montour County, Penn.,
settled about four miles north of Danville, where be opened a farm in the wilderness. He
owned nearly 300 acres and resided there the remainder of his life. His wife Phoebe bore
him the following children: Hannah, Thomas, Rachel, Sarah, Phoebe, John and Ann, aJl
of whom reared families except Ann. Thomas married Susanna Russell, of Irish descent,
and by her had nine children: William, John, Reuben, Elizabeth, Priscilla, Thomas,
Mary, Rachel and Martha, all of whom except Thomas reared families. Elizabeth married John Willetts; Priscilla was the wife of Benjamin Eves; Mary married Isaac Pursell;.
Rachel became the wife of Francis Eves and Martha married Reuben Crossley, and all
Reuben and Martha are the
settled in what are now Montour and Columbia Counties.
only ones now living. The former was born in Montour County and there grew to manhood. His health being poor, his parents feared that he was not strong enough to farm
and they sent him to learn the tanner's trade, which he worked at in intervals with farming.
He married January 27, 1831, Sarah, daughter of Chandlee Eves, and after naarriage
settled on a farm in Madison Township and engaged in farming forty-three years. In 1875
he came to Millville, and here has since resided. The following are the names of his
children who grew to maturity: Harriet,rwife of Reece M. Esk; Rachel, wife of A. P.
Young; Elizabeth, wife of James Rote; Mary, wife of Levi Pilkington, in Iowa; Anna,
wife of William Potts, in Chester County; Sarah is unmarried and resides with her sister
Mary in Iowa; Thomas C. resides on the home farm in Madison Township. Reuben is

built

by

bis grandfather, in

settlers.

the only one of the family who attained the age of seventy. He is now in his eighty-first
year and is hale and well after an active business life, in which he has been successful. He
Politically
is a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and Speaker in the same.
is a Republican, but was former]}^ a Whig; he has been devoted to Prohibition princiMrs.
ples for over forty years, and looks for the final triumph of the Prohibition party.
Sarah E. Wilson died September 23, 1878.
in
Val
WILSON, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born September 19. 1830,
His father, John Wilson, was also born there and marley Township, Montour County.
To
ried Frances H., daughter of Jacob W. Moss, whose wife was Sarah W. Simpson.
John Wilson and wife were born eleven children, nine of whom lived to be grown: Sarah
(deceased), Thomas, John M., Susan W., Francis M., Elizabeth (deceased), Nancy, RobThe parents of Thomas died in Montour County,
ert M., Margaret, Mary L., Charles.
where they were born. Thomas remained on the home farm until he was twenty-seven
years of age, at which time he married Mary Eves, daughter of John K. Eves. In 1857.
the same spring of his marriage, he moved to the farm he now owns, which was a part of
the JohnK. Eves farm. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have four children; John F., married Arabella Statton, has two daughters and resides in this township; Joseph M., residing in
Iowa; Norris and Frances H., at home. Mr. Wilson owns two good farms. In politics
he is a Republican.
A. PHILIP YOUNG, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born near Benton, Penn., November 17, 1835, the youngest of four children— that reached maturity born to Abram and
Ann (Peterman) Young. Abram was a native of New Jersey, and, removing to Columbia
County, Penn., located near Benton, where he engaged in farming' until his death in 1872,
at the age of eighty-seven.
He was for more than thirty years a justice of the peace and
took an active part pertaining to the improvement of the section in which he lived. He
was not sectarian but inclined to the Baptist faith. Politically he was a Democrat.
Mrs. Young was born in Montgomery County, this State, of Revolutionary stock, and at
this date, February, 1887, still lives with remarkable physical and mental powers, at the
age of nearly ninety-six years. Of the four children that grew up, Mercey Ann, the
eldest, became the wife of Mathias Roberts and died without issue; Aaron went to Illinois, Whiteside County, in 1851, married, engaged in farming and has several children;
Sarah, married Eli McHenry and resides near Benton. A. P. was reared to farming and
on attaining his majority ca'me to Millville to attend school at the Greenwood Seminary;
engaged in teaching in the public schools, and finally in the seminary, taking an active
part in teachers' institute, educational meetings and all measures to advance the standard
of intelligence. He then made a trip'south and west, returning in the fall of 1860, and a j'ear
later purchased the farm which he now owns, on which he has made many valuable improvements, raising the land from a run down barrenness to one of fertility. The title
" Old Briar farm " does not now apply to it. He married in 1861, Rachel, daughter of Reuben Wilson, one of the prominent representatives of the Society of Friends in this place.
To Mr. and Mrs. Young were born four daughters: Alice, after graduating from the
Bloomsburg Normal School and teaching two years, became the wife of Alfred H. Potts
of Parkesburg, Chester County, where she now resides; Ella, also a graduate of the
same school; Emma and Marj'. Mr. Young takes great interest in improving the blooded
stock of his neighborhood, and has a select herd of registered Jersey cattle. He is among
the foremost men in the Grange organization, and hns occupied the position of Deputy
Master in his county for six years; has also been identified with the I. O. O. F.

THOMAS

—

(33IO&EAJHICAL SKETCHES:

484:

CHAPTER

XXXIII.

HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP.
STINSON L. BUOBST, farmer,

P. O. Buckhorn, is a grandson of Jacob Brobst,who was
Northampton Count}', and later removed to wliat is now West Hemlock TownMontour County, where he died August 29, 1873, aged seventy-seven years and

a resident of
ship, in

His widow, Ellen Brobst, is still living in Bloomsburg. Their son, Daniel,
the father of our subject, is the eldest child, and in early life learned the trade of
shoemaking in Danville, at which he still works in winter. His home is in Valley TownHis wife, Rebecca (Johnson) Brobst, was born in Northampton
ship, Montour County.
•County, and became the mother of eight children, three of whom died young. The living
are Edward D., Benjamin F., Martin" L. (all living in this township). Marietta (single and
Mr. and Mrs. Brobst have for many years been
living with her parents) and Stinson L.
members of the Lutheran Church in Valley Township, in which he has been elder for
over ten years, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him. Stinson L. is
In early life he worked at farm-the eldest of the family, and was born October 32, 1850.
ing, and when he was thirteen years old he moved with his parents to West Hemlock,
where they remained. Their house was destroyed by fire three years later. The family
then moved to Frosty Valley, where, until he was twenty j'ears old, our subject worked
in the mines in summer and on farms and attending school in winter. He completed his
education in his twenty-first year, at Millville Seminary, Greenwood Township, this
county, and then taught school in Jackson Township four mouths, and for three years,
subsequently, worked in the mines. He then resumed teaching, w^hich he followed four
winter terms, returning to the mines for three or four years. At the end of that time, in
company with his three brothers, he bought the farm on which he now resides, to
which he moved a year later, and which has since been his home. November 15, 1879,
he married Miss Emma J., daughter of John and Susan Hartzel, of Mahoning Township,
Montour County. She had always lived with her parents until her marriage. To this
union three children have been born: Mabel G., Charles E. and Lloyd H., who live with
Mr. Brobst has been clerk of the school board for five years, and is an
their parents.
industrious young man who stands deservedly high in the community.
DEIGHMILLER, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn a sonof Henry Deighmiller.Sr.,
who came from Germany and settled in Bucks County, where he owned a farm, on which
our subject was born. In 1848 he sold the farm there and removed to this county where
His widow, Anna
he bought the farm on which his son now resides, and died in 1861.
Barbara, died in 1883. They had seven children, four of whom died young. Two daugh
Anna was the wife of Christopher Kuster, and Eliza was
ters died after being married
the wife of Augustus Rabb. Henry is the only survivor, was born August 10, 1843, in
Bucks County, and was six years old when his parents came to this county. In 1865 he
left home and worked on farms in this township for the following eight years, when he
teamed and threshed for two years, and kept hotel at Light Street for one year. He then
returned to Hemlock and remained a year, after which he farmed in Carbon County for
two years he then returned to the old homestead, on which he has since resided, farming
May 5, 1864, he married Miss Margaret Carrol,
it and threshing in fall and winters.
daughter of Charles Carrol. She was born in this township, but lived until grown with
her parents in Carbon County. Mr. and Mrs. Deighmiller have eleven children, all of
whom are now living Hannah. William, Ada, Charles, Minnie, Bertha, John, Sally,
Maggie, and Ellie and Nellie (twins). They are all living with their parents.
DENT, farmer, P. O Buckhorn, was born in Pine Grove, Schuylkill
County, Penn., July 13, 1845. His father, William, was a native of England and owned
a farm in Montour County, but spent most of his life in the ore mines. His wife was Susan Weldie, of New Jersey. He died in 1865, but his widow is still living, aged seventyone years, and makes her home chiefly with her son, Theodore. They had twelve children, three of whom died young one, Albert, was killed by an explosion in the ore mine
The living are William,
where he was working, at White Oak Hollow, this township.
who is superintendent of the mines at Milnes, Page Co., Va. Charles, who resides in
at
that
Montour
County,
and
is
of
the
ore
mines
place; Weldie, who is a
boss
Chulask3^
Franklin P.,
miner in this township George Henry, a farmer in Hemlock Township
who resides in Buckhorn; Elizabeth, is wife of Job Coslett and resides in Kingston, Penn.,
and Jane, wife of Franklin P. Baum, who resides in Bloomsburg. Theodore is the third
He married, November
son, and remained at home until he was tweuty-four years old.
•six

months.

who

is

HENRY

;

;

;

:

THEODORE

;

;

;

;

HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP.

485

Miss Cornelia, daughter of William Clinton, who was formerly a resident of
Mrs. Dent is
Michigan, and is now living with Mr. Dent, and is eighty-eight years old.
thirty-five years of age and the mother of the following named children
Charles Albert,
living
their
Jennie,
May,
Bella
and
Mary,
all
with
parents.
Mr. and Mrs!
Robert Russell,
Dent are members of the Lutheran Church at Buckhorn, and he has been for three 3'ear3
superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with the church.
EDWIN JONES, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn, is a native of the city of Bristol, England,
and his recollections extend back to what is considered by Americans quite ancient hisHe remembers the death of King George III, the accession and reign of George
tory.
IV and William IV, and the coronation of Queen Victoria. In 1851 he left England
Tvith his family, landing in the city of New York in September of that year.
While in
England he followed the occupation of a miner, chiefly of iron ore, and also followed
the same here until four years ago, when he abandoned it. The first place he worked in
this country was in Danville, Montour County, where he was in the employ of the Montour Iron Company until 1859, when he removed to the farm whei'e he now resides.
This property he had purchased in December, 1857, and is a portion of the so-called " Old
Judge Montgomery Tract," on which he subsequently erected a dwelling and suitable
outbuildings. Shortly after coming to this county he began cleaning up his land, and
two or three years later cultivating it. He built a house in 1859, for which, in 1875, he
substituted his present dwelling- June 3, 1838, he married, in South Wales, Miss Martha
Davis, who was born in Wales of English descent, and died Maj^ 24, 1883, aged sixtyseven years. They had four children born in Wales, three of whom are yet living; one
died in Wales; another was born in this country but is also deceased. The living are
Dorcas, wife of James Gulliver, a farmer of this township; Delilah, wife of William
Somers, lives with her father, and Edwin, married to Martha Everett, and lives in Valley
Township, Montour County, engaged in mining. Mr. Jones is a member of Frosty
Valley Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been trustee and steward, and for
some years a class leader. He has brought up his children to follow in his footsteps, and
now, in the evening of his life, is awaiting, with the tranquilit}'' of a true Christian, his
translation to a higher and better life.
N. PATTERSON MOORE, wagon-maker and justice of the peace, Buckhorn, is
descended from an Englishman, who came to this country long before the Revolution,
and settled in New Jersey near the Delaware River. On the outbreak of the Revolution
he cast his lot with his adopted country, as did also his son, Samuel, the grandfather of
our subject. Samuel was born in New Jersey in 1752; entered the army and served under
Washington, with whom he wintered at Valley Forge and crossed the Delaware. After
the war he moved to Northumberland County, where he remained until 1813, when he
came to Madison Township, Columbia County, and lived until his death in 1840. He
was a successful farmer, a man of fine business abilities and an elder in the Prsebyterian
Church at New Columbia. His wife was Sarah Farley, also a native of New Jersey, and
they had a family of nine children: Abraham F., Caleb, George, John, Catherine, Nancy,
Ellen, Phebe and Hester. John, the father of our subject, was born in Northumberland
County in 1797, and died in West Hemlock Township, Montour County, in 1868, aged
seventy years. When he was sixteen years of age his parents moved to Madison Township, this county, where he remained until he was twenty-six years old.
He then moved
to a farm in West Hemlock Township, Montour County, where he died.
He was a farmer
all his life and for about fourteen years conducted a distillery, also raised and dealt in fine
A few years before his death he was elected a commissoner of Montour County,
'horses.
but resigned on account of ill health. He married in 1831, Joanna, daughter of Matthias
Appleman, then living in Montour County. She was born in November, 1803, on the
farm, where she died in 1878, aged seventy-five years. Their children are N. P. (subject),
Matthias A., Samuel C. L., Abraham Grier, William Boyd, John M., Sarah, Mary Ellen
and Margaret, who died in infancy. Our subject was born on the farm in Madison Township, March 17, 1824, and was reared on the farm in West Hemlock Township until
eighteen years of age. He then began to learn the wagon-maker's trade, which he has
followed almost ever since. He established his shop in Benton in 1848 and there resided
fourteen years; in 1862 removed to Buckhorn where he has since remained. In 1869 he
was elected a justice of the peace, and is now serving his fourth consecutive term, and has
June 6, 1848, he married Miss Araminta,
also been mercantile appraiser for this county.
daughter of Isaac Kline of Orange Township, who was born November 25, 1835, and
six children have been born to their union: Mary Joanna, a teacher, residing with her
parents; Elmira Ellen, died in infancy: John Willit. married to Miss Mary Penman, of
Bloomsburg, and now lives in Topeka, Kas. Isora Lavina, taught school three years and
lives with her parents; Charles Herbert, who is now in a store in Fishingcreek Township,
;and Lizzie, who is teaching school in Buckhorn. As indicated by his repeated re-elections,
Mr. Moore is held in considerable repute by his neighbors.
SAMUEL OHL, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn, is a grandson of Henry Ohl, who came to
this country from Germany many years ago and settled in Berks County, where his son,
also named Henry, the father of Samuel, was born.
Henry, with his brother, John,
28, 1868,

:

;

486

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

tract of 300 acres, a part of which is the farm now occupied by our subject.
This land was then mostly in timber but he cleared the greater part of it. and it is now a
Henry married Catherine, daughter of Daniel Mericle of Madison Township,
fine farm.
and eleven children were born to them, viz.: Elizabeth, widow of George Smith, now living in Bloomsburg with her son; Eli, married to Joanna Stouffer, and living on a part of
the homestead; Henry, living in Michigan; Catherine, widow of Daniel Smith, living near
Buckhorn; Mary, wife of Seth Shoemaker, Uving in Buckhorn; Sallie Ann, who was mar-

bought a

ried to Esau Shoemaker of Buckhorn and died leaving two children; Jesse, who had
resided in the West, came home on a visit and died at his brother's house; Rebecca, who
was married to Geo. Hittle, and died near Buckhorn, leaving one child; an unnamed
Samuel is the second child and was born Janinfant, and a son who died when a child.
uary 29, 1820, in a house which stood near the site of his present residence. He has never
He married, December 25, 1845, Maria B.
lived off the farm on which he was born.
Straub, daughter of Adam Straub of this township, who was born December 30, 1826.
To this union eleven children have been born, three of whom died in infancy and HarThe living are: Thomas J., who married Sarah, daughriet L. when fourteen years old.
ter of John Betz, of this township, and now residing in Pittsburgh; Eli J., who is married
to Amanda Musgrave. of Greenwood Township, resides in this township; Margaret, wife
of Hugh Appleman, living in Hemlock Township; Amos, single and living in JPittsburgh;
Sarah S., single and living'with her parents; Anna E., also living at home, and S. Howard,
who is married to Miss Mary Yocum of this township, and works for his father. Mr. Ohl
has applied himself closely to his farming pursuits, refusing to accept any office. He and
family are members of the Grange; he is a member of Van Camp Lodge, No. 140 of
Bloomsburg, and, with his wife and family, a member of the Lutheran Church, in which
he has been an elder for several years.
ELI OHL, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn, a brother of Samuel Ohl, whose sketch appears
above, was born April 15, 1826, on the home farm. In his youth he worked at home until
the age of twenty-one, when he began working on his own account, partly at home and
In 1856 he went with Mr. Straub to
for five years for Adam Straub, in this township.
Michigan, where he remained until the fall of 1857 engaged in farm.ing. Returning to
this township he resumed work in this neighborhood, and bought a piece of land which
belonged to his father's estate. On this he subsequently built the house in which he now
March 25, 1858, he married Miss Joanna,
lives, and which has since been his home.
daughter of Samuel Stauffer, then of Madison Township. Mrs. Ohl's father died several
years ago, but her mother is still living in that" toAvnship, aged seventy-seven. Mr. and
Mrs. Ohl have five children: Austin S., unmarried and a farmer in Michigan; William
Clark, who makes his home with his parents and works at farming in this township;
Franklin Leroy, also at home; Mary Emma, wife of Hiram Bogard, in Mount Pleasant
Township, and Ada Lenora, who is living at home. Mr. Ohl is not an ardent politician,
but votes with the Democratic party. He and his wife and some of his children are members of the Lutheran Church at Buckhorn.
SYLVESTER PURSEL, farmer, P. O. Bloomsburg, is a grandson of Jonathan
He first
Pursel, who emigrated from New Jersey in the latter part of the last century.
located on the farm now owned by his grandson, James Depew Pursel. The farm on
which Sylvester lives was owned by his maternal ancestor, whose name was Green, and
who later sold it to his son-in-law, Daniel Pursel. Shortly after this he died, and the wife
of Jonathan Pursel dying about this time also, the two old people married, and lived on
Jonathan's children were all by his first wife, Nancy, and none
the Depew Pursel farm.
Daniel bought the place where Sjivester now lives, from his father, and
are now living,
Sylvester was born in this house
in 1816 built the stone house in which he now resides.
and has never had any other home. Daniel was a blacksmith by trade and also farmed.
He started poor, but by industry and hard work, helped by an equally careful and industrious wife, amassed a competence, owning this farm and the one owned by Isaac G.
He was a strong man in many respects; a consistent
Pursel, now living at Buckhorn.
member of and attendant at the Episcopal Church in Bloomsburg. He died about 1852,
aged eighty-three years. His wife was Mary Green, who was also from New Jersey. She
died during the civil war, aged ninety-one j^ears and one month. (A year before, when
ninety years of age, she knitted a large number of stockings and mittens for the soldiers.)
They had twelve children, one dying in infancy. The others were John, who died at his
son's, in Montour County, aged ninety-three years; Dennis, died three or four years ago,
aged ninety-one years; Hester died in Lycoming County; Jonathan died in Canada;
Robert lives in Michigan, aged eighty-eight; Daniel died several years ago; Annielives in
Ohio; William resides in Montour County; Abigail Maria died iu Bloomsburg; Isaac G.
Our subject, whg is the youngest of the family,
resides in Buckhorn, and Sylvester.
was born October 11, 1818, and has always been a farmer, working on the home farm unSince then he has stuck closely to it until
til his father's death, when he inherited it.
about five years ago, when he gave up the active work on it to his son, D. C. Pursel.
June 4, 1840, he married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Alexander Emmitt of this township,
who was born May 11, 1820. They had seven children, four of whom died in infancy;

HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP.

487

the others are Mary, born December 37, 1851, aud is wife of Franklin D. Dentter, a shoe
anerchant, of Bloomsburg; Emily, the second daughter, was born April 27, 1854, and died
August 6, 1856; the only surviving son is Daniel Clark Pursel, who was born June 19,
He is married to Miss Mary Alice, daughter of Charles Dietrick, of Buckhorn. He
1857.
now works his father's farm. Mr. and Mrs. Pursel are Episcopalians. He was for many
years a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and has the record of an honest man and
upright citizen,

GEORGE RUSSEL, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn, was born December 1, 1817, in Northampton County, Penn. His father, Robert Russel, was formerly a resident of Northampton County, but moved to this county, locating first in Bloomsburg; later at the
forks, and subsequently bought the place now owned by Reuben Guild, which he afterward sold to the Iron Companj-. He then bought the farm now occupied by his son
George, in Hemlock Township, near Buckhorn. He died in February, 1882, aged eightyeight years and nine months. His wife, Sarah Miller, died many years prior. He was a
carpenter by trade, but after coming to this county gave most of his attention to farmHe was an active, upright man, a strict member of the Episcopal Church in Bloomsing.
burg, and universally respected. He was the father of seven children, of whom two are
now living. The deceased were named as follows: Sarah and Caroline, who both died in
^arly life; Harriet was the wife of William Gillespie of this township, who is also deceased; Mary was the wife of William Clinton, who is living with his son-in-law, Theodore Dent; and Aaron, who died unmarried. The surviving are Elizabeth, wife of Reuben
Foulk of Northumberland County, and George, the subject of this sketch. The latter
was an infant when his parents came to this county, and he has all his life been a farmer.
He worked for his father until he was forty years old, when he rented his farm and
worked it until his father's death. He then inherited the new brick house which his
father had built, and fifty acres of land, which, with fifty acres he had bought adjoining,
gives him a fine farm. In October, 1878, he married Miss Mary, daughter of John Neitownship. They have no children. Mr. Russel is a member of the Grange,
and he and Mrs. Russel are members of the Lutheran Church in Buckhorn. He takes
but little part in politics and would not hold any ofllce, preferring to give his time and

Jiart of this

attention to his farm.

AARON

SMITH, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn, was born in Frosty Valley, August 7,
David and Catherine (Heiner) Smith, who came to this county from New
Jersey, and were among the earliest settlers of this part of the county. After living here
awhile David Smith, who was born Marcli 31, 1781, bought a farm near where his son now
resides, and which is owned by Peter Werkheiser, the country at that time being a wilderAfter living on the place for some time he rented a farm in Frosty Valley, where
ness.
he lived until 1840, when he moved to Briarcreek and resided two years; then moved to
the farm where his son Aaron now lives, which he bought some years before, on which
there had been a house.
Here he resided the remainder of his life, dying October 23,
His wife died about 1832, and later he married Annie Liedy, of this township,
1856.
whose family were old settlers in this part of the county, but have now all emigrated
west. By his first wife Mr. Smith had a large family, of whom the following are living:
John, in Illinois; Samuel, in Michigan; Isabella, wife of Samuel Holder, resides in Milton,
Northumberland County, and Aaron. Our subject worked on the farm until he was
eighteen years old, when he learned the milling trade, which he followed eight years.
He then resumed farming, which he has since followed. In the fall of 1858 he bought the
home farm from the estate, and has since resided there. January 1, 1843, he married
Rachel Fowler, daughter of William Fowler, of Nescopeck, Luzerne County, and the following namedchildren were born to their union: Boann,born January 3, 1844; Sarah Alice,
1821, a son of

born April

26, 1845, wife of Charles Tittle, of Bloomsburg; Fanny Dianathy, born May 5,
September 14, 1857; Ella Udora, born September 26, 1854, wife of George Erwin,
and resides in West Hemlock Township, Montour County; Emma Jane, born April 26,
1850, married William Gulliver, and died April 11, 1872, leaving one child; Hugh W.,
born February 9, 1857, married Mary Gillaspy, and died October 11, 1885, leaving one
child; Clara Bell, born September 15, 1862, died March 23, 1863, and Norman Ellis, who
was born June 11, 1847, and worked for his father until he was of age. March 3, 1870, he
married Miss Mary, daughter of Levi Cox, of Bloomsburg, and who was born March 20,
1851. They have had five children: Lucius C, born May 14, died August 14, 1871; Edith
Lavina, born August 15, 1872; Nellie Irene, born May 15, 1874; Hugh Otis, born August
19, 1877, and Lizzie Iri, born April 21, 1882.
Mr. Smith has held several township offices,
and was sheriff of the county one term. He is now warmly interested in the prohibition
cause, and was a delegate to the State convention of the Prohibition party which was held
at Harrisburg in August, 1886.
He and Mrs. Smith are members of the Baptist Church in
Madison Township, and he is spoken of by his neighbors as a straightforward, plain-spoken
man, and one whose word can be relied upon. He has been superintendent of the Union
Sunday-school at New Columbia for twenty years past. When David Smith first came
here there was but one log cabin where Berwick now stands, and he often used to tell of

1846, died

36

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

488

the difficulties and hardships he encountered in
assist

making

a

home, having no one

to-

him.

EVAN THOMAS,

Mount Pleasant Township,
and grandfather both resided. The latter, Thomas Thomas,
having
fingers
shot off in a fight with the
his
by
a Revolutionary soldier, was crippled
English and Indians. He died about twenty years ago in his one-hundredth year, and his
descendants yet repeat the stories he told them of the hardships he endured while fighting for freedom. His son. John C, the father of Evan, was born in the State of New
York, and came to this county, settling in Mount Pleasant Township, where he was marHe died four years ago, aged seventy-three
ried, and where his children were born.
His wife was Miss Eliza, daughter of Frederick Miller, of Mount Pleasant Townyears.
Their children are Hiram, who resides
ship, and died in 1860, aged seventy-four years.
in Mount Pleasant Township; Elizabeth, wife of George Keller, of Millersburg, Juniata
County; Susanna, wife of William Beers, of Bloom Township; Catherine, married to
Lawrence Hartman, of this township: Hester, wife of Lewis Girton, also of Hemlock;
Sarah Margaret, who was the wife of Emanuel Wood (the latter was accidentally killed
in a mine, and she is now married to William Weber, of Juniata County); William, who
is unmarried, resides in Mount Pleasant Township; Frederick, who died young, and Evan
In early life our subject worked on a farm and
(subject) who was born May 16, 1885.
also in the ore mines until 1870, when he rented a farm and cultivated it until 1880, when
he bought the place on which he now resides. In 1860 he married Miss Mary, daughter
of David B. Wagner, of this township. Eleven children were born to their union, one
of whom died young. The living are John, William, Jacob, Lewis, Hiram Lester, Edward, Charles, Sarah, Hannah and Rosanna. Mr. Thomas is not a politician; has never
held office, but has attended strictly to his own business, and votes the Democratic ticket
this county,

where

farmer, P. O. Buckhorn, was born in

his father

regularly.

DAVID

B.

WAGNER,

farmer, P. O. Buckhorn,

was born on

the

farm where he now

His grandfather came from Germany over a hundred years
resides, October 22, 1814.
ago, and was one of the first settlers of Columbia County, taking up a tract of over 600
This tract is now divided into nine farms.
acres adjoining the present farm of David.
His son, Isaac, was the father of our subject, and was twenty -.seven years old when his
parents came to this county, and shortly after, in 1801, he married Elizabeth Betz, of
Madison Township. He then bought 100 acres of land adjoining his father's, on which
he resided until his death, in 1861, at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife died when
her youngest child was ten years old, and Isaac then married Mrs. Sarah Leidy, who survived him three years. Mrs. Elizabeth Wagner had nine children who arrived at years of
maturity, and several who died in infancy. The former were Abraham, now deceased;
Isaac, a resident of Madison Township; Dinah Ann, deceased; Labright, also deceased;
Margaret, residing in Indiana; Elias, deceased; Sallie Ano, widow of Benjamin Bomboy,
and resides in Bloomsburg; Mary Elizabeth, widow of Jacob Latchaw, who was killed
while in the Union Army, and David B. Our subject has been a farmer all his life, but
the last year has retired, his son-in-law, Evan Thomas, carrying on the farm for him. In
Four and
April, 1835, he married Mary, daughter of Michael Stecker, of this township.
a half years later she died, leaving one child, Henry William, now living in Schuylkill
In 1840 Mr. Wagner married Sarah Ann. daughter of Jacob Girton, of
Madison Township, and the following children w^ere born to their union: Mary Elizabeth, wife of Evan Thomas; Catherine Matilda, wife of William Mericle, of Madison
Township; Jacob L., married to Lucy, daughter of John Welsh, and resides in Northumberland County; Isaac, who died when eight years old, and Hannah, the youngest

County, Penn.

child, who lives with her father.
six years, also school director; is a

in

which he has been elder

Mr. Wagner has been supervisor of his township for
member of the Presbyterian Church at New Columbia,

thirty years.

MATHIAS WHITENIGHT,

Mordansville, Penn., was born
Sr.. farmer, P. O.
Buckhorn, same State, August 16, 1811, and is one of a family of fourteen children,
but two now living. His father was born near Easton, and came to this part of the State
when a young man, settling at Buckhorn, where he married Rebecca Hoffman. Both
have been dead many years. Their children now living are our subject and Catherine,
wife of Aaron Miller, of Hemlock Township. Our subject was but five years of age
when his father moved to the place where he now resides and which has since been his
home, he inheriting it on the death of his father. He married, in 1838. Miss Mary Ann
Kline, and for some time previous to that event, worked in the still house of William
McKelvy in Bloom. To him and his wife fourteen children were born, ten of whom are
living: Henry William, living in Michigan; George, in Madison Township, keeper of the
poorhouse; Maria Catherine, wife of Amos Heller, of Madison Township; Rebecca Jane,
who was married to George Beagle, and after his death to John Tanner, of West Hemlock, Montour County; Mathias, who owns a farm adjoining his father; Mary Ann, wife
at

of John Howell, of this township; Susanna, wife of Henrj^ G. Frane, of Mahanoy City;
Mahala Elizabeth, wife of Charles Smith, of Catawissa: John Wesley, who is single and
lives with his brother-in-law, John Howell, and Isaiah McClellan, who is married to Miss-

489"

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Jennie Purcel and resides with his father.

Mrs. Whitenight died July

25,

1879.

Mr.

of the Ge-man Reformed Church at Jerseytown.
YOCUM, farmer, P. O. Bloomsburg, Penn., a son of John and Jane
(Soper) Yocum, was born in 1830, in Shamoliin Township, Northumberland County,
where he resided until he was thirteen years old. He was reared on tl e farm and at the
age of sixteen began to learn the blacksmith's trade with Samuel Shick, and after comHe then began for himpleting his apprenticeship worked as a journeyman until 1858.
In 1871 he bought the
self, and followed his business in this township for tt irteen years.
Drinker farm, which he has greatly improved, and in farming and stock raising has been
very successful. In 1858 he married Elsie, a daughter of Jacob Shoemaker, an old resiMr. Yocum is
dent of the county. The children born to this marriage all died young.
a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bloomsburg, of which he is a
He is also a member of the Grange.' Politically he is a Democrat.
trustee.

Whitenight

is

a

member

DANIEL

CHAPTER XXXIV.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
IRAM DERR,

farmer, P. O. Derrs. was born in Madison Township, Columbia Co.,
son of James and Nancy (Kitchen) Derr, former of whom, a native
of Anthony Township, Montour County, died in Tennessee, latter a native of Madison
Township, this county, and a daughter of William Kitchen, who was born in New Jersey.
Judge Derr lived in Madison Township, this county, and there learned his trade (chairmaker), serving a five years' apprenticeship, and in 1831 went to Orangeville, where he
bought a house and pursued hio business till 1836; then was elected constable of Bloom
Township, serving two years; then moved to Rohrsburg in the spring of 1838, where, tilL
1841, he kept hotel; thence came to Jackson Township, and located on Little Fishing:
creek. Tht re he built a saw-mill, and in the fall of 1843 was elected sheriff of Columbia.
County, his residence being in Danville till 1848. He then returned to the saw-mill, and
In
in 185^ moved to his present home, which was under improvement except buildings.
the meantime he was elected commissioner in 1853, serving till 1856; was also justice of
associate
judge,
being
re-elected
in
since
elected
1871,
which
the peace, and in 1866 was
time he has not been in public life. His home farm consists of 116 acres; healsoowns558
acres in Jackson Township, and 100 in Greenwood Township. Judge Derr's first wife was
Leah, daughter of Joseph Welliver, whom he married October 26, 1831. She died February 16, 1874. The children born to this union were John F., George W., Nancy K.,
Andrew J., Frank, Mary W., Calvin, James D. and Effie. Our subject next married,
August 29, 1876, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Watts nee Lunger. The family, excepting John F.,
are members of the Church of Christ, of which Mr. Derr has been a member since 1857.
In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN F. DERR, farmer, P. O. Derrs, was born September 22, 1832, son of Iram
Derr. He attended the common schools and the academj' at Bloomsburg, and in his nineteenth year commenced teaching and lumbering, former in winter, latter in summer. He
was married in 1853, and 'continued lumbering till 1862, when he went to farming on the
place where he now resides (adjoining his father's property), where he owns fifty-eight
After moving here he served two terms as school director, and eight years as jusacres.
He was then appointed storekeeper and gauger
tice of the peace, resigning July 15, 1885.
by the Government. During this time he has taught twenty-seven terms of school, teaching winters sixteen terras in his own district. Mr. Derr was married to Rebecca, daughter of John Christian, of Pine Township, this county, and by her he has two children:
Mary A. (wife of James S. Woods, in Schuylkill County, Penn.) and Ida F. (unmarried).
Mr. Derr has been a member of the Baptist Church for twenty-five years. In politics he

Penn., June

4,

1811,

—

is

a Democrat.

FRANK DERR was born

January 2, 1840, at Rohrsburg, this county; was drafted
and served in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment; was mustered in and out at Harrisburg; was married February 4, 1864, to Miss
Julia A Shultz; resided at Rohrsburg and followed millwrightin^ and carpentering until
1873; then moved to Jackson where he has been in the lumbering business. The children born to our subject and wife are Laura, Leah, May, Minnie, Earl and Fred. The
family attend the services of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Derr is a Democrat.
DANIEL L. EVERHART, farmer, P, O. Waller, was born in Northampton County,
Penn., December 23, 1823, and came to this county in 1836, first locating in Orange TownJ.

in the service in 1862,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

400

His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth ( Anawalt) Everhart, former of whom, a son
of Isaiah Everhart, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., and died in Orange Township, one
mile and a half north of Light Street. They were members of the Lutheran Church and
had a family of six children: Daniel L., Wilhelmina A., Augustus, Sarah K. Luther J.
and Anna S. Of these only Daniel L. and Augustus live in Columbia County. Our subject
lived at home until he was twenty-two years old, then moved to Berwick, this county, where
be learned milling and worked about eighteen months; then went to Nescopeck, Penn.,
and worked six months; thence to Wapwallopen for three months; then for a time in an
iron mine at Bloomsburg; and thence to Light Street where he worked in the mill with
William Brown, whose daughter, Mary E., he married in May, 185L Mr. and Mrs. Everhart resided nine years at Light Street before he opened a hotel at that place, which he
kept nine years. Thence they came to his farm of 112 acres ( the home farm ) and 124 in
woodland. Mr. and Mrs. Everhart have reared five children: Clara, wife of Z. A. Butt;
The family attend the services of the MethCharlie, Alverda H., Abner C. and Alvaretta.
odist Episcopal Cnurch. In politics Mr. Everhart is a Democrat, and held the office of supervisor for one year. He was also postmaster from 1866 to 1872 at Polkville, which is now
He ;is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Encampcalled Waller (Columbia County).
A. M. He served nine months in the army during the war of the
ment, and is an A. F.
Rebellion.
HIRLEMAN, farmer, P. O. Waller, was born in France, near the German
border, son of George and Dorothy (Wet tling) Hirleman, former of whom had been a
soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte during the war with Russia; he died in January, 1885,
aged one hundred years and one mouth. Mrs. Dorothy Hirleman died in February, 1882,
Their familj^ consisted of seven children: George. Henry, Philip,
at Pottsville, Penn.
Magdalena, Sarah, Barbara, and Louisa, who died on the ocean. The family sailed for
America from Havre de Grace, France, April 27, 1829, arriving at Philadelphia after a
voyage of forty-two days, and a few days thereafter moved to Pottsville, Penn. Our sub
ject came from there to Columbia County, January 26, 1846, and settled at what is now
Waller. He purchased seventy-five acres of timber land which he improved, and now
He married, at Sunbis farm of ninety-six acres is one of the best in Jackson Township.
bury, Penn., Barbara Fry, who was born near Mr. Hirleman's birthplace, and came to
America at the same time as the Hirlemans. To this union were born the following
named children: Sarah, Louisa, Henry H., Emma, George, Jacob, Magdalena, Daniel,
Samuel, Philip and Alice. Henry H. was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., and now
He was mai-ried January 13, 1870, to Elvira Hess, daughter of Joseph O.
lives in Waller.
Hess of Sugarloaf Township, this county. He built his present dwelling in Waller in
1883, and kept store in the village for a considerable time, but on account of failing
health had to sell out and take up farming and huckstering. The subject of this sketch
commenced business for himself running from 1839 to 1845, a canal-boat in the coal trade,
from Pottsville to Philadelphia, New York, Wilmington, Governor's Island and Long
He owned a deck boat of about seventy tons burden, valued at |1,000. In 1845
Island.
he was employed by the Pha?nix Company on the railroad driving a five-mule team, hauling coal from Broad Mountain to Schuylkill Haven. Removing to his farm in 1846 he
commenced buying and driving stock to Schuylkill County; was also in the lumber,
shingle and produce business. Mr. Hirleman has served his township eleven years as
school director and treasurer; six years as supervisor, besides other minor offices. He is a
member of the Lutheran Church. In politics is a Democrat.
JAMES W. KITCHEN, farmer, P. O. Guava, was born in Greenwood Township,
Columbia Co., Penn., December 24, 1826, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Van Horn)
Kitchen, who settled in the northwestern part of Sugarloaf Township in about 1849.
Here Samuel bought 136 acres of land and died. His widow is living in Jackson TownThey had seven children: Cyrus, in Crawford County, Penn.;
•ship with her son Calvin.
James V/., Isaiah, in Nebraska; William, in Putnam County, Ohio; Calvin, in this township; Mary J., wife of J. Lewis, in Crawford County, Penn.; Beulah, wife of G. H. Hess,
an Crawford County. James W. was married April 12, 1849, to Catharine, daughter of
William Stephens, and she died January 2, 1867, the mother of four children: Jasper,
Elmira (deceased), Sevilla, wife of William Yorks, and Mary E., wife of William Hawthorne, of Crawford County, Penn. Our subject married on second occasion October 17,
Mr. Kitchen came from Jackson
1880, Mrs. Sarah C. Fritz, daughter of William Rhone.
Township in 1851, and settled where he now lives, about four miles northeast from WalHe was elected justice of
ler, and here owns seventy-eight acres of improved farm land.
the peace and served ten years; was school director eleven years, and filled other minor
a
Democrat.
In politics he is
offices.
RANTZ, retired farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, one of the prominent men of Jackwas born near Orangeville, this county. May 3, 1811, son of John, Sr. (a
Township,
son
farmer) and Elizabeth (Hit tie) Rantz, the latter of wliom survived her husband and became the wife of Joseph H. Robbins. Shortly after the birth of our subject the family
removed to Rohrsburg, thence came to Jackson Township, eventually locating on the
place where John F. Derr now resides, and here the father died in March, 1822, the owner of
ship.

&

GEORGE

JOHN

491

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

200 acres of land. Our subject lived till 1825 on the old place, but his mother, on marrying
the second time, in 1823, moved to the place where John Rantznow lives. Joseph H. Robbins owned seventy-six acres, now the property of our subject, who has added thereto till
he possesses 300 acres (at one time he owned about 400 acres). The Robbms family (mcluding our subject) moved to Ohio in 1836, and there Mr. and Mrs. Robbms both died.
In 1838 Mr. Rantz returned and built his house and barns. October 22, 1843, he married
Mary, daughter of John Christian, and by her had four children: Elizabeth, married to
John L. Parker, who was killed at Fort Gregg during the war of the Rebellion, leaving
one child, Laura Mary, wife of Lee Belles (Mrs. Parker then married Joseph Reece, by
whom she had one child, Lundy, and she died when the child was four days old); Jacob,
Penn.; Rebecca,
a merchant in Rohrsburg, this county; Christian, in Lycoming County,
wife of Francis Albertson, of this township. Mr. Rantz has lived on his present place
ever since his marriage. He learned his trade, that of stone-mason and plasterer, when
nineteen years old, and followed this business until 1885, when he retired. He worked
seven years on locks and bridges, and helped build a stone bridge across the Schuylkill at
Black Rock Tunnel near Phcenixville. Penn. Both as a government contractor and an
He taught school five terms during
agriculturist Mr. Rantz has been very prosperous.
Our subject is a member of the Christian Church at Derrs. In politics he is a
his life.

Republican.

,

GEORGE REMLEY,

_

,

^

rrr

,,

farmer, P. O. Waller, residing three miles, north of Waller, is
a son of Michael and Mary (Hartman) Remley, former of whom was born in 1802, and
came to Jackson Township in 1840; he died at Stony Brook, near Light Street, this county,
Februarv 20, 1886 (his father, also named Michael, came from Northampton County to
Centre Township, this countv, three miles east of Orangeville, in 1800, and died near
the Knob Mountain while residing with his sister Elizabeth, wife of George Sidler). Mrs.
Marv Remley was a daughter of George Hartman, who died on the old homestead in
Jackson Township in 1875 or 1876. When Mr. Remley came to this township in 1840. he
bouglit 120 acres of land in the woods, and there reared a family of ten children: George;
Anna, wife of Henry Gettv; Sarah, wife of Henrv Golder; Mary, wife of George Getty;
Matilda, wife of Gotleib VVagner; Susanna, wife of George Hess; Rebecca, Avife of
William Swyu; Daniel, who died in the army; Emanuel and Catharine. George married
Januarv 14. 1854, Catharine Schutz, who was born near Coblentz, Prussia, and they lived
on their present place, part of the old homestead, where he has now 78 acres of well improved land. Mr. and Mrs. George Remley reared a family of ten children: Michael; John
W.; Mary (deceased); Margaret;' Rebecca; G. B. McClellan; Samuel; Hannah; Emma, and
The family attend the services of the Evangelical Church. Mr. RemStella (deceased).
ley is a member of Jackson Grange, No. 210; has filled several offices and is now serving,
his third term as supervisor. He was in the army during the war of the Rebellion, serving
twice, first time nine months, and second eighteen months.
MICHAEL S. REMLEY, farmer, P. O. Waller, son of George Remley, was bora
December 7, 1854, on the old homestead where he now lives. He remained and worked)
at home until he was nearly twenty-one years old; then went to Bremer County. Iowa,
where he remained five years. Returning in 1880 he married, April 9. 1881, Miss Mary M.
Kline, who was born in Fishingcreek Township, this county, near Stillwater, only child of
Charles and Lavina (Kline) Coleman, former now living at New Columbus, latter a daughIn 1882 they came to their present location, where Mr. Remley
ter of Matthias Kline.
bought fifty-three acres of land, and erected a good house. Our subject and wife have
three children: Jay, Coy and Amy Grace. Mr. Remley is a member of Jackson Grange,

No.

210.

JOHN YORKS,

farmer, P. O. Waller,

was born May

5,

1807, in

New

Jersey, son of

He lived under tlie parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age,
and then (1828) commenced working on the canal at Penn's Creek, below Selin's Grove,
Penn., and in 1829 on the canal at Berwick, continuing to work on the railroad. He

William Yorks.

on his present place, having bought fifty acres of land from Jake Keeler,
woodland, which he cleared up and improved. He now owns sixty acres. Mr. Yorks
married Lucy, daughter of Daniel Ashelman, and by her has had twelve children, three
of whom died in infancy. Those surviving are Martin. Wesley, Emanuel, Emeline,
Eliza, Franklin, Sutton. Peter and Martha. Our subject's father, William Yorks, was of Low
Dutch descent, and came from New Jersev. settling in Fishingcreek Township, this county.
His children Avere John, Samuel, Thomas, Joseph, Catharine, Mary. Hannah and
in 1791.
Benjamin was born in New Jersey, married a Miss Hall, and together they
Elizabeth.
moved to Fishingcreek Township, where he rented a farm two years, then came to this
township, and in 1820 settled where D. S. Everhart now lives. He bouglit 1U6 acres of
land and died in Lycoming County, Penn.. at the residence of Mrs. Eliza Clemmens. His
wife died at the residence of her son Henrv.
JOSEPH YORKS, farmer. P. O. Waller, son of Joseph Yorks, Sr., was born February 12, 1823, in Sugarloaf Township, this county. When only a month old he lost his
father, and when about six years old he was put to live among strangers in Luzerne County,
and came to Jackson Township when about eleven, and remained until lie was sixieea
settled in 1831)
all

492

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

when he returned to Sugarloaf Township. In 1853 he married Hannah, daughter of Ephraim Parker, and they lived at the mill of William Yorks, in Sugarloaf Township, whic;h mill he operated himself until coming to this township in 1860, though he continued carrying on the mill until 1867. Mr. Yorks bought the laud he now lives on in
1851 or 1852, and improved the place with his own hands.
He has here the nicest builddngs in the township north of Waller. He also owned other lands in the township. Mr.
and Mrs. Yorks are the parents of five children: William L. Martha F., wife of William
A. Fritz, in Sugarloaf Township; John L. Henry E. and Joseph P. Our subject has
.filled several township offices such as supervisor, school director, etc.
In politics he is a
years old

;

;

Democrat.

William

L. Yorks, son of Joseph Yorks, was born in Sugarloaf Township, June
and was educated in the schools of Jackson Township and at Millville Seminary. At the age of seventeen he commenced teaching school, and has taught every
•-winter, excepting three, since 1870.
He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, December 24, 1874. with Miss Savilla, daughter of James W. Kitchen, and by this
unnion there is one child, Leslie W., born July 4, 1875. In 1875 Mr. Yorks and his young
wife came to their present home where he owns sixty two acres of well improved land.
Me has filled various offices and is at present auditor.
4, 1853,

"^

CHAPTER XXXV.
LOCUST TOWNSHIP.
JONATHAN BEAVER,

farmer, P. O. Mill Grove, was born in what is now Locust
Co., Penn., October 24, 1838, to Daniel and Esther (Marts) Beaver,
the former a native of Berks County, Penn., and the latter of this county. When Daniel
Beaver was about six years of age he came to this county with his father, who was a
tanner, which trade he followed while living in Berks County.
On coming to this county
the latter kept tavern in the same house where Jonathan now lives, which is a stone structure, built in 1806.
He afterward 'turned his attention to farming and in his last years
lived retired.
He died at the age of eighty-six years. Daniel, the father of Jonathan,
•was a farmer; married and lived and died in this county.
His death occurred June 22,
his sixty-tifth year, in the house where our subject now lives, and was buried in
1871,
Numidia Cemetery. His widow resides in Roaringcreek Township, this county. Our subject was reared and spent his life on the old homestead where his grandfather settled. He
worked with his father until 1867, wiien he bought the farm of ti'fty-two acres. He was
married in Northumberland County, Penn., December 31, 1870, to Margaret Johnson, a
native of Northumberland County," and a daughter of Samuel and Achsah Johnson; her
parents are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver have no children of their own, but have
an adopted son, Harvey, and a girl whom they have reared, Mary. Mr. Beaver and son,
Harvey, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the Danville
Baptist Ciiurch. Politically he is a Democrat.
CAMP, farmer, P. O. Numidia, was born in Northumberland County,
Penn., December 15, 1828, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Henkel) Camp, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled
in Berks County, Penn., whence
his grandfather emigrated to Northumberland
County, and followed farming until his death. Our subject's father was born in Northumberland County and there remained engaged in farming and the carpenter trade. He
moved to this countyabout 1830, settled in this township, and engaged in farming until
his death in 1872.
His wife died about four years prior; both were members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject was brought up to the carpenter's trade which he followed until
about thirty-two years of age. He followed contracting about twenty-two years, taking
contracts for building coal breakers, and erected two very large ones in Schuylkill County,
containing over 600.000 feet of lumber, and also several smaller ones. He resided twentytwo years in Schuylkill County, a part of the time in Pottsville and a part in Ashland. In
1863 he enlisted in the militia, and was out two weeks, at the battle of Antietam. In the
fall of 1865 he came to Columbia County, settled on the farm where he now resides,
and built a fine two-story frame house, which is one of the best in the township, and the
improvements on the place are all first-class. Mr. Camp owns 106 acres of good land.
He married, in January, 1850, Harriet Henkel, who has borne him nine children, five of
•whom are living: Lucinda, wife of Edward Cleaver; John H., married Clara Cherington;

Township, Columbia

m

SAMUEL

_

493

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.

Camp are members
married Mary Balig; Lincoln and Elmira. Mr. and Mrs.
this township nine years, and is one of
of
auditor
as
served
He
Church.
Lutheran
^f the
'^'
P. O. Roaring Creek, was born.in Columbia County
^ELuIh c'crEAV^^^^^^^^^^^
Cleaver, natives of Penn. and of
Penn.. March 18, 1833, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Case)
came from Scotland in 1-86, and
:Scotch-(Holland Dutch descent. His great-grandfather
His maternal ancestors, six generations back, came
Settled n New Jersey where he died.
and settled in New
(the exact date taken from the old records)
£,m Holland in
Columbia County, Penn.,
His ancestors on both sides came from that State to
Jersey
he engaged in
The grandfather, David Cleaver, settled in Catawissa where
about 1806
place ^nd the only one at that
mercantile business; was among the first merchants of that
400 or 500 acres-which
He also owned several farms in Franklin Township-some
time.
Susquenanna House,_
as the
known
Catawissa
in
hotel
brick
the
built
He
out
he rented
business all his life after coming to this
mercantile
in
engaging
it,
SonduSed
never
but
John and David
Sunty HeTared sii children: Rebecca, Elizabeth, Elijah, Joseph,
Adam Case came about
whom are now deceased. Sublect's maternal grandfather
bought a farm along the Catawissa
the same time and settled in Catawissa, where he
He reared a family of thirteen children, as
Creek He carried on farming all his life.
Jacob,. Nathan, Malan Christian
follows: Elizabeth, Hester, Sibilla, Jonathan, William,
Four of these are yet hving: Christian at Havre de
ton Sarah, Rebecca, Susanna.
widow of John Manley, in
Grace Md; Jonathan, in Illinois, married a Miss Cox; Sibilla,
Shamokm. Peiin Adam Case
Danville Penn.. and Rebecca, wife of Richard Douty, in
subject, was born in Catawissa Towndied January 29. 1848. Joseph, the father of our
After his marriage he settled
brought up a farmer, and also did teaming.
sWp> and
there followed farming all his life,
in what is now known as Franklin Township, and
His widow died January 27,
1834.
owrng a farm at the time of his death, February 33.(deceased)^
Harriet (deceased), Mati They were the parents of five children: Eliza
1856
and Rebecca (deceased).
da (wife of Allen John, in Mahaska County. Iowa). Elijah C.
he remained with his
Our subject was only eleven months old when his father died and
In 18o2 he
four years.
mother until sixteen vears of age, when he hired himself out for
Township which he
Smmenced life for himself, and rented a farm in Roaringcreek
Matilda keeping house for him. After
cultivated one year before his marriage, his sister,
and then moved in o Catawissa
Ms marriage he remained on the same farm one year, the
spring of 1857, he moved to
Township, where he remained two years laboring. In
He has
of land.
where he now resides and purchased the farm consisting of 104 acresHe married, March
made all the improvements on the place, all of which are hrst-c ass. Cool.
Mr. and Mrs.
(Smith)
1853 Martha A. Cool, daughter of Philip and Hannah
now ^^^"gj^^^sley M. BritCleaver are the parents of nine children (eight of whom are
Mary J Perry) Nelson E Curtis
ton W. (married to Sarah Ernest), Charles L. (married to
Hannah L. Wesley M. is a graduate
(deceased), Clarence Grant, Joseph C, Rosie A. and
Normal School, and
both courses (degrees: B. E., M. E.; B. S.. M. S.) of the Bloomsburg
1886. classical course; Nelson E. is a graduate of
alsoagSarfroS
has attended, three years. Dickinson
the collegiate preparatory course of Bloomsburg; he
Mr. Cleav.r has served a^ school director
College, Carlisle, and will graduate in 1887.
of the Methodist Episcoone tirm He and his wife and five of their children are members
Catawissa. Dunngthe civil war he served
pal Church. He is amember of the G. A. R. at
Volunteer Militia, and was at Camp
in Company I. Thirteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania
In politics he is a KeBiddle and Cold Springs, near Hagerstown during an emergency.
Andrew C

,

S

'

SS
M

wi

•

S

m

farmer, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Columbia County, Penn.. Febfather was a native of Carlisle
ruary 4 1853. to John and Maria (George) Earnest. The
At the age of
Columbia Co Penn.. and there learned the trade of a blacksmith.
in which he cartwenty-one he moved to Columbia County and built a blacksmith shop,
farm duiing the latter part of his life
ried on his trade a number of years. He bought a
After coming to this
and followed agricultural pursuits until his death. January 30. 1883. her home with Elias.
makes
county he was married to Maria George, who is yet living and
in Locust TownHer husband is buried in Numidia churchyard. Our subject was reared
His father willed him the farm
shin where he has always resided on the old homestead.
making in all ninety three acres at
of eighty-three acres, to which he has since_ added,
present. He has made farming his occupation.
.
t
f
in what is now Locust
OLIVER EVANS, farmer, P. O. Roaring Creek, was born
father
His
Evans
(OUver)
Sarah
and
Evan
of
son
1834
July
13,
Township this county.
grandfather
was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of New Jei^ey. His paternal
settled in what
came from Wales and his grandmother from England. His grandfather
on the farm adjoining where our subject now reis now Locust Township, in this county,
farming until his
He bought a tract of land about a century ago and followed February
sides.
23. 1815.
December 15. 1831. Subject's father was born in 178o. married

^"^ELIAS EARNEST,
.

.

,

.

;

death.

and

settled on the farm now owned by his son.
called upon to act as arbitrator, etc.

was often

;

He was a prominent man in his day. and
was well educated for his time taught
;

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

494

school for a number of years, and was looked up to by his neighbors. Politically he
His death occurred December 22, 1843. Sarah, his wife, died December 13,
a Whig.
she had made her home in the house
1878, aged ninety years, two months and ten days
where Oliver resides from the time she began housekeeping until her death. She and her
husband were the parents of ten children, nine of whom lived to manhood and womanhood (six are still living): Mehetabel, widow of George Hughes, of Catawissa Jane, wife
Harriet Oliver Lavinia, widow of Thomas Beckof Peter.K. Mensch, in Roaringcreek
and Mary, widow of Charles Dyer, in Roaringcreek. John died
er, in Plymouth, Penn.
October 26, 1817 Ann, wife of Enoch Wolverton, died in April, 1860 James E. died in
the service of his countrj', in the regular army, at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Penn.,
November 21, 1862 Sarah, wife of Amos Strausser, died October 12. 1886, in Franklin
Our subject was reared on the farm where he now resides and which
County, Mo.
has always been his home. It consists of fifty-eight acres of good land. He was married
February 28, 1861, to Deborah A., daughter of John C. and Rachel (Hibbs) Myers, natives
of Northumberland County, Penn., born before Columbia County was takes from Northumberland. Mr. Evans and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In
Mr. Evans has in his possession an old pocket-book that bepolitics he is a Republican.
longed to his grandfather Oliver. It is probably over one hundred years old and contains receipts dated 1772, and other papers dated more than one hundred years ago.
WILLIAM FETTERMAN, farmer, P. O. Numidia. was born in his present residence.
Locust Township, January 16, 1842, a son of Jonas and Mary A. (Barriuger) Fetterman,
natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent.
His grandfather George came here from
Berks County over a century ago, and settled on the place where our subject now lives.
He took up about 1,000 acres of land and first built a little log cabin in which he lived a
number of years. He also built the present residence of our subject about three-quartersof a century ago, and was among the first settlers of this county.
He was a stone-mason
by trade which he followed during the early part of his life, but later followed farming.
He was the father of eleven children, five of whom survive, viz. Elizabeth Fisher, Sally
Yeager, Catharine Hamer, John and Joshua. The father of this family died in 1859, and
is buried in the cemetery of the Evangelical Church, of which denomination he was a
member.
Jonas Fetterman was born on the farm where his son, our subject, now
resides.
He was a farmer and remained on the old homestead which he owned at the time,
of his death. After that event our subject bought the homestead, where he has always resided.
This farm was taken up, cleared, etc., by the Fetterman family and is still owned
by the name. In 1862 William Fetterman enlisted in company H, One-hundred and Thirtysecond Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months. He participated in other engagements at Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, which
were hard-fought battles.
He married, October 21, 1873. Catharine Lewis, and they are
the parents of three children: Lizzie, Nola and Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Fetterman reared a
family of seven children, of whom the following are still living: Catherine, wife of David
5. Helwig; Rebecca, wife of William Stefnogh, residing at Berwick, this county; Charlotte,
wife of Amandus Billeg; Henrietta, wife of Michael Fetterolf.
Mr. Fetterman's farm
now consists of 123 acres; his grandfather took up a large tract, but sold it all off with the
exception of 200 acres at the time of his death.
DAVID HELWIG, farmer, P. O. Roaring Creek, was born in Columbia County,,
Penn., April 30, 1838, a son of Peter and Charity (Martz) Helwig, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His great-grandfather came from Germany, and his grand-

was

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

:

father, Frederick Helwig, came from Berks County to Columbia County about 1800, and
settled near Catawissa, where he bought a large tract of land and lived until his death.
He was quite an extensive farmer in his day, and very successful. In his political views
he is a stanch Democrat. Our subject's father was born in 1801; was reared to the shoemaker's trade, which he followed off and on; also learned the mason's trade, at which he
worked for several years. After his marriage he settled on the farm where Peter Helwig
now lives, and there resided for a number of years, when he sold out and moved to Catawissa, and lived a retired life until his death in 1881.
His wife died some years before.
They were the parents of nine children, five of Avhom yet survive: David, William,
Eliza, Peter and Mary (wife of Daniel Fenstermacher).
Our subject was reared on a farm,
and at the age of twenty-four married and commenced business for himself. He farmed
year later he
until 1873, when he bought the farm of fifty acres where he now resides.
moved on it and added to it, until now it consists of eighty acres of fine land. He erected
a good residence and a fine barn at a cost of about $3,000. He married, in May, 1867,

A

Sarah, daughter of George Graig and Martha (Fox) and the following named children were born to them: Henry, wife of Ida Gaston; Joseph W., married to Sarah Wagner; Maria, wife of Galen Yeager; George B. McAmsey; Charles; Hannah (deceased),
Sussn, Maude and Edward. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr.
Helwig has held the office of school director and tax collector.
C. HENRICKS, farmer, P. O. Numidia, was born in Prussia, Germany, February
His father
1847, a son of Joseph and Sophia (Drifs) Henricks. natives of Germany.
followed farming in the old country, and in 1867 with his family took passage on a sail-

6,

^^^

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.
iogvesselatHambvug and landed

in

New

Y^^^^^^

Se^e%^?siS aSlil fl^hS w^lJe^rikM
trade, and

f^^oj^^^^^^^^^^^^Xd'!^^^^
Our subject then learned the carpenter's
years, ?^h«f„li«3\^S'^.S;iL
ent residence, with the exception of about two
in Cook
is stiH livmg and ^^^^^^^^^jj
mother
his
but
Ashland,
in
1869
in
His father died
'^uVi J:
stuwn^^^^^^^
<;hildren, six of whom are
°ine
of
parents
the
were
They
County, 111.
Caroline, ^i^/ ^^
John;
Blanch;
Joe
wife
of
Rechor,
Charles
J^^f/Jf eonS^Ung of 1^^^
and Sophia. In 1880 our subject bought the tarm ^l^^f.^fi^^ochildren were'bon to
following cuarenw«
April 8, 1869, he married Minnie Hans, and the
acres.
(deceasedyyilliam,Chri^^^^^^
?Sem: Frederick, John (deceased), Charles, Hannah
the Lutheran i^nurcn,
Mr. and Mrs. Henricks are members of
gast, Martyn and Emma.
and he is also a member of the Grange.
„K^^r,
;t, T
nnmt Township.
Locus^
HERBEIN, miller, P. 0. Roaring Creek, was Jorn in
natives of
Catherine
and
^
K.
this county. August 12. 1841, a son of Peter
(;f^°;f ^^^^^'^i" and
^^ame/i^.™
great-grandfather
His
Berks-County and of German descent.
.^''Xut i815,
can.e to this
settled in Berks County, whence his g^^ncifather David
f "77j^«S,\l,eA
a le^^^^
lUor
S^i^t-m
a
operated
and
property
a
settled in Slabtown. bought
which
bought a small farm, and a few years later a tract of land on
^J^^^jI'^Yej^j.^ed the
he^e^
Our%ubjecfs father was but a small boy when the ^amiy moved
sevencSren:
1869, the t^lf "^^ of
^^/^^ g^rah T.
miller's trade, which he followed all his life, and died
Rolandus, Albert, David, Susan, Peter, Mary A (wife «J <^^«/.f.^tunlil
outbreak
the oui
until Uie
Our subject was reared to the miller's trade, and worked for his tf^^^iGuards in the nine
Catawissa
of the Rebellion, when in August, 1861, he enlisted in the
months' service. They went from Catawissa to Harrisburg; thence ^^ Wa^f "^g'^'Jlerbeiii
t
p .„ ^nd
and participated in their first battle at Antietam. After that .fngap"^^.^;
at Hai per si^ji^
y-^^^
was seized with typhoid fever, and was taken to the field hospital
^^^^"'J;^;'
home.
him
lay there some weeks when his father came and took
,
:„ed about a
remam
he
where
hospital
^.^_
ery he took a relapse and was moved to Harrisburg
month; was then taken to Little York, where he remained ^"^^^^ .^'^.'.fSas
After
a
from
suffered
since
charged; then he returned home, and has
Mr.
^^^l^?^t 'awor\i
being
,,^" „.„„
his return he engaged in milling until 1880, when he retired,
several
"^'^'I'fdirector^^s^
scb^l
Herbein has served as townshtp auditor, judge of elections and
^^
^t^^"'^ .
terms. In 1883 he was messenger in the House of Representatives
^^g Qe,..
is ^
married, in November, 1866. Lucy A. Fetterman. Mrs. Herbem
™^oT Numidia. In
man Reformed Church. Mr. Herbein is a member of the I-O- V" V' r, duu
ami ai small tract
politics he is a Democrat.
He owns his lot and residence ii; blabtown,
„
of woodland containing about eighteen acres.
,
county.
„„oiTin
this
this^^^^^^^^^
SILAS H. JOHNSON (deceased) was born in Roaringcreek Township
August 28, 1809, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Roberts) '^ol^^^^^'/'tn
and
n
canie trom Holland
County, Penn., and of German descent. His great-grandfather
^^ ^^^
from
came
";;,
his great-grandmother from AVales.
His grandfather
and there
f^l^f^^J
log ui
umbia at an early day and settled in Mine Gap, where he built a s^aU came
j^^^^j^
father
s
subject
Our
lived until his death, making baskets and brooms.
^^^^^
bou ni a
he
where
Township,
County in 1806. and settled in Roaringcreek
^^^^^^^^^^
stone-nidsuu
a
was
He
years.
of
Joseph Strahl and there resided a number
^^
tueu
the trade in early life. Later he moved to Locust Township, and t^eif
^^^^ -^^^^

ROLANDUS

f

m

•

was the father of fourteen children, four of whom survive: Levi, resiamg
^^ j^^^_
Wis.; Martha, in Numidia. Columbia Co., Pean.; Silas H. and ^^^'^"','\'.rade which
Pet"*-!
-^^
than W. Black. Our subject was reared on a farm and learned the cai
^oiiv un^ ^^ ^^
he followed for five or six years. He was then employed on public
^^ ^^ »^^
acr*^^one-halt
years, and saved up enough to buy a farm of twelve and
acres,
bougnt ui
too small to plow and too biff to hoe. so he sold it and
^^^ ^^ ^.g_
^
u
pa
ana
it.
sold
With that purchase also he was displeased, and accordingly
^^^^^ ^^^
acres in a
i

^.

.

'^
ceived on the farm he now owns. He first bought ninety;three
^^^^
This farm ^fs all iini^"^.^^ ^^^^^^
at the time of his death owned 155 acres of good land.
^
ou
an
it
cleared
He
consequence was that he had to begin in the woods.
^^
now the^secon^
house which is still standing and is over fifty years old. There /^^
^^^^^
ot nis u
result
the
was
accumulated
buildings on the farm and all that he
g^rbara
and economy. He married, in November, 1831, Eliza, daughter o\ J^^°"sevi.
J^^of whom
children
(Fisher) Runk. Mr. and Mrs. Jonhson were the parents of eight_
in
/s^
are living: Henry B., in Oliphant, Luzerne County; George
l^'i^f^^^'yt^Jo-^, k. jn
^K-inMounfCarmel, X^wa; Mary E.. wife of Henry T. John, Mount J'^^^i JjJ,^^ied in
^
Marshall County, loVa Lizey and Isaac C. residing in this township Mrs Jf f f ^^Ylntvre
i°
is burie
1876, a life-long member of fhe Methodist Episcopal Church, and
^J^^fi^^^^^
fill ajacaiiY.^.^^^
Cemetery. Mr. Johnson served as justice of the peace a short time to
^^
directoi^ ^J- " ,
,
also supervisor of the township and served six years as school
^f
resiaeni.
of t^^^J)
his death, which occurred February 12. 1887. Mr. Johnson was one
qua
tnree
over
for
it
of
with the interests

W

;

^

f

.

,

Columbia County, having been identified
of a century. In politics he was a Republican.

496

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

DANIEL LEIBY, Sr., (deceased) was born in Northumberland County, Penn., in
June. 1808, a son of Frederick and Catherine (Pensyl) Leiby, natives of Pennsylvania and
His grandfather, Frederick, came from Germany when quite small
of German descent.
-with his parents, and settled in Shamokin, Northumberland Co., Penn. He was a cooper, a
weaver, a farmer and a "Jack of all trades." He owned a farm and was quite extensiveHe moved °,to this county about 1818 and settled
ly engaged in agricultural pursuits.
where Joseph Carland now resides, and bought a large tract of land on which he made
He
all the improvements, and the houses which are yet standing are built of brick.
served in the war of 1812. His wife used to load a couple of sacks of grain on her horse
and take them to the mill at Hamburg, being three days on the round trip. Daniel, our
subject, was about twelve years old when his parents moved to this county, and remained
After his marriage he settled at Slabtown, where he lived
at home until he became of age.
two years. In 1847 he bought tlie place where Daniel, Jr., now resides, it all being timber.
By hard labor for many years he accomplished a great deal, cleared it all off, built a
house and barn and here lived until his death in December, 1883. He was twice married;
first to Mary Yost, by whom he had five children, two living, Elias and Jeremiah.
The
deceased are Reuben, Catherine and George W. Mr. Leiby next married March 13, 1853,
Susanna Dilleplaw, a native of Oley Township, Berks County, and of French descent.
Her grandparents came from France and settled in Berks County, where they purchased
farms and followed agricultural pursuits. Eight children were born to his second mar
riage, seven of whom survive: Daniel, Jr., Jackson, Mary E., Hannah, James M., Emma
and Andrew. By a former marriage Mrs. Leiby was the mother of two children, Sarah
and Margaret. Mr. Leiby was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, in which
he was deacon and elder for many years, and always took a deep interest in religious
affairs. He had a host of friends, and was often called upon by his neighbors to "doctor"
their horses and cattle, to cure snake bites, etc.
He had held a number of township
offices, and was looked up to as a thorough Christian man, honest in all his dealings, and
was deeply mourned by his family and friends. Daniel, Jr., was born March 14, 1853, and
remained at home until of age. He worked out a few years, and in the winter of 1885
bought the old homestead consisting of 140 acres. He was married March 25, 1875, to
Rebecca Elizabeth Stine, and seven children were born to them, five of whom are living:
Maggie S., Nettie V., James E., Susan M. and Grover Cleveland. The deceased were
Nora A. and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Leiby are members of the Presbyterian Church.
DAVID LEIBY, farmer, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Shamokin Township, Northumberland Co., Penn.. December 22, 1822, a son of Frederick and Catherine (Pensyl)
Leiby. His father was a native of Greenwich Township, Berks Co., Penn., and his
mother of Shamokin Township, Northumberland County, and of German descent. His
grandfather, Pensj^l, was born in Reteberg, Germany, came to this country when ten
years of age and settled with his parents in Northumberland County, where he followed
farming all his life. His grandfather Leiby was born in Berks County, but moved to
Northumberland County about 1775, where he followed farming all his life, and was
among the first settlers of that county. Our subject's father was born in Berks County,
and moved with his father to Northumberland County, where he lived until 1817, when he
came to this county and settled near Numidia, in Locust Township, where he bought
150 acres of land which was patented.
He liv-ed on it nearly twenty years before paying
for it, and never paid any rent. The laud was nearly all timber, and he had a hard time
clearing it off; bears and panthers at that time were also numerous. He died on this farm
in 1868, and is buried in Numidia Cemetery.
He was a soldier in the war of 1812, for
which his widow drew a pension for a number of years. He was the father of the following children: Daniel (deceased), George (decea.sed), John, David, Samuel, Hannah (wife
of Solomon Rider), Sarah (widow of Jacob Hoover), and Polly. David, our subject, was
only five years of age when his father moved to this county, and remained with the latter
until his death.
In 1865 he bought the farm where he now lives, consisting of 150 acres of
laud, and has lived here since.
When a boy he worked hard for his father, helping him
to clear the land, and by his industry alone has acquired all that he now owns.
He married, in February, 1850, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Maria Raup, and to them were
born eleven children, eight living: Caroline, wife of Michael Stine; Lloyd married
Amanda Stine; William H. married Catherine Honerberger; Abram L. married Catherine
Mowry; Maliala, Hannah, Ida I. and Minui A. Mr. Leiby and family are members of
the Presbyterian Church.
His ancestors figured prominently in Northumberland County,
and his father was a prominent early settler of Columbia County, of which Mr. Leiby is a
substantial citizen.
P.

SAMUEL

LEV AN, farmer, P. O. Newlin, was born in what is now Locust TownOctober 21, 1827, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Poe) Levan, natives of
Pennsylvania, and of French descent. His great-grandfather, with three brothers, came
from France, and settled iu the lower counties of Pennsylvania, where they lived and
died.
His grandfather, a farmer, was born in Berks Count.y, Penn., came to this county
about a century ago, and bought a large tract of land on which he built and resided until
his death.
Benjamin Levan, subject's father, was a large land owner, and built the stone
ship, this county,

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.

497

residence now occupied by John Levan. This is now three-quarters of a century old, and
was- in its early days considered a very elegant home. Benjamin used to keep as many
as six horses, employing a large number of hired hands, and was in his time the
most extensive farmer in his neighborhood. He died about 1845, in Centre County, Penn.,
and his wife in the State of Illinois, where she is buried. They were the parents of eleven
Our subject was
•children, only three of whom are living: John, Samuel P. and Daniel.
reared on a farm, and remained at home until fourteen years of age, when he hired out
on a farm. He burned charcoal one summer and chopped wood one winter, and worked
at Michael Mowry's five years, until he became of age, when he got a suit of clothes and
$100 in money, and was sent to the ministry. He was connected with his brother in
Numidia and Kerntown in mercantile business for three or four years, and also di-ove a
huckster wagon over the county when it was still thinly settled. After his marriage he
moved to where he now resides, and renled the place for twelve years, and at the end of
that time bought the farm which he still owns, consisting of 127 acres. He was drafted
October 16, 1861, in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, served nine months, and paid $100 for a substitute. He was married,
in September, 1856, to Charlotte Fox, who bore him six children, four living: Wilson,
Laura, Ruth ana and Kimber, and died in July, 1883. Mr. Levan married, in March, 1885,
Rosanna Giible, by whom he has one child Frank T. Mr. and Mrs. Levan are members
He is also a member of the Grange; has been inspector of
of the Methodist Church.
elections, and is one of the prominent and successful farmers of Locust Township.
DANIEL P. LEVAN, farmer, P. O. Numidia, was born in Roaringcreek Township,
this county. May 21, 1831, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Poe) Levan, natives of Pennsylvania and of French descent. His great-grandfather and two brothers, who were all
Huguenots, left France on account of religious persecution, and settled in Berks County,
Penn. His grandfather, Daniel, was born in Berks County, and while young moved to
Northumberland County, took up a tract of land, but did not remain, coming to Columbia
County, and settling in Roaringcreek Township, where he owned a large tract of land.
He lived here untifhis death, engaged in farming. Our subject's maternal grandfather,
Poe, served in the Revolutionary war. Our subject's father was born in Berks County,
and came with his parents to Columbia County, where he became a large landholder and
an extensive farmer. He died in Centre County, Penn., in 1842, and his wife in Stephenson County, 111., where she is buried near Freeport. (For further ancestral history, see
sketch of S. P. Levan.) Our subject was reared on a farm, and at the age of eleven j'ears
went to live with his sister Mary, with whom he remained about five years. At the age
of seventeen he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade with Casper Shutt, at Slabtown, and served three years. He then followed his trade about twenty-four years, a
part of which time was spent in Schuylkill County. In the fall of 1864 he moved to
where he now resides, bought forty-two acres and put up all the improvements, which are

—

He

gave up his
flrst-class and extensive, and now owns ninety-five acres of good land.
trade in 1874, and has turned his attention since that time to farming, at which he is successful.
He has been twice married; first in May, 1857, to Anna Stokes, who was accidentally killed in 1858 by being thrown from a wagon, her skull being fractured. In
May, 1860, he married Sarah J. Christian, who bore him ten children; Anna (wife of

Henry Perry), Rebecca (wife of Charles S. W. Fox), Flora A., Walter, Elmer, Amy S.,
D. Raymond, William C, Emma C. (deceased), and Benjamin F. (who was killed by
lightnnig in 1878, when ten years of age). Mr. and Mrs. Levan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He is also a member of the Grange. His great-grandparents and

grandmother (then an infant) were captured by the Indians in Berks County, taken to
Valley, Luzerne Co., Penn., and kept a prisoner for seven years. The parents
became separated and the mother had to marry a chief to save her life. When she and
her cliild were aided in escaping, she returned to find her husband married again, he
believing that she had been killed.
LEMUEL PARRY, farmer, P. O. Bear Gap, was born in the southern part of Wales,
April 9, 1822, a sou of Lemuel and Eleanor (Daws) Parry, also natives of that country,
where tlie father lived and died. Prior to coming to America our subject worked on a
farm and also in the iron works. In 1851 he left his native country, took passage in a
sailing vessel at Liverpool, G. B., and after a voyage of five weeks and three days, arrived
in New York.
Thence he came to Penn.sylvania and remained about a month at Tamaqua, after which he went to Minersville, Schuylkill County, and worked in the mines until 1866.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantrj', under Capt. Leib of Ashland, and served nine months,
participating in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. In the spring of 1866
he moved to where he now resides, and bought 135 acres, on which he has made nearly
all the improvements, and has one of the nicest residences in the township.
He married,
December 24, 1854, Joann Powell, a native of Carmondale, whose parents were also natives
of South Wales. To Mr. and Mrs. Parry eleven children were born, eight of whom are
Mr.
living: Lemuel, John, William, ilary E., David, Clara E., Even T. and Chester A.
Parry commenced life in this country with very little capital, but by industr}^ and hard
labor has acquired a comfortable home.

his

Wyoming

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

498

THOMAS SEABORNE, merchant

and farmer, P. 0. Newlin.was born in the county of
and Catherine (Harper) Seaborne,
They were the parents of
of Welsh descent) and both natives of England.

Hereford, England,
(the latter

November

nine children: William,

8,

1842, a son of Philip

John, Catherine

(deceased), Elizabeth

(deceased),

Margaret,

Thomas, Mary, Anna, Jane (deceased). The father who was a farmer, died in June, 1886.
Our subject was reared on a farm in his native country and also worked in the fireworks
in Wales.
At the age of twenty-four he took passage at Liverpool for America, and after
a voyage of eleven days landed at New York. May 33, 1866. He intended making Chicago his destination, but finding his funds insutScient he stopped off at Minersville, Penn.,
and worked in the mines one year. He then farmed three years for a man who wanted
an English farmer, after which he married and moved to Columbia County, where he
rented a farm in Locust Township. After six months he moved to Centralia, and there
engaged for six months in mercantile business until 1872, when he bought the property
where he now resides. Here he engaged in mercantile business until 1874, when he sold
out his stock to Lee & Rhodes, moved to Ashland, Penn., and again engaged in mercantile business until January, 1877.
At that time he moved back to Newlin, where he has
since been engaged in mercantile business, carrying a general stock. He was married, in
November, 1869, to Margaret Bryant. Mr. and Mrs. Seaborne are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns forty-six acres of land and his store building
and residence, and his way of doing business is sure to lead to success.
WILLIAM B. SNYDER, of the firm of Snyder Bros., merchants, Roaringville, was
born in Locust Township, this county, June 29, 1858, a son of Mayberry and Margaret
(Yeager) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania and of English-German "descent. His grandfather, John Snyder, came from New Jersey to this county at an early day and located
in Mifflin Township, where he bought a farm, and died in 185J.
His maternal grandfather, Yeager, was a stanch Democrat, and took an active part in politics; served one
term as commissioner of this county. Our sabject's father was born in Mifflin Township,
this county; moved to Locust Township in 1847, and purchased afarm in 1866, where he has
since resided and is still engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the father of two children:
William B. and John W. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a liberal education.
In 1882-83 hewasclerkin thepostoffice and store of Jacob Yeager at Slabtown, and December 1, 1884, with his brother John, embarked in mercantile business, which he has since
continued under the firm name of Snyder Bros. They started on a small scale, but their
business soon increased, when they were obliged to seek more roomy quarters. They
recently finished a fine two-story building, 26x32, with tilass front in store-ioom, erected at
an expense of $2,000. The Messrs. Snyder are enterprising young men, and deserve great
credit for their manner of conducting business.
William B. was married to Ida J. Cool

December

1,

1886.

SOLOMON STRAUSER,

farmer, P. O. Roaring Creek, was born in Northumberland
County, Penn., August 15, 182;") a son of Peter and Mary (Adams) Strauser, natives of
Pennsylvania and of German descent. His grandfather, Casper Adams, came from Germany, settled in Northumberland County, where he bought a large tract of land, and followed farming all his life near Elysburg. Our subject's father was born in Berks County,
Penn., and while young went co Northumberland County, where he followed farming
a number of years. In 1834 heremoved to where our subject now resides, bought 100 acres
of land, to which he af terward'added, and there lived until his death in 1856. He was the father of ten children, four of whom are living Mary, Solomon, Levina and Peter. Our subject was reared on the farm
at the age of twenty-three married and moved to Slabtown,
where he worked by the day for one' year. After liis father's death he bought the farm,
of 111 acres and moved on it, where he has since lived.
He married, August 15, 1847,
Louisa Helwig, who has borne him eleven children, seven of whom are living: David,
John, Nathaniel, Sarah (wife of Richard Adnms), Elias, Harney and Elizabeth.
Mr. and
Mrs. Strauser are members of the church. He served as overseer of the poor and has
been supervisor eight years.
ELIAS H. WHITNER, merchant, Newlin, was born in Roaringcreek Township,
this county, March 28, 1853
a son of John and Catherine (Helwig) Whitner, natives
of Pennsylvania and of German descent.
His great-grandfather, who was a minister of
the gospel, came from Germany. His grandfather, Abraham, was born in Berks County
and came to Columbia County about 1810. He was one of the earliest settlers in Roaringcreek Township, where he bought a tract of land and remained engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. He at one time was a large land-owner, having what now constitutes
three farms.
Our subject's father was born in Roaringcreek Township, in 1827, and was
reared to farming. After the death of his father he came into possession of the old homestead, which he still retains.
He is the father of three children Mary, wife of Cornelius
Felterman Elias H., and Sarah, wife of John D. Reinbold. He and wife are members
of the Reformed Church. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until
sixteen years of age, after which he spent his time in teacliing and attending: school and
various other avocations, until the spring of 1881. He then engaged in mercantile business
atMillgrove, in partnership with O. W. Cherington, and thus continued until the spring of
;

:

;

;

:

;

LOCUST TOWNSHIP.

499

when Mr. Whitner sold his interest to his partner and started in mercantile business
He carries a general stock valfor himself at Newlin, which he has since followed.
ued at $3,500, insured. He married, April 8, 1880, Flora E. Cherington, who has borne
him four children, two of whom are living Lulu and Claudia. Mr. and Mrs. Whitner
are members of the Reformed and Methodist Episcopal Churches, respectively. He is
postmaster at Newlin, having been appointed June 20, 1884, the office having been established July 12 of the same year. He owns the building in whieh he has his store and resMr. Whitner is an enterIt is a two-story structure, erected at a cost of $2,000.
idence.
prising gentleman, courteous and genial, and enjoys a good trade. In politics he is a Republican.
DR. J. C. WINTERSTEEN, physician and surgeon, Numidia, was born in Mifflinville, this county, May 8, 1862, a son of Joseph O. and Lydia (Wolf) Wintersteen, natives
of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-German descent. His grandfather, Robert, was born in
Scotland, came to this country when a young man and settled in New Jersey, where he
lived until his marriage. He then moved to Columbia County, Penn., and settled in
He and his wife are both buried in
Mifflin Township, where he resided until his death.
Our subject's father learned blacksmithing when about fourteen
Mifflinville Cemetery.
years of age, and has since followed that trade. He built a shop and residence in MifflinIn connection with his trade he also
ville, where he has lived for about sixty years.
attends to auctioneering. To him and his wife twelve children were born, nine now living: Dora, wife of Jeremiah Maury; Jordan; Laura; Lloyd, an attorney at Bloomsburg;
Susan, wife of Dr. I. A. Fetherolf, residing in Mazeppa, Union County; Mattie C, wife of
W. C. Hartsell; Rush G., husband of Nan Schweppenheiser; John C, married to Fannie
A. Shuman, and Minnie A. The deceased are Fannie, William H. and Warren H. Our
subject was reared in Mifflinville, where he attended the schools until nineteen years of
He then read medicine under Dr. J. L. Shuman, of Wapwallopen, and after his
age.
death his preceptor was Dr. B. F. Gardner, of Bloomsburg. In the fall of 1884 he entered
Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and graduated in the spring of 1886. In April
of the same year he bought the practice of G. V. Means of Numidia, and is just now
establishing himself as a practicing physician and surgeon, for which profession he is well
November 26, 1883, he was married to Fannie, daughter of George A. and
qualified.
Mary A. (Yost) Shuman. Dr. and Mrs. Wintersteen are parents of two children: Fred
B. and George A. The Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Wintersteen is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
LIVINGSTON YEAGER, tanner, Slabtown, was born in Locust Township, this
county. May 22, 1847, a son of John Yeager, who married a Miss Byerly, and both were
His grandfather, John, came from
natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent.
Berks County to Columbia County when quite young, settled in Slabtown, and built the
He followed tanning several years, and then
first tanyard in this section of the county.
kept the first hotel in the village of Slabtown in a little log cabin. He was a shoemaker
by trade, owned four or five farms, and resided here until his death. Our subject's father
was born here, and reared to the tanning business, which he followed until his death in
Livingston Yeager was reared in Slabtown, and when a boy learned the tanning
1867.
business with his father. At the age of twenty-two he commenced for himself, and
worked for his brother Millington in the upper tanyard for about four years. He
worked at Elysburg, Light Street and Bloomsburg, and in the spring of 1881 took
possession of his father's old tanyard, and has conducted it very successfully to the present time. In February, 1869, he married Joanna Laubach, and five children have been
born to them: Kersey, Clarence, Ezra, Charles and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager are
members of the Presbyterian Church.
YOCUM, farmer, P. O. Elysburgh, was born in Roaringcreek Township,
this county, September 8, 1848, a son of Elijah and Jane (Campbell) Yocum, natives of
Pennsylvania and of German descent. (For ancestral history see sketches of Elijah L.
and E. Yocum.) At the age of twenty-one our subject married and settled where he now
resides and where he has since remained, and owns 150 acres of land.
He married
Johanna, daughter of James and Hannah Hile. Mr. and Mrs. Yocum are the parents of
eleven children, seven of whom are still living: Daisy E., John W., Ezra E., William Alven,
CJlaude C, Raymond E. and Henry Hile. Mr. and Mrs Yocum are members of the
United Brethren Church; he has been a member of the school board one term, and was
elected and served one term, in 1885, as constable. In politics he is a Democrat. Our
subject is descended from an old and prominent family of the county.
EZARIAH YOCUM, farmer, P. O. Bear Gap, was born in Roaringcreek Township,
this county, February 8, 1851, a son of Elijah and Jane (Campbell) Yocum, natives of
Pennsylvania and of German descent. Elijah's maternal grandfather, Mclntyre, first settled in what is now Catawissa Township, on the place now owned b}^ E. M. Tewksbury,
and known as the Mclntyre farm. He was one of the first settlers of the county, the Indians being quite numerous at that time, and died in Roaringcreek Township. Elijah,
subject's father, a farmer and lumberman, moved into Locust Township about 1855, and
settled where his son, E. L., now resides, and owned over 1,000 acres, which he divid1883,

:

OBEDIAH

BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:

500
ed before his death.

Mr.

Yocum was

a

man

of great business capacity, and died Iq

Joanna, wife of Phineas Thomas; Sarah, wife
of John Johnson; Obediah; Ezariah; John and Elijah L. Our subject was reared on a farm
and remained at home until twenty-two years of age when he married and settled down
where he now resides. He owns 386 acres of land, of which about one-half is under culMr. Yocum has made nearly all the improvements on his farm, and built a large
tivation.
two and one-half story frame house in 1876, which is one of the finest residences in the
He married in 1873, Joanna Hummel, and four children were born to them: Samplace.
uel C, Ester J., Laura B. and Emma D. Mr. and Mrs. Yocum are members of St. Paul's
United Brethren Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
ELIJAH L. YOCUM, farmer, P. O. Elysburgh, was born in Locust Township, this
county, July 31, 1859, a son of Elijah and Jane (Campbell) Yocum, natives of Pennsylvania
and of German descent. His grandfather first settled in what is now Catawissa Township,
this county, on what is known as the Mclntyre farm, and was one of the first settlers of
Elijah, our subject's father, was at one time a large land owner, having
this section.
about 1,500 acres of land. He was engaged in farming and lumbering and was one of the
most successful men in the county in business affairs. He owned two saw-mills, and sometimes had steam saw-mills on his place. He died January 19, 1882, the father of ten children: Elizabeth (deceased), Johanna, Jesse (deceased), Caleb (deceased), Sarah, Obediah,
Ezariah, John C, an infant unnamed (deceased) and Elijah L. The mother of this famOur subject remained with his parents
ily is yet living and resides with her son, Elijah L.
until his marriage, then resided with his mother until the death of his father, and now
Mr. Yocum has a finely improved
lives on the old homestead consisting of 175 acres.
place and is an industrious citizen. He married, December 34, 1879, Sarah J. Yost, and
their
union,
William
child
has
blessed
E.
Mrs.
Yocum
is a member of the Methodone
In politics Mr. Yocum is a Democrat.
ist Episcopal Church.
NICHOLAS A. YOCUM, of the firm of Yocum & Brother, merchants, P. O. Bear
Gap, was born in Northumberland County, Penu., September 6, 1854, a son of Peter M.
and Eliza G. (Gilger) Yocum, natives of Northumberland County, and of German descent.
His grandfather, Gilger, a farmer, came from Germany and settled in Northumberland
County. Our subject's father, Peter, was a farmer during the greater part of his life, and
was also engaged in mercantile business a few years, but is now living a retired life. His
wife died August 5, 1881. Our subject was reared on the farm on which he worked (except two years spent at painting) until 1881. when he engaged in mercantile business with
H. M. Yocum. which partnership still continues. He married, February 4, 1882, Clarissa
He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal and United BrethJ. Thomas.
ren Churches, respectively. In politics he is a Republican.
Henry M. Yocum, of the above named firm, was born in Northumberland County, Feb.
Our subject was reared on the
19, 1845, a son of Peter M. and Eliza G. (Gilger) Yocum.
farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age. In 1863 he enlisted in the State
militia, and served about four months: in March, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One
Hundred and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close
He participated in a number of battles,
of the war under Capt. A. B. Brown, of Danville.
among them Cold Harbor and front of Petersburg, the most of his army life being passed
At three miles west of Petersburg his company went in
in Virginia and West Virginia.
with fifty-six men and came out with twenty-two. He was mustered out July 9, 1865, returned home and remained on the farm about five years. In 1870 he began clerking for
Peter Yocum, witli whom he remained eight years. He then farmed two more years, and
in 1881, in partnership with his brother, Nicholas, bought the store of Peter Yocum and
engaged in mercantile business. They carry a general stock, valued at about $2,800, and
1881, the father of ten children, six living:

trade.
Our subject was married, December 25, 1865, to Mary
A. Brofee, who has borne him six children: Elsie, Ida, Wesley, Kimber, Curtis and
Bessie E. Mr. and Mrs. Yocum are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
politics he is a Republican; was elected justice of the peace in 1880, and held that oflJice
five years. The mother of Mrs. Yocum came from Philadelphia and her father from Ireland.
DANIEL YODER, farmer, P. O. Roaringcreek, was born in Northumberland County,
Penn., July 12, 1847, a son of Abraham and Catherine (Troutman) Yoder, natives of
Pennsylvania and of German descent. His father's great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in Berks County, where he resided several years and then moved to
Schuylkill County, bought a tract of land, farmed and kept the old tavern at Mount
Pleasant, but later left the place and went to Delaware County, Ohio, where he died.
He never received anything for the farm he left, which was afterward taken up by other
parties who discovered coal on it, and it became a valuable property.
Our subject's
father was born in Berks County, but spent the greater part of his life in Schuylkill
County. He owned several properties, and in early life followed lumbering and teaming.
In 1867 he came to this county and settled in Locust Township near the foot of the Little
Mountain, where he bought some mountain land, and resided until his deatli in July,
1880.
He was the father of eleven children, eight living: Aaron, who served in the civil
war and lost a limb; Daniel, Samuel, Hannah, Leah, Rachel, Elizabeth and Susan. Our

have a large and increasing

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

501

was reared on a farm and remained at home until twenty-two, when he went west,
visiting Iowa and other Western States and was absent about six months.
year after
his return he settled in Frackville, Schuylliill Co., Penn.. on land belonging to him,
where he resided about five years following the lumber business. In 1875 he bought the
farm where he now resides, and which consists of 106 acres of good land. He has made
He was married, September 17,
a great many improvements and built a barn 35x75 feet.
1871, to Sarah A. Long, and they are the parents of eight children, seven of
are
living: Sylvester, Esther, Daniel L., Abraham, Joseph, Wellington and Rachel C.
Mr. and
Mrs. Yoder are members of the German Reformed Church as are also Sylvester and Esther.
Our subject served two years as superintendent of the Lutheran Reformed Sunday-school
a union school. In politics he is a Republican.
DR. PIUS
physician and surgeon, Numidia, was born in Mifflin
Township, Columbia Co., Penn., November 9, 1854, a son of Jeremiah and Clarissa (Miller)
Zimmerman, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. Before coming to this country his father
traveled through France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Australia, working at his trade,
and in 1850 took passage in a sailing vessel at Hanover, Germany, and came direct to
York, where he remained about one j'^ear, working at his trade. While there he met the
lady who afterward became his wife, and who came to this country in 1851. He went
from
York to Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade about one year and then
took a trip to Mifflinville, and remained some time buying property and making arrangements to build. He then returned to
York, where he married, and with his wife
came to Mifflinville, and here remained until the spring of 1867. They then moved to
Ringtown, Schuykill Co., Penn., where he now resides engaged in harness business. He
was three times drafted during the civil war; the first time into the nine months' service,
and had proceeded as far as Harrisburg, when he was taken ill and removed to his home,
receiving a certificate from the physician. He lay about one year before recovering, and
was again drafted, but paid his quota; the third time he prepared to leave for the field,
but the war closed before he was called. Our subject was reared to the saddler's trade, and
attended school during the winter until he was eighteen. He then taught seven winter
subject

A

whom

—

ZIMMERMAN,

New

New

New

and two summer terms. He read medicine about two years before he entered the medical
college, hi.s preceptor being Dr. H. D. Retchler.
In the fall of 1880 he entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and graduated April 2, 1883. The following October he established himself as a practicing physician and surgeon at Numidia, where he has
since continued.
He enjoys the confidence of the people and has a large practice. He is
a pleasant, genial and courteous gentleman.
He was married December 1, 1885, to Lillie,
daughter of Wellington and Sarah (Hurst) Yeager. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
GEORGE BEAGLE,

farmer, P. O. Mordansville, was born June

16, 1816, near NeuAmerica with his brother in 1840. He
had learned the miller's trade before leaving the old country, and when he came to this
country he engaged at work in Boss Seibert's mill in Salem, Luzerne Co.. Penn., where
he worked nine months; he milled in several places, and for several years operated the
Montgomery mill at Eyer's Grove; he then abandoned milling, and located on the farm he
now owns in 1854, which he had purchased in 1850, and since tliat time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ho was married in 1844 to Magdaline, a daughter of Jacob
Copp, whose wife was a Heinbach. Mrs. Beagle died March 4, 1879. Of eight children
born to them, five are now living: John H., in Iowa; Frederick, in Mt. Pleasant, Penn.;
Robert, in Greenwood Township; Rebecca, wife of Henry Miller (deceased), and Almira,
keeping house for her father. Mr. Beagle owns a three-fourths interest, in the Beagle mill
located in Hemlock Township, also the hotel at Eyer's Grove, and several lots in the town.
He spends his time on his farm in the culture of grapes, quinces and other small fruits,
and is also successful with bees. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, and
in politics a Democrat.

stadt,

on the river Aish,

in Bavaria,

and came

JOHN

to

BLLHIME, farmer, P. O.Mordansville. Michael Bilhime, grandfather of our
subject, was born in Sussex County, N. J. he was a soldier of the Revolulion, was a bearer
of dispatches for Gen. Washington, and in making his way across the mountains to Valley
Forge was severely frozen, wliicli incapacitated him for active duty, aud he received an
;

502

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

He married Elizabeth, sister of Daniel Welliver, came to what is
Milton, and located in the fall of 1776 on Muddy Run, where he made his settlement
and was repeatedly driven off by the Indians, having to return to New Jersey for protecHe had one son and one daughter. His son
tion, but after the war he was unmolested.
John married Mary, daughter of Valentine Christian, and of the eleven children born to
them eight grew to maturity, viz. Catherine, Jared, Elizabeth, Sarah, Michael, Christian,
John and Rebecca. John, the subject of this sketch, was born on Spruce Run in December, 1819; here grew to manhood, and when twenty-eight years of| age married Harriet,
daughter of Edward and Elizabetli (Sechler) Morrison. After his marriage he engaged in
farming on the homestead, subsequently moved to where his grandfather settled, then
moved to Mahoning Township, (then in Columbia County) where he remained two years,
and in 1857 he located on Black Run Junction, settled by Jacob Snyder in 1701. and has
since resided here. He has four children: Franklin, Elizabeth, Clarence and Woodward
B. Elizabeth married Judsou Wintersteen, of Montour County; Franklin is a merchant
tailor and resides in Turbotville; Woodward B. resides in Upper Hemlock, engaged in
farming; Clarence is at home. Mr. Bilhime is one of the substantial citizens of Madison
honorable discharge.

now

:

Township.

JOHN CHRISTIAN,

stone-mason and farmer, P. O. Mordansville. Among the early
Madison Township was the Christian family. The pioneer of the family was
Valentine Christian, who was a fifer in the war of the Revolution; his people were in this
county prior to the war, and were at one time driven out by the Indians. He married a
Miss Robbins and reared several children. The father of our subject was John Christian,
who married Frances, a daughter of Jacob Welliver, and to them were born four children:
Mary, Rebecca, Jacob and John. John was born October 14, 1829, in this township, and
moved to Pine Township with his parents when ten years of age, and when nineteen went
to learn the trade of stone-mason with John Rantz; worked at the journey work several
In 1855 he married
years, then moved back to this township in 1852, where he located.
Sarah, daughter of William and Sabrina (Teeple) Robbins. They have two children:
Clark and Boyd, both at home. Clark married Hannah J., daughter of Nelson Kitchen,
and they have two children. In politics Mr. Christian is a Republican.
CYRUS DeMOTT, farmer, P. O. Eyer's Grove. The pioneer of the DeMott family was
Richard, who came from New Jersey to this county fully one century ago, and located on
the farm now owned by John and David Shultz. Richard was born in 1755, and died May
They reared the following named children:
26, 1827; his widow died August 5, 1849.
Mary, Rosanna, John, Sarah, Rebecca, Isaac, Jacob, Abigal, Richard. David, William
and Elizabeth. Jacob, father of our subject, was born September 9, 1792, in this township; he married Catharine, daughter of John Patton. After his marriage he settled on
the farm now owned by Cyrus. He served as justice of the peace, and before the counties
were divided was commissioner of the county, also supervisor of the poor; was a member
of the Baptist Church for nearly sixty years, serving as deacon and elder. To Jacob DeMott
and his wife the following named children were born: Mary, Margaret, John, Rosanna,
Sarah, William, Cyrus, Samuel, Catharine, Harriet and George. The father died February 11, 1886, in his ninety-fourth year; his wife died in 1869. Cyrus was born in 1834, and
was reared on the homestead. In early life he served an apprenticeship as carpenter, and
followed the trade for fifteen years; then bought a farm in this township and farmed six
years; then rented the farm for a time, and in 1876 purchased the home place, where he
has since resided. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-first
Regiment, and served nine months. He was married in 1868 to Annie L. Heller; she
died in October, 1873, leaving no children. In 1880 he married his present wife, Antoinette
Mr. DeMott is a member and clerk of the Baptist
B., daughter of George W. Suplee.
Church.
FREDERICK DERR, farmer. P. O. White Hall, was born October 12, 1804, on the
farm he now owns, which was improved by his father, George Derr, who bought a tract
of about 241 acres of the first occupants, the Sutfin brothers. The deed was executed in
George Derr was born in
1817, but George Derr had occupied it several years previous.
1777, and married Mary, daughter of William Carnahan, by whom he had three children:
Frederick, Margaret and Jane. George Derr, the father, spent his days on this farm and
died at the advanced age of eighty-one years; his wife died several years previous. Frederick, the subject of this sketch, remained on the farm until he attained his twentyeighth year, then went to Bay County, Mich., and worked at the carpenter's trade (which
he had learned before leaving home) working at this vocation twenty-five years in that
place; while here he married Elizabeth M. Clarke, a native of New Hampshire; she died
He returned to this county in 1858, at the time of his father's
in 1842, leaving no issue.
death, located on the home farm, and has since been a constant resident of this farm.
He was married, the second time, to Ellen, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Bogart) Welliver.
Mr. Derr has no children.
FRANCIS EVES was born in Madison Township, Columbia County, about the year
1820, son of Parvin Eves. He was reared to manhood on the farm now owned by Wilson
Eves, and here lived several years, then moved to Millville, where he died about 1884. He
settlers of

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

503

married Rachel Wilson, who died the same year as her husband. They had five children:
Matilda, Anna, Wilson, Martha, and Mary. Wilson was born October 25. 1850, and when
in his " teens " moved with his parents to this township, and settled on the farm he now
owns. He married Sarah J., daughter of Peter Wolf. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Eves have
three children: Charles W., Howard C. and Fannie.
THOMAS H. GINGLES, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown. The Gingles family came to
this county shortly after the Revolution. The name of the grandfather was James Gingles,
a native of New Jersey; he purchased the property now owned by the family in Madison
Township on September 15, 1795, of James Starr, the same being patented by him, Starr,
on July 17, 1795. James Gingles married Martha Doak, by whom he had three sons and
John Gingles, father of our subject,
one daughter: Robert, Jane, John and James.
was born August 17, 1793; he married Martha, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Adams,
who was born July 8, 1807; her parents came from Ireland in 1803; was married and settled
on the present homestead in 1838. To John and Martha Gingles were born seven children, six living to be grown: Martha J., Sarah A., James. Mary, Thomas H. and William A. Thomas H. was born October 24, 1839, was reared on the farm and has always
lived here. Thomas has never married.

ALBERT GIRTON,

is a son of John Wesley Girton, who
Madison Township, Columbia Co., Penn.
subject was George Girton, who came from
His son, John (great-great-grandfather of Albert),

farmer, P. O. Jerseytown,

was born March 31, 1821, on Dutch Hill,
The great-great-great-grandfather of our

in

England, and settled in New Jersey.
was the father of the following named children: Stephen, George, William, Jacob, Esau,

John and Marshall.

The

last

named was

the great-grandfather of Albert, and

came

to

township at an early day, settling on Dutch Hill. He kept a hotel here several years,
and married Miss Ellen Kinney, who bore him the following children: William, John,
To William and his wife Elizabeth were born Andrew, Marshall,
Catharine and Margaret.
Ellen, John, Wesley, Euphemia, Elizabeth, Ira, Anna, William L. (who was a soldier in
the civil war, and was killed in battle) and Shepherd (who was a soldier in the Mexican
war, and died there). John Wesley Girton married Hannah Flick, daughter of Daniel and
Catherine (Lilly) Flick, by whom he had three children, viz.: Albert, Mary F. and
Charles. He settled on this farm in 1861, and remained here until his death, January 3,
For several years previous to his coming here he had
1877; his widow yet survives him.
been engaged in the carding and fulling business, and operated a factory in Montour
was
member
of
the
a
Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and in
County. He
Albert Girton, who resides on the home farm, was born in
politics was a Republican.
Montour County, July 34, 1846, and came with his parents to this township, where he has
since resided. He married Gertrude, daughter of George W. Suplee, one of the well
known residents of the county. They have one child, Raymond. Mr. Girton is a member of the Baptist Church, and politically a Republican. He takes an active interest in
this

the affairs of the township, and

school director.
farmer, P. O. Buckhorn. was born August 7, 1837, in
Hemlock Township, a son of George and Margaret (Fox) Hartman. John Hartman, his
grandfather, immigrated to this place from Berks County, made his settlement in what is
now Hemlock Township, and there reared a family whose descendants have grown up in
the forks of the Susquehauna. Elisha grew to manhood in Hemlock, and remained with
his parents until twenty-four years of age, when he married Mary E., daughter of Daniel
Ernest. Mr. Hartman located in Madison Township in 1864, and purchased where he now
resides, the place being known as the Ludwig Young farm; he has since purchased the J.
Bechtel farm, and is a successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have two children:
Anna U. and John H. He^is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics a
is

ELISHA BIGGS HARTMAN,

Democratic.

ERASTUS HENDERSHOT, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown. is a son of John Hendershot,
a native of Madison Township, born March 18, 1803, who was the second son of William,
who was a son of Michael Hendershot. whose children were Isaac, Jesse, William, John,
Phoebe, Margaret and Sarah. To William Hendershot, grandfather of Erastus. were born
George, John, William, Michael, Ralph. Henry, Robert, Erastus and Sarah. The wife of
William was Mary, daughter of William Kitchen, who married a daughter of Col.
Bodine of Revolutionary fame. John Hendershot, father of Erastus, married Mary, a
daughter of William Welliver. John is yet living; his wife died April 25, 1834. The
children born to them were Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary and Erastus. The latter was born in
Jerseytown, July 16. 1832, and married Mary, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Eyer)
Welliver. After his marriage he located on the farm he now owns. Mr. and Mrs. Hendershot have seven children: Gershom B.. William B., Emma J., Charles H., John C,
Ada L. and Anna C. In politics Mr. Hendershot is a Republican. He owns 115 acres of
land.

AMOS

JESTER,

raiser, P. O. MordansvlUe, was born in Mount
fourth child and second son of a family of ten children
born to Aaron and Tamar (Parker) Kester. The subject of this sketch was brought up in
Mount Pleasant Township, remaining at home until about twenty-four years of age, when

P.

Pleasant Township. July

farmer and stock

18, 1817,

37

504

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

went to Greenwood Township, and for twelve years lived with his brother-in-law,
Charles Eves. Then he returned to Mount Pleasant and remained on the homestead about
two years. In December, 1854, he married Anna W., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
(Ogden) Kester; the following spring he located on this farm. He has 129 acres. Mr. and
Mrs. Kester have had three children, two living: Alvaretta, wife of L. P. Kline, of Mount
Pleasant; Moro, a student. Teressa (deceased) was the wife of L. P. Kline. Mr. Kester
has achieved success, and secured for himself a competence and a good name.
CONRAD KREAMER, farmer and merchant, P. O. Jerseytown, was born November
28, 1824, in Philadelphia, the eldest of a family of seven sons born to Conrad and Catharine
(Bowman) Kreamer. The Kreamer family are of German origin. Conrad, the father of
our subject, came from Germany when a young man and located in Philadelphia, where
he lived until the year 1832, when he removed to this county with his family, and located
He had ten children, six of whom reared
in this township on land which he purchased.
Conrad was reared to maturity on the farm his father located upon, and after
families.
twenty-one years of age he worked out at $8 per month during the summer, and $5 for
the winter months. He afterward secured a horse, and then another, and with a team he
began farming, and from this small beginning he became wealthy, and now ranks among^
the well-to-do farmers in Columbia and Montour Counties. He came to Jerseytown about
the year 1855 and located on this place; previous to this he was for twelve years engaged
He began merchandising here
in the huckstering business, also bought and sold lumber.
He has about 1,500 acres of
at the time of his coming, which he has since carried on.
land divided into eight farms. He was married in 1856 to Mary, daughter of Ivan and
Margaret (McBride) Hendershot. To them have been born ten children: Maggie J. (deceased), William E., Ida C, John J., George F., Charles A., Anna C, Evan H., Florence
and Louis.
McCOLLUM, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown, was born June 8, 1817. one mile
northwest of Jerseytown, the youngest son of Ephraim and Catherine (Seibring) McCollum. The grandfather of our subject, John McCollum, was a soldier in the Revolution, and his son Ephraim, father of Hugh, was a teamster during a portion of that
struggle. To John McCollum and wife were born four children: Jacob, a physician, died unmarried; John and William (both went north and settled in New York State), and Ephraim,
who came to this county about 1796, settled where J. M. Girton now resides, and here
reared his family. He died December 12, 1830; his wife, Catherine, died August 27, 1841.
Of the ten children born to them they reared eight: John, David, Jacob, Ann, Betsy,
Ephraim, Margaret and Hugh. Hugh was born and reared in this locality, and when sixteen years of age learned the tanner's trade in the yard his son, Ephraim Warren, now
owns. He was married March 2, 1841, to Mary C, daughter of Allen and Catherine
(Fruit) Watson.
They have had four children: Catherine, wife of James Beugler, in
Williamsport; Margaret J., died aged seventeen; Sarah A., wife of Judson Axe, in thia
township, and Ephraim Warren. The last named is his father's successor in the tannery,
and has owned and operated it since he was twenty-one years old. In 1882 he was burned
out, but at once rebuilt and is now doing a good business.
Mr. McCollum and entire fam
ily are members of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN MOSER, farmer, P. O. White Hall, has been identified with the interests of
the township for many j'ears. He was born January 19, 1822, in Amity Township, Berks^
Co., Penn., son of Peter and Anna (Steinrock) Moser, to whom twelve children were
born, ten of whom were reared.
John was reared on a farm, and came to Derry Township with his father, when he was eighteen years of age, and remained with his father
until he was twentj'^-nine.
He located on the farm he now owns about the year 1856, and
has since resided here. He married Margaret, daughter of Daniel Crumley, and by her he
has had nine children, six living: Henry, residing at Turbotville; Daniel, in Montour County;.
John W. and Peter at home; Emma, wife of John Ellis, in Montour County, and William
H. at home. Mr. Moser has three farms. He is prominent in church matters, and one of
the liberal-minded citizens of the township.
J. L. MOSER, farmer, P. O. White Hall, was born June 18, 1828, in Amity Township,
Berks Co., Penn., and was raised on a farm.
After he attained his majority he went toReading, and there learned the carpenter trade, which he followed until about 1855. when
he came to Montour County, and for a time located near \Vasliingtonvilk\ where he followed his trade for a time, and then bought 700 acres in the north part of Madison Township, and built a small house on the same in 1856; in the spring of 1857 he moved on the
place, and here he has since resided; has cleared 100 acres out of the same tract, and since
sold off until he now has about 200 acres under good improvements, having excellent.
farm buildings. He was married September 4, 1851, to Anna M., daughter of George and
Lydia (Kline) Smith. They have five children: George, Louisa, Emma, Levi and Sadie.
George is fireman on the Erie Railroad; Louisa is wife of S. Gardener, in L^'coming County;
Emma, wife of Levi Fortner; Levi and Sadie are at home. Mr. Moser is a member of the
Lutheran Church at Washingtonville. lie is a Republican in politics.
WILLIAM MASTELLER, farmer. P. O. Buckhorn. was born February 19, 1830. in
Northumberland County, Penn., son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shultz) Masteller, to whom
lie

HUGH

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

505

were born nine children: Joiin, Mary, Rebecca, William, Margaret, Sarah E., Jane, Paul
and Jacob. William came to this county in the spring of 1856, with his wife to whom
he was married the year previous. Her maiden name was Sarah Ann Heller, daughter of
John and Mary Ann (Richard) Heller. In 1856 William located on the farm where he
now resides; he owns another farm in Hemlock Township. Mr. and Mrs. Masteller have
six children living: Harvey, married and resides in Hemlock Township; George, a teacher
and member of the Reformed Church, lives at home; Warren, Claudius, Eva and Mary, all
at home.
SAMUEL REICHARD (deceased). Frederick Reichard, father of the above, was of
German descent, came to what is now Madison Township, this county, and settled on the
farm now owned by his grandson, John Reichard, married a Miss Gross and reared seven
children to maturity, viz.: Samuel, Isaac, John, Hannah, Polly, Katie, Teney.
Samuel
was born on the farm about 1801, grew to manhood here, and was married to Christina
Taylor, daughter of John and Barbara (Hittle) Taylor, who reared three children one son
and two daughters. After Mr. Reichard married he settled on the farm, and lived here
until his decease which occurred in 1856; his widow yet survives him, residing on the home
farm. There were eight children born to them: Simon, Ellen, Jacob, Elias, John, Harriet,
Matilda and Amos; all married and reared families except John, who resides on the homestead farm with his mother, and is engaged in farming pursuits. Samuel Reichard was a
consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and was a man highly esteemed in the com-

—

munity.

JACOB SHOEMAKER,

contractor and farmer, P. O. Mordansville. The Shoemaker
the early settlers in this county.
The pioneer was Abram Shoemaker,
who came from Jersey and located in Columbia County. His wife was Margaret Mellick,
by whom he had nine children: Mary, Andrew, Jacob, Kate John, Isaac, Michael, Margaret and Abram. Jacob, the father of our subject, was born July 14, 1789, and married
Martha Kinney, and to them were born ten children: James, Elsie, John, Abram, Philip,
Jane, Margaret, Jacob, Elisha and Levi. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, was reared in
Madison Township on a farm, and at twenty years of age began learning the carpenter
trade, which he followed for six years; then engaged in farming, which he carried
on continuously until about 1878, since when he has carried on his trade. In 1873 he
located on the farm he now owns, which he has carried on since in connection with his
trade.
He married, August 13, 1857, Mary, daughter of Cornelius Vanhorn. Mrs. Shoemaker died March 11, 1886, of pneumonia. To this union were born seven children: Ida,
Jane, Elnora, Townsend, John, Harriet and Warren. Mr. Shoemaker has been a member of the Methodist Church about thirty years. Mrs. Shoemaker was a member of the
same. In 1884 Mr. Shoemaker was elected director of the poor.
J. C. SHULTZ, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown, was born inMontour County May 22, 1843,
the eldest son of William and Eliza (Kinney) Shultz. William Shultz was born February
Eliza was a daughter of Rev. John Kinney, son of James Kinney, an old Rev14, 1814.
olutionary soldier. Peter Shultz, subject's grandfather, married Sallie Robbius, and they
had the following children: William, Jonathan, Jacob, James, Henry, Dr. Benjamin F.,
Mary and Peter; all reared families. To William Shultz and his wife Eliza were born
the following named children: John C, Dr. P. H. (deceased), David A., Sarah E. and
Oliver P. John C. came to this township when eighteen years of age. At the age of
twenty he began life for himself, farming the homestead farm. He was married May 25,
1865, to Mary J., daughter of William and Sallie (Kitchen) Johnson.
They hive four
children: Harry E., Ada B., Beryl B. and Sadie F.
Mr. Shultz has been a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty years, and is trustee of the same.
A. C. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown. John Smith, the great-grandfjther of
A. C, was born April 11, 1750. He married Nellie McFall, by whom he had ihe following children: Henry, Francis, John. Elizabeth, Margaret, Hugh, Elisha B., Anna and
Alexander M. Henry was the grandfather of A. C, and by his wife, Mary Creveling, he
had the following children: John, Henry, Jackson, Creveling, Margaret, Kl-j^iior, Elizabeth, Delilah, Mary, Martha and Nancy, all of wliom were reared to maturity.
John,
the father of A. C, was born in this township, and married Margaret Sheep, and to them

family was

among

were born Henry

J., Mary J., John W., Andrew C, William E., Elizabeth E. and Thornton A. Andrew C. was born,October 20, 1849, in this township, and February 17, 1870,
married Mary, a daughter of J. M. and Susan (Brugler) Girtou. After marriage he settled in this township, where he has sinc« resided, locating on the farm owned by Susan
(Brugler) Girton's heirs, consisting of 176 acres, known as the John Brugler farm.
He has three children: Susan M., Lloyd G. and Emma M. He is a member and trustee
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
SILAS WELLIVER, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown. The Wellivers rank among the pioneers of Madison Township. Daniel Welliver came here from New Jersey, and located
on the farm now owned by his grandson Silas. His wife was a Robbins, and they reared
a large family, whose names were William, John^ Obadiah, Jemima, Rebecca, Sallie,
Charity and Polly. Daniel, the father of Silas, married Sarah Eyer, who bote him eight
children, viz,: Catharine, Silas, Phineas, Abigail, Lucinda, George W., Mary and Charity.

506

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

E

who resides on the homestead, was born October 37, 1821; he married Mary
Of the four children born to them there are now livFruit, who died November 31, 1871.
ing: Miles, farming the homestead; Sallie, wife of Wilson Derr, in Lycoming County;
and Robert, a druggist, recently graduated from the College of Pharmacy in PhilSilas,

adelphia.

THOMAS CHALKLEY WILSON,

farmer, P. O. Millville, was born November 2,
of the well known residents of this county. Thomas C.
was reared on the farm he now owns, consisting of 123 acres, and has always resided here.
He was married May 4, 1875, to Hannah, daughter of James and Mary (Roth) Mather.
They have no children. In politics Mr. Wilson is a Prohibitionist and takes an active
part in the cause.
1847, son of

Reuben Wilson, one

CHAPTER XXXVII.
MAINE TOWNSHIP.
D. BODINE, justice of the peace, Mainville, was born in Catawissa TownColumbia Co., Penn., November 26, 1849. His parents, Peter and AnnaM. (Vought)
Bodine, were natives of New Jersey, but removed with their parents to this county when
young, and were married at Catawissa by Squire Bald^^ The former died in 1865, but
the latter is living at the age of seventy-eight years at Catawissa. Our subject, the
3'oungest in a family of ten, was reared in Columbia County and has alwaj^s made his
home here, with the exception of a short time spent at Kingston, Luzerne Co., Penn. He
received his education at the common schools of Catawissa, and at the age of fifteen
J.

ship,

years commenced clerking for the firm of J. K. Sharpless & Son, at Catawissa, with whom
he remained three years. He then went to Kingston, Luzerne County, where he clerked
for about six months, when he came to Centralia, this county, and clerked for William
Torry about the same length of time. He then returned to Catawissa and again entered
the employ of Sharpless & Son, with whom he remained three years. In 1875 he came to
Mainville and engaged in mercantile business until the spring of 1884, when he sold out to
W. M. Longenberger. Mr. Bodine was elected school director of Maine Township about
He was elected justice of the
1880, and .served for three years as secretary of the board.
peace of Maine Township in 1880, served his full term, and in 1885 was again elected to the
At Iris first election he succeeded W. T. Shuman, who had filled the position
position.
Mr. Bodine married at Renovo, Clinton CountJ^ this State, May
for twenty- five years.
1, 1879, Miss Eliza Sharpless, a native of Columbia County and a daughter of J. K. and
Mary M. (Harder) Sharpless. Both parents are living at Catawissa. Mr. and Mrs. Bodine
are the parents of two children; both are living: Ray S. and Anna M. Squire Bodine is a
member of the Sons of America, having joined in 1870. He was State Marshall in the
State Camp of the order one year, and was first member initiated by the Catawissa Camp,
and one of the charter members of Washington Camp, No. 258, at Mainville, in which
camp he has filled all the chairs. He is a Democrat politically, and has several times
been a delegate to the county conventions of that party. The family attend the services
of the Methodist Church.
WILLIAM S. FISHER, farmer, P. O. Mainville, was born in what is now Maine
Township, Columbia County, March 7, 1836. His parents, John and Judie (Kiefer) Fisher,
were born in Berks County, where they were also married. They later removed to Columbia County where they passed the remainder of their lives. About 1851, while coming
;back from Mainville with a load of planks, etc., the father, while attempting to guide his
four-horse team, was run over by a wheel of the wagon and killed. His widow died on
the 15th of March, 1885. and both are buried in Fisher's C^jurch Cemetery. William S.
was reared in Columbia County and has always made it his home. He remained'at work with
his father until the latter's death, after which he remained at home one year. He then worked
on the farm, etc., until arriving at the age of twenty-five, when he bought a piece of land
and settled down to farming for himself. In the meantime he had commenced his education in the common school of his district; then attended Dickinson Seminary, WilliamsHe then taught school five
port, one term, and later one term at Millville Seminary.
terms before commencing farming and after that two terms more. He married, in this
county, in February, 1861. Miss Mary Margaret Breisch, a native of Columbia County and
a daughter of George and Rebecca (Wahl) Breisch. Her father is dead and is buried at
Catawissa, where her mother still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are the parents of ten
children: George Alpheus (a teacher in the common schools for the past three years),

MAINE TOWNSHIP.

SOT

Horace M. (a stenographer and telegrapher in the employ of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, at Richmond, Va.), Fannie R. (wife of William C. Stevenson, who is engaged in.
manufacturing woolen goods at Nescopeck), John L., Sarah Margaret, Pearles J., EmersonMr. and Mrs. Fisher and family are
T., Irene E., William Claude and Bertha Maude.
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fisher now has 109 acres of land, of which about
100 are in cultivation. He has served as school and election officer, and has held other
township offices. He is clerk of Union Immanuel Lutheran Church, and has been for
over twenty years, having been appointed by Rev. W. J. Eyer, father of Mr. Eyer of CataMr. Fisher's brother, Daniel, who lives at Limestone, was clerk of the church a.
wissa.

number

of years previous to that time.
F. P. GROVER,farmer P. O. Mainville. was born in Columbia County.Penn., September
1852,
a son of Michael and Catherine (Miller) Grover, both natives of Columbia County
10,
where they spent their lives. The father died April 2, 1876, and is buried in the Milflia
Cemetery. The mother now lives with our subject. The latter was reared in Columbia
County, and has always made it his home. He married, in 1876, Miss Sarah Hartzell, a

native of Columbia County, and a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Breisch) Hartzell, the
whom is dead; the former resides in Maine Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs.
Grover were the parents of five children, of whom four are living: Blanche Victoria, Mazy
The deceased one was an infant. Mr.
Elmira, Harry Gilbert and Annie Florence.
Grover has about 150 acres of land, of which about 120 are under cultivation. TheGrover family were early settlers of Columbia County, having come here no;arly threequarters of a century ago.
JOSEPH HARTZEL, farmer, P. O. Mainville, was born May 9, 1823, a son of MichThe father
ael and Elizabeth (Fisher) Hartzel, both natives of Berks County, this State.
was a son of Peter Hartzel, a native of Germany. The mother was born in Berks.
County, Penn., and was a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Yocum) Fisher, the former a
native of France and the latter of England. Michael Hartzel, and wife both came with
their families to Columbia County in the early part of the present century, and here they
married and spent their lives. The grandparents of Joseph are buried in St. John s CemHis father died about 1855 and his mother in 1883. The former
etery at Catawissa.
Our subject was
is buried in Fisher's Church Cemetery, and the latter at Catawissa.
reared to farm life, and has always made Columbia County his home, now owning and
farming the place which his father cleared. Joseph married in Columbia County, November 20, 1845, Miss Matilda John, a native of Columbia County and a daughter of Hiram
and Catherine John, both now deceased. Her great-grandfather settled in this county iiii
Mr. and Mrs. Hartzel are the parents of ten children,
1770, being one of the first settlers.
seven of whom are living: Martha Jane, wife of William Keiger, residing in Mainville,
this county; Alvaretta, wife of Charles Phaler, of Catawissa, this county; Fannie, wife of
John A. Shuman, residing in Maine Township; Margaret Ellen, wife of Anderson Shuman, residing in Maine Township; Joseph Albert, married to Jane Shuman, residing in>
Maine Township; Hettie and Charles Franklin. The deceased are Emma, Clara and
Harvey.
Mr. Hartzel has ninety-five acres in his home tract, and two other tracts of sevMr. and Mrs. Hartzel and family are
enty-five and ten and one-half acres, respectively.
members of Union Immanuel Church. He has held local offices in his township, including that of supervisor, four or five terms.
KOSTENBAUDER, P. O. Mainville, was born in Mifflin
Township, Columbia Co., Penn., August 30, 1839, a son of Henry and Sarah (Hartzell)
Kostenbauder, both of whom died in this county— the former May 10, 1855, aged fortyfive years; the latter, March 14, 1848, aged thirty-one years, and they are buried in Union
Emanuel Churchyard, near Mainville. Martin V., the eldest of four children, was reared,
in Mifflin and Maine Township, this county, and has always made this county his home.
He married April 27, 1876, Miss Susan L. Rhawn, a native of Catawissa Township, ColumHer
bia County, born April 11, 1839, a daughter of Casper and Catherine (Crook) Rhawn.
father was born near Halifax, Penn., reared in Liverpool, same State; died March 4, 1883,.
and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Catawissa. Her mother was born in 1819, irt
Catawissa Township, where she now resides. Our subject and wife are the parents of
two children: Catherine E., born October 27, 1878. and Jennie Robbins Kostenbauder,
born April 6, 1882. Mr. Kostenbauder enlisted on the 13th of July, 1861, in Company A,
Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves, and was assigned to the First Army Corps, Gen. George A.
McCaull of Lancaster commanding, and served in the following engagements: Dranesville,
Whitehouse Landing, Savage Station, Seven Pines, Chickahominy Swamps and Malvern
Mr.
After that came the evamation of Harrison's Lauding 1)y McClellan's forces.
Hill.
Kostenbauder was discharged December 31, 1863, on account of disability,on pajuns issued
by surgeon in charge, J. Simmons, of Davis Island Hospital. On account of the hardships endured in the defense of his country. Mr. Kostenbauder returned to his honie
greatly reduced in health, and is now totally blind, which is wholly due to the hardships
he underwent while in the service. The maternal grandparents of Mrs Kostenbauder
were born in Reading, Berks Co., Penn. Her grandparents were in this State when theIndians were still numerous, and witnessed many stirring events in its early history..
latter of

MARTIN VAN BUREN

508

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

William L. Kostenbauder, a brother of our subject, was drowned in Nescopeck Creek,
Luzerne County, Penn., September 2, 1850, a^ed nine years. Our subject and wife are
members of the German Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
NATHAN MILLER, farmer, P. O. Mainville, was born in what is now Maine TownThe
ship, Columbia Co., Penn., December 18, 1832, to George and Eve (Cocher) Miller.
family were originally from Berks County, Penn., and the grandfather of Nathan conducted an apple distillery on his place in the early times. Both grandparents died in this
county, the grandfather in the fall of 1862, the grandmother a number of years prior.
Both are buried in the Union graveyard at Mifflinville, this county. The parents of Nathan
died in this county, his father in Mifflinville about 1878, and his mother about 1863;
they are buried in the Union Immanuel Churchyard in Maine Township. Our subject
was reared in this township, and has always made Columbia County his home. He commenced working for his father when young, and remained with him until twenty-one
years of age. After that he worked for his father one year for pay, that being his first
work for compensation. After leaving his father's employ he rented laud in Orange
Township, this county, where he farmed a place for live years. He then went to Centre
Township, but after he had been there three years, his mother dying, at the request of his
father he returned and farmed the home place, where he has since resided. The first year
he followed agriculture in Centre Township he raised 1,121 bushels of tiue wheat on forty
acres of laud, for which he received from $1.25 to $1.50 per bushel.
When Mr. Miller
moved to the place he found very little improvement, the residence at that time being the
now
building which he
uses as a woodshed. He has eighty-two acres on his home place,
nearly all which is highly cultivated, and he has put up good and substantial improvements. He also has two other places of 54 and 106 acres respectively. He married in this
county, November 30, 1854, Miss Catherine A. Nuss, a native of Columbia County, and a
daughter of Charles and Chanty (Miller) Nuss, both deceased, and buried in the Union
Immanuel Churchyard. The former died in 1877, and his funeral sermon was the first one
preached in the Union Immanuel Church. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of ten
children, of whom eight are living: George A., married to Tenie Constable, residing in
Ottawa Count}% Kas.: Harrison D., married to Mary Henry, residing in Mifflin Township,
this county; Lewis H., married to Dell Steely, residing in Maine Township, this county;
Oscar F., in Nescopeck. Luzerne Co., Penn., learning the tailoring business; Nathan B.,
learning telegraphy; David Montgomery; Ida Eudora and Ella Catherine; Charles and
Alice are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the German Reformed Church,

Immanuel Union.
J. B. NUSS, of the firm of J. M. Nuss & Son, proprietors of the Mainville mills, P. O.
Mainville, was born near Mainville, Columbia Co., Penn., October 28, 1850.
His parents,
John M, and Mary (Gearhart) Nuss, are also natives of this county and reside at Mainville.
Our subject has made the county his home, with the exception of four years spent
the

in Philadelphia.
He received his education at the common schools of his township and
Williamsport; also attended for one year Dickinson Seminary, and later the State Normal
School at Bloomsburg for four j^ears. He then taught for five winter and two summer
terms in a select school. In 1872 he went to Philadelphia and engaged with John J.
Lytle as accountant, and after that with Smedley Bros., with whom he remained until
January, 1876, when he returned to Columbia County and became identified with the
milling business, in which he is at present engaged. He married, January 12, 1881, Miss
Ada A. Shuman, a native of Mifflinville, Columbia County, and a daughter of George
Shuman; she died December 25, 1885. Three children were born to their union: Gerald
Astor, who died at the age of seven months, and two who died in early infancy. Mr. Nuss
atttends the services of ihe Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM H. OTT, farmer, P. O. Mainville, was born near Williamsburg, Northampton County, May 10, 1833, a son of David and Mary (Evans) Ott. The parents were
born in Northampton County, and when William H. had reached the age of about seven
years they removed to Columbia County, locating in Greenwood Township, where they
spent the remainder of tt^eir lives. The.mother died February 17, 1866; the father July 2,
AVilliam H. was
1886, and both are buried in Dewitt Cemetery, in Greenwood Township.
reared in Columbia County, where in 1860 he married Miss Henrietta E. Brown, a native
of this county and daughter of Jacob Brown. She died in 1868. By that marriage there
were four children, of whom one is living, Mary Catherine. The deceased are Edwin
Brown, Eleanor Fulton and Jacob Luther (twins). Mr. Ott married his present wife in
March, 1870. Her maiden name was Susan Schell, and she was born in Columbia County,
Penn., a daughter of Edmund and Esther Schell, both living at Beaver Valley, this county.
Mr. Ott enlisted in the latter part of December, 1861, in Battery F, One Hundred and
Twelfth P. V. I., Col. Angeroflf, afterward under Col. Gibson. Thej' were first assigned
to the defenses of Washington; in the summer of 1864 they were sent to the front and
detached to the Eighteenth Army Corps, Gen. Smith. Mr. Ott was with his command in
a number of minor engagements, also at the blowing-up of Fort Hell at Petersburg. He
was discharged in the winter of 1864-65 at Virginia, and then returned home after three
years of service. Politically he is a Republican.

509

MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM K. SHUMAN, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Columbia County,
Penn., in 1849, son of John F. and Catherine (Breisch) Shuman, both natives of Columbia
County and now residents of Catawissa Township. Our subject was reared in Columbia
County and has always made it his home. He lived with his parents up to the time of
his marriage, when he and his brother, J. C, bought a farm in Maine Township, which
was conducted by J. C, while William K. remained on the home farm, which he bought
William K. was
in the spring of 1885, having sold out his interest in the other farm.
married in this county April 18, 1871, to Miss Emma J. Hess, a native of Columbia County
and a daughter of Philip and Catherine Hess. Her parents are residents of Espy, Columbia County. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman are the parents of two children, both living: Min
nie Eudora and Charles S. Mr. Shuman has about 145 acres of land, of which between
ninety and 100 are under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman are imembers of Immanuel Union Church. He has been supervisor of Maine Township for two terms and is a
Democrat

politically.

SHUMAN,

farmer, P. O. Mainville, was born in what is now Maine Township,
Co., Penn., October 31, 1854, a son of Rudolph and Susannah (Seidel) Shuman,
both born in Columbia County, where they lived until their death, the former dying in
October, 1881, the latter in August of the same year; both are buried in Immanuel Union
Churchyard, in Maine Township. The father was a farmer in the latter part of his life,
but previous to that was a merchant, an iron master, having for many years operated an
iron furnace and forge near Mainville. Our subject was reared in Columbia County and
has always made it his home. He commenced his education in the common schools of
his district and finished in the normal school at Bloomsburg, where he attended eight
terms. During the time of his attendance at the normal school he had taught two terms
in Schuylkill County, North Union Township, and Maine Township, Columbia County,
respectively. After finishing his schooling he taught three more successive terms in
Maine, then one term in Beaver and two more in Maine. He was then married, March 19,
1878, to Miss Fannie Hartsel, a native of Columbia County and a daughter of Joseph and
Matilda (John) Hartsel, members of early families, and now residing in this township
After marriage they
(see page 507).
Mr. and Mrs. Shuman have one child Clyde.
J.,

A.

Columbia

—

located where they now reside, which is the old "Shuman homestead," and where our
subject commenced farming. He is at present secretary of the school board of Maine
Township, having been a member of the board and its secretary since 1884. Mr. Shuman
has 156 acres of land, about 125 of which are under cultivation. He and his wife are
members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. The Shuman family were among the early settlers of this county, and the grandfather of our subject was, in the early times, owner of very large tracts of land in this vicinity, making
his home where W. M. Longenberger now resides in Mainville.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.
ELISHA B. BROWN (deceased) was born near Mifflinville, Penn., May 13, 1819, the
youngest child of Samuel and Dorothy Brown, and died September 23, 1885. His greatgrandfather, James Brown, was born in England, November 12, 1716; coming to America,
he settled on Long Island, but finally moved to Warren County, N. J., where he owned a
large tract of land extending three miles along the Pawlins Kill from near Columbia to
Hainesburg. His son, John, the grandfather of our subject, married Mary M. Brugler,
and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1795, and purchased 400 acres near Miflainville, for
which he paid about $5,000. At the age of eighteen, Elisha B. Brown engaged in mercantile pursuits with Samuel Creasy and John Brown, the firm name being Browns &
Creasy, and thus continued for forty-four years. The firm of Browns & Creasy was established in 1838.
The business was purchased of Robert McCurdy for nearly $8,000. Their
patronage embraced a large extent of territory. Mr. John Brown died in 1856. He was
succeeded by Mr. N. B. Creasy. " Creasys & Brown " appeared upon the new sign. It was
a peculiarity of this firm to hold at all times a large cash surplus to be available in emergencies. Samuel Creasy died in 1873. In 1882 E. B. Brown retired. The business then
passed under the exclusive control of N. B. Creasy. During the Presidency of Gen. Harrison,
in 1840, our subject was appointed postmaster of Mifflinville, and with the exception of six
months he held the office as principal or assistant until his death. As a business man he
was eminently successful. He possessed a superior mind enriched by reading and obser-

510

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

was positive, accurate and true, his judgment was held in high esteem,and his counwas frequently sought. He never deserted a friend. He was a man of principle, honor
and strict integrity, and lived and died an exemplary Christian. In 1845 he married MarHer mother dying when she was a child, she found a
tha, daughter of John H. Bowman.
home with her grandfather, John Freas, nearBriarcreek, Columbia Co., Penn. Her father
immigrated to Michigan in 1837, and became identified with the business interests of the
territory, engaging in mercantile business and building several large flouring-mills;
was one of the founders of the village of Colon and the town of Three Rivers, and became
a member of the Legislature. Mrs. Brown, besides having the advantages of the schools
of her neighborhood, attended an academy at Catawissa under the charge of a Mr. BradShe is a voluminous reader and preserves the vivacity of her youth in a way that is
ley.
remarkable. The three children born to herself and husband are still living: J. Jordan,
Dorothy N. and Martha B.
J. Jordan Brown was born March 31, 1848.
He attended a select school taught
by Hiram Hutchison, and afterward completed a course at Williamsport, Dickinson
vation;
sel

Seminary, graduating in 1867. He then attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College,
and took the degree of M. D. in the spring of 1870, and since that
time has been practicing his profession at Mifflinville.
He has written some able articles for the medical press.
While at college he took a special course in operative surgery under the personal supervision of Prof. William H. Pancoast, and has gratified his
taste in this line by doing some work rarely performed in a country practice.
We might
mention among these operations, those of double hare-lip and cataract. In 1880 he married Miss Mary, daughter of David F. Brands, of Hackettstown, N. J.
She attended
Blair Academy and Schooley's Mountain Seminary; is talented with the brush and her
works of art do her credit. Calm and self-possessed, she is the sunshine of her circle.
Dorothy Nice, second child of Elisha B. and Martha (Bowman) Brown, is a namesake
of her paternal grandmother, who was of a family of Nices living near the Delaware Water
Gap. She is endowed with a delicate nervous organization rendering her very susceptible to aesthetics, but inherits her father's latent force.
She spent two years at Wyoming
Seminary, where her talent for music was developed and was rewarded by flattering commendations. She has the Brown characteristics of being strongly attached to place and
Philadelphia,

friends.

Martha Bowman, the youngest child, of Elisha B. and Martha (Bowman) Brown,
gave evidence in childhood of superior mental strength. She developed a taste for business, and upon the death of her father assumed a large share of the financial management
of the family. She possesses many of the mental characteristics of her father. Her memory is seldom surpassed and she is a close observer of men and things. Her common sense
and native vigor of mind avail her and more than compensate for the want of a collegiate
education.

M. M. HARTZEL, farmer, P. O. Hetlerville, was born in Mifflin Township, Columbia Co., Penn., February 2, 1845, a son of Jonas and Mary Magdalena (Heller) Hartzel,
both natives of this county. John Jacob Hartzel, grandfather of our subject, came from
Northampton County, Penn., about 1813, and located in Roaringcreek; thence came to
Mifiiin Township, one year after.
He was a cooper by trade but bought a farm in this
township, on which he put up a cooper-shop and carried on coopering and farming for
many years, but gave up the cooperage about thirty years before his death. He died
about September, 1867, aged ninety years, ten months and four days, and is buried at
Mifflinville.
He was twice married; first to Miss Nuss, and second to Mrs. Harpster, but
survived both. Jonas Hartzel, father of our subject, learned the cooper trade when a
boy from his father, and followed it five or six years, when he gave it up and turned his
entire attention to farming.
He was actively engaged at farm labor until the time of his
death; he died June 9, 1881, aged sixty-five years, seven months and seventeen days, and is
buried at MiflUinville. His wife died November 13, 1879, aged sixty-one years, five months
and ten days, and is buried by the side of her husband. Our subject was reared in Columbia County, and followed farming on the home place until he arrived at the age of twentytwo, when he went to Berwick and commenced to learn the carpenter's trade. He then
worked at car building until 1868, when he went to Nanticoke and worked for two years
on the construction of the breaker for the Susquehanna Coal Company. He then returned to Berwick, and was engaged at car building until the spring of 1881, when he
bought eighty-five acres of laud which had formerly belonged to his father, and this land
he has since continued to farm. He married in Mifflin Township, in April, 1871, Miss
Frances Ann Longenberger, a native of Butler Township, Luzerne County, and a daughter of Simon and Lucinda (Kikendall) Longenberger, both deceased and buried at Mifflinville.
Mr. and Mrs. Hartzel were the parents of four children, three of whom are living:
Lulu May, Minnie Florence and Clarence Bruce. The deceased one was named Wilson
Montgomery. Mr. Hartzel is a member of the Grange, and has been a member of other
organizations.
He is also a member of the Old School Lutheran Church; his wife of
the Baptist denomination. In politics he is a Democrat. He is serving at present as
a school director.

MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.

511

MICHAEL HELLER, farmer, P. O. Hetlerville, was born in Mifflin Township, Columbia County, September 8, 1823, a son of Christopher and Susannah (Lantz) Heller. The
former was a native of Hellertown, Northampton Co., Penn., and was there reared tofarm life; was also married there and afterward removed to Columbia County, where he
His
It was about 1816 when he came to this county.
lived the remainder of his life.
father, Michael Heller, the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolution and
Columbia
to
coming
Christopher followed farming after
served under Washington.
County, and put up a blacksmith shop, where he did his own smith work. He died about
December 14, 1861, aged seventy-six years, and is buried in the Mifflinville Cemetery.
His widow died May 4, 1872, aged eighty-four years, and is also buried at MifflmviUe.
Our subject was reared in Mifflin Township and has always lived on the place where
he now resides, and which his father settled upon coming to this county. He farmed
with his father until the retirement of the latter, when our subject took the entire
charge of the farm. His father willed him eighty-five acres, and since that time he has^
added sixty-three acres more. Our subject married in Columbia County, March 13
1847, Miss Mary Ann Heller, a native of Columbia County, and a daughter of Michael
Her parents are both deceased and are buried at Mifflinville. Mrs. Heller died
Hetler.
She bore her husband seven children, four of
in 1863, and is buried at the same place.
whom are living: Francis Whitney, married to Mary Elizabeth Heller (they reside
at Wapwollopen); Hiram Wesley, a resident of Montrose, Susquehanna County, this
State; Christopher Columbus married to Anna Dodson (tiiey reside at Hazleton,
Catherine, t The deceased are John Madison, Harriet Alice
Penn.), and Sarah
Mr. Heller's second marriage took place February 15, 1864, with
and an infant.
Miss Elizabeth Smoyer, a native of Columbia County, and a daughter of Peter Smoyer.
Her parents are both deceased. By this marriage the following children were born:
Alfred Bartley, Amandus and Wilson Arnolphus, living. Rush Monroe, Martha Minerva,
William Harvey and an infant unnamed are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Heller are members of the German Reformed Church, of which he was for many years deacon. He is
now overseer of the poor and is serving his third year in that capacity. He is a Republican and was twice elected to the position notwithstanding the fact that the township 13^
He is a
over ten to one Democratic, and although he made no effort to be elected.
member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 246, Berwick, and has passed all the chairs in the
lodge.

AARON W. HESS, hotel-keeper, Mifflinville. was born in Luzerne County, Penn.,
November 30, 1827, a son of Jeremiah and Mary (Fenstamacher) Hess, the former a native
of Wilheim Township, Northampton Co., Penn., and the latter of Luzerne County, same
The father came to Luzerne County with his parents when but eight years of age,
State.

learned the miller's trade and later erected a mill at Wapwollopen, Luzerne County.
After operating the mill for a couple of years he traded the property for a farm on which
he lived for the remainder of his life. He died in 1880 aged about eighty-five years, and
during the last twenty-five years of his life had lived retired, attending to his farm. His
wife died in 1860, and both are buried in Beach Haven Cemetery, Salem Township.
They were both members of the Reformed Church, and were the parents of thirteen
children, ten of whom are living, and of which Aaron W. is the seventh child and made
his home with his parents and worked with his father until the age of twenty-one, and
from that time until twenty-five worked at home in the winter and boated in the summer
on the canal from Wilkesbarre to Baltimore and Philadelphia. He had a boat built, of
which he was the owner, and with which he was engaged during the time mentioned in
the coal and lumber carrying trade. He married, January 2, 1855, in Beaver Township
this countv. Miss Esther Bittenbenner, a native of Luzerne County, and daughter of
Jacob and Catherine (Nuss) Bittenbenner, both deceased, her father being buried near
Shamokin and her mother at Nescopeck, Luzerne County. For the first two years after
The
his marriage Mr. Hess and his wife lived on his father's farm in Luzerne County.
year after marriage he discontinued business on the canal and sold his boat. On removing from Luzerne County he located in Mifflin Township, Columbia County, where he
had purchased a farm of 113 acres. There he lived for eight years and then removed to
Mainville and took charge of the hotel now conducted by Mr. Longenberger, which he
had also purchased. The next spring he sold both the farm and hotel and came to MifflinThis was
ville where he bought the hotel property which he now owns and conducts.
He and his
in the spring of 1867, and Mr. Hess has since continued at the same stand.
wife were the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy. The living are Clara
Adora, wife of A. W. Snyder, a merchant at Mifflinville; Harvey Wilbur, a traveling
salesman for J. C. Bright & Co., shippers and dealers in oil— he also learned the jeweler's
trade at Hazleton; Milton J., studying dentistry with Dr. Ervin of Catawissa, and George
W., learning the jewelry business at Hazleton. Mrs. Hess is a member of the Lutheran
Church, as are most of the family. Mr. Hess owns thirty-five acres outside the corporation besides ten or twelve acres in lots and residence property in Mifflinville, also a
house and lot in Mountain Grove. He was overseer of the poor for two years. In politics he is a Democrat.
About two years after our subject's mother died his father married
Widow Ruckle, who died shortly after his death.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

512

L. B. KOEHLER, farmer, P. O. Mifflinville, was born at Nescopeck, Luzerne Co.,
Penn., May 18, 1854, a son of John George and Catherine (Heller) Koehler. His father
was a native of Saxe-Coburg, Germany, and his mother of Bethlehem, Penn. The former
learned the trade of pump-making in his native country, and at the age of twenty -six
took his departure for America, coming direct to Luzerne County, Penn. After remaining
a year he sent for his family, and his father, mother, two brothers and sisters came over and
settled in Luzerne County, where his parents died and also one of his brothers.
He carried
on pump-making and also owned his farm, which was conducted by his sons. He died in
Luzerne County on the 2d of February, 1884, and is buried at Black Creek, Luzerne
"County. His widow died May 3, 1885, and is buried alongside her husband. Our subiect
was reared at Nescopeck and made it his home until coming to Columbia County in the
spring of 1885. He farmed his father's place until 1882, when he purchased it and continued to farm until coming to his present location. He was married at Conyngham,
Luzerne Co., Penn., June 12, 1874, to Miss Catherine Biltenbender, a native of Black Creek
Township, Luzerne County, and a daughter of Jonas and Caroline (Lutz) Bittenbender,
former a native of Luzerne County, latter of Columbia County, and are still residents of
Black Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Koehler were the parents of six children, of whom
four are living: Caroline, Jonas Marcellus, Adas and Cora May. The deceased are
•Clara Idella and an infant unnamed.
Mr. Koehler has over seventy-two acres of land,
of which about sixty-eight are cultivated. He and his wife are members of the Old School
Lutheran Church, still retaining their membership at Black Creek Church, Luzerne County.
WILLIAM J. NUNGESSER, proprietor of the South Mifflin Mills, P. O. Mifflinville,
was born in Mifflin Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 23, 1851 a son of George
and Phtebe (Eckroth) Nungesser, both natives of this county. The former followed farming until about 1881, when he sold the farm and mill to his son (our subject), with whom
he remains retired from business. His wife died on the 1st of July, 1878, and is buried at
Mifflinville. Our subject was reared on the farm where he now resides and which was settled by his grandfather over a century ago, which makes quite a record for one family on
one piece of ground. Our subject spent his early life at farming his father's place, and
about a year after the construction of the mill he commenced learning the milling business, after which he acted as the miller of the plant until 1881.
He then bought eighty-six
acres, and hiring a miller, devoted his attention to farming.
In the spring of 1885 he resumed milling and now carries on both occupations. He was married in the county,
December 25, 1874, to Miss Ellen Bredbenner, a native of Columbia County, and a daughter of Conrad and Hannah Bredbenner, residents of Beaver Township.
Mr. and Mrs.
Nungesser are the parents of three children Martha E., George C. and James J.
Mr.
Nungesser is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Old Lutheran. In
politics Mr. Nungesser is a Democrat.
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:

J.

N. PEIFER, merchant

tailor, Mifflinville,

was born

in

Georgetown, Northumber-

land Co., Penn., December 12, 1834 a son of Nicholas and Mary (Fetterholf) Peifer, both
natives of Lower Mahanoy Township, Northumberland Co., Penn. The former was a
tailor, which trade he followed until his death
he is buried at Georgetown.
The latter
resides at Mahantondo Station, Dauphin County, this State.
J. N. was reared in Georgetown, and at the age of twelve years commenced to learn the tailor's trade with his father, and worked with the latter until he had reached the age of eighteen years.
He then
:Started for himself, opening his first shop in the Mahontondo Valley, and conducted it about
a year thence went to Sacramento, Schuj'lkill County, where he worked at journey work
until the following spring, when he worked on the canal and boated that summer.
In the
iall he took a trip to Stephenson County, 111., and worked at farming and tailoring until 1855.
He then went to the Madison County (Wis.) lumber regions, and was engaged in rafting on
the river about seven months. In the fall he went to Rockwell, 111., and worked at tailoring that winter, and in the spring worked in his cousin's brickyard in Monroe County, Wis.
He returned to Pennsylvania in'the fall of 1856, and worked with his father until 1857.
February 19, of that year, he married Miss Catherine Shafer, a native of Northumberland
Clounty, Penn., and a daughter of George and Sarah (Ressler) Shafer. Her father was accidentally killed, but her mother is still living in Jackson Township, Northumberland
County. After his marriage he started a shop for himself at Hickory Corners, same
county, and continued it until the war, when he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves. He served with the regiment until April, 1862, when he was discharged,
having participated in the battle of Dranesville. He then returned home, where he remained until March 12, 1864, when he again enlisted, this time in the 'Thirty-fourtli Independent New York Light Infantry, field battery, captain, Jacob Rcemer. They were assigned
to the Army of the Potomac and served in the following engagements Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Salem Church, Gaines' Farm and Cold Harbor. They were before
Petersburg from June 17 to August 19, and September 30, 1864, served in the defense of
Petersburg and participated in the operations resulting in the fall of Richmond.
Mr.
Peifer was also present at the grand review at Washington, and was discharged June 26,
1865, and returned home.
His first wife died May 6, 1865, the motiier of three children
Jerome Wilson and Mary Ann, who conduct a shop at Nescopeck, Luzerne County, and
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MONTOUR TOWNSHIP.

513

Catherine, deceased. Mr. Peifer removed to Mifflinville in tlie fall of 1865, and from 1867
January 30, 1866, he married Mrs. Fry,
to 1876 resided in Rockport, Carbon County.
daughter of George Miller, and by this marriage four children were born Ulysses Grant,
a cutter at Watsontown William Thomas, a tailor Ella Matura Jane and John Jacob
He and
Astor. Mr. Peifer is a member of the C. G. Jackson Post,No. 159, at Berwick.
family are members of the Lutheran Church.
SCHWEPPENHEISER, farmer, P. O. Mifflinville, was born in Mifflin
Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 3, 1833, a son of John Jacob and Rebecca (Sutton) Schweppenheiser, the former a native of Columbia County, this State, and the latThey lived in this county until their death. John
ter of the State of New Jersey.
Schweppenheiser followed farming during life, and died February 30, 1866; his widow
died in September, 1880, and both are buried in the Mifflin Cemetery. Abraham was
reared in Mifflin Township, and has always made his residence at the old homestead, and
farming his occupation. He married, in Lycoming County, on the 34th of May, 1847,
Miss Elizabeth P. Clark. Her parents are both deceased, and are buried in Lycoming
County. Mr. and Mrs. Schweppenheiser are the parents of seven children, of whom six
are living: Catherine, wife of C. R. Henderson, in McDonough County, 111.; Ella, wife
of George Milton Lehman, in Mifflin Township, this county; Lydia Alice, wife of Aaron
A. Bredbenner, also in Mifflin Township; Martha, wife of Jacob Knecht, resides in J3erwick, this county; Miranda, wife of R. S. Wintersteen, Mifflinville, and Wilmina Jane.
Mr. Schweppenheiser has ninety acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. He is
a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and his wife of the Methodist. He has
served as supervisor two years and as school director of Mifflin Township eighteen years.
In politics he is a Democrat.
(deceased) was born near Mifflinville, this county, October 13, 1810, to
JACOB
Peter and Nonie (Fortner) Yohe, the former a native of Berks County, Penn., and the latter
of N ew Jersey. Both came to Columbia County when young; here they were married, lived
and died, and both are buried in Mifflinville, the former died about 1855 and the latter about
1851. Jacob learned the milling trade when a boy at the Mifflinville mills, and when he had
reached manhood and finished his trade his father built the Yohe or Mifflin mills, which
Jacob conducted for his father until the latter's death. About two or three years after
that event Jacob purchased the mill property, which he conducted until one year before
his death.
He was then elected county treasurer and served two years, after which he
lived retired until his death. He married, October 18, 1836, Miss Rachel Brown, a native of
Columbia County, born February 13, 1814, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lunnenberry) Brown, both of whom were born in the State of New Jersey, and were there married
before coming to Pennsylvania. The former was a farmer in New Jersey, and followed that
occupation after coming to Columbia County. Besides Rachel, there were ten other children, of whom six are living, including Mrs. Yohe. Mr. Brown died in this county in
February, 1863; his wife had died some years prior. Mr. and Mrs. Yohe were the parents
of eight children, two of whom are living: Margarei, wife of Luther Hutchins (had ten
children, four living), at Rock Glen, Luzerne Co., Penn., and Marshall, who resides with
his mother.
The deceased were named as follows: John "Wesley, whose widow and two
children survive him; Ezra; David Brown; Ashbol Gwynn, whose widow and two children survive him; Naomi Jane and Benjamin Fortner. Mr. Yohe died August 39, 1871,
and is buried at Mifflinville. He was a man much esteemed, and enjoyed a large and
favorable acquaintance thi-oughout this section of country. He was a member of the
Methodist Church; his widow is a member of the same at Mifflinville.
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ABRAHAM

i

YOHE

CHAPTER XXXIX.

MONTOUR TOWNSHIP.
PETER A. EVANS, treasurer of Columbia County, P. O. Bloomsburg, was born in
Montour Township, this county, January 15, 1846, a son of Issachar M. and Maria (Appelman) Evans. He was educated in Bloomsburg at the old seminary, and in 1865-66 completed his studies at Dickinson Seminary. He then returned to the old homestead in
Montour Township, where he has been engaged in farming up to the present time. From
the time of attaining his majority Mr. Evans has taken an active part in politics and has
served his vicinity in many local offices. In 1880 he was appointed United States census
enumerator for his district. In 1883 he served as a delegate in the State convention

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

514

which nominated Gov. Pattison. In 1884 he was nominated and elected treasurer, receiving the largest majority of any candidate on the ticket. In 1873 Mr. Evans married
Samantha, daughter of William White, of Scott Township. He and family reside Id
Montour Township on the homestead, which was formerly owned by his grandfather,
Peter Appelman. The Appelman family is one of the oldest in the county. The father
He was born
of Peter was Matthias, who settled in Millwell shortly after the Revolution.
near Trenton, N. J. The great-grandfather, Mark Evans, was a native of Lancaster
County, and came to this county in 1816, settled in Greenwood Township, and was a
member of the Society of Friends; he was a carpenter, and also engaged in farming and
lumbering. Jacob, his son, was also a carpenter until middle life, when he adopted farmIn 1856 he was elected associate judge and served one term, and also served in several
ing.
He was a member of the Methodist Church fifty-five years, and a church
local offices.
officer many years, and ministers of that denomination made his home their stopping
Our subject is a member of the Grange and of the I. O. O. F.
place.
FRANK L. FAUST, operator of the White mill, Montour Township, P. O. Bloomsburg, is a native of Hemlock Township, this county, born in 1858, a son of John and
Julia (Sheppard) Faust. In 1874 he began to learn the milling business in what is now
called the Red mill, and after seven years' experience, in 1881, opened up in the same
business on his own account at his present location, one mile from Bloomsburg, having
leased the mill for a number of years. The White mill has four run of stone, one wheat,
two choppers and one for grinding buckwheat. It is fitted up in the most modern style
on the buhr system, and turns out the finest qualities of wheat and buckwheat flour. Mr.
Faust does a custom business and sells to the home trade and the merchants in adjoining
towns. In 1882 he married Hannah Allegar and three children have blessed their union:
Wilbur, Edith and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Faust are members of the Lutheran Church,
and he is a member of the American Mechanics Lodge at Bloomsburg.
GEORGE W. MEARS, D. L. & W. R. R. Agent, Rupert, was born January 3, 1848, a
son of Alexander and Phoebe (Knouse) Mears. He was reared in Bloomsburg and vicinity
and educated in the schools of the neighborhood. July 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company
A, Sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, Volunteer Infantry, was mustered into service at Harrisburg and the United States service at Washington, D. C.
July 27, 1861, he
participated in the battles of Dranesville, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam,
Fredericksburg (where a bullet struck his belt plate, knocking him down, which caused
him a severe bruise), Gettysburg (the last two dajs ), Mine Run, where he was wounded
by a piece of shell on the shoulder joint, necessitating the amputation of the left arm at
the shoulder. He also participated in many other engagements throughout Virginia,
Maryland and Pennsylvania, and May 1, 1863, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He
was mustered out June 11. 1864, having served three years; on leaving the army he
learned telegraphy and was employed five years in the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg Railroad
office at Danville, and in 1871 was appointed agent at Rupert for the D. L. & W. R. R.,
and has also acted as telegraph operator and express agent. He married, in 1870, Mary
A. Appelman, who bore him five children Wellington E., died in infancy; Elmer A.,
Howard R., Ottile and Ulvsses G. The last four are living.
JOHN S. MENSCH, "farmer, P. O. Bloomsburg, was born May 9, 1839, a son of Michael and Margaret (Shuman) Mensch.
He was reared on the farm and received a
good education. December 27, 1859, he married Matilda, daughter of Daniel and Hannah
(Cleaver) Zarr, and born January 13. 1840. After marriage he engaged in farming and in
October, 1881, bought his present place of 150 acres al»out two miles from Bloomsburg, in
Montour Township. Mr. and Mrs. Mensch are members of the Episcopal Church at
Bloomsburg. He is a Democrat and has served his township in various local offices; was
school director of Catawissa three years; is interested in the Agricultural Society in which
he served one year as a member of the executive committee. To him and wife were born
thirteen children: Flora, born October 17, 1861; George, August 13, 1863; William, January
6, 1865; Clara, September 20, 1866; Daniel Z., August 19, 1868; John Harrv. July 8, 1870;
Margaret, February 17, 1872; Morris C. S., September 16, 1873; Charles, April 16, 1875;
Ada, January 5, 1877; Frank, July 28, 1879; Guy, February 21, 1882, andMaybury Hughes,
:

March

2,

1886.

All are at

home except George, who

is

a railroad engineer.

The Menscli

family

is an old one in Columbia County.
The great-grandfather of cur subject was John
Mensch, who settled near Catawissa with his family about 1800. His farm was situated
at the mouth of Roaring creek and consisted of 400 acres, about 160 of which are still in
the hands of his descendants. His son, John, lived on the old homestead, and eventually,
partly by inheritance and partly by purchase owned the entire tract.
He was an honored citizen, a member of the Lutheran Church, and died about 1873, aged eighty-four

years.

WASHINGTON M. MONROE, manufacturer, Rupert, was born at Muncy, Penn.,
September 3, 1838, a son of Isaac S. and Elizabth (Davis) Monroe, who settled in
Catawissa in 1832. The father was foreman on the construction of the Pennsylvania
Canal, and later was extensively engaged in the lumber business.
He was an influential
Democrat until 1861, when he became identified with the Republicans. He served a»

MONTOUR TOWNSHIP.

515

associate judge of the county six years, and during the war was United States Assessor of
Internal Revenue for three years. He attended the Friends' meeting, but was not a member of that society. He was born in Woodstock, N. H., b.ut came to Pennsylvania when
about twenty years of age, and thereafter made it his home. He married at Catawissa,
and to him and wife seven children were born, only three of whom lived to maturity:
Sarah J., wife of Peter R. Baldy, and now deceased; Mary E., wife of Austin H. Church,
at Ashland, Penn., and Washington M. Our subject was reared at Catawissa, and
obtained his education at Pottstovvn Hill school, taking a three years' course. In 1861,
with his father, he established the business of manufacturing powder kegs at Rupert, and
His father dying in 1879, our subject assumed full
in 1866 was admitted as a partner.
charge and has since conducted the business. Since its start the factory has turned out
90,000 twenty-five pound kegs annually, valued commercially at about $30,000, giving
employment to eleven men. Mr. Monroe married, in 1861, Ellen B. Leonard, who was
born near Reading, Berks County. Four children blessed their union: Elizabeth, Mary
C, Ellen and Irene, all living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is agent for Dupont's Powder Company for the counties of

Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union and Northumberland.
LLOYD PAXTOX, farmer, P. O. Rupert. The Paxton family of Columbia County
is descended from an English family of that name, who came from England with William
Penn and settled in Buckingham, Bucks Co.. Penn. The first of the family to come to
Columbia County was Jonas Paxton, born June 25, 1735, ard Mary (Broadhurst) Paxton,
his wife, who was born December 31, 1754.
They settled at Catawissa, where they both
Their son, Joseph, was born in Bucks County
died, he in 1796 and she April 5, 1838.
February 3, 1786, and came to this county with his parents when he was quite young. He
was a tanner and carried on that business for many years successfully at Catawissa. He
was a leading man in his day and acted as general manager in business matters in his
vicinit}'.
He was also a private banker to some extent. Joseph Paxton was the principal
originator and projector of the Catawissa Railroad (now the Philadelphia & Reading).
He succeeded in interesting Nicholas Biddle, the president of the United States Bank at
Philadelphia in the railroad, and under their joint efforts the road was built. He owned
considerable land in the neighborhood of Catawissa, and took a deep interest in agriculture, owning a fertile farm in Bloom Township.
He also introduced some of the first
short-horn stock in the county. He was a regular attendant at the Friends' meeting at
Catawissa and had charge of the settlement cf many estates. He was a Whig politically,
and a personal friend and correspondent of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, autograph
letters from both being found among his effects.
He died at the beginning of the civil
war, which filled him with regret, and was thought to some extent to have hastened his
death, which occurred August 21, 1861. Joseph Paxton married Catherine Rupert April
She was a daughter of Leonard Rupert, and, on the death of her husband,
24, 1809.
moved to the old Rupert homestead, which had been purchased by her grandfather,
Michael Bright, in 1784, in Rupert, Montour Township, where she has since resided. December 25, 1886, she was one hundred years old, and supposed to be the oldest living
person in Columbia County. Llojd Paxton, a grandson of Leonard Rupert, now owns
the homestead tract at Rupert, which was bought by Michael Bright, his great-grandfather, In 1774.

JOHN

SQUIRE
G. QUICK, farmer, P. O. Rupert.was born in Rush Town3hip,NorthCo., Penn., January 19, 1824.
His ancestors were of German descent and settled in
Jersey long before the war of the Revolution. John Quick, his grandfather,
was a soldier in that struggle, in which his maternal grandfather, Samuel Moore, was sergeant. John and Nancy (Hummill) Quick located in Rush Township, Northumberland
County, soon after the close of the Revolution, and there died in February, 1824. His
widow died at the home of her son. John H. Quick, in Rupert, in 1831. John H. Quick was
born in Warren County, N. J., in 1789. and married Elizabeth Moore, who was born in 1791.
They became the parents of our subject, and bought the farm now occupied by him, in
1829.
There they passed the remainder of their lives. The father was a Democrat, and
served his vicinity in various local offices, and in religious belief was a Presbyterian, as
was also his wife. He died in 1852, and his wife in 1850, and both are buried in Rosemont
Cemetery at Bloomsburg. The old homestead of 140 acres is still owned by their son, our
subject, and is located just adjoining the village of Rupert. John G. Quick was reared to
farm life and from the age of six or seven years has resided at his present home. He is a
Democrat and has always been an active worker for the interests of his party; has served
in all local offices, except those of supervisor and assessor; was for twelve successive years
secretary and member of the school board and for twenty-five years has acted as justice of
the peace. In that time he has tried upward of 500 cases, only two of which were ever
appealed; in one ofthe.se his judgment was sustained in a higher court, the other was withdrawn. Squire Quick married, in 1853, Sarah Mover, and one child, Minnie, has blessed
their union.
Mrs. Quick and daughter are members of the Episcopal Church. 'The
Squire is a member of the F.
A. M., of Catawissa, and of the P. of H. and has been secretary of the Farmers Produce E.xchange at Bloomsburg since its origin.
umberland

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

516

,

CHAPTER

XL.

MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
SILAS CLARK BEAGLE, blacksmith, Mordansville, was born at Mordansville,
Mount Pleasant Township. Columbia Co., Penn., April 8, 1863, son of Leonard and Margaret (Mordan) Beagle.

Michael Beagle, grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Ger-

had reared the most of his family, came directly to Columbia County and located about a quarter of a mile north of Mordansville, when the surrounding country was yet very wild. His wife's maiden name was Rebecca Margaret.
When they located at the point mentioned they put up their improvements, consisting of
a frame house and buildings, the house being now occupied by Hiram Bogart. Here
Michael Beagle died about 1872, his wife having preceded him by one or two years.
They are buried in Dutch Hill Cemetery. Leonard Beagle, brother of our subject, was
born in Germany, and when he was fifteen years of age his family immigrated to the
United States and located in Columbia County. He spent the remainder of his life in

many

to this country after he

Mordansville and vicinity. He was married in this county to Margaret Mordan, by whom
he had one child, Silas Clark. Leonard Beagle enlisted in the nine months' call, and,
after serving his time out and coming home, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-second
Heavy Artillery, though they served as infantry. He was with his regiment until the
time of his death, which occurred in camp from fever brought on by exposure. His remains were sent home to his family and buried in Dutch Hill Cemetery with.the honors of
Silas Clark
war. His widow, now wife of Michael Hawk, resides at Eyer's Grove.
Beagle was reared at Mordansville, and at the age of over seventeen years commenced to
learn the trade of blacksmith at Harmon Severson's shop. He worked there between two
and three years, then came to Mordansville and built his present shop, which he has conducted ever since. He does all kinds of blacksmith repair work, ironing of wood work,
He was married in this county November 23, 1882, to Miss Eva Jane Hippenstlel, a
etc.
native of this county, and daughter of Peter and Sallie Hippenstiel, residents of Mount
Pleasant Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Beagle are the parents of two children:
Howard Ammerman and John Franklin. Mrs. Bieagle is a member of the Lutheran
Church.
SAMUEL HARTZEL, farmer, P. O. Light Street, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, this county, November 12, 1834, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Delong) Hartzel. Jacob
Hartzel was born in Northampton County, Penn., was there reared, and thence came to
this county when a young man, and shortly afterward bought land where Samuel now
resides.
He cleared up this land and farmed it, and also followed the trade of shoemaking (which he had learned in Northampton County) after coming here until his death.
He was married in this county to Mrs. Elizabeth Stouffer, nee Delong, widow of John
Stouffer, and they were the parents of two children: Joshua, in Mount Pleasant TownThe father of this family died in October, 1878, his
ship, this county, and Samuel.
wife in March, same year. They are buried in Canby Cemetery, Mount Pleasant TownSamuel was reared in Mount Pleasant Township, and has spent his
ship, this county.
He has always made
lifetime of over half a century at the place where he now resides.
farming his occupation, though he assisted his father to some extent shoemaking, and
He was married in this county in June,
also occasionally followed the carpenter trade.
1857, to Miss Christiann Straup, a native of this county, daughter of Jonathan and CathStraup,
both
deceased,
latter
buried
erine (Clauser)
at Canby, this county. Mr. and Mrs.
Hartzel are the parents of four children, three now living: Jacob Harvey, married to
Samantha Sitler (they live in Centre Township, this county); Anna Mary and Lucinda
Rebecca. The one deceased was an infant unnamed. Mr. Hartzel has about 115 acres of
Mr. and Mrs. Hartzel attend the
land, all of which lies in Mount Pleasant Township.
Lutheran Church, of which she is a member. He is a Democrat politically, and has held
the office of school director

and supervisor.

ELIAS HOWELL,

retired. P. O. Light Street, was born in Limestone Township, Montour County, Penn., September 27. 1825. son of William and Anna (Titus) Howell, former
was born in
Jersey in 1802, and the latter dying during our subject's inof
fancy, his uncle, Vinson Dye, took him to raise. In 1810, when William was but eight
Jersey to what is now Limestone Township,
years of age, his uncle removed from
Montour Co., .Penn., and with him William lived, assisting on the farm until he had
reached the age of eighteen years, when he went to learn the trade of stone-mason and
While living there he was married to Miss Anna
plasterer, in the same neighborhood.

whom

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MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

517

and in 1836 they removed to Mount Pleasant Township, this county, where he
bought 150 acres in the same neighborhood as the present farm of his son, Elias. He then
devoted almost his entire attention to farming, doing only his own mason work, following
agricultural pursuits until about ten years before his death, when he lived a retired life.
Mr. and Mrs. William Howell were the parents of eight children, six now living: Mary
Ellen, wife of William Hower, in Luzerne County, Penn.; William, in East Nanticoke,
Penn.; Edith Ann, wife of William Bowman, in Carthage County, Mo.; Robert C, in
Mount Pleasant Township, this county, John V., in Bloomsburg, Penn., and Elias. The
father of this family died April 1, 1874. He and his wife are buried in the Bloomsburg Cemetery. Elias Howell, 'subject of this sketch, was ten or eleven years of age
when the family removed from Montour County to what is now Mount Pleasant TownIn the spring of 1843 he went to Bloomsburg to learn the blackship, this county.
smith trade with William Sloan, and worked with him two years; then went to Montour
County, where he resided two years; then returned to this county, and for some seven or
eight years worked by the day for different farmers; then went into the mines in Bloom
Township, this county, and was there engaged thirteen years at contract work. He then
bought eighty-four acres of land in Mount Pleasant Township, this county, and commenced
farming; also leased a limestone ridge near by, put up a kiln, and for six years was engaged at that business as well as farming. After that time he gave his entire attention
to farming until the spring of 1881, since which time he has lived a retired life, renting his
farm. He was married in this county in November, 1846, to Miss Emeline Andrews, a
native of Columbia County. She died April 19, 1885, at the age of tifty-nine years, three
months, nineteen days, and is buried in the Vanderslice graveyard, Hemlock Township,
this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Howell were the parents of eight children, four now living:
William, married to Emily Laubach, in Hemlock Township, this county; John, married
to Mary Whitenight, also in Hemlock Township; Anna Margaret, wife of Peter Melick, in
Mount Pleasant Township, this county; Isaiah Willetts, married to Catherine Wolf, on the
home place. The deceased are Sylvester, Robert Francis, James Franklin and Clarence
Lloyd. Mr. Howell is a member of the Methodist Church. His wife had also been a
member of that church from her fourteenth year to the time of her death, forty-five years.
He is at present collector of Mount Pleasant Township, which office he has held since
1880; has also been treasurer of the school board for six years.
He has held the office of
supervisor for three years, and overseer of the poor four years. He is a member of Light
Street Grange, No. 31, P. of H.
THOMAS P. Mc BRIDE. Bloomsburg, steward of the Bloomi Poor District, composed of townships of Bloom, Scott, Greenwood and Sugarloaf, was born in Berwick,
this county, January 17, 1819, son of John and Edith ('Gossner) McBride.
Nathaniel McBride, grandfather of Thomas P., came to this coimty in the early days, and located in
Hemlock Township, where he bought and cleared up land. John McBride, father of our
subject, was born in this county and reared here to faj-m life.
He afterward abandoned
farming and gave his attention to the mason's trade, following that occupation principally
at Bloomsburg.
He was also engaged on the work of the Catawissa Railroad. He was
married in Berwick to Edith Gossner, and they were the parents of thirteen children, of
whom six are living: Thomas P.; Maria, widow of John Banghart (she lives in Lime
Ridge, this county); Alexander, in Hughsville, Penn.; Elizabeth, wife of Solomon Smith
(they live near Three Rivers, Mich.); Mary, widow of Henry Crum (she lives in Bloomsburg, this county), and Franklin P., also in Bloomsburg. The father of this family died
in 1858, the mother in 1844, and both are buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Bloomsburg.
Thomas P McBride, subject of this sketch, was reared in this county, where he has always
made his home. When he was nine years of age he went to work on the farm of Isaac
Coon, where he was employed three years. He then began boating on the canal between
Bloomsburg and Philadelphia, and for three years followed that occupation. He then commenced to learn the tailor trade with B. Rupert of Bloomsburg, with whom he was employed about eight years. He then bought a canal boat and engaged for himself in
the coal carrying trade between Bloomsburg and Baltimore. He was thus employed about
two years when he sold his boat and was engaged the next year in the store of L. B. Rupert, and for the next year boated with William Morril.
He then went in partnership
with Elias Mendenhall, and was engaged with him in boating for four years. He then
removed to the lumber woods in the upper end of this county, where Mr. Mendenhall had
purchased a tract of land and superintended the farming and lumbering at this place for
fifteen years. Later he bought fifty acres of land near Rohrsburg to which he moved, and
farmed it three years. March 28, 1876, he was appointed steward of the Bloom Poor District.
He did not find the farm in very good condition when he took charge, but he has
brought the place up to a high standard by constant improvements, and now it is a credit
to the county.
Since he has taken charge there have been four boards of overseers, and
as Mr. McBride has retained his position all this time, it is ample evidence that his administration has been HatisfactorJ^
He was married in this county September 8, 1858, to Miss
Amanda Bobbins, a native of this county, daughter of Margaret Robbins, deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. McBride are the parents of four children, of whom two are living: Urban us,
Titus,

BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:

518

married to Prebella McHenry, in Light Street, this county, and Margaret, wife of Jacob
John and Mary are deceased. Mr. McBride
Hirleman, in Bloomsburg, this county.
is a

Democrat

politically.

H. MASON, farmer, P. O. Canby, was born in the city of Philadelphia
son of William and Parthena (Wetherill) Mason. There were three brothers in the Mason family who came over in the "Mayflower" and landed at Plymouth
Rock in 1620. Capt. John Mason, who is so prominently spoken of in history, is the
one of these brothers from whom Charles H. is descended. The great-grandfather of
our subject was Ebenezer Mason. He had a son, also named Ebenezer, who was the
grandfather of Charles H., and was born at Ashford, Conn.. March 37, 1749; was married
June 2'6, 1774, to Mary Hastings, who was also born at Ashford, Conn., December 17, 1752.
They were the parents of eleven children, as follows :^Rufus, born May 23, 1775, died July
29 1776; Mehetabel. b. August 23, 1776, d. April 1, 1800; Rufus, b. May 3, 1778. d. September 10 1812; Eliphalet, b. June 23, 1780, d. March 11, 1853; Ebenezer, b. October 2,
1782 d May 10, 1873; David, b. July 27, 1784, d. August 29, 1848; Alva, b. August 9,
Februarv 28, 1844; Mary,
1786' d April 21, 1863; William, b. February 17, 1788, d.

CHARLES

June

11, 1815,

December 14, 1866; Chester, b. June 10, 1793, d. November 29, 1845;
June 7, 1795, d. April 26, 1882. The father of this family died July
After his death his widow removed to
25, 1824, and was buried at Ashford, Conn.
Monroeton, Bradford County, where she died in September, 1834, and is buried there.
William Mason, father of Charles H., was born and reared at Ashford, Conn., and
on arriving at a suitable age, went to Hartford, where he learned the art of woodengraving, and in 1810 removed to Philadelphia where he followed it, being the first in
that line in the Quaker City. He followed this art a number of years and then commenced the manufacture of philosophical instruments, such as air-pumps, electrical maHe conducted that business until sevenchines, etc., including a telescope for himself.
teen years before his death, when he gave his attention to art, instructing in drawing and
designing, and this he followed until his death. Among his designs was an ideal one,
which he called the " inventor's head;" it is in the shape of a human head, formed entirely of mechanical appliances, and so constructed as to be a good likeness; although
very minute in its detail, it was drawn with a lead pencil and shaded with India ink.
Charles H. Mason has a photograph of the drawing in his possession. Among others who
studied designing, etc., under William Mason were Thomas U. Walters, the designer of
Girard College, and John Troutwine, a noted civil engineer. Mr. Mason was married in
Philadelphia to Parthenia Wetherill, a native of Salem, N. J., born January 3, 1793. They
were the parents of seven children, of whom six are living; Samuel Rufus, in Dodge County, Neb.; Charles H. and Margaret Ann, wife of William H. Strickland, in Reading,
Penn. (twins); Mary Delia, wife of Samuel C. Hays, in the stationery business in Philadelphia; Amanda Jane, widow of John Dainty (she lives at Beverly, N. J.); Catherine
Wetherill, widow of Nathan Stern Beekley (she lives in Philadelphia); William Morrison
(twin to Mrs. Beekley) is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. William Mason, parents of the above,
are buried at Philadelphia. Charles H. Mason, subject of this sketch, was reared in Philadelphia and tliere educated. At the age of seventeen he went into the country in Bucks
County, where he served an apprenticeship of five years on a farm. In 1836 he went to
Monroeton, Bradford Co., Penn., and there worked at different employments, farming,
rafting on the river, lumbering and teaching school, and in 1842 went to Hill's Grove,
Lycoming Co., Penn., where he resided until 1846, moving theuce to Shrewsbury, same
county, where he lived until 1849. In that year he came to Mount Pleasant Township,
and operated a saw-mill on Fishing creek for'one year. From that time until 1852 he
worked by the day. At the latter date he began to learn the carpenter and millwright
trades, and on completing bis instruction went into the millwrighting business as journeyman with Marshall G. Kinley of Bloomsburg, this count3^ and for seven years
worked with him most of the time. After that he worked at carpenter work until 1880,
when, his wrist being broken, he abandoned that work, and since then has done little else
than attend to the farming of his lot. He married June 16, 1841, Miss Mary Tingley, a
native of Hughsville, Lycoming Co., Penn., born March 30, 1821. She died March 8, 1876,
and is buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Canby. By that marriage there were eight
children, seven now living: William Chester, in Mount Pleasant Township, this county;
Jeremiah M., in Wichita, "Wichita Co., Tex.; Martha Jane Craven, wife of John McMuUen,
in Knoxville, N. Y.; Nelson Winfield, in Holland, Lucas Co., Ohio; Samuel Rufus, in
Toledo, Ohio; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of William A. Wait, a druggist in Sugar Notch. Luzerne Co., Penn., and Isaiah Willett Hartman, a salesman in the carpet store of Hudson &
b.

May

26,

Margaret,

1790. d.

b.

Simington, Detroit, Mich. Amanda Melissa, the second born, is deceased. Mr. Mason
was again married December 16, 1877, this time to Catherine Ann McCaslin, widow of
Marvin McCaslin of Montoursville, Lycoming Co., Penn., and daughter of John and Jane
Dudder, natives of this county. Her grandfather was from New Jersey. Her father
died January 17, 1883, aged seventy years, ten months and three days, and was buried at
Canby, this county. Her mother died February 22, 1837, aged twenty-five years. Mr.
and Mrs. Mason are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican.

MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

519

PHILIP MILLER, farmer, P. O. Eyer's Grove. was born in what is now Madison Township, this county, September 24, 1834, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Welliver) Miller. Daniel
Miller, who at the time of his death was one of the oldest citizens of this county; was born
Jersey, about twenty miles from Easton. He was reared to farm life
June 10, 1784, in
and March 10, 1809, he was married to Betsey Welliver, who was four years his junior. He
enlisted for two years in the war of 1813, but after bein^ in the army little over a year, he
grew tired of a soldier's life, and gave a man f37 to serve his time out. In 1830 he
with his wife and four children removed to Pennsylvania. They first lived on the farm
now owned by John McMichael in Greenwood, this county, and afterward in several
places in Greenwood, Madison and Mount Pleasant Townships. In September, 1864, he and
Jersey, their old home, but the latter taking sick, it was four
his wife took a trip to
months before she could return, and from this illness she never fully recovered. They
four are now living: Aaron, in Hemlock Townwere the parents of nine children of
ship, this county; Sarah, widow of Martin Kilgress, in Lycoming County, Penn.; Henry
A., in Mount Pleasant Township, this county; and Philip. Robert, Nancy, wife of Samuel
Neyhart, Effie, wife of George Whitenight, John and Phoebe Ellen are deceased. The
father of this family died in February, 1880; the mother died February 17, 1874. They are
buried in Ikeler's graveyard,Mount Pleasant Township. Philip Miller.subject of this sketch,
was reared in this county to farm life, and made his home with his parents until his marriage, after which event, his parents leaving that place, he farmed it for two years afterward. He first bought land in 1861, purchasing fifty acres where he now resides, to which
he has since added about five acres more. He was married November 2, 1848, to Miss Ann
By this marriage there were two children Wesley B.,
Keller, who died on April 7, 1853.
married to Miss Ida B. Shumaker (they reside in Madison Township, this county) and
Mr. Miller again married December 12, 1861, Miss Elizabeth
Francis B. (deceased).
By this marriage there
Keller, a native of this county, and daughter of Henry Keller.
were four children, one now living, Jennie. The deceased are Rosa Clemintine, David
Masters and Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Church. Mr.
Miller has held the offices of school director and supervisor of Mount Pleasant Township.
(deceased) was born July 18, 1811, in Mifflin Township, Columbia
E.

New

New

whom

:

JOSEPH

SANDS

His ancestors came from England, the pioneer of the name being John
Sands, who was obliged to leave his native country on account of religious persecution.
He settled in Berks County, Penn., and from him are descended all of the name in this
county. The father of our .subject was John, son of Daniel, who was a son of the pioneer
John. Joseph E. when a lad was brought by his parents to Briarcreek Township, Columbia County, and during his minority worked for Andrew Hunlock,who carried on a woolenCo., Penn.

While in his employ he learned the business thoroughly, and in 1835 came to
Oreenwood Township. That year he married Esther Lundy, and three years later came
to what is now Mordansville, and built a woolen-mill, which is now operated by his son,
He carried on that business up to the time of his death, which occurred February
C. L.
mill.

He had visited the above city with his son
1881, of apoplexy, at Philadelphia.
Charles to buy goods, and while there died very suddenly, while making his purchases.
He was buried with Masonic honors, of which fraternity he was an honored member, and
In speaking of
his remains now repose in Orange Township, in the McHenry Cemetery.
Mr. Sands he can well be called a representative man in Columbia County. In politics
postmaster at
first
he was a Republican though not a partisan. He was appointed the
this place, and in 1875 was elected county commissioner, and served with credit to himself
and satisfaction to his constituents. He was generous and liberal, and his hand was ever
He was a successful business man, and
ready to contribute to the wants of the needy.
was always in the front when the general interests of the people were at stake. He
reared a family of seven sons and one daughter, all of whom married. Three of the sons
•served their country in the civil war, and Mr. Sands, himself, went out with the militia
34,

when

the Southern forces invaded the State in 1863.
L. SANDS, president of Mordansville woolen-mills, Mordansville, was
son of Joseph E. and Esther
born near Rohrsburg, this county, December 16. 1849
(Lundy) Sands. John Sands, grandfather of our subject, came to this county from Berks
County, Penn., in the early part of the present century. He was born in Berks County,
and there learned the miller's trade, and when he came to this county he went to Mifflin
Township, where he was the miller of Brown's mill, near Mifflinville, for a number of
From there he removed to near Orangeville, and operated the Bowman mill a numyears.
ber of years, and from there removed to Greenwood Township and run the Fulmer(nowthe
Alinas Cole) mill and while connected with this mill he fell dead from apoplexy while
working in the orchard near by. His death occurred in June, 1856. He was married in
this county to Miss Hannah Eck, of Briarcreek Township, also a member of an early setShe survived her husband about seven j'ears. They are buried in the Mctler's family.
Henry graveyard, in Orange Township, this county. They were the parents of six children, four now living: Mary, in Greenwood Township, this county Ann, wife of Baltis
Girton, now living in Aledo, 111.; Uzilla, widow of James Strong, who was in the service of.
the Union, and was killed at Fort Fisher— she lives at Dushore, Sullivan Co., Penn.;

CHARLES

;

;

38

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

520

Emma and Joseph E. are deceased;
Horace lives at Wyalusing, Bradford Co., Penn.
Joseph E. Sands, father of Charles L., the second in order of age of these children, was
born in Mifflin Township, while his father was the miller at Brown's mills. He made his
home with his parents until he had reached the age of eighteen years, and then went to
work to learn his trade in the woolen-mill of Andrew Hunlock.Briarcreek Township, this
county. He learned the trade there, and when he had obtained a thorough knowledge of
the business he erected a woolen-mill of his own, one mile north of Rohrsburg, on Green
Creek. He worked that mill until 1856, but as the woods around became cleared up the
creek began to fail, and finally he found it impossible to run the mill with the water of
In 1856 he erected a mill on the banks of Little Fishing creek, in Mount
that stream.
Pleasant Township, which forms the nucleus of the present Mordansville woolen-mills.
He operated this mill until about one week before his death, when he sold it to Charles
He was married in this county to Miss Esther Lundy, a native of this county,
L. Sands.
and daughter of Henry Lundy, and they were the parents of ten children, seven now livHenry H., in Hemlock Township, this county; William E., in Mount Pleasant
ing
Township, this county Thomas E., also in Hemlock Township Anna Margaret, wife of
W. W. Eves, one of the firm of Ellis Eves & Brother, merchants at Millville. this counCharles L. Joseph H.. in the hardware business in Bowling Green, Ohio (he is married
ty
The deceased are Elijah
to Mary Turner, a native of Wood County, Ohio), and James P.
and John (twins), and Susannah. The father of this family died February 24, 1881, while
strong
Union
man
during the war, and
business
trip.
He
was
a
on
a
at Philadelphia
went out with the militia at the time of the invasion of the State by ihe Confederate
His widow died September 3, 1886. They are buried in the McHenry graveyard,
forces.
Orange Township, this county. The mother was a member of the Christian Church the
Mr. Sands had held the office of commissioner of Colfather was a Friend by birthright.
umbia County from 1876 to 1879. He was the first postmaster of Mordansville, which
position he held until his election as commissioner. He was a well known man in Columbia County, and commanded the respect of even those who differed from him in his views.
Henry H. was
Of his children, three were in the service of the Union during the war.
twice a volunteer, at first in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and while in the regiment participated among others at the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The second time he enlisted was in 1864, in
Company D.Two rtundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Infantry, and was in the battles of
Hatcher's Run, Gravelly Run, Five Points, and the regiment participated in the movements
about Petersburg which resulted in the fall of that stronghold and Richmond, and the
surrender of Lee also participated in the grand reunion of the victorious armies of the
William E. was in the
Union at the national capital at the close of the war.
He served with his regiment
One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Infantry.
from February, 1865, until the close of the war. Thomas E. was in the independent cavalry, and was engaged principally in the civil service department. Charles L.
Sands, subject of this sketch, was reared in this county, and made his home with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, and then went to work at the carpenter's trade
with Abraham Dildine, of Orange Township, this county, with whom he was engaged one
year.
He then returned to his father's home and lived there until 1871, when he began
dealing in horses to some extent, and obtained the contract for building the stone work
He then rented a
of the Wilson bridge across Little Fishing creek, which he constructed.
farm in Mount Pleasant Township, this county, which he carried on until 1875, when he
removed to Millville and commenced in the livery business, and established the first stage
It was thought at that time that this stage line would
line from Millville to Bloomsburg.
not pay, but he made the business remunerative, and it is so to this date. He closed out
selling
out to Humphrey Parker, and then camt; to
this business in the spring of 1880,
Mordansville and helped his father operate the mill until the following spring, when he
bought the mill.
He then added new machinery and in the spring of 1886 enlarged the
mill by the erection of an addition.
He carried on the business alone until 1888, when M.
J. Elder obtained an interest in the operation of the mill, and the firm remained Sands &
Elder until the spring of 1886, when William H. Hagenbuch obtained an interest, and the
The capacity has been increased, since Mrstyle of the firm is now C. L. Sands & Co.
Sands bought the mill, from 6.000 to 25.000 pounds. Mr. Sands was married in this county May 13, 1871. to Miss Mary Zeigler, a native of the county and daughter of Daniel and
Catherine Zeigler. both deceased and buried in the Canby graveyard. Mount Pleasant
Elizahetii
Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Sands are parents of three children
Maude, Maggie Alverda and Joseph E. Besides the woolen-mill interests, Mr. Sands is
also engaged in farming, having land aggregating 162 acres in Mount Pleasant Township,
on which he carries on farming. He is justice of the peace of Mount Pleasant Township,
having been elected in the spring of 1884. He was '>ne of the vice presidents of the Columbia Countv Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Association from the spring of
;

:

;

;

;

;

;

;

:

1881 to that of 1886.
P. SANDS,

JAMES

Township,

this county,

merchant and postmaster, Mordansville, was born in Greenwood
24, 1854, and made his home with his parents until his.

October

•

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

521

marriage, which took place December 20, 1877. He received his education in the public schools of Mount Pleasant Township and at the Greenwood Seminary, Millville.
When a boy he assisted his father in the woolen-mill and store and learned the trade in
the mill. In 1875 his father gave him an interest in the store and the firm was J. E.
Sands & Son until November, 1879, when James P. bought the interest of his father and
conducted the business alone until August 14, 1883, when he sold an interest to Howard
E. Eves, and the firm was Sands & Eves until March 19. 1886, when Mr. Sands bought
the holding of his partner and has since conducted the business alone
In September,
1886, he commenced the erection of a new building for a store and residence, 27x40 feet
He carries a complete line of general merchanin ground area and two stories in height.
dise, his stock being valued at about $4,000. He was commissioned postmaster at Mordansville by Marshall Jewell, postmaster, in December, 1875.
He is at present connected with
the schools of Mount Pleasant as director, and has also held the position as auditor of the
and
Mechanical Association. He was marColumbia County Agricultural, Horticultural
ried in this county to Miss Susan A. Eves, a native of this county, daughter of Benjamin
K. and Mary W. (Welliver) Eves, both natives of this county, former of whom died im
this county in June, 1879, and is buried in the Friends burying-ground, at Millville; latter
resides with a sister at Williamsport, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Sands are the parents of four
children, three now living: Justin Earl, George Eves and Mary Esther.
Mildred Lucy
Mr. and Mrs. Sands are members of the Society of Friends. He is a memis deceased.
ber of Oriental Lodge, No. 460, A. F. & A. M., at Orangeville, and jhas held the oflfice of

Junior Warden.
JOHN H. WOLF, farmer, P. O. Bloomsburg, was born in Bucheneu, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, May 23_, 1827, son of Henry and Magdelina (Schen) Wolf, former of
whom followed farming in his native land until coming to this country. John H. was
reared to farm life, and became agent for a wine house, in whose interest he traveled
through a number of German States and into France. In 1851 some young friends of his
came to America, and located at Hazleton, Penn., and as they wrote back favorable accounts of the country, our subject was induced to make up his mind to try his fortunes in
the New World. He had received a good education at home in his native town, going as
far as the course of the normal school in Bloomsburg.
In 1853 he went to Bremen in
company with friends and relatives, and there taking a farewell leave of those he had
known during his youth, he took passage on a sailing vessel bound for New York, which
he reached after a tedious voyage of fifty-eight days, there being little or no wind. Arriving at the Empire City, he went directly to Luzerne County, where he was engaged in the
mines for six years, and then came to Montour County; here he bought a farm of forty
acres in West Hemlock Township, where he remained, farming the place until 1871, when
he moved to the old Paxton place of 148 acres in Mount Pleasant Township, which he
bought in 1881, and here now resides. He was married at Hazleton, Luzerne County, in
1854, to Miss Louisa Heck, a native of Diedenshausyn, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and a
daughter of Michael and Catherine Heck. She came to this country on the same ship
with Mr. Wolf. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are the parents of nine children: John J., married to
Willetta Brumstetler, living in Mount Pleasant Township, this county (he is a graduate of
the State Normal at Bloomsburg); Henry C, married to Mary Shive, in Bloomsburg;
William; Otto; Frank; Kate, married to Isaiah Howell, in Mount Pleasant Township, this
county; Mary; Lizzie and Lillie. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are members of the Lutheran Church.
He is supervisor of Mount Pleasant Township. He takes an active interest in public
affairs, and has held some official position almost since coming to this country.
He was
seventeen years in the church council, and a short time after coming to this country was
elected school director, to which he refused a re-eleclion after holding the position eight
years, and in 1885 was elected to his present position.
He is a member of Light Street
Mr. Wolfs mother died in the December following his
Grange, No. 31, P. of H.
departure for America, and in 1857 his father came to this country and located in LuzerneCounty. He died at Fillmore, Carbon County, in 1884.

CHAPTER

XLI.

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.
GEORGE W. APPLEMAN, farmer,

P. O. Welliversville. was born on the farm wherea son of George and Rebecca (Kinney) Appleman,
the former a native of Montour County, the latter of New Jersey. To George and

he

now

resides.

November

10, 1840,

522

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Rebecca were born six children that grew to maturity: Matthias, Isaac K., Amanda, David,
George W. and Emanuel. Amanda is the wife of Hiram Bowman; David resides in Wisiconsin; Isaac K. in Mount Pleasant; Matthias in Bloomsburg; the others in this township.
'George W. was reared on the farm. He taught school several years during the winters
and remained with his parents as long as they lived. He married, in January, 1881,
Elizabeth McHenry, a daughter of John and Sabiua (Conner) McHenry. He has two
Mr. Appleman owns 140 acres of land and is a member of
children: Edith and Arthvu" R.
the Grange.

EMAiSTUEL L. APPLEMAN, farmer, P. O. Welliversville, was born on the homestead
Columbia County, June 2, 1848, the youngest son of George and Rebecca Appleman,
and was reared to agricultural pursuits. February 6, 1872, he married Elizabeth J.,
daughter of Samuel Gillaspy. She was born near Rohrsburg, and to her and husband
have been born four children: Fannie Udella, Lulla May, Charles Orval and Hubert
Harold, the latter dying September 27, 1881, aged six months and six days. Mr. Appleman has a farm of 100 acres, which is highly improved and one of the best in the townBoth Mr. and Mrs. Appleman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
ship.
He is a member of the Grange.
with which they have been identified since about 1885.
Mrs. Appleman was born September 14, 1850. in Greenwood Township, a daughter of
Samuel and Charity (Van Horn) Gillaspy. She has five sisters and two brothers, all of
whom are living in" the county except Ida, the wife of Ellwood Kester, of Audubon County,
Iowa, and James, in Montour County.
WESLEY BOWMAN, farmer, P. O. Orangeville, was born in Mifflin Township, this
county, October 3, 1818. The Bowman family came originally from Switzerland, whence
Wesley's great-grandfather came to this country and settled near Delaware Water Gap,
Northampton Co., Penn., and died near Newberry in 1830. He had four sons: Jesse,
John, Christopher and Thomas. Thomas was the father of Henry, Christopher, John,
Of these, Henry was the father of our
Jesse, Wesley, George, Sophia, Sarah aqd Susan.
He removed with his
subject, and was born in Northampton County, Penn., about 1785.
1800.
was
Sarah,
daughter of James Brown, and
His wife
father to Briarcreek about
There he
after marriage they moved to Mifflin Township, where he engaged in farming.
His widow survived
also built a mill and passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1828.
They were the parents of fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to be
until 1868.
grown: Samuel, Christopher F., Thomas, John, George L., Henry, Manassah, Wesley
{subject), Mary, Peniniah, Seth, Hiram, Lavinia, and all of these, save John, married and
reared families. AVesley remained in Mifflin Township until he was fourteen years of
age. Later he operated a mill for his uncle, and in November, 1839, married Mary Ann
Williams, daughter of Samuel and Maria (White) Williams. In 1844 Mr. Bowman located
where he now resides, on what was known as the Frutchy tract, and ^in the fall of 1868
He has about seventy acres in the mill tract. He
built Bowman's mill on Fishing creek.
has had four sous and one daughter: Righter R., Henry C, Taylor Z., Millard F. and
Anna M. Righter R. died in 1871. He and Henry C. served in the civil war, both in the
Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves.
CAPT. HARRISON J. CONNER was born in Orange Township, Penn., December 9,
1841, the eldest son of Isaiah Conner, who was born in Centre Township in 1812, son of
John Conner, a Pennsylvanian by birth. Subject's mother's maiden name was Catharine,
daughter of Reece Millard. Three children were reared to maturity: Harrison J., Miliard F. and William T. Isaiah Conner died in 1855; his widow is yet living. Harrison
J. worked in the tannery with his father when young, and the war breaking out he enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixth Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves, for three
5^ears. served out his time and filled every position up to second lieutenant in his_ company. After serving out his time he was commissioned first lieutenant, and was in Company G, Third Regiment United States Veteran Volunteers, Hancock's First Army Corps;
After his return home he visited
^served until the spring of 1866, coming out as captain.
the West; was elected justice of the peace" and is now serving his second term.
JOSEPH CRAAVFORD, farmer, Orangeville, is descended from one of the early settlers of Columbia County, and was born in Mount Pleasant Township, September 25, 1818.
His father, Joseph Crawford, was born in 1778, and was the second white child born in Northnmborland County, in a fort. Joseph, Sr., was a son of Edward Crawford, of Scotch deOur subscent, whose ancestors came from Scotland and settled in the lower counties.
ject's mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Mellick. Subject's father was reared to
farming, and he and wife had eleven children, nine of whom were reared to maturity:
Edward, Andrew. John, Joseph, Stephen, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth. Sarah Ann. Our
subject remained on the farm until he was twenty-seven years of age. In 1842 he married
Catherine, daughter of Harmon and Anna ( Evland ) Labour, and in 1846 located on his
farm in Mount Pleasant, where he resided until 1877. He then located in Orange Township and there he has since remained. He has been successful; owns several farms, and
has a competence for his declining years. To him and wife nine children were born, five
of whom are living: Clinton, Harmon, William, Alfred and Anna, All reside in this
county except Harmon, who is in Russell County, Kas. Another son, Joseph F., was
killed in New Mexico in December, 1880, and three died of diphtheria in 1866.
in

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

523

WILLIAM DELONG,

retired, Orangeville, was born March 3, 1813, in Orangeville,
there were but a few houses in the place. When eighteen years of age he began
learning the shoemaker's trade, and followed it continuously until 1884, since which time
he has lived retired. He began poor but by patient industry and economy acquired a
competency for his declining years. He married in February, 1842, Rebecca Labenberg,
born in Catawissa, daughter of Lewis Labenberg. Four children were born to this union:
Perry, engaged in the harness business; Mary, wife of Sylvester Hutton; Jerome B. and
Clement, in the tin and hardware business. Samuel Belong, father of our subject, was
an early resident of Sunbury and a son of John Delong. Samuel married Elizabeth
Plank and they became the parents of Edward, Henry, William, Jesse, Mary and Catherine.
Edward and Catherine removed to Northampton County, where the former died;
Jesse moved to Luzerne County, while William and Henry settled in Orange Township;
Mary is the wife of Henry Faus, and resides in Ohio; Catherine never married. Our
subject is a member of the Lutheran Church and has been since he was eighteen years of
Politically he is a Greenbacker.
age.
DeWITT, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Rohrsburg. was born
JOSEPH
in Orange Township, this county, January 5, 1846, the youngest child of Isaac and Nancy
B. (Stewart) DeWitt. Isaac was born in Rush Township, Montour County, was a wheelwright by trade and also followed farming. In 1851 he located one mile north of Rohrsburg. He reared a family of five children: Amanda, Clinton K., James M.. Williamson
M. and Joseph. Amanda married Jacob Terwilliger, of Light Street; Clinton and James
The father died
are farmers in Fishingcreek; William.son M. died in January, 1885.
July 9, 1875. Joseph F. remained at home until about the age of twenty-five. In 1875
he purchased the property where he now resides, and which has since been his home..
He is engaged in farming and stock raising and also in huckstering. He married, in
Three children
1867, Susan A. Reece, daughter of T. J. and Mary (Reeder) Reece.
bless their union: Cora B., Thomas E. and Stella M.
One died in infancy.
DeWITT, merchant, Orangeville, was born at Light Street,
Penn., February 13, 1851, a son of John H. and Caroline (Mears) DeWitt. John H. was
born near Light Street in Orange Township, a son of Isaac and Mary (Haughauat) DeWitt,
and two weeks after his birth was taken by his grandfather, Abram Moore. He lived
with him until he was eighteen years of age, when he returned to Light Street to learn
He married in 1849 and died March 11, 1857; his widow surthe trade of a wheelwright.
vived him until 1881. To him and wife were born four children: Alpheus M., George B.,.
Lillie M. died in childhood.
Hester A. married Boyd Henry and
Lillie M. and Hester A.
located in Light Street; George B. married Jennie Lamon, located in Plymouth and died in
February, 1881. Alpheus M. is now the only male representative of the family, and was but
six years old when his father died.
He was reared by Abram Moore in Greenwood until
nineteen years of age. Later he attended the normal school at Bloomsburg during the
From 1879 to 1881
summer, and taught school in the winter and farmed in Greenwood.
he clerked in a store, and in May of the latter year set up in business for himself, in partDeWitt, which
nership with George S. Fleckenstine, under the firm name of Fleckenstine
association continued until December.jl883. Mr. DeWitt then started on his own account
in the building which he now occupies.
He carries a general stock of merchandise,
drugs, hardware, paints, oils, etc., and does a good business.
He married in February,
1880, Mary S. Conner, who was born in this township, a daughter of Samuel and Mary
living,
(Achenbuch) Conner. They have one child
Mary; Harold C. died at the age of
four years. Mr. DeWitt is a member of the Reformed Church.
B. DILDINE, farmer, P. O. Welliversville, is a son of Andrew Dildine, who
was born near Bloomsburg, this county. Andrew was a son of John and married Ruth
Bogart, daughter of Abram and Margaret (Creeger) Bogart. To them were born four sona
and six daughters: Elizabeth Ann, Abram B., John O., Margaret, Jacob, Isaiah, Amanda,
Sarah J., Mary E., Ruth. Abram B. was born May 27, 1816, on the Reichard farm, and
lived here until he was thirteen years of age. When twenty-one years of age he began
to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed several years, and becoming a contractor
did an extensive business. His first wife died April 26, 1878, quite suddenly of heart disease.
After her deal h he abandoned contracting, returned to his children and engaged in farming.
In June, 1883, he married Mrs. Eliza Freece, who was born in this county, a daughter of
Henry Hoomel. By his first wife he had nine children: John A., Ruth C, Celestia A.,
Sarah M., George W., Dora J., Mary A., Joseph C. and Amanda A. His first wife was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he and his present wife are also members.
Mr. Dildine is a member of the Grange; politically he is a Democrat.
ISAAC K. DILDINE, farmer, P. O. Welliversville, the youngest son of Andrew and
Ruth (Bogart) Dildine, was born in this county June 3, 1826, and when six j-ears of ao;e
came with his father to this township. He located on the farm now owned by Reece ^IcHenry, a part of which tract is now owned by our subject. Isaac remained at home until
twenty years of age and farmed for his father. He first married, December 6, 1853, Angeline B. Hughes, who was born June 26, 1829, in this county, a daughter of Charles and
Mary (Rhodes) Hughes. After marriage he located on the farm he now owns. Mrs. Dil-

when

PATTON

ALPHEUS MOORE

&

ABRAM

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

524

dine died March 20, 1863, tlie mother of three children: George H., Charles H., Anna E.,
and of these Charles H. is the only one now living. The other children died of diphtheand were buried in one grave. Decemria George March 31, and Anna E. April 1, 1863
ber 6, 1868. Mr. Dildine married Mrs. Angeline Drake, a native of this county and a
daughter of Peter Knorr. To this union one child, Cora B.. was born, September 12,
By her former husband, Col. Levi
1871, and died of diphtheria December 18, 1881.
Drake, Mrs. Dildine had three children: Winfield Scott, McKindra L. and Laura M.,
in Ford County. Kas., the wife of Frank P. Vandeislice.
Col. Drake was a soldier in
the Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, being in command of the regiment at the time of his death. lie also served with distinction in the Mexican war. McKindra L. was killed August 9, 1877, in the Rocky Mountains, at the battle
of Big Hole by the Nez Perces Indians. He was an orderly and a brave soldier. Winfield S. served during the civil war and returned home unscathed, and is a practicing phyMr. Dildine is a member of the Methodist
sician in Erviile, Muskingum Co., Ohio.
Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Dildine of the Presbyterian Church, at Orangeville.
JAMES B. HARMAN, justice of the peace, Orangeville, was born in Orange Township, October 17, 1833, a son of George and Mary (Knorr) Harman.
His father was a
ifative of Northampton County, Penn., a son of Henry Harman, of German stock. James
the
cabinet-maker's trade, of which he was master at the age of twenty. He
B. learned
then bouglit out Alfred Howell, with whom lie had learned the business, and has since
conducted the same. He married Harriet, daughter of Judge Covanhoven. Mr. and Mrs.
Harman are the parents of four cliildren Lawrence C. and William W. in Leavenworth,
Kas., and George H. and Delia. Mr. Harman was elected justice of the peace in 1862,
and has since occupied that position, and has also held nearly all the other township
offices.
He is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, and a member of the A. F. &
A. M., Lodge No. 460, also of the R. A. and Commandery.
GEORGE W. HESS, farmer, P. O. Orangeville, was born July 16, 1845, on the farm
where he now resides, and which he owns.
His father, Jeremiah Hess, was born in
Salem, Luzerne County, and married Maria Poe. George W. was reared to agricultural
pursuits and took charge of the farm in the spring of 1869. He married October 15, 1868,
Sarah Smith, a native of Luzerne County, born in 1845, a daughter of Samuel Smith.
Mr. and Mrs. Hess have live children Maria C, Clarence M., Samuel S., Ernest E. and
Joseph M. They are members of the Reformed Church. Mr. Hess is a Democrat in

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:

politics.

GEORGE LEONARD JOLLY, M. D., Orangeville, was born in Kingston District,
Luzerne County, Penn., September 16, 1855. At the age of twelve he began his self-sustaining career. He received the advantages of the common schools and afterward attended
the high school, and later took a full academic course in Beaumont, Wyoming County.
He then came to Orangeville where he studied Latin and Greek under the instruction of
Rev. Canfield, and finally nearl}' completed his course in Lafayette College, and soon expects his degree A. M. He then returned to this place and taught in the academy for
nearly five years, during which time he began reading medicine with Dr. O. A. Megargell,
and afterward graduated with honors at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., in the spring of 1883, also receiving a duplicate from Jefferson Medical College
of Philadelpliia. He began to practice at Wapwallopen with Dr. Shumau, who shortly
after went to Florida to recruit his health, leaving his practice to Dr. Jolly, who remained three years, coming in February, 1886, to Orangeville, where he purchased the
residence and practice of Dr. C W. Ammerman. Dr. Jolly is in every respect a self-made
man, for which he deserves credit. He has now a large practice which is increasing
rapidly.
March 10, 1885. he married Miss Sadie J., a native of Luzerne County and a
daughter of Thomas B. Case. The Doctor and Mrs. Jolly are Christian people.
A. H. KITCHEN. farmer.P.O. Orangeville. Amos Hickson Kitchen was born in Greenwood Township, September 22, 1826, the eldest sou of Daniel and Allace (Smith) Kitchen.
The grandparents were Wheeler and Sarah (Hickson) Kitchen, the former a native of New
Jersey. Wheeler and his wife had nine children: Daniel, Henry, Samuel, Joseph, Sarah,
Mary, Jane, Rachel and Anna. Daniel was twice married; first to Allace Smith, who
bore him four children: Amos H., Sarah A., Daniel and Samuel. When he was quite
young Amos H. removed with his father to Fishingcreek Township, where he remained
until he was twenty-four years of age.
August 7, 1849, he married Sarah McHenry, who
was born in Fishingcreek Township June 14, 1827. After marriage Mr. Kitchen removed
to Greenwood Townsliip and located on a farm, remaining until April 3, 1873.
He then
removed to his present place, but still owns the homestead in Greenwood Township. He
and Mrs. Kitchen are the parents of five children: Daniel Wheeler, Amos P., Clemuel B.,
Margaret J. and John V. Daniel W. resides in Bloomsburg, the manager of the Farmers'
Exchange store; Clemuel is engaged in railroading, and Margaret is the wife of Howard
Kline, and resides in Wood Count}', Ohio.
COL. HIRAM R. KLINE (deceased; was born in this township December 27, 1815,
on the farm now occupied by A. H. Kitchen, and was a descendant of one of the representative families of Columbia County.
His grandfather, Abram Kline, immigrated to

—

OKANGE TOWNSHIP.

525

America from Germany prior to the Revolution, located in New Jersey and then moved
westward to what is now Orange Township, Columbia Co., Penn., settling here when the
county was a wilderness. His children were Harmon, Abram, George, Matthias, Isaac
and Elizabeth. Isaac was the father of Hiram R. and married Marj% daughter of Abram
Willett, and by her had ten children: Charity, Sarah, Abram, Elizabeth, Lavina, Hiram R.,
Peter, Almira, Arminta and Mary.
Hiram R. married October 31, 1842, Rebecca, daughter of John and Mary E. (Fehr) Achenbach, who was born December 25, 1817, in Briarcreek Township. At the age of thirteen she moved with her parents to Orange Township.
After marriage Mr. Kline moved to Raven creek and for five years was engaged in
milling.
He returned to Orange Township and engaged in farming until the spring of
1877, when he moved to Orangeville and led a retired life.
He died suddenly of apoplexy
May 29, 1881, while on a trip to the farm. He was a stanch Democrat, for years was
weighmaster of the North Pennsylvania Canal, and in 1860 represented the county in the
Legislature.
He was an excellent singer and taught vocal music in his early manhood.
He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and an esteemed citizen in the
community in which he lived. He left a widow and four children: Mary E., wife of
Joseph K. Moyer, resides in Centre County, Penn.; Sarah J., is the wife of Rev. A. Houtz;
John Howard, married Maggie J., only daughter of A. H. Kitchen; Harriet A., married
John F. Mengle.
JAMES M. LONG, hotel-keeper, Orangeville, was born October 12, 1847, in Huntington Township, Luzerne Co., Penn., a son of Joseph F. and Sallie (Shay ) Long. The
father was born April 7, 1810, in Luzerne County, a son of Abram Long. The mother
was born June 29, 1824, in Seneca County, N. Y., a daughter of Samuel and Sallie (Fowler)
Shay. The Shay family came originally from Ireland, and the maternal great-greatgrandfather of our subject married a sister of Lord Fitzgerald, of Scotland. Joseph F.
and Sallie Long had four children: Charles, James M., Abram and Harris, the last named
being deceased. Charles served through the civil war as an artilleryman and is now a
minister of the gospel of the Christian Church, and is stationed at Youngstown, Ohio;
Abram resides in Espytown. After his marriage Joseph F. located in Luzerne County
and engaged in farming. In 1850 he removed to Greenwood and conducted a foundry
there.
He died May 25, 1879 his widow yet survives him. James M. was reared to farming and learned the molder's trade, at which he worked fourteen years. September 8, 1864,
he enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Second
Division, Fifth Corps, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war. He
returned home and worked for three years in the lumber woods of Sullivan County. He
then came to Benton and drove stage three years and afterward engaged in farming. In
the spring of 1886 he came to Orangeville and took charge of the Hagenbuch Hotel propIn 1865 he married Arminta J., daughter of Daniel J. and Elizabeth (Taylor)
erty.
Phillips.
They have two children Emma and Bert E.
CYRUS McHENRY, farmer and surveyor, Orangeville, was born September 12,
1821, a son of Edward and Sarah ( Cutter) McHeury.
The former was born November
1, 1789, in Orange County, N. Y., a son of Thomas McHenry, who was a soldier m the
Revolution, and whose ancestors caule from Ireland. Our subject's motlier was born in
Northampton County, Penn., in 1791, a daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Cole ) Cutter.
Thomas McHenry, the grandfather of Cyrus, came with his wife and family to Columbia
County, in 1791, and located in Fishingcreek Township. The children of Edward and
Sarah McHenry were Keturah, Samuel. Cyrus, Thomas, Mary, all of whom lived to be
grown and all reared families, except Keturah. Cyrus was reared to farming and learned
surveying from his father, with whom he remained until the latter's death. He resided
on the old homestead until 1886, when he moved to town and has since lived retired.
June 9, 1864, he married Mrs. Rebecca Hagenbach, who was born in Centre Township
March 13, 1833, a daughter of Henry and Susanna DeLong. The former was born in
Berks and the latter in this county. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry have three children Edward,
Sadie and Emma Edward resides on the homestead Sadie is a dressmaker in Bloomsburg, and Emma at home. Mr. McHenry still attends to special calls for surveying.
Politically he is a Democrat.
Mrs. McHenry's father was a son of Andrew DeLong,
whose wife was a Metzler. Her mother was a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Yoxstimer) Seibert. Henry DeLong and wife had four children that grew to maturity: Peter,
Rebecca, John and Elizabeth.
O. A. MEGARGELL, M. D., P. O. Orangeville, was born May 18, 1836, in Wayne
County, Penn., a son of Joseph Megargell, who was born near Philadelphia and who
married Abigail Hewett. Our subject's paternal grandfather was also named Joseph and
was twelve years old when the British occupied Philadelphia. His maternal great-greatgrandfather was Capt. Dethic Hewett, who was killed at the massacre of Wyoming. The
Megargells are of Scotch origin; the Hewetts of Welsh. John Hewett, son of Capt.
Dethic, was the first sheriff of Luzerne County, Penn. Joseph Megargell, father of our
subject, was born June 20, 1803, and died in 1876.
His wife was born July 7, 1817. They
became the parents of seven children: Orville Albinas (subject), Thomas J., Martha R.,
Alice L., Mary E. and Joseph H. living, and Dethic, now deceased, who served in the Sixth
;

:

:

;

;

526

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Pennsylvania Reserves, Company A, in the civil war. Thomas J. is a merchant in Scranton, Penn., and Joseph is a merchant at Big Rapids, Mich.; Martha is in the millinery
business at the same place, and Alice is the wife of Dr. Vance, of Rohrsburg, this county.
The others are deceased. Orville A. was reared on the farm and came to this place with
He
his uncle, John Megargell, with whom he remained until he was fifteen years of age.
then worked at home and at the age of seventeen began teaching school. He then took
1856
and
continued
studies
until
spring
of
in
his
graduatin
the
medicine
the
study
of
up
ing in June, 1859, at Castleton, Vt. In July of that year he began practice in Luzerne
County where he remained 'until May, 1861; then he came to Orangeville. and there he
has since remained. November 3, 1859, he married Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and
Dr. and Mrs. Megargell have three children: Lillie, Fannie and
Phoebe Achenbach.
George Mc. The Doctor is a member of the A. F. & A. M. of theR. A. C., and of the
Commandery at Bloomsburg.
JOHN NEYHARD, farmer, P. O. Orangeville, was born in September, 1817, in what is
now Centre Township. His father, Christian Neyhard, was born near AUentown, Lehigh
He settled in Centre Township and
Co., Penn., and removed to this county about 1800.
engaged in farming. His wife, Elizabeth Seager, bore him eight children: Solomon,
Lydia, Mary, Freney, David, Daniel, Hannah and John; all of whom settled in this
county except Lydia, who moved west. John was reared on a farm and has been twice
married, first to Sally Ann Evans, a daughter of Benjamin Evans and a native of this
county. Mrs. Neyhard died in September, 1843, leaving one child, Lavina, wife of O. B.
Herring. His second wife was Esther V. Fleckenstine, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret
Fleckenstine. To this union nine children were born: Francis, who was accidentally
killed on the railroad, December 33, 1867; Margaret, Anna E., Mary, Isaiah, Amos, William H., Aggie and Esther C. Mr. Neyhard on coming to this county purchased eightyfive acres, whicli was a part of the Kline tract.
He and Mrs. Neyhard are members of
the Reformed Church; politically he is a Democrat.
AARON R. PATTERSON, farmer, P. O. Orangeville, a member of one of the representative families of this county, was born April 6, 1833, in Greenwood Township. His grandfather, Archibald Patterson, was a native of Scotland, and on immigrating to tiiis country
located in what is now Greenwood Township. He was twice married, but his first wife,
Effle, from whom is descended this branch of the family, bore him the following children:
Archibald, John, Aaron, William, George, ESie, Jane and Ann, all of whom reared
families and settled in the county, except Jane who moved to Pottsville.
William was
the father of Aaron R., and was born in Greenwood Township, January 17, 1803. February 9, 1826, he married Charity Ann Kline, who was born October 9, 1804. William
died July 36, 1853, and his widow August 4, 1883. Eight children were born to them, as
follows: Abram W., Aaron R., Matthew B., Daniel M., Mary E., Isaac E., Sarah L. and
Effie E.
Aaron R. removed to this township with his parents during his minority, and
for several years carried on milling for his father at Stillwater, Fishingcreek Township.
After his father's death he returned to this county, and later, December 31, 1859, married
Sarah E. Kline, who was born in Greenwood Township, January 29, 1831. Five children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Patterson: Anna A., William H., Frank W., Charles E. and
Lizzie.
Mr. Patterson has resided on his present farm since 1857, engaged in agricultural
pursuits, and is a ready worker in wood and iron.
He and Mrs. Patterson are members
of the Presbyterian Church at Orangeville.
M. B. PATTERSON, farmer, P. O. Orangeville, is the third son of William and
Charity Ann Patterson, and was born June 4, 1835. He was reared in Orange Township
to agricultural pursuits.
December 37, 1860, he married Nancy C. Youngs, a native of
the Dominion of Canada, and a daughter of Abraham and Susanna (Horton) Youngs.
Mr. Patterson is engaged in farming, and having no children of his own has adopted two.
He is public spirited and identified with the Presbyterian Church at Orangeville, in which
he is a ruling elder and recording secreta^J^
GEORGE N. SMITH, tinner, Orangeville, was born in Luzerne County, Penn., in
1849, the third son of Conrad and Julia Ann (Watman) Smith.
Conrad was a native of
Bavaria, a blacksmith by trade, and emigrating to this country settled in Luzerne County,
Penn., where he remained until 1868. He then came to this county and located in Orangeville, where he died in 1873; his widow in 1874.
They had a family of four sons and four
daughters. George N. began to learn the trade of tinner with his brother, and worked for the
latter in this place for three years.
In 1873 he bought his brother's interest, and has since
continued in the business himself. He married, September 24, 1873, Blanche P., daughter
of Jonas Kisner. Mr. Smith is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 364, Mountain Lodge; is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been identified witli the business interests of Orangeville for eighteen years, and makes a specialty of iron tin roofing
and spouting.
DR. A. 'P. STODDART. Orangeville, was born in the city of Philadelphia, June 25,
1857, a son of John A. and Mary C. (Kennard) Stoddart, the latter a daughter of Rev.
Joseph H. Kennard, a prominent divine of that place. Our subject was educated in Philadelphia, commenced reading medicine in 1877, and graduated from the Hahnemann

PINE TOWNSHIP.

52T

He then beffan the practice of his profession in a hos10, 1880.
He then moved to this county
pital of his native city, where he remained a short time.
and engaged in the practice of his profession in this township, where he has an excellent
Eatronage. He married in April, 1883, Lizzie B., daughter of Joseph Lilley, of Light
treet.
Dr. Stoddart is a zealous member of the Masonic order. Oriental Lodge, No. 460,
Medical College March

A. Y. M.

MILES A. WILLIAMS, tanner, Orangeville, was born March 15, 1827, a son of DanR. and Elizabeth (Corastock) Williams. The father was a native of Sussex County, N.
His mother was a daughter of
J., and a son of John Williams, of Scotch-Irish descent.
Zebulon Comstock, who was saved in the Wyoming massacre on account of his plump
appearance as an infant. Miles A. was reared in Luzerne County up to 1846, when, in
April of that year, he came to this county. In 1843 he commenced learning the tanner's
trade in Luzerne County, and later commenced business for himself in this township and
county, in partnership with Samuel Achenbach, which continuedjuntil 1853. He then superintended one year for Alexander Creveling, in Centre Township, this county. He then
returned to ()rangeville and worked one year for Isaiah Conner, when he erected a building and engaged in business for himseif. His business has constantly increased since
then, and he now tans about 700 or 800 hides a year. In November, 1853, he married
Lavonia, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Green) Covanhoven, They have four children:
Laura, Warren W., James L. and Edith. Harvey 8. died May 22, 1885, aged eighteen
years, six months and six days; Elizabeth died at the age of three years, and John H. died
in infancy.
Mrs. Williams died July 25, 1882, a Christian woman. Mr. Williams is a
member of the F. & A. M. and has been the second master in Oriental Lodge, No. 460.
Since 1856 he has been identified with the Republican party.
iel

CHAPTER

XLII.

PINE TOWNSHIP.
EMANUEL

BOGART, farmer, P. O. Pine Summit, was born in Catawissa, this
county. May 18, 1828, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Moyer) Bogart. The paternal grandof
Emanuel,
Nicholas Bogart, was of German descent, .served as|a captain in the war
father
of the Revolution, was taken prisoner, imprisoned in a church, and died while a prisoner.
To Jacob and Elizabeth Bogart eight children were born: Maria, Joshua, Emanuel,
Israel, Noah, Harriet, Sarah and Margaret.
Our subject when a boy came to Lycoming,
here grew to manhood and for several years followed lumbering; also operated a sawmill.
In 1854 he went to Canada, returned the same year, still followed the lumbering
business; but finally, in 1858, purchased the farm he now owns, of 100 acres, since adding
until he has 136 acres.
He was married in October, 1856, to Maria, daughter of Philip and
Sarah (Albertson) Shoemaker. They have seven children: James B., David C, Cora J.,.
Sarah E., Susan J., Clara B. and Eva Lena. They attend the services of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Mr. Bogart was member of Company A, Ninetieth New York Volunteer Regiment. First Brigade, First Division Nineteenth Army Corps, in the late war.
Held the oflSce of school director for twenty-one years; also several years as supervisor.
In politics he is a Democrat.

JACOB

CHRISTIAN, farmer and miller, P. O. Derrs, was born in Madison TownJacob reship, .June 12, 1825, the eldest son of John and Frances (Welliver) Christian.
moved with his parents to this township when a boy, was reared to manhood on the farm,
succeeded his father at his death, and has since resided here. He was married in September,
1848, to Martha, daughter of Chester and Rachel (Mellick) Smith; she died September 1, 1884.
To Mr. and Mrs. Christian were born nine children: Theodore S., John C, Thomas H.. J.
Judson, Mary E., William B., Howard S., Justin L. and R. Euphemia. Mr. Christian has
been for several years engaged in lumbering, operates a saw-mill, and has a chopping-mill
in connection with the saw-mill. Of late years he has given more attention to farming. He
and nearly all the family are members of the Baptist Church; he has been trustee and
also held other ofiices; has served the township in official relations.
SAMUEL J. ECKMAN, farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born August 25, 1889, in Lancaster
County, Penn., only son of Samuel and Barbara (Krug) Eckman. When twelve years
of age, Samuel removed with his parents to Sullivan County, and was here reared to maturity and farming pursuits.
Beginning at the age of eighteen he worked for two years
in the lumber woods, and at the age of twenty he went to leai-n the carpenter's trade,

S28

BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:

which he followed tor twenty years. He came to this township and purchased the farm
he now owns, having over 180 acres, which he has largely improved and brought to a
good state of cultivation. He was married December 26, 1861, to Hannah Fought, daughTo this union have been born eleven children:
ter of Jacob and Julia (Kricher)"Fought.
Charles, Julia, Mary, Jennie, Willie, Bessie, John, May, Pearl, Blanch and Ella, who died
in her fourth year. In connection with his farming Mr. Eckman carries on a shingleHe and Mrs. Eckman are members of the Lutheran
mill and manufactures birch oil.
Church, with which he has been officially connected. Politically he is a Republican, and
secretary of the school board.
EZRA EVES, farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born in Madison Township, March 28, 1838.
«on of Parvin and Annie Eves. He was reared in Madison Township until he attained
When he was twenty-two
his majority, and then removed to Greenwood Township.
years of age he was married to Phoebe, daughter of James and Mary A. (Rhodes) Mather.
later
he
removed
to
Lycoming
County,
Two years
remained here three years, and engaged
In 1868 he returned to Greenwood Township, and located on the Patton
in farming.
farm where he lived five years. Then he moved to Pine Township, and for seven years
lived on the Ashton farm, now owned by William Masters.
In the spring of 1883 he
located on the farm he now owns at Sereno, where he is engaged in farming.
He has
three children: Chalkley G., Lena and Louella.
The eldest child, Willie A., died at the
age of six and one-half years; the last four died in infancy.
EVES (deceased) was born in Millvilie, February 1, 1804, and November 18, 1838, he married Esther, eldest of a family of fourteen children born to Joseph and
Mary (Kline) Lemon. In the spring of 1842 Thomas and his wife came to Pine Township
and purchased of James Leggott the farm now owned by J. L., which was settled and improved by Philip Yeager. Here he engaged in farming, and for several years operated a
«aw-mill and manufactured lumber. Here he died March 29, 1864; his widow, Esther,
yet survives him. Three children were born to them: Simon (died July 17, 1861, aged
twenty-one years, nine months, and fifteen days); Mary A., married to John V. Welliver;
and Joseph L. Joseph L. was born October 8, 1853, and with the exception of two years,
has always lived on the farm. He married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Applegate) Biddler. Mr. and Mrs. Eves have one son, Henry W., born August 27, 188.5.
F. FOWLER, P. O. Pine Summit.
The Fowler family are of English extraction, and were among the early settlers of Columbia County.
Benjamin Fowler, the
grandfather of John F., was a British subject, and when a boy came as a servant to one
of the officers who came to America to fight thejcolonists.
After the war was over he
learned the blacksmith trade and settled above Espy, in this county, followed his trade
and farmed also. He married Deborah, a daughter of David Fowler. To Benjamin and
Deborah were born the following named children: James, David, Daniel, Benjamin,
William, Gilbert, Sarah and Nancy. David, the father of John F., died in 1876, aged
ninety-one years. He reared four children: Catharine, Sarah, John F. and Sophia.
John F. was born in Centre Township, May 2, 1813, was reared to farming, and operated
his father's farm until 1842, when he came to this township and purchased the farm now
owned bj^ N. L. Moser. He remained here until 1866, when he purchased the farm he
now owns. May 29, 1836, Mr. Fowler married Julia A., daughter of John Fortner; she
died January 29, 1866, leaving seven children: Dorcas F., Mary E., Alvin C, Sarah E.,
David, Jeremiah R. and William M. Mr. Fowler married for his second wife, January
10. 1867, Hannah M., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Sparks) Houghton.
By this last
union he has two children^ Herve}^ O. and Mattie M.
J. R. FOWLER, farmer and distiller, was born in this township March 17, 1854, the
sixth child and the third son of John F. and Julia (Fortner) Fowler. He was reared
on the homestead farm, and remained under the parental roof until twelve years of age;
his mother dying when he was young, he left home and learned the puddler's trade at
Danville, and worked in the rolling-mill for several years.
In 1875 he engaged in the
lime business in Muncy Township, Lycoming County, remained here until the spring of
1880, when he came to this township but continued the lime business until 1881.
In 1880
he started the distillery here at Pine Summit, which he conducted until 1883, when he
located on the farm he now owns, which w-as purchased of Fowler Lyons, consisting of
^50 acres and has since been engaged in farming. The place has been much impi'oved by
him, a new barn being built, one of the best in the township. He married Eliza Lathlean,
born in Sourleo, England, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Dunn) Lathlean. Mr. and Mrs.
Fowler have one child, Lillie Dunn. Mr. Fowler is a member of the I. O. O. F., lola
Lodge No. 711, and is secretary of the same.
GORDNER, retired farmer, P. O. Unityville, was born September 27, 1809,
in Moreland Township, Lycoming County,son of Daniel and Catharine (Neufer) Gordner.
The parental grandfather of John was Jacob Gordner, who came from Berks County
soon after the Indian war, and located in Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming County,
was shot and scalped by one of the Indians remaining after the war. He had five sons
Peter, John, Philip, Daniel, George and several daughters.
Daniel, the father of
our subject, was five years of age when his father was killed by the Indians.
He grew
is

THOMAS

JOHN

JOHN

—

—

529

PINE TOWNSHIP.

farm and remained here for many years. He was twice marHis second wife, Catharine
bv whom he had six children.
Neufer, the mother of our subject, bore him seven children John, Hannah, Katie,
Henry, Jonathan, William and Esther. John, our subject, remained on the home farm
until his marriage in the fall of 1833, when he came to his present residence; he first
bought 200 acres which was covered with timber, afterward added 200, and kept on until
he had 450 acres. The first year he lived here he brought his bread and meat from
Lewisburg, and his feed from Limestoneville; he soon cleared land and had grain to sell.
His wife, Catharine, bore him nine children: Hannah (wife of Jacob Chamberlain); Sarah
County); Daniel; Thomas; John; Margaret (wife of Britlon Hartley, of Milton). Mrs.
the same church over forty years, and has been deacon, elder, trustee, etc., since his first
membership. All of the children are also members of the church. He has been successful in life, and has started all of his children in business; has been supervisor, overseer of
the poor, school director, etc. In politics he is a Democrat.
THOMAS B. GORDNER, farmer, P. O. Unityville, was born March 6, 1848, on the
homestead adjoining his own farm. He was the fourth son and seventh child born to John
and Catharine (Stackhouse) Gordner. Our subject remained on the home farm until he
became of age, then worked for his brothers about two years. His father then gave him
ninety acres of land, all of which was covered with timber, which he began clearing.
When he was twenty-four years of age he married Hannah C, daughter of John and
Elizabeth (Poust) Berger; they lived one year with his father; in the meantime he built
He now
his house, and September 11, 1873, he occupied it, and has since resided there.
-owns 322 acres, having added 232 by his owns exertions. Mr. and Mrs. Gordner have four
children: John Oliver, Harriet Elizabeth, Charles Henry and Daniel Ezra. They are
members of the Lutheran Church, he having been deacon of the same for several years;
to

manhood on

ried; first to

his father's

Sarah

Hill,

:

member of

the P. of H.
superintendent and farmer, P. O. Serene, was born in this
son of Richard (born in 1812) and Sarah (Chamberlin) (born in 1819)
Greenly. Both parents are still living. William remained at home until twenty-two years
of age, and was reared to farm pursuits. About 1873 he came to Sereno and learned the
tanner's trade with Edward Richie; since 1881 he has been superintendent of the tannery,
having the entire management. He was married in 1872, to Martha, daughter of George
Welliver. Mr. and Mrs. Greenly have three children: Harrison W., Cora and Clara. He
purchased a farm of 100 acres in 1886, and is now carrying on the same. In politics he is
a Republican.
BENJAMIN H. LEE, farmer, P. O. Millviile, was born in Scott Township, Columbia
County, in 1838. He removed to Centre Township when a lad, and here grew to manhood,
reared to farming pursuits. He is the eldest son of Charles and Mary (Zeigler) Lee, to
whom were born a family of twelve children, all of whom lived to be grown. Our subject was married December 2.5, 1862, to Sarah J., daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Gulp)
Shaffer.
After Mr. Lee was married he farmed the homestead one year; then moved to
Orange Township and farmed one year; then farmed one year below Light Street, three
years" in Briarcreek, then returned to Orange Township, and here farmed eight years;
came to Pine Township and farmed the Shadrach Eves farm three years, and in November, 1881, he moved to his present place consisting of 112 acres, having built the house
and barn previous to his coming. Mr. Lee has greatly improved the farm, and now has
a very desirable location, his residence overlooking the town of Millviile and the valley
below. To Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been born seven children: Samuel, Margaret, Charles,
Fannie, John, Minta and Harry. In politics Mr. Lee is a Democrat.
BENJAMIN LORE, farmer and lumberer, P. O. lola, was born in Jordan Township, Lycoming County, November 19, 1840, the fourth son and fifth child born to John
and Mary Ann (Wilson) Lore. The paternal grandfather of our subject was William
Lore, who came from New Jersey, located in Lj'coming at an early day. and reared a
family of seven children, of whom John was the father of our subject. To John and
his wife were born seven children: George P., John, Mary, William, Benjamin, Sarah and
Thomas. Our subject was left fatherless at the age of six years. His mother died in
1857.
When twenty years of age he commenced learning the carpenter trade with his
brother John, and this he followed for about seven years. He came to this county in
1861.
He married Sarah J., only daughter of Catharine Chamberlain. He made his first
purchase in 1867, and located on his present farm in 1882. He has six children: Emma
E., wife of John F. Edgar; Henry H., Mary C, George B., Myra B. and Franklin B.
Since the spring of 1886 he has been a partner with his brother John in the California mill
property. Thev have a tract of about 400 acres, and manufacture their own lumber.
THE LYONS FAMILY came originally from New Jersey. The name of the pioneer
was John Lyons, who came to this county about 1803. To John Lj'^ons and his wife (who
was a Wiley) were born Joseph, Mary, James, Robert, Edward, Eliza, Solomon, Paul,
lie is also a

WILLLVM GREENLY,

township

in 1839, a

>

530

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Isaac, all of whom reared families excepting Edward.
The father
these children were young, and his wife married Peter Moury and removed ta
with a portion of the children. The only ones that settled in this locality were
Solomon and Joseph. Joseph was born December 15, 1795, in Sussex County, N. J., and
was brought by his parents to this county when an infant, and for several years lived at
Millville; then came to this township and here grew to manhood, and spent his entire life
in this neighborhood.
For seventy years he was an efficient member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and was the principal founder of the church in his neighborhood. He
was drafted in the war of 1812, but his services were never required. He accumulated
quite a large property, but backing his immediate friends caused his estates to become
greatly embarrassed before his death.
His wife's maiden name was Paugh, and to them
were born six sons: Robert J., Wesley, Isaac P., Ezra S., Joseph B. and Richard W.
Joseph Lyons died September 15, 1886, after two days' illness, being ninety one years old;,
his wife died at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
Richard Watson, the youngest
son, was born in 1832, and has always lived in this township.
He clerked in a store some
time, then engaged in farming and lumbering for several years.
In 1866 he began merchandising at Pine Summit, and has since continued. He is also engaged in farming, and
for some years carried on huckstering.
He has been twice married, first to Phoebe
Houghton; she died December 23, 1875. To them were born four children, three living:
William, Park and Sallie. His second wife was Susanna, daughter of James and Margaret
Fannsworth. He was drafted three times, and volunteered twice, but on account of legal

Hannah, Esther and

died

when

New York

technicalities was released on the two first drafts, and when the third draft came he was
already in the service as a volunteer. He has served as deputy and postmaster (with the
exception of one year, when he was justice of the peace) since the establishment of the
office here, and has been township auditor.
In politics he is a Republican.
JAMES MASTERS, farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born September 28, 1812. the
second son of David Masters born in 1783. near Kennett Square, in Chester County.
James Masters was the grandfather of our subject, and married Margaret Salkelby whom
he had five children— three sons and two daughters, viz. Isaac, Sarah, Martha, David and
John. All lived to be grown and raised families. Sarah married Samuel Kester— they
rode to Berks County on horseback to be married by the Friends' ceremony; Martha
married Andrew Eves, son of John Eves, the pioneer; Isaac married Paul Kester's
daughter, and subsequently moved to Ohio John was a rambler, and never made a permanent settlement David married Mary Eves, a granddaughter of the pioneer, and settled in Madison Township on Spruce Run, adjoining lands owned by the pioneer Eves, and
the Demotts. (The place is now owned by Conrad Kreamer.) This he settled in 1791,
there being no improvements on the place.
He here made his settlement and lived until
he died in 1832, aged eighty-four years and some months. He built a saw -mill here, and
his son David added to this a carding machine, subsequently a clover hulling machine,
and finally his son Joseph converted the hulling-mill into a chopping-mill. "David was
eight years of age when he came with his father to that place: there he grew to manhood
and married Mary Eves, daughter of Joseph, who was a son of John Eves, the pioneer.
To David and Mary were born George, James, Sarah, Joseph, Margaret, Parvin, Mary,
Elizabeth, all living to be grown. George married Margaret Mather, settled in Millville and had four children
Sarah, David, Mary M. and William. Sarah married Daniel Rote, and located near Millville
Joseph married Sarah Edwards, and subsequently
moved to Muncy, Penn.; Margaret married Benjamin Warner, and located in Muncy
Valley Parvin resided in Philadelphia, was thrice married, rearing children from each
wife; Mary married George D. Keller, settled near Watson farm, first in Light Street,
Columbia County, and ran a blacksmith shop in Northumberland County, and afterward
at Muncyborough; Elizabeth married Morris Ellis, a descendant of William Ellis, one of
the early settlers of Muncy Valley
James married January 1, 1835, Abigal, born March
3, 1812, daughter of Francis and Mary Rote, the latter of whom was a daughter of Daniel
Welliver, one of the early pioneers of Madison Township. After James was married he
moved to below Eyer's Grove, and operated the old Dreiblebissmill, owned then by Frick,
Paxton & McKelvy; this he operated until 1837, when he moved to Millville and took
charge of the grist and saw mill owned by his father; this mill he conducted until about
1841, when on account of failing liealth he then rented the mill, and for four years clerked
for his brother George and his partner, Mather.
Then on account of the mill losing trade
by his absence in 1845, he again took charge, and gave it his personal attention until the
spring of 1849; then the mill burning down, he quit the milling business and came to
Sereno in December, 1849, embarked
the mercantile business, and carried this on until
1857, when he discontinued the store and engaged in farming.
He purchased the farm,
in 1850, in Greenwood Township of, 107 acres, and in 1858 purchased the farm of 228 acres
in Pine Township, where he now resides, and has since been engaged in farming pursuits,
having about 240 acres, and has been successful in his business. He has six daughters
and one son Mary, Elizabeth, Francis, Catharine, Sarah E., Margaret A. and Susan.
Mary is the wife of Dr. J. B. Patton Elizabeth is the wife of R. L. Rich Francis resides
at home, and married Orpha, daughter of Wilson M. Eves of lola, Penn. (he has two
:

;

;

:

;

;

;

m

:

;

;

;

531

PINE TOWNSHIP.
cfhildren, Alfred

and Marion)

of John Eves, the

;

Catharine and Margaret are both single

;

Susan

is

the wife

wagon manufacturer.

NATHAN L. MOSER. farmer, P. O. Pine Summit, was born in Amity Township,
Berks County, September 4, 1833, fourth son of George and Mary (Ludwig) Moser.
Nathan was brought up on the farm of his father, reared to agricultural pursuits, and
continued on the homestead several years after he attained his majority, having charge
of the farm. His father died in March, 1862, and he was one of the executors of the estate, remained one year after and settled up the estate, then went to Mahanoy City, where
he was engaged in merchandising about two years, and the business proving unsatisfactory on account of the stoppage of the coal works, he sold out and came to Columbia
County and purchased the farm he now owns, consisting of 155 acres, well improved,
having good farm buildings and pleasantly situated. He was married to Ellen, daughMr. and Mrs. Moser have five sons and three
ter of Joseph Nagle and Sarah (Keifer).
daughters: Mahlon K., Wellington, George, Albin, John, Olivia, Anna, Virdilla. Mr.
Moser is a Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church.
ROBERT POTTER, farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born in this township, April 19,
Robert Potter, his father, came from England to this country about the year 1828;
1838.
his wife was Jane Boot, and their family consisted of the following named children:
Ann, William, Joseph, Thomas, John, Charles, Mary J., Fannie, Henry and Robert.
Robert was the youngest of the family and remained on the homestead until twenty-five
years of age, when he came to Sereno and learned the tanner's trade of Samuel Scattergood; was foreman and worked in the tannery for several years. He purchased the farm
he now owns in 1876, and has since been engaged in farming pursuits, now owning a
good property, which he has acquired through his diligence and economy. By his first
wife, Mary E., daughter of John and Nancy (Welliver) Bennett, seven children were
born: Elizabeth, Marietta, Charles, Susan, Edward, Clyde and Bertha. His present wife
was Sarah, daughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Falls) Wetheral, and to this union have been
born three children: Carrie, Frank and Reba. His eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married
Henry Greenly, of Millville, and Marietta married Benjamin Drake, of Light Street.
<;!harles

removed

to California.
farmer, P. O. Sereno,

DAVID ROTE,

was born September 13, 1832, in Madison
Daniel and Sarah (Masters) Rote. He resided here until March,
1886, when he purchased the farm he now owns, known as the John Bruner farm.
He
married Mary, daughter of George Welliver; his wife Elsie was a daughter of Simon and
Mary (Robbins) Kinney. The Kinneys were from New Jersey, and among the early setMr. and Mrs. Rote have two children: Sarah E. and Anna E.
tlers in Pine Township.
HIRAM SCHULTZ, farmer, P. O. lola, was born in Greenwood Township, July 25,
1816, eldest son of John Schultz. The latter was a tanner by trade, which he followed for
several years. He bought 339 acres and settled on the farm now owned by Ezra Eves,
near Sereno, and here he died. He reared six children: Hiram. Daniel, Lydia, Melinda,
Harriet and Zebulon. Hiram was married first November 10, 1837, to Sarah Houghton,
daughter of Joseph and Mary (Crysters) Houghton; she died leaving six children, five
now living: Joseph. Mary J., John, Julia and Sarah E. He next married October 4,
To this last union the following
1851, Harriet, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca Watts.
named children were born: Charles W. (in Trenton, N. J.), Clarence W. (residing in this
township), Samantha (wife of Jeremiah Howard), Woodward, Emma (wife of William
<3rreenlee, of Millville), Savilla (wife of John W. Cox, of Nebraska), and Lawson.
Mr.
Schultz settled here in 1837, when the land was covered with timber; this he cleared, and
now has ninety-six acres in all. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Ohurch for fifty years, and has held several ofiicial positions in the same. In politics he

Township,

is

eldest son of

a Democrat.

PHILIP

WESLEY SONES,

P. O. Sereno, sawyer and foreman of the Benfield Mills,
Moreland Township, Lycoming County, son of Peter and Savilla ( Lowe ) Sones.
The paternal grandfather of P. W. was named Peter, as was also
his great-grandfather, the latter of whom served through the Revolution arj^ war, and
lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight years. Phillip W. was reared in Moreland
Township until ten years of age. when he removed with his parents to Sullivan County;
he learned the carpenter trade which he followed a few years, and about the year 1853 he
located in this township, purchasing the farm he now owns, and has since engaged in
lumbering; for several years he has been foreman and sawyer in the Benfield mills. In
May, 1853, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Lewis and Catharine ( Hunter) ChamberThey have five children: Calvfn L.. Sarah C, Susan E., Lewis E. and Mary E.
lain.

was born May

20, 1832, in

Mr. Sones is a member of the Evangelical Association, also of the lola Lodge, I. O. O. F.
has been school director tor twenty years, and is overseer of the poor. In politics he is a
Democrat.
ABRAHAM TITMAN, farmer, P. O. lola, was born in Greenwood Township, March
The grandfather of our sub1, 1843, the eldest son of Isaac and Beulah ( Kline ) Titman.
ject was Abraham Titman, whose wife was Jane Robbins, and to them were born three
<;hildren.
Abraham was among the early settlers and for several years kept a tavern on

532

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

the place now owned by Humphrey Parker, on the Greenwood road; he was a farmer, also
operated a saw-mlU and carried on lumbering. Our subject was reared in Greenwood
Township, where he lived until he located on the farm which he now owns, consisting of
100 acres; he came here in 1865. He married Emma, daughter of Philip Shoemaker, and
they have one son, Walterji., born March 26, 1868. They are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at lola.
PHINEAS WHITMOYER, farmer, P. O. Pine Summit, was born May 27, 1840, in
Franklin Township, Lycoming County, son of Eli and Catharine (Reed) Whitmoyer, whose
offspring were four sons and four daughters, viz. Euphemia (now Mrs. J. T. Crist); Phineas; Lydia (Mrs. John Gordner); William, Emanuel, Rebecca, Isabella S. (now Mrs. Sylvester Hill), and Charles W., all of whom save Phineas settled in Lycoming County.
Phineas left home at the age of twenty-one. and when twenty-five married Maggie,
daughter of Benjamin and Deborah (Welliver) Wintersteen. After his marriage he lived
for several years in Lycoming County engaged "in farming, a portion of the time being on
the homestead farm; subsequently removed to Pine Township and purchased the farm he
now owns, which formerly belonged to his father-in-law, Mr. Wintersteen. He was for
Mr. and Mrs. Whitmoyer have two children: Benseveral years engaged in lumbering.
jamin and Nora.
R. P. WHITMOYER. farmer, P. O. Pine Summit, was born September 18, 1840, son
The father was a blacksmith and built the first
of Simon and Sallie (Kisner) Whitmoyer.
He died here in 1849, aged forty-nine years, three
shop that was erected in this region.
months. Hiswidowdiedat Charlevoix, Mich., in 1885, aged seventj'-f our years, four months
and five days. She was a daughter of Michael Kisner, whose father, John, came from GerOur
many. Simon was a son of Conrad Whitmoyer who settled here at an early day.
subject's great-grandfather came from Germany, and had two sons; both settled at Berwick, Penn. Conrad had fifteen children: John, Joseph, Polly,'Caty, Mary, David, Lyda,
These children
William, Betsy, Michael, Simon, Eli, Adam, Susan Hess, and Ephream.
move d with their parents to Lycoming County at an early day, there settled and reared
families.
R. F. was left fatherless at an early age, but remained with his mother until
the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted, September 12, 1861, in Company F,
One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, served three years, when he
re-enlisted in the same company, remained until the close of the war, and was discharged
He was in about twenty-five general engagements; was captured Januas first sergeant.
ary 22, 1864, at Petersburg, and was nearly six months in Andersonville, but was finally
paroled in November, 1864 All of his brothers, five in number: Leonard, Michael, Clark,
Galord, Amos and their sister Rebecca were in the war, and his brother-in-law, Thomas,
was killed in the last battle of Petersburg. Richard returned from the war and bought
He was married September 28, 1865, to
the old homestead, where he has since lived.
Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Sallie (Albertson) Shoemaker. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmoyer have seven children living: Sallie, Frank G., Orpha R., Lynn S., Clay, Blanche,
He is a member of Bryan Post No. 439,
Sylva; Galena died aged eighteen months.
In politics he is a
located at Unityville, Lycoming Co., Penn., also of the P. of H.
Republican.
:

CHAPTER

XLIII.

ROARINGCREEK TOWNSHIP.
DANIEL W. RARIG, farmer, P. O. Mill Grove, was born in Roaringcreek Township,
Columbia Co., Penn., September 1, 1848, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Whitner) Rarig,
His paternal grandfather came from
natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent.
Germany and settled in Schuylkill County, where he remained engaged in manufacturing
shingles and farming until his death. His maternal grandfather came to Columbia County
Catain the early part of the present century, and settled in Roaringcreek Township.
wissa was then the nearest market, and he used to ride thither on horseback, taking his
produce with'.him, 'receiving six cents per pound for butter. He owned a large tract of land
and followedfarming all his life. Our subject's father was born in Schuylkill County.
After his marriage he moved to Columbia County, and bought a farm in this township,
where he lived until his death, in June, 1874; his widow died in June* 1886. Our subject
was reared on a farm and remained at home until he was married, when he worked one
year at the carpenter's trade. In 1872 he moved to where he now resides and bought 100
He married, February 9, 1868,
acres, but now owns eighty-nine, having sold off the rest.

SCOTT TOWNSHIP.

533

who

has borne him eight children: Henry, Elizabeth, Ulysses, Oscar,
and Daisy May. Mr. and Mrs. Rarig are members of the MethHe has served as county and State tax collector for eight j^ears,
odist Episcopal Church.
school director for eight years, and road supervisor. Mr. Rarig is one of the prominent
men of the county, and hns been in office ever since he has been old enough to vote, wliich
shows that he gives satisfaction as an office holder. He is the agent of the Buffalo Phosphate Company.

Mary

E. Hoffman,

Emma, John W.

S., Effle

CHAPTER

XLIV.

SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
AARON BOONE, P. O. Espy, was born in Columbia County February 14, 1815, a
son of Benjamin and Margaret (Creveling) Boone. His grandfather, Benjamin Boone,
was a cousin of the renowned Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, and was the first of the family
This
to settle in Columbia County, locating in Centre Township on 300 acres of land.
tract was bounded on one side by the Susquehanna River, and extended a mile back.
He
a
prominent
man
in
his
day.
He
was reared in Berks County, near Reading, and was
son
the
father
of
our
subject,
was
the
age
of
eighty-one
years.
His
Benjamin,
died at
a
farmer, and also carried on an extensive shad fishery, employing seven men from Easter
until June.
He inherited from his father 150 acres of the old homestead, and there died
He and his wife are buried in Heidler's churchin 1851, at the age of sixty-three years.
yard. At the age of twenty-three, Aaron Boone married Mary, a daughter of Samuel
whose family was also among the pioneers of this county. Mrs. Boone died
two children, Charles A. and Samuel W., who are still living. Mr.
Boone's second marriage took place in 1850, with Hannah Wagner, who bore him five
children: Shepperd R., Olin S., Paul Anthony, Jesse Edmund, and Mary K., all of whom
are now living. Mr. Boone has been for over fifty years a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and has served for many years both as steward and class-leader. He
remembers with distinctness the establishment of nearly every Methodist congregation
in the section extending from Bloomsburg to Berwick, and has donated money for every
Methodist Church building that has been erected in his lifetime within this vicinity.
The house that his grandfather lived in, in Centre Township, was built in 1790, and is
still standing; the barn was erected about the same time, and is also in a good state
of preservation.
He also recollects in 1822-23 when great numbers of the people were
The canal at this point was begun in 1827 and finished in
carried off by typhus fever.
1831, and our subject's father helped carry the line in surveying the county lines in this
and other parts of the State. Bear, deer and wild fowl were very numerous at that
Webb,

Sr.,

in 1849, leaving

time, and his father used to make a yearly hunt for the larger game, supplying his family
with venison. The road where Afton now is was then known as " Webb's Lane," and
was a famous place in early days for horse racing. In the ridge near by are beds of lead
and zinc which were worked in an early day, some on our subject's land. Mr. Boone
owns 160 acres north of Afton, also a nne residence and lot at Afton. For many years
he was engaged in boating on the canal.
G. W. CREVELING, merchant at Afton, P. O. Espy, was born in the immediate
neighborhood, December 19, 1833, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Ruckle) Creveling.
His father died in September, 1835, while on a trip west, at or in the vicinity of South Bend,
G. W. lived on a farm close by Afton until he was about
Ind. The mother died in 1856.
eleven years old; from that time in Espy until 1861, receiving his education, in the meanAt the age of thirteen years he engaged at
time, in the common schools of that place.
boating as driver on the Pennsylvania Canal, afterward as bowsman, steersman, then
captain; afterward, in 1853, he bought a half interest in a boat, then the whole of it, and in
1855 owned two boats and freighted between Pittston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and intermediate points. He continued thus until 1856, when he abandoned active boating,
though still owning a boat and liiring a man to run it. Before the age of twenty-one he
had accumulated about $3,000. In the fall after closing boating, in 1856, he began to keep
Creveling, with whom he remained four years. In April,
books in the office of Fowler
1857, he became part owner of the Limestone Ridge, near Espy, and has since been interested
in shipping limestone.
March 16, 1858, he married Frances M. Millard, a daughter of
Josliua K. Millard, -of Espy. In 1861 he personally assumed charge of shipping limestone
at the Ridge, and in March, 1884, he and his brother, Alfred, established the present store
at Afton.
In 1867 he bought out his brother's interest and contin\ied alone until 1873,
when he took E. C. Trembly as a partner, and continued until 1877, since which time he

&

534

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

has been alone. Mr. Creveling enlisted as an emergency man in 1863 for ninety days, and
He is a Republican and has served
in the United States service for about sixty days.
Mr. and Mrs. Creveling have two children: Charles
his vicinity in various public offices.
M., born August ::i4, 1859, an assistant in the store and limestone business, and Edna M.,
born July 5, 1875; another daughter died in 1865, aged three and a half years. Mr. Creveling is president of the Espy Lime & Cement Company, and was formerly its secretary and
treasurer.
He owns 110 acres of highly improved land in Centre Township, valued at
$140 per acre. He was the architect of his elegant residence at Afton. The following are
the children of Thomas Creveling: Eli, who married Jane Heidley, and died in 1866; Isaac,
married Rebecca Hogenbuch, and died in 1884; Eliza Ann, married to Henry Trembly, and
died in 1879; Rebecca, died in infancy; Lavina, married H. L. Gearhart, and died in 1875;
Thomas, Jr., died unmarried, in 1881; Alfred, married Mary M. Worman, and resides at
Harrisburg, Penn.; Georgej W., resides at Afton, Penn., and John, died at the age of
three years. George W. and Alfred are the only survivors. Now at the age of fifty-three
years G. W. is about making arrangements to get out of active business with a sufficient
competence, his health not being very good.
G. CREVELING, Esq., Espy, was born May 19, 1826, one and a quarter
miles north of Espy, and is a son of Andrew and Rebecca (Waters) Creveling. He was
reared on a farm and educated at Espy. He has been three times married, first, in 1847, to
Hester Willett, who died, the mother of two children, living: Rebecca R.and Ardelia E. His
His third marriage was with Mrs.
second wife was Louisa M. Kuhn, who left no children.
Catherine Everts, nee Ruckel, by whom he has one child, Clinton R. During his early
life Mr. Creveling was a farmer, but in 1856 or 1857 embarked in the mercantile business
with E. F. Richart, and in 1858 and 1859 carried on the business alone.
Subsequently he
engaged in the limestone business for several years, and for the last twenty-five or twentyconducted
a
1865
was
six years has
butcher business. In
he
elected a justice of the peace
and has since served in that office, making twenty-two years of service. The Squire is
now secretary of the Susquehanna Manufacturing Company at Espy.
J. HARVEY CREVELING, lumber merchant, P. O. Bloomsburg. was born in Columbia County October 17, 1830. The first of his ancestors to settle in this county were
John Creveling and Charity, his wife, who located in what is now Scott Township. John
owned a farm just east of Bloomsburg. He was from New Jersey, and he and wife were
members of the Society of Friends. The famous "Creveling grape," well known
throughout this country, was propagated by Mrs Creveling, the original vine being still
in good bearing condition, running over a large pear tree near the residence.
Mr. and
Mrs. John Creveling are both buried in Creveling Cemetery. Their son. Andrew, inherited the old homestead and married Ann I. Henrie, a daughter of Archibald and Sarah
Henrie. Andrew was born January 22, 1806. His wife died in 1863, leaving a large
family, six of whom are now living.
He subsequently married Mrs. Hikox, then Mrs.
Harvey, and was then married to Mrs. Fine, and died September 1, 1886, and is buried
his
first wife in the Creveling Cemetery.
by the side of
He took an active part in public
matters; was captain and later major of the militia, and was widely known as an enterprising and substantial citizen. He and his first wife belonged to the Episcopal Church.

was

HERMAN

When his father retired from active business, J. Harvey bought the old homestead of 135
acres for $22,000, including a one-half interest in a timber tract near New Philadelphia of
125 acres. He married, November 27, 1856, Susan A. Conner, and three boys and five
girls blessed their union: Andrew, married Annetta Hartman, a daughter of Wellington
Hartman; Sarah; I. Conner; Anna I.; Mary; Lulu; Susan A., and Harvey Scott, all living
Mr. Creveling is a member
at home, the married son carrying on the old homestead farm.
of the Presbyterian Church, and has served his township as school director and in other
local offices.
He moved to Bloomsburg in 1886 and has partially retired. He has carried
on the lumber business for fifteen years on West Creek, in Jackson and Sugarloaf Townships and .still owns seven-twelfths of 372 acres of timber land there.

WILLIAM E. DIETTERICH, merchant, Espy, was born in Centre Township, Columbia Co., Penn., Februaryj28, 1847; a son of John and Susannah (Schug)Dietterich. He was
reared on a farm, received his early education at the the schools of his vicinity and finished
his studies at the normal school, taking a course of nine months.
In 1871 he began business on his own account at Espy, in partnership with T. W. Hartman and Thomas Thompson, under the firm name of W. E. Dietterich
Company. They opened an ice-cream
saloon with a capital of $45.
At the end of a month Mr. Hartman withdrew,
receiving $45 as his share. At the end of two months Mr. Dietterich bought out the remaining partner for $118, and in the fall took his brother in as a partner, added groceries
to the business, which was conducted under the firm name of W.E. Dietterich & Brother.
At the end of nine months our subject bought his brother out, in 1873 added a general
line of goods, and has since conducted a successful business.
In 1882 he built his present
fine store and residence at a cost of upward of $3,000.
The business is one of the best
in Espy, and averages upward of $5,000 per annum.
Mr. Dietterich is a Democrat and
has served his vicinity as school director for several years, and is also a member of the
Lutheran Church. He married, May 30, 1872, Mary E., a daughter of David and Harriet

&

SCOTT TOWNSHIP.

535

Whitmire, of Espy. Mrs. Diettericli was born October24, 1850; she has borne her husband
one child, Henry Clay, born July 2, 1881.
DAVID GEISIINGER, postmaster, Espy, was born in Orange Township, in 1845, to
Samuel and Elizabeth (Fleckenstine) Geisinger. When David was five years of age his
father died, and he then went to live with Joseph Pohe, with whom he remained until the,
age of sixteen, attending the common schools. From that time he made his own way in
the world, and when nineteen, in 1864, enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and served in the Rebellion some ten or eleven months, or
until the close of the war.
He participated in the engagements at Stony Creek and Amelia Springs, where he was Avounded in the left wrist by a gunshot and in the head by a
saber cut. He remained disabled for some time and his wounds are often troublesome at
He was principally engaged in skirmishing and scout duty. Mr. Geisinger
this date.
has been twice married first, in 1868, to Elizabeth Bupp, who died the same year, and
March 9, 1871, he married Mrs. Margaret Kisner, whose maiden name was Creveling,a daughWilliam H.,
ter of H. G. and Margaret (Wellett)Creveling. They have had three children
born December 4, 1878, died Decembers, 1877; Harold D., born January 14, 1875, and
Ardelia E., born March 29, 1877.
Mr. Geisinger was appointed postmaster at Espy
July 17, 1886, and is the present incumbent. Mrs. Geisinger is a member of the Lutheran
Church, which the family attend. By her first husband Mrs. Geisinger had one child,
Leroy Kisner, born November 5, 1868, died November 8, 1883, at the age of fourteen years.
Mr. Geisinger is a Democrat, and has held several township offices.
PROF. FRANCIS HECK, P. O. Light Street, is a native of Monterey, Schuylkill
Co., Penn., born in 1856, a son of John W. and Rebecca (Hartline) Heck, of that county.
He received the advantages afforded by the schools of his vicinity until the age of fifteen,
when he became a student at Freeburg Academy. After teaching one term at the age of
seventeen, he continued his studies at the Freeburg Academy, preparatory to entering
college.
When nineteen (in 1875), he entered Lafayette College, and was graduated from
that institution in June, 1879. On leaving college he engaged in teaching at Paxinos.
Northumberland Co., Penn., as principal of the public schools. He there continued two
years, and then came to Columbia County, in 1882, where he [taught a select school for
one year and acted as the principal of Orangeville Academy, for two years, which
position he resigned in 1885. In the fall of that year he became identified with the
Democratic ISentinel, having cnarge of the educational columns of that paper. Prof.
Heck for the past year has taught a select school at Light Street.
SAMUEL McKAMEY, foreman of the Pennsylvania Canal Company's boat yards,
Espy, was born in that place, October 16, 1830, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Caldwell) McKamey. His parents were natives of Ireland, and coming to the United States, .settled
in Plymouth, Luzerne County.
The father was a weaver by trade, and followed it all his
life.
He and wife were Episcopalians; he is buried in the Episcopal graveyard at Bloomsburg, and she in Espy Cemetery. At the age of eighteen, Samuel began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed two years. He then bought a boat and followed boating and freighting on the Pennsylvania Canal for eighteen years, over the whole
length of the Pennsylvania & Erie Canals.
In 1863 he enlisted as an emergency man, in Company I, Thirty-fifth P. V. I., and was in service six or seven weeks.
After giving up the boating, Mr. McKamey worked at stair building for .several years, and
in 1873 was employed by the Pennsylvania Canal Company at Espy.
In 1883 he was appointed foreman of their yards. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and has been
B.
Hic^s, who died
twice married. His first wife, whom he married in 1856, was Martha
in 1875, leaving five children; his second marriage took place in 1876, with Mrs. Samantha
Morgan. His children are as follows: Jennie, Anna, Sally, Blanche and Susan (the last
named died at the age of five years). Mr. McKamey's brother, Alexander, served as
lieutenant in the Mexican war, and was promoted to a captaincy. His uncle, James
Caldwell, went out as captain of his company and was killed at the battle of the city of
Mexico.
BENJAMIN MILLER, retired farmer, P. O. Espy, was born in Scott Township, this
county, May 24, 1818, son of Philip and Mary (Seidle) Miller. Jacob Miller, grandfather
of Benjamin, was born in Berks County, Penn., following farming, and lived there until
his death.
His father came from Berks County, and took up algood deal of land there,
and also lived there the rest of his life. Philip Miller, father of Benjamin, was born and
reared in Berks County to farm life. He was married in Berks County to Miss Mary
Seidle, a native of Berks County, of German descent.
They came to this county in 1812,
bringing with them their family, which then consisted of one son and one daughter.
They located at Espy, where Mr. Miller engaged in inn-keeping, which he abandoned and
bought a farm in this township, which is now owned by Jesse Hoffman, and there
located and followed farming until about ten years before his death, when he lived a retired life. He died January 1, 1872, at the age of eighty years, and is buried at Afton. His
wife died May 8, 1852, and is buried in the Lutheran Reformed Church Cemetery, Bloomsburg. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are living: Benjamin; Mary,
widow of Andrew Jingles, living in Maine Township, this county; Harriet, wife of Joseph
39
;

:

536

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Breisch, livinj): in Catawissa Township, this county; Regina, wife of Oscar Wolverton,
Benjamin was reared in Columbia County,
living in Northumberland County, Penn.
where he has always had his home. He made his residence with his parents until he
was married, and after that event moved into another house on the same farm, which he
worked, lie lived there until he bought his present farm of nineteen acres. He was
married in this county February 19, 1857, to Miss Catherine Ale. They came to this
county from New Jersey and settled in Greenwood Township, where they resided until
their death. The father died November 1, 1880, and the mother March 1, of the same year.
They are buried at Kitchen's Church, Mount Pleasant Township, this county. Mr. and
Mrs. Miller were the parents of one child, Jeanetta, who died when nine months old.
They reared an adopted child, Sallie, now the wife of William Hoffman. They are also
rearing another little adopted girl, named Mamie. Our subject and wife are members of
the Lutheran Church. He is assistant superintendent of the Methodist Sabbath-school at
Afton. In politics he is a Democrat.
hotel-keeper. Espy, was born April 11, 1841, in what is now Locust Township, but what was then a part of Roaringcreek, and was reared to farm life.
His father died when he (subject) was but sixteen years of age and being the eldest of six
brothers and one sister, he took charge of the farm and conducted it for his mother for two
years.
He then began to learn the shoemaker's trade with Hamilton Fisher at Slabtown,
but did not complete the trade. He then was employed by his uncle, George Martz, at
Light Street for nine months, after which he returned home and attended school. He
then worked one season for Clint Mendenhall, and attended another term of school. January 1, 1861, he engaged with Solomon Artley, for one year, for $108. January 2, 1863, he
married Lavina, Mr. Artley 's daughter, and then took the homestead and worked it for
two years. From that time he began taking a prominent part in politics and then moving to Franklin Township, purchased a lot of thirty-four acres from Mr. Artley, and resided
there two years. He then sold that place and bought sixty acres of the old homestead of
his mother, on which he erected a house, barn, etc., and resided seven years.
His motherin-law dying, he moved to the Artley homestead (rented his own place and sold it a year
later) and remained two years, when he purchased the Hipky mill in Roaringcreek, and
still owns it and is interested in running it.
He lived at the mill seven or eight years, and
in 1883 was elected by a large majority, sheriff of Columbia County; entered the office
the first Monda}"^ in January, 1883, and served until the first Monday in January, 1886.
The first of the following April he moved to Espy, where he rents the hotel. He owns
twenty-eight acres and the mill.
Mr. and Mrs. Mourey have had six children, five
of whom are living: Mary M., wife of J. M. Kunkle; Solomon; Clara, married to A. W.
Long; Michael; Sarah E. and Lavina May (the latter died at the age of one year and
three months). Mr. Mourey also owns 130 acres of timber land in Roaringcreek, and some
ten lots at Montandon.
He is engaged in attending the hotel, mill, and other property.
(deceased) was born in Albany Township, Berks Co., Penn., Sep-

JOHN MOUREY,

JOSEPH POHE

His parents came to this county when he was but a boy. When he
19, 1790.
arrived at sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to Larry Ruck, in Bloomsburg, to learn
the shoemaking trade. After finishing his trade he went to Mifflinville, borrowed $10 to
buy a kit of tools, and traveled about among different families, mending and making
shoes. Mr. Pohe followed his trade until a few years ago. In 1831 he removed from Mifflinville to Centre Township, where he resided until his death (1880).
His $10 borrowed
capital grew into seven farms, besides over $30,000 which he lost by insolvents.
He preserved a hammer handle which had been worn off by the use of his hands as he plied his
trade.
Mr. Pohe's father was a captain in the Revolutionary war. His mother and grandmother were captured by the Indians when the former was but seven weeks old, and
remained captives for eleven years, until by the aid of a fur trader they made their
escape.
Two children are dead and six survive their aged father, and in this volume appears a portrait which was placed there by them. His wife, Mary (Wolf) Pohe, died in
1835.
He was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Pohe's successful life is a good
illustration of what may be accomplished by a faithful pursuit of one's vocation.
He
passed peacefully away, thus removing another of the old " land marks " from his com-

tember

munity.

STEPHEN

POHE, farmer, P. O. Espy, was born in the town of Mifflin, September
The father came
1835, a son of Joseph and Mary (Wolf) Pohe, both of Berks County.
to this county about 1800.
He was a shoemaker by trade, but was an extensive landholder in Centre and Mifflin Townships, owning some 1,000 or 1,100 acres. He was born
in 1790, died in 1880, a member of the Lutheran Church, and is buried in Mifflin graveyard; his wife, who died in 1835, is buried by his side. Stephen learned the shoemaker's
Later he engaged
trade, and at the age of twenty-one took charge of his father's fariii.
extensively in freighting on the canal, operating some eight or nine boats between all points
for three years, and for the next nine or ten years carried on the boot and shoe business at
Mifflin.
In 1865 he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in quite a number of skirmishes.
He served in the Army of the
Potomac, and was mustered out in October, 1865. He then began farming 145 acres in
6,

SCOTT TOWNSHIP.

537

Centre Township, which he still owns, and continued thus employed until 1886. He has
always been interested in politics and has served his township in various local offices. In
1878 he was nominated by the Democratic party for county commissioner, and elected by
a large majority. In 1884 he was re-elected, and is the present incumbent. He is a man
of fearless convictions, and works for the best interest of the people. Mr. Pohe married,
in 1856, Sarah H. Hess, who died in 1866, and five of her children are living: Francis L.,
Joseph R. and Charles L. (twins), and Alice Budora and George McL. Sally died at the age
of one year. Mr. Pohe married, in 1867, Mary A. Hess, who has borne him two children:
Seymour and Minnie G.
FREDERICK W. REDEKER, M. D., Espy, is a native of Striiken, Prussia, and was
born November 13, 1853, to Henry William and Caroline (Reiraer) Redeker. His parents
came to the United States in 1854 and settled in Philadelphia, where the father is .still
engaged in the cabinet-making business. Frederick W. was educated in the schools of
Philadelphia, and at the age of twenty-one years began reading medicine with Dr. G. W.
Metzger, of Hughesville, Lycoming Co., Penn. In 1875 he became a student at the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and graduated in 1878. He then began the practice
of his profession at Exchange, Montour County, and in 1880 located at Espy, where he
soon established a successful practice. Dr. Redeker married, in 1874, Louise Pfaff, a
native of Philadelphia, and four children have blessed their union: Caroline, Lillian, Laura
and Raymond C. Dr. and Mrs. Redeker are members of the Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM C. ROBISON, retired farmer. P. O. Espy, was born near his present
residence January 23, 1836, a son of John and Margaret (Christman) Robison. The former
was the first of the family to settle in Columbia County, locating in Bloomsburg, where
he married, and in 1834 located in Espy. He was State supervisor of canals for four
or five years and owned the farm of 140 acres just north of the present depot at Espy. He
bought the place about 1834 and resided there the remainder of his life. During his early
manhood he used to freight goods by team between Bloomsburg and the cities of New
York and Philadelphia for the McKelvys and others; the trip, driving both ways, occupied three or four weeks. By trade he was a tanner and operated a tannery near where
the Catholic Church now stands on Third Street, in Bloomsburg. He was successful in
acquiring a competence; was an elder of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and
an honored life member of the Board of Foreign Missions of that .church. He was elected
and served one term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and always affiliated
with the Democratic party. He died in 1871 at the age of eighty years, and his widow
in January, 1885, aged eighty-four years.
Both are buried in Rosemont Cemetery.
They had a family of ten children, only five of whom are now living: Mary E., Huston,
William C, Martha (wife of C. A. Moyer), and Lovilla (wife of II. W. Kitchen). The
William C. has been twice married;
old homestead is owned by William C. and Huston.
She died in the spring of 1869, and
first in 1868 to Mary, daughter of Philip Achenbach.
he
married
Laura,
daughter of Dr. William Case, of Espy. Mr. Robison
in June, 1885,
of
the
Presbyterian
Church;
politically
member
is a
a Democrat, and has served his
vicinity in the school board for several years.
He enlisted in 1863 in Company E, One
Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, took part in the battle of
Antietam and served until the expiration of his term— nine months. He was mustered
out at Harper's Ferry, Va., and during a part of his service was a corporal.
ALEM: BRITTON white, merchant. Light Street, is a native of Fishingcreek
Tp., Columbia County, and was born on the old Buckalew homestead. May 9, 1833,
His father was born in Light Street, March 25,
to Joseph and Lydia A. (Bobbins) White.
1800, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Britton) White, who settled in this county some
time previous to 1800. Peter owned a farm near Light Street; was a Presbyterian and
probably of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He died in 1808 and is buried in the old Lutheran
graveyard at Bloomsburg; his widow died some twenty years later and is buried by his
Joseph White married Lydia A. Bobbins, who was born December 6, 1813, at a
side.
place called lola, in Greenwood Township. They were married April 15, 1830. Mrs.
White was a daughter of John Robbins, a pionerer of Greenwood Township, where he
was justice of the peace and surveyor for many years. John Robbins was a son of William
Robbins, a native of New Jersey, and settled in Greenwood at a very early date. His wife
was Mary Woodard, and both died in 1850, within six weeks of each other and are buried
in the old Methodist burying-ground,in Greenwood Township.
Our subject's parents had
eight children: Sarah C, Alem B., Melesa J., John A., Mary E., Anna A., Harriet M. and
Eliza R. The mother of this family died December 7, 1851, and her husband then married Deborah Fowler, December 13, 1853, who bore him two children: Florence P. and
Joseph E. The father died December 2, 1858, and is buried with his first wife in Greenwood Township. His widow lives with her son-in-law, H. N. White, at Afton. Alem
B. obtained his education at Greenwood Seminary, and, when eighteen, began teaching
school, which he followed until 1865, mostly in Bloom Academy and at Catawissa, also in
Greenwood Seminary. In 1865 he became interested in mercantile business as clerk for
J. J. Brower, Esq., and in 1866 opened a store at Ashland, Schuylkill County.
This he
conducted for two and a half years, and was afterward with Mr. Creary at Light Street,
;

BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:

538

years.
In 1871 he bought the general stock of Peter Ent, and subsequently bought
the buildings and grounds. Mr. White in earlier life was a Democrat but since the war
he became identified with the Republican party, but is now a Prohibitionist. He was appointed postmaster at Light Street under Gen. Grant's second administration, and resigned
the office in 1883. having served over eight years. He is a member of thirty-seven years'
standing of the Methodist Church, and has served as steward and trustee for upward of
Alem B. White was married March 23, 1869, to Esther E. Geisinger, who
fifteen years.
was born September 24, 1843, a daughter of Samuel Gei.singer of Orange Township.

two

CHAPTER XLV.
SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP.
JOSHUA B. DAVIS, farmer. P. O. Cole's Creek, was born in Benton Township, this
county, September 4, 1842, son of Thomas Davis, who was a son of Reuben Davis, who
came to Columbia County, Penn., in an early day, locating at Catawissa, thence moved
to Bloom Township and in 1815 settled on Raven Creek, Benton Township; he took a
good farm there and cleared it up out of a wilderness, and died there July 3, 1858. His
wife was Catherine Miller, and they had eight children: John, Mary, Thomas, Catherine,
Ellen. Sarah, Elizabeth and Anna. Solomon and Richard Davis, brothers of Reuben,
were also settlers in Columbia County. Our subject lived in Benton Township until his
mairiage, when he settled on Coles Creek. He married December 31, 1863, Harriet E.,
daughter of Jacob Harrington of Sugarloaf Township, this county, and they had eight
children: Kate E., wife of Herbert Hess; John W., deceased; Thomas W., Ernest G.,
Walter B., LenaG., Emma B. and Alice P. Mr. Davis owns 250 acres of land in Upper
Coles Creek, where he settled in 1867 and lumbered until 1880, since which time he has
farmed almost exclusively, except in the season of manufacturing "oil of birch." In
politics

Mr. Davis

is

a Democrat.

THE FRITZ FAMILY.

This highly respectable family, so well known, need more
than a passing mention. "Fritz Hill "is known all over Columbia County. The first
settler on this historic spot was Philip Fritz, who came from Philadelphia to this county
in 1795; he settled on the east branch of Fishing Creek, near where Thomas Fritz now
lives, in the vicinity of Central, and in 1797 he removed to the old homestead at present
occupied by Jesse Fritz. This land was his wife's heirloom. She was Charlotte Deborgur, also a native of Philadelphia.
Henry Deborgur and his wife Elizabeth had six
children: Mary, Charlotte, Henry, Catherine, Esther and Jacob. The tract of land contained 400 acres and was divided among the six children, and Philip, of course, controlled
the property left by his wife.
On this farm they reared their children, in the woods,
away from everything but "real nature," living in obscurity and without any advantages of schools. The children born to them were Henry H., Charles, Philip, Samuel,
George, John, Ezekiel, Nancy, Betsey, and Maria; all of whom grew to maturity, each
having a large family. The eldest of these children, Henry H., was born June 28, 1786,
and in 1814 was married to Margaret Roberts, who was born October 18. 1794. Both lived
to a good old age at the old Fritz settlement in what is now Sugarloaf Township.
They
were the parents of the following named children: John, born July 27, 1815; Charlotta,
November 13, 1816; George, May 1, 1818: Jacob H.. January 30, 1820; Josiah, February 2,
1822; William, August 30, 1823; Jesse, June 8, 1825; Martha, June 20, 1827; Sarah, May
21, 1829; Mary A., May 2, 1831; Elizabeth, January 25, 1833; Margaret, May 8, 1835;
Rachel, April 15, 1839. All of these married except Sarah. George, the third in order of
age of these thirteen children, was born at Fritz Hill, where he spent his early days. He
was there mai-ried in November, 1841. to Elsie Hess, who was born November 19, 1820,
daughter of Henry Hess. In the second year after their marriage they located at their
present place of residence. They were the parents of the following named children: Eu-

phemia, born November 9, 1842; Lydia A.. August 20, 1844; William, March 29, 1846;
Thomas B., October 5. 1849; George W., June 10, 1852; Joe W., October 28, 1854; Susan
J., August 5, 1857; Alonzo P., July 20, 1860; Welbert E., September 15, 1864.
Mr. and
Mrs. George Fritz are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a local
preacher of that denomination. He is an active citizen and has been intrusted by his
fellow citizens with a number of township offices. He is the owner of sixty-seven
acres of land.
Jacob H. is next in order of age to George. He was also born at
tl^ old homestead on Fritz Hill. On the 15lh of February, 1846, be wfis united iu

SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP.
Amanda Laubach

539

they were the parents of the following children: Willa dentist in Michigan; Rosella (Hess), lives in Michigan; LaFayette, who
died in infancy; Amandus, married and now a resident of Sugarloaf Township; Theodore, a druggist in Michigan; Alice ( Metzgar) lives at Millville; Erastus, a resident of
Sugarloaf Township; Bedell, died at the age of sixteen years; J. A., a dentist and resident
of Michigan; C. E., a photographer in Benton; Perry L., a druggist in Michigan Flora A.,
a teacher, and John M., who resides with his parents. Jacob H. Fritz, who spent his
whole life at farm work and in his early days used a flax broke, swingling knife, threshing club and other like primitive farming implements. For fifty-two years he swung the
grain cradle. In his school days he trudged through snow two and a quarter miles to
the log structure where school was held. He received little assistance from outside sources
and had to hoe his own row from boyhood. At the age of twenty-one he received his
first office and the voters of the township have never suffered him to be without oflBcial
position since that time, every office in the township being entrusted to him except that
of supervisor.
He has also been coroner of Columbia County, and jury commissioner;
also lieutenant in the militia.
But the discharge of his official duties has not prevented him from bettering his condition in a financial way, and the poor boy of forty years
ago is now the possessor of 300 acres of land and a comfortable home. For half a century
he has been an active member of the Episcopal Church, and for thirty-five years of that
period has guided the destinies of the church Sunday-school as its superintendent. He
has also been vestryman, secretary and treasurer of the church, and St. Gabriel's Church
owes to his efforts much of its present prosperity. The only living children of Philip
Fritz, Sr., are Samuel and Ezekiel,who resides in Susquehanna County.
He was married
in 1824 to Sarah Spencer, now deceased.
They were the parents of nine children: Maria,
Nancy, Andrew J., Ellas, Jefferson, Aaron R., Hiram, Gearhart and Cyrus. Aaron R.,
the sixth of these children in order of age, was born in Benton Township, this county,
March 23, 1836. He was married May 29, 1873, to Miss Rebecca A., daughter of Hiram
Baker, of Jackson Township. Mr. Fritz is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 746, at
Benton. He is the possessor of 100 acres of land. He farms this land, but his principal
occupation is and has been lumbering. For nearly a century the Fritz family has been
identified with Columbia County and its history, and some of its members have witnessed
almost its entire transformation from a primitive wilderness to its present prosperous
condition.
JESSE FRITZ, farmer, P. O. Cole's Creek, was born June 8. 1825, and was married
January 8, 1848, t» Miss Sarah Dills, daughter of George Dills, Sugarloaf Township, this
county, whose wife was Sophia Hess, and the following named children were born to
them: John W., November 8, 1848, now in Jackson Township, this county; Andrew L.,
August 30, 1850, an attorney in Bloomsburg, Penn. Alvaretta, November 25, 1853 (died
November 3, 1857); Drusilla, November 2, 1856, wife of Jasper Lewis, on Cole's creek;
Rachel E., February 5, 1859, wife of William Sutliff, of Luzerne County, Penn., and
Sheridan S., August 9, 1865. Mrs. Fritz died March 5, 1881, and he then married, June 29,
Our subject lives on the old homestead,
1883, Mrs. Rosanna Girton, nee Rosanna Hess.
commonly known as "Fritz Hill," which has been his home since he was a boy. He
eighty-nine
acres
owns
of land. In 1880 Mr. Fritz was chosen justice of the peace, and
has since served the township in that capacity. In politics he is a Democrat.
E. S. FRITZ, farmer, P. O. Cole's Creek, was born in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia
He lived with his parents until 1858,
Co., Penn., January 19, 1832, son of Samuel Fritz.
in which year he was married to Miss C. J., daughter of William Seward. Our subject
and wife, when first married, lived on Cole's creek, where they owned a farm; then
moved to the saw-mill owned by Hughes, and there remained four years; then came to
their present place of 107 acres, .seven miles north of Benton. Mr. and Mrs. Fritz have
two children: Americas S., a teacher by profession, born March 28, 1860, and Esther
born March 14, 1866. Our subject is a member of Benton Lodge, No. 746, I. O. O. F. He
is town clerk, which position he has held for years; also overseer of the poor, and for
six years has been one of the school directors, having served as secretary of the board for
three years.
JESSE
farmer, P. O. Cole's Creek, was born March 8, 1821, in Fishingcreek Township, this county, son of Frederick H. and Elizabeth (Best) Hartman; former
was born in Northampton County, Penn., in 1792, latter died when our subject was two
years old. He is of German descent. Jesse Hartman lived in Fishingcreek Township
till he was twenty-one years old, then moved to Fairmount Springs, Luzerne County,
where he followed shoemaking seven years; he then came to this township, settling on the
farm of 100 acres he now occupies. This he has improved and built on, and now has
about fifty acres under cultivation. Mr. Hartman married, March 7, 1844, Miss Lydia,
daughter of George Gearhart of Fairmount Springs, and they have the following children: Minor, a shoemaker in Berwick, this county; Fletcher, at home; Rufus A., in Sugarloaf Township; Franklin P., in Cole's Creek, this county; William, in Sugarloaf Township; Alvira, wife of Matthew Phenix, in Cameron County, Penn.; Anna, wife of E. G.
Clearfiejd County, Penn. Adelade aR4 Jeanette, at home,
Ri;ssel,
Mr. Hartman, in

marriage with

iam

S.,

who

;

is

;

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A

HARTMAN,

m

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

540

His son, Minor, was also a
1862, performed nine months' service in the Union Army.
Our subsoldier of the late war, having served during the greater part of the struggle.
ject has served the people of the township in the capacity of constable and supervisor
In politics he is a Democrat.

RUFUS

HARTMAN,

O. Pairmount Springs, was born August 13,
eighteen years old and went up " West
Branch." working a number of years lumbering. He has worked at Berwick, this county,
He came to his present home in
several years in building cars, doing the wood work.
1885.
Mr. Hartman was married August 23, 1878, to Miss Ida, daughter of EleazerZaner,
have
two
children:
Arvilla G., born December 29,
and
they
County,
at Colley, Sullivan
Mr. Hartman has invented a very useful piece
1879, and Lewis M., born March 18, 1881.
of machinery, a railway gate, which is being tested at Berwick at present, and the future
looks bright for the inventor.
ALVIN A. HARVEY, farmer, P. O. Fairmount Springs, Luzerne County, was born
at Fairmount Springs, May 15, 1841, son of Alfred H. and Margaret (Steadman) Harvey,
former of whom was a native of Huntington, Luzerne Co., Penn., born in 1812. Our subject married November 4, 1863, Sarah, daughter of Earl Boston of Benton Township, this
county, and they lived in Fairmount, Luzerne County, two years after their marriage,
and then they came to Sugarloaf Township and settled near the " Five Points," where
he now lives. One feature worthy of mention is the good horses owned by our subject.
His children are Bettie, Nora and Phebe D., the two oldest teachers, and were educated
in New Columbus, Luzerne Co., Penn.
In politics Mr. Harvey is a Republican.
JACOB W. HERRINGTON (deceased) was born in Rensselaer County, N.Y.,June 10,
1799 son of Jesse Herrington, a native of Massachusetts, and who came to Pine Creek,
Huntingt(>n Township, Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1821. Our subject, in 1836, came to Upper
Cole's creek, this township, where he had obtained a tract of 500 acres of land.
Carried
on the lumber business and manufacturing shingles by the "shaving" process until 1841,
in which year he erected a saw-mill adjoining that of J. B. Davis, to whom he sold his
mill in ;1866.
Mr. Herrington then remained retired the rest of his life, dying October 1,
1878.
In 1827 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Baker, who was born at
Kingston, in the Wyoming Valley, and at one time owned half of the Island there.
Thomas was present at the massacre of Wyoming, and his father was killed in a battle with
the Pennamites and Indians at Tillbury Creek, near Plymouth, during the Revolutionary
war.
The Baker family came to [Huntington Township, and here Mrs. Herrington was
born.
She died June 16, 1883, the mother of the following children Milton, born April
Mary M., May 11, 1830 Eltruda, June 28, 1832 Newton, August 5, 1834; John,
30, 1828
January 7, 1837; Amanda R., May 7, 1843, and Harriet E., April 3, 1845. Newton
was married October 26, 1856, to Miss Melissa Dildine, who was born September 27, 1838,
and died July 14, 1885, and by her had the following named children: Herbert Alice A.;
Jacob W. died May 15, 1864 Frances E.; John E.
JOSHUA B. HESS, farmer, P. O. Central, was born November 4, 1835, on the farm
known as the Henry Hess, Sr., place, and is a son of Henry Hess, Sr. April^ 1, 1869, he
married Eda Amanda, daughter of Abram Sorber, of Union Township, Luzerne Co., Penn.,
and they lived on the old home farm till 1877, when they moved to their present place.
Mr. Hess has seventy-five acres of the home farm and 125 of timber land." Our subject and wife have had the following six children
Jennie B. (deceased), Herdick B., Lizzie O., Ira T., Alie G. and Grover Cleveland.
The family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. For fifteen years Mr. Hess was postmaster at Central.
HENRY C. HESS, P. O. Central. Charles Hess (deceased) a shoemaker by trade,
was born in Northampton County, Penn., and came to this county, locating in Bloom
Township, where he married Nancy Gulp. He resided in the townships of Bloom, Hemlock and Mount Pleasant, and in 1833 moved to Espy, this county, where he died that
same year, and was buried on the hill at Bloom, in the old cemetery laid out by Mr.
Eyer. Mr. and Mrs. Hess had a family of eleven children, all living; Rachel, married
to Fred Fnitchie (they resided in Northampton County, Penn., where she is'still living,
at the age^of seventy-five); Aaron, also in Northampton Township (was a member of the
Legislature in 1862 and 1863), married Margaret Rundyo, of Northampton County; Elisha,
in Ross Township, in Luzerne County, married Mary Scott, now deceased; Joseph, in
Fishingrreek Township, this county: Elizabeth, in New Jersey; Catherine, wife of
Abram Hess, in this township; Henry C; Shadrach, residing in Benton Township, this
county, with his daughter Adelia; Lenah, wife of Abram Nicholas, in Northampton
County, Penn.; Charles, in Ross Township, Luzerne Co., Penn.; Margaret, wife of
Mr. Broadt, in Michigan. Henry C. was born May 24, 1821, at Bloomsburg, and lived in
the neighboihood of Bloom until he was thirteen years old, when became to this township, wheie he commented carpentering with Peter Hess, which trade he has since continued. He was married February 3, 1842, to Rhoda, daughter of Henry Hess, who gave
him a lot on which he (Henry C.) built a house. They had one child, Elmira, born
November 9, 1842, wife of David Kocher, and tLey have seven children: Mary E.,
Lenora M., Wellington E., Isabella, Grace, Malcolm O. and Warren. Mrs. Henry C.
A.

1851, a son of Jesse

farmer, P.

Hartman. He

left

home when

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:

8UGAKL0AF TOWNSHIP.

541

Hess died September 10,1885, and is buried at St Gabriel's Church. Mr. Hess has been a
two terms. In politics he is a Democrat.
ANDREW LAUBACH, Guava, was born January 10, 1826, in Mount Pleasant
Township, this county, son of Frederick and Mary (Lurish) Laubach. He was twice married, first time February 22, 1848, to Nancy Britton, of New Columbus, Luzerne Co.,
Penn., by whom he had the following named children: John Britton, born Januarys,
1849, a dentist in Benton, this county; Mary E., born July 24, 1850, wife of G. L. Hess;
Almira, born October 2, 1851, wife of Westbrook Howell, in Michigan; Clarence, born
July 6, 1853, married to Martha Cole, who was born May 3, 1863 (they have the following
children: Horton, William H., Glenn, Freeze and Emma); and Nancy, born March 10,
Mrs. Laubach dying March 22, 1856, our subject married for his second wife, Feb1856.
ruary 17, 1857, Emeline, daughter of William Stephens, and to this union five children
were born: Benson, born April 27, 1858, in Lairdsville, Lycoming County, Penn.; Edwin
F., born December 4, 1859, married to Mary E., daughter of William Belles, of New Columbus, Penn. (they have one child, Nora B.); Nora Catherine, born September 9, 1862;
Sarah Eugenie, born May 12, 1865, died March 1, 1868, and William B., born April 15,
1870.
E. F. Laubach after his marriage lived two years in New Columbus, Penn., and
was in the hotel business during 1884 and 1885, coming to Guava April 1, 1886, where he
has since remained. In politics Mr. Laubach is a Democrat.
JAMES N. PENNINGTON was born in Fairmount Township, Luzerne Co., Penn.,
December 20, 1834. Jesse Pennington, grandfather of James N., came to what is now
Columbia County from Montgomery County, Penn., in 1801, after his marriage with
Rebecca Colley, daughter of Jonathan CoUey. Upon their arrival they settled in what is
now Benton Township, south of Swartwout's mill, and while living at this location their
son Jonathan, father of James N., was born August 21, 1804. Jonathan was married
October 9, 1826, to Phoebe H. Tubbs. They were the parents of eight children Nathan
T., Jesse R., Sally Ann, James N., Mary E., John C, Alex R. and Lolie B.
Of the five
sons, four served their countrv in the war of the Rebellion; Nathan T. was a volunteer in
the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry John C. enlisted August 13, 1862, in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Alex R. was a volunteer in the
One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. James N. was married July 4, 1859. to Miss Eliza, daughter of John Laubach, who bore him the following
children: Nathan W., Charles B.. Winfred S., Phebe B., Mary C. and John N.
Mrs.
Pennington died in 1871, and in 1874 Mr. Pennington was married to Sarah C., daughter
of J. C. Hess, and to the latter marriage have been born the following children: Harry E.,
Jared D., Lizzie P., Martha P., Chester A., J. Horton. In 1862 James N. was drafted into
Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. At the
close of his term of service he returned home, but in 1864 he enlisted in Company H, One
Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at
Philadelphia in September. He was mustered out June 4, 1865, at Arlington Heights.
His first battle was at Lewis farm. He was wounded in the left thigh and hand at Five
Forks. He served in the final campaign of Grant's army until Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Mr. Pennington is a member of Post No. 283, G. A. R., and of Fairmount Springs
Grange and P. of H.
JOHN ROBERTS came tO' Benton Township, this county, from near Norristown,
Penn., about the same time as the Coles and Hesses, settling near the Ira Thomas mill.
He owned at one time a tract of 472 acres of land, but sold all except seventy-two acres.
He died in November, 1834. He had two sons: John and William, and four daughters:
Margaret, who married Henry J. Fritz; Catharine, who married A. A. Kline; Lillie, who
married Mathias Rhone, and Nancy, who married George Kline, of Ohio. John went to
Mercer County, Ohio, thence into the army where he died. William was born near Norristown, Penn., and came to the county when very young, and died on his farm February
25, 1854.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Matthias Rhone, and she died in 1876, the
mother of the following named children: John, Matthias, George, Hannah, Susanna,
Wilson W., Samuel, Sarah Jane, David and Lemuel. William Roberts purchased of his
father about 400 acres of land, and built thereon a log house and a log barn. He cleared
about 100 acres, and just before his death sold 173 acres. Samuel, his son and the subject proper of this sketch, was born November 18, 1834, where he now resides, and has
always lived there. When a young man he learned the wheelwright trade, and this he
followed until 1856, when he took up farming, which he has since made his chief occupation.
In 1881 he commenced the manufacture of lumber, buying the timber, and this he
still carries on.
He bought 116 acres of the old homestead, and another 116 acres, part of
the latter belonging to the old John Roberts property; also has a half interest in 102 acres
in Pine Township, this county.
He cultivates about 100 acres. On his farm Mr. Roberts
has one of the best orchards in the county, situated above Orangeville, containing 1,000
trees, which in 1881 yielded 1,500 bushels of apples, being mostly late or winter apples of
the best variety. He manufactures the apples into cider, and makes vinegar for the
markets. Mr. Roberts was married October 15, 1856, to Rebecca, daughter of Philip
Fritz, and by her he had ten children: Rhoda. wife of A. C. Hess, in Michigan; Charity,
justice of the peace

:

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542

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

wife of Philip Hirleman, in Jackson Township, this county; George "W., who naarried
Agina Runger; Elizabeth C, wife of Scott Laubachs; Charles W.; William F.; Rosa M.;
Peter; Laura and Lillie. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts and four of their children are members
of the Methodist EoiscoDal Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
JAMES M. SHULTZ, farmer, was born February 26, 1828, in Benton Township, this
county, son of Samuel and Mary (McCarn) Shultz, latter born in Philadelphia. Daniel
Shultz, the father of Samuel, came to Greenwood Township, this county, from Northumberland County, in 1808. Their children were Mary C. (deceased wife of James Kile).
Hugh (deceased), Rebecca (widow of Peter Applegate), William (deceased), Eliza (wife of
Ezra Stephens). The father died in October. 1827, and the mother in May, 1834. Our
subject was reared in Fairmount Township, Luzerne Co., Penn., till he was seventeen
years old, when he came to this township and learned the carpenter and millwright trade
of Peter Hess, for whom he worked in all seven years. After this he followed lumbering
four years; then again worked at his trade on his own account till 1870, in which year he
again took up lumbering, which he followed till 1874. since when he has engaged excluHe located on his farm in 1868, having bought 174 acres which
sively in farming.
he still owns. Mr. Shultz m.arried, February 5, 1850, Elizabeth, daughter of George
Mosteller, and they had eleven children: Charity, wife of William Clinger; Lany
(deceased); Eliza, wife of Moses Savage; Samuel (deceased); Peter K. Mary, wife of A.
Cole; Richard; Henry Allen (deceased); Eldora; Rena M., and Philip. Mr. Shultz was
elected supervisor in the spring of 1885, and has served as constable.
PETER K. SHULTZ, farmer, blacksmith, etc., P. O. Central, was born March 30,
1856, in this township, near Central.
He lived under the paternal roof until 1878, on November 17, of which year, he was married to Miss Helen, daughter of Collins Sutliflf, who settled in this township and died on the property where Conrad Hess lived.
When of age
our subject learned blacksmithing at Cole's Creek with B. F. Peterman, and after finishing his apprenticeship commenced his trade at Central, where he worked two years (till
1883), then moved to his present place, having bought seventy-four acres of land, the Sutliff property, at that time all woodland, and here he has now the finest place between Benton and the North Mountains, all the improvements having been made by his own exertions.
He has about twenty acres cleared. Here he has also built a shop, in which he
does blacksmithing and general woodwork repairing. Mr. and Mrs. Shultz have two
children: Hurley G. and Marvay Dane. The family attend the services of the Methodist
Protestant Church. In politics Mr. Shultz is a Democrat.
EZRA STEPHENS, farmer, P. O. Central, was born in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 31, 1820. His father was a native of Connecticut, and descended
from ancestors who came over in the Mayflower. The great-grandfather of Ezra in an
early day moved from Massachusetts to Connecticut, where the grandfather died, and
from which State the father of Ezra went to the State of New York when nine years of
age; there he lived until the age of nineteen years, when he settled in Columbia County,
Penn., where he remained until his death. His birth occurred in 1798. Ezra Stephens
lives at present in Jackson Township, attending to the saw-mill of A. Stewart, located in
the northwest corner of the township. His life has been spent in Sugarloaf Township
(except during his term of service in the army), where he cleared up a large farm in his
time, and now owns a good property. October 16, 1862, he was drafted in the United
States service, and served until August 11, 1863, during which time he was at Fortress Monroe, Newport News, Yorktown and Whitehouse Landing.
He was a preacher at one time
in the Methodist Church, but has to some extent abandoned the calling.
Mr. Stephens
has reared a family of seven boys and two girls.
;

PART

History

"of

III.

Montour County.

"^"^'^'^.J^. ^y^l a.d'.^^c

—

History of Montour County.

CHAPTER

I.

INDIANS.

CIVILIZATION

struck the native savages of this continent tike a bh"ght.
tribes and their strong bands of waixiors and
hunters, fiercer than any wild beast and as untamable as the eagle of the
crags, have faded away, and the remnants of the once powerful and warlike
nations are now huddled upon reservations, and in stupid squalor are the paupers of our nation, begging a pitiful crust of bread, or in cold and hunger
The
awaiting the allowances doled out by the Government for their support.
swiftness with which they are approaching ultimate extinction, the stoicism
with which they see and feel the inevitable darkness and destiny closing upon
them and their fate is the most tragical epic in history. Soon their memory
To real history they will give no completed
will be only a fading tradition.
chapter, because they did nothing and were nothing as factors in the grand
march of civilizing forces. They gave the world no thought, no invention, no
idea that will live or that deserves to be classed with the few things born of the
human brain that live and go on forever. As a race they had no inherent
powers of self- development or advancement. Like the wild animal they had
reached the limits of their capacity, and had they been left here undisturbed
by the white race, they would have gone on indefinitely in the same circle
Such are nature's resistless laws that the march
savages breeding savages.
of beneficent civilization is over a great highway paved with the bodies and
broken bones of laggard nations nations who pause within the boundary line
Nature tolerates
separating the ignorant savage from intelligent progress.
It wastes no time in
Lo, the poor Indian.
none of this sentimental stuff of
them
removes
futile tears over the suflPerings of ignorance and filth, but
and lets the fittest survive, and to them belong the earth and the good things
Ignorance is the worst of deformities, and it is sickness and premathereof.
Knowledge is simply the understanding
ture death to any people or nation.
In the briefest words, this is all there is of
of the physical and mental laws.
It is not in reading Latin or Greek, no more is it in metaphysical matheit.
matics the committing to memory of books or the other thousand and one
things that were once so eagerly memorized and esteemed the perfect wisdom.
The one characteristic that will ever redeem the memory of the Indian race
from contempt is his intense love for his wild liberty and his unconquerable res
olution never to be enslaved a menial drawing the wood and receiving the
He would sing his death song and
blows of the lash from a master's hand.
When penned ny
die like the greatest of stoics, but he would not be yoked.

The great and populous

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lA

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

4

as a criminal, he beat against the iron bars like the caged eagle, and slowly
perished, bnt died like an Indian brave, and rejoicing that thus he conld escape
the farther tortures that to him were far beyond death itself.
The treatment of the red men by the Government has not been wise and

generally was not just.

Often

crxielly

robbing them

—not in the sense we took

their lands, because their title of priority amounted generally to no
did the possession of the nest of bumble bees, or the migrating birds

—

more than
and buffaand game, and

loes
but Government traders swindled them of their pelts, furs
gave them the worst evils of our civilization whisky, powder, lying, deceit
Government agents and missionaries preached and enjoined
and hypocrisy.
upon them our splendid Christian code of morals, and the busy traffickers robbed
swindled and debauched and murdered them without hindrance or rebuke.
Our National Indian Bui'eau has, from its foundation, been the failure of the
age a failure hon'ibly expensive in our public treasury and the blood and lives
Earnest and noble missionaries took their lives in their hands
of our people.
and went among them, carrying the Cross of our Lord and Master. Often entire tribes would in a day, after hearing the first time the story of Calvary and
the Cross, profess religion, ask to be baptized, and in a body, because for the
moment Christians. But they were Christians as they understood it, and when
Joliet had thus converted a tribe, they adopted the flag of the Cross, and with
^his war banner, a talisman of victory and death to their enemies given to
them by the great Manitou, they went gladly forth on their holy mission for
This was but ignorance, the intense credulity of ignorance trying to
scalps.
cleanse the filthy body by putting on clean clothes, that only soiled the clothes
and did not clean the body at all. It was an attempt to make these people moral
and Christianize them by commencing the wrong way. The first thing to do
was to give them comprehension, if possible, some rudiments of true knowledge
to see the difference between truth and error, and then better morals would
The Government made even a worse mistake
of themselves inevitably follow.
treating with them as independent nations, and at the
in its use- of them
same time as national wards, to be fed, clothed and armed independent people, public paupers, under distinct rules and laws of government; giving them
lands and taking them from them at will; penning them up, like the great
western cattle ranches, and sending them agents and traders to feed them on
rotten food and cheat them; fill them with the fiery liquid of hell to stupefy
and drive them to starvation and death. When this long and terrible tragedy
has been played out to the end, the curtain rang down upon the last sad scene,
then will' not some philosopher rise up and tell the world how all this mistake
could have been mostly spared us? On behalf of our people and Government
the way was plain and simple, when the Anglo-Saxon placed his foot upon
this continent never to take it up, had taken possession of it by right of discovery and piu'chase and organized his government, had he simply said to the
Indian, as to his own people, you are one us not a voter, but a citizen
and so
far as liberty and property are concerned, you are under the same laws as the
white man and none other; you must obey the law and be a good citizen, otherwise we will punish you as we do our own.
Now live as you please, but you
must support yom-selves or starve. This rich world is before you, take care
of yourselves and we will protect you as we protect ourselves, no more and no
This plan, it seems, was too plain and simple for our fathers, or for us
less.
Yet it is among the fundamental principles of all just and wise
to adopt.
A good government should be neither a hangman nor a great
governments.
boarding-house keeper.
It was not made to feed and clothe its people, nor
anybody; nor is it an institution for the distribution of alms. A man is a dem-

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

9

agogue of fearful proportions, or one of amazing ignorance, -wbo believes
that it is the duty of the Government in the abstract, to tax one citizen in order
Such fallacies are a monster perversion of
to feed and clothe another citizen.
all healthy ideas of the purposes for which governments were institut ed among
men. Infuse the people generally with siach notions of the powers and duties
of rulers, and dry rot, decay and dissolution await it.
In the disposition of this important question it seems that William Pena
and Lord Baltimore were more than a century in advance of their age. Their
treatment of the Indian is the fairest page of our two centuries and a half of
contact with that people.
In pity for the ignorance of these children of the
forest, they leaned to error's side often in their great charity, justice and integ
rity in all transactions concerning them; paid them their prices for their possessions, respected every right of theirs and often, rather than reach a fatal
If there
disagreement, repaid them for what they had already purchased.

was any advantage, they gave rather than took it; approached them with
In return for
kindness and fatherly love rather than the rifle and the stake.
all this the people of Pennsylvania should have been spared the tomahawk
and the murderous incursions upon their scattered and defenseless frontier
settlements.
But they were not. A savage knows little of gratitude. His
ideas of commerce are simply to sell you anything you want, regardless of
whether he owns it or not, and he tries to collect again and again every time he
fancies he needs it, the price of the purchase.
In 1768, at Fort Stanwix, the Six Nations, in solemn treaty sold to the proprietaries what was then erected into Northumberland County, now embracing
The whites
eleven rich and populous counties of this portion of the State.
took peaceable possession of their piirchase, the Indians retiring to the hills, but
for years many still remained within the boundaries of the "new purchase." A.
village of Delawares remained where Danville now stands, at the mouth of
Mahoning Creek. It was a feeble and harmless remnant of a once powerful
race, that had been conquered and nearly destroyed by their more powerful
enemies of the five tribes.
The terrible ordeal of the war of the Revolution
was swiftly approaching and the Indians in the hills lent a willing ear to the
emissaries of Great Britain, and the murderous raids down the beautiful valley
of the Susquehanna, and the bloody massacre of the Wyoming are to us the sad
memories of the Indians' treachery and shocking cruelties. In 1776-77 the
raids and murderous forays of the painted savages caused such alarm and terror among the people of this wild region that all who could get away fled for
their lives to the older settlements or to the stockades and forts nearest at
hand.
A chain of forts had been erected along the lino of our northern borOne of these was at Washingtonville and the other was Fort Mead. At
der.
this long distance of time we~can have but little appreciation of the dread apprehension that for these long years rested upon these hardy borderers, especially the women and children, like a hideous nightmare.
The Indians continued these depredations and retreats to their mountain fastnesses until the expedition of Gen. Sullivan in 1779, which cleared this portion of the borders oT
both the British and Indians, driving them as far north as Ithaca, Newton anfi
Painted Post, in the neighborhood of Elmira.
Thus, in the year 1780 the settlers were enabled to return to their homes in Montour County and resume
their peaceful avocations of subduing the forests and planting their virgit
fields.

In May, 1780, Robert Curry and his wife were traveling on horseback on
way from Northumberland to the Mahoning settlement, and when near
midway of the two places they were attacked by the savages. He was killed

their

C

HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY.

and scalped, his skull being broken into fragments by blows with the tomaShe was taken prisoner. They greatly admired her jet black hair.
heap pretty squaw, and promised they would not
They told her she was
hurt her.
When night overtook them and they went into camp, they tied her
hands and feet with hickory bark. When the savages were sound asleep, she
cut the bark from her wrists and ankles with a pair of scissors that she had
concealed, and which the captors had failed to find in the search of her person.
She then stole away and fled for life into the darkness. She had gone no great
distance when she was missed, and they commenced a vigorous search with
She saw she was pursued, and hastily concealed herself in
lighted torches.
They passed over the trunk of the tree, and as they
the top of a fallen tree.
did so kept crying out, "come out squaw, we see you. "
But she lay only
the closer in her hiding-place, satisfied they had not seen her.
After a long
search they abandoned further efforts, and soon broke camp and continued
their journey.
When convinced they were well gone she ventured out and
returned to the place where was her murdered husband.
She had her husband's mangled body brought to Danville, and buried in the old, first cemetery, the third interment in this old graveyard.
The Indians approached a
hawk.

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cabin (the exact spot nor the name of the family cannot now be definitely
known, but it is supposed it was near the north line of Montour County), they
found there a mother and two daughters.
They murdered the mother and
took the daughters prisoners; they started to attack another settler's house,
when the eldest girl prisoner told them not to go there as there was a number
of white men assembled there for mutual defense.
The Indians cautiously
reconnoitered, and found this was true, and they seemed pleased at this caution given them, and concluded they would not murder the girl, but promised
her protection.
They were about to murder her young sister, however, who
they said was too small to make the journey to Canada, where they were
going.
The older sister now begged and entreated to spare her little sister, promised that she would carry her in her arms when she could not keep
up; that she shoiild not delay the party in their travels.
The Indians listened
to her earnest pleadings, and spared the child on condition that she would
carry her when she could not travel fast enousfh or gave out.
One of the men
cut off a portion of the eldest girl's dress, and made a band to put over her
shoulders, in which the yoxing one was placed.
When they camped that night
he made her a pair of moccasins, which were of great service in the toilsome
journey.
Many times the party attempted to steal horses on which they could
expedite their journey, but without success.
They were obliged to keep in the
rear of the settlements on the way, and, as expert thieves as all Indians were,
they suffered often seriously for food.
Amid all these weary marches and
sufferings the brave girl, without a complaint, bore the weight of her sister,
and the party finally reached Montreal in safety. Here they remained a year
when the elder sister was exchanged and returned to her home, but was obliged
to leave her sister in captivity.
One of the Indians claimed they could not
part with the child, that his squaw had come to love her, and they must keep
her.
This was the last her friends ever heard of her.
The returned captive
afterward married Mr. Davis, of Limestone Township.
In 1782 three boys were passing along the road or trail, loitering and playing.
When they turned and started home, one of them, named David Carr,
loitered behind until the other two passed out of view, when he was pounced
upon by the Indians from their hiding-place in the bushes close by, and carried
off a captive.
He remained a prisoner with the savages several years.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

7

MADAME MONTOUR.

A name

destined to forever remain in America, not so much for who she
was or what she did, bnt because her name has been given to this county, to
Montour's Ridge, Montoursville, and many other places of historical interest,
that will keep it ever green and fresh in the minds of all people.
Already
you may ask the average citizen here in Montour County, the young generation of course, and they can not tell you whence the name is derived.
It is
She was a white
but little the historian now can tell you of Madame Montoui'.
woman by birth, and an Indian by adoption and choice. What her maiden
name was is not known. She had the name of Montour from her dusky husband, Roland Montour.
As the name is clearly French, Roland must have
been given a French name by the French settlers in Canada, and even his
Indian name, if he had any, is as completely lost as is the Madame' s.
Her
superior intelligence, it seems, manifested itself even to the dull brains of the
savages, ere she had long made her home among them and become one of
them, and they yielded much to her superior powers.
That she never turned
renegade to her own race is the one fact that has preserved her gratefid memory, and is the sole cause of the name of Montoiu" being now known to mankind at all.
It is not known how long Roland lived after their marriage.
It
seems they had four children, one, a daughter, who married an Indian, and at one
time lived near Shamokin. There were tkree sons. Some chroniclers have tried
to identify Madame Montour to be that squaw, "the old fuiy Queen Esther,"
but this evidently was incorrect.
The Madame was ever friendly to the whites,
and had it in her power, especially in the meetings of the whites and Indians,
in forming treaties.
The esteem with which in her day she was regarded,
may be somewhat inferred by the verbal message sent by Gov. Gordon by his
deputies.
Give kindest regards to Madame Montour and to her
He said
estimable husband, and speak to them to the same purpose.
Count Zinzendorf speaks in terms of great praise of her in his account of the Indian troubles in the Wyoming.
She took an active part in the treaty of Lancaster in
July, 1774.
This was a very important agreement with the Six Nations, and
it is proper to concede more to Madame Montour in bringing the Indians to
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than to any one else.
two sons, one of whom lived to be a much respected man in his
day, looking much more like a sun-tanned French officer of the army than a

agree to

She

it

left

dirty Indian.

Where Madame Montour
and probably never

will

died and where she was buried
be ascertained.

CHAPTER

is

not

now known,

II.

SOME OF THE EARLY FAMILIES.

WE

dawn of the second century since the first settlers came to
now Montour County. The only record these sturdy people
make of themselves, for the contemplation and pleasui'e of their pos-

are in the

what

is

had time to
terity, was almost

trials

and

"we

tools,

money

solely by the works of their hands amid
can but poorly appreciate now.
Without machinery,

difficulties

or the

1

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

8

rudest appliances of civilization, they bad to carve outtheir way against appalling obstructions. That they did it, not only well, but at all, is one of the marvels in the history of the human race. The world's " seven wonders " that have
passed down for the admiration of so many ages are, in the aggregate and abfloating bubbles
compared to that of
stract, but childish, simple nothings
the continental conquerors these liberators of the human race, who builded,
no doubt, wiser than they knew, but yet who built for all ages and for all manThe sublime story of these simple, grand men and women has never
kind.
Their
been properly told, is not understood by their descendants of to-day.
memories have been grossly neglected and too often now their wonderful story
has passed away forever with their decaying bones.
The few mentioned in this chapter include but a small portion of those
whose family names should be indelibly stamped upon the pages of the history of
Montour, yet these few names include about all, in connection with the accounts of many others in diflFerent parts of this work, of whom it is possible now
to give any definite and reliable information.
To write the history of the early days of what now constitutes Montour
County and to write the history of the Montgomery family would be mostly
Gen. Wm. Montgomery wrote this upon the blank
one and the same thing.
"August 3rd, 1809. By the goodness of divine
leaf of an old family Bible:
Providence, I have this day numbered seventy-three years," (not noticing the
and it is but right that I should leave a record of something
change of style)
I was the third son of Alexander
of God's goodness to me in so long a life.
and Mary Montgomery, who both died leaving me an orphan of ten or eleven
years old."
From Mr. A. F. Russel it is learned that Alexander and Mary Montgomery
had eight children seven boys and one girl. William, Daniel and Margaret
Montgomery emigrated to Northumberland County together from Chester
William was born August 3, 1736, and died in May, 1816, at the
County.
William had become a prominent man in his
green old age of eighty years.
He was a member of the '• Asnative county, Chester, before the Revolution.
sociators" and a delegate in a convention "of the people of the Province of
Pennsylvania," assembled in Philadelphia, January 23, 1775.
He was again
a delegate of the convention that assembled in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia,
He was now " Colonel " Montgomery.
June, 1776.
In June, 1776, Col. Montgomery's battalion, the Fourth Chester County
serving its toiir
Militia, 450 strong, was
in New Jersey, and it is supposed
was in the battle of Long Island in August, 1776. Then his regiment became
known as the "Flying Camp." In 1773 he came to Northumberland County,
and November 26, 1774, is the date of the deed of J. Simpson to W^illiam Montgomery for 180 acres of land on Mahoning Creek, north side of the east
branch of the Susquehanna, called
Karkaase.
This is the land on which
Danville was originally laid out.
He removed his family to this place in 1776
or early in 1777.
Here his youngest son, Alexander, was born October 8. 1777.
He was a fearless borderer of brawn and brain admirably suited to the turbulent times that were then upon the country, and that in consequence of Indian raids weighed so heavily upon the outer settlements.
In 1779 he was a
member of the Assembly from Northumberland County. In March, 1780, he
voted for an act "for the gradvial abolition of slavery."
In 1784 he was
elected by the Assembly a member of Congress; resigned February 7, 1785.
In 1785 he was appointed president judge of the district composed of Northumberland and Luzerne Counties.
In 1787 he was appointed a commissioner to execute the acts of the Assembly entitled "an act for ascertaining and confirming

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

11

Connecticut Claimants the lands by them claimed
to certain persons called
In December, 1787, he was appointed deputy
in the county of Luzerne, etc."
surveyor of Northumberland and Luzerne Counties; when he received this
appointment he resigned his office of president judge of the courts. In 1791
he was induced to accept a commission of justice of the peace. These last two
named acts are strong character marks of the man himself. In 1808 he was
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Northumberland County standing: William
Montgomery, Republican-Democrat, 2, 793, and for the Federal candidate, 220.
This is the briefest outline of his military and official life, but his|permanent greatness and fame should rest chiefly upon his domestic, commercial and
agricultural labors.
To the little colony of settlers he was much like a careful
and protecting father. He boldly ventured upon any scheme of merchandising or manufacturing that promised to yield good fruits to the people.
In an address to his neighbors in the dawn of this century he told them that
these hills were full of iron, and he believed there were those listening to him
who would live to see here great iron factories, employing vast numbers of
His prophecy became
laborers and yielding boundless wealth to the country.
entirely realized.
He established here the first saw, grist and woolen-mills,
the first store, and in fact the first of almost everything that gave such a powerWe cannot better conful impulse to the building up of the town of Danville.
clude this account than by completing the quotation from Gen. Montgomery's
own words with which we commenced this sketch:
"I early married Margaret Nivin; she was all that could be expected in a
woman she was pious, sensible and affectionate she lived with me about thirteen
years and had issue, Mary, who died at twenty-three years of age; Alexander,
who died in infancy; Margaret, who died in the same year with her sister;
• William, who is still alive and has a large family, is about forty-seven years
old; John, who is about two years younger and has also a large family; Daniel,
who is still two years younger than John and has a family; Alexander, who
presidential elector, the vote of

;

;

died about one year old.

About tw^enty-two months after her decease I married Isabella Evans, a
most distinguished and delightful woman, by whom I had issue, Robert, born
in April, 1773; Hannah, born the 22d of January, 1775; Alexander, born
The three former
October 8, 1777, and Margaret, born January 8, 1784.
are still living, but she died soon after her marriage with Thomas Woodside.
Their mother was called away fi'om me in August, 1791, and in April,
1793, I married a worthy and eminent woman her maiden name was Boyd, and
she was the widow of Col. Mathew Boyd, by whom she had issue, John, who
died with the dysentery, aged about twenty-three years; also, Rebekah, who is
married to Rev. John B. Patterson, lives happily and is raising a fine family.
But I have had no issue by my present wife nor has any uneasiness arisen in
consequence of it.
Nor can it be said that any of my children have had stepmothers, being always treated with as much tenderness and respect as they
Another instance of my happicould have expected from their own mothers.
ness and for which I ought to be very thankful is the untarnished morality of
my children, and the peace and harmony that has always subsisted among
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them.

"Through all this long life I have been abundantly provided for, have enjoyed honor enough unsought by any other means than honestly endeavoring to
do my duty to my God and my country great health and much comfort, retaining my natural powers with little diminution until about five or six years past.,
But I hope that goodness and
since when I feel sensibly the advances of age.
mercy which, have followed me through life will not forsake me when gray hair.s

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

12

appear, but continue to conduct me down to death, after which, through the
merits of our Lord Jesus Christ alone and the merc}^ of God our Savior, I hope
to obtain eternal rest and happiness.

"Wm. Montgomery.
Note

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care.

this

year the woolen factory at Danville established under

my

'

Daniel Montgomery was the third son of the above Gen. William
fifteen years old when his father brought his family to DanWhen only twenty-five years old Daniel opened, under the guidville to reside.
Soon he was the
ance and assistance of his father, the first store in Danville.
This first store buildtrusted merchant and factor of a wide circle of patrons.
November 27, 1791, Daniel
ing was where the Montour House now stands.
Montgomery married Miss Christiana Strawbridge. The next year he laid out
The new town received its
the town of Danville the part east of Mill Street.
baptismal name from abbreviating his Christian name through the partiality of
From this time until his death he was the most prominent
his customers.
man in this part of the State; elected to the Legislature in 1800, at once taking his father' s place as a trusted leader in public enterprises and politics of his
district.
By leading men throughout the State he was recognized as a man of
great influence in wisely shaping public affairs.
During his actual political
life of many years he carried on his extensive mercantile establishment, purchased and owned large tracts of land. In 1805 he was lieutenant-colonel in the
Eighty-first Pennsylvania Militia.
He was appointed major-general of the
Ninth Division, Jiily 27, 1809. He was the chief promoter in the building of
turnpike roads in this portion of the State.
Elected to Congress in 1807 as a
Democrat, he served out his term ably and acceptably and declined a re-election.

Gen.

Montgomery, and was

—

He worked efficiently for the division of Northumberland County and the erection
of Columbia and Union Counties Danville was made the county seat of Columbia County and the
father and son donated the land for the county
buildings,
and contributed largely in money toward their erection.
In
1823, though strongly urged by prominent men all over the State, he declined
In 1828 he was appointed one of the canal
to stand for the office of governor.
commissioners, and while in this office the great internal State improvements
were inaugurated, and among others the North Branch Canal was located and
well advanced toward completion.
He was a large stockholder and a strong
promoter of the Danville Bridge Company, comj^leting the bridge in 1829. He
originated the j^roject of the Danville & Pottsville Railroad and was first j^resident. Amid these varied positions of trust, great labor and responsibility he,
like his father, was a noted farmer.
Gen. Daniel Montgomery died at his
residence inDanville, Friday, December 30, 1831, aged sixty-six years. The old
family Bible bears the following record of his children Margaret, born October
18,
1792, died April 1, 1845, unmarried; Isabella, born August 1, 1794, died
October 11, 1813. unmarried; Mary, born July 26, 179(5, died September 2, 1797
Thomas, born July 19, 1798, died February 22, 1800 Hannah,
born October 16, 1800, married to J. C. Boyd, May 1820; William, born January
11, 1803, died January 23, 1873, aged seventy, bachelor; Polly, born February 6, 1805, married to Dr. W. H. Magill, May 1, 1828 (thev have two sons
and three daughters); Christina, born March 1, 1809, died May, 26, 1836,
unmarried; Daniel Strawbridge, born July 2, 1811, died March 26, 1839.
Philip Maus was born in Prussia, 1731.
In company with his parents he
came to Philadelphia in 1741, being then ten years old. He attended school
and soon he could speak and write both English and German fluently. In 1750
he was apprenticed to the trade of manufacturing stockings, a circumstance
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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

13

that enabled him in the times of the Revolution to greatly aid and benefit the country. Within five years after he commenced to learn his trade he established himself
in the business, conducting it with great success for the next twenty years, when
His brothers were
the troubles with the mother country suspended operations.
The latter became a prominent surgeon in the
Fredrick, Charles and Mathew.
war and was with Gen. Montgomery in his expedition into Canada, and
when Montgomery fell before Quebec he aided Col. Burr in carrying
Dr. Maus served through the entire war of independence.
away his body.
Phillip Maus married Frances Heap, a native of England, a most estimable
wife, mother and friend.
When his busingiss furnished him the capital he inThe patents from Thomas and
vested it in the purchase of 600 acres of land.
John Penn are dated April 3, 1769, and are among the earliest in what is now
Montour County. The proprietaries reserved a perpetual quit rent of two
pence per acre, which was paid until the commonwealth compensated the Penns
The tract of land lay in the rich
and became the proprietor of the lands.
and fertile valleys of Valley Township. At the time of the purchase it laid on
the outer fringe of the settlements, and hence no improvements were made on
But as soon as peace and safety perthe property until after the Revolution.
mitted, Mr. Maus brought his family to this place and for more than thirty
Tears it was his home.
The children of this happy union were George, born
1759; Elizabeth, 1761; Phillip, 1763; Susan, 1765; Samuel, 1767; Lewis 1773;
Charles, 1775; Joseph, 1777; Jacob, 1781. Duringthe Revolution Mr. Mauswas
an active and earnest patriot. He formed the intimate acquaintance, which
•extended to the end of their days, of Benjamin Franklin and Robert Morris.
Mr. Maus invested very largely of his ample fortune in furnishing clothing to
tb ^ army, took his pay in continental money, and of this money, when it became
Baskets full of this old
valueless, he had several thousand dollars on hand.
currency 'may yet be found in the possession of Phillip F. Maus. What would a
modern army contractor think if he was to hear this story ?
Here is a letter that now possesses a historical interest:

Philadelphia,

9 Octo, 1776.
send you theballanceof
the price of 8 doz pairs of buckskin breeches I bought of you, having paid you £9 in advance, the ballance being £14;^ ;is. which he will pay you on delivering him the goods.
If you have any more to dispose of he will contract with you for them, and I shall be glad
Phillip Maus.
if you and him can agree.
Your humble servant,

Mr. Samuel Updegraflf,

Sir:

— By the bearer, Mr. Joseph Kerr,

I

Leather breeches, moccasins and hunting shirts of the same were the clothing of some of the grandfathers of many of our most aristocratic and exclusive
people of fashion and wealth of the present day. Could the rehabilitated form
of one of these appear in his buckskin jerkin well soiled in the service of camp
and field and, unkempt and unwashed, appear in some of our modern parlors
unannounced, would not the cooing Charles Augustus and Floritina faint dead

away?
At the close of the war his fortune was so reduced, as he had expended his
good gold for materials to manufacture clothing for the army and took his pay
in what was in the end valueless Continental money, that he turned his attention to his land in this county, and came here in 1782.
He found the infant
settlement of Danville, which had then been founded by Daniel Montgomery
and his brother William, consisting of a few log cabins and half a dozen families, nearly all from the southeastern portion of the State and the western part
of New 'Jersey.
His lands, when he then looked upon them, presented a mass
of verdure and deep, tangled wild woods, stretching along the northern base
of Montour' s Ridge, with the Mahoning flowing through them.
He brought

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

14

with him from Philadelphia two carpenters, and his son Phillip and his own
willing hands were the means at hand to clear away the great forest, and make
He erected the first cabin in Valley Township. Its site
his beautiful farm.
was on the right bank of the stream nearly half a mile from the present
He contracted the clearing of other parts of his land, but then the
stone mill.
Indian troubles commenced, and the people in these unprotected parts had to
Before leaving the place everything they
flee to Northumberland for safety.
could not carry away, such as implements, tools, etc., was carefully buried and
secreted from the Indians. The place was then rented to Peter Blue and James
Sutphel, the bargain being that the lessees were to return and occupy the lands
Mr. Maus and family remained in Northas soon as it would be safe to do so.
umberland only a brief time and then proceeded to Lebanon, where he remained one year; then returned to Northumberland, remained three or four
years, and then came back to the Mahoning settlement.
Phillip F. Maus, now living in Mausdale, in this county, is the son of Joseph and Sally Montgomery Maus and is the grandson of Phillip Maus, one of
the first settlers in what is now Valley Township and of whom there is an extended sketch in the chapter entitled "Some of the Early Families."
The
direct line of descent to young Phillip Eugene Maus, now of Mausdale, is as
follows: Phillip Maus, his son Joseph, then Joseph's son Phillip F. and then
Phillip F.'s son Phillip E. Maus.
Joseph Maus was born in Philadelphia,
October, 1777, and came to this county with his parents when about eight years
He married in 1808 Sallie, daughter of John Montgomery, of Paradise
old.
farm.
The issue of this marriage were Phillip F., born September 27, 1810,
and John M., born in 1812. Joseph Maus died July 26, 18B7. Sallie Montgomery Maus died May 20, 1872. John M. married Rebecca Gray, who was
born in 1812 and married in 1833. Phillip F. Maus married Sarah Grallaher, of
Lycoming County, in May. 1838. Of this marriage there were six children four
boys and two girls all of whom except Phillip E. died in infanc}'. Mrs. Sarah
Gallaher Maus was a daughter of William and Margaret Grallaher, who
were early settlers in what is now Lycoming County. They were of ScotchIrish deiscent.
The history of the Maus family elsewhere in this book is very
nearly a complete history of the county fi-om its first settlement to date.
John C. Gulics was Ijorn in Mahoning Township, December 1, 1807, the
son of John and Mary (Gearhart) Gulics, natives of New Jersey.
Grandfather Jacob Gearhart was a Revolutionary soldier, attaining the rank of captain, and was long in the service under Gen. Washington.
John and Mary
Gulics had five children, of whom one only is now living.
Nathaniel and Sarah (Bond) Wilson were of the early settlers in Columbia
County, Liberty Township.
They were natives of Pennsylvania, of ScotchIrish descent.
Nathaniel was a soldier in the war of 1812-15.
Descendants
of the Bonds and Wilsons are now citizens of Montour County.
One grandson, James Wilson, is a clerk in a store in Danville.
Samuel Kirkham how that name brings up the writer's school days and
" parsing grammar." Pennsylvania must have bred great grammarians Lindley Murray was a native of York County, and Mr. Kirkham was a teacher in
the Danville school in 1819-21.
It is said what little grammar Mr. Lincoln
ever knew he got from Kirkham' s grammar.

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Daniel Frazer came here in 1790.
He purchased a farm of John Frazer
acres.
Here he resided thirty-eight years, or until his death. All the
south part of his farm is now in the corporate limits of Danville.
He was a
most estimable farmer and his death was mourned by a wide circle of friends.
In 1824 he built his stone residence which is still standing in good repair.

100

s

.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

15

Ellis Hughes came here a school-teacher, and for some time taught in the
He
schoolhouse a short distance from where the Montour House now stands.
was appointed register and recorder by the governor, and served to the public'
He died in 1850.
entire satisfaction.
William Hartman came to Danville in 1814, a chairmaker at that time
a very convenient kind of workman to have in a community where three legged
He died in 1851.
stools were chiefly the seats of honor.
November 24, 1784, is the date of the oldest record extant containing a parIt was a subscription paper, drawn by
tial list of those who were first here.
Gen. William Montgomeiy's hand, and entitled "Preaching Subscrij^tion."
It was not especially sectarian and as all men in those days were deeply religious in faith and pined for the expounding of God' s word, it is quite probable
that the list contained nearly every head of a family then in the county,
who was able to subscribe toward the desired fund. It is an interesting relic.
To their descendants it is a kind of "Declaration of Independence signers,"
and it is due their memories that their histories, so far as can be now obtainable, be gathered up. The list is here given in full, and following it is such an
account of their descendants as the writer has been enabled to gather from some
of our oldest citizens.
Following is the document and the amount respectively subscribed:

—

We, the subscribers, promise to pay the several sums annexed to our names into the
hands of such person as shall be named by a majority of us to receive and collect the same,
to be set apart as a fund for the encouragement and promoting the preaching of the Gospel
among us at the settlement of Mahoning.
Done this twenty-fourth day of November, 1784.
£

David Subingall
Peter Blew

3

7 6
7 6

John Evart
John Black

10

Daniel Kelly
Peter Rambo

1

"

7
7
15
7
7
7

Jno. Irwin

David Carr
Jacob Carr
Gilbert Voorhes

Wm.

Montgomery, Jr
James Henry
William Grav
Asahel Fowler
Benjamin Fowler
Robert Henry
James Grimes
'.

Martin Todd
Peter Melick

Wm- Montgomery

7

Barry

s

7 6

1

Jno Wilson
Jos.

£

d

s

Emmitt
Jas. Emmitt
Charlie McClahan

Jno.

6
6

1

13

John Emmet
John Clark
Andrew Cochran

]

I

Alex. McMullan..
6] Thomas Giles
Robert
Giles
6
6

3
15
7 6
7 6
17 6
1 2 6
15
5
7 6

1

j

|

1

j

{

William Lemar.
William Moreland
.

John Wheeler....
Levi Wheeler

15

10
1

10
15

d

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

16

It is said that some of the descendants of Peter
John Evart lived in Frosty Valley. His son

Melick

live

on Fishing Creek.

John

lived and died on the
There is one daughter surviving, living at Danville.
old home place.
John Black lived in Derry Township, where he died many years ago.
John Emmet lived in Frosty Valley. He removed to Bloomsburg. It is
told that he was one of the believers in the wild story that the Indians before
There was a
they left these parts buried vast treasures of gold in this hill.

further wild superstition that those who attempted to dig and find the hidden
treasure would be stricken by the spell of the dusky ghosts, and would flee
away in terror and pine away and die. A man named Runyon, it was gravely
related, went there to dig after Emmet had fled and left his digging impleHe too fled in terror before the spooks and went off and died.
ments.
William Clark, in company with his brother John, kept Clark's tavern^
The building was burned down
which stood where Brown's bookstore now is.
Tom Clark, son of William, lived here, and died aged eighty
in 1835 or 1836.
Several of the grandchildren of William Clark are now here.
years.
Andrew Cochran died many years ago. His son Preston was reared in this,

county and moved away and died.
William Crowle was a stone-mason and helped build the old still.
Thomas Gaskins and family were among the earliest settlers here. He
had six children: John, Jonathan, Thomas, Mrs. Polly McMullin, Mrs. Betsj
Of these John was born here in 1775 and
Forsyth and Rachel (unmarried).
His son, William G. Gaskins, was born in 1817, and is now a
died in 1856.
resident of Danville.
to the Danville Insane Asylum was the homeThere was a large family of children. Of these, CathJohn Gaskins, whose descendants are now residents of

The property now belonging
of the Gulics family.
arine Gulics married

Danville.

John Deen, Sr., the first of the name in the limits of this county, cameHe was born in Philadelphia December 22, 1783. When he
here in 1790.

—

his father was lost at sea
a seafaring man in command of a
His mother, Eleanor (Frazier) Deen, was a native of Scotland. Some
Joha
of the Fraziers were of the earliest settlers in this portion of the State.
came to this county with his uncle in his seventh year. The widow married
John Wilson. She died in Danville, October 1, 1827. in her sixty-sixth year,
and was buried in the old Presbyterian cemetery. Here John lived fi'om the
time he came, with his uncle, Daniel Frazier, whose log house was on the hill
side a little east of Bloom Street, near the present site of the Reformed Church,
Here, at the
his farm covering the ground that is now the Fourth Ward.
short-termed subscription schools, John acquired what education he possessed.
Ir>
In 1796 he was apprenticed to Mr. Hendrickson to learn blacksmithing.
1809 he married Miss Mary Flack, daughter of Hugh and Susan Flack, who was
The Flacks were a large family,
born near Washingtonville in April, 1785.
and their descendants are intermarried with many of the pioneer families.
The father on the maternal side of the Flacks was McBride, another of the
McBride settled on a
very early settlers in what is now Montour County.
•
farm at what is now White Hall.
In 1809 Mr. Deen and wife came to Danville. The town was then a mere
hamlet of log buildings scattered over the territory west of what is now Church
Street and south of the canal. He occupied the corner now occupied by G. M.
Here he had his smithey shop; here
Shoop, where he lived until 1814.
three of his children were born, viz. Thomas, who died at the age of five years,
John and Julia Ann. He then purchased ground on the opposite side of the-

was an infant
vessel.

:

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

IT

Montgomery. He here erected what is now the eastern end of
the frame house now owned by his eldest daughter, Mrs. Julia Ann Bowyer.
Here he lived the remainder of his life.
The work in a blacksmith shop in those days was very different from that
but very little machinery; everything had to be hammered out
of to-day
on the anvil, and charcoal was the only fuel used. Mr. Deen's account books
are still in the possession of the family and here are recorded business transactions dating back to so long a period as now to possess much historical interest.
As an instance, between 1820 and 1830 here are some of the prices for his
work: "Setting pair horseshoes, 12^ cents; pair steel-toed shoes, 58 cents;
toeing old shoes, 12^ cents: pair of shoes (not toed) 46| cents; mending
bridle-bit, 12i cents; 12 screws, 59 cents; laying a hammer with steel (both
ends) 46| cents; ironing a two-horse wagon, $15; laying an ax with cast steel,
70 cents." Bar iron at that time was worth $100 to $120 per ton.
At this
time buckwheat was selling at 30 cents to 35 cents a bushel.
In 1824 wheat
sold for $1.87|^; 11 yards blankets, $10. 31; potatoes, 12i^ cents; muslin, 14
cents; a day's plowing, with two horses, $1.40.
Soon after making his residence here he obtained an interest in a fishery located above the mouth of Mahoning Creek, and also one in Gulp' s Eddy, above. The fish caught here at
that time were many and of the best quality, shad weighing as high as seven
pounds, and salmon weighing fifteen pounds and rock- fish thirty pounds. The
best fish sold at 6 and 7 cents a pound.
The women made the twine of which
the nets were made, as they then also made the clothes worn by men and
women. The spinning-wheel and the loom were then to be heard in almost
every house.
The first woolen factory was erected in Danville more than fifty
years ago. It was on Mahoning Creek, at the Northvimberland street crossing.
This is wandering slightly from the subject of this sketch, but at the same
time it is suggested by gleanings from Mr. Deen's old account book.
His
close industry and economy brought him prosperity, and in 1 820 he purchased
of Gen. Montgomery the land running eastward along the south side of
Market Street, paying $100 per acre for it. This was stony ground, not fit for
cultivation.
It was once a great place to pick blackberries.
It has long been
covered with the fine improvements we now see there.
In 1826, in addition
to his business of farming and his large blacksmith shop, he purchased of the
patentee the right to manufacture threshing machines and opened a factory.
These were evidently good machines and well made, as Mr. A. J. Still, grandson of Mr. Deen, informs the writer that he saw one of them in 1868 and it
was still fit for service. Mr. -Deen had contracts on the canal, then being
constructed, as well as on the river bridge. When the canal was opened he
owned and ran a boat thereon in the coal trade. At an age when ordinary
men retire largely from active business life, he built a tannery on the river
near Church Street.
January 5, 1852, his faithful helpmeet departed this
life.
After a long and useful life, widely esteemed, and beloved by a great
circle of family and friends, he breathed his last July 16, 1864, leaving behind seven children. His oldest son, John, married Jane Hutton and died
in 1874; four of his children are still living.
Julia Ann, aged seventy-three
years, is the wife of John Bowyer.
James mai-ried Margaret Sanders; Jane
married Thomas Brandon; Hannah married Kev. Amos B. Still, and has but
one son living, A. Judson and Perry, the youngest son, married Mary Jane
Ritchie; after her death he married Jane Fullmar.
Susan, the youngest of
the family, married Isaac Tyler: she died in 1865; three of her children are now
street of Daniel

—

;

living.

Freqiient mention of the Frazers (sometimes spelled Frazier) occurs in other

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

18

Daniel Frazer was born May 2, 1755, and married Sarah
parts of this work.
She died in 1775; he was again married. His second wife
Wilson in 1772.
was Isabella Watson, whom he married on the sixth day of February, 1777.
He died in Danville on March 26, 1828. His children were Charles, Emma,
Margaret, James, Alexander, Sarah, Jane, William, Christiana M., Agnes,
Daniel and Thomas, all of whom are dead, except Christiana, who married
Enos Miller, who died in 1870. His descendants reside in Montour County,
New York, and Michigan. He came to this place about 1790 and purchased
of John Frazer 100 acres of land in the southwest part of his 284-acre tract.
On this land he resided thirty -eight years, until his death in the seventy
He was an honest and industrious farmer, enjoying
third year of his age.
For a long time he resided
the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
at the base of the hill, near the site of an old Indian trading post, and a very
In 1824 he _^built the substantial stone
short distance north of the spring.
All the southern portion of his farm is now
residence which is still standing.
within the corporate limits of Danville.

CHAPTER

III.

EARLY HISTORY— COUNTY ORGANIZATION— PUBLIC
BUILDINGS, ETC.

MONTOUR

is

among

commonwealth

the youngest of the sisterhood of counties of the
of Pennsylvania, as well as being one of the smallest in

territoiy, but with all this a rich atid precious jewel in the cluster of sixtyIt was named in honor of Madame
seven counties of this Keystone State.
Montovir, of whom an account is given in the chapter entitled Indians.
On the fifth day of November, 17G8, the provincial authorities purchased
the Indian title to the district embraced in the present counties of Northumberland, Montour, Lackawanna, Wayne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Bradford,
S^illivan, Lycoming, Union and Centre, all of which were embraced in the
These eleven counties were of
county of Northumberland, erected in 1772.
The nethemselves a rich empire at the hands of the resolute Anglo-Saxons.
Immediately thereafter the first
gotiations were conducted at Fort Stanwix.
On the third of April following the
surveys were made by the proprietaries.
lands were opened to settlers; and so eager was the desire to secure possession
in the new territory, that over two thousand applications were filed the first
The first survey in what is now Montour County was made February
day.
On this spot, at
22, 1769. A part of this tract is where Danville now stands.
the mouth of the Mahoning, there was a small village of Delaware Indians.
The Indians did not wholly
Here, it is said, the venerable Tamanund dwelt.
abandon their village until about 1774. For at least fifteen years they remained
secure in their rocky fastnesses and sometimes descendin the hills hereabout
Prior to this purchase the
ing in their murderous raids upon the settlements.
Indians permitted no invasion of their grounds by the whites, save as travelers,
with much jealousy and no great good will
traders and trappers and hunters
The whites looked upon this fair territory and they coveted
toward the latter.
it.
A few daring adventurers had explored its grand old forests, its broad fer-

—

—

-£70

•?7„

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.
tile valleys, its

cool sweet waters, boiling

from

its

many

21
springs, forming the

murmuring mountain streams and purling valley brooks, and its forests and
streams filled with game and fish, and they told their neighbors and friends of
the wonderful country that lay waste and waiting the pale faced avant couriers
of civilization; and the story spread among the people and filled them with
eager desire to visit and to own this beautiful and promised land.
To this
new purchase, at once it was opened to the hardy settler, there was a rush
of immigrants that to that time had hardly had an equal in suddenness and numbers. In four short years after the opening of the country the immigration was
so large that the machinery of civilized government was an imperative necessity, and a nucleus of a town had been formed at Sunbury and this place was
fixed upon as a county seat and home for courts and the paraphernalia of law
and justice. This was done in 1776, or a little less than eight years after the
people were permitted to come here.
Circumstances fixed the abode of the
new people along the banks of the Susquehanna Kiver, following up from the
bay the main stream and its two branches where it forks and spreads out in
'

*

'

'

These streams were the only highways that the people could
use to and from other settlements. This was the case for several years.
They
found here the few Indian trails, and in crossing the mountain ranges and the
often precipitous foot hills, they were often guided by these in shaping their
course over the courytry and across the streams.
In winter when the streams were fi'ozen over, the necessities of the border
settlers had cut out dim paths over which on caravans of pack-horses they
transported articles of commerce to and from the settlements.
This primitive
style of transportation grew with the wants of the new country, and men engaged regularly in the business, employing sometimes extensive trains of horses.
Two men would attend the train, one in front, a bell on the lead horse and the
other man in the rear, keeping all in line and moving along in single file.
Regular pack-saddles were provided and the average load for a horse was
Thus with slow and toilsome step would the caravan wind
about 250 pounds.
its course across hill and dale, bearing its burdens braving the winter storms
and the severest weather, and often the swollen streams with their raging,
angry waters, and sometimes a sudden encounter with the red savages in ambush to loot the train and scalp the drivers. Following these pack-horse paths
came the first roiigh roads over the rocky hills and unbridged streams, that
were used during the long winter months for hauling sleds over. The ice
then bridged the streams, and bore the heaviest loads in safety.
This was a
marked era of improvement in the gi-eat problem of transportation to be in
turn improved and bettered by fairly laid out roads, bridged streams, and
sometimes for short distances regular turnpike roads all gradually developing
toward the present grand system of canals and railroads that now fly like the
wind over the country, across the continent, over and through the loftiest
mountain argosies laden with the wealth of the world's best civilization. Today we reap where one hundred years ago these hardy and adventurous pioneers
sowed.
Thus we can trace step by step how this wilderness was opened, and
the grand improvements we now see were slowly and painfully wrought out.
In the summer season all merchandise was brought up the river, in what
were called
Durham boats, and every inch of the way up the long and
crooked stream was gained only by the hardest kind of manual labor.
Durham boats " were like a double end canal boat, or two boats lashed together,
and were propelled up stream by men pushing by long socket poles, or by sail
when it was possible to use it. By river or by trail over mountain and defile
there wei'e no public houses of entertainment by the way to shelter from the
different courses.

—

—

'

'

'

'

'

'

2A

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

22

"night and storm and darkness " these travelers, but in time there came th&
sparsely built cabins and here the traveler, where chance made it possible,
could stretch himself upon the bare floor with feet to the open fire, and in security sleep out the night of storm and in the morning pay his reckoning with
But few of them could have afforded to pay for a warm meal on
a sixpence.
The average personal expenditure from the
the way to Beading and back.
Susquehanna to Reading the nearest trading mart would be two or three
It is well there were then no comfortable hostelries on the way ofshillino-s.
fering their tempting retreat to the travelers, for such was their enforced economy that they could not have availed themselves of their benefits and they
would have only increased the i)ainful contrasts of their exposure.
March 22, 1813, Columbia County was created out of the territory of Northumberland County and the county seat was fixed at Danville. There was
some contention about the location of the shiretown as Danville was said to be
in an inconvenient place for the majority of the people of the new county, who
lived in the north and northeast portions of the county. In order to more evenly adjust matters and remove their objections to Danville, in 1816 Columbia County was enlarged on the west by additional territory taken from Northumberland County, extending its lines to the west branch of the river. Again
the county lines were readjusted in 1818 by taking off a small portion of its ter-

—

—

It goes without the saying that
ritory in the formation of Schuylkill County.
the people of the county had the usual contention in regai'd to settling the permanent county seat. In such matters there are nearly alwaj- s conflicting in-

and clashing claims. Men build golden dreams as to the j^romised
value of such town locations in increasing the value of their property, while
the facts are in the end the location of the county seat has but a small influIt depends upon the surroundings
ence in building up thrifty growing cities.
and upon the enterprise and judgment of the first settlers as to where in the
county is to be built the leading city. All over the country can be found deplaces given over to the owls and bats and where waste and sisertecf villages
lence broods undisturbed, that were once county towns, over which men had
wrangled in heated controversy.
By act of the Assembly, May 3, 1850, the county of Montour was formed.
terests

—

Section 2 provides as follows:

"That all that part of Columbia County included within the limits of the townships
of Franklin, Mahoning, Valley, Liberty, Limestone, Deny, Anthony and the borough
of Danville, together with all that portion of the township of Montour. Hemlock
and Madison lying west of the following line, beginning iat Leiby's saw-mill on the
bank of the Susquehanna; thence by the road leading to the 'Danville and Bloomsburg
road, at or near Samuel Lazarus' house; thence from the Danville and Bloomsburg roadto the Rock Valley at the end of the lane leading from said road to Obed Everett's house;
thence by said lane to Obed Everett's house; thence northward to the schoolhouse near
David Smith's in Hemlock Township; thence by the road leading from said schoolhouse
to the State road at Robin's mill to the end of the lane leading from said road to John
Kinney's house; thence by a straight line to John Towsend's, near the German meetinghouse; thence to Henry Johnson's near Millville; thence by a straight line to a post in the
Lycoming County line, near the road leading to Crawford's mill, together with that part
of Roaringcreek Township lying south and west of the line beginning at the southeastern corner of Franklin Township'] thence eastward by the southern boundary line of Catawissa Township to a point directly north of John Yeager's house; thence southward by
a direct line, including John Yeager's house, to the Schuylkill County line at the northeast
corner of Barry Township."
The act then proceeds to provide that never, no never shall any portion of Northumberland County be annexed to said county of Montour without the unanimous consent of
Then there occurs a clause fixing Danville as the
all the voters of Northumberland.
county

seat.

Section 3 provides that the people of Danville shall pay all the costs of the court*
*
Annexed the county of Montour to the Eighth Judicial District of
house and jail.
the commonwealth.

HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

23

Section 14 provides that all that portion of Madison Township lying in the new coun*
*
That the portion of
ty shall be erected into a new township called Madison.
Hemlock Township in the new county shall be erected into a new township called West
*
*
Hemlock.
All that portion of Montour Township in the new county shall be a
new township called Cooper. * * That part of Roaringcreek Township in the new
county shall be called Roaringcreek Township. These new townships were made election
districts; elections to be held in Madison at the house of John Welliver; West Hemlock,
Burtis Arumine; Cooper, Jacob Rishels, Thomas Ritters; Roaringcreek, David Yeager.
The act appointed commissioners to locate the boundary line of the county as follows: Abraham Stroub, David Rockefeller and Isaiah B. Davis.
January 15, 1853, the Assembly passed an act to change the location of the line between the counties of Columbia and Montour. Section 1 provides as follows: That
Roaringcreek Township, in Montour County, and such parts of the townships of Franklin, Madison, and West Hemlock, in said county, that lie east of the adjusted line of Columbia and Montour Counties shall be, and the same are hereby re-annexed to the county
of Columbia as hereinafter prescribed and established, shall be re-annexed to the county
of Columbia. The act ,then described the new county line between the two counties as
follows: Beginning at the Northumberland County line, at or near the house of Samuel
Readen; thence a direct course to the center of Roaring creek, in Franklin Township,
twenty rods above a point in said creek opposite the house of John Vought; thence down
the middle of the stream of said creek to the Susquehanna River; thence to the middle of
said river; thence up the center of the same to a point opposite where the present county
line between Columbia and Montour strikes the north bank of the river; thence to the
said north bank; thence by the present division line between said counties to the schoolhouse near the residence of David Smith; ihence to a point near the residence of David
Smith; thence to the bridge over Deerlick run on the line between Derry and Madison
Townships; thence by the line between said townships of Madison and Derry and Anthony to the line of Lycoming County. John Koons, Gilbert C. McWaine, of Luzerne
County, and Bernard Reilly, of Schuylkill County, were appointed commissioners to run
and locate the new line.
Section 4 changed the name of Franklin Township, in Montour Countj^ and made it

Mayberry.
Section 5 provides that so much of
shall hereafter compose a part of West

Madison Township as remains in Montour County
Hemlock Township.

As stated above, the West Branch of the Susquehanna was the original western boundary line between Columbia and Northumberland Counties. This included Turbot and Chillisquaque Townships, and by putting these townships into
the new county it made it possible to name Danville as the county seat with
fairness as to the accessibility in the lay of the territory to the county town.
Afterward, however, these two townships were re-annexed to Northumberland
County [full particulars of this may be found in the preceding history of Columbia County] with this territory transferred back and the western line of
Columbia County readjusted as it is now, the western line of Montour County.
Danville was considerably to the west of center of the county, and then at once
commenced the agitation by the people of the northern and eastern portion for
the removal of the county seat from Danville to Bloomsburg.
The large
They could outrate the
bulk of the voters lay in that part of the county.
friends of Danville. They would regularly elect the county officers, running the
But Danville had able and astute manelections almost solely on this issue.
agers men of powerful influence, and so the contest went on until 1845 when
the county seat was taken from Danville and Bloomsburg gained the coveted
This triumph of the friends of Bloomsburg was not without its effects
prize.
upon Columbia County. The friends of Danville at once commenced the vigorous agitation of a new county to be taken from Columbia's territory, and
in live short years complete success crowned their efforts and thus it came
about that Montour County was formed and Danville by undisputed right again
became a county seat.
Danville having triumphed over Bloomsburg and Milton in being designated
as the county town, she found herself confronted with the rather difficult task
of providing ways and means to erect the required county buildings jail and

—

,

—

24

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

Her citizens, as well as all the people of this portion of the new
court-house.
county, were stirred to energetic action by the fact that they must not allow a
loophole to the enemies of Danville, who were alert for any pretext on which to
The new county made an appropriation
base a removal of the county seat.
toward the buildings of $1,050. The other money was made up by private
Three or four subscription papers were circulated early in 1814.
subscriptions.
Two of these are still extant. They were duplicates and read as follows:
We, the subscribers, promise to pay into Daniel Montgomery, James Maus and Alem
Marr, for the purpose of erecting the public buildings in Danville, the county seat for the
county of Columbia, the sums respectively annexed to our names; nevertheless, in case the
whole subscription be not appropriated for the 2'>urpose aforesaid, the subscription of each
subscriber shall be refunded in proportion to the sum subscribed.

Here was prudent forethought, indeed, on the part of those old fellows,
characteristic of the time and the men that sounds curious to men of this age,
when such a thing as expenditures falling short of appropriations are an undreamed of possibility, much less a probability. The principal names to this
subscription paper are of suificient interest to preserve to posterity: DanMontgomery, $1,000; William Montgomery, $1,000; Joseph Maus, $100;
Phillii? Goodman, $100; Alexander Montgomery,
$100; James Longhead, $100; John Montgomery, $75; Alem Marr, $50; William Montgomery, $50; David Petrikin, $50; John Deen, $35; Eobert McWilliams, $25; John Evans, $25; Wm. Clark, $25; William Mann, $25; Peter Blue,
$20; Peter Baldy, $12; David Williams, $10; James Donalson, $10; John
Moore, $10, and others $22. A total of $2,944.
This generous subscription was sufficient encouragement to commence the
Gen. D. Montgomery made an estimate of the
building of the court-house.
The committee to receive and disburse the money was Gen.
cost, $2,704.96.
Montgomery, Mr. Marr and Mr. Maus. Messrs. Montgomery and Marr were
too deeply engaged in their own affairs to give the matter attention, we are
With his wonted energy he
told, so this duty devolved alone upon Mr. Maus.
entered upon the task employed workmen, opened stone quarries, brick kilns,
purchased timbers, hardware, glass, paints and needed materials of all kinds.
His only resource for boarding the workmen was to establish a boarding-house.
In person he collected the subscriptions, superintended the work, paid all bills,
and his unremitting energy and toil soon witnessed the triumph of his labors.
Of those who worked upon the building the following names are all that can
now be recalled: Daniel Cameron, a Scotchman, was a carpenter in charge of
that part of the work; Tunis Gearhart, James and Joseph Crosley, stonemasons; William and Gilbert Giberson, brick-masons; chief plasterer was
His home was in Danville. Isaac
the jolly Hibernian, Michael Rafferty.
The
Edgar, assisted by Asher Smith and John Cope, made the brick.
other employes on the building, their particular posts not being known,
were John Bryson, John Strieker, Edwin Stocking, Alexander Johnson,
Benj. Garretson, Nehemiah Hand, William Lunger, Peter Watts, Peter
Snyder, Fredrick Harbolt, James Thomas, William Doak, D. Henderson, B.
Long and T. Haller. The total cost of the building was $3, 980. 80. It was
commenced in April, 1815, and completed in September, 1816.
Looking over the old accounts there is one item, the bare mention of which
It reads
Sixtyis significant of the change in men' s minds of then and now.
iel

Thomas Woodside, $100;

—

'

'

:

four gallons of whiskey, $64."

One

'

of the strong citstoms of the times is
Men then supposed that in order to work
manifested in this expense item.
All partook of their
they had to have their liquor as regularly as their meals.
It, was the mark of hospitable friendship.
stimulants, laymen and ministers.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

25

after the first comers had got fixed to really live in comfort, to offer all visitors
And at one time it would
the bottle and glass as a pledge of hearty welcome.
have been a severe judgment, indeed, of one against his caller to have forgotThe farmer, as soon as possible, erected upon his
ten this friendly token.
farm a still, and of corn, rye and Wheat he distilled a strong, rough, yet pure,
whisky; and of his fruit, especially apples and peaches, he made apple- jack and
pious bigots, austere in
brandies. These were a hardy race of nation builders
their religious tenets and practices severe of conscience and relentless in the pursuit of sin; and in order that no sin might escape, punishing the most innocent
pleasures.
Splendid types of the church militant, full of the fire of patriotism, devoted to the death to liberty, and as honest as they were fearless! They
ate heavily of a diet that was mostly meat; they were rugged men and women,
They knew nothto whom life and their Christian duties were stern realities.
ing of the refinements and effeminacy of modern times; had these been brought
to them, they would have despised them.
They had mostly fled from the dire
religious persecutions of the old world; had felt the heaviest hand of persecution
the cold dungeon, the stake and the faggot. These they had left behind
them, to brave the solitudes, the malaria, the wild beasts and vipers, and the
yet more deadly tomahawk and scalping-knife of the cruel and pitiless wild
savages of the forests.
What a school in which to rear this new people of
nation builders! Look out over the fair face of the earth to-day and behold
what these simple children of destiny have given us the magnificence and
magnitude of their work and the poverty and paucity of their means at their
command. No men the woiid ever possessed had more thoroughly the courage of their convictions. Their faults and frailties leaned to virtue's side. As
severe as they were in their judgments, the same cast-iron grooves they gave to
others they applied with even less charity to themselves. They came of a race
of religious fanatics and martyrs, and the eldest of them were born in Europe
when even the most highly civilized portions of the world were in the travail
of the ages the age of iron and blood.
An age when shoemakers rose from
their benches, tailors from their boards, an,d coopers dropped their hoops and
staves and unfurled the banner of the Cross, gathered the sans culottes about
them, seized the greatest empire in the world, and chopped off the king's head
with no more awe than sticking a pig. An age when all men were intensely,
savagely religious.
Great wars had been fought for religion. Gunpowder
had been invented with its civilizing explosive powers. Marching, fighting
armies, when not fighting, held religious meetings, and illiterate corporals
mounted the rude pulpits and launched their nasal thunders of God's wrath at
the heads of their officers.
Men kneeled down in the streets and prayed and
gathered crowds and preached their fiery sermons to eager listeners.
The
churches were filled three times a day on Su.nday with earnest, solemn people,
and prayers and singing of psalms were the only sounds to be heard in the
towns or, for that matter, in the country. Nearly every man was a church
policeman or a minister of God, his baton or license bearing no great red
seal of state or chui'ch or institution; but, inspired of heaven, he became a
flaming swoi'd at the garden' s gate against jthe entrance of all sin and all
pleasure.
In 1682 gin was invented, and how quickly men learned to make
and use it! The fighters and meat eaters drank and gorged themselves with
the fiery fluid.
To their coarse, strong animal natures it was but a variety of
their sulphurous sermons in liquid form.
Gin shops were opened, and signs
over the doors invited men to "come and get drunk for a penny; and very
drunk, and free straw to sleep off the intoxication, for two pence.
A part
of the duties of those we now call bar-tenders was to seize those who fell in a

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HISTOKY OF MONTOUE COUNTY.

2G

stupor and by the heels drag them to the straw, where they were laid by their
During the great London riots, when the mob held the
sleeping companions.
city for three days and nights, rioting, murdering and burning, they would
rifle stores and shops, roll the barrels of gin to the front doors, knock in
the heads and pour the liquid contents into the street gutters, until these
became running streams of gin but little less fiery and fatal than the hissing
Women and toddling children
flames of fire above in the burning buildings.
gathered about these gutters of flowing gin and filth, and lying upon the
ground drank, gorged and died, many of them just where they lay and drank,
while many others staggered away a few feet, fell and were burned in the
city's conflagration.
Of all this world's travail

sublime.

God was

came fatalism

—a

fatalism simple,

inappeasably angry at his children, not so

terrible

much

and

for their

conduct as for their eiTors in their creeds.
His infinite power was only paralleled by His infinite hate. But one in a thousand, ten thousand or a million was
elected, and all else were damned before creation and to all eternity.
Such was the powerful alembic that so slowly through the ages and the
generations distilled the blood that has lifted our civilization and placed it upon
the high plane where it is lo-day that brought liberty and the freedom of the
bodies and souls of men, that wrested this continent from the savage and the
wild beast and erected the empire of thought over brutish force and cruel ig-

—

norance.

From this apparent digression, and it is only apparent, we return to the
completion of this chapter with a brief account of the other and present county
buildings that have been erected.
The present court-house was built in 1871. It occupies the grounds of the
old building with the additional grounds where the building of the Friendship
Fire Insurance Company stood.
The total cost of ground and building was
The contractor and architect was Mr. O'Malley; the brick work was
$55,000.
done by B. K. Vastine, the stone work by F. Hawke & Co. It is a very substantial and commodious building, plain, strong and yet handsome in its outThe first floor is occupied by the commissioner's rooms, the
lines and finish.
different clerks, recorder, sheriff and a grand jury room.
The second floor is
the main court room and jury rooms.
The whole is well furnished, with all
the modern conveniences and appliances for the carrying on of the county's
The vaults for the records are large, comfortable rooms, and are
legal affairs.
ample enough to store away the record books for the next and most probably the
*
following succeeding century.
The large and solid stone jail was built in 1817-18 by Charles Mann, conIt has two cells on the first story and two on the second also a spatractor.
cious and roomy residence under the same roof for the sheriff.
Its solid appearance and high stone wall around the part running back from the residence
portion ought to frighten all the daring of the jailbirds of the country; perhaps it does, yet like distress these unfortunates will be always with us, the
one consolation being that Montour County can boast of a smaller per cent of
these than almost any other community.
The Danville Hospital for the Insane is an imposing building located
on what had been known as the
about one mile northeast of
Pinneo farm,
Danville.
On the 13th of April, 1868, the Legislature passed an act for the
establishment of the hospital, and appointed a locating commission, composed
of J. A. Reed, Traill Green and John Cui'wen.
After visiting various localities in the district, for which the proposed hospital was intended, it was finally
The Pinneo farm
decided that Danville was the most suitable in all respects.
;

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HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

27

some 250 acres was accordingly purchased, the citizens of Danville contributing a bonus of $16,000. On the 23d of April the commissioners had appointed
John McAi-thur, Jr., architect, and soon after they chose Dr. S. S. Schultz,
superintendent, a position be has filled ever since May, 1868, with great credit
The corner-stone of
to himself and to the complete satisfaction of the public,
the hospital was laid by Gov. John W. Geary on the 26th of August, 1869.
The building proper is 1,143 feet long. The center building is 202 feet deep.
They range from three to five stories in height. The wings contain 350 rooms
The chapel is a large and beautieach.
Altogether there are about 800 rooms.
ful chamber and will seat 600.
It is also the lecture-room and is furnished
The wing connections are enclosed with iron
with a piano and an organ.
doors, and the building contains every department necessary to an institution
where so many unfortunates find a home: ofiices, bath-rooms, dining-rooms,
Iron and slate are extenlaundries, kitchen, storeroom and many others.
sively used in the construction of the building, in order to strengthen it as well
The stone in the exterior walls are
as to guard against the danger of fire.
from the well known quarry on the premises. The door and window sills and
lintels, as also the carriage porch, are of the Goldsboro brown stone from York
County.
The brick in the partition walls were furnished by numerous maThe roof,
kers of the neighborhood and were laid by Ammerman & Books.
the kitchen floors and other apartments are of the best Peach Bottom slate.
The water tables and quoins are a beautiful white stone from Luzerne County
and contrast pleasantly with the darker material of the main wall. It is not
the design here to enter into details beyond that which will give the reader a
general idea of the complete and substantial character of the building, and its
manifold appointments, necessary to serve the purpose for which it was erected.
Its water and gas supply, its heating and ventilating apparatus, its sewerage
and all similar improvements essential to the health and comfort of the inmates are excellent.
Governed by a complete system of laws and regulations,
this institution stands on the front line of modern improvements, dispensing in
an eminent degree the blessings for which it was designed. In connection
with the various appliances of convenience, comfort and economy the visitor
will also note the beautiful buildings, fitted for their several purposes, that have
sprung up around this main edifice, solid, artistic and presenting a miniatui'.e
The order or style of architecttu'e is the
city of surpassing beauty and taste.
Romanesque. The hospital was opened for the reception of patients by pubThe
lic announcement of Dr. Schultz, the superintendent, in October, 1872.
From that
first patient was admitted on the 6th of November, following.
period to the present time hundreds have been admitted and shared its benefits.
Many have been discharged cured, many others have been improved, and others
Dr. S. S.
still continue to receive its scientific and humane ministrations.
Schultz, who has managed the institution since its organization in 1868, still remains in his responsible position. He has manifested not only the skill to
treat successfully all possible cases in the various forms of insanity arising
from physical or mental causes, but in addition to the qualities of the physician he has manifested executive abilities of the highest order in the general
management of the institution.
Dr. Schultz is general superintendent, assisted by Drs. Seip and Hugh
Meredith.
March 5, 1881, a fire broke out in the building and destroyed all the female and one-fourth of the male wards and the center buildings. It originated on the second floor of the wards nearest the center, in a closet used for
the storage of fire-hose and the stand-pipe connected with the general water
of

HISTOKY OF MONTOUK COUNTY.

28

supply.
Before effective connections with hose could be made with neighboring stand-pipes, the cornice and roof and timbers became involved and the fire
for the time was inaccessible. Fortunately this section of wards was at that time
not used by patients, being in the hands of the painters for repairs.
There
were 220 male patients at that time in the hospital. In the confusion nine of
these escaped the care of their keepers, and some returned in a few days and
others made their way to their homes. There were 172 women inmates. They
were temporarily taken care of in the outbuildings until they were removed
to Harrisburg or Warren Hospitals.
No fatal exposures occurred to any of
the patients.
The sum of $209, 116.01 was realized from insurance companies,
and at once the work of rebuilding was commenced, important improvements
and changes being introduced. Among other changes were iron beams
and brick arches, and the making the attic and other floors fire-proof large bay
windows were added to all the rebuilt wards. Thus the entire center building
was made fire-proof somewhat less in depth than the old building, and placing
the kitchen in the rear of it, without any story over it; and reducing the central stories by about one-half in their dimensions; and i^utting up a suitable
building for storage in the rear.
These structural alterations were not expensive but greatly added to the good purposes of the building itself.
The entire
center building was rebuilt from the foundation and, as indicated above,
greatly improved throughout, and was ready for occupancy early in 1884.
This great institution and its beneficent work are largely, and in many respects solely, the results of the ripe intelligence and eminent management of
Dr. S. S. Schultz, who has had the exclusive control from the beginning to the
present.
A rich and prosperous government can only pour out its wealth in
behalf of its poor, unfortunate insane and build a place of retreat and refuge
for them.
The value of the benefaction, however, at last depends upon those
who manage and control the affairs of the institution and its pitiable inmates.
Here are required rare executive qualities and irreproachable integrity, as
well as the clearest understanding of "ministering to minds diseased."
In
these respects the Danville Insane Hospital may be the fitting and perpetual
monument of Dr. Schultz, telling how truly and how well he performed life's
greatest work incomparably greater than if he had won great battles, dethroned
kings or ruled empires.
;

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CHAPTER

IV.

DESCRIPTION— TOPOGKAPHY— GEOLOGY— AGKICULTURE, ETC.

THE

rich little county of Montour is of itself, just as it came from the hand
Maker, an interesting and pleasant study interesting to him who loves
the swift- flowing crystal rivers, the babbling valley brooks, the mountain torrents of leaping crystal waters, the mirror-like lakelets, with their white, pebbly
bottoms, the grand mountain ranges, their rounded hills sweeping away in
endless forms and windings into the far distant, quiet, soft blue hills fantastic,
beetling, rocky and awe-inspiring sometimes, but mostly sloping from the valley at an even, gentle angle, and rising so gradually that as they pierce the
low fog- clouds it seems as though the deep mists come down to rest upon their
quiet, solid tops instead of the hills rising to them.
Here and there the great
of

—

its

;

range, with

its

granite ribs, has been cut in twain by the pent and

maddened

'~«

V-

•»

HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

31

waters, the Cyclopean work, as grand Dame Nature does everything, commencing in the long-ago geological ffions, the waters slowly rising, slowly accumulating, imperceptibly mounting the sides of the opposing rocky barriers till at
last a trickling little stream, with hardly force enough to move a straw apparIt starts like a poor blind insect on its course,
ently, starts over the top.
timid, meandering, stopping at every pebble or clod against which it blindly
bumps its head; turning back, turning to pass around, momentarily hesitating,
the silent forces behind it ever coming on, it breaks over or through the small
obstruction and, with its gathered energy, rushes straight upon the next obThe little driblet slowly and tortuously makes its way across the
struction.
obstruction, the first scattered raindroi^s plunge over the opposite sides, then

commenced the Titanic struggle of the soft and foamy, volatile waters with
A God has set in battle the
the impregnable, hard mountain of solid granite.
weakest against the strongest, and the waters tear the granite rocks into impalpable dust and scatter them in the world's bottomless seas; and now the
battle is ended, and in its rocky, clean bed at the base of the mountain gently
murmurs the sparkling stream, the laughing, sweet waters, with ever and anon
along its course, quiet, deep jdooIs, reflecting as the most polished mirror the
trees, the vines, the mountain forest' s foliage and the blue and boundless
is

canopy of Heaven.
Bright little Montour County beautiful, beautifully faced little Montour!
We hail and crown thee Queen of, the festival of the foliage. Look, behold
This is the 25th of October; any year, every year, it comes with the regThe spring flowers have passed away, the golden harularity of the seasons.

—

I

—

the fi-uits of the flowers so
vests are gathered, plenteous, bounteous, luscious
fragrant, so life-giving to ail animate nature; the summer's work is done, the
hot, brassy heavens are softened with the autumnal haze and then most appropriately is the festival of the foliage the grandest, most glorious of all
Sweeping away up the winding valley, crowning to
the season's crownings.
the water's edge the streams and the lakes, clambering up the slopes of the
hillside and the mountain's range, is the most entrancing panorama of the
tinted foliage that human eyes ever beheld. Threading these hillsides, resting

—

here and there and gazing out upon lovely nature and every angle youi- eye
turns upon, it bz'ings the awful impression that certainly all this has been just
The impressions wrought upon the observer, as the
dropped from heaven.
were those of I'ichness, warmth, color, quietude,
gifted Poe said of Arnheim,
softness, delicacy, daintiness, voluptuousness, that suggested dreams of a new
race of fairies, laborious, tasteful, magnificent and fastidious; but as the eye
traced upward the myriad-tinted slopes from its sharp junction with the water
to its vague termination amid the folds of overhanging cloud, it became, indeed, difficult not to fancy it a panoramic cataract of rubies, sapphires, opals
and golden onyxes, rolling silently out of the sky."
Describe it who can.
Who ever will ? So profuse, so massive, so boundless and so variegated this master work that the pen falls from the nerveless
What
grasp while the soul is enraptured and enthralled in silent admiration.
but the poets dream of a new race of fairies could thus pencil and tint a
world! Turn and look yonder at the western slope of the grand old ridge
along the range of curving hills as they look toward the setting sun great,
rolling billows of smokeless flame, swelling, gently sweeping away, entrancing
visions following each other like the swift rolling waves of the ocean, passing
endlessly beyond the horizon line. Beautiful Queen of the autumn foliage, we
'

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—

and bless thee, peerless one!
While the external beauties of the

hail

fair face of

the county are in some re-

32

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

spects not to be excelled, in the world hidden beneath this surface is wealth
wealth in plant food for the farmer and in
like unto the famed Golcondas
Montour Kidge passes through the entire
iron ores for the manufacturer.
From its base to the Susquehanna River is a broad and rich valley of
county.
Passing to the north of the ridge is a broad belt of limeagricultural lands.
stone land reaching to the Muncy hills ranging along the north line of the

—

The whole is admirably drained by Mahoning and Chillisquaque
county.
Creeks and their tributaries.
Mr. Rodgers, esteemed the best authority on the subject, says of the iron
ore in the county:
"From the Narrows to the gap of Mahoning Creek at Danville, the length of
outcrop of the two ores on the south side of the mountain does not exceed about
That of the hard ore is considerably the longest, and as the iron
half a mile.
sandstone containing it outcrops much higher on the ridge than the other ore,
the quantity of this exposed above the water level exceeds that of the latter
many times. In this part of the ridge, the average length of the slope or
breast of the iron sandstone ore above the water level alone is probably more
than 200 yards; that of the fossiliferous ore is materially less, while, for reasons already shown, the depth of breast of the soft and partially decomposed
The position of the hard
ore may not average more than 30 or 40 yards.
ore, in the vicinity of the gorge of the Mahoning is shown in our transverse
section of the ridge at that place. By inspecting the vertical section, which
I have introduced of the iron sandstone formation analyzed in detail,
the reader will perceive that while the red sandstone members include two
or three excessively ponderous layers, rich enough in iron to be applicable as
iron ores, the thickest of these the only bed, indeed, which is of sufficient magnitude to be wrought at the present day accompanies the lower bed of sandBut
stone, and has dimensions varying from fourteen to eighteen inches.
there is another formation here developed, in which beds of iron ore are disThis is the Surgent older or lower slate, this stratum possessing in
coverable.
Montour Ridge a thickness of about 700 feet. Its ore has the form of a very
ferruginous sandstone in one or two thin and continuous layers, occupying a
horizon, near the middle of the formation, between 350 and 400 feet below its
superior limit.
Scarcely any difference is perceptible either in aspect or com-

—

—

It
position between the ore now referred to and that of the iron sandstone.
is a sandstone with a large proportion of peroxide of iron diffused among the
particles, and, like the other bed, includes numerous small flat fragments, or
pebbles of greenish slate, which by their disintegration leave the surface of the
blocks, wherever the weather has had access, pitted with little elongated holes,
forming one of the most distinctive features of these two ores. This ore-bed
of the lower slate outcrops near the summit of the ridge on the east side of
the Mahoning Gap at Danville, arching the anticlinal axis at an elevation of
Traced east and west
about 300 feet above the bed of this transverse valley.
from the Notch, the overlying slate saddles it, and conceals it from view
wherever the mountain is low and narrow; but wherever the anticlinal rises or

—

wherever, in other words, the wave in the strata increases in breadth and height
the ore no longer closes over the axis, but forms two separate lines of out
crop, one on each gentle declivity between the summit and the shoulder, formed
by the outcrop of the iron sandstone. In the vicinity of Danville, the thickness of this layer of ore is not such as to make it of much importance, so long
Judging
as the thicker and therefore cheaper beds furnish an ample supply.
from the fragments at the point of outcrop I infer its size to be between six and
eight inches.
The facility and cost of mining it will of course depend upon

—

HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

33

and depth of covering, and will vary
with each locality.
" One section of the strata at the Mahoning Gap represents the entire mass
of the mountain as consisting there of the two Surgent slates and their included
iron sandstone, while the calcareous or ore shales, with their fossiliferous ore,
The upper beds of the Levant white sandrest low at the north and south base.
stone have not been lifted to the level of the bed of the Notch, though their
depth beneath it cannot be considerable. This proves a sinking of the axis
fi'om opposite the Narrows to this point; but when the ridge is examined still
farther east, it becomes apparent that between the Mahoning and Hemlock
the anticlinal rises and swells again, causing the hard ore of the slate to
diverge into two outcrops, and the belts of the iron sandstone to recede. About
half way between those two streams is probably the neighborhood in which
the section of the mountain has its greatest expansion, and the two belts of the
iron sandstone are farthest asunder.
" Let us now, before advancing any further east, attempt an estimate of the
quantity of iron ore above the water level within a given length say one mile
in the vicinity of Danville.
of outcrop
"I shall reject from my present calculation both the ore of the older slate
and the compact unchanged fossiliferous ore the former as being too thin and
deeply covered to be profitably mined, and the latter as too poor in iron, and
too calcareous, to be, under existing circumstances, adapted to the smelting
several conditions connected with the dip

—

—

;

furnace.

"If we assume the soft fossiliferous ore of this neighborhood to have an
average thickness of from sixteen to eighteen inches, which is probably not far
from the truth, we may consider each square yard of its surface to represent
Let us now adopt the estimate I have already
about one ton of weight of ore.
given of the depth to which the ore stratum has been converted into this soft
Each yard of length along the outore, and accept thirty yards as the limit.
crop will then be equivalent to thirty tons of the ore, and one mile of outcrop
This amount, it will be understood, is irreshould supply about 52,800 tons.
Turning now to the hard or silispective of elevation above the water level.
ceous ore of the iron sandstone, we shall find one mile of the outcrop bed to
It is obvious that the
offer a far more enormous quantity of available ore.
whole of the bed is convertible to use, since the composition of the ore is such
as to make it fit for the furnace without it undergoing any solvent action, of
The only limit to the depth to
which, indeed, it is scarcely susceptible.
which it may be profitably wrought, is the cost of mining it, and since this element is materially increased the moment we pass below the water level of the
locality, it will be expedient to restrict our present estimate to the quantity of
It has been stated that in the vicinity of the
the ore above this natural line.
Mahoning Gap, the average length of slope or breast belonging to the iron
sandstone is about 200 yards on the south side it is somewhat greater, while on
This is equivalent to 200 tons of
the north side it is probably as much less.
ore to each yard of the outcrop, the ore bed being from fourteen to sixteen inches
thick.
One mile of length of outcrop will therefore yield 352,000 tons of the ore
above the water level. All that portion which is in this position is therefore
nearly seven times as great as the similar part of the soft fossiliferous ore. The
two ore beds together represent more than 400,000 tons in a single mile of outcrop; but as, from the anticlinal form of the mountain, there is a double line of
outcrop for each kind of ore, it is clear that one mile of length of ridge must
contain, upon the supposition of no deep ravines or notches intervening, the
amazing quantity of 800, 000 tons of ore. It is to be remarked that in the fore;

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

34

going statement I exclude the consideration of the ravines, which interrupt at
fi'equent intervals the general line of the outcrop of the strata, and reduce materially the amount of ore above the vsfater level.
"An abatement of one-eighth from the quantity as above computed, on the
supposition of a perfectly continuous outcrop, will probably more than compensate for the amount thus lost.
With this reduction we shall still have, in
one mile of the ridge, 700, 000 tons of good ore.
The ore estate attached to the Montour Iron Works of Danville, embraces,
if I am correctly informed, a total length of outcrop of the iron sandstone ore
of 2,200 yards, equivalent alone to 385,000 tons; the whole quantity of the soft
fossiliferous ore I estimate at 45,000 tons, making the entire amount of ore
available under existing circumstances 430,000 tons.
Such is the apparently
enormous extent of the mineral wealth of this favored locality.
The rich mineral deposits are, then, in Montour's Eidge, and this ridge and
the Muncy Hills constitute the elevated and broken lands in all that part of the
county north of the river.
As only Mayberry Township lies south of the river,
its topography is given in the account of that township.
Much of these hills is
arable land. This was evidenced to the first settlers by the density of the vegetable growths covering them.
But in many places the hillsides are too abrupt
and others too stony for the labors of the husbandman. All surface soils are
originally formed by the decay of the rocks, this first producing water plants
and the short mosses, and these extract food fi-om the pulverized rocks, the
water and the air, and thus comes nature' s laboratory that makes all the variety of soils in the world.
Thus, in the long, inconceivably long ago geological
ages, commenced the preparation for the farmer and the manufacturer that we
now see here those thrifty factors in the problem of life. Can you think a
'

'

—

much

? You cannot, any more
boundless.
In extent of
time, past or of space are things that are not thinkable.
The results, not the
time or the how, of these wonderful forces of nature are the practical questions
that concern us all.
Here is formed everything that develops or grows the
warmth of the sun, the air, the rocks and the soil, the water and the climate
are the resistless and ever working forces, molding the round globe, the
oceans, rivers, mountains and valleys, as well as the most delicate flower, the
sweet laughter of childhood, the cyclone, the volcano or the earthquake.
The kind of cattle or horses you will raise, the kind of people that will
grow in any particular place, what they will know and how they will think,
the kind of houses, farms, schools, churches and in short the form and quality
of their civilization, are all foretold by the rocks, the soil, the water, climate
and the humidity of the air of that particular place.
The finest quality of limestone underlies all the arable portion of the level
lands of the county.
Here is quarried the limestone for the Danville iron
mills, the Montour Iron Works having a railroad track to the A. F. Russell
quarry, as well as a branch of this track extending to their ore beds.
When the pioneers came here, in addition to the many other obstructions
that confronted them, they were ignorant of the nature of rocks and soils as
applied to husbandly.
Like the average man now their education in this important respect had been wholly neglected.
They had what they now call educated men, a chance one, who could read Latin and Greek, but de'il the bit
could he aid the farmer in telling him where or what to plant upon any given

million,

less a billion, a trillion, or a quadi'illion

than you can think that the universe has bounds or

is

—

—

He understood Took's mythology through and through wonderfully
educated! but, except by painful experiments, the farmer had to go to the ignorant Indians for the slight information obtainable.
He was left to commence
spot.

—

HISTOKY OF MONTOUE COUNTY.

35

his experiments in the new world aided, often handicapped, by the recollection
The first efPort was pretty
of how his father had done in the old world home.
much chance work, but the penalties of ignorance were unerring and severe.
It is supposed that as early as 1787 some of the pioneers of Mahoning
planted small orchards; at least a few seedling fruit trees from seeds they
had thoughtfully brought with them. By the year 1812, it is asserted,
by those who can go back that far in memory, that there were tolerably abundant crops of fruit raised to supply the home demand.
One of the first to plant an orchard was Gen. William Montgomery. This
orchard was in the immediate vicinity of the old stone mansion-house, now
northeast corner of Mill and Bloom Streets, and extended to Ferry Street or
beyond it, and north beyond Centre Street. It was composed chiefly of apple
At the corner of the orchard,
trees, with a few peach, pear and cherry trees.
near Ferry Street, stood a cider-mill and press, all of the olden style.
The
mill was composed of a wooden wheel, six feet in diameter and a foot thick,
with a shaft through the center, the wheel revolving in a circular trough or
In this groove the apples were placed, and by applying horse- power
groove.
to the shaft, passed the wheel over and crushed them to pomace; this was then
placed in a press of rude and simple construction, and the cider was expressed
from it. This was the first mill of the kind in the county. It continued in
use until 1816 or later.
From the cider apple brandy was distilled. Cider-royal was made by addThe cider-royal was a favorite
ing a few gallons of whisky to a barrel of it.
liquor with the young who had not been educated up to the full appreciation
Cider, with the addition of apples, was boiled down to appleof whisky.
butter.
To make this, required constant boiling for about twenty-four hours.
The services of a young lady and gentleman were usually called into requisition on such occasions, and they generally found stirring apple-butter to be no

uncongenial employment.
Another early orchard was that of Gen. Daniel Montgomery, on the eastern
side of Mill Street, partly on the ground now occupied by the Montour House.
The trees bearing the choicest fruit were plainly designated by the number of
clubs lodged on their branches by trespassers who took delight in stolen fruit.
Mr. Phillip Maus had a large orchard on his farm on the northern slope of
an eminence between his homestead and the forks of the road to Mausdale. It
contained good but not the choicest fi'uit.
It was one of the first planted in
that vicinity.
His son George devoted much attention to its care and culture,
and by building fires at many places in the orchard at times of late frosts, supposed he several times saved the crop of fruit, or part of it from perishing with
the cold.
Beyond this orchard, on the Mooresburg road, were the small orchards, of
Justus Strawbridge, Lewis Maus and Colin Cameron, of young and vigorous
trees.

The next

in date, probably 1791, was that of Mr. John Fraser on the north
Bloomsburg road, and extending back beyond Pleasant Street, and
between D and F Streets. In this extensive orchard there was much choice
fruit, all grafted from the Burlington nurseries, then or subsequently famous
under the management of William Coxe, the distinguished pomologist and
author of "The Cultivation of Fruit Trees."
It made a fine appearance, and
was in full bearing in 1815. Several trees near the house were almost of forest
size, and produced excellent crops.
The Pennock was a large apple, with
seven synonyms: the Newtown Pippin, a famous keeper; the large and rich
side of the

Vandervere, a native of Wilmington, with

its

eighteen aliases; the luscious

HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

36

Harvest apple, earliest of them all; the Rambo, a native of Delaware, a favorite, which around Trenton was popularly styled the bread- and- cheese apple;
the Romanite, a small apple but a great keeper, of a dark cranberry color; the
golden-hued Porter apple; the Maiden's Blush, a native of Jersey, the most
beautiful of them all; the Winesap, the Greening, the Russet, the large and
luscious Spitzenberg, the Pearmain, the Doctor apple, which originated in Germantown, and others. The Priestley apple had its origin in Northumbei'land,
but was not very highly prized here.
On the eastern side of the orchard was a row of cherry trees, which bore
profusely, and afforded a good supply of that fruit for the neigborhood. Near
iDy there was also a number of peach trees, bearing fine crops of that luscious
fruit.

Mr. Daniel Fraser had an orchard just east of his stone mansion; it was
planted at a later period than the others; the trees were young and thrifty,
and bore good fruit, and were in good bearing in 1820.
These were all Philadelphians, who had in that fine market acquired a just
Some of
appreciation of good fruit, and made laudable efforts to procure it.
the trees were obtained in that city, some at Burlington and some at NorthIn the latter place several English emigrants had introduced
umberland.
many choice varieties of fruits, and devoted much care to their successful cultivation.

Mr. Paul Adams, a mile or two northeastwardly from Danville, had a small
prolific orchard, chiefly of winter apples.
Michael Blue had a noted peach orchard, it was between two and three
He was a Jerseyman, who came from a land where
miles out on the hills.
they then understood much of the art of raising peaches.
A public meeting was called in the old court-house
Agricultural Societies.
on the 18th of February, 1856, to organize the Montour County Agricultural
The following officers were elected: Thomas R. Hull, president.
Society.
Vice-presidents, Phillip F. Maus, Valley; C. Garrettson, Danville; Robert Patterson, Liberty; P. Wagner, Limestone; D. Wilson, Anthony; E. Haas, Deny;
J. Sheep, West Hemlock; G. Shick, Mayberry; William McNinch, Cooper;
Secretary, James McCormick; corresponding
Jacob Sechler, Sr., Mahoning.
librarian, B. K. Rhodes, and treasurer, D. M.
secretary. Dr. C. H. Frick
The board of managers were John Best, George Smith, James G.
Boyd.
McKee, James McMahan, Jr. A. B. Cummings, Jacob Sheep, A., F. Russel,
Stephen Roberts, William Henry, William Yorks, Jacob Cornelison, Edward
Morison, J. M. Best, Mayberry Gearhart, Joseph Levers, John Hibler, Samuel
D. Alexander, Robert Blee, William Snyder; E. Wilson, secretary.

but

—

;

,

The fair in that year was held at the mouth of Mahoning Creek. The anIn the course of time,
nual fair was subsequently held at Washingtonville.
however, some difference arose between the town and a portion of the country.
The result was a split and the organization of another society, known as the
Northern Montour Agricultural Society. The headquarters of the latter is at
The Montour County
Washingtonville, where the annual fairs are held.
This society
Agricultural Society holds its meetings and fairs in Danville.
purchased ground fi-om Waterman & Beaver, on the Mausdale road. It has
been fenced and a good track has been made.
The society lingered, sometimes doing fairly well and sometimes otherwise
On May 8, 1872, a regular charter was procui-ed, and this is
for some years.
the proper date from which is to be reckoned the present agricultural society
By the provision of the charter the following were the first officers
at Danville.
President, W. J. McKee; vice-presidents, William Yorks and Charles Fen-

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

37

stermacher; treasurer, Isaac Amerman; secretary, William K. Halloway; corThe execuresponding secretaries, Charles W. Eckman and Nathan Brittain.
tive committee consisted of John Derr, Sr. Alfred S. Sidel, David F. Gouger,
William McNinch, H. W. Houpt, James N. Miller, Emanuel Sidler, Jeremiah
Wintersteen, William Sechler, D. M. Shultz, Adam Geringer, M. D. L. Sechler, Bernard Dougherty, David Grove.
1872^President, W. S. McKee; vice-presidents, W. C. Yorks, Charles
Fenstermacher secretary, W. K. Halloway; treasurer, Isaac Amerman; recording secretaries, Nathaniel Brittain and Col. C. W. Eckman.
1873 President, William Yorks; vice-presidents, Charles Fenstermacher,
William Angle; treasure!*, W. R. Halloway; recording secretary, Wilson M.
Gearhart; corresponding secretaries, E. G. Hoffman and James McCormick.
1874 President, D. F. Gouger; vice-presidents, Chris Ernest, Frank Sidler; corresponding secretaries, E. G. Hoffman and W. K. Halloway; secretary,
W. M. Gearhart; treasurer, Isaac Amerman.
1875 President, M. D. L. Sechler; vice-president, Nathan Fenstermacher;
treasurer, Isaac Amerman; corresponding secretaries, W. C. Johnston and
Adam Geringer; recording secretary, Charles M. Zuber.
1876 President, Thomas Beaver; vice-presidents, M. D. L. Sechler, William Yorks; treasurer, Isaac Amerman; recording secretary, John Sweisfort.
1877 President, M. D. L. Sechler; vice-presidents, Emanuel Sidler, Fredrick Kuiss; corresponding secretaries, E. G. Hoffman, William Sidler; recording secretary, J. Sweisfort; treasurer, Nathan Fenstermacher.
1878 President, Peter Mpwrer; vice-presidents, Caleb Appleman, William
Mowrer; treasurer, Nathan Fenstermacher; corresponding secretaries, Daniel
Leidecker and E. G. Hoffman; recording secretary, J. Sweisfort.
1879 President, William Bertz; vice-presidents, Caleb Appleman, William Mowrer; recording secretary, J. Sweisfort; treasvirer, N. Fenstermacher;
corresponding secretaries, M. D. L. Sechler, William Sidler.
1880— President,. Emanuel Sidler; vice-presidents, John Moore, Jacob Sandal; treasurer, Nathan Fenstermacher; recording secretary, William L. Sidler;
corresponding secretaries, Wilson M. Gearhart, J. Sweisfort; representative
to the State Board of Agriculture, M. D. L. Sechler.
1881 President, Dr. S. Y. Thompson; vice-presidents, James Shultz,
Thomas Cole; secretary, W. L. Sidler; corresponding secretaries, W. M. Gearhart, W. K. Halloway; treasurer, Jacob Sandal.
1882 President, S. Y. Thompson; vice-presidents, John Benfield, G. B.
Runyan; treasurer, James McCormick; secretary, W. L. Sidler; corresponding secretaries, W. K. Halloway, W. M. ;_Gearhart; representative to State
Board, M. D. L. Sechler.
1883 President, Samuel Y. Thompson; vice-presidents, M. D. L. Sechler,
Caleb Appleman; secretary, W. M. Gearhart; corresponding secretaries, W.
K. Halloway, John K. Geringer; treasurer, Jesse C. Amerman.
1884 President, John Benfield; vice-presidents, S. Y. Thompson, M. D.
L. Sechler; secretary, W. M. Gearhart; corresponding secretaries, W. B.
Baldy, John C. Patterson; treasurer, Jesse C. Amerman.
1885 Pi-esident, M. D. L. Sechler; vice-presidents, B. B. Antrim, Frank
Sidler; secretary, W. M. Gearhart; corresponding secretaries, W. B. Baldy,
Elias Knerr; treasurer, Jesse C. Amerman.
1886 President, Peter Mowrer; vice-presidents, David P. Diehl, Jacob
Sandal; secretary, W. B. Baldy; corresponding secretaries, W. M. Gearhart,
j^?^'*^
John Hendricks; treasurer, Jesse C. Amerman.
The Northern Montour Agricultural Society was organized in 1871, and is
,

;

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—

—
—

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—

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

38

located in Washingtonville, where the society is comfortably fixed with grounds,
tracks and suitable buildings, in the heart of as fine an agricultural district as
can be found in the State.
For several years meetings were held in various places. In 1879 it was removed to its present location on the farm of Gideon P. Dietrick, in Derry
Township, where the society has leased thirteen acres of land, on which
they have an exhibition hall 50x80 feet, erected in 1886, large sheds and
They have a fine half-mile speed track and
other suitable buildings.
It is not at present a joint stock
grounds for stock and horse exhibitions, etc.
They
association, being owned entirely by the gentlemen who are its officers.
intend, however, to apply to the Legislature for a charter, and to make the
company a regular stock association. The fairs have been uniformly successful and are yearly increasing in interest and in the number of exhibitors and
Its officers are president, Peter Dietrick; secretary, Charles E.
attendance.
Shires; treasurer, David Smith.

CHAPTER

V.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

MONG

the many serious obstacles that confronted the early settlers was
want of feasible highways for travel and communication with the older
settlements, means of transportation to supply the people until they could proThe exduce the necessaries to keep want and hunger fi'om their cabin doors.

A

.ll\. the

uberant forest growth, the treacherous waters of the streams, the rugged, rocky
hills made the country an unknown world to be explored only by the most adventurous backwoodsmen, the fearless nomadic trappers and hunters who could
pilot their way by the north star, or, when the heavens were di-aped in heavy
The people followed
clouds, by the moss growing upon the trunks of trees.
the streams into the dark unknown world, laboriously pushing their primitive
In the winter the streams were fi'ozen over and
water crafts against the stream.
then in the spring and summer came the great freshets and the droughts and
The people had generally but small stores to bring with them,
low waters.
and such were their difficulties to overcome on the way that had they had great
The little stock of salt and
supplies they could not have transported them.
corn or wheat for bread was often exhausted weeks or months before more was
grown or could be procured. The men fished and hunted to supply meat, and
many a pioneer family has been compelled to live for long and painful periods
The writer has heard experiences in this way, of
of time upon meat alone.
how they would have lean turkey or venison and fat bear meat. The lean
meat they would feign was bread, and the fat bear meat. But no imagination
And sometimes to the
could be active enough to prolong this make-believe.
Then, indeed,
accumulated horrors of pioneer life came grim, gaunt famine.
Here was the slow accumulathe cup of bitter dregs was filled to overflowing.
What a brood of birds of evil omen spreading their wings
tion of horrors.
over the land
When we add to this malaria, disease and death that have
lurked in wait upon the occupants of all new countries, and that wei'e ever
ready to spring upon these intruders of the primeval wastes and blast them
with its poisoned breath the dense forests, the gnarled old oaks and the deep
!

;

#'

"-'**-^!»Ls

%

>o.

•^^>

^-^^"Cyf /^.^^^^^^iT

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

41

rooted pines of the hills and the dense forest verdure and tangled growth of
the valley, the tortuous streams and their angry, raging waters that flung
their headlong course across the dim trails of the immigrant, and when once
crossed threatened to ever fence him out from a return to friends and civilization;
the soft footed beasts lying in ambush for prey, or whetting their sharp gleaming teeth, and shrieking and howling in famishing hunger that gave them
dangerous courage; the impenetrable forest growth filled with animal life,
the tops and branches of the trees crowned with birds of song and variegated
plumage in happy content, carolling their songs of liberty to the skies; the
bodies of the trees covered with countless and often poisonous insects, and upon
the ground and on the branches of the trees the softly gliding reptiles spotted
with deadly beauty.
And now to crown all, and worse and more deadly than
all these terrors that confronted the settlers, were the red devils in black paint,
the cunning, stealthy, cowardly, pitiless murderers who slowly tortured their
helpless victims, men, women and sucking babes with outrages, mutilation
and the refinement of inflictions that must have always made death a most welcome and happy refuge to the poor victims. When all these terrible obstacles
had been well mastered and the pioneer had cleared his little patch of ground,
built his one-roomed log cabin and begun to feel the happy impulses of having
a home though never so humble yet the fruition of the day dreams of his life, it
was his own, and it covered and protected his household goods yet his victory was not complete and his happiness was not to be undisturbed.
Then
impended and sometimes came the more terrible enemy, gaunt famine, who sat
at the rude board table and laid his long bony hand upon the curly headed
darlings, blanched the cheek and dulled the eye of the loving wife and mother
converting her cooing lullaby and the sweet, rippling laughter of childhood into
a wail
a weak and dying cry for bread.
Where is there a more mournful chapter in all history than that of the
terrible sufferings from famine of the colonists of Jamestown and Plymouth ?
In a somewhat milder form the sad story followed the advance settlers in the
wilderness.
The average pioneer would have his family usually, and but
little else.
And now, nearing the banks of the northern Mississippi, you can
find in every county
old settlers " who can tell you of the pains of want and
hunger that hemmed them about in the early days. How the little stores that
they carried to their new homes were exhausted or destroyed in the storms or
raging streams, and how the men would hunt for game, and the women and
children would tend the little truck patch and watch the growing pumpkins
or corn or other early vegetables, or hunt nuts, berries and roots, or anything
to sustain life.
A venerable old lady told the writer of her experience in
childhood, one long summer, when herself and the other children often ate
the pumpkins before the bloom had fallen entirely off; how the first ear of
green corn came to them like a ray of joy and hope and was devoured raw,
and what perfect happiness was in that family, grown gaunt and sickly for the
want of healthy food, when the corn finally hardened enough for the tin
grater that gave them truly the bread of life.
In the long course of time and
slow tortures the grain for bread would be grown, then the grater would give
way to the mortar and pestle, and in time the far-away horse-mill or watermill would be the Mecca for long and hard voyages with the grist to grind.
To go to mill would be a week' s hard labor, and then your own horse and
hands would, after waiting sometimes a day or two for youi* turn, have to
slowly grind your own grist. Food that now we would hardly feed our pigs on
was then procured by the constant and active struggle of every chick and child
of the household.
Coarse and mean as the best food then was, it came to

—

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'

'

3A

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

42

What a
these poor famishing children of the wilds like manna from heaven.
grim vein of humor there was in the old pioneer's story of going to mill, as
he related it at an " old settlers' " meeting a short time ago. It was in the
winter, and he had to make the long journey with his grist, provender and
The outfit made a full load. After many days'
food loaded into an ox cart.
travel, sleeping under his cart at night, facing the extremes of weather and
It was broken and
winter storms, he eventually reached the little horse-mill.
nearest
mill, which he
next
the
his
journey
to
up
took
He
o-rind.
not
could
finally found, and after waiting three days reached his turn, ground what he and
his team had not eaten, and started home; then was delayed by swollen streams
and blinding storms, until everything in his cart was devoured except an old
And thus he drew the
horse blanket and some skins that were his bedding.
vivid pictnre of going to mill and starving on the way home pioneer experi-

—

ences

!

But thus our nation was cradled.
The first dim and devious trails were as early as possible supplemented by
wagon roads, that were surely at first difficult enough to travel over
cut oui
The people annually set apart several days
with a team and an empty wagon.
to come together and work ^^pon the roads, and then put up rough, poor
bridges these were generally washed away the first high water that came.
But nothing daunted they would be rebuilt the work done the best they could
and other betterments were made to the wagon roads. Slowly, indeed, did
these essential improvements progress, but finally passable roads and bridges
were constructed on the main lines of travel and transportation.
The organization to build the Centre Turnpike, extending from Beading
to the Susquehanna Biver opposite Northumberland, was perfected in 1808.
One of the active promoters and managers of this daring and important enterThe work was pushed with sleepless
prise was Gen. William Montgomery.
It was a work in its day and times as great as was the building of the
energy.
Union Pacific Bailroad in these days.
In 1814 a turnpike road from Danville to Bear Gap, where it connected
These were important and beneficent
with the Centre Turnpike, was built.
The promoters were
public works, gained only by the most heroic struggles.
'

'

'

'

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—

'

'

'

'

—

the foremost men in the country the great benefactors of their age.
In 1820 the great State internal improvement system was inaugurated. That
year a citizen of Danville, Daniel Montgomery, was appointed one of the canal
commissioners, of which he was elected president. He exercised much influence
While he was in
over the direction and building of the canals then constructed.
The survey was made in
this position the North Branch Canal was located.
In 1832 the first water was
1826-27, and the work contracted early in 1828.
turned in, and a boat that year was loaded with wheat in Danville and taken to the
Sweetwater the boat itself being built in Danville. The line of the canal as originally built was from Lackawanna Creek to Columbia, a distance of about 150
"
There was only three feet tonnage at first, and by raising the path
miles.
increased
to
the
and by di-edging the canal bottom the depth of water has been
It continued to be the property
present gauge of between six and seven feet.
of the State until about 1854, when it was sold, and is now a part of the possessions of the Pennsylvania Bailroad.
The building of the canal was an important era in this part of the State. It
invited men and capital to come and take advantage of what was going to be a
rapid rise in values and more, what was going to be a day of swift development of public and private enterprises of all kinds. The canal, as all men could
It would open a
see, would let in here the light and sunshine of civilization.

—

'

'

HISTORY OF MONTOUK COUNTY.

43

cheap and easy highway of transportation. It would bring together the
great and rich deposits of iron ore of this place and the fuel of other places
for its manufactiire.
And responsive to this came here men and capital,
operatives and laborers, and every day, almost every hour, visible signs
of growth of the most substantial and cheering kind were to be seen on
every hand.
Such a thing as a monopoly was then mostly unknown and unseen in this country.
The writer talking to a mechanic who had worked in
•Danville from the opening of the canal to the present, asked him what he then
had to pay for coal, and was told that he bought coal then for $1.50 a ton and
now pays $3. 50. This at first view is unaccountable, especially when we remember that three railroads pass Danville in addition to the canal.
The Danville Bridge Company was chartered January 2, 1828, "to
build a bridge across the Susquehanna at the town of Danville."
The following was the company in its first organization. President, Daniel Mont-

gomery; treasurer, James Longhead; secretary, John Cooper; managers,
John C. Boyd, William Colt, Peter Baldy, Sr., William Boyd, Andrew McReynolds and Robert C. Grier. On the 3d of March in the same year a contract was made for the construction of the bridge with John P. Schuyler and
James Fletcher, who at once commenced the work, and in January, 1829, it
was completed, being accepted by the company in February, as finished according to contract.
The governor was notified of the fact, as the State originally held a small amount of stock in the bridge. Daniel Hoffman was elected
the first toll collector at the annual salary of $65.
Previous to the 14th
of March, 1846, eleven dividends had been declared; on that day the bridge
was swept away by a flood in the river. Daniel Blizard was carried down on a
fragment of the bridge and was rescued with great difficulty near the old stone
house.
Subsequent to that date no dividend was declared until 1863. After
the loss of the bridge in the great freshet of March, 1846, a contract for
its rebuilding was made with Chester Evans and David N. Kownover; but
Evans disposed of his interest to Kownover and the latter alone carried on
and finished the work. This second bridge stood the storms and floods until 1875 when it too was swept away by the high waters and the floating Catawissa bridge, that was washed against it with such force as to lift it up when the
The bridge was
waters bore it away on the 17th of March in that year.
H. F. Hawke & Co. did the stone work
at once rebuilt in the ensuing season.
and the superstructure was erected by the Smith Bridge Company, of Ohio.
The toll collectors from the first opening of the bridge to the present time
were Daniel Hoffman, Rudolph Sechler, E. Mellon, Isaiah S. Thornton and
Joseph Hunter. Mr. Joseph Hunter took charge in 1851.
The bridge is one-fourth of a mile in length, with a covered footway on
each side, entirely shut out from the roadway.
The present officers are president, A. J. Frick; secretary and treasurer,
J. C. Grove; managers, W. H. Magill, A. J. Frick, Isaac X. Grier, "Wilson
Officers are elected anMetter, G. M. Shoop, B. R. Gearhart, Amos Vastine.
nually.

The Catawissa

Railroad,

now

the Catawissa division of the Philadelphia

&

Reading Railroad, extends from Tamanend to Williamsport, passing through
the mountainous and romantic portions of Schuylkill and Columbia Counties
for a distance of about forty miles, until

it

reaches the village of Catawissa.

Between Catawissa and Rupert it crosses the North Branch of the Susquehanna
River, and at Rupert Station connection is made with the Delaware. Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Leaving the river at this point, the line takes a
direct coiu'se across a beautiful farming country for a distance of seven miles

HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

44

From

Danville to Milton, sixteen miles, the route lies through a
At Milton it connects with the PhilaErie Railroad; at Hall's Station it connects with the Muncy Creek

to Danville.

fertile section

devoted to agriculture.

delphia &
Railroad.
The Danville, Hazleton & Wilkesbarre Railroad was commenced in 1868
and completed in 1871. The active promoter and organizer of this enterprise
was S. P. Case, its first president. The line extends from Sunbury, where it
connects with the Philadelphia & Erie, Northern Central, Lewistown &.
Sunbury & Shamokin division of the Northern Central Railroad, to Tomhicken, where it connects with the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Mr. Case encountered heavy opposition, when he commenced to build his road, from other
interested corporations, but without money and with but small credit he overcame every obstacle. The road is now a part of the great Pennsylvania system,
and is run and operated by this company.
The Montour Iron Works has a track passing up Mahoning Creek a short
distance and then a branch leads off northeasterly to the company' s ore beds the
These are private tracks for the purother leads to the Russell rock quarry.
pose of the company that built them.
The Lackawanna, Williamsport & "Western Railroad was built and long
known as the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg road. It became a completed railroad in 1858 and is one of the most important and convenient lines of transIts termini are Scranton and Northportation that touches Montour County.
umberland distance eighty miles. It is leased and operated by the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company.
The Wilkesbarre and Western Railway is now in the course of construcThe termini of this road are Watsonville and Shicktion across the county.
Building was commenced in the spring of 1886, and the work proshinny.
This is an indegressed rapidly, passing through this county to Millville.
pendent organization and is built in the interest solely of its projectors and
It passes near Washingtonville and will open up transportation
owners.
facilities to the finest and richest portions of the county.
;

—

CHAPTER
BORDER WARS— WAR

VI.

1812-15—MEXICAN

WAR— CIVIL WAR,

the pioneers
the military
border troubles kept
THE
our
angry disputes with England about the impressment
alive

spirit of

of

ETC.

until the

sailors

brought

Then followed the Black Hawk
us into conflict with that power a second time.
war, the Florida war, the Mexican war, and more recently the most deplorable
In all these conflicts the people of Montour County did
of all, the civil war.
not falter, they did their duty, they bore a fair and chivalrous part in them
A number of military companies was organized at different periods and
all.
an early day.
In 1814, when the British fleet lay off the coast threatening Baltimore,
Gov. Snyder ordered the militia of Northumberland, Luzerne and Columbia
About 1,000 men were soon collected, all
Counties to rendezvous at Danville.
under the command of Maj. Post, of Luzerne County. He appointed Joseph
at

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HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

45

This young army was stationed in Danville about two
quartermaster.
When
weeks, when 500 of them were ordered to Northumberland County.
they were ready to go to Baltimore and were expecting orders to do so every
hour, the good news came that the British had been defeated and had sailed
The battle ground was thus transferred to New Orleans and
with their fleet.

Maus

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Johnny came marching home.

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The Danville Militia. This is the first company of which there is any
We only know that at the close of the last
record, and that is unsatisfactory.
war with England it was flourishing and well organized. It then numbered
100 members rank and file and was commanded by Capt. Samuel Yorks, who
Thomas W.
Danville Blues.
had seen active service as lieutenant in the
Others are forgotBell was one of the subordinate ofiicers of the company.
ten, a century having almost obliterated the recollection of those early citizen'

'

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soldiers.

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This was a rifle company commanded by Capt. Isaac
The Danville Blues.
The names of its members can only be recalled in part. The imBlue.
perfection of the roll is a source of regret, as it would be a great satisfaction
to all, and especially to their descendants, to know the names of those who so
freely responded.
The following is a portion of the roll
John Dugan.
John McCoy.
John Mills.
Abner Moore.
Asa Moore.

Isaac Blue, captain.

Herbert

W.

Best.

Isaiah Blue.

Colin Cameron.
Daniel Cameron.
Alexander Campbell.

Edward Morison.
David

Petrikin, surgeon.

Sanders.

Jacob Sechler.

Samuel Yorks,

lieutenant.

This company was in active service on the frontier in 1813, and was stationed at Black Rock, where it suffered severely from the malignant fever, then
known as the Black Rock fever. Some of the members died with the fever
One of the
notwithstanding the skillful efforts of Dr. Petrikin in their behalf.
victims of the epidemic was Alexander Campbell.
The Light Horse was a company of light dragoons commanded by Capt.
Clarke of DeiTy. This company of cavalry was a great favorite of the people
in its palmy days.
Many of the most enterprising young men of the county,
who were the cavaliers of that day, were members of the " Light Horse.
Well armed and equipped, their spirited and showy horses, their tine military
dress and thorough di'ill, led by their gallant captain, with Trumpeter Sanders
in his gay, scarlet uniform in the van, sounding his clarion notes to the great
delight of juvenility, they made the day of parade one of the great gala days,
And right fortunate were
ranking with Christmas and the Fourth of July.
the boys who were permitted to go to Washingtonville to witness the regimental parades in that ancient village.
The organization of the " Light Horse" dated back to 1810, and although
not mustered into service during the war that followed, they had promptly volunteered, and were highly indignant when the Government refused to accept
their services.

The members

of this brilliant cavalry company have all passed away.
The last survivor of the gallant chivalry
a great age.
their war horses through the streets of Danville has

Many of them attained
who so gloriously rode

He was almost ninety years of age
following particulars as his recollection of the roster

long since departed.

John Blue.

James Boyd.
Lucas Brass.

Elisha Barton.

Isaac Bear.

Charles Clark, captain.

when he gave the

James Donaldson.
John Donalson.
William De Pew.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

46

King.

Charles Evans.
Charles M. Frazer.
Charles Frazer.

William Kitchen.
Daniel Montgomery.
Lewis Maus.
Joseph Maus.
Robert Moore.
Thomas Moorhead.

John Gulicks.
John Gaskins.
James Hamilton.
Kipp.

Peter Pursel.

William

Sheriff.

James Stevenson.
Henry Sanders.
Daniel Woodside.

James Woodside.

Thomas Woodside.

—

This company was organized in 1817, and was long
It embraced many of the enterprising and patriotic
the pride of the county.
young men of the community. The muster roll at the organization of the
company or very soon thereafter, has been preserved, and is as follows:

Columbia Guards.

John Anthony.
William Barber.
Samuel Baum.
Daniel Barber.

John Best.
Anthony Boon.
Matthew Blackwell.
William Clark.

Thomas
Thomas

Clark.

Colt.
William Colt.
James Colt.

William Cathcart.
Isaac Cornelison.
James Carson, captain.

Alexander Donaldson.
William Donaldson.
William DePew.
Frederick Frick.
Fisher.

Thomas

Charles Goodman.

William G. Hurley.
Ellis Hughes.
Jacob Hibler.
Samuel Huntington.
Jared Irwin.
Adolphus Kent.
Amos E. Kitchen.

John Lundy.
Asher Lyon.
Daniel W. Montgomery.
John Montgomery.
Henry Marshall.
John Moore.
Charles Moore.
Andrew Y. Moore.

Burrows Moore.
Samuel Moore.

Thomas Moorehead.
Hugh McWilliams.

Hector McCallister.
William S. Maus.
Gideon Mellon.

Matthew Patterson.
George Potter, captain.

John Pervin.
Orrin Sholes.

Jacob Sechler.
Savage.

John M.

thiel.

Casper Thiel.

Samuel Underwood.
David Woodside.
Robert Woodside.
Jacob Wieman.
Isaac Warner.
Thomas Wiley.
James Wilson.
Charles Wilson.

John Young.

Grier.

The Colambia Guards, together with the Northumberland Artillerists,
Capt. Priestly, the Warrior Run Infantry and others, constituted the Northumberland and Columbia battalion of volunteers, commanded by Maj. R. Coleman Hall. In the summer of 1823 there was a battalion parade in Danville,
on the then open ground between Bloom and Center Streets. Dr. W. H. MaThe parade is said to
gill, then a young man, was surgeon of the battalion.
have l^een the grandest military display ever witnessed in Danville.
The Columbia Guards were first commanded by Capt. Potter, and subsequently by Capts. Carson, Colt, Best, Wilson and Frick, until 1846, stretching over a period of about thirty years.
In that year the first call was made
upon the citizen soldiery since the organization of the company. Prompted
by a patriotic desire to serve their country in the Mexican war, their services
were ofFered and accepted, and the Columbia Guards, under the command of
Capt. Wilson, numbering ninety-four, rank and file, were mustered into the
Brown fell
service of the United States on the 28th of December, 1846.
at Matamoras, like a hero in battle, and the banks of the Rio Grande had
starry
drunk the blood of a Ringgold, and they hastened to the defense of the
banner," many, alas! to return no more.
The first engagement of the Guards was at the storming of Vera Cruz, and
there, at the opening of their brilliant campaign, the lamented Capt. Wilson
His
died on the 10th of April, 1847.
Capt. Wilson was a model ofiicer.
remains were brought home and bui'ied with due honors among his family and
kindred.
From Vera Cruz, the company, under the command of Dr. C. H.
Frick, proceeded in the victorious march of Gen. Scott toward the city of
Mexico.
In the battle of Cerro Gordo they took a prominent part, and lost
one of their number, John Smith, who was killed by a musket ball in storm'

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HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

47

At the bloody battle of Chapultepec they lost two more of
ing the heights.
their comrades
William Dietrich and John Snyder.
On approaching the capital of the enemy, the defense of San Angelos
with all the military stores a post of distinguishing honor and vast responsibility and of peculiar danger
was committed to the Columbia Guards, and
on the 13th of September, 1847, they were among the fix'st in Gen. Scott's
triumphant march into the city of the Aztecs and the halls of the Montezumas.
After an absence of nearly two years, when Mexico was conquered, they
retiu-ned to Danville on the 28th of July, 1849.
little time developed the fact that most of those who returned had con-

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A

tracted the diseases of an uncongenial climate, and one by one they have
Jesse G. Clarke, Ad. Ray and their lamented commander, the
passed away.
noble-hearted Dr. Clarence H. Frick, followed on that returnless march to the
music of the tolling bells, beyond the reach of war's alarms.
A remnant only survive, but they, too, are treading the down-hill of life,
and form into line
reveille,
and they, too, ere long will rally to the last
with the platoon already advanced beyond the river. When the company
returned it was reorganized; captain, George W. Forrest.
After Capt. Forrest removed to Lewisburg, Oscar Ephlin was chosen captain.
Under his command they entered the Union Army, where the brave reAfter
cruits who filled the places of the veterans had a taste of actual service.
serving their time they were honorably discharged and disbanded as a company.
The elder members in Mexico, and the younger in the war for the
Union, have made for themselves a record that is alike honorable to themselves
and to the county.
The flag of the Old Guards, riddled and torn in the Mexican campaign, is
still displayed on public occasions, and always calls forth the warmest feelings
of patriotism and local pride, as its tattered fragments proclaim the heroism of
On one octhe brave men who followed it through the battle and the storm.
casion it caught the eye and was instantly recognized by Gov. Geary, while addressing a mass meeting; and none will ever forget his glowing tribute to the
Old Guards, which the sight of their well known flag inspired.
The following is the roll as mustered into the United States service for the
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Mexican war
CAPTAIN.
S. Wilson.

John

LIEUTENANTS.
Clarence H. Frick,

First lieutenant.

Edward

Second lieutenant.
Second lieutenant.

E. La Clerc,
William Brindle,

SERGEANTS.

George

S.

Kline,

James D.

Slater,

Robert Clark,
Charles Evans,

First sergeant.
Second sergeant.
Third sergeant.
Fourth sergeant.

CORPOKAXS.

John Adams,
James Oliver,
John Smith,
Arthur Gearhart,

First corporal.

Second corporal.
Third corporal.
Fourth corporal.
MUSICIANS.

Thomas

Clark,
Jesse G. Clark,

Drummer.
Fifer.

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

48

PRIVATES.

W. Adams.

Charles

Samuel Huntingdon.

Adam

Alvin M. Allen.
Jacob App.
George W. Armstrong.
Frederick Brandt.
Samuel Burns.

Elam

B.

Heisler.

Henry Hecncastle.
Oliver Helme.
William S. Kertz.
William King.
Jer(>me Konkle.
Charles Lytle.
Ira Lownsberry.

Bonham.

William Banghart.

John Birkenbine.
Samuel D. Baker.

Robert Lyon.
John A. Lowery.
Benjamin Laform.

Francis Bower.
Francis R. Best.
William Brunner.
William H. Birchfleld.

Benjamin J. Martin.
Jasper Musselman.

Randolph

Edward McGonnell.

Ball.

George Miller.
William Moser.
Archibald Mooney.
Mahlon K. Manly.
John G. Mai Ion.
Alexander McDonald.

Peter Brobst.
Abram B. Carley.
Michael Corrigan.

William Dieterech.
William Erie.
Daniel S. Follmer.
Charles

W.

Daniel Martial.
Richard FI. McKean.

Fortner.

Robert H. Forster.

Norman B. Mack.
William McDonald.
Casper Oatenwelder
Daniel Poorman.
Peter

S.

Reed.

Philip Rake.
James A. Stewart.
Peter M. Space.
Jonathan R. Sanders.
Oliver C. Stevens.

Daniel Snyder.

Edward

Seler.

Peter Seigfried.
John C. Snyder.
John N. Scofield.
William Swartz.
Joseph H. Stratton.
William H. Swaney.
John A. Sarvey.

Benjamin Tumbleton.
Adam Wray.
William White.
George Wagner.

Sewell Gibbs.
Edward Grove.
George Garner.

Charles Moynthan.

HughMcFadden.

Jacob Willet.
Jerome Walker.
George Wingar.

Thomas Graham.

James McClelland.

Peter

Robert McAlmont.

W.

Yarnell.

Shepherd'W. Girton.

In the war with Mexico the guards were Company C, in the Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Col. afterward Gov. John W.
Geary.
Montour Rifles. This company was organized in Danville on the 13th of
July, 1855, under the command of Capt. J. J. Zuber.
August Fogel was
first lieutenant and M. Rosenstein was second lieutenant.
In 1859 Capt. Zuber
was promoted to a majorship, and some adverse influences caused the dissolution of the company.
Most of its members entered the United States service;
the greater portion enlisted in Company E, Sixth Regiment Reserves.
The
company was commanded by M. K. Manly. John Horn was one of the lieutenants of Company E.
Tlie First in War.
The first military company that left Danville for the
war was recruited and commanded by Capt. William M. McClure 100 men.
They enlisted for three months and honorably served their time. They were
in the battle of Falling Waters and had one member killed, whose name was
Amos Zuppinger, one of the first soldiers killed in battle. Capt. McClure
afterward commanded Company F, in the One Hundi'ed and Twelfth Artillery,
and for brave conduct was subsequently promoted to the position of colonel of
the regiment.
The Baldy Guards.
This company was organized in Danville and mustered into the service of the United States on the 25ih of September, 1861,
under the command of Capt. Joseph F. Ramsey. The best elements of young
and vigorous manhood in Danville were embodied in this company, nor did it
The company was
disappoint the ardent hopes of the friends it left behind.
named for P. Baldy, Sr. an old citizen of Danville. They were attached to the
Ninety-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and were designated as ComTheir first battle was on the Peninsula, at Willpany
of that regiment.
iamsburg, and they subsequently were in all the sieges and battles of the Army
On the resignation of
of the Potomac until the closing scene at Appomatox.
Capt. Ramsey in 1862, Charles W. Eckman became captain of the Baldy
Guards on the 21st of October, that year.

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t^/ 6-^' 1^^^^)

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

51

On the promotion of Capt. Eckman, Joseph H. Johnson was made captain,
and served in command of the Baldy Guards to the close of the war.
The officers of the company, when mustered into the service September 25,
1861, were Joseph F. Ramsey, captain; Leffred H. Kase and Charles W.
Eckman, lieutenants; James Auld, quartermaster.
Second Artillery. Company F, One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, or Second Pennsylvania Artillery, was organized in DanA large portion of its members was
ville by Capt. William M. McClure.
of Danville and vicinity.
This regiment served with much distinction and did
much hard service during the war.
Danville Fencibles.
This company was organized in Danville in 1862, unThis company was in the bloody
der command of Capt. Joseph E. Shreeve.
battle of Antietam and there it lost seven in killed, namely J. M. Hassanplug,
D. Van Ronk, Jacob Long, Daniel Klase, Samuel Hilner, Hiram Hummel
Among the latter were James
and John Gibson. Eighteen were wounded.
The
Foster, John Leighow, George Lovett, Charles Flick and D. R. Shutt.
company was attached to the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volui^teers.
Officers.
Joseph E. Shreeve, captain; George W. Van-

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After the battle
Norris, second lieutenant.
Shreeve was promoted to major of the One Hundred and
Thirty-second Regiment, and Charles N. Norris was made captain of the company.
Company E, Sixth Pennsylvania i?eserfes, was organized in Danville under
command of Capt. M. K. Manly, one of the survivors of the Mexican camRichards
paign.
Charles Richards and John Hoi-n were the lieutenants.
Among the privates in this
subsequently became captain of the company.
company were William Keiner, who lost a leg; Nicholas Frazer, killed at Harrison's Landing; Jacob Miller, lost a foot; Ernest Aderhold, lost a leg.
When the rebels invaded the North there was an emergency call for
troops, when every county and township in Pennsylvania quickly responded.
The Thirteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia was speedily recruited, and
advanced to the front to meet the invading foe. Montoui- County furnished
two companies for this regiment as follows:
Company A, with following named officers: Captain, John A. Winner;
John C. Perrin; first
first lieutenant, W. A. M. Grier; second lieutenant,
sergeant, John G. Hammer; second sergeant, Simon Lyon; third sergeant,
Elias Knerr; fourth sergeant, T. C. Hullihen; fifth sergeant, William R.
second corporal, William T.
Pursell
first corporal,
Robert Adams, Jr.
Ramsey; third corporal, John W. Thatcher; fourth corporal, Benj. W. Vastine; fifth corporal, Geo. L'win; sixth corporal, Samiiel Earp; seventh corporal,
John Werkheiser; eighth corporal, Samuel Haman; quartermaster-sergeant,
gilder, first lieutenant; Charles N.

of Antietam Capt.

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;

Reuben Riehl.
Company K, with following named

'

;

officers: Captain, William Young; first
Alfred Melon; second lieutenant, Alfred B. Patton; first sergeant, M. B. Munson; second sergeant, A. Jerome Harder; third sergeant,
Geo. W. Ramsey; fourth sergeant, Alexander Hofner; first corporal, Alfred
Yerrick; second corporal, Hugh P. Liphart; third corporal, Lewis Byerly;
fourth corporal, William Miller.
The expedition went as far as Hagerstown, and were in the service two
weeks when they retiu-ned to Danville and were mustered out.
Company F, National Guards, was organized in Danville in 1878; was
first commanded by Capt. P. E. Maus, and was mustered as Company F of
Capt. Maus rethe Twelfth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania.
signed in 1880, and J. Sweisfort was elected captain of the company.

lieutenant,

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

52

CHAPTER

VII.

SCHOOLS.

HERE we approach

How

the subject of vital interest to every one.
best
to rear oiir children, give them sound minds and bodies, fit them to live
the best lives, and equip them for the struggle of life, is the one overshadowwell-poised mind in a healthy body is the suing problem of existence.

A

be looked upon in this world.
For thousands of years the
its schools with but little variations in the fundamentals in all
For nearly eighteen hundred years the present system of pietistie
that time.
schools has been carried on, with variations so slight in the material parts as
hardly to be perceptible.
A little more than one hundred years ago came the
Swiss school-teacher, Pestalozzi, who alone to that time was great enough to
question the old and supposed divine processes of education, and for himself
think and act in behalf of mankind.
Like every daring doubter and thinker
he lived centuries in advance of his age, and the educators of to-day will sing
their feeble paeons to the great Swiss and then drop into the most ancient ruts,
only covering the ragged pits and yawning chasms of the highway with thinly
spread varnish of supposed perfected improvements in the schools. Educators
and school officers are always beset with the imminent danger of becoming
mutual admiration societies, and when they reach this beatific state it is pure
folly to expect any thus afflicted to attempt to venture into new highways or
question the j)erfection of anything that has come to them fr-om the fathers.
Blunt and rugged old Thomas Carlyle said: " Nature gives healthy children
much, how much! Wise education is a wise unfolding of this; often it unfolds
itself better of its own accord.
If the young mind ever does the
better
unfold itself of its own accord," then the schools are neither infallible nor
perfected institutions. Then great educators must bestir themselves not in portraying the beauties of glittering superstructures built upon these ancient foundations, but in replacing what is rotten by sound timbers.
The interest of every
father and guardian of the young on the subject of education must be increased;
the knowledge widened until they can make intelligent demands upon the educators, and then only will the real schools come.
They are not perfect now.
Grant all the most enthusiastic claim for them they are still very imperfect
workers in the great cause of civilization.
No comment can equal the recent
startling questions that have been asked by a few of the world's real thinkers,
" Do the schools increase insanity ?'
such as
Does education educate ?"
"Do they sometimes destroy health?" "Does the schoolroom ever overwork and break down the pupil?" "Does it really give knowledge?"
Should the public free school pass beyond the three rudimentary branches
of education?"
"Are strictly graded schools the crowning glory or evil
of our system ?'
Here are great and important questions. They have not
been asked by fools or the enemies of education. How does Nature proceed about the work of
wisely unfolding
the rich gifts of heaven to healthy
children? Who can answer? Yet she knows best; she will not be thwarted.
She is not a loving old fool that can be wheedled or cheated, cajoled or bribed
out of pursuing her unalterable, inexorable course in everything even the

premest thing
world has had

to

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school and

its

master.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

53

This will strike the reader as an unusual mode of introduction to a chapter
giving some account of the schools in the county. They are not arguments nor
They are a few of the many thousands
assertions about the system of schools.
of questions that should be fully considered on the subject, intended as mere
hints to thoughts that the reader may arouse in his own mind and think out for
If in a single one they do arouse a healthy investigation in a mind
himself.
energetic enough to pursue the subject to the end, impartially surveying it
from all sides and in every light, tracing to their sources cause and effect, then
Simple and crude as are these
this book will not have been printed in vain.
hints, they involve the whole science of biology, the most profound and intricate questions of life, and he who even tolerably well studies and unfolds them
will take his place in history as the world' s greatest philosopher.
The public free schools have been a gradual growth in this country. Our
At first they had
born in the wildwood, rocked on the wave.
fathers were
The children of that age mostly were of
neither schoolhouses nor teachers.
In time came
necessity left to "unfold " for themselves their gifts of heaven.
the three months winter subscription school, taught by some stern old ScotchIrish preacher in a floorless and windowless log cabin, where the youths came
long distances along paths that crossed often streams that were bridged by a
log felled across them. A dollar's worth of school books would then be a complete outfit for the highest-roomed pupil, and this kit passed down the line to
younger brothers and sisters, till the entire family household had passed out
Until the establishment of
the batten door of their school-day alma mater.
the public schools in 1834, the outfit of a pupil was a Webster's spelling-book,
a Testament, a Dobold's arithmetic, a slate, a goose quill, and a few sheets of
Puncheon benches without backs, a log cut out and oil
foolscap paper.
paper over it was the improved window. Ten long dreary hours were spent
under the eye of the master, who at all events would compel the poor young
But one general theory then
martyrs to keep their books before their faces.
prevailed in rearing children: task them to the utmost and "spare the rod
and spoil the child" were the most elevated ideas of fathers and teachers.
Life was then rough, rude, but earnest and solemn.
Of the early schools in Montour County Mr. William Henry, in his report
to the State school superintendent among other things says there were no
The first of which there is any account was
schools known prior to 1790.
built in 1793 by James Montgomery, father of Hugh K. Montgomery, assisted
by the few scattered settlers then here, the building stood near the Milton &
James
Danville road, and but a short distance from the present county line.
Montgomery was the fir.st teacher, and this fixes the fact that he was the real
^
How long this first
pioneer
teacher in what is now Montour County.
The supposition is there were no other teachers
building stood is not known.
In 1797 a rude log house was built on the road
taught there except him.
leading from Danville to Bloomsburg, on the ground occupied by the late
William Yorks. This building had neither floor nor chimney. The roof was
rough beams covered with branches, leaves and earth. David Davis, of ValMr. Hewitt was then the
ley Township, was an attendant here in 1800.
teacher.
The next building of which there is any account was built in 1806
in Washingtonville Borough, particulars of which are given in the chapter on
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Derry Township.
recollections of J. Fraser, as published some years ago, differ from
He gives substantially this account of the
It is of sufficient interest to give the
first school and teachers and pupils.
substance of it.

The

Mr. Henry's statement somewhat.

HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

54

The old log schoolhouse was built about 1785. It was twenty
The tire-place admitted wood ten feet long. Desks were made

feet square.

of a single

There were about twenty pupils at most
board along the side of the room.
boarded around.
Mr. Gibson, a settled inhabiattending.
The teachers
tant of Danville, taught among the fii'st and longer than any ether one.
The
following patrons are known of this earliest school
William and John Montgomery, John Sechler, John Fraser, Thomas Osborn, William Sheriff, Thomas
Stevenson, John Gulic, Geo. McCulley, Edward Morrison, Murdo Morrison,
John Simpson, Paul Adams, John Evans, Phillip Maus, Joshua Halleck, John
and James Emmitt, Alexander Ewing, Dr. Forrest, John Hill and the Sanders, Blues, Moores, Woodsides, Cornelisons and Colts.
Three months in the year was the term of school. At different periods the
names of the pupils that can now be recalled were John, Jacob, Samuel and
Harmon Sechler; Archibald, John, James and Eobert Woodsides; Jacob, Isaac,
James, Ann and Mary Cornelison Jesse Simpson, Mary, Margaret and Charles
M. Fraser, and their cousin, Charles Fraser; Samuel and John Huntington;
Isaac, Peter, Samuel and John Blue; Asa, Samuel and Charles Moore; Abbie,
Josiah, Griffith and William Phillips; Joseph and Jacob W. Maus, Charles
Evans, John McCoy, Jefferson and Eobert Montgomery, the Sechlers, Erasers
and Montgomerys were the only ones living near enough to the school to go
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:

;

home for the noon meal.
The fuel for the school was

supplied by the windfalls on the school lot, and
was cut by the boys at nooning. Often the boys were taken away before the
term was out to help
sugar making.
In 1802 a new schoolhouse was erected on ground donated by Gen. Montgomery.
Here Andrew Forsyth taught, also John Moore, who afterward
became a Danville merchant, Thomas W. Bell and Col. Don Carlos Barret.
The latter went to Texas, where he became an eminent lawyer and statesman,
and with Houston was one of the Lone Star State' s triumvirate.
The last survivor of Gibson's pupils, Jacob Sechler, died in Danville
'

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Christmas day, 1880.
In 1813 there were three schoolhouses between Danville and Milton, a distance of fifteen miles, and there were then not more than eight in what is now
Montour County. Then all schoolhouses were built by the voluntary help of
the inhabitants, whenever enough children were within reaching distance to
justify the movement.
On a certain day the inhabitants assembled, went to
work, and in a few days the primitive schoolhouse of the olden time was in
existence.
Among the teachers who taught in the county prior to 1813 was Andrew Forsyth, a gentleman of an eminent Scotch family, a soldier of the war of
the Revolution, and an intimate friend of Gen. Washington.
He made great
sacrifices for the cause of liberty.
He had amassed considerable wealth when
the war broke out, but placed everything upon the altar of his adopted country and lost it.
When the war was over he came to Danville and taught school
until his death in 1814.
It is supposed, from certain papers found after his
death, that he taught here about six years.
The last school which he taught
was at Mooresburg, where he engendered the disease that caused his death.
After the formation of Columbia County education received a fresh impetus, especially in Danville, the new county seat.
Mahoning Township at this
time had three schools, to wit: West Danville, East Danville and Mahoning.
The ground for the West Danville school was given by Gen. Daniel Montgomery,
the founder of the town; for East Danville and Mahoning schools the land was
given by John Sechler, one of the oldest settlers in the county. These schools
were under the supervision of six trustees, who had charge of the buildings.

'

HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

55

teachers were generally elected by the citizens, who came together at a
the trustees.
If a stranger wished to become an applicant, the trustees either examined him themselves or appointed some competent person to
perform the duty. But little attention was paid to the schools when once they
were opened, and three or four months' terms per year constituted the time of

The

call of

holding them.
In 1806 Mrs. Eleanor Best opened a subscription school, which she continued successfully until 1824.
Some of her old subscription books are said
Among others whose names appear in her list of pupils are
to be still extant.
Daniel Fraser, Daniel Montgomery, Samuel Yorks and Joseph Cornelison. She
charged $1.50 a quarter per pupil. She taught spelling, reading and writing.
In this little primitive school were laid the foundations of men who have left
their names indelibly impressed upon the history of the country.
This little
school performed one thing well that was what it pretended, and all it claimed
to teach the pupils was taught them in such a way that it was never forgotten.
After 1816 the following were some of the noted teachers up to the time
of the establishment of the public schools: Thomas Belle, Don Carlos BaiTet,
Samuel Kirkham, L. C. Judson, Abraham Lillie, Michael Sanders, Ellis
Hughes, Michael Best, Isaac Mower.
When D. C. Barret taught in the West Danville school, it is reported that
Samuel Kirkham, assisted
at one time he had one hundred pupils attending.
by Ellis Hughes, wrote his English grammar while teaching in the Danville
Ellis Hughes was permanently settled here; his reputation was that
school.
of the best educated man ever in the county up to that time.
He came fi'om
Catawissa in 1820; he was a good surveyor as well as a teacher; he was appointed register and recorder by the governor for the new county of Columbia.
A schoolhouse that he taught in some years stood near the Montour House,
He did all his teaching
nearly on the spot now occupied by the Record office.
prior to 1832, and for years examined for the different trustees all teachers who
applied.
He was deeply interested in his life work, educating the you^ng, and
he also took an active part in the State internal improvements. He filled with
He died in 1850. His
distinction many places of public trust during his life.
descendants are some of the most respected citizens of Danville.
The schools of the rural districts were deprived, on account of the sparseness mostly of the settlers, of many of the advantages of the schools in the
town, as primitive as were the best of the town schools at that day. The rural
teachers were generally transient and migratory ih their habits, and the ability
of the people to pay often compelled them to work for wages that were very
small indeed.
In none of them were any attempts made to teach more than
the true basis of an English education; spelling, reading, writing and ciphering
to the rule of three
was the boundary line of the most ambitious attempts in the words of the ancient school philosopher and trustee, when he
announced with impressive dignity that he required all applicants to be able to
teach the "three r's"
"reading, riting and rithmetic."
" The Old Center Stone Schoolhouse" in Liberty Township was built in
1823, and stood a prominent school land-mark in the county until 1872, when
it was destroyed by an incendiary fire.
The ground was given jointly by James
Strawbridge, father of Dr. J. D. Strawbridge, and here the Doctor received
the foundation of his education.
James Aiken, at one time widely known as
Pennsylvania's rural poet, was one of the principal teachers in this building.
James Aiken was preceded by James Laferty, whose assistant was a polished
Irishman named Duncan.
The first schoolhouse in Washingtonville Borough was built in 1806 a fi-ame
;

'

'

'

—

—

—

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

56

building that is still standing and is now nsed as a residence. The first teacher
in this building was Abraham Barry, followed by John Craven, John Moore,
The principal promoters of the
Mr. Allen, John Reilly and Mr. Hutchinson.
school in Derry Township at this early day were Col. Thomas Moorehead,

Thomas Eobertson and Samuel Brittain.
Danville Academy was instituted in the year 1818;

the ground was donaA two-story brick building was erected under
ted by Gen. Wm. Montgomery.
the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, which elects trustees for its supervisIt has been from its building a chief instiion and the care of the property.
tution of learning in the county, and some of our best edvicators have been conThe prominemt ones of the early teachers were Mr. Painter,
nected with it.
R. P. Catley, Isaac Grier, S. P. Johnson, John B. Patterson, A. Wood, Mr.
Nelson, E. W. Conkling. In 1855 this first building was replaced by the presRev. J.
ent two -story brick structure, and new and better furniture supplied.
E. Bradley, afterward one of the publishers of the Montour American, was the
first principal of the school in the new building; succeeded by Joseph W.
Weston, Mr. Marr, Mr. Wynn and the present teacher, John M. Kalso, who
has been at the head of the institution since the year 1871.
Limestonville Institute is a substantial brick edifice erected in 1862, under
the control of an association of stockholders, for the purpose of establishing a
classical high school to be called the
Limestonville Institute.
The first officers elected were, president, W. D. Weidenhauser; secretary. Rev. Lucien
Cort; treasurer, A. S. Wagner trustee, David Davis.
The school opened with
a goodly attendance of students under the tutorship of Rev. L. Cort; he was
succeeded by Mr. Alden, Mr. Brown, of Gettysburg, William G. Ritter, Chas.
S. Albert, J. E. Shadle, J. B. Bergner, and then Prof. Pullen and wife, of
Philadelphia, were in charge.
This very short summary is about all that can now be gleaned by the chronicler of the schools down to the period of that great movement that resulted
in establishing the free ^hools.
'

'

'

'

;

FKEE SCHOOLS.
In 1 830 the first steps were taken in what is now Montour County to secure
The school laws then in
a wider and better system of general education.
force were very objectionable and defective. Complaints began to be expressed

on

all

way

sides.

All institutions

of learning displayed activity in a sporadic

and these short efforts were generally followed by long spells of
These were some of the things that started first the
languor and languishing.
Meetings were called where an interchange of ideas
project of fi'ee schools.
was had, and at these first meetings and discussions of the subject, as a matter
of course the friends of free schools found themselves in the minority.
May 23, 1834, Isaiah Reed, then sheriff of Columbia County, including
what is now Montour, issued his proclamation, with regard to the public school
only,

the timely action of the county commissioners.
On the 8th of
meeting was held in the court-house in Danville relative to a general
school system of education, by Nicholas Gouger, Andrew Ikeler and John
Yeager, county commissioners, together with school commissioners from six
township of the county, among whom were Hugh McWilliams, of Liberty
Township, John Fatton, of Mahoning, and William Carnahan, of Derry, now
embraced in this county. A vote was taken with the following result: For
schools, John Patton and William Carnahan.
The report of the meeting says,
They agreed to levy a tax of two-thirds of that of the county tax for school
purposes in Mahoning and Derry Townships."
A majority of the delegates at
this meeting were opj)osed to the measure.
law,

for

June

a

'

'

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

57

The friends of the cause continued to agitate the question, accomplishing
nothing definite until the year 1836. On May 2 of that year, the county
commissioners and the school delegates from the several townships met at the
court-hovise in Danville in conformity to the " act of Assembly prescribing a
general system of education by common schools."
The meeting was called to order by Andrew Ikeler, and the roll call of the
delegates was had to vote on this subject, with the following result: For schools,
Fredrick Frick, Mahoning William Dale, Liberty James Johnston, Derry,
and Samuel Oakes, Limestone. The county commissioners then voted; for
A motion
schools, Andrew Ikeler and Iddings Barkley against, John Yeager.
was then made to raise a tax eqvial to that of the county tax Mahoning, Liberty, Derry and Limestone voting in the affirmative; this was reconsidered,
and a motion to levy a tax equal to three-fourths of the county tax prevailed,
Mahoning voting for the whole tax.
Saturday, May 21, 1886, a meeting of the taxable inhabitants of Mahoning Township was, in pursuance of public notice, held in the house of Thomas
Clark in Danville for the purpose of ascertaining whether the inhabitants of
the township were in favor of levying an additional tax for common-school
Benjamin McMahan, president of the board,
purposes for the year 1836.
The following resolution was
presided, and Fredi-ick Frick was secretary.
after long discussion adopted.
;

;

;

—

Resolved, That the meeting be in favor of levying an additional tax for common
school purposes for the year 1836 equal to one-fourth of the county tax assessed for said,
year; that the school directors be requested to have the same collected if necessary; and
that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the officers and published in the Danville Intelligencer.

In 1837 the State appropriation to the county amounted to $659.16; distributed as follows: Derry Township, 350 taxables, received $226.58; Liberty
Township, 268 taxables, $173.50; Limestone, 121 taxables, $78.32, and Mahoning, 341 taxables, $220.76.
The early school records of the districts are unfortunately lost or destroyed. From the best information to be had it is believed that the four townships (Derry, Liberty, Mahoning and Limestone) accepted the law about the
same time, with the view of receiving the pecuniary aid of the State. After
its establishment the organization of the schools depended mainly upon men
who had but little experience in education; and the law was imperfectly underTherefore the system was not
stood by the officers who were to enforce it.
generally looked upon as a success, and opposition was soon manifested, which
continued until after the enactment of the law in 1854 creating a new school
officer, and giving additional powers to the directors in enforcing the law.
In 1837 Samuel Bond, James

McMahan and James Perry were members

and Ellis Hughes, Benjamin McMahan,
John Patton, McDonald Campbell and Fredi'ick Frick, of Mahoning Township.
There are at present 57 schoolhouses in the county, 24 brick and 33 wooden
buildings, and are situated as follows: Anthony, 5 wooden and 3 brick; Cooper,
2 fi'ame; Danville, 5 frame, 4 brick; Derry, 6 frame; Pine Grove (a small

of the school board of Liberty District,

taken off of Liberty), 1 fi'ame; Liberty, 8 frame; Limestone, 1 frame,
5 brick; Mahoning, 4 frame, 1 brick; Mayberry, 2 frame; Valley, 6 frame;
Washingtonville, 1 frame; West Hemlock, 3 frame.
Tabular statement for the year ending June 1, 1886, of the number of pupils in the districts, and the average cost for the same:
district

58

HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.
No. Male

^"Vh.'^S(^Wuu„,„^
&7ro

l'e.-:i'7orT<-

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

CHAPTEK

61

VIII.

MEDICAL.

SICKNESS was

here before the learned physician and his pill bags. Malaria
up from its lairs along the streams and valleys of the country, disturbed by the axe and the plow of industry, and it said to the pioneer,
"shake." He fought it off as best he could with teas, dogwood, wild cherry
and boneset, by prayers and penance, and no doubt often appealed to the horrid practices and swindling devices of mendicant quacks and their nostrums
and charms the negro voudoo, the Indian medicine man, the white quack.
The practice of medicine has greatly changed in the past century. People
are stronger, healthier and longer lived now than they were a century ago.
The life of a generation has been extended ten years. What one greater fact
can be pointed to in the world' s history ? This, too, in the face of the fact that
people now live less in the open air and sunshine than ever before.
Great epidemics have been nearly mastered and this began to come about when our
fathers ceased to rely upon prayers and penance, and fell upon the simple plan
of cleanliness, better ventilation, better cooked food and better sewerage,
healthful recreation and exercise.
It is said the first regular physician to locate in what is now Montoui
County, was Dr. Foster, the date of whose coming to Danville can not be positively fixed.
Of his descendants, Mrs. Valentine Best, his granddaughter, is
a citizen of Danville.
Dr. David Petrikin was born in Bellefonte.
He came to Danville at an
early day, studied medicine and here for many years practiced his profession.
He was elected to Congress and served two terms, 1837-41. He died January

seemed

to rouse

—

1849.
Dr. Bohan R. Gearhart located in Danville to practice his profession in
1842.
He first settled in "Washingtonville, this county, and after remaining
there a short time, came here.
He graduated from Jefferson Medical College
in 1839 or 1840.
He died in May, 1855.
Dr. Dowell and Dr. Magill were here at the same time, and, while not the
3,

first,

were here very

early.

Among

the students of Dr. Petrikin, Danville' s first young men to study
their profession were Herman Gearhart and Alexander C. Donaldson.
James Dale Strawbridge, native of Montoui* County, residence, Danville, was
in the continuous practice fi'om 1847 to 1860; was then some years surgeon in the
United States Yoiunteers and fi'om 1867 to the present in the practice in Danville.
He graduated in the University of Pennsylvania in 1847; received the
degree of A. B. at Princeton College of New Jersey in 1844, and A. M., 1847.
Dr. Strawbridge has long been one of the most eminent sui'geons and
physicians in the county.
He was a sui'geon in the army during the war,
was captured and held prisoner for some time in Richmond. In the army he
soon reached the high position of surgeon of a corps.
After the war he was
elected to Congress where he served to the entire satisfaction of his constituency, 1873-75.
His greatest reputation is as a surgeon, his eminence here
winning him a name and fame co-extensive with the entu-e State.

4A

HISTOEY OF MONTOUK COUNTY.

62

William H. Magill located in Danville in 1818, where he was for manyyears one of the leading physicians in this portion of the country. He married,
in 1828, a daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery.
R. S. Simington located in Danville in 1854, and here commenced his long
and brilliant career. He was surgeon in the Fourteenth and Ninety-third
llegiments of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with great distinction.
At
|ihe close of service he resumed his practice in Danville.
In 1866 he was elected
Durgess of the borough, afterward associate judge in the Montour Court;
after five years' service

was

re-elected.

Dr. Strawbridge tells us his recollection of the 2:)hysicians who were prac'.cing in this county when he came here in 1847 is as follows: Dr. W. H. Magill,
Dr. John Murray (his widow is a resident of Danville), Dr. Bohan R. Gearhart
(.TQentioned elsewhere), Dr. Wesley R. Gearhart (he was an uncle of Wilson M.
Giarhart, the present prothonotary). Dr. Isaac Hughes (his widow a resident of
Daiville) and Dr. Clarence H. Frick, who is noted elsewhere more fully.
Physicians who have registered in the county since 1881, under the act requiring physicians to register:
Soiomon S. Schultz, born in Berks County, Penn. He is one of the attending physicians in the Danville Insane Asylum.
He has been in continuous
practice nearly thirty years.
He graduated in the University of Pennsylvania,
March 29, 1856; also received degrees of A. B. in the college of New Jersey,
Princeton, in 1852, and A. M. in 1855.
Alonzo Ammerman, a native of Danville, where he resided and practiced
until his death, January 19, 1886; graduated fi'om the University of Pennsylvania March 12, 1875; graduated fi'om the "State Normal School," Mansfield, Ohio, in 1872.
Francis Eugene Harpel, born in Berks County, Penn., resides in Danville
where he has been continuously fifteen years; practiced in Shamokin and
Pennville before coming to Danville; graduated from Hahnemann Medical College in 1871.
James Ogelby, born in County Fermanagh, Ireland; residence, Danville,
where he has been in the practice eighteen years; received his degree from
Jefferson medical college March, 1868.
Robert S. Simington, born in Lycoming County; residence Danville; been
in active practice thirty-three years; received degree from the University of
.

Pennsylvania in 1854.

George J. Grauel, a native of Prussia; residence, Danville.
James Dallas Mausteller, born in Montour County; residence to time of
death, August 26, 1883, in Danville; graduate of University of Pennsylvania
March, 1871.
Jacob H. Vastine, born in Northumberland County and located in Danville.
In the practice twenty-eight years; graduate of Jefferson medical college 1858,
and in New York Ophthalmic Hospital 1859-60; removed to Catawissa.
Isaac Pursell, native of Northampton County; residence Danville; in pracgraduate of University of Pennsylvania.
in Danville, where he resides; in the practice
twenty years; student in Long Island Hospital, Brooklyn.
Jacob P. Hoffa, native of Northumberland County; resides in Washingtonville, where he entered the practice after his graduation at Jefferson Medical
College, in March, 1876.
Montraville McHenry, a native of Columbia County; resides in Exchange,
Montour County; graduated at Burlington, Vermont, 1878.
William E. Reed, native of Lycoming County; resided in White Hall; graduate of Jefferson Medical College, 1880; removed from the county.
tice forty years;

Samuel Y. Thompson, born

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

63

Charles F. Evans, born in Pittston; resided in Danville; practiced his proMcLeansboro, 111. Peckville and Canaan, Penn. graduate of American Medical College, St. Louis, Mo., 1876; left the county.
Hugh B. Meredith, born in Bucks County; residence Danville; graduate of
University of Pennsylvania, 1877; first practiced in Doylestown and then came
fession in

,

;

to Danville.
Philip C. Newbaker, born in Dauphin County; graduated from Jefferson
Medical College, March 12, 1869; resides in Washingtonville.
Benjamin Franklin Shultz, a native of Columbia County; residence Danville; graduated from JeflPerson Medical College, 1854.

Charles Delcamp, born in Schuykill County; left the county.
John H. Sandel, native of Montour County; located in the practice in Danville; removed to Schuykill County; gi-aduate of Hahnemann Medical College^
1882.

Jeremiah K. Bowers commenced practice, 1865; student of American Philadelphia University, Philadelphia; he has left the county, residence but temporary.
Mandeville O. Greenwald, a native of Allentown, Penn. residence Mooresburg; graduate of University of Pennsylvania, 1872.
Boardman P. Backus, born in New York; was but temporarily in the county.
Francis H. Sinning, of Washington County; temporary.
J. Brooks Follmer, same.
Henry C. R. Morrow, born in Erie County, N. Y. located in Exchange,
Montour County; graduate of University of Buffalo; died in 1886.
John Montgomery Baldy, born in Danville; graduated University of Pennsylvania, 1884; removed to Philadelphia, where he is now in the practice.
Michael Servetus Seip, born in Easton; is attendant in Danville Insane
Asylum graduated from University of Pennsylvania, 1876 received degree of
A. B. in Lafayette College.
;

;

;

;

;

William Elmer Ritter, a native of Lycoming County; resides in White
Hall; graduated from Jefferson Medical College, 1885; was student in Williamsport Commercial College.
Eben True Aldrich, born in Lowell, Mass. physician in Danville Insane
Asylum; graduate of Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, 1880.
Nathaniel Whitaker Yoorhees, Jr. born in Hunterton County, N. J. residence Danville; graduate of University of Pennsylvania, 1883.
John R. Kimerer, nativity Nashville, Ohio; residence Danville; graduate
at College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, 1885.
Daniel Edward Kiess, born in Lycoming County; residence Washingtonville; graduate of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, 1886; his
diploma endorsed by Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, and signed
Peter S.
;

,

;

*

'

Keyser, Dean."

David E. Shoemaker, born in Butler County; resides in Washingtonville;
graduated from Sunbury High School, 1881, and at the College of Physicians
and Surgeons, Baltimore, 1886; endorsed by the Medico Chirurgical College by
order of the faculty.

HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

'''64

CHAPTER
BENCH AND
court
THE
house on the
first

Chapman

IX.

BAR.

in Danville was held in the second story of the log wareriver bank, a few doors east of Mill Street, in 1814, Hon.

Northumberland County, president judge, and Gen. William
associates. Primitive as were the surroundings, there were proper dignity and decorum about the coui'troom, and
upon the rude bench and at the bar wei*e talents of not only respectable but a
Henry Alward of Milton was the first sherifp. The coui't, the
high order.
members of the bar, the ofiicers, the juries, and witnesses and parties to suits,
Seth

of

Montgomeiy and Hon. Leonard Eupert,

now be ascertained, have all passed away. The first prothonotary
was George A. Frick, who filled the place for many years, and then located as
an attorney in Danville, where he long continued in successful practice. * Of
those who came to Danville to court in the practice of the law were Charles
Hall, Charles Maus of Berlin, Hugh Bellas of Sunbury, Samuel Hepbui'n of
Milton, Mr. Bradford and George M. Porter of Centre County, James Carson
of Philadelphia, Ebenezer Greenoughof Sunbury, one of the most eminent lawJudge Thomas Duncan and Judge Charles Huston came here
yers of his day.
They were from Centre County. Both were afterward memto attend courts.
William G. Herely of Bloomsburg, James Pleasbers of the supreme court.
ants of Catawissa, Alexander Jordan and Charles G. Donnell of Sunbury, atThis
tended court in Danville regularly until they each went on the bench.
so far as can

does not include

all

the visiting attorneys, but the

list is

as complete as

we can

now make it.
The first lawyer

to locate in Danville was Alem Marr.
He graduated at
Princeton College in 1807, studied his profession and came to Danville in
He was a fair lawyer, and noted for his industry. He represented
1813.
He retired from the practice and rethis district in Congress, 1829-31.
moved to his farm near Milton, where he died many years ago. His mind
had entirely broken down some time before his death. The second lawyer
to flaunt his sign to the gentle breezes here was Ebenezer Greenough,
who came here from Suubuiy. He was noted as a learned and able lawyer, a
He removed to Sunbury, where he died. His
ripe scholar and great jurist.
George A.
son, William R. Greenough, is now practicing law in Sunbury.
Frick, who is mentioned above as the first prothonotary, was one among the
Of all his contemporaries he continued the
first lawyers to locate in Danville.
He reached the age of eighty-four years and died
longest in the practice.
He
in 1872. Legrand Bancroft located here from one of the Eastern States.
in active practice many years, and removed to Pottsville, and eventuwent to some of the new Western States or Territories, but exactly where is
None of his posterity are here. James Pleasants was for years a
not known.

was

allv

He lived in Catawissa. Among the early
familiar figure in our courtroom.
and eminent Danville attorneys were Judge Cooper, the brother of Judge John
Judge Cooper, Sr. was in a large and successful practice here until
Cooper.
his death. Attorney John G. Montgomery married Miss Cooper; Mr. E. H. Baldy
,

For

most of these particulara and reminiscences we are indebted largely
to ancient documents furnished by Mr. A. B. Still.

W. Comly, and

to the venerable

Hon. Joshua

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

65

The great American jurist, Judge Robert C. Grier,
married a granddaughter.
was at one time a citizen of Danville. While here in practice he was appointed
judge of the district court of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburgh, and in a few years
thereafter appointed associate jiidge of the United States Supreme Court. He
was a native of Cumberland County, Penn. born March 5, 1794; died in Philadelphia at the age of seventy-six years.
He was graduated in Dickinson College in 1812, when he located in Northumberland County, and was admitted to
After remaining
the bar in 1817, and commenced the practice in Bloomsburg.
there a year he removed to Danville, where he soon obtained a lucrative and
extended practice. He was appointed judge in 1838, by the governor of the commonwealth over the Allegheny Court, and lived in Allegheny until 1 848. President Polk appointed him to the United States Supreme Court in 1846. He was.
a great jurist, and in the highest sense of the term a patriot and Democrat.
His brother, M. C. Grier, continued to reside in Danville to the time of his.
,

death.

In 1833 Judge Ellis Lewis was president judge of this, the Eighth Judicial
and occupied the position with distinction eight years. He was sucThen
ceeded by Hon. Charjes Donnell, who served ten years when he died.
Joseph B. Anthony became president judge. He died nine months before his
ten years' term expired, and Judge James Pollock was appointed to fill out
At the next regular election Alexander Jordan was elected
the unexpired term.
to the office; was re-elected and completed the two terms, or twenty years^
In 1872 Judge William A. Rockafeller was elected to the office and continued'
When thisin the presiding office as long as this was in the Eighth District.
was changed to the Eleventh District Judge John M. Cunningham became
Then again Alexander Jordan filled the office. In turn he
president judge.
was succeeded by Judge Eockafeller. Then Judge William Elwell, the present
The county associate judges are
president judge was elected to the office.
Dr. R. S. Simington and John Benfield.
Joshua W. Comly, the eldest son of Charles Comly, merchant, was born in
Philadelphia, November 16, 1810. Removed with his parents to Milton in 1820,..
where he was prepared for college in the academy of Rev. David Kilpatrick.
After his graduation in 1827 he commenced the study of law in the office of
Judge Samuel Hepburn, and was admitted as an attorney in the courts of Northumberland County. November 17, 1830, when he was twenty years and one day
old.
He was admitted to the practice in the supreme court of Pennsylvania inMay, 1833, and located in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, in February, 1831.
In the fall of 1834 he removed to Danville, where he has since resided. Heretired from active practice in 1882.
Paul Leidy was one of the leading lawyers of Danville and held a high:
position in the respect and confidence of the community.
He represented this
district in the Thirty fifth Congress of the United States.
He had also served
as prosecuting attorney of Montour, held many positions of trust, and died
respected by his fellow citizens.
A. J. Frick, born in Danville, 1838, received his education in the schools
here and in Westmoreland; studied law with William G. Hurley, and was
admitted to practice in 1855; now retired.
Daniel W. Rank read law with Robert Hawley, in Muncy, and was admitted to practice April 21, 1859.
He located in Millersburg until August,
1861 in 1872 removed to Scranton. where he remained ten years, and in 1882'
came to his present residence in Limestonville. He was elected district attorney in 1884.
W. C. Johnston was admitted to the practice of law in 1839, in Columbia.
District,

;

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

66

He was

County.
is

located in Jerseytown about one year and then came to what
He has been recorder since the county was organized.
was born near Catawissa; came with his father's family to

now Montonr County.
Rhodes

B. K.

Here he attended Mr. Hughes' school, read law with John
When the county seat was taken to BloomsCooper and was licensed in 1842.
burg he went there and remained until 1852, when he returned to Danville,
where he has remained since.
Isaac X. Grier read law in the office of E. H. -Baldy; was admitted in
1861, and located in Danville where he has been continually in the practice.
He is now partially retired on account of his health.
H. M. Hinckley read law with I. X. Grier, entering his office as a student
in 1872, and was licensed to practice in May, 1875, and at once formed a law
partnership with his preceptor.
Mr. Hinckley graduated in Princeton College
Danville in 1825.

in 1874.

Edward Sayre
Seminary

Gearhart, a native of this county, graduated in

in 1876, attended Princeton College in 1880, read

Wyoming

law in the

office

&

Hinckley and was admitted to practice in 1881.
James Scarlet and Frank C. Angle compose the law firm of Scarlet & AnThis, while not among the oldest firms practicing law in Danville, is
gle.
in the front rank in success and amount of business they have to look after.
of Grier

CHAPTER

X.

NEWSPAPERS.

"^TO

less than two dailies and four weekly papers, besides occasional short_LN| lived publications, some weekly and some monthly, constitute the home literary, political and philosophical pabulum of the good people of the county.
These are classed as two political organs and four independent. This strongly

marks the recent tendency of that spirit of political independence that is the
wholesome outgrowth of the last quarter of a century. But a few years ago
all our daily and weekly publications were strictly organs merely of a political
party, the best of them showing the strong bias of party faith, and telling
always a one-sided story scaling down the truth on one hand and highly
coloring facts on the other hand.
That day of vicious party publications has

—

happily passed away.
We have party organs yet, but the spirit of public independence has invaded their columns, and it is no uncommon thing to see
even "organs" lashing with whips of scoi'pions the outrageous and flagrant
doings even of their own party managers or public men.
The humblest voter
is beginning to sometimes dare to vote his free sentiments.
Party lines are
being broken up, and the shallowest- pated torchlight bearer and the loudest
rallying shouter have begun to reflect " cin bono?^'
But as every rose must
have its thorn every sweet its bitter, we should be patient with the awful
fact that we now hear much more of money in elections
buying voters, etc.
than was known to our forefathers.
The first paper published in Danville was the Columbia Gazette, started
in 1813 by George Sweeny.
Anew county had just been formed, and Sweeny
was the bold pioneer printer who ventured to complete the paraphernalia of

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'

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

67

We

new county by bringing here his printing office.
were not able to
find even a stray copy of this first paper.
It was doubtless a small and quiet
affair, with a cramped and dingy office, its font of small pica type, distributed
mostly in the "hell box," without a word of local news (at that time local
news had not been invented), and for months and months not a line of general
the

editorial, but made up of clippings from papers weeks and months old, dry
sermons, and a few staggering, crazy
of religious books and sermons
ads.
"were the general features of a newspaper of that day.
They were curious affairs to look at now, and as an evidence of the prevalent idea of that time, the
writer went patiently over the weekly files of a paper published in another
county of this State during the war of 1812-15; and as the paper was Federalist in politics, and the people of its county took an active and patriotic part in
the war, yet there was not a line in the three years' issue of the paper referring to the part enacted by the people of its county.
But there were frequent allusions to that political monster. President Madison. And yet these
old files possess a great interest to the compiler of history of this day.
Their
very advertisements are historical pictures of the people of that time.
The
tone of these, the subjects they treat of, as well as the character of the
clippings republished, are all open windows through which you can look at
that interesting people who have passed away.
It is not known how long Mr.
Sweeny published the Gazette, but it could not have been more than a year
probably.
In 1815 Jonathan Lodge established the Express. In a short
time he associated with him Mr. Caruthers, and the firm of Lodge & Caruthers carried on the business.
At one time they employed Judge Cooper as
editor.
In 1820 George Sweeny again entered the field of journalism and established the Watchman.
His office was for some time on the corner of Ferry
and Market Streets, now occupied by the residence of Dr. R. S. Simington.
It seems that then there were two papers, and Judge Cooper edited one and
Sweeny the other, and with savage goosequills they frequently roasted
each other in a reckless manner, but in a Pickwickian sense.
The oldest of the papers now in the county is that stanch old Democratic
organ, the Danville Intelligencer, founded by Valentine Best in 1828.
Mr.
Best has linked his name imperishably with that of the county.
As told else"where he was the political and foster father of Montour County.
His paper
commenced as the Democratic local organ, and to this hour it has kept its faith,
although its founder has long since been sleeping in the silent city. He fought
manfully the Whigs until the party died with an equally fearless courage he
fought the Republicans until he himself died. He was a much abused man in
his time, even sometimes persecuted by enemies and deserted by supposed
friends. But through triumphs and defeats he possessed the courage of his convictions, and when aroused he asked for no quarter, but dealt his assailants
many a vigorous and valiant blow in return. He died in 1858 in the editorial
harness.
His life work here was a great boon to the paper, and his memory
"will be long cherished and respected.
After his death the paper was published
for some time by Oscar Kepler in the interest of Mrs. Best.
In September, 1858, the concern was purchased by a number of the leading Democrats,
who bought shares, and placed J. S. Sanders in editorial charge. He was
a good workman, and introduced many improvements in the mechanical department.
He continued in control until 1862, when he resigned to go to Berwick
to take the control of a paper in that place. He was succeeded by the present
proprietor, Thomas Chalfant.
The office became the individual property
of Mr. Chalfant soon after he took control, and so continues to the present.
The Intelligencer has been an able and consistent support of the Democratic
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HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

68

The best evidence of its standing and influence
party since it was founded.
is given in the fact that Mr. Chalfant was postmaster under the last Democratic
administration which expired in March, 1861, and after Republican control of
twenty-four years he was again at once appointed to the place with the advent
to power of the Democrats in 1885.
Daily Sun. A sprightly five-column folio; Volume I, No. 1, was published
November 5, 1883, by Charles Chalfant and D. H. Shields; is issued from the
When the paper was three months old Mr. Shields withIntelligencer office.
drew and the present editor and proprietor, Charles Chalfant, assumed entire
It is a morning paper, independent in politics, sprightly and breezy
charg#.
in its local and general editorial pages, and has a paying and liberal patronage
This is the second daily paper started
in advertisements from oui" people.
in Danville, and already it is an assured success as a business venture, and one
of the permanent concerns of the county.
Danville Democrat. This was established in August, 18-40, by Charles Cook.
Its original name was the rather top-heavy title of Danville Democrat and
A very elaborate name in a new paper always gives the apTariff Advocate.
Mr. Cook was a man of
pearance of being afflicted with hydrocepholus.
When he quit Danville he entered the Government employ in
ability.
Washington City, where he died in 1874. During the Presidential campaign
of 1844, he also issued a German paper, called Der Tariff Advokat.
Mr.
Cook battled manfully for the Whig party and the tariff until 1864, when he
Mr. Cook must have found many
sold his printing office t§ Joel S. Baily.
warm supporters, as is evidenced in a long career as publisher in a day
when many pitfalls lay in the paths of newspaper men. In 1845, while in
the Montgomery building, his office was destroyed by fire; the old hand press,
as the building burned, fell through the floors to the cellar. It was recovered,
rigged up in fair shape again, and for many years continued to do the press
work as of old. Mr. Baily continued the paper some years when its lights were
finally and forever extinguished.
Possibly it heard so much of the cry of
that ran over the land, or that other slogan of
Free trade and sailors' rights
competition of unpaid slave labor,
or possibly it heard not well enough
the
that other savory and toothsome watchword, "Two dollars a day and roast
beef" to encourage it to, in the language of Mrs. Chick, "make an effort,"
and so it turned its face to the wall and died. At the same time Mr. Baily
purchased the Democrat he bought the American and consolidated the two
concerns.
This brings us to the account of that paper.
The Montour American was founded December 11, 1855, by D. H. B.
Brower, one of the strongly marked characters of the Danville press.
At
that time the Whig and Democratic parties each had their able organs; the veteran journalist for the Democrats was Hon. Valentine Best, and Charles Cook
was ably battling under the colors of the Whig party. As independent journalism was yet unknown, we can readily see that Mr. Brower found it difficult
But after it had
to discover good standing room in any of the existing parties.
been going a few months Fremont became the national standard bearer of the
new Republican party, and here was the American'' s opportunity, which it
eagerly embraced its good fortune had come, and so completely did the American cover the entire ground of organ for the Republican party that it has held the
undisputed place for thirty years, and still holds it, and promises by its vigor
and ability to continue securely fortified in its position indefinitely. In 1859
He changed
Mr. Brower sold his office to George B. Ayers, of Harrisbui'g.
the name to Montour Herald. Mr. Ayers continued to publish it for a season
and then closed the office and returned to his old home. Mr. Brower pur-

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m4,:y/:U^^^ ^^^

71

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

In
chased the material and again resumed the publication of the American.
the meantime its temporary decline and suspension had induced other parties to
After a short time the two papers were constart another Republican organ.
solidated under new proprietors. Mr. Brower sold the American to Joel S.
This transfer
Baily, and Charles Cook sold the Democrat to the same party.
and consolidation took place in January, 1864. Mr. Baily in the same year
sold to Mr. Brower, who continued in control until 1871, when the ofl&ce was
sold to W. H. Bradley and Lewis Gordon, and as an evidence of the growth in
value of the concern, the price paid was $5,000 cash, the original office being
valued at $600.
In February, 1876, Mr. Gordon sold his interest to Joel E.
Bradley, and in November of that year Mr. Bradley sold his interest to Edward
The paper was then published by Bradley & Baldy. In May,
C. Baldy.
1878, E. C. Baldy sold his interest to W. B. Baldy, and the new firm of Bradley and Baldy published the paper until April 1, 1883, when W. B. Baldy
purchased Bradley's interest and became the sole editor and proprietor, as it
is

now

published.

The Montour American is the able and reliable Republican organ of this
county.
In the days of the Whig party it was Whig, and at the birth of the
Republican party, it was Republican. It has been ever true to the interests of
its party, watchful, vigilant and fearless in its defense, yet, even in the times of
our bitterest partisan conflicts, it has been courteous and dignified toward its
political opponents.

—

The Danville Record. Mr. Brower says that in 1876, A. P. Fowler
having purchased the printing office of S. P. Kase, the Danville Printing Company was organized, and The Danville Record started, with Mr. Brower, editor,
(the first number issued March 16, 1876), which position he filled for two
years, when circumstances compelled the sale of the office, and the office
passed into the hands of new owners.
TJie National Weekly Record.
James Foster, Harry Vincent and Victor A.
Lotier having purchased the materials of the old Danville Record, commenced
the publication of The Weekly National Record, April 1, 1878 a sevencolumn folio, independent in politics and as sprightly and vigorous a young
paper as can be found anywhere. It was most cordially welcomed by the public.
Foster and Vincent sold their interest to Victor A. Lotier, the present editor
and proprietor, who had already given evidence that he was a born newspaper
man. October 3, 1879, such was its patronage as to compel its enlargement,
and it was made a nine-column folio, the columns 26 inches in length. It espoused the cause of the greenback party, and by the sheer force of its ability
compelled the respect of its political foes and the warm admiration of its friends.
The Daily Record.
Such were the demands upon the weekly Record that
Mr. Lotier felt called upon to again increase his facilities to accommodate his
patrons, and May 23, 1881, he issued the first number of the Daily Record.
It was a five-column folio, and was supposed by many to be a bold and daring

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venture.

But the proprietor had

carefully estimated

its

chances,

it

seems. The^

paper was a complete success fi'om the day it was started, April 17, 1882; the
press of business called for its enlargement to a six-column paper, its present
size.
The daily and weekly, under Mr. Lotier' s able management, are indewith charity
pendent in politics, saying their say in a manly fearless way,
"
for all and malice toward none.
The Medium. Mr. Brower after he sold out his interest in the American
started the Medium, a semi-weekly paper. It struggled and buffeted the waves
on the troubled sea of journalism for nearly a year and fell to sleep. Theoffice was purchased by the Danville Printing Company and they started the
'

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Independent.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

72

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The Independent. Mr. Brower was placed in the editorial chair. The PrintCompany bought a lot of new materials, went in debt therefor, and in nine
months after the Independeyit was started it was seized for debt and sold by the
The office
sheriff.
The office then passed into the hands of S. P. Kase.
was closed and remained idle for some time.
The Mentor. In 1873 this paper was started by D. H. B. Brower, R. W.
They had leased the old InEggert, John Lesher and William H. McCarty.
dependent office. The paper was short lived and expii-ed inside of a year.
Richard W. Eggert, sole editor and proprietor; was first issued
The Gem.
November 30, 1885 a sprightly local paper, of five columns, folio, and independent. It is issued every Saturday, and in mechanical make-up is a model
ing

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taste

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and elegance.

CHAPTER XL
OFFICIALS AND STATISTICS.
what
FROM
Congress

now Montour County, there have been seven members of
Gen. William Montgomery was in the Third Congress,
The next in succession was his
1793-95; served one session and resigned.
is

elected.

Daniel Montgomery, elected in 1806 to the Tenth Congress,
Alem
served his term, but peremptorily declined a re-election.
Then
Marr was elected in J 828 to the Twenty-first Congress, 1829-31.
Dr. David Petrikin was elected and served two terms, the Twenty-fifth and
John G. Montgomery was elected in 1856,
Twenty-sixth Congress, 1837-41.
He was a victim
Thirty-fifth Congress, and died just before taking his seat.
of the noted hotel poisoning at the National Hotel, in Washington, just before
To fill the place made vacant
the inaugvu'ation of President James Buchanan.
by the death of Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Paul Leidy was elected. Dr. J. D.
Strawbridge was elected in 1872, to the Forty-fifth Congress, 1873-75. He
is now a resident of Danville, actively engaged in the practice of his chosen

Gen.
1807-09.

son.

He

profession.
State Senators.

—

Valentine Best was elected State senator from Columbia
and Luzerne Counties in 1850. To him is due, chiefly, the distinguished honor
of the formation of Montour County.
He was a newspaper publisher in Danville, and a warm partisan of the borough in all questions affecting the place
as the county seat, and when Bloomsburg carried off the prize, he, among
others, only redoubled exertions to score even with the people of the northern
part of the county, who had carried the day in the long contest triumphed

—

and left Danville to weep over her departed official eminence. He was an oat
and out Democrat of the Jeffersonian kind. When he took his seat in the
Senate a position he had won on the county seat question, and by his own
tireless energy and good judgment
he fo^^nd that there was some fine work
to be done in order to carry through the sole measure for which he had gone
forming a new county. He perceived the relation of the two
to the Senate
The Whigs
political parties was such that without his vote there was a tie.
were ready to vote for his new county, if they could gain any of their ends by
such combination. He closed at once with them, and by their votes and his
own, he was elected Speaker, and thus he was enabled to triumphantly push
through the bill for the erection of Montour County.

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

73

didn't they call this Best County? Certainly, it would have been a
interesting story of how it came into existence, as well
as the most suitable adjective in the world, descriptive of its territory.
1851-56, 1858, 1870-72— C. R. Buckalew, the present member elect of

Why

name perpetuating the

Congress from this

district,

1857-59— George

was

senator.

P. Steele.

The district was then composed

of Luzerne,

Montour and Columbia.

1873-75— Thomas

—

Chalfant.

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1880 Elias T. McHenry. District Lycoming, Montour, Sullivan and
Columbia.
1882-86— William W. Hart.
1887— Verus H. Metzger.
LOWER HOUSE.
1850 Benjamin P. Fortner, Columbia County.
1852 M. E. Jackson, Columbia and Montour.
1853-54, 1869-70— George Scott.
1855— J. G. Maxwell, Columbia and Montour.
1856— John G. Montgomery, Columbia and Montour.
\

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1857, 1867-71— Thomas Chalfant.
1863-64— John C. Ellis.
1859-60— Samuel Oakes.

—

1872 Dennis Bright.
1873-74 Jesse Amerman.
1875-76 James Cruikshanks.
1877-78— James McCormick.
1879-82— P. C. Newbaker.
1883 James McCormick.

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1884— Dr.

J.

P. Hoffa; re-elected

November

2,

1886.

COUNTY OFFICERS.
Present county officers are, sheriff, James O. Frazier; prothonotary, Wilson M. Gearhart; register and recorder, William C. Johnston; treasurer,
George W. Peifer; commissioners, Isaac Amerman, Frank G. Blee, George
W. Asians; associate judges. Dr. Robert S. Simington, John Bentield; district
attorney, Daniel W. Rank; surveyor, George W. West.
William C. Johnston, who has just been re-elected clerk and recorder,
was the first person elected to that position when the county was formed in
1850, and has filled the office by re-election from that time to the present.
When he fills out his present term he will have been in the office forty years.
The same may be said of G. W. W^est, the county surveyor. He too was
elected to his office on the formation of the county; has just been re-elected
and at the end of his present term will have been in the place forty years.
Evidently these two men have been efficient in their positions and eminently
satisfactory to the people.

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Commissioners.
1850, Samuel Yorks, James McMahon, Samuel Shick;
In 1852 Galbraith resigned as clerk, and board apclerk T. J. Galbraith.
pointed George W. West; 1851, David Yeager was elected commissioner;
1853, David Wilson; 1854, Jacob Sheep and William Snyder; 1856, Abraham
Wagner; 1857, Robert Davison; 1858, William McNinch; 1859, Daniel Ramsey; 1860, William Sidel; 1861, Charles Fenstermacher; 1862, Isaac Amerman; 1863, John Moore; 1864, John Derr; 1865, Isaac Amerman; 1867,

James Shultz; 1868, Andrew C. Russell; 1869, John Dildine; 1870, William
Yorks; 1871, James Woodsides; 1872, Peter A. Mowrer; 1873, Frederick

74

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY,

Kniss; 1874. David Grove; 1875, William

J. McKee; 1876, full board wasAuld and George W. Derr; the clerk then was E. G.
Hoffman; 1879, Isaac Amerman, Stephen Smith, Frank G. Blee; Clerk Lewis
Kodenheffer; 1880, Georg§ D. Butler was appointed clerk; 1882, Isaac Amerman, Frank G. Blee, George W. Askins; 1883, John C. Peiffer was appointed
clerk.
The last named commissioners and clerk are the board as constituted

W.

McKee,

J.

now.

J.

—

Treasurers.
1850, first treasurer elected was George Mears; 1853, Joseph
Dean; 1855, Daniel Reynolds; 1857, Frederick Blue; 1859, William G. Gaskins; 1861, Edward Morrison; 1863, Abraham Wagner; 1865, William McNinch; 1867, Jacob Sidel; 1869, Isaac Amerman; 1871, Emanuel Sidler;.
1873, W^illiam Madden; 1875, Bernard Dougherty; 1878, Samuel Blue; 1881,
George W. Peifer; 1884, James L. Brannen; 1887, George W. Peifer.
Sheriffs.
1850, first sheriff elected was Daniel Frazier, elected for the
term of three years; 1854, Thomas Pollock; 1857, Edward Young; 1860,
Frederick Blue; 1863, Edward Young; 1866, Jacob Shelhart; 1869, R. C.
Russell he died during his term, and W.C. Young appointed by the governor
to fill the vacancy; 1871, Daniel Billmeyer; 1874, Edward Young; 1877, James
M. Miller; 1880, Jacob Shelhart; 1883, Nathan Shugart; 1886, James O.

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Frazier.

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Prothonotaries.
First elected, 1850, William S. Davis, elected for term of
three years; 1854, Hiram A. Childs; 1857, George D. Butler, re-elected twice,
serving nine years; 1866, William O. Butler, served until first Monday, January, 1876; 1876, William M. Gearhart was elected, and by re-election has continued to hold the office to the present time.
His present term of office will
expire in January, 1888.
STATISTICS.

By

the last United States census the population of Montour County
as follows: Total, 15,466.
In detail it is as follows:

is

given
*

Antliony Township
Cooper Towjiship
Danville Boroui,^h

Derry Township
Liberty, including Mooresburg Village
[Mooresburg Village]

Limestone Township, including village
[Limstone Village]

Mahoning Tov/n.ship
Mayberry Township
Valley Township
West Hemlock Township
Washinstonville Borough

Under the apportionment

1,042

383
8,346
841
1,166
99
731

59
1,141

230
1,014

395
203

of the State of 1874 the county of Montour
one member of the lower house of the Legislatm-e.
The county is in
the Twenty-fourth Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Lycoming, Montour, Sullivan and Columbia.
It is in the Eleventh Congressional
District, composed as follows: Columbia, Montour, Carbon, Monroe and Pike
Counties, and the townships of Nescopeck, Black Creek, Sugar Loaf, Butler,
Hazel, Foster, Bear Creek, Roaring Brook, Salem, Hallenbeck, Huntington,
Fairmount, Spring Brook, and that part of the city of Scranton south of Roaringcreek and east of the Lackawanna River, and the boroughs of Dunmore,
New Columbus, Goldsboro, White Haven, Jeddo and Hazelton.
elects

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

CHAPTER

75

XII.

DANVILLE.

NESTLING in the narrow jet rich valley of the Susquehanna

is

the borough

of Danville, just now rounding out its first century. In its story is pretty
much all that is of interest in our country since the establishment of our inde-

pendence, that is, its growth and history are at least cotemporary with that
At the foot of the town flows the gentle
of our present form of government.
blue Susquehanna, with picturesque Montour's Ridge winding by to the north;
the stately and venerable Bald Top bracing its rocky supports up against the
town itself, the Montour Iron Works crawling up partly on its feet, and sending its steam and smoke rolling gracefully up the hillside^Titan and Cyclops
South of the river rises Blue Hill, and further along the river
side by side.
valley is Mahoning creek as it has cut its way through Montoui- Ridge, and
empties itself in the river; and across the river to the east, the west, north and
south, are as fine landscapes, as gentle, wild and varied scenery as the eye
ever rested upon. Standing close up to the foot of Bald Top (the bare pinnacle
can only be seen by ascending to it) it looks steep and rugged enough for a
frowning fortress, grimly watching over the safety of its foster-child, Danville
at its feet bustling with busy life and roaring and clanging its great machinery,
while the beautiful valley, with its farms and groves and fruit and ornamental
trees, stretches away in the distant quiet like a pastoral dream.
Where, we
know not, is there a spot that so combines the useful and the beautiful as this?
Pass around to the southwest of Bald Top and you see the
Dark Ravine,
and there is also the precipice that has been called the Lover' s Leap
but as
there are lovers' leaps elsewhere, and as lovers even of the pale face persuasion
are now occasionally leaping for life in fi'ont of an irate boot or shot gun, the
old stereotyped edition of the Indian legend is threadbare and tiresome.
The town was founded by Gen. Daniel Montgomery, and at first his store,
his father's grist-mill, on Mahoning Creek, and the half dozen cabins about it
were called Dan' s town it thus became eventually Danville proper.
The land
•embraced in the original town plat was 120 acres, extending fi'om Chestnut to
Church Streets and fi'om the river to the base of Montour's Ridge, and was
surveyed by George Jewel, April 3, 1769.
September 16 of the same year it
was purchased of the provincial proprietaries by Turbut Francis. In May,
April 15, 1783, John Simpson and wife
1782, he sold to John Simpson.
(Ann Grimes) conveyed the tract to William Montgomery, consideration £600.
The tract below Chestnut Street, including the mouth of Mahoning Creek,
contained 180 acres and was a part of the proprietary manor (that is, lands
reserved as private property by the Penns).
This tract was conveyed to Rev.
Richard Peters and John Lukens.
The Delaware Indians had long had a village at the mouth of Mahoning
Creek.
The Indian's instinct led him naturally to pitch his village of wigwams at what afterward was always an eligible town site for the whites.
Nearly every great city on the continent was at one time a great Indian rendezvous, extending from New York to San Francisco and Vancouver's Island.
An ancient and correct map of all the Indian places of great councils, dances
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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY,

76

and gathering places, would show a wonderful coincidence in their locations
and the present great cities of the country. The early Indians were migratory,
simply following the buffaloes, and to one understanding the habits of these
animals, as they would gather in immense herds and start on their long voyages, and their peculiar maneuvers when coming to a river of stopping here
for some time and finally, driven by hunger, they would begin circling and
bellowing at the water's edge, each time as they came opposite the water the
inner ones pushing those on the outer line nearer and nearer the water until
finally into it, when one would take the plunge and start for the opposite
bank and all would follow; and thus it was that the buffaloes were the
engineers to the Indians, and the Indians in turn performed a like ofiice for
the whites.
On the north of the tracts above indicated the land belonged to John MontAfterward these
gomeiy, and that on the northeast to Amos Wickersham.
The lands on the
tracts became the property of the Frazers and the Yorks.
These land titles fix pretty definitely the
southeast belonged to the Sechlers.
first owners of the lands now occupied by the borough, and also indicate some
of whom were the first settlers.
Phillip Maus, who came just after the close of the Revolutionary war, has
He thought there
left on record his first impression of the place on seeing it.
Montgomery'
were then about half a dozen cabins at what was then called
Mahoning SettleSoon after this it came to be known as the
Landing.
ment," and by this name it continued to be called until after 1792, when Gen.
The territory embraced in his town
Daniel Montgomery laid out the town.
plat was that now lying between Mill and Church Streets and from the river
In 1776 Gen. William Montgomery had built his log house that
to the canal.
It stood near the large
stood so long as the first notable building in the place.
In this log house
stone mansion he afterward built that is still standing.
Alexander Montgomery was born in 1777, and by a singular coincidence, he
died in 1848 in the room where he was born.
Jacob Gearhart had, at an early day, established a ferry across the river.
The ferry house stood a little above Ferry Street. This pioneer ferry was the
first step taken toward building the present splendid bridge that spans the
' *

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river.

Sechler, father of Jacob Sechler, next laid out that part of the town
The next land added to the town was by William
Montgomery, that part below Mill Street to Chestnut Street. It was of this
He also
addition he donated thirty lots for the purpose of an academy.
Gen. Daniel Montgomery donated
donated the ground for the court-house.

John

above Church Street.

the

jail lot.

The town was laid out by Gen. Daniel Montgomery in 1792, as said above.
The Montgomerys were the sole spirits of its first formation and growth, saving the natural accretions of population drawn to this portion of the new
The coming here of the earliest strong
purchase after that was made in 1868.
influential men was due mostly to the misfortunes that then overtook nearly
the prominent actors in the Revolution, the financial ruin by the depreciation
This ill luck was the good fortune of Danville and
of the Continental money.
what is now Montour County. W^hen Daniel Montgomery conceived the great
idea of opening a store here in addition to his father's mill, there naturally
opened to his mind the equally important proposition of laying off a town.
He was then a very young man, but his vision was long ahead and clear. He
could anticipate what was wanted, and set about supplying that want.
mill, a store, a place to buy and sell, a place to have bread ground without

and
all

A

—
HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY,

77

the way to Philadelphia or Reading, a trip then more tedious and
by far to make than to cross the continent now, were strong inducements to settlers. Soon after the store and mill were established, their
existence here and the fact that this was Dantown, had its influence in bringing Mr. Deen and his blacksmith shop a convenience almost as great to the
people as the mill and the store.
Then the settlers north and south of the
river began to make real wagon roads to reach the town with their wagons,
whereas, before there was anything here to sell or any one to buy, they could
make their rare trips to the place by means of the trails and paths along the
devious way.
The mill, the store and the blacksmith shop continued so steadily to bring
people into the wilderness that we find as early as 1806 the Government established here a postoffice.
Then surely did the good people felicitate themselves
their lucky good fortune was about full and complete.
Once a week, what
a luxury, a pony mail passed to Sunbury and back to the old settlements and
to Philadelphia and to all the world.
The postage on a letter was then 25
It took two weeks at the shortest to send a letter and get a return
cents.
from Philadelphia or anywhere else, but what a vast improvement was that to
these people hungry for news fi'om friends, in the wilderness. Gen. William i
Montgomery was the first postmaster. The fame of the new town began to I
then spread abroad in the land. In Scott's geography of 1806, he makes men- *
tion of it in these words "A small post-town on the east branch of the Susquehanna, at the mouth of Mahoning Creek. A store, a mill, a blacksmith
shop and a postoffice!
No pent up Utica could contract her power," and
therefore in 1807 the patriots of Danville and vicinity held a great Fourth of July
celebration, and unconsciously they were blessed by the absence of fire-crackers
and brass bands. In that day it was only supposed that preachers could speak
in public, or at least that they were the only men that knew anything to talk
Hence these poor fellows usually had to do all the public speaking,
about.
preaching' and burying, and take their pay in the general gratitude, with a
trace of dried beans, hickory nuts and coon skins to make caps for the boys of
But to return to our subject of Danville's first Fourth of July
the household.
celebration.
But few particulars of the occasion can now be learned. There
was no permanent record made of it, and those who were present are now all
dead.
Gen. Daniel Montgomery was president of the meeting; James Laird,
vice-president, and Andrew Russell, secretary.
The remembrance of but one
of the toasts offered has come down to us.
This is interesting as indicating
something of the politics of the early day.
Jefferson and Hamilton had then
joined issue on very much the identical questions that have divided parties
from that time to the present. The two political parties were the Federalists
and Republicans or Republican-Democrats. In the year 1807 there was a slight
defection, or a threatened split in the Democratic party in this State over the
question of supporting Simon Snyder.
Some favored Spoyd for the office and
these were called in derision by the Regulars (now sometimes called Mossbacks
or Stalwarts) "Quids."
James Boyd offered the following toast: "The
Quids a jackass apiece to them, and a snail's horn for a spur, so that each

going

all

difficult

—

—

:

—

mule may ride

his own ass."
(Great applause— all standing.) The sting of
the sarcasm in this was no doubt fully understood by those who heard it read.
But this is not what we quote it for. It is something of an index of the political feeling here at that time.
The people were generally Democrats. That is,
with Jefferson Ihey believed in the divine right of the people to rule themselves.
The Federalists on the other hand desired to copy more closely after the British form of government
in other words, more power in the government

—

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

78

They believed that JeflPerson was an irreligious and politically
a bad man; they said he was fresh from France, where he had become imbued
with the ideas of French revolutionists, infidels and all that was bad; that the
government was at last the only safe power to trust, and that it was its province to regulate everything in politics, religion and social life. The Adamses,
of Masachusetts, and Jefferson, of Virginia, represented these conflicting poIn communities where there was a division on these political
litical ideas.
In an old file of a Pennsylvania paper of about
•questions, passions ran high.
1815, the writer of these lines read a long and verbose communication, giving
an account of the local preacher having read the Sunday previous the proclacentralization.

mation of Madison, announcing peace between this country and Great Britain.
charged that the divine had nailed the word of God to the desk and had
desecrated
lifted up that political monster, Madison; had preached politics
the sanctuary; in short, had committed the mortal sin.
These old fellows were a very religious, stern and dogmatic people. Their
ancestors had been the victims of the most awful religious persecutions in the
old world; they had been fugitives from the dungeons, the gibbets and the
stake and faggot ears cut oft', tongues cut out, and branded as felons on the
forehead that is, those who had not been burned to ashes over slow fires.
There was much iron in their blood, and almost any of them had been ever ready
Their
to die, without wincing, the most horrible death for opinion's sake.
politics were but a second edition of their religion. And in either it was nearly
impossible for them to tolerate any shadow of opposition to their cherished noHence when political opinions were once formed they struck their roots
tions.
deep in their strong natures. With an Eastern devotion they worshiped their
political idols, and their hated enemies were little short of devils incarnate, and
for them they seized the sword of Gideon and smote his majesty hip and thigh.
But in all of them, thank God, was an intense and consuming hatred of tyrThis had passed down in their blood from father to son through genanny.
Here happily for
erations, ever growing in its intensity and added powers.
us, for all mankind, were the seeds bearing the fruits of our nation' s liberties.
We have stated the era of the coming of the mill, the store, and the blacksmith shop in the proper order of time and importance to these pioneer people.
In otu- chapter on schools it may be seen that the schoolmaster and the itinerant
The little floorless, windowpreacher preceded even these prime necessaries.
less, brush covered schoolhoiise had been built, and here the master of the

He

;

—

—

The schoolbirch and ferule expounded the mysteries of the alphabet.
teacher was an awfully great man, but he stood second to the preacher, great
The average person at that time was of those who supposed all
as he was.
Such hallucinations passing
perfect wisdom was lodged in the preacher.
through the ages had made preachers very dogmatic in expressing their judgments and men very credulous in accepting them. The good man stood between God's flaming sword and poor, trembling, fi'ightened humanity. By
night and by day, on the roadside and in the dark wilderness, at all times and
everywhere, he pleaded with God to turn aside the ciip of bitter dregs from
the people, and in his sermons he would confess with tears in his eyes, and with
choking sobs, that God was inappeasable that the furies of hell had been unchained for a thousand years, and they stalked over the land gathering human
Mill and store and blacksmith shop and teacher
fagots for the eternal fires.
and preacher were all and each important things in their day, filling imperaThey would all be very insignificant affairs now, but
tive wants in their time.
in their day and time they well performed the great part given them to do.
Bless their shades!

—

V>^4^

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

81

Almost the first stroke of the woodman's ax disturbed the malaria of the
valleys along the streams where it had brooded for perhaps ages, and sent it
riding upon the wings of the wind carrying disease and death to the helpless
people, making the doctor, his nauseous medicaments, his bleedings and hotDr. Foster was
water, toast- water and elm-water a commanding necessity.
the first, it seems, to heed the cry of these poor people, and came to Danville.
Of his descendants are Mrs. Valentine Best, now of Danville. And side by
had been prepared a little
post town,
side, even before the first days of the
the silent city,
then a goodly distance from the town,
plot of ground for
the rude forefathers of the
now apparently nearly in its very center. Here
hamlet sleep."
Before towns, mills, stores, blacksmith shops, schoolhouses or churches
are provided, in all places in the world, wherever there is resident humanity,
among the first is always the compulsory law of nature that compels a proIt is so written on the face of nature
vision for a resting place for the dead.
Life, existthe law of ceaseless change, from dust to life, from life to dust.
change, change, change.
The vast clock of God ticks off those
ence, death
inconceivable cycles of time, those immeasurable geological ages in one; the
changes are the birth, the death, the decay— the smile of happiness, the sob of
woe, but all is only change, eternal and ceaseless change; that is the economy,
the very existence of nature, with the same laws everywhere in the universe,
It is nature' s way as well as
applicable to everything animate and inanimate.
Nothing is more common than death; it reaches
all creation's highway.
everything, and being so, it cannot be an evil.
It is a base and bad education
that imbues the mind with terrors of its approach, that points it as the king of
Because it may be sweet to
ten'ors, that thinks of it with loathing and horror.
live, it does not perforce follow that it is the one supreme bitter to die.
Nature
Anything so common, so universal, could not be so made.
did laot so make it.
To the tired and exhausted form, what is so sweet as the approach of sleep,
and death is but the dreamless sleep that, undisturbed, goes on forever.
communed with the early dead in the old Presbyterian Church Cemetery the other day, wandering between the little mounds and the white slabs of
marble, here and there, where first began to gather the denizens of "the Silent
in this, then far away, wilderness.
City
It was then outside, away out fi'om
the haunts of the living; dow the little three-acre plot of ground is nearly in
It is now fenced up with a low brick wall
the center of the city of the living.
upon two sides, a barbed wire fence supplanting the brick wall that encloses
two sides, and a high board wall on the other sides, and the gates are securely
locked, and no more interments are to be made there.
Already some of the
sacred dust has been resurrected and removed to the newer place of burial,
still away further upon the outside of the towns.
Soon, no doubt, all will be
'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

—

•

—

We
'

'

removed.

Who

now known. It is said the third grave
body of poor Curry, who was so brutally
The grounds have been well kept by the fi-iends of
miu'dered by the Indians.
the dead, but the first stones that marked the resting places are gone.
The
earliest legible stone now standing bears the date 1801.
There are dates
of earlier burials than this, but the stones were placed over them recently.
On many of the older stones the lettering is now very dim, and on some already illegible.
So swiftly does time corrode and destroy the monuments
builded by the hands.
Nations, cities and bronze and granite monuments are
but ephemeral things, and truly, as Lord Bacon has well said, the impressions
of the types are the one enduring thing
they are like ships that sail between
6A
dug

was

first

in the place

buried here

was

is

not

to receive the

—

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY,

82

the vast seas of time, making one nation partake of the thoughts and illuminaThe poems of Homer have come down to us through nearly
tions of another.
The printed sheets of paper,
3,000 years without the loss of even a syllable.
the frail records of papyriTs outlast the adamant, and are capable of being ever
Frail, valueless sheet of
renewed, and these alone are self- perpetuating.
white paper, blown about by the winds; a flash of flame, and it is gone like the
snowflake on the river, yet touched with the type and you are the one human conThus how
trivance that may outlast all other work of the human hands.
wisely it is ordered; the humblest may have to their memory monuments that
will outlive the pyi'amids or the costliest mausoleums ever reared to potentate
or king.

There were certainly burials here prior to 1784, and yet, as we have said
above, there is no legible stone in it of an earlier date than 1801, and it is not
could find the names of
absolutely certain this date can be correctly read.
but three persons who were present at the Fourth of July celebration, 1807. In
passing through this old, first graveyard, it was suggested to our minds in
reading the inscriptions that here we could almost call the roll of that meeting,
and we noted the following: John Sechler, died October 5, 1831, aged ninetytwo years; Christina Sechler, born January 11, 1750, died October 5,
1825; John Sechler, Jr., died July 16, 1844, aged seventy-two years;
Barbara, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Sechler, died January 6, 1807;.
mother Elizabeth Sechler died February 11, 1846; Sarah H. Sechler, died
November 4, 1849; Herman Sechler, born October 4, 1793, died July 20, 1826;
Jacob P. Sechler, died July 31, 1842; Hannah Sechler died January 7, 1829;
Christina, wife of George Bert, died April 29, 1836, aged thirty-three years;
Peter Kolb died January 5, 1845, aged seventy-four; Anna, wife of Thomas
D. Siglar, died December 7, 1843 Rev. John Patterson, died May 8, 1843,
aged seventy; his wife, Rebecca, died January 20, 1842, aged sixty; the son,
John B. Patterson, died September 23, 1832, aged twenty one; John Boyd,
died August 29, 1801, aged twenty-four (the "01 " is so indistinct that this is
not certain); Gen. William Montgomery died May 1, 1816, aged eighty; William Montgomery, Jr., born January 8, 1784, died at the age of twenty-two
years; Gen. Daniel Montgomery died April 30, 1831, aged sixty five; his
widow, Christina, died November 15, 1848, aged seventy-seven; their daughter,
Isabella, born August, 1794, died October, 1815; Daniel Strawbridge Montgomery died March 26, 1859, aged twenty -seven; Margaret (Montgomery)
Woodside, born January 8, 1784, died aged twenty-two; Alexander Montgomery, born October 8, 1777, died May 29, 1848; Sarah Caldwell Watson, born
May 13, 1815, died March 25, 1849; John Thomas, born May, 1802, died
August 7, 1855; John Russell died June 6, 1851, aged seventy -three; his wife,
Catharine F. died April 27, 1846, aged sixty-six; of their childi-en, Robert
died September 26, 1816; James F., died July 11, 1841; Daniel Cameron died
March 16, 1831, aged fifty-five; Catharine Cameron died July 11, 1849, aged
ninety-two; Mary (Childs) Cameron, relict of Daniel, born July 17, 1795, died
July 14, 1873; John Gulic died November 2, 1837, aged sixty-six; Mary, his
relict, died October 2, 1848, aged seventy-four; Isaac Gulic died April 29,
1862, aged sixty; Margaret, wife of John Gulic, born October 1, 1803, died
October 20, 1855; Gilbert Voris died March, 1797; Jane Voris, October, 1816;
James Childs, born June 16, 1793, died January 10,, 1871; John Childs, born
February 12, 1798, died December 12, 1867; Esther K. Childs died May 28,
1849, aged sixty-three; Margaret Childs died December 1, 1834, aged thirtyfour: Mary Gragg, wife of John Childs, died July 31, 1846, aged eighty- five;
Andrew Childs died May 7, 1864, aged seventy-four; Elizabeth, wife of James-

We

;

,

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY,

83

Childs, born July 10, 1809, died October 11, 1875; James Kreaption, born
1796, died July 13, 1875; Thomas James died December 17, 1863, aged
seventy- eight; his wife, Elizabeth, died October 12, 1865, aged seventy-two;
James Everett died Febniary 18, 1859, aged seventy- eight; his wife, Isabella,
died January 19, 1849, aged seventy-one; their daughter, Fanny, died January, 1829; Obed Everett, born July 22, 1786, died March 30, 1852; Mary,
born November 20, 1789, died April 14, 1852; Daniel Barton died April 27,
1808, aged seventy-one; his daughter, Emele, died November 5, 1819, aged
thirteen; Thomas Cousart died August 29, 1853, aged fifty-nine; Robert Curry,
born December 21, 1775, died December 14, 1857; his wife, Mary, died November 21, 1848, aged fifty-seven; William Curry, born June 16, 1778, died
November 9, 1852; Jane Curry died April 21, 1825, aged seventy-five; Jane
McWilliams died August 4, 1808, aged thii'ty; Elizabeth McWilliams died
January 9, 1813, aged sixty-four; Mary, wife of William Caldwell, died December 15, 1853, aged seventy -seven; Andrew Clark, born in 1752, died ia
1831; Mary, his wife, died August 3, 1806; their daughter, Florence, bora
May 19, 1792, died May 28, 1841; Catharine, consort of OrrinSholes, died June
8, 1826, aged thirty-eight; Bridget, wife of Cyrus Sholes, died February 19,
1820, aged fifty-seven; Thomas Lemon died December 9, 1849, aged sixtytwo; James Lemon died January 6, 1843, aged thirty- seven James Lemon,
Sr,, died December 11, 1842, aged eighty-five; his wife, Rachel, died August
21, 1840, aged seventy-five; William Lemon died January 3, 1847, aged thirtyeight; Lucinda Lemon died September 3, 1849, aged twenty-two; John McCullough died November 15, 1832, aged fifty-two; Jane (Crawford) McCullough died September 12, 1853, aged sixty-six; George Miller died October
20, 1843, aged sixty-three; Edward Hathaway, born November, 1819, died
;

December

1875; Peter Blue died March 19, 1826, aged seventy-four; Mary
September 28, 1838, aged seventy-nine; Hon. William Montgomery, son of Edward William, died January 8, 1846, aged seventy-three;
his wife, Jane, died October 29, 1807; Daniel W. Montgomery, son of William,
died August 28, 1830, aged thirty-nine; Capt. John S. Wilson died at Vera
Cruz, April 12, 1847, aged thirty-five: he was captain of the Columbia guards;
Joseph Cornelison, born May 17, 1789, died August 18, 1851; Lettia Cornelison, born July 7, 1778, died September 16, 1863; Sarah Cornelison, wife
of E. Adams, died September 13, 1852, aged twenty-seven; on a broken stone
that lies prone upon the ground is this: "Anna Grier departed this life September 10, 1828;" Robert C. McWilliams died March 4, 1832; Daniel Frazer
died March 26, 1828, aged seventy- two; his wife, Isabella, died January 19,
1856, aged seventy-nine; Jane died January 2, 1828, aged twenty; Margaretdied March 19, 1824, aged twenty-six; James died March 19, 1836, aged thirty
six; Jacob Shultz died August 13, 1863, aged sixty-nine; his wife, Elizabeth,
died August 26, 1858, aged fifty-five; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Snyder, born
May 19, 1827, died October 2, 1853; Hugh McWilliams, born 1799, died 1877;
John Sundry, born July 22, 1799, died September 17, 1858; Stuart Cornelison, born May 12, 1831, died July 30, 1881; Benj. Gearhart died October 22,
1865, aged sixty-one; Mary Gearhart died November 12, 1867; Benjamin Gearhart died February 22, 1854, aged forty-four; Abner Pittner died October
21, 1867, aged fifty-three; Mary, his wife, died August 22, 1867, agod fiftyeight; John T. Nervine, born July 6, 1829, died November 13, 1872; Phoebe
Agnes, wife of Isaiah Blue, died January 28, 1864, aged twenty-nine; Lucinda,
daughter of John H. Russell, died April 14, 1851 Margaret, daughter of Alexander and Jane Montgomery, died March 18, 1876, aged fifty-eight; Jane
Boyd, relict of Alexander Montgomery, died March 8, 1876, aged ninety-three;.
8,

(his wife) died

;

84

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

Best, born February 20, 1799, died December 19, 1870; Mary, relict of
Russell, died November 11, 1866, aged eighty; Robert G. Russell,
died August 15, 1872, aged fifty-three; Valentine Best, born March 8, 1801,
died October 28, 1857; John C. Boyd died October 18, 1849, aged fifty-six;
Hannah M. Boyd, his widow, died December 24, 1864, aged sixty-four; Charles
R. Reynolds, born September 12, 1818, died May 7, 1842; Ann Maria Reynolds, born September 13, 1820, died January 2, 1839; Thomas Reynolds, born
February 10, 1788, died August 8, 1880; Mary M., his wife, born May 20,

John

Andrew

1791, died January 6, 1877; James N. Nolan, died March 31, 1857; Hannah
Blue, born May 10, 1788, died April 6, 1870; John Blue, born March 7, 1788,
died September 25, 1861; James Voris died May 24, 1866, aged seventy-eight;
Anna Gray Voris died April 26, 1881, aged ninety-two; John Voris died April
5, 1848, aged thirty-five years, ten months; Elizabeth (Gulic) Wagner died
October 27, 1842; Abraham Gulic died March 4, 1852; Priscilla Gulic died
March 4, 1852, aged seventy-five; Daniel Cameron died March 16, 1834, aged
fifty-five; Catharine Gulic died January, 1840, aged ninety-two; Robert Moore
died March 20, 1871, aged sixty-six; Hugh McBride died December 2, 1808,
aged sixty-eight; Mary McBride died December 3, 1818; Nathaniel McBride
died June 30, 1821, aged fifty-seven; William Garrett, died September 20,
1842, aged fifty-nine; Sarah, his wife, died June 5, 1856, aged sixty-six;
Elizabeth Ross, born April 11, 1761, died June 26, 1816; Jane Ross, died
July 1, 1820; David Moore, born May 10, 1765, died March 12, 1829; Mary,
born May 7, 1773, died August 16, 1825; M. C. Grier, died December 25,
1878, aged seventy; Isabella, J. M. died June 12, 1850, aged thirty-eight;
John M. Mulfinger, born 1809, died May, 1869; Thomas Hays, died May 15,
1840, aged thirty-five; George Gearhart, son of George and Phoebe, died May
17, 1817, aged seventy-eight; Phoebe Gearhart, died June 21, 1845, aged fiftytwo; A^cilsa-G«arhart, died March 13, 1813, aged thirty -two William C. Gearhart, died September 15, 1834, aged thirty-four; John Frazer, died August,
1821, aged seventy; Mary, his wife, died 1823; Eleanor, wife of George Wilson, died October 1, 1827, aged sixty-six; Rudolph Sechler, born February 22,
1773, died June 26, 1857; Susanah Sechler, died September 20, 1871, aged
ninety years, nine months, two days.
T!ie first rush of immigration to this portion of Pennsylvania had been
The Wyoming mas•effectually stopped by the incursions of hostile Indians.
The first wave of
sacres are a shocking chapter in the history of that time.
pioneers had but touched this outer border when the mutterings of the swarming red devils from their hilly fastnesses sent the wildest alarms among the
Danville was perforce deserted, and the most
hapless and helpless settlers.
This was a serious loss to the
of the people went to the forts for protection.
people; it was precious time to them gone in the clearing of their little truck
It must
patches, and preparing homes and providing food for their families.
have taken some time to partially make amends for the sacrifices they made.
This seriously retarded the early growth and building up of the town. Thus the
eighteenth century passed and the present dawned, and six years of this cenIts
tury had come and gone before a postoffiee was established in the place.
The produce of the farmer was at
growth was uncertain and slow until 1828.
low prices and far from markets, with but the most primitive means of transGen. William Montgomery had
portation over the most difficult highways.
had a grate made in his house after his own original idea, and was practically
showing his neighbors that coal could be used as fuel. The avenues of commerce here had not then been opened. The people rafted lumber or rather logs
(down the river, and for some time this was practically the only real commerce
,

;

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

85>

Early in the twenties the subject of a canal began to be talked
carried on.
The people had never heard of a railroad.
about in a vague, in '-^finite way.
They had only just heard of the steamboat, but their information and ideas of
But the canal they understood and fully appreit were vague and nebulous.
It was the great and perfect highway to the markets of the workL
ciated.
The most daring thinkers of them no doubt anticipated the day when steamboats would ply the waters of the Susquehanna.* But from these day dreams
This was the
they would ever turn to the subject of a canal to Danville.
About the year
golden probability that argued itself into certainty at last.

1820 the subject of a canal began to be seriously agitated. In 1826 the
Gen. Daniel MontState entered upon a system of internal improvements.
gomery, most fortunately, was that year appointed one of the canal commisIn 1826-27 the canal was sursioners, and became president of the board.
veyed and located, and in 1832 the water was turned in the canal was comAnd the great era in the history of the town then dawned the year
pleted.

—

—

1832.
FIFTY- SIX YEARS AGO.
from Danville in 1831, and on the fiftieth anniFrazer
removed
Mr. John
versary of his departiire for "my own, my native land," he jotted down his
recollections, and the picture he recalls of the people of that distant day is
The following is the substance of his recollections:
very interesting.
"The population of the village was then 740; the buildings numbered
eighty; most of these were dwelling-houses on Water, Market and Mill Streets.
They were bounded by the river. Church Street, Sechler's Run and Factory
Street; these limits were very much less than the present area of the boroughThey were chiefly frames, but many of the primitive log buildings yet remained- The brick buildings were the courthouse, Goodman's Tavern, Dr.
Subsequently
Petrikin's and Mr. Frick's residences and Mr. Baldy's store.
many brick structures were erected, all, or nearly all of which remain.
The pursuits of the citizens were confined to the ordinary mechanical
trades, the professions, and, for so small a population, a large amount of merThere was scarcely a germ of the manufacturing interest which
chandising.
has grown to be of such vast importance since that day. About 1817, on Market Street, near Pine, William Mann manufactured nails in a primitive way by
The bars or hoops of nail iron were cut by a machine worked by a
hand.
treadle with the foot, and by a second operation the heads of the nails were
formed by a blow or two with a hammer; by unremitting industry, I suppose
a workman could produce as many nails in a month as one can now, by the aid
And this simple, modest manufacture was the
of machinery, in a single day.
precursor of the immense iron manufactures of the present time, which has
earned for the place a high reputation excelled by few in that industrial pursuit, and it has been the cause of the rapid increase of the population of the
place, so that it now more than equals all the residue of the county.
The nucleus of the settlement, around which the accretion of population
was subsequently gathered, was American, originating during the last two
decades of the last century by emigi'ation from southeastern Pennsylvania,
To these were added,
southern New Jersey, Sunbiuy and Northumberland.
from time to time, European emigrants chiefly German, British, Irish and
Swiss, a few French and Dutch, possibly some Danes and Swedes. Of British
'

'

'

'

—

*In 1824 the " Codorus," a little steamboat, actually arrived at Danville on an experimental trip up the
The town rejoiced, and a great holiday was had; the officers were fed an^l toasted at the old
Cross Keys Hotel that stood on the bank of the river. Everybody attended, everybody rejoiced the long night
had broken away. The l>oat proceeded on her way to Berwick, and there exploded her boilers, killing some of
the crew. The boat and the bright visions of navigating the river were gone, never to return.

Susquehanna.

—

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

86

emigrants up to that date I do not recollect a single Welshman, although they
soon after became a most important element of population employed in the
These apparently discordant elements soon yielded to the
iron manufacture.
potent attraction of association, so that early in the present century the homogeneity of the young and vigorous community was assured.
Seldom did any
This uniformity extended both to religpeople enjoy a more happy harmony.
They derived their revealed theology from the Bible, as
ion and politics.
expounded by the followers of Calvin and Knox; their moral theology from
the Presbyterian pulpit, the Westminster catechism, and, to no inconsiderable
Paradise Lost,
extent, from Milton's
which was received as a commentary
by some, as a supplement by others. With what awe they read:
'

'

Of Providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate;
Fixed fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute.

Bunyan' s Pilgrim' s Progress was also a work of great authority. The
were very limited; neither Aristotle, nor Pliny, nor Buffon were in
demand; but '^sop's Fables,' 'Weem's Life of Washington,' 'Cook's
Voyages,
and Riley' s Narrative were among the most popular books for
miscellaneous reading.
Shakespeare' s Plays were placed on the index purgatorius by some, and few advocated their general use.
The venerable Dr.
Nott, who was president of Union College for the unprecedented term of
sixty-two years, used to say to the students
If you want to get a knowledge
of the world and human nature, read the Bible; but if you will read any other
books, read Homer and Shakspeare.
They come nearer Moses and Paul than
any others I am acquainted with.'
'Fox's Book of Martyrs' was esteemed
a much more suitable book for youthful readers than the great English bard;
they were also allowed that most captivating of boys' books,
Robinson
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libraries

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Crusoe.
" All

were not Calvinists

under the wise and judicious pastorate of that
Rev. John B. Patterson, ever honored for his
blameless life and unostentatious piety, they were kept within one fold and
one baptism until the close of his long ministry.
He was occasionally aided
by pastors from neighboring towns. I can now recall the names of Rev.
Messrs. Dunham, William Smith, Nicholas Patterson, Isaac Grier, John Bry-

good and

;

yet,

faithful shepherd,

son, and Hood.
" The Rev. William B.

Montgomery and his wife, nee Jane Robinson, of the
Presbyterian Church, the devoted missionaries to the Osage Indians, had recently departed for Union Station, the scene of theii' labors, which then seemed
to us tenfold more remote than Japan does now, and took a longer time in
journeying thither.
For more than thirty years they labored there, under
great privations, until they both fell victims to epidemic cholera.
" For a number of years the followers of Wesley increased in number, and
through the zeal and labors of William Woods, William Hartman, William
Whitaker, of the village. Judge Jacob Gearhart, of Rush Township, and others, a church was established about 1815.
It was supplied by itinerant
preachers.
Of these, I can now only recall the name of Rev. George Dawson.
There was a local preacher, Simons by name, who occasionally exhorted and
preached at his own house, on Market near Church Street. I well remember
the appearance of these devoted itinerant preachers in their journeys around
the circuit, with their jaded horses, their portmanteau and umbrella tied on
behind their saddle, and hat covered with oil cloth to protect it from the storms,
and their extremely plain garb, such as I saw Lorenzo Dow wear at a subsequent

date.

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

87

" The Catholics, now so numerous, were scarcely known as sectaries, Michael
HafTerty and Francis Trainor being the only two I can recollect.
The Rev.
Mr. Kay, a Socinian or Unitarian, preached at times, but without making pros«lyt.e8.
The Rev. Mr. Shepherd, a Baptist of the Campbellite portion of that
sect, preached occasionally.
He was an eloquent and popular divine. There
"ware a number of Lutherans, to whom Rev. Mr. Kesler, from the vicinity of
Bloomsburg, preached at long intervals. The Episcopalians were not numerous, and it was suggested that they and the Lutherans unite and form a union
church; but this was impracticable, and the former erected, own, and occupy
the church edifice on Market Street, on ground included in what at an early
These sectaries were all destitute of church
buildings except the Grove Church.
This was the spacious log church, built
more ti-an forty years before the time of which I write, in the form of a T,
and was amply large for the congregation. Besides the sects named I can re-call none others of that date.
The old log church had recently been demolished and F. Birkenbine was building a brick church edifice under a contract
with James Loualdson, Robert Curry, Robert C. Grier, Herman Sechler and
John C. Boyd, the trustees, for the consideration of $1,775.
" The social relations of the community were eminently pacific and cordial,
doubtless promott^d hy the matrimonial unions between members of the several
Tery large families ot Fome of the early emigrants. The Montgomerys, of
whom there were two brothers Daniel Montgomery the elder, and his brother.
Gen. William Montgomery, wiiOcf> sons were Gen. Daniel, Col. John, and
Alexander.
The son of the senior Dauie] Mont?fomerv was Judge William
Montgomery. The Woodside family was a large one, consistiag of Thomas,
Archibald, John, James, Daniel, William aud Robert; of the Moores Asa,
John, Abner, Burrows, Samuel, Charles, Andrew Y. Edward S. and several
daughters; of the Mauses George, Elizabeth, Philip, Susan, Samuel, Lewis,
Charles, Joseph and Jacob W. of the Sechlers, I recollect Rudolph, George,
John, Jacob, Samuel and Harmon. At a later date came Mrs. Cornelison and
her children: Joseph, William, Jacob, Isaac, Cornelius, James, Ann and
Mercy; of the Whitakers John, Thomas, William H., Irwin, Jane, Elizabeth, Polly, Nancy, Fanny and Juliana; William Wilson, the long time justice
of the peace, with a large family of eleven children and their descendants,
now numbering about 100. There were also the Clarks, Gearharts, Gaskinses,
Blues, Rishels, Phillipses, Diehls, Sanderses, Fousts, Frazers, Donaldsons,
Willitses and Brewers.
" Many of the pioneer customs still prevailed.
Manufactures of the most
pressing necessity were found in almost every household: the spinning-wheel
for tow and flax; the big wheel, as it was called, for woolen yarn.
These were
woven in the place, and made into clothing at home, and most of the villagers
and their children were clad in these domestic suits. The tailor and shoemaker itinerated here and in the vicinity and ^ere almost constantly employed.
A dwelling without a detached bake-oven would have been deemed incomplete;
there were no bakers by profession, and of necessity each housewife was her
own baker. The Franklin stove and the six-plate stove were still in use; the
ten-plate stoves had recently been introduced and were a great improvement
on the former, as much so as the palace cook and heater are upon the latter.
Our stoves were then manufactured by Mr. Hauck, and bore the legend,
John Hauck, Catawissa Furnace:, and it was one of the mysteries that
troubled the brains of the boys, how it ever got there in iron letters, as much
as did the efPect of the music of Orpheus, which drew iron tears down Pluto's
cheek.

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HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

88

" By industry and frugality the people lived in comparative comfort, paid
their preacher and school-master promptly, and their printer as soon as convenient, thereby preserving a good conscience and securing peace of mind.
" The school-master was abroad. Thomas Grier taught a classical school and

prepared boys for college.
Stephen Halff also taught a private school, and
Rev. Mr. Painter was principal of the Danville Academy, then a new
The predecessors of these were Master Gibson, who taught in the
institution.
old log schoolhouse near the first edifice of the Grove Church; Messrs. Andrew
Forsythe, John Moore, Thomas W. Bell, Don Carlos Barret, an eminent
teacher; John Richards; Samuel Kirkham, the distinguished grammarian, and
Ellis Hughes, a most competent and successful educator, favorably remembered

by many of his pupils still living.
" The houses were then chiefly__on Water, Mill and Market Streets, and, with
scarcely an exception, had gardens attached to them, with a portion of each
allotted to flowers.
The damascene rose, guelder rose, flowering almond,
peony, narcissus, lilac, lily, pink, and other familiar floral productions were
wont to ornament it and make it unprofitably gay.
The boys, after school
hours, often reluctantly, tried their 'prentice hands at horti'-ulture, and the
most onerous part of their labor was the removal of the water- worn stone,
rounded by attrition in by-gone antediluvian ages, in ocea'.ic currents. They
abounded on Market Street lots and other elevated portions of the village.
Doubtless by this time a succession of youthful gardeners have removed them
all and made horticultural pursuits less laborious.
'

'

" Araongstother amusP'rieTits Lhe boys enjoyed skating, sledding, sleighing,
fishing, playing ball, bathing in the river and in the
Mahoning; in the latter, west of Factory Street, hard by a buttonwood or
sycamore, was a famous bathing place.
Flying kite and playing marbles in
the spring, were not forgotten.
All these afPorded them the needed recreation

nutting, trapping,

from study and labor.
" But I must not omit the muster days of the military. The old Rifle Blues
was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, volunteer military organization of the
county.
The Light Dragoons, Captain Clarke, were the admiration of all the
boys of the place, and their parades were gala days.
The Columbia Guards
was a fine company of infantry, numbering over sixty, commanded by Captain
James Carson. The train band. Captain Yorks, was also one of the institutions
of that day.
The regimental musters were generally held at Washingtonville,
and drew together crowds of spectators to witness their grand maneuvers,
discuss politics and tavern dinners.
" The Watchman was then the only newspaper. George Sweeny, the veteran
editor, was its proprietor.
He had published the Columbian Gazette in 1813,
which was succeeded by the Express, by Jonathan Lodge in 1815, and afterward by Lodge & Caruthers. The Watchman was established in 1820. It
was published on Market Street, east of Ferry, and had a sign in front of the
ofiice, upon which was painted the head of Franklin with the legend from
There were then few
Milton,
Where liberty dwells, there is my country.
painted signs in the place, and this one was very conspicuous. Although the
Watchman was not half the size of the American it was esteemed a grand
journal, and had great influence in the politics of the county.
It was made up
chiefly by copy from other papers, and seldom contained editorial articles.
Readers were not so exacting then as in these latter days.
" The politics of the village like those of the county, were largely Democratic.
What Democratic principles were I had no very definite idea, but had a vague
impression that they were just the reverse of Federal principles, and I suppose
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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

91

that this negative definition quadrated with the ideas of the dominant party.
State politics absorbed the attention of politicians and banished from their
minds national politics to an extent that must have gladdened the hearts
of those stolid politicians, the States' rights men.
I remember how a
villager pertinaciously urged the nomination of Gen. Jackson for governor,
and he honestly believed that the gubernatorial honor was the highest that
could be conferred upon the old hero.
The members of the bar were few in nvimber. Ebenezer Greenough had
recently removed to Sunbury.
Judge Grier, from his profound legal attainments and fine scholarship, stood at the head of his profession. Alem Marr,
the pioneer lawyer, was a good classical scholar and a graduate of Princeton.
He represented the district in Congress in 1829. LeGrand Bancroft was district attorney.
The other members were George A. Frick, William G. Hurley,
John Cooper, James Carson and Robert McP. McDowell.
A short time
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subsequently John G. Montgomery, Paul Leidy and Joshua W. Comly were
added to the number. All of them are deceased except the latter.
The medical men were not numerous. The first in the place was Dr. Forrest, the grandfather of Mrs. Valentine Best; his successor. Dr. Barrett; his,
Drs. Petrikin and Daniels.
At the period of which I write there were also
Drs. McDowell and Magill.
The latter was then a young practitioner in the
beginning of his long and successful career, and now remains, beyond the age
of four-score years, the honored head of the profession, which has increased
fourfold since he became a member of it.
And now Danville began to rear
medical men of her own. Herman Gearhart and Alexander C. Donaldson were
initiated into the profession under the tuition of Dr. Petrikin.
At the same
time Samuel Montgomery and Matthew Patterson were divinity students. John.
Martin was a law student in Mr. Marr's office, and subsequently practiced in
Clearfield County.
Gen. Daniel Montgomery was the first merchant, but, having acquired a
fortune, was now residing on his fine farm a mile or two above town.
His
cousin, Judge William Montgomery, an old citizen, wjis now the oldest merchant, with his store corner of Mill and Market Streets and his residence on
the opposite corner.
He bore his full share in the burden of improving and
bettering the condition of his fellow-men; was one of the pillars of the church
and founder of the first Sunday-school when many others, if not opposed to
it, aided it only in a perfunctory way, and he lived to see it permanently established.
Peter Baldy, though still a young merchant, was engaged in an
extensive business and dealt largely in grain.
He commenced in the old log
building which had been occupied by King & Hamilton; from thence, he re
moved to his well known store on Mill Street where he continued his business
for half a century, when he retired, having accumulated a fortune.
The other
merchants were John Moore, John Russell and William Colt, all old and esteemed citizens; and W^illiam Bickley. Boyd & Montgomery, John C. & Michael
C. Grier, and Michael Ephlin who had more recently engaged in business.
Mr. Longhead had retired from business to devote his time to the post-office,
and Jeremiah Evans had recently moved to Mercersburg.
The old Cross-Keys tavern, kept by Mrs. Jemima Donaldson, was the best,
in the county and it is doubtful whether it has been surpassed to this day.
Tha
Union Hotel, the first three-story brick building and the best one in the place
was built and kept by Philip Goodman. John Irwin kept a tavern corner of
Market and Ferry Streets; and the most ancient hostelry of them all,
the Rising Sun, the old red house at the foot of Mill Street with the
walnut tree at the door, and its crowd of devotees of Bacchus who made
it resound with
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92

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.
Midnight shout and revelry.
Tipsy dance and jollity.

The Ferry tavern by George Barnhart, where I often hurried by, fearing
the sound of the fiddle, judging that old Satan could not be far distant from
the violin, thus condemning that first of musical instruments, from its association with much that is vile.
Then there was the Jackson tavern, Mill Street
near Mahoning, by William Clark, a soldier of the Revolution, with the likeness
of Gen. Jackson painted on its sign, thus superseding that of Washington,
as the latter in its day had replaced that of George III, tempori parendum.
The taverns then had a monopoly of retailing intoxicating liquors, dealing
them out by the gill and rye whisky was the chief liquor used, and doubtless
was less hvu-tful than the villainous compound now sold under that name.
Some who then indulged in potations pottle deep nevertheless attained a
great age; when any one of them was warned against indulging too fi-eely in
it, as it was a slow poison, he replied that he was aware of that for he had been
using it sixty years and it must be very slow. The coffee-houses, now destitute
of coffee, the saloons, groceries and other refined modern drinking places were
then unknown.
In addition to these taverns Mrs. Spence kept a boardinghouse, and had for her guests some of the most respectable people of the place.
Amongst the active and industrious citizens were the blacksmiths. John
Lunger was one of the earliest, and had a shop on Ferry Street. John Deen' s
smithy was on Market near Ferry Street, where by many and well-directed
blows he hammered out a fortune.
Joseph Cornelison's was on Mahoning
near Mill Street.
George McCulley was one of the pioneer carpenters and removed to Ohio,
near Wooster, where some of his descendants still reside.
Daniel Cameron, a
worthy Scot and the great pedestrian who walked from Harrisburg to Danville
in a day without deeming it any great exploit, was a skillful carpenter and
builder.
Adam Schuyler and George Lott were also engaged in that business.
" The chairmakers were William Hartman who was also a wheelwright, and
the brothers Kirk.
William Mann was also engaged in that calling for a year
or two.
"Shoemakers William Woods, Gideon Mellon, Henry Sanders, Thomas
Wiley.
" Tailors William M. Wiley, who removed to Harrisburg; William Whitaker, Amos E. Kitchen.
William Ingold was a vagrant workman who plied his
needle at the houses of his employers, and was noted for his quips and quirks
and idle pranks, whereby he amused and often astonished the boys of the
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"village.
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Honest John Reynolds, from Reading, was the veteran hatter, who for
iong years supplied men and boys with hats. Martin McCollister was a more
recent and very skillful workman.
" Thomas Blackwell earned on the fulling-mill and saw-mill near what is
now the junction of Mill and Bloom Streets.
The first brewer was Richard Matchin. The citizens of that day were not,
as we now phrase it, educated up to a due appreciation of that beverage, consequently improved less profitable than brewing lager, weiss and buck beer
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at the present time.

"George Wilson was the

first

cabinet-maker, and some of his substantial oldBurrows Moore was long en-

style furniture has survived to the present day.
gaged in the same biisiness.
'

The Scotch weavers had been famous

•Of those

who were engaged

in the early days of the settlement.
in the business fifty years since I can now only

93

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

The latter was a
Tecall the names of Christopher Smith and Peter Goodman.
most respectable and industrious German from the Fatherland.
"Coppersmiths and tinners— Alexander Wilson, James Wilson, John C.
Theil.

" Watchmaker and jeweler, Samuel Maus.
"There were several saddlers— Alexander Best, Hugh Flack, Daniel Hoffman, and possibly others.
Rifles were in demand, and had always been much used by the pioneers.
These were supplied by Samuel Baum and George Miller the son of the latter
succeeded him and still continues the business.
Of public functionaries, we had but few, and their removals were few and
In the language of an eminent statesman it might then have
far between.
been truly said: "Few die and none resign." Judge Seth Chapman was long
He was a man of moderate legal attainthe presiding judge of our courts.
ments, yet he made a good presiding officer. He was assisted by his associates,
Judges Montgomery and Eupei-t. George A. Frick was prothonotary, having
been appointed to that office by Gov. Snyder in 1813.
"William Wilson, Rudolph Sechler and Joseph Prutzman were the justices
Mr.
•of the peace; Andrew McReynolds, sheriff; Daniel Cameron, constable.
Sechler was also register and recorder. James Longhead, a dignified yet popular gentleman of English origin, was postmaster, and held the office for the
long term of fourteen years, twice as long as any other with one exception.
The office was first established in 1806, Judge Montgomery being the first one
appointed, and held his commission from President Jefferson, and filled the
This just and pious man discharged this trust, as he
office for seven years.
did all others, to the entire satisfaction of the Government and the community.
He was succeeded by that other faithful public servant, Rudolph Sechler,
who held it for a like term of seven years, until Mr. Longhead's appointment.
With him it was inI never knew a more honest man than Mr. Sechler.
nate.
He could not be otherwise than honest. His countenance, his actions,
his words, in short everything about him proclaimed his sterling integrity;
and what gave a charm to it he was quite unconscious of his being more
Of his large number of connections I never knew
honest than other men.
one whose integrity was called in question. It is highly gratifying to know
that in the seventy years the office has been in existence, there has never been
a defaulter to the National Government, and that all of the thirteen incumbents of the office have diligently and faithfully discharged the trust reposed
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in them.

"One of the eccentric characters of the vicinity was Mr. Finney, who died
ten or twelve years subsequent to the period of which I write, almost a centenarian.
He was a man of gallantry, a kind of Beau Nash of more than
eighty, with a peculiar child-like tenor voice, who delighted to play the gallant
with the young ladies of the village, and drive them around the place and
Robin Finney, as he was always called, from
vicinity in his old-style chaise.
his great age and attention to the fair sex, was a great favorite with them, and
was well known to the people of that day. His chaise and one owned by

Gen. D. Montgomery and one by Judge Montgomery were the oiUy pleasure
The old time carriage of Philip Maus,
carriages of that kind in the county.
which attracted the attention and excited the wonder of the village urchins,
and the more modern carriage of Gen. Montgomery were the only pleasure
Traveling on horseback was then the proper thing for
•carriages of that style.
both sexes, old and young, gentle and simple, and its general disuse is to be
regretted.

HISTORY or MONTOUR COUNTY.

9-4

Abe Brown was an African, or an American of African descent, and the
only one in the place.
He had been a mariner, and after he came here, was a
servant to Mr. Longhead.
He immigrated to Mahoning County, Ohio, where
by industry and frugality he acquired a competency and enjoys the respect of
the community where he resides.
Jack Harris was an octoroon, a fine looking
lad, and so nearly white that he might pass for an Anglo-American.
Though
not darker than a brunette, the rude boys persisted in calling him Black Jack.
These boys attended the schools and were treated with justice.
"The great flood of 1817, usually called the August flood, surrounded the
place so that, for the time, it became insular.
The only approach was by
I saw the bridge over the brook on the road, then an extension of
boats.
Church Street, float away with a man on it who secured it before it reached
the river.
"The inhabitants were supplied with flour from the mills of John and Alexander Montgomery and Joseph Maus, all propelled by the water of the Mahoning.
Farmers in the vicinity took their grain in sacks to the mills; the miller
ground it for a toll of one-tenth. Except for the Baltimore, Philadelphia, or
Reading markets, it was seldom put up in barrels. Steam power had not
been introduced in the place or neighborhood, except at Boyd's mill, which
was then a new one on the left bank of the river above town.
Whisky was the Archimedean lever that moved the world.
Contracts
could not be made or performed without its potent aid.
The merchant kept
it on his counter, for his customers would not purchase goods without it.
It
was indispensable at musters and elections. The farmer's fields could not be
cultivated without its use as a motor.
Mr. Robinson, in the vicinity, offered
the laborers who were employed in his harvest fields extra pay if they would
dispense with it, but they refused.
The temperance cause was advocated by
its friends, but its opponents, numerous, defiant and violent, determined that
their liberties should not be subverted by a few fanatics who were worse than
the Federals.
The half century just closed has been an eventful, almost a marvelous one.
In 1826 we had no railways, telegraphs, type-writers, gas, petroleum, no
canals, iron furnaces, forges, rolling-mills; no bridge over the river, no tire
engines of any kind, nor many other indispensable improvements, deprived of
which we would speedily retrograde to what we were at that period. The population has increased more than tenfold, and Danville has kept pace with the
rest of the world, and shown an energy and perseverance worthy of her, notwithstanding the many depressions and conflicts incident to her position as a.
great manufacturing center.
Her numerous sons, dispersed throughout the
great West, and in other portions of our vast republic, now in exile from her
borders, look with pride upon her onward course in material prosperity, and
her commendable progress in religion, morals, and science, the social virtues
and the amenities of life, which they trust may continue, and enable her, for
all future time, to maintain her elevated position in the good old commonwealth.
"There was an old tradition, or rather a prophecy, among the Indians that
roamed about the Susquehanna, that great floods in this river occurred at regular intervals of fourteen years.
The first great flood of which we have any
account was in 1744 the second in 1758 the third in 1772, and that which
is known as the great
pumpkin flood was in 1786 there being just fourteea years between each of these floods.
The pumpkin flood was in the
month of October, and was so designated on account of the immense number
of pumpkins that floated down the stream from the fields above.
It began to'

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HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

95

The
rain on the 5tli of October, 1786, and rained incessantly for several days.
Several persons were drowned
water rose rapidly and swept all before it.
near the place now called Rupert, and at Sunbury houses were overflowed
and many people were lost. Northumberland was also flooded and much damThis flood was long remembered and known among the old
age was done.
In the spring of 1800, just fourteen
settlers as 'the great pumpkin flood.'
It rained
pumpkin flood, another great freshet occuiTed.
years after the
three days and three nights, carrying off a deep snow and doing much damIn 1814 there was another destructive flood that caused much loss of
age.
Here the old Indian tradition that floods occuiTed every
life and property.
for the next was in 1817, after an interval of only
fourteen years failed
The next flood of note was in 1847. If there were any from
three years.
1817 to 1847 we have no record of them. Many will remember that of 1859,
which also raised the water in the North Branch over eight feet above high
Still more vividly do they remember the extraordinary flood of
water mark.
March, 1865.
The exciting scenes in Danville on the 17th and 18th of
The river began to rise on Friday, and
that month will never be forgotten.
on Saturday the water rose to four feet above the highest flood on record. A
great portion of Danville was overflowed and many families were compelled to
Women and children were taken from their
leave their homes in haste.
The whole district from Sageburg to Mill Street was covered
houses in boats.
with water reaching up Mulberry Street and to the scales in front of the Montgomery building. The low lands along the Mahoning were also under water.
On Mulberry as well as on Mill Street boats and rafts were moving among the
The river bridge was much injured
houses and gliding high over the gardens.
Many stables and other buildings floated about and
but withstood the onset.
found new and strange foundations as the water receded, witJiout any regard
Only one man, Peter Green, was drowned
to the side that was up or down.
He fell into the Mahoning fi'om a small raft while attempting
at this place.
His body was recovered and properly cared
to supply his family with coal.
Another great flood in the North Branch in 1875 took the river bridge
for.
that had so long withstood the assaults of the angry torrent, but when the
It has
Catawissa bridge came down and struck it broadside it had to yield.
There was another great
since been rebuilt more substantially than before.
freshet on the 12th of February, 1881."
This account of fifty- six years ago rounds out the first half -century of
Danville, completing the history to the second and important event in the
The opening of the canal started the second era in the town's
town's history.
growth and its permanent and solid development. As soon as the building
of a canal became an assured fact, men of enterprise and capital, anticipating
the results to flow along with its completion, began to rapidly come to the
Capital was attracted here, labor came where it was sure of ready
place.
Iron ore was here in great abundance and the
eimployment at living wages.
best quality, and the canal brought the coal fields almost to our door, and soon
the movement was on foot that moved with mighty strides to the building of
the great factories that have made the name of Danville familiar throughout
the commercial world.
INCORPORATION AS A BOROUGH.
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Its growth from its
Danville became an incorporated borough in 1849.
settlement until the building of the canal had been very slow, the improvements more than keeping pace with the additions to the population. In 1840
In the next decade, however, it was increased over
the population was 1,100.
200 per cent and in the next half-decade, 1855, to 6,000 and in 1857 to 8,000.

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96

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

In that day this was unprecedented. The present stationary condition of thetown shows that the large part of this population was drawn here by the iron,
In 1849 it was reaching rapidly its importance and growth
manufactories.
In the establishment of its manufactories, the
as a manufacturing town.
public and private buildings, and its commerce and increase of capital in
every line of industry, were then widely known and began to give the place
an enviable reputation throughout the country.
When made a borough it was divided into two wards. Its official machinThe freshets in the river had sugery was simple, economical and effective.
gested that the lower parts of the town must be raised to an established grade
In 1852 Northumberland Street was filled
to prevent the injurious overflows.
up to grade. At different times fills had been made in the low parts of Mill
and other streets in the near vicinity of the canal. The fills on these streets
can be readily seen by their present elevation above the tow-path of the canal.
This is not indicative of all the fill, because in deepening the canal, which was
done at different times, this was effected by raising the sides or tow-path, and
here there is nearly an average fill of three feet above the natural surface of
the ground.
In 1855 the borough limits were enlarged and for the first time accurately
These limits contain 996 acres, lying in greatest
defined as they exist now.
length along the river and extending back to Montour' s Ridge. There were only
two wards until 1867, when the divisions were made into four wards, and by
this change twelve councilmen were provided for, or three from each ward. At
the then following election three alderman were elected in each ward to serve respectively one, two and three years, and one to be elected at each succeeding
annual election to serve three years.
In common with the entire country the business of the place suffered a
This was especially felt in its largecheck from the financial panic of 1857.
It had disappeared in 1859. In the latter
iron mills, but was only temporary.
part of 1860 the portentous war clouds were lowering upon the 'country, and
The
in 1861 the storm broke and the Nation trembled in the throes of war.
inperative wants of the country had soon set to work the busy machinery of
Danville, and again the tide ran high in all its lines of industry. The demand
in the ranks of the army upon employers and laborers was great, but great as
it was it was met with an enthusiastic rush, and in Danville as everywhere in
all the land, men were going and coming, the prices of labor and commodities
went up and up, wants increased, the flow of money from the government
center was immense, which rapidly circulated among the people and they were
exuberant and intoxicated with patriotism, and money getting, and this rapidly
bred extravagant habits in the majority and colossal fortunes in the hards of
many. The war over and people again settling down to the attempt to try the
old fashioned anti-war simplicity and sobriety, that had unconsciously passed
away and apparently never to return, and hence to many the times were out of
joint, and others were at a loss to readjust themselves, or, to use the term that
was then applied properly only to the revolted States, to put on and wear graceThe war left the country flooded
fully the new habiliments of reconstruction.
Men no longer hesitated to go in debt,
with cheap money and flush times.
The
to pay the heaviest discounts upon the glittering but deceptive future.
thinkers of pessimistic tendency argued that the war closed, the debris cleared
away, that the reaction wpuld swiftly come that would engulf every daring
But the war closed in 1865, and a lustrum of years had come
adventurer.
and gone and financial prosperity only swelled its daily great volume. The reThe pessimist ceased to warn, the optimist confidently
action had not come.

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

97

told himself that the resistless stream of prosperity could not be stopped or
changed in its onrushing course. Had not the northern patriots put down at
incalculable sacrifices the monster rebellion? The South was crushed, pauperized and millions of slaves were freed, and no longer did northern labor
Was not Provhave to contend against the unpaid slave labor of the country.
idence justice? "Was it a farthing more, indeed, but a pitiful recompense for
our great sacrifices that this stream of financial and industrial prosperity
should flow on forever?
To these golden dreams came the fatal year, 1873. The telegraph flashed
the simple announcement, but really portentous news over the land, 'Jay Cook'
failure," and in a day the average business man of the country was in fact a
The sad scenes around the bankrupt courts exceeded even those in
bankrupt.
England when the great South Sea Bubble burst. May a return of the like
had trampled upon every financial law of politbe ever spared our land!
ical economy, and we had to pay the most fearful penalties, compounding the
interest to the most implacable Shy lock that ever demanded the pound of flesh
from nearest the human heart.
In this financial revolution, following upon the heels of the social and
moral upheaval of the times, Danville, because of its distance from the great
cities, probably suffered less severely than the majority of places of its size.
But still it felt severely the shock. It to-day bears the marks of the wounds
thus inflicted, although a decade of years have come and gone since the great
The financial, commercial and industrial history of the
panic passed away.
town from the commencement of the war to the present is contained in the
history of the country during that period
a history yet to be written, but a
fruitful and instructive theme indeed, to the historian able to write it.
'

We

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INDUSTEIES.

Some learned

sociologist has concluded that the true measure of a people'
degree of civilization is the amount of soap they use.
The correctness of this
In many a pioneer settlement of 100 years ago so pinched were
depends.
the people for every necessity of life, that the wild " bee trees " were hunted
for soap was to use honey; and the advance
along the line of washing, not barring the pig-tailed Mr. Washee, is the use
of gasoline now-a-days in washing the belle's kid gloves or her floating cloudThis honey at one end of
like snowy white or delicately tinted party dress.
the line, then the thousand substitutes in the middle and gasoline at the other
extremity there is no fair standard here to measure either our beauty, cleanliness or civilization. Then, too, where this soap philosopher expounded his
discovery, the world was jogging contentedly along in much simplicity and dirt,
and in total ignorance of what the near future had in store for their children's
The little rill that is now the great swollen
delectation and advancement.
stream had just then started on its course too insignificant then to attract attention, while now in the language of the western poet when he, like De Soto,
first stood upon the bank of the Mississippi River, and his muse fired by the
grandeur of the view exclaimed: " Great Father of Waters, so wide that you
This poetical paradox well expresses the growth and
cannot hear its roar!"

and the only make-shift possible

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extent of modern inventions and improvements in all the arts
especially in
the manufacture of iron, that now has reached that degree of perfection and
magnitude that the soap sociologist, were he alive, would revise his philosophy
and say that the true gauge is iron.
In Bucks County in this State those dear old Revolutionary fighting fathers
got iron and made common balls to fire at the hated red coats.
Perhaps just

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

•98

little previously, some ingenious Yankee-Deutcher had succeeded in making a
heating stove, or at least a kind of iron box to put fire in, perhaps the primitive
idea of the old foot stove only a little changed and enlarged; and thus, making
stoves to warm oiu'selves and cannon balls to warm the Hessians, commenced
in this country the little rill that is now the stream "so great that you cannot
The camping hunter bad not then discovered for us the fact
hear its roar.
would burn, but the discovery of coal as a fiiel quickly
black rock
that the
followed the making of the first stove and the casting of those holy cannon
balls, and at that very hour Fulton was brewing in his great brain the steamboat
that in 1809 made its immortal trial trip on the Hudson. Then, too, Benjamin
holding the end of one
Franklin was flying his kites, himself, as he says,
string and another goose holding by its neck the other string," when the
lightning, realizing its great master had come, playfully and in "sportive
liked to have killed the wrong goose.
ran down the wrong string and
twists
Thus, link by link, the great chain was forged and welded from the outcropping iron ore that has made this the age of iron, the era of civilization wonderThese are the true children of immortality. The thoughts
ful, incomparable!
Like the
and inventions of genius alone are immortal, they endure forever.
laws of nature their work goes on perpetually, ever increasing, ever growing, multiplying in compound ratio like the unseen drops of water and particles of gases in the bowels of the earth that ignite and produce the earthquake self increasing, self perpetuating, casting their seeds in the minds of
other men, encircling the globe, widening, deepening, strengthening forever.
What are the stupid imaginings of the fabled gods ? What the world' s common
accepted ideas of its great benefactors, great men, compared to these immortal inventors and thinkers ?
Place the fame and glory of Napoleon by the side
of that nameless hunter who discovered the use of coal, then think of the
agony, destruction and woe that came into this world with the great warrior,
and remember what has come of the results of the simple hunter's observations
about his lonely camp fire how mean and horrible the one, how grand and great
and good the other. The one only destroyed, the other created the one was
only evil, and like all evil things has passed away in its effects; the other was
only good, and like all good, lives and grows through all time.
When our
schools and churches have time to look about them, to behold this vast sweep
of growth of this century, it is to be hoped they will begin to impress upon the
young and growing minds the heaven sent truth that generally the world's
heroes and great men are but unspeakable shams and frauds -send them to
the dust bins, spit upon them the whole horde of humbugs and windbags!
Away with them, with whips of scorpions pursue them and their miserable
memories fi'om the world!
The pioneer here in the production of iron was IVIi". Bird Patterson. He
built a charcoal furnace in 1838.
It stood near where the Catawissa railroad
now passes, just beyond the Mahoning steam mill. With the introduction of
anthracite coal as a fuel in iron manufacture it was abandoned and eventually
fell into ruin.
This, in order to designate the different furnaces, was called
s,

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"No. 1."
Montour Iron and Steel Works. About 1840 Chambers & Biddle built
Nos. 2 and 3 the twin furnaces, and these were the first in the country that
used anthracite coal. It is said that Benjamin Perry was the leading spirit in

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the production of anthracite iron.
Furnace No. 4 was built in 1845. These were
the Montour Iron Company' s works, for some time in their early history represented by the firm of Murdock, Leavitt & Co. the firm consisting of U.
A. Murdock, Edward Leavitt, Jesse Oakley and David Wetmore.
The superin,

2^nn^^y^''S

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

101

The rolling-mill was built in 1844. (A. G.
iendent was Heniy Brevoort.
Toris was a general agent and builder, who was for many years connected with
the works, as builder, purchasing material, selling iron and having renting
T. O. Van Allen built the storehouse, now known
of the dwellings in charge.)
as the company store, in 1844, and conducted the store and the flouring-mill
He was also resident
until about 1850 when he sold to Conely, Grove & Co.
The rolling-mill was completed in 1845 and here the first
agent for a time.
T rail was made. The U rail had been made before this date but to Danville
belongs the honor of having on the 8th of October, 1845, produced the
;

was ever made in this country-— a rail that now connects the AtOceans and checkers with iron roadways every civilized coun-"
In 1843 the furnaces were leased to Benjamin Perry AlexTheir contract
ander Garretson, Cornelius Garretson and William Jennison.
was for two years. Harris was the manager at the rolling-mill in its first
operation and was succeeded by M. S. Kidgeway, the manager at the present
The foundry and machine shop was established by Heyward & Snyder
time.
From 1847 to
in 1839, but they were purchased by the company in 1852.
1849 the rolling-mill was operated by Ridgeway, Van Allen, Heath and Stroh.
The resident agent of the company at that time was Warren Murdock. He
occupied the position until the Advent of the Grove Bros. about 1850 or
During their
Peter and John Grove managed the works until 1857.
1851.
regime the new mill was built, adding much to its extent and capacity, which
In 1857 the entire works passed
is now 45,000 tons of iron rails per annum.
into the hands of I. S. Waterman, Thomas Beaver, William Neal and WashThey
ington Lee, as trustees for the creditors of the Montour Iron Company.
operated the works as trustees until 1859 when the entire interest in the whole
They also purchased the real
.concern was purchased by Waterman & Beaver.
estate with all the franchises of the company, and changed the name to the
They operated the works with great success and
Pennsylvania Iron works.
In 1868 Thomas Beaver, Dan Morgan, C. Mulligan,
general satisfaction.
George F. Geisinger and Dan Edwards operated and shared the profits of the
In 1876
This combination was successful and continued until 1874.
works.
Thomas Beaver sold his interest to I. S. Waterman, retaining by pui-chase the
mansion house on the hill, with twenty acres of ground.
In 1880 Mr. Waterman sold the plant to the Philadelphia &c Reading RailThe name of the works was then changed to Montour
road Company.
Iron and Steel Works, with W. E. C. Cox, president; E. P. Howe, manager,
and S. W. Ingesall, treasurer. As some evidence of what the little first old
charcoal furnace had grown into, it may be stated that the railroad paid $450, 000
In its line of manufacture this was the pioneer
in cash for the entire plant.
first

T

rail that

lantic and Pacific
try in the world.

,

establishment east of the Alleghenies, producing a superior rail that supplied
The excelroads in all parts of the country, extending to the Pacific Ocean.
lent quality of block iron mined here, from its hardness, made a top for the
rail that was a valuable desideratum, and commanded sales of all the works
The size of the main building, 343x290 feet northeast wing,
could produce.
116x89 feet; northwest wing, 116x60 feet; size of No. 2, 234x136 feet; wing,
28x67 feet; blacksmith shop, 26x57 feet; brick-house, 39x31 feet; pump-house,
20x15 feet: oil-house. 32x32 feet. This structiu'e contains 15 heating furnaces, 27 single puddling furnaces, 1 16-inch train of rolls and 2 trains of 20
inches.
These rolls are driven by three large engines, combined, 700 horseThere is also a vertical engine which runs the squeezer, and one that
power.
runs the saws and machinery for punching and straightening the rails. A
;

102

HISTORY or MONTOUR COUNTY.

powerful vertical engine drives the fans for blasts for the heating furnaces, and
pumps vrater; another supplies the blast for the puddling-mill, and pumps
water for the boilers in the puddling furnaces, and this drives the machinery
Pudfor cutting old rails for the heating furnaces preparatory to re-rolling.
dling mill No. 2 is similarly constructed and contains 14 double puddling fur-

The
naces, 2 squeezers, 1 rotary, 1 crocodile and 1 train of 20-inch rolls.
There are other aprolls are driven by a Corliss engine of 100 horse-power.
M. S. Ridgeway is the suppliances for the successful operation of the mills.
These give employment to about 1,000 men when in full operaerintendent.
tion, and can turn out 4,000 tons of rails, and have made as high as 200 tons
The blast furnaces have a capacity of 24,000 tons
of finished rails in a day.
The blast is supplied by two engines of 400 horse-power
of pig iron per year.
each, and employ 600 men in full operation. These are superintended by DanThe foundry and machine shops are superintended by F. H.
iel Morgan.
Varmen. They consist of a building 40x75 feet, two stories, the upper floor
These are filled with all the machinery for makoccupied for pattern rooms.
ing steam-engines, locomotives, etc. and give employment, when in full work,
The foundry is 60x90 feet, and, provided with a cupola
to seventy-five men.
capable of making a casting weighing ten tons, also with air furnaces, core
,

Here sixty-five men can be employed, and can turn out
oven, cranes, etc.
The boiler shop is 60x70 feet.
about 200 tons of castings per month.
These are of the iron works proper and rank among the largest iron works
The company owns extensive ore
in the world owned by private capital.
mines, 2,000 acres of land which are connected with the furnaces by a narrow
gauge railroad about seven miles in length, equipped with engines and rolling
In the mining of their
stock, with a branch road to their limestone quarry.
The company put
ore and quarrying rock they give employment to 150 men.
up about 300 dwellings, a large grist-mill and a general store. At Kingston,
on the L. & B. Railroad, sixty miles from Danville, the company purchased
a valuable coal property.
Among the best known of the furnaces in the State
Grove's Furnace.
They are cold and idle now and have
these have long ranked in the front.
been for some years, standing there a mute monument to the skill and executive ability of the Grove Brothers, as among the early and successful manuThese furnaces are on Mahoning Street,
facturers of pig-iron in Pennsylvania.
are solidly built and furnished with every modern appliance for the effectThe first furnace
ive fulfillment of the piirpose for which they were built.
was put up in 1840, and the additional stack was built in 1859-60. The blast
They gave emfor both furnaces is supplied by a 40()-horse power engine.
ployment to seventy-five men, and had a capacity of 12,000 tons per annum.
The firm purchased coal mines above Pittston, on the Lackawanna & BaltimoreRailroad; also ore lands about Danville, and in Huntingdon, Berks and Lancaster Counties in this State, and also in Virginia, Maryland and Canada.
The original brothers who came here and built up this great industry have
Among other of the
passed away, leaving a large fortune to their heirs.
evidences of their great wealth is the extensive Grove's residence, one of the
most expensive private residences at the time of its building in the State. The
present owners of the property are apparently content with what they have and
are not anxious to add to their great worldly possessions.
This is a joint stock company,
The Co operative Iron and Steel Works.
chartered December 31, 1870, whose stockholders are largely interested as
workmen in its mill. It is thus far a successful experiment in co-operative
industry and is being watched with great interest throughout the country as.

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HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

105

an exponent of a principle somewhat novel, yet apparently founded on solid
grounds of social economy. The company having purchased six acres of land
adjoining the canal, and having $75,000 capital distributed among forty stockholders, commenced the erection of their mill in April, 1871, and had it inoperation by November 13 of the same year.
The mill is constructed after the
most approved plans, and its internal arrangements are very complete. It is
75x153 feet, and contains eight puddling furnaces one train of eighteen inch
rolls driven by an engine of 100 horse-power, one forty horse-power engine,
crocodile squeezer,
The company have a neat office buildingetc.
adjoining the works.
The present officers are Perry Deen, president; L. K.
Rishel, secretary and treasurer, and John Grove, W. M. Gearhart, Samuel
Mills, D. L. Secher, A. J. Amerman, L. K. Rishel, Perry Deen, J. C.
Rhodes, P. Baldy, Jr., D. M. Reese and E. J. Curtis, directors.
The company at present manufacture pig iron into puddle bar at their own mill, and
have it manufactured into rails from sixteen to fifty pounds per yard.
The'
erection of a rail-mill is contemplated.
Value of product, per year, about
The company pay out as wages $4,000 per month, in cash, making1300,000.
nearly $50,000 per year put in circulation among the business men of Danville«
by their establishment alone.
Enterprise Foundry and Machine Works.
These works were established
The firm is composed entirely
in 1873 by Messrs. Cruikshank, Moyer & Co.
of practical men, who give their personal attention to every branch of the
business.
The establishment consists of a machine-shop, 45x50 feet, stocked
with lathes, planers, bolt-cutters, etc., of approved patterns; foundry, 45x50
feet, containing a cupola of seven tons capacity, and a large crane capable of
hoisting ten tons this foundry can turn out castings of any desired weight
or pattern; pattern-shop, 45x40 feet.
The machine-shop is under the direct
supervision of J. W. Moyer and Thomas Ctirry, both members of the firm and
The foundry is in charge of James Cruikshank, a pracpractical machinists.
The office and business department is pretical molder, also one of the firm.
sided over by R. Moore, the remaining partner.
The firm manufacture steamengines, rolling-mill, blast furnace, saw and grist-mill machinery, railroad and.
bridge iron work of all kinds.
The works are located on Ferry Street, near-

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the L. & B. Railroad.
The foundry was established in 1872. It is loDanville Iron Foundry.
cated in East Danville, and is 5(3x84 feet, solidly constructed, with slate roof.
It contains a cupola capable of melting seven tons at one heat; core-oven,
There is also a blacksmith-shop and pattern-shop attached, thecrane, etc.
latter under the charge of E. E. Brown, an experienced pattern-maker.
The
foundry turns out stoves, plows, agricultural implements, corn- planters, etc.
Daniel DeLong is the proprietor.
This foundry, near the Columbia furnaces, wasNational Iron Foundry.
originally built by Peter Baldy, Sr. about 1839, and was first operated by
For some cause they failed and it passed into
Belson, Williams & Gardley.
the hands of O'Connor & Rice. They also failed, and R. C. Russel tookchargeAfter a brief period of time he sold to Hancock & CaiT, who soon
of the work.
The several parties named conducted the estabtransferred it to John Hibler.
In 1854 Samuel Huber, who had acted as>
lishment for twenty-five years.
foreman in the Eagle Foundry for a number of years, leased the National Iron
Foundry and operated it until 1859, when it was totally destroyed by fire. Inthe spring of the same year he had taken Samuel Boudman into partnerhip,
and who after the fire abandoned the enterpise. But Mr. S. Huber bought
the ground of Mr. Baldy, rebuilt the foundry more complete than it had been

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

104

before, and again embarked in the business, successfully conducting it alone,
until the 1st of April, 1868, when his son, J. S. Huber, became a partner unThey carried on the business with entire
der the lirm of S. Huber & Son.
satisfaction until the 19th of January, 1877, when C. C. Huber, another son,

was taken

Subsequently
into the firm, and then it became S. Huber & Sons.
the third son, was also added to the firm, and so it remains to

W. H. Huber,

the present time.
Some years ago Mr. S. Huber, the senior member of the firm, turned his
attention to the construction of an improved plow, in which he was completely
successful.
His invention was patented and the Huber plow, made at this
foundry, is now a popular favorite over a wide region of country.
Glendoiver Iron Works occupies the ground of the old Rough and Ready
In 1847 William
Rolling-mill, and was originally built by Bird Patterson.
Hancock and John Foley changed it into a rolling-mill for the manufactui'e of
merchant-iron.
In 1850 they converted it into a rail-mill, and then for the
After eight years of great success
first time they met with great prosperity.
During
Mr. Foley retired, Mr. Hancock becoming sole proprietor in 1858.
In 1866 he again sold his interest
the late war Mr. Foley re-entered the firm.
to Mr. Hancock.
The first of the Danville furnaces was built in 1870 by Hancock & Creveling. The second and larger furnace was subsequently erected. These furnaces
were superintended by George W. Miles. The capacity of the Danville
furnaces is 15,000 tons per annum.
In 1867 the National Iron Company was formed, superseding the Rough
and Ready. Of this company William Hancock was president at first and
afterward William Painter; P. C. Brink, was vice-president and Benjamin Gr.
Welch was secretary, treasurer and general manager.
This organization continued until 1871, when the Danville fiirnaces were
The new rolling-mill had been erected in 1870. George W. Miles
purchased.
continued the superintendence of the furnaces under the National Iron Company.
John G. Hiler was manager at the new rolling-mill, and Joseph H.
Springer at Ihe old Rough and Ready rail mill. In 1873, owing to large expenditures and heavy losses, the company was compelled to go into bankruptcy.
After the works had lain idle some time they were purchased by the heirs of
William Hancock, deceased, in 1874, under a mortgage sale; upon which the
Hancock Iron & Steel Company was organized. Dr. J. D. Gosh was chosen
president and B. G. Welch, secretary, treasurer and general manager.
This
company existed only about six months, when the works were again idle until
1877, when they were leased by A. Creveling, whooperatedthemuntil June, 1879,
when A. Creveling and George W. Miles purchased the works the old Rough
and Ready property John Roach purchasing the part lying north of the canal.
A. Creveling and George W. Miles then organized the Glendower Iron Works,
with A. Creveling, president; H. Levis, treasurer, and George W. Miles, secretary and general manager.
The capacity of the works is 20, 000 tons.
The works were kept in successful operation, but quit making rails, and
were devoted entirely to making what is called scalp iron. In the early part of
September, 1886, the men organized a strike and the mills are now closed with
no immediate prospects of opening again.
The Atlas Manufacturing Comjjany was chartered in 1881, and commenced
business in Epsy, Penn.
The first ofiicers were James McCormick, president;
W. J. McCormick, secretary and treasurer. In the spring of 1884 the works
were brought to Danville, and the company leased Voris, Haigh & Gregg's
planing-mill,
going extensively into the manufacture of wood, household

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

105

and making a specialty of the "Atlas Step-ladder." The latter is
We are told that this is
in quantities to Europe and Australia.
The present officers
the largest factory for making this specialty in the world.
are William Angle, president and manager, and F. C. Angle, secretary and

novelties

now exported

treasurer.

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The works were erected and
Danville Nail and Manufacturing Company.
They are very complete in all their
the machinery started in August, 1883.
appointments for the purpose intended, namely the manufacture of muck bar
When started
nails and tack iron, with a capacity of 900 kegs of nails a day.
there were fifteen nail machines; now there are eighty machines, run to their
full capacity, and by January 1, 1887, they had 100 of these machines running.
The nail plates are heated by gas for making nails. The first electric
light plant ever put up in Danville was used for lighting the Avorks in this
The
mill, and was used for the first time on Saturday, November 6, 1886.
officers are D. M. Boyd, president; R. M. Grove, treasurer; W. C. Frick,
secretary and manager.
Chulasky Furnace.
These works are on the dividing line between Northumberland and Montour Counties. The offices and residences of T. J. Miles
& Co., lessees, are all in Danville. These works were erected in 1846, by
Samuel Wood. There is one stack 42x11, with a capacity of 6,500 tons
The works were
They make soft gray forge pig iron.
net per annum.
started up after being some time idle, in November, 1886.
Danville Stove Works were chartered in 1882, and the works were in operation
the same year.
The organizers were the present officers: Henry Vincent,
At first the
president; James Foster, secretary; W. J. Baldy, treasurer.
capacity of the works was eleven molders, and this was increased to a
The company is now making preparations for
capacity of fifty-six molders.
Forty- seven sizes
a thirty-ton cupola and to double the present capacity.
and kinds of stoves are now made, and their trade is to all parts of the
country.
CHURCHES.

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the Mahoning Presbyterian
the oldest religious organi
zation in the county.
It was built when this was called Mahoning settlement.
The first preacher was Rev. John Bryson, preaching at first in the dwelling of
Gen. Montgomery, and afterward, when the house was too small for the growThe first log house church was
ing congregation, in the General's barn.
The logs were scored and hewn by George Mans,
built in 1778 or 1779.
This building was used in 1826, when
Isaac Boudman and Thomas Hughes.
The congregation was ora brick building of larger dimensions was erected.
ganized in 1785.
The earliest church records are not now to be found, which
is greatly to be regretted.
But one single document has been preserved
and that was a subscription paper; the names of the signers to this are
In 1793 the salary of the preacher was
given in Chapter II, this Part.
fixed at £75, and the following parties signed a paper guaranteeing the
These names include the heads of certainly all the
sum to be paid.
Presbyterians then here, and when we remember that at the first coming nearly every-one was a Calvinist, it may be assured that it was very nearly all then
here: Joseph Biggers, Hugh Caldwell, Thomas Gaskins, James Stephenson,

Orove Presbyterian Church, once called
Church, now the Grove Presbyterian Church,

is

William Donaldson, John Emmett, Sr. Robert Donaldson, John Donaldson,
Joseph Williams, John Woodside, George Caldwell, John Jones, William
Colt, John Montgomery, Daniel Barton, Christian Campbell, Robert Williams,
Alex. McMunigal, William Montgomery, Jr. John Moore, Daniel Montgcm,

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

106
ery,

Robert Montgomery, John Carr,

James Longhead, Robert Campbell,

Gilbert Vorhees, James Curry, Peter Blue,
FredGvilick, Richard Robinson, Jacob Gearhart, Jr.
erick Blue, John Emmett, Jr. John Young, Elias Han'ison, Isaac Woodruff,
This congregation, as
Stephen Hunt, Albert Ammerman and Philip Young.
Gen. William Montgomery was chosen
was organized in 1785.
stated,
an elder at the same time, and continued an active and faithful officer until his
death, which occun-ed in 1816.
The brick church built in 1826 was a neat and plain structure, presenting
quite a picturesque appearance, embowered as it was in a grove of forest trees.
The new church is a massive and handsome structure of artistic stone- work in
It occupies the
the Gothic order of architecture, and was dedicated in 1875.
site of the old brick church on the Knoll, suiTOunded by the remaining forest
trees and a grove of beautiful young maples that were planted to take place of
the ancient oaks that are rapidly passing away.
The building of this magnificent temple was superintended by Joseph Diehl, a master mechanic and
builder, whose handiwork is seen on many a public and private building in this
As previously stated, Rev. Bryson was the first pastor of Mahoning,
region.
BOW the Grove Presbyterian, Church, and with the aid of the old pioneers he
laid the foundation deep and strong for a lasting church, a religious home to
bless the passing generations for centuries to come.
Rev. Patterson was a
worthy successor. His ministration was long and abundantly blessed. Rev.
Dunlap succeeded him in the pastorate of Mahoning Church, and he was followed by Rev. Halliday.
Then came Rev. Dr. Yeomans. He died in this place. During his pastorate, about 1849 or 1850, the question of a new church edifice was agitated.
There was some division of sentiment in reference to its location. A portion
favored the erection of the new church on the south side of the canal, and others
adhered to the old site in the grove, now rendered doubly dear as the place
where their fathers and mothers had worshiped. The former succeeded. A
new church was built on Mahoning Street, and Rev. Dr. Yeomans continued
his ministry in the new church.
The adherents to the Grove were without a
regular pastor, as the organization, with the pastor, had gone with the new
church.
In 1855, however, presbytery organized a new congregation in the
old church, and called it "Mahoning Presbyterian Church North."
But this
title was considered too cumbrous, and through the efforts of Rev. C. J.
Collins and others it was changed to the more convenient and more euphonious
name of " The Grove Presbyterian Congregation." Rev. C. J. Collins was
the first pastor.
He remained some ten years and resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Dr. J. Gordon Carnachan.
He left this place to take charge of a
congregation in Meadville, where he still remains. He was followed in the
pastorate of the Grove Church, by Rev. Reuben H. Van Pelt.
Rev. W. A.
McAtee was next called to the charge of the Grove Church. After his resignation Rev. John B. Grier became the pastor, the youngest son of M. C.
Grier, who was long an elder in that church, and lately deceased.
Among the
families connected with the old church, and whose descendants still worship in
the Grove, mention is made of the Montgomerys, Maus, Currys, Yorks, Diehls,
Griers, McMahans, Magills, Waltzes, Catchcarts, Boudmans, Moores, Gearharts, and Russels.
The Grove Church contains a large organ. The present
pastor is Rev. J. M. Simonton.
The Mahoning Presbyterian Church was built in 1853, on Mahoning and
Ferry Streets, the congregation, as before stated, retaining the name and the
organization of the original church.
The building: is handsome and well ar-

Thomas Best, James
Andrew Cochran, M.

Consart,

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

107

Tanged.
It is surmounted by a steeple containing a bell and a town clock.
Some years ago a storm blew'down the spire, which was never replaced. There
is a fine memorial window in the rear of the pulpit, placed there by E. B.
Reynolds, in memory of his mother, who had been a member of the congreRev. Dr. Yeomans, who was the pastor in the old
gation for many years.
church, continued his ministrations in the new for a number of years, and died
greatly lamented by the community, as well as the members of his own religHis reputation extended all over the country and his ability
ious household.
was acknowledged by making him Moderator of the General Assembly.
Rev. I jams succeeded to the pastorate of Mahoning Presbyterian Church
after the death of Dr. Yeomans.
He was eloquent, and, withal, rather dramatRev. Ijams resigned, and Rev. A. B. Jack was called to the charge of Mahonic.
ing Presbyterian Church. After officiating for several years, he resigned. Rev.
F. R. Beeber succeeded him. Rev. R. L. Stewart then entered upon his work
in this place and is the present efficient pastor.
Chrisfs Episcopal Church.
The corner-stone of the Protestant Episcopal
Church was laid October 28, 1828. A few members of that church had held
occasional meetings in their private dwellings, and then they worshiped a
short time in the court-house, under the ministrations of Rev. James Depew,
of Bloomsburg, who became their regular pastor as soon as the church was
built.
The lot on which the church and parsonage were built is on Market
Street, now occupied by the present elegant stone edifice.
This first building
was of brick, 45x60 feet, and cost about $6,000. The following gentlemen composed the vestry at the period when the corner-stone was laid: Joseph Maus,
John Reynolds, Jacob Swisher, Peter Baldy and Michael Sanders, George A.
Frick and B. Appleman, not one of whom was a communicant of the Episcopal
Church.
Peter Baldy and Michael Sanders were members of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church at that time. Mr. Sanders adhered to the Lutherans subsequently, but Mr. Baldy became an Episcopalian.
Some of the founders proposed to devote the new church building to the use of both the Lutherans and
Episcopalians; but they soon discovered its impracticability, and all finally
agreed that the church should be devoted to the exclusive use of the Protestant
On the 25th of October, 1829, just one year after the corEpiscopal service.
ner-stone was laid, the first communicants of the church, ten in number, were
confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Henry W. Onderdonk. Rev. James Depew labored
faithfully among them, and under his pastoral charge the foundations of a
permanent congregation were laid. He was last heard of in Nebraska. Rev.
Mr. Drake, of Bloomsbui'g, supplied the pulpit occasionally after the deparRev. A. Lauderback was the next rector.
ture of Rev. Mr. Depew.
He
remained for about five years. He at the same time had charge of the church
at Sunbury. He removed to Iowa. The next in order was Rev. R. M. Mitchi8on, who remained only about six months and was succeeded by Rev. Milton
C. Lightner, who assumed the charge in 1842.
He officiated in Christ's
Church for about seven years. He removed to Manayunk, and Rev. Mr. Elsegood, formerly a minister in the Methodist denomination, took his place in
Danville.
At the end of two years Rev. Mr. Elsegood removed to Easton,
and was succeeded here by Rev. Mr. Page, of New York, who also remained
two years. In February, 1855, Rev. Edwin N. Lightner, brother to Rev. Milton C. Lightner, succeeded to the charge of Christ's Church, and continued
its rector until May, 1870, when the loss of health compelled him to resign
He ministered to the congregation about fifteen years. He rethe charge.
sides in Riverside.
In September, 1870, Rev. J. Milton Peck was called to
In 1845 some improvements were made in
the rectorship of Christ's Church.

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108

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

the cburcli buildings, and in 1856 the congregation spent nearly $3,000 in
improving and beautifying both the interior and the exterior of the building.
Rev. Mr. Peck remained in charge until 1882, when he resigned and removed
His siiccessor was Rev. George Breed, who ministered to
to Maiden, Mass.
the flock one year. He was succeeded by Rev. George C. Hall, who remained
in charge from March, 1884, to January, 1886, when the present minister in
charge. Rev. James L. Maxwell, came and commenced his work April 2, 1886.
The chief support of the church during all these years was Peter Baldy, Sr.,
one of the founders, who at the time of his death, in 1880, left to the congreThe executor not only carried out the
gation $50,000 to build a new church.
bequest, but gave such energy to the movement that the present splendid
stone church was erected, costing about $100,000, and is much the costliest
Spacious and solid, it looms up grandly its
church edifice in Danville.
exterior showing outlines of graceful elegance, its interior richly and ornately

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finished.

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Shiloh German Reformed Church.
The German Reformed congregation was
Services
organized in 1858, under the pastoral charge of Rev. D. W. Wolf.
had been held in the court-house for some time, and the young congregation,
composed of twenty members, was organized. In 1859 a new church was
built on Bloom Street, though it remained unfinished for some years and was
Rev. D. W. Wolf resigned in 1861,
not dedicated until December 20, 1862.
and on the 1st of May, 1862, Rev. J. W. Steinmetz assumed the pastoral
The church is of brick, 60x40 feet, with a pleascharge of the congregation.
The congregation now numbers more than 200. Rev. J. W,
ant basement.
Steinmetz resigned the charge.
He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Shaffer. The
present pastor is Rev. J. A. Peters.
The precise period when the first
*S^. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church.
Methodist preacher an-ived at this place is not now known but they were the
second religious body organized here. The first regular conference appointment
This place was then included in Northumberland
for Danville was in 1791.
Circuit, which extended from Northumberland up the North Branch of the
Susquehanna to Wyoming Valley, and up the West Branch to Great Island.
The distance traveled by the circuit rider in making his round was 300 miles,
which was accomplished in six weeks. This territory for many years was supplied by only two or three ministers, and it included present circuits and stations
of Williamsport, Newbury, Muncy, Milton Circuit and Station, Northumberland, Mifflinburg, Lewisburg, Catawissa, Bloomsburg, Berwick, Bloomingdale,
Orangeville, Sunbury and parts of Bellefonte District. Previous to 1804^Danville
and the circuit in which it was located belonged to the Philadelphia Conference.
In that year it was transferred to the Baltimore Conference. In 1807 it was
returned to the Philadelphia Conference.
In 1810 it was included in the new
Genessee Conference, and in 1820 it was re-assigned to the Baltimore Conference, of which it still continues to be an appointment.
In 1791, of the first preachers to minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Danville were Revs. Richard Parrott and Lewis Browning.
Berwick Circuit was formed in 1831, but Danville was still in the Northumberland Circuit.
Danville Circuit was formed in 1836 and embraced
Montour, Bloomsburg and Orangeville Circuits.
In 1846 Danville was erected into a station, and then appointments were
regularly made for this place as follows
1846, John Guyer; 1847, Philip B.
Reese; 1849, Thomas Mitchell; 1850, Joseph France; 1853, James Brads;
1855, Thomas M. Reese; 1856, J. Wilson; 1857-58, William Harden;
1859-60, B. B. Hamlin; 1861-63, J. H. C. Dosh; 1864-65, A. M. Barnitz;

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HISTOKY OF MONTOUK COUNTY.

Ill

1866-67, J. McK. Reiley; 1868-71, F. Hodgson; 1872-73, S. Creighton-,
1874-75, F. B. Riddle; 1876-78, W. A. Hauck; 1879-80, J. Max Lantz.
Rev. Richard Hinkle is the present pastor.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church.
This church was built north of the
canal to accommodate that portion of the congregation which was becoming too
large for the one church building.
A lot was purchased on Centre and FerryStreets, opposite the Catholic Church.
Capt. Lovett and M. S. Ridgeway,
though not members, were the most active and the largest contributors in
erecting the building.
Then Thomas Beaver contributed several thousand
dollars.
A building was put up costing about $30,000. It was so deeply in
debt that it was sold at shei-iff 's sale, and Mr. Beaver became the purchaser
for S8,000.
Rev. I. H. Torrence purchased one-half of Thomas Beaver's
interest for $4,000.
Mr. Beaver then donated his other half to the church;,
afterward it was sold again and Rev. Torrence, to protect himself, became the
sole owner and continued to give the free use thereof to the congregation.
Rev. McCord was the first minister; succeeded by Rev. Van Fossen, who
Rev. J.
afterward studied law and became a practicing lawyer in Colorado.
P. Moore was then in charge; he was succeeded by Rev. Stephenson and he
by Rev. Strawinski. Then Rev. King ministered to the congregation. The
present pastor is Rev. James Hunter.
Primitive Methodist Episcopal Church.
This is a substantial brick building; was erected in 1848; no stationed pastor at the present time.
Baptist Church.
The Baptist Church of Danville, was organized on the
13th of November, 1842. The meetings were held in the court-house for about
a year subsequent to the organization, during which period a frame church
was built on Pine Street, not far from the river. It was dedicated on the 5th
of January, 1844.
In 1863 it was removed to give place to the new brick
church, which is a large and elegant building.
As near as can be ascertained,
the pastors in their regular order of service, were Revs. J. S. Miller, W.
T. Bunker, John H. Worrall, A. D. Nichols, Ira Foster, O. L. Hall, A. B.
Still, T. Jones, G. W. Scott, I. C. Winn, John S. Miller (the second time),
J. John Mostyn, J. E. Bradley,
Sweet.
The present pastor is Rev.

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Green Miles.
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
1858, on Pine Street.

— Their present brick building was erected in

The oldest Lutheran Church organization in this portion of the State was
Mahoning Township; its home in that day was in what was called Ridgeville.
A minister named Shellhart visited this place prior to 1800. The recin

is dated 1803 and the first regular pastor was Rev.
Johann Paul Ferdinand Kramer. The record shows he was present two years.
In 1810 Rev. J. F. Engel was in charge. He remained until April, 1816.
Then there was no pastor until 1820. The next eight years Rev. Peter Kelser
was in charge. The Lutherans joined with the Episcopalians in building a
church, but this joint ownership soon ceased and the congregation returned to
their worship in the court-house. About 1830 Rev. Jeremiah Shindel preached.
He remained five or six years. They were without a pastor until 1843, when
At this time the membership was reRev. Elias Schwartz assiimed charge.
duced to twenty. Mr. Schwartz pushed the work so vigorously that at a
meeting he received into the church between forty and fifty new members.
Soon thereafter they commenced to build a chmch. The first was built
and dedicated in June, 1845, but this involved them in debt and Rev. Schwartz,
resigned.
It was then attached to the Milton charge.
Rev. M. J. Allen then
became pastor and served until 1848; no pastor for the next two years, when

ord of the organization

112

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY,

Kev. p. Willard, of Gettysburg, came.
Number of members in 1850 was 142.
A lot was this year purchased for a cemetery, and in 1853 a parsonage was
purchased.
In 1854 the church was too small and the subject of a new site
roused up some warm contentions that ended by the German portion going to
themselves, and Rev. P. Williard was dismissed.
In 1856 Rev. J. M. Stover
-came.
He threw oil on the waters, it seems, and the new church was finally
built as above stated.
He was succeeded by Rev. E. Hubert; he by P. P.
Lane, who remained two years, when Rev. E. A. Sharetts assumed charge.
The Rev. George M. Rhoads came and remained four years, and was followed
by Rev. N. Graves, who stayed two years, when Rev. M. L. Shindel, the
present pastor, took charge.
Trinity Lutheran Church was built in 1861, the congregation being formed

from the old church. It is a large and elegant building, originally finished
with a tall spire, which was blown down by a storm and never rebuilt.
There
are nearly 300 communicants.
The first pastor was Rev. D. M. Henkel, succeeded by Rev. M. C. Horine; present pastor is Rev. C. K. Drumheller.
Congregation B' Nai Zion, was chartered November 1, 1854.
Their frame
building on Front Street is 30x60 feet, and was built in 1871.
Jacob Loeb,
president; H. L. Gross, secretary; trustees, Jacob Mayer, Moses Block, A.
Wermser. They have no resident rabbi.
Emanuel Evangelical Church.
mission was established in Danville in
1860, by Rev. M. Stokes; he preached some time in Thompson's Hall.
Afterward Rev. Davis succeeded to the charge. A congregation was organized and
a frame church built in 1869.
The two ministers succeeding Mr. Davis were
Revs. Detwiler and Buck.
Then came Rev. Radebaugh, then Rev. Orwig and
again Mr. Radebaugh; then Rev. Hunter and finally Rev. Hornberger.
The
last named published the Temperance Star.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church is a German Lutheran Church on
Market Street. It is a small brick structure, with a fair attendance of members, and a good Sunday-school.
The present pastor is Rev. J. R. Groff.
Welsh Churches. Congregational Church, Chambers Street, is a brick edi-

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fice built in

Welsh

1835.
Calvinistic Methodist Church, near Catawissa Railroad,

was

built in

1845.

Welsh Baptist Church, Spruce Street, was
None of these have a resident pastor.

built in 1870; a

frame building.

African Methodist Episcopal Church on York's Hill has no pastor.
Catholic Churches.
St. Joseph' s Roman Catholic Church is on corner
of Centre and Ferry Streets.
This church has sprung from a mission begun
by the Rev. J. P. Hannigan, in 1847, when the frame church now used as a
hall for church and church society meetings was built.
In September, 1857,
the lot upon which the present church is built was purchased, but the building
was not commenced until 1866, and was finished in 1869. It is of brick,
61x117 feet, with tower 170 feet high, surmounted by a cross. The style of
architecture is Romanesque.
The mimber of communicants is 2,200. There
is a Sunday-school with 400 scholars, superintended by the pastor.
The value
of church property is $75,000.
The pastors have been Revs. J. P. Hannigan,
Joseph O'Keefe, Hugh P. Kenney, Michael Sheridan, Edward Murray, Arthur
McGinnis (died while j)astor), and Thomas McGovern, the present pastor.
St. Hubert's Catholic Church (German), Bloom Street, built in 1862, is a
neat, brick edifice.
Rev. F. X. Schmidt is the pastor; number of communicants, 700.
The Sunday-school, superintended by the pastor, contains eighty
scholars.
Value of church property, 110,000.
Revs. Froesch, Koch and

Roman

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HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

113

Schmidt, the present pastor, constitute the pastoral succession of this church
since

its

organization.
SOCIETIES.

Free and Accepted Masons.

— Danville Lodge,

officers are T. E. Ellis,

W. M.

No. 224, chartered in 1847.

Jared N. Diehl, S. W. Francis M. Gotwold, J. W. M. L. Fisher, Sec. David Kuckle, Treas.
Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, chartered September, 1872. Officers John W.
Farnsworth, W. M. George Maiers, S. W.
Samuel Kussell, J. W. N.
Hofer, Treas. Alexander J. Frick, Sec.
Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. A. M., organized in May, 1872.
M. E. H.
A. Steinbrenner S., David Ruckel; Treas.,
P., John W. Farnsworth; K.
David Clark; Sec, Alexander J. Frick.
Cavalry Commandery, No. 37, K. T. E. C, John W. Farnsworth; G., David
H. Getz; C. G., Elliott R. Morgan; Treas., D. S. Bloom; Rec, A. J. Frick.
The commandery was removed from Catawissa to Danville in 1874.
Independent Order Red Men. Mahoning Tribe, No. 77, was organized in
1867, with thirty-seven charter members. Officers: Sachem, Charles Chalfant;
Senior Sagamore, Henry Snyder; Jr. S., John F. Gulic; Prophet, C. C. Herr;
of R. Reece Evans; Treas., S. G. Thompson.
Knights of Pythias.
Blucher Lodge, No. 314, was organized September
The officers are George Hartlein, C. C. A. Steinbrenner, K. of R.
1, 1872.
and S. John Jacobs, Treas. There are thirty-three members in the order.
The first officers of the organization were Nicholas Hofer, C. C. A. Steinbrenner, K. of R. and S. John Jacobs, Treas.
Beaver Lodge, No. 132, was organized in 1869.
The officers are Charles

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Grove, P. C. Samuel T. Jackson, C. C. Evan Beaver, B. C. W. Williams,
William Smith, M. at A.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Montour Lodge, No. 109, organized
April, 1845.
Number of present membership is eighty-five. The officers are
D. M. Shultz, N. G.; Charles C. Ranch, V. G. J. Sweisfort, Sec; Philip
Welliver, Asst. Sec W. H. Ammerman, Treas.
Calumet Lodge, No. 279, number of members 106. E. Lewis, N. G.
Andrew Heath, V. G. D. R. Williams, Sec. Abram Larew, Asst. Sec.
Henry Earp, Treas.
Danville Lodge: Charles Chalfant, N. G.
Clarence Rank, V. G. Reece
Evans, Sec. B. H. Harris, Asst. Sec. Henry Herring, Treas.
Celestia Lodge, No. 67, D. of R. chartered September 5, 1872, fifty members: Henry Earp, N. G. Mrs. Jacob Harris, V. G.
J. Sweisfort, Sec;
Mrs. Sarah Evans, Asst. Sec. Mrs. J. P. Bare, Treas.
Myrtle Lodge, No. 858, Philip Smith, N. G. David Chesnut, V. G. M.
W. Smith, Sep. Mr. Swank, Asst. Sec. George Miles, Treas. J. W.

J.

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Sweisfort, Dist. Deputy.

Menoloton Encampment, No. 40, chartered August

members

thirty-seven.

Wright,

S.

W.

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John

7, 1856, number of
B. Baldy, C. P. Charles Chalfant, H. P. Angus
Bugler, J. W.
J. A. Faux, S.
S. M. Trumbower,

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Treas.

[The

O. O. F, Cemetery Company, of Danville, was chartered in 1873
organized in January, 1874, the grounds secured at a cost of
$3,000 and at once put in good order.
Nine trustees are elected every three
years.
Present ones are as follows: from Montour Lodge, D. L. Antrim, J.
Sweisfort and S. M. Trumbower; from Calumet Lodge, Jacob Harris, George
A. Brown and James Woodsides; from Danville Lodge, Reece Evans and J.
P. Bare. The officers are President, G. A. Brown; V. P., J. P. Bare; Sec, J.

and

I.

fully

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

114

W.

The first interment in this cemetery was
Swiesfort; Treas. D. L. Antrim.
William -Tames, September 1, 1873. He was killed by an explosion in the
Montour Iron Works.]
Grand Army of the Republic. Goodrich Post, No. 22, of Danville, named
in honor of Lieut. M. B. Goodrich, who died of wounds received in the battle
As early as 1867 the returned soldiers formed themselves
of the Wilderness.
into a brotherly band called the Boys in Blue.
In June, 1870, this organization
became the Danville Grand Army of the Republic. This organization was

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kept effective until June, 1873, when it was disbanded.
April 22, 1879, it
was reorganized and its charter bears that date. The following were the officers elected at that time: Com., James M. Gibbs; Sr. V. C. A. B. Pattonj,
Jr. V. C, Joseph H. Johnson; Sergt., Charles Wood; Officer of the Day,
Benton B. Brown; Officer of Guard, George S. Tillson; Chaplain, Robert Miller; Q. M., W. C. Davis.
Charter members: S. M. Wait, Samuel Herr,
Robert G. Miller, Samuel R. Lunger, Joseph H. Johnson, Samuel C. Runyon,
George Tillson, Alfred L. Gerrick, Jonas Foster, William Wyatt, J. M.
Gibbs, A. B. Patton, A/. L. Jones, Alex J. Rainer, W. C. Davis, Levi M. Miller, Lewis Byerly, W. H. Rook, P. H. Sheridan, Thomas M. Thomas, Peter
Moyer, Jonathan Sweisfort, William Good, Alexander Wait, Joseph H. Ramsey, John W. W. Klase, Robert Fields, James Jones, John McElrath, Michael
Shires, A. C. Angle, Benton B. Brown, H. C. Snyder, Jacob Slack, Thomas
V. Pensyl, William Henry, John Moore, Samuel Thomas, Edward D. Smith,
John A. Weimer, Michael Riley, John Riley, John Marshall, John Kime, Alex
J. HofPner, Charles Spicer, Charles Woods, Arthur AV. Beaver, Samuel Bailey,
H. F. Freeze, George C. Williams, William Earp, John Everett. Present officers: A. B. Patton, Com.; George Gardner, V. C.
R. W. Eggert, Jr. V. C. j
Benton B. Brown, Adjt. AV. C. Davis, Q. M. Robert G. Miller, Sergt.
Michael Shires, Chaplain; A. C. Angle, Officer of Day; F. E. Hilderbrandt,
Officer of Guard; W. G. Kramer, Sergt. Maj.
W. T. Wyatt, Outside Guard
Samuel Lunger, Inside Guard; Lyman Milroy, Ord. Sergt. Present membership, 164; society in every way prosperous.
E'Nai Berilh. —Herman Lodge, No. 32, I. O. B. B. organized in 1857
number of membership, twenty-nine. Gustavo Weil, Pres. Joseph Wermser, V. P.
A. Lang, Sec.
W. L. Gross, Treas.
Young Men's Christian Association was organized in the Mahoning
Presbyterian Church on the 21st of June, 1872.
The officers elected were
President, S. G. Butler; vice-president, John Sweisfort; secretary, John R.
Rote, and librarian, H. H. Yorgy. The managers first chosen were James M.
Coulter, William McCormick, C. F. Lloyd, J. Sweisfort and C. P. Bradway.
The organization at present is as follows: President, James M. Coulter; vicepresident, J. S. Huber; secretary, George Swartz; treasurer, George M. Gearhart; general secretary, D. C. Hunt; financial secretary, H. H. Yorgy. The
association numbers eighty- one members.
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FREE LIBRARY.

Thomas Beaver Free Library, now

(October, 1886) in the course of conthe contribution of its namesake, Thomas Beaver, and when completed and furnished will be the most attractive public building in the county.
Its fi'onting is 48 feet on Market Street and 78 feet on Ferry Street, standing
back from either street 10 feet, for lawn.
The front recedes 5 feet from each
side of the main entrance, the first floor elevated 4 feet above the pavement.
The massive base and broken outline give its three tall stories an imposing
appearance.
The whole is of light gray stone, with granite trimmings, and
struction,

is

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

115

Stone newels and marble tiling flooring is an index
'Scotch granite columns.
The internal arrangements and rooms are spacious and
of the inside finish.
In the rear of this, as
arranged in perfect order for the intended purposes.
an annex, is that portion of the building donated to the Young Men's ChrisThis occupies 70 feet on Ferry Street the main building to
tian Association.
!be 38 feet front on Ferry Street and 64 feet deep, all especially arranged and
finished for the uses of this organization, the basement with bath rooms,
It has main
lavatory, lockers, dressing rooms, boiler room and gymnasium.
entrance, vestibule hall, members' parlor, secretary and committee rooms, and
The lecture room is to have
instruction room and entrance to gymnasium, etc.
a seating capacity of 400 the exterior to be the same stone and finish as the
The total frontage on Ferry Street is 150 feet.
library.
Mr. Beaver provides for the completion of the entire building, and for
the endowment of the library, and furnishes a library costing $10,000.
The property is placed when completed in the hands of trustees, with perpetual succession, the first trustees, three of whom are named by Mr. Beaver
and then one from each and every church organization (including the Synagogue) in Danville, to be selected and chosen by the different organizations.
The entire amount of money it will require to complete the donation can
not be exactly told now, but Mr. Beaver svipposes it will be about 1100,000.
;

;

WATER WORKS.
of the town and its factories came the important question
The subject received general consideration as
•of a supply of good water.
early as 1867 and the more it was discussed the more determined became
those citizens of spirit and enterprise to devise some way to meet the long felt
wrant.
The water in the town wells, found at a depth of twenty to twentyfive feet, or at the strata of rock forming the river bed, which was never first

With the growth

was growing positively bad. In 1871 the Danville Water Company
was formed, but it seems it ceased to live after its formal organization. A
committee was appointed in 1872 consisting of George W. Reay, J. W. Sweisfort, William Buckley, and M. D. L. Sechler, which visited several cities for
Upon their recommendation
the pui-pose of investigating fully the subject.
the present place was adopted and the water works constructed, the Holly
Company' s system being deemed the best and cheapest. The works are located
on the bank of the river just below the bridge, a filter is constructed some
distance in the river and the water forced by powerful engines through the
rate,

pipes to all parts of the city, there being nearly twelve miles of water mains,
costing about $100,000 the engines and pumps costing $36,000.
The works
give entire satisfaction in their operation and such is their capacity and facilities that upon a few moments' notice they can increase the force of the water
sufiiciently to drown almost any conflagration that might occur.
;

POSTOFFICE.

The Danville

•».

was established in 1806, about a quarter of a century after people had settled here, and who could during all that time, only send
or receive letters from fi'iends or upon business as they were carried by the
ohance traveler from place to place. To us now it seems a long time between
mails twenty-five years but these good people struggled along well content
if heaven only spared theii* lives.
When in a long time the mail did come, the
postage on a letter was 25 cents, and very aged people can tell you of instances where a family would be notified there was a letter for them, and the postage not being paid, they were sorely troubled for many days to raise the
postoffice

—

money

to secure

—

it.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

116

Gen. William Montgomery was the first postmaster in Danville.
When
he resigned, his son Daniel succeeded him. They together kept the office unof that year.
til 1813, when Kudolph Sechler was appointed April 3,
The
latter continued in office until James Longhead was appointed November 24,
1820, who held the office fourteen years, when David Petrikin was appointed
February 1, 1834. He was succeeded by John Best, March 21, 1837, whc
The next
served until the appointment of Sharpless Taylor March 25, 1841.
was Alexander Best, appointed November 9, 1842. Gideon M. Shoop was
appointed April 11, 1849, and served until November 26, 1852, when Thomas
C. Ellis was appointed; he was succeeded September 1, 1853, by Thomas ChalDuring his term in 1856 the Danville postoffice became a presidential
fant.
office, and Mr. Chalfant was reappointed, February 21, 1856, and served until May 28, 1861, and was succeeded by Andrew F. Russell; the latter was reappointed July 14, 1865, and served until Ogden H. Ostrander was appointed
Charles W. Eckman was appointed
April 16, 1867, who served two years.
April 5, 1869, and reappointed March 18, 1873, and again reappointed April
1877.
Mr. Eckman continued in office until a Democratic president,
7,
Cleveland, was inaugurated, when he resigned the place he had filled so longand so well and removed to Reading. He was succeeded by Thomas Chalfant, who it seems had simply stepped down and out during the Democratic interregnum, but who returned to office with his party to power, and is now fillingthe position to the entire satisfaction of the community.

BOROUGH OFFICIALS.

By an

act of the Legislature Danville

was organized

as a

borough on the

7th of February, 1849.
The first burgess was Dr.

Wm. H. Magill. The first town council, commembers, as follows: George S. Sanders, George Bassett, ValThe first council meetingentine Best, Frank E. Rouch and E. H. Baldy.
was held in the office of E. H. Baldy, and the first business transacted was
Edward Young was chosen
the election of him as clerk of the council.
street commissioner at a salary of $20 a year; Thomas Jameson, constable.
On the 22d of May, in that year, the first dog tax was levied in the borough
posed of

five

The Friendship Fire Company represented to the council that the
of Danville.
hose was old and rotten, and requested 700 feet of new hose, which was
ordered.
A contract was also made with James F. Deen for an engine capable of
The price was to be $800. It was
supplying the Friendship Hose Company.
At this period
constructed and ordered to be given in charge of the company.
the fire apparatus came under the general direction of the borough.
On the 24th of December, 1849, the council passed a resolution makingapplication to the State Legislature for the erection of a new county, to be
It was also resolved to
called Montour, with the county seat at Danville.
furnish the new county with necessary buildings.
On the 29th of March, 1850, a new council was organized. Dr. Wm. H.
Magill was rechosen as burgess and Valentine Best as a member of the council.
The new members were Dr. Isaac Hughes, George B. Brown, Thomas Woods
and William Morgan. Valentine Best was chosen clerk, and M. C. Grier was
elected treasurer.
Edward Young was the tax collector for 1850.
On the 4th of April, 1851, the council met for organization. At the previous March election Thomas Chalfant had been chosen burgess, and the following returned and took their seats as members of the council James F. Deen,
:

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY,

117

William Clark was
J.
C. Rhodes and A. F. Russel.
appointed high constable, and B. W. Wapples, street commissioner.
In the spring of 1852 Thomas Jameson was elected burgess, with the following council: George S. Sanders, John Deen, Jr., G. W. Boyer, and George
W. Bryan. The latter was chosen clerk. In this year Sydney S. Easton filled

John Rockafeller,

up Northumberland

Street.

In 1853 Joseph D. Hahn was elected biu-gess: council, Daniel Ramsey, P.
Hofer, David Jones and James Gaskins; William G. Gaskins, clerk.
Robert Moore was chosen burgess in 1854; council, John Deen, Jr., John
Turner, William Hancock, James G. Maxwell and Robert McCoy.
In 1855 William Henrie, burgess; council, Smith B. Thompson, David
A census
Jones, Isaiah S. Thornton, Frank E. Rouch, Isaac Ammerman.
was also ordered by the council, under which the inhabitants were enumerated,
and the same was reported at the close of the year: Population, 5,427.
1856 David Clark, burgess; council, Jacob Sechler, John Best, John
Arms, William Mowrer and Paul Leidy, Esq.
1857 Jacob Seidel was chosen burgess; council, Jacob Sechler, Charles
Leighow, Joseph R. Philips, Samuel Hamor and John Patton.
1858 Dr. Clarence H. Frick, burgess; council, AVilliam Mowrer, David
Jones, Gideon Boyer, George S. Sanders and Frederick Lammers.
1859— Christian Laubach, burgess; council, D. N. Kownover, Joseph
Diehl, B. K, Vastine, D. M. Boyd and William Cook.
1860— J. C. Rhodes, burgess; council, William Cook, W. G. Patton, B. K.
Vastine, Emanuel Houpt and Michael C. Grier.
1861 E. C. Voris, burgess; council, Reuben Voris, David James, Joseph
Flanegan, William Morgan and D. M. Boyd.
1862 Isaac Rank, burgess; council, Jacob Aten, William Mowrer, Charles
W. Childs, David Grove and James L. Riehl.
1863 B. K. Vastine, burgess; council, James L. Riehl, William Twist,
William Lewis, John G. Hiler and John Rockafeller.
1864 E. W. Conkling, burgess; council, James L, Riehl, John G, Hiler,
Joseph Diehl, C. Laubach and William Lewis.
1865 John G. Thompson, burgess; council, Henry Harris, Dan Morgan,
D, DeLong, William Henrie and Jacob Aten.
1866 Dr. R. S. Simington, burgess; council, Dan Morgan, Francis Naylor, D. DeLong, William Henrie and Charles H. Waters.
1867— George Bassett, burgess. [Previous to the election the borough had
been divided into four wards, the First, Second, Third and Fourth. Before that
time there had been two wards, the South and the North, with five members of
The change provided for four wards and
council, each elected for one year.
twelve councilmen, three from each ward, one-third of them to serve one year,
one-third two years and the other three years, and also providing for the
Council, James Corelection of one councilman each year from each ward].
nelison, John A. Winner, C. W. Childs, William Henrie, David Clark, James
Kelly, Samuel Lewis, M. D. L. Sechler, Joseph Sechler, Thompson Foster,
John G. Thompson and E. Thompson.
1868 Robert McCoy, burgess; new members of council, James L, Riehl,
C. S. Books, George AV. Reay and David Grove,
1869 A. J. Ammerman, burgess; new members of council, William
Henrie, J. S. Vastine, John R. Lunger and Franklin Boyer.
1870 D. S. Bloom, burgess; council, William Buckley, Hickman Frame,
M. D. L. Sechler and Samuel Lewis.
1871 Thomas Maxwell, burgess; with new councilmen, H, M, Schoch,
G. W, Miles, George Lovett and Jacob Sweisfort.

—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

118

—
—

1872 Oscar Ephlin, burgess; new members of council, George W. Reay,
Henry Vincent, Jacob Schuster and J. L. Riehl.
1878 Edward Young, burgess; councilmen, William Buckley, N. Hofer,
Joseph W. Keely and Thomas Coxey.
1874 J. R. Philips, burgess; new councilmen, James Vandling, James

—
—
—

Auld, W. D. Williams and David Clark.
1875 Charles Kaufman, burgess; new members of council, M. D. L.
Sechler, William T. Ramsey, J. R. Philips and J. W. Von Nieda.
1876 Henry M. Schoch was elected burgess; new councilmen, J. D.
Williams, David Ruckle, Wm. K. Holloway and William R. Williams.
Isaac
Ammerman was elected at a special election to fill the vacancy occasioned by
the resignation of James Auld, who had been chosen county commissioner.
1877 William C. Walker, burgess; new councilmen, David Clark, C. A.
Heath, A. B. Patton and John A. Wands.
1878 James Foster, burgess; new councilmen, J. W. Keely, Stephen
Johnson, James Welsh and Thompson Foster.
1879 Jas. Foster, burgess; new councilmen, William Angle one year; P.
Johnson three years, and S. Trumbower, Jacob Goldsmith, H. B. Strickland and
Lewis Rodenhofer one year.
1880 Joseph Hunter, burgess; new councilmen, Wm. Angle, Wm. Keinev, Hugh Pursel, Nicholas Hofer.
1881 Joseph Hunter re-elected burgess; new councilmen, A. G. Voris,
P. Keefer, Henry L. Gross, Jas Welsh.
William G. Gaskins was clerk to the
council for twenty years and was succeeded by Capt. George Lovett in 1874.
In 1879 J. Sweisfort was chosen clerk and he was succeeded by Charles M.
Zuber.
Among the street commissioners were Emanual Peters, Daniel McClow, William C. Walker, Oliver Lenhart and Mr. Faux.
The street commissioner is also ex officio collector of the market tax, and presumedly a sort of

—
—
—

—
—

inspector of that institution.
1882 Joseph Hunter, burgess; new councilmen, B. R. Gearhart, I. A.
Yorks, D. B. Fetterman, F. C. Derr.
1883 S. G. Thompson, burgess; councilmen, J. K. Geringer, Hugh Pursel, Henry Divel, David Grove.
1884 S. G. Thompson, burgess; councilmen, H. M. Trumbower* J. H.
Montague, W. K, Holloway, H. A. Kneibler.

—
—
—
1885 — Joseph Hunter,
councilmen, Jacob Moyer,
son, George Maiers, Edward Hofer.
1886 — Joseph Hunter, burgess; councilmen, John W.
bui-gess,

George EdmonSheriflp,

W.

C.

Walker, Henry L. Gross, S. A. Yorks.
Clerk of the town council, Adolf Steinbrenner attorney, James Scarlet;
treasurer, Geo. P. Brown; surveyor, Geo. W. West; high constable, Dan
Low; street commissioner, J. R. Philips; chief of fire department, W. W.
Davis; chief police, W. S. Baker.
Oflicers of the water department are Swartz Miller, superintendent; receiver of rents, Adolf Steinbrenner; water commissioners, James Cruikshank,
Joseph H. Barry, John W. Farnsworth.
;

/>v^

J./'^^-'O:'^^^

HISTORY or MONTOUR COUNTY,

CHAPTER

121

XIII.

TOWNSHIPS.

—

Mahoning Anthony— Derry— Limestone— Liberty— Valley—Ma yberry—
Cooper— West Hemlock.

ABKIEF

—

record account of the townships of Montour County that is,
and the changes and subdivisions, bringing
them to the present time is given here in this part of the chapter as a matter of economy in space and convenience in aiding the reader in tracing the
account, without having to refer to the separate township headings.
All this part of the State, including what is now Montour and Columbia
Counties, was erected in 1772 into Augusta and Wyoming Townships,
this immediate portion of the State, that portion east of Fishing creek
their origin, first names,

—

was Augusta Township. In 1784 what is now Montour County was made
Turbut Township in 1786 Derry and Mahoning were erected, and these included not only all of what is now Montour County but extended into the territory of Columbia and Northumberland Counties.
What is now Liberty and
parts of Valley and Limestone Townships were made Madison Township in
;

the latter part of the last century.

The name Turbut comes from Turbut Francis, who according to the earliest
records seems to have been the first party to piu'chase lands in what is now
Montour County. He was a large land speculator and never lived in this
part of the State.
All the townships now in the county were carved ultimately from Mahoning and Derry Townships. When the county was organized, in 1850, it
contained Franklin, Mahoning, Valley, Liberty, Limestone, Derry, Anthony,
Roaringcreek and a part of Montour, Hemlock and Madison.
All that part
of Madison in the new county was made a new township and called Madison,
and that part of Hemlock and Montour was made Cooper Township. In 1853
the line of division of Montour and Columbia Cou.nties was changed, and Roaringcreek, Franklin, Madison and Hemlock were transferred back to Columbia County and the new township in Montour County became West Hemlock,
taken from Hemlock Township, and that portion taken fi'om Montour was
made Cooper Township, and the part taken from Franklin became Maybeny
Township.
In other words, the final adjustment as we now have them, was
fixed in 1853.
January 25, 1839, the people of Mahoning and Derry Townships prayed
the county commissioners to lay off a new township, and on September 25 of
that year Ezra Hayhurst, Benjamin Beaver, George Willet and Stephen Baldy
were appointed to lay off a new township. Accordingly they proceeded to
erect a new one and called it Baldy Township, now Valley Township, the
name given it by the commissioners being retained only about eight years.
;

MAHONING. *

An

old document, dated June, 1798, was made by Philip Maus, collector
and contains a list of taxables in the township for that year.

of the township,

*For Borough of Danville, see page

75.

7A

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

122

who were residents of what is now Mahoning
now its territorial limits are much smaller than
The list includes probably about all who were then residents of
they were then.
the entire county, and part of Columbia County, and is as follows Paul Adam,
It is only a majority of them
Township, for the reason that

:

James Burk, Robert Biggers, John Bugart, Daniel Barton, Elisha Barton,
Cornelius Bogart, Abraham Bogart, Stephen Brown, Peter, Frederick and
Michael Blue, Thomas Boyer, John Clark, James Conifran, Isaac Calden,
Duncan Cameron, Widow Curry, Geo. Caldwell, John Caldwell, John and
William Cox, W^illiam Cornelius, W^idow Cameron (grandmother of Hon. Simon
Cameron), Andrew Coughran, John and Thomas Davis, Samuel Erwin, John
Enrit, Sr. and Jr., John and Daniel Frazer, Michael Hille, Hugh and Thomas
Hughes, David Inawalt, James Getplin, James Kermer, David Kerr, John
Moore, Philip Maus, John Miller, William Montgomery, Alex. McMillen,
Benjamin Martin, William Martin, Aaron and Daniel Pew, Daniel Phillips,
Robinson, Leonard Rupert, James Rabe, John Stewart, James Sample,
John Seigler, Michael Sundes, Jacob Vanderbilt, Gilbert Vorhigh, John Woodward, John Wilson, Joseph Williams, Thomas Willetts, John Young, AlexThe list separates the young men from the
ander Seliman, Harman Zulic.
married men, and the list of the young men is as follows: Geo. Maus, Isaac
Budwan, Mike Saunders, John Cook, Samuel Enrit, Jacob Sechler, Alexander McGee, William Richard, David Steele, Jacob Groff, Widow CampJonathan D. Sargeant, Michael
bell (a young widow, it is supposed),
Bright, William Clark, Widow Duncan, Daniel Heisher, Abel and Daniel
Reese, Aaron Long^T^eo. Miller, Evan Owen, David Phillips, Widow Zimes,
Thomas Robinson, Alexander Berryhill, William Ross, Abner Wickersham,
Dennis Leary, James Hunter, George Fant, John Buel, Cadwallader Zowns,
Samuel Pleasants.
The Danville Insane Asylum is located in Mahoning Township; a full acThe Danville and Mahoning Almshouse
count will be found in Chapter III.
is

also in this township.

Danville

It is in the east part of the township,

two miles from

— the Catawissa Railroad passing through a portion of the land.

The

land was purchased in October, 1854, of John Hartzell and wife, consideration
It was built for the purpose of caring for
$7,000, and comprises 116 acres.
the paupers of Danville and Mahoning Township, and is under the control of
The present ones are Elijah C. Voris, John C. Roberts and
three directors.
At the present there are
James Woodsides; clerk, W'illiam M. Russell.
twenty-five inmates, eighteen males and seven females, all under the care of
Elijah Sechler, steward, appointed annually by the directors.

This was formed in 1S49 and named in honor of Judge Anthony, who was
Prior to this it was
at that time president judge of the courts in the district.
It is connected with the earliest history of Mona part of Derry Township.
tour County chiefly through the fact that the old Derry Church, in the division

Anthony, and is now within its
church meetings held here in the past century
were under two white oak trees, and which are still standing, and in some
respects are now associated in the minds of the descendants of these
pioneer Christian men and women, after the manner of the Charter Oak tree of
For some years church meetings were held under the spreading
this State.
In 1802 a little log church was put up a
branches of these two oak trees.
It had only a
short distance below the site of the present church building.
dirt floor, was covered with branches of trees and grass and leaves, and on the
of that old township, fell to the territory of

territorial limits.

The

first

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

123

gi'ound in the center of the structure was built a fire in extreme weather. This
log house had a gallery (evidently a space- saving device) and the rough
stairway to this was on the outside of the building. A high pulpit was on one
side, and just below and in front of this was a boarded up box for the choir.
Everything about it was of the olden time that has passed away.
Its attendThey came from not only
ants were scattered over a wide extent of country.
the present county boundary limits, but from what is now Columbia County,
and from Northumberland, Lvizerne and Lycoming Counties.
Among the prominent organizers of this first church were William McVickar
and Thomas Adams both were the first elders. The first Presbyterian minister
who preached under the trees was Father Dunham, as he was universally called.
The first regular pastor was Rev. John B. Patterson, who filled the place of
pastor, father and friend to the little flock for forty-one years.
He died in
1843 and was buried in the Derry Cemetery. He was followed by Eev. Joha
H. Rittenhouse, who came from his native county, near Milton, to take charge.
He, soon after being installed, commenced the agitation of the subject of a new
building.
The building was erected to the great joy of the minister and people.
In 1852 he dropped dead while standing in front of a new church that
the people were then assembling to hear him dedicate in Washingtonville. He
was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. John Thomas, and he in turn by Rev.
John Johnson, and he by the present pastor, Rev. G. A. Marr, who resides in
Northumberland County. These were all the regular pastors of this church,
but there were a number of supplies, some of whom filled the pulpit for long
The present elders are Andrew Brittain, W. S. Pollock, J. W. Lowperiods.
rey and W. C. McVickar; the trustees: D. M. Sheep, James Russell, A. C.
Present membership, seventy-five.
Dildine.
W. C. McVickar is superintendent of the Sunday-school. The old historic church was torn down (which
is now to be regretted) to be replaced by the present building, which was
erected and dedicated in 1846.
Col. Robert Clark, the eminent patriot and soldier of the Revolutionary
war, came to what is now this township and settled in 1792.
He won and
wore his eagles in the front ranks in the war for independence. He was born
He was present at the signin Dauphin County and there grew to manhood.
He pui'chased about 600 acres of
ing of the Declaration of Independence.
land which is now the property of Charles Mowrey, just west of the McVickar
Col. Clark's wife was Sallie Hutchinson.
farm.
They both lie buried in
the Derry graveyard. Their children, of whom there were seven, are all dead.
Their son Robert came to what is now Montour County, with his parents, when
He married Jane Wilson, born in
but fourteen years old, in the year 1778.
1780.
They had eight children. He died in June, 1868, and she died in
They were also buried in Derry Cemetery.
August, 1863.
White Hall. —The first settler here was John Fruit.
He settled here in the
some believe that it was in the year 1800. He
latter part of the last century
was a native of Ireland. He opened a store-room in his dwelling soon after
he came, and afterward put up a store room; this he built on property
now belonging to Henry C. Monroe. It was a small frame structure, and in
it he kept the usual variety to be found in a country store.
He sold the store
in 1810 to John Frederick Derr who carried it on alone until 1841, when he
Mr. Derr died in 1853, when Mr. Mcsold an interest to William McBride.
Bride continued to conduct the establishment until 1866, assisted by his son, J>
The stock was removed to the present brick
S. McBride, now the proprietor.
structiire in 1864.
Ely & Moyer were merchants in this place at an early day.
In 1841 Neal McCoy started a store which he carried on about six years.;

—

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

124

The place was called at that day " Friiitstown. " The mail was carried by a cirIt was a pony mail, and the first
cuitous route from Catawissa to this place.
This postofiice was established in
mail boy on the route was Jacob Dyer.
The postmaster succeeding Mr. Biddle was John F. DeiT. He remained
1820.
The lat
iu the office until 1855, when William McBride became postmaster.
He was sucter remained until 1862, and then John Crawford was installed.
ceeded by his son, G. W. Crawford, and in turn he was succeeded by the
present postmaster, J. S. McBride.
He was
Daniel Dildine, an Irishman, opened the first blacksmith shop.
entertainment for
The first hotel or
one of the early settlers of the place.
man and beast, was the Red House Hotel, by Andrew Schooley. It occupied
The hotel was
the ground and house where the present brick store stands.
David Ely succeeded Mr.
torn down to make room for the store building.
The latter was succeeded by Ferdinand Bitter, a naSchooley in the hotel.
Mi*. Bitter built the present White Hall Hotel in 1818.
tive of JBerks County.
'

'

'

'

was rebuilt in 1849-50.
The White Hall Baptist Church was erected in 1858 at a cost of about
The most active parties in raising the money for the church were
$1,500.
William McBride, Effie DeiT and A. Holden. But they were liberally aided
by all the residents in that vicinity. Andi-ew F. Shanafelt was the first
He made his residence in this vicinity. He removed fi'om here
preacher.
The first officers of the church were William
to Old Chester where he died.
McBride and George W. Suplee, deacons, and Aid Holden and William McThe present officers are John Creamer and William McBride.
Bride, trustees.
The Sunday-school superintendent is John Creamei-, and the attendance about
It

fifty.

school here was taught in 1818 by John Rea in a fi-ame building
The building was torn down in 1841.
the present schoolhouse.
The present one is a brick building.
The old historic Derry Presbyterian Church is situated about one mile
from White Hall. The first church building was of nicely hewn pine logs. It
was torn down late in " the forties " and the present frame structure was put up.
There is a Baptist Church in the place. A frame building near the village
is also the Primitive Methodist Episcopal Church.
Among the old families of this village are the Careys. John Carey, now
He is over seventy-five years of age.
residing there, was born in the place.
The first regular
Exchange.
St. James Episcopal Church is located here.
At first services were held in what was
pastor was Rev. Milton Lightner.
known as the Baptist schoolhouse. Mr. Lightner' s first visit to the place was to
preach at the funeral of Stephen Ellis the first of that name to settle here and
one of the early settlers in this township. The regular services began in 1843,
When Stephen Ellis died he left a verbal will
and were held regularly.
giving $200 toward the building of the church, " should there ever be a
The erection of the chiu'ch was comdisposition to erect such a building.
The corner-stone was
menced in 1848 on land piu'chased for that purpose.
laid by Bishop Alonzo Potter, and that year it was completed and dedicated
The promby the same bishop, assisted by Rev. Milton Lightner and others.
inent contributors were the estate of Stephen Ellis, William Ellis, Stephen
Ellis (son of Stephen Ellis, deceased, and who now resides in Exchange),
Catharine Ellis and Jane, William, Isabella, Ellen and John C. Ellis, and

The

on the

first

site of

—

—

'

'

Milton Lightner and Amos Heacock.
Rev. Milton Lightner served the congregation about ten years, and was succeeded by Rev. Edwin Lightner, who served the congregation from Danville.

HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY.

125

He was

succeeded by Rev. Elsegood, and the ministers in charge in the order
Revs. Fury, William Page, Albra Wadleigh, Rollin H.
Brown, Abram P. Brush, Baldy Lightner (son of the first of that name)^
Frank Duncan Jadow, Frank Canfield, William Johnson, David L. Fleming,
The cost of the church building
the present pastor, who is located in Muncy.
was over $1,300. The first officers were William Ellis, Stephen Ellis, John
C. Ellis and Amos Heacock, vestrj-men; William Ellis and Amos Heacock,
wardens.
The present officers are Charles Reeder, William Ellis, John Caldwell, John D. Ellis, Robt. Caldwell and Stephen C. Ellis, vestrymen, and
Charles Reeder, senior warden, and S. C. Ellis, junior.
The present Exchange Hall and school was built in 1874, and opened t»
It was erected at a cost of $1,300. The
the public and as a school that year.
building committee was Stephen C. Ellis, Patrick Dennin and Dr. McHenry.
The first school-teacher in the building was Augustus Truckmiller.
This hall is occupied by the Odd Fellows and by the Patrons of Husbandry.
The building is the property of twenty-eight stockholders, who joined together
in its construction.
The first school in Church Hill District, No. 6, was built
in 1819.
That building was torn down and the present house erected in 1870,
in which Miss Stine is the teacher.
W^ alter Johnston, father of W^illiam C. Johnston, the clerk and recorder
He left
about 1839.
of the county, was the first hotel-keeper in Exchange
there in 1840 and went to Jerseytown.
Among the early settlers in this
place was William Craig.
The families of John and Alexander Craig are still
John Bull kept a
in the place.
James McKee was another early settler.
The house
hotel on the top of the hill, but his family are gone years ago.
where he kept his hotel is still standing, though it has been closed as a place
of entertainment for years. One of the old families living above the hill was that
of Patrick Montague.
David Wilson is now a man over eighty years of age;
was among the early settlers.
Charles Clark (now a very old man) and
family lived north of Exchange.
His wife was a Derr. He opened the first
store in Exchange, built his storeroom in 1838 and for a time boarded at
Johnston's Hotel.
Exchange Lodge, No. 898, I. O. O. F. has a membership of thirty-eight.
Exchange was named about 1840.
The Crownover mill and a few clustering houses were then there.
There was an ancient log schoolhouse across the'
creek from the place.
The first brick house in the place, now owned by
Patrick Dinnen, was built by John Caldwell.
It is now a very old house.
John Caldwell married a daughter of James Pollock, another family of the
earliest settlers.
The first postmaster in the village was Gersham Biddle.

following were

—

,

DERRY TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF WASHINGTONVILLE.

The
one of the oldest townships and settlements in the county.
what is now the teiTitory of this township was a Mr. Brittain.
One of his sons is Nathaniel Brittain, now aged eighty years, and is still living
on the old family place. He has in his possession title papers and other eviAmong other very early settlers was Jacob
dences that establish this fact.
This

is

earliest settler in

Shultz,

who

settled in

what

is

noAv Limestoneville in 1790; after staying there

one year he removed to Derry Township and settled on the place now occupied
by his grandson, J. K. Shultz, where he died in 1804; he was buried in the
Derry Church graveyard. In the year mentioned an epidemic of typhoid fever
Brady's Fort
prevailed extensively and carried off a number of the people.
(generally printed in the State histories as "Boyle's Fort ") was erected toward
It was named after the two brothers
the latter part of the Revolutionary war.

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

12G

Sam. and Hugh Brady, who were prominent soldiers in the war for independence.
Mathew Calvin was an early settler in Washingtonville. The famHe built the old frame mill in the town.
ily and descendants are now gone.
It was twice burned down and as often rebuilt and the last building is still
standing.
Joseph Hutchinson settled near Washingtonville at an early day.
Col.

William McCormick, father of Hon. James McCormick of Danville, and
William Shaw and family were early settlers in Derry. Hon. James McCormick was born there in 1818. He married Margaret Shaw, daughter of the
above named William Shaw.
John Steinman built a saw-mill in 1812, about half a mile above Mr. BillA turning-lathe is now on the property occupied by the mill.
jneyer's.
John Auten built a saw-mill in 1812 and in 1814 he built a grist-mill and
The grist-mill has long since been entirely gone the saw-mill is
house.
One of the earliest settlers near Mr. Billmeyer's was
still on the same spot.
John Wilson. He was a prosperous farmer and died on the place where he
had made his improvement. Stephen Ellis and his wife Mary (Cunningham)
Their
Ellis of Donegal, Ireland, were of the early settlers in this township.
:son Stephen was born in this county May 15, 1807.
Of the earliest ministers of the church was the famous pioneer preacher,
He was stationed at WashJRev. J. B. Patterson of the Presbyterian Church.
ingtonville and had charge of the DeiTy Church and the Washingtonville
Church, the latter being both the first log schoolhouse and church combined
Mr. Patterson died in W^ashingtonville, and so
in this part of the county.
deeply had he impressed the purity and excellence of his character upon the
people, that his memory now is warmly cherished and is yet " a name to conHis descendjure by" among the descendants of his old-time parishioners.
The
ants are a son and daughter now living in the township where he died.
pi'esent Presbyterian brick church in Washingtonville is a modern building
erected about twenty years ago, and is the successor in regular line of the primitive little log church, as that first building had succeeded the inviting widespread branches of
God' s first temples.
Washingtonville and Danville constitute the two boroughs of Montour CounIt was only incorpoty, and they also mark the two oldest settlements in it.
rated into a borough April 28, 1870, the first officers being H. C. Snyder,
burgess, and Joseph B. Seidel, Andrew C. Ellis, James A. Miller, councilmen.
The present officers are Charles Mowery, burgess Charles Shires, clerk John
Andy, A. C. Coursou and J. B. Seidel, councilmen J. D. Geiger, postmaster.
A settlement was made here just prior to the breaking out of the war for
independence.
The Bosley water grist and saw-mill had been built prior to
It was burned
1788.
It stood just opposite where the present mill stands.
down in 1826. It was the circumstance of this mill and a few settlements
about it, that created Brady's fort, or block-house with port holes and for a
while a small howitzer cannon mounted on it, where the people fled at
In the histimes from the threatened approach of roving savage bands.
This is an evitories of the State this is spoken of as "Boyle's Fort."
dent mistake as it was built and named for the two Revolutionary heroes,
Hugh and Sam. Brady, brothers. In 1788, as mentioned elsewhere, great
Philip Maus bought
suffering threatened the people in the way of famine.
a quantity of grain at the time, of John Montgomery, of Paradise farm and
delivered it at the mill.
At this early day the place was called Washington.
From old papers in the possession of Philip F. Maus, we learn that in 1788
Samuel Smith, Adam Hempleman, and Robert Rogers were some of the parties then living in the vicinity of the place, and that they got some of the

—

'

'

'

;

;

;

,

HISTOEY OF MONTOUK COUNTY.

127

wheat he had bought from Paradise farm. Samuel Hutchinson purchased the
mill of Bosley.
He was a leading man of the early times, and was principal
owner of the village. He was succeeded in the mill by his son-in-law, Mathew
He ran the mill successfully for a number of years, and at the same
Calvin.
time owned and managed a large farm in the immediate vicinity. He was a
strong, intelligent and well educated man a fi'ee and independent thinker on
He donated, howerer, the ground
all subjects, but more especially on religion.
His son Samuel taught
for the frame Presbyterian Church built in 1832.
school in Washingtonville at an early day he removed to Huntington County,
became a lawyer and was elected to Congress. Before going to Congress he
had been elected and served as judge. Mathew Calvin was the first postmaster in Washingtonville. Dr. Newcombe was the first physician to locate
Just before the Revolutionary war Mr. Allen had built and
in the village.
opened the first hotel in the place. Mr. Allen' s successor in the hotel was
Thomas Buskii'k. The first blacksmith was Robert Walker. He was a good
workman. He invented and made the once clebrated Walker plow. He was
In
full of industry and enterprise and built finally a factory and foundry.
his old age he removed to Lancaster where he died.
Three churches were built in Washingtonville the Presbyterian, Lutheran
For many years the people worshiped at the old Derry
and Methodist.
Church, four and a half miles northeast of Washingtonville, where the celebrated Rev. John B. Patterson ministered for a long time, the particulars
He went from Danville to Washingtonof whom are fully given elsewhere.
ville in 1798, purchased and settled upon the old homestead farm about a
The early
mile east of the village where his son and daughter now reside.
members of this the oldest church in this part of the county were James
Biggins, Col. Robert Clark, the eminent Revolutionary soldier, William McCormick, James Barber, Thomas Barber, Andrevp Sheep, Samuel Brittain,
Joseph Henderson, James Lowrie, Joseph Hendershot, Gersham Biddle,
James Pollock, Thomas Morehead, John CaiT, John Allen, James C. Sproul,
Thomas Adam, James McVickar, John Russell, John Craig, William Pegg,
-^Samuel Hutchinson, Charles McKee, James Simington, Robert Shearer,
Thomas Foster, Thomas Robinson, John Blee, and Mr. McHord. These all
worshiped at the old Derry Church until 1832, when a building was put up
;

;

—

in Washingtonville.

The first store in the place was kept by Nathaniel Spence. His successor
was William McCormick. Jhe latter was one of the prominent men of his
day, a native of Ireland.
There is some dispute now as to where the old fort or block-house stood.
Some think it stood in the valley just across the creek from the borough,
while others contend it stood just back of Front Street, between Church and

Water Streets.
The first schoolhouse was

built in the last century soon after the close of
the war.
It was a square pen of unhewn logs of uneven length, a log taken
It stood on the street opposite to where John
out of three sides for windows.
Hedden resides. Early in this century Washingtonville was quite an importIn 1838 it had
ant place it was on the mail stage route through the county.
as many as four hotels and four stores. The leading business men at that time
were James and David McCormick, sons of William McCormick; Neal McCoy,
Aaron Moser now keeps
son of Robert, and the firm of Grim, Derr & Dye.
the hotel that is among the old improvements of the place.
Derry Lodge, No. 759, I. O. O. F., has a membership of twenty-eight.
;

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

128

LIMESTONE.

This was one of the townships struck off from Derry in the latter part of
" the forties. "
It is in the heart of the rich agricultiiral portion of the county.
The oldest living resident of this township is Joseph Gibson; he is the great
grandson of the noted early settler and surveyor, Henry Gibson.
His father,
Henry Gibson, died in November, I860, aged eighty-two years and eight
months.
Through the three generations born and reared in this county, they
have been of the most prominent people in this part of the State.
The Valiet
family can trace their lineage back to the Crusaders of the tenth century. The first
immigrants to come to this country arrived in Allentown in 1749. The present
representative of this family in Limestone Township is Stephen Valiet.
Probably the next oldest families to come to this country were the Davises, now represented by Joshua Davis.
They came to the country in 1754. Of the early
settlers were the Gouger family. John William Gouger was long a representative pioneer settler and the family were among the most prominent and influential people in the county.
Jacob Gouger came with his parents when a
child.
Jacob Shultz was a pioneer to this part of the State and a soldier in the
war of 1812. He lived in the township until he died. James Shell married
a daughter of his and is now residing on the Shultz farm.
The Fulmers were
early comers and a people much respected.
One of them served some time a&
associate judge in this county.
Limestoneville was founded by Daniel Smack in 1835. He had settled here,
and about that time erected dwelling and store, making a large establishment for
that day, and one of the finest store-rooms in the county.
He determined to
make a town of the place and he allowed full swing to his spirit of enterprise.
He built a blacksmith" shop and secured a smithy to run it; then a tailor and
fixed him up in a shop, and then a shoemaker.
But he did not stop with the
temporal comforts and affairs of the people, but pushing ahead he built a
Methodist Church and called able and earnest flock tenders to wend their way
to his moral green pastures.
The church building is a frame, and is supplied
regularly from Milton.
A very nice brick schoolhouse was put up. Indeed
Mr. Smack's ambition was fully consummated a town had been built up, and
the outlook was flattering for its continued prosperity.
A hotel had been
opened by a German. Balliet & McCormick had opened a store, and they
bought out Smack' s store and its belongings, which included the town itself, and
they became not only the store-keepers but the town proprietors. They conducted the mercantile business with success until 1848, when they sold to Jacob
Widenhower. There are now two stores in the place, many comfortable residences and the general surroundings that are important to the people in a
small village.
It is one of the nine places in the county that has a postoffice.
Near Mr. Gouger' s residence in this township is a place called California. It
is merely a cluster of farm houses adjacent to each other, and in the settlement

—

is

a schoolhouse.
LIBEKTY.

Thomas Strawbridge, of Chester County, Penn., was probably amongthe very first in what is now Liberty Township.
He was a conspicuous RevCol.

olutionary soldier; a man of eminent patriotism as a citizen, ancl a Rupert in
His coming to this part of the State was cotemporary with that of Gen.
war.
William Montgomery, whose sister, Margaret, he had man-ied in Philadelphia.
Col. Thomas Strawbridge and wife, Margaret, had four children.
Their soa
James married Mary Dale, and of the issue of this marriage is Dr. James Dale
Strawbridge, of Danville.
For a full genealogy of this family see the biography of Dr. Strawbridge in this book. Col. Thomas Strawbridge and his

SS^i>^'^"'-\^ ^NS>"\v^-^

/T-zi^y^-^''rry^^i

131

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

were among the early ^ftlers in
brother-in-law, Gen. William Montgomery,
They established
central figures.
and
prominent
and
State
th?s portion of the
they filled the
enterprises
manufacttormg
almost all the first commercial and
If
politicians nor place seekers.
not
were
yet
and
offices,
pi^minent public
they were ever
presence,
their
required
people
the necessit^s of their home
Con^
as did Gen. Montgomery when
of Northumberland
courts
the
of
judge
was
Col. ^Thomas Strawbridge
gresi
the first
He established a tannery in Liberty Township,
Coiinty in 1795.
State.
the
of
,
,
x
,,,
ih\n t ^^d .n what is
families who
The McWilliamses were among the earliest
o*^^*'
his three sons Hugh, Jo^^^' f
Liberty Township-Robert McWilliams
The McIre and.
Robert Curry
married
had
who
Jane,
daughter,
and
the
was
^^-^1^
^^^^^
which
1771,
wflliamsl bought land in
!^/',j^^^J^
Moore
there was a family named
Mooresburg. At the time they came there
The Bixthgeneration of the first Robert
stands.
;

m

readrrrlvnlLandcomeL^

•

.

f

m

.

Hving whefe Mooresburg now
the ^^^^^^^^^
McWilliams who came here is now represented
McRobert -^f,
eldest son of„^^j,^"^f
The
follows:
as
traced
Simineton of Danville,
Hugh
was
son
his
and
No.
Robert
2,
WnHams Sr was Hugh, whose son was
Dr Robert S. Symington
No 2 aid the last named was the father of Mrs.
November
13, 18o5 ^n^ married
and hence her childi-en: Gertrude, born
born October 11, 18o7
Elizabeth,
Harriet
1885;
15,
Calvin Leinbach. January
generation from the
sixth
living
and Anna Jean, born June 30, 1867, are the
was Jean Orr.
McWilliams
Robert
of
wife
The
Sst Robert McWilliams.
prior to
Ireland
of
North
the
to
Siey wte married in Scotland and removed
bounty, and the
Chester
in
first
at
stopped
They
coJng to this country.
Hugh was killed hj
to this p ace.
wife died a short time before they moved
six months old at his
was
Robert,
named
son,
only
His
in 1775.

m

•

the Indians

He was born in July, 1775.
.
n
,
-^a
Dunwoody, who had married
Robert McWilliams' mother was Rebecca
Jane Curry, i^ May
Hugh about the year 1774. Robert married his relative,was massacred by the
who
Curry
Robert
the
of
daughter
She was a
1798
the children of
Her mother Sas Jean McWilliams Curry. Some of
Indians
in 1877, John Mary and
died
1799,
18,
April
born
Hugh,
Lfs marriag: were
Lemon April .3, 18dU fene
This Hugh McWilliams married Rebecca
Jean
in Point Township Northborn
Lemon^
Rachel
and
James
of
was the daughtef
born January 2b 1831,
Harriet,
were
umberland County. Their children
Jane, born July 3, 183^,
Regma
1854;
14,
March
Voris
married to Gilbert
both of Liberty Township,
maS ed Dr. Robert S. Simington December 28, 1854,F.K.
Ham, f-ral mana1861,
23,
January
marrted
who
Anna Rebecca
the house, the Mcof
sides
both
Thus
ger of the New York elevated railroads.
the miu-derous^M^^^^^
from
^^^^^rers^
been
Currys,had
Williamses and
was the first white child
Jane Curry, who was born February 8 1773
^^^^^^
and west forks of the Susqueof the country, between the north

father's death.

Td

in this section

^'Tm^g'tbe
Penns

in

1795

is the deed from the
eartiest records pertaining to this township
resides on this
now
Clark
J.
Thomas
land.
of 329^ acres of
the
remained
property
The title to this
of Mooresburg.

m

land, northwest
chui^ih until 1806

he made his
and was then sold to Robert Finney, where
^nh.sdaj.
was
Finney
improvement and resided until his death in 1839.
people's
the
to
quota
full
his
no ed character and contributed
[^^^^^^^
who lived by himself
many eccentricities. He was a harmless old bachelor
and
noted for his hard work, yeai
after the death of his mother and sisters,
mandress,
everythmg,
He was odd
year out, and his pinching economy.

^J^^^^

m

m

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

132

ners and habits.
He purchased the farm and paid for it in threshing wheat
with the old flail a long hickory pole, cut and bent, with the heavy end so as
He lived in the old outto pound the sheaf of wheat and thus thresh it out.
building on the place, and in the severest winter weather would take what little
stock he had into the building with himself, and often in the dead of winter has
he carried straw from Danville to his place to feed his kine.
Among the early settlers are the present descendants of the Billmeyers. This
was a large and influential family noted for their frugality, prosperity and
John Steinman built a saw-mill about half a mile above
enterprise as farmers.
Billmeyers, in 1812.
There is now a turning-lathe on the old mill property.
John Auten built a saw-mill also in 1812, and in 1814 he added to his saw-mill
The lumber for his house and grist-mill was cut at his own sawa grist-mill.
mill, and these buildings were erected as soon as he could thus secure the
lumber.
The grist-mill was worn out and torn down. The saw-mill still stands
in the shape of a modern built mill as a successor to the first one.
These two
saw-mills and the grist-mill were the only ones in this part of the county at
that time, and here for many years the people in the vicinity had their grain

—

ground and their lumber cut.
John Wilson purchased land adjoining the Billmeyer place. He improved
about 175 acres and on this farm made his residence until he died.
In the
olden time every neighborhood imperatively needed a weaver to weave the
•cloth from wool and flax for wearing apparel for the people
the hatter, the
weaver and the itinerant shoemaker were the only sources of supply for
the average person's clothes of that day of rural simplicity and frugality.
The entire scheme of social economy is now wholly changed a change wrought
mostly by the wonderful mechanical inventions and appliances of the
American people. There are but few of the industries now carried on in which
machinery has not been introduced whereby one man can do the work of from
seven to ten men, and in no occupation has greater improvement been made
than in that of weaving, and yet we note the singular fact that wearing apparel
is much more expensive now than it was three-quarters of a century ago.
The spinning jenny and the cotton-gins have taken away much the larger proportion of the time and toil upon each yard of cloth, as compared with half a
century ago.
These remarks are parenthetical to the fact that in the early
times George Wagner, a weaver, located in the township.
After working here
some years he removed to Limestone, and stopping there some time he again
removed, this time to Washingtonville, where he remained until he died
about 1862.
Of this family there were a number of children. James and
John McMahan were of the first settlers. These two brothers were noted
Revolutionary soldiers, as were the two Billmeyer brothers, Cxeorge and
Martin.
The McMahans settled just west of Mooresbm-g. Another family
that to this day are closely allied with the history of this part of the county,
the Simingtons, sent John and Peter to the war of 1812-15.
This particular

—

—

family of the Billmeyers settled in the Chillisquaque.
One of that name
is now living in the house built by his great-grandfather.
The oldest church in the northwest part of the county is the Chillisquaque
Church.
It is still a church regularly offering its ministrations to the living
and its hopes and consolations for the dead. Their present building was
erected in the early " fifties." The minister in attendance is Rev. H. G. Finney,
who also serves at Mooresburg. The church at the latter place was erected
about forty years ago.
Mooresburg was laid out in 1806 by Stephen Moore, one of a noted family
who came to Pennsylvania that year. The town plat originally embraced thir-

133

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

erected as a residence by Mr.
teen acres of ground, and the first house was
brothers who came to
John, Joseph and Andrew Moore were three
Moore.
1582.
Penn
William
"
with
company
in
Welcome"
ship
this county in the
grandwas
a
Moore
Stephen
Friends.
They were members of the society of
family had settled near Pennson of the John Moore mentioned above, whose
in Mooresburg, January 20,
died
and
1759
Stephen was born in
ington N J.
Young. She was born
Andrew
of
daughter
Parthenia,
married
1813
He had
namely: Lydia Abchildren,
ten
were
Their issue
in 1760 and died in 1830.
Andrew and Edward
Charles
Burrows,
Hannah,
John,
Samuel,
Asa,

m

'

M

ner,

and his sister s
The brothers of Stephen Moore were Samuel and Edward,
Donaldson of Danville
Elizabeth
married
Moore
John
Hannah.
name was
Anna A. (Moore)
The only descendants of Stephen Moore now here are Mrs.
of Stephen, and the
granddaughter
and
Moore
John
of
daughter
the
Biddle,
William Biddle and Miss Anna
children of William Biddle, deceased.
Messrs. Moore and Biddle
1860.
6,
December
married
were
A Moore

S

This they carried
in the town.
lived in Danville and started the first foundry
a re ative of Nicholas Biddle
was
Biddle
Mr.
years.
many
for
successfully
on
great Jenmngs estate
on one side, and was told he was one of the heirs of the
years.
many
for
attention
wide
such
attracted
that
.
depot ttor
The Catawissa Railroad passes directly by the village and has a
.

the convenience of the people.
VALLEY.

Township, it is supThe first permanent settlement made in what is now Valley
this country of that large
posed was by Phillip (or Philip) Maus, the founder in
prominent one of that name.
family in each generation of which there has been a
entitled
An extended sketch of Phillip Maus, the first, is given in the chapter
is there told
It
refeiTcd.
is
reader
the
of
attention
the
Early Settlers, to which
Creek in May, 1769, as soon as it
that he purchased his land on the Mahoning
purchase, including all this porIndian
new
the
in
title
was possible to obtain
As soon as the Revolutionary war was drawing to an end,
tion of the State.
the wilderness.
house
he came with his son and two carpenters to build his
in 1782; reported the little settlement at Danville
'

' '

'

m

He

first

visited his purchase

Montgomery and
had iust been founded by the brothers Daniel and W^illiam
southeastern part of the State
there were there "half a dozen families from the
one, is that the
and fi'om New Jersey." His recollection, which is the correct
also "purMontgomerys had pui'chased the place of John Simpson, and
it appears that the " saw and
So
mill."
flouring
and
saw
chased Simpson's
W^ith the carpenters ^Ir
flouring mill" had really been built by Simpson.
he erected the first
help,
son's
his
and
own
his
him,
Maus brought with
from the right bank
distance
short
Its site was a
cabin in Valley Township.
He contracted
mill.
stone
present
the
from
mile
a
half
nearly
of the stream,
Indians grew so threatening that he
for clearing a small tract of land, but the
keep them from the
buried all the tools and other chattels he could, in order to
we extract the
Frazer,
John
by
written
recollections, as
savacres

From

his

Of the many conflicting acfollowing account of the killing of Robert Curry.
counts this is probably the most reliable:
" Two years previously, in May, 1780, Robert Curry and his wife, travelthe way to their little farni on the
ino- on horseback from Northumberland, on
two places, were attacked by the
the
between
midway
about
when
Mahoning
skull broken to fragments with
his
and
He was killed and scalped
savao-es
hair was long and jet black,
Her
prisoner.
taken
was
She
"tomahawks.
thei
was a much pretty squaw,
she
her
told
which they greatly admired. They
'

134

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

and would not hurt her. They traveled until night when they encamped. They
then tied her hands and feet with hickory bark.
Soon they were in a profound sleep, when she cut the bark from her wrists and ankles.
She had concealed a pair of scissors about her person which, fortunately for her, escaped
their vigilant search when she was first made captive.
She fled from their
camp as fast as possible, but they soon missed her and, lighting torches, pursued her in all directions.
She concealed herself in the top of a fallen tree.
of the tree and, as they did so, cried out:
Come
squaw, we see you.
Come out, pretty squaw, we see you.' After some
time spent in fruitless search they abandoned it, broke up their camp before
daylight and pursued their journey.
She then returned to the remains of her
murdered husband and gathering up the pieces of his skull in her apron, took
them to her house which she reached the next day. The agony and deep distress of this poor woman may be conceived, but the pen utterly fails to describe

They passed over the trunk

'

out,

them."
A fragment

of a letter from Mrs. Maus dated
Northumberland, 1783,
so full of interest that we give all that part of it contained in the torn portion of the original letter, as follows:
is

'

*********

'

'

Your brother George likes this place very well.
100 White Chapel needles and two or three ounces

When you come, do not fail to bring
of thread suitable for sewing calico and
home-spun linen. Give my love to your grandpa and grandma, and tell her I wish her to
come will) you and see us; we will arrange for her journey to Lebanon and back. Yous
will see Rev. Stoy's palace.
Tell her the Peninton's house up Race Street is nothing to
compare to it and Dr. Stoy lives only seventy-five miles from us. * * * Tell the girl&
that Susyand the young girls here take a canoe and go into the river fishing by themselves;.
the river is as clear as a spring and not half a yard deep. This is a most beautiful and picturesque place. We have the wild deer not half a mile from us, skipping about the hills
where the boys go to fetch the cows.
(Signed.)
Your loving mother,
Frances Maus.
Philip Maus biiilt his mill in 1793, and here was cut the lumber for nearly
every building erected for years in the surrounding country.
The limestone
found here was a valuable material in building what we may term the second
crop of settlers' hoiTses.
It eventually became the great source of supply to
the Danville iron furnaces.
In the year 1800 he erected his flouring-mill.
It
was an imposing stone building for that day, and still is standing, as sound
and durable, apparently, as when first built. His experience in digging his
mill-race was varied, one portion being dug by the Catholics and the other by
Protestants and several times Mr. Maus had to take possession of the clubs and
shillalahs of both parties to prevent their being worn out over bloody heads.
This was called their amusement, and by way of explanation of these theological discussions it may be stated that these men consumed eleven barrels of
whisky while at the work and play of digging the mill-race.
The experiences of the Maus family are a graphic illustration of what were
the sources of past time and work of a respectable, intelligent and well reared
people.
How completely were they thrown upon their own resources. Only
when they had raised their sheep could they clothe themselves in woolen
goods in the winter.
For summer they made linen goods of the flax they
raised.
Woolen or linen, the men wore "hunting shirts" much after the
style to be seen in the pictures of Daniel Boone. The Maus family cultivated,
early, two acres of flax.
There was a Scotch family in the settlement that did
the most of the weaving.
Before the era of wool and flax they dressed deer
skins and the hides of other wild animals, and of these made clothing.
Rabbit-skin caps were quite an elegant luxury at ene time.
A young maa
;

135

HISTOKY OF MONTOUE COUNTY.

"sparking"
-when he reached this high-water mark in dress was ready to go
Maus home
in
the
that
told
are
We
land.
all
the
of
belle
;at the bower of the
lamps they
during the long winter evenings, by the light of lard oil iron
Washington,"
"Life
of
Weem's
Voyages,"
"Cook's
devotion.
read books of
s
and then, oh, rare treat they sometimes took turns and read Goldsmith
These
Quixote.
"
Don
'
even
and
"
Wakefield,
of
Vicar
Village,
Deserted
immeasurably to
-were read aloud, and sometimes Mr. Maus would contribute
them.
amongst
personcB
dramatis
the
appropriating
by
enjoyment
the
When the family reached the possession of an ample fortune a family
Nothing ever
carriage was purchased; it was of the style of Louis XIV.
family carriage.
created a greater sensation in the valley than the arrival of this
The two MontCounty.
It is said to be the first in what is now Montour
carriages in
pleasui-e
only
the
were
gomerys had a gig each, and these three
around.
miles
many
for
country
the
Samuel Music was one of the Maus family's early neighbors. Samuel was
humor,
noted as a good man and excellent neighbor, but also for his moods of
who
those
By
amusing.
was
gruffness
his
spirits
sometimes when in low
!

'

and
knew him

best he

'

'

'

'

was best understood, and when

'

'

in his

grimmest moods his

roughest speeches were only the sources of smiles among his friends.
The township poor farm is situated near the residence of Judge John
Danville and
It was established about four years after the one of
Benfield.
Mahoning. It was made almost compulsory in the township in self protection,
after the one had been established, to establish the other.
Maus
Peter Blue, Fredrick Blue and James Stutfelt leased for a time the
the
from
possible
be
would
it
as
soon
as
possession
farm, agreeing to take
They came on according to contract and went vigorously to
Indian trouble's.
The arrangements for them to come here had been made in Northwork.

umberlan;d, at the fort probably.
There are three churches in Valley Township. The Lutheran Church, a
the earliest church in
Torick building in Frosty Valley, is the representative of
give us the date of
to
unable
inhabitants
oldest
the
found
the township.
It is
the last century.
its founding, but it was sometime in the latter part of
is at a
Church
Episcopal
Methodist
Hendricks
The
Danville.

We

.served fi'om

known as Cambellton Hill and the Mausdale Church.
In addition to the Maus stone mill. Judge John Benfield has a mill on his

place

place that

is

a valuable addition to that part of the county.

It was
Mausdale is a small village not quite two miles fi'om Danville.
rich and
originally a mere cluster of settlers who were attracted there by the
beautiful valley and the Maus mill and improvements.

MAYBERRY.
It is cut off from the
This is one of the youngest townships in the county.
main body of the county by the Susquehanna Kiver, including the only portion
The river
of the county's territoiy that runs across the river to the south.

forms its north boundary line; the east line is the county line, and the south
and west line is the dividing line between it and Northumberland County.
The township was formed in 1850 of territory taken fi-om Franklin Townof Mayship in Columbia County, and was named "Mayberry" in honor
berry Gearhart, a descendant of William Gearhart, one of the earliest set
tiers in this part of the county— then Northumberland.
course of the
It is broken and hilly, the level or valley land along the
streams being generally narrow. Mountainous elevations rise but a short dis-

136

HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

tance from the Susquehanna River and extend south nearly the length of the
What is called the Sharp Ridge rises on the eastern side of the
township.
township and passes southwesterly and south through nearly the center of
its territory; the ascent of this ridge is gradual and the top is comparatively
level and therefore along this ridge is the main road that in going from Danville passes across the north end along the river to Mr. Gearhart's place on
Roaring creek, and then turns south and passes out at the southwest corner of
Another road that joins this at the Methodist Episcopal Church
the township.
This is a shortturns south at the North schoolhouse and goes directly south.
er route to the Lutheran Church and school, but the abruptness of the hills
When the high plane
over which it 'passes makes it more difficult to travel.
is reached there is frequently level land and from this the timber has been
The productive qualities of these uplands are
cleared away and farms made.
fair, but the natural washing of the soil requires careful and faithful husbandry.
The streams all run north and to the northeast and northwest, the two Roaring creeks forming the east and west boundary lines and emptying into the
Susquehanna. Then near the center between these two streams there is a
stream heading up near the Sharp Ridge and passing north to the Susquehanna.
The tributaries of Roaring creek are two, heading at Sharp Ridge and running
The tributaries of Little Roaring creek rise on
northeast to the main stream.
the opposite side of the Sharp Ridge and run in a northwesterly direction.
The first settlements in this portion of what was then Northumberland
County were made by Germans, and were on the east side of Roaring creek,
opposite William Gearhart's first place of settlement, now owned and occuThe moving spirit of this first German colony was
pied by his son Mayberry.
John Mensch. Charles Boone, of Berks County, made the original improvement that is now the Mayberry Gearhart place. He lived here some years and
Dr. William Boone lived half a mile up the
then returned to his old home.
He lived here some years then went to Ohio, where he was killed.
creek.
The Voughts were of the first to locate in the township. J. Vought' s improvement was about a mile still further up the creek. Among others to come at
an early day was Peter Osman. He lived near the Methodist Episcopal
Church in the north part of the township. The exact date when the Voughts
came and made what it is now supposed was the first settlement in this townIt is supposed it was about the end of the last century or
ship is not known.
It was about 1820 when the Boones came, and it is
the beginning of this.
now fifty-four years since William Gearhart made his settlement. The accessions to the first cluster of improvements along the Susquehanna River were
There was then no bridge at Danville and but few and
slow in coming.
rough roads that furnished outlets to other points to the south. The census
The townof 1880 showed a population in the township of only 230 souls.
ship is divided into two school districts, the River District and the Centre
The first schoolhouse, built many years ago, and used for church
District.
purposes also, stands near the road where it turns south, about half way between M. Shultz's and D. Shultz's farms. About three-quarters of a mile
south of the schoolhouse is the first church, the Methodist Episcopal Church,
Then about the same
built in the township, and here was the first cemetery.
distance south of this and on the same road is the Lutheran Church, school
and cemetery. These were built about 1856. The churches now are and
have been supplied from other points, holding meetings at stated times.
There is no village or town in its confines. A flag station is on the railThe people are agricultural in their habits, conroad near Roaring creek.
tented as a rule to plod peacefully along in the footsteps of their ancestors.
;

137

HISTOKY OF MONTOUR COUNTY.

out to larger plf c^« ^o/^*^";.*^
generation, not infrequently going
outside world and forsake
ambitious
rushing,
school catch fhe infection of the
distant
their habitations
up
take
and
childhood,
the quiet rural scenes of
country.
villages, towns and cities of the

The younger

m

COOPER.
Its south base rests on
one of the small townships of the county.
the line dividing the
up
follows
limit
north
its
to
line
the river and its east
is rough and hilly,
township
entire
The
counST^of Montour and Columbia.
are very few even naiTOW valThere
it.
in
spots
agricultural
and but sparse
part
good agricultural land. Its most valuable
leys and ?et thefe is some very
its
and
dug
be
to
yet
Here is much valuable iron ore
is^t; mineral deposits.
kilns, staite^d
limestone
the
are
Grovania
of
Just north
limestone is valuable.
become extensive and valuable
ome years ago, and promised at one time to
caused a cessation of the
Danville
at
iron-mills
buUhe stoppage of the Grove
of the iron manufac^
reviva
HmekHns and they have lain idle awaiting the
some time again be
will
here
and
value
great
of
to"y, whei they wiU become
this townshipthrough
west
railroads pass from east to

This

much
'^^

is

activity.

Two

here
poTtoffice in the township-the village
a s ^tion
-de
was
place
The
residence^
aid
consTstirTg of ihe name,'the st^ore
and designated as a postoffice^ It
on the railroad soon after its completion,
Near it is a Lutheran
Danville
of
Bros.,
Grove
was named in honor of the
is sometimes suppied
church
The
Church-St. James-and a cemetery.
St. Peter's Union Church is
Danville.
from
s6metimes
from Catawisaand
This is also a Lutheran Church, and is sup^
on ^e opposite sid. of the township.
The place where
James, named above.
St.
is
as
pbed in the same manner
on the old stage
situated
Ridgeville,
tMs latter chiirch is located is known as
built south o it and
was
railroad
the
when
departed
road but whose hopes
accommodations for man
with
superseded the old coach. It once had a tavern
what is now
earliest settlers
the
that
is
information
and beast.- Our
the descendof
number
a
yet
is
There
Cooper Township, were the Krums.
is apparently
what
on
suppose,
Some
township.
the
in
ants of this family still
par of the
this
o
comers
earlier
the
Sod authority, too, that the Fousts were whose descendants are still living
Cromleys,
the
find
Here agai^ we
bounty
first settled.
in the neighborhood, where they

^o7alTi!'ol?j\'iltJor

'

'

m

WEST HEMLOCK.
looked foronce a pretentious village, or rather one that
route and
stage
Bloomsburg
the
on
was
ward to some future expectations. It
But
day a postoffice.
some
have
to
itself
promised
doubt,
at one time no
more
no
horn
stage
and
stage
the
Kailroad,
Relentless fke built the Catawissa
growth of the place departed -moved
were on the road and the promised
St. Pe er's Church and Cemetery,
But
down, it is supposed, to Grovania.
Its name is about all that is
yet.
place
the
to
remain
residences,
with L few
to sun-ounding farmers.
belonging
residences
left except the few comfortable
The a,gricult_
parts mountainous
and
hilly
is
township
the
of
TheTurface
The east
valleys.
narrow
few
the
to
confined
lu-al lands are limited, being
north part ot It.
the
through
passes
creek
Mahoning
branch of
George CiWey and family.
Of the early settlers in this township was
south of where New Caledonia now is.
mile
a
about
made
was
settlement
Their

New Columbia was

138

HISTOKY OF MONTOUE COUNTY.

The descendants of this old family have now all left the neighborhood.
The
next family probably in the order of coming was that of Michael
Sandel.
This was a large family.
There are now in the township Peter, Jacob and
Nathan— the latter was never married; the others have families.
Burtis
Arnwine settled in the southern part of the township.
This was at one time a
numerous family, but now they are all gone from this part of the county.
Daniel Cromley was one of the numerous Cromley family whose descendants
are
yet to be found scattered over the eastern part of the county.
Daniel was

among

still

the early settlers in what is now West Hemlock.
residing there; one is on the old homestead.

Two

of the sons

are

Biographical Sketches,
CHAPTER

XIV.

DANVILLE.
ROBERT ADAMS,

of the firm of Conkling & Co., dealers in all kinds of books and
and agents for the Adams Express Company, Danville, was born in FarrandsHis parents
ville, Penn., May 22, 1838, a son of Robert and Hester (Jodon) Adams.
were natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish origin. The father was a boot and shoe manufacturer. Robert is the youngest in a family of five children, and grew to manhood in
Except the
Danville; was educated at the Danville Academy and graduated in 1856.
time spent in school he has been with Mr. Conkling since he was eleven years of age,
first being employed with him as a boy in the store, then as clerk, and later bought a parIn 1866 Mr. Conkling took him in as full partner, and their
tial interest in the business.
relationship has since existed without a word of discord. Mr. Adams has been connected
with the Adams Express Company at Danville since 1854. The firm own their store room,
and have fitted it up especially for their business, and also own the room for the express
stationery,

office.

Mr.

Adams

is

a Republican.

WILLIAM AMESBURY,coal merchant. Church Street,

Danville.was born in England
son of Richard and Harriet (Pernell) Amesbury. He is the second
in a family of seven children, and at the age of eight years ran away from home rather
than attend school. He first obtained employment where a railroad was being built, making himself useful by carrying tools, etc., and was soon the pet of the workmen. He
earned twenty-five cents a day, which gave him an ample supply of money for his wants,
and thus employed remained until he was twelve 3'ears old. He then went to Scotland
and worked with railroad men two years, at the end of which time he returned to England
and began to work in the mines at Yorkshire. There he remained until the age of
twent3'-two, when he came to America; remained a short time in New York, and then
came to Danville, where he was employed in the iron mines one year. He then went to
St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged with a company to travel in search of lead and copper
mines, which he made his employment for some time, and during which period made several important discoveries. He traveled extensively in that business,has been in all the States
and Territories in South America, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and has
crossed the ocean from America to England three times. He carried on mining, employing
from forty to fifty men, and, although his education is limited, he was his own bookkeeper and kept all his accounts. He married, in 1854, Miss Maria, daughter of Richard
Cook and of English origin. Five children blessed their union: William, Mary (wife of
Thomas Cromwell), Adaline, Jennie and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Amesbury are members of
Politicall}' he is independent.
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W. H. AMMERMAN, insurance agent, Danville, was born in Northumberland
€ounty, Penn., November 19, 1834, a son of Robert S. (a farmer) and Margaret (Johnson)
Ammerman, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch descent, who had a family of seven
Our subject received his education in his native county,
children, W. H. being second.
He
chose farming as his occupation, and followed it until the age of twenty-three.
then obtained a certificate, and taught school several years, after which he accepted a
position as agent for The Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Middle Pennsylvania, and was sent to Lycoming Counly, Penn., where he carried on the business for
twelve years, and still represents it at Danville. The available collateral assets of this
company, July 15, 1886, were $269,128.48. and the company is now in a flourishing condiDuring that time he had his home at Danville, and when, in 1871, the Danville Mution.
tual Fire Insurance Company was organized, he was elected its secretary, which position
he still holds. In 1867 he formed a partnership with Patterson Johnson, and the firm did

November

26, 1825, a

8A

142

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

a general insurance business for eighteen years, until the death of Mr. Johnson in 1883.
The latter had been secretary of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Middle
Pennsylvania, and, upon his death, that company prevailed upon our subject to take the
position and look after their interests until the election. When they met they elected Mr.
Ammerman secretary, and he has since increased the capital stock of the company. He
is also connected with the firm of W. H. Ammerman & Co., with which his eldest son
was actively engaged for a time, and is associated with David R. Williams, of Dan
These gentlemen are careful business men
ville, in the general fire insurance business.
and represent none but first-class companies, such as the following: JEtna of Hartford,
Conn.; Fire Association of Philadelphia; Germania. of New York City; Girard, of Philadelphia; Imperial, of London, England; Lancashire, of Manchester, England; Phoenix,
of Hartford, Conn.; Royal, of Lirarpool, England. Mr. Ammerman has had a long experience in the insurance business, for which his qualifications eminently fit him, and to
which the high rank he now occupies among leading msurance men is due. He has been twice
married; first, November 26, 1864, to Mary J. Rogers, who bore him six children and died
She was a member of the Episcopal Church, and of English origin. His second
in 1875.
marriage took place February 6, 1879, with Wilhamina Morgan. Mr. Ammerman has
served as a member of the school board of Danville, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and
also of the Masonic fraternity.
CALEB APPLEMAN, retired farmer, Danville, was born in Columbia County, Penn.,
April 12, 1812, a son of Boltis and Mary Melick Appleman, natives of Pennsylvania and
He is the sixth in a family of eight children and was
of German and Dutch descent.

educated in Bloomsburg. He came to Montour County in 1832, where he followed farming which he made financially successful, and retired in 1885, making his residence in
Danville. His grandfather, Peter Melick, was a soldier in the Revolution and his father
was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1831 Caleb married Mary M., a daughter of Henry
Rishel, of German origin, and ten children were born to them, viz. Elmira, deceased wife of
John Carr; Sally Ann, wife of Charles A. Rentz; Agnes, wife of James M. Van Devender;
Mary E., wife of John C. Patterson, of Danville; Margaret J., wife of Hon. Jesse C.
Amerman, a prominent farmer; Amos B.; Harriet, wife of Peter E. Rentz; Eli, a farmer;
Mrs. Appleman united with the
Caroline, wife of George Gilmore, and Franklin Pierce.
Lutheran Church at Milton when she was about nineteen years old. Mr. Appleman is a
member of the Episcopal Church. He was a member of the building committee when
the Methodist Church in Valley Township, Montour County, was erected and was Sabbath-school superintendent there for ten years. He was school director for six years.
He is a Democrat and served twenty-seven years as constable. His son Amos was in the
civil war, a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer In:

fantry.

GEORGE W. ASKINS, merchant, Danville, was born in Landisburg, Perry County,
Penn., April 14. 1829, to Samuel (a shoemaker) and Susannah (Fitzcharles) Askins, natives
also of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish descent, the former of whom died in Union
County, Penn. Their family consisted of nine children, four of whom grew to adult age.
Our subject, the eldest child, was reared and educated in his native county until sixteen
years of age. He then went to Harrisburg where he learned the tinner's trade, serving a
regular apprenticeship, and after completing his apprenticeship he obtained a situation
atSelin's Grove, Snyder Co., Penn. There he worked at his trade and subsequently
clerked in a general store until 1877, when he came Danville and superintended a stove
and tinware store for the firm of Waterman & Beaver, where he was employed for seven
years.
At the expiration of that time he bought out the firm, and has since continued
the business with marked success. He is nowlhe owner of the store and business room,
and also of a neat and substantial residence. He married in 1853, Elizabeth Monbeck, a
lady of German origin, daughter of David Monbeck, a farmer of Union County, Penn.
Mrs. Askins is the mother of seven children: Mary, wife of R. Pierce; William, in business with his father; Emma, at home; Charles; Harry, a tinner; Florence and Jessie.
Mr. Askins is one of the commissioners of Montour County. He enlisted in the Eightyfourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, served one year and was discharged at the
He is a member of the G. A. R. of Danville; in politics a Republican.
close of the war.
Mrs. Askins is a member of the Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM B. BALDY, editor of the Montour American, Danville, was born in that
place, August 5, 1853, a son of Charles C. and Mercy Jane (Brothwell) Baldy, whose
ancestors were among the early German and Scotch settlers of Pennsylvania. His parents
were born in that State, and his father was a carriage manufacturer in Danville in the
early part of his life, but later carried on a hardware store in the same place. He was twice
married and his family consisted of ten children, five of whom are now living. Our subHe attended the schools of Danville and Andalusia
ject is the fifth child by the first wife.
College, in Bucks County, Penn., and also Lehigh University, where he graduated in
civil engineering, class of 1876. He then commenced to learn the printer's art in the otfice
of the Montour American, and two years later bouglit one-half interest in the paper, the
Since that time Mr. Baldy has been
firm being Bradley & Baldy until April 1, 1883.

DANVILLE.

143

aud proprietor of the Montour American, which is Republican in political sentiment,
and has a good circulation. He is chairman of the Rei)ublican county committee; is an
active member of Friendsliip Fire Company of Danville, and has been its secretary for
eight years; is a menber of the R. A. of Danville, aud is its Regent; is Past
Noble Grand of the I. O. O. F., and also a member of the encampment; and captain of
Company F, Twelfth Regiment Pennsylvania National Guards. In 1881 ]\Ir. Baldy married Ida B., daughterof William Waters, and a native of Pennsylvania of German origin.
They have one child, Isabella May. He and his wife are members of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, of which he is a vestryman and treasurer of the board, also Sundayeditor

school superintendent.

JONATHAN P. BARE, justice of the peace, Danville, was born in Montgomery
County, Septembers, 1841, a son of Frederick and Susan (Place) Bare, natives of Pennsylvania and of German aud French origin, respectively. In early life the father was a
shoemaker, later a farmer, and died in 1849. Jonathan P. is the eldest son^in a family of
five children, and was reared by A. Hendricks on a farm in Montgomery" County until
1857, when he came to Montour County, which has since been his home, except the time
he spent in the service of his country, 'fie enlisted in 1861 in the artillery. One Hundred
and Twelfth Regiment of the line, and was elected orderly sergeant of Company F, served
three years and was in several battles.
In 1864 he returned home and worked on the
Catawissa Railroad, and subsequently farmed for a time. He again worked on the railroad
as a bridge-builder until September 24, 18T0, when he met with a sad accident which deprived him of both feet. Politically he is a Republican, and in 1879 was elected justice of
the peace, which office he still holds, and is also treasurer of the board of directors of the
poor of Danville and Mahoning Township, He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the
I. O. O. F. also of the I. O. O. P. Encampment.
His first wife died in 1867, and in 1870 he
married his second wife, a lady of German origin, who has borne him three children: William A., Harry Clayton and Sarah Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs. Bare are members of the German Reformed Church.
JESSE BEAVER, retired merchant, Danville, was born in Lebanon County, Peun.,
March 8, 1811, a son of Peter (a tanner and Methodist minister) and Elizabeth (Gilbert)
Beaver, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. (For further
ancestral history see sketch of Thomas Beaver.) They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom attained adult age. Jesse, who is the fifth child, received his education in a log schoolhouse in Perry County, Penn.
Early in life he learned the printers'
trade, but never worked at it after completing his apprenticeship.
He clerked two years
in a store in Union County, where his father had moved in 1828, and then returned to
Perry County, and engaged in keeping a general store until 1857. He then sold out and
bought a store in Union County, where he continued the business until 1863. In that
year he came to Danville and engaged for some years in the coal trade, after which he
retired.
In 1833 he married Mary Ann, daughter of Dr. Christian Swartz, a native of
Pennsylvania and of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. Their union was blessed with live
sons and five daughters, all of whom are living and married, except one. Mr. and Mrs.
Beaver are members of the Methodist Church, of which he has been steward, trustee and
class-leader.
He has been a constant reader, and devotes much time to the study of the
Scriptures, ancient and modern history, etc.- In politics he was a Democrat until 1856,
when he affiUated with the Republican party, to which he still adheres. He held several
offices while a resident of Perry and Union Counties, such as school director and member of the town council, and served one term as auditor of Perry County. He was postmaster at Millerstowu, and was appointed collector of toll for the Pennsylvania Canal
Company, but on finding that he was usurping another man's place he refused to accept
the position. Mr. Beaver then purchased a store, which he conducted until coming to
Danville in 1863. He was elected associate judge of Perry County in 1851. and served
five years; also served one term as representative.
In 1862 he was appointed United
States revenue collector of Union County, serving until he came to Danville, when he resigned and embarked in the coal aud lumber business.
THOMAS BEAVER came to Danville for his permanent home in 1857. To his
hands, among others, had been entrusted the affairs of the Montour Iron and Steel Works,
that had just previously suffered from the financial panic that at that time was passing
over our country. Mr. Waterman, as co-trustee with Mr. Beaver, retained his residence
in Philadelphia, hence the immediate responsibility rested mostly on Mr. Beaver. He soon

had the entire works in successful operation, and in 1860 Messrs. Waterman and Beaver
purchased the entire concern, which soon became one of the most extensive iron manufacturing plants in the country. In another chapter, to which the reader is referred, is
given in full detail the history of this important enterprise.
The account of it is' to
some extent the account of Mr. Beaver's enterprise and business sagacity. Thomas
Beaver was born November 16. 1814. in Pfouty's Valley (now in Perry County). Penn.. a
son of Rev. Peter and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Beaver. His ancestors on the paternal side
emigrated from Germany about the beginning of 1741, and settled in Chester County, Penn.
The family name of his grandmother Beaver was Keifer, of whom there are now residents

144

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Tliis family immigrated to this country in 1755, and first
in Franklin County, this State.
settled in Lebanon County. The father of our subject, Rev. Peter Beaver, born December
25, 1783, in Franklin County, Fenn., was ordained in 1809 at Elkton, Md., by Bishop
Asbury, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was actively engaged in the ministry
many years; he died in August, 1849. Thomas' mother died in 1818; she was Elizabeth
(Gilbert) Beaver, the daughter of grandfather Gilbert, who was born in Germany, but
was of English descent, his father having been a English soldier and one of Marlborough's
men in the battle of Blenheim, and from that country immigrated to America. The Gilberts located in Lebanon County, where they resided many years, but later moved to
Dauphin County. They are a large family and are farmers. The issue of the marriage
of Rev. Peter aiid Elizabeth (Gilbert) Beaver is as follows: George, who married Catharine

Long; Samuel, who married Maria Leman; Jacob, who married Ann Eliza Addams (one of
whose children is a favorite son of Pennsylvania, Gen. James Addams Beaver, of Centre
County, a gallant soldier and Christian gentleman); Jesse, who married Mary Ann
Schwartz; Thomas, whose name heads this sketch; Peter, who married Eliza G. Siminton;
Sarah, who married Aaron Ncvius; Eliza; Catharine, who married Archibald Greenlee, and
Mary, who married Henr}' Miller, now of Lewisburg. Thomas Beaver's educational advantages were rather meagre. He never attended school after his thirteenth year, but as
he possessed an indomitable will and innate intellectual force, his after success was none
the less positive because of the lack of scholastic education in early youth. In April, 1827,
he left the parental roof in search of his fortune, and for a number of months worked on
a farm at $2.50 per month, and in the winter of that year entered the store of Beaver
Black (his brother Samuel and Judge Black), at Milford. The following spring the bu.siness was removed to Newport, Perry County, and there he continued one year. His
father having in the meantime opened a store at New Berlin, Union County, Thomas put
in a year's work there, and then returned to Newport to take charge of the business of
Judge Black, who was a prominent politician and spent most of his time outside. Close
application to business brought its frequent attendant, and illness compelled a climatic
change, so through the friendly aid of Gen. Mitchell, chief of construction of the Pennsylvania Canal, on November 1, 1831, he went to Williamsport to fill an engagement in
the general store of Rev. Jasper Bennett. His knowledge of goods and force of character
were demonstrated at that early day, he being sent, when but eighteen years of age, to
Philadelphia to purchase a stock of goods, making the tedious journey by stage-coach.
In 1833 he formed a connection with Peter Nevius in general merchandising at Lewisburg,
and remained until 1835, when he sold out his interest and assumed his brother Samuel's
place at Millerstown, the firm then becoming J. & T. Beaver. Feeling a strong desire to
learn of wider fields, he told his brother he would go to Phdadelphia for such purpose, and
carrying out such project in an intelligent manner, wrote to three of the largest firms
there for their views and advice. Reed & Son, one of those selected, responded, attempting to dissuade the seeker after knowledge, while Bray & Barcroft wrote ttiey would be
glad to meet him and make his stay pleasant. Mr. Beaver accordingly went to Philadelphia in March. 1837, and made good use of his time, so that when he proposed to return
he was met by Mr. Barcroft with "Thomas, you had better stay where you are;" and answered. ' I cannot give up a business worth $3,000 or $4,000 per year for the sake of living in Pliiladelphia." Mr. Barcroft then said, "It does not suit us to make any change
in our business until 1840. At that time we will give you an equal interest with ourselves in the business." Recognizing the value of such proposition from so strong a
An opportunity being offered
house, he acted upon it and returned to Philadelphia.
to take hold of the affairs of the Montour Iron Company at this place, he came here in
1857. Not to particularize too closely, among his gifts to religious and educational causes
may be mentioned $30,000 to Dickinson College, Penn., and his recent most generous
gift of $100,000 to the Danville Public Library, \january 23, 1838, Mr. Beaver was united
to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Robert B. and Cassandra (Berry hill) ^Wilkins, of Harrisburg, Penn., who was born April 20. 1817. As a result of this alliance there were born
seven children, two of whom died in infancy: Emily, born October 4, 1840, married William H. Chamberlin, of Lewisburg (since deceased), and bore him Jesse, William, Thomas,
John, Elizabeth, Mary, Emily and Laura; Arthur, born September 17, 1842, married Alice
Diehl (no issue); Alice, born Oct. 12, 1844, married William H. Browne, of Philadelphia,
and has borne him Elizabeth, Charles and Thomas (twins); Laura, born Jan. 18, 1846, married Rev. John De Witt, professor of church history in Lane Seminary, Cincinnati (no issue);
Elizabetli Stewart, born February 9, 1853, married Lemuel E. Wells, of New York, and
has borne him Thomas, Christian and Lemuel Stewart. Into this happj^ home came the
fell destroyer death at an all too early day. calling hence the faithful wife, tender mother
and affectionate friend on December 27, 1884.
WILLIAM BIDDLE (deceased), for many years a prominent merchant and manufacturer, of Danville, was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and executive ability. He
was born at White Hall, then in Columbia County, now in Montour, April 18, 1812. His
parents, Gershom and Marj^ (Jennings) Biddle, had a famil}'^ of six sons and four daughThey were charter members of the Old Derry Presbyterian
ters, he being the youngest.

&

DANVILLE.

145

Church that was organized in 1798. Gershom Biddle was a prominent man of Derry
Township, of Scotch-Irish descent; his ancestors were anione: the early pioneers of Pennsylvania, settling on a tract of land near Fishing creek, Northumberland County, surveyed on application to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and purchased April 3, 1769.
Mary (.Jenninsis) Biddle, wife of Gershom, was a daughter of Hugh Jennings, who served
in the Revolutionary war; he was of English descent; his ancestors settled in New Jersey
near Morristown. William Biddle at the age of thirteen came to Danville, was employed
as clerk by the late John Moore, merchant; subsequently became a partner; a few years
After many changes among
later engaged with him and others in the foundry business.
the partners he became the owner of the Eagle Works, on Ferry Street, which for a number of years was one of the leading industries of Danville, and gave employment to over
100 men. Mr. Biddle always took an active interest in the welfare of those in his employ,
and bv his kindness and generosity gained their confidence and respect— a truly honest
man. ' He was married twice; his first wife was Mary Jane Moore, daughter of John and
Elizabeth (Donaldson) Moore; she died December 12, 1854, and was the mother of seven
sons and two daughters, two sons living, viz. Edward Moore Biddle, residing in Danville, and Walter Sterling Biddle, in Wilkesbarre, both married, each having one son,
Edward Percy and Charles Hamrick. His second wife, Anne Alward Moore (sister of his
former wife), he married December 6, 1860. The fruit of this union was three children:
Grace Hunter, Harry Otis and Horace Moore, bookkeeper in the First National Bank,
Danville. William Biddle was identified with Danville for sixty years, and died February 3, 1885, being one of the oldest citizens of Danville, and respected by all who knew
:

him.

HORACE

dealer in groceries, tobaccos, cigars, flour and feed, Danville,
13, 1857, a son of Samuel (a painter) and Abigail (HuUighen) Blue, natives of Peunsyvania and of Scotch and Irish origin. They had a family of
Our subject, the youngest of the family,
six children, five of whom grew to adult age.
was educated in the schools of his native town. At the age of twelve he began clerking
in a store, and at seventeen embarked in business for himself, keeping a flour and feed
He has been very successful and is now one of the representative business men of
store.
Danville, having become such by his own exertions. He is a Democrat, and takes a lively
In 1884 he married Miss Stella Scott Beaver, daughter of Thomas W.
interest in polittcs.
Beaver, and of English origin. They have one child, Isabel. Mrs. Blue is a member of
the Presbvterian Church of Danville.
was born in Rush Township, Northumberland
DANIEL
Co., Penn., within two miles of Danville on the "homestead farm." He is the son of John
The former was a native of Chester County, Penn., and a son
C. and Hannah M. Boyd.
of Gen. John Boyd. He was a large owner of real estate, a prominent and active busiHis mother was a native
in, and foremost in all the public enterprises of his day.
ness
of Danville, and daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery; both parents were of Scotch-Irish
Daniel Montgomery is the second in a family of eight children, seven of whom
descent.
grew to maturity and attained prominence in business and social life of their native place.
D. Montgomery Boyd acquired his education principally at the " Danville Academy," an institution founded and sustained largely by the liberality of Gen. William Montgomery (one
of his ancestors) and which held a prominent position in the educational institutions of its
day, being thoroughly equipped and conducted by the best teachers. After completing
his education and spending a year or two at his home in the country, he went with his
father and family toPottsville, Penn.. where he, for ashorttime. engaged in tlie purchase
and sale of coal. Soon after he became identified with the development of the Shamokin
Becoming interested personally in
coal basin, in opening mines and building railroads.
coal lands, he with a partner opened one of the finest veins of coal and built one of the
first improved coal breakers in that country; afterward became interested in mining and
In 1863 he was induced to go to Havre-de-Grace, Md., for the purpose
selling the same.
of selling and shipping coal by vessel south, but later extended his operations with others
He remained here until 1881, when ill
to shipment of coal to points south and west.
health forced him to retire from active business. He returned to Danville, where he became interested in the leading enterprises of the place, being president of the First
National Bank, Danville, Penn., president of the board of trustees of the State Insane
He has alHospital, president of the Nail Manufacturing Company, and other interests.
ways been willing to assist with his labor, influence and money, every public enterprise
He married in 1869,
of Danville, and is one of the few who enjoy the fruits of his labor.
Miss Caroline A. Bockins, of Germanlown, Penn., who died in 1876. His second marriage
took place in 1878, with Miss Ida Cottrell. of Columbia, Penn., who has borne him two
children: Daniel Montgomery (deceased) and Elsie M.
Mr. Boyd and family are members of the Presbvterian Church, of which he is a trustee. His politics arc Republican.
HON. DENNIS BRIGHT was born at the homestead in Valley Township,
Montour (then Columbia) Co., Penn., March 23, 1839, the third child of Peter and Mary
His father, Peter Bright, was born in Read
Bright that grew to the age of maturity.
inginlSOl; his father, David Bright, was born in Reading in 1771; his father Michae

was born

C.

BLUE,

in that place

October

MONTGOMERY BOYD

m

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

140

Bright.was boru in Lebanon County.and his grandfather, Michael Bright immigrated to tliis
country from the Palatinate in 1756, being of French or German origin. At that time there
were but three counties in the province of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester. Schaefferstown was in Chester County, and one of the oldest towns in ihe State, and
the elder Bright settled there when but twenty years of age. Our subject received an academic education, graduating from Pittsburgh Commercial College in 1836 he worked
on his father's farm until Ihe spring of 1861. He was in Indiana at the breaking out of
the Rebellion, and on April 30, 1861, enlisted under the call for three months men many
more enlisted, however, than were needed to till the Indiana ((uota, and his regiment was
one of the number left out they were, however, held in Indianapolis by Gov. Morton,
in expectation of another call, and when the call for three years' men came, he was mustered into the United States service June 14, 1861, as first sergeant of Company A, Fifteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. The regiment, being already equipped and drilled,
was immediately sent to the front, and took part in one of the first engagements of tlie
war, fougiit at Rich Mountain, W. Va. After the retreat of the rebels the regiment was
ordered in pursuit, and at a stand made by them at Elk Water, he was wounded l)y a
musket-ball passing through his ankle, this preventing his doing active dutj' until the
following spring, when he was ordered to join his command, with rank of captain, to
serve on staff of Brig.-Gen. George D. Wagner, having been successively promoted
from first sergeant. His brigade had been, transferred from Virginia to Kentucky to join
the army of Gen. Buell. for the investment of Fort Henry and Fort Douelson.
After
participating in the capture of tliese forts the brigade joined the army of Gen. Grant,
in Tennessee, and at the battle of Pittslmrg Landing, Mr. Bright received injuries to his
wounded ankle which incapacitated him from further active service he was detailed on
garrison and provost duty, and after having served for two j^ears, was discliarged. After
his return from the army he was appointed by the Government an assessor of internal revenue, and by Gov. Geary was appointed lieutenant-colonel Eiglith Division National
Guard of Pennsylvania. He has resided in Danville since the war. engaged in various
vocations and is now in the hardware trade. In 1873 he represented this count}^ in the
State Legislature, being the first Republican holding that office from Montour County. He
was married in 1873 to Lucy M. Reay. She was a native of England and a resident of
San Francisco, to which place she removed with her relatives in childhocxl. Mr. Bright's
maternal ancestors were of Welsh origin, and settlers in Chester County, Penn., in 1730.
Mr. and Mrs. Bright have no children.
G. B. BROWN, merchant, Danville, was born in Columbia (now Montour) County,
Penn., September 13. 1816, a sou of Samuel and Dorothy (Neice) Brown, natives, respectively of England and Holland. The father was brought to America when a small child,

—

;

;

;

;

his parents, who settled in Columbia (now Montour) County in 1736.
Subject's
father and grandfather were both farmers, and both died in Columbia County, Penn.
The grandparent was a prominent man. and served as magistrate many years, and in
those earl_y times a magistrate was a man of no small amount of authority. George B. is
the eighth of nine children (all of whom grew to maturity), and was nine years of age
when his father died. He remained with bis mother on the farm until he was fourteen,
meanwhile attending tlie district school, and then worked out on the farm until he was
seventeen years old. He then clerked in a store in Mifflinville. Columbia Ccmnty, until
.1834.
In that year he came to Danville and clerked for two years in a dry goods store,
and later purchased the store of S. M. Bowman & Co., and conducted it four years, when
he was sold out by the slieriff. His failure seems to have given him renewed energy, for
he embarivcd in everything in which he could see an honest dollar, and at one time was
operating nine different enterprises in Danville. In this way he paid off all back debts.
The man who, in order to show a clear record and enjoy a peaceful conscience, will
honor claims for which he is no longer legally responsible, must surely be an "honest
man." He first opened a boarding-house, to which he later added livery business; then
studied dentistry, opened an office and practiced with success, and was among the most
active business men of Danville. In 1856 he established his present business, dealing
in books, stationery, artists' supplies, etc., and to him belongs the honor of circulating
the first dail}^ newspaper in Danville, a branch of his business whicli has steadily expanded. In 1837 he married Sarah A., daughter of John Gearhart. and of German
origin.
Four children have been born to them: Benton, Melissa D., John G. and Will G.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the jMethodist Episcopal Church, of the building committee, of which he was a member.
He is Republican in politics; has served twent}^-one
years as treasurer of the school board of Danville, and has been a member of the town
council and burgess one term.
HON.
from Robert
is descended on the paternal side
Chalfant, a member of the Society of Friends, who emigrated with William Penn from
Stoke Pogis, England, and settled on a patent of land at Doe Run, Chester Co., Penn.,
which land is still in the family name. On the maternal side his ancestor is John Peden,
a Scotch-Irish Covenanter, who immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1733, and was one of the
The
first to found a Covenanter Church in Philadelphia, on Spruce Street, above Third.

by

THOMAS CHALFANT

DANVILLE.

147

subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia, in the year 1819, and was brought up in
that city. He learned the carpentering and pattern-making trades and worked thereat for
some years. In 1847 he removed to Geor^^ia, and was there engaged in the erection of
Subsequently he returned
sugar-mills,cotton-raills, and structures ot a similar character.
to the North and located at Danville, Penn., where he entered into partnership with his
October 1, 18.j3, he was commisbrother-in-law. Dr. Isaac Hughes, in the drug business.
sioned postmaster at Danville. He held this position until July 15, 1861, when he assumed
charge of the Danville Intelligencer, which he has conducted from that time to the
present.
June 28, 1863,Mr. Chalfant entered the military service of the United States, and
was commissioned captain of Company D, Fifty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
He was mustered out on August 19, 1863. October 8, 1866, Mr. Chalfant was
elected a member of the State Legislature, as representative from the counties of Columbia and Montour. He was re-elected in 1867. During his incumbency of that office he
was an active and highly esteemed member of of the General Assembly, and was largely
instrumental in the passage of a bill appointing commissioners to select a site for and
erect a State hospital for the insane. The selection of Danville as the site for the hos
In 1883 Mr. Chalfant was appointed one of the
pital was also largely due to his efforts.
trustees of the Danville Hospital, a position he yet holds through two subsequent reappointments. In 1870 he was again chosen to represent Columbia and Montour Counties
as State representative.
In 1872 he was chosen State senator, representing the counties
of Columbia, Montour, Lycoming and Sullivan in the State senate, and served three
years in that capacity. In 1842 IMr. Chalfant was united in marriage with Eliza Y.
Hughes, daughter of Ellis Hughes, Esq., of Danville. The offspring of this marriage were
two sons and two daughters, of whom none survive but the younger son, Charles, publisher of the Danville Daihi Sun.
In 1881 Mr. Chalfant was elected president of the PennHe is at present postmaster at Danville, a posisylvania State Editorial Association.
tion to which he was commissioned by President Cleveland in 1885.
B. A. CHILDS, merchant, Danville, was born in Valley Township, Montour (then
Columbia) County, Penn., November 21, 1829, a son of James and Rachel (Appleman)
Childs, of German and Irish origin, respectively, whose ancestors were among the early
Our subject, the
settlers of Pennsylvania; the father, a farraei", was twice married.
third of six children born to the first wife, was reared on the farm and attended school in
his native township, and from his youth up was engaged in agricultural pursuits until
1854.
He then moved to Danville, and was employed in the rolling-mills until 1880, when
he obtained work in a stove and tinware store, and was employed in the mechanical
department until 1885, when he embarked in business of a similar character for himself,
and has met with success. He married, in Montour County, in 1853, Sarah, daughter of
Robert Richart, whose parents were natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and New JerMr. and Mrs. Childs are the parents of two children: J. R.
sey, and of English origin.
and Emily. Mr. and Mrs. Childs are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of
Danville.
DAVID CLARK, cashier of the Danville National Bank, was born in Pennsylvania,
January 31, 1814, a son of John and Jane (Clark) Clark (no relation). Both his paternal
and maternal ancestors were early settlers of Pennsylvania. His father was a saddler by
trade, and his family consisted of seven children, of whom David is the youngest and the
only one now living. He received his education in the common schools, and began life
He then embarked in the mercantile
for himself by clerking in a store for a few years.
trade, keeping a general store until 1845, when he was elected justice of the peace.
In
1850 he came to Danville, and clerked in the Danville bank, which institution he has
Danville;
is
a director of the nail
served as cashier since 1864. He has been burgess of
works; politically he is a Republican. He has two children now living: Cordelia (wife of
\/ George M. Gearliart) and Mary (wife of William C. Frick).
COMLY, attorney at law, Danville, was born at Philadelphia,
JOSHUA
Penn., November 16, 1810, a son of Charles and Sarah (Wright) Comly. The father was
a native of Pennsylvania, died January 9. 1840; the mother was born in New Jersey, and
died March 4, 1879. They were married February 19, 1807, and eight children were born
to them, six of whom arrived at maturity, but all are now deceased, except our subject
and his brother. Joshua W. was reared in the Quaker faith, attended the schools of his
neighborhood, and also Princeton College. In 1827 he began the study of law at Milton,
Northumberland Co., Penn., in the office of Samuel Hepburn, Esq., and three years later,
November 17, 1830, was admitted to the court of common pleas of Northumberland County.
In 1833 he was admitted to the supreme court of Pennsylvania, and has made law the business of his life.
He practiced in three counties for many years, traveled and did a large
practice in several other counties. In 1851 he was the Whig candidate for judge of the
supreme court, and in May, 1882, retired. He is a descendant of Henry and Joan Comly,
'

who

WRIGHT

with their son, Henry, came

to

America with William Penn.

They were members

of the Society of Friends. Henry, was a weaver by trade, settled in Bucks County,
Penn. Charles Comly (subject's father) is the son of Ezra Comly, formerly of Philadelphia, and Hannah Iredel, his wife. Ezra was a son of Robert Comh^ late of Byberry,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

148

Philadelphia, and Sarah Jones, his wife. Robert Comly was the son of Robert Comly,
Robert Comly, Sr., was the second son of Henry
Sr., and Jane Cadwallader, his wife.
Comly of Bucks County, Penn., and Agnes Heston, his wife. Henry Comly was the son
of Henry Comly, Sr.,and Jane his wife, who came from England to Pennsylvania in 1682.
E. W. CONKLING, senior member of the firm of Conkling & Co., Danville, was
born in New Jersey, August 2, 1819, a son of Isaac and Sarah (Hall) Conkling, natives of
New Jersey and of English descent. The father was a manufacturer, and his family
consisted of four children, three of whom grew to maturity. E. W., the eldest child,
His
at the age of sixteen entered Princeton College, from which he graduated in 1838.
first business was teaching, which he followed for seven years mostly in Danville Academy. He then went to New Jersey and taught school for two years, and, subsequently
returning to Danville, was appointed county superintendent of public schools of Montour
County, which position he held until 1849. He then embarked in the book and stationery business, which he has since continued. Mr. Conkling has also been agent of the
Howard Express and the Adams Express, the successor of the Howard, since 1843 continuously.
Mr. Conkling married in 1843 Margaret E. Hibler, daughter of Jacob Hibler,
and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Conkling are members of the Presbyterian Church.
He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, politically a Republican.
HON. JAMES CRUIK8HANK. of the firm of Cruikshank Co., Danville, was born
in Berks County, Penn., September 18, 1830, a son of James and Margaret (McFarland)
Cruikshank, natives of Scotland. His father was an iron molder and came from Scotland
to Philadelphia in 1830, where he worked at his trade for a time.
Our subject is the
eldest of five children, and received his education in the common schools.
In 1837 he was
brought by his parents to Poltsville, where he was reared.
In early life he learned the
trade of iron molder, at which he worked until coming to Danville in 1873, and soon after
embarked in his present business. The firm is among the most flourishing in Danville and
its members are all energetic and enterprising.
They divide the business and each is eminently fitted for the department under his care.
Mr. Cruikshank may usually be found
in the shop, where from forty to sixty men are employed. Politically Mr. Cruikshank is a.,
Republican, and in 1875 and 1876 represented Montour County in the State Legislature;
is now a member of the water committee of the borough of Danville.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. F. Encampment, also K. of P.,
and has served as Past Master in three secret societies.
In 1856 he married Sarah J.,
daughter of Joseph Walton.
She is of English descent; has borne her husband five children: IdaM., v.'ife of John F. Miller; William; John C. JEmma F. and Charles W.
(deceased) is numbered among the earliest settlers of this part of
Penn.sylvania. He was born in the North of Ireland, June 9, 1741; educated in the schools
of his native country, where his father was a well-to-do linen manufacturer.
He immigrated to America in 17v'2. settling on Mahoning Creek, in what is now Valley Township,
Montour Co., Penn., and there followed farming. He was killed and scalped by the
Indians June 9, 1780. He was a Presbyterian in religious belief and was one of the first
to give his money and influence toward the propagation of the gospel in these parts, and
was also trustee of his church. He married Miss Jane Mc Williams in Belfast, Ii-eland, and
four children were bora to them: James, who was born in Ireland, grew to manhood and
settled in Ohio; Robert, who settled on the north branch of the Susquehanna River; William, who settled on the home place in Valley Township, Columbia Co., Penn.. and Jane,
the first white child born between the north and west branches of the Susquehanna River,
married to Robert Mc Williams. The sons were well-to-do farmers, noted for their honesty

&

;

ROBERT CURRY

and

integrity.
C.

Cdrry. of Cruikshank, Mayer & Co.. owners and proprietors of the
Enterprise Foundry and Machine Shops, Ferry Street, Danville, is a grandson of Robert
Curry, whose sketch appears above. He and two sisters reside in Danville, Robert in an
adjoining county, Hugh in Michigan, William in Kentucky.
JAMES F. DEEN, Danville, is a native of that place, born September 1, 1816, a son
of John and Susan (McBride) Deen, natives of Pennsylvania.
His father came to Danville in 1790, and was one of the first blacksmiths of the place.
James F. is the fourth of
eight children, was reared and educated in Danville, followed the blacksmith's trade
with his father, and worked at the trade altogether for fifty-three years. April 3, 1839, he
commenced the business of blacksmithing for himself, and on the 8th of August following
moved to North Danville, occupying as a residence the first house built on the new town
plat which he purchased of A. Montgomer}^ its builder, and on the same lot our subject
erected a blacksmith shop in which he began work January 2, 1840. In the fall of 1846
he purchased and built on ground, adjoining, a machine shop and foundry witli other necessary buildings, in which he operated until 1847, when he moved to East Boston, Mass.,
where lie remained until January, 1849, doing all of the wrought iron work for a large
rolling-mill.
He then returned to his old business at Danville, and in May, 1856, moved
to Selin's Grove, where he built a foundry, machine shop, etc., and followed the business
until 1858, when he moved to Sunbury, and there for five years did the repairing for the
North Central Railroad. In 1863 he returned to his native place, which has since been his

Thomas

•^•'-=J5i^ssi(3ws®i5W«««i^:-:

^rxT^Ai c:^^i-<-

151

DANVILLE.

which time he has
home, being occupied at the smith business until 1886, since
business career Mr Deen
been engaged in farming. During his long and active
doing the iron work in the first
did much work in his line^ To him is given the credit of
tor large ^ast furnaces and
steam grist-mill built in Danville in 1839; did the srnith work
own. valuable

Company. .He
of the work for the large rolling-mill of the Montour
acres in Maury Countj
town property and a farm in Montour County, also a farm of loO
Saunder. a shoeTenn He married, February 21, 1839, Margaret, daughter of Henry
origin and the mother
maker by trade. Mrs. Deen was born July 31, 1820. is of GermanMartha
Jane born Noeight children: John Henry, born January 2, 1840 (deceased);
John S ^o™.,"^"^ November
vemtfer 8. 1842 (deceased); Mary D., born November 9, 1844
Margaret E., born
1847- Alvaretta F. born March 23, 1850; Laura V., born July 81. 1853;
26,1863. Mr. and Mrs. Deen
September
died
23,1861,
November
born
Elmer,
April 13,
Republican. He is a member
SS members of the pi-csbj terian Church. Politically he is aseven
years as a member ot a
of the I. O. O. F. and of the Masonic fraternity, and served
rifle company in the militia at Danville.
t^
-n
T>„„r,
t,,i,. or
born in Danville, Penn Julj _2b,
PERRY DEEN, dealer in iron, P. O. Danville, was
father
His
Pennsylvania.
of
natives
were
1826, son of John and Mary (Flack) Deen, who
the ef^^liest blackwas of Scotch and his mother of Irish origin. John Deen >vas among of eight chiMien.
consisted
smiths of Danville, but in later life was a farmer. His family
arned
in the family, a^d
seven of whom lived to be grown. Our subject was the seventh
f
thirteen years,
the tanners trade early in life, which he followed for
"^^^'^^^J^f^^^'f}^^

much

S

S

,

to deal in scrap iron.

In 1871 at the time

when

•

the co-operative I^'^^ Ro^^^^^S

^.^.^^^

^,°^-

three y«ai.. be tben
pany was organized he was elected its president, and as such served
scrap
}i-on.iQ/;li'fiJ latter busiin
dealt
also
time,
for
a
business
lumber
the
in
engaged

married, first to Miss Jlaiy J.,
ness he has ever since continued. He has been twice
daughter of Robert Richard; her parents were born in New Jersej- ^^^J^l^
«/^ Xd'ln
died in
Deen
The children born to this union were John R. and Harriet Mrs. and
oriein
Elizabeth
daugliter of George
1860, and March 28, 1865, Mr. Deen married Mary J.,
E., Mary, Sarah W. and
Fullmer; she is of German descent. Their children are Helen
Mr. Deen is a
Thomas E. The family are members of the Episcopal Church. In politics

epu

g''^°j^^^j^^ merchant, Danville, was born in Moreland, Lycoming Co., Penn., July
natives of the Keystone State
29 1836. His parents, Christopher and Mary (Opp) Derr, were
nmthin a family of ten
and descendants of English and German ancestors. Mr. Derr is the
with counHe spent his boyhood on a farm with his parents and, in common
children.
were imit^ed to the district school
try boys of the time, his early educational advantages
Northumberland County.
At the age of ei-hteen he entered the academy at McEwensville,
He eft this iQsl'tvition
Lewisburg.
University,
Bucknell
at
student
became
a
he
Later
Rochester, N. \ wheie he giaduin his sophomore year and entered the University of
Derr entered upon his chosen
ated in 1860. In an academy near his alma mater, Mr.
of the prinIn 1862 he returned to his native State and accepted the position
nrofession
At the head of this institution he remained for
cipal of the Danville High School.
the high school to a detwenty-one years. He soon popularized himself by elevating
addition to a vast
Possessing,
gree of excellence seldom attained to in a country town
a happy fellowship with the
store of knowledge, the faculty of bringing himself into
pupils and imvounf in their aims and aspirations, he at once endeared himself to his
now finds himself surrounded
pressed them with his rare ability as a teacher. Mr. Derr
or anotlier during his long career
in ail circles by those who were his pupils at one time
extent to which Danville is inIt would be difficult, indeed, to limit the
as a teacher
the appointment as school
received
he
1881
In
culture.
mental
its
for
him
debted to
gradual improvesuperintendent of Montour County. His term of office was marked by a
relations existing
ment in the schools under his charge, besides the unusually pleasant
and shoe busibetween the teachers and superintendent. In 1882 he went into the boot
confidence reposed in hiin
ness in Danville, taking as a partner William Lunger. The
and at no time was^ he nrm ot
as a teacher was now transferred to him as a merchant
In 188 he and Mr.
Derr & Lunger without a liberal portion of the town s patronage.
continuing on
Lunger dissolved partnership, Mr. Derr assuming the whole business and
Bowyer of
In 1872 he married Martha B. Bowyer, daughter of John
at the old stand.
named Clarence F. Mr
Danville. This union has been blessed with one child a son.
A. M., and ot
Derr is Knight Templar, a member of the Danville Lodge; ^o. 224, F.
Republican in politics
the Holy Royal Arch Chapter. No. 239. He is a
Uanvilie,
DIEHL, grocer, Danville, was born December 11, 1848, in n^nvillP
Elizabeth (Voris) Diehl, natives of Pennsylvania. His paterand
Joseph
of
son
Penn. a
wereand
of Pennsylvania
nal and maternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers
among the early residents of Danof Scotch-Irish and German origin. His parents were
builder, was superintendent of the erection
ville and his father, who was a contractor and
a family of six chilonly son
of tiie Grove Presbyterian Church. Alexander M. is the
He was reared in Danville and educated at the
dren five of whom grew to maturity.
Beaver, extensive
Academy at that place. He first clerked in the ofllce of Waterman

m

<

&

ALEXANDER M

m

&

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

152

He then traveled two years
iron manufacturers, with whom he remained eleven years.
In 1879 he established the New York Tea Store in
for a grocery house in Philadelphia.
He is a liberal advertiser and
Danville and subsequently added oroceries to his stock.
has met with success in his enterprise. He acquired his business education at the Quaker
Maj' 23, 1871, he married Jessie Krothe, of
City College, where he graduated in 1865.
German origin, and a daughter of Querin and Susan (Latimer) Krothe. This union has
been blessed with two children, Ralph Beaver and Estella B. (deceased). Mrs. Diehl is a
member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Diehl is a member of the 1. O. O. F. and of the
K. of P., in which he has been District Deputy. He does not affiliate with any political
party.
EARP, coal dealer, Danville, was born in England, September 25, 1838, a
son of William and Ann (Tandy) Earp, also natives of England, where the father was
engaged in a rolling-mill for many years; later he immigrated to America, and in 1845
settled in Danville, where he commenced working at the same business, and helped to
make the first railroad iron in Danville. He was born in 1806, and died at the age of
seventy-two, in Danville, the father of six children. Our subject is the eldest son, and
was reared in Danville, where he commenced work in the rolling-mills when quite young.
He worked on contract, and by economy saved enough to enable him to embark in the
He does a general retail business, bringing most of the coal b}"coal business in 1882.
way of the canal, buying so as to sell at the lowest possible price. His gentlemanly deportment and accommodating disposition have brought him many customers, and he is
meeting with success. He also, in connection with his coal business, represents the
Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. He married, in 1861, Anna, daughter of Benjamin Alward.
She is of Englisii origin, and her grandfather, one of the early setPolitically
tlers in this county, was its first sheriff, and for years justice of the peace.
he was a Democrat, until the breaking out of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Earp are members
of the Episcopal Church, in which he is warden and also choir master.
He is a Republican in politics, has served as member of the election board, is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, of the I. O. O. F., Calumet Lodge, No. 279, and also of the K. of L., of Dan-

HENRY

ville.

RICHARD W. EGGERT,

editor and proprietor of the Gem, was born in Danville,
son of Xavier and Mary Anna (Smith) Eggert. His father
was born in Baden-Baden, Germany, and his mother in Ithaca, N. Y., of French, English
and German origin. The former was a watchmaker, and also dealt, for many years in
Danville, in watches and jewelry. Richard W. is ,the second of seven children; he was
educated in Danville, and in early life learned the printer's trade, which he has made the
business of his life. He learned the printing business in the office of the Hon. V. Best,
who was United States senator, and has filled all the different positions from apprentice
to editor and proprietor of a paper.
He has published several papers in Danville, especially valuable for their local department, and is an excellent compositor.
His latest
journalistic venture, the Oem, has a larger circulation in Danville than any other paper
published in Montour County. In 18G3 he enlisted in Battery F, Second Pennsylvania
Heavy Artillery, or the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment of Infantry, and served with
honor until tlie close of the war. He is a member ol the G. A. R., K. of P. and the M.
B. of B. Politically he is independent.
JOSEPH FLANAGAN, Ijrickmaker, Danville, was born in Snyder County, Penn.,
October 14, 1819. a son of James and Nancy (Srontz) Flanagan, of German and Irish
origin, respectively.
The fatlier was also a brickmaker by occupation, and died in 1831.
Joseph, the eldest of five children, was reared on the farm in Northumberland County,
and learned his trade with his father. He opened a brickyard in Northumberland County
over fort}' years ago, and has since made the manufacture of brick his main business, and
followed it in Danville for over thirty years, meeting with success. He also dealt in merchandise, and owned a general store in Danville. In 1842 he married Catherine, daughter
of Charles White. The latter was also a brickmaker, and of Irish origin. To Mr. and
Mrs. Flanagan five children were born, two of whom are now living(three having died in
infancy): Laura, wife of I. T. Patton, a merchant of Danville, who was born in that place
June 5, 1843, to John and Nancy (Bassett) Patton, of English and Scotch origin. Mr.
Patton enlisted, in 1864, in Company C, One Hundred and! Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, and participated in several hard fought battles. He is a graduate of
the commercial college of Philadelphia, of the class of 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Patton have
Mr. and Mrs.
five children: Joseph F., Harry B., John, Florence. May and Maggie.
Flanagan's second child is Gertrude, now the wife of Thomas Ellis, agent for the Catawissa Railroad at this place. Mr. Flanagan is a Republican; has been as-^essor. school
director and member of the town council of Danville.
He is Past Grand in the I. O. O. F.
JAMES FOSTER, secretary of the Danville Stove Works, was born in the North of
Ireland, March, 18, 1842. His father, Thompson Foster, who was a blacksmith, emigrated
from Ireland to America in 1847, settling first in Pittsburgh, Penn., subsequently moving
to Danville, where he resided about thirty years, and is now a resident of Philadelphia.
James, the third of seven children, spent most of his life in Danville, where he received

Penn.,

November

2,

1839, a

153

DANVILLE.

Later he commenced
and learned the blacksmith's trade with his father.
tor about twenty years. When
woik in tirroUng mills, which was his chief employmentelected
him its secretary and
the Danv lie S tovt^ Works were ori^anized, the company
in Company A. One Hundred
enlisted
he
1863
In
serves
still
he
such
nd as
treasi.reJ
SS^-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in his fii'st ba le

his education

irintet mi He remained with the regiment, however, and
ChSlorsville and Fredericksburg, and at the expiration

S

participated in the battles
of his terra ot service re-

^nlStXhlrtii;'in't^ie6n"Hundred(ndNinety-io^
and was aiscnargea in
and was elected tirst lieutenant, served his term, hundred days,
Fourteenth P«"^fyl^-"^f. .^o j^nteer
In Sci'he enlisted in the Two Hundred and
?865
^P«
Infantry, which was the last regiment discharged from P^^^^^^l^'^.^f ;and chiet
^^^^^^^
^f^^^.
buigess
water-vvorks,
Foster is a Ileiniblican, and has served as chairman of the
I>-"^^
native
a
Gulick,
"^
Mary
^,^^
SSaniille Inl864he marrhd
are
^^^JS
^J, |jf
Mi J^oster
Mi. and
and their children are John. Elizabeth, Jennie and Alexander. he has been ^trustee. He
denomination
which
of
Church,
Methodist
membe'" o S Paul
No.
Lodge,
Montour County
as District Deputy of the I. O. O. F

f

E^se^ved

four years

Post at Uanviiie.
Danville, ^Io°tour Co.. Penn
O. FRAZIER. sheriff. Danville, was born in
elected sheriff in IboO and
Decemb ^9, 1845 a son of Daniel Frazier, a farmer, who was his
fe^eie natives, re^
was the first to be elected to that office in this county he and ^j^^tdi'Ir
J^'
.h and G^^^
and of_
spectively. of Montour and Schuylkill Counties, Penn.,
moved to VV ash
Thev weve the parents of seven children, four now living They
orioin.
Our subject was reared at
rulnonvilk this countv in 1858, where the father died in 1879.
fo lowed farming unWaSdn-ionv 1 le auen^^^ the Schools of Danville, and in early life
Republican ticket and elected sheriff of Montour County in
t 1 he wa non imUed on the
He
the office in Montour County
the fall of 1885, the only Republican ever elected to
is the mother
of Jacob Martz. and of German origm^ She

and one term as commander of the G. A. K.

1iT9,

JAMES

;

;

Mary,\laughter

marred

n 1874,
Mis.
Clarence W. and James O.
of Jhe following named children: Alice E.. Daniel,
Church.
Lutheran
of
the
member
Frazier is a
-r.
<^ t,i
kt ^r.tu,-.rry
P. O. Riverside, NorthumWILLIAM F GEARHART. real estate agent and farmer.
and Abigal (Baylor) Gearhart,naberland Co Penn. was born August 17.1824, to Herman
Rush Township. The grandf^ither, Jacob G..
tfves of Pennsylvania and early settlers of
battle of Monmouth, where
wis a captain in Uie Revolutionary war and participated in the
and en.
NorthumbeiM
he was wounded; soon after that struggle became to
/esi^f^.
located and where William
tered land where the borough of Riverside is now
f
associate judge of NorthHerman Gearhart was a blacksmith and his brother, Jacob, was
al of whom grew
County. William F. is one of a family of twelve children,
in a store in
and acquired his education in Danville and in early he clerked years I'ltbe
four
tha?place,^andla?e?wentto California (in 1853). where he remained
spent the waiter in Danmnino- country. In the fall of 1856 he returned to Pennsylvania,
Utah Oregon,
through
traveling
West,
a h^
the
to
returned
spring
?^ne and in the
to .pa^r^lll^..^^^^ has sinc^
returned
he
1869
In
Wyoming.
and
Californhi
rngton Idaho,
into tow^^
lie
divided most of the old farm, on the Susquehanna River ^PPP^'teDanv
residence part ot Daaville for the ^^^'^.'^li^er
lots which will in all probability be the
with an easy elevation, and command a fine view of
clas's The lands lie hi-h f rom the river,
a manufacturing company
Ml- Gearhart also offers good inducements to
Sanvile
of the 1. O. O.
who will start a manufactory on that side of the river. He was a member
•

•

umbSnd

loSSy

W

^'

S'i^S^^S'^ii^onrFiS

National Bank. Danville, was bo,;n in Northand Elizabeth (Boyd) Gearumbei-land County Penn., August 30, 1843. a son of B. R.
father, who was of German
hSrni;^t^ves J&sylvania, the latter of Irish origin. The
successfully practiced his profession in
descent was a physician, and for many years
nine ^l^l^^J.';"- ^'-^ «f ^'^'^^^
Danv IcT^iere^ie'^died al the age of forVtw^' ^^e father of common
schooU and at the
Our subject received a limited education in the
are livinohe
c eri.ed in a s or«3 at
where
Penn
County
York
went
to
years
tg'e of ten
^ l^^
teleg
hatJ tie^'.
ng
He was then sent to learn the carpenter s rade, }'"t ^hnik
for four years.
tastes, he commenced the ^t^'Jj "f^.^^j'\ttei
his
to
congenial
more
be
would
raphv
^^^.^
ta t
He ^oi ked at ha
operator.
detennination to succeed, and soon became a proficient
the Lackawanna and Catawissa Compalive vears in Danville dividing his time between
and P--Pt-ssthat the c.rponiti^^^^^
sses, Ind earned su^ a reputatTon for industry
him teller 1 1 If 6 That po.i on
Firs National Bank of Danville were induced to elect
which office he stillfills. He maiuea
he held until 1870 when he was promoted cashier,
and of English origin. Two children have
in 1873 Lo lise dav^hter of Samuel York,
Gearhart are members of Grove
been born o them: Anna and Robert. Mr. and Mrs.
of the building
Chinch, of which he is a trustee, and has served as treasurer Danville. He
couucmI of
town
of
the
member
a
been
has
Republican;
commUtee He is a
Col. Ramsey, and served
?sTKnight Templar. He enlisted in 1863 in Company D, under
t

Sinedan
^''

pnothonotary and clerk of courts, P O Danville, was
(a farmer) and
Northumberland County. Penn.. January 33, 1846, a son of John

wlEsON m'^'gEARHART.

born

in

1^^

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

subsequently atteuded the Dauville Institute; also
Dickinsoi^ Smu ua rv a° Will aZno?t
"'
",'
?= ""=" enl^ged as'^a SerTo?two
gears'
'lS68°.o'',''sSi''r

'=™r

^„"„f ?rom

S^ nt^^^fci^rclV'anierrS^^^^^^^

'«f

'

,

SfSe^j^i,i?iS-"^p^™;,r.^^^

S^K^i
i;"o\s,xt.f;-ra.^irti. -ei„^ Sr;^;£
'»'"«?'" «"« l™'li"S secret societies and
wSed^fn^'SfwSh'n'r

ff

,^^^^/^^^ ougm.
Their
Z^f
Mrs_ n
Gearhart are members

i&3
1

as p omlnenl"y

M

children are J. Beaver, Lois
Emeline S
Mr anr^
of the Methodist Churcli. He has bee'astXard
trusTee and
«f
the
Chautauqua LiteraT'ancf Scientific
of'trStaTe'o?Pennr^ '^.P^^.- the Mountain Grove Campmeeting AssocLrinn J^h i^ m°'''' '' ^^f
'^'^'^'^ ?^ ^^^ ^^"'''"^^^ ^'^^es for the meeting.
HfenHsted in theijni'on A.nw "l^ "^"TqS was
^^^-'^^
assigned to duty in the provost marshal'^
ment ^WaYlW^^^^
the same year to complete his studies.
SAY^P nT?v
GEARHART,
.^ bAYKJi,
Danville is a son of Mnvhon-v anri
T»T
7^ :,
Mary Catharme Gearhart, the former of attorney,
Quaker! and the letter of PuiiafdesSnt
He
^'^^?^'
^Villiafn G. (deceased); SopiieR
fe of Col Charfe?
Eckrn'r'nf'R
^t,^«"«^«^
Clarence F.. of Cresswell. Neb.; Minnie, wiVe of Henry
Es^fiV'^Lntm-^
"^'^^ °^ ^iUUim Vastine, and George S..
of'CatiwisS Penn
T^p^^"^"^ \^''.°f,--'
^r''^'
^^"'^?!'' ^'''^ ^^^'^^ ^o the youngest of the sons, was
born rRoarinT^r^^^^^^^^ Mnn.n
n °^ o"'
Penn., March 38, 1856. He liv" at Roaringcreek.
d
w-kino^nhisf-?re^.f^^^^^^^^
the summer and atteading-lTTe neighboring public
school in
tTe winter until hpw.^^^^^^^^^^
'''^""^ ^'^ ^^«^^t to Danville and entered
^'?'' ""^
the Na" onal Imn Pomn^nv'
"^r'^''
''^'T'
.«1^"P« ^^ that place as an apprentice.
After comSetint Ws fu ? tSm ?.f
'"=^f.^'"«
machinist, in the fall of 1875 he entered
"'
Wyomint Semina ; at
^s
a
student,
^*'''?-'
and graduated the followinrve I- In the ta
fnl I of
nf 18
m-«6 he entered Pr nceton Colle-i-e
New Jersev is a
ed, ,^<.„t
''
' ''^''^''^' at PHnceton he to^ifa'n active
pan h t^e f om;c?'o/"t/^t t^^
'V'''
and
made
^"^*^
political
speeches
in behalf of the ReEublicmtckff nnHn t, ^/
collegiate course he read law with the Hon.
John F Ha 'emanmTst^r IT'J''''' °^^''
^'^.^^'^^Hfcery for the State of New Jersey.
After his graduaUon he ^etnrn^rl^f
^^^^^'^ as a student of law in the office
Tiless^i Gvier
H^n^^^^^^^
'^^.' admitted to the Montour County bar in 1881.
In
tL Sdenti^^^^^^
^'"^ j^V^Ped a portion of the State for
Garfield, for whom
he Sst M^^first
J^^^
18S2 for the regular Republican nominee forgovj"
emo
He was a dew^t^r^^^^^^ Repubhcan State Convention
which met at Harrisburg.
Penn' if 188^f \riv "^o i%^
^^^. memorial oration at Gettysburg, and on
thesaineoSion fL^,;. f^^^^^^
was also the m .fn, n/f/ 1 "'''7°# delivered the oration of the dav at Antietam. He
'^""^
Washington, D. C. at the memodal services in 1885,
Tnd has deWrefl n n,w Sf
o her orations of various kinds on
numerous occasions. At the
intion of h^ ?.^I
campaign of 1884.
the personal request of Gen. John
fc
?e was a S,^^^^^ ^,?'^tional Republicanat orator
by the Republican National
Commit
•'' ^anvassed Several States, principal of which were
Ob.™dIndinl nnl^^
Philadelphia,
He
has never sought nor held
'?
anVpubL office and nn^.n«^^^
'.^^*^Pt as president of the Lochiel Iron
and Steel Works' at Ha,^
,
^''^''^f
K''^'
•^''''"•' ^^'""^ position he has held from the time
of its
incoi, oratioS %1L?1,;
^ ^'
h^p 4ctSe of hSnrnW^-f •"'•'''/ •'' *'' ^^' ^^^' ^" ^^^'^' ^« '^'^^ «l«^ely applied himself ta
^''^"O"^ others counties of the State.
"
On
he 5 h of Mav 1 Ss^fi h!
'•''i"?T'?'^''JJ?^
Creveling, daughter of Alfred Creveling,
4ner;invina^;r^f^^^^^^^
^
'^^"il^"^5;
^teel Works at Harrisburg. Penn.
GEO RPF^F rillj^n^^^ (deceased)
A''"'
was
born
in Massachusetts in 1821, a son of
ofvM pl^^?^^^^
^^" ?! ''-'teen years he left school in Boston for
BaUimore to^aki n^Unn']^'''-- ^^ ^^^
mercantile house there. He accompanied his father
'",
to
MediterJanenn Vn %"/''
^^^'^
returned
to Baltimore in 1846.
°^.
In 1847 he went to
South
w^fp". f
•'''''^ !'?'"
^^^"-^^ ^^ ^^"t to California.
In 1851 he
ioined his t'a ^eVYn PhihYT"?
'^t^'
1854 was his secretary at the
iava asvhm
Hp n^^^^^^
^^'^•^- ^'^d ^^^ employed as bookkeeper for
'"
Groves
ifon mannfo?/''''''"'
/"''f
occupied the same position with
Tl^ltBe.vovT''rTl,^^^^^
""^'^ engaged in the iron business.
Later he took an interest in
the firm

Se

S
^SwARD

••

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w

M iSle;

L

WZT'''^^^

r

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,

'T

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&

liSZi.i

,

iW
A

'".

m
eean^nmwTt^r

^

V^

^

*

ComimX?

L

Am,ST

•

& Bo

•

whfphw'

iwenty
wen?y5ourvears
tour years.

HpT^^
He
made

successful, and was bookkeeper in their office in all over
his own way in the world, and by energy and
perseverance

155

DANYILLE.

illustration of what a man may acsucceeded in amassini? a competency. His life is an
survives him.
In 1866 he married Abi^^al A. Cornehson who
years.
Presbyterian Church of which he
Ml SeisiSer died ^in 1883, a member of the Mahoning Politically he was a Republican.
was trustee^ and of which 1 is widow is still a member.
Hotel Danvie, was born in MonioHN'K GERINGER, proprietor of the City
Geringer
August 2. 1853, a son of Adam and Angeline (Smith)
tour County Penn
of English origm, and latter of
nau'ves of PennsjTvania, ^former (a miller by trade)
opened a
18o5
in IS.IS, and
Germ'4 Adam GeHnger commenced the hotel business
to Danville,
county which he conducted until 1870. He then came

comSiiaTew

,

m

hntP^tnMausdaleths

cnm^

and erected the
L°igVt^h^mt'Swan'«^^ and in 1872 moved it to the rear
This build ng is 4lx»u reel, inree
dious brick structure now known as the City Hotel.
nicely furnished.and well
and contains a large number of sleeping chambers,
stoHes

S

ventilated

Thedini^ng-room

is

for
eighty feet in length, with every modern_conven,ence

Thfac^ommolatloTof ''alarge nufber'of gues^^

John K. The subject ot ims ''Keren is
that time the hotel has been conducted by his son,
in his native county, and spent the
of seven children; was reared and educated
the
October 24, 1874, he ^^^^^ied, in Montour (^oantjs^W
most oShi's life in hotels.
and three children lifve been
dau>^hter of John Dildine, of Montour County,
of the

tS

Mrs. Geringer is a member
born to their union: Laura K., William and Nellie.
been a delegate to the county
Sesbyterhxn Chmch. Mr. Geringer is a Democrat, and has
of Danville. He

member of council
Sta?e conventions of his party; also served as a
in the central part of the town, in the
a Si Knight Templar. The ''City Hotel" is
well known and libbustnesspSn, an J presents many Attractions to the public. It is
erally patronized
;
was born in Lansing, Tomp^
t|^3 l^icrh school, Danville,
Gibbs natives of
Jul?"?. 836, a son ot^Villiam and Margaret (Minier)
kins Co
When S. M., the elder of two chilNew York and of Scotch-Irish and German origin.
Steuben Co N. Y. Our subdren was twelve years old his father moved to Cameron,
Lima. N. Y., and at A/^ed Umversit^ in t^e
ject was educatedlt the Wesleyan Seminary,
which has ^e^n his P^n^
iame State. He commenced teaching at fourteen years of age,
he taught at Danville. He ^^s taugM
cipal occupation since, eight years of which tinie
lork and Pennsylvania. He enlisted in
in several high schools and seminaries in New
discharge on furnishing a substitute
special
a
granted
was
but
war,
Iheslrvke during the
Mary
T. Gibbs, and tour children.
wife,
a
has
''He
enlistment.
of
re'rm
lo complete his
Church.
Episcopal
of
the
members
are
wife
his
j
He and
„„f f„^
and vinegar, and agent for
JOHN H. GOESER, wholesale dealer in cigars, tobacco
June 1 1852, a son of Anthony
ocean Seainship lines, Danville, was born in that place
His father ^^^ ^^i^^^tkeXr.
CatherTne Shumkcher) Goeser, natives of Prussia.
ocean five imes. In 1842 ^e settled
but spent the most of his life in America, crossing the
many years and died in 1880 John H.
in Danville, where he followed hotel-keeping for
Danville, where he was educated. In eax^l if e he emis thfonly son, and was reared in
e^/ensive. In 18 -§ ^^ mar^
barked in the tobacco business, which has since grown to be quite
Po"svi le. Mr and Mrs. G«eser are
ried Miss Theresa, daughter of Joseph Liebner of
Emma. Politically
members of the Catholic Church and the parents of one child, Coletta

aid
?s

^

.

NY

aS

^'-

M. D., Danville, was born in Fulda, Germany, May 26, 1825,
and located in Danville m 1862
^^^^^,
<,« .oo. „ „„„ ^f
born m that place Decembei 27, 183.3, a son oE
I X GRIER attorney, Danville, was
of ^ examlerMontgomer^^
Michael and Isabella (Mo/tgomery) Grier, the latter a daughter
Michael
founder of Danyi le.
and granddaughter of Gen. William Montgomery, the
erection of telegraph lines
Grie/was a merchant in early life; later superintended the
childre^n, who grew to adult
and died December 25, 1879. His family consisted of five
a resident of Brooklyn! N. Y.; Rev^John B^. ^^^^^^^^
age;
Mw'S C^
a banker in Kansas; Mary G. wife of Edwin
H J the wife of John Youngman,
schools of Danville and
Ely of Peor a 111., and I. X. Our subject was educated in the
Prior to entering college and
also at Laf avette Colle-e from which he graduated in 1858.
Company and
Serti^duating he wafconnected with the Susquehanna River Telegraphoperato at the
of offices and instructed
at the time of its construction, opened a number
was
i
He later served as secretary and treasurer of the ^omp^'^^^'^til
respective places.
office of E. H. Baldy, Esq., anrl \\ as
the
m
law
read
He
Union.
Western
merged into the
and adjoining counties
Sitted to the bar in 1861. practiced in the courts of Montour
obliged him to relinquish
tnd in the United Sates courts until 1884, when failing health
,^ember of he firm of
hSlabors He was notary public from 1862 until 1880 and was ^
Markle, Grier & Co., who for about two years conducted I'-^'i'^-'^f^^Z^'J^nffhoXn^^^
of Danville, of the JNorth
Mr Gr er is at present a director of the First National Bank of
t^*^ Mahoning Roling
Sranch Steel Company, of the Danville Brid^ Company and
Hon. Jf^^s M. Portei of
Mill Company. He married in 1865 Emma W., daughter of
^IEaston, Penn. and two children have been born to them; JP«^^,^J^f
^,J,^^,^,'^^^^^
judge of Noithampton
Hon. Mr. Porter was at one time Secretary of War; was president
County, and an eminent attorney.

GEOr'gE^^gTIuEL,

came

to

America

W

aX

in 1853,

C

.

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

156

GROVE,

manufacturer. DanTille, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., October
son of Michael J. and Catherine (Houtz) Grove, natives of Pennsylvania, whose
ancestors were among the early German settlers of the State. His father was an iron
manufacturer, dealt largely in iron ore lands, and was among the first to foresee the
Here, for many years, he and his brother
possibilities of the iron industry at Danville.
were extensive manufacturers and amassed a laree fortune, consisting of iron and iron ore
lands located in several States and Canada. They built a large furnace in Danville, and
erected a mansion at a cost of $200,000. which is siill occupied by the family. Michael J.
died in lb", in Danville, where he had resided since 1851. His family consisted of two
sons: John H.. the elder, is a resident of Danville, and devotes his timeto scientific invesOur subject, the youngest son. was reared in Danville, where he received his
tigations.
early education: later he entered Yale College, Xew Haven. Conn., from which he graduated in 1867. He then returned to Danville and entered the otfice of his father anduncle
to learn the iron business, which at the death of his father was left to our subject and his
R. M.

28, 1S4T, a

brother. John H., who have since conducted it. Mr. Grove is a director of the First
National Bank of Danville, and is also a director and treasurer of the Danville Xail ifc
Manufacturing Company. In 1877 he married Margaret, daughter of Samuel Torks. and
two children have blessed their union: Mary Catherine and Margaret Louise. Mrs. Grove
is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
CHARLES P. HANCOCK, merchant, Danville, of whicb place lie is a native, was
born February 5. 1860, a son of William and Mary (Reay) Hancock, former a native of
England, latter of Maryland, both of English descent. Their family consisted of three
chirdren, of whom our subject is the eldest. His father was employed in iron works in
his native country, and after his arrival in America engaged first in the Montour Iron
Works. In 1874 he formed a partnership with John Foley, and established the 'Rough
and Ready Rolling Mill," and afterward became its owner. Subsequently a stock company was" formed, and the name of the business was changed to the "National Iron
Works," and Mr. Hancock was chosen president of the company. He was a successful
business man. very popular with all those with whom he associated. He died in Danville, and will long be remembered by those who shared his friendship and enjoyed his
favor. Our subject was reared in Danville, where he received his education, and where
Later he
in early life he engaged for three years in the dry goods business as salesman.
was employed in a similar capacity at Scranton. and in this capacity has few equals in
middle Pennsylvania. He inherits his father's gentlemanly demeanor and upright business habits, which naturally bring him a liberal patronage. His dry goods store, which
is the largest in that line in Danville, is conducted on first-class principles, and affords
employment to sis clerks. Mr. Hancock opened his establishment in 1884. and has since
He is yet unmarried, is a member of the Heptasophs Society,
built up a large trade.
Politically he is a
and secretary of the Merchants Protective Society of Danville.
Republican.
^^
FREDERICK HELD, boot and shoe dealer, Danville, was born in Germany June
12, 1840. son of Peter and Catherine (Kopp) Held, natives of Germany, where the father
was a laborer. Frederick is the eldest of four children and was rear*! by his parents ia
In 1864 he came to America and in 1865 to
Germany, where he acquired his education.
Danville, where he worked at boot and shoe-making which he still follows, having learned
the trade in Germany. By economy and good management he has succeeded in acquiring
a competency, owning two houses and lots and the storeroom in which he carries on his
In 1863 he married 3iliss Minnie (daughter of John Adam LuckhardtX who bore
business.
him one son, Jacob, and who died in 1867. He married as his second wife Christina
Kugler, of German origin, who has borne him the following named children: Amelia,
Mr. and Mrs. Held are consistent members of the
Elizabeth. Anna and Peter Frederick.
Lutheran Church, in which he is elder.
WILLIA3I HEXRIE (deceased) was a native of New Jersey, bom in 1799, of English
He grew to manhood in his native State where he received his education in the
origin.
common schools, and afterward followed the milling business for several years. His
family consisted of eight children, five of whom are now living. Mr. Henrie came to DanHe was a Democrat until
ville. Penn.. about 1833. and kept hotel until his death in 1876.
1856, after which he voted with the Republican party: served as a member of the town
Two of his daughters are now residents of Dancouncil, and also as burgess of Danville.
ville: one is the wife of J. C. Rhodes, and the other the wife of R. H. Woolley. a successful coal dealer.

H. M. HINCKLEY, attorney, Danville, was bom in Harrisburg. Penn.. June 2, 1850
His mother was also a native of the
a son of Joel and Theodosia (Graydon) Hinckley.
same State and of Scotch-Irish origin his father, born in Vermont, of English origin,
was a hardware merchant, engaged in mercantile business all his life. His family consistgrew to maturity. Our subject, who is the only one
ed of eight children, three of
now surviving, received the rudiments of his education in his native town, and subsequently attended Princeton College, where he graduated in the regular course in the class
of 1874, and during his last years in college had found time to study law and also keep up
;

;

whom

DANVILLE.

157

his classes.
la the year 1873 he took up the study of law in the office of his after
partner in business, I. X. Grier, of Danville, and was admitted to practice in the courts
He has since met with
of Montour County in 1875, and to the supreme court in 1878.
marked success and is numbered among the leading men of his profession in Montour
County. He was united in marriage, in 1874, with^iss Amelia^ daughter of Mayberry_
Gearheart. Her parents were members of the Society of Friends and of German descent.
'The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley are Sarah G., John M., Eleanor G. and Edna. The
parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Hinckley is elder and
trustee, taking au active interest in the [Sabbath-school, in which he has been superintendent for several years. He is a Republican, but takes no very active part in politics,
preferring to devote his time to his profession.

with

NICHOLAS HOFER,
was born September

contractor, lumber dealer, etc., Danville,
Baden, Germany, where he received his education. He

retired carpenter,

14. 1823, in

is the eldest of five children, and early in life served a regular apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his native country until 1853. He then took passage
for America to seek his fortune, landing in New York City, where he worked for four
weeks. Thence he went to Newark, N. J., where he first worked for 75 cents a day, then
$1 and later $1.50. It was there he met Miss Clara Witz, whom he married in 1854, and
who was also born in Baden, Germany. In 1855 they came to Danville, Penn., and on
arriving, found their funds exhausted, and were .|5 in debt besides. Mr. Hofer soon found
work a\ his trade, his diligence, industry and knowledge of his business soon bringing
him custom. He first worked by the day; then contracted, erecting many of the residences
of Danville, and carried on business successfully and extensively for years, and finally added
the lumber trade. His only child, Edward, is at present a carpenter and contractor, having
learned the trade with his father, and also owns and operates the lumber yard at Danville.
Mr. Hofer has retired from active duties, having accumulated a goodly share of
this world's goods, and whatever efforts he now makes are for the benefit of his only son,
who resides near his parents and is doing well. Mr. Hofer is a Democrat, and has been
a member of the town council of Danville; is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F.
societies, both of the encampment and subordinate lodges, and is a member also of the

Masonic

W

fraternity.

HOLLOW

AY, superintendent of the store of the Montour Iron & Steel Company,
Danville, was born in Berks County, Penn., January 1, 1835, a son of Samuel (a farmer)
and Sarah (Kerling) Holloway, natives of Berks County, Penn., and of English origin.
Our subject was reared on the farm, and attended the common schools of his native
county. Not liking farming, he obtained, in his thirteenth year, a position as clerk in a
store in Reading, Penn., where he remained one year; was then employed at other work
until coming to Danville, in 1856, when he clerked another year, and was then promoted
He was next promoted to cashier, which
to time-keeper and superintendent of accounts.
responsible position he filled for twelve years, and in 1878 was made general superintendent of the store. The importance of this trust can be better realized when it is considered that the annual sales of this business run as high as $500,000, and its success is very
largely due to Mr. Holloway' s complete system and exact business management, he having been engaged in almost all the departments of the store for over thirty j'ears. He
married, in 1859, Ruth, daughter of Jacob Yeager, of Columbia County, Penn., and they
have five children: Sally, Lizzie, William, Thomas Beaver and Mary. Mrs. Holloway
and eldest daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Holloway is a Republican, a member of the town council of Danville, and chairman of the water committee.
F. P. HOWE, president of the North Branch Steel Works, Danville, was born in
Philadelphia, Penn., September 19, 1853, a son of Bishop Mark Anthony De Wolfe Howe
and Elizabeth (Marshall) Howe, the former a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of
Virginia, both of English origin. The father is the Episcopal bishop of the diocese of
central Pennsylvania. F. P. is the fourth in a family of six children.
Our subject
attended school in his native city of Philadelphia until fifteen years of age, when he
entered Brown University, Providence, R. I., where he graduated in the regular classical
course with the degree of A. M. He was then engaged in the office of the rolling-mills
of the Philadelphia & Readmg Railroad Company for three years, and at the expiration
of that time entered Lehigh University, and took a full course in mining engineering,
graduating in 1878. He was again employed by the Rolling Mill Company for a year,
when he accepted a position as chemist for the Keystone Furnace Company, which he
In that year he came to Danville, and, on the organization of the Monfilled until 1880.
tour Iron & Steel Company, was made general superintendent, and operated the works
for five 5^ears.
He then resigned his position, having purchased a rolling-mill at Phillipsburg, N. J., but had hardly got it in operation before he was called to his present position.
He married, in 1881, Katherine. daughter of W. J. Woodward, of Berks County, Penn.
Her parents were of English descent, and her father, a Democrat, was elected supreme
judge of Pennsylvania in 1874. serving with honor until his death.
DAVID C. HUNT, manufacturer of light wagons and carriages. Danville, was born
in Bedford County, Penn., May 8, 1843, a son of G. W. and Hannah (Smith) Hunt, the
K.

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

158

Quaker of English origin. David C. is the eighth in a family of nine sons and
three daughters, ten of whom grew to maturity. He was reared in Bedford County, and
at the age of twelve years went to Urbana, Ohio, to learn the carriage-maker's trade
(which was also his father's business), where he remained five years. In 1860 he came to
Danville and, in partnership with his brothers, George E. and John H., embarked in tlie
business of manufacturing and repairing carriages. The firm continued thus until 1865,
when the partnership was dissolved, and the business continued until 1876 by G. E. Hunt.
Since then David C. has conducted the business alone, and has been very successful.
His experience, mechanical skill and attention to business have eminently fitted him for
his vocation.
In 1865 he married Kate Gulick, a daughter of Isaac Gulick.
Her parents
were among the early settlers of Montour County, and of German origin. Mrs. Hunt
children,
Horace
and
Edward,
and
bore her husband two
died in 1873, a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1876 Mr. Hunt married Kale, daughter of William Richard, of English origin, and three children have been born to the union: Montgomery,
William and Ralph. Mr. Hunt served in the quartermaster's department of the Union
army in 1864, and was stationed at Little Rock, Ark. Politically, he is a Democrat.
JOSEPH HUNTER, collector of bridge toll, Danville, was born in Montour (then
Columbia) County, Penn., November 15, 1823, a son of Joseph and Martha (Hunter)
Hunter, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania, of Irish origin.
The father came to America before he attained his majority, and was employed on public works in Pennsylvania, and also took contracts and built canals and railroads.
His
early life was passed as a school-teacher; later as a contractor, but finally in the lumber
business.
His family consisted of ten children, Joseph being the fourth. Our subject
was born in this county, but at the age of six years removed to Milton, where he received his education and served an apprenticeship at shoemaking. In 1844 he came to
Danville and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes until 1851, .since which time
he has occupied his present position. Politically, he is a Democrat; he has served six
terms as burgess of Danville, being elected the first time in 1879. In 1846 he married
Mehetabel A. Campbell, a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. Their children are Henrietta M., Joseph C, James K. and William E., the last named deceased.
Mrs. Hunter died in 1859, and in 1861 our subject married Miss Elizabeth H., daughter of
John W. Miles. Mrs. Hunter is an active worker in the Sabbath-schools of Danville,
and she and her husband are members of the First Baptist Church, with which he has
been connected since 1845, and in which he has served as deacon for over thirty years.
He has also taken an interest in the Odd Fellows and Masonic societies of Danville.
JAMES M. IRELAND, of McMahan
Ireland, leading photographers, Danville,
was born on the old homestead farm in Turbot Township, Northumberland County, September 23, 1847. He is a son of John M. and Amanda M. (McMahan) Ireland, former
of Northumberland County, latter of Montour, both members of the Presbyterian Church.
Their ancestors, paternal and maternal, were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, aud among the
earliest settlers of Pennsylvania.
John and Amanda Ireland had a family of two sons
and two daughters, James M. being the eldest. Our subject worked on thefarm, attending school until in August, 1864, when he enlisted in Company E, Ninth Pennsylvania
Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was captured at Woodbury,
Tenn., and paroled some three weeks later. At the close of the war he returned to Danville, where he has since resided.
He married Miss Lucy F. Maxwell, of Carbondale,
Lackawanna Co., Penn., daughter of Robert and Jean (Douglas) Maxwell, former a merchant at Carbondale. Mr. and Mrs. Ireland have four children living: Grace L., Robert
D., Thomas C. and Helen C.
Mr. Ireland is a member of the G. A. R., Goodrich Post,
No. 22. In politics he is a Republican.
JACOBS, baker, and wholesale and retail dealer in confectibnery. Mill Street,
Danville, was born in Germany, September, 19, 1836, a son of Henry and Elizabeth
(Weber) Jacobs, who were also natives of Germany, where the father was a farmer. John
is the sixth of eight children, was reared on the farm with his parents and was educated in
the schools of his native country until his seventeenth year.
In 1854 he came to America,
first settling at Pottsville, Penn., where he learned to manufacture all kinds of candy, aud
worked at that business until 1859, when he came to Danville. In 1860 he established his
present business, and has succeeded in building up a good trade.
He married December
1, 1859, Charlotte, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Dietrick) Frisch. natives of Germany. Mr. Frisch was a pattern-maker by trade, and worked at it in Danville for several
Eight children were born 'to Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs: Frederick, Charles. George,
years.
Clara, Alfred, Maggie, John and Mary.
The parents are members of the Lutheran
Church, of which Mr. Jacobs vi^as treasurer of the board of trustees for many years. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been assessor of Danville; is a member of the I. O. O.
F., also of the K. of P., a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and a Sir Knight
latter a

&

JOHN

j

Templar,
U. Y. JAMES, dealer in groceries, flour and feed, Danville, was born on Ferry Street
of that city, June 3, 1858, a son of Josiah and Jane (Meredith) James, natives of Pennsylvania and of English origin. His father came to Danville in 1849, and worked in the ore-

f

/^

f

'^'

DANVILLE.

161

mines, but subsequently followed the mercantile trade, and now leads a retired life in
Danville. Our subject is the youngest of two children, and was reared in Danville, where
he attended the public schools. Early in life he commenced to work in his father's store,
and finding the mercantile trade congenial to his taste, embarked in the present business
on Market Street in 1881, and has since been very successful. He is obliging to all, keeps
a delivery wagon and attends closely to business. In 1882 he married Minerva, a native
of Pennsylvania, of German origin, and the daughter of William Johnston. Mr. and Mrs.
James have one child, May; they attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. James is a
Republican, an active member of the K. of L. and of the I. O. O. F.
CAPT. JOSEPH H. JOHNSON, merchant, Danville, was born in Pottsville, Penn.,
March 18, 1840, the only child of Joseph and Nancy (Gedling) Johnson, natives of
Durham, England. The parents were married in their native country in 1839, and on
coming to America soon after, settled in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, where the father
worked in mines. Subsequently he moved to Philadelphia where he died in 1843. Our
subject attended school but nine months in all, and has passed the most of his life in
Danville. He commenced to work in the " Rough and Ready Rolling Mill " at Danville,
when only ten years old, and followed that business for twenty-four years, filling many
positions from boy to superintendent. April 27, 1861, he enlisted in the service of his
adopted country, in Company C, Fourteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three
months; served his term of enlistment, and the same year re-enlisted, this time in Company H, Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the following battles:
Chantilly, Antietam, Mays Heights, Fredericksburg, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Rappahannock, Mud Run, Williamsburg, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, first battle in front of
Petersburg, Fort Stephens and Charleston, Va. He was in twenty-four engagements and
was present at the surrender of Gen. Lee. He entered as private and returned home as
captain, having acted as such the last year of the war. In 1875 he established Johnson's
green grocery, at which business he is still actively engaged. He is a member of the G.
A. R., and of the I. O. O. F., of which he is now Noble Grand, of Calumet Lodge, No.
In politics he is a Republican. Capt. Johnson married in 1886, Eliza379, of Danville.
beth C, daughter of Urias Tillson, a native of Massachusetts, of English descent, and
by trade a molder.
WILLIAM C. JOHNSTON, register and recorder, Danville, was born in Columbia
County. Penn. (in what is now Derry Township, Montour County) February 14, 1818, a
son of Walter (a farmer) and Elizabeth (Craig) Johnston, natives of Lancaster County,
Penn., and of Scotch-Irish origin, and whose family consisted of four children, of whom
William C. is the eldest. Our subject was reared on the farm and attended the common
schools of Derry Township, and Danville, also those of Milton and Lewisburg. At the
age of sixteen he obtained a certificate to teach school, and followed the profession for
twelve years, a part of the time in Danville. He was elected register and recorder of
Montour County in 1850, being the first to occupy that position in this county, and has
held it ever since. He has also read law, but prefers his present business. He married,
October 13, 1857, Amanda Blue, a daughter of Isaiah Blue, a farmer. She was of ScotchIrish descent, died in Danville, April 13, 1886, and is buried in the new Presbyterian
burying-ground, loved and respected by all who knew her. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston
were born the following named children: Agnes B., Elizabeth A., Sally C, Samuel and
Mary Amanda. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Johnston is a Democrat in politics, and served several terms as school director. He was formerly a prominent
member of the I. O. O. F., and was Noble Grand of the subordinate lodge. He was
among the first members of the Masonic fraternity of the first lodge organized in Danville

HENRY KEARNS,

tobacco and cigar dealer, Danville, was born in Manchester, EngHenry and Sarah (Ward) Kearns, natives respectively of Ireland
and England. The father was an overseer in a woolen factory for many years, but resigned
his position, in 1862, to come to America. He settled in Philadelphia, where he died in 1864,
Henry was reared in England, where he was also eduat the age of seventy-five years.
cated, and in early life learned the trade of gas-fitting.
In 1854 he came to America and
worked in Philadelphia at the gas-fitting business for Morrs & Decker, which he has
followed in this county for thirty-two years. He has also traveled and worked to a considerable extent in large cities. In 1861 he enlisted at Chicago, 111., in Battery D, of the
First Artillery, and participated in several battles, including Atlanta, where the concussion of the guns caused him to lose his hearing. He served until the close of the war,
and, in 1865, returned to Philadelphia. He then went to Ohio, where he engaged in the
plumbing business for three years, when he returned to Philadelphia and served for a
time as engineer at the Girard House. In 1874 he came to Danville and took charge of the
machinery and gas-fitting in the asylum, and remained in charge until 1886, when he
Since then he has been engaged in his present business. He married at Baltiresigned.
more, Md.,Miss Margaret Alice, daughter of John Smith, a mill owner, of English descent.
One child, James W., blessed the union. Mr. Kearns is a member of the I. O. O. F., of
land. July 23, 1828, a son of

9A

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

162

Mrs. Kearns

the K. of P., and also of the G. A. R.

is

a

member

of the

German Reformed

Church.

of the firm of Krebs & Co., dealers in wines and
Germany, born April 10, 1839, to John and Catherine
Germany. The fatlier was a farmer, kept a vineyard and
manufactured wine; immigrated to America in 1855, settling in Schuylkill County, Penn.,
where he spent the remainder of his life. He was born in 1809 and died in his seventythird year.
Simon is the youngest of three sons and two daughters, and was reared with
He came with his
his parents on the farm in Germany until he was fifteen years old.
family to America, learned the carpenter's trade, and at the age of nineteen went to CaliIn 1864 he returned to Pennsylvania,
fornia, where he worked at his trade two years.
and in 1868 came to Danville. He took the contract and built the water-works at Danville in 1872 and 1873 at a cost of $165,000, and it is often said to Mr; Krebs' credit, that
the works are first-class in every respect. He is a member of the Democratic party, and'
takes a lively interest in politics, but has never held office, though frequently a delegate
In 1865 he married Harriet, daughter of Jacob Swartz, a promto the county conventions.
inent merchant at Tamaqua, and of German descent. To the union the following children
have been born Aada L., George J., Clara, Lewis J. and Leah. Mr. and Mrs. Krebs are
members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Krebs is the owner of iron mines in Snyder County, Penn., which he has been working since 1874, and each year has shipped on
an average 4,000 tons of ore, which is known as the bird eye ore. Thirty-six men are em-

SIMON KREBS,

senior

member

liquors, Danville, is a native of
(Scheids) Krebs, also natives of

:

ployed

in his mines.

CHRISTIAN LAUBACH,

merchant, Danville, was born in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia Co., Penn.. February 22, 1816 a son of Christian (a farmer) and Mary (Frutchy)
Laubach, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, former of whom died in Columbia County in 1825. Our subject, the youngest of eleven children, was only nine years
of age when his parents died, and he then went to live with his brother.
He acquired
his education at the old log schoolhouse of his township, and when seventeen years of
;

age resolved to enter mercantile business. He obtained a position as clerk in a general
store in Orangeville, Columbia Co., Penn., and in 1845 went into business in Danville, having removed thither in 1837, he having been engaged as clerk during the intervening periDuring that time he had saved enough, together with $410 received from his father's
od.
estate, to enable him to open a mercantile establishment, and since then he has done a
He has increased his business from time to time and now also operates
successful trade.
By prudent management he has acquired a
in separate stores, groceries and dry goods.
handsome fortune, and is now one of the oldest merchants in the place. He married, in
Six children were born
1842, Hannah, daughter of Jacob Hefler and of German descent.
Emma A., wife of Lewis E. Woods Mary
to their union Martha B., wife of S. T. Lees
Sally George, a salesman in the store, and Elizabeth.
Ellen,, widow of William Root
Mr and Mrs. Laubach are members of the Methodist Church, of Avhich he has been trusHe is treasurer of the Danville Mutual Insurance Company, a member
tee and steward.
of the board of trustees of the First National Bank, and also served three years as president of the First National Bank of Danville. In politics he is a Republican.
VICTOR A. LOTIER, editor and proprietor of the Daily and Weekly Record, Danville, was born in the citj' of New York, December 15, 1843, a son of Benjamin and Anna
(Ronk) Lotier; former, who died at the age of sixty-nine years, was a native of this country and of French origin; latter a native of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and of Dutch origin.
Our subject received his early education in Philadelphia, where he remained until fourteen years old. He then came to Danville and worked in the rolling-mill until 1858 when
:

;

;

;

;

he went to Rhode Island, and in 1862 enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment Rhode
Island Cavalr}'. He was elected commissary sergeant, subsequently promoted to orderly
sergeant and vvas honorably discharged in 1865 at New Orleans.
He then went west,
where he remained about a year, and, returning to Danville, again worked in the rollingmills until 1871. At that time he purchased an interest in the Danville Marble Works, was
a stockholder in the Record Publishing Company, and subsequently purchased the paper
(the Danville Record), which he has since published.
This paper is a daily and weekly,
and, like its editor, independent in politics. In 1869 Mr. Lotier married Fannie Hughes,
who has borne him two children: Homer H. and Walter M. Mrs. Lotier and her son,
Walter M., are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a daughter of Peter
Hughes, who was at one time associate judge of Montour County, and who established
the Danville Marble Works and conducted the marble and stone cutting business in this
place for many years. He died in October, 1872.
CAPT.
LOVETT, Danville, was born in Ireland July 28, 1838, to William
and Jane (Johnson) Lovett, natives of Ireland where the father died. Their family consisted of eight children, and in 1852 the widow and four children immigrated to America,
He was educated
settling in Danville, our subject at that time being fourteen years old.
in his native country and in America.
He first worked in the rolling-mills at Danville,
where he remained several years and served for a time as assistant superintendent. In.
1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer In-

GEORGE

DANVILLE.
was made quartermaster

163

sersjeaut, and took part in the engagements at South
Mountain. Antietam and Frederickst)urg. He was wounded at Antieiam. but served his
term of enlistment and was discharged in 1868. One month after his return home,
he enlisted in the First Battalion, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was elected captain
of Compau}' D, and when the regiment was consolidated into the One Hundred and
Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, he was made captain of Company K, and entered
the Army of the Potomac at Bowling Green. He was in the battle of Cold Harbor, the
first engagement in front of Petersburg, and led his company when they charged on Fort
Hell, where eight of his men were killed and many others wounded.
In the next engagement, while on a skirmish line, he was severely wounded in the arm, and returning
home on a furlough remained three months. At the end of that time he again joined his
regiment and was discharged in I860. After his return from the service he was employed
in the rolling-mills, but since the organization of the Danville Stove Works, he has been
engaged with that company. He has served two terms as a member of the school board,
six years a member of the town council and four years as clerk of that body.
Mr. Lovett
is a member of the I. O. R. M., and has passed all the chairs; is also a menaber of the G.
A. R. and has several times been a delegate to the county and State conventions of the
Republican party. He married in 1878, Miss Kate Herr, a native of this county, and two
children have been born to them: "Walter Scott and Mary Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Lovett
are members of the Methodist Trinit.y Church of Danville.
COL. JAMES McCORMICK. retired, Danville, owner and controller of the 'busline,
was born in Montour County. Penn.. June 26, 1818, a son of William A. and Margaret
(Shaw) McCormick. His father was born in Ireland of Scotch parents; his mother was a
native of Dauphin County, Penn., and of Scotch-Irish origin, and both were Presbyterians.
The father came to Pennsylvania when a mere lad, entered a store as clerk
and very naturally took up the business of merchandising. He moved to Columbia
County at an early day and settled at Washingtonville. He and his wife were the parents
of three sons and one daughter: William A., a physician now in Virginia; second and third
were twins; our subject and David M., who died in Harrisburg, Penn., in 1873, a successful
business man, being worth about $100,000. Our subject was reared in Montour County,
Penn., receiving his education in the common schools of the county. In early life he
clerked in various stores at Milton and Danville, and after a few years drifted into business himself. He opened a general store at Washingtonville, where, in company with his
brother, he did a successful business. Later they sold out and bought a store at Limestoneville, this county, and engaged in business for four j^ears, whenthey again sold out
and moved to Schuylkill County. There they followed mining and shipping anthracite coal, which business they also sold.
Our subject then came to Danville and embarked
in mercantile business, also running the stage lines from Danville until the railroad
was built. Since then he has conducted a 'bus line and has retired from all other business.
He married in 1848, Agnes M., daughter of John Franciscus, and of German and
French origin. They have three children: William J., a manufacturer in Philadelphia;
Maggie and Katie. Mrs. McCormick and daughter are members of the Presbyterian
Church. Col. McCormick is a Democrat and has served two terms in the Legislature,
1877-78 and 1883-84. He serv2d as colonel of militia, from which he gets the title. Col!
McCormick was collector on the North Branch Canal at Beach Haven, the last person so
appointed by the State. At the last senatorial conference (1886), for the Twenty-fourth
District, he was the nominee from the county convention of this county.
T. F. McGINNES, general superintendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Works,
Danville, was born in the city of Pottsville, Scuylkill Co., Penn., March 2, 1842, a son of
E. W. and Eliza (Patton) McGinnes, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch origin. In
early life the father was engaged in manufacturing, but later in the coal trade in which
he dealt largely. Our subject is the fourth of eight children, and grew to manhood in
his native city, where he attended the graded schools and also clerked for his father.
With the latter he then engaged in the same business, which they conducted successfully
for a time, when our subject abandoned the business to accept a clerkship in one of the
large manufacturing establishments of the place. There he remained ten years, when he
was appointed superintendent of an iron manufactory in Schuylkill County, where he
served until 1880. He then came to Danville and was employed in the Montour Iron and
Steel Works as inspector of iron rails until 1882, when he was appointed superintendent.
In 1885 he was made treasurer and in 1886 general superintendent of the works. This
extensive company often employ as many as 2,700 men; so that the position of general
superintendent is one of great responsibility. Mr. McGinnes was married in 1863, to Kate,
Berryman, a lady of English origin, daughter of Dr. Cecil Berryman, a prominent physician of Pottsville, Penn. She is the mother of one child, Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnes
are members of the Episcopal Church, in which he takes a deep interest; has served as
member of the vestrj', and is now superintendent of the Mission Sunday-school in Danville.
Politically he is a Republican, but has never held office.
THOMAS M. McMAHAN, photographer, Danville, was born in Montour County
March 19, 1829, a son of James and Margaret (Murry) McMahan, natives of Pennsylvania

fantry,

full

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

164
and of Scotch-Irish

origin, the

former a farmer.

Thomas M.

is

the fourth in a family of

Township, educated in the common
In 1853 he began to learn
schools, and for several years followed agricultural pursuits.
the art of photography, which has since occupied his attention. He worked at different
has
in
Danville,
and
since
1871
been associated iu the
places until 1865, when he settled
business with Mr. Ireland, under the firm name of McMahau & Ireland, and the success of
the business is largely due to his exertions. In 1854 he married Caroline Reed, of ScotchMr. and
Irish origin, and two children have blessed the union: Clarence and Lillian E.
Mrs. McMahan are members of the Presbyterian Church, and politically he is a Demfive children,

was reared on the farm

in Liberty

ocrat.

WILLIAM H. MAGILL, retired physician and surgeon, of Danville, is the oldest
physician in this part of the State. He was born in Montgomery County, Penn., March
Their ancestors were among the
24, 1795, son of William and Mary (Dunlap) Magill.
early settlers of Pennsylvania. William Magill, Sr., father of our subject, was a tanner,
and became a land owner and farmer; he was a Quaker, as was his wife, and his ancestors
were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. William and Mary Magill had six children; William H.,
our subject, was the third child. At the age of twelve years he entered the Doylestown
Academy, in Bucks County, Penn., from there he went to Baltimore, Md., and read medicine with James);Smith, M. D., four years, and graduated from the Medical University of
Baltimore, in 1817. He then attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia until the spring of 1818, when he began the practice of medicine in Danville, opening an office in the same house where he now resides. This house is of brick, erected by
When Dr.
his mother in 1814, the family having moved here in the spring of that year.
Magill began the practice of medicine Danville was a small place, and houses in this vicinDr. Magill was a man of more than ordinary ability and
ity were few and far between.
He rode on horseback over a large
skill, and possessed wonderful powers of endurance.
scope of country, day and night, enduring hardships, and surmounting difficulties that
the doctors of this day know nothing of. He married. May 1, 1838, Miss Mary, daughter
of Gen. Daniel Montgomery. This union has been blessed with eight children, viz.:
Daniel, Elizabeth, William H., Hannah L., Robert D., Christiana M., Mary D. and James
D., six of whom lived to be grown. Mrs. Magill died in 1882; she was an earnest Christian
and a member of the Presbyterian Church; Dr. Magill is also a member of this church.
He was the first burgess of Danville; in politics he was a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its strong supporters. His name will be
revered not only for his professional skill and honor, but for his deeds of charity and
Christian example.
WILSON METTLER, retired farmer, Danville, was born in Rush Township, Northumberland Co., Penn., May 10, 1813, a son of Philip and Susanna (Carter) Mettler. His
parents were natives of New Jersey, of English and German origin respectively. The
His family consisted
father was a farmer, and died in Northumberland County in 1856.
He was reared on the farm and educated
of nine children, of whom Wilson was the fifth.
From his youth until 1868 he had been engaged in
at the schools of Rush Township.
agricultural pursuits, but at the last named date retired, and has since resided in DanHe married, in 1834, Miss Ann,
ville, but still owns the farm, which is .well improved.
daughter of John Gearhart, of New Jersey and of German origin. This union^has been
blessed with four children: Sarah E., wife of E. G. Huffman; Susan, wife of Hugh
Vastine; Spencer C. (deceased) and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Mettler are members of the
Presbyterian Church, in which he has been elder. Politically he is a Democrat and has
served in the capacity of school director of Rush Township.
JAMES N. MILLER, liveryman, Danville, was born in Columbia County, Penn.,
September 6, 1824, a son of Philip (a farmer) and Frances (Ready) Miller, natives of
Pennsylvania and of German descent, former of whom died in Columbia County, where
he had resided manj'- years and reared a family of seven children. Our subject was reared
on the farm, attended the schools of his native place and early in life learned the tanHe then established himself in a general
ner's trade, which he followed eight years.
store at Jersey town, was moderately successlul and continued that business eleven years,
having previously been engaged in the hotel business at Lewisburg and Jerseytown. In
1876 he was nominated and elected sheriff of Montour County on the Democratic ticket.
He then moved to Danville where he has since resided, and, at the close of his term as
Mr. Miller is a Democrat and always takes an
sheriff, embarked in the livery business.
active interest in everything pertaining to that party iu Montour County. He has been
twice married; first to Susannah, daughter of John Rishel. She was of German origin
and died in 1852, the mother of one child, John, who is now married and a farmer. In
1855 our subject married Isabella, daughter of Samuel Hiltert, also of German descent,
and a member of the Presbyterian Church. This union was blessed with one child, Sue
F., who, since her mother's death, in 1873, has kept house for her father.
MOYER. dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, was born in Germany, February 1, 1827, a gon of Harmon and Barbara (Levi) Moyer, natives of Germany.
The "father was a drover and dealt extensively in stock in his native country, where he

HENRY

DANVILLE.

165

spent his life. Henry is the ninth of twelve children, and was reared in Baden, where he
received his education. In early life he learned the trade of a butcher, which he followed
He settled in Danville, Penn., and spent
as a business until coming to America in 1852.
two years and a half in peddling and making himself familiar with the laws and customs
of his adopted country. By close application he was able to start a general store in Danville in 1854, but in 1855 sold out and opened a butcher shop, and did a successful business
for nine years.
In 1864 he established his present business, at which he has been very successful.
He married, in 1853, Sophia Myer, a native of Germany and who bore him three
Mr. Moyer then married Sarah
children: Fannie, Sarah and Harry, and died in 1860.
Gross, a native of Germany, who bore him seven children: Miles, Barbara, Rebecca, Bessie,
Maurice, Lewis and Julius. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are of the Jewish faith.
JACOB W. MOYER, of thetirm of Cruikshank, Moj^er & Co., Danville,was born in
Montour County, October 13, 1838, a son of Daniel and Susan (Cortner) Moyer, natives of
Northumberland (now Montour) County, and whose ancestors were among the early
German settlers of Pennsylvania. Hq is the eldest in a family of eight children and grew
Here he
to manhood in his native county, coming to Danville with his parents, in 1844.
attended the common schools and in early life learned the machinist trade, at which he
firm
do
an exworked for a time, subsequently embarking in his present business. The
tensive trade in their foundry and machine shops, Mr. Moyer doing the drafting, also
the buying and selling.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirtysecond Pennsylvania volunteer Infantry, and served ninemonths. In 1864 he enlisted in
the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served on detached duty, being detailed to work on the calcium light, which was erected on the
breastworks so as to throw the light on the enemy's camp, at least one-half mile distant,
and, being a skillful mechanic, Mr. Moyer was of great use in putting up the lights, and
was thus employed until the war closed. He participated in several engagements, among
He is a member of the council of
them Antietam, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg.
Danville, and has been school director. In 1864 he married Clara, daughter of John Doty,
a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are the parents of six children: Cora,
Maggie, Virgie, Horace, Ella and Walter.
The parents are members of the Lutheran
Church. Mr. Moyer is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R., and in politics is Democratic.

NEWBAKER,

HON. PHILIP C.
physician and surgeon, Danville, is a great-grandson of Martin Newbaker, who emigrated from Germany before the Revolution and settled
Martin
at Powell's Creek, on the Susquehanna River, eighteen miles above Harrisburg.
Newbaker served as a soldier in the war for independence, and some of his descendants
still reside near the old homestead where Dr. Newbaker was born, and from where his
father and family removed to Northumberland County. He is a son of John B. and
Caroline Elizabeth (Maize) Newbaker, who were natives of Dauphin County, Penn., of
mixed German and English descent, and are still living. The former, John B. Newbaker,
_is a physician, and is practicing his profession at Trevorton, Northumberland Co., Penn.
'His family consisted of five children. Philip C, our subject, is the eldest; he was born
August 13, 1843, near Halifax, Dauphin Co., Penn. He received a good academic education at the West Branch High School and the literary department of the Missionary
Institute, Selin's Grove, Penn.
He taught school a few years, and on the breaking out of
the late civil war, enlisted as a private in Company F, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served the full term of three months.
He was at the battle of Hoke's Run or
Falling Waters, in northern Virginia, one of the first engagements of the war. In August,
1862. he again enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, at Philadelphia,
for three years, which regiment was assigned to duty under Gen. Rosecrans in Tennessee, where from hardships and exposure in service, he contracted diseases which confined
him to the hospital for several months. After partial recovery he was transferred to the
Invalid or Veteran Reserve Corps and continued in it to the close of the war. He was honorably discharged from service July 5, 1865. From this it will be seen that he served in the
army the greater part of the war. He then began the study of medicine with his father, and
entered Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, where he graduated in the spring of
1869, and subsequently settled at Washingtonville,- Montour County, where by skill in his
profession, and integrity as a citizen, he gained a deserved popularity. On September
24, 1867, he married Miss Amelia A. Koons, of Weissport, Carbon Co., Penn. Dr. Newbaker
and wife have five children: Winifred M., Charles A., Bertha A., Edward J. and Francis
W. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and in 1878 was nominated and subsequently
elected to represent Montour County in the State Legislature, and was re-elected in 1880.
He is a member of the State and county medical societies, and of the American Medical
Association and is secretary of the Board of United States Examining Surgeons at Danville.
He is also a member of Goodrich Post, No. 22, G. A. R., of Danville. In the
spring of 1886 Dr. Newbaker purchased the property in which he now resides, at No. 24,
Mahoning Street, Danville, and has already acquired considerable practice.
JOHN C. PATTERSON, retired farmer, Danville, was born in Columbia County,
Penn., in September, 1836, a son of John and Anna (Mather) Patterson, natives of

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

166

Columbia County, and whose ancestors were among the early Scotch-Irish settlers of
that section. John C. is the youngest of a family of five children, four of whom grew
to maturitJ^
He was reared on the farm, educated at the district school, and followed
farming until coming to Danville in 1866. 8eplember 3, 1864. he enlisted in the Two
Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the
war. January 1. 1866, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Caleb Appleman, and
their union has been blessed with two children, Ella and Mary V.
Mrs. Patterson and
children are members of the Presbyterian Church.
She is engaged in the millinery
business, at which she is very successful.
Mr. Patterson is a member of the Masonic
fraternity.

EMANUEL

PETERS, wholesale dealer in ice and oysters, Danville, was born in
3, 1826, a son of Michael and Martha (Miller) Peters, natives of Pennsylvania, of German origin, the former a tailor by trade.
Emanuel was
their only child, and was educated at the subscription schools of Union County.
He
came to Danville when seventeen years old, and has since made it his home, and in 1854
embarked in his present business, at which he has been successful. In 1854 he married
Elizabeth, daughter of Gideon Mellon, and of English origin. Their children are Arthur
M., who is with his father; Anna Mary, wife of S. W. Fis'her; Clara M.; F. G.; Lucy M.
Saddle M. and Elmer E. Neail}^ all the family are members of the Methodist Church.
Union County. Penn., March

Mr. Peters was a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the civil war, having enlisted in 1863.
He is independent in politics;
a member of the I.'O. O. F. and the I. O. of R. M.
J. R. PHILIPS. United States ganger, Danville, was born in Columbia County,
Penn., August 24, 1828, a son of George W. and Rhoda Ann (Reese) Philips, natives of
Pennsylvania, and of German and Welsh origin. The father was a chainmaker by trade,
but made farming the occupation of his life, and now resides on a farm in Sullivan County,
Penn.. whither he removed in 1843. Our subject is tiie ehlest in a family of eight sons
and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, and was reared on the farm in Hemlock Townsjhip, Columbia County, receiving a common-school education. In early life he
worked in the iron-ore mines, and in 1849 came to Danville and learned the puddler's
trade in the iron works, serving a three years' apprenticeship, and when just completing
his trade was appointed foreman in the Montour Iron & Rolling-mill Works, which
position he occupied for twenty years. He served as justice of the peace for a like
period and resigned in 1886. Since 1888 Mr. Philips has been tax collector, and also
United States ganger and market master of Danville. He is secretary of the school
board and a member of the I. O. O. F., both of the encampment and subordinate lodge.
In politics he is a Democrat. In 1850 he married Mary, daughter of David AUegar, of
German origin, and tlieir children are George W., deceased; Amelia; Joseph W., a
druggist, of Danville; Matilda. Margaret and Kate.
Mrs. Philips is a member of the
Presbyterian Church of Danville.

ISAAC RANCK was for more than half a century identified with the growth and
development of Columbia and Montour Counties. He was much above the average of all
that goes to make up a noble manhood, habits which bring uo reproach and a character
which shone brightly in the every day duties and vocations of life. His birth occurred May
19, 1811, in White Deer, Union Co., Penn. His parents, Isaac and Rebecca Ranck, were from
Lancaster County, Penn., and were among the first settlers of Union County. He was
the seventh in a family of thirteen children— ten sons and three daughters all but one of
whoiu arrived to the; age of maturity. Seven survive the subject of this sketch in the
full vigor of life.
At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to Messrs. Curr & Co., carriage builders of Milton, Penn., and, after serving four years, he moved, in the early
spring of 1832, to the village of Danville, Columbia County, and established himself in
business as a smith and carriage manufacturer, at the corner of Mill and Mahoning
Streets, opposite the present opera house.
He also engaged in the lumber and boating
business but soon abandoned all but his sliops. About lo34 he married Miss Catharine
Heller, and three children blessed their union: Norman Leslie, Ellis Hughes, Mary Elizabeth, all living.
In 1842 he became widower, and in 1844 he married Elizabeth Heller, who
bore him four children: Anna Rebecca, David Hays, Catharine Frances and Henry Clay
(the last two dying in infancy). David H. is the publisher of the Millstoiie and Corn
Miller, Indianapolis, Ind., a representative monthly publication devoted to milling and
mechanical interests. In 1872 death again entered his home and took away his wife. For
eleven years he made his home with his son and daughter in Danville. On the 8th of
March, 1883, Mr. Ranck passed away, dying in the faith of Christianity. All his life he
adorned our common humanity with a character pure as light, with a reputation untarnished by worldly associations, by daily walk and conversation worthy of emulation, a
legacy to his children more lasting than money. Mr. Ranck witnessed the growth of Danville from a small village of less than a thousand population to a city of 10,000 inhabitants.
He was chief burgess of the city in 1860, and afterward served as councilman.
He was also elected and served many years as justice of the peace. Columbia and Montour Counties can feel an honest pride in having had for more than fifty years a citizen who

—

167

DANVILLE.

much that was good and noble. In personal appearance Mr. Ranck was commanding, above average height and of rotundity of build, weighing over 200 pounds.
Honesty, justice and truth were woven into the woof of his being. Strictly temperate in
all his habits, he lived to be three score and twelve years and passed to his reward.
He
was interred March 11, 1883, in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Northumberland County. Penn.
His family, consisting of five children, all of whom except David H., were born-in Danville and vicinity, have all maintained the high integrity and honor of his name.
Norman was born August 2, 1835; Ellis H., born August 10, 1837; Mary E., born June 21,
1841; Anna R.. born February 23, 1844, and David H., born February 5, 1847.
FREDERICK REAM, teacher in and superintendent of the public schools of Montour County, Danville, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., July 20, 1851, a son of John
and Anna (Westley) Ream, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin, and whose
ancestors were among the early residents of Pennsylvania. The father by trade is a
coach-maker; also for a time followed farming, and now resides in Washingtonville, Montour County. Frederick is the fifth in a family of five sons and three daughters, and was
reared in Montour County, where his parents have resided since 1860. He received his
early education in the public schools of Montour County, and was also a student at the
Bloomsburg Normal School and at academies at other places. At the age of fifteen he
commenced teaching, which he followed for sixteen years, pursuing through this period
a well directed course of self-education. During 1870-73 he was engaged in mercantile business at Washingtonville, and since 1873 has followed teaching.
He taught in Schuylkill
County and at Freesburg Academy for two years, and in the Danville High School three
years, and was elected county superintendent of public schools in 1884. Since then he
has been engaged in that capacity. He is a Past Grand of the I. O. O. F. and trustee of
the I. O. O. F. cemetery at Danville. Mr. Ream married in 1873, Mary C, daughter of
William Seidel and of German origin. Their children are Bertha A., Vinnie Olive and
Carrie S. Mr. and Mrs. Ream are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Ream is politically a Democrat.
S. Y. RICHARDS, photographer and owner and proprietor of the Danville art gallery, was born three and a half miles south of Danville, August 31, 1836
a son of John
and Rebecca (Clark) Richards, who were among the early German settlers of Pennsylvania.
His grandfather kept a hotel in Danville in the early pioneer days his father followed
farming all his life and died in Lycoming County on the farm where he had resided since
our subject was four years old. He had been twice married, and by his first marriage had
seven children, of whom our subject is the youngest; he grew up on the farm, also
helped in the saw-mill and was an expert at running a circular saw. When he reached
his majority he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and worked at it for ten years;
later, studied the art of photography, in 1866, in Danville; but being desirous of obtaining the best knowledge of that business he went to New York, where he remained under
the instruction of Prof. Hugh O'Niel, and obtained a thorough knowledge of the business.
•embodied so

;

;

He

then resided in Carbondale, Penn., for seven years, moving thence to Piltston, where
he remained for seven years, and from 1884 to 1886 resided in Towanda. He then came
to Danville and opened a large and well furnished art gallery, and is well worthy of the
patronage he has received. June 7, 1861, he married Matilda A., daughter of David Kine,
a native of Berks County, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Richards are the parents of the following
named children Ella, wife of Charles C. Colburn Hallie, deceased Lizzie, wife of
Walter Smith, and Mamie. The parents are members of the Methodist Church.
While
a resident of Towanda, Mr. Richards was a member of the board of stewards of the
church. He is now a member of Saint Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church of Danville.
Politically he is a Republican.
M. S. RIDGWAY, superintendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Works and Rolling Mills, Danville, was born at Milford Village, Pike Co., Penn., March 12, 1820, a son
of Matthew and Elizabeth (Ludlow) Ridgway. The former was born on Long Island,
N. Y., and was of English origin; the latter was born in New Jersey, and was of French
descent; they were the parents of seven children. The father was an influential man,
and at the time of his death, in 1820, was high sheriff of Pike County, N. Y. he was a
brave and successful officer. A prisoner in his charge, who was convicted of murder in
Mr. Ridgway followed, and with the assist1814, escaped from jail and fled to Canada.
ance of some Indians succeeded in locating the murderer, but while negotiating with parties
to get the criminal across the line to the United States, was himself arrested by the English authorities as a spy. He was a Quaker, and having an uncle in Canada, he "succeeded
in obtaining his liberty and returned home through the wilderness to Pike County, and
his prisoner with him.
Mr. Ridgway was a Mason, a man of more than ordinary
intelligence and will power.
He was a son of Jacob Ridgway, also a Quaker. M. S.
Ridgway, our subject, is the youngest of the family, and was born the j'ear of his father's
death. He attended the common schools until the age of eleven years, when he chose a
guardian. At sixteen he began to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and served a regular
apprenticeship; then worked as a journeyman four years, and in 1844 came to Danville
to superintend the blacksmithing in the erection of the Montour Iron and Steel Works.
:

;

;

;

168

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

These works were completed in 1845, and shortly afterward Mr. Ridgway was appointed
manager of the works, and has since remained in charge for a period of forty-three years.
He has remained with the works through its adversity and prosperity, and although the
business has changed hands six times, Mr. Ridgway has always been retained as the right
man in the right place. He assisted in making the first "T" rail made in the United States.
It was made by Murdock Levitt & Co., in Danville, Penn. This firm was succeeded by the
Montour Iron Company. Mr. Ridgway married in 1840, in Norristown, N. J., Miss Rachel
Whitehead. Her parents were English, but of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Ridgway
have five children: Edwin O., married, and employed in the rolling-mills of Pueblo, 10ol.;
Stephen, employed as shipping-clerk for a large manufactory in Ohio; Warren; Laura E.
and Grant. In politics Mr. Ridgway is a Republican; he is a Knight Templar and has
been a member of the Masonic order since 1846. Mrs. Ridgway is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DANIEL J. ROTE, retired cattle drover, Danville, was born in Northampton
County, Penn., October 16, 1812, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Larch) Rote, natives of
Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer all his life, and his ancestors were among the
early German settlers of Pennsylvania.
David J. is one of a family of twelve children,
eight of whom grew to maturity, and was reared in Northampton County, where he was
also educated in the early German schools.
His English education has been acquired by
his own efforts.
He chose farming as his occupation, but prior to that had been engaged
in the blacksmithing trade.
Later he engaged in the cattle droving business, which has
mainly occupied his attention, and at which he has been very successful. He has been
twice married; by his first wife, Rebecca Weaver, he had seven children. She died in
1845, and had been married in 1836.
Twelve years after the death of his first wife he
married Lucy A. Crosby, who bore him one child, and died February 25, 1881. Mr. Rote
has retired from active business, and now resides in Danville. He is a member of the
Lutheran Church, in which he has been a deacon, and takes an active interest in that
denomination. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. F. politically he is a Republican.
Wellington Rote, cattle dealer, Danville, was born in Northumberland County,
Penn., a son of DanielJ. and Anna Rebecca (Weaver) Rote. He is the fourth child in
order of birth, and was reared on the farm, attended the common schools, and also Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport. He first clerked in the general store of Lewis Rote, at
Mausdale, where he remained two years. In 1870 he embarked in general mercantile
business at Mausdale, and also dealt in coal; he then sold out and taught school eight or
ten terms, in which vocation he was successful. Since 1876 he has been engaged in the
stock business. Politically he is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F.. and of the
;

Masonic

fraternity.

DAVID RUCKEL,
was born

agent for the P. R. R.

& W.

S.

Express Company, Danville,

Columbia County, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1841, a son of Joseph and
Margaret (Whelmore) Ruckel, natives of Columbia County, this State, and of German descent.
The father followed agricultural pursuits all his life. David is the youngest in a
family of four sons and three daughters, and was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools, never attending more than six months in his life, and is
therefore self-educated. He remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty
years of age, when he went to Berwick, Columbia County, and learned the shoemaker's
trade.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months, the term for which he enlisted. He
next enlisted in the One Hundred and Twelfth, Second Artillery, was promoted sergeant, and June 30, 1864, was taken prisoner in front of Petersburg.
He was removed to
Danville, Va., where he was kept a prisoner of war for eight months and nineteen days.
He was then exchanged and, after the war, returned to the farm, where he remained until
1867, when he moved to Danville and worked in the rolling-mill until 1873.
He was
next employed with the raiload and express companies, and in 1882 was appointed to his present position. In 1867 he married Miss Lucinda Nuss, of German descent.
Two children were born to them: Charles E., who is in the office with his father,
and Ella L., deceased. Mrs. Ruckel is a member of the German Reformed Church, and
her son of the Episcopal. Mr. Ruckel is a member of the Masonic fraternity, politically
in

a Republican.

JAMES SCARLET, of the firm of Scarlet & Angle, attorneys, Danville, was born in
Elizabeth, N. J., December 31, 1848, a son of George and Mary Scarlet. The former was
of English origin, and for many years a sea captain; the latter was of Scotch-Irish descent.
James is the eldest of a family of three sons and grew to manhood in Danville, attending
the schools of-that place, where he also learned the blacksmith's trade.
He subsequently
entered Princeton College and graduated in the regular classical course in 1874. He
studied law in Danville in the office of Thomas Galbrith, Esq., was admitted to practice
in the courts of Montour County in 1877, and in 1875 was admitted to the supreme court,
and also the United States courts. He was elected to the office of district attorney for
Montour County in 1882, and after serving his term was nominated by the Republican
party for the Legislature in 1885, but was defeated with James G. Blaine.

DANVILLE,

THOMAS

169

A. SCHOTT, coal merchant, Danville, was born in Rockland Township,
Berks Co., Penn., October 7, 1836. a son of Anthony and Harriet (Roarback) Schott,
natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. In early life his father was a charcoal
burner, later a furnace blower, which occupation he followed until his death in 187L His
family consisted of five children, four of whom grew to maturity. Thomas A. is the second
child; he received his education in the common schools, and later learned the cigarmaker's trade, which lie followed five years. Later he learned the painter and carpenter
trades, the latter of which he followed eleven years.
He then engaged in teaming, also
sold sewing machines, and then traveled and sold reapers for three years.
In 1879 he embarked in the coal business on a limited scale, which enterprise has proved a success. He
now owns an acre of land on which he has a coal yard, and has built a railroad which,
runs into the yard, where the coal is dumped from the coal cars. He also owns his neat
and substantial residence, and his financial success is due largely to his own exertions.
Mr. Schott was married, November 29, 1862, to Elizabeth Hartman, a native of Germany,
and to this union one child was born, Joseph A. Mrs. Schott died in 1869, and in 1872
our subject married Mollie Hartman, a sister of his first wife. Their children are George
W., Mary E., Anthony W., Gi'ace E., Harry A. and Thomas A. Mr. and Mrs. Schott are
members of the German Catholic Church. Politically he is a Republican.
S. S. SCHULTZ, M. D., a native of Berks County, Penn., was born July 5, 1831,
youngest son and child of Jeremiah and Mary Shultz, both of whom were natives of
Berks County. The paternal ancestor who first came to this county was Christopher
Schultz, the great-grandfather of our subject, who landed in the New World, September
22, 1734, then sixteen years old and a fugitive from religious persecution in Silesia.
Young as he was, he was a fine scholar and became subsequently an able theologian,
leader and organizer of men. Certainly, in all history there cannot be found an instance
more completely verifying the phrase "born to command." He was the organizer and
leader of the religious body to which he belonged, and that came to this country. He
wrote a catechism, a constitution, a large compendium of their religious doctrines, and
made the collection for their hymn-book used by the fugitives in the desert and the wilds.
The theological works of this divine and temporal leader are yet, in much of their
entirety, incorporated in the church formulas of his denomination to-day.
On the maternal side the first immigrant to come to this country was George Schultz, the great-greatgrandfather of our subject, who came to America in 1734, in the twenty-fourth year of
his age. The parentsof our subject were Jeremiah and Mary Schultz. The father was born
June 7, 1797, and died Februarys, 1874. The mother was born September 5. 1798, and
died February 2, 1873. Their children, all living, are Henry, born June 16, 1821; Edward,
born June 20, 1824; John, born September 6, 1828, and our subject. Dr. Schultz was
reared and educated in his native county until he was fourteen years old, when he attended
school at Washington Hall, Montgomery County. From there he went to school at the
academy in Allentown, Penn., which fhas since become Muehlenburg College, where he
remained one year; then a short time at Freeland Seminary, Montgomery County, and
then entered Princeton College, New Jersey, where he graduated in 1852. After graduating he taught school for a short time, and then commenced the study of medicine with
Dr. Daniel D. Detwiler, of Montgomery County. After a careful preparation he entered
the University of Pennsyh^ania, where he graduated in 1856. Immediately after leaving
the university he opened an oflSce for the practice of medicine in Allentown, where he
met with flattering success. But soon an opportunity offered for him to pursue the natural bent of his mind, and he accepted a position in the State lunatic hospital at Harrisburg, as assistant physician.
He remained here until 1861. He then made the tour of
Europe, where he spent one year studying the hospitals and public institutions of Germany, England and France. In the meantime war was raging in his native land, and he
hastened his return and entered the army as acting assistant surgeon, and as assistant
surgeon and surgeon of Pennsj'lvania Volunteers, and assistant surgeon and surgeon of
United States Volunteers; remained in service to the close of the war. He served with
the Seventy-fifth and Twenty-third Pennsylvania Regiments, and as executive officer and
surgeon in charge, successively, ingeneral hospitals at Harrisburg, Penn., Covington, Ky.,
Madison, Ind., and Columbus, Ohio. Here he resigned as superintendent of hospitals at
He then returned to Harrisburg, and was in active practice
the close of the war in 1865.
from 1865 to 1868 when he was appointed by the commissioners of the hospital to come to
Danville and take control of the construction and the superintendency of the Danville Hospital, and from the commencement of the work on the building to the present time he has
been its efl[icient and able superintendent, to the great advantage of the State in its vast expenditures here, and to the blessing of the poor unfortunates who have been dwellers in this
benevolent home. The real professional career of Dr. Schultz commenced with his connection with his present office, and the history of the institution and the history of the
Doctor, in his care of the insane, are practically one and the same, and the reader is
referred to an account of the Danville A.sylum in another column. Dr. Schultz and Miss
Hannah L. Magill were married September 23, 1872; she is a daughter of William H.
Magill and Mary (Montgomery) Magill, and a granddaughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery.

170

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Mrs. Magill was born May 6, 1805, and died January 7, 1882. Their issue are Edward
Magill Schultz, l)orn July 23, 1873, and William Magill Scliultz, born February 15, 1878.
H. B. D. SECHLER, retired painter, Danville, was born on River Street, Danville,
January 26, 1808, a son of Rudolph and Susanna (Douty) Sechler, natives of Pennsylvania. His parental and maternal ancestors were among the early German settlers of the
State.
His father was a blacksmith in early and middle life, later was register and
recorder of Columbia County, serving several years. In 1831 he was appointed justice of
the peace and served until 1845, when he retired, and died in 1857, at the age of eightyfive years.
He reared a family of six children, all of whom became good citizens and
four of whom still survive. Our subject is the eldest of the survivors, was reared in Danville and educated at the subscription schools.
He learned the cabinet-maker's trade
and lollowed it for many years, but since 1840 he has been engaged in house and ornamental sign painting. In 1830 he married Miss Jane Jamison of MifHin County,
Penn., who died in 1831. In 1835 he was married to Sarah, daughter of John Gearhart,
and six children blessed their union, two of whom are living: Harriet, wife of Jonathan
Waters, and Emma, wife of John Yorgy.
Mr. and Mrs. Sechler are members of the
Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder, and'also teacher and superintendent
of the Sabbath-school.
He takes an interest in all that pertains to the good of the community. Politically he is a Republican, formerly a Whig, was appointed justice of the
peace in 1845, and served five years.
SECHLER, musician, Danville, was born in that place April 18, 1814,
a son of Jacob and Barbara (Reice) Sechler, the latter a native of Switzerland, born in
1790.
The Sechler family came to Pennsylvania about 1775, four brothers settling on the
site of Danville, about the close of the Revolution.
They were farmers and took up about
500 acres of land, then a wilderness, a part of which is now the Thomas Beaver farm, near
the State asylum at Dauville. Jacob Sechler was the first male child born in Danville in
1790.
The family were usually farmers. Abraham is the eldest son in a family of nine
children, and is a natural musician.
He organized the first band in Danville and as soon
as his brothers became old enough they joined the band, and for several years six of them
played in it. Abraham received but a limited education in the subscription schools of
Danville, but has been a student all bis life, and can now read and write English, French
and German with ease. His first occupation was farming, which engaged his attention
until he was nineteen years of age.
He then operated a stationary engine for over forty
years, and by economy and judicious investments has made money.
During the war he
invested his money in Government bonds, and now has a fine property where he resides
and devotes his time to music, which he fuUj^ enjoys. In 1835 he married Lavinia, daughter of Asa Pancost, and of English descent.
Of their five children three are now living:
Mary Alice, wife of Henry Schick; Sarah Jane, wife of John Kenvin, and W. W., in
Philadelphia. Mrs. Sechler died in 1864, and in 1869 our subject married Harriet, daughter of John Wurtmau, and of English descent.
Their only child is Martha, wife of
Charles Robson. Mrs. Sechler is a member of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Sechler of
the Episcopal.
He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as tax collector.
F. R. SECHLER, liveryman, Danville, was born in Mahoning Township, Montour
County, March 23, 1836, a son of Jacob and Barbara Ann (Reise) Sechler. His father
was a soldier in the war of 1813, and his grandfather, John Sechler, a soldier in the
Revolution and one of the early settlers of" Danville; both were farmers. F. R. is the
seventh in a family of nine children, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he
has followed most of his life, but now resides in Danville engaged in the livery business.
He married, in 1850, Abigail, daughter of Herbert Best, a prominent farmer of English
origin, and one of the early settlers of Danville, where he died in 1831.
Mr. and Mrs.
Sechler have two cl ildren now living: C. R. and Barbara Ann. Mr. Sechler is a member
of the K. of P., politically an Indenendent, with Democratic proclivities.
JACOB SHELHARt, retired,*ex-sheriff of Montour County, Penn., was born in that
county, August 14, 1835, a son of Jacob and Christine (Everett) Shelhart, natives of
Lehigh County, Penn., both of German origin. His paternal and maternal ancestors were
among the early German settlers of the State. His father was an early settler of Danville, lived to be eighty years old, and spent over seventy years of his life in this part of
Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood in Cooper Township, now, Montour County, and in
early life made farming his business, Imt later devoted his time to the manufacture of
wood( n plows, which he carried on for a time, also manufacturing wagons and wheelbarrows, when the canal was being made through Danville. Jacob is the sixth of eleven
children, and his schooling was limited to about two months in a rude schoolhouse.
He
followed farming as a business until 1865, with success, and though not a believer in luck,
does believe in pluck. Politically he is a Democrat, and in 1865 was elected sheriff of
Montour County, serving three yeavs. In 1879 he was again elected sheriff, and served
three years; then spent some time traveling over the United States and Canada. He has
been twice married; first to Maria, daughter of Joseph Foust, and of English and German
'Origin.
Mr. Shelhart has two children now living: Mary, wife of J. Andrew, and Hattie.
Mr. Shelhart is a member of the Lutheran Church; has been a member of the school

ABRAHAM

•

171

DANVILLE.
board and overseer of

tlie

poor.

He

is

at present

making valuable improvements

in

Dan-

ville.

DAVID SHELHART,

tailor, Danville, was born in Franklin Tovpnship,
1833, a sou of Jacob and Cliristiauna (Evert) Shelbart,
natives of Penns3dvania and of German origin. His father was a farmer. David is the
youngest of eleven children, and was reared on the farm until he was seventeen years old,
receiving his education in the schools of Columbia County. He first clerked in the store
of Christian Laubach, of Danville, where he remained six years, from 1850 to 1856. He
' then embarked in
his present bu.siness, merchant tailor and dealer in gents' furnishing
^oods, and employs the best skilled workmen and cutter. In 1857 he married Malinda
She is of German origin, and has borne her husband
A., a daughter of Richard Demott.

Columbia

Co., Penn.,

May

merchant
9,

wife of Warren McHeury; Kate D., wife of Harry Rhodes; Frank
The family are all members of the Presbyterian Church, in which
Mr. Shelbart has been treasurer and superintendent of the Sabbath-school for fourteen
consecutive years. He is a prominent member.of the I. O. O. F., and has been connected
with the lodge twenty-one years, and has passed all the chairs. Politically he is a
Republican.
JOHN W. SHERIFF, bookkeeper, Danville, was born in Erie County, Penn.,
September 12, 1822, a son of William and Margaret (Colt) Sheriff, natives of Ireland, but
who came to this country in childhood. Our subject is the youngest of six children; was
reared in;Waterford, Erie County, where be received his education at the common schools
and at the academy. In 1842 he came to Danville where he has since remained. On first
coming here he clerked in a general store for fourteen years, and later ran a stage line
from Danville to Pottsville, Northumberland to Wilkesbarre, and Danville to Williamsport and Blossburg, taking in all the villages on the route, carrying passengers and the
United States mail. He had a partner in the business, and for several years they ran a
packet boat on the canal until 1857, when the railroad was built. In 1860 he embarked
in mercantile business which he continued with success until 1873, when he sold out
and has since been employed as bookkeeper in the coal office of R. H. Woolley, sole
agent for Conyngham & Co., of Danville. In 1849 Mr. Sheriff married Miss Martha Waters,
of German origin, and five children were born to the union: Margaret, wife of A. G. Marr;
William; Mary (deceased); Matilda, wife of H. J. Rupert, and Anna. Mr. Sheriff is a
Democrat and has served as member of the town council of Danville.
four children:

Emma,

and Charles Richard.

GIDEON

M. SHOOP, lumberman, P. O. Danville, was born in Northumberland
23, 1821,
a son of George and Elizabeth (Cockley) Shoop,
natives respectively of Cumberland and Dauphin Counties, Penn.
Our subject is
the youngest of a family of seven children, and attended the common schools
of his native county until he was thirteen years old.
He then went to Franklin County and learned the art of manufacturing French buhr mill stones, at which be
worked for two years. He then went to Cumberland County, where he carried on the
same business. He continued to carry on his trade until he came to Danville, in 1841, as
collecting agent for several stage lines, and also embarked in the lumber business, dealing
in and manufacturing lumber quite extensively, and owning several saw-mills.
In 1846
he rented the "Brady Hotel," repaired and improved it; added another story; changed
the name to that of "Montour House," and conducted it for eighteen months. (The house
is still the leading hotel in Danville.)
Mr. Shoop'smain business, however, is the lumber
trade.
He purchases large tracts of land in the south and elsewhere, from which he cuts
the limber and manufactures it into lumber. His residence, among the most beautiful
and attractive in Montour County, was erected at a cost of about $24,000; he also owns
four farms in Montour County, the half of one in Virginia, consisting of 367 acres, and
half of one in Northumberland County of 180 acres. Mr. Shoop married December 2,
1846, Amelia D., daughter of William Gearhart.
She is of English and German origin
and the motlier of four children, all deceased except one, William G., who is now engaged
lumber
business.
Mr. Shoop is a member of the Methodist Episwith bis father in the
copal Church; is president of the board of trustees, a steward and a teacher in the Sabbathschool. In 1880 he was elected a lay delegate to the Central Pennsylvania Conference, and
elected by that body a lay delegate to the general conference, which met in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in May, 1880.
Politically he is a Republican; is at present a member of the
board of trustees of the Danville Insane Asylum; one of the directors of the Nail &
Manufacturing Company; a director of the Bridge Company, and a director in the Danville
National Bank, having served in that capacity longer than any other director, with a sinCounty, Penn., June

gle exception.
B. F. SHULTZ. M. D., Danville, was born in Columbia County, Penn., March 19,
1828, a son of Peter and Sarah (Bobbins) Shultz, former of New Jersey, of German origin,
and latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch origin. They resided in Pennsylvania for
many years, where they kept hotel, but in later life retired to the seclusion of farm life.
They reared a family of nine children— eight sons and one daughter— and all maintained
Our subject, the seventh in the family, obtained his early
the honor of the family name.
education in his native county, and subsequently attended the university at Philadelphia

172

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

He afterward took up the study of medicine in Danville, in the office of Dr.
Strawbrid^e (the latter one of the leadini? surgeons in this part of the State), and also
studied with Dr. Pancost, of Philadelphia.
He then entered Jefferson Medical College at
the latter city, where he graduated with the degree of M. D. Subsequently he commenced
the practice of his profession at Danville, where he has since been actively engaged, and
has secured for himself a well acknowledged prominence in his profession. Dr. Shultz.
has been twice married; first, in 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Mowrer, and of German origin; she died in 1861, the mother of two children: Clarence (deceased) and Dora.
Dr. ShuUz's second marriage took place in 1870, with Mary, daughter of John Heckard,
and also of German origin; she has borne her husband four children: William C, Florence,
Debora and Arminta. Politically the Doctor is a Republican. After the battle of Gettysburg he went to that place and volunteered his services as medical attendant. Mrs. Shultz
was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her death occurred December 19, 1886, in the
fortv-seventh year of her age.
ROBERT S. SIMINGTON, M. D., of Danville, was born and reared on a backwoods
farm in Lycoming County, Penn., when deer and wolves were numerous. He attended the
usual log-cabin school common to a new country, to which he walked two miles. The school,
hov^ever,had excellent teachers.and young Simington began the study of mathematics and
Latin before entering the academy. He assisted his father in opening up farms, making
brick and lumbering, rafting logs down the river to Marietta, Harrisburg and Columbia,
his father being an active business man and owning large tracts of land. Our subject continued his education at the academy at Milton, at McEwensville Academy, and at LewisburgUniversity, then studied medicine with Dr. James Dougal at Milton, Penn., and graduated
at the University of Pennsylvania in 1854
He at once began the practice of medicine in
Danville. In the spring of 1861 he went into the army as surgeon of the Fourteenth P. V. I.,
and later was with the Ninety-third P. V. S. he was principally with the Army of the Potomac; was wounded at Malvern Hill, and resigned in Aug., 1862, returned home and has since
been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1873 he was elected associate
judge for five years was re-elected in 1878 and in 1883, and is still serving was at one
time elected burgess of Danville. December 28, 1854, Dr. Simington was married to Miss
Regina Jane, a daughter of Hugh and Rebecca (Lemon) McWilliams, who were born near
Mooresburg, Liberty Township'; Montour County. Hugh McWilliams was a large land
owner and a prominent citizen served as treasurer of Columbia (now Montour) County,
and was also postmaster. He was the eldest son of Robert and Jane (Curry). McWilliams
of the vicinity of Mooresburg, Penn. She was the first white child born (1773) in the
forks of the Susquehanna. She and her husband had three sons and two daughters r
Hugh, Robert, John, Mary and Jane. Robert McWilliams, their father, was a son of
Lieut. Hugh McWilliams and Rebecca (Dunwoody) McWilliams, who were ScotchIrish Presbyterians, and emigrated from County Armagh, Ireland, settling in Northumberland County, Penn., four miles below Danville. He was a lieutenant in the French and
Indian war, and was killed by Indians in December, 1775. He and wife had one son, Robert,
born in July, 1775, in Northumberland County he married Jane Curry, and they settled
in Liberty Township.
His father, Hugh McWilliams. was a son of Robert and Jane (Orr>
McWilliams, natives of Scotlaml, who emigrated to the North of Ireland, then to Montour
County. They had three sons and one daughter: Hugh, who married Rebecca Dunwoody;
John, died a bachelor; Robert, married Ellen Johnson, and Jane, married Robert Curry,
who was killed by the Indians June 9, 1780, near Danville. Robert was in the war of the
Revolution, and was killed at Valley Forge, December 25, 1777. Dr. and Mrs. Simington
are members of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, and have had three daughters Gertrude, deceased wife of Calvin K. Leinbach; Miss Harriet Elizabeth, and Annie Jean. Dr.
Simington is the eldest son of Benjamin and Ann (Irland) Simington; the former was
born in Liberty Township, Montour Co., Penn., in 1805, a son of Robert Simington, a native of Scotland, who immigrated to America in 1776, immediately joined the "Jersey
BluesV and served with them through the war of the Revolution. He married Elizabeth
Jacoby, of Northampton County, and'came at once to Montour County, took up land, and
died here at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. His children are John, Peter, Robert,
Benjamin, James, Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret and Sarah, all born near Mooresburg, Penn.
Dr. Simington's mother was a daughter of John Irland, -who was born near Milton in 1773;,
his father, David Irland, came from Scotland in 1772, settling near Milton. David Irlaud's
children were Robert, David, John, William, Elizabetli and Anna. David Irland died in 1827,
aged ninety years; his sons, Robert.David and John, settled on farms adjoining the old
homestead, and died of old age. William removed to New York and settled on a farm; he
was in the war of 1813. Elizabeth'married William Sanderson, of Milton, where she died; she
reared a large family. Anna, unmarried, died of old age on the home farm. John married
Margaret Latemer, of Northumberland County, and their issue were Ellen, born in 1801;
James, born in 1803. Anna (the mother of Dr. Simington), born in 1805; Mary Ann, born in
1807; John, born in 1809; William, born in 1811; Thomas, born in 1813, and Margaret, born
in 1815. Benjamin and Ann (Irland) Simington were married January 28, 1829. Their children were Robert S., born May 10, 1831; Margaret Latemer, born May 16, 1836; Elizabeth
for a time.

;

;

;

;

;

:

DANVILLE.

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Ellen, born May 32, 1843, died March 25, 1875 (she married Rev. James W. Boal, leaving
one child); Anna, born August 16, 1850.
Margaret Latemer Simington married Ellis
Gundy, of Union County, Penn.
ADOLF STEINBRENNER, insurance agent, Danville, was born in Germany, January 2, 1834, a son of Michael Steinbrenner, who was a school-teacher in Germany, where
he spent his life. Adolf is the fourth in a family of six children, and was reared in Germany, where he received his education, graduating from the university at Heidelberg, in
1856.
He obtained a position as bookkeeper and followed that vocation until coming to
America in 1866. Arriving in this country he settled at Wilkesbarre, Penn., where he
was employed as a bookkeeper for two years and a half, and subsequently came to Danville, where he embarked in the insurance business, which he still follows, representing
the following companies: Liverpool, London and Globe, Commercial Union of London,
Phoenix of London and many others, and is well fitted for the business. Politically
he is a Republican, was a notary public from 1882 to 1885, and is now clerk of the town
council.
He is a member of the Episcopal Church in which he is organist, and a member
of the various Masonic fraternities, the L O. O. F. and the K. of P.
REV. A. B. STILL, Danville, was born October 15, 1823, near Chester Springs,
Chester Co., Penn., to Charles and Catharine (Sheldrich) Still, natives of Pennsylvania
and of hardy German ancestry, and both lived to obtain over four-score years. Rev. A.
B. is the eleventh of twelve children (all of whom grew to maturity), and was reared on
the farm, the pursuits of which his father followed. At the age of sixteen he was converted and united with the Vincent Baptist Church, of which his parents, brothers and
sisters were members.
At the age of seventeen he began to learn the miller's trade, having spent the previous years working on the farm in summer and attending the public
schools in the winter seasons. After spending six years at the milling business he became
fully convinced that it was his duty to become a preacher, and in October, 1846, left home
to prepare himself for his life work.
He entered the academic department of the Madison
University of New York State, and there completed his academic studies; thence, in the
fall of 1848, he went to the university at Lewisburg, Penn., entered the collegiate department, and graduated in 1853 with the second honors of his class. Soon after he took
charge of the Logan Valley Baptist Church, in Blair County, Penn., where he had an
opportunity to study theology, having the use of the library of the Rev. A. K. Bell.
August 15, 1854, he married Miss Hannah, daughter of John Deen, Sr., of Danville, and
shortly after accepted a call to the Huntingdon Baptist Church, and entered upon his
labors in the autumn. There his duties were arduous, preaching three times on Sunday,
and also through the week, and spent the greater part of the winter in laboring in protracted meetings in his own field, and assisting at meetings in neighboring churches.
His
labors were greatly blessed, and large numbers were converted and added to the church.
He remained pastor for over four years, during which time he was instrumental in organIn the fall of 1858, at the earnest desire of the
izing the Spruce Creek Baptist Church.
Centre Baptist Association, he entered upon the work of missionary, and spent over a
year in earnest and self-denying labor with the feeble destitute churches and in destitute
The calls for his labors were numerous and pressing, and were abundantly blessed
places.
in the salvation of many souls.
He next accepted a call to the First Baptist Church at
Danville, and entered upon his duties as pastor April 1, i860. Here he remained for two
years, amid ihe excitement of tlie civil war.
He then became pastor of the Lawrenceville Baptist Church, in Chester County, in April, 1862, where he had a field of labor which
taxed all his energies, and, at that time, though he never entered the army, took a deep
Having spent two years there he accepted a call
interest in supporting the Government.
to the Pitt's Grove Baptist Church, Salem County, N. J., in the spring of 1864, where he
reaped abundant harvests in the building up of the church and the salvation of sinners.
In the spring of 1867 he returned to Danville that he might give some attention to his
wife's estate, and spent the greater part of the following seven years in preaching for the
destitute churches in the Northumberland association.
During that time he was instrumental in reorganizing the Sunbury Baptist Church, and also of organizing the First
Baptist Church of Shamokin Town. In the spring of 1874 he accepted a call, and became
pastor of the Marlton Baptist Church, New Jersey, where he remained about four years,
and in April, 1878, entered on his labors as pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church,
Hunterdon County, N. J., where he continued for eight years. During that period he
gave much time to Sunday-school and prohibition work. In the fall of 1885 he was
chosen moderator of the Central New Jersey Baptist Association, at Baptist Town, and
in the spring of 1886 closed his labors with the Bethlehem Church and returned to Danville.
Here he now resides and intends to spend his time in missionary work in the
country around. He had two sons. The elder is living and deeply interested in religious
work, having been converted at the age of ten j'ears.
JAMES D. STRAWBRIDGE, A. M., M. D., ex-member of Congress, Danville, a
native of Montour County, Penn., born on the homestead farm of his father in Liberty
Township, April 7, 1834, is the son of James and Mary Dale Strawbridge, the former born in
Chester County and the latter in Union County. James Strawbridge came with his parents

174

BIOGRArHICAL SKETCHES:

a child to Montour County just before the close of the Revolutionary war, and settled
what was then called Mahonins; Township, Northumberland County, now Liberty
Township, Montour County, where he married. A farmer and by trade a tanner, he
owned and carried on for many years the lirst tannery between Harrisburg and the lakes.
This tannery was built bj' his father, Col. Thomas 8trawbridge, who was also born in
Chester Countj% Penn, where he was reared. He was an ardent supporter of the struggle
by tlie colonies for independence; was commissioned a captain by the committee of
safety in May, 1776, and in September, 1776, was a member of the first constitutional convention; later became lieutenant-colonel, and subsequently colonel, and was detailed to
procure and superintend the manufacture of arms during the later years of the war. Shortly
before its close he moved to Northumberland County. In 1784 and 1785 he was judge of
the courts, and was also a member of the first Legislature of Pennsylvania. He was married in Philadelphia to Margaret Montgomery, a sister of Gen. William Montgomery, of
Danville. Col. Thomas Strawbridge and wife were among the original members and aided

when
in

He died about 1814; his widow
in organizing the old Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church.
survived him a number of years, and died at the ripe old age of ninety-nine years and ten
months, having never suffered a day's sickness from the time of her marriage to that of
her death.
Col. Thomas Strawbridge had four children who lived to mature age: Christianna,
who married Gen. Daniel Montgomery; Mary, married to Gen. Giffin; Alexander,
who never married, and James (father of the subject of our sketch), who married Mary

Dale, and had seven children, five of whom lived to maturity: Margaret M., married to
James McCreight, of Union County; Ann D., married first to Sanxuel Shannon, of Northumberland, and afterward to William C. Lawson, of Milton, Penn. Thomas, who married
Mrs. Elizabeth Dale, nee Miss Bossier, and now resides at Lewisburg. Penn. James D.,
the subject of this sketch, who married, in 18J51, Emily F. (daughter of the late William
Agnew, of Philadelphia), and she dying in 1853, he married, in 1872, Ellen V., daughter
of Stuben Butler, of Wilkesbarre, Penn., and granddaughter of Col. Zebulon Butler, of
the Continental army, who commanded the Wyoming settlers and troops at the massacre
of Wyoming; and Samuel D., colonel of the Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery during
the war of the Rebellion, and who now resides in Philadelphia.
Dr. Strawbridge received his preparatory education at the Danville 'Academy; entered
Princeton College in 1841, and graduated in 1844. He commenced the study of medicine in
;

;

Danville, with Dr. William H. Magill; afterward studied with Dr. Wm. Pepper, of Philadelphia, and entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in the fall
of the same year, graduating in the spring of 1847, when he at once commenced the pracIn 1861 he entered the
tice of medicine in Danville, continuing in the same until 1860.
army as brigade surgeon, being first assigned to duty with the division of Gen. Joseph
After the resignation of Gen.
J. Reynolds, at Cheat Mountain in western Virginia.
Reynolds he was for a short time at Wheeling with Gen. Rosecrans, and was there
transferred by Gen. McClellan to the West. At St. Louis he was ordered by Gen. Halleck
to join the army of the southwest as medical director on the staff of Gen. Curtis, and
reached Cassville just after the battle of Pea Ridge. Here he concentrated all the sick
and wounded, transporting them as rapidly as they became able to be moved to St. Louis.
After completing the removal of over 3,500 sick and wounded a distance of over 300 miles,
he reported to Gen. Halleck's adjutant-general in St. Louis, and was then ordered to join
a portion of the army of the southwest then on the way to Corinth. Reaching the camp
of the Army of the Mississippi at noon of the day on which the rebels evacuated Corinth,
he reported first to Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, and was a few days later transferred to the
In consequence of continued ill health, he tendered his resignastaff of Gen. Rosecrans.
tion, which both Rosecrans and Halleck declined to approve; but to retain his services in
the army an arrangement was made with Dr. Chas. McDougal, medical director on Gen.
Halleck's staff, by which he was assigned to the organization of general hospitals at
Jackson, Tenn. Under certain exceptional provisions, Dr. Strawbridge consented not to
press his resignation, and August 1, 1863, entered upon his duties at Jackson, Tenn., under
instructions to have nothing further to do with the district commander, Gen. John A. McClernand, than to report his orders and make requisitions on him for supplies, which arrangement soon after culminated in the removal of the latter from his command of the
Notwithstanding the many difficulties in the way of the hospitals at Jackson,
district.
the Doctor took care of nearly all the sick and wounded from the battles of Hatche,
When the army began its movement toward Vicksburg, Dr.
Bolivar, luka and Corinth.
Strawbridge was instructed to procure trains and remove the patients to Columbus as fast
as the hospital boats could transport them north, and while on this duty he was directed
to look after the construction of the hospital boat "Nashville," then being rebuilt
at Columbus for a receiving hospital, and was afterward assigned to the completion of the "Nashville," with directions to push the work as rapidly as posOn the 1st of March he reached
sible and take the vessel down to Vicksburg.
By the 6th he
Young's Point, and on the 3d patients were received on board.
large convalescent hospital was
had received and taken care of 1,900 sick men.

A

DANVILLE.

175

established at Milliken's Bend, to which a considerable portion of these men were transferred, and the "Nashville" moved up to that point.
Here, the "Nashville," which had
been designed only for a receiving hospital, became, against the protest of Dr. Strawbridge, a permanent general hospital and for three months contained an average of about
The assistant surgeon-general,
1,000 patients, most of them the most sick of the army.
Dr. R. C. Wood, on the hospital steamer, "City of Memphis, " on his return from an inspection in the field, where he had gathered some 200 of all classes of patients, ordered 250
sick to be transferred from the "Nashville" to the " City of Memphis, " and that none
Dr. Strawbridge remonstrated
were to be sent who were likely to die on the passage.
against this, and urged the removal of the very sick. Eighteen deaths occurred on the
passage up to Memphis, whether from those gathered up from the field or from those
sent from the "Nashville, "was not known, but for this Dr. Strawbridge received a severe
reprimand together with a charge of having disobeyd orders. In answer to this the
Doctor immediately sent in his resignation with a letter of reply. Dr. Mills and Gen.
Grant on receiving the resignation determined to sustain Dr. Strawbridge against the
assistant surgeon-general.
Dr. Charles Sutherland, now senior surgeon on the active list
of the United States Army, then assistant medical director, was sent to Dr. Strawbridge
with a request from Gen. Grant that he would withdraw his resignation as a personal
favor to himself, if not permanentl3% at least until after, the termination of the siege of
Vicksburg. This Dr. Strawbridge declined to do, and assured Gen. Grant that he did not
desire to leave the service, but that he could, under no circumstances, serve longer under
the assistant surgeon-general. The resignation was forwarded endorsed:
"Respectfully disapproved, as Surgeon Strawbridge's services cannot be spared from
this army.

"Mad: Mills, Medical Director.
"By order of U. S. Grant, major-general commanding."
As soon as this could be returned from the war department. Dr. Strawbridge was

re-

from charge of the "Nashville," and ordered to report in person to U. S. Grant.
While making up his accounts for transfer of property, etc., to his successor, Dr. Strawbridge was prostrated with congestive chills, and for a time his life was despaired of, but
lieved

he finally rallied, and, as soon as able to travel, reported to Dr. Mills at Gen. Grant's headquarters.
Still being too feeble for duty, however, he was directed to return to the river
On Julj^ 7, Dr. Strawbridge was sent for by Gen. Grant, and assigned
till convalescent.
to examination of soldiers in hospitals, etc., for the purpose of discharge assignment
invalid
the
corps
to
under the following order and verbal instructions:
" Surgeon Strawbridge is herebj^ directed to visit Young's Point, Millikensbend and
elsewhere and discharge all such soldiers as in his judgment he may see fit."
The Doctor's health having again thoroughly broken down, Dr. Ormsby, with whom
he had his quarters in Vicksburg, seeing that if he remained longer in Vicksburg, he
could not recover, went to Gen. Grant on August 14, and obtained an order directing him
to go on board the hospital steamer "R. C. Wood," which left Vicksburg that night, and
report by letter to the war department from his home. This was very much against his
own wishes; he had been offered the medical directorship on the dividing up of the army
In October, he was ordered before a military
at Vicksburg. of any part he might desire.
in Washington, which recommended a longer furlough.
In November he
sent before a military board at Annapolis, who disaproved his request to be ordered
for
treatment. He then asked to be
to duty and recommended his being sent to hospital
mustered out of the service; this was also disapproved by the board, and light duty recommended. He was then assigned to duty in the provost-marshal-general department, and
sent by Gen. Frey to Philadelphia, and afterward to Harrisburg, to superintend the examination of recruits. In May, 1864, finding his health nearly restored, he again asked
for duty in the field, and on the 18th of May, was ordered to report for duty to Gen. B.
F. Butler, at Bermuda Hundred. Immediately after his arrival he was directed to follow up the Eighteenth Army Corps, then on the way up York River, to join the army
under Grant, near White House. On his arrival at that place the battle of Cold Harbor
had just been fought, in which the Eighteenth Army Corps bore the principal part and
The base hospital for the corps was being organized, and, finding
lost nearly 5,000 men.
his services likely to be of more value there than at the front, remained there on duty as
an operating surgeon for five days, during which time he was continuously employed
from daylight until dark, performing man}' of the most important operations. On June
8, he reported to Gen. Baldy Smith, and was temporarily assigned to the second division
under Gen. Martindale. The Eighteenth Corps was at that time withdrawing from the
trenches, and, in the night following, marched back to White House, and were from there
transferred by boats to the Appomattox River. Immediately after their arrival, the
Eighteenth Corps commenced its advance on Petersburg. Dr. Strawbridge was here transferred to the medical directorship of the corps, relieving Dr. Suckley, \\ ho was transHere Dr. Strawbridge referred to the medical inspectorship of the Army of the James.
organized the medical department and ambulance corps, and brought them into a thorough
state of efficiency.

commission

was

176

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

October 27, 1864, while the Eighteenth Corps was making a movement on the extreme
right of the line in front of Richmond, Dr. Strawbridge was captured by rebel scouts,
while on the flanks of the corps looking for a road by which he expected to send back
his ambulance trains.
He was retained a prisoner in Libby until paroled January 30,
1865.
Returning to report at Annapolis, at the termination of his parole furlough, he
was subpoenaed by the United States District Court, and had to return to Philadelphia,
where he was temporarily assigned to duty as president of a medical examining board.
Dr. John Campbel, medical director of the department of Pennsylvania, made application to the war department to have his assignment made permanent, but this was refused
on the ground that application had previously been made by Gen. John Gibbon to have
Dr. Strawbridge assigned to his staff, as medical director of the Eighteenth Army Corps,
and by Gen. E. O. C. Ord, as medical director of the Army of the James. Dr. Strawbridge
remained on duty in Philadelphia, on the board until his services were no longer required
in that capacity; was breveted for meritorious services, and, September 4, was mustered
out of the service of the United States.
In the fall of 1867 our subject again commenced the practice of medicine in Danville.
In 1873 he was elected to the XLIII Congress of the United States, and on the day
following the election he was married to Ellen V. Butler. After one term of Congress,
the Doctor resumed his practice (which is almost exclusively confined to surgery) in Danville.
The Doctor is a member of the State Medical Society, member of the American
Medical Association, American Academy of Medicine, and of the section on Military Surgery of the International Medical Congress.
DAVID F. STROH, carpenter and millwright, was born in Livingston County, N.
Y., March 1, 1830, a son of Jonathan (a farmer) and Elizabeth (Oberdorf) Stroh, natives
of Pennsylvania, and of German origin, former of whom died in 1838. Our subject, the
youngest of the family, was reared on the farm in Northumberland County, where he
attended school. Later he began to learn the millwright's trade, a vocation he has followed in connection with carpenter work, which he has continued since 1847. meeting
with success. He married, in 1850, Miss C. A. Voris, sister of E. C. Voris, and three children have blessed their union: Edwin, Charles and Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. Stroh are
members of the Lutheran Church at Danville, of which he is a trustee. Politically he is
a Republican, and has served as judge of election. He is Past Grand of the I. O. O. F.
J. SWEISFORT, D. D. S., Danville, was born in Berks County, Penn., December
19, 1839, a son of Jonas and Maria (Whitman) Sweisfort, natives also of Pennsylvania and
of German origin. The father was a hotel-keeper in early life, later a lumber dealer,
was three times married, rearing four children. Our subject is the third child and grew
to manhood in his native county where he received his education.
Early in life he chose
dentistry as his profession, but when the war broke out he enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry in Company C, and served as duty sergeant. He was a faithful
soldier, and on his return home studied dentistry in the Pennsylvania Dental College at
Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1866. The same year he came to Danville, where he
has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a Democrat
politically, a member of I. O. O. F., both of the subordinate lodge and the Encampment;
is also a member of the G. A. R., and since 1879 has been a member of the National
Guards. In that year he was elected first lieutenant of that body; in 1880 was elected
captain; September 24, 1886, he was elected major and is still serving as such. In 1867 he
married Haanah, daughter of John Everett, a native of Pennsylvania and of German
origin.
They have two children: Lucy E. and Gussie May. The Doctor and Mrs. Sweisfort are members of the Reformed Church, in which he has served as elder and deacon,
also superintendent of the Sunday-school for three years.
WILLIAM TWIST (deceased) -vas born at Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England, August 18, 1813, to Laurence (a farmer) and Elizabeth (Redell) Twist, natives
also of England, former of whom died in England; their family consisted of seven
children, six of whom grew to maturity.
Our subject, the eldest son, was reared on a
farm and attended the common schools of his native place.
In 1845 he immigrated to
America to engage in the rolling-mill business, at which he had worked in England,
being a proficient workman. While still in his native country he was prevailed upon to
come to Danville, Penn., and on his arrival at the latter place immediately commenced
work, and helped to make the first "T" railroad iron in the United States, a rail that now
connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Danville sometimes claims the honor of
making the first railroad iron in the United States; however Mr. Twist made the first "T"
railroad iron in this country, and has been engaged in the rolling-mill business for over half
a centufy. He was superintendent of the old "Rough and Ready" Iron Works for seven
years; also superintendent for a like period of the works which subsequently merged into
the North Branch Steel Works, in which he was a stockholder, but after the failure of
Mr. Peter Baldy,our subject was not connected with the firm in any way, save as inspector
of railroad iron from the railroad companies.
Mr. Twist married in 1849 Susan A.
Gunton (a native of England, and a member of the Episcopal Church), by whom he had
four children, all of whom survive him.
Mr. Twist was a strict Republican politically,

DANVILLE.

177

and has served as a member of the town council: was also a member of the I. O. O. F.,
and a man of unimpeachable character.
T. O. VAN ALEN is one of the leadins: businessmen and manufacturers of Danville.
He was born in Chatham Centre, Cokimbia Co., N. Y., August 19, 1819. His paternal great-grandfather emigrated from Holland to New York. His son, Gilbert
Van Alen, was born in Golumbia County, N. Y., and followed farming; married Miss
Annis Moore, of Columbia County, and to them were born two children: Reuben and
Catharine. Catharine married Mr. John J. Van Volkenburg, a farmer and merchant of
Columbia County, N. Y. Reuben married Miss Mary, a daughter of Timothy and Sallie
Oakley, and pursued farming and merchandising at Chatham Centre. They had three
sons and one daughter: Gilbert R., Timothy O., Sallie O. and Lewis O. The daughter
died aged thirteen years. Our subject, T. O. Van Alen, was eight years old when his
parents moved to Salisbury Mills, Orange Co., N. Y. He attended the common schools
until ten years old, when his father employed a private teacher.
At twelve years of age
Mr. Van Alen entered the academy at Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N. Y., remaining there
two years, during which time he resided with the family of Dr. Henry Van Dyke. Subsequently he returned to Orange County and attended the school of Nathaniel Stark, at
Goshen, one year. At fifteen he went to New York City and served an apprenticeship in
a hardware store until 1839, when he returned home and engaged in the manufacture of
paper and agricultural implements, and merchandising with his father, until 1844, when
he came to Danville to represent the interests of Murdock, Leavitt & Co. in the Montour
Iron Works, and act as the resident agent of the company. During this time he built what
was known as the Company Store and in 1846 engaged in merchandising, associated with

&

individual stockholders of the company under the firm name of T. O. Van Alen
Co. In
1866, in connection with Geo. M. Leslie and A. H. Voris, he built a nail factory in Northumberland, Northumberland County, and is,with his sons, still engaged in the manufacture
of iron and nails. Mr. Van Alen has always taken an active interest in Danville, and
ranks among her leading manufacturers. It is a fact worthy of me.ntion that he has kept
his mills running through all depressions. He gives steady employment to about 300 men.
He was married in 1846 to Miss Ann Catharine, daughter of Cornelius Gari'etson, iron
master. Mr. and Mrs. Van Alen are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was
president of the board of trustees for a number of years, and for many years a trustee of
the Danville State Hospital for the insane, and director of First National Bank. They
have had eight children, five living, viz.: Cornelius G., Gilbert R., A. Oakley, Edmond
G. and George L., all active business men except George L., a Presbyterian clergyman.
Mr. Van Alen's father came to Danville after retiring from business, and resided with his
son, T. O. Van Alen, until his death, a man of more than ordinary ability and intelligence.
VINCENT, president of the Danville stove manufactory, was born in England, December 25, 1844, a son of Job and Lydia (Roberts) Vincent, natives of England.
The father was a mason by trade; immigrated with his family to America in 1852;landed in
the city of New York, and soon after settled in Montour County, Penn. Our subject is
the eldest of seven children, and received a limited education in the common schools of
his district.
At the age of ten years he commenced work in the rolling-mills, which he
followed as his principal business until he was thirty-two years of age. He worked on
contract for several years, and during that time also found opportunity to study law, and
took a course at Columbia College, New York, where he graduated in 1878. He was
admitted to the bar of New York, and the same year to that of Montour County, Penn.
Subsequently he commenced the practice of his profession at Danville in 1879, and entered
into partnership with James Scarlet, which continued for two years.
Mr. Vincent then
conceived the idea of establishing the Danville stove manufactory, and on the organization of a stock company, was elected its president. This business has proved a success,
for which it is largely indebted to the energy and determination of Mr. Vincent. In 1863
he married Sarah, daughter of William Taylor, She is also a native of England, born
near the birthplace of her husband; is three months his junior; came to America the
same year as Mr. Vincent, and both located at Danville the same year, where they met for
the first time, and were afterward married. Eight children were born to their union,
seven of whom now survive: Elizabeth, Thaddeus, Henry, Thomas, Victor, Robert and
Walter. Mrs. Vincent is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Vincent has served as
a member of the council of Danville. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred
and Thirty-Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in several battles,
among which were Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He
was never wounded or taken prisoner, but had many narrow escapes, five balls entering
his clothing; at the battle of Antietam his coat sleeve was completely shot off, but his person was uninjured.
E. C. VORIS (not in business at present). Danville, was born in what is now Liberty
Township, Montour (then Columbia) County, January 4, 1826, a son of James and Anna
{Gray) Voris, the latter a native of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish origin. James Voris, a
native of Pennsylvania-and of Holland descent, was a carpenter and contractor, and carried on business in Liberty Township, this county, until fifty years of age, when he re-

HENRY

lOA

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

178

Our subject is the eleventh in a family
to Danville and retired from active labor.
of fourteen children; vras reared on the farm, and;|at the age of sixteen commenced to learn
the carpenter's trade with Mr. Joseph Diehl, serving a regular apprenticeship, and continued with Mr. Diehl until engaging with the Montour Iron Company. Here he was
employed in the Montour Iron Works for thirty-seven years, twelve years of which time
he was superintendent of the machine shops. He superintended the erection of the maNail Works, of Danville, and is one of the stockchinery of the Danville Manufactory
holders of that company. He has been an active business man nearly all his life, but
since 1884 has led a retired life. He married in 1855 Juiia, daughter of Benjamin Troxell.
of Northumberland County, Penn., a farmer and of German origin. Mr. and Mrs. Voris
are the parents of the following named children: Charles E., a salesman in New York
City; William A., a machinist in the employ of the Danville nail-mills; Frank L., a clerk
Mr. and Mrs. Voris are members
in a store at Danville, and James H., attending school.
Mr. Voris
of the Presbyterian Church, of the board of trustees of which he is president.
was chief burgess of Danville in 1861, has served several years as member of the school
board of Danville, and is overseer of the poor of Mahoning Township. He is a Democrat.
general merchant, Danville, was born in that place. October 17,
W. H. N.
1854, a son of William C. and Christianna (Hileman) Walker, the latter a native of PennThe father was born in Ireland, came to America
sylvania and of German origin.
when eighteen years old, and has since lived at Danville, where he now resides at
Our subject is the second child and oldest son,
the advanced age of seventy-six years.
and grew to manhood in Danville, where he was also educated. For a time he followed farming, which did not prove congenial, and then he engaged in work in a brickyard for four years, and subsequently clerked for Mr. A. J. Ammerman in the same store
which he (subject) at present occupies. There he remained four years, and in 1883 bought
out the business and has since managed it. He employs two clerks, runs a delivery wagon,
In 1876 he married Jennie, daughter of William S. Toland,
and does a thriving business.
and the children born to the union are Eva I., Frank J., Arthur P. and Harry T. Mrs.
Walker is a member of the Lutheran Church at Danville. Politically Mr. Walker is a
Democrat; is a member of the school board, a member of the K. of L. and of the Masonic
fraternity.
merchant, Danville, was born February 3, 1834, in Jerseytown,
W. R.
Columbia Co., Penn., to Abraham and Martha (Winder) Welliver, natives of Pennsylvania.
His grandfather, a farmer, was an early settler of Columbia County, where his son (subject's
father) was born, and where he followed shoemaking in early life, but later farming. Our
subject, the eldest of nine children, was reared on the farm and attended the district
He was a diligent student
school, and also the academy at Millville, Columbia County.
and early began to teach, which profession he followed in the winter, and farmed in the
summer for eight years, mostly in the country, but also several terms in Washingtonville.
In 1863 he carne to Danville and commenced business as a dealer in books and stationery,
and so continued until 1867. In that year he began his present business (general merchandising), in which he has a good patronage, and keeps a large supply of goods. Mr. Welliver
has been twice married; first in 1858 to Miss Sue. daughter of Peter Wagner, and of German origin. She died in 1873, the mother of the following children: Lloyd, married and
a merchant in Exchange, Penn.; Hal C, also married, and a merchant in Mooresburg,
Penn.; Stewart, a clerk in his father's store, and Charles, at school. In 1878 Mr. Welliver
married Adelaide Condon, a native of Philadelphia, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Welliver are
members of the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, but votes the Independent ticket.
S. J. WELLIVER, of the firm of Welliver dealers, Danville, Penn., and East Main Street, Nanticoke, Penn., was born in Montour
County, February 3, 1841. His parents, Abraham and Martha (Winder) Welliver, were
natives of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of the State. His
father, a shoemaker by trade, followed farming all liis life, and reared a family of nine
Our subject attended the common schools and
children, of whom S. J. is the sixth.
His first occupation was teaching school,
also Greenwood Seminary at Millville, Penn.
which profession he followed for six years. He then came to Danville and, in company
with his brother, established a book and stationery store, and two years later merged
They carried on a successful general mercantile trade
their business into a general store.
for several years, when Mr. Welliver sold his interest to his brother, and subsequently took
charge of the hardware store of Charles H. Waters, until the latter's death. He then
clerked in a hardware store one year when he embarked in business on his own account,
and a year later formed a partnership with James McCormick, which continued for five
years, when our subject bought out Mr. McCormick's interest. In 188S, the present firm
Cole was established. Mr. Welliver married, in 1866, Elizabeth, daughter
of Welliver
Mrs. Welliver has borne her husband eight
of Simeon Best, and of English origin.
children, seven of whom survive: Warren W. has charge of the branch store at Nanticoke;
Mary Martha Carrie, Bertha, Clarence, Lulu, Harry, Jessie J. (deceased), and Frances.
Mrs. Welliver is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Welliver of the BapIn 1865 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantist.

moved

&

WALKER,

WELLIVER,

&

DANVILLE.
try, and served until the close of the war.
politic s be is a Democrat.

He

is

a

179
member

of the

I.

0.0. F., of Danville.

In

GEORGE W. WEST, surveyor and civil engineer, Danville, was burn in Delaware
County, N. Y., September 80, 1818, a son of William and Eliza (Ko^ers) West. His
mother was a native of the same county, a daughter of Hobert Rogers, who was for many
years a sea captain. William Wei^t was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., of English
descent, a blacksmith by trade, and was twice married, having two' children by his first
wife.
George W. is a child of the first w ife and was educated
the common schools and
seminary of his native county; subsequently attended Wyoming Seminary, being one of
the first students at that institution, and while there studied surveying. His first employment was school-teaching, at which he remsiiued six years. In 1845 he came to Montour
County (then Columbia), and when Columbia County was organized he was appointed
county surveyor. Since then he has served in that capacity and has been largely engaged
in looking up original lines.
He has been employed as surveyor in fifteen or twenty
counties of Pennsylvania, and has run a great many lines in the coal regions to settle
He served twenty-four years as clerk of tlie countv commissioners, since he has
disputes.
been surveyor of Montour County. In 1854 he married Catherine Ann, daughter of John
Ease, of German origin. To Mr. and Mrs. West eight children have been born, six of
whom are now living: Charles, a resident of Chicago, 111. Nellie E., wife of OliverDeihl;
William K., attorney, Danville; Louise; George M."; assistant city engineer at Chicago 111.'
and Isaac Dewitt, a school-teacher. Mr. and Mrs. West are membpVs of the Presbyterian
Church. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been city engineer for Danville since 1851
W. C. WILLIAMS, proprietor of the White Horse Hotel, Danville, was there borii
July 11, 1856, a son of William and Martha (Philips) Williams, who were natives of England, and who settled in Danville in 1847. Mrs. Williams' father served in the battle of
Trafalgar, under the command of Admiral Nelson, and lost a limb in that famous engagement; he and his wife were born the same year, lived tobe ninety-nine yearsold, and died
within a few months of each other. Our subject's father was a farmer in early life,
but later kept a hotel in Danville, and at the time of his deaih, in 1882, was the oldest
He was attentive to business and succeeded in acquiring a
hotel- keeper in the place.
goodly share of this world's goods. His widow and two children survive him. Of the
the
younger
and grew to manhood in Danville, where lie was educated
latter W. C. is
and very naturally drifted inio tLie hotel business, and, since the death of his father, has
conducted the " White Horse." In 1877 he married Clara, daughter of Joseph Sh'ultz
who was born in Pennsylvania of German origin. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one chili
William J. Politically Mr. Williams is a Republican.
LEWIS E. WOODS, dealer in boots and shoes, Danville, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., August 27, 1844, to J. M. and Mary (Evans) Woods, natives of Penn-

m

;

sylvania, the latter of Welsh origin. The father, who was of Irish origin, was a dealer
in boots and shoes, which business appears to have been followed by the family for many
generations back. He embarked in business in 1857, at Danville, where he died November 30, 1878. He and his wife had a family of five sons and five daughters, and five children still survive. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and at the age of
thirteen entered his father's store as clerk, where he remained until attaining his majority.
He then went west and engaged as clerk in a dry goods store, until he succeeded in
saving about $200, when he returned to Danville and embarked in his present business, in
which he has been very successful, being a first-class salesman. He has occupied the
same store since 1869. February 23, 1869, he married Emma, daughter of Christian Laubach, one of the oldest and most prominent merchants of Danville. Their children are
Nelson, Mattie, Howard and Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. Woods are members of the Methodist Church, of which he is a trustee, and is also a member of the K. of P.
In politics he
Mr. Woods regards the year 1869 as the eventful one of his life; in Febis a Republican.
ruary of that year he was married; in March he embarked in his present business, and in
December his first child was born.
YORKS, assistant cashier of the First National Bank, Danville, was
S.
born in this place February 10, 1853, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (West) Yorks, natives of Pennsylvania and of English origin.
The grandfather," also named Samuel,' was
an early settler in this part of Pennsylvania and an ofiicer in the war of 1812. Our subject's father was a prominent man, first a Whig and later a Republican, and the leadmg
spirit in establishing the First National Bank of Danville.
When the bank was organized he was elected a director and also president, which position he occupied until his
death in 1878. Our subject is the fourth of five ciiildren; was reared in Danville, where
he was educated in the public schools and the academy, and since he was seventeen years
the First National Bank. He is now assistant cashier. In
of age has been employed
December, 1875, he married Cornelia Page Hancock, damihter of William Hancock and
of English origin. She has borne her husband two children: Samuel and Mary. Mr.
Yorks is a member of the Presbyterian Church and secretary of the Sabbath school. He
is a Republican, has served six years as a member of the town council of Danville and i*
treasurer of the R. A. in that place. Mrs. Yorks is a member of the Epitcjpal Cliu:ch.

AUGUSTUS

m

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

180

CHAPTER XV.

ANTHONY TOWNSHIP.
B. F. ADAMS, fanner, P. O, Exchange, was born April 14, 1842, sou of Thomas and
Mary (McGonigle) Adams, both now deceased. Thomas Adams, the paternal grandfather
Thomas Adams,
of our subject, came to this countj^ early, and settled near Danville.
father of our subject, came to this county with his parents, and after marriage removed
His father owned a large tract of land containing between 300
to where B. F. now lives.
and 400 acres, and he divided that among his three sons, Thomas, William and John,
Thomas getting the farm where our subject now lives. Thomas and Mary Adams were the
parents of eleven children: Margaret J., Hannah N., Samuel and B. F. in Anthony Township, Montour County; Mary E. Meyer, in Kylertown; John (deceased), Houtzdale, Clearfield County; Sarah Soserman (deceased). White Deer Mills, Union Co.; Capt W. Y., at
Lock Haven, Centre County; Susan A. Brittain, in Muncy, Lycoming County; Thomas and
Daniel, in Mercer County, 111. The father died November 36, 1846, and his widow survived
him until June 18, 1874. They are buried in the old Derry Church graveyard. Our subHe was married in 1868 to
ject came into possession of his farm of 163 acres in 1875.

Miss Elizabeth Caroline, daughter of Barnard and Catharine (Focht) Renn, and a native
When Mr. Adams was married he
of Lycoming County; her mother died July 10, 1883.
lived one year at his father-in-law's, teaching school one term at Vandine and one term
at Ball's schoolhouse, and then removed to beyond Hughsville, Penn., where he lived one
From there he removed to the other side of Hughsville,
year, railroading on the P. & E.
and there resided three years, farming for Peter Reader, and then removed to his present
Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the parents of seven children: Ulysses Renn, John
location.
Brittain, Mary Catharine, Timothy Oliver, Daniel McGonigle, Estella Blanche and Ora
Mabel. Mr. Adams and wife are members of Moreland Grange, No. 775, P. of H. He has
held the position of tax collector for Anthony Township since the spring of 1886. In
politics he is a Democrat.
JACOB ALBECK, farmer, P. O. Muncy, was born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg
(now the empire of Germany), August 4,1823, son of Michael and Rosanna(Hoss) Albeck,
In 1830 they came to America in a
former of whom was a farmer in the old country.
They resailing vessel, and after a voyage of forty-two days, lauded at New York.
mained there long enough to buy a horse, and, with a wagon brought over from the old
country, they started by wagon road, and eventually landed on the Muncy Hills, with
'

Tlie names of these children are Gottlieb, in Anthony Towntheir eight children.
ship, this county: Michael, in Lycoming County, Penn.; George (deceased); John, in Danville, this county; Jacob; Rosanna (deceased); Catharine (deceased); Christianna, wifeof
Isaac Kisner. in Clarkestown, Lycoming Co., Penn. The father settled where Jacob now
resides, and here lived until his death, which occurred December 23, 1862; his widow
died November 11,1866; they bought sixty-twoacresof land when they came, and Jacob has
There were five acres cleared when they
since added to it until he has pow 143 acres.
came. Our subject was married in this county September 11, 1851, to Miss Mary Andy, a
Mr.
are deceased.
daughter of Daniel and Christiann (Carmlich) Andy, both of
five are living: William Henry;
and Mrs. Albeck are the parents of six children, of
and Ellen. ChrisDaniel; Sarah, wife of Jacob Waller, in Anthony Township;
Mr. Albeck and family are members of the Lutheran Church at
tiana is deceased.
years
for
Anthony Townfive
Clarkestown, Lycoming County. He was tax collector for
"

whom

whom

Emma

ship, this county.

JACKSON BIDDLE, farmer, P. O. White Hall, was born April 15, 1829, son of
Jacob and Esther (Ritter) Biddle. Gershom Biddle, grandfather of our subject, came' to
this county from New Jersey, probably about 1780, and located near White Hall. He was
the father of five children: Gershom, William, John, Jacob, and Jane, all of whom are
dead. William, who was uncle of our subject, was an eminent citizen of Danville, and
The family records show that several of the ancesis mentioned elsewhere in this book.
tors of this family took a prominent part during the Revolutionary war and war of 1812.
Jacob Biddle, father of our subject, owned five large farms in this section, and was noted
for his benevolence and public spirit, being greatly instrumental in the building of the
Derry Presbyterian Church, the first church built in this part of the country. He married Esther Ritter, and they were the parents of fifteen children, seven of whom are living: Jackson; Henry, in White Hall, this county; Amos, in Kansas; Jacob, in California;

181

ANTHONY TOWNSHIP.

James, in Anthony Township, this county; John, also in Anthony Township, and Mary,
wife of Firman Farnsworth. Jackson Biddle, subject of this sketch, was reared on the
farm where he now lives, and owns the old homestead of 125 acres, all under cultivation.
This land was first improved by Israel Biddle, an uncle of his father. The homestead,
where Jackson now resides, and the adjoining land owned bj' his brother James have been
in the hands of the Biddle family since the earliest date of which there is any record.
Our subject was first married March 22, 1860, lo Miss Susan McKee, daughter of Robert
McKee, one of the early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Biddle became the parents
Mr. Biddle married, the second time, September
of three children: CorR, Jacob and Ella.
18, 1886, Jane Smith, daughter of John Smith, of Columbia County, and niece of Creveling
Smith, deceased, who was formerly a member of the State Legislature of Pennsylvania. Mr.
Biddle has been connected with the schools of Anthony Tbwnship as director for twelve
years. In politics he is a Democrat. The Biddle family were originally of Scotch descent
on the father's side, but the mother of our subject came from Berks County, Penn., and
her family were originally German. James Biddle, who in company with Amos Johnson
owns a prosperous establishment for raising chickens adjoining our subject's land, has
been nne of the greatest travelers of the county, having visited Canada Mexico, Central
America, Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and California; spent three years in the last named
Sjtate.

CYRENUS BOMBOY, veterinary surgeon, P. O. Comly, was born in Rockland
Township, Berks Co., Penn., January 21, 1817, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Price) Bomboy, former of whom died in Berks County, and the latter in Newcastle, Penn. Our
subject was married in Berks County, and there remained until 1837, when he came to
Northumberland County, and after a residence of twenty years there, came to what is
now Anthony Township, this county, and located where Jesse Hartman now resides, and
Here he
in 1868 located where he now resides, purchasing at that time 226 acres of land.
has made his home since that time. He was married in September, 1837, to Miss Naomi
Folk, a native of Berks County, Penn., daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Bomboy) Folk.
Mr. and Mrs. Bomboy were the parents of several children, of whom nine are living:
Mary Ann., wife of Simon Roan, in Northumberland County, Penn.; Daniel, married to
Isabella Ellis, in Anthony Township, this county; Elizabeth, wife of John France, ia
Susquehanna County, Penn.; Eliza Ann, wife of George F. Varner, in Anthony Township, this county; Charles F., married to Dessie Sailor, also in Anthony Township; Levina, wife of Daniel Frye, in Lycoming County, Penn.; Katharine, wife of A. J. Runyou,
in Northumberland County, Penn.; John, married to Ellen Robbins, in Anthony Township, this county; Susan Matilda, at home; Franklin, Benjamin. Emma and an infant
are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bomboy are members of the German Reformed Church at
Turbotville, Northumberland Co., Penn. Mr. Bombo3' has been a member of the Reformed Church for over half a century, and he was one of the leaders in building the
Turbotville Church, was one of its first deacons, and is now a trustee of the church. He
has held the office of constable for twenty-two years in Anthony Township. Mr. Bomboy
has been for forty-nine years a veterinary surgeon, operating in Columbia, Northumberland, Lycoming and Montour Counties, and is often called to remote distances in diflEerent
cases.
Mr. Bomboy has altogether 282 acres of land. In politics he has been a Democrat
all his life.

DANIEL BOMBOY, farmer, P. O. Exchange, was born in Delaware Township, Northumberland Co., Penn., October 21, 1840; son of Cyrenus and Emma (Pulk) Bomboy. Our
subject removed with his parents to Montour County in I860, and located near Exchange,
Anthony Township, and has since resided here, with exception of the time he was in the
army. He, being drafted, entered into the service of the Union army October, 1862, being
mustered into the service at Danville in Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Fourth Army Corps. He was in
engagements at Williamsburg, White House Landing and Richmond. He returned home
from the service in 1868. He was married in Lycoming County, September 29, 1864, to Mias
Isabella, daughter of Stephen Ellis, Sr., and Sarah ffeull) Ellis, former of whom resides at
Exchange. Isabella was born February 15, 1841. Her father was born in this State May
1, 1807
her mother was born July 12, 1816, this State, and her grandfather, Stephen Ellis,
was born in Ireland, and from there came to America, locating in Montour County, and
lived here until his death, which occurred in 1845.
His wife's maiden name was Eleanor
Cunningham they are buried at Exchange in the Episcopal graveyard. His father was a
sea captain, and when he retired from sea life took up land near Baltimore,and finally went
back to Donegal, Ireland, and there died. John Bull was born February 2, 1770 came
from Derbyshire, England; died in 1855. His wife, Eleanor, came from Norfolk, England,
she died in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Bomboy
to America, when she was twelve years of age
are the parents of one child. Sarali Catherine. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bomboy resided in Exchange two years, and then removed to the saw-mill one year, and then
removed to Exchange, where they resided until 1880, since which time he has resided
on his present farm, where he now has sixty-seven acres.
He was in the tannery at
Exchange for fourteen years. Mrs. Borabov is a member of the Protestant Episcopal
denomination, Mr. Bombay of the German R-'formed. In politics he is a Democrat.
;

;

;

;

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

182

JAMES BRANNEN,

farmer, P. O. Exchange, was born in County Meath, Ireland, ia
died in that country.
1803, son of John and Julia (McGuire) Brannen, both of
On
arriving at tiie age of eighteen years, our subject tooli a sailing vessel from Liverpool for
York, where he arrived after a passage of eight weeks and three days. He had $7.50
when he landed, and not a friend, relative or acquaintance on the continent. He came
directly to Pennsylvania, and obtained employment on the canal at Nanticoke Falls, for
Brown, by which he was employed one j'ear. From Nanticoke he
the firm of Barnum
went to Pottsville, and was employed on the construction of the Schuylkill Railroad. He
was at Port Clinton when the engine used in the construction of this road arrived there,
hauled by six horses from Philadelphia, and he was put on to fire this engine, thus has the
honor of having been the first fireman on the first engine used in Pennsylvania.
He was
thus employed ouc year, and then went to wt)rk on the repairs of the railroad as section
on
three
miles
of
the
road.
next
a
boss
He
bought
canal boat and was for two years eiigaged in the coal-carrying trade from Port Clinton to Philadelphia, his boat being hired
After two years he ran his own boat for
out, and he himself employed by -the company.
two years more, and then bought another boat, and for twenty-one years he was in the carrying trade with them on the canal, he being one of the first to take a boat to
York.
After leaving the canal he came to Anthony Township, this county, and bought 368 acres
of land from the Glen property. To this he has added from time to time until he now
has four farms,comprising about 700 acres, besides other property.and is the largest landholding farmer in this township. His sous fire farming his property for him. Our
subject was married at Port Carbon in 1834, to Miss Hanorah Meehan, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, born December 25, 1808, and daughter of Patrick Meehan. She died October
Mr. and Mrs. Brannen were
4, 1807, and is buried in the Catholic cemetery at Danville.

whom

New

&

New

the parents of eight children; Judith (deceased); Mary (deceased); Catharine (deceased);
John, who farms one of his father's places; William, who also farms one of his father's
places; Hannah; James L., and Patrick Francis.
Mr. Brannen and family are members
of the Catholic Church. Mr. Brannen has held the otSce of overseer of the poor for eight
years. In politics he is a Democrat.

JAMES

BRANNEN,

late country treasurer. Exchange, was born in Anthony TownCo., Penn., July 22, 1855. son of James and Hanorah Brannen, and was
reared to the age of twenty-three years on the farm. He married, at Milton, Penn.,
March 25, 1879, Miss Hatmah M. Smith, daughter of Jonas and Mary (Bitler) Smith; she
was born in Anthony Township, this county, and her parents are now residents of
Hazleton, Barber Co., Kas.. where her father is a cattle dealer and farmer.
Mr.
Brannen commenced his education in the common schools of the township, and from
there went to the academy at Turbotville, Penn., and from that institution progressed to
the State normal at Bloomsburg, where he attended thirty-two weeks. After tliat he
taught in the public schools of Anthony Township two terms, and from there went to
Binghamton, N. Y., to attend Lowell Business College, from which institution he
graduated May 23, 1878. While tiiere he studied telegraphy and took a complete commercial course. He then returned to Montour County, and going to Danville in 1879
commenced hotel-keeping, conducting the "Hudson River House" for four j^ears.
While there, in 1882, he was appointed chairman of the Democratic committee and held
that position one year. In 1883 he came before the people as a candidate for the nomination for couutj' treasurer, and at the convention received eveiy vote cast. At the election
he received a majority of 777, he and Dr. Simonson receiving the largest majorities at
that election.
He commenced hotel-keeping at Exchange in February, 1886. This hotel
first opened as the " Cohimbia Exchange," by Joseph Levers, and he conducted it some-

ship,

L.

Montour

thing over a year.
Mr. Brannen.

It

was never conducted

as a hotel until

it

was again re-opened by

JOHN C. CALDWELL (deceased). The Caldwell ancestors originally immigrated
from the North of Ireland immediately after the close of the Revolution, arriving here
about tlie year 1785. There were four brothers, all married, and wiio left a large circle of
descendants. John, the father of John C. Caldwell, was married to Martha Calhoun about
the year 1787, and settled on the farm near Exchange, by which marriage he had eight
children consisting of five sons and three daughters. John C. Caldwell, the youngest of
the family, married in 1852, Miss Elizabeth J. PoUok, and left one daughter, Miss Martha
J., wlio resides on the homestead.
Mr. Caldwell followed farming until he became too feeble.
The farm upon which John C. was born remained in the hands of the heirs until
1866, when he moved to a farm adjoining, where he resided at the time of his death, and
John C. Caldwell died September 2, 1883, and
is still retained by his daughter, Martha J.
Mrs. Caldwell died January 24, 1885. Both are interred in the Derry Church graveyard.
Mrs. Caldwell was a member of Derry church. Mrs. John C. Caldwell was a daughter of
James and Elizaheth PoUok, who came of the early Scotch-Irish element, who established
a character of purity and uprightness, and the influence of which has its hold upon the
descendants.

JAMES CAREY, retired. P. O. White Hall, was born August 1, 1832, in Anthony
Township, Montour County, Penn., about one and a quarter miles from White Hall, son

ANTHONY TOWNSHIP.

'

183

John and Hannah (Saylor) Carey, former of whom came to this countr}' from Ireland
and settled at Norristown where he was married, from there removing to the vicinity of
Exchange, and from there to the place where our subject was born. Here he died, December 5, 1851, at the age of eighty years; his widow died March 27, 1857, aged seventysix years.
They are buried at the Derry Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of
sixteen children, of whom eleven were reared, seven now living. James Carey, subject
of this sketch, was reared in this county, and has spent his life in Anthony Township with
the exception of from 1852 to 1867, when he was in Lycoming County, Penn. He was married in Montour County, May 7, 1847, to Rachel, daughter of Michael and Martha
(Cornelius) Hendershott, former of whom died in 1870; latter is still living. After their
marriage they lived in Danville one year, and then came to Anthony Township, this
county, and after two years to the Muncy Hills; and then after fifteen years to his present
location.
He bought the White Hall Hotel in 1867 and has since made some improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Carey were the parents of nine children: Charles, born August 11,
1847, died May 4, 1850: Henry Clarence, born February 11, 1849, residing in Madison
Township, Columbia County, Penn.; Anna Eliza, born February 8, 1851, wife of Henry
Moser at Turbotville; Charles, born April 14, 1853, lives near Jerseytown in Madison
Township; John Green, born November 27, 1855, now in Michigan; George, born January 27, 1858, at home; William Lloyd, born March 10, 1860, now in California; Emma
Elizabeth, born April 10, 1862, and Thomas Benton, born April 29, 1864. Mr. Carey commenced to learn the trade of wagon-maker at the age of sixteen years with William Hendershott with whom he worked two years, aad he followed that until 1861 when* he
commenced wheelwrighting. In fifteen years he accumulated $6,000 by hard labor. In
1884 he retired from active labor, and now only attends to his property. He owns the
White Hall Hotel property and has 113 acres of land in Anthony Township, this county.
He has held the office of supervisor of the township, and while in Lycoming County he
held the offices of tax collector, supervisor and other local offices.
OSCAR CRAIG, farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, Columbia County, was born in
what is now Anthony Township, this county, near Exchange, July 19, 1829, son of
Alexander and Elizabeth (Hendershott) Craig. John Craig, grandfather of our subject,
was born in Lancaster County, but his parents came to this country from Scotland.
When he came to what is now Montour County, John Craig located near Exchange, and
there lived until he died. He and his wife are buried in the Derry graveyard. They
were the parents of four children, all deceased: John J., Alexander, Jane and Margaret.
Alexander Craig, father of our subject, was reared in this township, and bought 100
acres, or half of the old homestead.
He was married to Elizabeth Hendershott, and they
were the parents of seven children: Isaac, in La Grange County, Ind.; John, a Methodist minister in Webster County, Mo., died October 30, 1886; Robert, in this township;
Oscar; Margaret Jane, deceased wife of John B. Levan; Oliver B., in Waldo, Webster
Co., Mo.; and Samantha, who died at the age of three years.
Oscar Craig, subject of
this sketch, was married in Limestone Township, this county, December 8, 1853, to Miss
Margaret J., daughter of Charles and Mary (Follmer) Levan, the former of whom is deceased, and after their marriage they lived with his parents for one year, and the succeeding sixteen years in Limestone Township, this county. Mr. Craig removed to his present
location in 1871, and by different purchases has accumulated 134 acres of land. He built
his present handsome barn in 1877.
Mr. and Mrs. Craig were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Elizabeth, wife of W. L. Raup, in Milton, Penn. (she was
educated at Wiliiamsport Seminary); J,)hn E., who attended Bloomsburg Normal, several
terms; Jennie S., who attended Wiliiamsport Seminary; and Anna Margaret. Torrence
Mr. and Mrs. Craig attend the Method0., Charles A. and William W. are deceased.
ist Church.
He has held the position of auditor of Anthony Township; is a member of
the I. O. O. F., Washingtonville Lodge, No. 759, and of Exchange Grange, No. 65. P. of H.
Solomon Levan, grandfather of Mrs. Craig, was descendant of one of five brothers who came
from France to America and located in Northampton Co. There all remained with the
exception of Mrs. Craig's grandfather, who came to what is now Montour County,Penn.,and
here lived until he died near Limestoneville. He died in 1828. His wife's maiden name was
Mary Balliet and she died about 1868. They are buried in the Paradise Church graveyard, Northumberland County, Penn. Charles Levan, father of Mrs. Craig, the oldest of
his parents' sons, was bora in 18%), in Northampton County, Penn.,and from there removed
to this county, where he married Mary Follmer.
Thev were the parents of eight children,
four now living: John, in Shelbyvilie, Shelby Co., Mo.; Margaret, wifeof Oscar Craig;
Daniel, residing below Limestoneville; and Susan, wifeof Morgan Mourey. in Watsontown, Penn. Jacob is deceased; Catharine is the deceased wife of George Price; Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Hansel, died in Vicksburg while visiting her husband, who was
serving in the Union army at that place.
Henry died at the age of one year. Charles
Levan, father of the above, died February 13, 1881, and is buried in the Paradise Church
Cemeterv. His widow resides at Watsontown, Penn., with her daughter. Mrs. Mourey.
PATRICK DINENN, farmer. P. O. Exchange, was born in County Meath, Ireland,
in 1824, son of Sylvester and Catharine Diuenn, former of whom was a farmer in Ireland.
of

184

BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:

When

our subject reached the age of twenty-six years he emigrated to America, leaving
Liverpool April 1, 1847, and arriving at New York on May 14, following. He remained
on Long Island six months with a man named Benjamin Bent, an iron merchant of New
York. He next lived about six months with Tiffany, Young & Ellis, of New York;,
thence came to Pennsylvania and worked six weeks in the mines at Pottsville. From
there he went to the Central Railroad, and after six weeks came to Danville, and having
quite a lot of horses took contracts for hauling ore from the mines, etc., being thus engaged about ten years, from October. 1848 to 1858. He then bought the old Glen farm of
112 acres in Anthony Township, this county, to which he has added from time to time, until
he now has three fine farms, aggregating about 500 acres with homesteads and improvements. His home residence is supplied with all good, substantial and new improvements,
made by Mr. Dinenn himself. To show the progress Mr. Dinennhas made, it may be said
that when he came to Long Island he had two old country sovereigns, and when he came
to Danville he worked for two years for 75 cents a day, and paid his own board. He was
married in Danville, May 27, 1852 (Father Michael Sheridan performing the ceremony) to
Miss Jane Lafferty, whose father, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, died in 1847. Mr.
and Mrs. Dinenn were the parents of the following named children: Sylvester (deceased),
Kate (deceased), Bryan, John, Mary, Ann, Sadie, Patrick, William, Sylvester, Thomas
(deceased), and Annie (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Dinenn are members of the Catholic
Church. Mr. Dinenn has been connected with the schools of the township as director
for six years.

WfLLIAM

ELLIS, farmer, P. O. Exchange, was born and reared in Anthony Townand has always made it his home; he is the son of Stephen and Sarah Ellis. His
grandfather, Stephen Ellis, was born in Ireland, and from there came to America, locating
at first permanently in Anthony Township, this county. His father was a sea captain, and
when he retired from sea life took up land near Baltimore, and finally went back to
Donegal, Ireland, and there died. Stephen Ellis, Sr., assisted his cousin at Juniata, Penn.,
in surveying, before coming to this county.
He followed farming after coming here and
lived here until his death, which occurred in 1845 at the age of eighty-two years.
His widow, whose maiden name was Eleanor Cunningham, survived him a few years; they
are buried at Exchange, in the Episcopal graveyard, they having been members of that
church. John Bull, father of Sarah Ellis, was born in Derbyshire, England, on the 2d of
February, 1770. He came to America in 1801. and located in Elkland Township,
Lycoming County; he was married there, and moved to Anthony Town.ship, Montour
County, where he died on the 5th of November, 1855. His wife, Eleanor Bird, was
born in Norfolk, England; she came to America Jwith her parents when she was
about twelve years of age.
She died on the 13th of April, 1862. Stephen Ellis,
father of William, John and James Ellis, was born in Anthony Township, Montour
County, on the 1st of May, 1807, and lived here all his life, following farming which
he carried on until about 1876, since which time he has lived retired from active labor,
and now resides at Exchange. WilliamEUis, subject of this sketch was married in Lycoming
County, September 12, 1880, to Miss Annie Shetler, a native of Columbia County, Penn.,
and daughter of John Shetler; her father row resides in Madison Township, Columbia
Co., Penn. her mother died in May, 1883. William and Annie Ellis are the parents of four
children: Stephen, William, John and James. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are both members of
the Episcopal Church at Exchange. In politics he is a Democrat.
MAHLAN HAGERMAN, farmer, P. O. Comly, was born in Northampton County,
May 22, 1813, son of Joshua and Susannah (Diltz) Hagerman, former of whom with two
brothers came to Northampton County, Penn., from New Jersey. Joshua was the father
ship,

;

of five children, of

whom Mahlan

is

the fourth.

Our subject was reared

in

Northampton

County, Penn., and in 1841 removed to what is now Anthony Township, this county, and
located where his son Joshua now resides; he has resided here ever since, and now, has
over 140 acres of land, and put up all his present improvements. He was married in
Northampton County, October 22, 1838, to Miss Catharine, daughter of John and Hannah
Weidman. former o? whom died in 1840, latter about 1870, and they are buried in Northampton County. They were the parents of six children, five now living: Sarah Ann,,
wife of Charles Smith, in Limestone Township; Joshua, married to Sarah Albeck, in Anthony Township, this county; John.married to Amanda Snyder,in Northumberland County,
Penn.; Susan Ellen, wife of William Weir, in Ohio: Harriet Catharine, wife of S. Ford,
Mr. Hagerman has been suprirvisor three
in Hancock County, Ohio; Jacob is deceased.
He has altogether 364 acres of land.
terms, and overseer of the poor eight terms.
B. F. JOHNSTON, farmer, P! O. White Hall, was born in Madison Township, Columbia Co.. Penn., November 11, 1835, son of Jonathan and Charity Yeager Johnston, former
of whom was born December 9, 1809, died April 1, 1880, and latter born February 7, 1811,
died February 9, 1885. They are buried at Jerseytown, Penn. Robert Johnston, greatgrandfather of our subject, came to Columbia County from New Jersey about 1796. His
parents were of Scotch birth. He bought land in Madison Township, Columbia Co..
His wife's
He had about 100 acres of land.
and there he lived until his death.
maiden name was Kitchen. They are both buried in the Jerseytown Cemetery. John

ANTHONY TOWNSHIP.

185

Johnston, grandfather of B. F., was born in New Jersey and came to Columbia County
with his parents. He was married to Mary Robbins. Tney both lived in Madison Township, Columbia County, until their death, and are buried at Jerseytown.
They had seven
children: Wesley, Jonathan, Robert, William, Eliza, Sarah and Nancy, all deceased
except William who lives in Jerseytown. Jonathan Johnston, father of B. F., was born
at Millville, Penn., and resided in Madison Township, Columbia County, all his life.
He
was married to Charity Yeager, and they were the'parents of Henry James, B. F., Harriet,
Robert, Eliza, Amos, Catharine, William, Sarah Florence, and one deceased named John,
The subject of this sketch was reared in Columbia County, and educated in the common
schools of his township at Millville, and at the State normal at Millersburg, and came to
his present location in 1870, where he has 200 acres of land.
He was married January
31, 1868, to Miss Susan J. Fruit, and they are the parents of four children: Nellie C, Lizzie R., Horace J. and George F.
Mr. Johnston is a director of the schools of this township.
He enlisted August 24, 1863, in Company E., One Hundred and Thirty-second
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Second Army Corps, and was in engagements at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He served ten months, was discharged and returned home. He again enlisted March 20, 1865, and served at Camp Cadwallader until tlie close of the war. In politics he is a Republican.
JOHN KREAMER, farmer, P. O. White Hall, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., June
27, 1829, son of Conrad and Catharine (Bowman) Kreamer.
Our subject was reared in
Philadelphia to the age of four years, when his parents removed to the vicinity of White
Hall, this county, but in Madison Township, Columbia County, and there and in Mon-^
tour County he has spent the remainder of his lifetime, with the exception of two years in,
Illinois,
He worked in the dam at Towanda two years, and lumbered in Centre County,
Penn., one winter,which he also followed eight years while living in Madison Township^
lumbering over the mountains from the North Mountain to Pottsville, Schuylkill County.
During those eight years he only laid by one day on account of stormy weather. He was
married March 5, 1857, to Martha J., a daughter of John Derr. She died in October,
1859, and is buried at West Paw Paw Grove, Lee Co.. 111., leaving one child; Effie Catharine, wife of David Cox, in Madison Township, Columbia Co., Penn., on the old homestead.
Mr. Kreamer was next married in December, 1862, to Jane D., a daughter of
Christopher and Mary (Upp) Derr, and by her has two children; Mary Margaret and
Annie Phoebe. Mr. Kreamer bought his present farm in 1874, and moved to it in March,
1875.
It consisted of eighty-three acres when he bought it, but he now has 105 acres.
He has one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Kreamer are members of
the White Hall Baptist Church, as are also all the family. Mr. Kreamer is at present
overseer of the poor, which office he previously held one term of four years.
JACOB KREAMER, farmer, P. O. White Hall, was born in Madison Township, ColumbiaCo., Penn., January 16, 1839, son of Conrad and Catharine (Bowman) Kreamer; the
former, born in Germany in 1800, came to America and first settled at Philadelphia. Oursubject spent his early life in Columbia County, Penn., and in 1850 went to Lock Haven,
Penn.. where he commenced lumbering. In 1865 he came to his present location in Anthony Township, bought 148 acres of land from George W. Suplee, now of Bloomsburg,
Penn., and made all the improvements except building the house. He was married July 4,
1865, at Muncy, Penn., to Miss Mary McBride, daughter of William McBride, and they
have seven children; William S., Thomas C, Charles, Frank L., Clyde, Roy and Clara._
Mrs. Kreamer and eldest child are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Kreamer is now
connected with the lumber business, and has a saw-mill in Madison Township, Columbia
County, in pa tnership with his brother-in-law, William Moore. They have 100 acres of
timber land in'^Madison Township, Columbia County, and twenty-one" in this township.
In politics Mr. Kreamer is a Democrat.
WILLIAM McBRIDE, farmer, P. O. White Hall, was born in Derry Township,
Montour Co., Penn., February 5, 1812, a son of James and Mary (Derr) McBride,
James McBride was a young man when he came to Montour County. He was a carpenter, and when he arrived in the county, located at Fruitstown (now known as White Hall),
and followed that trade here until his death. He was married in this county to Miss Mary
Derr, a native of Montour County, and a member of an old settler's family. Mr. and
Mrs. James McBride were the parents of seven children, of whom three are living: Eliza,
widow of Thomas Chamberlain, in Lafayette County, Wis.; Margaret, widow of Evan
Hendershott, in Lenawee County, Mich., and William. Mollie, Frederick, Hugh and Jane aredeceased. The father died February 13, 1813; the mother survived him until 1849. They
are buried in the Derry Presbyterian graveyard.
William McBride, subject of this sketch,
has resided all his life at the place of his birth. When he was fourteen years of age ho
commenced to clerk in the store of his uncle. John F. Derr, and remained with him in
that capacity until 1841.
He then entered into partnership with his uncle, and this busi'
ness relationship continued until 1855, when, his uncle dying, Mr. McBride became exclusive proprietor of the store, and so remained about eleven years, when he took in hia
son, J. S., as partner.
The firm was so continued until 1884, when the father retired
from his interest in the store, and since that time the son has conducted tlie business.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

186

Mr. McBride married, in Lycoming County, Penn., April 1, 1841, Miss Mary Ann
Smith, a native of Lycoming County, and daugiiter of Jonathan and Anna Smith. She died
June 29, 1885, and is buried in the White Hall graveyard. By this marriage there were
seven children, of whom six are living: J. S., married to Miss Abbie Carnahan, at White
Hall; Mary, wife of Jacob Kreamer, in Anthony Township, this county; Sarah Ann, wife
of William Moore, also in Anthony Township; Maggie; Emma, wife of David Harman,
An infant unnamed i^ deceased. Mr. Mcin Hazleton, Luzerne Co., Penn., and William.
Bride is a member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife.
was
born
July
1842,
in the village of White Hall, this
McBride
Jonathan S.
2,
county, son of William and Mary Ann (Smith) McBride. He has always lived in White
Hall, and since a boy has been in the store of his father.
In the spring of 1866 he formed
a co-partnership with his father which continued until 1884, when he conducted the whole
business and owns the stock himself. The store is the only one in White Hall at present.
Mr. McBride married, December 6, 1864, Miss Abbie Carnahan, daughter of A. J. and
Elizabeth Carnahan, now in Illinois, and they have four children: Elmer, Lizzie, Mary
B. and Harry C. Mr. McBride is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is postmaster in White
Hall.
In politics he is a Democrat.
alone.

DR.

MONTRAVILLE McHENRY,Exchange,wasbornnear Rohrsburg,
He is

Columbia Co.,

the eldest son of Benjamin and Lavina (Coner) McHenry.
The former resides in Benton, Columbia Co., Penn., and is of Irish descent; the latter
died in 1884, and is buried in the Benton Cemetery. They were the parents of seven sons
and two daughters. One daughter and six sons are living, prosperous and respected
citizens of the communities in which they live.
Our subject spent his early life on the
farm, attending school during the winters, until he was twenty years of age. He afterward attended the Millville Seminary, and the academy at New Columbus several summers, teaching school during the winters. In 1864 he commenced the study of medicine
With Dr. Barrett, of Cambra, Luzerne Co., Penn. He took his first course of lectures
at the Medical College of Burlington, Vt., a second at Ann Arbor University, Mich.,
and a part of a third at Burlington, where he graduated. He was soon afterward
married to Mrs. Dorcas Freece Lyons, nee Fowler, of Pine Summit, Columbia Co., Penn.
Dr. McHenry commenced the practice of medicine in Exchange, Montour County, in 1868.
Not finding a house to rent and wishing to enjoy the comforts of a home, he immediately
purchased two acres of land adjoining the village, and erected a good two-story house. He
also built a barn and planted fruit and ornamental trees, making a pleasant and comfortHe was
able home. He attended closely to business and soon had plenty of patients.
seldom absent more than a day at a time until 1876, when, with his wife, daughter and
step-son he spent twc weeks at the Centennial Exposition, at Philadelphia, In the spring
of 1878, accompanied by his wife and daughter, Birdie, he started on a tour through the
Eastern and Middle States, stopping at all the principal cities and summer resorts. They
first went to Philadelphia, Long Branch and New York; thence up the Hudson to Troy;
thence to Rutland and Burlington, Vt., where they remained several weeks, enjoying the
beautiful scenery. The Doctor also attended lectures while in Burlington. They visited
the White Mountains, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Boston. Newport, New Haven,
Saratoga, Ticonderoga, Niagara Falls, Canada, Rochester and Watkin's Glen; thence
home by way of Elmira, Minnequa Spring and Williamsport, having made a pleasant trip
through nine States. Thinking he could better his prospects by locating in Kansas or
Missouri, in the fall of 1878 he sold his property in Exchange, and in the spring of 1879,
accompanied by his family, he visited the West with the intention of locating if he could
find a suitable place.
To make the trip one of pleasure as well as business, they went by
way of Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington, White Sulphur Springs, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Kansas City and Carthage City, Mo., traveling only by day and spending several days in places of interest. One of the most interesting places visited was the
Osage Agency in the Indian Territory. The large swarthy Indians, with painted faces,
cars slitted and full of rings, door keys and other trinkets, heads partly shaven, no clothing but a breech cloth and a bright red and blue blanket, made a picture that will long be
remembered, especially by Birdie, who was then nearly nine years old. The Doctor
bought two white ponies from the Indians, giving one to his wife and the other to Birdie.
These ponies are still the pets of the family. After traveling hundreds of miles over the
prairie, and visiting many towns without rinding a place they would like to make their
home, they returned to Pennsylvania, stopping for a few days in Chicago, Cleveland
and Erie, Penn. Dr. McHenry remained iu Bloomsburg in the fall and winter, and in
He bought fifteen acres of land adjoining his former
the spring returned to Exchange.
home, and erected a handsome structure withbav and dormer windows, verandas, gables
and tower, from which can be seen many miles of the surrounding country; he built a good
barn and planted over 100 evergreen trees on the lawn surrounding their home, which
adds much to its beauty and comfort. Mrs. McHenry was the architect of their home,
making plans of every part of the structure. In 1882 the Doctor accompanied Fowler
Lyons and William Fowler to Texas, intending to assist them in purchasing stock to start
*i ranch.
Not finding stock at prices to suit, the Doctor returned. The others went to

Penn., January

13, 1836.

ANTHONY TOWNSHIP.

187

the Indian Territory, bought a car load of ponies, brought them to Pennsylvania, and sold
them at a profit more than suffiicient to pay all their traveling expenses. The Doctor did not
fare quite so well, but had the satisfaction of seeing the Lone Star State, the old town of San
Antonio and the Alamo. He also stopped at Fort Worth and other places of business
interest.
In 1884 he contracted with Dr. Morrow, of Buffalo, N. Y., to take charge of his
practice for a few months, and formed a partnership with his brother, Dr. Thomas McHenry, of Benton, for the purpose of establishing a drug and hardware store in that
place.
They erected a large three-story building, using one-half of the lower story for a
drug store and the remainder for hardware. They had succeeded in getting business in
good shape when Dr. Morrow was taken seriously ill, and Dr. McHenry was compelled to
return to" Exchange to take charge of his practice and interests in that place. While in
Benton his family spent part of the time with him, boarding at the hotel, but remained
the greater part of the time at their home in Exchange. He has a large practice and rides
many miles daily to attend to his patients. He is a Democrat, but pays little attention to
politics.
For several years he has been a member of Exchange Lodge, No. 898, I. O.
O. F. Dr. and Mrs. McHenry have one daughter. Birdie, born in Exchange, October 23,
1870.
She is an intelligent student, very fond of reading, and cares little for amusements
Mrs. Mc•or companions of her own age, preferring rather the companionship of books.
Henry is the eldest daughter of John F. and Julia A. (Fortner) Fowler. Tl e former is of
English descent and the only son of David Fowler, Esq., formerly residing near Fowlersville, Columbia County. The latter died in 1866, and is buried in the Lyons Church Cemetery.
She was a daughter of John Fortner of New Jersey, great-grandson of Lord ArchiLord Archibald at his
bald Douglas, owner of Bothwell Castle, near Glasgow, Scotland.
death left several million dollars. This estate would have descended to his daughter,
Lady Isabella Douglas Fortner, and her heirs had they presented their claims. Mrs. McHenry's grandfather had secured full power from the heirs to procure the fortune and
had all proof and papers prepared intending to start to Scotland, when he was taken ill
and died. The other heirs never claimed the estate, and it is now in the possession of John
Mrs. McDouglas, a side heir, who came into possession through the lapse of time.
Henry was born April 5, 1837, near Fowlersville, Columbia Co., Penn., receiving her education in the public schools and the Bloomsburg Higli School, and taught four terms of
public school. She was married in her nineteenth year, to Robert J. Lyons, of Lycoming
County, eldest son of Joseph and Sarah Lyons, now deceased. Mr. Lyons owned a large
farm at Pine Summit, Columbia County, where they resided until 1865, when he joined
the Union Armv, in Company I, Seventy-seventh P. V. V., and died in the service at
Mr. and Mrs.
Victoria, Tex., October 21, 1865, and was buried in Victoria Cemetery.
Lyons had one son living, Fowler Lyons, born January 17, 1861, at Pine Summit. After
He atMrs. Lyons' marriage to Dr. McHenry her son lived with them at E.xchange.
tended the public .schools, the normal school at Muncy, Penn., and Eastman College, at
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He also studied medicine with the intention of engaging in pharmacy, but after assisting in a drug store for a time, and looking for a place to locate, he
decided not to engage in the business. At the age of twenty-two he was married to
Martha E., daughter of Hon. John C. Ellis, of Exchange, now deceased, and Jane, his
wife.
He then removed to the farm his father had left him at Pine Summit, purchased
But the farm was large, and had
stock, hired help and went to farming in good spirit.
been rented for eighteen years, consequently it was not in the flourishing condition his
father had left it, and he decided to sell it and try his fortune in the West. He sold his
farm to his uncle, Jerry Fowler, his stock, farming implements, household goods, etc., at
public sale, and went to Texas. After traveling over the greater part of the Slate he
purchased property in Wiciiita Falls, Tex. A few months afterward his wife was taken
very sick with fever, and the climate being so much warmer than she was accustomed to, her recovery was slow. Fearing she could not stand the heat another summer
they returned to Pennsylvania, and after a few raontlis went to Nebraska and settled in
Dawes County, where Mr. Lyons owns 463 acres of land. This farm he is improving with
the intention of making it a stock farm in the future. He retains his property in Wichita
Falls, Tex., and expects it to become valuable in a few years, as it has every prospect of
becoming a large and prosperous city.
JACKSON P. McKEE, farmer, P. O. Comly, was born in the place where he now
resides in Anthony Township, Montour Co., Penn., October 12, 1830, son of James and
Harriet (Scout) McKee, the latter a native of this county. Robert McKee, grandfather of
our subject, came to what is now Montour County in 1794, and located about a mile up
the creek from Exchange, afterward moving to the place where Jackson P. now resides,
and here lived until his death. He was married to Agnes Craig, and died in 1832, his
widow surviving liim about four years; they are buried at the Derry Presbyterian Church.
They had four children of wliom "only one, James, was married. Robert McKee served
James McKee, father of our subject, was born in Chester
in the Revolutionary war.
County, Penn., and was the tliird in order of age of the children of Robert McKee. He
was eight years of age when the family came to this county, and when he grew up, his
father, brothers and liimself bouglit between 400 and 500 acres of land, of which J. P. now

188

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

owns

195 acres.
They found this land covered with a heavy growth of oak timber, and'
they struck the first ax into the improvement of this land, and put up a log cabin on this
place with the timber they had cut down in making the first clearing. James McKee died
March 29, 1863, his wife having died in 1832. They were the parents of eleven children,
of whom only two are living: James and Jackson P. the latter being the only one in this
county. Our subject was married February 2, 1863, to Margaret Ellen, daughter of
David Wilson, also a member of an early settler family, and who is now living in Anthony Township, this county. Mr. McKee learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed one year. He was general agent for the Buckeye reaper when it first came out, and
followed that business three or four years, having entire control of their agents during that
time. He was in Kaukakeee County, 111., fifteen mouths, and there owned land at that
time. Mr. Mckee's home is situated on Muncy Hill, and it presents the finest view in
Pennsylvania, the valleys in Snyder. Union, Northumberland, Columbia, Lycoming. Sullivan and Montour Counties being visible from his place.
WILLIAM McVICKER. retired. P. O. White Hall, was born in what is now Anthony
Township, Montour Co., Penn., April 21, 1814. son of James and Sarah (Miller) McVicker.
William McVicker, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland, immigrated to
America, and located in Northampton County, Penn., whence he came to what is now
Anthony Township, tiiis county, and bought 120 acres of land, to which he afterward
added more. He found two acies of this land, only, cleared. He lived on this place until he died.
He was born April 3, 1733, and died in 1808; his wife, whose maiden name
was Eleanor Nelson, had preceded him in death. They are buried in the.Derry Presbyterian Church graveyard.
He (the grandfather) was a shoemaker by occupation, and our
subject has some of his tools in his possession. James McVicker, father of our subject was
born in 1790, in Northampton County, Penn., and was but a child when his parents came
to this county.
He was married in this county to Miss Sarah Miller, and they were the
parents of twelve children six sons and six daughters two surviving; Rebecca, wife of
J. K. Shultz, in Derry Townsliip, and William,
the father died in March, 1869; his wife
died in February, 1862. William McVicker, subject of this sketch, was married in thi.s
county, March 2, 1841, to Miss Mary Craig, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Miller) Craig,
natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Montour County, whence they removed in
1820, to Clarke County, Ohio, were Mrs. McVicker was born.
Both her parents died there
and are buried in the Muddy Run Cemetery, in Clarke County. Mr. and Mrs. McVicker
were the parents of six children, of whom four are living: Samuel Craig, at Watsontown,
Penn.; Wilson C. Sarah E., widow of James Schooley, in White Deer Valley, Northumberland Co., Penn.; John R., in Anthonv Township, this county; Emma Jane and Mary
Luella are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McVicker are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. McVicker has sixty-five acres of land in Anthony Township.
Wilson C. McVicker was born within one-half a mile of where he now resides, and hasalways made his home in this township. He bought his present farm of seventy-four
acres in the spring of 1868. He also has a wood lot in Columbia County of fourteen and
one-half acres. He was married in Montour County, February 4, 1868, to Miss Ada M., a
native of Bradford County, and a daughter of James and Margaret Pickard; former
deceased and buried in Bradford Cemetery; latter makes her home with her daughter.
Mrs. McVicker. Mr. and Mrs. McVicker are the parents of one child, Laura Alice.
They are members of Derry Presbyterian Church. Mr. McVicker is a member of
Exchange Grange, No. 65, P. of H.
John R. McVicker, the youngest son of William and Mary (Craig) McVicker, was
born in this township, September 25, 1851, and was reared in the township where he now
resides.
He was brought up to farm life, and makes his home with his brother, Wilson C.
WILLIAM 8. POLLOCK, farmer, P. O. Exchange, was born in what is now Anthony
Township, Montour County, July 8, 1822, a son of James and Elizabeth (Scout) Pollock.
The paternal grandfather of our subject came to this country from the North of
Ireland, and located in Pennsylvania, coming first to one of the lower counties, thence to
Northumberland, now Montour County, locating near E.xchange. his tract of 200 acres
being now partly owned by Patrick Dinenn, and partly by William Pollock.
Here helived until he died.
He and his wife are both buried at Derry Presbyterian Church.
Jamas Pollock, father of William S.,. was born in one of the lower counties of Pennsylvania, and came to this locality with his parents.
He was married in this county to Miss
Elizabeth Scout, and they at first lived on the part of the old homestead which is now
owned by Patrick Dinenn. In 1823 he went to the vicinity of Muncy, Lycoming Co..
Penn., and there resided until 1837, when he returned to what is now Montour County.
and located on the old homestead which he had bought two years previously, and hero
he lived until his death, his wife having preceded him.
They are buried at the Derry
Church. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom four are living: Thomas, in
Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming County, Penn.; William S., Jane Harriet, wife of
Henry Biddle, in White Hall, this county, and Effle D. The subject of this sketch was
born while the family lived on land belonging to Patrick Dinenn, and the next spring his.
parents removed to Muncy Creek, and after fifteen years returned to Montour County.
;

—

;

—

ANTHONY TOWNSHIP.

189

^bere he has lived ever since with the exception of eighteen months spent in the West.
He was married December 25, 1855, to Miss Susan McKee, daughter of James McKee.
After marriage they made their home for eighteen months at Kankakee and Freeport,
111., and on returning to Montour County, located en the eastern part of the old homestead.
Mrs. Pollock died May 16, 1861, and is buried in the Derry Churchyard.
She
was the mother of two children: James B., born in Freeport, 111., now living below
Washingtonville, in Liberty Township, this county; Bruce B., born in this township,
where he now lives on his father's land on the eastern part of the old homestead. Mr.
Pollock was next married March 14, 1873, by Rev. John Johnson, to Margaret Elizabeth,
daughter of Col. John F. Derr, a colonel in the army that went to Black Rock in
1812.
Mr. and Mrs. Pollock are members of the Presbyterian Church, the former joining
about 1851, and the latter in 1862. Mr. Pollock has been for twenty-one years an elder in
the church.
He has been supervisor of the township, and has held the office of assessor,
judge, etc. In politics he
to ex-Gov. Pollock.

DAVID SMITH,

is

a Prohibitionist; he has 100 acres of land.

farmer and United States mail

carrier, P. O.

He

is

a full cousin

Exchange, was born in

now Anthony Township, this county, where Samuel Smith now lives, September
son of John and Hannah (Stufflick) Smith. John Smith, father of David, came
to this county from Lehigh and settled where Samuel now resides about 1835.
He was
married in Lehigli County, to Miss Hannah Stufflick, and when they came to Montour

what

is

10, 1842,

County he bought 200 acres, and to this he added until he had 400 acres at the time of
his death, which occurred April 25, 1879; his widow survived him until October, 1882.
They are buried in Turbotville German Reformed Cemetery. John Smith was always a
farmer, and was a strict member of the church. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith were the
parents of twelve children, of which David is eleventh. Our subject was reared at the
place of his birth, and was married September 26, 1865, to Miss Ellen Dieffenbacher, a
native of Derry Township, this county, and daughter of Benjamin and Sophia (Troxell)
Dieffenbacher, former of whom was born in Derry Township, this county. May 11, 1812,
and latter in Lehigh County, Pena., in 1823. She died July 31, 1876, and is buried at the
Strawberry Ridge Church. Mr. Benjamin Dieffenbacher was one of the organizers of that
church. He now makes his home with his three daughters: Mrs. William Berger, Mrs.
Joel Bitler, and Mrs. David Smith. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. David Smith removed to their present location, and since that time they have made all the improvements
on the place, with the exception of the barn. The house was built at a cost of between
$2,000 and $2,500, besides the labor. They are the parents of eight children, of whom
five are living: William Grant; Ella Minta May; Benjamin Franklin and John Edmund,
twins; and David Alfred. Those that died were Mary Magdalena, the eldest child; Emma
Elmira and Lillie Birdie. Mr. Smith received his commission to carry the mails daily between Danville and Exchange, from the United States Government in July, 1885. Mr.
and Mrs. Smith are members of the Strawberry Ridge Reformed Church, as is also their
eldest, son.

Mr. Smith in politics

is

a Republican.

JACOB SNYDER, farmer, P. O. Exchange, was born November 12, 1842, son of
Andrew and Elizabeth (Dewalt) Snyder, former of whom died June 30, 1886, latter still
residing on the old homestead. Our subject was reared at the place of his birtli, and
made his home with his parents until his marriage, November 28, 1871, with Miss Elizabeth Eleanor Ellis, a daughter of Stephen Ellis, Sr., and Sarah Bull, who now resides at
Exchange, and whose father and grandfather initiated the Episcopal Church at Exchange.
One year after their marriage they removed to another farm in Limestone Township,
this county, and after one year there, Mrs. Snyder's father bought their present farm of
157 acres for them. They found this place all covered with timber and brush, but they
It was splendid timber land covered
set to work and cleared up a good portion of it.
with rock oak, chestnut, pine, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are the parents of five children:
Sarah Isabella, Stephen Ellis, Annie Clara, James Jefferson and William Daniel. Mr.
and Mrs. Snyder attend the services of the Episcopal Church, as do also all the Ellis
family, and they do much to support the church at Exchange. Mr. Snyder was connected
with the schools of the township as director one term. In politics he is a Democrat.
Since coming to their present home, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder went back to Limestone Township, and there resided two years, returning to their present home in the spring of 1884.
JOHN WATSON, farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, Columbia County, was born in
Madison Township, Columbia Co.,Penn.,May 15,1830, son of Hugh and Sarah (Seidel) Watson.
John Watson, grandfather of our subject, came to tlie neighborhood of Jerseytown,
with his parents from the vicinity of Muncy Creek, and lived in the neighborhood of Jerseytown until their death. John Watson, grandfather of our subject, removed to what is now
Anthony Township, this county, in the early part of the present century, and located
where Samuel Watson now lives, and where he (John Watson) and his wife lived until
their death.
He died about 1837, his wife having preceded him by several years. They
Hugh Watson, father of our subject, some
are buried in the Derry Church graveyard.
years after his marriage removed to this township, and afterward bought 200 acres of land
which Mr. (Tcarhart, foundryman atMcEwensville, now owns. From there he removed to

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

190

the vicinity of Muncy, in Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming Co., Penn., and there he
bought land and lived the remainder of his days. He and his wife are buried in the
Muncy Cemetery. They were the parents of seven children, of whom six are living:
Allen is deceased. John Watson, subEliza, Jolm, Sarah, Jane, Margaret and Moliie.
ject of this sketch, made his home with his parents until twenty-three years of age, and
land,
and
taking also an interest in the buildthen moved to Dewart,Penn., where he rented
ing of the York & Erie Railroad, which was constructed through his farm. He bought a
farm near Milton, in 1863, removed to it in 1863, and on this lived until 1869. The lirst
piece of land he ever bought was that now occupied as the fair grounds at Turbotville,
but he never moved to it. In 1869 he sold his farm near Milton, and bought his present
one of 250 acres for $20,000. He also owned at that time fifty acres of timber and pasture land in Anthony Township, which he afterward sold. He removed to his present
farm the year after he bought it. He was married at Jerseytowu, December 15, 1852, to
Miss Louisa Catharine, daughter of John and Julia Ann (Levanna) Stiner; former died
September 3, 1883, and is buried in the Turbotville Cemetery; latter resides at Turbotville.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson are the parents of eight children: Kate, wife of Daniel Levanna.
residing near Liraestoneville; Harriet, Julia Ann, Mary Jane, Emma, Clara, Blanche and
Hugh Allen. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is one of the
progressive men of the township, and assisted a great "deal in securing the location of the
Watsontown & North Mountain Railroad, which passes through his farm, and which has
done so much to develop the country about.
DAVID WILSON, farmer, P. O. Comly, was born in what is now Anthony Township, Montour Co., Penn., January 20, 1806, son of Hugh and Ann (Crawford) WilWilliam Wilson, grandfather of our subject, was born in Dauphin County, Penn.,
son.
near Sweet Arrow Creek, and from there came to what is now Montour County, and here
He and his wife are buried in the Warrior Run Church graveyard.
lived until he died.
Hugh and Robert Wilson came to this county with their father. Hugh Wilson, father of
our subject, was born and reared in Dauphin County, Penn., and was there married to
Ann Crawford. They then came to tiiis county and located land with his father, which
was a tract of about 250 acres. Here Hugh and his wife lived until their death. They
were the parents of twelve children, of whom the following are living: David; Nancy,
residing with David; Eliza, widow of Robert Blaine, in Turbotville, Penn. The father
died at the age of eighty years, and the mother at about the same age. Both are buried in
the Warrior Run graveyard. David Wilson, subject of this sketch, lived on the old homestead until twenty-seven years of age, when he was married in April, 1833, to Mary,
daughter of John and Eleanor (Jingles) Prince. Mrs. Wilson died in August, 1879, and is
buried in the Derry Presbyterian Church graveyard. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents of eight children: William Henry; Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Heater, in Waterloo,
Iowa; Ellen, wife of Jackson P. Mclvee, in Muncy Hill, this county; Joseph (deceased);
Alice, with her father; Ann, wife of Jeremiah Metzger, in Union County, Peun.; Jane,
with her father, and Nancy (deceased). Mr. Wilson was three years commissioner of

Montour County.

CHAPTER

XVI.

COOPER TOWNSHIP.
JESSE C. AMERMAN, merchant and farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., February 4, 1821, son of Henry and Susanna (Cook) Amerman,
His
the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Montgomery County, Peun.
great-great-grandfather came over with the Dutch colonists and settled in New York.
His grandfather, Albert, came from New Jersey and settled in Northumberland County,
1800, where he bought a tract of land and remained his lifetime, dying in 1821
Penn.,
He served in the war of the Revolution. He was a farmer previous to the war, in the interior of the State of New Jersey, and when the war broke out he gave up his horses and
He had
cattle and stock of all kinds, a sacrifice upon the altar of his country's liberty.
Our subject's father, who was only a
his knee-cap taken off at the battle of Monmouth.
parents,
worked
with
his
on
the
farm
to
Northumberland
County
small boy when he came
during his father's life, after which he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed
a number of years, but during the latter part of his life he followed farming exclusively,
his sons, Jesse C. and Isaac, having purchased the old homestead. His father died in 1855

m

\

COOPEK TOWNSHIP.

191

his mother in 1865.
They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom survive:
Isaac; Jesse C; William, in Illinois; Harriet N., wife of Mr. Crowell, and Andrew J., a
Baptist minister in Illinois. Our subject helped his father on the farm, J^oiug to school
three months in the winter, till he was nineteen; then he began boating on the canal, a
business he followed during the summer, while he taught school in the winter. The
boating he continued fifteen years, but gave up school-teaching after about six years.
During the latter part of his boating he and his brother Isaac engaged in merchandising
and dealing in grain in Danville. They owned a boat, by which they carried grain, etc.,
to Philadelphia.
This they kept up until 1853, when our subject bought the farm of
sixty-eight acres where he now lives in Cooper Township, Montour County, and has since
lived here. He is also engaged in merchandising, keeping store at his home. Our subject
in 1863, when the Confederate Army under command of Gen. Lee invaded his State, volunteered and took up arms to resist the invasion. In 1873 he was elected a member of the
Legislature, and re-elected in 1874, on the Democratic ticket, under the old constitution.
He has held a number of township offices. Mr. Amerman was married December 2, 1845,
to Caroline Strohm, by whom he had nine children, five of whom are yet living: Lemuel,
an attorney in Scranton, Penn.; Alvaretta, wife of F. A. Beidleman; Caroline, wife of
Jacob S. Coxey; Laura and Ella. Alonzo, who died in January, 1886, was a physician,
having practiced ten years. Mrs. Amerman died April 19, 1869, and cur subject then married, September 26, 1871, Margaret J. Appleman, by whom he has two children: Charles
V. and Edwin C. His son Lemuel has been a member of the Legislature for two terms,
having been elected on the Democratic ticket. He is now State reporter for the supreme
court.
P. C. BLECHER, farmer, P. O. Grovania, was born in Cooper Township, this county,
June 29, 1856, and is a son of Jackson and Mary A. (Foust) Blecher, natives of Montour

and

His ancestors came from Berks County, Penn. Our subject was reared
on a farm and remained under the paternal roof until 1876, until his marriage, when h'e
moved to where he now lives. He cultivates 115 acres of land, all well improved. He
was married July 1, 1876, to Alice Janett; they have two children: Mary A. and Viola.
Mr. and Mrs. Blecher are members of the Reformed Church.
JACOB HARTMAN, farmer, P. O. Grovania, was born in Hemlock Township, Columbia Co., Penn., July 5, 1826, son of Jacob and Mary C. (Heinbald) Hartman, the
former a native of Hemlock Township, Columbia County, and the latter of Cooper TownHis grandfather, John Hartman, a native
ship, this county, and of German descent.
of Germany, immigrated to America about 1785, and first settled in Hemlock Township,
Columbia County, where he took up a large tract of timber land, and there remained all his
life and followed farming.
He was in his eighty-fourth year at the time of his death. Our
subject s father was reared on a farm, but during his early life he learned the blacksmith
trade, which he followed about thirteen years, then abandoned it, bought a small farm
and turned his attention to agriculture. He died in West Hemlock Township, this county,
in 1863, a lifelong Democrat; his wife died about twelve years previous.
They were the
parents of five children, three now living: Susan Krum, Mary C. and Jacob. Our subject
was reared on a farm and has always followed agriculture. He remained at home until
twenty-one years of age, and then went to St. Joseph County, Mich., and was absent three
years, working two years on a farm, and the remainder of his time in a steam saw-mill.
In the spring of 1850 he bought a team, and followed teaming for five years, hauling ore,
He next rented a farm of Mr. Appleman, and carried on agriculture twenty-three
etc.
years, «then bought the place where he now resides.
Mr. Hartman was married in 1852 to
Lydia Krum, and they had five children, four of whom are living: Isaac, in Michigan;
Penn.;
Wellington
William, in Columbia County,
and Leander. Mrs. Hartman died
July 8, 1884, and is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery, at Danville, Cooper Township,
Montour County. Our subject's maternal grandfather served in the war of 1812. Mr.
Hartman is aDemocratin politics, has held the offices of 'supervisor of the board of election,
and auditor. He owns 368 acres of land and the fine residence he now lives in.
WILLIAM McNINCH, farmer and quarryman, P. O. Grovania, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., September 30, 1826, a son of James and Jane (McCord)
McNinch, natives of Montour County, and of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather,
James McNinch, came from Scotland and settled in this county in 1766, being among the
very first settlers of this section. He took up a large tract of land, where he lived and
farmed until his death. The land was all timber, and wild animals were still plenty.
Their nearest market w^as Northumberland. Our subject's grandfather, Joseph McCord,
also a farmer, came from Ireland and settled here about the same time.
He served in
the Revolutionary war, and was a man noted for his military ability. Our subject's
father was reared on a farm, and moved to Cooper Township, this county, in 1845, where
he bought the farm on which William now lives, and remained here until his death,
which occurred in March, 1855. He was the father of nine children, four now living:
Mary, in Catawissa, Columbia Co., Penn.; William; James, in Kansas; and Emily, also
in Catawissa.
James McNinch was a lifelong Democrat. Our subject was reared on a
farm, and remained with his parents until their death, after which he took the home-

County, Penn.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

192

since farmed.
In 1861 he opened a stone quarry, and built lime-kilns
on the Bloomsburg road, and lias had them in operation ever since,
tnanufacturing a good qualit}' of lime. He was married February 17, 1859, to Rachel
Deitrich, and they are ilie parents of six children: Warren, in Helena, Mont.; Annetta;
Hugh, at school in Lawrenceville, N. J.; Martha, Joseph and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs.
McNinch are members of the Presbyterian Church at Bloomsburg. In 1858 he was
In 1863 he was elected
tjlected county commissioner, serving one term of three years.
county treasurer, serving one term. He has been justice of the peace ten years, and has
held nearly all of the township offices. In politics he is a Democrat.
C. MAUSER, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born on the old homestead where
he now lives, July 21, 1849, son of Jacob and Catharine (Krum) Mauser, both natives of
Pennsylvania, and of German descent. His great-grandfather, Nicholas Mauser, settled
in what is now Cooper Township, this county, in 1785, and bought a large tract of timber land. The deed is one hundred and twelve years old, and was bought from George
His grandfather, Christian Mauser,
Miller, who had just received it from William Penn.
"was fourteen years of age when his parents moved to this place, and he remained on this
at
the
of
eighty-eight
The "little old log cabin " that
he
died
age
years.
his
life;
farm all
our subject's great-grandfather built, is yet standing, and Aaron C. can boast of having
put a roof on the house that his great-grandfather built. He has a clock which was made
in 1801, and also the old gun that his great-grandfather used in the Revolutionary war.
Our subject's father was born on this farm, and remained here all his life. He died in
his fiitieth year. Aaron C. is of the fourth generation that has lived on and owned this
farm, one of the first settled in this county. He now owns 188 acres of land. He was
tnarried March 28, 1874, to Ellen Keiffer, and they are the parents of four children: Lydia,
Mr. and Mrs. Mauser are members of the old Lutheran Church
Edda, Lizzie and Ellen.
and are also members of the Grange. He has held the offices of constable, auditor, asIn politics he is a full-blooded Democrat.
sessor, supervisor and collector.
'stead,

which he has

m Cooper Township,

AARON

ANGUS MORRISON,

deceased farmer, was born in Washington County, Me.,
son of Peter and Jane (McKaskell) Morrison, former born in ScotHis father died in 1880, in his eightyland, latter in North Carolina, of Scotch descent.
seventh year; his mother died several years previous to his father. Our subject was
remained
home
until
twenty-one
years of age. Then he moved
farm
and
at
reared on a
to San Francisco, where he remained a short time; then located in Shasta County, Cal.,
where he bought a farm and remained six years. He then sold out and removed to Nevada in 1861, locating in Humboldt County, where he was engaged in quartz raining and
milling for about twenty years. He remained in this county until the spring of 1881. He
Was a member of the Nevada Legislature for one session. In 1881 he moved to Idaho,
and there remained until the fall of 1883, engaged in mercantile business. He came to
Pennsylvania in the fall of 1888, and purchased a farm of 157 acres of good land. Mr.
Morrison was married December 25, 1879, in San Francisco, to Laura Richardson Wells,
and they are the parents of three children: Emily F., Catharine J. and Mary H. Mr.
Morrison died January 12, 1887.
RICHARDSON (deceased) was born in the State of Vermont, SepJOHN
tember 16, 1816, son of William P. and Laura (Lyman) Richardson, natives of Vermont
and of English descent. Our subject came to Luzerne County, Peuu., at the age of twentyfive years.
He began life by teaching school, which he followed several years, and was
superintendent of the public schools of Luzerne County for two terms. He was also connected with a Prohibition paper in Bloomsburg for a number of years. He was an Abolitionist until slavery was abolished, and then Ijecame a Prohibitionist, in which party he
figured quite prominently until his death in March, 1885, at Mount Carmel, Penn.
He
dropped dead of heart disease, but no one ever knew that he was troubled with it. He
was the father of nine children, eight of whom are now living: Mary, wife of Isaac P.
Hand, in Wilkesbarre, Penn.; Laura, wife of Angus Morrison; Galitzin T., in Idaho;
Florence D., wife of Willis Emmons, in Pomona, Cal. Emily E., wife of Walter T. Hall,
in Idaho; William P., in Jordan Valley, Ore.; John L., in New York City; Harriet H., in
Bloomsburg. Catharine is deceased. The mother resides in Bloomsburg, Penn.
CHARLES EDWIN YORKS, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Cooper Township,
this county, on the place where he now lives, August 3, 1853, son of William and Martha
(Hull) Yorks; former a native of Montour County, Penn., and latter of Catawissa, Columbia Co., Penn., and of Scotch-German descent. His grandfather, Samuel Yorks, came
from New Jersey and settled in what is now Montour Count}^ in about 1780, where he
owned a large tract of land which he bought at a low figure. He owned another large
tract of land in Columbia County.
He served in the war of 1812. Our subject's father
was a farmer and a lumber dealer; was also interested in the insurance business in Danville.
He bought the old homestead and lived on the farm where our subject now resides, until his death, which occurred in August, 1877. He held the office of county commissioner for one term, and was justice of the peace of Cooper Township for about thirty years.
He was the father of six children, three now living: Charles Edwin, Ida and Dr. John,
who resides in Philadelphia. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home

September

21, 1834,

LYMAN

;

193

DERBY TOWNSHIP,

until his father's death.
He attended school at Mechanicsburg, Ponn., two yeatP, and
Danville, this county, four years.
He was married April 18, 1878, to Anna Bartholomew,
a native of this county, and they are the parents of two children, one living, Florence.
(Belie is deceased). Tlie farm where our subject now lives comprises 15tj acres of good
The estate owns 400 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Yorlis are members of tlie Presbyterian
land.
Church. He is a member of the P. of H. and is reporter for the Agricultural Bureau

of this county.

CHAPTER

XYII.

DERRY TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF WASHINGTONVILLE.
ALEXANDER BILLMEYER, farmer and lumberman Washingtonville, Penu., is a
grandson of Martin Billmeyer, who came to Liberty Township, this county, with his
After
father, who took up a large tract of land on the Chillisquaque, on which he died.
his death the land was divided among his three sons, George, Martin and Andrew. They
erected a saw-mill on the creek (the tirst in the township), which is still in use and is
known as the Billmeyer saw-mill. Martin died there about thirty-six years ago_. His
widow, nee Margaret Himmelrigb, died several years after. They were the parents of six sons
and six daughters: Daniel, Martin, Jacob. Mary, Catherine and Fannie, all deceased;
Peter, an ex-sheriff, now living in Bloomsburg, Columbia Co.; .lohn residing in Liberty
Township; A. Jackson, in the same township; Sarah, wife of John Gonger; Margaret,
wife of George Wagner, both of Limestone Township, and Harriet, wife of A. J. Maus,
of Valley Township. Jacob was the father of our subject, and lived in Liberty Township
He was born October 17, 1808. and died May 30,
until a year or two before his death.
1881.
He had been all his life a farmer and lumberman. His wife, Eliza Hower, was
born in Northampton County, August 16, 1814, and died February 5, 1873. They had
seven children, all now living: Henry, in Liberty Township; Sarah, wife of Martm Blue
of this township; Mary, wife of B. F. Umstead, of Anthony; Margaret, wife of David
Springer, of Liberty Township; Jacob H., of Anthony; Daniel, living in Talbot County,
Md., and Alexander, ihe eldest. Our subject was born January 7, 1841, and remained at
home until the age of twenty-six years. After his marriage, he and his brother, Henry,
bought out their father and farmed and lumbered for eight years, paying off all the debts
which their father had incurred. They then dissolved, Alexander buying the lumber buswhich
iness, and his brother taking the homestead. They acquired a barge amount of land,
Alexander now occupies (about 400 acres home farm), and erected the fine residence now
occupied by him in 1876. In 1865 he married Miss Angeline, daughter of Daniel Blue, of
Muncy, Lycoming County. She was born October 12, 1845. To their union five chddreu
have been born as follows: Ella, born February 2, 1866; Alice, born August 13, 186*; Hiram, April 16, 1870; Mary, July 17, 1874, and Florence, January 20, 1879, all living with
their parents. Mr. Billmeyer is an energetic man of business, and at present is extensively
engaged at lumbering, at White Oak, Talbot, Md., Elk County, Penn., and also on his
farms in this county.
FRANK G. BLEE, farmer, Washingtonville, is a son of John Blee, who came from
Ireland in 1795, when but twelve years old. He was born in 1783 and died in 1860, aged
seventv-seven years. At Philadelphia he learned brickmaking, at which he subsequently
worked in Norristown. Accumulating some money he bought land in Anthony Township,
near the farm of Robert McKee. This he afterward sold and bought a property in Deny
Township. Later he bousrht two other farms, and then the one where his son now resides,
owning at one time fourfarms. By his first wife, Sarah McCord, he had ten children
Joseph, William, James, Robert, John, Joseph (second) and Sarah, all of whom are
deceased; Mary, Margaret and Elizabeth are living in Illinois. His second wife was Hannah Gingles, whose mother was one of those who escaped at the Wyomin.g massacre.
By this union Mr. Blee had five children: Sarah A., wife of Edward Morns of V\ ashingtonville; Susan H., wife of John Butler of Danville: Savilla and Maria F. (twins) died
Our subject was born August 5, 1839, and when seventeen
in childhood, and Frank G.
went to Illinois, where he remained until the spring of i860. In 1861 he entered the army
the fall
in the wagon train in the quartermaster's department, where he remained until
of 1862. August 9, of that year, he enlisted in the nine months' service in Company A,
One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment, and participated in the battles of South Mounin a short
tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, seeing considerable service
:

I

lA

194

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

He was mustered out at Harrisburg, May 24, 1863, and returned to the farm, which
he rented while lumbering in North Carolina. In 1872 he took possession of the place
and there has since resided. September 24, 1863, he married Louisa A., daughter «f
Daniel Butler of this township, and six children were born to them: Robert E., Winifred
and Frank G. are new living at home, and Harry W., died in 1868, Sallie M. died
December 20, 1885, and Lizzie died July 26, 1877. In 1878 Mr. Blee was elected county
commissioner and re-elected in 1881 and 1884, running ahead of his ticket each time, sufficient indication of the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. He is a man
of force and much influence in the community. Politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. Blee
died January 21, 1878.
BRITTAIN, farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, was born in Derry Township, this county, five miles from his present residence, September 4, 1804.
His parents
were Samuel and Sarah Brittain, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Nathaniel
Our subject lived with his father until his marriage, when he moved to his
Brittain.
present residence, which at that time was owned by his father; later our subject bought
March 26, 1835, he married Mary, daughter of
it from the estate and has since owned it.
Andrew Sheep. Mrs. Brittain was born October 14, 1808, on the place where she has
always lived, and which was formerly owned by her father. To their union three children
have been born: James Barber, born March 15, 1836, died October 5, 1857; Elizabeth Ann,
born August 11, 1837, resides with her parents, and Sarah E., born November 22,
Mr. Brittain has always been a
1839, wife of "William B. Low, of Anthony Town.ship.
farmer and has held several township oflices. He and wife and family are members of
which
nearly
for
thirty years he has been an elder.
the Presbyterian Church, of
He has
always been a hard-working industrious man, and has the respect of the people among
whom his life has been passed, and is now one of the oldest residents of the township.
NATHANIEL BRITTAIN, retired farmer, P. O. Danville, was born February 15, .
His grandfather, Nathaniel Brit-c?^
1807, in the cabin which stood near his present home.
tain, was a native of Northampton County, where he Qied in 1817; was a soldier in the
Revolution and served in the war against the Indians on the frontier. His son, Samuel,
subject's father, was born and reared in Northampton County, and immediately after his
marriage, in 1796, came with his young wife to what was then the wilderness of Northumberland County, settled on the place now occupied by his son and built a log cabin. He
was always a farmer, and cleared the tract of 300 acres which he had bought on what was
known as the Montgomery Patent. He was born February 28, 1770, and died May 19,
His wife, Sarah Sillimau, was born in Northampton
1841, aged seventy-one years.
County August 19, 1773, and died September 3, 1845. Their children were Jane, who
died in 1863; Isaiah, died also in 1863, leaving four children; Samuel, who died in 1818,
aged sixteen years; Andrew, residing in this township; Sarah died in 1846, and Nathaniel.
Our subject has resided all his life, except seven years, on his present place, where he was
Until his twenty-fourth year he worked on his father's farm, helping to clear and
born.
cultivate it. Then, in partnership with his brother, Andrew, he bought a farm in this
township, to which they removed and resided seven years. His father dying, our subject
returned home and cultivated the farm for his mother for three years, and on her death
bought the farm on which he has since lived. About fourteen years ago he retired, and
was never engaged in any occupation except farming. May 25, 1854, he married Rebecca,
daughter of Andrew Sheep, who was a carpenter by trade and also owned a farm in this
township. She was born April 8, 1813. They have no children, but have adopted Theresa, daughter of William Diidine of Columbia County, who is now the wife of Eli Appleman, and with her husband lives on her adopted father's farm. Mr. Brittain has served
as administrator of six estates, thus showing the conlidence in which he is held by the
community. He has held all the important offices in his township, and was once elected
For nine years he was a lieutenant in the old
justice of the peace, but refused to accept.
State militia, and in every station of life has discharged his duties with fidelity and honesty.
To-day, one of the oldest men in the township, with all his faculties unimpaired,
he is a good specimen of a self-made man, and his standing in the community is excelled
time.

ANDREW

by none.

HENRY COOPER,

farmer and stockdealer, P. O. Washingtonville,

is

a grandson of

Abraham Cooper, who came from Bucks County, near Philadelphia, in 1810; settled the
farm now occupied by his grandson, buying it from his brother Daniel, who had purchased
His son Abraham was the father of Henry. The farm
it from the Montgomery estate.
was bequeathed to his brother, Peter, from whom Abraham bought it four years later.
He farmed it three or four years before his death, when he rented it to Henry. He was
born in December, 1805, and died in November, 1871, a member of the German Reformed
Church. His wife was Mary Catherine Dieffenbach, and their children were as follows:
Reuben Lobach, a farmer in this township; Samuel, a farmer, who
Michigan; Susan, who was the wife of John Morris, and died in Michigan about
twelve years ago; Aaron, unmarried, resides in Iowa, and our subject, the second child,
who was born September 9, 1838, in Liberty Township. When he was less than three
years of age his father bought the farm adjoining the homestead on which he lived
Elizabeth, wife of

lives in

DEBRY TOWNSHIP.

195

twelve years. He then bought the Daniel Carr property on the other side, which his son
owns. In 1862 his father built the brick house in which our subject now resides, and
the latter remained on tlie old place until after his father's death. A year after that event he
took possession and now owns both, aggregating over 200 acres. Mr. Cooper also deals
largely in stock, and is the heaviest feeder of stock on any one farm in Montour
County. In 1884 he helped his half-brother, John, the sole issue of his father's second
marriage, to buy the Frosty Valley mill, in Valley Township.
A few days later it was
destroyed by fire, and Mr. Cooper advanced the money to rebuild it and now does all the
merchant work there, John doing the custom work. March 9, 1864, he married Mary,
daughter of Vincent R. Shultz, of West Hemlock, and three children were born to this
union: Lloyd Clarence, born January 31, 1867; Vincent Welmington, born May 16, 1868 and
Charles Calvin, born January 20, 1875, all living with their parents. Mr. Cooper takes considerable mterest in politics but does not hold office.
He is a member of the German Reformed Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal.
He is known as one of the
most progressive and thorough-going farmers in the county.
GIDEON P. DIETRICH, retired, Washingtonville, is a grandson of Jacob Dietrich,
who came from Germany and settled in Berks County, where he died. His son, John
Jacob, was the father of Gideon P., and was born in Greenwich Township, Berks County,
where he died at the age of eighty-four years. His widow, nee Christina Pf eiffer, survived
him several years. They had eleven children— eight sons and three daughters— of
whom three are deceased. The living are Samuel P., in Berks County on his father's
farm; Solomon, a miller in Albany Township; Moses, in Greenwich Township; Charles, in
Albany Township; Polly, wife of Charles Greenwalt, of Greenwich Township; Sallie, wife
of Peter Kline, of Reading; Caroline, wife of Peter Krause, of Greenwich Township, all
in Berks County, and Gideon P.
The last named was born in Berks County, April 22,
1815; lived with his father until he was twenty-three years of age.
He learned the
trade of milling which he followed seventeen years, fourteen of which were passed in
this part of the country.
In 1854 he abandoned milling and bought his father-in-law's
farm in this township, where he now resides. He also owns two other farms as well as
house property in Danville. Since 1879, he has lived retired. In 1848 he married Susanna
Moser, who was born October 6, 1819, and four children blessed their union: Peter M.,
married Annie Yoder, and resides on his father's farm; Mary Ann, wife of George W. Miller, of this township, residing on one of her father's farms; Sallie, wife of Daniel Wagner, of this township, residing on her father's farm, and Caroline, who died when seven
years old. Mr. Dietrich has been overseer of the poor for sixteen years, and served as
school director ten years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, of which he was deacon for seventeen years, and elder for five years, when increasing infirmities compelled
his resignation.
Politically he is a Democrat.
Since 1880, the Washingtonville and
Northern Montour Agricultural Society has held its fair on Mr. Dietrich's old homestead.

DANIEL FRAZIER (deceased) was a native of Danville, of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
His parents came to Danville, where the father died about sixty years ago, and the mother
some thirty-five years later. Their children were James, William, Alexander, Thomas,
Daniel, Christiana, Agnes and Sarah, and two who died in childhood. None of the
family are now living; Daniel was born in 1815 and died March 28, 1879. He worked for
his father until the latter's death, when he bought the home farm from the estate, and
many years after sold it to the Reading Railroad Company, '^whose depot now stands upon
it, as does also a large part of
the newer portion of Danville. In 1852 he bought and
moved to the farm in Derry Township where his widow now resides and where he died.
He always followed farming and in 1841 was elected the first sheriff of Montour County
after its separation from Columbia.
From youth until his death he was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and was a man much respected by all who knew him.
December 27, 1840, he married Miss Ellen, daughter of Jacob Olwine of Schuylkill
County, and born in Reading in 1816. Mrs. Frazier bore her husband seven children, two
dying in infancy, a daughter, Alice, at the age of twenty-seven years and eight months.
county; Mary Isabella, wife, of James E. Steaker, of
M., living with her mother; Edward D., married to Jane, daughter of Samuel Herr and resides in Valley Township. After her husband's death Mrs. Frazier
sold part of the farm and removed to the other half, where she now resides in comfortable
and pleasant circumstances.
JEREMIAH D. GEIGER, merchant, Washin'gtonville, is a grandson of Philip and
Moriah Geiger, the former a resident of Berks County. Philip's son Henry was the father
of our subject and was born in Berks County June 10, 1802, and died here May 31, 1877,
aged seventy-four years, eleven months and twenty-one days.
He married in Berks
County and came to Limestone Township in 1843, and some years later bought a farm in
the same township. In 1867 he gave up farming and removed to AVashingtonville, where
he lived retired. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church in that place, being at different times trustee, deacon and elder. He was prompt in his attendance at the
church, and took great interest in everything pertaining to it. He was a kind hearted man
and universally esteemed. His wife was Anna Derr, daughter of Samuel and Catherine

The

living are

James

Washingtonville;

O., sheriff of the

Hannah

196

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Derr, and a native of Berks County, born July 3, 1802, and died hero March 20, 1875, aged
seventy-two years, eight months and seventeen days; a member of the Lutheran Cliurch,
and was noted for her charitable acts. They had ten children, three of whom died in infancy, and a son, Samuel, who died August 9, 1858, unmarried, at the age of twenty-seven
Sarah, unmarried, and
years and six mouths. The surviving children are as follows
residing on the homestead in Washinglouville William, married to Elsie Hosteller, and
residing at Limestoneville; Henry, married to Anna Mauger, residing in Northumberland
County; Levi, married to Anna Herr, lives in Limestone Township on the homestead;
Catherine, wife of John Lydecker, of Riverside, Northumberland County, and J. D., the
youngest son. Our subject was born April 4, 1840, in Berks County, ten miles from ReadIn his youth he learned shoemaking, at w^hich he worked seven years. He then
ing.
worked on the farm three years, and at the removal of his father, took it and worked it
four years. He then engaged in mercantile business in Washingtonville until 1872, in partnership with F. W. Ream. After two years he bought his partner's interest and a year
later went to Northumberland County. At Shamokin, six months later, he formed a partnership with Amos Ohl, and December 5, 1875, engaged in mercantile business until
August, 1876. They then returned to Washingtonville, where Mr. Geiger has since the last
of that year been engaged in business for himself.
November 2, 1885, he was appointed
postmaster at Washingtonville. He married, November 9, 1865, Miss Mary Ann, daughter of John Ream, of Limestone Township.
She was born September 9, 1841, in Lancaster County, and has borne her husband four children: Calvin, born August 31, 1866; Ida
May, born June 18, 1868, and Claude W., born November 4, 1879, all living with their parents, and Oscar Allen, born October 8, 1883, died March 3. 1885.
Mr. Geiger has been
treasurer of the borough for the last three years, has been school director for nine years,
and he and Mrs. Geiger are members of the Lutheran Church. He is also secretary of the
Sabbath-school and leader of the church choir. The following is a list of the relatives of
Paul Geiger. great-grandfather of our subject: John Paul, ship "Samuel," from Rotterdam, August 30, 1737; Christian, "Charming Polly," Plymouth, October 8, 1737; -Wilhelm, "Charming Polly," Plymouth, October, 1737; Hans, "Two Sisters," Rotterdam,
September 9, 1738; Hans Jacob, "Betsy," Deal, August 27, 1739; Jacob, Sr., "Phoenix,"
Rotterdam, September 1, 1743; Jacob, Jr., " Phoenix," Rotterdam, September 1, 1743;
Johan Frederick, "Paliena," Leith, October 25, 1748; Paul, "Fane," Cowes, October 17,
1749; fGeorge, "Fane," Cowes, October 17. 1749; Johannes. "Anderson," Rotterdam,
August 26, 1751; Tacitus, "Saint Andrew," Rotterdam, September 14, 1751; Jacob,
" Duke," Portsmouth, September 14, 1751; Johan Michael, " Louisa," Rotterdam, November 8, 1752; Johan Adam, " Phoenix," Rotterdam, November 22, 1752; Josepli, "Louisa,"
Rotterdam, October 13, 1753; Johannes, " Halifax," Rotterdam, October 26, 1754; John
:

;

"Richmond," Rotterdam, October
November 23, 1770.

George,

20,

1764; Jacob,

"Crawford," Rotterdam,

JACOB P. HOFFA, physician, Washingtonville, Penn., is a grandson of Jacob and
Rachel (Follmer) HofEa, the latter's history dating back over a century, and whose^family
belonged to the pioneers of this country. The former was born May 20, 1800, in Reading,
Berks Co., Penn., and descended from German lineage. He came to Northumberland
County when quite a boy, and learned the carpenter trade under^John Deeter, of Chillisquaque, and afterward became an extensive contractor. After his marriage with Rachel
Follmer, who had inherited large lauded estate from her father, he engaged extensively
in farming; and having purchased large timber tracts in Clinton and Lycoming Counties
he erected saw-mills and began the manufacture of lumber on a large scale, in which he
contiuued for over twenty years. He amassed a considerable fortune, and died May 15,
1882.
His wife died August 26, 1867. There are four sons and one daughter living: John
Hoffa, Turbot Township, Northumberland County; Samuel F. Hotla, Milton, same
county; Sarah Ann, married to John Shalter, Limestoneville, Montour County; Cyrus
Hoffa, Lewisburg, Union County, and Reuben Hoffa, Reading all of the State of Penn-

—

sylvania.

John Hoffa, father of Jacob P. Hoffa, was born May 3, 1826, at the old homestead on
now lives and inherited it from his grandfather, John Follmer, being one of the
finest farms in central Pennsylvania, comprising a tract of 220 acres.
John Hoffa has
followed farming all his life, and is one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers
of the age, keeping abreast with all the modern improvements pertaining to the art and
science of farming, and at all times reTusing offers of political preferment, has made farming a success. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and takes great interest in its
welfare and advancement. He is also an active member of the State Board of Agriculture,
having been called upon at various times to write essays with respect to farming. His
first wife, Sarah Ann Schajffer, daughter of Peter Schteffer, of Watsontown, Northumberland Co., Penn., died December 7, 1864. Thi-ee children of their union died in infancy.
Those now living are Catharine Ann, wife of J. D. Smith, Kansas; Jacob P. Hoffa; Daniel
H., in Kansas; John Follmer and William Francis (twins), in Lewisburg. His second
Avhich he

*Was under sixteen years old.
fFifly acres of land in Hanover Townsliip, Penn.

DERRY TOWNSHIP.

197

wife was Catharine Litchard by whom he had two children: Cora M., wife of H. McGinnis, of Allenwood, Union Co., Penn., and Cyrus, living with his father. Mrs. Catharine Hoffa died September 24, 1878.
Later he married Margaret Follmer, his present wife.
Dr. Jacob P. Hoffa was born June 26, 1852. After receiving a thorough commonschool education he attended the academy at Limestoneville and completed his education
at Seliusgrove Missionary Institute, after which he was in the mercantile business for his
grandfather during the period of a year and a half, in Lycoming County. He then taught
school four years. During the latter part of that time he began reading medicine under
the preceptorship of Dr. tj. Q. Davis, of Milton, Penn., and graduated from Jefferson
Medical College, Philadeli^hia, in March, 1876. In the same month he came to Washingtonville, and the following winter took a post-graduate course at the same college, thus
qualifying himself thoroughly in his profession. Since then he has resided in Washingtonville, and has establislied a large and lucrative practice.
On January 8, 1878, he married Miss Clara A., daughter of William and Sarah Smith,
of Limestone Township. She was born July 18, 1856, and two children have been born
their
to
union: John Sidney,
.. born July
J 23, 1879, and "Willie Huber, born September 12,
.

1881.

.

Dr. Hoffa has been three times elected burgess of Washingtonville, first in 1879. He
has been president of the Montour County Medical Society, is a member of the State
Medical Society, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1884, and re-elected in 1886.
He is now serving his second term, his constituents sending him back well pleased with
the manner in which he represented them during his first term.
He is a member of Derry Lodge, No. 759, I. O. O. F., in w^hich he has passed all the
chairs.
He and Mrs. Hoffa are members of the Lutheran Church. He is active in the
Sabbath-school and is teacher of the senior Bible class. As a man and a physician he has
the esteem and confidence of the people among whom he lives.
MARTIN KELLEY, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Washingtonville, is a son of Martin Kelley, who was a farmer and hotel-keeper of Liberty Township, where he died.
The
latter's wife, Catherine Billmeyer, was a native of Liberty Township and died in Danville
a short time before her husband. Their children were John, who died in Northumberland County: Fannie died in Liberty Township; Jesse died near Milton; Andrew died
in Liberty; Benjamin was hurt in a saw-mill which caused his death shortly after; Jacob
died in Valley; George is a farmer in Liberty Township, and married to Annie Billmeyer. Martin is the only other survivor, and was born in Liberty Township, April 10,
1835, and was quite young when his parents died.
He worked among relatives until the
breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, the "Columbia Guards." The company served a month over its term.
year after his return Mr. Kelly married Mary A., daughter of Franklin Ryan, of Muncy.
She was born June 4, 1845, and has borne her husband six children, the youngest of whom,
Fannie M., born April 26, 1881, died February 7, 1882. The others, who live with their
parents, are Ida E., Emma L., Bruce C, Jesse B. and Mamie V. Mr. Kelly has never
held any public office but attends strictly to his own business. Politically he is a Demo-

A

crat.

JAMES W. LOWRIE, farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, is a grandson of Samuel Lowwho with eight brothers and one sister immigrated to this country from Scotland, and
settled in various parts of Pennsylvania.
Samuel took up a tract where his grandson now
resides.
He had a family of two sons and three daughters. Samuel, the father of our
He was a farmer,
subject, was born in 1800, where his son now resides, and died in 1857.
rie,

and an elder of the Presbj'^terian Church. His wife, Helen Cole, died in 1886, in her
eightieth year.
Their children were Elizabeth, Margaret, Rhoda, Newell S., Harriet,
Emily, Mary, Agnes, Rebecca, Belle and James W. The last named was born April 16,
1841, in the house in which he now resides, but which he has remodeled since it became
his property.
He worked on the farm until the death of his father when he took charge
of the homestead, and conducted it for his mother imtil 1865. He then bought it from the
estate, and has since resided on it. The timber he sold on the ground, and his farm is now
in a high state of cultivation.
In 1868 he married Miss Priscilla, daughter of William
Bryson, of Northumberland County. Mrs. Lowrie was born May 10, 1845, and graduated
at Muncy Seminary.
Eight children were born to their union as follows: Helen C, Ata,
Mr. Lowrie has held county and
Saidie, Hattie B., Mary W., Blanche, Anna and Walter.
township oflices, and in every relation of life has discharged his duties in a manner highly
creditable.
In 1862 he entered the army and served nine months in Company G, One
Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment, in which he was color bearer, which dangerous
service he accepted when a volunteer was called for.
He was honorably discharged
at the end of his term.
Mr. and Mrs. Lowrie are members of the Presbyterian Church,
of which he

is an elder.
Politically he is a Republican.
MATTHEW L. SHEEP.farmer, P. O. Jerseylown, is a grandson of Andrew Sheep, who
immigrated from New Jersey and settled in this township, on a farm adjoining the one
now occupied by our subject. He had eight children, only three of whom now survive,
Mary, Rebecca and Elizabeth. James was the father of our subject, and was born on the

198

BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:

homestead, May 11, 1800. Some years after his marriage he inherited a portion of the
farm where his son now resides, and there he died October 18, 1881, a prominent member
His wife was Sarah P., a daughter of Samuel Lowrie,
of the Derry Presbyterian Church.
of this township. She was born May 3, 1797, and died in 1849. Their children were Andrew
J. (deceased), who emigrated to Texas and there died; Samuel, died inhis twentieth year,
and Matthew L. The last named was born April 26, 1834, and lived with his father until
the latter 's death. Two years after his marriage he took possession of the home farm,
having paid for the interest of the other heirs. March 29, 1855, he married Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of Robert McKee. She was born December 28, 1834, in Anthony Township,
and before marriage taught school in Anthony and Derry Townships, To their union six
children have been born: Lloyd S., holds the position of principal of a large academy in
Elizabeth City, N. C, married Pauline Hinton of that place, where they reside; Jennie, at
home; J. Willis, married Ida Smith, and resides on a part of his father's farm; S. Laura,
a teacher, resides with her parents; Sarah L. and M. Clyde, at home.
Mr. Sheep held
several township offices and many positions of trust, such as guardianships, etc.
He and
Mrs. Sheep are members of the Derry Presbyterian Church, of which he is treasurer.
JOHN K. SHULTZ, farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, is a great grandson of Philip
Shultz, who came from Germany and settled on a farm in New Jersey, where he died. His
son, Jacob, grandfather of J. K., wasborn'in New Jersey, and came to this county in 1790,
settling first at Limestoneville. Later he came to the farm occupied by our subject. Here
he lived until his death in 1804, when, with other old settlers, he was carried off by typhoid
fever. He was the father of eight children, only one of whom survives Elizabeth, widow of
Daniel Mostellar, residing in West Hemlock Township, aged eighty-seven years. Peter

—

was the father of John K., and was three years old when his parents came to this county.
He was reared on the farm, and after his marriage moved to the farm adjoining,, where
he resided fifty years, dying July 11, 1862, aged seventy-five years. He was an elder in
the old Derry Church for many years, and politically a Democrat.
His wife was Sarah
Robbins, of Columbia County, Penn., who died in 1872, aged eighty-one years. and their children were William, a resident of Columbia County; Jonathan P., who died in Northumberland County in 1886; Jacob and Vincent, living in West Hemlock Township; James,
in Rush Township, Northumberland County; Benjamin F., a physician in Danville; Peter,
in Anthony Township; Mary K., wife of Benjamin Crossley in Michigan, and John K.
Our subject was born in the old house, March 5, 1825, and lived with his father until his
marriage, when he moved to the adjoining farm in West Hemlock Township, which he
still owns.
There he lived for nineteen years, when, having previously bought the old
homestead and erected a fine house, he removed to it in October, 1874. October 11, 1855,
he married Rebecca, daughter of James McVicker, of Anthony Township. She was born
June 6, 1826, and seven children have blessed their union, the eldest and youngest dying
in infancy.
The others are Charles W., married to Sarah J. Watt; Anna M., wife of
William Robinson; Clarence J., Sarah C. and William Barber, at home with their parents.
Mr. Shultz has held several township offices, and is now justice of the peace. He ha.s
always been a farmer, to which he has added cattle and hor.se dealing at times. He, Mrs.
Shultz and three children are members of the Derry Presbyterian Church. Politically he
is a Democrat.

CHAPTER

XVIII.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
JOHN J. BIEBER, farmer, P.O. Pott's Grove, was born intheMuncy Valley, Lycoming Co., Penn., December 4, 1855, son of George and Charlotte (Shipman) Bieber. Nicholas Bieber, great-grandfather of our subject, came to America from Belgium, and located
in Lycoming County, Penn. John Bieber, the grandfather, was also born in Belgium, and
came with his father to the Muncy Valley. George Bieber, father of John, Jr., was born
in Wolf Township, Lycoming Co.. Penn., and was married in Moreland Township, same
county, to Miss Charlotte Shipman, a native of Lycoming County, and daughter of Jacob
and Catharine (Brittain) Shipman, natives of New Jersey, the'former now living in Lycoming County at the age of eighty-nine years, the oldest inhabitant in his township; latter
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. George Bieber were the parents of seven children, of whom John
J. is the fourth in order of age.
Our subject spent his early life in Wolf Township, Lycoming County, from there removed to Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming County, and in
1884 came to his present location in this township.
His mother's great-grandfather, John

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

199

Malachi Shamp, a native of England, was stolen from liis home in his boyhood daj^s.
The subject of this sketch was married in this county, February i:5, 188^, to Miss Mary
L. Murray, daughter of William and Jane Murray.
Mr. and Mrs. Bieber are the parents
of one child, Amy Shipman. Mr. Bieber is a member of tiie Lutheran Church, Mrs.
Bieber of the Presbyterian Church. He has 120 acres of land being the old Murray farm.
He taught school four terms in Lycoming County, and is now secretary of the school
board of Liberty Township.
HENRY BILLMEYER, farmer, P. O. Pott's Grove, Northumberland County, was
born in Liberty Township, Montour Co., Penn., on the old homestead wliere he now
resides, October 17, 1842, son of Jacob and Eliza (Hower) Billmeyer.
He was married in
1869 to Miss Hannah, daughter of James and Sarah (Smith) Flora, and a native of
Anthony Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Billmeyer are the parents of three children: Sarah Ann, James Henry and Carrie Ellen. The parents are members of the Oak
Grove Lutheran Church. Mr. Billmeyer owns the horn- farm of 111 acres, and nearly 200
acrc^ in another farm in Liberty Township.
He was in partnership with hi.s brother
Alexander in the lumber business in 1874, and then was engaged in the same line for
himself at Mooresburg and Limestoneville. They commenced in an old water saw-mill,
and the business has always been successful. The lumber was sold to the Lehigh Valley
Company. Mr. Billmeyer has put up fine improvements, and has one of the very finest
barns in the county.
SAMUEL BLUE, Potts' Grove, Northumberland County, was born in Liberty
Township, Montour County, February 22, 1832, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Himulrich) Blue.
Samuel Blue, grandfatlier of our subject, and an early settler in this
After his deatli
community, went to the war of 1812, and died at Black Rock.
his widow married
Frederick Blue, father of our subject,
a Mr. Bondeman.
was born in what is now Montour County, Pennsylvania, and was here reared; he
married Elizabeth Himulrich, born June 6, 1808, and they were the parents of the
following named children: Samuel; Martin, living near Washingtonville, Derry
Township; George (deceased), and William (deceased). The father died February 24.
1870.
He was county treasurer and sheriff of Montour County. The mother died
February 17, 1863. The subject of this sketch was reared in this townshij) and made
his home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred February 2, 1860, with Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wolf. She died March 14, 1862, at the aai' of
twenty-seven years, eleven months, twenty-four days, and is buried in the Billmeyer
graveyard. She left one child, Charles W., born March 29. 1861. Mr. Bluetlien married,
December 21, 1865, Miss Clarinda Murray, by whom he had the following named children.:
Carrie May, Wilfred Murray, Frank Howard, George Herbert, Edijar and Jennie Belle.
Mr. Blue is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife and some of the
family.
He bought his present farm of 150 acres in 1871. He also has 160 acres in Northumberland County, over half being timber land. His farm and improvements have cost
him $150 an acre. Mr. Blue was elected treasurer of Montour County in the fall of 1877,
and served three years.
THOMAS J. CLARK, farmer, P. O. Mooresburg, was born July 13. 1837. son of John
and Margaret (Maxwell) Clark. John Clark, Sr., grandfather of our subject, was born in.
Ireland, and from there came to Pennsylvania, locating about 1786 in what is now Liberty
Township, Montour County, where Mrs. Dr. Weaver now resides, and there lived the rest
of his days. He served in the Revolutionary war and had a finger shot off (his brother,
Robert, was a colonel in the same war). He and his wife are both buried in the Derry Presbyterian Church graveyard. Thej' had two children John and Ann (both deceased).
John Clark, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in what is now Liberty Township,
Montour Co., Penn., and was here reared. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; was married October 23, 1818, by Rev. John Patterson, to Margaret, daughter of William and
Jane (Bolles) Maxwell, latter a daughter of Judge Bolles, of BoUesburg, and they were the
parents of the following named children: Sarah, deceased wife of William McMahon;
Robert Finney (deceased), was a prominent lawyer of Bloomsburg, Penn.; John (deJames, in
ceased); Alexander, in Illinois; Samuel, an architect in Washington, D. C.
Geneseo, 111.; William, in Dallas County, Iowa, and Thomas J. The father died in 1870;
The subject of this sketch was
his widow resides with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Clark.
reared in Liberty Township, and was married October 25, 1864, to Miss Margaret Kyle, a
native of Milton, Northumberland Co., Penn., and daughter of Samuel and Jane (Auten)
Kyle, both deceased and buried at Milton, the former dying in 1878 and the latter in 1846.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of nine children: Eleanor H., Margaret Maxwell, Anna
Gertrude, William Lowenburg. Charles Wallace, Edith Moore, Martha Hurley, Sarah
Finney and George Edward. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr.
Clark has held the office of justice of the jieaec ten years, and has also been school director.
In politics he is a Democrat. Tlie farm on which he resides contains over 200 acres,
and belongs to the heirs of John Clark, which land, originally granted to the Presbyterian
Church, was sold to Robin Finney, and lias passed down in the family ever since, withoirt
any sale having been made.
;

;

200

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

WILLIAM HENRY

(fh^ceased) was born November 20, 1831, in Liberty Township,
Co., Penn., sou of John and Elizabeth (McCliire) Henr5% both of
are deceased and are buried in tiie Centre gravej'ard, Liberty Township, this county. Our subject was reared in Montinir County and alwiiys made it his home. He was twice married,
his first wife having died sixteen months after their marriage. Our subject was married
November 26, 186.5, to Miss Mary Ellen MeCracken, a native of this township and daughter of Abraham and Margaret (Vandling) MeCracken, former of whom, a native of Northampton County, Penn., is buried in the Chillisquaque Cemetery, latter a native of Northumberland County. Penn., being now a resident of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Henry
were the parents of five children, all living: Samuel Peter, Margaret Ann, Clarence Alfred,
Hannali Elizabeth and Minna Gerda. The fatlier died January 3. 1878, and is buried in
the Chillisquaque Cemetery. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church; in politics a
Democrat. He was for twelve years county superintendent of Montour, an office he held
longer tlian any other man had held the same office iu the county. He was engaged in
educational work from his seventeenth year till the time of his death. Also held several
otber offices. Mrs. Henry taught school at Danville, this county, in 1864, and in Milton,
NortlumiberlaTid County, in 1865, teaching from her eighteenth 3'ear to her twenty-

whom

Montour

second.

WILLIAM V. KERR, P. O. Mooresburg. was born at the place where he now resides,
February 14, 1851, and was here reared to manhood. He has spent his life on the farm,
with exception of between the _years 1872 and 1876, when he was in partnership with
G. P. Rfigliard, at Mooresburg, this county. He was married November 2, 1876, to Alice,
daughter of John B. and Sarah Smith, of Mifflinburg, Penn., and they are the parents
of four children, two now living: Joseph H. and John R. Mary Finney and Louise are
deceased. Mr. Kerr has the old homestead of 100 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are members
of the Preshvterian Church. In politics he is a Republican.
WILLIAM McMAHON, P. O. Pott's Grove, Northumberland Co., Penn., was born
on tlie farm where he now resides, March 22, 1832, son of John and Mary (Simington)McMahon.
His erreatgrandfather was a native of the North of Ireland, immigrated to
America, and settled in the valley of the Juniata River, Penn. John McMahon, grandfather of our subject, became an officer in the patriot army during the Revolution, serving
throuch that struggle. After the war he came from the valley of the Juniata to what is
now Montour County, Penn., and took up land around where William now resides. He
and his wife are both deceased, and arebtiried in the Chillisquaque graveyard. John McMahon, father of our subject, was'born iu the latter part of the last century on the old
homestead of his father, iu what is now ]\Iontour County, and was here reared. He was
married about 1826 to Mary Simington, and they were the parents of seven children:
Robert, iu Pott's Grove, Penn.; Jane, deceased wife of Alexander Clark; William;
Elizabeth S., wife of John Diu-ham, in Winona, Minn.; John S., in Wellington, Kas.
Sarah S., wife of Joseph K. Murray, in Liberty Township, this county, and Thomas, in
Wellington, Kas. The father of the above died about 1852, and the mother about 1845.
They are buried in tlie Chillis(|uaque Cemetery. The subject of this sketch was married
January 20, 1862, to Miss Selina Mack, a native of Turbot Township, Northumberland
Co., Penn., and daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (McFall) Mack, former of whom died
September 28. 1884, and is buried in the Harmony Cemetery; latter now resides in Liberty
Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. McMaho'n are the parents of six children: Anna
Mary, Charles H., Elizabeth S., Robert Mack, Lucy H. and John Adams. The parents
are memt^ers of the Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. McMahon has been
elder since about 1874.
He has been connected with the schools of Liberty Township as
director since 1877.
He has 170 acres of land, being the entire old homestead, and also
160 acres on Montour Ridge.
JAMES C. McWILLlAMS. farmer, P. O. Mooresburg, was born in Liberty Township,
Montour Co.. Penn., May 9, 1841. sou of John and Margaret (Caldwell) McWilliams.
John McWilliams, latherof our subject, was born October 7, 1807. in this township, and here
reared to manhood. He was married in this county in March, 1835, to Miss Margaret Caldwell, born Decembers, 1816, daughter of James "and ]\Iary (Woods) Caldwell,"who were
married June 12, 1810, the former of whom was born in Ireland, and when two years of age
came to America, locating in Pennsylvania; the latter was of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and
Mrs. James Caldw^ell were the parents of six children: Robert (deceased); John (deceased);
Margaret; Samuel, in Watsontown, Penn. James Rodgers, near Trenton, N. J. and Lazerus
Finnej' (deceased). James Caldwell, father of the above, died June 9, 1866. His first wife,
mother of the above named children, died December 25, 1826; his si-c^nd wife, whose maiden
name was Eleanor Woods, died June 4, 1865. They are buried in the McEweusville
Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. John McWilliams are the parents of four children: Mary Ellen,
deceased wife of H. B. Kimble, Newark. N. J., in business on Canal Street, New York;
James C; Robert Curry, in NorthumberlandCounty, Penn., (he has represented that county in the Pennsylvania General Assembly), and J. Woods, in New York, engaged with the
Manhattan Railway. John McWilliams. father of the above, died August 7, 1876, and is
b ried in^the Milton Cemetery. His widow resides at Milton. Penn. James C. McWilliams,
;

;

201

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

subject of this sketch, was reared in Liberty Township, whicli he has always made his
iioroe.
He was married here January 26, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Judge
James and Christina (Yorks) Curry, of Valley Township, -this county. Mr. and Mrs.
McWilliams are the parents of two children: John Currj' and Mary Eslella. All the family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Mooresburg, in the building of which they
were instrumental. Mr. McWilliams is a member of Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, at Catawissa; a member ©f Bloomsburg Chapter. He has a farm of 230 acres adjoining the old
homestead, which belongs to his mother, and which contains 260 acres.
MORGAN, P. O. Pott's Grove, was born in Aberystwyth Parish, South "Wales.
March 5, 1824, a son of William and Jane (Seer) Morgan. The former was a skilled iron
worker in the old country, overseeing a number of hands there. About 1839 or 1840 he
came to America, and became engaged in the Mount Savage Iron Works, Maryland. The
firm conducting these works soon failed, and he moved northward to Juniata, and there
engaged in a tannery. While there he sent for his family who came out in 1844. He remained at Juniata until September 1845, and then engaged in the iron works of the
Montour Iron Company, Danville, where he remained until his death, which occurred
March 16, 1851; his widow survived him until January 10, 1856. Thej^ are buried in the
JVIeJhodist Cemeterj', Danville.
The}' were the parents of the following named children:
William; Mary Ann was the wife of James Williams; Thomas; Dan; Jane was the wife
of Benjamin Harris; Esther was the wife of Michael Graham, and Gad, all deceased except
Dan. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until 1845, when he left the
In 1851
iiome at Juniata, and coming to Danville engaged in the Montour Iron Works.
he became superintendent of the blast furnace for this company, and held that position
the
entire
plant, except
until 1883, and part of the time he was general superintendent of
the mines. In 1867 lie entered the company as a member,and held an interest in the works
until 1878. when he withdrew his membership, but still retained his position in the works
as general superintendent. He then bought 287 acres of land in Liberty Township, this
county, to which he has since added until he now has three farms containing 417 acres,
all three places being supplied with the best of farm houses and buildings. In 1877 he came
to his farm property and resided on it until 1879, when he went back to Danville, but after
residing there until 1881, returned to the farm to make 'his permanent residence. Mr.
Morgan was married December 16, 1849, to Mary Jane, daughter of William and
Mary (Merrill) Ephlin, and a native of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were the
parents of eight children, of whom five are living: William G., married to Ida A. Savage,
August 16, 1871 (they have three children, Jennie, Dan and Joe he was superintendent
one year of the Waterman & Co. furnace in 1877); Joseph Henry, married to Bella
James. April 12, 1885; John Peter, killed June 25, 1864, at the swing bridge, Danville;
George Burliiigame, married March 17, 1883, to Ella Gabriel (they have one child,
Laura); Dan died April 2, 1861; Robert Seei James D., died March 10," 1869; and John.
Mr. Morgan is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined the Blue Lodge with
224 others at Danville.
JOSEPH K. MURRAY, farmer, P. O. Pott's Grove. Northumberland County, was
born in Valley Township, Montour Co., Penn., February 5, 1839, son of William and
Jane S. (Kerr) Murray. Col. James Murray, the grandfather of our subject, was of ScotchIrish descent; was a colonel in the patriot armj' during the Revolutionary war, and
after that struggle came to Northumberland County, Penn., where he lived until his death,
which occurred in the vicinity of Watsontown. He owned most of the land north of
Pott's Grove, including the present town site. He was three times married, and by his
William Murray, father of our subject, was born to the
first marriage there was one son.
third marriage, in Northumberland County, Penn., where he was reared. From there he removed to what is now Montour County, and tnuglit school until he had completed sixteen years at that profession, part of tlie time in Northumberland County, part in Montour County. He was in partnership with Robert Kerr in mercantile' business both at
Mooresburg and Hartleton, Penn. He then went to Valley Township, Montour County;
thence to where John Moore now resides in Liberty Township; thence to the south side
of the limestone ridge, between Milton and Washingtonville, in Liberty Township, this
county, wbere John Bieber now resides. In that immediate neighborhood he died, at the
house of his son-in-law, Samuel Blue, where he had resided the last eight years of his
life.
He had 270 acres of land, but sold all except 120 acres some time previous to his
death, which occurred August 4, 1883; his wife died in 1864, and they are buried in the
Chillisquaque Cemetery. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church.
William Murray had held the office of school director a great many years, as well as
other township offices. Mr. and Mrs. William Murraj^ were the parents of eight children:
Margaret Ann, deceased; Clarinda K., wife of Samuel Blue; J. K.; James B.; Lizzie L.
and Robert H., twins (Robert H. is deceased); Jennie S., wife of Thomas Bieber, in
Pott's Grove, Penn.; Mary L., wife of John Bieber, in Liberty Township, this county.
The sul)ject of this .sketch made his home with his parents, or on their land, until 1874,
when he removed to his pre.-!ent location, and has here since resided. He was married December 21, 1865, to Miss Surah S., daughter of John McMahon. Mr. and Mrs. Murray

DAN

—

;

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

202

were the parents of eleven children, of whom nine are living: William Edwin, Jennie
Simington, Alice Foresman, Clyde Strawbridge, Robert Simington and Charles Howard (twins), Thomas Stewart, Edna Vansant and Mary Elizabeth. Joiin McMahon and

The parents

members

ot the Chillisquaque Presbyterian
Mr. Murray enlisted in the nine months
service in 18G3, in Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, colonel, James Johnson. He was mustered in at Harrisburg; thence went to
Washington, D. C; thence to Newport News, on the James River; thence marched to
Yorktown, where he lay six months; thence to Williamsburg; thence to White HouseLanding, on Pamunkey River: tiieuce to Yorktown again, and from there to WashingHe is a member of Grange No. 877, P. of
ton; thence to Harrisburg, and thence home.
In politics he is a Proiiibitionist. He owns a fine farm,
H., Chillisquaque Township.
which he takes pains to till in the most practical manner, and takes a deep interest in all
matters tending toward the elevation of his class.
JAMES B. MURRAY, farmer, P. O. Pott's Grove, Northumberland County, wns
born in Liberty Township, Montour Co.. Penn., November 23, 1840, son of William and
Jane (Kerr) Murray. He was reared in Liberty Tewnship and has always made it his
home, with the exception of three years, during which he was in the army. He was married December 18, 1875, to Miss Arabella Moore, a native of this county, and daughter of
John and Catharine (Voris) Moore, who now reside in this township. Mr. and Mrs.
Murray are the parents of two children: Gilbert Voris and Edwin Moore. The parents
Mr. Murray enlisted December 10, 1868, in
are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Company F, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was mustered into the service at Harrisburg, and from there went to the Shenandoah Valley to join what afterward became

Elwood

are deceased.

Church, ot wliich Mr. Murray

is

are

a ruling elder.

Sheridan's cavalry, and he participated in all the campaigns of those famous troopers
Among others he was at the battle of tbe
until the close of the war.
Wilderness, at Gettysburg, and all the others up to the last acts of the struggle; and participated in all the movements about the defenses of Petersburg, including the taking of
that famous stronghold and Richmond, and the surrender of Lee at Appomatox. He
was discharged at Lynchburg, Va., from tliere went to Washington, thence to Harrisburg,.
and then returned home. He became sick in the service, and was nearly two months in
the hospital, and his health has never fully recovered from tlie effects of his campaigning.
He was under Gen. Gregg, and in tlae company of Capt. Robinson (afterward HilMr. Murray owns about 130 acres of land.
burn), in Col. Gregg's regimf^nt.
JOHN K. SHEDDAN, farmer, P. O. Mooresburg, was born on the place he now resides on, in Liberty Township, Montour Co., Penn., May 16, 1888, son of William and Mary
James Sheddan, grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland,
(Russell) Sheddan.
August, 12, 1744; from there came to America and located in what is now Montour
County, in 1774, taking up land, then all timber, where John K. now resides. The tract
was then called Seviceberry Grove, and then in Mahoning Township, Northumberland
County. It contained 216 acres, thirty-four perches and allowances. Here he lived the
remainder of his life. His wife was born in August, 1749, and they were married November 10, 1773. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah, Margaret, Atines,
William, Anne, Robert, Mary and Elizabeth, all deceased. The father died August 13,
1817; the mother April 17, 1813, and thej^ are buried in the Chillisquaque graveyard.
William Sheddan, father of our subject, was born June 2, 1785, at the place where the
latter now resides, and here he was reared.
He married December 25, 1807, Sarah M.
Sharon, a native of Juniata County, Penn., who died April 15, 1813, and is buried in the
Chillisquaque graveyard. They were the parents of two children: James and Samuel S.
William Sheddan next married Mary Russell, on January 6, 1820, and by lier had the following named children: Andrew R., Maria, Isabella, John K. and William B.; of these
only John K. and Isaliella are living. The father died January 19, 1839, the mother June
The subject of this
5, 1872, and they are both buried in Chillisquaque graveyard.
sketch was reared at the place of his birth. He was married June 14, 1866, to Miss Marietta, daughter of William and Eleanor (Blaine) Wilson, who was born in Lewis Township, Northumberland Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs.
Sheddan are the parents of one child,
William Boyd, born April 8, 1867. He commenced his education in the common schools
of his township, and from there went to the Potts Grove Academy, thence to the normal
school at Muncy, where he graduated October 1. 1886, carrying off first honors in a classof twenty-four, and delivering the valedictory address. The family are members of the
Presbyterian Church. James Sheddan, grandfather of our subject, was an elder in the
first presbytery of this district, known as Northumberland Presbytery.
William Sheddan
was also an elder in the church. The subject of this sketch has been connected with the
schools of the township as director, and has also been inspector of elections. He has.
fifty-five acres, and allowances of the old tract, which formerly consisted of 216 acres and
allowances, the grant being given during the reign of George III. Samuel S. Sheddan,
half brother of J. K., was a Presbyterian minister, haying preached at Warrior Run,
Muncy, all in Pennsylvania, and in Rahway, N. J., where he resided at his death ins

from that time

•

1875.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

ROBERT HENRY SIMINGTON,

farmer, P. O. Mooresburg,

203:

was born February 2.

1843, on the old homestead where his mother now lives. He was married February 26, 1880,
to Miss Anna B., daughter of Joseph H. and Jane M. (Voris) Kerr.
Mrs. Simington is a
granddaughter of Joseph Kerr, who came to what is now Liberty Township, Montour
Penn.,
from
Bucks
County,
where
December
Co.,
he was born
19, 1770, and located on
the place William V. Kerr now owns, a portion of a tract which was taken up by Robin
Finney, and which has never been sold, having been handed down in the family. There
he lived, reared his family and died. He was married to Jane Hine, born March 21, 1775,
and they were the parents of nine children: Robert H., Alexander H., Daniel T., Mary
Finney, Margaret McFarland, Joseph (who died in infancy), Jane, EfBe S. and Joseph H,
Joseph Kerr, Sr., was the son of an officer in the Revolutionary war. He died in April,
They are buried in the Chillisquaque graveyard^
1856; his wife died in February, 1853.
Joseph H. Kerr, son of the above, was born on the old homestead August 24, 1815. He
was married February 14, 1841, to Jane McLanathan Voris, and they were the parents of
two children: William V., on the old homestead, and Anna B., wife of our subject,
Joseph H. Kerr, father of the above, died December 30, 1876, and is buried at Milton,

Penn

His widow makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Simington.

Our subject and wife
three are living: Robert, William and Jerome,
Hattie Jeanette was born February 20, 1881, died September 10, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Simington are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
C. STARNER, farmer, P. O Washingtonville, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., February 17, 1831, son of Solomon and Mary (Clark; Starner,
both of whom are deceased. Solomon Starner, father of our subject, came to Montour
County in 1843, and located at first in Derry Township, but in 1847 removed to what ia
now Liberty Township, and here resided until his death, which occurred about 1866; hi&
widow survived him some three or four years. They are buried in the Washingtonville
Cemetery. They were the parents of four children, all living: Benjamin C; Louisa^
Charles, in Watsontown, Penn. Mary, wife of Aaron Moser, in Washingtonville. The
subject of this sketch was married November 13, 1856, to Miss Sarah A. Bogart, daughter
of John and Mary (Ganmer) Bogart, and a native of Limestone Township, this county,
but removed to Liberty Township, where the parents died, the father in 1873, the motherin about 1838.
She is buried at Strawberry Ridge Church, and he at Washingtonville.
Mr. and Mrs. Starner are the parents of the following named children Mary Alicei
Rebecca Jane, wife of William A. Cornelison, in Liberty Township; Sarah Ellen, William Clark, and an infant deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Starner and family are members of the
Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Mr. Starner has lield the position of auditor of Liberty
Township since 1877. In politics he is a Democrat. He owns the old homestead of hia
father consisting of 113 acres.
MOSES L. STECKER,. farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, was born in Hemlock Township, Columbia Co., Penn., May 3, 1820, son of Michael and Margaret (Lottiz) Stecker,
George Stecker, the paternal grandfather of our subject, settled in Dry Lands, Northampton Co., Penn., where he died when his son Michael was only thirteen years old. He was
twice married, reared five children by his first wife and nine by his second.
The
children by his first wife were George, John, Rosette, Ann, Catharine; by his second wife:
Elizabeth Wellper, Susan Reecer, Christian Reecer, Mariah Grotz, Sarah Grotz, Margaret
Switzer, Henry (a preacher), Melchior and Michael (twins). Michael Stecker, the father
of Moses L., was the only one who came to Columbia County, locating in Hemlock Town^
ship, and after making a deal in land, secured 100 acres.
In 1826, becoming dissatisfied with this location, he moved to New York State; but two years later returned,,
and lived in Hemlock Township until his death which occurred about 1867. His wife had
preceded him by several years. They are buried at New Columbia, Penn. They were
the parents of twelve children; George (deceased); Mary (deceased); Moses L; John, who
was murdered in Minnesota, his body being found in a lake; Adaline; Gideon (deceased).
Josiah, in Bloomsburg; Nathan, in San Francisco; Crissie; Clarissa Leviana and Charity
(twins), and Abraham (deceased). Our subject was reared at the home of his parents until
the age of eighteen years, when he came to Washingtonville, and worked for Neil McCoy
as clerk; then with him removed to White Hall, and remained with him three years altogether.
He afterward harvested, etc., until fall, and then went to Easton, Penn., where,
in the following spring, he hired a boat and engaged in the carrying trade on the canal„
but in the fall he again came to Milton, and taking another boat engaged in hauling commission goods until the fall, making two trips to Philadelphia and one to Baltimore,
From Milton he came to his present location, and was married December 5, 1843, to Miss
Sarah, daughter of John and Christianua (Stine) Stineman, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs..
Stecker are the parents of three children: Margaret S., wife of George W. Vandine, live
on the Stecker farm, and have five children: Christiann, wife of James Madden (tliey hacj
two children, she lives in Lititz, Lancaster Co., Penn.), and James E., in Washington^
ville.
Mr. and Mrs. Stecker are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has been connected with the schools of Liberty Township a.s director, and has been tax collector. Iq,
politics he was a Democrat until the death of President Harrison, but has been a Rcpubliare the parents of four children, of

whom

BENJAMIN

;

:

204

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

can ever since. Mr. Stecker built a wood workinfi^ shop in about 1856, and has since
manufactured a good deal of furniture. Since 1876 he has been making a specialty of
Mr. Stecker's great-grandfather came
4irm chairs. He has about ninety acres of land.
from Germany.
GEORGE SURVER, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Upper Dublin Township,
Montgomery Co., Penn., July8, 1820. When fouryearsof age he went to Lower Providence,
same county, and there remained until he was twenty-seven years of age, thence removed
to Worcester Township, and there was married (when twenty-eight years old) December
25, 1848, to Miss Sarah Highly, a native of Montgomery County, born and reared in Lower
Providence Township. Mr. and Mrs. Surver were the parents of four children: Jesse C,
married to Sarah Fulmer, in Milton, Penn.; George (deceased); Edwin (deceased); Sarah
Jane, widow oi Winfield Pennbecker, and Hannah M. Surver, married to James Wagner.
Mrs. Surver died September 5, 1865, aged forty-seven years, eight months and twentythree days, and is buried at Mausdale. Mr. Surver next married October 22, 1867, Sarah
Catharine Hendrickson, who was born June 10, 1840, in Liberty Township, this county,
daughter of John and Mary Ann (Davis) Hendrickson, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Surver are the parents of the following named children: David D.', Bertha and Lloyd. Mr.
"Surver removed after his first marriage, in April, 1859, to Montour County, and bought 110
acres in Liberty Township, to which he has added thirty-five, until he now has 145 acres.
He and his wife are members of the Mausdale Reformed Church. He has held several
He was a teacher in the Sunday-school
ofiices in the church, such as trustee, deacon, etc.
and was a superintendent of the Sunday-school at Madden's Church four years. For fifIn politics he is a
teen j^ears he was a school director, and was one year tax-collector.
stanch Democrat.
Pott's
Grove,
Northumberland
County, was
farmer,
O.
P.
THOMAS M. VANSANT,
born in Bucks County, Penn., June 26, 1821, son of Amos and Margaret (McMahan) Vansant. Gabriel Vansant, grandfather of our subject, came to what is now Montour County
from Bucks County, about 1800, and located where Samuel Mauger now resides, near
Mooresburg. Here he lived until his death, which occurred about 1808. He is buried at
His widow died about 1841, and is also buried at Danville. They
Danville, this county.
were the parents of eight children. Amos Vansant, father of our subject, was born in
Bucks County, Penn., and was reared in that county and Montour. He was married in
this county, about 1809, to Margaret McMahan, and after his marriage went back to Bucks
County. They were the parents of the following named children: John, Amos, James,
The mother of thi.s family died in 1825, and Mr.
Gabriel, all deceased, and Thomas M.
Vansant was married some two years later to a Miss Torbet, and they were the parents of
the following named children: Anthony, Margaret, Simpson and Edward, latter deceased.
The father died in 1860, and is buried in Bucks County, Penn. Thomas M. Vansant was
brought back to Montour County, when he was but four years of age, by his uncle, Benr
jamin McMahan, by wagon, taking four days on the trip, and with his uncle, John McMahan, made his home until he was twenty-five years of age; then went west as far as
Illinois, and after two years he came back to Montour County, and again made his home
with his Uncle John until June 26, 1858, when he was married to Eliza A. Best, a native
of Union County, and daughter of Peter and Henrietta (Mensch) Best; her mother resides
After their marriage they removed to their present location,
at Winfield, Union County.
which Mr. Vansant had bought four or five years before, consisting of about sixty acres,
Mr. and Mrs. Vansant were the
to which he has added until he now has ninety acres.
parents of five children, two of whom are living: Margaret Henrietta and Thomas;
Arietta Fowler, William and Edgar Ivans are deceased. The parents are members of the
Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder since 1875. He has
been township auditor most of the time since 1856, and has been connected with the
schools of Liberty Township, as director, for a number of years. In politics he is a
Democrat.

CHAPTER

XIX.

LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP.
JACOB S. BALLIET, merchant, P. O. Liniestoneville, is a grandson of John Balliet,
a former resident of Lehigh County, who with his family came to this part of the country
in 1807, settling in what is now Limestoneville, buying' the stone house built by Robert
Caldwell in 1800.
This house is now owned by William Balliet, a brother of Jacob S.,

LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP.

205

When
and is occupied by J. C, a son of William, and is yet in a good state of repair.
John Balliet came here he took up a large tract of laud, "which he afterward divided be
tween his two children, John and Mary, the latter being the wife of Solomon Levan. This
land is now divided into five farms. The wife of the elder John Balliet was Catharine
Mickley; they had but the two children named, both of whom were born and married in
Lehigh County. Both of the elder Balliets died about fifty years ago. The father of our
His wife
subject, also named John, was born March 14, 1784, and died February 1, 1854.
was Elizabeth Schreiber, who was born September 7, 1782, and died March 25, 1858. John
He had a large
Balliet was always a farmer, never engaging in any other occupation.
farm, and when coinparatively a young man, gave up labor, his sons carrying on the farm.
He removed from the old homestead to a house which he had built, and which is now occupied by Jacob S. In this house both he and his wife died. He was a leading man in the
Paradise German Reformed Church, of which he had been both deacon and elder for
many years. He had six sons and two daughters, all but one of whom are now living:
Nancy, wife of Abraham Stroub, who died over twenty years ago; John living near McEwensville, Penn., now eighty years of age: Stephen, seventy-eight years old, living on part
of the old homestead in Northumberland County, Levi, a merchant in Milton, Penn.; Josiah,
in Lockport, N. Y. William, in Limestoneville;Mary, widow of John Clapp, in Milton, and
He was born October 24, 1824, at LimeJacob S., the youngest but one of the family.
stoneville, Penn., in same house where he now resides, and lived with his father until his
marriage, after which he farmed a part of the home farm which he got from the estate
He has always been a farmer, but
after his father's death, and has ever since resided on.
in 1880 bought the interest of a nephew in the store in Limestoneville, and in 1883 bought
the entire concern, and now owns it alone. January 16, 1855, he was married to Catharine
Lewars, of Lewis Township, Northumberland Co., Penn. To this union five children
have been born: Ella M., James L., A. Elwood, Edward F., and Harry, all living at home.
Mr. Balliet has never been an officeholder, but does his duty as a citizen at the polls. He
and his wife and all his children are members of Paradise Church. Li politics Mr. Balliet
is independent.
WILLIAM BALLIET, retired, P. O. Limestoneville, Penn., is a brother of Jacob S.
Balliet, of this township, under whose name above is given a sketch of their ancestors.
He was born March 8, 1821, and lived at home until his marriage, when he farmed for his
father until the latter's death; then he bought the home farm, and, until 1882, lived in
the house where he was born and reared. October 10, 1845, he was married to Rebecca,
daughter of John Hague, who lived near Milton, Penn. They had eight children, two of
whom died young. The survivors are Mary Elizabeth, born January 17, 1847, wife of
William Royer, of Delaware Township. Northumberland County; John Calvin, born
November 4, 1850, married to Frances Billmeyer, and living on his father's farm in the
old home; Emma Louisa, born August 19, 1852, wife of Charles A. Linebach, living in
Milton; Alcesta, born April 20, 1855. wife of I. Albert Eschbach; William J., born June
19, 1858, married to Elizabeth Shaeffer, and Clarence F., born October 10, 1860, and marMr. Balliet has, until his
ried to Mary Riddles, all living in Northumberland County.
retirement, always been a farmer. He has never held public office. He and his wife are
members of Paradise Reformed Church.
L. CLAPP, farmer, P. O. Limestoneville, Penn., is a grandson of John
Clapp, a resident of Berks Count}% Penn., whence he immigrated to Lewis Township,
Northumberland Co., Penn., in 1818, where he lived until his death. His wife was a Miss
Kline, who died several years after her husband. Their children were Samuel, who was
accidentally killed by a horse near the home in Northumberland Count}', Penn.; John,
father of our subject (both these were born in Berks County, the rest of the family being
natives of Northumberland County); Adam, a retired farmer, who lives in Lycoming
County, Penn.; Daniel (deceased), who was a merchant in Muncy, Penn.; Thomas, a
retired merchant, now living in Muncy; Mary, deceased wife of John Roup, Sr., of
Northumberland County, Penn.; Catharine, wife of Jonas Hoy, who died in Ohio; Mary
(died in the State of New York, wife of John Linebaugh), and Sarah, who was wife of
Philip Roup, and died in Northumberland County, Penn. The father of our subject was
born September 1, 1811, and was seven years of age when his parents came to this part of
the country. He worked for his father until the latter's death, at which time he took the
His father-in-law bought the farm, and gave it
old farm, and a year later was married.
On this farm he lived and died in a
to his daughter on her marriage with Mr. Clapp.
house which he built on some land he had added to the original farm. His death toolc
place December 6, 1879. Mr. Clapp was a man of note in the community. He took an
In early life he became a member of the
especiallj' warm interest in educational matters.
Reformed Church, and was for years deacon in Paradise Church, and, joining the new
he
became
an
elder,
McEwensville,
remaining as such for twenty years.
church erected at
As a man and citizen he stood high. In 1832 he was married to Maria Glaze, a native of
Northumberland County, Penn., born in 1815, and died in 1850. After her death Mr.
Clapp was married to Mary Truchenmiller, who died about ten years later. Mr. Clapp
was again married, his third wife being Mrs. Mary McNinch nee Balliet, sister of the
;

THOMAS

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

206

brothers Jacob and William Balliet. His first wife had eleven children, of whom one died
They were William, living on part of the homestead; Thomas L. John D., in
In infancy.
Mary Elizabeth, wife of A. E. Gonger, of Northumberland
Jefferson County, W. Va.
€ounty, Penn.; Sarah Jane, wife of I. N. Kline, of Williamsport; Margaret, married to
William Kerchner, of McEwensville; Susan, married to J. C. Wagner, of this township;
Ano-eline, wife of J. W. Balliet, living in the house where her father died; Emeline, wife
Caroline, wife of O. E. Cotner, of Northt)f William G. Marsh, M. D., of Watsontown;
umberland County, Penn. Our subject was born February 22, 1841, worked on the fann.
of age, when he was married; then
years
and taught school until he was twenty-nine
removed to the farm on which he now lives, and which his wife inherited from her
father's estate. On January 14, 1869, he was married to Miss Susan, daughter of Samuel
and Mary Lerch, of Lewis Township, Northumberland County. She was l)orn February
To this union eight children have been born, one dying in infancy. The others
31, 1842.
are all living with their parents. They are Edmond L., Mary A., Olive F., Theophilus
M., Jennie Ray, Paul and Elma Pearl. Mr. Clapp has always been a farmer, and deals
considerably in' stock. He has held nearly all the offices in the township, and is now
school director and assessor. He and his wife are members of Paradise Reformed Church,
recently elected an elder. In politics he is Demoi)f which he has been deacon, and was
"cratic, and takes an active part in the affairs of the township, county and State.
GEORGE WASHINGTON DERR, farmer, P. O. Limestoneville, was born in MoreJand Township, Lycoming County, April 31, 1829, son of Christopher and Mary (Opp)
He was reared in his native county, and was married January 38, 1858, to Miss
Derr.
Martha, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Hayes. Her father is deceased but her mother
After their marriage they removed to where" Mr.r Derr now
Btill resides near Danville.
They had one child, Martha, wife of S. F.
lives, and there his wife died June 37, 1859.
Ricketts, of Danville. Mr. Derr was again married February 15, 1866, to Miss Rebecca
L. Schuyler, widow of Dr. Wm. B. Schuyler, who had one son by her first marriage, RosMr. Derr is a member of the Turbotville Baptist Church; he has been county
•coe C.
commissioner three years. He owns seventy-seven acres of laud, and has made all his own
;

;

improvements.

THOMAS M. DERR, farmer. P. O. Turbotville, was born in Moreland Township,
Lycoming County, August 31, 1831, son of Christopher and Mary (Opp) Derr. Christopher Derr, father of Thomas M., was born in what is now Anthony Township, ColumChristopher was married
bia County, and his father died when Christopher was a boy.
in Lycoming County to Mary Opp, and they were the parents of ten children: Hannah
"(deceased), Philip (deceased), John, Jane, Phoebe, George, Thomas M., Wilson, Franklin
Christopher and wife are both deceased and are buried at Moreland.
C. and Jacob.
Thomas M. was reared in Moreland, followed lumbering until he was thirty-one years of
age and then began farming for himself. In 1863 he came to his present location, where
he bought 135 acres of land from Barton Runyon. He now has 115 acres of good farm
Mr. Derr was married September 35, 1863, to Eflie A., daughter of Lewis and Elizland.
abeth (Brass) Schuyler. They are the parents of five children: Mary Elizabeth, Hannah
D., Ida Estella, Lewis Christopher (deceased), and Effle (deceased).
JAMES WILSON DERR, farmer, P. O. Limestoneville, was born in Moreland TownHe
ship, Lycoming County, August 16, 1834, son of Christopher and Mary (Opp) Derr.
was reared in his native township, and there resided until his twenty-fourth year. He
spent his early life on a farm, and, when nineteen years of age, went to complete the
trade of carpenter. In 1853 he paid his first visit to the locality where he now^ resides.
He was married, December 30, 1858, to Miss Sarah Ann, daughter of John and Sophia
Schuyler. After their marriage they resided for a time with tlieir brother, living there
eight years, working at his trade, which he followed until the fall of 1865. In 1861 he
bought a lot of eleven acres, and to this he has since added, until he now has 330 acres of
He located on his presland, nearly all of which he has accumulated by his own efforts.
ent home place in 1866, in which year he put up his present substantial improvements,
costing him over $7,000. His farm is among the finest in this region of country. Mr. and
Mrs. Derr are the parents of three children: Calvin W., born September 1, 1868, educated
at Limestoneville Academy, teaching in Limestone Township; Eva J., born December 3,
They have reared
1871; Schuyler C, born October 29, 1860, and died March 37, 1866.
two girls: Mary E. Jarrett, married to William E. Derr, lived with them twenty-one years;
Maggie C. Hayes lived with them sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Derr and children are
members of the Baptist Church.
D. ELLIS, farmer, P O. Turbotville, waa born in what is now Anthony Township,Montour Countv, June 14, 1836, son of William and Sarah (Murray) Ellis. His grandfather, Stephen Ellis, immigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, in or about 1770, and
Cunningham, in what is now Anthony Township,
wife, Mary
settled with his
Montour County, and made farming his business. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were parents
of their lives near where they first settled.
remainder
of twelve children, and spent the
They bequeathed some money toward founding the Episcopal Church at Exchange, at
which place they were buried. William, their second son, was born May 8, 1800, and

JOHN

.

:

LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP.

207

in 1833 married Sarah Murrey of Lewis Township, Northumberland County, and they
then bought and settled on a tract of land in what is now Madison Township, Columbia
County, where Mr. Ellis cleared up the most of his farm, which was timber land, followed agricultural pursuits and became owner of several farms in the adjoining counties.
He was a member of the Episcopal Cluirch at Exchange, at which place he was buried;
Mrs. Ellis yet survives. They were the parents of three children: Andrew, John D., and
Stephen M. John D. was reared in his native township where he remained until he was
thirty-six years of age, and in 1872 came to Limestone Township. He was married!May 10,
1869, to Miss Uranna Lichard, born July 4, 1826, daughter of George and Rebecca (Dewalt)
Lichard.both of whom resided in Lycoming County, about two miles from Moreland Mills.
Tor three years after their marriage they remained in Anthony Township, when they removed to their present location in Limestone Township.where he bought tifty-seven acres,
being the old Abraham Walter place on the Wilkesbarre Railroad. He now has 312 acres of
his own, and an interest with his brother, Stephen M., in some timber lands. He made his
own improvements on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are the parents of four chilMr. and Mrs.
dren: Ida, married to Edward Menges; Franklin, Ella May and Roscoe.
Mr. Ellis has for six years
Ellis are members of the Episcopal Church at Exchange.
been director of schools at Limestone Township; he was elected justice of the peace
James Lichard, grandfather of Mrs. Uranna Ellis, was of English origin,
in 1886.
and settled in Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming County; he married Catharine Shires,
and they were parents of nine children. George, their third son, was married to Miss
Rebecca Dewatt; thev were parents of six children.
DANIEL F. GOUGER, farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, was born in Limestone Township, Montour County, August 26, 1832, son of John and Mary (Bower) Gouger. John
William Gouger, grandfather of Daniel F., was born in Berks County, Penn., and from
there came to what is now Montour County about 1806. He was married before coming
here to Miss Elizabeth Fulmer, and they settled near Limestoneville, near the Limestone
Run schoolhouse. There they bought about 200 acres of land. Both died while living in
this county and are buried at the Fulmer Church. Their children were as follows: George;
William; Nicholas; Jacob; Benjamin; John, father of our subject, and Daniel. John
Gouger was born in 1798, in Berks County, and was about fourteen years of age when his
parents came to Montour County. He married Mary Bower, and died December 1, 1880; his
widow survived him until August 14, 1882; they are buried at Fulmer Church. They
were the parents of the following named children: Catharine, Elizabeth, William, Mary,
Daniel F. Gouger, subject of this sketch, made his
Caroline, Susannah and Daniel F.
home with his parents for sixteen years after his marriage, and then removed to his present location. He was married October 3, 18.5.J, to Miss Ursula, daughter of Col. Joseph
and Adaline (Cole) Dean. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, and was the only son
of Thomas Dean, who was born in Ireland. His mother was a member of the Cole famMrs. Gouger's
ily, who were early settlers in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County.
father died about 1869 at the age of about eighty years; her mother died on the 3d of
July, 1845, at the age of forty-two; they are buried at the Dean family cemetery. Col. Dean
was a colonel in the war of 1812 and engaged in the Black Rock campaign. Mr. Gouger
Mr.
is a member of the Lutheran Church, and Mrs. Gouger of the Presbyterian Church.
Gouger has held several local offices, but has not been a seeker for official position. In
He has 113 cres in his home farm and sixty acres in another
politics he is a Democrat.
farm. He is engaged in farming and stock raising
retired,
P. O. Limestoneville, is, on his father's side, of Irish exJOSEPH GIBSON,
traction, his great-grandfather having immigrated from Ireland. His grandfather, a surveyor, in an early day located in Philadelphia, afterward removing to Berks County, where
he died, and where his son Henry, father of our subject, was born in April, 1778; he died in
Liberty Township, this county, in November, 1860, aged eighty-two years and eight
months. He learned the trade of shoemaking, but a few years after his marriage abandoned it, and bought the farm on which he died. He subsequently bought an adjoining
farm in the same township, and owned both at the time of his death. He was three times
married. His first wife, Catharine Burkey, mother of the subject of this sketch, who was
her first child, died when he was a boy, leaving nine children, six now deceased, viz.
Those surviving are Elizabeth,
Henry, Catharine, Mary, John. William and David.
widow of Thomas Hopper, iu Newark, N. J.; Jacob, in Milton, Penn., and Joseph, who
When
seventeen
years of age our subject
August
1804.
on
21,
was born in Berks County,
began learning the trade of blacksmith in Milton, Penn., at which he worked until the
time of his father's death; he then turned his attention to droving, which he some years
He is now living in Limestoneville, on a place which he
after gave up, and retired.
owned before his father's death. November 2.5, 1830, he was married to Julia Ann WithTheir four children are all now living, viz.:
ington, who was born November 21, 1810.
Charles, in Liberty Township, this county; Theodore, in the State of Indiana; Caroline,
with her parents, and Henry W. Gibson, who has a machine shop in Limestoneville, this
county, is married to Jane Slieetz and has two children: Bertha and Joseph; at the breaking out of the late war he went to Philadelphia, where he worked at gun making for three

208

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and then to several other places, and after an absence of over seven years, returned
toLimestoneville, and bought the business he now conducts.
Mr. Gibson is the oldest,
man in the township, and has held the office of justice of the peace in this township for
twenty consecutive years, before that beingeonst;ible for nine years. He and his wife are
members of the Roman Catholic; Church in Milton.
WILLIAM GRITTNER, dealer in furniture and sewing machines, and undertaker,
P. O. Turbotville, Northumberland County, was born in Lycoming County, Penn., March
san of Edward and Catharine (Kettenbach) Grittner.
1858,
Edward Grittner, father
6,
of our subject, was a native of Prussia, came in 1852 to America and located at New York,
where he followed the trade of cabinet-maker, which he had commenced learning in the old
country at the age of fourteen years. He resided in New York about three years, thence
years,

removed

to Lycoming Count3^ where he lived until 1871, when he came to Limestone
Township, this county, and here he now resides, and has a farm of fifty-six acres.
He
was married in New York to Miss Catharine Kettenbach, also a native of Prussia, wbo>
came to America on the same ship as Mr. Grittner. They were the parents of five children, of whom four are living: Anna Louisa, wife of Charles Vandine, live near Lairdsville, Penn.; George William; Julia Ann, wife of J. W. Ervin, in Limestone Township, thiscounty; and Hannah Bessie. Tlie deceased was an infant.
Our sul)ject spent his early
life with his father in the shop in which he made furniture by hand, and in 1876 com*
menced house painting, which he followed two years; then worked at home for a time,
after which he made brushes, selling them on the road for about one year; worked also ati
McEwensville. and Watsontown at his trade.
In the spring of 1881 he commenced his
present business, with the exception of undertaking, which line he adopted in the following year, adding also the New Home sewing machine, in the spring of 1885.
In May of
that year he put up his present commodious building; lie also owns a house and lot of two
acres, situated close to his undertaking and furniture establishment, and for which he paid:
Mr. Grittner was married November 4, 1884, to Miss Anna C., daughter of Daniel
1600.
and Sarah A. Bender Menges, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Grittner are the parents of
two children, Charles Oscar, born October 11, 1885, and Edward Lawrence, born December
They are members of the Zion Lutheran Church at Turbotville. Mr. Grittner is
9, 1886.
an auditor of Limestone Township.
DANIEL W. RANK, attorney, P. O. Limestoneville, is a descendant of Philip
Rank, who was a resident of Earl Township, Lancaster Co., Penn.,]early in the last century, and whose parents came from Alsace in 1728. The next in line "of descent was Philip
Adam Rank, to whom, by an old writing, now in the possession of our subject, he sold
some land in the same township in 1770. Philip Adam's son was Adam. In 1790 be
removed to a farm whicli he bought in what is now Union County; here he died. His
son Daniel was the grandfather of Daniel W. He was born and lived and died in Uniors
County, Penn. He was born in 1789, and died in 1854. He was a farmer and blacksmith.
His wife was Catharine Heckel, who died some years before her husband; he marriefl
again after her decease. The children, who were all of the first marriage, were, DanieS.
who died in Union County, Penn.; Andrew H., living in Centreville, Ind.; Hiram, who
died in infancy; Lambert, died at "White Deer Mill," Union Co., Penn., December,
1886; Mary, wife of William Chamberlain, and Catharine, wife of Martin Mackey, both,
of whom died in Union County, Penn.; the orher child was Joseph S., who was the oldest
of the family, and was born December 20, 1807.
He is now living, and has always been a
farmer. He was married, December 30, 1830, to Catharine McGinness, of Union County.
Penn. In April, 1836, he removed to this township to a farm, on a part of which he now
lives.
His wife died December 31, 1879. They had six children, viz. James C, a farmer,,
in Fillmore County, Minn.: .John M., who died in Central City, Col.; Daniel W. Hiram
William, who died in infancy; Henry Clay, who died unmarried; Elizabeth Catharine,
living at_ home. Our subject was born February 16. 1835, in Union County, Penn., and
until 1855 he worked on the farm, and in that year began reading law in the office of
Robert Hawley, in Muucy, Penn., and was admitted April 24, 1859, at Williamsport.
From there he went to Millersbnrg, Dauphin Co., Penn, where he was again admitted and
practiced there until August 31, 1861, when he enlisted in Company 1d, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry; on October 9 he was made sergeant; on November 18 was promoted tosergeant-major, and on June 11, 1864, by order ot Secretary of War was mustered back to
July 1, 1863, as first lieutenant of Company M, same regiment. On August 31, 1864, be
was made acting assistant adjutant-general for tlie detachment First Brigade, Second
Cavalry Division, then at Columbia. Tenn., and was subsequently appointed to the command of the detachment Do guard Sherman's line of transportation. He remained in this
duty until December 16. 1864, when he was mustered out on account of ill health, not
accepting a commission as captain which had been sent him. On his return he remained at home, unable to engage in any occupation until the beginning of 1872, whcH
he went to Scranton, Penn., practicing there for ten years, during which time he was
commissioned by Gov. Hartranft district attorney of the mayor's court, the only commission issued by a governor which had to be connrmed by the Senate.
In 1882 he returne<^
to his former home in Limestone, and in the fall of 1884 was elected district attorney of
:

;

LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP.

209

Montour County for three j-ears; he is also practicing law in Danville. On Maj' 12, 1875,
he was married to Mary Catharine, daughter of Robert H. McKune, formerly mayor of
Scranton. Penn. She was born January 11, 1846, and died July 18, 1881. To' this union
two children were born, both of whom'died in infancy. Mr. Rank now divides hi? time
between the practice of his profession, his duties as district attorney, and attending to
his farm, where he makes his home for the sake of his health. He is a Republican.
LEWIS SCHUYLER, farmer, P. O. Turbotville, was born December 5, 1808. in Madison Township, Columbia Count5^ son of Adam and Eve (Sanders) Schuyler. When a
boy of seven years Lewis removed to Lewis Township, Northumberland County, where he
was reared to manhood, and January 19, 1836, married Miss Elizabetli Brass, a native of
Mahoning Township. Montour County, and daughter of Lucas and Elizabeth Brass, both
deceased. The former is buried at Danville, the latter at Montoursville. After their
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler lived in Northumberland County until the spring of 1854,
when he bought 69 acres where he now resides; to this he has added until he now has 133
acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler are the parents of six children: Mary, wife of Charles
Romig, Dewart. Penn.; Effie Ann, wife of Thomas M. Derr, lives in Limestone Township;
Lucas B., married to Ada S. Russell, Lock Haven; John S., married to Samantha Allen,
lives in Lock Haven; Drucilla. wife of A. D. Hower, lawyer, lives in Muncy; William H.,
bookkeeper, married Clara Smith, lives at Hughesville. "Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler are members of the Baptist Church, of which he has been deacon over thirty years; he has been
overseer of the poor, judge and inspector of elections, etc. At the golden anniversary of
Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler, which occurred January 19, 1886, a great man}^ people were present
who were present at the wedding, and 181 sat down to dinner. For twenty-flve years Mr.
Schuyler worked at the carpenter trade; he put up his own house and all other improvements,
and has erected a great many buildings throughout the surrounding country. His two oldest sons. Lucas B. and John S., served throughout the civil war in the Union Army, the
former in the Seventy-lifth Illinois Infantry and the latter in the Seventh P. V. V. Cavalry.
In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Schuyler was the first man in Montour County
to give the right of way for the Wilkesbarre & Western Railway that crosses his farm,
which road was built in the year 1886. A station within a mile of his place is called
" Schuyler."

THO]\IAS

SCHUYLER

B.
was born in Lewis Township, Northumberland County,
1834. son of John and Sophia (Brass) Schuyler.
Lewis Schuyler, great-grandfather of Thomas B., was born in Germany in 1748. and came to America in 1751 with his
parents. They settled in Germantown, now West Philadelphia.
His parents died when
our subject was twelve years old, and he was bound out to John Fochner until he was
eighteen years of age. and served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker trade. He married
Keziah Horned in* 1781, and lived in
Jersey until 1794. He then came to Pennsylvania and located south of Jerseytown, in what is now Columbia County, where he resided
five years, then moved north of Jerseytown, where he resided until his death, October 1,
1837, at the age of eighty-nine years.
He was the father of eleven children: Adam, Will-

February

5,

New

iam, John, Mary, Samuel. Hannah, Elizabeth. Lewis. Henry, Sarah and Jacob.
Adam
Schuyler, grandfather of Thomas B., was born in New Jersey, from there removed to
what is now Columbia County, near Jerseytown, there was reared and married to Eve
Sanders. He died in December, 1858; his widow survived him a number of years, having
died about 1871. They are buried at Turbotville. They were the parents of ten children:
Mary (deceased), John (deceased), Lewis, Jacob, William, Sarah Ann, Keziah, EfEe, Adam,
and Henry (deceased). John Schuyler, father of Thomas B., was born December 6. 1806,
in Madison Township, Columbia County, and was married to Sophia Brass December 24,
1829.
The former died April 5. 1885, his wife having preceded him in death, dying April
They are buried at Turbotville. They were the parents of ten children: Eliza15, 1884.
William.
beth,
Thomas B.. Sarah Ann. John, Jackson, Adam (died at Nashville while in
the service). Lewis, Sophia and Eve C. Thomas B. Schuyler, subject of this sketch,
spent his early life in his native township, and made his home with his parents until 1859,
when he was married, December 29, to Sarah A., daughter of Peter and Catharine
(Ernest) Leidy. The Leidy family were originally from New Jersey, but her parents were
born and reared in Columbia County, near Buckhorn. Her father died October 30, 1878,
at the age of seventy-six years; her mother died in July, 1865. They are buried at the
Derry Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler were the parents of three children:
Flora (born January 10, 1860, died June 27,1884), was the wife of Charles F. Fulmer, and
they were the pareuts of one child, Lola; Ellsworth, born September 23, 1861, accidentally
shot himself in January, 1883, and William, born June 4, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler
are members of the Baptist Church at Turbotville.
He has held the office of school
director one term.
The old Schuyler farm, consisting of 162 acres, lies in Limestone

Township, Montour County, and in Lewis Township, Northumberland County. The house
in which Mr. Schuyler lives was built in 1802 by Abraham Walter, who had bought the
land on which it stands from Jacob Fulmer, who was one of the brothers who were early
settlers here, and who located on the place in 1778. Mr. Schuyler is an undertaker as were
also his father and grandfather; he has made that his business for many years; is a memI2A

BiOGEArnicAL sketches:

210

ber of the Undertakers' Association of Montour, Snyder and Northumberland Counties.
He followed carpenter work in his early life, and only of late years has been a farmer.
His father and grandfather were also carpenters.
JAMES K. SHELL, farmer, P. O. Limesloneville, is a great-grandson of Jacob Shell,
who emigrated from Germany about the middle of the last century, and was one of the pioneers who located near AUentown, Penn., wheie his son Jacob, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born, and where he died at the age of nearly eighty years.
His son John, father of James K., was born there in 1793, and died in 1864, aged seventytwo years. He was a farmer all ids lifetime. In 1833 he bought a farm near Turbotville,
Northumberland Co., Penn., on which he lived until his death, as stated above. He was
a plain man of religious habits, never taking much part in politics. His wife was Elizabeth
Kamerer; she died twelve years before her husband, aged about sixty years. They had
twelve children, of whom four are deceased, viz.: Reuben and Amanda, who died in Lewis
Township; Sarah, died at Watsontown; and Charles, who went to Nebraska, where he
The survivors are Jonas, in Delaware Township, Northumberland County, Mary,
died.
widow of Jacob Stahl (who was killed in the Union Army), living with her brother, James
K. Jacob, in Anthony Township; Lydia, widow of Enoch Bennett, of Turbotville; John,
in Lewis Township, Northumberland County, on the old homestead; Nathan, in TurbotOur subject was born February 15, 1825, while his
ville, and James K., the fourth son.
parents were living in Pennsboro, Montgomery Co., Penn., he was eight years old when
they came to Northumberland County, and lived with them until he was twenty-three. He
then went to Centre County and worked at his trade of mason for three years, when in the
fall of 1851 he removed to the farm where he now lives, which subsequently became his
wife's.
May 20, 1853, he was married to Mary Ellen Shurtz, who was born, lived and
died on this place. (She died February 1, 1885; she was the daughter of Col. Jacob
Shurtz, who had lived on the same farm since he was two years old. He was one of the
best and most prominent citizens of the town, and had served in the war of 1812, commanding a company near Easton, and also served at Black Rock). They had two children: James S., living on a farm adjoining, owned by his father, and Mary M.-, who died
For about twenty years Mr. Shell has filled the offices of school director and
in infancy.
overseer of the poor. He is a Democrat in politics.
D. WEIDENHAMER, tanner and farmer, P. O. Limestoneville.
The great-grandfather of our subject came from Germany many years ago and settled in
Maiden Creek Township, Berks County, where his son, John Adam, grandfather of the
subject of tills sketch, was born, and where he died. His wife was Elizabeth Dunkel
who died before her husband. This couple had eight children, all born in Maiden Creek
Township, Berks Co., Penn. Their names are Maria, Susannah, George, John, Benjamin
and Jacob, deceased, and Elizabeth and Anna, now living. The father of our subject,
Jacob Weidenhamer, was born in 1797 and died in 1863. In 1837 he bought a farm in this
township to which he moved and on whicii he lived until his death. He was a man of
religious convictions, a member of the Lutheran Church, and was especially noted for his
strict adherence to truth on all occasions. A good manager, he accumulated a fine propertj%
and was well off at the time of his death. In 1825 he was married to Susannah Dreibelbis, of Berks County, Penn., who is now living in Derry Township, this coimty, and is in
her eighty-fourth year. To this union six children were born: W. D. William, near
Milton, Penn.; Daniel, also in Milton; John A., living in Watsontown, Penn.; Sarah A.,
deceased wife of Jacob Sheetz, of Snyder County, Penn., and Mary Elizabeth, wife
of Emanuel Monser, of Derry Township, this county. Our subject was born September 3, 1826, and was ten years of age when his parents came to this county.
Until he Avas about twenty-three he worked on the farm, and then he and his father
together bought a mercantile business in Limestoneville, which they carried on for five
years, when our subject left it and rented his father's farm for three years; then in 1857
he purchased the tannery which he has ever since conducted together with a small farm
which he bought at the same time, to which he has added some of the old homestead
adjoining. In 1851 he was married to Miss Susan A., daughter of John S. Follmer, of this
township, and born September 4, 1830. They have had nine children: Henry Muhlenberg, George W. and Ella May, deceased, and Mary A., married to J. H. Cruzen, of Lancaster City; James B., married to Maggie A. Smith, in Hall's, Lycoming County; Jacob
W., married to Lizzie E. Engle, in this township; and Annie S., Maggie L. and Sarah
Caroline, who make their home with their parents. In 1856 Mr. Weidenhamer was
elected justice of the peace, and, with the exception of one term, has held the position
continuously ever .since. During this time he has also been county auditor, besides holding many township offices. He has also been a surveyor at which he has worked considerably of late years. Mr. Weidenhamer and wife are members of the Lutheran
Church in which for many years he has been a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat of
the JefEersonian school. He represented his district several times in the Democratic State
Convention of his own State, and a number of times in the county convention of Montour
County. He also served on several occasions as grand and petit juryman in the United
States District and Circuit Courts held at Williamsport, Penn.
;

WELLmGTON

;

,

MAHONING TOWNSHIP.

211

CHAPTER XX.
MAHONING TOWNSHIP.
JACOB AND THOMAS COLE,

owners of the iron ore mines, farmers and stock-

s^rowers, P. O. Danville, are descended from German and English ancestors, who came to
America and settled in Pennsylvania in an early day. The mines are located in Mahoning
Township on the farm owned by our subjects. Jacob was born in that township, SepThey are the sons of
tember 13, 1819. and there also Thomas was born May 22, 1823.

Thomas and Mary A. (Faust) Cole, were reared on the farm and made agriculture
their business.
In 1873 they opened the ore mines on the farm. Thomas has been director
He started in life with 50
of the poor and school director of Mahoning Township.
cents.
The brothers are members of the German Reformed Church, and their success is
due to their industry and strict attention to business.
P. DIEHL, farmer and fruit grower, residing near Danville, was born
September 17, 1824, in Mahoning Township, Montour County, son of Christian and Magdalene Diehl, whose maiden name was Sechler, and who was a native of Mahoning TownPeter Diehl, the father of Christian, was born in Berks County,
ship, Montour County.
near Reading, Penn., and at the age of two and a half years was captured by the
Indians and brought to their village, which he in after life located as the Indian village at
the mouth of Mahoning Creek, where he suffered untold hardships for a time from his
captor, who had firmly decided to punish him with the full measure of Indian torture,
until death would end his miserable life, and at one time he seized him by the
limbs to dash out his brains against a tree.when through the kindly intercession of an aged
squaw he was redeemed in exchange for a small copper kettle. With this woman he
afterward lived to the end of his captivity, and enjoyed life pleasantly, and so attached
did he become to his dusky foster mother, that when he was returned after seven and a
half years of captivity, it was almost an impossibility to restrain him from running away
from his former home, where it took the constant care of his elder brother and sister
When
to watch him from running away to rejoin his dusky friends, the Delawares.
ten years of age he again returned to the home of his birth, where he lived to the age of
manhood, when he married an estimable woman by the name of Molie Foust. He again
sought the wilds of Mahoning Township, and located a place near his Indian home, on
The subject of this historical
the place now occupied by his grandson, Peter Diehl.
sketch, D. P. Diehl, was reared upon the farm and was a faithful attendant of the county
schools, and for a time of the Danville Academy, and of several other higher schools in
From straitened circumstances he learned a trade, which afforded
the neighborhood.
him the means to obtain a reasonable education by working at the carpenter trade in the
summer and attending school in the winter, received from the toils of his employment.
In 1870 he bought a small place within sight of Danville, which was planted and furnished
with good fruit of various kinds of apples, pears and peaches, and a variety of small fruit
His health, which had become
such as currants, grapes, raspberries and strawberries.
impaired in the toils of the trade he followed, was again renewed in the healthful exercise
which the pleasure and toils of the occupation afforded him

DAVID

•

Where frequent vines, fine as could be
On stakes or trellis tall and free.
large and flush
Tinged with a fair and tender blush;
Grapes, dark and red and light they grew,
And childish steps their places knew,
And tender feet oft wandered there
Where bunches hung, full, large and fair.
And now and then a missing space
Showed from a full, now vacant place,
Yet childish voices silent hung
Where the thrush and robin sung
Joyful notes from the arbored vine;
Here where the fruit was large and fine.
Where cherries by the wayside grew
And thievish birds their places knew.

With bunches perfect,

^

In 1881
Such was the experience of the subject at his first efforts at fruit growing.
Mr. Diehl bought the farm on whicli the Odd Fellows' cemetery is located, .and for ita

;

!

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

212

be but few better farms in Montour County. Here our subject devoted
in fruit growing, general farming,
and raising
his home
Politically he is a Prohisome market gardening in which he delights and enjoys.
On December
bitionist, and was once nominated by that party for the Legislature.
married Susan, daughter of Charles Gearhart, and who died in
a2', 1853, Mr. Diehl
1855; on January 8, 1858. he was married to his second wife, Mary C. Caldwell, who
bore her husband two children: William E. and Benjamin. The second Mrs. Diehl died
September 13, 1860, and our subject subsequently married Emily Runyan, and by her
has two children: Herbert I. and Emma. Mr. Diehl, since he has become a farmer has
taken an active part in everything which is intended to promote this industry, and
from the interest and delight he takes in his present vocation it makes him not only a successful farmer,but one of the promoters of the cause of agriculture, and which now places
him in prominent place in the history of the Montour County Agricultural Society,
its waning star having almost set in the recollection of the past; but, through the writings
and influence of a few, its prospect has become far more hopeful and encouraging.
He is now filling one of the important offices in trust of the society in which much
duty has devolved on him, Mr. Diehl has a taste inclined to the beautiful and attached
fondness to his home which is described by him in the following poem:
size, there

himself

may

to beautifying

ask not for great riches,
But love a pleasant place
Where the broad landscape stretches
In undulating space.

I

home forme
Where air is pure and sweet,
And the water's gushing free
Where rills together meet.
Let this be a

Why

crave for silver or gold,

When from their hoard we

see
Vile scenes of the darkest mold.

Where peace and joy should

be.

Sweet home, that welcome domain.

Where happiness may dwell,
And true love and friendship reign
And tears their sorrows tell
No glory from the battle-field,
Where hostile armies meet;
Where frail life to death must

yield

In the red carnage heat.

peace unite each bond,
join each sacred tie
With kind words and greetings fond,
Where true affections lie.

But

let

And

No

praise from a nation's tongue
Can sound the name so well.
As when the first praises rung
Which the home voices swell.

Where

love and kind wishes reigned.
each childish breast
more joy than treasure gained.

And

filled

With
Or fading honors

SAMUEL MORRISON,

blest.

D. P. D.

retired farmer, Danville, was born November 3, 1821, a son
He was born and reared on the farm where
of Edward and Elizabeth (Sechler) Mori-ison.
he now resides and which has been in the possession of the Sechlei and Morrison families
Jersey, of Scotch origin (whose mother,
over 100 years. His father was a native of
Sarah Lucas, was a Quakeress of English, origin), a farmer, and a soldier in the war of
1812.
He died in 1868 aged seventy-six years, and had come to Montour County when
twelve years old. His wife was a native of Mahoning Township and of German origin.
Her father, Joseph Sechler was an early settler of Danville, having come here when
it was only a small village and purchased 600 hundred acres east of Danville at two
shillings and sixpence per acre.
Samuel Morrison is the fifth in a family of nine children
was reared on the farm, and from his youth up engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was
educated at home, his father paying a teacher for the purpose. His farm is a beautiful one,
well improved, and most of his money has been made by dealing in stock and selling milk.
In 1852 he married Hannah, daughter of Daniel Mourer, a farmer and of German origin.

New

.

213

MAHONING TOWNSHIP.

Mrs. Morrison died in June, 1885, a member of the Lutheran Church and the mother of the
following children: James, married; Anna.wife of Jonathan Rudy, and Wooward. Mr.
Morrison is a member of the Episcopal Church; politically a Democrat, and has held
several township offices.

HARMON S. MORRISON, farmer and stock grower. P. O. Danville, was born in
Mahoning Township, September 12, 1827, a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Sechler) MorHis father, a native of New Jersey,
rison, the latter a native of Mahoning Township.
was born September 19, 1791, and at the age of twelve years came to Mahoning Township,
and by occupation was a farmer and cooper. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and
Harmon S. is [the sixth in a family of nine children, was
his death occurred in 1868.
reared in his native township on the farm, and attended the common schools. At the
age of eighteen he began to learn the mason's trade, at which he served a three years'
apprenticeship, and made the trade his occupation for twenty years, engaging also in
farming. In 1870 he was appointed foreman of the construction of the brick and stone
works at the State asylum near Danville, which position he yet holds, and also superintends his farm which "is situated near by. In 1850 he married Martha Ickes, of GermanIrish origin, and a daughter of Michael tckes, of Snyder County, Penn., and they became
the parents of four children: Margaret, John, Eugene and William. John having lost his
wife lives with his father with two children (twins): Walter and Harmon S. Mrs. MorShe was a Christian woman
rison's death occurred February 7, 1887, aged fifty-eight years.
being a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Morrison and all the children lare members
He is a member of the Masonic fraterof the Lutheran Church, in which he is an elder.
nity and a member of order of: P. of H., and politically is a Republican. Edward Morrison, the grandfather of our subject, and Sarah Lucas, his wife (the latter a Quakeress),
were born in the same year, 1753, were married in 1775 and lived in the State of New
Jersey where all their children (three sons: William, John and Edward, and two daughThe maternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph
ters, Anna and Sarah) were born.

Sechler, and his wife, Elizabeth, whose maiden name was Stump, came from Montgomery
County, Penn., over 100 years ago to the town of Northumberland. When Danville was yet
a small village in Northumberland County they moved to the latter place and purchased
600 acres of land east of the town— Bloom road being the northern boundary of the place
for two miles out of town— at two shillings and sixpence per acre. Their children have lived
Mr. Morrison's farm is apart of this
to see some of this original land sold at $225 per acre.
Other small parts of it are yet in the hands of the great-grandchiloriginal purchase.
dren.
farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in CJolumbia County, Penn.,
JACOB
October 18, 1816, a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Smith) Mowery, natives of Berks
Co. and of German origin. His father came to Columbia in an early day; settled in the
woods, cleared a farm, and passed the remainder of his life there. Jacob is the youngest
in a family of three children was reared on the farm and attended the schools of ColumHe has made farming his principal occupation, and is one of the most sucbia County.
In early life he
cessful agriculturists in the county where he has resided for many years.
learned the shoemaker's trade, and worked at it for fourteen years. He married, in 1833,
Mary E., daughter of John Richards. She is of German origin, and has borne her husband the following named children: Rebecca J. (deceased); Harvey S. F. Adella, wife of
John P. Weaver, a school-teacher, and John R., who was the eldest son, was a soldier in
the late war, enlisting when only seventeen years of age, and was killed at the battle of
Winchester. Mr. and Mrs. Mowery are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
which he has been a steward and class leader. Politically he is a Republican.
W. RISHEL, farmer and stock grower, P. O. Danville, was born within half
a mile of where he now resides, in Mahoning 'Township, July 24, 1825, a son of Solomon
and Sarah (Harpine) Rishel. His mother was born in Berks County, Penn. His father
was a native of Mahoning Township, born in 1799, a son of Martin Rishel, who was a soldier
in the Revolution and came to this township soon after the close of that struggle. He took up
Government land, about 200 acres, cleared a farm and here passed the remaindej- of his
The farm is still in possession of the family, the deed for a part of it at present
life.
The family have generally been farmers. George W.
l)eing the property of George W.
was reared on the farm and educated in the subscription schools in his native township.
From his youth he has been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and owns two
well improved farms in Montour County, and three houses and lots in town. He married,
The children
in 1847, Susannah, daughter of Hugh Cousart, of English and Irish origin.
of Mr. and Mrs. Rishel are as follows: Peter, married and a farmer; Sarah J., wife of
Alfred Topson, a farmer; James C. married and a house plasterer by trade; William E.,
married; Elizabeth A., wife of M. L. Leighow, railroad manager; H. C, a farmer and
dairyman; George W., a farmer; Charles H.; Arthur F. and Ella'Virginia (deceased). Mr.
and "Mrs. Rishel are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a
Mr. Rishel's maternal
clnss leader, steward, trustee and Sabbath-school superintendent.
grandfather, David Harpine, was a colonel in the Revolution. Politically our subject is
a Republican.

MOWERY,

;

;

GEORGE

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

214

ANDREW

P.

was born

in

ROTH, superintendent of the Dairy and State Asylum Farm, DanColumbia County, Penn., August 21, 1841, a son of Lewis aud Margaret
(Palmer) Roth, natives of Northampton County, Penn. His father was a farmer and
died March 30, 1883, having been a resident of Columbia County since 1839. Andrew P.
was the second in a family of five children, was reared on the farm and educated in the
common schools of Catawissa, and on arriving at manhood made the dairy business and
farming his occupation. In 1866 he was appointed superintendent of the poorhouse of
Mahonmg and Danville, which position he held until 1872. He was then appointed superintendent of the farm and dairy of the State asylum, which position he still retains. In
1863 he married Hannah, a daughter of Charles Barnd, and of German origin. Their children are Lewis, Tamar, Margaret, Ellen, Hannah Elizabeth, William P. and Lulu. Mr.
and Mrs. Roth are members of the Reformed Church, in which he is a deacon. In politics he is a Republican.
EDWARD WHITE, farmer and fruit grower, P. O. Danville, was born in Valley
Township, Montour Co., Penn., March 16, 1825, a son of Hugh and Eleanore (Kelley)
White, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English and Irish origin. His father was a
natural mechanic, and for many years', worked on railroad and canal as contractor. Edward received a common-school education, and in early life learned the mason's trade,
which he followed principally until 1850, when he embarked in farming, which he has
He is the owner of a well improved farm, consisting of eighty acres,
since followed.
where he resides. In 1852 he married Magdalena, daughter of Christian Mou.ser. Her
parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. To Mr. and Mrs. White
were born the following children: Leslie H., Idella, Edward L. and John P. Mrs. White
died in 1886, a consistent member of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. White is a Republican, but never held ofl3ce. He has been school director for several terms, is inspector of elections and a member of the I. O. O. F.
JACOB WIREMAN, farmer and fruit grower, P. O. Danville, was born in Mahoning
Township, Montour Co., Penn., in 1818, a son of Jacob and Mary (Gogler) Wireman,
natives of Pennsylvania and of German and English origin. He is the youngest of a
family of seven children and was reared in Snyder County, whither his parents had moved
when he was a child. He attended the subscription schools, and, at an early age began to
work in the Reading railroad shops, where he remained three years. Subsequently he
He was
came to Danville and began to work in the iron ore mines for Grove Brothers.
soon appointed superintendent of the mines, which position he filled for twenty- five lyears.
In 1863 he bought his present farm, which he has improved and has a fine country resiHe
dence on the Bloomsburg road, Mahoning Township, where he and family reside.
married, in 1843, Reginia, daughter of Jacob Rishel. Her paternal and maternal ancestors
The children of Mr. and Mrs.
were among the early German settlers of Pennsylvania.
Wireman are Henry, who was a lieutenant in the light artillery in the late war; Mary,
wife of James Hendricksou; Libbie, wife of James C. Rishel, and Fannie, at home. Mr.
and Mrs. Wireman are members of the German Reformed Church, in which Mr. Wire
ville,

man

is

an

elder.

He is

a Republican, politically.

CHAPTER XXL
MAYBERRY TOWNSHIP.
VOUGHT,

farmer, P. O. Union Corner, Northumberland County, was born in
July 8, 1822, a son of John and Hannah (Metz) Vought,
natives of New Jersey, and of German descent. His ancestors came from Germany and
His father came to Montour
settled in New Jersey, where they lived until their death.
County in the early part of the present century, and settled where James, his son, now
lives.
He bought about 1,000 acres of rough land in Mayberry Township, which land is
all in the Vought name yet.
He lived and died on the place where he first located. He
was the father of eight children, six of whom are yet living: Anna, Valentine, Elizabeth,
Lena, E. H., and James. The father died in 18G9, aged eighty-four years, and the mother in
about 1875, aged eighty-eight years. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, and remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he moved to where he now resides. He at once commenced to improve his place, which was all timber. He cleared nearly
all of it, which required the labor of several years, and built a nice residence, good barn,
aud now has one of the best farms in Mayberry Township. He was married in 1841, to
E. H.

Mayberry Township,

this county,

215

VALLEY TOWNSHIP.

livLouisa, daughter of Samuel Gioul, and by her had ten children, nine of whom are now
ing:Anna, Mary J. Henrietta, wife of Adam Pensyl; Christian M. Sariah E.. wife of Arthur
Long; Margaret S., wife of Harvey Hartman, in Plymouth. Penn., Edward B Joseph H.;
Alonzo C. Mr. and Mrs. Vought are members of the Lutheran Church. He has been justice
of the peace, and held nearly all the township offices. In politics he is a Democrat.
;

;

;

CHAPTEK

XXII.

VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
JOHN BENFIELD, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Danville, was born in Columbia
County, Penn., February 5, 1832, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Wertman) Benheld.
several
natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. His father was engaged in
branches of business, among which were distilling, boating, milling and lumbering, and
was very successful. John is the second of three children, and spent his earlier years
with his parents on the farm in Valley Township. Here he was educated and has been
engaged in business, being a farmer, miller, dealer in and manufacturer of lumoei> and
has met with success in his ventures. He is the owner of 600 acres of land in ditterent
farms in Montour County, and 400 acres of woodland in Columbia County. He also owns
daughter of
the Benfield flour-mill in Valley Township. In 1855 he married Catherine,
Daniel and Sarah (Everett) Cromley, and of German descent. The children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Benfield are Catherine (wife of Robert Crosley, a farmer), Emma Jane, John
Clark and Thomas H. Mrs. Benfield is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mi\ Benfield
County. The judge
is a Democrat, and was recently elected associate judge of Montour
is a prominent citizen of Valley Township.
JOSEPH BRYANT, Danville, weigh-master for the Montour Iron & Steel Company,
of Samalso farmer in Valley Township, Montour Co., Penn., was born May 6, 1833, son
miner; he
uel and Hannah (Sperring) Bryant, natives of England. Samuel Bryant was a
went from England to Wales, and in 1837 came to Pottsville, Penn., where he worked in
was
the iron ore mines. Our subject attended school in Danville, Penn., and early in life
aoprenticed to learn the puddler's trade in the rolling-mill in Danville, which occupation
he followed until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, when he enlisted in the Fit ty1862 for
fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in Company E, and was discharged
After returning home and regaining his health, he accepted his present posidisability.
He was married, in 1856, to Lydia,
tion, and has since devoted most of his time to it.
daughter of Jacob Roup; she was born in Pennsylvania, and of German origin, Ihey
have five children now living: Charles M. (a miner), Henrietta, Alice, Martha, Sarah J.
In politics Mr. Bryant is a Republican.
(deceased).
D. R. P. CHILDS, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in the house where be now reAndrew and
sides, in Valley Township. Montour Co., Penn., October 16. 1838, son of
Margaret (Arnwine) Childs. The former was born in Northumberland County, Penn.
June 13, 1789, of parents John and Mary (Gregg) Childs, the former born in England aiu.
178.).
the latter in Ireland, and were married in Northumberland County. February 1,
They were farmers and came to Valley Township in 1795 and commenced to improve the
farm where Mr. Childs now resides. Mr. Child's father was a farmer, and spent nearly all
widow,
his life here in that occupation. He reared a large family and died in 1864. The
who was born in New Jersey, November 17, 1798, a daughter of Jacob Arnwine, a farmer,
Our subject's parents were married in Valley Township, October 24, 181o.
is still living.
This union was blessed with fifteen children, thirteen of them living to be grown, nine of
whom were sons. Twelve of the family are now living (1886). D. R. P. Childs was the
fourteenth in the family, was reared on the home farm, attending school in his native
township, and has always followed farming. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and
Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, served nine months and was discharged in 18bd on
account of ill health. In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN A. COOPER, miller, P. O. Danville, was born near Washingtonville, Montour
were
Co., Penn., August 15, 1859, son of Abraham and Jane (Laney) Cooper. They
natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish and German origin. Abraham Cooper was a farmer
being the
all his life; his family consisted of six children; he was twice married, J. A.
only child by his second marriage. Our subject attended the schools of Washingtonville
and remained on the farm with his parents until he went to learn the miller's trade, and
in due time became a miller, which has since been his business. He has met with success,

m

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

216

and now owns the Frosty mills in Valley Township. His mills were destroyed by fire in
He was married in 1884 to Miss Daisy, daughter
1883, and since then he has rebuilt them.
of Lafayette Faust, a native of Pennsylvania. They have one child, Vergia May. Mr.
Cooper is a Republican in politics.
JOSEPH CORELL. general merchant at Mausdale, P. O. Danville, was born in
Northampton County, Penn., August 12, 1818, a sen of George and Susannah (Schoch)
The grandfather came from
Corell, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent.
Germany; settled in Northampton County, Penn., and followed farming, which was also
the vocation of George Corell. Joseph is the fifth in a family of twelve children, and was
reared on the farm. In 1849 he came to Columbia County and followed agricultural pursuits. He served a regular apprenticeship at millwrighting, and worked at it for six years,
and again farmed for a time in Columbia County. In 1868 he embarked in the general
mercantile business at Bloomsburg, and subsequently moved to Mausdale, where he still
continues in business. In 1843 he married Elizabeth Heslett, who was of Scotch descent
and died infl870. Mr. Corell in 1884 married Rachel W. MuUin, daughter of John S. and
Catherine M. (Plush) Mullin, the mother of German and the father of Irish-German origin.
Mrs. Corell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but her husband affiliates
with the Reformed Church at Mausdale, in which he is an elder and was formerly superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Politically he is a Republican; is director of the poor
and treasurer of the board, and one of the representative citizens of Mausdale.
JAMES CURRY, deceased, was born in what is now Valley Township, about 1812,
where he passed his life, dying in 1876, honored and respected by all who knew him. He
was the eldest son of William and Jane (Moore) Curry; was educated in Montour County
and made farming his business, and was the owner of 245 acres of well improved land at
the time of his death.
In politics he was a Democrat, and held most of the township
offices in Valley Township, also served ten years as
an associate judge of Montour
County. February 2, 1841, he married Christiana, daughter of Samuel" Yorks and granddaughter of William Yorks. The latter was an officer in the Revolution under Washington.
Mrs. Curry's father was a lieutenant in the war of 1812, and died in Danville in 1868 at the age of seventy-nine years.
When eight years of age he came to
Columbia County, and grew up on the farm where the State asylum now stands, and became a successful business man. He reared a family of nine children, only two of whom
now survive. Mrs. Thompson and the widow of our subject. To Judge and Mrs. Curry
six children were born, all of whom are living: William; Elizabeth, wife of James McWilliams; Agnes; Mary Ella, wife of Dr. W. Faulds; Samuel and Stewart. Mrs. Curry is a
member of the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination the Curry and York families
have always been members.
WILLIAM CURRY, farmer and stock grower, P. O. Danville, was born in Valley
Township, Montour County, November 23, 1842, a son of Hon. James and Christiana
(Yorks) Curry, of Irish and German origin and whose ancestors were among the early
settlers of Pennsylvania.
William is the eldest in a family of six children and was reared
on the farm in Valley Township. He was educated in the country schools, and academy
at Danville, and adopted agriculture as his vocation.
In 1873 he married Helen, daughter
of Samuel Lowrie, of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Curry have five children: Eloise,
James, Anna, Robert and Jean. The parents are members of the Grove Presbyterian
Church of Danville. Mr. Curry has been school director. Politically he is a Democrat.
SAMUEL CURRY, farmer and stock grower, P. O. Mooresburg, was born on the
farm where he now resides in Valley Township, Montour County. September 3, 1819, a son
of William and Jane (Moore) Curry, natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish origin. The
grandfather, Robert Curry, came from Ireland to America and settled in what is now
Montour County, Penn., where he was killed bv the Indians. William Curry was reared
here and became a successful farmer, and was the father of the following children: James,
who grew to manhood, married, engaged in farming and died in 1876; Margaret, who was
married to Daniel Montgomery; Robert and Samuel. The last two farm the homestead
and are the third generation on it, the deed to which has never been in any other name.
They are partners and own 250 acres of land; are industrious and honest and enjoy the
respect of all who know them. In politics the family have usually been Democrats. James,
their elder brother, died in 1876. and had served as associate judge of Montour County.
JONATHAN DAVIS, farmer and stock grower, P. O. Danville, was born where he
now resides in Valley Townshij), July 23, 1819, a son of Griffith J. and Phebe (Burry)
Davis, natives of Pennsylvania and of Welsh descent. His father, a relative of the
famous Jefferson Davis, ex-president of the Southern Confederacy, was engaged in farming all his life and died in 1874. Jonathan was educated at the schools of his native
county, and from youth up has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has been very
successful.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a stanch Democrat
politically.

David Davis, farmer,

P. (). Danville, was born in Valley Township, January 5,
and is a brother of the preceding gentleman. He was educated in the common
schools and engaged in farming. He and his brother, Jonathan, are partners and together
1823,

VALLEY TOWNSHIP.

217

the farm of 300 acres. Mr. Davis married in Nortluimberland County, Penn., Theodocia, daughter of Gen. William Case of the Pennsylvania militia. This union has been
Mr. and Mrs. Davis are
blessed by two children: Thomas Beaver and William.
lie generally refuses to accept office, but has
members of the Presbyterian Church.

own

served

3)S

3(Ssessor.

JAMES FENSTERMACHER,

farmer and stock grower and owner of the FenaterTownship, P. O. Danville, was born in Valley Township, April
4, 1849, a son of Charles and Catherine (Scbumacher) Fenstermacher, natives of Lehigh
County, Ponn. His father came to Montour County about 1831, a tanner by trade, and
about 1836 built the tannery, which he operated until his death in 1886. He served one
term as one of the commissioners of Montour County. James is the only son in a family
of three children; was reared in his native township, and educated at Danville and Mercersburg College, Franklin County. He engaged in farming and tanning, has met
with success, and owns 200 acres of land on which he resides. He married, in 1872, Kate
Kocher, a native of Pennsylvania, who has borne him four children, of whom Ida P.,
Charles N. and Laura May are living, one having died at the age of two and a half years.
Mr. and Mrs. Fenstermacher are members of the Reformed Church, in which he is a
deacon. His parents were also identified with that denomination, his father serving as a
deacon and elder for many years.
NATHAN FENSTERMACHER, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Lehigh
County, Penn., January 8, 1827, son of Abraham and Christianna (Wise) Fenstermacher,
natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. His paternal and maternal ancestors
were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. His father was a merchant miller by
occupation, and settled in Valley Township in 1834 on the farm where Nathan now
Abraham erected a saw-mill in 1838, and helped to build the
resides, and which he owns.
Fenstermacher tannery, and continued the saw-mill and tannery until his death in 1851.
His family consisted of eight children, of whom Nathan was the fifth. He was reared in
Valley Township on the farm, attended the district schools and chose farming as an occuHe was
pation, in which he has met with success, and is the owner of 112 acres of land.
married in 1854 to Margaret Snyder, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Sechler) Snyder,
which
1810.
The
house
in
born
March
native
of
Valley
Township,
3,
the father being a
he was born is still standing. Our subject and wife have two children: Minnie and Estella
The family are members of the Reformed Church, in which he has been a deacon
J.
and of which he is now an elder, treasurer, and secretary and treasurer of the Sunday-

macher tannery

in Valley

is a Republican.
retired hotel-keeper, P. O. Danville, was born in 1817 in Columbia
County, Penn. He is the son of Joseph and Jane (Craig) Flora; Joseph Flora was a
James, our subject, was his only
miller, and followed that as a business for many years.
child, and was reared in Montour .County, attending the subscription schools. Jane Flora
lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight; Joseph Flora died before our subject was born,
therefore the latter's knowledge of his father is limited. They were of Scotch-Irish
descent. Our subject has made farming his occupation, but kept the hotel for twentyone years. He still owns the farm in Anthony Township, the hotel in Valley Township
and other real estate. He was married, in 1841, to Sarah Ann, daughter of John Smith;
she is of German origin. They have six children now living: Jane E. (wife of Samuel
Beaver), Sally Ann (wife of Grier Acor), Mary C. (wife of Westley Perry), William,
Hannah (wife of Henry Billinger) and Caroline (wife of Harry A. Greiner). The family
are members of the Reformed Church, and in politics Mr. Flora is a Democrat.
FRAZIER, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Danville, Penn., February 16, 1852, son of Daniel F. Frazier, who was the first sheriff of Montour County, of
which the brother of Edward is the present sheriff. Edward is the youngest of a family
of seven children, and was reared on the farm, receiving schooling in the district school.
He chose farming as his occupation and has followed it until the present time, being
owner of the farm where he now resides in Valley Township. He was married in 1881 to
Sarah J. (of German origin), daughter of Samuel Herr. Their children are Samuel and
Mr. Frazier is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican.
Alice.
A. GREINER, carriage-trimmer and musician, P. O. Danville, was born in
Lehigh County, Penn., March 9, 1853, son of Christian and Tacy (Levan) Greiner. His
father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, his mother in Lehigh County, Penn., and of
German origin. His father was a brewer in Germany, but after he came to America he
followed the occupation and business of manufacturing carriages. His family consisted
He was reared in Snyder County, Penn.,
of nine children, of which H. A. is the sixth.
attending school at Selin's Grove. He excelled in penmanship and music. In 1873 he
came to Montour County, and engaged in teaching music and carriage-trimming.
He was ^larried in 1874 to Caroline, daughter of James and Sarah A. (Smith) Flora.
They have one child now living, William. Mr. and Mrs. Greiner are members of the

school.

In politics he

JAMES FLORA,

EDWARD

HARRY

Reformed Church.

In politics he is a Democrat.
farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Montgomery County,
John Hun1826, son of Abraham and Mary (Hunsicker) Hendricks.

JOHN HENDRICKS,
Penn., October

25,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

218

sicker, his .ii;randfatlicr, was a bisliop ia the Menuoaite Church and served for twenty
years in that capacity. Abraham Hendriclis was a farmer and the father of six children,
Roger Hendricks, brother of our subject, is also a
all living to be grown and married.
prominent farmer in Valley Township. At the age of seventeen John, our subject, commenced to teach school, and followed that until he was thirty-one years of age, and since
then has devoted his time to farming. He came to Montour County, Penn., in 1858 and
He was married in 1861 to Hannah, daughter
settled on the farm where he now resides.

and Sarah (Roberts) Highley, who were of German and Welsh extraction. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks has been blessed with three children: Joseph, who is
Mr. Hendricks is a
a carpenter by trade; Frank, also a carpenter, and Sally at home.
Republican in politics, and at present is a justice of the peace. He has served as school
director for twelve years.
W. S. LAWRENCE, superintendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Iron Mines, in
Valley Township, xMontour County, was born in Danville, Penn., December 20, 1842,
son of William T. and Ann (Phillips) Lawrence. His parents were born in MonmouthWilliam T. Lawrence, a miner by occupation, was married in Wales
shire, South Wales.
in 1839, came to America and settled in Montour County, Penn., where he worked in the
iron mines. Of their ten children only two survive, W. S., and Sarah Ann, who is now
Our subject was reared in Danthe wife of Joseph Woodford, .of Valley Township.
ville, attending the common schools, and at an early age went to work in the old Rough
and Ready Mill of that place. At the age of fifteen he commenced to work in the mines,
and when twenty -seven years old was appointed foreman. Since 1882 he has served as
superintendent of the mines. He was married in 1863 to Rachel, daughter of William
Churm, a native of England. This union has been blessed with nine children, eight of
them now living five sons and three daughters. The family have been members of the
Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Lawrence is a Republican, and he has served nine years
He is the owner of a farm, and all he has acas school director in Valley Township.
quired has been by his own industry and exertion.
A. J. MAUS, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Montour County, Penn., September 15, 1831, a son of Lewis and Catherine (Baughman) Maus, whose paternal and maHis maternal grandternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania.
fatner was a soldier in the Revolution, and the gun carried by him all through that strugHis father, Lewis Maus, ran the first keel-bottom
gle is iu possession of our subject.
boat on the Susquehanna, and bought an extensive tract of land in Valley Township,
which was then a wilderness. A. J. is the youngest in a family of ten children, nine of
whom grew to maturity; was reared in Valley Township and has farmed most of his life.
Since 1879 he has acted as agent for Walter A. Wood, of Hoosick Falls, N. Y., manufacturer of reapers and binders, and this is at present his principal business. In 1847 he
married Harriet Billmeyer, a native of Pennsylvania, of German origin, and a daughter
of Martin Billmeyer. "^Their children are Maggie, wife of Orin Kimerer; Matthew, in
of Jacob

—

the employ of the Walter A. Wood Mowing & Reaping Machine Company, of New
York, and at present in South America; Ida, wife of H. H. Southwick; Harry and^Edna.
Mr. and Mrs. Maus are members of the Episcopal Church.
PHILIP E. MAUS, bookkeeper and business manager for his father, Philip F. Maus,
His mother,
was born May 23, 1853, and is the only surviving member of the family.
whose maiden name was Sarah Gallagher, was born in Lycoming County, Penn. was of
Scotch-Irish and German origin. His father was born in what is now Valley Township,
made milling and farming his business, and succeeded in amassing a handsome fortune.
His birth occurred in 1810, a son of Joseph Maus, who was a soldier in the Revolution,
The great grandfather of our subject was
serving under Washington at Valley Forge.
Philip E. attended school
Philip Maus, who was among the earliest German settlers here.
He comin Danville, and also the Tuscarora Academy and Chambersburg Academy.
his
father's health, came
account
of
menced business first as a lumber dealer, but, on
home to assist the latter in his business. In 1878 he married Mary R. Leinbach, of German descent, and a daughter of John B., a farmer of Northumberland County. Politically
Mr. Maus is a Republican.
WILLIAM PURSEL, Sr., farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Hemlock Township,
Columbia Co., Penn., April 9,1808, son of Daniel and Mary (Green) Pursel, natives of
New Jersey, and of Irish origin. Daniel Pursel was a blacksmith and farmer, and came
to Columbia County with the early settlers; his family consisted of eight s»ns and three
daughters. Our subject was the seventh child, and was reared on the farm, attending the
subscription schools in the township; he chose farming as his occupation, but learned the
tanner's trade and worked at it four years, when he again resumed farming, and made that
In business he has met with
his business until he retired from the active labors of life.
He was united in marriage
success, and is the owner of the farm where he now resides.
in 1830, with Susan, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Rupert) Farnwald; her parents were
of Mr. and Mrs. Pursel
marriage
The
natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin.
has been blessed with seven children, (six now living): Charles, Daniel G., Sarah B. (now
the wife of P. Moore), Peter, William F. (deceased), James, and Samuel who has charge
;

219

WEST HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP.

Church in which he has
Mr and Mrs Pursel are members of the Reformed
director, supervisor, and overseer of
bLV^adeTcoa'^udeMer.' He has served as school
^'"-'
Mahoning Township.
'i'^TPprTwx F ROBERTS farmer, P. O. Danville, was bornnn
and Rebecca (Phillips) Roberts, natives
,,
10 1814
^^^^P^
P.nn July
T,Sv lu,
^«^*' son of Edward
Co., Penn..
Montour
Roberts was

^f thP farm

f'^"

parents until old enougb to '«»™

he

'^"^

%^;^,,

in

wS

Wgigij oriein.

Edward

'»;'°;.4™*;^,S°n Valley Township on

„?w?S,''MiXl6.T8|9 Tson^ of

ftrusTee

,

he has been a
aSd in
he is a Republican.

Jacob anC Eli.a,,^h

class leader

the

ta.m

'^^'I^^^Htl'cZZt.ri

and superintendent

ot the Sunday-school.

politics

CHAPTEE

XXIII.

WEST HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP.
1820, in this township,
farmer P. O. Danville, was b,n-n January 13.
of our subject, was a very early
grandfather
Shultz.
Jacob
four7h son of Peter ShuUz
he Indian
driven away from his. home several tmies ^Y
so tier in tW county an 1 was
were born the following chilrefu-e in the fort. To Jacob and his wife

V R SHTTLTZ

.

nnd

for^eX

take

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

220

John K., B. F., Peter R. and Mary. Vincent R. Shultz was born in what is now West
Hemlock, Montour County, and was reared on tlie farm until he attained his majority,
-when he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary (Long) Cox. After his
marriage he located on* the farm he now owns, which was covered with timber and whicb
he has since cleared. Mr. and Mrs. Shultz have four children: Melinda M., wife of Henry
Cooper, of Derry Township; Sarah C, wife of Hiram Turner in Madison Township; Jane,
wife of John Johnson, of Jerseytown, and Lloyd C, of this county. Mr. Shultz has been
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-five years; his wife since she was
fourteen years of age; he has served as class leader. Politically Mr. Shultz is a Democrat.
Has been justice of the peace for twenty-five consecutive years; and school director twenty-

one years.

JEREMIAH WINTERSTEEN, farmer, P. O. Danville. The Wintersteen family
located in New Jersey about the year 1740. Philip Wintersteen,
grandfather of our subject, came from New Jersey with his family and settled in what is
came from Scotland and

in Fishingcreek and Roaringcreek Townships, about the year
His son, Philip, father of our subject, was born October 27, 1778, in New Jersey;
when young he learned the miller's trade which he followed for several years, being for
some time in the mill at Millville. He married Hannah Stiles, daughter of Benjamia
They reared a family of twelve chilStiles, who fought seven years in the colonial war.
dren: Jacob, Benjamin, William, Mahala, Sarah A., Hannah, Philip, Mary, Nancy, John,
Jeremiah and Solvena. The father bought a farm at Warnerville, but after clearing it
lost it through an imperfect title; he then moved to the place where Elias Watts now
lives; buying this he cleared it up and here died in the fall of 1839, his widow surviving
him until 1860. Jeremiah was born July 14, 1826, in Warnerville, now Sereno, Columbia
County, and was reared in Pine Township, Columbia Co., Penn. At the age of eighteen
years "he began life for himself, and when about forty-four years of age he came to this
He married Sarah, daughter of
locality, the year prior to the division of the county.
Jacob and Elizabeth (Benfield) Sittleo, and a native of Valley Township, Montour Co.,
Penn. In 1855 he purchased the farm he now owns, which was settled about 100 yearsHe now owns two farms. To Mr. and Mrs.
ago by James Wintersteen, his uncle.
Wintersteen were born twelve children, six living: Mary L., wife of John A. Shultz. of
Elizabeth
County;
J., wife of William E. Knorr, of BloomsColumbia
Madison Township,
burg; George B. Hannah C. Daniel A. Thomas B. Politically Mr. Wintersteen is a
Democrat; has been supervisor and school director of the township. He is a member of
the Lutheran Church.

now Columbia County,
1798.

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