'^•Jii'<';„t- ift !| t" . ''l*;'!' «fs r PENNSYLVANIA ILWJ$TRA:rB;D ]mB:Zi CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ^^^ Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924006232577 OU^kl en Cornell University Library F 157.C7B33 History of Columbia and "°"'|{jfj,J||9|5||| '[j.i'** 3 1924 006 232 577 ...,.«i Ib^O ^ i/v/ '■>^ ^-k All books are subject to recall after two weeks. Olin/Kroch Library DATE DUE *m O ')^!^\ Z u tUl V PRINTED IN U.SA HI8T0ET / OF COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA, Containing a History of Each County; Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc; Portraits OF Representative men; Biographies; History OF Pennsylvania, Statistical and Mis- cellaneous Matter, etc. IIL.31.TJSTIS;^TEID. CHICAGO: A. WAENEE & CO. 1887. I'.' ^VA^^^' (.V^ ,S^' lUl"'^' i<<' CHICAGO: JOHN MORRIS COMPANY, PRINTERS, 118 AND 120 MONROE STREET. oV' PREFACE. WITH this page ends the task which has been pursued through many months with growing interest. The location of the early founders of these counties, surrounded by the more vigorous settlements in the Wyoming Valley at Sunbury, and the more exposed settlements on the "West Branch," has robbed these pages of much of the thrilling exploits and daring adventure which are naturally associated with early border ex- periences; but while the editor of this work has found only the annals of a quiet neighborhood to chronicle, there has not been wanting abundant evi- dence that its fouriders exercised that patient endurance and persevering, intelligent labor which is required to make the wilderness blossom like the rose. To note the subsequent development and its present results has been au inspiration to the faithful discharge of the self-imposed duties of a historian. No pains have been spared to present the facts involved in the growth of these counties, and to state their proper relation to each other. Individual opinion has not been allowed to distort, nor carelessness to omit anything which is essential to forming an intelligent judgment of the various topics, presented. Some details pertaining to the so-called ' ' Fishingcreek con- federacy" the publishers have deemed best to exclude, but the main facta have been preserved. Errors will doubtless be discovered — errors which may be attributed to the writer's lack of proper equipment for the duties undertaken — but none, it is hoped, that will betray a disposition to suppress or pervert the truth. In the chapters upon the townships of Columbia County the editor has been greatly assisted by Mr. Herbert C. Bell, to whom their merit is princi- pally due. The history of Montour County was written by Mr. H. C. Bradsby, to whom its preparation was assigned by the publishers. It appears in this volume as it fell from his pen, and reflects the accomplish- ments gained in a wide literary experience. In taking leave of the subject, the writer wishes to express his sense of indebtedness to the gentlemen of the press, and to a host of others of whom, space fails to allow proper mention, for the uniform courtesy and assistance they have shown those engaged in this enterprise, and to express the hope that the completeness of this volume may in some measure repay their kind- ness. THE EDITOE. Philadelphia, Penn., April, 1887. OOI^TENTS. PAET I. HISTOBY OF PENNSYLVANIA. PAGB. CHAPTEB I.— iKTBODncTORY.— Cornelis Jacob- Bon Mey, 1624-25. William Van Hulst, 1625 -26. Peter Minuit, 1626-33. David Peter- sen de Vries, 1632-33. Wonter Van Twiller, 1633-38 ...16-23 CHAPTER II.— Sir William Keift, 1638-lT. Peter Minuit, 1638-11. Peter Hollandaer, 1641-43. John Frlntz, 1613-53. Peter Stuy- Tesant, 1647-64. John Pappagoya, 1653-64. John Claude Bysingh, 1654-55 23-33 CHAPTEB m.— John Paul Jacquet, 1655-57. Jacob Alrichs, 1667-59. Goeran Van Dyck, 1657-58. William Beekman, 1658-63. ' Alex. D'Hinoyoasa, 1659-64 33-35 CHAPTEB IV.— Elohard Nichols, 1664-67. Eob- ert Needham, 1664-68. Francis Lovelace, 1667-73. John Carr, 1668-73. Anthony Colve, 1673-74. Peter Alrichs, 1673-74. 35-41 CHAPTEB v.— Sir Edmund Andros, 1674-81. Edmund Cantwell, 1674-76. John Collier, 1676-77. Christopher BiUop, 1677-81 41-50 CHAPTEB VI.— William Markham, 1681-82. William Penn, 1682-84 51-61 CHAPTEB VII.— Thomas Lloyd, 1684-86. Five Commissioners, 1686-88. John Blackwell, 1688-90. Thomas Lloyd, 1690-91. William Markham, 1691-93. Benjamin Fletcher, 1693-95. William Markham, 1693-99 61-69 CHAPTEB VIII.— William Penn, 1699-1701. Andrew Hamilton, 1701-03. Edward Ship- pen, 1703-04. John Evans, 1704-09. Charles Gooken, 1709-17 69-75 PAOB CHAPTEB IX.— Sir William Keith, 1717-26. Patrick Gordon, 1726-36. Jamea Logan, 1736-38. George Thomas, 1738-47. Anthony Palmer, 1747-48. James Hamilton 1748-54 .75-89 CHAPTEB X.— Bobert H. Morris, 1754-56. Wil- liam Denny, 1756-59. James Hamilton, 1759-63 89-97 CHAPTEB XI.— John Penn, 1763-71. James Hamilton, 1771. Bichard Penn, 1771-73. John Penn, 1773-76 98-104 CHAPTEB XII.— Thomas Wharton, Jr., 1777- 78. George Bryan, 1778. Joseph Seed, 1778 -81. Wilfiam Moore, 1781-82. John Dickin- son, 1732-86. Benjamin Franklin, 1786-88 104-114 CHAPTEB Xm.^Thomas MiiBin, 1788-99. Thomas McKean, 1799-1808. Simon Snyder, 1808-17. William Findlay, 1817-20. Joseph Heister, 1820-23. John A. Shulze, 1823-29. George Wolfe, 1829-35 Joseph Bitner, 1836-39 114-121 CHAPTEB XiV.— David E. Porter, 1839-45. Francis B. Shnnk, 1846^8. William F. Johnstone, 1848-52. William Bigler, 1862-65. James Pollock, 1855-58. William F. Packer, 1858-61. Andrew G. Curtin, 1861-67. John W. Geary, 1867-78. John F. Hartranft, 1873-78. Henry F. Hoyt, 1878-82. Bobert E. Pattison, 1882-86. James A. Beaver, 1886 122-131 Gubernatorial Table 132 PAET II. HISTOBY OP COLITMBIA COUNTY. PAex. CHAPTEB I.— Gbnebal Toposeaphy and Geology ■ 3-38 Natural Divisions of the State — Location of Columbia County — Drainage — Ways — Local Topography — Physical Changes — Northern Glacier— Geological Terms De- fined — Glacial CharacteriatlcB- The Ter- minal Moraine — Its Course Outlined — Flooded Bivera — Paleozoic System— Nomen- clatures Compared — Geological Structure- Devonian Bocks — The Catskill — Chemung — Samilton — Lower Helderberg— Salina and Clinton Series — Fossil Iron Ore- Montour Bidge — Its Ore Deposits— Outcrops South of the Susquehanna — Coal Measures — Typical Coal Section, etc. PAGE. CHAPTEB II.— The Planting and Exten- sion OF THE Early Settleuents 38-65 Aboriginal Occupants — Penn's Policy — Early Treaties— Encroachment of Settle- ments—The Walking Purchase — French War— The Treaty of 1756— The Pontiac Conspiracy- Fort Stanwix Treaty (1768)— Indian Trails — Moravian Missionaries — The First Settler— Indian Hostilities — Frontier Activities in 1778-^Wyoming Massacre — De- fense of the Frontier— Hunter's Beport — Division of Public Sentiment — Depopula- tion of the Border— Peace and Immigration —Character of Earliest Settlement— Vary- ing Nationalities — New Jersey Emigrant, etc. VI CONTENTS. PAOS. CHAPTER III. — Organizatioh of the County 65-97 Formation of Northumberland County — Early Township Organization — Division of Columbia County Territory— Its Boundaries — Location of the County Seat — (^position Manifested — The Star of Empire — Township Development — The County Seat Contest Re- vived — The Issue Forcibly Presented — ^Vdte " of the People Asked— Result of the Elec- tions — The Line of Division — Readjustment of Township Linps — Court-House, Jail and Other Public Building — First Court — Sketches of President Judges — Local Bar — Murder Trial— Table Showing Order and Nature of Formation of the Townships — Lists of President and Associate Judges, and Members of the Bar— County OtBcials. CHAPTER IV.— The Sociai. Developmeht 97-123 The County's Pioneers — Early Facllitiesjfor Travel and First Dwelling Places— Primi- tive Farming and Domestic Life — Notes, . from an old Church Ilecord — Society of Friends— Presbyterian Church— Introduc- tion of Methodism — The Lutherans— Other Reli^ous Organizations— Educational Be- ginnings — The Early Schools of Columbia County — Secondary Instruction — Statistics — Material Development — Water Transporta- tion — Railroads — Agricultural , Associations — The Press— Minor Periodicals — Character of the Early Newspaper — Politics and Polit- ical Favors — Legislative and Congressional Chflnges, etc. CHAPTER v.— The Storm and Stkess Pb- EIOD , 124^151 Columbia's Contribution to the Mexican War — First Organization for the Civil War — Enrollment and Drafts — Opposition and the Advent of the Military — Arbitrary Ar- rests—The "Iron Guards" — Career of the Sixth Reserves — lu the Peninsular Cam- paign — Antietam and Fredericksburg — Forty-third (First Artillery) Regiment — Capture of Brockway— Chancellorsville and Meade's Campaign — The Fifty-second Reg- iment—The Eighty-fourth— In the Gettys- burg Campaign — One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment — One Hundred and Thirty-second — One Hundred and Thirty-sixth — Emer- gency Men of 1862— Drafted Militia— Emer- genoy Men of 1863^Contributions to the ine Year Service— The Medical Fraternity — Medical Society — Active Members of the Profession, etc. CHAPTER VL— Bloomsburg 151-184 James McClure — A projected Quaker Com- munity—The 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 Enter- prises — Travel and Transportation Facilities — Increase of Population — Municipal Or- ganization — Internal Improvements — Pub- lic Schools- The Academy— The Literary Institute— The State Normal School— Secret and Benevolent Societies — Churches — Ceme- teries. CHAPTER VII,— SooTT Township ,.184-190 Hon. George Scott— Character and Na- tionality of the First Settlers- Fort Wheeler —An Incident of its Siege— The Melicks— Subsequent Settlement— The Mining Indus- try^The Fisheries — Light Street— Espy- town — Webb's Lane — Boat Building — Inter- nal Improvements— Schools— Religious In- terests-Methodist Churches— The Presby- terian Church of Light Street— The Luther- an Church of Espy— Evangelical Churches. PAGE, CHAPTER VIIL— Briaroreek Township and Borough of Berwick 191-207 Berwick-on-Tweed— Evan Owen— Owens- ville— Berwick Laid Out and Formally Named— Surrounding Natural Scenery— The Browns and Other Settlers— First Im- migrants„to BriarQreek Township— Certain Features of ^Domestic ajid Social Life- Initiatory Steps in Promoting Internal Im- provement^-Tne Turnpikes and Bridge— Im- provement in the Appearance of the Town —Hotels and Stage Coaches— Political Organ- ization—The " Codorus " and the " Susque- hanna" Canal Excavations— Manufactures in Briaroreek Township — Evansville— Foundry ville — The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company— Business Inter- ests—The Water Company — The Bank- Battalion Days— Military Record— Secret So- cieties— Schools— Berwick Academy— The Society of Friends — Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Evangelical, Baptist and Presby- terian Churches- Toung Men's Christian Association. CHAPTER IX.— Centre Township 207-219' Process of Erection— Extent and Bound- aries—The Salmon, Aikman and Van Cam- pen Families — Indian Tragedies — Different versions of the Story of the Salmon Family —The Van Campen Tragedy— Settlement at the Close of the War— The Half-way House — Development of the Limestone Resources — Centre ville —Methodist Churches — Briar- creek Presbyterian Church — Lutheran, Re- formed, Evangelical and Baptist Congrega- tions — Fort Jenkins. CHAPTER X.— FiSHINGCRBEK T0WNSHIP..219-224 The Original and Cpmprehensive Mean- ing of the Name — Its Finally Restricted Political Significance — Character of the First Settlement — Daniel McHenry — Set- tlers on Huntingdon Creek— Fishingcreek and Other Postotfices — Villages— Methodist Churches — Reformed Churches — Church of Christ (Disciples) at Stillwater, CHAPTER XI. — SUGARLOAF AND BeNTON Townships 224r-233 SUGABLOAF — Tenacity with which De- scendants of the Original Settlers Have Remained in the Same Locality a Charac- teristic of the Population of this Section — John J. Godhard and His Family— Will- iam Hess, Philip Fritz, Christian Laubach, Ezekiel Cole and John Kile — The North Mountain a Famous Hunting Region— An Incident of 1836 — John McHenry's Experi- ence as a Hunter — Hunting as a Business — Farming Implements— Cole's Mills — Civil Engineering — Traveling Facilities — Her- rington's Foundry — Schools — Postoffices — Saint Gabriel's Church— Methodist Episco- pal and Methodist Protest ant Societies. ■ Benton — Organization of Sugarloaf— Causes of the Division— Benton Erected- Early Set- tlements—The Penn Manor Lauds — Social Customs— Schools— The Newspaper aa an Educator in Country Districts- Postoffices — Churches. CHAPTER XII.— Greenwood and Jackson Townships .....234-245. Greenwood— Geographical Situation— Origi- nal Ownership of the Land — John Eves, the First Settler— The Journey with His Family — Unsuccessful Effort to Introduce Hogs— The Flight and Return— Other Early Set- tlers— Roads— Lumbering— Millville— Busi- ness Interests- Social and Secret Societies — Rohrsburg— Industries in the Vicinity — Churches — Publle Schools — Greenwood Seminary. Jackson— Causes and Circumstances of its Separate Poliiical Organization— Nature of the Tenure by which the Lands Were Held CONTENTS. vu PAGE. —Settlement and Improvement— A Panther Adventure— Roada— Mail Routes and Post- ofifices— Waller— Schools— ChuTches. "CHAPTER Xin.— Mount Pleasant and Orange Townships .'...,'24.'i-256 Mount Pleasant — Political Organization — Population — The Mouot Pleasant Road— ■WelliversviUe — Canby — Mordansville — Manufactures — Chu rches — Schoo I s. OBANGE^Position and Topography — Formar tion as a Political Division — Indian Tradi- tions — Abram Kline— Subsequent Immi- grants — Early Industries— Clemuel G. Riek- etts. Proprietor of Orangeville— Its First Residents, Houses, Stores and Hotels— In- cidents of Village Life— Business and Man- ufacturing Interests — Churches— Secret So- cieties — Schools— The Academy. CHAPTER XIV.— Hemlock and Montour Townships 256-263 Hemlock — Erection — Early Surveys — An Incideut of Indian Adventure — German Settlers — The Iron and Slate Industries — The Buckhorn Tree — Buckhorn Village — Schools — Churches. Montour — Situation and Boundaries — Leon- ard Rupert— Successive Highways of Travel — The Stage Route, Canal, and Railroads- Formation of the Township — Rupert — Manufactures — Schools — The Methodist Episcopal Church. CHAPTER XV.— Madison and Pine Town- ships * 264-269 Madison — Geography and Topography of Madison — Indian History Associated with the Chillisquaque — TheWhitmoyer Tragedy — Priority of Settlement in this Region Explained— An Anomalous Survey— Roads — Formation of the Township — Stage Travel— Jeraeytown — Industrial Features — Schools— Churches. Pine — Character of the Surface — Exploits of Hunters in the Pine Swamps — John Lyon — The Asylum Land Company — Erection of Pine— Sereno — Schools— F. & A. M. Society — Churches. CHAPTER XVI.— Catawissa and Frank- lin Townships ....270-285 Catawissa— Formation, Extent and Pres- ent Limits of Catawissa— Orthography of the Name— James Le Tort— His Letter — Lapackpitton's Town — The Legend of Minnetunkee— Quaker Settlement at Cata- wissa — German Immigrants — "Tom Gan- ger "—The Furry Tragedy — Laying Out of " Hughesburg, alias Catawissey " — Early Mills, Stores and Merchants— The Bridge — Railroads — Manufactures — Building Asso- ciations — Extension of the Building Area — PAGE, Need of Stronger Local Government— Inter- nal Improvements — Business Interests- Fraternal', and Benevolent Societies- Churches— Schools. Franklin— Erection— Settlement— Schools- Churches. CHAPTER XVII.— Mifflin Township 286-291 Formation- Physical Features — Early Set- tlers—The German Element— Founding of Mifflinville— The Town Plot— First Houses — People, Stores, Hotels, etc.—" Lost Arts" — ^Town Committee — Churches — South Mifflin Mills. CHAPTER XVIII.— Maine Township 292-294 Formation — Topographical Characteristics — First Settlement--Hauck's Furnace— Main- ville Mills — Railroads— Main ville— Churches —Schools. CHAPTER XIX.— Beaver Township 294-298 Physical Features — Alexander McCauley and Andrew Hargei^- Abduction of the Lat- ter by the Indians— Settlement— Political Organization— Railroads— Coal — The Tide- Water Pipe Line— Beaver Valley Mills— Schools— Ch urches . CHAPTER XX.— Roakingcreek Township. 298-301 The Name and Formation — Surveys — The Reading Road — Mills — Millgrove — Churches— Schools. CHAPTER XXL— Locust Township 301-310 Formation— Land Warrants— Quaker Im- migrants — A Mystery of the Forest — An Early Weeding— Roads-rMills— German Im- migration — The Reading Road — Stage Coaches — Esther Furnace — Slabtown- Postal Facilitie-5 — Kern ville— Rhoadstown —Numidia— Schools— Churches. CHAPTER, XXIL— CoNYNGHAM Township AND Borough op Cbntralia 310-318 The Hon. John Nesbitt Conyngham — The Erection of this Township — The Red Tav- ern— Conflicting Land Titles— Girard's Pur- chase — Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company— The Successive Opening of Col- lieries — Statistics of Coal Product for I8iB2. Centralia— The " Bull's Head "—The Town Laid Oif-T-First Houses, Store \and Post- office — Increase of Population — Borough Organization-rDevelopment of Business Interests — Mullie Maguire Disturbances — Churches— Fraterual and Benevolent Socie- ties—Locustdale — Montana — The Shanties —Germ an town —Schools— Character of the People Contrasted with the General, So- cial, Eeli^ous and Educational Status Elsewhere in the County. ' BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES-PART II. PAGE. Bloomsburg (in alphabetical order) 321 Bloomsburg (not In alphabetical order— T. a Harter, M. D.) 368 Beaver Township 368 Benton Township ,. 374 Briarcreek Township and B6rough of Berwick.. 383 Catawissa Township 396 Centre Township 411 ConynghamTownship and Borough ofCentralia 428 Fishingcreek Township 434 Franklin Township 468 G^reenwood Township 464 Hemlock Township 484 X T_ rr, , '. PAGE. Jackson Township 439 Locust Township |„* 492 Madison Townsnip.. ,'.'.".*.. 501 Maine Township 506 Mifflin Township „....." 509 Montour Township "." 513 Mount Pleasant Township 515 Orange Township 521 Pine Township ][ 527 Roaringcreek Township 532 Scott Townsliip '. , ,, 533 Sugarloaf Township ...,.,... """ 533 vm CONTENTS. POBTEAITB-PABT II. PAGE. Barton, Caleb 145 Brown, E. B 63 Brown, J. C 253 Buckalsw, 0. K Part I, 46 Buckalew, John M 91 CfeTeling, G. W 181 Elwell, William 83 Ent, WellingtonH 43 Eves, Ellis 163 Eyer, Rev. W. J 2 Fortner, Benjamin P 199 Funston, Jolin A 73 PAGE. Barter, T. C, M. D 319 Kester, A. P 271 Knorr, Samuel 127 Low, George L 289 Low, E. W. M 235 MoKelvy, William 13 McReynolds, J 63 Neal, William 109 • Pohe, Joseph 217 Pursel, Sylvester 307 Snyder, Daniel Parll, 79 Waller, Rev. D.J 23 PAET ni. HISTORY OF MONTOUK COUNTY". PAGB. CHAPTER I.— Inbiahs 3- 7 Their Characteristics — The Government's Treatment of Them — The Indians in the War of the Kevolution — Their Depreda- tions and Cruelties — The Curry Tragedy — Madame Montour. CHAPTER II.— Some op the Early Fami- lies 7-18 Their Primitive W^s — The Montgomerys — Col. Montgomery's Battalion — Gen. Mont- gomery's Sketch — Phillip Maus — The Gulic- ses, Gearharts, Wilsons and Other Pioneers — Early Blacksmith Shops, Factories, Etc. CHAPTER III.— Early History— County Organization— Public Buildings, etc..18-28 Origin of Its Name — Its First Survey, etc. — Ingress of Pioneers — Hardships of the Settlers — Primitive Navigation — County Organization — Public Buil3in|;s — Reflec- tions — Court House and Jail — Danville Hospital for the Insane. CHAPTER IV. — Description — Topography — Geology— Aqeiculture, ETC 28-38 Hills, Valleys, Rivulets and Plains — Iron Ore in the County — First Orchards, Cider Mill and Press — Pomology — Agricultural Societies. CHAPTER V. — Internal Improvements 88-44 Necessity the Mother of Invention — An Old Settler's Experience— Turnpikes— Ca- nal— The Danville Bridge— Railroads. CHAPTER VI".— Border Wars— War 1812- 16— Mexican War— Civil War, etc 44-51 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 Eifles— 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 VII.— Schools 62-58 A Disquisition on Education — Early Schools and School Buildings in Montour County— KecoUections of J. Fraser— Dan- ville Academy — Limestoneville Institute — Free School8--School Statistics, etc. PAGE. CHAPTER VIII.— Medical 61-63 First Regular Physician— Early Medical Men and Their Students — Drs. Strawbridge, Magill, Murray, Gearharts, etc. — Physi- cians who have Registered in the County Since 1881. CHAPTER IX.— Bench and'Bae 64-66 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 Griei', Judge Lewis and Others— Early Lawyers in the County. CHAPTER X.— Newspapers 66-72 Present Literary Pabulum of the County — The Columbia Gazette — The ^eprest — 27ie fVatehman — The Danville InUUigencer—The Daily Sun^Der Tariff Admkal—The Dan- ■ ville Democrat— The Montour American and The Montour Herald— The DanviUe jRecord— The National Weekly Record— The Daily Record — The Medium — The Independeni — The Mentor— The Oem. CHAPTER XI.— Officials and Statistics...72-74 Members of Congress— State Senators- Lower House — County Commissioners — Treasu rers— Sheriffs— ProthonoUries— Last Census of the County, and other Statistics. CHAPTER XII.— Danville 75-118 Descriptive— Whom Founded By, and Name— The Town Plat— The Delaware In- dians—Phillip Maus and Other Early Pio- neers—The Montgomeries— Early Mills and Other Industries— First Fourth of July Cel- ebration—Early Preachings, Schools, etc.— Early Physicians—The Early Dead in the Old Presbyterian Church Cemetery— Inter- nal Improvements— Fifty-aix years Ago— The Canal and its Facilities- Incorporation as a Borough— Industries— Churches— Socie- ties-Free Library— Water Works— Postof- fice — Borough Officials. CHAPTER XIII.-T0WN3HIPS 121-138 Mahoning i21 List of taxablea, 1798- The Danville insane Asylum— The Danville and Mahoning Alms- house. Anthony 122 Its Erection and Name— Early Chnroh Meetings— Preachers and Officers— Col. Rob- ert Clark— White Hall— Exchange. CONTENTS. IX PAOB. Derby 125 Very Early Settlers — Brady's Fort— Early Mills — Pioneer Preachers — Borough of Washlngtonville— Its Incorporation, Settle- ment and Early Days. Limestone 128 Its Location — Henry and Joseph Gibson — The Valiet and Other Families— Limestone- Tille and its History. Liberty 128 Col. -Thos. Strawbridge— The McWill- iamses and Currys — Early Record — Early Settlers— The Oldest Church— Mooresburg. Valley 133 PAQE. First Permanent Settlement— The Curry Tragedy— Letter of Date 1783— Early Mills— The Maus Family — The Township Poor Farm — The Stutfelts— Churches — Mausdale. Mayberry 135 Its Boundaries — Formation and Name — Topography — First Settlements — Census, 188U— Schools and Churches. Cooper 137 Its Location — Topography, Geology, etc. Grovanla. West Hemlock 137 New Columbia — Topography — Early Set- tlers-rThe Crossleys, Sandels and Cromleys. BIOGHAPHICAL SKBTCHES-PAKT III. page. DanTille 141 Anthony Township 180 Cooper Township 190 Derry Township and Borough of Washington- vine 193 Liberty Township 198 PAGE. Limestone Township 204 Mahoning Township 211 Mayberry Township 214 Valley Township 215 WestHemloek Township 219 POBTKAITS-PAKT III. PAGE. Beaver, Thomas 19 Boyd, D. M 49 Bright, Dennis 99 Chalfant, Thomas 79 Corell, Joseph 159 Hoffa,J. P., M. D 139 Holloway, W. K 129 Hunter, Joseph 39 Magill, W. H., M. D 2 page. Maus, Philip F 29 Morgan, Dan 109 Morrison, H. S 149 Newbaker, P. C, M. D ii9 Eldgway, M. S 119 Sehultz, S. S., M. D 59 Strawbridge, James D.,M.D 9 Van Alen, T. 89 MISCELLAWBOTTS. PAGE. Map ol Columbia and Montour Counties Fart I, 11 Map showing various purchases from Indians Part 1, 113 Diagram showing proportionate annual production of Anthracite Coal since 1820 Fart 1, 118 Table showing amount of Anthracite Coal produced in each region since 1820 Part 1, 119 Table showing vote for governors of Pennsylvania since organization of State ...Part 1, 132 • -tlME . ,„- toit^ 1 ^~ — ', AiiJihnu:iteCoiil L, * 'vS^-'B'^^^*"! *'«: I'JCei ■ * — * PiiivilE*.0 ^-r Grove Rio? 1 \ ^^ GIen9it5r> ^^'•^ -J' "To ^O. PART I. Historyo^Pennsylvania BY SAMUEL P. BATES. "God, that has given it me through many difficulties, "will, I believe, ttless and. make 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 ■wisdom to guide me, and those that nnay be concerned with me, that "we may do the thing that is truly "wise and just." WILLIAM PENN. HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. OHAPTEE I. Intkodtjctoby — CORNELis Jacobson Mey, 1634-35— William Yan Httlst, 1625- 26— Peter Minttit, 1626-33— David Petersen de Vbies, 1632-33— Woijtee Van Twiller, 1633-38. IN the early colonization upon the American continent, two motives were principally operative. One was the desire Of amassing sudden wealth without great labor, which tempted adventurous spirits 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 preferred, and utter praises in such note as seemed to them good. This .pur- pose was also incited by a certain romantic temper, common to the race, es- pecially noticeable in youth, that invites to some uninhabited j spot, and Kas- selas and Eobinson 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 Ox- ford, he had been fined, and finally expelled from that venerable seat of learn- ing 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 Lon- don, and, finally, to complete his disgrace, he was cast into Newgate with com- mon 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 founders of States in near or distant ages, none have manifested so sincere and disinterested a spirit, nor have been so fair ex- emplars 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 says: " The end of government is first to terrify evil-doers; secondly, to cher- ish those who do well, which gives government a life beyond corruption, and 16 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. makes it as durable in the world, as good men shall be. So that government seems to be a part of ireligion 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 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 govern- ments are made and moved by men, so by them are they ruined, too. Where- fore, governments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments. Let 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 to warp and spoil to their turn. * * * That, therefore, which makes a good constitution, must keep it, men of wisdom and virtue, qualities, that because they descend not with worldly inheritances, must be carefully propagated by. a vir- tuous 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 their private patrimonies. * * * We have, therefore, with reverence to God, and good conscience to men, to the best of our skill, contrived and composed the Frame and Laws of this government, viz. ; To support power in reverence 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 just administration. For liberty without obedience is confusion, and obedi- ence without liberty is slavery." 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 labors and innocent employments of the farm. " The country," he said, " is the philosopher's garden and library, in which he reads and contemplates the power, wisdom and goodness of God. It is his food as well as study, and gives 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 house- wives. It is industrious, healthy, honest, and of good report. This leads to consider the works of God, and diverts the mind from being taken up with vain arts and inventions of a luxurious world.- Of cities and towns of concourse, 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 Pennsyl- vania, 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 the 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, unbroken, 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 culture of a little maize and a few vegetables. The soil, by the annual HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 17 accumulations of leaves and abundant growths of forest vegetation, was luxu- rious, and the trees stood close, and of gigantic size. The streams swarmed with fish, and the forest abounded with game. Where now are cities and 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 pheasaat drummed his monotonous note. Where now is the glowing furnace from which day and night tongues of fiame 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 the finny tribe. Where now are fertile fields, upon which the thrifty farmer 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 sti'uck against the giants of the forest, the soil rested in virgin purity, the streams glided on in majesty, unvexed 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, trot- ted 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 that pleased his fancy. Where now a swarthy population toils ceaselessly deep down in the bowejs 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. Elvers 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 its well-balanced form in the air. Not a drill, with its eager eating tooth de- scended into the flinty rock No pipe line diverted the oily tide in a silent, ceaseless current to the ocean's brink. The cities of iron tanks, filled to burst- ing, had no place amidst the forest solitudes. Oil exchanges, with their vex- ing puts and calls,ishorts and longs, bulls and bears, had not yet come to dis- turb 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 snuflfed the odors of an oil refinery, he would vvillingly have for- feited 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 tribes. 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 18 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. were held among the tribes by whom they were surrounded as the progenitors, the grandfathers or oldest people. They came to be known by Europeans as 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 war- like disposition, won the credit of being the fiercest of their nation, and the guardians of the door to their council house from the North. Occupying the greater part of the teritory 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 exerciae 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 Na- tions in 1712, and from this time forward these tribes were known to the English as the Six Nations, called by the Iienapes, Mingoes, and by the French, Iroquois. There was, therefore, properly a United States before the thirteen colonies achieved their independence. The person and character of these tribes were 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 for- est, 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 says: " 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 afl'ections, but soon spent. The most merry creatures 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 laud. The pay or presents I made them, were not hoarded by the particu- lar 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 per- son 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 man- ner 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 OP PENNSYLVANIA. 19 little because they want but little, and the reason is a little contents them. In "this they are sufficiently revenged on us. They are also free from our pains. They are not disquieted with bills of lading and exchange, nor perplexed with chancery suits and exchequer reckonings. "We sweat and toil to live; their pleasure feeds them; I mean their hunting, fishing and fowling, and this table is spread everywhere. They eat twice a day, morning and evening. Their seats and table are the ground. Since th,e 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, th'By 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 spec- tacles in the world." On the 28th of August, 1609, a little more than a century from the time of the first discovery of the New World by Columbus, Hendrick Hudson, an English navigator, then in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, hav- ing 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 partially explored. But finding the waters shallow, and being satisfied that 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 Com- pany ; 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 enter- prise, 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 Hudson upon the discoveries by Hudson. Five vessels were accordingly fitted by a company composed of enterprising merchants of the cities of Am- sterdam and Hoorn, which made speedy and prosperous voyages under com- mand 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, extend- ing through three years, in the newly acquired possessions, the edict designat- ing them as New Netherlands. One of the party of this first enterprise, Cornells Hendriokson, 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 States General on the 19th of August, 1616. This report is curious as dis- 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, hick- ory and pines, which trees were, in some places, covered with vines. He hath 20 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. seen in said country bucks and does, turkeys 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 Maohicans, giving for them kettles, beads, and merchandise. " This second charter of privileges expired in January, 1618, and during it? continuance the knowledge acquired of the country and its resources promised so much of success that the States General was ready to grant broader privi- leges, and on the 3d of June, 1621, the Dutch West India Company was in- corporated, 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 colonies in Africa, from the tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope, and in America from the Straits of Magellan to th& remotest north. " The past glories of Holland, though occupying but an in- significant 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 world, an example of the biting off of more than could be well chewed. But the light of this enterprising people was beginning to pale before the rising glories of the stern race in their sea girt isle across the channel. Dissensions were arising among the able statesmen who had heretofore guided its affairs, and before the periods promised in the original charter of this colonizing com- pany 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 rich old burgomasters. The fine furs and products of the forests, which had 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 set- tlements must be 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 Cornells Jacobson Mey and Joriz Tienpont. Soon after their arrival, Mey, who had been invested with the power of Director General of all the territory claimed by the Dutch, see- ing, no doubt, the evidences of some permanence on the Hudson, determined to take these honest minded and devoted Walloons to the South River, or Del- aware, that he might also gain for his country a foothold there. The testi- mony of one of the women, Catalina Tricho, who was of the party, is curious, and sheds some light upon this point. " That she came to this prov- ince either in -the year 1628 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 Eiver, and there settled." Ascending the Delaware some fifty miles, Mey landed on the eastern shore near where now is the town of Gloucester, and built a fort which he oa,lled Nassau. Having duly installed his little colony, he re- 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- HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. ' 21 Delaware, ships plied regularly between the fort and Manhattan, and this became the rallying point for the Indians, who brought thither their commodi- ties for trade. At about this time, 1626, the island of Manhattati estimated 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 insig- nificant sum of sixty guilders, about $24, what would now pay for scarcely a square inch of some of that very soil. As an evidence of the thrift which had 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 pur- chase 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 col- ony was in a most prosperous state, and that the women and the soil were both fruitful. To prove the latter fact, samples of the recent harvest, consist- ing of wheat, rye, barley, pats, 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 hislorian that this same ship bore also " 853^^ otter skins, eighty-one mink skins, thirty-six wild cat skins and thirty-four rat skins, with a quantity of oak and hickory timber." From this it may h& seen what the commodities were which formed the subjects of trade. Doubt- less of wharf rats Holland had enough at home, but the oak and hickory tim- ber came at a time when there was sore need of it. Finding that the charter of privileges, enacted in 1621, did not give suffi- cient encouragement and promise of security to actual settlers, further con- cessions 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 re- mainder, 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 liind 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 colony on their newly acquired territory as patroons, They were joined by an experienced navigator, De Vries, and on the 12th of December, 1630, a vessel, the Walrus, under command of De Vries, 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 Hoarkill," where he pro- ceeded to build a house, well surrounded with cedar palisades, which served the purpose of fort, lodging house, and trading post. The little settlement, which consisted of about thirty persons, was christened by the high sounding^ title of Zwanendal — Valley of Swans. In the spring they prepared their fields and planted them, and De Vries returned to Holland, to make report of bis proceedings. 22 HrSTOEY 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 tUe new purchase, erected a post, and afiftxed thereto a piece of tm 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 orna- ment 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 60 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 dis- patch 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 mur- dered man, and in accordance with Indian law, they awaited the chance to take revenge. O'Calaghan gives the following account of this bloody massa- cre which ensued: "The colony at Zwanendal consisted at this time of thirty- four 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 set- tlers 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. On ar- riving 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 pursue an entirely pacific policy. At his invitation, the Indians 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 accord- ingly 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 weigh- ing over thirty pounds. One morning after a frosty night, while the little HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 23 craft was up the slream, the party was astonished to find the waters frozen over, and their ship fast in the ice. Judging by the mild climate of their own country, Holland, they did not suppose this possible. For several weeks they 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 enter- tained by the Governor, who sent a present of goats as a token of friendship to the Dutch Governor at Manhattan. Upon his return to the Delaware, De 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 ob- tained was insignificant. He had been induced to embark in the enterprise of 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 tliis source was groundless, and doubtless haunted by a superstitious dread of making their homes amid the relies 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 settlement. The Dutch still however sought to maintain a foothold upon the Dela- ware, and a fierce contention having sprung up between the powerful patroone and the Director General, and they having agreed to settle differences by the company authorizing the purchase of the claims of thepatroons, those upon the Delaware were sold for 1 5, 600 guilders. Fort Nassau was accordinglyreoc- cupied and manned with a small military force, and when a party from Con- necticut Colony came, under one Holmes to make a settlement upon the Dela- ware, the Dutch at Nassau were found too strong to be subdued, and Holmes and his party were compelled to surrender, and were sent as prisoners of war to Manhattan. CHAPTEH II. Sm WrLLiAM Keift, 1638-47— Peter Minuit, 1638-41— Peter Hollandaer, 1641-43 — John Prditz, 1648-53— Pbtbk Sttjtvbsant, 1647-64— John Pappagoya, 1653-54 — John Claude Rtsingh, 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 incorpo- rated by the Swedish Government, to which the King himself pledgecj $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 children." ' 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 of life, received a mortal wound. Previous to the battle, and while engaged in 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 govern- ment 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 him- self to further the interests of a colony which he believed would be favorable to "all Christendom, to Europe, to the whole world." Four years however 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 stormy Atlantic and arrived safely in the Delaware. They purchased of the 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 youthful Queen of Sweden. The soil was fruitful, the climate mild, and 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 the bay. As tidings of the satisfaction of the first emigrants were borne back to the fatherland, the desire to seek a home in the new country spread rap- idly, and the ships sailing were unable to take the many families seeking pas- sage. The Dutch were in actual possession of Fort Nassau when the Swedes first 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 bar- ter. 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 forts and sealed by our blood, which also was done when thou wast in the service of New Netherland, and ia 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 to remove thither with all their effects. But on the very day before that on which they were to embark, a ship from Sweden richly laden with provisions, cattle, seeijs 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 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 25 ■was at the head of the colony for about three years, and died in the midst of the people whom he had led. Minuit was succeeded in the government by Peter Hollandaer, who had previously gone in charge of a company of emigrants, and who was now, in 1641, commissioned. The goodly lands upon the Delaware were a constant attraction to the eye of the adventurer; a party from Connecticut, under the lead- ership of Kobert Cogswell, came, and squatted without authority upon the site of the present town of Salem, N. J. Another company had proceeded up the river, and, entering the Schuylkill, had planted themselves upon its banks. The settlement of the Swedes, backed as it was by one of the most powerful nations of Europe, the Governor of New Netherland was not disposed to molest; but when these irresponsible wandering adventurers came sailing past their forts and boldly planted themselves upon the most eligible sites and fer- tile lands in their territory, the Dutch determined to assume a hostile front, and to drive them away. Accordingly, Gen. Jan Jansen Van Ilpendam — his very name was enough to frighten away the emigrants — was sent with two vessels and a military force, who routed the party upon the Schuylkill, destroy- ing their fort and giving them a taste of the punishment that was likely to be meted out to them, if this experiroent of trespass was repeated. The Swedes joined the Dutch in breaking up the settlement at Salem and driving away the New England intruders. In 1642, Hollandaer was succeeded in the government of the Swedish ■Colony by John Printz, whose instructions for the/management of affairs were drawn with much care by the officers of the company in Stockholm. " He was, £rst of all, to maiutain friendly relations with the Indians, and by the advan- tage of low prices hold their ixade. His next care was to cultivate enough grain for the wants of the colonists, and when this was insured, turn his atten- tion io the culture of tobacco, the raising of cattle and sheep of a good species, the culture of the grape, and the raising of silk worms. The manufacture of salt by evaporation, and the search for metals and minerals were to be prose- cuted, and inquiry into the establishment of fisheries, with a view to profit, especially the whale fishery, was to be made." It will be seen from these in- structions that the far-sighted Swedish statesmen had formed an exalted eon- iseption of the resources of the new country, and had figured to themselves great possibilities from its future development. Visions of rich silk products, of the precious metals and gems from its mines, flocks upon a thousand hills that should rival in the softness of their downy fleeces the best products of the Indian looms, and the luscious clusters of the vine that could make glad the palate of the epicure filled their imaginations. With two vessels, the Stoork and Kenown, Printz set sail, and arrived at Fort Christina on the 15th of February, 1643. He was bred to the profession of arms, and was doubtless selected with an eye to his ability to holding posses- sion of the land against the conflict that was likely to arise. He had been a Lieutenant of cavalry, and was withal a man of prodigious proportions, " who weighed," according to De Vries, " upward of 400 pounds, and drank three drinks at every meal." He entertained exalted notions of his dignity as Govern- or of the colony, and prepared to establish himself in his new dominions with flome degree of magnificence. He brought with him from Sweden the bricks to be used for the construction of his royal dwelling. Upon an inspection of the settlement, he detected the inherent weakness of the location of Fort Christina for commanding the navigation of the river, and selected the island of Tinacum for the site of a new fort, called New Gottenburg, which was speedily erected and made strong with huge hemlock logs. In the midst of 26 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. the island, he built his royal residence, which was surrounded with trees and shubbery. He erected another fort near the mouth of balem OreeK, 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 to their destination. Gen. Van Ilpendam, who had been sent to drive away the intruders from New England, had remained after executing his commission as commandant at Fort Nassau; but having incurred the dis- pleasure of Director Keift, he had been displaced, and was succeeded by An- dreas Hudde, a crafty and politic agent of the Dutch Governor who had no sooner arrived and become settled in his place than a conflict ot 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 pur- chase from the Indians. This procedure kindled the wrath of Printz, who tore down the ensign oi! the company which had been erected m 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 Swed- ish soil. That there might be no mistake about his claim to authority, the testy Governor issued a manifesto to his rival on the opposite bank, in which were these explicit declarations: " Andreas Hudde! I remind you again, by this written warning, to discon- tinue the injuries of which yrm have been guilty against the Koyal Majesty of Sweden, my most gracious Queen; against Her Eoyal Majesty's rights, pre- tensions, soil and land, without showing the least respect to the Eoyal Majes- ty's magnificence, reputation and dignity ; and to do so no more, considering how little it would be becoming Her Koyal 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 1646. " 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, upon 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 posses- sion, 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 of 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 char- acter, succeeded to the chief authority over New Netherland in May, 1647. 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 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 27 Swedes upon the South River were occupying the territory which the Dutch for 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 En- gland colonies for a peaceful settlement of their difficulties, getting the very best terms he could, without resorting to force; for, said his superiors, the officers of the company in Holland, who had an eye to dividends, " War can- not 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 in- sight might be gained of the policy likely to be pursued. Stuyvesant was en- tirely too shrewd a politician for the choleric Printz. He recommended to the company to plant a Dutch colony on the site of Zwanendal at the month of the river, another on the opposite bank, which, if effectually done, would com- mand 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 capac- ity. 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, was put upon his good behavior. Stuyvesant, by his address, got completely on the blind side of the Swedish chief, maintaining the garb of friendship and brotherly good-will, and iusisting 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 correspond- ence, as good friends and allies aro bound to do. ' ' Printz was thus, by this agreement, entirely disarmed and placed at a disadvantage; for the Dutch Governor took advantage of the armistice to acquire lands below Fort Chris- tina, where he proceeded to erect a fort onl^- five miles away, which he named Fori Casimir. This gave the Dutch a foothold upon the south bank, and in nearer proximity to the ocean than Fort Christina. Fort Nassau was dis- mantled and destroyed, as being no longer of use. In a conference with the Swedish Governor, Stuyvesant 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 de- manded the documents, under the seal of the company, and characterized this writing as a "subterfuge," maintaining by documentary evidence, onhia part, the Dutch West India Company's right to the soil. Printz was great as a blusterer, and preserver of authority when personal abuse and kicks and cuffs could be resorted to with(jut the fear of retaliation; but no match in statecraft for the wily Stuyvesant. To the plea of pre-occu- pancy 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 com- pared with the Dutch, who had ten times the population. But in diplomacy he had been entirely overreached. Fort Casimir, by its location, rendered 28 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA the rival Fort Elainborg powerless, and under plea that the mosquitoes had be- come 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 soa-in-law, John Pappegoya, who had previously received marks of the royal favor, and been invested with the dignity of Lieutenant Governor, m supreme authority. The Swedish company had by this time, no doubt, discovered tha,t 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 bis arrival, he acquired 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 ap- pointed John Claude Eysingh, then Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, as Vice Director of New Sweden. He was instructed to fortify and extend the Swedish possessions, but without interrupting the friendship existing V7ith the English or Dutch. He was to use his power of persuasion in induc- ing the latter to give up Fort Casimir, which was regarded as an intrusion upon Bwedish 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 the En- glish, ' ' who are the more powerful, and, of course, the most dangerous in that country." Thus early was the prowess of England foreshadowed. Gov. Eysingh arrived in the Delaware,* on the last day of May, 1654, and immediately ■demanded the surrender of Fort Casimir. Adriaen Van Tienhoven, an aide- de-camp on the staif of the Dutch commandant of the fort, was sent on board the vessel to demand of Gov. Eysingh by what right he claimed to dis- possess 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 defense, "What can I do? there is no powder." Eysingh, 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 the action of Gov. Stujryesant 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 are in your Excellency's way, drive them off." "Thereupon the Swedish Governor slapped Van Toinhoven on the breast, and said, ' Go! tell your Gov- ernor that.'" As the capture was made on Trinity Sunday, the name was 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 interpretation. For, although he had not actually come to battle, for the very 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 mak- ing his demand for the fort, he had put on the stern aspect of war. Stuyvesant, on learning of the loss of Port Casimir, sent a messenger to the HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 29 Delaware to invite Gov. Kysingh to come to Manhattan to hold friendly confer- «nce upon the subject of their difficulties. This Rysingh refused to do, and the Dutch Governor, probably desiring instructions from the home Governmeijt be- fore proceeding to extremities, made a voyage to the 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 bead 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 representa- tions 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 dispossess- ing the Swedes of lands upon the Delaware. On the 16th of November, 1655, 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 tlie river," though they subsequent- ly modified this order in such manner as to allow the Swedes, after Fort Casi- mir 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 pur- ohase with the previous knowledge of the company, thus manifesting a disin- ■clination to involve Holland in a war with Sweden. "Two armed whips were forthwith commissioned; 'the drum was beaten daily for volunteers' in the streets of Amsterdam; authority was sent out to arm and equip, and if neces- sary 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 arbi- trary 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 neighbor- hood. On the morning of the appointed day, ten grand sachems with their at- tendants 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 say- ing, 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 they 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 2 30 HISTORY OP PENNSYLVANIA. as if he were tying a knot, and then he made this comparison: " That, as the- calabash was round, without any crack, so they should be a compact body with- out 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 m 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 onthis the great guna were fired, which pleased them extremely, and they said, "Poo, hoo, hoo; mokerick picon," that is to say "Hear and believe; the great guns are fired." Eysingh 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 fieet 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 an- nounced 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 junct- ure 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 npw 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 Septem- ber, 1655, with a fleet of seven vessels and some 600 men, Stuyvesant hoisted sail and steered for the Delaware. Arrived before Fort Trinity (Casiniir), 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 off communication with- Fort Christina and the headquarters of Gov. Rysingh. Swen Schute, the com- mandant of the garrison, asked permission to communicate with Eysingh,. 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 Eysingh. 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 iJalance, 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- HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 31 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 belonging to the West India Company. The Datch entered the fort at noon with all the formality and glorious circumstance of war, and Dominie Megap- olensis, 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. Kysing, at his royal residence on Tinicum, was in utter ignorance that he was being despoiled of his power. A detachment of nine men had been sent by the Governor to Casimir tore-enforce the garrison, which came unawares upon the Dutch lines, and after a brief skirmish all but two were captured. Upon learning that the fort was invested. Factor Ellswyck was sent with a flag to inquire of the in- ' vaders the purpose of their coming. The answer was returned "To recover and retain our property." Rysingh then communicated the hope that they would therewith rest content, and not encroach further upon Swedish territory, having, doubtless, ascertained by this time that the Dutch were too strong for him to make any effectual resistance. Stuyvesant returned an evasive answer, but made ready to march upon Fort Christina. It will be remembered that by the terms of the modified orders given for the reduction of the Swedes, Fort Christina was not to be disturbed. But the Dutch Governor's blood was now up, and he determined to make clean work while the means were in his hands. Discovering that the Dutch were advancing, Rysingh spenD the whole night in strengthening the defenses and putting the garrison in position to make a stout resistance. Early on the following day the invaders made their appearance on the opposite bank of Christina Creek, where they threw up de- fenses and planted their cannon. Forces were landed above the fort, and the place was soon invested on all sides, the vessels, in the meantime, having been brought into the mouth of the creek, their cannon planted west of the fort and on Timber Island. Having thus securely shut up the Governor and his garri- son, Stuyvesant summmoned him to surrender. Eysingh could not in honor tamely submit, and at a council of war it was resolved to make a defense and " leave the consequence to be redressed by our gracious superiors." But their supply of powder barely sufficed for one round, and his force consisted of only thirty men. In the meantime, the Dutch soldiery made free with the property of the Swedes without the fort, killing their cattle and invading their homes. "At length the Swedish garrison itself showed symptoms of mutiny. The men were harassed with constant watching, .provisions began to fail, many were sick, several had deserted, and Stuyvesant threatened, that, if they held out much longer, to give no quarter." A conference was held which ended by the return of Eysingh to the fort more resolute than ever for defense. Finally Stuyvesant sent in his ultimatum and gave twenty-four hours for a final answer, the generous extent of time for consideration evincing the humane disposition of the commander of the invading army, or what is perhaps more probable his own lack of stomach for carnage. Before the expiration of the time allowed, the garrison capitulated, " after a siege of fourteen days, dur- ing which, very fortunately, there was a great deal more talking than cannon- ading, and no blood shed, except those of the goats, poultry and swine, which the Dutch troops laid their hands on. The twenty ,or thirty Swedes then marched out with their arms; colors flying, matches lighted, drums beating, and fifes playing, and the Dutch took possession of the fort, hauled down the Swedish flag and hoisted their own. " By the terms of capitulation, the Swedes, who wished to remain m the 32 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. country, were permitted to do so, od taking the oath of allegiance, and ri^ts of property were to be respected under the sway of Dutch law. Gov. Ky- sinch, and all others who dflsired to return to Europe, were furnished passage, and by a secret provision, a loan of £300 Flemish was made to Eysingh, to be refunded on his 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 Port Christina and the lands immediately about it to Rysingh, but this offer was declined with dig- nity, as the matter had now passed for arbitrament to the courts of the two na- tions. The terms of the capitulation were honorable and liberal enough, but the Dutch authorities seem to have exercised little care in carrying out its provis- ions, or else the discipline in the service must have been very lax. For Ey- singh had no sooner arrived at Manhattan, than he entered most vigorous pro- tests against the violations of the provisions of the capitulation to Gov. Stuy- vesant. He asserted that the property belonging to the Swedish crown had been left without guard or protection from pillage, and that he himself had not been assigned quarters suited to his dignity. He accused the Dutch 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- land, Printzdorp and other places. " In Christina, the women were violently torn from their houses; whole buildings were destroyed; yea, oxen, cows, hogs and other creatures were butchered day after day; even the 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- itants." "Your men carried off even my own property, " said Rysingh, " 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 the 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 ao 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 constituted a vigorous element in the future growth of the State. Some of the best blood of Europe at this period flowed in the veins of the Swedes. "A love for Sweden," says Bancroft, "'their dear mother country, the abiding sentiment of loyalty toward its sovereign, con- tinued to distinguish the little band. At Stockholm, they remained for a 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 the dispossessing of the Swedes of terri- tory 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 of Peter Stuyvesant, who wrested all New Sweden from their hands. By the conquest of New Sweden, Peter Stuyvesant aroused the claims of Lord Balti- HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 33 more, who appealed to the cabinet of Groat Britain, who subdued the whole province of New Netherlands. By this great achievement, the whole extent of North America, from Nova Scotia to the Floridas, was rendered one entire dependency upon the British crown. But mark the consequence: The hith- erto scattered colonies being thus consolidated and having no rival colonies to check or keep them in awe, waxed great and powerful, and finally becoming too stiong for the mother country, were enabled to shake off its bonds. But the chain of effects stopped not here; the successful revolution in America pro- duced the sanguinary revolution in France, which produced the puissant Bonaparte, who produced the French despotism." In March, 1656, the ship "Mercury," with 130 emigrants, arrived, the government at Stockholm having had no intimation of the Dutch conquest. An attempt was made to prevent a landing, and the vessel was ordered to report to Stuyvesant at Manhattan, but the order was disregarded and the col- onists debarked and acquired lands. The Swedish Government was not dis- posed to submit to these high-handed proceedings of the Dutch, and the min- isters of the two courts maintained a heated discussion of their differences. Finding the Dutch disposed to hold by force their conquests, the government of Sweden allowed the claim to rest until 1664. In that year, vigorous meas- ures were planned to reg^,in its claims upon the Delaware, and a fleet bearing a military force was .dispatched for thejiurpose. But, having been obliged to put back on account of stress of weather, the enterprise was abandoned. CHAPTER III. John Paul Jacquet, 1655-57— Jacob Aleichs, 1657-59— Goeean Yan Dtck, 1657 -5&— William Beekman, 1658-63— alexandee D'Hinoyossa, 1659-64. THE colonies upon the Delaware being now under exclusive control of the Dutch, John Paul Jaquet was appointed in November, 1655, as Vice Director, Derek Smidt having exercised authority after the departure of Stuy- vesant. The expense of fitting out the expedition for the reduction of the Swedes was sorely felt by the West India Company, which had been obliged to borrow money for the purpose of t'ae city of Amsterdam. In payment of this loan, the company sold to the city all the lands upon the south bank of the Delaware, from the ocean to Christina Creek, reaching back to the lands of the Minquas, which was designated Nieur Amstel. Again was there di-' vided authority upon the Delaware. The government of the new possession was vested in a commission of forty residents of Amsterdam, who appointed Jacob Alrichs as Director, and sent him with a force of forty soldiers and 150 colonists, in three vessels, to assume the government, whereupon Jaquet relin- quished authority over this portion of his territory. The company in commu- nicating with Stuyvesant upon the subject of his course in dispossessing the Swedes, after duly considering all the complaints and remonstrances of the Swedish government, approved his conduct, " though they would not have been displeased had such a formal capitulation not taken place," adding as a paren- thetical explanation of the word formal " what is written is too long preserved, and may be produced when not desired, whereas words not recorded are, in the lapse of time, forgotten, or may be explained away." 34 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA Stuyvesant still remained in supreme control over both the colony of the city and the colony of the company, to the immediate governorship of the lat- ter of which, Goeran Van Dyck was appointed. But though settlements in the management of afifairs were frequently made, they would not remain set- tled. There was conflict of authority between Alrichs and Van Dyck. The companies soon found that a grievous system of smuggling had sprung up. After a searching examination into the irregularities by Stuyvesant, who vis- ited the Delaware for the purpose, he recommended the appointment of one general agent who should have charge of all the revenues of both co'onies, and William Beekman was accordingly appointed. The company of the city spems not to have betn satisfied with the profits of their investment, and ac- cordingly 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, de- termined to go over into Maryland where Lord Baltimore was offering far more liberal terms of settlement. To add to the discomforts of the settlers, " the miasms which the low alluvial soil and the rank and decomposed vegetation of a new country engenders," produced wasting sicknesses. When the planting 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 the family of Director Alrichs were attacked, and his wife died. New colo- nists came without provisions, which only added to the distress. " Scarcity of 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. Eye 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 dinpersing the honest colonists, served to notify Lord Baltimore — who had laid claim to the lands upon Delaware, on 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. ^ L'pon 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 com- pany. To further the general prosperity, the company negotiated a new loan HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 35 -with which to strengthen and improve its resources. This liberal policy had the desired effect. The Swedes, who had settled above on the river, moved -down, and acquired homes on the lands of the city colony. The Fins and dis- contented Dutch, who had gone to Maryland, returned and brought with them some of the English settlers. Discouraged by the harassing conflicts of authority which seemed inter- minable, the West India Company transferred all its interests on the east side of the river to the colony of the city, and upon the visit of D'Hinoyossa to Holland in 1663, he secured for himself the entire and exclusive government •of the colonies upon the Delaware, being no longer subject to the authority of Stuyvesant. Encouraged by liberal terms of settlement, and there being now a prospect ■of stable government, emigrants were attracted thither. A Mennonite commu- nity came in a body. " Clergymen were not allowed to join them, nor any * intractable people such as those in communion with the Roman See, usurious Jews, English stiff-necked Quakers, Puritans, foolhardy believers in the mil- lennium, and obstinate modern pretenders to revelation.' " They were obliged to take an oath never to seek for an office; Magistrates were to receive no com- pensation, " not even a stiver. " The soil and climate were regarded as excel- lent, and when sufficiently peopled, the country would be the " finest on the face of the globe. " CHAPTER IT. EiCHAED Nichols, 1664-67— Egbert Needham, 1664-68— Peanois Lovelace, 1667-73— John Carr, 1668-73— Anthony Colve, 1673-74— Peter Alrichs, 1673-74. AFFAIRS were scarcely arranged upon the Delaware, and the dawning of a better day for the colonists ushered in, before new complications began to threaten the subversion of the whole Dutch power in America. The English had always claimed the entire Atlantic seaboard. Under Cromwell, the Navigation act was aimed at Dutch interests in the New World. Captain John Scott, who had been an officer in the army of Charles I, having obtained some show of authority from the Governor of Connecticut, had visited the towns upon the west end of Long Island, where was a mixed population of Dutch and English, and where he claimed to have purchased large tracts of land, and had persuaded them to unite under his authority in setting up a government of their own. He visited England and ' ' petitioned the King to be invested with the government of Long Island, or that the people thereof be allowed to choose yearly a Governor and Assistants." By his representation, an inquiry was instituted by the King's council, "as to his majesty's title to the premises; the intrusions of the Dutch; their deportment; management of the country; strength, trade and government; and lastly, of the means necessary to induce or force them to acknowledge the King, or if necessary, to expel them together from the country. " The visit of Scott, and his prayer to the King for a grant of Long Island, was the occasion of inaugurating a policy, which resulted in the overthrow of Dutch rule in America. But the attention of English statesmen had for some time been turned to the importance of the territory which the Dutch colonies had occupied, and a belief that Dutcn trade in the New World was yielding great returns, stimulated inquiry. James, 36 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA Duke of York, brother of the King, who afterward himself became Kmg, 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 him was the acquisition of personal wealth and power. He saw, as he 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- thing to his superiors at home. "The whole bent," says O'Calaghan,'' of this 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 pro- . gross o award 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 and protection of the New England colonies. On arriving in Connecticut, he was commissioned by the Governor of that colony to incorporate Long Island under Connecticut jurisdiction. But the Baptists, Quakers and Mennonites, 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 hun- dreds of English here planted on the west end of Long Island wee address," etc.," they besought Scott to come and settle their diificulties. On his arrival 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 1 50 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 tha Dutch, to the Duke of York. Borrowing four men-of-war of the king, James sent ihem in command of Col. Richard Nicholls, an old ofiBcer, with whom was as- sociated 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 great- est 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 dan- ger 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 off his ^ard 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 Connecti- cut, 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 hos- tile intent. Scarcely had he issued ordei-s for bringing out his forces and for fortifj-ing before Nicholls scattered proclamations through the colony promis- ing 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 tl;e King of Great Britain. The Director found that he had an entirely different enemy to treat with from Rysingh, and a few half- armed Swedes and Fins upon the Delaware. Wordy war ensued between the Commissioners and the Director, and the English Governor finding that Stuy- vesant 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- broadside before the city. It was a critical moment. Stnyvesant was stand- ing on one of the points of the fort when he saw the frigates approaching. The gunner stood by with burning match, prepared to fire on the fleet, and StUyvesant seemed on the point of giving the order. But he was restrained, and a further communication was sent to Nicholls, who would listen to nothing- short of the full execution of his mission. Still Stnyvesant held out. The- inhabitants implored, but rather than surrender "he would be carried a corpse, to his grave." The town was, however, in no condition to stand a siege. Th© powder at the fort would only suf&ce for one day of active operations. Pro- visions were scarce. The inhabitants were not disposed to bo sacrificed, and the disaffection among them spread to the soldiers. They were overheard mut- 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 yoang woman live who wear gold chains." The Rev. Jannes Myapoleuses seems 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 Gen- eral, in which the utter hopelessness of resistance was set forth, and Stnyve- sant finally consented to capitulate. Favorable terms were arranged, and 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. Thus without a gun being fired, the En- glish made conquest of the Manhattoes. Sir Robert Carr, with two frigates and an ample force, was dispatched to the Delaware to reduce the settlements there to English rule. The^ planters, 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 for surrender without a struggle. Whereupon Carr landed his forces and 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 untill they stormed ye fort, and sae con- sequently to plundering; the seamen, noe less given to that sport, were quicklv within, and have g^tton good store of booty." Carr seized the farm of D'Hinoyossa, hir broker, John Carr, that of Sheriff Sweringen, and Ensign Stock that of Peter Alriehs. The produce of the land for that year was seized, together with a cargo of goods that was unsold. " Even the inoffensive Men- 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. A boat was dispatched to their 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 Eobert Needham in command. Pre- vious to dispatching his fleet to America, in June, 1664, the Duke of York had granted to John, Lord Berkeley, Baron of Stratton, and Sir George Carteret, of Saltmm in Devon, the territory of New Jersey, bounded substantially as the present State, and this, though but little settled by the Dutch, had been in- •cluded 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 designated the Duke's Laws. In May, 1667, Col. Francis Lovelace was appointed Governor in place of Nicholls, and soon aftertaking 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 oomplaint duly sworn to was made, the (Grovernor Was to summon " the schout, Hans Block, Israel Helm, Peter Rambo, Peter Cock and Peter Alriehs, 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 Gov- ernor and Council at New York. In 1668, two murders were perpetrated by Indians, which caused consider- able 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 re- quests were repeated, and finally, upon the advice of Peter Alriehs, " 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 offend- ers. Proud justly remarks: "This, at a time when the Indians were numer- ous and strong and the Europeans few and weak, was a memorable act of jus- tice, 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 wilder- ness country." In 1669, a reputed son of the distinguished '.Swedish General, Connings- HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 39 marke, commonly called the Long Fin, with another of his nationality, Henry Coleman, a man of property, and familiar with the language and habits of the Indians, endeavored to incite an insurrection to throw off the English rule and establish the Swedish supremacy. The Long Fin was apprehended, and was condemned to die; but upon reconsideration his sentence was commuted to whipping and to branding with the letter B. He was brought in chains to New York, where he was incarcerated in the Stadt-house for a year, and was then transported to Barbadoes to be sold. Improvements in the modes of administering justice were from time to time introduced. New Castle was made a corporation, to be governed by a Bailiff and six associates. Duties on importations were laid, and Capt. Martin Pringer was appointed to collect and make due returns of them to Gov. Lovelace. In 1673, the French monarch, Louis XIV, declared war against the Neth- erlands, and with an army of over 200,000 men moved down upon that de- voted country. In conjunction with the land force, the English, with a power- ful armament, descended upon the Dutch waters. The aged Du Euyter and ihe youthful Van Tromp put boldly to sea to meet the invaders. Three great naval battles were fought upon the Dutch coast on the 7th and 14th of June, and the 6th of August, in which the English forces were finally repulsed and driven from the coast. In the meantime, the inhabitants, abandoning their homes, cut the dikes which held back the sea, and invited inundation. Deem- ing this a favorable opportunity to regain their possessions wrenched from them in the New World, the Dutch sent a small fleet under Commodores Cornelius Evertse and Jacobus Benkes, to New York, to demand the surrender of all their previous possessions. Gov. Lovelace happened to be absent, and his representative, Capt John Manning, surrendered with but brief resistance, and the magistrates from Albany, Esopus, East Jersey and Long Island, on being summoned to New York, swore fealty to the returning Dutch power. Anthony Colve, as Governor, was sent to Delaware, where the magistrates hastened to meet him and submit themselves to his authority. Property in the English Government was confiscated; Gov. Lovelace returned to England, and many of the soldiers were carried prisoners to Holland. Before their de- parture. Commodores Evertse and Benkes, who styled themselves ' ' The honora- ble and awful council of war, for their high mightinesses, the State's General of the United Netherlands, and his Serene Highness, the Prince of Orange," commissioned Anthony Colve, a Captain of foot, on the 12th of August, 1673, to be Governor General of "New Netherlands, with all its appendences, " and on the 19th of September following, Peter Alrichs, who had manifested his subserviency and his pleasure at the return of Dutch ascendancy, was ap- pointed by Colve Deputy Governor upon the Delaware. A body of laws was drawn up for his instruction, and three courts of justice were established, at New Castle, Chester and Lewistown. Capt. Manning on his return to En- gland was charged with treachery for delivering up the fort at New York with- out resistance, and was sentenced by a court martial "to have his sword broken over his head in public, before the city hall, and himself rendered incapable of wearing a sword and of serving his Majesty for the future in any public trust in the Government. " But the revolution which had been affected so easily was of short duration. On the 9th of February, 1674, peace was concluded between England and Holland, and in the articles of pacification it was provided " that whatsoever countries, islands, towns, ports, castles or forts, tave or shall be taken, on both sides, since the time that the late unhappy war broke out, either in Europe, or elsewhere, shall be restored to the former lord and proprietor, in the same con- 40 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. difion 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 carrying 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 cov- ering 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 Sec-' retary. In May, 1675, Gov. Andros visited the Delaware, and held court at New Castle " in which orders were made relative to the opening of roads, tho regulation of church property and the support of preaching, the prohibition, of the sale of liquors to the Indians, and the distillation thereof by the inhab- itants." 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 di- gest 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 suitable ordinance introducing them. It may here be ob- served, that, in the administration of Gov. Hartranf t, by act of the Legislature of June 12, 1878, the Duke's Laws were published in a handsome volume, to- gether 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 McCarnant, from an old copy preserved among the town rec- ords 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 num- ber 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 Erinctions, 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 hia 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. Berke- ley and Carteret, who had bought New Jersey, were Friends, and the settle- ments made m their territory were largely of that faith. In 1675, Lord Ber- keley 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 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 41 become involved in debt, made an assignment of his interest for the benefit of his creditors, and William Penn was induced to become trustee jointly with Oowen Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas. Penn was a devoted Quaker, and he was of that earnest nature that the interests of his friends and Gliristian devotees were like his own personal interests. Hence he became zealous in promoting the welfare of the colony. For its orderly government, and that settlers might have assurance of stability in the management of affairs, Penn drew up " Con- cessions and agreements of the proprietors, freeholders and inhabitants of West New Jersey in America " in forty- four chapters. Foreseeing difficulty from divided authority, Penn secured a division of the province by " a line of par- tition from the east side of Little Egg Harbor, straight north, througli the coiintry to the utmost branch of the Delaware Eiver. " Penn's half was called New West Jersey, along the Delaware side, Carteret's New East Jersey along the ocean shore. Penn's pui'poses and disposition toward the settlers, as the founder of a State, are disclosed by a letter which he wrote at this time to a Friend, Richard Hartshorn, then in America: "We lay a foundation for after ages to understand their liberty, as men and Christians; that they may not be brought into bondage, but by their own consent; for we put the power in the people. * * So every man is capable to choose or to be chosen ; no man to be arrested, condemned, or molested, in his estate, or liberty, but by twelve men of the neighborhood; no man to lie in prison for debt, but that his estate satisfy, as far as it will go, and he be set at liberty to work; no man to be called in question, or molested for his conscience." Lest any should be in- duced to leave home and embark in the enterprise of settlement unadvisedly, Penn wrote and published a letter of caution, " That in whomsoever a desire to be concerned in this intended plantation, such would weigh the thing before the Lord, and not headily, or rashly, conclude on any such remove, and that they do not offer violence to the tender love of their near kindred and relations, but soberly, and conscientiously endeavor to obtain their good wills; that whether thej go or stay, it may be of good savor before the Lord and good people." OHAPTEE Y. Sir Edmtjnd Andbos, 1674-81— Edmund Cantwell, 1674-76— John Colliek, 1676- 77_Christopher Billop, 1677-81. WILLIAM PENN, as Trustee, and finally as part owner of New Jersey, became much interested in the subject of colonization in America. Many of his people had gone thither, and he had given much prayerful study and meditation to the amelioration of their condition bysecuring just laws for their government. His imagination pictured the fortunate condition of a State where the law-giver should alone study the happiness of his subjects, and his subjects should be chiefly intent on rendering implicit obedience to just laws. From his experience in the management of the Jerseys, he had doubtless discovered that if he would carry out his ideas of government suc- cessfully, he must have a province where his voice would be potential and his will supreme. He accordingly cast about for the acquirement of such a land in the New World. Penn had doubtless been stimulated in his desires by the very roseate ac- counts of the beauty and excellence of the country, its salubrity of climate, its 42 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. balmy airs, the fertility of its soil, and the abundance of the native fish, flesh and fowl. In 1680, one Malhon Stacy wrote a letter which was largely circu- lated in England, in which he says: " It is a country that produceth all things for the support and furtherance of man, in a plentif al manner. * * * I have seen orchards laden with fruit to admiration; their very limbs torn to pieces with weight, most delicious to the taste, and lovely 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 gathering; I could not hut smile at the conceit of it; they are very delicious fruit, and hang almost like our 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 om* billberries in England, only far sweeter; the cranberries, much like cherries for color and bigness, which may be kept till frnit 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 gooscDerries or cherries; we have them brought to our houses by the Indians in great plenty. My brother Robert 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 in a day. We went into the river to catch herrings after the Indian fashion. * * * We could have filled a three-bushel sack of as good large herrings as ever I saw. And as to beef and pork, here is great plenty of it, and good sheep. The common grass of this country feeds beef very fat. Indeed, the country, take it as a wilderness, is a brave country." The father of William Penn had arisen to distinction m tne British Navy. He was sent in 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 in cherished remembrance. At his death, there was due him from the crown the suia 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, in liquidation of this debt, " a tract of land in America, lying north of Maryland, bounded east by the Delaware River, on the west limited as Maryland, and northward to extend as far as plantable." There were con- flicting 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 of New Castle, Kent and Sussex. Lord Baltimore held a grant upon the south, 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. Finally 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" he had asked HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 43 for, and the charter was drawn with unexampled liberality, in unequivocal terms of gift and perpetuity of holding, and with remarkable minuteness of detail, and t'hat Penn should have the advantage of any double meaning con- veyed in the instrument, the twenty- third and last- section provides: "And, if perchance hereafter any doubt ur question should arise concerning the tru& sense and meaning of any word, clause or sentence contained in this our present charter, we will ordain and command that at all times and in all things such , interpretation be made thereof, and allowed in any of our courts whatsoever as shall be adjudged most advantageous and favorable unto the said William! Penn, his heirs and assigns." It was a joyful day for Penn when he finally reached the consummation of his wishes, and saw himself invested with almost dictatorial power over a country as large as England itself, destined to become a populous empire. But his exultation was tempered with the most devout Christian spirit, fearful lest in the exercise of his great power he might be led to do something that, should be displeasing to God. To his dear friend, Robert Turner, he writes- in a modest way: "My true love in the Lord salutes thee and dear friends- that love the Lord's precious truth in those parts. Thine I have, and for my business here-know that after many waitings, watchings, solicitings and dis- putes in council, this day my country was confirmed to me under the great seal of England, with large powers and privileges, by the name of Pennsylvania, a name the King would give it in honor of my father. I chose New Wales, be- ing, as this, a pretty hilly country; but Penn being Welsh for a head, as Pen- manmoire in Wales, and Penrith in Cumberland, and Penn in Buckingham- shire, the highest land itt England, called this Pennsylvania, which is the high or head woodlands; for I proposed, when the Secretary, a Welshman, refused to have it called New Wales, Sylvania, and they added Penn to it;' and though I much opposed it, and went to the King to have it struck out and altered, he- said it was past, and would take it upon him; nor could twenty guineas move- the Under Secretary to vary the name; for I feared lest it should be looked on as a vanity in me, and not as a respect in the King, as it truly was to my father, whom he often mentions with praise. Thou mayest communicate my grant to Friends, and expect shortly my proposals. It- is a clear and just thing, and my God, that has given it me through many difficulties, will, I be- lieve, bless and make it the seed of a nation. I shall have a tender care to the government, that it be well laid at first. " Penn had asked that the western boundary should be the same as that of Maryland; but the King made the width from east to west five full degrees. The 'charter limits were " all that tract, or part, of land, in America, with the islands therein contained as the same is bounded, on the east by Delaware ■River, from twelve miles distance northwards of New Castle town, unto the three and fortieth degree of northern latitude. * * * * The said land to extend westward five degrees in longitude, to be computed from the said eastern bounds; and the said lands to be bounded on the north- by the beginning of the three and fortieth degree of northern latitude, and, on the south, by a circle drawn at twelve miles distance from New Castle^ northward and westward unto the beginning of the fortieth degree of northern latitude; and then by a straight line westward to the limits of longitude above mentioned." It is evident that tne royal secretaries did not well understand the geogra- phy of this section, for by reference to a map it will be seen that the begin- ning of the fortieth degree, that is, the end of the thirty-ninth, cuts the District of Columbia, and hence Baltimore, and the greater part of Maryland 44 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. and a good slice of Virginia would have been included in the clear terms of the chartered limits of Pennsylvania. But the charters of Maryland and Vir- ginia antedated this of Pennsylvania. Still, the terms of the Penn charter ■were distinct, the beginning of the fortieth degree, whereas those of Maryland were ambiguous, the northern limi t being fixed at the fortieth degree ; but whether at the beginning or at the ending of the fortieth was not stated. Penn claimed three full degrees of latitude, and when it was found that a contro- versy was likely to ensue, the King, by the hand of his royaJ minister, Con- -way, issued a further 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 respected " as they tender his majesty's displeasure." This was supposed to settle the matter. But Lord Baltimore still pressed, his claim, and the ques- 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 xintil after the proprietor's death. We 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 kive of civil society and Christian religion," and out of "re- gard to the memory and merits of his late father, in divers services, and par- ticularly 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 tind 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 terms of the royal charter. But Penn was still not satisfied. He was cut off 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, tt^king special pains doubtless to have the documents reach the Friends. The terms of sale of lands were 40 shillings for 100 acres, and 1 shilling per acre rental. The question has been raised? why exact the annual payment of one shilling per acre. The terms of the grant by f-h-^'imii-i. a>-.a"'J HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIj5. 47 the royal charter to Penn were made absolute on the " payment 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 to be found clear of all charges." Penn, therefore, held his title only upon the payment of quit-rents. He could consequently give a valid title only by 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 «nergies 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 Oovernment established, and the savage Indians turned to peaceful ways. With satisfaction, therefore, he could now give himself to reclaiming and set- tling his own province. He had of course in his published account of the country made it appear a desirable place for habitation. But lest any should regret having gone thither when it was too late, he added to his description a <5aution, " 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 all things an eye to the providence of God in the dispo.'iing 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 af- terward 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 leaving England. That these purchasers might have something binding to Tely 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 iorethought, the eighteenth article provides " That, in clearing the ground, care be taken to leave one acre of trees for every five acres cleared, especially to preserve oak and mulberries, for silk and shipping." It could be desired 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 twenty- four articles and forty laws. These were drawn in a spirit of unexampled 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 pur- pose that which is extraordinary, and leave myself and successors no power of doing mischief, that the will of one man may not hinder that of a whole coun- try. This frame gave impress to the character of the early government. It im- planted in the breasts of the people a deep sense of duty, of right, and of obli- gation 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 of government for religious opinions and practice' sake. He determined, for the matter of religion, to leave all free to hold such opinions as they might olect, and hence enacted for his State that all who " hold themselves obliged 3 48 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. in conscience, to live peaceably and justly in civil society, shall, in no ways, be molested, nor prejudiced, for their religious persuasion, or practice, in mat- ters of faith and worship, nor shall they be compelled, at any time, to fre- quent, or maintain, any religious worship, place, or ministry whatever. " At this period, such govermental liberality in matters of religion waS almost un- known, though Eoger Williams in the colony of Rhode Island had previously, unde^ similar circumstances, and having just escaped a like persecution, pro- claimed it, as had likewise Lord Baltimore in the Catholic colony of Mary- land. 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 the year 1651, at Oxford, twenty years since." Not being in readiness to go to his province during the first year, he dispatched three ship loads of set- tlers, and with them sent his cousin, William Markham, to take formal pos- session of the country and act as Deputy Governor Markham sailed for New York, and upon his arrival there exhibited his commission, bearing date March 6, 1681, and the King's charter and proclamation. In the absence of Gov. An- dros, who, on having been called to account for some complaint made against him, had gone to England, Capt. Anthony Brockholls, Acting Governor, re- ceived 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 author- ity. Armed with this letter, which was dated June 21, 1681, Markham pro- ceeded to the Delaware, where, on exhibiting his papers, he was kindly re- ceived, and allegiance was cheerfully transferred to the new government. In- deed so frequently h'ad 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 the government, and over whom he was to preside. He brought a letter ad- dressed to Lord Baltimore, touching the boundary between the two grants, and exhibiting the terms of the charter for Pennsylvania. On receipt of this let- ter, Lord Baltimore came to Upland to confer with Markham. An observation fixing 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 h& having died on the passage, Thomas Holme was appointed to succeed him. These Commissioners, in conjunction with the Governor, had two chief duties assigned them. The first was to meet and preserve friendly relations with the Indians and acquire lands by actual purchase, and the second was to select the site of a great city and make the necessary surveys^. That they might have a HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 49 suitable introduction to the natives from him, Penn addressed to them a dec- laration 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 learning, would have no difficulty in apprehending his meaning. The refer- ring the source of all power to the Creator was fitted to produce a strong im- pression upon their naturally superstitious habits of thought. " There is a 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 whom 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 com- ' manded 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 de- sire 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, who 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 people of these parts of the world, who have sought them- selves, and to make great 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 of blood, which hath made the great God angry. But I am not such a man, as is well known in my own country. I have great love and regard toward 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 be- have- themselves accordingly; and if in 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 mea on both sides that by no means you may have just occasion of bein^ offended against them. I shall shortly come to you myself, at which time we may more largely and freely confer and discourse of these matters. In the meantime, I have sent my Commissioners to treat with you about land, and form a league of peace. Let me desire you to be kind to 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 of mankind came upon earth to promulgate — the estimable worth of every 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 compe- tition for their purchase. Penn was offered fBjOf/O for a monopoly of trade. But he well knew the injustice to which this would subject the simple-minded natives, and he refused it saying: " As the Lord gave it me over all and great opposition, I would not abuse His love, nor act unworthy of His provi- dence, and so defile what came to me clean " — a sentiment worthy to be treas- ured with the best thoughts of the sages of old. And to his Commissioners he gave a letter of instructions, in which he says: "Be impartially just to all; that is both pleasing to the Lord, and wise in itself. Be tender of offending 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 OP PENNSYLVANIA. we have their good in our eye. Be grave, they love not to be smiled on." Acting upon these wise and just considerations, the Commissioners had no diffi- culty in making large purchases of the Indians of lands on the right bank of the Delaware and above the 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 to find a tract which answered all the conditions. For seven weeks they kept 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 key's side without boating and lightening of it. It would do well if the river 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 is best known by digging up two or three earths and seeing the bottom." By 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 country bounds. Let every house be placed, if the person pleases, in the middle of its plat, as to the breadth 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 were 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 requirements of the proprietor. It had not 10,000 acres in a solid square, but 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 healthful. The streets were laid out regularly and crossed each other at right angles. As the ground was only gently rolling, the grading was easily accomplished. One broad street. Market, extends from river to river through the midst of it, which is crossed at right angles at its middle point by Broad street of equal width. It is 120 miles from the ocean by the course of the 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 300 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. HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 51 CHAPTER YI. William Maekham, 1681-83— William Penn, 1683-84. HAVING now made necessary preparations and settled hiB affairs in En- gland, Penn 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 leEt behind, and another to his wife and children, giving them much excellent advice, and sketching the way of life he wished them to lead. With remarkable care and minuteness, he points 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 general tenor. " Be sure to observe," in educating his children, " their genius, 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 bodily labor in them. When grown big, have most care for them ; for then there are more snares both within and without. When marriageable, see that they have worthy persons in their eye ; of good life and good fame for piety and understanding. I need no wealth but sufSciency ; 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 life, and that not of sordid covetousness, but for example and to avoid idle- ness. ***** Love not money nor the world ; use them only, and they will serve you ; but if you love them you serve them, which will debase your spirits as well as offend the Lord. ***** Watch 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 that loathed disease — the virulent small-pox — broke out, of which thirty died, nearly a third of the whole company. Tliis, added to the usual discomforts and terrors of the ocean, to most of whom this was probably their first experience, made the voj'age a dismal one. And here was seen the nobility of Penn. " For his good conversation. " says one of them, " 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 dem- onstrations 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 pos- session of the country was formally made over m him, and he renewed the commissions of the magistrates, to whom and to the assembled people he an- nounced the design of his coming, explained the nature and end of truly good government, assuring them that their religious and civil rights should be re- spected, and recommended them to live in sobriety and peace. He then pro- 52 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. ceeded to Upland, heneefoward known as Chester, where, on the 4th of Novem- ber, 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 gpeaker. As at New Castle, Penn addressed the assembly, giving them assurances of his beneficent intentions, for which they returned their grateful acknowledgmenl's, the Swedes being 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 satisfac- tion 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 York, were formerly annexed to the province, and became an integral part of Pennsylvania. The frame of govern- ment, which had been drawn with much deliberation, was submitted to the assembly, and, after some alterations and amendments, was adopted, and be- came 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 of" its character, the subjects treated are here given: 1, Liberty of conscience; 2, 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, In- cest; 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; 38, 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 crim- inal 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 and deeds, when recorded; 45, Wills; 46, Wills of non compos mentis; 47, Registry of Wills; 48, Registry for servants; ■ 49, Factors; 50, Defacers, corrupters 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, Elec- tions; 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 herein, are re- ferred 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 ID respect to the Duke of York, made a visit to New York, where he was kind- ly received, and also after the adjournment of the Assembly, journeyed to Mary- land, where he was entertained by Lord Baltimore with great ceremony The settlement of the disputed boundaries was made the subject of formal'confer- HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 63 ence. But after two days spent in fruitless discussion, the weather becoming severely cold, and thus precluding the possibility of taking observations or making the necessary surveys, it was agreed to adjourn further consideration of the subject until the milder weather of the spring. We may imagine that 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 lie 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 innumerable quantity of wild fowl and fish; in fine, here is what an Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be well contented with, and service enough for God: for the 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 of woeful Europe! * * * Blessed be the Lord, that of twenty-three ships, 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 serve Him in our day, and lay down our heads in peace." And then, as if re- 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 adopt a frame of government. When this was done, his chief concern was 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, Penn em- barked 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 Philadel- phia, which the natives called Coaquannock. Along the river was a bold shore, iringed 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 in 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- 54 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. eider that he had as yet any just title to the soil, holding that the Indians were its only rightful possessors, and until it was fairly acquired by purchase from them, his own title was entirely void. Hence, he sought an early opportunity to meet the chiefs of the tribes and cultivate friendly relations with them. Tradition fixes the first great treaty or conference at about this time, probably in November, and the place under the elm tree, known as the " Treaty Tree," at Kensington. It was at a sea- 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 cutstom 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 fire throughout the remotest bounds of the tribes. And when at length the day came, the whole popula- tion far around had assembled. It is known that three tribes at least were represented — the Lenai 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 cardi- nal 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 scene. " Their order is thus: The King sits in the middle of a half moon, and hath his council, the old and wise, on each hand; behind them, or at a little distance, sit the younger fry in the same figure. Having consulted and re- solved 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« 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, rot 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 ele- gance. " 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 Spi^-it, but to do good. We are met on the broad pathway of good faith and ■good will, so that no advantage is to be taken on either side; but all to be open- ness, 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 both people. " 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 differ; neither will I compare the friendship between us to a chain, for the rain may rust it, or a tree may fall and break il; but I will consider you as the same flesh and blood with the Christians, and the same as if one man's body were to be divided into two parts." Having ended his 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 i-hento 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 be- fore, 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 say, amen. The Indians had no system 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, they were accustomed, by means of strings, or belts of wampum, to preserve the recollection of their pleasant in- terviews with Penn, after he had departed for England. He says, " They fre- quently assembled together in the woods, in some shady spot, as nearly as pos- sible 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 over the whole. This practice, which I have repeatedly witnessed, continued until the year 1780, when disturbances which took place put an end to it, probably forever." The memory of this, the "Great Treaty," was long preserved by the na- tives, and 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 height of manly activity. The Treaty Treq was preserved and guarded from injury with an almost superstitious care. During the Revolution, when Phila- delphia was occupied by the British, and their parties were scouring the coun- try for firewood, Gen. Simcoe had a sentinel placed at this tree to protect 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 exe- cuted and made of record, that, in the dispute possible to arise in after times, there might be proof definite and positive of the purchase. Of these purchases. there are two deeds on record executed in 1683. One is for land near Nesha- miny Creek, and thence to Penypack, and the other for lands lying between Schuylkill and Chester Eivers, the first bearing the signature of the great chieftain, Taminend. In one of these purchases it is provided that the tract " 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 mak- ing 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 56 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. and a half they got to a spruce tree near the mouth 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 proceed- ed 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, 17b3, when the then Governor of Pennsylvania offered a prize of 500 acres of land and £6 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 the 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 to their religion and its proper observances. They were, hence, morally, of the 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 contented and happy. They were provident, industrious, and had come hither with no fickle purpose. Many brought servants with them, and well supplied 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 govern- ment rested so lightly, that the fame of the colony and the desirableness of settlement therein spread rapidly, and the numbers coming hither were unpar- alleled in the history of colonization, especially when we consider that a broad ocean was to be crossed and a voyage of several weeks was to be endured. 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 iurtunate, in which they recognized the direct interposition and hand of Provi- dence. 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 their possessions and reduced to penury. There came also from Wales a com- pany of the stock of aacient Britons. So large an influx of population, coming in many cases without due pro- vision for variety of diet, caused a scarcity in many kinds of food, especially of meats. Time was required to bring forward flocks and herds, more than for producing grains. But Providence seemed to have graciously considered their necessities, and have miraculously provided for them, as of old was pro vision made for the chosen people. For it is recorded that the "wild pigeons -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 thej- supplied themselves, and, having salted those which they could not immedi- ately use, they preserved them, both for bread and meat." The Indians were 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 of safety, often to the simple protection of a tree. For some, this was their only shelter, lumber being scarce, and in many places impossible to obtain. HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 57 Some made 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 par- ents in Philadelphia, and that in recognition 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 Sassa- fras 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 first 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 la- bors 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 set- tlement, says (we quote the metrical translation) : "Its fame to distant countries far has spread. And some for peace, and some for profit 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 compensat- ing conditions. The soil was fertile, the air mostly clear and healthy, the streams oE water were good and plentiful, wood for fire and building unlimit- ed, and at certain seasons of the year game in the forest was abundant. Rich- ard Townsend, a settler at Germantown, 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 Sur- veyor 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 quarters one of eight acres. A large mansion, which had been undertaken be- fore his arrival, was built for Penn, at a point twenty-six miles up the river, called Pennsbury Manor, where he sometimes resided, and where he often met the Indian sachems. At this time, Penn divided the colony into counties, three for the province (Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester) and three for the Territories (New Castle, Kent and Sussex). Having appointed Sherififs and ether proper officers, 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 Jan- uary, 1683, at Philadelphia. One of the first subjects _ considered was the roTising some provisions of the frame of government which was effected, re- ducing the number of members of both Houses, the Council to 18 the As- sembly to 36, and otherwise 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 twa days. The first grand jury in Pennsylvania was summoned for the 2d of Feb- ruary, 1683, to inquire into the cases of some persons accused of issuing counterfeit money. The Governor and Council sat as a court. One Picker- ing 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 tine 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 office, 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 Eiver 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 publjc 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 in- duced him to make the following declaration concerning it; "The bank is a top common, from end to end; the rest next the watei: 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 dis- regarded, and the bank lias been covered with immense warehouses. *It may be a matter of curiosity to know the names of the members of this first regularly elected Legis- lature in Pennsylvania, and they are accordingly appended as given in official records: Council: William Markham, Christopher Taylor, Thomas Holme, Lacy Cock, William Haige, John Moll„ Eaiph Withers, John Simcock, Edward Cantwell, William Clayton, William Biles, James Harrison, William Clark, Francis Whitewell, John 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, Wal- ter King, Andros Bmkson, John Moon, Thomas Wynne (Speaker), Griffith Jones, William Warner, Swan Swan- son; from Chester, John Hoskins, Robert Wade, George Wood, John Blunston, Dennis Rochford, Thomas Braoy, John Bezer, John Harding, Joseph Phipps ; from New Castle, John Cann, John Darby, Valentine Holl- ingsworth, Gasparus Herman, John Dchoaef, Jame-s Williams, William Guest, Peter Alrieh, Henrick Williams ; from Kent, John Biggs, Simon Irons, Thomas Haffold John Curtis, Robert Bedwell, William Windsmore, John Brinkloe, Daniel Brown, Benony Bishop; from Sussex, Luke Watson, Alexander Draper, William Futcher, Henry Bowman, Alexander Moleston, John Hill, Robert Braoy, John Kipshaven, Cornelius Verhoof. HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 59 Seeing now his plans of government and settlement fairly in operation, as autumn approached, Penn wrote a letter to the Free Society of Traders in London, which had been formed to promote settlement in his colony, in which he touched upon a great variety of topics regarding his enterprise, extending to ■ quite a complete treatise. The great interest attaching to the subjects dis- cussed, and the ability with which it was drawn, makes it desirable to insert the document entire; but its great Jength makes its use incompatible with the plan of this work. A few extracts and a general plan of the letter is all that •can be given. He first notices the injurious reports put in circulation in En- gland during his absence: " Some persons have had so little wit and so much malice as to report my death, and, to mend the matter, dead a Jesuit, too. One might have reasonably hoped that this distance, like death, would have been a protection against spite and envy. * * * However, to the great sorrow ours. Bring in the candles.' And they brought them in." In conjunction with the Legislature of the lower counties, Evans was in- strumental 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 com- pelling obedience. This was in direct violation of the fundamental compact, and vexatious to commerce. It was at length forcibly resisted, and its impo- sition abandoned. His administration was anything but efficient or peaceful, a series of contentions, of charges and counter-charges having been kept up between the leaders of the two factions, Lloyd and Logan, which he was pow- erless to properly direct or control. " He was relieved in 1709. Possessed of a good degree bf learning and refinement, and accustomed to the gay society 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 experi- ment to test their faith. His general , tenor of life seems to have been of a piece with this. Watson says: 'The Indians of Connestoga complained of 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 as- sembly, and found there John Evans, Esqj^ the Governor, who fell to beat- ing Cresson.'" The youth and levity of Gov. Evans induced the proprietor to seek for a successor of a more sober and sedate character. He had thought of proposing his son, but finally settled upon Col. Charles Gookin, who was reputed to be a man of wisdom and prudence, though, as was afterward learned, to the sorrow of the colony, he was subject to fits of derangement, which toward the close of his term were exhibited in the most extravagant acts. He had scarcely ar- 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 paro of his ad- ministration. In the midst of them, Logan, who was at the head of the Coun- cil, having demanded a trial of the charges against him, and failed to secure one, sailed for Europe, where he presented the difficulties experienced in ad- ministering the government so strongly, 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 m set- tling his colony, for which he had received small return. In the year 1707, he had become involved in a suit in chancery with the executors of his former steward, in the course of which he was contined in the Old Baily during this and a part of the following year, when he was obliged to mortgage his colony in the sum of £6,600 to relieve himself. Foreseeing the great consequence 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, negotia- tions had been entered into early in the reign of William and Mary for their purchase, especially the "tine province of Mr. Penn." Borne down by these troubles, and by debts and litigations at home, Penn seriously entertained the proposition to sell in 1712, and offered 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, fur- ther proceedings until the Queen should order an act of Parliament for con- summating 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 finished. His mind was touched by the disease, which he never recovered, and after lingering for six years, he died on the 30th of May, 1718, in the seventy- fourth year of his age. With great power of intellect, and a religious 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 govern- ment and bodies of laws which have been the admiration of succeeding gener- ations, 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 confi- dential advisee of the ruling sovereigns of England, and some of the princi- ples which give luster to British law were engrafted there through the influ- ence of the powerful intellect and benignant heart of Penn. He sought to 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 Europefiocked tohisCity 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 return to the peaceful and loving spirit of HISTORY OP PENNSYLVANIA. 75 Penn f In the midst of a licentious court, and with every prospect of advance- ment in its sunshine and favor, inheriting a great name and an independent patrimony, he turned 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- 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, 1726-36— Jambs Logan, 1736-38 —George Thomas, 1738-47— Anthony Palmer, 1747-48— James Hamilton, 1748-54. IN 1712, Penn had made a will, by which he devised to his only surviving sou, William, by his first marriage, all his estates in England, amounting to some twenty thousand pounds. By his first wife, Gulielma Maria Springett, he had issue of three sons — William, Springett and William, and four daugh- ters — Gulielma, Margaret, Gulielma and Letitia; and by his second wife, Hannah Oallowhill, 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 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 de scended to the three surviving sons — John, Thomas and Eichard — 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 be- come 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, in which capacity he had visited Pennsylvania previously, and knew something of its condition. He was a man of dignified and commandinjj bearing, endowed with cunning, of an aocommdating 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, 76 HISTORY OP PENNSYLVANIA. assigning as aroason 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 great satisfaction to the popular branch of the Legislature which manifested its appreciatifin of his conduct by voting him liberal salaries, which bad of ten been withheld from his less accommodating predecessors. By his artful and insinuating policy, he induced the Assembly to pass two acts which had previously met with un- compromising opposition — one to establish a pourt of Equity, with himself as Chancellor, the want of which had been seriously felt; and another, for organ- izing 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 cir- culating 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 in- spectors 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 produce was expi)rted. A provision was also made for the issue of 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 manufact- ures, and encourage industry. By the repeated notices of the Governors in their messages to the-Legis- lature previous to this time, it is evident that Indian hostilities had for some- time been threatened. The Potomac was the dividing line between the Northern and Southern Indians. But the young men on either side, when out in pursuit of game, often cr(jssed 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 pow- erful 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 Governor 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 Gov- ernor 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 Penn- sylvania. 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 Seneeas, 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 could not write as do the English, yet they could keep HISTOKY OF PENNSYLVANIA. IT all these transactions fresh in their memories. After laying down a belt of' wampum upon the table as if by way of emphasis, he began again, declaring- that "all their disorders arose from the use of rum and strong spirits, which took away their sense and memory, that they had no such liquors," and desired that no more be sent among them. Here he produced a bundle of dressed 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 ever be broken, This may have been a hint that they wanted high-piled and valuable presents; for the Quakers had made a reputation of brightening and strengthening the chain of friendship by valuable presents which had reached so far away as the Five Nations. He then produces a bundle of raw skins, and observes ' ' that 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 par- cel of skins, and continues, "that as in the firmament, all clouds and dark- ness are removed from the face of the sun, so they desire that all misunder- standings 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, may en- joy the clear sunshine with us forever." Presenting another bundle of skins, 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 acci- dent, 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 still be inviolably preserved." Here he produces a small parcel of dressed skins, and concludes by saying " that we may qow 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 Great King of England, and therefore they expect that everything now stipulated will be made absolutely firm and good on both sides." And now he presents a different style of present and pulls out a. bundle of bear skins, and proceeds to put in an item of complaint, that ' ' they 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 to help them in that particular. Then producing a few furs, he speaks only 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 peace. " I bave persuaded all my [Indian] brethren, in these parts, to con- sider what is for their good, and not to go out any more to war ; but your young men [Five Nations] as they come this way, endeavor to force thenti ; and, because they incline to the counsels of peace, atod the good advice of their true friends, your people use them ill, and often prevail with them to go out to their own destruction. Thus it was that their town of Conestoga lost their good king not long ago. Their young children are left without parents ;. 78 HISTORY OF PENNSYIiVANIA. their wives without husbands ; the old men, contrary to the course of nature, mourn the death of their young ; the people decay and grow weak ; we lose our dear friends and are afflicted. Surely you 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 home, 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, you have robbed 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 th^ 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 country 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 hun- dred 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 dis- charge promptly his indebtedness to the merchant, that their mutual interests might thus be subserved. He even proposed to establish a considerable settle- ment 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 Indian 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 of hiraself and all his people was compromised by this vile act. He immedi- ately commissioned James Logan and John French to go to the scene of the murder above Conestoga, and inquire into the facts of' the case, quickly appre- hended the supposed murderers, sent a fast Indian 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 upon the subject of the murder, 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 away 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 tima, 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 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- sembly and Council during previous administrations, at length broke out with °':S^'xj c av-uumts ifroire'-'^"'' c^ ^'l^ HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 81 more virulence than ever, and he who in the first flush of power had declared "That he should pass no laws, nor transact anything 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 inter- ests, James Logan, President of the Council and Secretary of the Province, from the duties of his high office, and even refused the request of Hannah Penn, the real Governor of the province, to re- instate him. This unwarranta- ble conduct cost him his dismissal from office in July, 1726. Why he should 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, wholesftme legislation, which he considered of vital importance to the pros- perity 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 tlie native tribes, and right manfully, and judiciously did he effect their solution. It was at a time when 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. No colony on the -Ameri- can coast made such progress in numbers and improvement as did Pennsylvania daring 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 affirmation 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 with- held from them. After the expiration of hia term of office, he was immedi- ately elected a member of the Assembly, and was intent on being elected Speaker, " 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 lieir 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 Assdmbly, 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, Eichard 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 pros- perous in the history of the colony, was familiarly known as the " Eeign of Hannah and the Boys." Gov. Gordon found the Indian troubles claiming a considerable part of his 82 HISTORY OP PENNSYLVANIA. attention. In 1728, worthless bands, who had strayed away from their proper tribes, incited by strong drink, had become implicated in disgraceful broils, in which several were killed aad wounded. The guilty parties were apprehended, but it was found difflcult to punish Indian offenders without incurring the wrath of their relatives. Treiities were frequently renewed, on which occa- sions the chiefs expected that the chain of friendship would be polished " with English blankets, broadcloths and metals." The Indians found that this "brightening the chain" was a profitable business, which some have been un- charitable enough to believe was the moving cause of many of the Indian diffi- culties. As early as 1732, the French, who were claiming all the territory drained by the llississippi and its tributaries, on the ground of 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 Mon- treal, 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 unwill- ing 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 pro- prietary power was still in her hands, refused to recognize the power of Gov. Gor- don. 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 com- mission 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 encroach- ments which tinally 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 laws previously enacted should be submitted for approval or veto. The agent of the Assembly, Mr. Paris, with the agents of other colonies, made so vigor- ous 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 re- ceived 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 Eichard Penn; but lest this protest might prove ineffectual, John Penn very soon went to England to defend the proprietary rights at court, and never again returned, he having died a bach- elor in 1746. In August, 1736, Gov. Gordon died, deeply lamented, as an honest, upright and straightforward executive, a character which he expressed the hope he would be able to maintain when he assumed authority. His term had been one of prosperity, and the colony had grown rapidly in numbers, trade, commerce and manufactures, ship-building especially having assumed ex- 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 "Sork 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 Sheriff of the adjoining Maryland County, with 300 followers, advanced to drive these settlers from their homes. On hearing of this movement, Samuel Smith, Sheriff of Lancaster County, with a hastily sum- moned posse, advanced to protect the citizens in their rights. Without a con- flict, an agreement was entered into by both parties to retire. Soon afterward, 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 en- counter, one of them by the name of Knowles was killed. The Sheriff of 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 prisoner. The Governor of Maryland sent a commission to Philadelphia to demand the release of the prisoner. Not succeeding in this, he seized four of the settlers and incarcerated them in the jail at Baltimore. Still determined to effect their purpose, a party of Marylanders, under the leadership of one Higginbotham, advanced into Pennsylvania and began a warfare upon the settlers. Again the Sheriff of Lancaster appeared upon the scene, and drove out the invaders. So stubbornly were these invasions pushed and resented that the season passed without planting or securing the usual crops. Finally a party of sixteen Marylanders, led by Eichard Lowden, broke into the Lan- caster jail and liberated the Maryland prisoners. Learning of these disturb- ances, the King in Council issued an order restraining both parties from fur- ther 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 period of nearly a half century. He was a scholar well versed in the ancient languages and the sciences, and published several learned works in the Latin tongue. His Experimenta Melctemata de plantarum generatione, written in Latin, was 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, turn simpUcium turn in lentibus duplieum focis, demonstrationis geometricae. After retiring from public business, he lived at his country seat at Stenton, near Germantown, where he spent his time among his books and in correspondence with the literati of Europe. In his old age 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 o£Sce8 of Chief Commissioner of property. 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 in 1737, but did not arrive in the colony till the following year. His first care was to settle tHe disorders in the Cumberland Valley, and it was finally agreed that settlers from either colony should owe allegiance to the Governor of that colony wherever settled, until the division line which had been provided for was surveyed and marked. War was declared on the 23d of October, 1739, between Great Britain and Spain. Seeing that his colony was liable to be encroached upon by the enemies of his government, he endeavored to organ- ize the militia, but the majority of the Assembly was of the peace element, and it could not be induced to vote'money. Finally he was ordered by the home government to call for volunteers, 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 en- deavored 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 con- sulted their views and decisions. The Assembly, not to be outdone in mag- nanimity, voted him £1,500 arrearages of salary, which had been withheld be- cause he would not approve their legislation, asserting that public acts should take precedence of appropriations for their own pay. In March, 1744, war 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 pamph- let entitled Plain Truth, in which he cogently urged the necessity of organ- ized preparation for defense. Franklin was elected Colonel of one of the regiments, but resigned in favor of Alderman Lawrence. On the 5th of May, 1747, the Governor communicated intelligence of the death of John Penn, 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 with- drawal of Gordon, and became the Acting Governor. The peace party in the As- sembly held that it was the duty of the crown of England to protect the colony, and that for the colony to call out volunteers and become responsible for their payment was burdening 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 en- tire basin, even to the summits of the AUeghanies in Pennsylvania, and were busy establishing trading posts along the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers. They 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 substantial worth. Not knowing the difference between steel and iron, the French distributed immense numbers of worthless iron hatchets, which the natives supposed were the equal of the best English steel axes. The Indians, however, soon came to distinguish between the good and the valueless. Un- derstanding the Pennsylvania methods of securing peace and friendship, the the natives became very artful in drawing out " well piled up " presents. The government at this time was alive to the dangers which threatened from the insinuating methods of the French. A trusty messenger, Conrad Weiser, was sent among the Indians in the western part of the province to observe the plans of the French, ascertain the temper of the natives, and especially to HISTORY OF PENNSVLVANIA. 85 magnify the power of the English, and the disposition of Pennsylvania to give great presents. This latter policy had the desired effect, and worthless and wandering bands, which had no right to speak for the tribe, came teeming in, desirous of scouring the chain of friendship, intimating that the French were making great offers, in order to induce the government to large liberality, until this "brightening the chain," became an intolerable nuisance. At a sin- gle 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 last- ing comfort and well being, a protection to the person against the bitter frosts of winter, aind sustenance that should minister to the steady wants of the body and alleviation of pain in time of sickness. The treaty of Aix-la-Cha- pelle, 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 encoun- ters between their representatives on the American continent. Palmer re- 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 into the colony in 1708. He lived in a style suited to a gentleman, kept a 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 Assembly. The Indians west of the Susquehanna had complained that set- tlers had come upon their best lands, and were acquiring titles to them, where- as the proprietors had never purchased these lands of them, and had no claim to them. The first care of Hamilton was to settle these disputes, and allay the rising excitement of the natives. Eiohard Peters, Secretary oE the colony, a man of great prudence and ability, was sent in company with the Indian in- terpreter, Conrad Weiser, to remove the intruders. It was firmly and fear- lessly done, the settlers giving up their tracts and the cabins which they had built, and accepting lauds 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 were threatening from the West. Though the treaty of A.ix was supposed to have settled all difficulties between the two courts, the French were determined to occupy the whole territory drained 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 hoard, 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 not incur its displeasure. The French deemed it necessary, in order to estab- 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. Celeron started on the 15th of June, 1749, from La Chine, 86 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. following the southern shores of Lakes Ontario nnd 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 havin r first opened a road. Following on down the lake and the Conewango Creek, they arrived at Warren near the confluence of the creek with the Allegheny River. Here the first plate was buried. 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 Galissoui^re, Governor G-eneral of New France, to re-establish tranquillity in some Indian villages of these cantons, have buried this plate of lead at the confluence of the Ohio with the Chautauqua, this 29th day of July, near the River Ohio, otherwise Belle Riviere, as a mon- ument 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 enjoyed or ought to have been enjoyed by the King of France preceding, and as they have there maintained themselves by arms and by treaties, especially those of Ryswick, Utrecht and Aix-la- Chapeire." The burying of this plate was attended with much form and cer- emony. All the men and officers of the expedition were drawn up in battle array, when the Commander, C<51eron, proclaimed in a loud voice, " Vive le Roi," and declared that possession of the country was now taken in the name of the King. A plate on which was inscribed the arms of France was affixed 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 un- known inscriptions, a few miles below Franklin, a third at the mouth of Wheeling Creek; a fourth at the mouth of the Muskingum; 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 to Fort Frontenac, arriving on the 6th of November. It appears that the In- dians through whose territory they passed viewed this planting of plates with great suspicion. 13y some means they got possession of one of them, gener- ally 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 Bonneoamps, found in the Department de la Marine, in Paris, gives the fol- lowing account of this stolen plate: " The first of the leaden plates was brought to the attention of the public by Gov. (Jeorge Clinton to the, Lords of Trade in London, 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 was 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 conoltides 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 resi- dence on the Mohawk, by a Cayuga sachem, who accompanied it by the follow- ing speech: "' Brother Corlear and War-ragh-i-ya-gheyl 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 Na- tions, returning a belt of wampum, and explaining the inscription on the plate. He told them that 'it was a matter of the greatest consequence, involv- ing 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 encroauhments in that direc- tion. " 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 Cele- ron 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 Eiver (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 Frfench, the Ohio Company was char- tered, and a halt million of acres was granted by the crown, to be selected mainly on the south side of the Ohio, between the Monongalia and Kanawha Kivers, and the condition made that settlements (100 families within seven years), protected by a fort, should he made. The company consisted of a mumber 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 C apt. Gist, established themselves upon the Monongalia, and sxxbsequently 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- dle, of Virginia, where the greater number of the stockholders of the Ohio Company resided, h6 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 be- tween 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 had bis headquarters at Fort Le Boeuf, fifteen miles inland from the present site of the city of Erie. , 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 dis- covery 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, of which Washington was second in command, was sent to the support of the settlers. But the French, having the Allegheny Eiver at flood-tide on which to move, and Washington, without means of transportation, having a rugged and mountainous country to over- come, 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 Gen- eral. Informed of this proceeding, Washington pushed forward, and finding 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, Jumonville, were killed, and twenty-one made prisoners. Col. Fry, the com- mander of the Americans, died at Will's Creek, where the command devolved on Washington. Though re-enforcements had been dispatched from the sev- eral colonies in response to the urgent appeals of Washington, none reached him but one company of 100 men under Capt. Maokay from South Carolina. Knowing that he was confronting a vastly superior force of the French, weli supplied with artillery, he threw up works at a point called the Great Meadows, which he characterizes as a "charming field for an encounter," nam- ing his hastily built fortification Fort Necessity. Stung by the loss of their leader, the French came out in strong force and soon invested the place. Unfor- tunately one part of Washington's position was easily commanded by the artil- lery of the French, which they were not slow in taking advantage of. The ac- tion opened on the 3d of July, and was contmued till late at night. A capit- 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 had stronglyrecommended.before hostilities opened, that the Assembly should provide for defense and establish a line of block-houses along- HISTOEY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 89 the frontier. But the Assembly, while willing to vote money for buying peace from the Indians, and contributions to the British crown, from which protec- tion was claimed, ■^^^s unwilling to contribute directly for even defensive war- fare. Id a single year, £8,000 were voted for Indian gratuities. The proprie- tors were appealed to to aid in bearing this burden. But while they wer© 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 mem- ber of the Council and made its President. In consequence of the defeat of 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 their forces in America for the campaigns sure to be undertaken in 1754. The 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 con- gress of all the colonies, together with the Six Nations, for the purpose of con- certing plans for efficient defense. This Congress met on the 19th of June, 1754, the first ever convened in America. The Representatives from Pennsyl- vania were John Penn and Kichard 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, h& came to Albany with a scheme of union prepared, which, having been pre- sented and debated, was, on the 10th 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 sev- eral Colonial Assemblies. The plan was rejected by both parties in interest, 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." OHAPTEE X. Robert H. Morris, 175^56— William Denny, 1756-59— James Hamilton, 1759-68. FINDING himself in a false position by the repugnant instructions of the proprietors. Gov. Hamilton had given notice in 1753, that, at the end ol twelve months from its reception, he would resign. Accordingly in October, 1754, he was succeeded by Robert Hunter Morris, son oi Lewis Morris, Chief Justice of New York and New Jersey, and Governor of New Jersey. The soi* 90 HSTORY" OF PENNSYLVANIA. •was bred a lawyer, and was for twenty-six years Councilor, and twenty Chief Justice of New Jersey. The Assembly, at its first session, voted a money bill, for £40,000, but not having the proviso required by the proprietors, it was vetoed. Determined to push milit.ary operations, the British Government had called early in the year for 3,000 volunteers from Pennsylvania, with subsis- tance, camp equipage and transportation, and had sent two regiments of the line, under Gen. Braddock, from Cork, Ireland. Landing at Alexandria, Va., he marched to Frederick, Md., where, finding no supplies of transportation, he halted. The Assembly of Pennsylvania had voted to borrow j£5,000, on its own account, for the use of the crown in prosecuting the cam- paign, and had sent Franklin, who was then Postmaster General for the colo- nies, to Braddock to aid in prosecuting the expedition. Binding that the army 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 Dn Quesne, thence proceed against Fort Ni- agara, which having conquered he would close a season of triumphs by the capture of Fort Frontignace. But this is not the first time in warfare that" 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- sion; but enamored of the profession of arms, he accepted a position ofiered 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 wily savages. Washington had advised to push forward with pack horses, and, by rapidity of movement, forestall ample preparation. But Braddock had but one way of soldiering, and where roads did not exist for wagons he stopped to fell the forest and construct bridges over streams. The French, who were 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 only joined the army on the day before the fatal engagement. He had never seen much of the pride 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. But 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 skill- fully laid by the French and Indians, and the forest resounded with the un- earthly whoop of the Indians, and the continuous roar of musketry. The advance was checked and thrown into confusion by the French from their well- chosen position, and every tree upon the flanks of the long drawn out line con- cealed a murderous foe, who with unerring aim picked off the officers. A res- olute defense was made, and the battle raged with great fury for three hours; but the fire of the English was ineffectual because directed against an invisi- ble 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 be- fore 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 oc- curred in the annals of modern warfare. Sir Peter Halkett was killed and HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 91 Braddock mortally wounded and brought off the field only with the greatest difficulty. When Orme and Morris, the other aids, fell, Washington acted 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 G-reat Kanawha country, he was approached by an Indian chieftain who said that in this battle he had fired his rifle many times at Washington 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, be- lieving 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 en- counter, he joined in the flight which was not stayed until Port Cumberland was reached. The French wero 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 will along all the wide frontier. The Indians could not be induced to pursue the retreating English, but fell to plundering the field. Nearly everything 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 his last. He was buried in the middle of the road, and the army marched over his grave that it might not be discovered or molested by the natives. ■The eajy victory, won chiefly by the Ravages, 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 wilder- ness home was the easy prey of the torch and the scalping knife, and the burn- ing cabin lit up the somber forests by their continuous blaze, and the shrieks of women and children resounded from the Hudson to the far Potomac Be- fore the defeat of Braddock, there were 3,000 men capable of bearing arms west of the Susquehanna. In six months after, there were scarcely 100. 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 As- sembly voted £50,000; but having no exemption of the proprietor's estates, it was rejected by the Governor, in accordance with his original instructions. Expeditions undertaken against Nova Scotia and at Crown Point were more fortu- nate than that before Du Quesne, and the Assembly voted £15,000 in bills of credit to aid in defraying the expense. The proprietors sent £5,000 as a gratuity, 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 a treacherous race, ever ready to take up on the stronger side. Even the Shaw- anese and Delawares, who had been loudest in their protestations of friendship for the English and readiness to fight for them, no sooner saw the French vic- torious 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 in- fusing a wholesome sentiment in the minds of the people. In a pamphlet that he issued, which he put in the familiar form of a dialogue, he answered the objections which had been urged to a legalized militia, and willing to show his devotion by deeds as well as words, he accepted the command upon the 92 HISTOflY 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 biock-houses aloQg the whole range of the Kittatlnny Hills, from the Delaware to the Po- tomac, and had them completed and garrisoned with a body sufficient to with- stand 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 es- tablished their headquarters thirty miles above Harris' Ferry, on the Susque- hanna, and were busy in their work of robbery and devastation, having se- cured 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 as- sumed authority on the 20th of August, 1756. He was joyfully and cordially received, escorted through the streets by the regiments of Franklin and Duch6, 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 As- sembly; paper currency could not be issued in excess of £40,0U0, nor could ex- isting 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 be- came 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 keepers of the common jails there, the sum of one hundred 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 Eiver, 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 bands. 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, Ool. Armstrong, with a force of three hundred men, made a forced march, and, arriving unperceived in the neigh- borhood of the town, sent the main body by a wide detour from above, to come in upon the river a few hundred yards below. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 7th of September, the troops had gained their position undiscovered, and at dawn the attack was made. Shielded from view by the tall corn which cov- ered all the flats, the troops were able to reach in close proximity to the cabins unobserved. Jacobs, the chief, sounded the war-whoop, and made a stout re- sistance, keeping up a rapid tire from v'ijo loop holes in his cabin.. Not desir- 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 to fire the huts, and the whole town was soon wrapt in flames. As the heat began to reach the warriors, some sung, while wrung with the death agonies; others broke for the river and were shot down as they fled. Jacobs, in attempt- ing to climb through a window, was killed. All calls for surrender were re- 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, fell into the hands of the victors. The triumph was complete, few if any 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 be carried on and vigorous campaigns prosecuted without ready money. Ac- 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 personal, private and proprietary. This Gov. Denny vetoed. Seeing that money must be had, the Assembly finally passed a bill exempting the proprie- tary estates, but determined to lay their grievances before the Crown, To this end, two Coramissioners were appointed, Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, to proceed to England and beg the interference of the royal Gov- ernment in their behalf. Failing health and business engagements of Norris prevented his acceptance, and Franklin proceeded alone. He had so often de- 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, con- ducted under the command of the Ear) of Loudoun were sluggish, and resulted only in disaster and disgrace. The Indians were active in Pennsylvania, and kept the settlers throughout nearly all the colonies in a continual ferment, hostile bands stealing in upon the defenseless inhabitants as they went to their plantings and sowings, and greatly interfering with or preventing alto- gether the raising of the ordinary crops. In 1758, Loudoun was recalled, and Gen. Abercrombie was given chief command, with Wolfe, Amherst and Forbes as his subordinates. It was determined to direct operations simul- taneously upon three points — Fort Du Quesne, Louisburg and the forts upon the great lakes. Gen. Forbes commanded the forces sent against Fort Du Quesne. With a detachment of royal troops, and militia from Pennsylvania 94 HISTORi Of PENNSYLVANIA. I and Virginia, tinder command of Cols. Bouquet and Washington, his column 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 remain- ing forces in barracks at Lancaster. Franklin, upon his arrival in England, presented the grievances before the proprietors, and, that he might get his cage 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 Pennsyl- vania. " The dispute was adroitly managed by Franklin before the Privy Council, and was finally decided substantially in the interest of the Assem- bly. It was provided that the proprietors' estates should be taxed, but that their located uncultivated lands should be assessed as low as the lowest uncul- tivated lands of the settlers, that bills issued by the Assembly should be re- ceivable in payment of quit rents, and that the Deputy Governor should have a voice in disposing of the revenues. Thus was a vexed question of long standing finally put to rest. So successfully had Franklin managed this con- troversy 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 instruc- tions. The British Government, considering that the colonies had borne more 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, the share falling to Pennsylvania being £26,000. On the 25th of October, 1760, George II died, and was succeeded by his grandson, George III. Early 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 Prance relinquished to the English substantially the territory . east of the Mississippi. The wise men of the various Indian nations inhabiting 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 In- dians have ever been noted for proceeding against an enemy secretly and treacherously. Believing that by concerted action the English might be cut off and utterly exterminated, a secret league was entered into by the Shawa- nese and the tribes dwelling along the Ohio Eiver, 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 Michili- mackinack, all fell before the unanticipated attacks of tho savages who were making protestations of frieadship, and the garrisons were put to the slaugh- ter. Fort Pitt (Du Quesne), Niagara and Detroit alone, of all this line of forts, held out. Pontiac in person conducted the siege of Detroit, which he vigorously pushed from May until October, paying his warriors with promises written on bits of birch bark, which he subsequently religiously redeemed. It is an evidence of his gieat power that he could unite his people in so gen- eral 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 of success must have reasonably been abandoned. The attack fell with great HISTORV OF PENNSYLVANIA. 95 severity upon the Pennsylvania settlers, and they continued to be driven in until Shippensbung, in Cumberland County, became the extreme outpost of civilization. The savages stole unawares upon the laborers in the fields, or came stealthily in at the midnight hour and spared neither trembling ^ge 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 and forts at Muncy and Great Island, which he destroyed; but the Indians escaped and withdrew before him. He sent a detachment under Col. Bouquet to the relief of Fort Pitt, which still held out, though closely invested by the dusky warriors. At Fort Ligonier, Bouquet halted and sent forward thirty men, who stealthily pushed past the Indians under cover of night, and reached the fort, carrying intelligence that succor was at hand. Discovering that a force was advancing upon them, the Indians turned upon the troops of Bou- quet, and before he was aware that an enemy was near, he found himself sur- rounded and all means of escape apparently cut off. 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 of the fort unchecked. As we have already seen, the boundary line between Maryland and Penn- sylvania 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 conditions that the work was prosecuted for seven years by a large force of surveyors, axmen and pioneers. The charter of Lord Baltimore made the northern boundary of Maryland the 40tn degree of lati- tude; but whether the beginning or end of the 40th was not specified. The charter of Penn, which was subsequent, made his southern boundary the beginning of the 40th parallel. If, as Lord Baltimcjre claimed, his northern boundary was the end of the 40th, then the city of Philadelphia and all th© settled parts of Pennsylvania would have been included in Maryland. If, as Penn claimed by express terms of his charter, his southern line was the begin- ning of the 40th, then the city of Baltimore, and even a part of the District of Columbia, including nearly the whole of Maryland would have been swal- lowed 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 th& 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 the court house at New Castle. From the exact tangent point, a line was to b© 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 Phila- delphia, 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 off from Pennsylvania, was the boundary of the three States. From this bound a line was to be run due west five degrees of longi- 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 96 HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. Pennsylvania, and forever settle the vexed qnestion. If the due north line should cut any part of the circle about New Castle, the slice so cut should be- long to New Castle. Such a segment was cut. This plan of settlement was •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 of the patentee. But the actual marking of the boundaries was still deferred, and as the settlers were taking out patents for their lands, it was necessary that it should be definitely known in which State the lands lay. Accordingly, 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. Finally, 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 in England, thinking that there was not enough energy and practical and scientific knowledge mani- fested by these surveyors, appointed Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, two mathematicians and surveyors, to proceed to America and take charge of the work. They brought with them the most perfect and best constructed instru- 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, 1766, 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 prog- ress of the survey. But through the influence of Sir William Johnson a 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 fif- teen Indians of consequence. Again the attitude of the Indians gave cause of fear, and on the 29th of September, twenty-six of the surveyors abandoned the expedition and returned to Philadelphia. Having reached a point 244 miles 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 survey 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 region being rendered favorable to the farmer, and unfavorable to thiS 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 in the glaciated area, and those lying south of that area. The deposits of the 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 fluviatile and those of . oceanic origin. In both classes of deposits the rela- 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 sur- face 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 Northern 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 mixture 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 diam- eter. Siratified gravelly deposits are also present in large quantity. 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 drift 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 de- trital 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 assorted 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 northwest- ern 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 depres- sions, and is more abundant in valleys on the north side of a mountain range 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 bluish color. This is probably the original condition of the deposit before 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 ma- terial beneath the glacier, but deposited mainly near its margin, where the ice was less deep. The last view is probably more correct, for the upper portions of the till, especially in the western states, frequently show water-action. This deposit is in great part composed of local material, varying in composi- tion with the geological character of the region. The far transported boulders lie very frequently, 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 gla- cier. When the glacier sent out lobes across a low country, or when it crossed a gi-eat river valley, the till gives the strongest evidence of sub-glacial water- action. The stratified drift deposits of the great Mississippi, valley, and the sub- aqueous till of the St. Lawrence valley, indicate the presence of quanti- ties 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 of Pennsylvania is unstratified and destitute of any trace of aqueous action. Another and more conclusive evidence to the former presence of a conti- nental 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 frag- ments 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 maraine, 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 fea- tures quite unlike the rounded hummocks and interlaced ridges of a true moraine; Large terminal moraines may be seen in several parts of the Kocky moun- tains, and 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 re- gions of South Park, Colorado, are very striking glacial features, and are even more conclusive than strial or scratched boulders. In fact, a terminal moraine may be regarded as the one decisive proof of glaciation. By the discovery, there- fore, in Pennsylvania and in other portions of America of an immense terminal moraine, which, as a nearly continuous ridge of unstratified and glaciated ma- terial, crosses alike mountairts 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 confirmed. In the study of the Swiss glaciers, it has been found that these great bod- ies 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 un- stratified glaciated material at right angles to the motion of the glacier. This ridge of debris has been called a terminal moraine. The mass oi debris accum- ulated 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 med- ial 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 drift 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 iden- tical with that characterizing the moraines of modern Swiss glaciers. The great moraine shows itself at the heel of Cape Cod; makes the Eliza- beth 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 Belvidere. 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 pf typical till, holding kettle-holes and filled with boulders. 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. Irnmediately afterward it ascends the steep face of the mountain to the wide plateau on top, two thousand one hundred 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 from 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 drift 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 north- erly course, it follows up the east bank of Pishing creek to the North or Alle- gheny mountains. From this point the moraine crosses Sullivan and Lycoming counties westward to Ealston, 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 Baffin's bay. The length of the line traced through Pennsylvania is about four hundred 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 ma- terials being fragments of all the surface formations collected and carried southward by the great ice- sheet in its movement from Canada across the state 12 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. of New York and the northern counties of Pennsylvania, and left standing in a disorderly heap along the line at which the ice-fi'ont melted away. . But lit- tle of it, however, is left undisturbed, and, where typically developed, this ac- cumulation is characterized by peculiar contours of its own — a series of hum- mocks, or low, conipal 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 edge of the drift-covered district. Lying sometimes on an ascending slope, sometimes on a descending one, sometimes crossing a narrow mountain ridge and sometimes forming an embankment across a valley, it rests against no bar- rier and represents no possible shore line. The absence of stratification, the absence of drift. wood or aqueous fossils, the angularity and striated surfaces of its enclosed stones, together with its topographical position and its peculiar contours, preclude any hypothesis of aqueous origin; while the fact-— proved by the strim — ^that its course is at right angles to the glacial movement, taken in connection with the remarkable deflections — large and small — in its course, make it a true terminal moraine. The moraine enters Columbia county at about the center of the north and south line of Briarcreek township. It is tolerably well defined on the county line where it crosses a road leading northeast from Poundryville, about a mile and a half from that village. The line trends somewhat south of west, keep- ing along the base of Lee's mountain. It passes about a mile and a quarter north of the village, and is recognized by its boulders and striated fragments at each road it crosses. Northwest of Poundryville the line may be traced 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 road which runs nearest to the mountains. Throughout its course in Briarcreek township the moraine can be recog- nized by the occurrence of boulders and striated pebbles, but not by any special topography of its own. No ridges of drift, no kettle-holes or stratified kamss 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 infrequent 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 mount- ain the moraine is small and the ground uncovered by till. On the northern 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 di-opped where a terminal moraine would otherwise have been accumulated. In Center township the moraine runs south of jvest along the base of Lee's mountam, being easily recognized on the upper road to Orangeville, There is 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 are over four feet m length. At this point th e moraine comes to an end and * Found in Pennsylvania, only in the western oouaiies. ~ ' 12 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. of New York and the northern counties of Pennsylvania, and left standing in a disorderly heap along the line at which the ice-fi-ont melted away. . But lit- tle of it however, is left undisturbed, and, where typically developed, this ac- cumulation is characterized by peculiar contours of its own— a series of hum- mocks or low, conipal hills, alternate short straight ridges, and inclosed, shallow basin- shaped depressions, which, like inverted hummocks m shape, ar& 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 edge of the drift-covered district. Lying sometimes on an ascending slope, sometimes on a descending one, sometimes crossing a narrow mountain ridge and sometimes forming an embankment across a valley, it rests against no bar- rier and represents no possible shore line. The absence of stratification, the absence of drift, wood or aqueous fossils, the angularity and striated surfaces of its enclosed stones, together with its topographical position and its peculiar contours, preclude any hypothesis of aqueous origin; while the fact — proved by the strioB — that its course is at right angles to the glacial movement, taken in connection with the remarkable deflections — large and small — in its course, make it a true terminal moraine. The moraine enters Ciolumbia county at about the center of the north and south line of Briarcreek township. It is 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, keep- ing along the base of Lee's mountain. It passes about a mile and a quarter- north of the village, and is recognized by its boulders and striated fragments at each road it crosses. Northwest of Foundryville the line may be traced 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 road which runs nearest to the mountains. Throughout its course in Briarcreek township the moraine can be recog- nized by the occurrence of boulders and striated pebbles, but not by any special topography of its own. No ridges of drift, no kettle-holes or stratified kam,es 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 infrequent and fragmentary, that the explorer will often 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 mount- ain the moraine is small and the ground uncovered by till. On the northern 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 di-opped where a terminal moraine would otherwise have been accumulated. In Center township the moraine runs south of west along the base of Lee's mountain, being easily recognized on the upper road to Orangeville, There is 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 are over four feet in length. At this point the moraine comes to an end and * Found in Pennsylvania, only in the western counilea. HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 15- 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 confi- dently said of it is, that it crosses the combined Lee' s and Huntingdon mountain-i 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 theip- union in Knob mountain, projected two long sharp head- lands eastward into the sea of ice, while an arm of the latter, ending in a nar- row point, extended between the two headlands several miles west from their extremities. In its course across the wide valley between Huntingdon mountain and tho Allegheny mountain the moraine can be traced with great precision. A quar- ter mile west of Asbury it turns northward toward Benton. It keeps on 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 corner made by Lycoming and Sullivan counties. Throughout the whole of this course the moraine is wonderfully well shown and has characteristic topog- raphy. It leaves the base of the mountain at a schoolhouse one mile S. 8. B. of Asbury at the meeting of roads from Asbury and Jonestown. 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 the' moraine and continue down the valley of the creek, becoming more shallow the farther it is from the moraine. Near the moraine this plain of s tratified drift, composed of water- worn pebbles — at least thirty feet deep — has its sur- face molded into shallow ridges and depressions, all of which are parallel to. . the 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 color of the soil. The yellow till gives place to a red soil, formed by the ■ decomposition of Catskill shales. Above Asbury the moraine turns somewhat east of north, passing not quite two miles west of Bendertown, as high drift hills 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 mo- raine from Asbury to the Benton line runs so near Fishing creek, no drift what- ever, stratified or unstratified, occurs in the valley of that creek. The slatea 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. s The moraine enters Benton township near the point where Raven' cre^ 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 from 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 pres- ence of stricB and of transported boulders upon the summit of the Allegheny mountain to the north precludes also the idea of local glaciers. It seems prob- 9 16 ' HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. able, therefore, that the continental glacier stopped just where it did simply because the inertia or moving force of the glacier, from whatever cause derived, became exhausted at this point. Increased temperatui-e was the only barrier. In Sugarloaf township, at Cole' s-creek postoffice. Cole's creek joins Fish- ing. The 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, stretch- ing 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 creek. Hence to the base of the Allegheny mountain the valley is nearly flat, and contains no drift hills. Crossing Fishing creek the moraine continues in a northwest direction across the southwest corner of Sugarloaf township, passing near a school-house on a creek about two miles northeast of Polkville. In some places the boulders are so large and numerous as to render the soil unfit for cultivation. In Jackson township, as the moraine approaches the base of Bald mountain, it is less finely developed. It crosses the upper part of the township near the base of the mountain. The till here is very thin and often absent east of the moraine ; but the occasional striated boulders prove the region to have been glaciated. As already stated no drift occurs in front of the moraine, except in the vicinity of streams. In the valleys of Green, Little Fishing and other creeks running southward, there occur boulders and sharp fragments of Pocono sandstone and boulders of Pottsville conglomierate. Although they often lie on high ground, such ground is always near a depression down which a great flood of water might have com.e, and they were probably brought to their loca- tion by floating ice. Near Orangeville, where Huntingdon and Fishing creeks 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 flattened pebbles, overlaid by sand. It was evidently deposited by a glacial stream, which flowed along the valley of Huntingdon creek. From this point the line of demarcation just touches the lower corner of Sullivan county and passes into Lycoming. 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 variai)le, in some places forty or fifty feet deep, in others only a thin coating. But this condition has been greatly modified by the never-ceasing action of the elements, so that in many places eatensive erosion has taken place, and the eroded mass gradually distributed beyond the g'laciated 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 waa succeeded by an epoch of flooded rivers. A general rise of temperature took place all over the world; the winter of the ice-age gave place to summer; unimaginable floods poured southward spread- ing their burdens of moraine stones, rounded and smoothed by attrition, and finer detritus over the lowlands; the mountains again appeared and valleys were re-excavated. When quieter times came, the Susquehanna and its tributary 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 per- HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 17 tion of Columbia county below the region marked by the moraine as the limit of glaciation. They occur alike in valleys, and on the summits of hills, which 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 Watsontoum 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 hun- dred and fifty feet above tide level, and this occurs two miles south from Cata- wissa, where they cover the summit of a ridge between Eoaring creek and the Susquehanna river. It is supposed, therefore, that these boulders were trans- ported 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 out- side 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, from 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 sotith and cut two gaps in the latter mountain (225 and 2'tO feet deep) through which the pent-up floods escaped to the lowlands, depositing the pla- teau on which the borough now stands. At Bloomsbtirg, 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 de- posit of clean reddish grey sand, fifteen to twenty feet deep, .below which come gravel and roundefi boulders. 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 in- dicated, 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 ♦The Btate authoritieB Beem to conflict upon this point. In Volume Z, of the geological reporte, Prof. Lew- is, gives the height as in the text, and the elevation above tide-level as 660 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 tide- level at 675 feet. 18 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Susquehanna. This same gravel deposit is frequently seen in the old valley which leads from Eupert 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 Sand- stone No. I and follows in regular order; the lime.stone of No. II, with its brown hematite iron ores, lead, zinc, and barytes; the slates of No. Ill, which sup- plies the roofing slate quarries on the Lehigh; the sandstone of No. IV, form- ing 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 hydraulic 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, surround- ing and supporting the coal basins, and forming Beaver- Meadow, Sugarloaf, Buck and McCauley mountains in the anthracite region, the crest of the Alle- gheny 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- rocks; III, V, VIII and XI are slate or shale formations; II and VI are chiefly limestone strata. The red members of the series are numbers V, IX and XI, and all mountains in the state, save South mountain and the moun- tains which hold the coal are merely outcrops of numbers IV and X. This nomenclature is not invariable throughout the country, nor in this state alone. In the final report of the first geological survey of Pennsylvania, latin terms, signifying the course of the sun during a single day, were substi- tuted for the numbers; in New York, the English nomenclature has been adopted; an^ in the West, owing to the confusion of the strata there, ths whole series, from the Coal Measures down to No. VIII, is classed as the Car- boniferous system. The real harmony existing between these different nomen- clatures, and an approximate section, set forth by Prof. J. P. Leslie, is as follows : HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 19 Thick- Penn'i Feet. Komenclature 1st Geological Report. 1^ New York Nomenclature Thlck- neeBin N. Y. Feet. 3,000 1,200 3,000 3,500 600 Coal measures Serai conglomerete Umbral red shale Vespertine sandstone. Ponent red sandstone. 5O0 600 350 3,200Vergent olive shales. 1,700" 700 1,100 800 300 2,600 1,800 1,200 400 550 5,500 350 Vergent gray sandstones. . . . Cadent upper black slate. . . . Oadent olive shales Cadent lower black shale. . . . Post-meridian limestone Wanting in Pennsylvania Wanting in Pennsylvania Meridian sandstone Rre-meridian limestone ) Scalent limestone \ Wanting in Pennsylvania Wanting in Pennsylvania Surgent red shales J Levant white sandstone. . . Levant red sandstone. . . Levant gray sandstone. Matinal blue slates Matinal black slates 4,000 33,850 :;;( Matinal limestone Auroral magnesian limestone Aurora calc. sandstone Primal sandstone. ' Primal slates XIII. XII. XI. X. IX. VIII. VII. VI. V. iv.' HI. II. I. Eroded from New York Millstone Grit (eroded fr. N.Y.). Old red. (Catskill group) O r Chemung group. % Portage group. . . g Genesee slates. . . 5" I Hamilton slates. . ° I Marcellus, shales. 1^ t Upper Helderberg limestone , Schoharie grit. Cauda galli grit i lOriskany sandstone. Lower Helderberg limestone. Onondaga salt group Niagara limestone Clinton group ( Medina sandstone ■< Shawnyunk grit ( Oneida conglomerate S Hudson slates 1 ( Utica slates ) i? i Black River limestone. J § ■< Birdseye limestone >• o ( Chazy limestone ) Calciferous sand-rock Potsdam sandstone 2,500 1,500 1,200 2,001 400 50 200 1,000 250 200 400 500 100 1,000 300 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 arch- es so high as to expose the upper part of No. IV, in the latter county, and into troughs deep enough to preserve nearly the highest coal measures. The first of these flexures, noticed in passing into the county from 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 t£e "Seven mountains," north of that valley. A great fold comes east- ward across the "West Branch," in the vicinity of Watsontown, which is locally designated as the Watsontown 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 Northumber- land and Montour counties, and enters Columbia in Madison township, passing eastward nearly through the center of the township. Here it brings up 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 . 20 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. and a half wide. Chemung rocks make ridges on the north and south from three to five hundred feet high. Crossing the Little Fishing, the Milton axis 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 corner of Fishingcreek township. The dip of the rocks on the south side of this anticlinal is everywhere steeper than on the northwest, since it seldom ex- ceeds 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 Meas- ure series, and possibly a small cap of the Permo-carboniferous. From this 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 area west of the river. Westward from Shickshinny the axis of the trough runs along the center of the old drift-filled valley of West Shickshinny creek, with a mountain of Pocono sandstone both north and south. But the Pocono trough gradually narrows and shallows westward, until its two rims come to- gether at Orangeville, 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 out 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 "North Branch" in Luzerne, about half way between the Big and Little Wapwallopen creeks, and passes under the town of Berwick, from which it takes its name. The Lower Helderberg limestone is elevated to the surface a short distance west from Berwick, and it very probably first emerges near the eastern line of the borough, but has been eroded and its outcrop deeply bur- ied by the terrace deposits, which cover up all the rocks to a great depth in that vicinity. The Salina beds are brought up, one mile west from Berwick, and 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 rooks come to the surface. The axis crosses Fishing creek one-half mile north from the town of Blooms- burg, and about three hundred yards north from the Bloomsburg Iron Com- pany' s furnace. Fishing and Hemlock creeks trench squarely across this axis in the vicinity of Bloomsburg, through large gaps in Montour's ridge, but westward from Hemlock creek the very hard Clinton iron sandstones and un- derlying siliceous shales arching over the crest of the fold, carry Monto'ur's ridge up to about eleven hundred feet above tide-level. This conspicuous ele- vation along the crest of the Berwick axis is known as Montour' s ridge, westward from Bloomsburg, 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 of the ridge, seem to increase the height of the latter by contrast. This axis is 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 The Northumberland synclinal is a term used to designate the downward fold of rooks, which forms a great trough, about four miles and a half south of the Berwick anticlinal. This is one of the most remarkable basins which tra- verses Pennsylvania, extending, as it does, through Huntington, Juniata, Sny- der, Northumberland, Columbia and Luzerne counties, nearly to the Lehigh river, a total length of about two hundred and fifty miles. Tt rough most of its course in middle Pennsylvania it is regular as to width and depth, but much complicated by subordinate folds. As it approaches the Susquehanna from the west, it begins to widen and deepen gradually. Crossing the river at the 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 s®uth represent' other subordinate basins 9n 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 MoCauley' s mountain, and in others lie the anthracite basins of Black Creek, Hazleton, etc. A very strong anticlinal arch crosses the Susquehanna eastward, two miles above Selinsgrove. This fold rapidly decline^^ast of the river, where the Lower HeMerberg is soon covered by the Oisfcaw^andstone, 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 town- ship. 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 ia turn by the Pocono before the axis reaches the eastern line of Columbia county in the southern part of Eoaringcreek township. Southward from this axis t£e dip increases, the Chemtmg, Catskill, Pocono, Mauch Chunk and Pottsville formations coming down, one after another, dip- ping from forty-five to fifty degrees, to the Coal Measures of the great Sham- 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, how- ever, 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 fruitless. In their decomposition they subserva a valuable, if less attractive purpose, in furnishing the principal 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 thick- ness, and a type of greenish gray sandstone; but while the top of this forma- tion 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 difficult to determine the exact line of demarcation. To bridge this diffi- culty, the report classifies these transition beds as an intermediate Cdtskill- Chemung group. The character of the rocks is very changeable. In one sec- tion, more than two-thirds of the whole series may be massive-looking, greenish 22 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. sandstone, with only thin beds of red shale interstratified, while only a few miles distant the green sandstones disappear and in their stead are found very thick red beds. A general section compiled from the vicinity of Catawissa exhib- iting so far as exposures could be obtained, may be found on page 57, of vol- ume G'', of the second state report. The depth here is estimated at 4,330 feet. Save a narrow belt of Pocono, which caps the summit of North mountain, the red Catskill covers the whole area of Sugarloaf township and a mile-wide strip of the northern part of Benton. The southern line of this red border passes regularly westward through Jackson and Pine townships, though from the line of Polkville- southward the rocks belong rather to the Catskill- Chemung. 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 syncliaal. 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 the Catskill borders the northern slope of the Nescopec mountain, and, follow- ing the trend of the Catawissa range, occupies the broad angle formed by its union with Little mountain, covering the larger portion of Franklin, Cata- wissa, Locust and Roaringcreek townships, and the southern half of Maine .and Mifflin townships. The Catskill beds, when shaly and 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 Chemung formation. The transitional beds which lie between these formations ^re well exposed about half way between Rupert and Catawissa, a section of ■which may be found on page 68 of the report already refeiTed to. The depth at this point is estimated at 1,007 feet. In the coloring of the geological jnaps, however, these beds are included in the Catskill formation. The top of 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 es- timates its thickness at 2,443 feet. The Chemung rocks are finely exposed 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 succes- sion is shown: 1. Red shale, base of Catskill- CTiemung group . Upper: 2. Soft olive shales 50 3. Conglomerate, gray sandstone, with flat quartz pebbles . . ........ 10 4. Olive shales, rather soft 200 5. Hard, greenish, sandy, flaggy beds '. . 150 6. Stony Brook beds, very fossiliferous olive-green sandy shales'. .... 75 Lower : 7. Very hard, gray, bluish, and dark olive sandy beds 1 875 8^ Genesee shales. Total thickness of Chemung 2,360 _ In this section appears a type of the Chemung that is found at nearly every -pomt m this region where these beds are exposed— two series of rocks quite difPerent from each other in lithological character, taking the base of the Stony Brook beds as the dividing plane. The Upper Chemung is from five to six hundred feet thick, and consists Jargely of oliv©-green shale, which readily breaks down when exposed to at- ^"I'l'lSemaiam, 1,31-0 NawlorK. z>a^- HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 25 mospheric influences, crumbling into small chips and splinters, whicli soon de- compose. The conglomerate is not a constant member of the series, but yet it 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 peb- bles of quartz scattered through it. All rocks below the Stony Brook horizon may be classed together, so far as their lithological characters are concerned, since these are practically the same throughout the eighteen or nineteen hun- dred feet which complete them. They are simply a monotonous succession of 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 weath- ering they are usually broken into irregular and rather thick, splinter- like fragments, four to six inches long. The base of this series rises suddenly and sharply from the valley of Hamilton beds, which always border it, and usually makes a high ridge of rocky, barren land overlooking the Hamilton valley from a height of three to four hundred feet. There is a total and abrupt change in lithology at the base of the Chem,ung 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. Qeneaee slate, dark blue and blackish shales and slates, sometimes slightly sandy, and when weathered often bleaching gray or even whitish 375 3. TuUy limestone, a series of dull gray and bluish gray Impure lime- stones, weathering with a bufflsh tint, and often presenting a slaty appearance 50 3. Hamilton brown, gray and bluish gray sand shales and slates 400 4. Marcellus shales, black and dark blue fissile slates and shales, some- times getting gray at base 410 Total thickness of Hamilton 1,135 The Tully limestone of this series is never pure enough to burn, usually be- ing quite earthy, breaking with a dull, irregular fracture, and often weather- ing to a light ashen, or even buffiah gray color. This series, as displayed north of the Susquehanna, is eminently a valley maker, since all of its com- ponents readily break down and disintegrate into soil, the quality of which is excellent, some of the best farms in the county being situated on the Hamilton rocks. The river flows in a valley of these rocks from Hick's ferry nearly to Rupert, a distance. of nearly twenty miles, and they may frequently 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 in- crease 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 any representative of the Cauda galli beds in this county or in the region, but on Big Fishing creek, about two and a half zaUes above Bloomsburg, there occur some beds down near the base of No. 26 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. VIIT, 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 southwestward, covers Green- wood, Madison, and parts of Pine, Orange and Mount Pleasant. The Milton axis, which passes through the center of this bend, brings up an area of Ham- ilton rocks, which beginning in a point at Fishing creek, gradually widens to- ward the west, attaining a breadth of two or three mUes in Greenwood and Madison townships. A narrow band of Chemung bordered by a similar band 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. V). The rocks which constitute the Oriskany series were not deposited every- where over this region, there being no representation whatever of them on Big Fishing creek. They appear to be absent also from both sides of the Berwick axis all along its course between Berwick and Bloomsburg; at least, not a single- oatorop or fragment of the rock is to be seen between the two localities. The most eastern k cality at which this rock has been observed is the slate quarry on Little Fishing creek. Near this a quarry in the Lower Helderherg lime- stone reveals four to six feet of cherty, brown sandy beds, overlain by the blu- ish black beds of the Marcellus, and underlaid by 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 through the Oriskany to reach the Lower Helderherg limestone. Here a large- amount of Oriskany rock has been taken from the tunnel and now lies on the dump. It consists of cherty, rotten, dirty yellow beds containing some lime, and is quite rich in fossils. A ribbon-like band of the Lower Helderherg may be traced from the river at Berwick, when9e, taking a slight curve northward to the latitude of Light- street, it passes in a nearly direct line westward to the west branch of the Susquehanna. A similar band begins at the same point and follows the bank of the river to a point nearly opposite Mifflinville, where the river in bending north severs it. Beginning again at the point of the river's deflection, it fol- lows a direct course to Bloomsburg, crossing the river at Danville. A sum- marized section of this series, obtained in Cooper township at the eastern lin& of Montour county, is as follows: Feet. 1. Stormville shale 100 3. Stormville conglomerate 44 3. Stormville limestone .111 4. Stormville cement bed, etc ...!.........!...... . .' 34 5. Bossardville limestone !l05 Total 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 oc- casionally making up nearly the entire thickness. Interstratified with thes© HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 27 are often seen thin beds of impure, shaly limestone, and occasionally some layers of chert. As shown in the above section the average thickness of this formation generally is not far from one hundred feet thick. At one locality on Little Pishing creek, about two miles north of Bloomsburg, it is seen thin- ning rapidly from fifteen to only two feet. This shale seems to stand to the Oriskany sandstone above, and to the Lower Helderberg limestones below, in the relation of a transition series, connecting Nos. VI and VII, without prop- erly belonging to either. The Stormville conglomerate is a very siliceous, calcareous sand-rock, and occurs at the base of the Stormville shale. It is called the ' ' sand block' ' by the quarry men, an5 is reported to be "as hard as granite." The beds imme- diately 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 coimty line, do they look anything like a sandstone, though in one or two sec- tions sometimes cherty and usually massive. On weathered surfaces, where the 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 occasion- ally cherty near the top. When massive, this is often too impure to burn into 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 purpose. The latter bed, which generally comes near the center of the Stormville limestone, is designated from the number of Stromatopora concentrica which it contains, being in fact simply a fossil reef of these sponge-like masses. The 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, from that of a saucer up to two feet in diameter. This bed is usually rather siliceous, or at least is seldom pure enough to warrant quaiTying 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 Colum- bia county to distinguish a light gray or buffish blue, very tough, impure limestone, which separates the good limestone found at the base of the Storm- ville 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 quarry- ing, 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 reached by cutting through the wall of "Bastard limestone," which then remains as a great overhanging ledge directly through the center of the quarry. 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 ia the only stone from which the white lime for plastering purposes can be pro- cured. 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. 28 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. This valuable deposit is not exposed along the whole line of its upheaval, but is well worth exploration to discover it. Its outcrop is often covered over by an uncertain thickness of surface trash, and could certainly be found any- where between Berwick and the "West Branch" by a systematic search along its line of outcrop. In many localities it is doubtless so deeply buried as to render any attempt to quarry it impracticable, but there are many others where it could be uncovered 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 results were kept secret, no one pursued the matter further. This same hori- 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 Scott and Center townships. It is reported that masses of Galena more than a foot in diameter were taken from the rocks at this locality, but the ore was not found in quantity sufficient to warrant a continuance of the efPort. 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 marks the line of the Berwick axis. The top of this series appears on the surface near the center of Scott township, while next in order down the slope, along its whole extent, comes the Salina. A complete exposure of this series, 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 " Shaf er road" to Lightstreet. The section here observed suggests the division of the Salina series into three groups — the upper, middle and lower groups. The first is used to designate the succession of huffish, pale green limestones, and tinny shales which make their appearance immediately beneath the Bossardville beds. The base of this group is placed at the lowest red bed, and as thus limited has a thickness •of three hundred and twenty- nine feet. Gypsum has not been observed in this group, though it probably exists in small disseminated particles, as this division of the series is locally known as "sulphur stone," from the fact that in an at- tempt to burn the rocks into lime they gave off an intolerable odor of sul- phur. The middle group is used to designate that portion of the Salina which con- sists 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 of four hundred and seven feet. The lower group is a thick mass of red rocks, 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's railroad, at the north line of the town of Bloomsburg. Nearly its full thick- ness may be seen in this locality, but the green shales at the base of the middle group are not quite exposed in the four hundred and forty feet of beds measured ^ere, 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 blutts 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 lammation whatever appears, but the whole mass weathers away by breaking I across the bedding into small, irregular chips, which gives the cliffs a peculiar roughened aspect. HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 2& The Salina rocks, as a whole, like the Hamilton, make valleys along the line of their strike. This is finely shown in the continuous valley on either side of Montour ridge from the eastern line of Columbia county westward to the "West Branch." The soil made by these beds, especially the upper and middle groups, is the most fertile in the district. The topography is al- ways gentle, and a large quantity of limej 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 only on the arch of Montour ridge. This elevation is almost perfectly straight 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 west, and declines at each end in a long gradual slope into the plain. Its greatest height is about six hundred feet, and its mean breadth perhaps three- fourths of a mile. From its east termination near Espytown to its west, at the Susquehanna, four miles above Northumberland, the whole length of the crest is very nearly twenty-seven miles. A low valley, generally less than half a mile 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 : Feet. 1. Olive brown shales.limey beds and flaggy sandstones — fossiliferous..l50 ( Ore, big vein, 10 to 12 inches. ) 3. Fossil iron ore, < Limy and sandy sKale, 2 feet, [■...., 3 ( Ore, little vein, 3 to 4 inches. ) 3. Concealed and olive sandy beds, together with some calcareous bands 150 4. Iron sandstone: Feet, (a.) Very hard dark-red or reddish brown sandstone contain- ing 10 to 15 per cent of iron 10 Shales, yellowish-green, with streaks of red 25 V 60 Dark brown sandstone, containing thin streaks of lean iron ore and some shales 25 5. Pale yellowish green and olive shales to_ crest of Berwick axis, in the gap of Fishing creek 350 Total thickess of Clinton (No. V.) exposed 718 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 of Bloomsburg, on both sides of Montour ridge, and is still largely drawn on for the supply of the furnaces located here. The iron made from this ore is in 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 oc- curs 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 fossiliferous horizon has been taken out in the vicinity of Bloomsburg, except what may be mined from deep workings. The Iron sandstone does not seem to contain any valuable ores in the vicin- ity of Bloomsburg, east from Fishing creek. West from Bloomsburg, in the vicinity of Danville, however, this ore becomes quite valuable, and has long been (6.) («■) 30 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. ■extensively mined. This sandstone is dark, reddish brown in color, and is a very compact, hard stone. It has been quarried on both sides of Montour ridge just above Bloomsburg, and also on the summit of the same near the western line of Scott township. It is excessively hard, and almost indestructible by atmospheric influences. This rock forms the summit of Montour ridge from the western line of Scott westward to the Mohtour county line, beyond which the lower olive beds cover the rest of the mountain to the "West Branch." 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 struct- ure. 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 portion of the western division lying between the Mahoning and Hem- lock creeks, about one-half of which comes within the limits of Columbia, is much less valuable for mining purposes than at Danville. The anticlinal ris- ing 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 flanks are wider apart at their outcrops. It is found necessary in all this part 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 character- izes it at Danville. But it is practically determined that this important ore, which constitutes the main portion of the mineral wealth of the Danville lo- cality, 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 an- ticlinal, commencing a little west of Hemlock creek and terminating about three miles east of Bloomsburg. It is thus about five miles long; its breadth 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 a part of the valley of Fishing creek. In their carving action the floods re- 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 ridge. The vertical uplift of this division of the ridge is some four hundred and fifty feet less than the more favorable points in the western division, a f 9,ct that occasions several very important peculiarities in the condition of the ore. In 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 Fish- ing creek. Such a shaft, starting near the water level, 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 inter- est, 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 out- crop 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 defi- nitely settled fact, that throughout all this portion of the belt the Iron sand- stone ore, as such, has no existence. It would thus appear that the only available ferruginous stratum is the f ossil- iferous iron ore of the Clinton ore shales. Eestricted, 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 f ossilif erous ore alone occurs above the water level, it is made, by the admirably balanced influ- ence of a particular degree of elevation of gentle curvature, and of denudation in the anticlinal wave, to hold just that position which is nearly the most favor- able 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 ex- tremities, but does not rise high upon its north and south slopes. This pro- duces, 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 re- spective places has been deprived of its excess of calcareous matter, by expos- ure to surface percolation. Along both fianks 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 repos- ing upon the ore bed; and consequently the depth to which the superficial in- filtrations 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 man- tles over and around the long and gently declining terminations in a dip which' is much more nearly coincident with that of the surface above it; and therefore a far wider outcrop of it is thinly overlaid by the slate, and penetrated and al- tered by the atmospheric waters. This circumstance, and the much longer 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 as- sertion, 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 ridge in a con- tinuous sheet, underlying, perhaps, some one hundred and fifty acres or more, at a depth below the soil in few places exceeding twenty feet. ' ' The Bloomsburg Iron Company, owning two large furnaces in the gorge of Fishingi creek, and using largely this soft variety of f ossilif erous ore, pos- sess 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- 32 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. five acres continuously underlaid by the soft ore in the east end of the hill, be- tween two and three miles of Bloomsburg. "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 the company has upon it between two hundred and two hundred and fifty thou- sand tons of the soft outcrop -ore; while it is estimated that the quantity of the hard or calcareous fossiliferous ore in readily accessible positions amounts to seventy or eighty thousand tons. When the admifable quality of the iron de- rived from a mixture of ores possessing a large proportion of the soft fossilifer- ous variety is considered, and the superior ease and economy with which it may be smelted, this whole east anticlinal district of Montour ridge must be es- teemed as one of the most fortunately-conditioned ore localities in the United 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 min- eral resources exist in Columbia county, north of the river. Farther south, as the rock exposures, already noted indicate, these resources are wanting, but their absence is amply compensated by the coal measures which have been pre- served in the southeastern portion of the county's area. Here the sub-carbon- 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 mountain, form a continuous rim, and the western limit of the " Western Middle 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 sand- stone, in layers from one to three feet thick, which sometimes contains small pebbles. Beneath this uppermost sandstone lie gray and green sandstones, interstratified with occasional beds of shale, one of which is often red. It is terminated below by a massive gray and yellowish white very coarse conglom- erate, 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 fruitlessly 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-Cafskill has been applied. As a whole, this group is com- posed 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 often occurs at the top of the group. It appears to be a transition formation 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 un- hesitatingly in the one, and at another would feel sui'e that it belonged to the other. * The above extract is taken fl-om Prof. H D. Eogers' report in Vol. I of the Pennsylvania Geological R»- portj'puhlished in 186 -, Thi» is re-published in Vol G7 of the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania (1883), by Prof. J. P. Leslie, with this comment: " In the early stages of the iron manufacture, the DanviUe-Blooras- 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 or producing, its relative importance so diminislierl, and its cost of mining so increased, that Mr. Rogers' careful description of it is all those interested in it, whether capitalisis or geologists, can require. In fact, our knowledge of it was 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 sea- tion may be observed: Feet. Feet.. 1. Sandstone, coarse, gray, yellowish 30"1 2. Concealed ^^*^ I Pocono 580> 3. Massive, grayish white conglomerates in | several beds 300 J 4. Gray sandstone, shales, and concealed with "] massive gray sandstone at base 300 It3«„„„^ riotonn mn 5. Sandstone, gray above, passing down into ^i'ocono-l.atsliill. d/a reddish beds at base 75j 6. Catskillered shale 100' In Little mountain, at Bear-Gap, the combined thickness of the Pocono and' Pocono- Catskill beds is about twelve hundred feet, of which probably five hun- dred 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 formatiort forms the Catawissa valley surrounding McCauley mountain, and has a thick- ness here of not less than two thousand feet. Between Little (No, X) and Big- (No. XII) mountains, across the northern part of Conyngham township, tha valley is formed by the Mauch Chunk red shale. The Pottsville conglomerate (No. XII), which underlies the coal measures^, appears on the surface only on McCauley mountain, and in the valleys of th&y branches which unite to form the Little Catawissa creek. The Coal Measures of Pennsylvania, or carboniferous formation No. XIIX 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 coverecS. 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 hiUs 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- state. 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, andJ. 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 mountains. It is apparent, therefore, that no general section can be constructed whichi will 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 appearanea^ of the series in the anthracite region. 36 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Feet. ShalfS : 35 Coal I •■ 5 Shales 20 CoalH I Interval of sandstone and shales 90 Coal 6 13 Interval of sandstone and shales 80 CoalF 6 Interval of sandstones chiefly 50 Coal E 15 Interval of sandstone ..40 Coal D 8 Interval of sandstone and top slate 60 CoalC 6 Interval of sandstone 50 Coal B 5 Interval of sandstone and slates 50 Coal A 2 Conglomerate XII — At Pottsville the interval rocks are sometimes three hundred feet thick. The barren measures are very thick and well marked, and a great thickness of top-bar- ren measures overlie the upper coals. There are about fifteerf workable beds in this basin, with about ten smaller beds one or two feet thick. They are known by numerous local names, such as the Gate, the Tracy, the Diamond, the Orchard, Primrose, Holmes, Seven Foot, Mammoth, Skidmore, Buck mountain, etc. The Sharp mountain beds were first tried and abandoned more than fifty years ago, because of their crushed condition and vertical pos- ture. The Gate, Tracy and other top-beds of the series were then mined, and almost always disastrously to the operators. The first extensive operations were upon the Diamond, Orchard and Prim- rose synclinals, a mile or two north of Pottsville, and on the center line of the basin. These beds were pretty well worked out. Meanwhile, the superior value 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 to fifty feet of coal. When the Mahanoy and Shamokin regions were opened up, the principal collieries were all located on the outcrops of these same beds. The Mammoth 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 col- iieries, in iihiokness running from twenty to thirty feet, and in quality excell- ing all the other anthracites. Within a year or two a great bed, twelve to fourteen feet thick, has been discovered to exist near the bottom of the con- glomerate at the west end of the Pottsville basin; its outcrop has been followed for many miles along the outside of the moantain, and large collieries are now established on it in the red shale valley. This bed has been traced up the Ma- 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 not cover that part of the "Western Middle Coalfield " in which the mines of Columbia county are situated, and the compiler of these pages finds it impos- sible, with the data at hand, to present any adequate statement of the coal re- sources of the county. A brief general account of their development may be 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 fifom the following typical section of the Shenandoah and Mahanoy basins: 10 12 11 12 15 11 TOTAL. Ft. In. 4 8 11 9 7 3 KOCK. COAL BEDS. Ft. In. Ft. In. 1. Slate 4 8 2. Big Tbact coal bed 3. Dark gray slate 32 10 4. Siliceous rock 18 JO 5. Gray slate 3 8 6. Diamond goal bed 7. Dark gray slate 4 8 8. Slate, with iron ore balls 38 9 9. Liglit sandstone 14 4 10. Dark gray slate 30 11. Conglomerate 19 9 12. Dark gray slate 10 4 13. Little Okchard coal bed 14. Dark gray slate 23 15. Obchard coal bed 16. Dark gray slate 78 17. Dark sandstone 16 18. Slate, with iron ore balls 57 19. Primrose coal bed 20. Dark gray slate, with iron ore balls . 100 21. Holmes coal bed 33. Slate 6 23. Coal bed 24. Slate 1 10 25. Siliceous rock 62 6 26. Slate 4 27. Sandstone 56 6 28. Slate 9 5 39. Mammoth coal bed, top member 30. Slate 39 .. 81. Hammoth coal bed, middle member 33. Slate 22 .. 33. Mammoth coal bed, bottom member 84. Slate 6 4 35. Conglomerate 8 36. Slate 6 4 37. Skidmore coal bed 38. Slate 10 4 39. Sandstone 11 40. Slate 3 .. 41. Seven eoot coal bed 42. Slate 8 11 43. Sandstone 3 9 44. Slate 8 45. Sandstone 8 11 46. Conglomerate 42 9 47. Slate 6 4 48. Buck Mountain coal bed 12 Total rock 767 " coal 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 measures 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 stratigraphy in the vicinity of the EUan- gowan colliery. Although the Big Tracy bed is placed at the top of the sec- 41 60 64 71 75 114 128 158 178 188 191 215 226 304 330 377 385 486 498 505 509 511 573 573 630 689 653 691 698 5 9 9 6 10 8 3 3 3 7 11 ii 3 1 7 11 5 10 11 720 11 735 11 743 750 756 760 770 781 784 791 800 803 804 813 856 862 874 3 3 7 4 8 8 8 2 iS' 6 5 2 6 9 38 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. tion, there is, at least, 125 feet of strata on top of it." [2d Geol. Survey of Pa., Vol. AA, pp. 234-235.] TNoTB —The foregoing chapter is indebted to the various writings of J. P. Leslie, state geologist, Professors I. C. White, H. C. Lewis and C. A. Ashburner, of the geolog- ical sifrvev not only for the facts, but also for much of the phraseology. Liberty has been taken in making extracts from the reports, to adapt the language and selections to the Durnoses 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.— J^d.] CHAPTER II. THE PLANTING AND EXTENSION OF THE EAELY SETTLEMENTS. IT was some three-quarters of a century after the planting of the first per- manent colony on the continent that the tide of civilization reached the densely wooded country which has since developed into the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The "first colony to Virginia" was planted at Jamestown in 1607; New Netherland was planted in 1615; the "Pilgrim Fathers" came in 1620; Connecticut was founded 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 for- est of hemlock, pine, beech, oak and maple, broken only by the craggy face of some precipitous mountain or the widely scattered planting spots, which the natives kept clear of the intruding forests by autumnal fires. Within its recesses the natives reared their lodges beside its sequestered streams, and little dreamed that the vague rumors which came to them from the seaboard, 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 Poto- mac and Chesapeake bay on the south, divided between the two leading fam- ilies of the Indian race. The Iroquois were the first to reach this region in the course of their traditional migration from the west, and settled in the lake region. Subsequently the Lenni Lenape, the great head of the Algonkin family, found their way hither, and fixed upon the Delaware as their national center. Three branches only of this nation appear to have crossed the Alle- ghenys, of which the Turtles and the Turkeys continued their migration to' the seaboard, where they planted their villages and remained until dispos- sessed by the whites. The Wolf branch, better known by their English name of ' ' the Monseys, ' ' planted itself at the Minisink, on the Delaware, extending 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 different 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 foul, resulted in the humbling of the Delawares, as. they were named by the English. Of the latter family, the most formidable tribe in Pennsylvania were the Susquehannas. The river which perpetuates their name marks th& site of their villages, from which they pushed their forays, pursuing their vic- torious career to the seaboard, and inspiring terror in the hearts of even th& HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 39 warlike Iroquois. Their successful career terminated, however, toward the close of the seventeenth century. Their numbers were greatly diminished by the terrible ravages of the small-pox, and in 1675, it is said, they were com- pletely overthrown by an unknown power, and driven from their ancient seats. They migrated thence to the Maryland line, where they came in contact with the Virginians. Here hostilities occurred, and were waged by the Susque- 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 the most uncertain character. If the Susquehannas maintained their inde 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- quois, by force of arms or artifice, had gained complete ascendency over the Delawares. How this was accomplished is differently related by the dominant and subject peoples. It appears, however, that the growing power of the AlgonMns suggested the necessity of confederation, on the part of the Iro- quois, 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 the aboriginal occupants of the country east of the Mississippi river. They claimed, as conquerors of the different tribes, the absolute ownership of this vast territory, and parceled it out to Europeans and aboriginees at their sover- eign will and pleasure. The statecraft of these unlettered conquerors of the American forests finds a prototype in the policy of the Romans. Warlike tribes were divided and kept employed in further conquests or in reducing refractory nations, while all were placed under a close surveillance and some form of tribute. When the whites 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 re- sisted the boandless 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 na- tions. Penn, fortunately wiser in this respect than many of his contempora- ries, 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 en- tertain the highest regard for the personal rights and liberties of those whom fortune might place in his power, and he accordingly announced to the colo- nists who had previously settled within the limits of the territory ceded to him, ' 'that it hath pleased Grod 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 and an "honest minde to doe it uprightly." He declared that they should be 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 "usurp 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 40 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. dmit the operation of his principles of justice to the colonists, but ' 'was influ- enced by a purer morality and a sounder policy. " In the language of Smith's Laws of Pennsylvania, "His religious principles did not permit him to wrest the soil of 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 from the calumet of peace. ' ' When Markham was dispatched to America, in May, 1681, prominent among the provisions of his commission were instructions to negotiate with the natives for peaceable possession of the lands necessary for the new colony. At the same time the proprietor addressed a conciliating address to the Indians, in which he expressed the most elevated sentiments. He declared to them that although 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 con- sent, that they might live together as neighbors and friends ; that he was not ignorant of the unkindness 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 grudging and animosities, sometimes to the shedding of blood. But, he de- clared, I am not such a man, as is well known in my own country; and if in 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 by no 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 Bnd natives in a constitution, which was subsequently submitted to the settlers. It was cordially ratified, and became the fundamental law of the province. Markham held a conference with the Indians at Shakamaxon, July 15, 1682, and, it is believed, then first obtained a grant from the natives. The land 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 distance above the mouth of Baker' s creek. In the following November Penn had arrived with a second company of colonists, and while there is no written evidence to the fact, a long line of well confirmed tradition indicates that the pro- prietor held another treaty with the Indians at the same place. Here he met {he representatives of the Delaware tribes of the Lenni Lenape, of the Shawan- ese, and of the Iroquois tribes settled on the Conestoga. No concessions of 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- terrupted by either of the contracting parties. Various treaties, however, were subsequently entered into with the tribes occupying 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 province of Pennsylvania." The conveyance was finally made to Penn, on January 13, 1696, "in consideration of one hundred pounds sterling." This 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 this region. Accordingly in September. 1700, he obtained from the "Kings or Sachems of the Susquehanna Indians, 'and of the river under that name and lands lying on both sides thereof," a deed of all this region, "lying and be HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUIvTY. 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 nation called the Susquehanna Indians, ' ' and a distinct confirmation of the bargain and sale effected with the Five Nations. Here the Conestoga Indians interposed their objections, refusing to recog- nize the validity of the Dongan purchase. Penn at once addressed himself with unfailing patience to overcome this obstacle, and while in the province on his second visit, procured from the representatives of the Susquehannas, to- tomac and Conestoga tribes a full confirmation and ratification of both the pre- vious deeds. This was in April, 1701, but notwithstanding Penn's liberal measures to extinguish 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 terms as, " to run two days'' journey with an horse up into the country as the river doth go, " or ' ' north- westerly back into the woods to make up two full days' journey," "as far aa a man can go in two days from said station," etc. There is a tradition to the 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 woidd 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 consummated in Sep- tember, 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 re- monstrated with the proprietary government, isolated cases of hostilities en- sued, and the prospect of a general war appeared imminent, when wiser coun- sels prevailed. While the new line seemed well understood on the Delaware, on the Schuylkill ' ' the mountains this side of Lechay ' ' were confounded with, the Kittatinny range, and settlers had planted themselves at Tulpehocken and. Oley. This difiioulty was finally adjusted in 1732, when Thomas Penn pur- chased 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' a 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. 42 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. At the time of the Tulpehooken purchase a prominent land speculator had secured a warrant for the location and survey of ten thousand acres of land in the Minisinks, forty miles above the Indian boundary line. About the same time the proprietor published proposals for the dis- position of one hundred thousand acres by lottery, the prize-holders to locate upon any lands not sold or settled. No exception was made of the 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 il- legal improvements. AH 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 ex- tend one and a half days' walk from near Wrightstown into the interior. The 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 site of Easton, induced to confirm it. The proprietors at once advertised for expert walkers, offering five hundred acres and five pounds sterling to the one ■who should make the greatest distance in the time specified. The walk took place in the latter part of September, 1737, with two Indians attending, osten- sibly 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 ±rom the starting point, where he arrived at noon. The outrageous character of this proceeding was not lost upon the natives. When the walking party, at- tended by mounted relays provided with liquor and refreshments for the con- testants, reached the Blue mountains, they found a great number of Indiana collected, with the expectation that the walk would end there. But when they 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 Mras 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 messen- gers 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 fi-om 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 Shaw- anese 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 4::^^^.^^^^^ ^, (^A^ HISTORY OF COLUMBIA. COUNTY. , 45 line, and the demand for more room soon began to be urgently pressed. In 1749, therefore, a further cession of land was secured from the natives, the rep- resentatives of the Six Nations uniting with chiefs of the Shamokin, Delaware and Shawanese occupants on August 22, in & deed granting the region north of the Kittatinny range on the east side of the Susqehanna, within the follow- ing limits: Beginning on the river at the nearest mountains north of the Mahanoy creek, and fi-om thence extending by a direct line to the main branch of the Delaware at the north side of the Laxawaxen. Much of this region had already been pre-empted by adventurous squatters, while west of the Sus- quehanna, the line of settlements were scarcely less advanced although the 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 be- gan 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 ihe English; the Shawanese had yielded to their blandishments, and the Dela- wares and Iroquois were known to be wavering. A general conference of rep- resentatives from 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 northern boundary a short distance west of the Conewango creek. The lands of the Shawanese, Delaware and Mousey occupants were thus ' ' sold irom under their feet' ' contrary to the express stipulation of the Six Nations to these tribes. Nothing further was needed to completely alienate these sava- ges, and but little more to precipitate these savages into a cruel and relentless 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 carried off twenty-five persons, after burning and otherwise destroy- ing the improvements. Five days later, a company of forty-six men from Pax- ton creek, led by John Harris, went to Shamokin to inquire of the Indians there who the authors of the devastation were. On their return, while cross- ing 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 Beading 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 from Bethlehem and Nazareth gave account of two hundred savages invading Northampton county, murdering the inhabitants and burning their dwellings. On Christmas, reports were received from 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 hos- tile Indians and the white rangers. It is unnecessary to cite further details to illustrate the reign of terror and blood which devastated the frontiers, and carried consternation even to the 46 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. citizens of Philadelphia. The most vigorous measures for defense were em- ployed. 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 strong- hold on the Alleghany river. The movement, under the direction of General Armstrong, was entirely successful, and resulted in the complete disorganiza- tion of the Indian conspiracy against the frontier. The savages were once more willing to treat, and a grand council was convened at Easton in November of this year. The high contracting parties were Governor Denny, on the part of the prov- ince, 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 In- dians, the eminent chief mentioned the overtures of the French and the ill- usage 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 Shawaness 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. When these things were known to native occupants, they declared they would no longer be friends with the En- glish, 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 confer- ences. Bum was freely supplied, and strenuous efforts made to place Teedy- uscung, 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 griev- ances, 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 inde- pendent treaty made by the Delawares and Shawanese in 175Q, and had com- mitted sundry outrages upon the settlements in the hope of embroiling the ad- joining 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 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 47 representatives of the Six Nations did not defeat the purposes of the confer- ence. TeedyuBCung, however, bore himself with dignity and firmness, and secm-ed from the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the principal Indian agents, who represented the whites, a release of all lands beyond the Al- legheny 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 Penn- sylvania border. In 1762 the " chain of friendship" between the natives and whites was ' 'strengthened' ' and ' 'brightened' ' at a council held in Lancaster ; the frontier settlements increased in population, and the Moravian missionaries ex- tended their stations to Wyoming and vicinity, and re-established their mission at Gnadenhutten. And in 1762, after effecting a purchase of the Six Nations, and with the consent of the neighboring tribes, the first company of Connecticut colonists began their improvements in the Wyoming valley. But this favor- able state of affairs was not destined to last. The Iroquois had joined hands 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 strong- holds of their opponents. Among the first indications of the unfavorable change was the murder of Teedyuscung 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 inten- tion of involving the Delawares in tha predetermined hostilities, as well as to cover the course which their vindictive hatred had lead them to take. In the following October the same evil power destroyed the Wyoming settlements, and subsequently earned the fire-brand and tomahawk into every frontier com- munity. The frontier was again depopulated, the dismayed pioneers fleeing with their families and movable property to the stronger stations at Shippens- burg, Carlisle, Lancaster and Heading. A series of partisan forays and re- prisals, characterized by the most barbarous exhibitions of revenge, on the^ part of both white and red men", marked the period. In 1764, however, the 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 new boiindary 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 ad- venturous squatter once more trespassed upon the unpurchased lands of the natives. The Indians began to renew their murmurs of complaint, and ob- servant men began to fear a renewal of savage hostilities, when instructions from the crown were received and a council appointed to meet at Fort Stan,wix, for the adjustment of all diflBculties. Few of the Indian nations, save the Iro- quois confederacy, were represented, and the representatives of the latter alone signed the treaty and received the consideration given for the lands ceded, al- though 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 repre- sentatives 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 tha river and following up the course of said creek to its source lying north of what 48 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. was known as the Burnett hills; thence in a direct courBe to Pine creek, and down its 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 Alle- gheny 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 terri- tory now included within the limits of Columbia county, but the eager advance •of the adventurous pioneer had anticipated this action, and a considerable pop- ulation 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, Nan- ticokes, Monseys and Mohicans located along the course of the river in scat- tered villages, or visiting the valley on hunting 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, that they might not prove obstacles in the way of their expeditions. Shikel- 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 char- acter of the country made the early transportation by wheeled vehicles, or even pack animals, impracticable, and its importance to the natives may readily be un- derstood 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 perpet- uates the tribal name. From this point the trail to Wyoming followed the course of Glade run to Pishing creek, at a point where Millville now stands, and thence along the Huntingdon creek, through the Nescopeck gap, and up the river to the Wyoming village. To the upper village of Wyalusing, 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 Mousey village, as did the one leading to the Sheshequin 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 Shamo- kin 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- HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 49^ tlements — the one foom 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 th& upward course of the streams which emptied into the Delaware, and westward, in a somewhat narrow path,- toward the Susquehanna. Their progress to tha 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 Kit- tatinny 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 George Whitfield began a settlement at Nazareth, and invited the newly arrived Mo- ravians to join him. This gave rise to complaints from the Indians, and it was subsequently abandoned for Bethlehem. In 1743, however, the pious adven- turers returned to Nazareth, completed Whitfield's imfinished building, and established a flourishing colony there. Three years later Priedenshutten was. founded on Mahoning creek (Carbon county), where a large number of Mohi- can followers of the Moravians were established. Here a large settlement gath- ered, 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 course of that stream as far as Penn's creek on the west side, and Mahanoy creek on the east side. Settle- ments 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 hospit- ably received by Shikellamy, and from thence went to Otzinachson, on the " West Branch, " where he met Madame Montour and other Europeans who had adopted Indian habits. In 1745, the Eeverend David Brainerd visited Shamo- kin 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 ' ' ac- counted the most drunken, mischievous and ruffian-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 their 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 seek- ing the services of those in the Tulpehocken settlements. This was granted, on condition that he was to remain only so long as they continued friendly 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. 50 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Notice of England' a 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 of friendship. Traders from the different colonies found their way to the remotest nations east of the Mississippi, and gave frequent 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 unscrupulous 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 not purchased of the Indians. This was allayed by purchasers from time to time; but these, in the main, proved more satisfactory to the Six Nations than to the native occupants. In 1749, Shikellamy died, the Shawanese had withdrawn to Ohio, and the Iroquois, under the seductive influences of French agents, began to waver in their allegiance to the English. The regular alternation of encroachments and 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 interior. The success of the French in 1754, however, encouraged the Shawan- ese 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 was to depopulate the advanced settlements, and lead to a general concentra- tion 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 of the war, and were prepared to make fresh advances. On the conclusion of this purchase, the provincial 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 pur- chase from the Indians and the charter of Connecticut. In February, 1769, a colony of some forty persons arrived from Connecticut and quietly repos- sessed themselves of their former claims. A bitter controversy, characterized by wanton cruelty and gross injustice, was thus begun and persistently carried on for years. In the summer following the settlement at Wyoming, the first settler 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 land in this county was settled by the first purchaser. It happened, therefore, that the attention of John Eves, a resident.of New CasiJe 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- ship. For about a year, this family were probably the only white occupants of the region now marked by the county limits. The trails were the only roads, and 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 OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 51 lies from Chester county settled just south of the river, within the present limits of Maine township. In 1774, improvements were made in what are now Beaver and Center townships, and in the following year in Madison township. It is impossible to determine the number of persons included in 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 of&cial 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 afPairs boded very serious consequences to this unprotected re- gion, which lay in the very path of the powerful Iroquois. Late in the year ■ 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 com- plaints 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 acccant 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 de- tachment 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 capa- ble 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 Eichard 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, from Mahoning; Captain John Hambright, William McKnight and William Shaw, from Turbut town- ship; Eobert Eoble, Willi3,m Watson and John Buckalew, from Muncey town- ship; William Dunn, Thomas Hewes and Alexander Hamilton, from Bald Eagle township; Walter Clark, William Irwin and Joseph Green, from Buffalo township; James McClure, Thomas Clayton and Peter Mellick, from 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 tovmship. The committee organized by the election of Captain Hambright as chairman, and Thomond Ball as clerk. The first general business of the com- mittee 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 *Oii June 30, 1775, the provincial assembly appointed twenty-five men to :ict as a " Committee ol Safety," ■wlio met on tli© 3d of July and organized, with Benjamin Franiclin as president. Subsequently, subsid ary committees were constituted in each county, which corresponded and acted in conjunction with the central committee. 52 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. of the lower division to be officered 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; CooksonLong, 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, of proceedings, it was not remarkably efficient. Some of its appointees proved, 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 thebalkof their fighting population 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 i.he following winter. It is sufficient t<:' say that there was no bond of union between this settlement and the lower ones in the county, nor did their common danger beget one. Fortunately it did not 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 rumors of an impending blow upon this frontier began to be credited. It is difficult to assign any particular share in the early movements to the residents of Columbia county territory. They were probably included in Wyoming township, but the undisturbed 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 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 creeli, and to build a fort about three miles from its mouth, for the 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 barely 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, attaclied the fort, keeping a steady fire upon us during the day. At night they withdrew, burning and destroying everything in their route. What loss they sustained we could not ascertain as they car- ried 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 ije 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 measures 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, put 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 Port Wheeler. dk^TEk^^-^yiin^u^ HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 55 It ia probable that this attack was designed to destroy any hope of re-eir- forcement from below, that Wyoming might have reason to entertain. The- success of the expedition was not conspicuous, and in June, therefore, an ad- vance 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 fronst the stockade for their cattle. One evening in June, when some of the oomiv- pany were engaged in milking, the sentinel on guard called attention to a sras- piciouB movement in the bushes beyond the cattle pen. Examination developed the fact that a party of Indians were approaching the milkers with the inten- tion of surprising them. Van Campen, who was still in command, quickly- 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 killeck the leader of the band, but did no execution upon the rest, who lost no time iii'- 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 dis- carded 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 bar- barous 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 downt- the river or to the settlements on the Delaware, enduring the most heart- rendering sufferings in their flight, and spreading the utmost consternation by the recital of their sad story. In the meantime parties of the enemy scoutedE.. through the whole region, murdering defenseless families and burning aban- doned houses. Many of the settlers fled, never to return, and others fled tcp- the most accessible stockade. On learning of this sad state of affairs, the authorities took prompt meas- ures to stay the course of the victorious enemy. Colonel Hartley, of the Penn- sylvania line, with a part of his regiment, was ordered to Sunbury at once.- The council directed four hundred militia from Lancaster, one hundred andi' 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 thes 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 o£" these, "consisting of a major, two captains, one subaltern and eighty men, irr— eluding sergeants," were posted at Briar creek, "a little below Nescopec.""' Encouraged by these measures, many of the refugees returned, and, in com- panies, attempted to save something from the general wreck of their crops. Hartley arrived about the 1st of August, and relieved Colonel Broadhead'ff forces ; a few days later Colonel Z. Butler, with twenty continental troops andi forty militia, reached Wyoming. Both officers actively engaged in securing- the settlements from the daily attacks of the savages. Additional re -enforce- - ments 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 Neseopeck falls. There? 56 HISTORY OF COLOMBIA COUNTF. is now a garrison there, which is to be strengthened to-morrow; when I am re-enforced, my wish is to extend our post to Wyoming. Should you not think yourself able to maintain yoiirself at Wyoming, you are to march your troops .to Jenkins' fort, at the place I have mentioned." Colonel Hartley had frequent occasion to marcjh in pursuit of marauding parties of savages, but with no better success than to temporarily drive them •off and on the 1st of September this diligent commander reported that, not- withstanding these efforts, "we are not certain we killed a single Indian." In the latter part of this month, however, he led a force up the " West Branch," and then crossing over to the " North Branch, " in conjunction with Colonel But- ler, from Wyoming, brought the savages to a stand at Sheshequin. The . enemy was easily put to flight with considerable loss, when the united forces retired to Wyoming, where, on October 22d, the bodies of those slain in July were buried. This had hitherto been found impossible, and even now was . done hurriedly, amid constant alarms of an Indian attack. Colonel Hartley soon returned to Sunbury, leaving a small garrison in the fort, but no sooner had the retiring forces reached their destination than the whole region was again infested by lurking savages, who plied their nefarious work with apparent impunity. On November 9, 1778, Hartley wrote from Sun- fcury to the executive council: The enemy within these ten days has come down in force and invested Wyoming. They have burnt and destroyed all the settlements on the Northeast Branch, as far as Nescopeck. Fort Jenkins, where we have a small garrison, has supported itself for the present. About seventy Indians were seen about twenty-two miles from here yesterday evening, advancing toward the forks of Chillisquaque; they took some prisoners yester- day. With the small force we have, we are endeavoring to make a stand. * * * Wyoming, I make no doubt, will make a good defense, but the garrison is rather too : small. Should the enemy take that post. New York, Pennsylvania and Jersey will then think too late of its importance. I am drawing some little force together, and to-morrow will endeavor to attack those Indians on Chillisquaque, if they keep in a body and make ■a movement toward Fishing creek, which will probably be of use to the people of Wyo- ming. If Wyoming falls, the barbarians will undoubtedly approach these towns. Neither congress nor council was careless of such appeals, but the demands Irom all parts of the service were so urgent that the wisest found it difficult to dispose of the meager resources at command so as best to meet the rapidly arising emergencies. Aid was forwarded to the commandant at Fort Augusta, and every effort made to encourage enlistments, but all this fell far short of the necessities of the situation. Even the severity of the winter put but a partial check upon the savages' cruel activity, and with spring their harrassing attacks were renewed with unabated vigor. On the 25th -of April, a party of Indians attacked the people living in the vicinity of Fort 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 friends, but the enemy, rallying in a body, drove the whites back to the cover 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 Free- land, ' ' near Muncy hill," and ravaged the surrounding country. On the 17th of May the savages again visited the settlements near Fort Jenkins, and killed and scalped a family of four persons across the river from the fort (Mif- flin township). In fact, there was not a day when Indians were not seen prowling about some part of this frontier, who seemed to commit the most cruel depredations without fear of reprisal; and such was the growing discouragement that the county appeared "on the eve of break- ing up." Nothing was seen "but desolation, fire and smoke," the houses of HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 57 the inhabitants, who fled to the forts for protection, being burned almost as soon as they were abandoned. Early in 1779, a campaign up the Susquehanna, under command of Gen- eral Sullivan, was projected against the Seneca Indians. In June the troops concentrated at Wilkesbarre, the local forces being fully employed in convoy- ing boats bearing supplies for the proposed expedition. Even in the presence of this force of three or foui- 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 wel- comed 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 officers, and only sixty of these were available for frontier service, as the commanding officer insisted on keeping one-half at the headquarters in Sun- bury. Poi-ty men were therefore stationed at Fort Montgomery (in Montouz- county), and twenty men at Fort Jenkins, while a company of fourteen local " rangers " were stationed at a point on the " West Branch," seventeen miles above Sunbury. As winter set in, the people began to fear that Sullivan's campaign, severe as its results had been, had not broken the spirit of the savages. Distressing as the condition of the Indians must have been, there were no signs of their readiness to make overtures 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 event confirmed these forebodings. On April 2, 1780, Samuel Hunter, county- 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 Port 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 inhab- itants are reduced to; for if they miss getting spring crops put in the ground for the sup- , port of their families, they have nothing that can induce them to stay, except the council would order some of Ihe 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. We had a pretty good fort garrisoned at Muncy,of continental troops, Brady's fort andFreeland's, with our own inhabitants, but now we have but about forty or fifty 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 pur best men. 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 *Befer8 to the capture of the Van Campen party, the details for which may be found on page — Chap. IX. 58 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. relieve, 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 wheel as well as call on Hercules. "We will endeavor," they wrote, "to supply them with ammunition, provisions and such like assistance; we will give rewards to those who distinguish themselves — in short, we will do any- thing 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. Eesponsibility was divided, the citizens and troops were not in perfect sym. pathy, 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 dictatedT the fatal policy of keeping the Wyoming companies away from the defense of their own homes and faimlies, 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 sentiment, "Whig, Tory, Yankee, Pennamite, Dutch, Irish and English in- fluence" — all operating to interfere with the general success. The general dis- like of the Yankee settlers at Wyoming found frequent expression in the official communications of the county authorities, and the people were "hardly re- strained 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 from the militia of the lower counties, with a wearisome persistence which re- peatedly 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 bounties for scalps and prisoners, and sent comparatively liberal supplies. The regular reply was a cry of helplessness. The German troops garrisoned a chain of forts from the east to the west branch of the Susquehanna (Jenkins, Montgom- ery, 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 con- fused trails, which led, they knew not where. Some time in the summer of 1 780, the German regiment was withdrawn, and the protection of this region devolved upon the militia, under the command 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 wrote the county lieutenant that ' ' it will, therefore, imavoidably happen 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. On the 6th of September, these fears were partially realized. A party of three hundred savages attacked Fort Rice, which was garrisoned by twenty militia. The whites returning a brisk fire, the en- emy turned their attention to burning the abandoned houses and unprotected HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 59 stacks of grain, and the destruction or stealing of the stock. The alarm was speedily carried to Snnburj*, 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 or drove off the stock. Fortunately, on the rfirst alarm from Fort Eice the garrison of Jenkins, consisting of twenty militia, was withdrawn, as the ad- ditions 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 han'assed 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 to aid in the organization of a company of rangers. Thomas Eobinson was made captain, and Moses Van Campen ensign, but the other commissions ' ' went a begging. ' ' Under such circumstances the recruiting was not likely to be rapid, and in December Robinson could only report seven men. April 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 em- ployed in maintaining a line of scouting posts from 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 summer. Many families, which had braved all dangers hitherto, now fled, and it is probable that no families remained in the territory now embraced within the limits of Columbia county, save in the vicinity of " McClure' s fort"; but even this was abandoned whenever a strong attack was threatened. The latter part 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 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 be- come 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 COIiOMBIA COUNTY. of the situation, had retired to Sunbury or Northumberland to wait for the return of peace. These were the first to return. A little later some who had retreated to the older communities returned, and brought new settlers with them. The treaty of October, 1784, removed the last barrier, and the 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 from the older portions of the state, eagerly turned toward the country now opened for settlement. It was to this migratior^ that Columbia couniy 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 essen- tially different in character. The Swede adventurers had been followed by the Dutch on both sides of the river, and a society, characterized to some extent by the institutions of each, had resulted. With the accession of Penn 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 everywhere turned to this new asylum. "From England and Wales, from Scotland and Ireland and the Low Countries emigrants crowded to the land of promise. On the banks of the Ehine new companies were formed under 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 the advent of the earlier nationalities. Both Swedes and Dutch had made isolated settlements here, however, when the Quakers of New Jersey, tempted by the natural attractions of the country, crossed the Delaware. Before Penn's arrival, therefore, they had established settlements at Upland, Shako- maxon, 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 co- religionists. Each year brought accessions to the number already here, and, until the great influx of Germans, were in numbers, as they long were in influ- ence, the predominant element. Many of these people were persons of wealth and distinction, and were induced to come to the new land only by the vigor- ous persecutions which oppressed them at home. They were an industrious and prudent people, and early placed the colony upon a flourishing and pros- perous foundation. Their settlements were made principally at Philadelphia and along the river, though a large proportion found homes inland in the county of Chester. These were principally from Sussex, the home of Penn, from Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, England. A considerable company of Welsh came in 1683, and, settling in Chester coun- ty, joined the society of Friends. The names given the site of their settle- ments still perpetuates their memory. Of these, Uwchlan, settled under the auspices of David Lloyd, of Old Chester, contributed to the early settlement of Columbia county. A company of German Quakers, from Kresheim, was also a notable addition to the early settlement of this county. Next to the Quaker immigration, that of the Germans was most important in the early history of the commonwealth. They were a hardy, frugal and 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 descendante. HlSXaUY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 61 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 Britain once received from Saxony in the fifth century. ' ' They came princi- pally from the Palatinate, whence they were driven by religious persecution. Many fled to England for protection, where Queen Anne supported them from the public treasury. Hundreds were transported by the royal cominand to Ireland, and others to New York, whence they finally found their way to West- ern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Many of these persons, as well as of the English, Irish, Scotch and Welsh^ came as redemptioners — persons unable to pay their own passage and sold to ■■ a term of service to defray this cost. The public alarm at the increasing num- ber of Palatine and Irish immigrants, caused the imposition of a tax on all such persons, and for a time the Germans were refused naturalization. The ■ latter continued to come, notwithstanding these discouragements and the great privations they suffered from the advantage taken of their ignorance and simt- plicity by unscrupulous ship-owners and agents. In 1755, their numbers were^ estimated at upwards of sixty thousand, of which some thirty thousand were of the German Reformed denomination. The rest were divided among the- Lutheran, Mennonite, Dunkard, Moravian, Quaker, Catholic and Schwenken- feldter pursuasions, the first named being rather more numerous than any of the others. The Germans at first settled in the lower parts of Bucks, Mont- 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 people who reclaimed the valleys of Pennsylvania. The persecutions of the- Protestants in Ireland under Charles I, which resulted in the massacre of- 1641, drove many who had originally emigrated from Scotland back to their native land. In 1662, the '*act of uniformity" bore with equal oppression, 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 subse- quent "troublous time." The interval of toleration dating from 1691, was- suspended in Queen Anne' s reign by the ' ' schism bill, ' ' and many alarmed dissenters from Ireland and Scotland followed the path of those who had come-i 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 con- tested region were tolerated on these terms for the protection they afforded the- more remote settlements. They were subsequently viewed with some uneasi- ness 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 come, they will make themselves proprietors of the province." They were a somewhat intractable people, and having been tolerated in their first usurpa^ ations, did not hesitate to extend their operations. They advocated the prin- 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 th©' valley, insisting that it was against the Jaws of God and nature that so mucb land should lie idle while so many Christians wanted it to use. They were ■ subsequently dispossessed by the sheriff and their cabins burned, but this tempo- rary triumph of Indian rights returned some twenty-five- years later "to plagae.' ''S2 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Ihe inventor" in {he massacre of Conestoga. In 1730, they occupied Donegal, in the northwest corner of Lancaster county. From this point they extended iheir settlements northward, to which they gave the characteristic names of Pax- -ion, Derry, Londonderry, etc. , and to the west and northwest. They made no very permanent impression upon society, and subsequently lost a great part of iheir number by emigration to the south. The remainder have become assim- ilated, their native language has been lost, and as commimities they have been generally supplanted by the Germans. The early settlement of Columbia followed the general order noted else- -where, though this fact is rather a coincidence, than the expression of any matural law of development. The first settler was an English Quaker from l^&w Castle county, Del. ; others only a little later came from the Welsh set- itlement at TJwchlan, from the Dutch settlement at the Minisinks, from the 'German settlements in Berks county, from the Scotch-tnsh settlements, and from New Jersey. Here the war intervened, and for several years the devel- .4)pment of 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 lines of travel undoubtedly had much to do in determining .ifche character of the immigration, and these, largely the outgrowth of the :mecesBities of the frontier, led to the older settlements. The oldest of these, iiherefore, followed the line of the Susquehanna from Harris' ferry to Sun- S)ury, and it was by this route that communication with the lower counties was principally maintained. Subsequently a road from Reading to Sunbury, -was opened, passing' through Bear-Gap, which had the efPect of leading some to early settle in Locust township. About 1787, a line of travel was opened Jrom Baston to Nescopec falls, which opened this region to the emigration JErom New Jersey, to which Columbia county owed much of its early population. JEn 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 an Berks and Chester counties and from New Jersey were a marked propor- liion of those who came to the county, though there were other accessions in -ifche meanwhile, and it is doubtful if they were at any time in the majority as ±0 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 -Ahese thrifty farmers, and they began to emigrate, the larger part of them leaving, between 1796 and 1804, for Canada and Ohio. In Greenwood they ■were better pleased and have remained, constituting a majority of the present ipopiilation of that township. The German immigration set in about 1788 and, until 1810, continued with sQBabated vigor. These people came at first, principally from Berks county, -iihoMgh a few were fresh from their native land, and settled generally south of the river. Subsequent additions came from Lehigh and Northampton coun- ties and settled north of the river. These settlers were generally a plain, filodding people, whose persistence has enabled them to overcome the stubborn ^m\ and make fair farms where the natural difaculties have discouraged others. "■y 66 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Susquehanna, and, in 1772, Northumberland county was formed from the coun- ties of Bedford, Cumberland, Lancaster, Berks and Northampton, with an area which now constitutes twenty-six counties. Its limits are thus indicated: Beginning at the mouth of Mahontongo creek, on the west side of the river Susque- hanna; thence up the south side of said creek, 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 north- easterly side. of the main branch of little Juniata to the head thereof; thence north to the line of Berks county; thence east along said line to the extremity of the province; thence east, along the northern boundary, to that part thereof of the ' ' great swamp ;" thence south to the most northern part of the swamp aforesaid; thence with a straight line to the head of the Lehigh, or Middle creek; thence down the said creek so far that a line run west southwest will strike the forks of Mahontongo [there were two streams of that name] creek, where 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, of 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 jurisdic- tion of the original county, and to understand the lines on which it was erect- ed it will be convenient to notice the development of the early townships. Northumberland was a ooitnty of " magnificent distances," and the same char- acteristic 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 Turbut were equally extensive. Of the earliest- divisions of Northumberland, the townships of Augusta, Turbut and Wyo- ming, erected in April, 1772, included more or less of the subsequent area of Columbia. Augusta embraced the territory south of the river from 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 Susque- hanna; and Turbut included the area between little Pishing creek and the " 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 Derby; in the same year, also, Chillisquaque was formed from 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 petition- ers and at the August session, their report having been received and con- firmed, 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 smce restricted the name; but there is nothing in the character of official 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 conven- ience of its population, and in August, 1788, it was divided by a line "begin- ning 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 Roaring creek; fi-om thence up the said creek to Tarnall's path; thence a southeast course to the county line." To the upper division the name of Ralpho was given, but a year later this was changed to Shamokin. This division still left Catawissa thirty miles long and fifteen miles wide, and in April, 1795, and again in Au- gust 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 inti- mation of the fact, the line suggested by the later petition was evidently adopt- ed. 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 tiU it intersects the Little mountain; from thence to the bridge over the Dark run (which said bridge is the first below the Catawissa. bridge between that and Berks county line) ; thence the same coui-se continued until it meets the Berks county line. ' ' The report of the commissioners ap- pointed 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 di- vision line between the county of Luzerne and the county af s' d. be henceforth called and known by the name of Fishingckeek. ' ' 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 Buck- alew'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 inter- sect with Luzerne county line. " This line was confirmed in August, and the new township thus formed to the south of it was named by the court ' 'Geeen Briaecbeek. ' ' In the following year a petition was presented for the division of Briarcreek, the line to be run at the discretion of the commissioners ap- pointed by the court. The record does not give the report of the commission- ers but subsequent events satisfactorily fix the line at ttie 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 January, 1799, a petition was presented for another division of Fishing- creek, 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 to erect the township of Center, but this proved unsuccessful. In 1801, a movement was made to divide Mahoning, and Hemlock was formed, though th& record does not exhibit the line of division nor any confirmation of the com- missioners' 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 chest- nut oak in the voad leading from Thomas Conner' s to Daniel Jackson' s ; thence south seventy degrees east, five hundred perches to the school-house on — -: — 'a 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 ap- pears 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 Stjgaeloaf is the name which appears upon the report submitted by the commis- sioners, 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 pop- ular 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 Tur- but 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, there- fore, not less active than the convenience of the people, in shaping the lines which ultimately constituted the limits of the last two counties. The liaes 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 pre- vent any eligible site for a village from hopefully entering the contest for met- ropolitan 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 influ- ence of Danville, when the legislature was to be acted upon. The original limits of Columbia county were, therefore, settled practically, without consult- ing 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 Susque- hanna, and from thence, by the line of Point township, to the line of Chillisquaque town- ship; thenc^, by the line of Chillisquaque and Point townships, to the west branch o( the river Susquehanna; thence up the same to the line of Lycoming county; thence, by the ta °^ ^y'^P^'iig county, to the line of Luzerne county; thence, by the same, to the line <'! Schuylkill county; thence, along the same, to the southwest corner of Catawissa town- ship; 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 site of the proposed public buildings to the discretion of the governor, with the provision, however, that they should be "discreet and disinterested persons, not resident in the counties of Northumberland, Union or Cplumbia." There is a tradition that, of the three thus appointed, one favored Bloomsburg, but circumstances were such that he failed to meeli with his conferees, and they 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 com- petent to transact the business in any event, the absence of the third member ' probably had no important effect upon the decision. The commissioners' ac- tion 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 mUes from the old one, and that it was not " as near the center as the situa- tion 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 Dan- ville 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 present- ed, 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 iu 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 ac- cede 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 Coliimbia for the purpose of insuring the location of the coun- ty seat at Danville. The seat of justice was now truly ' ' on the very verge of the coxmty, ' ' and the opposition came to the next legislature with great confi- dence in their ultimate success. But the Danville leaders were not to be so easily lieaten. Realizing the weakness of their position under the new dispen- sation, they promptly effected a diversion in their favor, arid on January 22, 1816, a law was passed reannexing a part 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 degree, 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- 70 HISTORY OF COtUMBIA COUNTV. ville to a more central location." Bloom was represented by Levi Aikman and Samuel Webb, Jr. ; Briarcreek by John Stewart and George Kelchner; Cata- wissa by Major Joseph Paxton and William Brewer; Derry by Jacob Swisher and Marshal Girton; Fishing creek by Daniel Bealer and William Bobbins; Greenwood by Abner Mendenhell and Henry Miller; and Sugarloaf by Philip Pritz and William Wilson. The meeting organized with Hon. Leonard Ru- 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- actment of a law granting the citizens the privilege of voting ' ' for the seat of justice in said county. ' ' 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 regu- larly defeated. The county seat had the weight of the legal profession of the county, which was then concentrated there; it had the only men of state repu- tation and influence ; and it had the preponderance of wealth and business, if ' not of population, in its favor. The justice of the complaints seems to have been generally recognized by the committees to whom the various petitions were referred, and favorable reports were generally made, but the legislature in- variably defeated favorable actipn. 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 commit- tee, was refused by the "House." In 1821, another determined effort was made. The matter proceeded as far as the framing of a bill granting the pe- tition for the submission of the ^question to a vote, but it got no further. In 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 Columbia, described the new boundary line as ' ' beginning at the corner of 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 from 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 Derry townships in the line of Lycoming county." The portions of Turbut and Chillisquaque townships thus restored were subsequently named Lime- stone 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 in- cluded the territory of the present townships of Madison and Pine, asked for the erection of a new township. This was granted, the division line following the present western line from the Lycoming county boundary 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 resi- dents 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 the transaction of township business. They petitioned, therefore, for the erec- tion of a new township from the contiguous portions of those townships lying on the north side of the river. Commissioners were appointed to examine the HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 71 matter, and, if they found it necessary, to report the bounds for a new town- ship. The report confirmed the statement, and returned the specifications of the proposed limits agreeable 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 ' ' Nar- rows" of Green creek; thence along said creek till it joins big Fishing creek; thence along said creek to the place of beginning. To this was also added " a small corner of Greenwood township lying on the southeast side of big Fishing creek, opposite Miller' s mill, ' ' constituting a township of about twen- ty-four square miles. The report was confirmed on April 8, 1818, and the township named, from a prominent natural object. Mount Pleasant. This sufficed for the growing population until the January session of the court of quarter-sessions in 1832, when " divers inhabitants of the township of Catawissa" represented this township was too large "for the inspection and supervision of the usual number of officers. ' ' It was represented that the 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 meet- ings, was so great as to cause great inconvenience to the voters, especially the aged and infirm, "thus, in efPect, 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 natural bar- rier, which made its legal division the more desirable. These reasons were ac- cepted 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 northern line of the present townships of Roaeingceeek 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 fa- vorable report was made by the viewing commissioners, but the court found rea- son to set it aside and deny the petition; but in August, 1837, the petitionwas renewed. Complaint was then made that the township was too large for the ■convenience of the people in attending to public business ; that this inconvenience was increased "in consequence of several bridges [ridges?] running quite thrcmgh the township, separating the inhabitants in a great measure, and com- pelling a large portion of the inhabitants to cross two of said bridges [ ?] to get to the election, settlement of township accounts, work the roads, etc. ' ' The "viewers" again . reported favorably, and designated "the top of the ridge, which extends from or near the late John Montgomery's mill, in Mahon- ing township, to Isaac Barton' s mill, on Hemlock creek, ' ' as the dividing line. This the court confirmed in the November term of 1837, and named the part south of the line Montoue. In April of this year it was proposed to annex a part of Greenwood to Sugarloaf, but this did not meet with favor from the court, and in April of the following year it was proposed to form a new township from parts of each of the older ones. The boundary line of the proposed township began "at the ■ 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 72 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. follow the Lycoming county line east to the head- waters of West creek; thence to follow said West creek to place of beginning." This line was confirmed November, 1838, and the new township named Jackson. In the following August, however, the people of Jackson, living in that part which was origi- nally taken off of "Bugarloaf, asked to be reannexed to the latter township. They represented that they were a majority of the people in Jackson; that the division was made against their will, and constituted a valid grievance. On January 31, 1840, this petition was granted, leaving Jackson with its present area. In the meanwhile a voting precinct had been formed from the adjacent portions of Bloom, Mount Pleasant and Fishing creek, with the name of Orangeville precinct. In the January session of 1839, the people of this pre- cinct asked to have it erected into an independent township. Its prtposed boundaries were rather irregular, and can be described only by the technical line of the commissioners. This began "at a stone heap on the top of the Knob mountain; thence north 55° west, 1,138 perches to a post; thence along the line of Greenwood, south 76° west, 688 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 hUls, north 70° east, 62() perches to a post; by same north 76° east, 637 perches to a post in the line of Briarcreek; thence along same, north H° west, 637 perches; thence easterly to place of beginning." This line was reported in April, 1839, but was met with a remonstrance, and both were ordered filed for argument. The matter was thus delayed and kept under advisement until January 31, 1840, when the report was confirmed and the new township named Oeauge. At the same ees- 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, 1848, Catawissa was represented as still too large for the con- venience 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 be- low 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 line of Soaring creek (now Locust). This, township was named Feanklin, and included the present township of that name and Mayberry. In the fol- lowing 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 l4nds of Alten Bowman and John Freese, Jr. , in Briarcreek township, and thence northwardly in a direct line to strike the Fishing creek line on the Knob mountain. The north- 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 favor- ably, 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 November a third township was projected, to be formed from the out- ;?i^ vT'Ct-^TA^-*:^^ HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 75-' lying portions of Catawissa and Mifflin. A favorable report was had by the ' viewers, but a spirited remonstrance caused the matter to be referred to a sec- ond comm.ission, which returned a favorable report in August of the succeeding; year. There were few natural boundaries, and the lines are therefore best in- dicated in the language of the report, which were to begin " at a hemlock ont the bank of the Susquehanna, and near the mouth of Thresher's run; thence- south 21° east 348 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 beginning. ' ' The township thus described was a quadralateral with a wedge- shaped appendage extending southeasterly to the Schuylkill county line. Sev- eral surveys were made, and each was strongly opposed, and it was not until i November 25, 1844, that the objections to the above line were overruled and the* report of the commissioners confii'med absolutely by the court. In the final/' report the name of the township is written Maine, though the records quite as. often omit the final vowel. There is no evidence to show whether the one or. the other spelling indicates the idea of the sponsors of the new township. In 1845, there was a movement to divide Roaringcreek, but a commissions- reported adversely to the petition, and the matter was dropped. At the same term of court, however, there was presented a petition to divide Mifflin, whicha eventually proved successful. The Nescopec mountain had proved a barrier to. the free communication of the people as the settlements increased south of it,, and ' ' created dissatisfaction in the collection and appropriation of taxes. ' " The Paxton election precinct had been formed in the territory south of thee- mountain, which is occasionally referred to in the records as a " proposed township," but it was not offleially "proposed" until this date. In the report confirmed by the court November 22, 1845, the mountain was made the north- ern boundary from the Luzerne county line to the line of Maine township;, "thence down the summit of the mountain, south 75i° west, 138 perches to a; chestnut oak corner; thence striking down the south side of said mountainv south 26|° west, 610 perches to a black oak in Jacob Fisher's field, a corner of Roaringcreek and Maine township," taking off the wedge-shaped append- age of the latter township and adding it to the proposed township. This was: called Beaveb, which still retains its original shape and area.- In 1847, Derry was divided and Anthony formed. In January, 1850, Sugar- loaf asked for a division. Five years before the same request had been made and refused; but the growth of population now made the demand with such per- sistence that, notwithstanding the adverse report of the first commission ap-^ pointed, it was finally divided in the summer term by a line starting on the- county boundary three and three-qaarters miles above the northeast corner of. Fishinwcreek, 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 cor- ner of Sacarloaf. South of this line the territory of the latter township was. erected into a new township called Benton. In the January term, Madisort also petitioned for a division of its area, the petition setting forth that it con- tained " four hundred taxables;" but the erection of Montour couaty solved! this question in another way. The division of Columbia county, in 1850, was the final outcome of then- struggle which was inaugurated in 1813; from that date to 1821 the contest;. 12 . 76 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. was scarcely intermitted; but from 1821 to 1833 the matter was not carried to the legislature, though the demand for removal had not abated. In every 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 results 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 represented the matter was tabooed. The representation of the county in the •state senate also added to the difficulties of the partisans for removal. In 1814, Northumberland, Columbia, Union, Luzerne and Susquehanna were united in a district with two senatorial repsesentatives; but with Columbia divided and the others indifferent it was impossible to elect a senator pledged to removal. But while thus hampered and delayed, the eastern faction of the 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 build- ings. This came in 1883, when the grand jury, at the November session, re- ported to the court that the public records were in great danger of being de- stroyed by fire for want of suitable protection, and recommended the erection of fire-proof offices. This action aroused the opponents of the Danville loca- tion, who were determined that no public money should be appropriated for the repair of the old buildings. Petitions for the removal of the county- seat were again vigorously circulated and numerously signed, and were pre- sented in both branches of the legislature. These were so strenuously urged 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 Bsrwick as the seat of justice. This ambition was fostered by the Danville people, as effect ually operating in favor of their iuterests, and so it occurred that the extremes of the county united to defeat the central faction. This was especially true from 1830 to 1840. In the first named year Columbia and Schuylkill coun- ties were made to constitute a senatorial district, with one member, and Colum- bia, 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 qpndition of Columbia at best, could be expected to do nothing. The representative elected in 1836 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 fight for the election of candidates favorable to its plan in these years, but had signally failed, and the seatiment was growing that it was no longer worth while to resist the inevitable. ' It was about this time that the Eev. D. J. Waller, Sr. , came to Bloomsburg to take charge of several Presb3rterian churches in this region, of which the one at Bloomsburg was the most important. He found his congregation here 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- HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 77 "birely indisposed to assist him in his project for building up his charge. Such cavalier treatment somewhat nettled the new pastor, a man of great deci- sion of character and untiring activity, and he gave his interrogators to under- stand that, if they refused him the aid of a few business men, the people of Bloomsburg would take the county-seat. This sally was met with derision. They pointed to the success which had hitherto attended the efforts of Dan- ville, and declared that they had the wealth and influence to maintain the con- test successfully, and left the new comer to effect his promised revolution in his own way. There was little new to be devised in the way of measures for the accom- plishment of the desired removal, but it was much to receive the fresh courage 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 success which eventually crowned its efforts. In 1840 Daniel Snyder was elected to the lower house from Bloomsburg, and re-elected each year, until 1844, when Thomas A. Funston, pledged to the same interests, was elected. Headley, of Berwick, and an earnest advocate of the new county scheme, was in the senate until 1844, when, the district being changed so as to include Lu- zerne county instead of Schuylkill, "William S. Boss was elected, who proved somewhat favorable to Bloomsburg interests. In the meanwhile a vigorous agitation, in which Messrs. Snyder, Funston, William McKelvy and Charles H. Doebler were prominent, was maintained in the county: petitions were nu- merously signed and forwarded to the legislature, and the views and argu- ments of the removalists, put in the most forcible shape, brought to the. atten- tion of the members. From one of the early documents, probably of 1835, unearthed by Colonel Freeze, and printed in his history, the following succinct statement of the situation is taken: It requires but a cursory view of the county map to discover that Danville is very far from the center of territory and that it is equally distant from the center of population is manifest from what follows: The townships most convenient to Danville are the following, and contain the num- ber of taxables, paying tax as follows: Taxables. Tax. Derry township contains 350 $ 786 42 Mahoning (including Danville) 351 1,313 63 Limestone 131 533 94 Liberty 368 493 78 Hemlock contains 337 taxables, one-third of whom are nearer to Danville than to Blooms- burg, but none of them more than six miles from the latter place 109 373 63 Accommodated at Danville 1,199 The townships most convenient to Bloomsburg are: Taxables. Mount Pleasant 147 Bloom (including Bloomsburg) 153 Briar creek 340 Catawissa 345 Greenwood 256 Fishing creek 139 Madison 303 Mifflin 370 Roaring creek 333 Sugarloaf 154 Hemlock (two-thirds) 318 Accommodated at Bloomsburg 3,035 |6,871 35 $3,300 88 Tax. $ 311 31 1,139 73 1,033 23 1,075 32 503 94 318 78 514 45 690 58 608 99 338 78 547 34 78 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 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 jus- tice. Eighteen hundred and forty-eight taxahles residing in Bloom, Briarcreek, Mount 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 fsay five-sixths) 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 Blooms- burg than to Danville, and the remainder are not more than two miles farther from Blooms- burg than from Danville. From Mahoning township, in which Danville is situated, con- taining 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 of each other. Limestone contains 121 taxables. Liberty contains 368 taxables— these 389 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 county. 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 inte- rior of the county and its metropolis. On the other hand, Bloomsburg is not only very 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, Green- wood, 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. For nearly ten years this state of affairs existed, and notwithstanding that it was urged by petition and 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 to the state senate, in 1844, removed the great obstacle to Bloomsburg in-, terests in that branch of the legislature. The friends of the old county-seat were not slow to read the signs of their waning power, and at once brought into prominence the cost which the erection of new public buildings would im- pose upon the county. This final argument of a desperate cause was prompt- 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. This act provided that tickets labeled ' ' seat of justice, ' ' on which should be written or printed "for Bloomsburg," or " for Danville," should be depos- ited 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 against the removal of the county-seat. In case that the vote should show a majority for removal, it was provided that within three years after such elec- tion, the citizens of Bloomsburg should erect, " at their own proper expense," suitable buildings of brick or stone, "of the most approved plans," and that the old public grounds and buildings should be disposed of, to repay the origi- nal 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 ac- cept provincial obscurity with such consolation as philosophy might afford. The convention held this summer, for the nomination of legislative candidates, met in HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 79 Bloomsburg, and prominent before the convention was Valentine Best, a citi- zen of Danville, and the editor of the organ of that faction jn the county-seat contest. He was an ardent advocate for complete reconciliation; the long 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; hence- forth he had no disposition to revive the issues now settled, and pledged him- self, 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 ratification 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 pur- pose, but the whigs found 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 sen- ate. 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 Mr. 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 legislature, 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 wrath at the action of the minority, but the whig fac- tion 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 opposed the removal, and embraced ' ' 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 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 Ever- ett's house; thence northward to the sohoolhouse near David Smith's, in Hemlock township; thence by the road leading from said sohoolhouse 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 Townsend's, near the German meeting-house; thence to Henry Johnston's, near Millville; thence bya straight line to a post in the Lycoming county line, near the road leading to Crawford's saw-mill, together with that part of , Roaringcreek township lying south and west of a 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. Provided, however, that at no time hereafter shall any portion of the territory now embraced within the limits of the county of Northumberland be annexed or attached 80 • HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. to the said county of Montour, without the unanimous consent of the qualified votary of said county of Northumberland. The act declared, among other provisions, that ' ' the seat of justice for the same is fixed in the borough of Danville." It was approved on the 3d of May, 1850, and was to go into effect on the 1st of November. There was a good deal of ill-feeling over the division, in the eastern part of the county, which was 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 off was accurately known, there was a general determination to resist. "Ee- peal" became the rallying cry and the dominant issue in the exciting cam- paign which followed. Best was a candidate for re-election, but was beaten, by C. R. Buckalew by a decisive majority. The final result, however, was not repeal but a limitation of the territory set off to the new county. This was undoubtedly the wisest adjustment of the matter, for however unwise the divis- ion then appeared, and was subsequently proven, it would have been equally un- wise to hold a vigorous minority in a relation which would have inevitably given rise to bickerings and strife. Accordingly, by an act approved January 15, 1853, the, division line was so changed as to restore that part of Eoaring- creek township taken off, and such parts of the townships of Franklin,* Madi- son and Hemlock, which lie eastward of the following line. Beginning at the Northumberland county line, at or near the house of Samuel Reader; 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 Smith; thence to the bridge over Deer lick run, on the line between Derryand Madison townships; thence 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, Hem- lock and Montour that some readjustment of township lines became necessary, and, in 1852, what remained of Madison, south of Millville, was attached iu 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 old name. The division effected in the township of Roaringcreek by the 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 quarter-sessions praying for the division of the town- ship, "in order that the business at the election board may be diminished." 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 *Thts constitutes the present western boundary of the county, but to complete the history of the eastern boundary it should be added, that by an act of the legislature, approTed March 3, 1818, a section of the south- eastern 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 town- ships of Catawissa and Mifflin north forty-flve 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. HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COD^'TY. 81 of Mount Pleasant township, near the house of John Howery. This report was confirmed September 7, 1853, and the new township named Soott. The final township erected was formed, in 1855, from Locust. At this time the latter township was from twelve to fourteen miles long, and from eight to ten miles wide, "the soiithern end being a 'stone-coal and mining region, and the north- ern end being a farming district. " Commissioners appointed to view the town- ship reported favorably, indicating a line of division beginning at or near where the south branch of Eoaring 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 town- ship 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 condi- tions upon which the removal of the county-seat was effected, the Bloomsburg- people acted in no niggardly spirit. William 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 court- house and jail. Elisha H. Biggs, who had made a liberal subscription, owned' the site of the Exchange Hotel on the south side of Second street, and with a shrewd calculation of the ' ' main chance " bought the lot opposite, of Robert Cathcart, for a thousand dollars. This lot he offered in payment of his subscription as a sits 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 upper line of the court-house lot, for a jail 6ite,«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 archi- tecture, 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 front 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 hundred 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 judges and the jury. In the lower story the office accommo- dations 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 architectural proportions. In 1882, a new clock supplanted the older 82 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. one, which had outlived its usefulness, and a year later, the steam heating .system was applied to the building. In this condition the court-house still remains, attractive in its outlines and situation, confirming by the test of ex- perience that the requirement of the act of 1845, to erect buildings "of the , raost approved plan, ' ' was fully met. The jail was constructed of brick and stone, and combined the usual fea- tures 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 TSveU 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 ihe judgment of the officials might be. The fourth grand jury promptly : sanctioned the action of its predecessors, aad in 1877, the commissioners began jmeasures for erecting a new jail. For various reasons it was determined to a,bandon the old site, and ' ' the Pursel lot, on Market below Third (less six- teen 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 commis- sioners' plans. On the 21st of April, the proposals for the construction of the new prison, xipon 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 num- bers. It appears that there were ten proposals offered, ranging in price from .^$41,075 to $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 freely charged that there were grave reasons to suspect jobberjj on the part of the architect; that his compensation, as provided by contract, was less than one- third 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 proposals as to render any action by the commissioners upon the ones accepted, impi-oper, 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. Thia site was open to some of the same objections urged against the other site- that it was inconveniently distant from the court-house, and on low, wet ground, but the commissioners were not to be moved from their decision, and the new j)rison was eventually located on this site. In the matter of construe- HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 83 tion, the commissioners (as it is charged), evaded the injunction of the court, by granting the different parte of the structure to various contractors, some of whom were only a cover for King, and it was further objected that the mode finally adopted, instead of restricting the cost to the agreed price of $56,975, 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 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 conven- iences, 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 glass- closed slots, difficult of access, and too narrow to allow the passage of any human being. The doors to the cells ar'e 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, ihe 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 fi'om 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 poor- houses; 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 authorizing the people of Columbia to ascertain ihe 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 from the creek by a windmill; two bath-rooms supply the means 84 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTS. for cleanliness, and a furnace heats the whole building. In 1869, under a special act of the legislature, the township of Conyngham, with the borough of Centralia, organized a district. A farm of some seventy-five acres, in Locust township, was purchased, which, with all personal property belonging to this corporation, was, by a provision of the same act, exempted from all tax- ation, save for state purposes. In 1872 Madison township was authorized, by 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 indi- gent 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 in- creasing, but it was not until it had acquired the county-seat and removed thither the public records, that the period of its tutelage ended. Had the 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 tribune was again rehabilitated with the insignia of power. Columbia thus 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 demonstra- tions of rejoicing. The crowning act of success accomplished, the more en- thusiastic 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 Lu- zerne. "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 Chap- man 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 occu- pied 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 hs' was appointed attorney-general for the commonwealth, and later in the same year was appointed successor of Judge Chapman. For ten years he dis- charged 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. sition of chief -justice of the 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, 1848. He died in the follow- ing year, after giving promise of future eminence, and receiving the respect of the bar by his dignity and urbanity upon the bench. He was succeeded in March, 1844, by Jud^ge Anthony, of Lycoming county. The latter began his legal career at Williamsport in 1818. In 1830 he was elected to the state sen- ate, 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, decidingmany important cases involving questions of considerable legal diffi- culty. 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, Co- lumbia, Lycoming and Sullivan. He held this position until the amendment of the constitution, making the judges elective, came into operation, when he de- clined a nomination for the place. In 1854 he was elected governor, the duties of which office he discharged 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 posi- tion until 1882, when he was made collector of internal revenue. John Nesbit Conyngham succeeded Judge Pollock upon the bench of Co- lumbia county. He was a native of Philadelphia, an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, and for thii-ty years presided oil 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 twenty- sixth 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 first 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 edu- cation at Wilkesbarre; served as printer and was subsequently connected with the Pennsylvanian at Philadelphia in an editorial capacity. He then studied 86 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 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 leading place at the bar. In the fall of 1861 A. K. Peckam was appointed to 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 1872, he was reelected without a dissenting vote. In May, 1874, Wyom- 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 solu- tion of the troubles. He has been frequently urged to become a candidate 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 ofiice of governor of the com- monwealth, 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 lead of the bar, nominated him to the office for the election of 1882. He was 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 case— Fisher against the City of Philadelphia — Tryon and Dall against Mun- '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 all of which his opinions were a'ffirmed by the supreme court. On the appeal in the will case, after elaborate argument by eminent counsel for the appellant, the decision was affirmed, the suprsme court adopting the opinion of the court below as the opinion of that court. The MoUie Maguire 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 sus- tained on appeal. His opinions, which appear in the state report, in the Week- ly Notes of Cases and other legal publications, are considered valuable ad- ditions 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 orphan'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 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 in- volving 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 presi- dent 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 per- taining 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. Hurley, for more than forty years identified honorably with the bar of this county ; of John Q. 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 ex- tensive and solid attainments; of Eobert 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 ac- quirements 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. B. Jackson, and in 1843 was admitted to the bar. In 1845 he was appointed prosecuting attorney, an office he resigned two years later. In 1850 he entered political life, hav- ing 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 ratifi- cations of a treaty with Paraguay. In 1856 he was chosen presidential elec- tor, and in the following year was made chairman of the democratic state com- mittee. 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 appoint- ment 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 prac- ticed 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 Con- stitution of Pennsylvania." In the fall of 1886 he was elected from the eleventh district to the lower house of congress. * 1846-1869. 88 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. There have been no local eases before this court of more than temporaiy ' importance save the one arising out of the _Eea murder. On Sunday, October 18, 1868, the dead body of Alexander W. Eea, a citizen of Centralia in this county, and agent for the Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company and the Coal Ridge Improvement Company, was found in the bushes near the water- barrel 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 Novem- ber, 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 Illinois, where he had a brother and sister living. Suspicion had already fastened upon him. In the early part of January, 1869, Hester returned, came to Bloomsburg and delivered himself up for trial. At the December ses- 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 prisoners were arraigned and severally pleaded not guilty. On motion of counsel, separate trials were granted, and the commonwealth elected to pro- ceed against Thomas Donohue. On the morning of the 3d, a jury was empan- neled, and the trial proceeded with. E. R. Ikeler, district attorney, Linn 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 prosecution was that this Saturday being a general pay- day 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. Eea 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 Phil- adelphia could return on Saturday. This practice was of long standing, was well known to every one in the region, and had been followed on the day pre- vious to the murder. It appeared pretty certain therefore, that the perpetra- tors of the crime were ignorant of the time of payment at the Coal Ridge Col- liery, and were to be sought outside of the immediate neighborhood. The 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 acquittal of the defendant on the 11th of May. On the same day, the evi- dence against Hester at that time being insufficient to convict, a nolle prosequi was entered, and he was discharged. Prior was tried and acquitted. Seven years subsequently passed by, and no further clue to the murderers of Eea 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 county jail on the charge of larceny. Learning that there were suspicions of his having some guilty knowledge of the Rea murder, this man offered to turn state's evidence to shield himself from the threatened penalty. Accordingly, on his testimony, Peter McHugh and Patrick Tully were arrested in the fall of 1876, as participants in the murder, and Patrick Hester was re-arrested as an accessory before the fact. They were first lodged in the Pottsville jail, and on January 31, 1877, brought to this county for trial. On Wednesday, February 7th, the trial began, Messrs. Hughes, Buckalew and District-Attorney Clark appearing for the commonwealth, and Messrs. Ryan, Wolverton, Freeze, HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 89 Brookway, Mahan aud Elwell for the defense. The prisoners were formally arraigned, Tully and McHugh answering ' ' not guilty. ' ' For Hester, a special plea was presented, to the effect that he had once been arrested and discharged for the same offense. This plea the court overruled, 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 ^n 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 he true, establish the guilt of all the prisoners. He says that the robbery and murder of Mr. Rea was planned on the night of the 16th of October, 1868, 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, Pat- rick Tully, Ned. Skirington, Bryan Campbell, James Bradley, William Muldowney, Roger LafEerty, 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 f or theni, — eighteen or nineteen thousand dollars; that the whole band had pistols; that it was agreed to rob, but not to kill Mr. Rea; that they all stayed in Donohue's saloon drink- ing all night until nearly daylight, when all except LafiEerty 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 oH 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 «aying, "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 to obey. He says that the party of six arrived at the place known as the "Water-barrel " 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 di- vided 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 it was Rea's watch. * * * * He further says that he saw Hester on the night of the 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 be. Jack Smith, LafEerty, 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 fix- ing August 9, 1877, as the date of execution. The case was carried to the supreme court 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 state- ment after the final action of the board of pardons was ascertained. On Tues- 90 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. day, the 19th instant, after the prisoners had been informed that the last hope for them in this world had failed, TuUy was called upon, about nine o'clock at night. He then dictated a confession, which was read to him and received his signature. In it he confessed to his guilt and practically corroborated the evi- dence 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 they were informed that Tully had confessed the whole truth. McHugh re- ceived the information with apparent indifference, but Hester was completely confounded, and in a few moments both freely confessed their guilt. The gal- lows, borrowed from 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 Wilkes- barre. 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 evi- dence was given without stipulated immunity by the authorities, and at the February term of court in 1878, full preparations were made tui try him for the murder of Rea, but at the urgent request of F. P. McGowan and others en- gaged in prosecuting the Mollie Maguire cases elsewhere in the coal region — cases in which the chief hope for conviction rested upon the expected confes- sion of accomplices, the prosecuting attorney allowed the second term after Kelly' s indictment to draw to its close without appearing against him. Under the rule, therefore, the prisoner was entitled to his discharge, and on the 18th of May, the court granted it, concurring in the judgment of the prosecutor who said: "To permit Daniel Kelly to escape without trial, will, in my opinion, give greater terror to the remainder of these criminals who are yet fugi- tives from justice." The event proved the wisdom of this policy. Crimi- nals were in constant dread lest some accomplice should save himself at the expense of the rest — a condition of things which speedily precipitated the very danger they feared. Conviction followed arraignment with a re- morseless precision that struck terror into the hearts of the MoUie Maguires, and disrupted this nefarious conspiracy against human life. 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. ^^•^./^^..^^(^kAc^ HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 93 HHECTED. TOWKSHIPS. FOKMED FKOM. 1773 Turbut Northumberland county. Northumberland county. Northumberland county. Turbut. 1772 Wyoming Augusta 1772 1775 Malioning Catawissa Derry 1785 Augusta. Turbut. 1786 1789 Fishingcreek Briarcveek Mifflin '. Wyoming. Fishingcreek. Catawissa. ' 1797 1797 1798 1799 Greenwood Hemlock Fishingcreek. Mahoning. Fishingcreek. Derry. Greenwood, Bloom and Fishingcreek. Catawissa. Hemlock. 1801 Sugarloaf Madison 1817 1818 1832 1837 Mt. Pleasant Roaringcreek Montour Jackson 1838 Greenwood. 1840 Oi'anse Fishingcreek, Mt. Pleasant and Bloom, Catawissa. 1843 Franklin Maine MiflQin and Catawissa. 1844 Beaver 1850 Benton Sugarloaf. Madison. 1853 Pine 1853 .' Locust Roaringcreek. Bloom. 1853 Scott 1855 Conyngham Locust. The courts of the county are known under the distinctive titles of quar- ter sessions', orphans', oyer and terminer, and common pleas, with a jurisdic- tion peculiar to each, but practically a single court engaged in the adjudi- cation of different classes of legal questions. The members of this court, consisting of a president judge and two associates, were appointed by the governor until a change in the constitution placed their selection, in 1851, in the hands of the people. The Columbia county court has been constituted as follows: PRESIDENT JUDGES. APPOINTED. BESIGNED. Seth Chapman July 11, 1811 Oct. 10, 1833 Ellis Lewis Oct. 14, 1833 Jan. 14, 1843 Charles Q. Donnel Jan. 14, 1843 died March 18, 1844 Joseph B. Anthony March 1844 died Jan. 10, 1851 James Pollock Jan. 15, 1851. .com. expired. .Nov. 5, 1851 RESIGNED. John N. Conyngham Nov. 15, 1851 District Changed Warren J. Woodward. apptd. .May 19, 1856 Dec. 10, 1861 Aaron K. Peckhara appld..Dec. 10, 1861. ..com. expired. .Nov. 3, 1863 William Blwell Nov. 3, 1863. .com. expired. .Nov. 6, 1873 William Elwell Nov. 6. 1872.. com. expired. .Nov. 7, 1882 WilliamElwell Nov. 7, 1883 ASSOCIATE JUDGES. John Murray (appointed), October 11, 1813. William Montgomery (appointed), August 5, 1815. Leonard Rupert (appointed), June 27, 1816. William Donaldson (appointed), March 26, 1840. 94 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. George Mack (appointed), March 27, 1840. Samuel Oakes (appointed), March 6, 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, 1856. 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 in office April 1, 1869. Iram Derr (elected), November 8, 1866. James Kester (appointed), April 23, 1869. Charles F. Mann (elected), November 26, 1869. Died in office, January 24, 1870. Isaac S. Monroe ("appointed), February 1, 1870. Isaac S. Monroe (elected), November 9, 1870. Iram Derr (elected), November 17, 1871. George Scott (elected), December 3, 1875. Died in office, April 10, 1876. 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. 0. G. Murphy (elected), December 8, 1886. James Lake (elected), December 8, 1886. THE BAR. The names follow the order of their admission. Robert C. Grier, Bloomsburg, deceased. William G. Hurley, Bloomsburg, deceased. James Pleasants, Catawissa, 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. Weaver, 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 0. 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. HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 95 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 E. Ikeler, Bloomsburg, practicing. Charles W. Miller, Bloomsburg, practicing. George S. Coleman, Bloomsburg, deceased. J. B. Eobison, Bloomsburg, practicing. J. H. Jamqs, 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. B. Smith, Bloomsburg, practicing. John A. Opp, Bloomsburg, left the county. Warren J. Buckalew, Bloomsburg, deceased. George E. Elwell, Bloomsburg, practicing. Robert E. Little, Bloomsburg, practicing. Nevin U. Punk, Bloomsburg, practicing. William L. Eyerly, Catawissa, practicing. Charles B. Jackson, Berwick, practicing. Frank P. Billmeyer, Bloomsburg, practicing. Xievi E. W^aller, 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. Robert Buckingham, Bloomsburg, practicing. L. S. Wintersteen, 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, Bloomsburg, left the county. Guy Jacoby, Bloomsburg, practicing. Wm. Chrisman, Bloomsburg, practicing. W. H. Snyder, Orangeville, practicing. Wm. E. Smith, Berwick, practicing. Grant Herring, Bloomsburg, practicing. 96 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 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, commmis- sioners, and such others as may, from time to time, be established by law. In 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 register of wills and recorder of deeds. Under the constitution of 1790, all county officers, save the sheriff and coroner, were appointed by the governor without participation by the people; but by an amendment in 1838, it was pro- vided 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 commissioned by the governor. They shall hold their offices for three years, if they shall so long behave themselves well, and until their successors shall be duly qualified." BEGISTBR AND- RBCOKDER. Josiah McClure appointed 1814 1821 1824 1830 1836 Ellis Huglies Eudolph Sechler John Cooper. . - Alexander Best. Philip Billmeyer. . .appointed Jan. 18, 1839 Philip Billmeyer elected, assumed office Dec. 1 1839 Charles Conner elected Dec. 1, 1842 Jesse G. Clark " Dec. 1, 1848 Daniel Lee " Dec, 1, 1804 John G. Freeze " Dec. 1, 1863 "William H. Jacoby. ... " Dec. 1, 1869 Geo. W. Steiner '• Jan. 2, 1882 Geo. W. Steiner " Jan. 5, 1885 PROTHONOTABY AND CLBRE. George A. Frick appointed 1813 David Petrikin appointed Mar. 15, 1821 John Russel " Jan. 14, 1824 Jacob Eyerly " Jan. 19, 1830 James Donaldson... " Jan. 8, 1836 James Donaldson. . " May 1, 1838 James Donaldson. . " Jan. 10, 1839 Valentine Best " Jan. 18, 1839 Jacob Eyerly elected, assumed office December 1 1839 Jesse Coleman elected Dec. 1, 1868 Wellington Ent " Dec. 1, 1869 Died Nov. 5, 1871. R. H. Ringler appointed 1871 B. F. Zarr elected Dec. 1, 1873 William Krickbaum.... " Jan. 7, 1878 William Snyder, " Jan. 7, 1884 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 appointed sheriff in any term of six years. Vacancies in either of the said 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 sec- tion as to require the people to choose one person only for each office, who was to be commissioned by the governor. SHEBirr. Henry Alward, commissioned January 13, 1814. Joseph Prutzman, commissioned October 19, 1816. John Underwood, commissioned October 18, 1819. Died in office. HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 97 William Eobison, to fill vacancy, September 16, 1822. Andi-ew 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. Fnrman, commissioned 1861. Samuel Snyder, commissioned 1864. Mordecai MiUard, 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. TJzal H. Ent assumed office January 5, 1880. John Mourey assumed office January 1, 1683. Samuel SmitJi assumed office January 4, 1886. Note: — The foregoing list of officials is derived from a History of Columbia County, by J. G. Freeze. CHAPTER IV. THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE evolution of a homogeneous and prosperous community out of the vari- ous 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 in their nationality. The common object of all was the planting of a new home where patient, perse- 98 HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. vering toil would gain a moderate competence for old age, and provide greater advantages for a growing family. There was no established rule for success 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 ac- quaintance with one who had bought lands in the "new purchase " for specula- tion, 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 emigra- tion to newly opened territory seized the head of the family, and with little more coasideration, property was disposed of, and with the proceeds of the sale and a few indispensable household articles, the family started towai-d the land of promise without definite aims. With the meager facilities for travel, the amount of goods brought was narrowed to the things of pressing necessity. Carts and wagons made tedious 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, sometimes to be greatly disappointed. The location once made and the family brought forward, the rude shelter was provided. This consisted of the log house for which the timber supplied ample material, and their experi- ence the requisite skill in constructing. It required little aid other than 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 of assistance. Neighborhoods extended for miles about, and the accession of 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 inconven- ience. "With willing and capable hands the house was erected in a day and occu- pied on the next. ' ' Setting things to rights ' ' was not a laborious process. A few wooden pegs driven into the logs supplied the scarcely needed conven- iences 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 un- frequently 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 general reach of the flame, the throat was constructed of small poles imbedded in mud, and, gradually contracting in dimensions, was carried 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 husks to take their place. Besides bedding, indispensable agricultural imple- 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 HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 99 additioh of a draw-share. Rough benches supplied the demand for seats, and a higher one sufficed for a table, while the bedstead, a curious fixtare of the cabin, was constructed in the corner. It was said to go upon one leg, which 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 constituted the only leg of the bedstead. The foundation for the bed was made of a cord, if the family was so fortunate as to have one, otherwise of deer-hide thongs, layers of bark, etc. But little support could be expected from the new farm in the first season, and dependence was had upon purchases to be made of the neighbors, whose surplus crops had no other market. The new-comer found no time for idling in the meanwhUe, however. Every hand capable of wielding an ax was busily 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 brush into piles for burning. It was not uncommon for the especially ener- getic family to carry on this work late into the night, by the light of the burn- ing brush-heaps. The log-rolling was a neighborhood affair, and such was the 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 undecayed roots, such a tool barely scratched the surface, but such was the fertility of the land that it literally needed but the tickling of the hoe, to laugh with a harvest. For many years the princi- pal object of the settler was to ' ' improve ' ' his property, farming operations being carried on simply as a means of support. In fact, this was the only road to success. There was no market for surplus crops, nor was the rank virgin soil adapted to a variety. Beside a few vegetables, corn alone was culti- vated, and constituted the main food supply for both man and beast. It re- quired less care to grow and harvest than any other cereal; it was available 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 for- est, and even in the winter scarcely needed the addition of such fodder as the corn crop supplied. Hogs fattened upon the abundant mast, and furnished a nutritious food for the farmer. With plenty of milk, pork and meal, supple- mented by the game which stocked the woods, and the profusion 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 converting the raw material into the finished gar- ment, the greater part of this work fell upon the housewife. The frontier cabin has always, been the scene of busy activity. Housekeeping was crowded 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 fashioning of the wearing apparel of the whole family. The dress of the set- tlers was of primitive simplicity. Buckskin entered largely into men' s wear, but chief dependence was placed upon the linsey-woolsey, a combination of linen and wool, which was the product of the taste and skill of the women. 100 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Even the footdress was home made, and years elapsed before calico and "cow- hide " ceased to be regarded as an almost unattainable luxury. 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 §ive place to mere display or sentiment. The sense of isolation and mutual dependence encouraged cordial relations and a hospitality that was not 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 apart than the east and the west are to-day. The larger social questions had not yet entered to overcome the difficulties of com- munication 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 exact- ing 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 con- tained charges for ' 'half a hundred lemons ' ' and ' ' half a gallon of rum and bottles ' ' was not deemed peculiarly significant. To become seriously intoxi- cated, however, was an offense 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 prepbytery of Donegal, Pennsylvania, after trying a pastor for drunkenness 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 drunk- enness." Doubtless, a kindred feeling made them wondrous kind. But if in 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 re- store the moral equilibrium. Vanity, slander, and "vacuity of thought" were sharply rebuked. It is related that, in the time when the most prosper- ous settler aspired to possess nothing better than a hewed-log dwelling, several brothers, who were trained mechanics, conceived the idea of building a two- and-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 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 101 simple folk looked upon its strange magnificence with awe, and called it "a palace." The atory of its grandeur spread in ever widening circles, attracting people from afar to look upon the new wonder, until the guardians of the pub- lic morals became alarmed and determined to discipline the ambitious brothers. Martin was selected as the head and front of the offending, and ' 'having re- paired to the humble log cottage hard by the 'stately mansion,' and organized the meeting, ' ' the presiding bishop called the offender before the ecclesiastical court. ' 'Martin was first questioned, upon conscience, to openly declare what his intentions were in erecting so large, so gorgeous a dwelling ?' ' He replied that he had ' 'consulted only his own comfort, and that he had no sinister 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 em- barrassed 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 ■complained of were ' ' shameful, ' ' and therefore' ordered that the culprit ' ' pre- sent herself before the pulpit and receive a solemn admonition. " The penalty was duly 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. Lyon again figures before the presbytery. It was at the meeting imme- •diately 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 ef- forts 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 «ntry: " For good and sufficient reasons wholly dropped .Mr. Lyon from the 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 drawUi 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 denomina- tion in this region. A monthly meeting was established here in 1796, but in 102 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 1808 this was removed to Muncy on account of an extensive emigration of the- sect from Catawissa. In 1795 a meeting was established in Greenwood, and a year later in Locust. In 1814 a monthly meeting was established at the latter place and is still continued. A meeting was also established in 1800 at Berwick, which continued with gradually diminishing strength imtil about 1865, when it ceased to have an existence. The Society of Friends was more firmly established, however, in Greenwood, where there are now two well sup- ported meetings. In 1834 the different meetings of the sect in the county 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 HSft 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 century. ' ' In the following year, the Rev. John Porter was commissioned to- 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. Will- iam Spear, a licentiate, appear also as appointed, about this period, to mission- ate along the east branch of tl3.e Susquehanna. Revs. Messrs. Andrews and Gray also performed greater or less amounts of missionary labor in this field. "* The- first church of this denomination, known as ' ' Briarcreek, ' ' was organized in Cen- ter 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 j in Greenwood in the following year; in Scott, in 1853; in Sugarloaf, in 1858, which was subsequently moved to Benton; and one, in 1867, at Centralia. The introduction of Methodism in Columbia county was probably through 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 representations 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 Colbei-t, James Payn- ter, Morris Howe and Robert Burch, but they do not appear to have effected any permanent organization. " In Briarcreek valley, about four miles distant from Berwick, resided Kev. Thomas Bowman, an ordained local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a man of fervent zeal and persuasive eloquence, who, with his brother, Rev. Christopher Bowman, sowed pure Methodistic seed in all thia region of country. In order that his neighbors might have the regular ministra- tions of the gospel, h e fitted up the third story of his dwelling — a stone house 'Historical Discourse by Key. David J. Waller. HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 103 —as a place of worship, and invited the Methodist itinerants to hold religious service therein. Here, in the year 1805, under the joint ministry of Eev. James Paynter and Joseph Carson, occurred a revival of great power and wide- spread influence. The country for thirty or forty miles around felt the impulse of this wondrous spirit-baptism. As a direct and immediate result of this relig- ious awakening, a class was organized in Berwick."* This point was made a regular appointment in the Wyoming circuit, which extended from North- umberland 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, of which the following were in this county: Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, 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 around which German immigrants of all classes and confessions rapidly gath- ered, 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 denomina- tion 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 por- tions 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 Ger- man settlers of this region were not long without the visit of earnest missiona- ries. Among the early Lutheran missionaries were Revs. Seeley, Sherrets, Plitt, Pauls, Kramer and Baughey, who organized churches in 1795 at Cata- wissa; 1805, in Briarcreek; 1808, in Locust; 1809, in Mifflin; 1810, in Hem- lock; 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. Deiffienbach came to Bloomsburg in 1815 ; he was in the prime of life and preached at Bloomsburg in Mahoning, Catawissa, Briar- creek, Mifflin, and occasionally in Fishingcreek. His missionary labor extend- ed 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 *rrom He Berwick Methodist, March, 1882. 104 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. be regarded as its founder in Columbia county." In 1822 he removed to -Espy, and continued to preach until 1824, when he was confined to his bed with consumption to rise no more. He preached only in the German language and is said to have been an excellent singer. The church interests of this denomination were first associated ip the Bloomsburg charge. In this Mr. Deiffienbach was succeeded, in 1829, by Eev. Daniel S. Tobias, who was assisted in 1844, by Mr. Henry Funk, who added a service in English. In 1854 the Eev. 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 congregations. Since then the num- ber 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 Episco- palians 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 Hop- kins being chiefly instrumental in this work. The church at Bloomsburg was founded in 1793, and about 1812 he established another in Sngarloaf. A third organization was efPected at Jerseytown very early, but it has since passed •away, leaving no record save that it was and is not. In 1860 Rev. E. A. Light- ner began to hold services in Catawissa, which resulted in the founding of a church there, and in 1866 the Rev. M. Washburn did a similar work at Centralia. The Baptist denomination was chiefly recruited from English emi- grants 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 was erected of hewed logs prior to 1787, and in a plain unostentatious way still defies decay. 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. 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 Christ (Disciples), which organized its first congregation in 1837; the Evan- gelical 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 celebrated/ mass here as early as 1829, but all Bervices 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. 105. TOWNSHIPS. 03 1 § >> ■§ § ^ S § 3 1 13 p. 1 1 } 5 1 I 1 S tn 6 .a » CO 6 1 5 1 Beaver 1 1 1 S Benton '. 1 1 1 .... 1 2 2 3 2 2 1 3 2 5 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 /| Bloomsburg 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 .... .... 1 1 1 2 1 q Briarcreek 10 Catawissa 1 7 Center 1 1 2 g Con vnghutn 1 1 6 FishinfTcreek 2 1 6 Franklin ' 9, Greenwood 3 , 1 1 1 8 1 1^ Hemlock f^ Jackson 1 1 3 R 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 q 1 4 Main R . . . .1 . . 1 5 Montour 1 1 1 a Orange 1 1 5 Pine Rojiringt'reek 1 3 2 42 1 9, Scott 1 1 8 8 Sugarloaf 1 1 1 R 4 8 18 12 4 Total 6 6 13 1 5 2 131 Next to the preacher there is no more potent factor in the elevation of" Boeiety than the secular teacher, and it is greatly to the credit of the early set- tlers of Cjlumbia county that they were so much alive to the importance of education. Popular education was, in fact, one of the corner-stones upon which the colonial " Frame of Government " was founded. In that instru- ment, as well as in the ' ' Great Law ' ' enacted in the first year of the province, it was provided that "schools should be established for the education of the young." Under this provision a school was opened in Philadelphia in 1683, at which each pupil was charged a small sum for tuition. In 1698 the Qua- kers opened a public school in the same city, where children of both sexes and all conditions were received, the rich for a small fee and the poor for nothing. .A few years later, a company of German philanthropists, sustained by contri- butions from religious societies in Europe, established free schools in Philadel- phia, and in 1756 had extended their operations to the counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Northampton, and Berks. These schools were well sustained, the pupils being instructed in the German language, and all being admitted who applied. At the same time, the local religious bodies lent their aid to the cause of education and various parochial schools were established, to which, however, access was generally denied to none. In the constitution of 1790, it was stipulated that the legislature should "provide by law for the establishment of schools throughout the state in such manner that the poor may be taught gratis, ' ' and in 1802 an act was passed, and amended in 1804, to provide for the opening of schools throughout th& state, where elementary instruction might be received by all children. Those of the well-to-do were required to pay a small sum, but when the returns of the assessors showed that parents were unable to pay the expenses, the county 106 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. commissioners were authorized to do so. This law was variously amended at different times, but its operation still fell far short of the results at which the friends of public education aimed. In 1833 it was estimated that less than 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 prac- tically 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 support of the people. " The act of 1834 inaugurated in Pennsylvania what is distinctively known as the "common school system." A society was formed in Philadelphia for the promotion of education in the state, as early as 1827 ; a committee was set at work corresponding with the leading men in every community and collecting statistics bearing upon this subject, and in this way a union of the most pro- gressive 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 manage- l' ; ment placed in the hands of a board of six district directors. This advance waa not made without strong opposition, and in the following year a strong effort was made to effect the repeal of the act, but imder 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 1884, and in ^^ 1836 its efficiency was increased by wise amendments, but it has substantially j^ remained unimpaired to this day, the wisdom of which is amply attested by the j growing success of the system in the state. j: In the common school act, it was provided that each township should be at liberty to adopt its provisions or reject them. This was subsequently found 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 its mandates by the school authorities. This was then remedied, and in 1857 the general superintendency of the schools was separated from the office of the secretary of the commonwealth. In the same year, the normal school law waa 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 institu- tions primarily devoted to the education of teachers for the common schools. The iirst to be established under this law was the school at MUlersburg, in Lancaster county, for the second district, and recognized, in 1859, by the state authorities. Others thus recognized are at Bdinboro, in Erie county, for the twelfth district, in 1861; at Mansfield, Tioga county, for tbe fifth district, in 1862; at KutztowE, Berks county, for the third district, in 1866; at Blooms- burg, Columbia county, for the sixth district, in 1869; and for the first dis- trict, 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 prob- ably 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 HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTy. 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 advan- tages for education, and, at the solicitation of neighbors, devoted a room in their restricted households for school purposes. When more liberal accommoda- tions became necessary, the public school-house gradually supplanted the pri- vate school-room. These were erected by donations upon grounds given, with scarcely a single exception, for the joint use of the church and school, and these plats, when still held, are subject to this joint ownership. The act of 1834 met with some opposition in the county, its opponents ■contributing in the following year five petitions, having three hundred and forty-four names, for its repeal. This opposition was based upon the mistaken idea that in the general support of schools, one individual was taxed for 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 MifHin and Val- y r ley ^lone were set down in the "non-accepting" list. Since 1854 the charac- if ' 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 incor- porated June 25, 1839, and was provided with a building in the same year. It re- ceived appropriations under the act of 1838, and flourished for a number of years, but was eventually merged in the public school system, its building being torn down in 1872. The Millville High School was established in 1851; 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 Insti- tute was chartered in September, 1856. Its origin, however, dates back to 1838, when D. J. "Waller, Sr. , William 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 de- veloped until through the influence of the g€(ntlemen 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. 53 ■lOIJWPJO-OJJ •Bi>i}!i!q U3 a> 00 o >n 03 L— -100 JO B99J *83I0U33tI!in00 'iStl^ o ^ t- * to O! « -«< t- c- CO o "<»■ »n ■* t 'O "9 =5 «"^ *^ c^ e! "S S c« ea^ffi m tI|_&3 ift 0*^00 1-1 «s « i-i «s c« t-i w « i-i m w ri co 00 Sgg§83SSSSSSS!SSSSSSS§SSSSSS •flSSBJi .BiaHO'BBX -BBqojnd 'sasnoii [ooiios jo ^soo e6a)Ot-oKD nSMt- — Oi/ic CO TO M « a ^-Wweoc^ojC' COt- Mi-t « -t iH r- T- CVt nouiJTJfloiddB ajutjg jdaoxa Eiaajnos aaqi^o n^ P^b sax«] moj^ lb oi K i^ -* » tM t- -* to 00 1- 00 to c- o ■* in -"f ^ "i{5^i;-ooeoino)inin>— oiogcooji •aouBpdoJddB a)«js "ISISS I cS^mt*' wini mci'f Dooc^^oc:>coQOooa cooc»»^octn«3irj>— -^osccin'fflMOcowo Oit^TO'y^aiiaannci-r-iaeQc^.naiCoaicoco mci^oi 55,^T-i-*c>»(?*^T-r to -c^g* ■coincoo •Basodjnd looqDS joj paiAai Binui JO jgqinnN coinot-OOiCOeoeotoeDt-eoajoowwinint-incst-^oo 'qinoni aad ijaoo 03 CO H to CO o o tr -* i~ « o 5D CO CO ?g M lO w t- eg «c jH Tht- aou'Bpa9i:;'B JO -^uoo aad 93i3J9av - i-H -^ o (M oo-^- o o> 1-1 w r3 '^ Q 9 S in CO CO u) oa i-H r- CO t- OS OS 01 wa a> » to 03 th iB (O fi Q t- c-'-*0)05Se-cQ»r-'-'oep-*aoo-*i-i-»cor-io^oiSo«3 •qinom J9d saiBUiaj JO .iiBiBB aSBaaAV ScSSPSeBioinSoo S88SS8SS8SS J3d B3[Q[U JO ^JLQIVe g^BJOAV 8SS8SSSSSS8SSia88SS8 :8S888 co-<»>i5co^(DOit-c355TOT^cJeow35eoco .Nf4o5o3TH "saiBtnaj jo aaqran^t *oot-'*iow>o-^m>-> -■^eoTf>co^^r-<(i5t-co^ 'ihin ■saiBiu JO aaqran^ ■«*t-«(N-- 112 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. reach out for a better market. 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, from whence the Delaware offered the best means of transportation. It was by this tedious route that the foreign 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 Eeading 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 individ- ual 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 such ventures the first stores originated almost by accident. It is related that 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 next trip, he said: "Tommy, bring some more." The young merchant, improved on his father's advice, and not only brought back some more hats, but invested the whole pro- ceeds 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 trans- portation, and the river traffic rapidly grew to large proportions. At Marietta, York-Haven and Columbia there were extensive saw-mills, and vast quantities of timber were rafted from this region to find a market at these places. As the product of these frontier settlements increased, the "Durham boat'' was brought into requisition. These were rude flat-boats first made at Durham, below Easton on the Delaware river. Down stream they floated with the cur- Tent, but the upward voyage was made by ' ' poling ' ' and ' ' cordelling. ' ' These were laden for the Baltimore market, and were frequently broken up at the 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- division. Reverend John F. Brown was pastor when the Benton church was 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 Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, Illinois. He was a teacher eight years prior to his en- trance into the ministry. He is a man of progressive ideas and enthusiastic devotion to his work, which explains the success which has everywhere at- tended 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 can- not be given. In 1859 a number of persons from Cole's mills and the sur- 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 ap- pointed 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 previ- ous, 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 Pres- byterian 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. 234 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. CHAPTER XII. GREENWOOD AND JACKSON TOWNSHIPS. GREENWOOD. GREENWOOD, one of the original subdivisions of the county, and the fourth in order of time erected within its present limits, embraces an -area of considerable extent between Little Fishing and Green creeks. In a strictly topographical sense the nanie is applied to a valley extending east and west between these streams, from the hills of Pine and Jackson to the more regular elevations at the south, known as the Mount Pleasant hills. The larger 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 Northum- berland county that Greenwood valley ceased to be public land, and received its first white inhabitants. Benjamin Chew, a prominent citizen of Philadel- phia, secured successive warrants at various dates for surveys 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 re- gion. 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 forty- five 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 evi- dence seems to indicate that he settled upon his land before the title was ac- quired or the purchase concluded. If this view is correct, his first visit to the region was made in 1769. Leaving his home at Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle county, Delaware, and ■crossing Lancaster county, he reached the Susquehanna at Harris' ferry. Fol- 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 lands then owned by the McMeans. He was unable to glean any information from the settlers, but two Indians offered to guide him thither; they followed the Indian trail from "ye great isle" toNescopeck, until they reached the foot of Fairview, an eminence overlooking Millville. When they had ascended to its summit, his guides pointed to the valley below, and Eves knew that he had at last reached the vicinity of his future home. After examining the timber and soil they returned that day to the Susquehanna, whither he continued his journey to Mill -Creek Hundred. The next summer he returned, and with his eldest son, Thomas, built a small log cabin in a ravine to the west of Little Fishing creek. The following GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 237 spring he made his third journey irom New Castle county, accompanied this time by his family. They followed the same route as he on his first journey, but, from the month 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 caused 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 vio- lent death; the next day the drove 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 from all appearances were progressing in a bee-line to New Castle county. The first efiPort to intro- duce 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 kindness was well improved. The presence of the family on an exposed fi-ontier 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 sympathy with the British, but exceptional wisdom and kindness that secured for them an immunity from the ravages of the border warfare. The day after the Wyoming massacre, July 4, 1778, a friendly Indian gave timely warning of the approach of danger. By noon of that day the house- hold 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 1786, 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 bushes. 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 appear 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 Keuben S. Kich, a descendant, now lives. Jacob Link, in 1797, opened the first tavern in the township. In the same year four brothers Thomas, Samuel, John and William Mather, removed from Buffalo valley to Green creek. Joshua Bobbins, Archibald Patterson, George and William Mc- Michael, native Scotchmen, settled in the same locality. The first road through this region followed the course of the. Indian trail from the " West Branch " to Berwick. Until 1798 the trail itself constituted the only highway to the " North Branch. " In that year a road was surveyed from the river across the Mount Pleasant hills. At this early date, and to a greater extent during certain periods since, the Green and Little Fishing creeks have been the channels by which the timber on their banks has found its wa^ 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 238 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. streams were high and steep. They were here built iuto rafts of such shape- that when the stream's current had risen to a sufficient height these could be pushed into the seething torrent below. Skillful piloting was required to con- duct them safely to the broader channel of the river. Sometimes the fasten- 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 with overpowering velocity. The sluggish appearance of these streams in the summer months cannot convey an adequate idea of their importance in years past in connection with the lumber industry. As early as 1820 an effort was made to obviate the danger of thus transporting the principal commodity of the region by opening another road to the river. It was not until 1856 that the final success of this project was assured. The legislature in that year made an appropriation for the construction of a road from Bloomsburg ta Laporte, in Sullivan county, through the valley of Little Fishing creek. The- extensive travel which has ever since passed over this highway proves its necessity and importance. The year 1856 begins an era of rapid development and improvement in the whole township, but particularly in the struggling vil- 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 cen- tury of its history, dating the beginning at the time when the Eves' mill was- built. Thomas Eves succeeded his father in the ownership of the mill, and 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 the first store in the township. Four years later David Eves was commis- 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 afterward twice, a week. Subsequently, a route was opened from Bloomsburg to Sereno, and mail received at Millville three times a week. A daily mail has since been established. The business interests of Millville are represented by a number of stores, factories and planing-mills. In 1813 John Watson started a woolen factory. 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- spun," to be colored and pressed. Chandler Eves succeeded Watson, and built a large brick structure on the opposite side of the water-course from the site of his first building. Unfortunately, it has not fulfilled its promise of an extensive manufacturing establishment. The wagon factory established by Charles Eves in 1837 has had a different career. The wagons here made have always sustained an excellent reputation for durability and superior finish. Under the management of John Eves, the present proprietor, the quality of the work has not deteriorated from its hfgh standard of excellence. Henry Getty and William Greenly started a planing- mill in 1881; Shoemaker and Lore followed with another three years later. The lumber here manufactured finds a 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 GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 239- in places of its size, is the ' ' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Millville. ' '' It was incorporated September 7, 1875, and organized the following month with Joseph W. Eves; president, and Ellis Eves, secretary. They have held their respective offices continuously to this time (September, 1886). For the six years preceding July 31, 1886, there was no assessment whatever, not- withstanding the low rate at which policies are issued. Nothing further need be advanced in proof of the prosperous condition of the corapany' s finances. Amid all this business activity, the social necessities of the people have not been neglected. The Millville Reading Circle -was organized in the winter of, 1882-83, and met at the houses of its members. In order to increase and ex- tend its usefulness, it was subsequently merged into the ' ' Good Intent Liter- ary Society. " A large library has been collected through the co-operation of the citizens and public schools. Several fraternal and beneficent societies are also represented. Millville 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 Eichart. After an existence of ten years the interest had abated to such an extent that the charter was relinquished. Valley Grange, No. 52, is one of the oldest in the state. It was chartered with twenty members, February 4, 1874, having been organized the previous year. The library owned by the association com- prises a number of judiciously selected works. The grange numbers one-hun- dred members, and exerts an influence in the direction of more general intelli- gence among the agricultural community. J. P. Eves Post, No. 536, Grand Army of the Republic, was mustered Sep- tember 3, 1886, by M. M. Brobst, A. D. C. as P. C, assisted byM. L. Wagen- seller, of Post No. 148, Selinsgrove, William Mensch, T. F. Harder and J. M. Seitzenger, of Hoagland Post, No. 170, Catawissa. The following is a list of its members: James W. Eves, Henry J. Bobbins, George W. Belig, B. F. Fisher, Isaac M. Lyons, 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. Mor- dan. [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 secured the -site of the town in 1825 from Samuel Sherts. It was included in 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 merchants of the place. Rohrsburg Grange, No. 108, was organized February 12, 1874 with thirty members. The report of its secretary for the quarter ending June 30, 1886, showed a membership of eighty-four. A commendable 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 PuUmer of Limestoneville, but this original structure has long since disappeared. In 1832 a fulling and carding-miU was operated on the same 240 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. stream by Joseph Sands. For many years lumbering was a thriving business. In 1820, four brothers, Joseph, Jonathan, Isaac and William Lemon, started a saw-mill on Green creek below the village. They owned a tract of timber extending three miles in the direction of Millville. In 1847 Keater Parker es- tablished a pottery on the Greenwood road. It is still operated with a fair degree of prosperity. Eyer's Grove and lola are situated on the Bloomsbujg 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 in 1807 by Eobert Montgomery. At the latter place, in the winter of 1828, Joseph and John Bobbins established a milling business. The industrial development of Greenwood and growth of villages in consequence have been outlined at some length. No large town has growii within the limits of the township; no great manufacturing enterprise has ever been attempted. The development of the lumber interests has largely resulted from individual enterprises, and received capital and encouragement from the immediate vicinity. Greenwood valley is a region of great fertility. The presence of an intelligent agricultural community, and the prospect of im- proved 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 its people. Six denominations of Evangelical Christians are represented in eleven diflPerent 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 Tiolding services at this place granted by Exeter (Berks county) monthly meet- ing. At a meeting of a body similarly constituted at Catawissa, May 21, 1796, Jesse Haines and Jacob Clayton, on behalf of Fishingcreek Friends, requested the continuance of this indulgence. It was granted, and William 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 Phila- delphia Quarterly established the Muncy monthly meeting, alternate sessions of which were held at Fishingcreek. In 1856 the name was changed to Fish- ingcreek monthly meeting of Friends, held at Millville. In 1832 Koaringereek 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, Euth Pyle and Mary Pike, and on their recommendation Eoaringcreek and Muncy were united into "Fishingcreek half-yearly meeting. " October 18, 1834, this body convened for the first time. Thomas G. Eich was appointed clerk. WiUiam Watson, James Millard, James Stokes and Benjamin Kester were elected dele- gates to the ensuing yearly meeting at Philadelphia. In 1845 an effort was 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 from an established regularity in their appointments for religious services. These have been attended and supported during this period by successive gen- erations of the families by whom they were commenced. A record of this char- acter, 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 valley. The first service was held in 1809 in Thomas Eves' mill. A class of eleven members was formed, among whom were William, Lydia, John and GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 241 Mary Robbins, Elizabeth Eichie, Mary Eichie and Jacob Evans, who was ap- pointed leader. For sixteen years they held meetings in William Bobbins' bam. A house of worship was built in 1825, and after thirty- five years of use was abandoned as unsafe. In November, 1882, the corner-stone of a new build- ing was laid. The site of the first structure was at the forks of the roads from MillvUle to Eohrsburg. The adjoining burial ground is known as Greenwood cemetery. The second and third Methodist church buildings were erected in 1850 at Eohrsburg and lola. The pastors at this time were Eeverends Joseph S. Lee and George H. Day. Eyer' s Grove and Chestnut ridge appointments were formed in 1860 and 1881, respectively. The Presbyterian church of Eohrsburg has been a regularly 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 Northumber- land for aid in effecting an organization, and Eeverends Williamson, Thom- son and Boyd were appointed to that service. Philip Sipley, Elias Smith, James WUson 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 Eohrsburg was the third and last religious body formed at that place. August 4, 1870, Elder J. J. Harvey organized this con- gregation with a membership of thirty-one. Services were held in Appelman' s shop until the following year, when a house of worship was completed. This society is also represented at Millville. In 1870 and 1871 Elders Harvey and Eadenbaugh held occasional services in the school-room of the seminary. February 21, 1880, a number of citizens assembled here to consider the feasi- bility of erecting a church building for the use of all denominations. S. B. Kisner, E. M. Johnson and Josiah Heacock were appointed a committee to superintend the financial requirements of the work. In November of the same year the " Free- Church " was dedicated. At this place, in the autumn of 1881, Eeverend 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 Green- wood Evangelical church. April 22, 1880, Eeverend W. H. Lilly conducted its first service at the house of Eli Welliver. The following year, through the efforts of David Albertson and Wilson Kramer, a church building was erected. 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 churches received an equal degree of attention. One end of their first meet- ing house was partitioned from the rest and used exclusively for school pur- poses. In 1798 Elizabeth Eves instructed the children of the vicinity in this room; Jesse Haines and John Shirely were among her successors. "The first schoel-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 use 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 242 HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. and planned an institution known as the Millville High-School. In the follow- ing year, William Burgess, a man of broad culture and liberal views, was called to the principalship of the school. He opened it in the autumn of 1852 with an enrollment of thirty, and continued at its head for twelve years. Dur- 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 or- ganized March 30, 1861, with a capital stock of five-thousand dollars. It assumed the liabilities of the former management; made extensive improve- ments and additions to the buildings, and established the school on a firm financial basis. Professor T. W. Potts, of Chester county, took charge in 1865. July 17, 1866, the property was leased to C. W. Walker. Three years later William Burgess returned and remained until 1872, when he resigned to accept an appointment on an Indian reservation tendered him by President Grant. He was succeeded by R. H. Whitacre. During the winter of 1874-75 Florence Heacock, of Benton, conducted the school. March 6, 1875, the trustees leased the property to the Fishingcreek monthly meeting of Friends. Professor Arthur W. Potter was employed as principal. Two years later the property 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 were the teachers during this period. At the opening of the present school year (1886) the Fishingcreek monthly meeting 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 large number of students. The management has not been disappointed. August 16, 1886, the school opened with seventy-five pupils. Anna C. Dor- land, of Philadelphia, is principal. Her assistants are Roland Spenser and Frances Foulk. A normal class is under the tuition of Lizzie Hart, of Doyles- town, 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. Vanderslice, 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. It was not favorably considered however. The petitioners met with better success the following year by requesting the formation of the new township of Jackson from the contiguous portions of Greenwood and Sugarloaf. Fishing creek 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 por- tions 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 JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 243 "the lands were held. The Asylum Land Company, a syndicate of land specu- lators, secured a large tract embracing the whole of this township and the ad- joining portions of Sugarloaf, Greenwood and Pine, and of Lycoming and Sullivan counties. The character and methods of such corporations at this 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, or perhaps fail to find their lands at all. The existence of these circumstances, the utter absence of good roads, and the distance from markets seemed insuper- able 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 rcttled in Sugarloaf, in 1795. In 1811 Paul Hess located north of Waller on a tract of two hundred and forty acres. At this time Levi Priest was living southeast of that village, and George Far- ver on land bought in 1809 by John Conrad Parver of James Barber. These families comprised the population of the township at this time. Subsequent immigration was drawn principally from Greenwood, although several families removed from New Jersey and the lower counties. The familiar names of Yorks, Golder, Waldron, Bverhart, Campbell and Parker may be mentioned among this number. An incident in connection with the early settlement should not be passed unnoticed, as it affords a striking illustration of the dangers incident to pio- neer 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 scarcely 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' s 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 Unity- ville, in Lycoming county, to Benton in 1828. The first post-oftice, 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 1866, when D. L. Everhart became postmaster. At the expiration of his term of office it was dis- continued 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 thir- teen, 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 secared the services of a carrier to .bring their mail from Kohrsburg. December 22, 1879, Derr's post-office was established with A. J. Derr as postmaster at his store. 244 HISTOEY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. The introduction of church 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 at Waller. This school was opened in the winter of 1821-22. A school-house 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 school purposes in lower Jackson was built in 1825. Cornelius McEwen, Helen Calvin, Joseph Orwig and Peter Girton successively taught at this place. The township maintains four schools for a term of five months. The appearance of the buildings and grounds compares favorably with similar school establish- ments in thickly settled localities. The different religious denominations represented did not secure houses of worship until a comparatively recent period. As early as 1819 the township was visited by ministers of the Baptist denomination on their missionary tours through this section. Joel Rodgers and Elias Dodson, the former a licentiate, 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 they were erected. Subsequent to this Samuel Chapin, Brookins Potter and Merrit Harrison made excursions from Huntington, Luzerne county, and main- tained the appointments in Jackson for several years. They all labored with- j3ut compensation. They were plain, earnest men, and supported themselves by farming at their homes. Elders William S. Hall and J. Edminster, preached occasionally, 1845-49. In 1852 Eeverends A. B. Eunyon 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, 1853, the completed structure was dedicated. In the autumn of 1848 Rever- 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 the Northumberland Baptist association. Reverend J. Shanafelts succeeded Mr. Alden in 1859. The violent political agitation of the succeeding six years resulted in virtually disbanding this congregation. Eeverends Alden, Fur- 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 pro- priety of attempting a reorganization. It was at once decided to do this. 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 resig- nation of Mr. Tustin in 1872 severed his connection with this church. Rever- end Benjamin Shearer was pastor from 1873 to 1882. Mr. Tustin again be- came pastor in 1882, but was succeeded in the winter of 1885-86 by Joseph W. Crawford, a licentiate of the Northumberland Baptist association. Consid- ering 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 with the churches at Benton and Stillwater. The following persons have sue- MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 245. cessively been its pastors: John Sutton, J. J. Harvey, A. Keutan, Edward E, Orvis, Charles S. Long, C. W. Cooper and D. M. Kinter. Luther German 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 organi- zations. The older, at upper Jackson, was established by Reverends Jamea Duulap 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 Freder- ick 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 1876 with nineteen members, and D. B. Stevens class leader. Reverends James 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 undenominational ownership. Though a necessary expedient at the time, this has done much to retard the growth of the different churches. CHAPTEE XIII. MOUNT PLEASANT AND ORANGE TOWNSHIPS. MOUNT PLEASANT. PREVIOUS to August, 1789, the region at the junction of the two Fishing creeks was included in Wyoming township, Northumberland county; during the succeeding ten years, in Fishingcreek; from 1799 to 1818, in Fish- ingcreek. 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 re- gion which most favorably impressed the land- buyer were its strong growth of timber and inexhaustible supply of water. The nature and quality of the tim- ber, 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 south of the Mount Pleasant hills was. originally composed of English people from New Jersey. They werefrom Sus- sex 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 Eyeland 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- 246 msTOEY OF Columbia county. proprietor of the village of Millerstown, but did not enter the township until a later period. John Mordan, who had lived in the same township of Sussex county, New Jersey, as Eveland and Force, followed them to the Mount Pleasant hills but removed a few years later to Little Fishing creek, where he built the first saw-mill in the present limits of the township. John Kester located on the hill above the village of Mordansville. In 1798 a road was surveyed over the Mount Pleasant hills to the Greenwood valley beyond; from that time un- til 1856 it was the only highway from north to south in the region, The po- sition of the township near the growing towns of Bloomsburg, Orangeville, and Millville prevented the growth of any important villages on its own terri- tory. Its exclusively agricultural resources and the inconvenience of distrib- uting any products that might be manufactured, have not favored the estab- lishment of industries of this character. Quiet country villages have, however, clustered round each of the two ho- tels that formerly received the travelers on the Mount Pleasant road. Welli- versville, first known by that name when Thomas Welliver was commissioned postmaster in 1857, comprises several substantial farm-houses, and the shops ■of two mechanics. At Millerstown the first post-office in the township was 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 the amount of postage paid, reported to the department at Washington. Sub- 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 town- ship' s settlement. The Mordansville woolen-mills, established in 1858 by Jo- seph 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 ma- chines. Mr. Sands' enterprise and energy did not long submit to a process • of manufacture subject to so many delays. He early introduced improved . machinery, and was thus enabled to perform every process of the manufact- ure. The product of these looms found a ready sale in the coal regions of this state, and continues to do so wherever introduced. He established, also, the only store that still exists in the township, and secured for the community a post-office, known first as Bear Eun but subsequently as Mordansville. In 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 located near the old Mount Pleasant road. Two of the congregations are Methodist Episcopal, and one an English Lutheran. The former are known as the White and Kitchen appointments. The Kitchen church-building was 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 Bar- man Kramer. White's church-building was Erected in 1875, dxuing the pas- torate of Reverend Frank P. Gearhart. The White, Oman, Shipman, Melick and Hilbern families were connected with this organization during its earlier history. The English Lutheran church of Canby was organized November 18, 1859, ORANGE TOWNSHIP. 247 in the Millerstown school-house by Keverend E. A. Sharrets, of Espy. The present house of worship was built two years later. The congregation is con- nected with the Espy charge of the Susquehanna synod. The early schools of the township, as weir as its villages and churches, were formed near the old Mount Pleasant road. Peter Oman, desirous of pro- viding some educational advantages for his children, employed an instructor to teach them at his. own house. Children of neighboring families were also received into this school. Subaequently three houses were built, located re- spectively on lands of Joseph GUbert, Aaron Kester 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. OEANGE. 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 irreg- ular form and unequal area of the different townships permit. As elsewhere in its course Fishing creek here follows a winding channel, the current in some places splashing and foaming as it widens over a primitive bed of red- shale 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 reflec- tion in the clear depths of the stream below is not disturbed by the slightest ripple on its surface. In this township the volume of the stream is consider- ably increased by the waters of Green creek, which enter it just above Orange- ville, and several miles farther in its course by Stony brook, a smaller tribu- tary stream. At the point of its junction with the former Fishing creek makes a bold curve around the Knob mountain. This elevation is an interesting and peculiar feature of the topography. Eisiog 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, how- ever, that this order of things has existed. Previous to that date .the part of ■Orange south 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 in which Orange was originally included, the part east of Green creek and north of the Knob was within the limits of Fish- ingcreek. A few years previous, in deference to the wishes of the electors of 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 place for the whole region. The obvious incon- venience 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 val- ley 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 journeyed as a prisoner murdered a family who then lived at the foot of Knob mountain on 248 HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. the bank of the creek. The rangers who followed from Sunbury buried the mangled 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. WhUe plowing here a few years since some workmen discovered a human skull, and on further excavation unearthed two complete skeletons, which, however, crumbled 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 course 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 toma- hawks. 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 investi- gation concerning the presence of an out-crop of this valuable ore ; but no dis- coveries 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 Jer- sey across the Broad mountain to the present site of Berwick, and thence west- ward 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 them; and in 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 wife, 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 during 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 Sunbury, thirty-five miles distant. When the wheat had been threshed 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 "caravan" 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 Cata- wissa, and was a great convenience. Matthias, Isaac and George Kline built cabins for their families and farmed the region between the creeks just above their father's homestead. Thus was established what was, at this time, the out-post of civilization in the Fishing creek valley. It was not until 1796, however, that Abram Kline, being firmly convinced OBANGE TOWNSHIP. 249 ■tliat the region was fertile and the climate healthful, secured a title for his laud. By a warrant of April 3, 1769, the tract had originally been surveyed for Hester Barton. This was one of the earliest surveys in the Fishing creek val- ley. Hester Barton subsequently married Paul Zantzinger, from whom, under 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 Mc- Clure 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 Eazor, Frederick Yeungling and Andrew Crouse. South of that stream were the tracts of Whitehead Jones, Thomas Christy, Eichard Peters, Enos Eandall 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 Eantz, James VanHorn, the Neten- bachs and Weremans came from Berks and Northampton counties. Peter Blank and Andrew Larish came from 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 yearsTffi-airprobability prior to the year 1800. The demand for sawed lumber, however, did not reach his 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 I^UE^^Hill cemet©Ey,._^ (^ (-\ g^,-> A few years afterward two Jews built a grrat-mill several mileS farther down on the site of a modern building now owned by John HofFman. This miU 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 ; Wesl&y Bowman, the present owner, came into possession twenty -two years later. The road opened by the Klines from Light Street to their homes was soon extended by the settlers who followed them t8 the settlements farther north in the Pishing creek valley. The trading point for all this region was Blopma - burg^_g8 no town then existed farther up the valley of the creek. But in 1822 tSraiuel G. Eicketts, a native of Fairview county, Ohio, conceived the idea of planting a town at the foot of Knob mountain. The advantages of this loca- tion for a commercial center first presented themselves to his mind; all the travel from upper Jishing rareek passed this point, the base of the mountain and the channel of the stream Being but little farther apart than the width neces- sary 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 from Henry Dildine and others, heirs of Andrew Dildine, the ground on which the town of Orang g yille 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 indenture of May 14, 1793, conveyed it to Henry Dildine and John Frutchey, executors of the will of Andrew Dildine; and from his heirs, as above stated, it came into possession of Clemuel G. Bicketts. 250 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. When, in 18^2, he bought the site of the town, a log building occupied the site of the house owned by the late John Covanhoan. This was a farm house and was occupied by Abraham Eveland. Another was farther down, along Spring run, just where the stable of the Orangeville hotel has sinoa been built. The lower timbers of this house were so rotten that it was necessary to support the corner with a stout prop. The former tenant, Harman Labour, having vacated it, the proprietor of the town took pos- session and occupied it with his family until a more substantial habitation could be erected. In the meantime, however, the course of the road, which 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 were laid off and offered for sale. Two of these, situated where Spring run crosses the road, a short distance from the house occupied by Ricketts. were bought by Elisha Boon, who at once erected a dwelling house and tannery, thus be- ginning a manufacturing industry when the town as yet hardly had an exist- ence except in the mind of the proprietor. He pushed his new house to com- 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 Philip Snyder and Solomon Siegfried, from Northampton county. The house is still standing, and is now owned by Mrs. Hayman. On the corner now owned by Alexander B. Stewart, Clemuel G. Eicketts built the next house, ia which David Fausey opened the first hotel. Just opposite, the proprietor now completed a brick residence known at present as the Orangeville hotel. John TJnger 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 bears and wolves. It appears that the fastnesses of the Knob mountain were the favorite haunts of these animals. Occasionally a black bear would come down from the -mountain, walk through the ' ' town ' ' with the most perfect un- concern 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 the mire below. On one occasion the little daughter of a farmer who lived just above the store was sent to bring the cows. She ran down the road a short distance and returned with the news that she had seen somthing big and black which was not a cow. The first traveler over the road in the morning reported having seen the tracks of a bear. For weeks afterward the mothers 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 fi-om the depredations of these fierce brutes. The number of houses in the town having increased to five or six, the estab- lishment of a post-office was agitated. This involved the choice of a name as a necessary preliminary. The sages of the village having, as usual, congre gated in the store, the question was freely 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 from Orange, New ORANGE T0W>;SH11. llcl Jersey. Thomas Mills, his clerk, thereupon suggested the name Orangevilley which was at 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 manulacture of farming inplements soon after. "William Schuyler succeeded to the business in 1853, and continued it for twenty years. After passing through various hands and experiencing succes- 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 under- taking establishment. In 1855 James B. Harmon became proprietor and ex- tended the business in various directions. He introduced th© first heatse ever used in the region, and manufactured furniture for many years. The tovm at present comprises more than a hundred substantial homes, numerous, stores and three church-edifices. AU of the latter were preceded in the time of their erection by the old Mc- Henry church-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 century. Among those who preached here were Rev- erends Dieffenbach of the Reformed church; Baughey and Benninger of the- Lutheran, and Patterson and Hudson, Presbyterians. In 1818 Harman Fausey fenced ofiP a part of his farm for a burial ground. It had however been a place of interment five years previous. Edward McHenry came into posses- sion of the farm in 1828, and increased the size of the grave-yard. The place- took its name from him. Among those buried here are Enzius Vance, Archi- bald Patterson, Frederick Rantz, Andrew Dildine and others of the first set- tlers of the region. In 1837 the roof of the church-building collapsed beneath the weight of a heavy snow. The ruins of the building were removed shortly afterward to 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 buildins, at a cost of one-thousand six-hundred dollars. The churches had now increased in membership, and from this point may be con- sidered 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. Wal- ler, 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 com- plete 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 252 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Williamson became pastor in 1843, and Eeverend George W. Newell four years later. The latter still lives at an advanced age in Nebraska. He was suc- ceeded in 1858 by Eeverend W. P. Teitsworth. In 1861 Eeverend Nathaniel Spear settled here, preaching also at Eohrsburg and in Benton township. lu 1876 Eeverend David J. Waller, Jr., was called to the pastorate. He re- mained for a year and a half, when he resigned to take charge of the Blooms- turg State Normal School. He was followed in 1877 by Eeverend C. K. Can- field, the present pastor. Since that time the membership has increased from forty-eight to one-hundred. The present handsome church edifice was built in 1885 and dedicated during the following year. The Eeformed congregation at Orangeville was formerly part of the Blooms- burg charge. When the Eeverend William Goodrich resigned his position as its pastor in 1865, the Orangeville charge was formed; it embraced the congre- gations at Orangeville, St James and Mount Zion. April 1, 1866, Eeverend E. B. Wilson was called to this pastorate at a salary of five-hundred dollars a year; he served until his death, in May, 1868. He is buried in the cemetery at Arentdsville, Adams county. Though not an educated man, his rare abil- ity made him peculiarly useful at a time when the charge needed a strong ■guiding-hand. For three years the charge was without a pastor; the removal of many prominent members created discouragement. In August, 1869, Kev- «rend A. Houtz, the present incumbent, became pastor; since then its condi- tion has materially improved, its membership has increased, and the contribu- tions to benevolence made more systematic and regular. The Orangeville Lutheran charge was organized by^ Eeverend P. Berg- stresser; he arrived at the place in September, 1857. As directed by the Sus- quehanna Conference (since grown to the Susquehanna Synod) he organized a charge consisting of the congregations at Orangeville, Eohrsburg, Zion's and Briarcreek. The Orangeville Methodist Episcopal church was formerly embraced in the Bloomsbui'g circuit. In 1852 the Orangeville circuit was formed, with Eeverend Albert Hartman as first preacher in charge. Twenty-three years previous, however, in 1829, Eeverend J. W. Dunahay preached the first ser- mon ever delivered in Orangeville, from the twenty-first verse of the third chapter of Eevelations. Eeligious services were held in the school-house tintil 1843, when 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 enter- prise. 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; Sep- tember 11 of the same year the new structure was dedicated; Eeverends T. O. Glees, Elial M. Chilcoat and A. B. Hooven have been pastors since that time. During the same pastorate Eeverend T. O. Glees built a tasteful frame structure at the McHenry appointment; it is now the place of worship of a growing congregation. Mountain Lodge, I. O. O. F. , No. 264, of Orangeville, has an existence nearly as old as any of its church buildings. It was instituted September 17, 1847, with Abraham Covel, N. G. ; George W. Lott, V. G. ; Joseph E. Sands, secretary; and Elijah G. Eicketts, treasurer. November 12, 1870, Oriental Lodge, No. 460, F. & A. M. of Orangeville was instituted. The original members were James B. Harman, Miles A. Williams, Frederick Laubach, John F. Brown, Alick H. Megargall, Jeremiah OKANGE TOWNSHIP. 255 Comstock, Hiram C. Eves. Jacob M. Harman, Nathaniel Spear, John Heacock, Orville A. Megargall and Peter Laubach. It was chartered December 7, 1869. Both these societies hold their meetings in the Odd Fellows' hall. The early school history of Orange township, as well as its early settle- ment, is associated with the Kline family; for it was on the farm of Hiram E. Kline that the first school was taught. Among these early teachers were Daniel Eake, Philip Doder and Jonathan Colley. George Vance opened a 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 re- ligious services as well. Among the first teachers were Abraham Kline and Ira Daniels. The growth of a population of more than ordinary intelligence and enter- prise has resulted in the establishment at Orangeville of an institution of learning far superior to the average village high-school. The Orangeville Male and 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. This first board consisted of George W. Lott, Samuel Achenbach, Michael C. Vance, James S. Woods, Wesky Bowman, Hiram E. Kline, and Edward Lazarus. They appointed Eeverend Peter Bergstresser first principal. He pre- pared a course of study 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. Eeverend 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 at- tendance was large, and the school enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity in every way. At the beginning of the next year, 1862, Eeverend H. D. Walker, a. Baptist clergyman, was placed in charge. Two years later, in 1864, he was called upon to take charge of a nuro^ber of soldiers' orphans. He rented the academy building and grounij* from the trustees, and transformed the institu- tion 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 efScient 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 the school and its results compared favorably with the reports from other schools of a like character in the state. But the supervisor of orphans' schools. Colo- nel John F. MacFarland, in consequence of untrue reports to which he gave a too-ready belief, ordered the removal of the children and suspension of the school. The summary execution of his directions caused quite an excitement m the village. Nor did it end here. Eeverend Walker 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 from 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 ,256 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. In 1870 Professor Isaac E. Sohoonover became principal of the academy, which, had now been virtaally suspended six years. He remained in charge four years and a half. In 1875 Eeverend Alfred Houtz, the present Eeformed pastor, succeeded him; John Aikman and Francis Herring 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 ddne good work. It has ceased to be governed by a board of trustees, and the property 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 moulding individual character and elevating the tastes and social life of the immediate community, it has done a work the importance of which can hardly be estimated. CHAPTER XIV. HEMLOCK AND MONTOUR TOWNSHIPS. HEMLOCK. AT the 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 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 township, Northumberland county. Hemlock creek is here mentioned, but the location is more definitely fixed by reference to Fishing creek, a larger stream. The extreme northeast corner of the township was surveyed, in pursuance of a warrant granted to John Nicholson, southward along Little Fishing creek; Robert Bogard, William Oike, Philip Hahn, David Lynn and Elizabeth Gray were the warrantees. The land at the forks of Fishing and 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, Philip Gable, Samuel Emmitt, Sebricht Wagner, Alexander Johnson and James Ellis. West of the Hemlock, Margaret and Daniel Duncan, Thomas Barton, Daniel Montgomery, Nathaniel Brader, Peter Brugler, Andrew Walt- man and John Lilly secured large tracts. Peter Brugler entered this region about the year 1788 or 1790, being among the first to permanently locate within the present limits of the township. His land extended across its western end, from Frosty valley into the Ldebenthal, a deep, narrow valley, through which the west branch of Hemlock creek finds its way. This track embraced about six-hundred acres. The house he built on the southern slope of Frosty valley was destroyed by fii-e some years since. On one occasion while out hunting, he had an adventure which illustrates how HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP. 257 much the life of the pioneer sometimes 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 iootsteps 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 keenrjess of his faculties, as the certainty of his danger became conclusive. He remembered having seen a hoUow tree when he first passed over the trail. It required but a few minutes to reach it and conceal himself within its dark recess. The stealthy tread of the pursuing savage could be plainly heard at a short distance, and presently his dusky form emerged from the pines into full view. Brugler waited tiU his rifle was well aimed at the eye of the Indian. The sequel must be inferred. In relating the story he never went beyond this point. 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 Dun- can tract, but was misinformed regarding the location of his land, and built a house before the mistake was ascertained. Margaret and Daniel Duncan se- cured patents for their land under date of December 17, 1774, but subsequently disposed of both to George Clymer, a Philadelphia merchant. It was from him that the Appelmans received their titles ; part 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 fol- lowed 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 the Lehigh and Susquehanna turnpike. Berwick was its northern terminus, 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 built a house on the land now owned by his grandson, Sam- uel Ohl. It has long since disappeared. Ludwig Neyhart's land is now ■owned by Lewis Girton. The old house was built in a hollow near where Mr. Girton's buildings have since been erected, but nearer the springs. Michael Menninger located his buildings on a hill above Little Fishing creek. Henry 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 Pishing 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 furrows, •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 OF 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 ascer- tain how deep it continued so. An examination revealed its true character and value and led to the immediate commencement of drift mining. The entire product, until 1844, was hauled across the river to be smelted at Bittler's Es- ther furnace and the Penn furnace. But in that year the Bloomsburg Eail- Koad and Iron Company began to operate their works, and for ten years received nearly all the ore that was mined in Hemlock township. Since 1854 the firm of McKelvy and Neal, now William Neal and Sons, have divided the product* with them. The company first mentioned owns the "Bank" and " Farrandsville "^ farms. The latter was purchased from the Farrandsville Iron Company, which mined several hundred tons of ore, and had itforwardedover the canal to their works in Centre county, some time prior to 1844, but never manufactvued a ton of iron. The ore was here unloaded and forgotten, apparently, until a few years since, when an enterprising boatman reloaded it and brought it back to Bloomsburg. The Bloomsburg Eail-Road and Iron Company also re- tains 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 the land of Daniel, Isaac and Sylvester Pursel. A few years since, having exhausted the surface basins, a shaft was sunk on the north side of Montour ridge. Mining in this way is attended with so much expense as to render it unprofitable. But for the fact that the hard ores thus obtained are needed to 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 wealth and prosperity of the whole region. The villages of Buckhorn and Wedgetown were built for a class of laborers for whom there is no longer em- ployment. It is not probable that Hemlock township has any resom-ces whose 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 site for the opening of another industry. A quarry at this point had for years 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 manu- facture of slate, conceived the idea that suitable material was here avail- able. In the year 1869 the Thomas Slate Company, through William Milnes, its president, purchased twenty-three acres of land along Little Fishing creek. On this land a building was erected, valuable machinery arranged therein, quarries opened, and the manufacture of roofing-slate and slate-man- tels begun on an extensive scale. The fine quality and superior finish of their 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 rust 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 I. W. McKelvy, who has enlarged and improved it. Near it there were at HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP. '259 one time two establishments known respectively as Groetz' s tannery and Min- shall's fulling-mill. But the pursuits here conducted, though locally import- ant at one time, can now be referred to only as ' ' lost arts. ' ' Although the village of Buckhorn has been built as the result of the dis- covery of ore, there is associated with its name a story that begins many years before that occui-red. It is said that before any settlement had been 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 re- gion. This tree stood on the edge of a swamp, within three miles of Cata- wissa. When, subsequently,' it became necessary for the pioneers of the up- per 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, a long-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 AUentown. Just opposite this tree, where the house of Isaac Pursel now stands, Vaniah Bees 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, Hugh Allen erected another on the site of the present one. Bees 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 forma- tion of Columbia county. The school-building, erected some years since at a cost of three-thousand five-hundred dollars, compares favorably with others of a similar character any- where. 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 prineipalship 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 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Another was opened shortly afterward by Thomas Vanderslice, and a third in the- Liehenthal, just within the present limits of the township. It was widely 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 improTed 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 Eeveren 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 Buckhom. The 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 McEey- nolds. Reverends Funk, Price and Consor, of the German Reformed, Evan- gelical 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 Con- sor' 8 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 Eichart and John Kistler, trus- tees, 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 pas- tors 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 Buckhom cir- cuit, has had the same pastors as the Buckhom church, since its organization. It worshiped in a school-house until 1869, when a substantial frame 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 re-i suited 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. Dur- ing these seven years neither a complete organization nor regular religious serv- ice had been maintained. Sunday, Oct. 20, 1867, a re-organization waa MONTOUE TOWNSHIP. 261 effected by the election of James Emmitt and Peter Werkheiser, elders, and George Wenner and John H. Miller, deacons. ' ' Christ' s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Buckhorn, ' ' became part of the Espy charge, and took meas • urea to provide for the support of a regular pastor. The aggressive spirit thus- displayed was further manifested in the appointment of a committee to select a suitable lot for a church building. One month later, at a congregational meeting called for the purpose, the present location of the house of worship was chosen, and James Emmitt, Peter Werkheiser, Sr. , John H. Miller, Eeuben Bomboy and George Eussell constituted a committee to solicit contributions for the enterprise. On the 29th of November, 1869, the new edifice was dedicated by Rev. E. A. Sharrets, president of the Susquehanna synod. The cost, about five-thousand dollars, was fully provided for. Succeeding pastors have been 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. The position of Montour is best indicated by reference to the county line, the Susquehanna river and Fishing creek. It adjoins the county of 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 Sjisquehanna 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 hUls 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 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 Northampton 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 Cata- wissa. Leaving the city of Reading in the spring of 1788, they crossed the- mountains of what is now Schuylkill county over a rough wagon track or bridle- path, since known as the Reading road. From Catawissa the journey, though comparatively short, was extremely dangerous. The contents of the wagons- 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 their places between the wheels and under the wagon. A landing was effected as desired just below the mouth of Fishing creek. A rude log cabin, appar- ently used by a "squatter" for a short time and then abandoned, was occu- pied until a more substantial habitation could be erected. This "house," which stood near the present site of the Paxton mansion, was considered a marvel of frontier architecture in size and finish. It comprised three rooms instead of the single apartment usually constituting a dwelling. Built in 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 the village which bears his name. Originally surveyed in pursuance of warrant No. 1,000, issued April 3, 1769, to John Spohn, it was patented February 4, 1784, a half interest having been previously secured by Michael Bright, th* 262 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. owner of large tracts of land in different parts of the state. The original patent designates the tract "Partnership," and locates it "on the North Branch Susquehanna, at the mouth of Fishing creek." Michael Bright was Xieonard Eupert' s father-in-law, and transferred the title to him in 1801, thir- teen 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." Although separated from its nearest town by the broad channel of the Sus- quehanna, the region at the mouth of Fishing creek was not necessarily en- tirely secluded. On the other hand its people had rare facilities for learning what was transpiring at other places in the outside world. In 1786, and dur- ing the subsequent twenty-five years, Sunbury and Wilkesbarre were the seats •of justice in the valley of the "North Branch," and the only towns of any im- portance 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 mouth 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 mouth of Fishing creek the stream was crossed by a ferry. Although not a regular public-hoiise, Leonard Rupert's establish- ment was practically rendered such by the hospitality of its proprietor. The distinguished personages 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. Eupert 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 1829 the " North -Branch " canal was opened and the packet became a formidable rival to its predecessor, the stage- coach. The work of excavating a channel at the base of the river hills, and the building of an aqueduct across Fishing creek, were among "the most diffi- cult works of their respective characters accomplished throughout its entire extent. In the summer of 1853 the railroad bridge across the Susquehanna was begun. September 5, 1854, the first train passed over it, and Rupert sta- tion, on the Catawissa, Williamsport and Elmira railroad, was established. 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 be- came 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 Eupert, which was for some'inonths 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 in- crease in population more rapid in proportion to the relatively shorter time re- quired to perform the journey fi-om the lower counties. And a result of this was the formation of the township of Montour. The agitation of the public- school questiour, however, was the immediate cause of the change in the politi- cal organization of the county. Originally embraced in the extensive town- ship of Turbot, the "region on the North Branch Susquehanna at the mouth oi Fishing creek' ' was subsequently included in Mahoning and Hemlock, and i;i 1 837 erected into the township of Montour. It appears that some of the MONTOUK TOWNSHIP. 263 most prorainent 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 organization, with results, educationally, highly satisfactory. Having made this necessary digression, the account of the growth of the village of Eupert 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 jtinction with the Catawissa road. From a comparatively small beginning, this enterprise has grown to considerable local importance. With improved machinery and a full force of workmen, it has a capacity of one-thousand kegs per day. They find 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- tensive paint works. The Susquehanna Slate Company had begun the manu- facture of paint at their slate works some distance from Rupert on the Fish- ing creek. In order to extend this branch of their business and avail them- selves of the rare facilities of Eupert for the shipment of their product, the plant was removed thither in 1871, and the manufacture of paints begun, un- der the firm name of Eeay and Drehr. The works had been in operation but ten days when a destructive fire reduced them to ashes. While the ruins were yet smoking, new buildings were begun and pushed to completion with energy. Owing to the financial depression of 1885 andPthe following year, the manu- factory was temporarily suspended. Beside the two industries mentioned, Eupert comprises about twenty -five dwellings, a store and hotel, the "Eupert Marble Works," and the coal-office of Paxton & Harman. It combines a beautiful and healthful location with exceptional convenience of access to all parts of the country. Its educa- 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 Eupert school -house was a rudely framed building occupied by contractors while constructing the aqueduct across Fish- ing creek. Harriet Eupert opened a school here in 1831, but removed it to a more comfortable and suitable building on her father's land. The present school appliances and methods in Montour township compare favorably with •others in rural districts anywhere. Until 1884 the school -building was the place of religious services as well. In June, 1870, Eeverend Creever of Eloomsburg delivered the first Methodist sermon in Eupert in the dwelling house of James Farnsworth. From 1869 to 1872 Eeverends 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 Eeverend G. W. Stevens, then pastor at Buck- horn. It was completed the following winter. Its general appearance is tasteful, substantial and attractive. 264 HISTOEY OF ^COLUMBIA COUNTY. CHAPTER XV. MADISON AND PINE TOWNSHIPS. MADISO'Sf. THIS township embraces that part of Columbia county west of Little Fish- ing creek and Pine township, north of Hemlock, east and south of the- adjoining counties of Montour and Lycoming. A striking feature of the to- pography 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 tribu- tary of the "West Branch." "Frozen Duck" is the literal meaning of the Indian designation, Chillis- quaque. The contribution of this people to the history of the region about its ■source is not, however, confined* to the single circumstance of bestowing upoa it this name. The Indian trail from the ' ' West Branch ' ' to Nescopeck crossed the "divide" several miles above Jerseytown; one of the early surveys locates an Indian town about the point where Lycoming, Montour 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 Whitmoyer family. In the year 1775 this family, with two others, the BiUhimes and Wellivers, made their appearance at the head-waters of the Chillisquaque. All came from 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 Jer- seytown valley. Michael Billhime located on Muddy run, where he built a cabin and cleared six acres of land. Daniel Welliver fixed his residence on Whet- stone run, an aiSuent of Little Fishing creek. The Whitmoyers settled a short distance west of Jerseytown. The dangers incident to frontier life were early realized by the BiUhimes 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 during the day, a party of hostile savages passed through the region, leaving in their rear traces of the tomahawk and firebrands. It is disputed whether three or five of the Whitmoyers were murdered. The son retiu-ned the following morning in quest of a needed utensil, or perchance with a premonition of the tragedy already enacted. Turning with a shudder from the melancholy spectacle which met his gaze, he fled in haste to Fort Augusta. The next day a party of rangers reached the spot and buried the 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 previ- ous journey. Following the Delaware some distance northward, and crossing- the ranges of the Blue Eidge and Kittatinny in a north-westerly direction, the North Branch of the Susquehanna was reached through the Nescopeok Gap. Daniel Welliver was accompanied by three cousins, John, Adam and Christo- pher, 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 BiUhime found his former residence in possession of a " squat- ter, ' ' and was obliged to make a second clearing on Spruce creek. Joseph Hodge and Peter Brugler, former neighbors in Jersey, continued to be such by securing titles to contiguous surveys. In 1785 Thomas Pegg settled on the- Chillisquaqae 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 ex- revolutionary 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 ap- pointed justice of the peace by Governor Snyder, and continued in that capac-, ity until the office became elective. Other early settlers 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 formed 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 con- sidering the relative value of the river land and the Jerseytown valley at the present day, would doubtless conclude that this order should have been re- versed. 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 circum- stance 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 contin- gencies which no foresight could then determine. Jerseytown valley was not exempt from the ubiquitous operations of the "266 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. land speculator. The class of individuals wliich originally owned the largei portion of its area secured their titles without the remotest idea of ever be- ■coming resident proprietors. In the immediate vicinity of the village William Wilson, John Rogers, Jasper Yeates and Benjamin Humphreys were the war- rantees. One of the most singularly shaped surveys ever recorded in the land ■ office was that of Joseph Codd. In proof of its irregular form it may be stated that thirty-four corners and ten adjoining surveys are mentioned in a description of its boundaries. Some of the first settlers secured titles from the warrantees ; others ' ' squatted ' ' on the land, and were not disturbed in its possession. The notorious carelessness and indifference of the latter with re- gard to its ownership have resulted in legal complications which might other- wise 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 buildings. The growth of population called for a separation from the old and extensive township of Derry. Accordingly at the April sessions, 1817, of the Columbia 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 tei:m. 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 preferences. The complexion of the township in this respect has not (been 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 other lines for Reading, Sunbury and Wilkesbarre. The Muncy hills and 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 con- dition of the road in winter and spring. The wheels of the vehicle sank in the mire to their hubs. When further progress 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. Some- times the coach obstinately refused to move, and a fence rail was hastily im- provised as a lever to pry the wheels from the mud. When this was idtimately 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 prosperous period of stage travel. The first store in the township was opened by 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 1856 and 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 power. Besides the tannery above mentioned Jerseytown comprises about 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 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 oE the township, completed the number of early- schools. 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, Smiley 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 orie of the oldest within the present limits of the Northumberland Baptist Associa- tion. Its representatives at the formation of that body in 1821 were Henry 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. Mon-is, 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 wor- ships. Many of those connected with this body reside in the adjoining town- ship of Hemlock. Reverend Jacob Dieffenbach organized "Heller" churchi about 1820; among his successors were Daniel S. Tobias, Henry Funk and William Goodrich. 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 1832. Yandine 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 numerous tribu- tary streams find their sources. That part of this district adjoining Ly- coming 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 sections. Pine township has peculiarities distinctively its own. The Muncy hills and 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 an^ 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 hUls, 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 resources, a fertile- soil and the growth of timber to indicate it, that engrossed the interest of the- '268 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. farmer, or attracted his attention. Thus neglected by the class of persona known as permanent settlers, that part of Columbia 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 pre- dilection 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 de- <3eive the deer. On one occasion a companion had a narrow escape from 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 was discharged and took efPect 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 Pishing 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 fr-om 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 Green- wood in 1796 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 improve- ment in the township. In the course of a few years he was followed from Greenwood by David Hamilton and Daniel Whipple, who settled some dis- tance above Sereno. Hamilton's cabin was on the site of a bark-house at James Eitchie'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 at Sereno. Subsequently Jno. Thomas built another on Little Fishing creek, 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 justify 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 Eobbins embarked in a similar enterprise. The latter bought three-hundred 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 pow- erful syndicate of speculators. These warrants were issued Decembsr 29, 1792; the names that apipear most frequently among the list of holders are Montgomery, Comelison, McHenry, Giffin, 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 bound- ary disputes, involving any great interest have ever resulted in consequence. At the time when William Montgomery as deputy surveyor was marking off 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 bound- aries fixed and its organization ordered as one of the provisions of the act pro- viding for a readjustment of the division line between Columbia and Montour ■counties. This new feature of the political organization of the former was 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 cre- ated a wish for the change some years previous. Since this time (1853) the village of Warnersville has not perceptibly in- creased in size. It practically began in 1837 with the erection of a tannery by Edward Ritchie, which is still in operation. During Buchanan's administra- tion the post-office (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 Pine. The schools in the township compare favorably with those in more 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, treasurer; WiUiam Burgess, secretary; W. H. Hay- man, assistant secretary; Ira C. Pursel, S. W. ; Isaac K. Titman, J. W. ; William Lowton, 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, William Kingston, J. E. 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 religious body in Pine township. 270 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. CHAPTER XVI. CATAWISSA AND FRANKLIN TOWNSHIPS. CATAWIS8A. CATAWISSA was formed from Augusta in 1785, and originally covered th* triangular area now embraced in the townships of Beaver, Conyngham, Franklin, Locust, Maine, Mifflin, Mayberry, in Montour county, and part of Union, in Schuylkill. Practically, it has been reduced to its present limits by the formation of Eoaringcreek 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 diflfer as to the nationality of the aboriginal tribe which con- ferred upon the mountain, creek and town their beautiful and euphonious designation. Kedmond Conyngham, who has extended his researches into- everything relating to the primitive history of the region, states that "Tha- Piscatawese, or Gangawese, or Conoys had a wigwam on the Catawese, at Cata- wese, now Catawissa. ' ' Stewart Pearce asserts that the Shawanese, after suc- cessive immigrations from New York to Florida, from there to the Wabash, , and from that region to the Susquehanna valley, established a village at Cata- wissa in 1697, or about that time. The orthography of the word affords nO' additional light on the subject. Catawese occurs in the different dialects of the Shawanese and Delawares, and always with the same meaning, "pure- water." The first Europeans who visited Catawissa were not interested in attempt- ing to dissipate the obscurity which involved its primitive history. James Lo- Tort, an adventurous Indian trader, found the valley of the Susquehanna a profitable field for his operations. The provincial authorities frequently 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 several Delaware chieftains, presenting to each a "strowd match coat" as an expression of continued friendship. The communication in which Le Tort acquainted the executive council with the views of the chiefs, though throwing- no light upon local affairs, still possesses special interest, iiiasmuch as it con- tains the first mention of any part of Columbia county. It is herewith inserted: Catawasse, May ye 13, 1728. We 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 he sO' Beady 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 Indians. We Remember very well the League between William Pen and the 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 aa 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 Gov- ernor. We have heard that William Pen Son was come to Philada., which We was very- Glad of. Jambs Lk Tokt. ^. (/^ if^^Ji^S^^^ CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 273 After the visit of the French trader, the place is not again referred to un- til 1754, when Conrad Weiser, in a letter from Shamokin, mentions Oskohary, supposed to be identical with the Catwasse of Le Tort, and the Catawissa of the present. Lapackpitton, a Delaware chief who figured prominently in the settlement of disputes at the close of the French war, made his residence at the village, which was known for some time by his name. Local tradition as- signs to this dusky warrior the character of " HunkeePunkee," 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 of the family was not received with complacency by her father. On a summer 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 from the dizzy height, and followed her lover to a watery grave. The sequel harmonizes with generally recognized ideas of the succession of events. The whole tribe removed from a locality rendered to them intolerably 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" fi-om that point, they finally reached their destination after days of exhausting labor, and nights of weariness and insecurity. The natural advantages of the locality had been early recognized by land-jobbers and others who preferred to be proprietors without being residents. Among those who succeeded to their titles, or estab- lished claims as warrantees, were William Collins, William Hughes, James Watson, John Lore, John Mears, Isaiah Willits and John Lloyd. It was between 1774 and 1778 when these persons arrived. Moses Roberts 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, Blue, Locust and Little moun- ' tains. 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 wig- wam at the old site of Lapackpitton' s town, greatly to the annoyance of the settlers. Thomas Wilkinson incurred 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 practiced Indians who had taken a commanding position on the bluff. Al- 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 charmed life. His explanation to the effect that he was only ' ' gauging the water," created some merriment over the incident, and secured for him the name of " Tom Ganger." Another oecurrance was more tragic and less jocose in its details and re- sults. July 26, 1782, a party of Indians made a descent upon the German settlement, the exposed condition of which invited attack. John Furry had settled on the west side of the river. His family consisted of two daughters 23 274 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. and four sons. The three older sons, John, Jonas and Lawrence, were absent, having gone for flour to the mill at Sunbury. On their return they found their parents and sisters killed and scalped. Their mangled remains were interred under an apple tree near the house. The brothers buried their household goods and farming implements in the ground and returned to Beading. The- panic seemed contagious, for several other families became alarmed and fol- lowed them. The sequel of this story would seem to verify the old adage that " Truth is stranger tha*b fiction." Years afterward Jonas and Lawrence Furry were in Montreal, and there formed the acquaintance of Henry Furry, a pros- perous trader. The similarity of names was at once noticed. Mutual ex- 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 journey with his captors to Tioga. At that place he was ransomed by a Frenchman, and treated by him with kind- ness 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 the sur- veyors. Water, Front, Second, Third and Fourth streets extend east and west, parallel with the course of the river; Lumber, South, Main and Pine cross these, and are named in order from the creek. , The proprietor provided that 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 178&- John Mears secured titles to sixty-five lots, and became virtual proprietor. It is well authenticated that William Henry, by virtu,e of his warrant for its sur- vey in 1769, was the original owner of the tract in which the town plot was em- braced; but Edward and Joseph Shippen were the patentees, and from them the title was transferred to Hughes. In 1796 James Watson laid out "Eoberts addition," extending Second, Third and Fourth streets, and opening Walnut and North, parallel with Pine. The size of the town plot was then considerably in advance of its pop- ulation or business interests, although the latter were of considerable local im- portance. In 1780 Isaiah Willits established a tannery at) the corner of Third and South streets. Knappenberger and Willits were proprietors of a ferry, and landed their flat where the bridge approaches have since been constructed. George Hughes and William Mears were justices of the peace. The Watsons, Jacksons, Lounts, Lloyds and Hayhursts were familiar to the whole community as substantial, hospitable farmers. In 1774 the first mill in the county was built on the site of the Paxton mill on Catawissa creek. It was a primitive- structure and was frequently out of repair; at such time Sunbury was the- nearest milling point. In 1789 Jonathan Shoemaker built a grist miU on the 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 a second an J larger mill a short distance above Shoemaker's. It was com- 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 CA.TA^YISSA TOWNSHIP. l! ( 5 bank at the foot of South street. The second merchant was Joseph Hoister, whose store was located on Water street several doors below Main. John Clark was its second proprietor. He was a man of courage and determination 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 I'obber seized the bridle of his horse and summarily demanded his money. The mer- chant was unarmed, but his ready wit was equal to the occasion. He drew a spectacle case from his pocket and opened it. In the darkness the sharp click of the lid produced the desired effect. The horse plunged forward while ther 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 sold for six cents, apiece. The circulating medium was extremely scarce, a result of which was that nearly all business was transacted by barter. New stores were opened at 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 history of the town are Thomas Ellis, Stephen and Christopher Baldy, David Cleaver, Jacob Dyer and Samuel Brobst. In all of their stores there 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. WOlits and Richard Dennett, of Columbia county; Cadwallader Evans- and Samuel Wetherill, of Philadelphia; J. K. Boyer, Lewis Eeece and Gabriel Heister, of Berks county; James Linton and Daniel Seager, of Lehigh; Daniel. Graff and James McParlin, 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 booker to receive subscriptions. It does not appear that flattering progress was made in organizing the company for eight years later. Thirteen additional commis- sioijers 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 cjunty the success of the project was a matter of primary importance; the only bridge within its limits crossed the river at Ber- wick, a point where it failed to confer material benefit on the large proportiom of the population south of the river. Although disappointed for twelve years,, those most interested at Catawissa continued to present this consideration withi unabated persistence, and finally, in 1828, secured an appropriation of five- thousand dollars from 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 until ten- thousand dollars had been paid by individuals,' and an amount additional sub- scribed 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 reoi'ganize 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 ^ HISTOET OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. subscribe to the stock of the company. The bridge was finally completed at 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), it was not built, as originally proposed, to the mouth of Fishing creek. Sub- 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 Eupert and the bridge approach on the north side of the river. The bridge has repeatedly suffered from the freshets and ice- floods which periodically threaten life and property in the Susquehanna valley. In 1846 five spans were destroyed; they were rebuilt the following year. March 17, 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 Christian Brobst from planning an enterprise, the future develop- ment of which he scarcely comprehended. He conceived the idea of a rail- road from Catawissa to Tamaqua, and in 1825 traversed the distance between the two points on foot, studied the topography of the Quakake valley, aad concluded that the plan was feasible. With Joseph Paxton he interviewed prominent capitalists of Reading and Philadelphia and interested them in the scheme. He induced several who seemed favorably impressed with his repre- sentations to accompany him on horseback over the proposed route. Mon- cure Robinson, a civil engineer, was one of the party. March 21, 1831, an act was passed by the legislature authorizing Christian Brobst and Joseph Paxton, of Catawissa; William McKelvey and Ebenezer Daniel, of Blooms- burg, and others at Philadelphia and Reading, to receive subscriptions for the stock of the Little Schuykill and Susquehanna Railroad Company. The terminal points of the road were to be Catawissa and the Broad mountain where the Wilkesbarre state road intersected the Little Schuylkill. T|;ie mountains were to be avoided by traversing the valleys of Mosser's run and 'Catavyissa creek. Energetic measures were at once taken to execute these plans. Edward Miller, an experienced engineer, surveyed the line. Contracts were issued for grading and building bridges. Capital was furnished by the United States bank of Philadelphia. With the collapse of that institution, in 1888, and of other corporations dependent upon it for financial support, the projectors of the railroad were compelled to abandon their enterprise. For fifty years the 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 of the Catawissa, Williamsport and Erie railroad Company. During the succeeding five years, the road was finally completed. The first locomotive that ever appeared in Catawissa was the ' ' Massachusetts, ' ' which was brought from Philadelphia by canal and transported across the river on a flat. Sunday July 16, 1854, the first passenger train entered the town. William Cable was conductor 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 flold; March 21, 1860, its purchasers were constituted the Catawissa Bail-Boad Company. In November, 1872, the Philadelphia and Reading Rail-Eoad Company became lessees. In 1858 the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Bail- Road became an available line of transportation from Catawissa. In 1870 a third road, the Danville, Hazelton and Wilkesbarre, was opened through the CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 277 town. The latest acquisition to its commercial facilities was the North and West Branch Eailway, completed 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 Hartmtm on a small scale at the time when a laborious and tedious hand pro- cess was employed, were formerly of some local importance. The only estab- lishment of any magnitude that now exists, the Catawissa wood-pulp mill, has- 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 joui-ney 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 under- going 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. Af- ter passing through different hands, the mill has come into possession of Mc- Cready 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. Guie, a gentlemen of extensive business experience and thorough acquaintance with all the details of the manuf actui'e. 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 coin- cidence than the expression of any feelings of gratitude or obligation the rail- road 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 northern terminus of the line. This is due to the altitude at which the moun- tain is crossed, the slope of which begins at the Susquehanna. Arrangements 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 the company. Extensive repair shops were also established there in 1864, They have become an important factor in furthering the growth 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 Build- ing Fund Association, were organized in 1865 and 1870, respectively, to assist their stock-holders to obtain homes. Although their operations have been severely criticised, they were, in the main, conduoted in the interest of the class of persons it was proposed to benefit. A result of their existence 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, Shuman, Zarr and Mill streets extend northwest from the creek. Cemetery street crosses these at right angles, and is deflected from its course at the cemetery, where it intersects the public road. There was an immediate extension of the- 278 HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. town over this addition to its building area. The efforts of citizens in thus establishing homes is an earnest of an improved condition of society in every respect. In 1870 the population of the township was one-thousand, six hundred and fourteen; in 1880 it had increased to two-thousand and four, and at that time four-fifths of this number were residents of the town. It is estimated that a census at the present time would show a population of two-thousand- five-hundred. Strenuous efforts have been made for years to secure legal en- .actments for the erection of Catawissa into a borough. Township govern- ,ment is notoriously inadequate. It makes no provision for police regulations, the lighting and grading of streets, or the promotion of internal improvements of any kind. "When this is recognized and judiciously considered, incorpor- iation 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 appears to have been too far in advance of the ideas of the people. It early fell into disuse, and became the resort of the village cows and hogs. Thence- forward it was chiefly noticeable for its fleas, and was generally declared a nuisance, though there was sufficient influence to save it from destruction. Sometime after lS20 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 pun- ish the perpetrators, but no immediate effort was made to replace the building. In 1831 it was proposed to erect a town-hall and market house in Main street at the intersection of Third, on the site of the old structure. Discus- isiononthis proposition became acrimonious and personal; the project was -defeated, and no attempt to revive it has since been made. A more unfortu- nate result of this difference of opinion was the dissolution of the only fire company which has existed in the village. The "Catawissa Fire Company" ■was organized May 17, 1827, at Stacy Margerum's hotel, with Joseph Paxton, president, and Ezra S. Hayhurst, secretary. The latter, with Christian Brobst, Oeorge Hughes, Stephen Baldy, George H. Willits and Jacob Rupert, was appointed a committee to ' ' draft an essay of a constitution. ' ' Four days later 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 suggested. In February, 1832, after rej. eated adjournments the organization was unceremoniously disbanded. The volume of business transacted at Catawissa has been constantly aug- mented since 1864. Large general stores have not yet been superseded by special and exclusive lines of merchandising. The Catawissa Deposit bank ^originally incorporated May 26, 1871, as The Catawissa Deposit and Savings bank) has been known by its present name since April 12, 1872. It was or- ganized in that year with John K. Bobbins, 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 benevolent societies are numerously represented. CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. ^79 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. Schmick, George W. Waters, John R. Brobst and John Reicheldeefer. In 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. Wil- lits, John R. Brobst, I. H. Seesholtz, D. W. Walter, John McCoy, J. G. Wa- ters, B. B. Schmick, Joseph P. Hause, T. E. Harder, Theodore Fox, John Wotstine, Joseph Walter, John Getkin, M. V. B. Kline, Thomas F. Harder, O. F. Harder, Daniel Giffln and J. C. Fletcher constituted the membership at this time. The Post is in a flourishing condition with encouraging prospects •of future usefulness. Concordia Lodge, No. 60, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was chartered September 24, 1838. The first officers were Owen D. Leib, N. G. ; John F. Mann, V. G. ; Michael Farnsworth, secretary, Joel E. Bradley, assistant, and Christian A. Brobst, treasurer. Meetings were held at the house of the latter -on Main street until April, 1882, when the Pine street school building was oc- ■cupied. It was purchased the previous year. Catawissa Chapter, Holy Royal Arch Masons, No. 178, was instituted Feb- ruary 19, 1855 with James D. Strawbridge, H. P. ; John K. Robbins, K. and J. Boyd McKelvy, S. Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, Free and Accepted Masons, was granted its •charter by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania December 5, 1864. Its first •officers were John Sharpless, W. M. ; W. M. Monroe, S. W. , and Walter Scott, 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, W. B. Koons, J. B. Knittle, W. H. Abbott, C. Ellis, I. Monroe, John K. Bobbins, C. B. Brockway and John Thomas. A hall was erected in 1870 at a cost of 115,000. The association subsequently, became involved, financially, and was obliged to sell its property. Catawissa Council, No. 96, Order of United American Mechanics, received its charter from the state council October 1, 1866. The following persons were original members : Simon Raup, Charles Garner, J. Q. A. Brobst, Henry S. Geiger, Valentine Metz, Jacob Millard, Nathan Northstein, John Getehey, C. P. Reese, Gideon Haldeman, John M. Gordon, Adry Bowers and Charles H. Kateer. The Catawissa Silver Cornet Band Association became a corporate body April 7, 1869. The names of Monroe Seitzinger, Jeremiah S. Cornelius, Allen J. Brandt, Emery Getehey, Charles Schmick, Perry Walters, A. Z. Lewis, J. M. Walsham, Luther Eyer and F. D. Berninger appear in the list of its first members. Washington Camp, No. 132, Patriotic Order Sons of America, was organ- ized April 3, 1870, with the following members: W. H. Inhoff, Jacob Cool, J. K. Rhawn, Harry Yeager, Charles H. Bibby, Samuel H. Young, C. P. Pfah- ler, C. D. Hart, George L. Kostenbauder, W. K. Russel, P. A. Brown, Thomas E. Harder, Dennis Waters, William F. Bibby, Jacob Morrison, Thomas B. Cul^han, A. W. Stadler, Charles D. Cool, W. H. Abbott, O. D. 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 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. S. Mensch. May 25, 1883, the Catawissa Grange and Hall Association was incorporated. A commodious brick structure was erected the following year at a cost of six-thousand dollars. June 13, 1884, the hall was dedicated by 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. Eeifsnyder, Peter Eunker. Benjamin F. Ryan, Theodore Schmick, George W. Forrer and 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, James Fisher, Charles E. McAfee, George E. Mensch, Ham. Yeager, William E. 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 faith which characterized its adherents at this period. Their meeting-house may 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 ^ound 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 majes- tic 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 ' ' Nortli Branch ' ' between Sunbury and Wyoming. How long it has been a place of worship cannot be definitely determined. It is the oldest building in Catawissa, and this statement implies an existence of more than a century. In 1787 William Collins, William 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 re- ported having for some time been considering the advisability of forming a new meeting within their liipits. 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, from Exeter. An organization was effected by the election of Isaac Wiggins as clerk. Among other business trans- acted was the appointment of Ellis Hughes and William Ellis to prepare suit- CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 281 able marriage certificates; and of James Watson, John Lloyd, Joseph Car- penter, Benjamin Warner, Thomas Eves, Eeuben Lundy, Nathan Lee and John Hughes to care for the Friends burial ground. The meeting thus begun con- tinued for twelve years. Toward the close of that period the Friends had be- come so 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 tha 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 EeV- erend Seely, a Liitheran pastor from Berks county. May 1, 1796, a commun- ion was held at Brobst' s recently built cabin. The following persons partici- pated: Michael Eaup, Michael Hower, Daniel Geiger, Christian Brobst, John Wirts, Jacob Yocum, Conrad Geiger, Catharine Wirts, Barbara Brobst, Eegina. Hartel, Maria Gillihans and Catharine Hower. This is the first service of this kind held at Catawissa. January 1 , 1796, the first baptisms recorded oc- curred. The subjects were Joseph, Edna and Maria, children, respectively, of Christian Brobst and Frederick Knittle and Daniel Yocum. Denominational distinctions were but slightly observed in those days. Eever- end G. V. Stock became Lutheran pastor in 1802, andEeverend 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 Daniel Geiger, deacons. Christian Brobst presented a building site. In the same year the church building was completed and dedicated. It was a stone structure. The furniture and arrangemenlb of the interior conformed to the usual style- of the period in that respect. The galleries extending round three sides, and the nine-glass pidpit would present a novel appearance if viewed at the pres- ent day. In 1853 this building was replaced by the brick edifice of which Saint John's German Lutheran congregation is now exclusive owner. Eever- end 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. Nei- man 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 pre- ferred 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 directed to prepare a constitu- tion. 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. P. Wampole and J. E. Dimm served in that capacity until 1867, when Daniel Beckner became regular pas- tor; Sylvanus Curtis followed in 1870; C. F. Coates in 1871; E. F. Kings- bury 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 ten- thousand dollars. The rededication occurred October 14, 1884. Eeverends. "282 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. Sharrets, Manhart, Schindel, Leisenring, Bodine, and resident ministers of •other denominations, assisted the pastor. Keverends Diefenbaoh, Enable, Tobias, Fursch, Steeley, Daniels, Moore, Dechant and Derr successively followed Mr. Adams as pastor of the Reformed •congregation. During Mr. Dechant' s pastorate the joint ownership of Saint John's union church was dissolved. May 18, 1882, the corner-stone of a new Saint John's was laid. The building operations were directed by Mr. Dechant, who was entrusted with entire supervision over the woii, financial and other- wise. May 6, 1883, the completed edifice was dedicated. The pastor was as- sisted by Reverends 0. H. Stranch of Bloomsburg, and William C. Scheaffer of Danville. The history of Methodism in Catawissa is different from that of the denom- inations mentioned. The latter owe their existence to emigration from local- ities where they were already, established ; the former dates its origin from a visit of Bishop Asbury, the founder of that religious body in America. Tradi- tion asserts that he stopped at Joseph Mclntyre's on a journey from 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 regu- lar appointment. Asbury was followed by other intinerant missionaries — Nathaniel Mills, James Paynter and Benj amin Abbott. Services were held in Mclntyre's house and barn, where B. M. Tewksbury lives. In 1828 a church building was erected; July 4, 1869, a second structure was dedicated. At 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 an adjourned Quarterly Conference held November 4, 1883, 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 ■committee be appointed to take subscriptions for that purpose. ' ' Pursuant to which. Reverend R. E. Wilson, J. M. Smith, L. B. Kline, H. F. Clark and C. C. Sharpless were authorized to solicit subscriptions. February 16, 1884, a building committee was appointed composed of R. E. WUson, H. F. Clark, W, W. Perry, J. M. Smith, C. C. Sharpless, Jesse Mensch and L. B. Kline. -Saturday, July 12, 1884, the corner-stone was laid. Sunday, February 15, 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 Cata- wissa in 1860 by the Reverend E, N. Lightner, rector of Christ church, Dan- ville. Some years later the Reverend T. H. Cullen, rector of Saint Paul's ■church, Bloomsburg, held services monthly, and administered baptism to a few adults and infants at various times. In 1870 his successor, the Reverend John 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. In May, 1871, Saint John's parish was formed. George S. Gilbert, Walter Scott, Isaac H. Seesholtz, William H. Abbott, W. B. Parkins and— Jones were elected wardens and vestrymen. They immediately applied to the convention of the diocese of Pennsylvania for a charter, but for some reason failed to secure it. Catawissa being geographically within the limits of the Central Pennsylvania diocese, that body at its first annual convention received the parish into union with itself June 12, 1872. A short time previous, the Eev- erend Joseph L. Colton was called to the rectorship. April 2, 1872, he CATAWI8SA TOWNSHIP. 283 ■entered upon his duties, and opened a parochial school. In January of this jear, the church purchased the property of the Catawissa Seminary Company, but worshiped in Masonic hall until the necessary alterations had been made in its interior furnishing. The communion was first celebrated in the town agreeably to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal church the first Sunday in June, 1872. Two weeks later the congregation worshiped in its own building. July 21, 1878, Mr. Colton' s connection with the parish ceased with his resig- nation. December 31, 1881, Eeverend Charles E. Fessenden resigned after a rectorship of six months. The Reverend L. Zahner, of Bloomsburg, has •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 sum of money raised by general subscriptions among Philadelphia Friends had been placed in his hands, for the purpose of establish- ing a school at Catawissa ' ' for the education of children in useful learning, ' ' and ihat he had expended part of it in the purchase of a lot of ground, the title to ^hich 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 encouragement and support of the school, ^ ' to be applied to the instruction of children of members of our society in use- ful and necessary school learning. ' ' The school thus begun in 1797 was con- tinued with satisfactory results until the dissolution of the monthly meeting. The Germans also manifested a degree of interest in establishing and main- taining 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 purposes 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, suc- ceeded 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. To the School Board of Catawissa Township: Gentlemen; At a meeting of the qualified electors of said district, held this day at the house of Stacy Margerum, in pursuance of an act of assembly' entitled: " An act to consolidate and amend the several acts relative to a general system of education by com- mon schools," passed the 13th day of Jifne, 1836. they, the said electors, determined by a majority of those then and there present and voting on the question, to accept of the sys- tem 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. EzBA 8. Hayhdrst, Chaklbs Connbr, 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 order by Casper Hartman, who nominated Christian A. Brobst 284 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. for president, and Ezra S. Hayhurst for secretary. Both were elected unani- mously. A code of resolutions, fourteen in number, was presented by the secretary and adopted as rules of order. Messrs. Clayton, Boone, Hartinan 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 ten dollars. More than four-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 sys- tem was sustained by a small majofity. 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 de- sired better educational advantages than it could confer. After mature delib- eration 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, For- syth and Case were among the teachers. The general results of the school were satisfactory and beneficial; but on account of the limited patronage re- ceived, it was closed before completing the first decade of its history. Although not apparently a fortunate occurrence, this circumstance has in- directly advanced the educational interests of the community in general. When the seminary closed, intelligent and public spirited citizens began to 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 ade- quate size, and of lengthening the term, was agitated with energy and per- sistence. A director of pronounced views in favor of both changes was elected in 1877. The movement gained strength, and in 1879 its supporters had a 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 theni aspirations for what is beautiful, true and good in char- acter. The location is healthful, salubrious and agreeable. The building pre- sents an attractive, symmetrical and substantial appearance. A marble block in the brick wall is inscribed with the names of E. B. Guie, B. E. Davis, G. W. Eeifsnyder, J. B. Yetter, L. Eyer and Dr. W. Walter, directors; W. W. Perry, architect, and Charles King,- contractor. The interior is con- veniently and judiciously arranged. It was first occupied for school pur- poses in April, 1882. Charles H. Albert was principal and E. B. Guie- first assistant. A library of well selected books, to which pupils have con- stant access, and 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. FEANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 285 FKANKLIN. 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 incon- venience 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 Mayberiy and Franklin. When Montour county was formed in 1850 it became one of its sub-divisions; but when, in 1853, the di- vision line was re-adjusted, Franklin was divided, the portion remaining in Mon- tour being erected into Mayberry township. Settlement in this region began at a later period than in the Catawissa valley. In 1783 John Cleaver, a Quaker from Chester county, visited friends who had located there and decided to purchase a tract on the opposite side of the river. He returned with his family in the spring of the following year, but was deterred from completing his purchase by accounts of a flood the pre- vious winter. The river rose to an unprecedented height, overflowing its 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 coimty to their new homes. At a later period German settlers also made their appearance. Frederick Knittle, from Richmond township, Berks county, located on the Esther furnace road. In 1795 Daniel Knittle became owner of an adjoining tract. John and Peter Mensch located north of Roaring creek, near the river. Michael Hoover settled on the hill road to Danville, and 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 re- port 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 instruc- tion 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 Bit- ler and James Stokes. ^ The religious organizations. Bethel and Mount Zion churches, have been formed with a membership originally connected with the Mclntyre appoint- ment. The Bethel church edifice was erected in 1859, at which time David Zarr, Jonas Berninger, Joseph Hartman, John Teitsworth, Nicholas Camp- bell, 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. 286 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. CHAPTER XVII. MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. THIS township was erected in 1799, in. the last term of Thomas Mifflin's in- cumbency as governor of the state. It was one of the two political divisions- sotrth of the Susquehanna embraced in Columbia county at the time of its for- mation, and was originally formed from the eastern portion of Catawissa. By an act of assembly approved March 3, 1818, part of this territory was annexed t(> Schuylkill county. Practically, however, Mifflin was reduced to its present lim- 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 adjoins Luzerne county on the east. The foot-hills of the Nescopeck range 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 triangu- lar area of level land between the base of these hills and the river is known as Mifflin "flats." The date of the earliest settlement in this region cannot be definitely deter- mined. There were some families here in 1779 who were probably recent set- tlers at that time. One of these families was murdered by a band of hostile^ Indians in this year, and their more fortunate neighbors fled across the river to Fort Jenkins for protection. Whether they returned is unknown. The last 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 — father, mother and son — ^were murdered on the Mifflin "flats." They had pushed some distance ahead of the body of immigrants with which they trav- eled, and who, upon reaching the summit of the hill on the following day, saw the smoke from the cabin and retired to Catawissa. Eeturning in a few days, they buried the dead in one grave. It appears that a neighbor of this unfor- tunate family, with a presentiment of danger, crept into a potato-hole or cave- cellar 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, Bow- man 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- earlier years of its history. Those who appeared first followed the Bead- 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 mead- ows and the Sugar- Loaf across the Buck, Broad and Nescopeck moun- tains. The river "bottoms," now acknowledged to exceed in fertility any 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 its source. West- •The name of this stream has no reference to its length. When the hill road from Catawissa was sur- Teyed, ten miles had just been completed upon ascending the hill. The propriety of the name is thus ex- plained. MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. 287' ■ward, at the base of Nescopeok mountain, Paul Gruver made an improvement, and in his neighborhood Thomas Aten and Jacob Schweppenheiser also set- tled. The latter built the first saw-mill in the township on a branch of Ten- 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 twelve dollars an acre. It included the Brown mill property, the Frymire- and Snyder farms. A considerable German element from Berks and Lehigh counties appeared subsequent to the arrival of the families just mentioned. Among the number the Hartzels, Mostellers, Zimmermans and Mensingers are still represented. In August, 1794, John Kunchel and William Rittenhouse laid out a towot on the Mifflin " flats," and conferred upon it the name of Pennsylvania's first governor. The original draft describes it as "situate on the south side of the river Susquehanna, opposite to three islands in Catawissa township. North* umberland 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 apart, 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 empha- size thp eligibility of Mifflinsburg as the county seat of the future. While the- population of the township was receiving constant additions in rapid succes- sion, the town of Mifflinsburg increased in size with a slowness which charac- terized the growth of other places in this section at the period. The floods of nearly a century have gradually but efPectually denuded the islands of their once fertile soil, leaving a barren sand-bar to mark the loca- tion of each. At this point the course of the river is slightly curved away from the "flats," and the bank is steep and high. Front or First street extended along the river a distance of one mile. Market crosses it at a right- angle and extends the same distance through the center of the town. In the 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 street forms the opposite boundary. Market und Third are one-hundred 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, of worship. The public spirit of the proprietors was further manifested by 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 pros- pective town. The first house in the village was built by Peter Yohe, a German from Berks county, and occupied a lot adjoining Hess hotel. It is said that before^ his first crop had matured, being reduced to the last extremity for food he went- to Wilkesbarre in a canoe, and there procured a bushel of corn. It may be in- 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 oc- cupants were John Reynolds, Christian Kunchels and Michael Wehr. The- landing of the ferry was some distance above its present location. Raftsmen on the river frequently replenished their supplies of rum and provisions at 288 HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. the hotel of Matthias Heller, on Front street. Subsequently, Jacob Harman 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 Olem- ■ent 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 educa- tional institutions could not compensate for its commercial disadvantages. So apparent was this, that no attempt was made to accomplish their original de- sign when the new county was eventually erected. In 1808 an unsuccess- ful effort was made to induce the projectors of the Mauch Chunk and Towanda turnpike to locate its course through the town. The " North Branch " canal 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 traffic. Captain Tants 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 addi- tional 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 ceased to exercise any supervision over its affairs. Many of the lots were oc- 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 orig- inally embraced one hundred acres. Many of the citizens curtailed the width of the streets by appropriating for cultivation those portions adjoining their lots. To such an extent had this been carried that in some -places the public ways were scarcely wide enough for the passage of a single vehicle. Such proceedings demanded a vigorous protest from the conservative element of the population. Accordingly on the evening of Saturday, March 28, 1835, thirty-one citizens assembled in the school-house to take into consideration the propriety of opening the streets. Captain S. B. M. Yants was called to 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 tovm, to rent the public lots, and to call meet- ings of the citizens. Though not regarded as a legally constituted body, these town committees have never been opposed in the exercise of their prerog- atives. After five days' work in locating the corners of the streets, Ezra E. 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 tip lo- cation of industrial enterprises. On a small scale the manufacture of blasting powder was begun in 1855 by Matthew Brown and Samuel Snyder. Their mill had been in operation but three days when an explosion completely shat- tered the building and machinery. Such occurrences, from their frequency, eventually ceased to attract attention. The old- stamping process was here used. The product found a ready sale in the coal regions of the state; but the manufacture has been abandoned, having ceased to be profitable since the open- ing of works on a larger scale at other points. Contrary to the wishes of its citizens, the rail-road station has been given the name of Creasy. The town comprises one hundred houses, six stores, a commodious school building and three church edifices. At Zion chiireh, some distance in the country, an Evan- MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. 291 gelical congregation meets for worship. Considering the provision made for 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 of the generosity of the proprietors. April 19, 1809, articles of agreement for the erection of a union church building were signed by their respective repre- sentatives. It was begun the same year, but not completed until four years later. Among those who have ministered to the Reformed congregation may be mentioned Reverends Diefifenbaeh, Shellhamer, Tobias, Hoffman, Hutten- stein and Dechant. The Lutheran congregation was organized in 1809 by 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 from 1830 to 1862; William Pox from that date until 1868; S. S. Henry, the suc- ceeding four years; Thomas Steck from 1873 to 1879, and J. P. German in charge since August 1, 1881. In Januaiy, 1882, the union between the two 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 1859-60, as a result of radical difference of opinion re- garding certain points of doctrine and discipline, a portion of the German Lutheran congregation separated from it and organized an English Lutheran church. Reverend E. A. Sharrets has been succeeded by Henry R. Fleck, David Truckenmiller, William E. Krebs, M. V. Shadow and J. E. F. Hassin- ger, 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 number of adherents to this faith could no longer congregate here, in Qie barn of Henry Bowman. In 1819 Samuel Brown built a small frame house near the burial ground of his family. A gallery extended around three sides of the interior, and was reached by ascending a ladder; the pulpit had the ap- pearance 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 services during the following thirty years. In 1861 it was replaced by the ■ house of worship now occupied. This congregation is connected with the 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 36x45 feet, and three stories in height. 292 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. CHAPTER XVIII. MAINE TOWNSHIP. PEEVIOUS to 1799, what is now Maine township was included in the ex- tensive territory of Catawissa; for nearly fifty years after that date the- portion adjoining Mifflin was embraced in that township, the western part of Maine still forming part of Catawissa. In January, 1844, by authority of the court, the township of Maine was erected, its boundary on the north being the- Siisquehanna, and on the south Catawissa mountain. It comprises a beautifully diversified area. The distinguishing features in this respect are the bluffs 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 Uwchlan, 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 township of Maine. During the summer of 1778 they were twice compelled to leave their farm, and, to increase their misfortunes, a loss of one-hundred pounds was incurred by the depreciation of Continental currency. They oc- cupied a log cabin, a story and one-half high, the door being in the roof, and reached by a ladder within and one without. It seems almost incredible, but 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 pres- ent 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 vicin- ity of Mainville. Jacob Gearhart, from Allamingo, Berks county, made a clearing on the hill above the town. Jacob Bower, from Lehigh county, set- tled on a tract nearer the river. These persons were all in the region prior to- 1808, and complete the number of early settlers. The route followed by them from the lower counties was the Beading road; from Catawissa a passage was opened by themselves into the valley of the creek at the gap between the Nescopeck and Catawissa mountains. John Hauck in 1815 erected the first • 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 Beading road. The ore was brought in wagons from the bogs of Locust mountain ; the most important deposit was sit- uated near the present site of the town of Centralia. It was hauled through Eoar ingcreek, and thence by the Mine Gap road to Hauck' s furnace. It is said that at a spring at the foot of Catawissa mountain the teamsters were accustomed to- pour water over the ore, in order to increase its weight. Such a deception could not be readily discovered, as the ore was naturally damp and heavy.. MAIKE TOWKSHIP. 293' For several years this furnace was the only one in Columbia county. Its product was sent to Reading to be forged and returned for local consumption. In 1821 Mr. Hauck built a mill near his furnace, the first in Maine township. In 1831 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 furnace, abandoned as no longer profitable, had succumbed to decay some years previous. The Mainville Mills, grist and sawmills, J. M. Nuss & Son, proprietors. — The grist-mill was erected in 1814, and after nearly three-quarters of a century still remains. The edifice is 45x50 feet, and three stories and a half in 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 years in the business. The mill is conducted by John M. Nuss & Son, who have operated it since 1876. A saw mill, 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 in 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 the entire structure before even a track had been laid over it. A second rail- road, the Danville, Hazleton and Wilkesbarre line, was built through Main- vUle 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 southern bank of the Susquehanna. On the Catawissa railroad 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 has in consequence a degree of business activity. The place comprises twenty 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 conferenc,e 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, 1881, work on the building was begun. . It was completed and dedicated the- following year. Reverend C. L. Benscoter, pastor at that time, has been suc- ceeded by Reverends John W. Hoening and J. K. Dearor. The oldest religious societies in Maine township are the Lutheran and Re- formed. 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 fol- lowing. The corner-stone of the second church building was laid September 23, 1832. This edifice was dedicated January 16, 1833. The burial ground 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 OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. The primitive structure at Fisher's was used for school as well as religious purposes. In 1824 John Watts opened a school here, which was continued by difPerent persons until public schools were established. In 1820 the first school in Maine township was opened by Jacob Gensel, near George Fleming's card- ing 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. BEAVEE 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 from its source at the Luzerne county line. The region drained by this stream is a comparatively narrow val- ley between Buck and McCauley mountains. The former terminates abruptly 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 consider- able 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, Tvhere, by a gradual slope, it sinks to the level of Catawissa creek; north- Tvard from the McCauley ridge is Nescopeck mountain — a natural and efPectrve barrier, aJ)propriately utilized as the boundary between Beaver and Mifflin townships. The regular and symmetrical proportions of these elevations ap- pear in strong contrast with the varying characteristics of the Catawissa range. Distinguished by the spurs and foothills which mark its northern slope, it en- ■closes Beaver township within its semi-circular convolutions. At its base the 'Catawissa creek meanders through a region of unbroken quiet disturbed only by the plash of its waters, or the shrill whistle of a locomotive as it rounds a ■curve, or rumbles over a trestling above. A no less secluded retreat is the 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 until the more desirable lands were no longer available. As early as 1774, 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 Cata- wissa, excepting a community of beavers, who erected a dam on the stream, which derives its name from this circumstance, a short distance above its junction with Catawissa creek. The region known as ' ' Beaver swamps in- cluded the area drained by both the aifluents 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 considera- tions. Alexander McCauley retired from the frontier in 1776, none too soon to escape the ravages of the border warfare; but Andrew Harger, his neigh- BEAVEE TOWNSHIP. 295 bor on Catawissa creek, with more courage than prudence, remained until summarily abducted by a party of hostile savages. For some days hi& captors pursued their journey in a northerly direction, their destination ap- parently being what was then known as Upper Canada. Without any apparent 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 waa somewhere in the vicinity of the north branch of the Susqiiehanna. He had 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 night, and concealed himself beneath a pile of drift wood. With a surprising- 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 the search. For seven days he continued his journey, subsisting on such roots and herbs as were nutritious, and on a maimed turkey he was so fortunate as to capture. Greatly emaciated, he at last reached a frontier settlement wiser by one year's experience as an Indian prisoner. No attempt was made to resume the settlement of the ' ' Beaver swamps ' ' until after the close of the revolution. No considerable number of people were yet residents at the time Mifflin township was formed, in 1799. Thomas Wil- 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 Olargan, the Klingamans, Oaks, Karig, Mensinger, Swank, Longenberger and Fisher families were among the first to become permanent settlers. The Van Clargans. cleared the farm now occupied by Charles Michael. The farms owned by the Klingamans were claimed by Daniel Oaks, an Englishman from New Jersey, but his rights were disputed by Keuben Eyerly. Oaks and all his family were- one night burned in their house. Eyerly was seen in the neighborhood the- 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, near Catawissa creek, at the foot of the mountain. Following the course of the creek John Rarig, Ludwig Mensinger and John Hoats, from Berks county, cleared the land on what is now the Catawissa and Kingtown road. John and 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 thee Beading road to Catawissa, and from that point a way opened by themselves along Catawissa creek. This road was subsequently extended to Reading- but was not improved until 1852, although traveled extensively long before that time. For many years the hotel of Adam Michael, at the foot of Buck 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 pre-viously included in the separate election district. While these changes were 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 people. The object of those who projected these changes was the develop- ment of rich deposits of coal supposed to exist in the McCauley and Buck mountains. 296 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. As early as 1826 the presence of coal in the McCauley mountain was an established fact. Ten years later Nicholas Biddle and others projected the 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 atten- tion 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 •connect the coal veins of McCauley mountain with the Catawissa rail-road. By ^n act approved April 27, 1855, Charles B. Penrose, Lee W. 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 thou- isand dollars, and its operations confined to Columbia and Montour counties. By an act approved April 19, 1858, the McCauley rail-road company was con- solidated with the Columbia Coal and Iron company. The construction of the xail-road and of an extensive coal breaker was begun, a tract of land embrac- ing two-thousand four-hundred acres having previously been purchased. It ^embraces four tracts, originally surveyed for John Reese, John Brady, Jere-. .miah Jackson and Robert Gray, in pursuance of their warrants issued December 7, 1793. In 1867 coal shipments from the McCauley colliery were begun. The same year Simon P. Case erected another breaker, and formed the Beaver ^creek Coal company. Five years later the coal deposits at both points were practically exhausted. In September, 1869, both breakers and the track of the 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, its successors, to Allen Mann, who operates it to a limited extent to supply lo- .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, iaving completed the construction of the Danville, Hazelton and Wilkesbarre rail-Toad, 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. Losee for a period of ten years. After several years of litigation between Simon P. Case and George Longenberger, the latter secured a verdict in his favor as rightful owner of the Glen City colliery. The lease of J. H. Losee expired April 1, 1881, when the colliery was suspended for five years. In 1886 James and Mary McAlarney completed improvements and repairs about the works, which resumed operations under favorable circumstances. Adjoining 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, ope- rated the McCauley colliery from 1873 to 1876. With reference to the develop- ment 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 Luzerne county, the excavations of which extend into Columbia county, fol- lowing the Buck mountain vein. The coal measures at this point have not, as 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 im- poi-tant commodity of the state, are of an entirely different character. The economy and convenience of transporting petroleum from the wells to shipping points by means of pipe-lines was realizpd by the proprietors of oil-wells at an t'arly period in the development of the oil region of Pennsylvania. Until 1880, however, uo pipe-line of any extent had been successfully operated. In that BEAVER TOWNSHIP. 297 jear 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 flowing liquid when- ever possible, and surmount the obstacles of varying elevation by powerful force pumps when necessary. With the object of lessening the expense of 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 Eixford, in McKean county, to Tamanend in Schuylkill, a distance of one-hundred and ■eighty miles. Notwithstanding the violent opposition of rival corporations, 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 stream. The course of Catawissa creek is followed through the townships of Main and Beaver. The mains are six inches in diameter, the cost of construc- tion aggregating six-thousand dollars per mile. Although involving this enor- 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 line connects the office of the general superintendent at Williamsport with the several pumping stations along the route. These are located at Eixford, McKean county; Olmstead, Potter county; County- Line and Muncy, in Lycoming; and Shuman's, in Columbia. The distance between the last named two is one-hundred miles; between Shu- man'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 Catawissa rail-road. The buildings and grounds comprise an area of five 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 bar- rels. The two pumps are capable, respectively, of elevating fifteen-thousand and ten-thousand barrels of oil in twenty-four hours to an altitude of one- , thousand three-hundred and twenty-five feet, the vertical distance from Beaver valley to the summit. A battery of three "Kiter and Conley" boilers, and a " Murphy smokeless furnace" generate the power which performs this work, while the machine which applies it is a Holly engine of three-hundred horse- power. 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 through- out are equipped with every appliance of convenience and comfort. Clean- 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. Beaver Valley Mills. — The present mill structure was commenced in 1876, 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 Beichart, who was the proprietor until December, 1885, when he sold to Dr. A. P. Heller of Millville, who bought for his son, Sher- 298 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. man Heller, and April 1, 1886, the_ present firm, 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 benefit to the schools and churches of the region. In 1821 Isaac Davis taught 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 peda- gogues 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, Khoads, TaneyhUl and Monroe continued these services, the last named clergyman in the winter of 1822-23 organizing a congregation. Owing to a lack of harmony among its members, it was subsequently disbanded. The house of worship is now occupied by an Evangelical congregation. A union house of worship, built by the Lutheran and Reformed denomina- tions, has long been known as the "Beaver Church." Both congregations have had many pastoral changes, and are now served by the pastors at Ring- town, Schuylkill county. CHAPTEK XX. ROARINGCREEK TOWNSHIP. ROARINGCREEK, the third township formed from Catawissa, embraced, when erected in 1832, the townships of Locust and Conyngham in addi- tion 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 Roaring- creek from the adjoining county of Schuylkill. It formerly included the head waters of both branches of the creek, from which circumstance with great pro- priety it received its name. When this designation was first applied to the stream cannot be definitely ascertained. Under its Indian name of Popeme- tunk, 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 divis- ion of the township; however, as may be learned from the history of Locust, the provisions, under which the division was at first efPected, 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 ofBcers. This arrangement was abandoned in view of the complications which EOAEINGCKEEK TOWNSHIP. 299i would 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 Roaring- creek were Samuel Hunter and Bezaliel Hayhurst. 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 land now owned by John Whitner. From Alexander Hunter, who succeeded to the ownership of part of this tract, it passed into possession of George. Eandall, 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 Hemminger, John Harmon, George Groh, George- Duvald, Stephen Peabody and George Dewees. "Four Springs Farm," along Mill creek, was patented to Adam Zant- zinger 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 Wagoner, 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 Mat- thew McGlath, Charles Truckenmiller, John McKay, Jacob Shakespear and Thomas Fisher. Some of these persons, the Immels, Hayhursts, Hughes, and others, planted their homes here and are now resting in unmarked graves in thb Friends' Roaringcreek burial-ground. Of scarcely a single tract can it b* 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 lead- ing 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 advan- tages 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- roatt as far as Ashland, and thence to Catawissa, caused their transfer to the latter road. The highway to Reading through the valley of upper Roarings 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 thfr 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- •300 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. place is still known as Hibbs' mill. March 13, 1793, in partnership with Jo- seph Hampton, he bought a tract of land from John Nixon and Alexander Poster, Philadelphia merchants, who, under date of Sept. 26, 1783, had se- ■cured a patent for it. Judah Cherington in 1856 built the present mUl, which is now owned by Peter Swank. Abner Hamptdn, a son of Joseph Hampton just mentioned, builf a small mill on Mill creek some years after the Hibbs mill was built. It subsequently came into possession of William 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 per- sistence, 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 ia Berks county, entered the township. He was also a surveyor; a work on mathematics pre- pared by him and still preserved in manuscript form evinces considerable abil- ity 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 aa- ■^ther early teacher. The first house used exclusively for school purposes was built in 1830 where number two school ia now held. In this school-house for twenty-three years the only religious organization in the township held its services. The Eoaringcreek appointment of the Methodist Episcopal church has had •an existence of seventy years. Previous to the buUding of the school-house, people of this faith met iu the barn of John Yocum, about a mile from the •school-building, on the farm now owned by Elijah Horn. Mrs. Yocum' s fam- ily, 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 Eeverends 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 con- gregation 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, ofPered one-hundred dollars and an acre of ground to any de- nomination 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 persons. The Free- Will congregation, United Brethren in Christ, was organ- ized, and the erection of a church-building on the land of Mr. Yeager at once LOCUST TOWNSHIP. 301 fcegun. It was dedicated in the autumn of 1876, and a revival held the follow- ing winter increased the membership to sixty. The pastors since have been Eeverends S. R. Kramer, H. S. Gable and G. W. Herrold, at present in ■charge. Koaringcreek is distinctively an agricultural township. It does not have the rare advantage of an exceptionally fertile soil, nor are the markets for its products as accessible or convenient as would be desirable. But, in the tran- 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 cofn- 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. f r^HE erection of Locust grew out of the controversy regarding the J-_ boundary between Columbia and Montour counties. As at first defined Montour embraced nearly the whole of Roaringcreek tovraship. But by a re- adjustment of the division line in 1853, Roaringcreek tovrnship, 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 Locust. It is one of the eight townships originally embraced in Catawissa, when it was part of Northumberland county. In the year 1768 the proprietary government acquired the title to all the 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 following year. In these early records this region is mentioned as the valley of Roaring creek, in Augusta township, Berks county. From the older settle- ments of Maiden creek, Exeter and Reading, within the present limits of that county, the early Quaker settlers, after weeks of toilsome travel, reached the wilderness of Roaring creek. Their first point was Harris' ferry ; from here 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 revo- lution. On the cessation of hostilities, however, the increased quiet and secur- ity 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 Sid- dons, Bonsalls, Whiteheads, Hughes, Lees, Williams, Millards and Starrs. Their names are not even locally remembered. In their pronounced oppo- sition to all ostentation, they would not sujBfer the erection of a marble slab to perpetuate their memory. But in the early development of this fertile valley they have written a history 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 fear of wild beasts and still 302 HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. wilder men. An occurrence that created wide-spread interest at the time/was the disappearance of Alexander McCauley. He came from Edinburgh, Scot- land, in 1771, and settled in Beaver valley three years later. Fearing an Indian raid, his wife and three older daughters returned to Harris' ferry. They were followed in the fall by Mr. McCauley, his youngest daughter, Jean- nie, and her brother, still younger. In 1783 they returned to the farm. In the autumn of that year his horses strayed away, and he followed them through the woods into what is now Locust township. At a house near E(jaring creek he obtained information which induced him to continue the- search. He was never again seen. Twenty-five years afterward, twenty Span- ish 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 conjecture. In 1769 Samuel Mears arrived at Philadelphia and settled near Valley Forge. In the winter of 1777-78 several American officers were quartered at. his house, and General Washington was a frequent visitor. June 6, 1787, he secured from the commonwealth a patent for land in the Roaring creek val- ley, and at once removed thither. In March, 1794, his eldest son, Alexander Mears, was married to Jeannie McCauley, who as a young girl has been men- tioned as descending the Susquehanna eleven years before. The bridal party left the house of William Collins near Catawissa, and rode en horseback to- the prospective home of Mr. and Mrs. Mears. The ceremony was here per- formed, and was duly celebrated after the manner of the olden time. It was. one of the first marriages within the present limits of Locust township. Cata- 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- to a rough wagon track'leading to Catawissa. This was the only point from 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 pres- ent 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. This was the largest mill in the whole region. During an extremely cold win- 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 expe- dient 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. In one hour his mill and its bins of grain and meal were reduced to ashes. It almost resulted in a famine. About the time that these mills were built, and during the decade follow- ing, there was an influx of people from the same old county of Berks, but dif- fering widely from 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 before going farther. They entered the Roaring creek country by a road just opened from Reading northward across the mountains. This was a shorter route, but not an easy one by any 'means. Many of these people at once 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 culti- vated land. The German element rapidly supplanted the Quaker, and has retained its predominance to the present day. The road from Reading did not cease to be useful when the emigrants' load of goods and small drove of domestic animals had passed over it. It forth- 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 mountains. Twenty bushels of wheat were load enough for two horses. The journey to Reading and return required eight or ten days. The price of wheat was five shillings (sixty-two and one-half cents) per bushel. About the year 1817 a sum of money was appropriated to improve the Beading road. Then a local strife of much bitterness ensued regarding its course in this township. Caspar Rhoads finally induced the viewers to decide on the upper road, which passed his hotel. The amount appropriated was not yet exhausted, and the lower road was also graded, to the satisfaction of all parties. A line of stage-coaches appeared in 1825, Joseph Weaver being pro- prietor. Benjamin Potts started an opposition line in 1839, and for some years both changed at Yeager' s hotel in Slabtown. The opening of the Cata- wissa rail-road rendered them no longer profitable, and they were soon after- ward discontinued. The improvement of this Beading road led to the opening of the only man- ufacturing 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 of August 17, 1773. The tract was located ' ' on Roaring creek, nineteen miles from Fort Augusta, ' ' now Sunbury. David Shakespear inherited the land, and died in Newcastle county, Delaware. John Harland, as his execu- tor, 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 com- pensate for these disadvantages. The bulk of ihe ore was carted from the Fishing creek valley. The articles at first manufactured were stoves, and the first cast-iron plows used in the region. Subsequently it was enlarged and leased successively to Trego & Co. , Lloyd Thomas, and Finoher & 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 Locust township. Among the families were the Watkins, Evans, Humphreys, Beeses 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 agri- cultural 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; 304 HISTOEY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. but since the stream of travel over the Beading 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 boards several rods above the mill. The name was suggested by their novel appearance, and is retained by the village that has succeeded them. LinviU 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 be- fore the saw-mill was built. He opened a tavern at once, but in 1804 sold it 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 patron- ized by the farmers of the vicinity. In front of Yeager' s hotel, a box with a, sliding lid was fastened to a post. Persons going to Catawissa would look 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 the road home. Everybody had access to the box. This postal service was 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 car- rier, did not immediately result in entirely discontinuing the old way of dis- tributing the mail. About the year 1847 the post-office was removed to the rival village of Numidia; but in 1855 it was again opened, and has been con- tinued ever since unde&the name of Eoaringcreek. The village at present em- braces about a dozen substantial houses, a store, hotel, school-house and church. Yeager' s tannery has been in successful operation since 1837. The Eoaring creek is here spanned by an iron bridge, built'in 1874, at a cost of one-thou- sand, five-hundred dollars. Shortly after Andrew Trone built his hotel on Boaring creek, Caspar Bhoads built another about two miles father south, on the upper Beading road. Samuel Cherington subseqiiejitly built the mill now owned by William Snyder. The place has been known as Kernville since 1840, when John Kern became' proprietor of the village hotel. July 12, 1884, the post-office of Newlin was established, but this new name has not yet entirely superseded the older onfr in popular use. Caspar Bhoads succeeded in having one course of the Beading road opened past his property, but the stage driver obstinately persisted in preferring the other. That the family might yet share in the profits of this travel, Isaac Bhoads, his son, in 1832 became landlord of a public-house on the lower road, built three years previous by Benjamin Williams. The half-dozen houses built around it have since been known as Bhoadstown. A post-office under this name was here opened from 1855 to 1864, when it was removed to Numidia. The latter village is geographically nearest the center of the township, sur- rounded by the finest farms of the Boaring creek valley. It is situated on land originally patented to Nathan Lee ; and it was his son-in-law, Peter Kline, who built the first house in the village. It was situated on the ground now occupied by Dr. Wintersteen' s garden. In 1832 a store was opened in this hotel. It was not the first in the township, however, as one had been LOCUST TOWNSHIP. 305 kept by John Yeager at Slabtown five years previous. About the year 1835 Elijah Price laid out the town and changed the name from Leestown to New Media. Subsequently Anthony Dengler built the present hotel and store. By his energetic efforts the post-office was removed to Numidia from Slabtown in 1847 ; the local strife was renewed at frequent intervals, and in 1855 the 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 Nu- midia. Good Will Lodge, I. O. O. F., was chartered April 17, 1847, but this charter was destroyed by fii-e and another issued four years later. George F. Craig, N. G. ; Henry Apple, V. G. ; Harmon Fahringer, secretary, and Chris- tian Small, treasurer, are the present officers of the society. The lodge erected' a hall some years ago at a cost of one-thousand dollars. This hall was alsa used by another society until its meetings were discontinued a few years; since. Camp No. 204, Patriotic Order Sons of America, was chartered De- cember 13, 1873. The twelve original members were D. N. Bachman, Joseph.^ C. Knittle, William H. Morris, John Fetterman, John Gable, William 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 faiied 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-build- ing and employed a t'eacher. The school-house was situated on the road from Newlin to Slabtown, near where the old Friends' meeting-house stands. Will- iam 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 88 the Quakers had been to secure it. However, they patronized the meeting- house 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 HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. the Koaringcreek preparative. In 1802 Amos Armitage was appointed overseer ■of this meeting in place of Joseph Hampton, who had held the office for some time. December 24, 1803, John Hughes and Thomas Linvill were appointed to assist Isaac Wiggins in the care and education of certain poor children of -deceased Friends. December 12, 1804, Thomas Penrose succeeded Amos Armitage as overseer. The latter, with Job Hughes, Isaac Penrose, James Hughes and Samuel Siddons removed to Pelham, Upper Canada, the following spring. Later in the same year Isaac Wiggins and Thomas Linvill removed to Yonge Street, Upper Canada, and John Lloyd to Shortcreek, Ohio. February 2, 1808, Bezaleel Hayhurst succeeded to the office of overseer. In the same year he, with Thomas Penrose and Jeremiah Hughes, was appointed trustee to succeed Isaac Wiggins and Jacob Strahl. The title to the property was 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 Eoaringcreek monthly meeting. This was a vir- tual re-establishment of the old Catawissa meeting under a new name, for it -embraced Catawissa, Berwick and Koaringcreek, the original territory. Although much reduced in numbers the Friends of the vicinity have held regular meetings in the Koaringcreek meeting-house until a few years since. For ninety years it has been a place of worship. The quiet of the bm'ial 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 teachers and preachets made their appear- ance. Reverend John Dieterich Adams, a Reformed minister from Sttnbury, 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 com- mittee. They bought a lot from Jacob Kline and began to build at once. In the fall of 1816 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, Furschi 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. Dur- ing his ministry and that of Reverend Moore the present brick church build- o#^^' c^^^^ ^-^.c^'Ui-e^ LOCUST TOWNSHIP. 309 ing was erected. Eeuben Fahringer, Leonard Adams, John Eeinbold and Henry Gable were the building committee. Its cost was seven-thousand (dol- lars. It was dedicated in the spring of 1870. Reverend William Litzel became pastor of the Lutheran congregation in 1874, and in 1878 Reverend L. Linderstreuth, who was succeeded in 1881 by Reverend J. H. Nei- man, at present in charge. Reverend George B. Deehant has been, since 1872, pastor of the Reformed church. Unfortunately the relations between the two congregation? in recent years have not been harmonious. In the spring of 1882 the officers of the Lutheran congregation established a Lutheran Sunday-school in the union church-building. In July, 1883, the officers of the Reformed church, in a written protest, ob- jected 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 con- nected 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 Rhoads- towti. The early pastors. Reverends Oliver Ege and Thomas Taneyhill, were stationed at Sunbury. Two of the Methodist congregations in Locust township form part of the Catawissa circuit. Previous to 1879 they were embraced in the Elysburg cir- cuit. The oldest, however, known as the Bear-Gap church, is still included in that circuit. It has existed as an organization forty-five years, and is at pres- ent served by Reverend H. B. Fortner. The Slabtown congregation worship in a building erected by the Reformed church in 1848. Three years later a Methodist camp-meeting was held in the vicinity; it resulted in the conversion of the most prominent of the Re- 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 began by Reverend Franklin E. Gearhart. George Wheary was one of the firwt members. Some of the Quakers, and many English speaking persons from German families, speedily connected themselves with the organization. Reverends Henry S. Mendenhall, John F. Brown, T. A. Glees, 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 dedi- cated in the autumn of 1872. Isaac Dyer, Daniel Levan, Thomas Seaborne and William Kline were the trustees at the time. The Welsh chapel mentioned above was buUt in 1850 on lands given for the purpose by James Humphreys and Michael Philips. The Welsh Baptists first occupied it, with Reverend William Jones as their first pastor. It is now 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 other organizations in the township, St. Paul's and Fisher's. St. Paul's con- gregation was first served in 1866 by Reverend John Swank. The church-build- ing was erected that year on land deeded to the church by John Richards. Fisher's church has resulted from a bush-meeting held in the summer of 1883 310 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. by Eeverend 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 im- proved the farming land and increased its value, and with more comfortable- homes there are also better facilities for the intellectual and religious instruc- tion of the people. CHAPTEE XXII. CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP AND BOEOUGH OF CENTEALIA. GONYNGHAM was the seventh and last township formed out of the origi- nal territory of Catawissa. After being embraced successively in Eoar- ingcreek and Locust, the extreme southern part of the county, at the Febru- ary court, 1856, was erected into the township of Conyngham. It was named in honor of the president judge, Honorable John Nesbitt Conyngham, aad by an imforeseen coincidence the township which perpetuates his name was formed at the last session in Bloomsbtirg over which he presided. The pro- priety of this tribute in appreciation of his upright character and unswerving integrity is attested by his eminent ability and untarnished record as an im- partial 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, however, entirely unknown. The Sunbury and Beading state road passed 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 1804 the Eed tavern was built on the top of Locust mountain by John Ehodeburger. Subsequently, when in 1816 or 1817 the bridle path was so improved as to be really a good road, there was an almost ceaseless stream of travel past the Eed house. Stage-coaches dashed down the level grade above, while the echoing horn in- tensified the hurry and confusion of the always noisy tavern yard. Four host- lers emerged from the stable door, ready to grasp the bits and undo the fast- enings 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 jour- ney 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 sev- enteen hundred and ninety-three. No one, at that time, would have supposed 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 CONYKGHAM TOWNSHIP. 311' a fever of excitement among the capitalists of the period. On various pretexts, the land commissioners were induced to issue warrants for the resui-^ey of some of the most valuable 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 froin 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, Ai-chibald McCall, Samuel Coates, Henry Pratt, Johm Steele, Paschal HoUingsworth, George Harrison, Abijah Hammond and Alisoni Walcott, trustees of the bank of the United States at Philadelphia, an exten-^ eive tract of land on the waters of Catawissa and Mahanoy creeks and the Little Schuyl'kill 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 fetorms and floods of fifty years. He expected to findl iron ore, and amass wealth from its manufacture ; the discovery of coal hasi given the college which bears his name apparently inexhaustible resources, sur- passing 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 coaB. land in the county at the present day, was not formed until 1842. In the yeair 1854 Mine Hill raU-road was opened to Big Mine run. Two years later Mine^ Eun colliery shipped the first coal over this road from Columbia county. Im the same year Locust-Bun and Coal-Eidge collieries were opened, the former- being operated by Bepellier and Company, the latter by Longstreet and Com- pany. The Hazel Dell colliery was completed in September, 1860; the Cen- tralia colliery in 1862. They were leased respectively by Eobert Gon-ell and J. M. Freck and Company. The Centralia breaker was burned Sunday, Octo- ber 21, 1866, and twice subsequently. In 1868, on the Girard estate, the Continental colliery was opened by Eob- ert Carter and Company. It was leased successively by Goodrich and Com- 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 Beading Coal and Iron Company. In 1865 the Le- high and Mahanoy rail-road was ppened from Mt. 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 avail- able for coal shipments from the company's works. In 1867 the Locust Bun.' 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 B. Stockett was. appointed chief engineer and agent of" the corporation above mentioned. In 1872 he was succeeded by Lewis A. Eiley. . He resigned in 1880, and in 1881 Lewis A. Eiley and Company leased the- Centralia and Hazel Dell collieries. In the same year they erected the Logan < breaker in South Conyngham. About the same time Isaac May and Company • began to mine coal on Morris Eidge. 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 avail- able: 312 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNT?. Name of colliery, 1882. . Location. Operator. Tons, 1882. Philadelphia & Heading Coal & Iron Co. Philadelphia & Beading Coal & Iron Co. L. A. Eifey & Co 90,161 Hn7fll D*»ll . Centralia 7,6M 16,M2 CentraJia Lehigh Valley Coal Co A. H. Church 3S,8e« 231,169 88,283 2,000 66,490 111,036 L. A. Eiley & Co L. A. Eiley & Co ■Rear f!itr Centralia -. John Q. Williams Centralia May & Co North Ashland.. Centralia Philadelphia & Eeading Coal & Iron Co. In the development of the natural resoiirces of Conyngham township, the usual order was reversed; capital was invested, and the work resolutely begun without any assurance that the product of the mines would reach a market, ex- cept at such expense as to seriously diminish the profit of the enterprise. Un- 4il 1865, all coal shipments were made by the Mine-Hill rail-road, and were accompanied with great inconvenience, as it penetrated the township but a short distance. Not until the presence of an almost inexhaustible wealth was ■practically demonstrated and the future of the region firmly assured, did it re- ■^eive really adequate facilities for its unrestricted development. The growth of the towns of this section has been parallel with the growth ■ of the mining industry. Centralia, Locustdale, Montana and Germantown ac- commodate the population whose steady work and busy thought hew the veins of coal from the dark caverns of the earth, and separate the shining crys- tals from the worthless conglomerate in the whirring machinery of the breakers above. When the Heading road was surveyed, a swamp, overgrown with brush- wood and tall pines, marked the site of the town of Centralia. The land was level, however, a desirable feature as a location for the town. By subsequent •drainage, the bogs have entirely disappeared and the place is decidedly .healthful. The land was originally surveyed for George Ashton and William Lownes, -and subsequently came into possession of the Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company. The first house was the "Bull's Head," a tavern built by Jona- than Faust in 1841, about a mile from the Red tavern, and on the same Beading road. It intersected the Eeading and Sunbury state road about two miles further south. This hotel subsequently passed to Reuben Wasser, but re- tained its former name throughout its natural life as a stopping place for trav- elers, and for twelve years comprehended all of Centralia that then existed. Jonathan Faust did not own the land on which his house was built; he did not even buy the lumber, but appropriated it without compunction, and his right of possession was never disputed. In 1855 Alexander W. Rea, thb first engin- eer and agent of the Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company, built a cottage above the hotel, and removed thither from Danville. He made surveys for several streets parallel with the Reading road and others crossing it at right angles. On one of the latter a row of houses was built the same year. They were immediately occupied by employes of the company, but all have since been removed. This was practically the beginning of the town. In 1860 Jonathan Hoagland opened the first store just opposite the "Bulls Head. " Two years later he was appointed first postmaster. The name Centralia was suggested by Mr. Rea. For a few years previous the place had been known as Centreville; the change was made at the instance of the postal author- ities, as an office of that name already existed in the state. CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP. 313 Three years later, in 1865, the Lehigh and Mahanoy rail-road, since known as the Lehigh Valley, was built through the town on what is appropriately known as Bail-Boad avenue. With its entrance into the section several new coUer- ies 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 the commxmity in disorder and lawlessness, and demanded provision for a mor» 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 office which he has held during the stormiest periods of its history. The per- sons thus elected officers of the borough, with other public spirited men, took measures to maintain and improve the state of order, and w^re, in 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. Bet- terly, and a board of directors consisting of A. W. Kea, James Dyke, Henry W. Sable, Reuben Wasser, M. M. L'Velle, L. S. Boner, Joseph H. Dawes,, Edward Sweet, William James, William Peiffer, J. J. Hoagland, David Camp and John M. Belford. For a time its results were satisfactory and profitable; but it subsequently became involved, and is now being closed by James Dyke. Al- though 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 owners to the comfortable sum which had here slowly accumulated. One of the greatest disadvantages of the location of the town is the absence' of 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 moun- tain, 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 them 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 th» company's history, and the result was total failure. From William Brydon, the property passed into possession of A. B. Fortner, Daniel C. Black, Ed- ward Williams, Jr. , A. K. Mensch, A. B. Willard and John W. Fortner. In; their hands the property has been much improved 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 mines free from water threatened to seriously affect their permanency. To meet the' increasing 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 underground mains connect the two. The works were completed two years ago and re- move 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 fol- lowed. About the time it was effected, the Mollie Magnire troubles began ia SohuylkUl county. This organization, one of the most formidable that has ever existed in defiance of law, rapidly extended over a large extent of the ad- 314 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. joining counties. On the 17th of October, 1868, Alexander W. Eea was mur- dered on the road leading from Centralia to a colliery of which he was super- intendent. The object ostensibly was to rob him of some hundreds of dol- lars it was supposed he would have with him, as it was pay day. The mur- •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 .taccessories before the fact. They were hung at Bloomsburg, March 25, 1878. This murder begins a period in the history of Centralia which had its par- ;allel in every town in the anthracite region. There was a virtual reign of ter- 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 Alex- ;«nder Bea, 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 .'"desigidng 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 might-fall, and hardly safer to remain indoors. The outrages in Centralia :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 itragedies occurred within a month of each other; both were shrouded in mystery, but every circumstance pointed with moral certainty to the "Ma- ;guires " as the conspirators and perpetrators. With the disclosures of Mc- Farland, the reign of law was once more established and Centralia shared in ihe feeling of security which soon became general throughout the whole region. Another phase of the lawlessness of the period was the frequent occurrence of lincendiary fires. In March, 1872, a destructive fire consumed foiu* blocks on .lithe east side of Locust avenue. In the same year a half -square between Centre .Railroad streets was reduced to ashes. January 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 2ew years. The discovery and development of rich veins of coal in the im- smediate vicinity give promise of labor for hundreds of men for years to come. .'It comprises a population of about three- thousand; a number of well established business 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 Jiumber of benevolent and co-operative associations. The religious and social oAevelopment of the people has made great advances in the past few years, and Jmay be examined in detail. Methodism was introduced into Centralia in January of 1863, and was therefore the first denomination represented in the town. Morris Lewis was ap- pointed leader of a class of eight by Reverend W. M. Showalter, who was then jpastor at Ashland. Two years later Eeverend N. W. Guire, from the same f»lace, organized the Methodist Episcopal appointment of Centralia, formed a "Wlass, and appointed William M. Hoagland, leader. In April of the same year 3the appointment was connected with the Mt. Carmel circuit of the East Balti- iMore Conference. Eeverend J. M. Mullen was in charge the three succeeding years. During the summer of 1866 the church edifice was begun by John •James and Joseph Steel. Assisted by others favorable to the cause, they ex- cavated the foundation without the expenditure of a single dollar. The corner- stone was laid in the autumn of 1866, by Eeverend W. A. Stephens. In Feb- CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP. 315 Tuary of the following year, the basement was completed and dedicated by Eev- ■erend J. B. Riddell. During the pastorate of Keverend J. A. Dixon, the Sun- day-school was organized. In March, 1869, Centralia station was established by the annual conference aad C. D. Mc Williams, S. R. Nankervis and A. C. ■Crosthwait successively appointed pastors. In 1871 the audience room was 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 it with its former circuit. Reverends G. W. Larned, N. S. Buckingham, G. W. Marshall, T. H. Tubbs, J. P. Benford, R. L. Armstrong ani 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 church- building. The next denominations to make their appearance were the Presbyterian and Protestant Episcopal. The former was organized July 31, 1867, by Rev- erend S. W. Reighart. Reverend L. L. Haughawant became first pastor and ministered to a congregation of eighteen members. A church building was «rected at a cost of three -thousand dollars. It is an attractive, substantial structure,, and has a pleasant location. Reverend J. H. Fleming became pas- 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 Harrisburg, consecrated it. Reverend M. Washburn was the first rector; he resigned in 1870, when Reverend Charles E. D. Griffith took charge. His 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 D. J. McDermott to organize it. Before the erection of the see of Harrisburg 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 in the town by a Catholic priest. He arrived in the place April 12, 1869, and the 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 min- ers 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 chur<^ edifice, rectory and cemetery cost twenty-two thousand dol- lars. In 1872 the number of souls in the congregation numbered fifteen hun- dred. 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 pastor- ate his assistants were Fathers Davis, McShane, Kenney, McKenna and Barr. The Baptist denomination has secured a representation. In April, 1886, Reverend B. B. Henchy, of Girardville, organized a congregation of twelve 316 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. memberB. A church building will be completed in course of a short time. The new organization has shown an aggressive spirit, and will no doubt have a prosperous and useful career. The secret societies represented in Centralia are the Odd-Fellows, Patriotic Order Sons of America, Miners' and Labofers' 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 Novem- ber 25, 1872. A new hall is in course of erection on Centre street, above Lo- cust. Its estimated cost is four thousand dollars. It will have two floors, one 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. G. Freck, secretary, and J. F. Scott, treasurer. It was reorganized in 1872, and rechartered February 17, 1883, with twenty-four members. This member- ship has since increased to sixty. District 16, of the Miners' and Laborers' Amalgamated Association, was or- ganized February 15, 1885, with one-hundred and seventy-five members. The district comprises four branches, and has a membership of about eight-hun- dred. Assembly 4641, Knights of Labor, was formed December 13 of the 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 vdthin the borough limits or on the land adjoining, thus preventing the growth of other towns in the vicin- ity. Several small villages have, however, gathered around the collieries at a distance from Centralia. Montana, Germantown and Locustdale were built in 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 Schuyl- kill and Northumberland, as well as Columbia. The first buildings were erected in 1856 by George C. Potts and Company, the proprietors of the coUiery still known by the name of its projector. The following year this colliery was first operated, and in 1858 the shipment of coal was begun. The growth of the village was energetically forwarded by J. L. Beadle, the first manager of the colliery. A. S. Morehead, of Pottsville, in 1859 opened the first store. Mrs. Mary Young was the next merchant. The first hotel, however, was built in 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 used. The village of Montana was laid out in 1865 by Samuel Seidy. The Beno colliery, just opened by Morris Robison and Company, gave employment to 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 not outlived its usefulness, but is still fairly patronized. The United Breth- ren church, organized in 1871 by Reverend J. ,G. Fritz of Mt. Carmel, North- umberland county, meets in the school-house. The membership has increased to thirty- two. A new church-building is now in course of erection. An enumeration of the villages of the township is manifestly incomplete with- out mention of " The Shanties." A straggling collection of dilapidated houses CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP. 31T at the site of the old Bepellier breakers 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 Ger- mantown 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 Eush 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 peda- gogue 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 de- pended 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 build- ing 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 lib- eral spirit among the citizens. Conyngham township is, in many respects, unlike any other portion of Col- umbia county. Geographically, 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 stage- coaches 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 tovraship 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 val- ley run rises from a spring on the northern slope of Locust mountain; within a mile of this, to the south, are the head waters of the Big Mine run. These streams are Isranches, respectively, of the Shamokin and Mahanoy creeks, two of the most important tributaries of the Susquehanna river. Their re- spective basins are thus determined by Locust mountain. In no other town- ship 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 become an exclusive industry. For this reason more than any other theire is a marked difference in the general character of the people. While the Quakers and Germans were 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 w&s 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. i;hese mountains finally began to arrive, it differed in nationality from that which had preceded it, and passed to the farming region beyond. The his- tory 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 dif- ferent 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 or 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, 1868, 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 «f 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 Sun- day-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. Smce his retirement from the office of county superintendent, in 1873, 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, Montour Co., Penn. They have three children: Mary Garrison Barkley, Josephine Redfield Barkley and Jennie Wilson Barklev. Mr. Barkley is a descendant of the early settlers of this county and State, of Scotch and Irish ancestry. His paternal ancestor, Iddings Barkley, born at Churchtown, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1781, of Scotch par- ents, 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 house where the farm house of James Barton, deceased, now is, m 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 cabinet- maker. 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. Iddmgs 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. Barkley, the father of Charles G., married December 18, 1828, Rachel McBride of Hemlock Township, Columbia County. To them six children were born, Charles being the fifth. John J. Barkley died July 5, 1876, his wife Rachel having died April 8, preceding, both having lived useful and active lives in much esteem m the county. The maternal grandfather and grandmother of Charles G. Barkley, Will- iam and Mercy McBride of Irish ancestry, soon after 1800 ^ settled upon a large tract of land, of which he was owner, in Hemlock Township, part of which, where the old build- ings formerly stood, is now owned and occupied by Hugh D, McBride, one of their chil- dren. William McBride was active and prominent" iu public and private life, but died a comparatively young man, his widow surviving him to old age. 322 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: BARTON FAMILY. Thomas Barton was one of three brothers who emigrated from England to America early in the eighteenth century. He settled in Virginia, hia brothers in Connecticut. Thomas was married in England to Hannah Clark, a daughter 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. Blisha was born in Virginia June 31, 1742; immigrated to Pennsylvania; in 1766 married Mary Simonton in Northampton County, who died leaving one son, Thomas. His second mar- riage 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 North- umberland 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 the first Episcopal Church in Bloomsburg. He died September 12, 1816, and his widow January 11, 1833, 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 3, 1796, of hydrophobia; Amelia, born October 3, 1774, died Septem- ber 15, 1796; Elisha, born September 21, 1777, married March 33, 1806, to Rachel Miller, died August 26, 1815; Isaiah, born June 31, 1780, married March 1, 1810, to Mary Thorn- ton, and died April 6, 1843; Hannah, born May 35, 1783, married in January, 1801, to James Boone, died July 6, 1859, in Qeneseo, 111.; John, born May 10, 1785, married February 15, 1816, to Mary C. Kreider, and died May 33, 1856; Anna, born January 6, 1788, married December 13, 1831, to Abraham Klotz, died January 80, 1864; Sarah, born May 23, 1790, died September 12, 1796; Caleb, born November 26, 1792: married in 1833; Mary Craig, died December 30, 1863; an infant (deceased); Cyrus, born May 3, 1796, married in December, 1836, to Catherine Brewer, and died March 8, 1862; Betsey, born January 30, 1799, married January 80, 1816, to William Robison, died June 9, 1877. 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 Ru- pert, and by this union there were six children: Evelina B., born February 6, 1837, mar- ried 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 34, 1844, married to John Moore (is now a widow and resides in Indiana); Anna B., born September 37, 1846, married to Thomas Webb, of Bloomsburg. The mother of this family 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 his coming to Bloomsburg in 1875. The old "white grist mill," owned by his father, is still the property of his descendants, our subject yet owning a share. When Elisha Bar- 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 waeon 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, 1773, and December 1, 1773. The former was probably a native of this county, his ancestors coming from New Jersey and settling near Espy, this county, at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Creveling had ten children: Martha, born February 1, 1799, married to John Mel- lick, died December 3, 1858; Margaret, born December 17, 1801, married to Dr. Herman Gearhart; Jonathan, born June 26, 1803, died in 1807; Andrew, born January 32, 1806, married to Ann Henry; Moore, born May 5, 1808, married to Mary Fowler, died Decem- ber 18, 1881; John, born October 33. 1810, married to Sophia Roseberry; Jared, born January 34, 1813, died March 4, 1836; 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, 1837, and July 13, 1858, and are buried in Afton Cemetery near Espy, this county, formerly known as the Creveling burying-ground. MRS. MEL VINA 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 Sunbury, was admit- ted 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 identi- fied themselves with the Episcopal Church. BLOOMSBUEG. 323 D. A. BECKLEY, superintendent of public schools, Bloomsburf?, Is a native of Mifflinburg, Union County, Penn., born December 35, 1833, a son 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 theBloomsburg schools, holding the position for six years, and In 1865 was appointed by President Lin- coln (two days before his assassination) postmaster at Bloomsburg, and was removed in Oc- tober, 1866. May 1, 1869, he was re-appointed by Gen. Grant, and held the office until re- moved by President Cleveland in June, 1885. Heheld the chairmanship of the Republi- can 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 Conven- tion at Cincinnati, which nominated Hayes. He was appointed by Gov.,Hoyt in 1879 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 m other official positions. Mr. Beckley was elected in 1885 superintendent of schools and re-elected in 1886. He has been twice married ; lirst 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, 1863, 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 dis- charged and returned home. In Marcli, 1871, Mr. Beckley bought the office of the Bepub- Ucan, and two years later sold out, but retained his position as editor for ten years. He is a member of the board of trustees of the State normal school, having servsd 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 jeweler, Bloomsburg, was born In Bavaria, Germany, in 1839. When he was a year old his parents immigrated to America, settling in New York City, and a few years later in Wilkesbarre, Penn. Here our subject passed his youth and early manhood, meanwhile obtaining a good education in the Wilkesbarre schools. When] seventeen years of age he began an apprenticeship at the watchmaking trade with John F. Jordan of that place, under whose Instruction he re- mained several years, and in 1858 located at Bloomsburg, where he established the watch- maker's and jeweler's business, which he still continues. He exhibited at the county fair in 1859 a chronometer watch, all the parts of which were made by himself. This, with- out doubt, was the first watch ever made in Columbia County, and since then he has made many. During his residence in Bloomsburg he has had eleven apprentices, all of whom 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 Lowen- berg & Cadman block, the Episcopal parsonage and his residence on Fifth Street. Even 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 work- manship, 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 frame, 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 Blooms- burg, also several copies of famous paintings, among them " Shakespeare and his Friends." All of these paintings are well executed and denote a high order of artistic skill. He has also executed oil portraits of himself and wife and other members of his family. Mr. Bernhardhas been a resident of Bloomsburg for nearly thirty years; is progressive and public-spirited, and has served his vicinity as a member of the council. He married in April, 1863, Anna J. Townsend, who has borne him six children: Annie J., Ida, Laura E., Louis P., Carl G. and Lillian Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. Barnhard are members of the Episcopal Church. He made a study of civil engineering at Wilkesbarre Academy, and completed his studies in New York City. GEORGE 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 Degan to learn the trade of cutter and tailor with his father, and remained with him until 1883, when he located at Bloomsburg. He carries a full line of gents' fine furnishing 324 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: goods of every description. In clotliing bis business is all order work; is now in its fourth year in town, and has gradually increased until. he now does one of the best trades in his line in the place. He was married, in October, 1834, to Miss Fleckenstine. Mr Bertsch is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 365, F. & A. M., Council Ho. 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 un- der his father as a fashionable and scientific cutter makes him specially adapted, insuring the latest fashions and best flitting 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, born 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 Institiite, 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 be was elected town treasurer, an office he filled two years. In 1879 he took a prominent part in organ- izing the water-works, and in July was elected secretary of the citizens' meeting called to discuss the feasibility of the enterprise. In August a permanent organization 'was effect- ed, of which he was elected secretary, an office he has continued to fill, and since 1881 he has been treasurer. In 1881 he was again elected town treasurer for one year; in 1883 was 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 organ- izers 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 Asso- ciation. Mr. Billmeyer was married in December, 1879, to Anna D. Snyder, youngest daughter of Wm. Snyder, an old and prominent citizen and business man of Blooms- burg. 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 for many years was one of the most substantial men of this place. He was treasurer of the Bloomsburg Lumber Company, and had charge of its financial affairs during its exist- ence. When our subject was but two years old his parents moved to Bloomsburg where he 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 trade of printer, and after graduating taught school for one year. In 1875 he opened a job printing office in Bloomsburg, which he con- ducted for three years; then sold out and became interested in a planing-mill about a year. In 1878-79 he accepted the position of foreman in the office of The Columbian, and held it until October 1, 1879, when he became one of the proprietors of the paper. Our sub- ject married, January 19, 1881, Alvaretta, a daughter of I. 8. 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, 1838, in the old homestead in Bloom, where 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 130 years ago. He took up nearly 40O acres, 133 o{ which being where our subject now resides, a part of the old homestead. He 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 i"riends' burying-grounti at Cat- awissa. Their son, Samuel, was the father of our subject, and was born September 3, 1786, in Bloom Township. He married August 18, 1813, Marv Vastine, a native of Rush Township, Northumberland Co., Penn., and a daughter of Benjamin Vastine. Sub- ject's father inhetited the farm and always resided there. He learned the blacksmith's 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. BLOOMSBUEG. 325. 1818, was the wife of Andrew Clark and is now deceased; Benton, died aged twenty-three years; he 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 1835, and later the father married a Mrs. Shrock, by which union there was no issue. Oiir subject's father died October 9, 1863, and is buried by the side of his wife in the Friends' hurying-ground at Catawissa. Samuel V. inherited the homestead after the death of his father and there he yet resides. He married, October 23, 1856, Nancy, daughter of Gid- eon 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 seeond, 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 Brewer Town, Union Township, Berks Co., Pehn., April 10, 1821, a son of 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 Fran- ces (Millard) Brower had two children: Jeremiah John, and Matilda, who married Richard; H. Jones, now a widow and resides at Brower Town. 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 two years kept a boarding-school at Brower Town. In 1846 he came to Catawissa, this county; from 18& to 1850 he residedin Mifflinville, and in the latter year opened a general store in Blooms- burg, which he conducted nineteen years. He was elected in 1870 justice of the peace, and' 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 be- came 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 Brothwell, 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. 8. Win- tersteen; Mary Eliza, wife of J. H. Lingle, of Bellefonte, Penn. Mr. Brower established in 1881 his present business, trading in carpets, oil cloths, etc. ; erected the building oc- cupied by him in 1868 at a cost of $25,000 and has occupied it since 1869. J. C. BROWN, editor and proprietor of the Columbia County Bepuhlican, Blooms^ 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 oflfice, presses and other material from E. M. Wardin, of the Repub- lican, and has since conducted tbat paper. It is an eight-column quarto, and has a circu- lation 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 te 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 chil- dren 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 Revolu- tion. 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 re- moved 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 24, 1819. He had five children, all by his first marriage: James; Samuel, born April 2, 1778, married Dorothy Nice, died October 12, 1823; Mary, who married Joseph Otto and moved to McKean County, Penn., where she died; Elizabeth, who maiTied George Hess and moved to Benton Township, this county, where she died; Sarah married Henry Bow- man 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. 326 BIOGEAPHICAL 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 Ber- wick, Penn.; James, who died when a young man; George B. and Blisha B. The old homestead of 130 acres is still owned by the Brown heirs, and has been in the family name for ninety-three years. The early Browns and their descendants were members of the Methodist Church, and were among the principal founders of the early Methodist congre- gation at Mifflinville. Only one of the fourth generation still resides at Mifflinville, Mar- garet Creasy; two more of that generation are living: George B., in Danville and Eliza- beth Thompson in Berwick. William N. Brown (fattier of JT C.) was twice married, and ty his first wife, Nancy Freas, five 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 the family lot near Mifflinville. He had retired from farming in 1870 and built ahousein Mifflinville, where he died and where his widow still resides. PETER BRUGLBR, 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, whg came to this county, and settled at Limestone about 1790. He subsequently moved to Jerseytown, and thence to Hemlock Township, where hepur- •chased 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 in the Columbia graveyard. Hemlock Township. He was of Dutch and his wife of En- glish descent. John Brugler, the father of our subject, was born in this county, married Mary A. Kinney, a native of Kew 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 Rosemont Cemetery. Our subject lived on the old homestead which was owned by himself and his brother, Elisha, until 1873, 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 Church, and has officiated as church steward for several years. He married, July 16, 1862, Sue Billig, who was born February 18, 1843, a daughter of Daniel and Martha (Talbert) Billig. They have had five children: Anna May, Lizzie J. (deceased), John (deceased), Elmer and Martha. DANIEL BRYFOGLE, farmer, P. 0. 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 Qerjnaiiy. 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. Bryf ogle'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 1863; Jacob J., Iiorn in 1858, died in October, 1862; Winthrope, born in 1863; EUanora Viola and Ellen Bstella (twins), born August 13, 1866 (Ellen died at the age of one year); Stanley Grant, born August 4, 1869; Philip F., born September 35, 1874, died April 3, 1876. Mrs. Emma J. (Gould) Bryfogle was born November 18, 1833, 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 settlers of Plymouth. The grandmother of Mrs. Bryfogle was a Lamareau, and married a Davenport. During the Indian wars, while her husband was with the army, she was left alone at Plymouth, and in order to escape from the Indians took a boat and, with her children and goods, rowed the whole distance to Port Deposit, where she arrived safely. Mrs. Bryfogle' s father, John Gould, died September 37, 1883, and is buried in Beech Grove graveyard, Salem Township, Luzerne County. His widow now resides with our subject. On their farm in Bloomsburg, Mr. Gould donated land for the Christian Church. This ftirm of ninety-three acres was willed to Mrs. Bryfogle by her father, but later she sold it to a brother, who now owns it. On her mother's side she is of French ■and German descent, while the Davenports were among the earliest settlers of this coun- try. 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 militia and was highly honored and respected. The father of Ziba, named Stephen, owned a large portion of the land where Ithaca now stands. CHARLES R. BUCKALEW was born in Fishinecreek Township, Columbia Co., Penn., December 38,. 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. BLOOMSBUBG. 327 He settled at Bloomsburg December, 1844, was appointed prosecuting attorney for Colum- bia County 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. Buclialew was chosen presidential elector in 1856 at the head of the Democratic electoral ticket for the State; 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, Mon- tour, Northumberland and Snyder. The following winter he was appointed one of the commissioners to revise the penal code of the State, which position and the office of sen- ator 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, 1863, 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 Con- vention 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 8, 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 1873 Mr. Buckalew published a volume upon "Proportional Represen- tation," edited by Col. Freeze; in 1877 he contributed an article upon the same subject to Johnson's Cyclopaedia, and in 1883 gave to the public an elaborate work upon the Con- stitution of Pennsylvania. R. C. BUCKALEW, liveryman, Bloomsburg, was born in Cambria, Luzerne County, 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 P, Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and participated in many engagements; was through the Seven Days' fight, second Bull Run, Harper's Perry 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 New Tork City where he was engaged by Dufais & Walter, cotton brokers, one of the most prominent firms In that business in New York. There he acted as shipping clerk and cotton sampler, for which office he was licensed by the New 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, a^ed respectively four and two years. AMOS BUCKALEW, liveryman, Bloomsburg, was bom in Cambria, Luzerne Co., Penn., October 11, 1837, a son of John and Rachel (Creveling) Buckalew. He was reared on a farm, educated'ln the schools of the vicinity, and remained at home until twenty-five 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 tha Delaware, Lackawana & Western Railroad. ROBERT McRBYNOLDS BUCKINGHAM, Bloomsburg, deputy United States reve- nue collector for the Eighth Division of the Twelfth Pennsylvania District, including tile 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 grand- father, John McReynolds of Hemlock Township, this county, and completed his educa- tion 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, Lu- zerne County. He then accepted the position of principal of Room No. 3, of the graded 8™ool 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 3, 1879, was admitted to the bar at that place. In 1883 he was elected chairman of the Columbia County Democratic Standing Committee, and *^'^ed one year. In 1883 he was elected district attorney, serving until September 1, 1885, When he resigned to accept hia present oflScial position. Since his majority Mr. Bucking- 20 328 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: ham has been an active participant in the politics of the vicinity, and an earnest worker in the interest of the Democratic party. MICHAEL CASEY was born April 10, 1815, in the parish of Effln, County Lim- erick, Ireland, and came to the United Stales in the spring of 1836, landing in New York. He settled in Catawissa, Columbia County, and finally came to Bloomsburg in 1842. His parents were Patrick and Ellen (Clarey) Casey. Mrs. Michael Casey, a daughter of John and Margaret (Griffith) Boice, was born November 16, 1818, in Berks County, Penn., died June 30, 1878. Her grandfather was Abraham Boice, a native of Berks County, and a Revolutionary soldier and pensioner. He died in 1838. Her father, John Boice, and his brother, Abraham Boice, served in the war of 1812. 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. Bight 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, 1857; William, born March 25, 1860. All of the above children are now living, and except Margaret, reside at Bloomsburg, this county. JOHN B. C.A«BEY, commissioner's clerk of Columbia County, Bloomsburg, was horn 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 studies by a course at the Crittenden Commercial College at Philadelphia in "1863. Mr. Casey served as deputy sheriff in 1877-78, and has, since 1879, held the office of commis- sioner's clerk, a position he fills with credit. He was married December 29, 1868, to Ma- tilda E. Murphy, and seven children have been born to them: Edward, born June 14, 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 Febru- ary 17, 1883; Henry, born August 24, 1885. In politics Mr. Casey is a Democrat. The family attend the services of the Catholic Church. CASWELL. The Bloomsburg woolen-mill was established in 1882 by S. Alfonso and Edwin C. Caswell, who were reared to the business from their youth. The factory is a brick structure 54x124 feet, three stories high, with a boiler and eni^ine house 26x36 feet, and cost $15,000. It is fitted with fourteen looms and other machinery of the latest im- proved 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 fe- males, and turns out annually $75,000 worth in manufactured goods. They use only XX fine merino wool, buying mostly in the Philadelphia and New York markets. The fac- 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. Prom that time until he was thirty-eight years of age he was employed as overseer at difEerent mills, at times hav- ing fifty or sixty hands under his direction. In 1874 he formed a partnership with hia brother, E. C, and George and William Youngman, and leased the Nippenose mills, in Antes Fort, Lycoming County, which he conducted successfully for eight years. He then came to Bloomsburg in 1882. EDWIN C. CASWELL, partner in the Bloomsburg woolen-mills, was born in the town of Thompson, Windham Co., Conn., July 16, 1838, son of Whipple and Olive H. (Blacknar) Caswell, the former a native of Douglass, Mass., born in 1808 and now re- siding in Bloomsburg; the latter was born in Abington, Conn., in 1812 and died in Antes Port, Penn., in 1881. They had nine children— eight boys and one girl— all of whom are living except the youngest son. The third son, Edwin C., the subject of this sketch, at 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 cassiniere, 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 wool«n goods. After holding sev- BLOOMSBUEG. 329 eral positions as boss weaver in different mills in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and in 1868 in the Johnstown (Penn.), woolen-mills he accepted a position as boss weaver and designer in the large twelve-sett Uxbridge woolen-mills in Uxbridge, Mass., having sev- enty-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 manu- facturing 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 Emma Li. Caswell, the sister, in the management of the weaving department. HENRY J. CLARK, of the firm of Clark & Son, dealers in dry goods, fancy goods, notions, etc., Bloomsburg, was born at Catawissa, November 4, 1839, a son of James and Sarah (Funston) Clark, the former of whom 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, ijrith the exception during that time of 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 probably 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 $35,000 to $30,000 per an- num. 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. CHARLES CONNER was born near Orangeville in 1815, and spent his boyhood davs on the farm with his father. At an early age he began as clerk in the Montour 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 Mon- tour House, in whose employ he was — $1,000 as a reward for her kindness in his delicate health. This was of great benefit to her in her declining years. When a boy he was a clerk in the store of the late Judge Baldy, of Catawissa. He engaged in mercantile business in Bloomsburg, and was subsequently elected register and recoider of Columbia County. Hewas appointed toadeskin the auditor-generaPsofiice at Harrisburg and served for about seventeen years, and 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 El- well and John A. Funston were selected in his will as executors of his estate. The in- ventory amounted to about $35,000; through the accumulation of intefest and premiums on filing the account about one year after, the estate amounted to $43,000. 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 with 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 Protes- tant 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 E 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. GEORGE W. CORELL, retired, JBloomsburg, was born in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, July 4, 1824, to John George and Susannah (Shock) Corel!. The father was born in Northampton County and reared to farm life. He was twice married; first to Miss Beck, who died leaving one child, Elizabeth, who married George Winner of Columbia County, and died in 1888; his second marriage was with Miss Susannah Shock, who bore him twelve children, eight of whom 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 Sny- der, in Lower Mount" Bethel Township, Northampton County; George W., our subject, Margaret Ann, wife of Jacob Darhone, in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County; Susan, widow of Robert Dunbar of Lebanon, Penn., and Henry, who resides in Uppublic, Seneca Co., Ohio. The deceased are Catharine, Samuel and two infants S30 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: ■who 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 Eeformed 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. He 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 car- pentering, 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 organ- ized, in which Mr. Corell bought stock, and since that time the business of the concern has increased to about $100,000 per annum. August 8, 1883, he and his step-son, Lloyd, pur- chased a drug store in Hughsville, which is conducted by his step-son, under the firm name of Corell & White. Mr. Corell also owns forty acres of land left in Hemlock Township, after selling eleven acres in 1885; also eighty- three acres in Northampton County. The latter he rents, but the former is supervised by Mr. Corell. He married in Northampton County, in 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 Rose- mont Cemetery, Bloomsburg. By that marriage there were ten children, four of whom 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 Bloomsburg, succeeding their father); Mary, wife of Frank C. Casper, who lives at Pittston, where he conducts a job printing office; Isabel, wife of N. M. Hartman of Nanticoke, proprie- tor of The Sun (newspaper) office at that place; Albert Henry, who has a job office in Bloomsburg, and Edwin, who is employed by William Erickbaum. Mr. Corell married, February 38, 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 mep- tioned, at Hughsville. Mr. and Mrs. Corell are members of the Methodist Church, as is 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 class-leader for twenty-five years. He was a member of the borough council two terms; was school director of the township before it became a borough, and was tax collector of the borough one year. He is manager and treasurer of the Farmers Exchange, which 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 farm business, when a young man went to Michigan, and has lived nearly ever since in the vicinity of his present home, St. Joseph Co., Mich., where he owns some 300 acres of land. Our sub- ject lived with his father on the farm until he was fifteen years of age, when he became a clerk with I. W. Pursel & Co., Schoolcraft, Mich., with whom he was engaged four years. The following two years he spent in the store of his uncle, Joseph Cathcart, at Clarinda, Iowa, and the next two years at Constantine, Mich., in the store of Briggs & Davis; was then engaged one year with C. H. Gainsley 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 postofflce, and subsequentlyjbuilt the block he now occu- pies, on Second Street. Mr. Dentler married in 1873 Mary Pursel, daughter of Sylves- 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 Nor- mal 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 pres- ent greenhouses and, besides general farming, was extensively engaged in market gar- dening. From the age of sixteen our subject became interested in the raising and selling of vegetables, for which he had a special liking. At twenty-one he became a partner 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 severe 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 30x60 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 com- menced, J. L. Dillon had less than $150 capital, part of which he expended for lumber. BLOOMSBURG. 331 and during mornings, evenings and odd spells, lie ripped and worked by hand all the sash bars, planed and painted all the lumber and did the greater part of the work of build- ing the greenhouse himself. The demand for lettuce not meeting his expectations, Mr. Dillon began giving his attention to the raising of flowers. The partnership with 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 bought in 1879 nearly 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 tem- perature during the coldest weather. The furnace and boilers are fitted with an automatic attachment that may be set or gauged to furnish a certain amount of heat, and re- quires no further attention for ten or twelve hours at a time. It is one of the first green- houses in the country successfully heated by steam. The water supply is from an arte- sian well on the premises, sunk to a depth of 150 feet through the solid rock. (The wind- mill 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 off of 1,610 square feet 185,000 carnations, realizing from them alone in one crop enough to pay for the entire cost of the greeenhouse and heating apparatus. The establishment cul- tivates every variety of flowering plants, but makes a specialty of roses, verbenas and cut flowers. Mr. Dillon also ships large quantities of loose flowers to nearly all the large cit- ies of the country. It is one of the important industries of Bloomsburg and has grown steadily from its start in 1875 with an annual sale of $513, to the year ending July 1, 1886, when the annual sales amounted to $4,500. Mr. Dillon was married in May, 1873, 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, 1883, and died April 8, 1883; 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. EDWABD RODMAN DRINKER, manager of the Bloomsburg Iron Company. Bloomsburg, was born near Clifton postoflBce, 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 flrst white child 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 their 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 35,000 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 Richard 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, who came to this country about the time of the French revolution; while on the ocean the ship was captured with all on hoard, and Mr. Wragg was detained a prisoner on shipboard a long time. Later he set- tled 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 offices, and was a member of the council for five years; is a member of tiiu Episcopal Church; he is a F. & A. M. He was married to Martha Mendenhall in 1859, and they have three chil- dren: Edward W., Richard C. and Lydia W. In 1863 Mr. Drinker enlisted as an emergen- cy 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 Dkinker, brother of the above, was born in Luzerne, now Lacka- wanna, County, November 16, 1833. He became identified with the Bloomsburg Iron Com- 332 BIOGEAPHIOAL SKETCHES: party in 1848-50, as bookkeeper, and has acted in that capacity up to the present time, with the exception of a few intervals. He was a memberof the Anderson Cavalry, acavalry or- ganization 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 cavalry. By them he was stripped of his uniform and accoutrements, and then paroled 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 ex- change. He was finally discharged on account of sickness, when he returned home. Sub- sequently he enlisted again, and was at the battle of Gettysburg and in other engage- ments. He married in 1864 Miss Mary Chamberlain, who has borne him the following named children: Martha C, William W., Margaret, and Francis P., Jr. GEORGE EDWARD ELWELL, attorney at law, and one of the proprietors of the Columbian, Bloomsburg, is a native of Towanda, Bradford Co., Penn., born in October, 1848, a son of Judge William Elwell of Bloomsburg. He was educated primarily in the 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; became 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 thev 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. Elwell has conducted his law prac- tice alone. Our subject married in October, 1876, Miss Mary A., daughter of I. W. McKelvy. Mr. Elwell 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 judgeof the Twenty-sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, resident in Bloomsburg for the last twenty-four years, was born at Athens, in Bradford County, on the 9th of October, 1808. His father, Dan Elwell, was a native 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 aJEorded. 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. Pren- tice 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 their 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 ■ came into the hands of the father of Judge Elwell. It was the perusal of these, together 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 Method- ist 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 1827, having previously acquired a knowledge of surveying, he was employed with the corps of engineers under Chief Engineer John Randall, en- gaged under the 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 lijjg 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 office 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, undei' the administration of Chan- cellor 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. BLOOMSBUEG. 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 Thaddeus 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 with 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 im- prisonment 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 13th 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 de- pressed 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 the miners as umpire to decide between them. He heard the parties for two days and rendered his decision in writing which was acquiesced in by both sides. The strike was ended. Work 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 1873 he was re-elected. In 1874 Columbia and Montour Counties were made a separate district, of which he was continued the judge. In 1883 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 de- cisions, 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 Or- phans' Court but three decrees have beeij either reversed or modified. Among the cases tried before the judge are some of the most celebrated of the time, to wit: The Williams- port bond case, amount involved more than half a million of dollars; the city of Phila- delphia against Fisher, involving title to 13.000 acres of land; the Cameron will case; the trial and conviction of three MoUie Maguires for murder, whose execution, in connection with convictions in other counties, broke up the most desperate gang of mur- derers and outlaws that ever existed in this country. 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 1833 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 Sheboy- gan, 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 atTowanda; George E., attorney at law, editor and co-proprietor of the Columbian news- paper establishment; Mary L., married to N. U. Funk, attorney at law, and Charles P., stiident. 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 ijooks 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 United States, and claims that he has voted seven times for the candidate that was elected. Although a Democrat of decided con- victions, it has never been charged that his politics have in any manner influenced his judgment or decision in judicial proceedings. HON. PETER BNT (deceased) was born in Roaringcreek Township, this county, February 11, 1811, a son of Charles and Elizabeth Ent. He was a carpenter and con- tractor, and diiring the later years of his life carried on mercantile business and also 334 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: iron furnace at Light Street. He was a prominent Democrat, one of the county commis- sioners, when 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 1858-57, and was a delegate to the Democratic Convention at Charleston, in 1860. He died in 1876, at Light Street. UZAL H. BISTT, bookkeeper, Bloomsburg, a son of the Hon. Peter Ent, was born January 13, 18S8. 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 Com- pany H, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer itilitia and served about six weeks; was under fire at Hagerstown, Md., while following up Lee's army on its retreat to 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 years, and is now employed as bookkeeper in Krug's planing-mill. Mr. Ent was married June 10, 1863, to Helen M. Martz of Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn. They have six chil- dren: Alonzo M., Ramsay M., Oscar W., Nellie M., Jessie B. and Minnie E. Mr. Ent is a member of Oriental Lodge, 364, F. & A. M. of Orangeville, and also of the 6. 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 tlie law university of Albany, N. Y., May 35, 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; wa» 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 commis- sioned as captain of Company A., Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves. He was subsequently promoted to the following ofiSces in his regiment : After Antietam as major, September 21, 1863; 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 28, 1863; as brigadier-general United States Volunteers, March 13, 1865, for gallant conduct at the battle of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania Court House, Bethesda Church, Va. ; he served in the Third Brigade, McCall's Division Pennsylvania Reserves, September 16, 1861; reconnoitered beyond Dranesville, October 19-31, and Dranesville, December 30; with the Second Brigade, Second Division, First Corps, Army of the Potomac, 1862; advance on Manassas, March 10, 1863; advance on Falmouth, May 3; ordered to Peninsula June 13; with Third Brigade, Seymour's Division, Fifth Corp, guarding supplies at Tunstall's Station, and White House, June 14r-39; transferred to First Brigade, July 4; ordered to reinforce, the Army of Virginia with the First Brigade, Third Division, First Corps, in August; Gainesville, August 38; Graveston, August 39; Bull Run, August 30; South Mountain, Md., September 14; Antietam, 16-17; in command of regiment at Fredericksburg, De- cember 11-15; Burnsides Second Campaign, January 80 and 34, 1863; with Twenty- second Corps in defense of Washington, February 7 to June 35, and with First Brigade, Third Division of Fifth Corps, June 38; Gettysburg. July 3-4; Bristow's Station, Va., October 14; New Hope Church, November 26; Wine Run, November ^36-30; Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 8-13. In command Third Brigade; Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania'Court House, May 13-20; Hanover, May 23, 26; North Anna, May 24-27; Bethesda Church, May 30 (wounded). He surveyed and 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 war- horse, ' ' Billy " (which died September 15, 1884, at the age of 29 years and 6 months), had a portion of his 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 outflanked 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 re- sulted 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- BLOOMSBUEG. 335 vania, but with Ms party was defeated. In 1869 he was elected prothonotary of Colum- bia County, and served creditably until his death. February 22, 1863, he wrote to Capt. C. H. Potter Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Hertzleman's corps as follows: "Sir — I have the honor to represent that I have been in the Prince Street Hospital, Alexandria, Va. , since 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 medical treatment. Most respectfully your obedient servant, Wellington H. Ent, Major Sixth Regiment, P. R. N. C." His mother, Mrs. Sarah Ent, had five sons, all of whom she gave to the rescue of their country, only one surviving, suffering from, bronchitis contracted in the army. In this work appears an elegant portrait of our sub- ject, placed there by his estimable widow. He was a worthy A. F. & A. M. ; was knighted April 19, 1864. At a regular conclave of Crusade Commandery No. 12, K. T., held at their Asylum December 31, 1871, Sir Knights D. A. Beckley, J. B. Robison and C. F. Knapp presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted. Whereas, Providence has seen fit to remove, by death from our Asylum our late eBteemed Sir Knigh t Wellington H. £nt, and although no word or deed of ours can now avail our brother who has been called to appear where the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone can secure everlasting life, yet in respect for the memory of one who was zealous in the advancement of the interests of our order, we do resolve: That in the humble submission of God's will we deplore the loss of a worthy officer of our Commandery, and a beloved member of our Older. Haolvtd^ That in this dispensation of our Creator, while we commit to His merciful hands, thedisem* bodied spirit of our brother with hope that he may have joined, in the precious blood of our Savior, an entrance into the blessed regions ot light and lite eternal, yet we remember that as Knights Templars we are again ad- monished that in the midst of life we are in death, and that it is our duty ever to persevere in the path of honor, truth and integrity. Raoleedf That to the family of the deceased we tender our deep sympathy, in their bereavement, and may the God of the widow and the orphan give them strength to bear up under the trials which their loss may occasion. SegoJved^ That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the widow, and another to the newspapers for publication. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and the seal of this Commandery to be affixed at Bloomsburg, Pa., this 22d day of December, 1871. Thomas E. Geddis. BUDOLH H. KiHGLE. JoHH Thomas. C. F. Khapp, BecordT. FREDERICK CHRISTIAN EYER, merchant, Bloomsburg, was born Septem- ber 15, 1830, In Dutchess County, N. Y. His father. Rev. William J. Eyer, was born January 4, 1803, in Lebanon County, Penn., and came to Columbia County when thirty- four years of age, and in 1838, settled with his wife, Charlotte (Havemeyer) Eyer, at Cat- awissa. They were married May 7,1829, and their children were as follows: Frederick C, born September 15, 1830; Susannah C, born August 18, 1884; Catherine, born January 23, 1838; William, born December 7, 1843; Mary, born November 8, 1840, and Luther, born March 12, 1846. The father was a Lutheran minister and graduated in New York City, where he remained for a long time under the instruction of the Rev. Geisenhammer. In 1838 he took charge of the Lutheran congregation at Catawisaa, Bloomsburg and Roaring- oreek, and acted as their minister until his death, February 9, 1874. He was much loved for his many Christian and kindly characteristics, and was highly respected by all denom- inations. His wife died February 2, 1876, and they are buried side by side in the ceme- tery at Catawissa. Before taking the above charges he had preached for the congregation at Khinebeck, N. Y., for several years, and there his two eldest children'were born. Our 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 conducted six years. In 1861 he came to Bloomsburg and kept store two or three years; thence moved to Ashland, where be was interested in flour-mills. In 1872 he was appointed steward at the State Hospital for the insane at Danville, and held that position ten years. He returned to Bloomsburg in 1882 and since has been interested in the clothing business under the firm name of Evans & Eyer. Mr. Eyer married in 1861 Emma, of Catawissa, daughter of Reuben Lins. They had four children: Charlotte, died at the age of twelve years; War- ren H., Mary S. and Edward A. ' Mr. Eyer is a Democrat and served as a member of the town council two terms; is also a member of the Lutheran Church. JAMBS K. EYER, merchant, Bloomsburg, was born in Madison Township, a son of Philip P. Eyer, who was a son of Ludwig Eyer. Ludwig was a dyer by trade and owned the land and laid out the town of Oyertown, 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 Re- formed Churches were built; his son, Jacob, donated the land for the present Lutheran Church on Market Street. Philip P. Ever 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, difed at Bloomsburg and she and her husband are both buried in Rosemont Cemetery. They had ten children— five sons: James K., John A., Andrew J., F. Philip and Jacob (all deceased except J. K. and F. P.), 336 BIOGBAPHIOAL SKETCHES : and five daughters: Sarali A., married D. Wilson; Rebecca, married Dr. Willits; Catha- rine, married William Pursel; Mary, died single, and Martha, wife of Amos Ohle. James K. Eyer was reared on a farm and in 1863 or 1863 came to Bloomsburg; in 1844 he married Blmira Hollinshead of Catawissa. Mr. Eyer has the following named children, living: John Wesley, Harriet E., wife of Mr. Noyer, andS. 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 PETTERMAN, retired, Bloomsburg, was born in what is now Locust Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 30, 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 Fetter- man now lives (the tract then consisted of 340 acres), and erected the buildings now occu- pied 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 Hainer. 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, Schuylltill County, and worked at the stone mason's trade, which he learned from his father. Tiiree months later, accompanied with otliers, he went to Phoenixville, and engaged in mason work on culverts. He then worked 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 fur- nace 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 Dan- . ville and superintended the building of the Grove furnace in that city. He then con- tracted to build canal bridges in the Pennsylvania Canal, which engaged his attention until Ihe following spring. He then went to Danville and engaged in the construction of the furnaces which now belong to the Reading Railroad. In 18l3 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 superin- tended them until 1881. In 1883 he was elected county commissioner of Columbia Coun- ty, which position he held for three years. Since then he may be said to have withdrawn from active labor, although he has superintended farming on a piece of land on the out- skirts of Bloomsburg. He married in this county, August 25, 1844, Miss Rebecca Miller, of Columbia County, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Mo^stellar) Miller. Her parents came from Northampton County to Columbia County, and in Mifilin Township her father followed farming until about ten years before his death, when he removed to Mit- fllnville and led a retired life. He died in August, 1860, his wife 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 live months, and Frances M. died August 13, 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 inter- ested in the company, owning and operating the lime quarries in Centre Township. COL. JOHN G. FREEZE, attorney at law, Bloomsburg, is a native of Lycoming County, Penn., born November 4, 1835, a son of James and Frances (Gosse) Freeze. The Freezes were 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 busi- ness 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 classi- cal 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 1868 to 1869, and was a member of the constitutional convention in 1873, but resigned in favor of Hon. C. R. Buckalew. Our subject is generally known as Col. Freeze, a title he acquired through being appointed to Gen. Bigler's staff, on which he served with rank of lieutenant- colonel. 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 w. BLOOMSBUEG. 337 Doebler," "Longenbergere*. McReynolds," ejectments began in 1863 and continued in one place or another until 1885; was also engaged in the defense of the " Molly Maguire " cases, "Commonwealth va. Patrick Hester and others." Col. Freeze was married in 1854 to Margaret Walker of Lancaster County, Penu., a daughter of Robert Walker of Lancas- ter. Our subject and wife had a family of five children (all now deceased). They are 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 12mo. volume of upward of 300 pages. ANDREW L. FRITZ, attorney at law, Bloomsburg, was born on the old homestead in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia Co., Penn., August 30, 1850. His great-grandfather, 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 leaching 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 study 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 sherifE 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 sec- retaiy of the town council of Bloomsburgf or nearly three years successively, when he re- signed, and was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1884, where 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 taxa- ation. But the bill failed to pass. Mr. Fritz was renominated in 1886 without opposition, and was elected by a large majority. At this session he is also actingon the judiciary 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. REV. HENRY FUNK was born near Hagerstown, Md., May 7, 1816. He was bap- tized in infancy and confirmed in youth as a member of the Reformed Church. At an ■early period of his life he felt his heart drawn toward the holy ministry, and in order to prepare himself for the holy ofiice, he entered Marshall College at Mercersburg in the eighteenth year of his age. 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 absence of the regular pastor. In the fall of 1844 Mr. Punk was called as assistant 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. Kieflfer and Rev. H. Harbaugh, a committee of the Susquehanna Classis. 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. TJ. 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 reposein 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 every 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 his ministry and that of his worthy colleague. Much of the fruit of his labors has only 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- 338 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES : tie and humble, warm and true in his friendships, childlike and sincere in his devotion to God and the church. Though he passed early from earth there are many who cherish pleasant recollections of his beautiful life, and all who know him feel assured that he is safely at home among the " Saints in Light." JOHN ALBERT FUNSTON was born February 9, 1830, in Madison Township, this county, 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 Han- nah, 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 first 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 busi- ness was successfully continued there and in Jerseytown by himself and sons for many years. John Funston died December 6, 1844, on one of his farms near Jerseytown at the advanced age of ninety-two years, closely identified with the church and after having lived a respected and useful life, having held the oflBce of justice of the peace and many positions of trust and honor in his locality. His wife, formerly Mary Aten, died Novem- bor 33, 1838, aged seventy -five years, the mother of ten children: Henry, who married Sarah Thomas; Jesse, who maiTied a Miss Strawbridge; Thomas A., married Hannah Schooley; Nicholas, a bachelor; Rachel, married John Richart; Mary, married Jesse Bar- ber; 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 lite at the advanced ase of eighty-six years, and Rachel Updegraph, the. widow of James 0. 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 offices with credit and two terms in the State Legislature, by whose enactments 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 sur- vive him his widow, who died in 1879 aged seventy-nine years, both being interred at Jerseytown. They were blessed with ten children: John A., Andrew Schooley, now of Colfax, Wash. Ter., married to Sarah A. Eyer; Mary Jane, married to Nehemiah Welliver; Martha A., married to Jacob Dieffenbach; Sarah, who died when a young lady; Catharine H., of Blonmsburg, widow of Rev. Henry Wilson; Elizabeth M., died 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 Mifflinburg Academy, Union Co., Penn., kept by Prof. James McClure. He re; mained at home engaged in his father's interests until twenty-five years of age, teachings school during the winter months. He then took the responsibility of making his own way through life, doing so with remarkably small capital, save industry, perseverance and a determination to succeed by deserving it. On solicitation he accepted, temporarily, a position in the Irondale Company store near Bloomsburg, Penn., in the year 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, accept- ed, Mr. Funston taking charge of the business September 16, 184S. 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 ac- count of failing health, in consequence of close application for eight years, the business was disposed of to Conrad Kreamer, Mr. Funston retaining a private interest of one-third, and retiring to spend a few more years in collecting and securing outstanding debts 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 Barber homestead, a rich tract of about 300 acres on the east branch of the ChillisriuaquerCreek, which land he has leased to tenants for thirty years, three of whom realized a sufficient amount to enable them to purchase farms for themselves, one costing over $5 000. This tract was originally taken up by Joseph Galloway of the province of Maryland in 1769, who conveyed to Will- iam Patterson of Northumberland County, Penn., October 39, 1773, 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 Barber'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 Wintersteen. The old log house and part of the barn built 115 years ago, have until very recently been used, and only torn awav 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 town and Bloomsburg, finally selling his store property to William Kreamer in 1865, and his residence in Jerseytown to Dr. Thomas J. Swisher in 1867. In the same year he re- moved,.to Bloomsburg and erected his present dwelling at Fifth and Marliet Streets, where he has resided since 1868. In the year 1868 attention was directed to the high rate of road and poor taxes for the township of Bloom, Bloomsburg being within this township 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 prevailing, preferred to live on the community rather than work. Seeing the demoraliz- ing effects of this high rate of taxation and the accumulating debt, Mr. Funston 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 by leading citizens. The necessary enactment was passed bj' 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. Tlie 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 re- duced 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 Company, a flourishing banking institution organized in 1871 with a capital stock of $50,000, taken by fifty stockholders, and of which iastitution 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 car- ried. He took a very active interest in various improvements of the town of Bloomsburg 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 agricult- ural works and vice-president of the Bloomsburg Steam, Heat and Electric Light Company. He was married January 33, 1850, to Almira Melick of Light Street, Penn. He has three children: Sara M., married to Paul E. Wirt, attorney at law and inventor of the now widely known Paul B. 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 Hazle- ton, Mauch Chunk & Pittston Oil Company; Charles W., remains with his parents and is en- gaged 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. Fun- ston a number of old papers and memoranda which had been in possession of his grand- father, 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 Jerseytown 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 sev- eral 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. PETER GROSS, beer bottler, Bloomsburg, was born in Sawarton, Rawnfolz, Ba- varia, 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 Dan- ville 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 Blooms- burg 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 affairs of the county. JOHN K. GROTZ, one 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 comer of Iron and Second Streets, built by his father, Abraham Grotz, in 1806. He began to learn the harness-maker's trade in September, 1836, and in 1833 opened a shop at the 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 frame 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 340 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: time, as follows: A log 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 Pry; 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 southwest corner of Second and Iron Streets, occupied by Abraham Qrotz, still standing; a house occupied by Christopher Kahler, on the lot east of Central House; a frame one-half story, where Hendershott's drug store now Is, occupied by John Chamberlain; a log house opposite the Kahler House, owned by John Hagenbuch; a one-story frame storeroom, opposite the southwest corner of Second Street, kept by Philip Mehrrling, afterward by William Mc- Kelvy, Cyrus Barton and B. H. Biggs, respectively. The last named tore down tlie 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 two-story 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 Hopklnsville ; an Episcopal minister named Hopkins owned the land and laid out a number of lots, and thus gave the place its local name. The Epis- copal Church, a frame building, stood on the site of the present Episcopal Church par- sonage; the church building was moved to the lot in the rear of the store on the souih- west 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 Mar- ket 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 it» first teacher was a Mr. Ferguson. The town as originrfly laid out by Eyer was from Iron to West Streets. John K. Grotz was one of the original stockholders and directors of the 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 vears. 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 Kuhm. 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 IJniontown, where he and his wife both died. T. L. GUNTON, proprietor of the marble works, Bloomsburg, is a native of Plains- ville, 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 allev, 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 occu- pied 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 37, 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 materials. He was married September 33, 1885, to Amanda Gunton (of no blood relation- 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. HENRY 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 Ai-tillery, 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 over- seer in the carding, spinning and weaving department in Larry's Creek woolen-mill, in BLOOMSBUEG. 341 Lycoming County. In the above position he 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 Bloomsburg, on the formation of the present partnership in 188a. Mr. Halfpenny gives his special at- tention to overseeing the carding and spinning department, in connection with his other interests attached to the business. He was married October 1, 1866, to Carrie D. Deckard, of Mifllinburg, 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, throueih its various branches, in the manufacture of woolen goods. The grandfather of Henry C. Halfpenny immigi-ated to the United States previous to 1800, and settled in the neighborhood of Munoy, Penn. Four of his children learned their trade as manufacturers of woolen goods with Samuel Rogers, of Munoy, 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, 1813, and is a son of Thomas and Sophia (Leidenberg) Hartman. He has been a resident of Bloomsburg for flf ty-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. Hartman had two children: Henry H., who died aged two years, and Oelestia, who married O. T. Wilson (she was born February 7, 1838, died in June, 1881, and is buried in Rosemont Cemetery; she left five children: Lilly H., Prank 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 twenty- five years. In politics he is a Republican. HENRY 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 Bristol, Bucks Co., Penn., and paid for his passage to this country after his arrival. He was a tanner by trade, and later settled half-way between Bloomsburg and Berwick pre- vious 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 pres- ence of the savages in time to escape with her infant child, and was overtaken by her hus- band 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 repute. He and his pioneer wife are both buried in the old Quaker graveyard at Cata- wissa. Here he was probably married, his wife's maiden name being Frances Reamy. He owned about 800 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 greaterpart of his life was a farmer in Montour Township, this county. He was an old line Wnig in politics; and attended the Methodist Church. His children were as follows: Charles, Ben- jamin F., Jane, Wellington, William, Daniel. Henry C. and Isaiah W. Henry C, a grand- son of the first settler, was reared on the farm, and when young learned the chairmak- ing 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 car- pets, oil cloths, etc. August 8, 1862, he was mustered in Company B, One Hundred and 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, 1848, engaged as a clerk with Eyer & Heffly, of Blooms- burg, 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 342 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: subject bought his brother's interest, and conducted the enterprise alone until August, 1882. He then took in his son, Edwin V., as a partner, and the firm is linown as I. W. 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 in Bloomsburg. He is a Republican and has served his vicinity in several offices in the council; as school director; was superintendent and treasurer of Rosemont Cemetery twenty -i5ve years. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of which he has been class-leader, steward for twenty-seven years and trustee for many years. He married, February 36, 1850, Mary Melinda Ritter, of Bloomsburg, and they have had six children, four of whom are living: Anna I., Edwin V., Ada M. and Robert E. HARMAN & HASSERT, car -builders, founders and machinists, Bloomsburg. This firm was established in 1875 lay 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 found- ry 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 ex- tent that they were obliged to enlarge their facilities by erecting additional buildmgs, in- creasing 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 up 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. George Hasseht was born in Reichensachsan, Hesse Cassel, Germany, November 5, 1824, a son of George and Elizabeth (Wagner) Hassert. He learned the trade of a mill- wright in his native country, and when twenty 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 in suppressing the rebellion, and was stationed at Carlsruhe. He was wounded by a sabre in the forehead and chin at the storming of Dabbelar Port in Denmark. After leaving the army he immigrated to the United States and located at Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade for four or five years. He came to Bloomsburg in 1856, and worked at his trade until the present business was established. He was married in Philadelphia, February 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 OrangeviUe, 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 Mifflin and afterward at Orange- viUe. He was a tanner by trade for many years, and died at OrangeviUe 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. P. Sharpless, under the name of Sharpless & Harman, which partner- ship continued four years, and, two vears 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. P. and Paul Zahner; Frank Freeze died aged five years, and Howard Feton at the age of three years. The family attend the Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Harm'an is a Republican. G. A. HERRING, farmer, P. O. Bloomsburg, was born in OrangeviUe, Columbia Co., Penn., December 13, 1833, to John and Rachel (Snyder) Herring. His great- 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 Roaring- creek Township; thence to what is now Orange Township, bought land where Henry Mel- ick now resides, and here lived until his death, which occurred in 1838, having been sud- denly stricken with paralysis. He is buried in the OrangeviUe 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 un- til he was married, when he bought a lot in OrangeviUe 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 child. To him and his wife nine children were born,' six of whom are living: C. D., in Wilkesbarre; George A., our subject; Priscilla, wife of John S. Neyharl, in WUkesbarre; A. B., in Owensville; Calvin, in OrangeviUe, and E. R. in Kankakee, lU. (the last two named are twins). The deceased are Rebecca, wife of Henry J. Knorr, and an infant un- named. John Herring is stiU a resident of OrangeviUe, but his wife died May 11, 1882. IILOOMSBUEG. 34.'{ She was n merabor of the Luiheran Church. He is a inembur of the Oormnn Reformed Church. Our subject was reared in Orangeville until the (ige of eighteen years, when he began to learn the molder's trade, He then came to Uloomsburg and for three years worked at his trade for Lewis Moss and also for Joseph Bharplesa. He then went into partnership with his uncle, John Snyder, then sheriff of the county, and together they conducted the Exchange 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-buililing at Lime Ridge with a brother, C. D., tor three years and for the ne.\t two years carried on the same business alone. He 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; theuce he removed to Bloomsbiirg in April, 1876, and there carried on the tanning business until 1881. In 1879 he bought a farm of 130 acres in Mount Pleasant Township, and, since giv- ing up the tanning business, has farmed. He married, at Lime Ridge, May 9, 1861, Miss M. A. Hess, a native of MifHinville. Columbia County, and a daughter pf Daniel and Pris' cilia (Yobe) Hess. Both her parents were natives of that township, but the Yobes were originally from Berks County, where Mrs. Herring's grandparents were early settlers. Her father died July 39, 1850, and her mother October 34, 1880; both are buried in Mlfflin- ville Cemetery. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Flerring, three of whom are liv- ing: Grant Stanley, married to Emma Jones (resides in Bloomsburg; he is a graduate of Lafayette College, of the rlass of 1888); 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 attendiuif the Lafayette College. The deceased are Florence Ger- trude, who died at the age of three months, and an infant unnamed. Mrs. Herring is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Herring was county treasurer of Schuylkill (jounty two years and was president and superintendent of the water company at Shenandoah six years, and also superintendent of the gas company at that place; served in the town coun- cil six years; was treasurer of the savings fund for a like period, director of the Shenan- doah Valley Bank six years, and treasurer of ttie Miners' Hospital fund at Shenandoah, one year. He has been elected to the position of town council, president of Bloomsburg four terms, and was assistant county treasurer of Columbia County six years. 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 passed all the chairs in the former lodge and was Past Grand Mas- ter a number of years; also held a number of offices in the latter lodge. He was one of the charter members of the Shenandoah Lodge, I. O. O. F. GRANT STANLEY HERRING, attorney at law, Bloomsburs, is a native of Centre- ville, Columbia Co., Penn., born May 19. 1863. He is a son of George A. Herring, who was formerly county treasurer of Schuylkill County, Penn., where he resided, but is now a resident of Bloomsburg. Our subject obtained 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 ad- mitted 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 born atWapwallopen, Luzerne County, February 33, 1833, to Jeremiah and Mary (Penstermacher) Hess. The father was born in Easton, Penn., and came from thereto Luzerne County with bis parents, when a boy. He bought a mill property at Wapwallopcn, and operated it about eight or nine years; theo 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 lite. He was twice mar- ried; first to Mary Fenstermacher, who bore him ten children, eight of whom are living' Philip, nearPairmount Springs, Luzerne County; J. M., our subject; Nathan, in New Col- umbus, Luzerne County; Aaron W.. in MIfflinville; Reuben, in "Town of Bloomsburg; 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 Reubem Hill, inDixon, Lee County, 111. The deceased are Susan, wife of John Penstermacher, andi 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 par- ents moved to Salem 'Townsliip, and there he v, as reared to farm life. He made his borne' with his parents until his nineteenth year when he went to learn the blacksmith's tradie' with Charles Hagenbuch of Centre Township; but aftnr nine months ho abandoned the trade and went to Salem Township where he married. He then moved to Orange Town- ship and commenced farming on his own account, renting his father inlaw'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 36. 1848, Miss Maria Pohe, a native of Mifflin Township, and a daughter of Joseph and Polly (Wolf) rohe. The Pohes were early settlers of the county, and here the parents of Mrs. Hess passed their lives. Her father died Septembers, 18^0, in the ninetieth year of his age; his J*™ died in 1833, and both are buried in MifHinville Cemetery, Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hess, four of whom are living: George Wilson, married to Sarah Smith, 87 344 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: and resides on Mr. Hess' farm; Mary Catherine, wife of Frank Cavanee, in Bloomsburg; 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 Fleformed Church, Mrs. Hess of the Lutheran. Mr. Hess is a member of Mountain Lodge No. 364, at Orangeville. He served as supervisor of Orange Township. WILLIAM H. HOUSE, surgeon and dentist, Bloomsburg, was born at Danby, Tomp- kins Co., N. y.. May 17, 1850, a son of Oakley A. and Julia Ann (Payne) House. IBs father was a farmer and is now living at Owego; he was also a veterinary surgeon andfol- lowed 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 iip the study of dentistry with Dr. R. T. Dearborn of Mecklenburg, Schuyler Co., N. YT 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 1, same year, he opened a dental office on his own account, and has been continually in practice up to date. His office is fitted with all the modern appliances requisite to the completeness of a first-class office, and he has grown into a successful practice. Mr. House married, December 25, 1873, Miss Allie Bogart of Spencer, Tioga Co., N. Y., and a daugh- ter 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) Hower. 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 trades, which he followed three years. He was educated at the schools of his vicinity, 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 practice he has been located at Bloomsburg. The Doctor is an adept in the profession, and during the thirty-six years he has been in Bloomsburg he has acquired a large prac- tice. For ten years from 1867 he kept a general store at Bloomsburg and at the same time also was interested in the sale of reapers and sewing-machines which business he con- ducted while holding a large practice in his profession. He married Caroline, daughterof Charles Ent, an old resident of Columbia County, and ten children were born to them, three being dead. The living are W. Ella, married to Moris Mitchell of Camden, N. J.; Emma, wife of John F. Caldwell of Bloomsburg; Rettie, wife of Erastus Conner of Nanti- coke; Cora, wife of A. M. Wintersteen, a dentist at Bloomsburg; Myrtle, Wilbur and Hiram Clarence, at home with their parents. Dr. Hower has the largest practice of any dentist in this section; is frequently called upon at his office to operate for people living in Philadelphia and other portions of this State; as also from 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. DOUGLASS HUGHES is descended from Irish ancestry, who came to the United States from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1793. The first of the family to settle in Colum- bia 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 unmar- ried; 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 18, 1798, and March 31, 1808, respectively, and were married February 1, 1828. George died April 10, 1881, his wife August 23, 1871. They were both members of the Methodist 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, 1835, married Novem ber 27, 1849, Matilda, a daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Fornwald) Baldy of Catawissa; Maberry, born Julv 21, 1838, unmarried; Marshall, born March 28, 1830, married Matilda Klutz, and died May 4, 1862; Ann Eliza, born February 39, 1833, and married Ransloe Boone; Marks Biddle, born July 19, 1834, and died, unmarried, October 14, 1859; Henrietta and Sarah (twins) born March 33, 1840 (the fdrmer married Edward Smith, and the latter Dr. Jacob V astine 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 south- BLOOMSBUEG. 345 east corner of Iron and Second Streets, Bloomsbiirs. and conducted it for seven years. He then bought a farm one mile from town, on the Susquehanna River, where he lived for twenty years. In 1883 he moved to Bloomsburg, bouglit a residence, and in 1884, his present place, which is known as the "Bidleman property." Mrs. Hughes is a member of the Methodist Church, of which her husbnnd is also an attendant. Theyare the par- ents of three children: Clara Augusta, born March 15, 1853, married John Waggenseller of Bloomsburg; Mary A., born June 3, 1854, married Alfred Harman of Catawissa, died in May, 1883, and George Marshall, born September 28, 1858, married Rose Farnsworth of Rupert, this county. ELIJAH R. IKELER, attorney at law, Bloomsburg, was born in Greenwood Town- ship, this county, February 37, 1838, a son of Isaac Ikeler, an old arfd 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 reg- istered as a law student with Col. John G. Freeze in tlie fall of 1864. April 1, 1865, he hecame a regular student in his oflSce, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1867. In 1869 he was elected district attorney and served during the first 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 year when he sold his interest and has since devoted his time exclusively to his profession. He married, March 23, 1863, Miss Helena Armstrong, a daughter of Ephraim Armstrong, of Bloomsburg, and a descendant of the Rittenhouses, of near Philadelphia. They have two children. Prank A. and Fred T., •aged respectively eighteen and sixteen years. The ancestors of the Ikeler family in Colum- bia County were originally Germans and came to America in 17G0. The great-grandfather of our sulDJect 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 the colonial side. He died in New Jersey. His son, Andrew J., was the founder of the 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 dis- tance from New Jersey 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 1812 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, 1886, in the 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 tlie Union during the war of the Rebellion. The father removed with his family to Colum- bia 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 21, 1863, Mr. Jameson enlisted in Company A, Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves; was commis-sioned 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 wUch disability he was appointed acting quartermaster of 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 posi- tion 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 refund- ing of national loans caused by the war' of the Rebellion, involving millions on millions m amounts passed upon, requiring fidelity to the Government and honesty and care in the settlements; and it carUbe truly said of. him, without adulatibn, that' he has always held the eonfidence of those under whom and with whom he has served in any capacity. Reared la the Calvinistic faith by consistent orthodox parents, our subject has had engrafted on ♦As spelled by Capt. Jameson's father; correct spelling, however, is Jameson. 346 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: him pure Christianizing influences. In mature years, however, not being able to subscribe to tiie iron-bound creeds and dogmas as advanced by Calvin, he sought what he 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 (Davis) Kitchen, and Henry was a son of a pioneer, who first settled in this county in 17 — , near Rohrsburg. He was a na- tive 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 died, leaving a family of thirteen children. Many of his descendants are still found in this county. Daniel W. educated at Starkey Seminary, Yates County, N. Y., and when 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 employ for fifteen years. In 1882 he was appointed by the directors of the Farmers Produce Ex- change as their business manager, and assumed charge in January, 1882, in the old build- ing 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 116,000. Shortly after he took charge a grain trade was established, which resulted in a regular frain market. In 1886 the present large three-story structure 73x43, was built at a cost of 7,500. The Exchange has an annual sale of about $80,000, and regularly declares divi- dends from 6i per cent upward. The business carries a general istock and requires the attention of four men, besides occasional outside help. The most of the produce is sold at local points. Mr. Kitchen married,. September 3, 1873, Lizzie J. Warner of Muncy, 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 Good Templar organization. C. A. KLEIM, druggist. Bloomsburg, is a native of Philadelphia, born in 1847, son of Henry and Dorotha (Eicholtz) Kleim, natives respectively of Hesse Cassel and the village of Eisenach, in Saxony, Germany. They came to the United States in 1846, and in 185T to Bloomsburg, where they still reside, and where the father keeps a grocery store on East Street. Our subject obtained his early education in the schools of Philadelphia, and com- pleted his studies at the Bloomsburg Classical School kept by Mr. Henry Carver, He then learned the drug business with Moyer Brothers, serving a three years' apprentice- ship, and soon after, in 187a, bought the present business from B. 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 1873 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 inter- ests 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 city of Besigheim, Wur- temberg, Germany, October 13, 1833, a son of John B. and Sophia Dor£(thea (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, 1881, when, with his wife and six sons, he set out for America, landing at Philadelphia on che 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., alocomotive engineer in Philadelphia; Caro- line D., widow of John Ellis Van Natta, residing in Philadelphia; John G., engagedin iron works in Pottstown, Montgomery County, and Jacob, a farmer near Pottstown, Mont- gomery County. The deceased are John David, Christian 6., 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 city received his education. When a boy he drove a horse on the towpath of the canal, 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 here. After their erection he went into the mines and helped to produce the first ore that 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 assessoi; of this district, and served in that capacity during the adminis- tration of President Lincoln, but was one of the first discharged by Johnson. He then en gaged in the fire insurance business, which he has since followed, and is now the special BLOOMSBUEG. 347 agent and adjuster for the State of Pennsylvania for three companies, a position he has held since 1876. He married in Bloomsburg, October 18, 1846, Miss Maria Elizabeth Van Natta, who was born in Bloomsburg October 18, 1835, a daughter of Peter and Rosina VanNatta. Her parents were natives of Bloomsburg; her grandparents of New Jersey. To Mr. and Mrs. Knapp five children were born (four of whom are living): Caroline Mar- garet, wife of William F. Bodine, of Bloomsburg; Sophia Amelia, wife of Harvey Long, residing atNanticolie; John 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. Robbins, in Bloomsburg. The family are all members of the Epis- copal 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 hel4 the office 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. P. & 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. in 1854, became a Royal Arch Mason in Catawissa Chapter; from which chapter he withdrew and started No. 318, at Bloomsburg, and has been a member of that organization up to date, serving five years as Deputy Grand High Priest. He has been secretary of Mt. Moriah Council, No. 10, R. S. & S. M., from its organization, sei-ved as Grand Master for Pennsyl- vania of that body from 1859 to 1876, a record equaled by no other living man. He became a member of Park Commandery, No. 7, March 6, 1856, and started Crusade Commandery, No. 13, 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. 8. 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 In- spector General of tlie Thirty -second Degree and' active member of the Supreme Council, September 18, 1872; \fas admitted to the order of the Knights of Rome and Red'.Cross, of Constantine, December 7, 1870; Past Grand Sovereign of the Slate of Pennsylvania and Past Grand Master of the United Statesjof America, and received the Order of the Grand Cross, of which there can only be thirty in the Nation. SAMUEL KNORR, attorney, Bloomsbui-g, is a native of what is now Centre Town- ship, 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 the 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 Creeli. Until the age of sixteen our subject remained on his father's farm. He then came to Blooms- burg and attended the high school in the summer and taught school in the winter for two years. He then returned home and remained one year, continuing his studies and teach- mg that winter. In 1856 he became a student in Dicliinson 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 Port 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 pri- vate and first sergeant until October 6, 1861, when he was promoted to the second lieu- tenantcy of the company, in which capacity he served until October 38, 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 Sharps- burg. Disease contracted in the Peninsula campaign, followed by the fatigue and priva- tions of the second Bull Run campaign, caused the sickness on account of which he was discharged. On his return from the service he went west 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 State Militia; was appointed major of the regiment. Six weeks after the regiment was mustered out and returned home. In October, 1863, the Government began organizing colored troops, and Mr. Knorr was commissioned captain of Company A, Nineteenth Regiment, United States colored troops. He was on recruiting service at Baltimore that winter, and joined the Army of the Potomac May 4, 1864. From that date the regi- ment was in a succession of constant engagements until June 17, when it took position in front of Petersburg, and participated in the charge on the rebel works. When the famous mine explosion took place, one-third of the regiment was killed. In December 348 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: they were transferred to Bermuda Hundred, where they repulsed a charge of the rebels. January 1, 1865, they became part of the Army of the James; were on siege duty at Port Steadman; entered Richmond at Lee's surrender; assisted in putting out the fire, and in June, 1865, were sent to the Rio Grande. Mr. Knorr was promoted to major October 5, 1864, and lieutenant-colonel February 37, 1865, and served in that capacity until he re- signed, January 6, 1866, and returlTed home. He at once opened an office at Bloomsburg 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. Knbrr 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. He has been twice married, first in November, 1864, to Emma L. Bttla, of Harrisburg, who died July 15, 1875, the mother of two children now living; Mildred, now seventeen years of age. a student at Vassar College in the sophomore class, and Clifton C. His sec- ond marriage occurred December 24, 1876, with Mary A. Ettla, a sister of his first wife- Mr. Knorr is a member of the Methodist Church. STEPHEN KNORR, blacksmith, Bloomsburg, was born in Milton, Northumberland Co., Penn., in 1837, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Brumheller) Knorr, who settled in Briarcreek Township, this county, about the same year. Jacob followed agricultural pur- suits, 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 black- smith 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 since carried on both. He also conducts a wagon-making business in connection with blacksmithing. He married Minerva, daughter of George Fry, one of the first settlers of Blsomsburg, 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 years, and has held other local offices such as judge of elections, etc. He has resided in 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 Cata- wissa 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, Ben- jamin 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 atMillville Seminary; subsequently two terms 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 da3's 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 ot 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 depu- ty treasurer and as sheriff's clerk. In 1878 he resigned the clerkship to accept the office of prothonotary, to which he had been elected the same year. He served two terms as pro- thonotary, 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 other- wise prominently and influentially identified with the politics of Columbia County. Prob- ably no man ever held public office in Columbia County who worked with a truer regard for the interest of th e taxpayers and its public welfare than did Mr. Krickbaum through his long service to the county as an official. It is proverbial that, in his taking charge of the pro- 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 fig- ure, and remained so during his official occupancy. April 13, 1885, Mr. Krickbaum bought the office and plant of the Democratic Sentinel at Bloomsburg. The paper was then 24x 36 inches, seven columns, and had a circulation of 600. He has enlarged it to an eight- 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 BLOOMSBURG. 349 family to settle in the United States located in Montgomery County, Penn. Tiie first to settle in Catawissa Township was Philip, in the spring of 1794. His wife's maiden name was Susannah Trexler of Hickorytown, near Philadelphia, and of German parentage. He died in 1832, 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, Bloomsbure;, was born in Berne Township, Berks Co., Penn., November 11, 1843, a son of Adam and Ann Eliza (Eisanharl) Krug. of that county, former of whom, a farmer, died in that county; latter is still living in White Ear Valley, Union Co., Penn., with her son, Adam. Our subject was reared on a farm, but when eigliteen began learning the carpenter's trade ; came to Blooms- burg in 1867, and in 1869 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 planers, one a twenty-six inch and the other a fourteen inch. When running under full headway the mill furnished employment to from forty to fifty hands. The principal ar- ticles of manufacture are doors, sash, blinds, sidings and all kinds of dressed lumber to order. The establishment turns out aunually $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 Bchool at a cost of $13,500 and upward. He also built the large school-house at Cata- wissa, the opera house at Bloomsburg, the E. R. Ikeler house, lipiscopal parsonage, and the large business blocks west of the "Exchange Hotel," the Furman Block, the " Der- rick House." at Mahanoy City, and others too numerous to mention, having probably erected in Bloomsl)urg and vicinity upward of a thousiind buildings of different descrip- tions. Among one of the largest was the Lutheran Church at Milton, a brick structure partly Gothic in style. Mr. Krug has been twice married; first, in December, 1864, to Frances Ann Teager, who died in February, 1883, leaving ten children: Laura Agnes, who mirrii'd Henry Jones; Willltz, Eilward, Cora, Celesta Ann, William. Morris, Ar- thur. John and Paul. His second marriage occurred In May, 1882, with Margaret Ann Frederick, who has borne him three children: Sarah. Julia and Helen. Mr. Krug is a member of the F. & A. M., No. 265, at Bloomsburg; a member of the Reformed Cliurch. In politics he is a Democrat. ISAAC S. KUHN, stock-dealer, Bloomsburg, is a native 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 whose ancestors came from 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 wife were both members of the Lutheran Church, and later moved to Akron, Ind.. where they died. Our subject wnen young learned the harness trade at Easlon 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, shipplngcattle from 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 Cliurch. Mr. Kuhn married Susan Dengler, of Schuylkill Haven, Penn., in 1856, and they have six children: Alvaretta V., Eliza M., Emma D., May A., Lottie L. and Bessie R. Mr. Kuhn is one of the most substantial citizens of Bloomsinirg. EPHRAIM H. LITTLE, attorney at, law, Bloomsburg, was born March 23, 1833, in the State of New York. His father, George Little, moved with his family to Bethany, Wayne Co., Penn., when our subject was quite young, and there resided, canning on a 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 the office of Lusk & Little, of Montrose, Penn., but completed his legal studies at Morris, 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 ac- cidentally discharged, lacerating his arm in such a manner as to render its ampmation 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 Birchoven, 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 his profession until 1860. He then came to Bloomsburg, and has been in continuous and successful practice here up to date. Mr. Little is a Democrat; was elected district at- torney for Columbia County in 1856, and re-elected twice, serving nine years in all, and 18 well known throughout the country as an able lawyer. In addition to his law practice with his son, R. R. Little, be also superintends and operates a farm of 135 acres, located three and a half miles from Bloomsburg. He is a member of the Baptist Church. ROBERT 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 350 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: and graduated at the normal scliool in the cl.iss of 1871. He completed his studies at Rochester Univeisity and Hamilton College, Ulintoii, N. Y., and then began the study of law in his father's ofHce. In 1874he was admitted to the bar, and In the same year be- gan tliu practice at Bloomsburg, in partnership 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 Deborah T. Tustin, and one child was.born to their union. He is a member of the Baptist Church. GEORGE M. & JOHN K. LOCKARD, car builders, general machinists and founders, Bloomsburg. This important business industiy was established in 1863 by Semple <& Taylor, who conducted a machine shop and foundry for some years, and in 1871 the plant was bought by the Columbia County Iron & Manufacturing Company. The lat- ter enlarged 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 fore- man of the wood department for the Columbia County Iron & Manufacturing Company, and in 1872 with J. K. Lockard, who had also become identified with tlie 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 ;f or and took possession of their present establishment, and in 1879 by purchase became sole owners. In 1879 the 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, with machinery ready filted, were completed for work and under full headway 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 did a vast amount of other work. The business annually amounted to nearly $1,000,000 Jind employed from 200 to 250 men, with a pay-roll amounting to $10,000 per month. Since 1883 the work has been principally the building of mining cars, car wheels, jnining supplies, etc., averaging about $100,000 per annum, and employing forty to fifty men. The Messrs Lockard liave won, while comparatively young, a foremost place .among tlie business men of Columbia 'County, with varied and diversified interests ex- tending even to Florida, where G. M. Lockard has a farm of 175 acres in Marion County. There they made a visit in 1885, on the trip crossing the Gulfof Mexico, visiting New Orleans, up the Mississippi to St. Louis, Chicago and other western points, and thence Jiome. Gbokqe M. Lockabd was born in Briarcreeic Township, near Berwick, June 6, 1835, a son of John and Elizabeth (Seybert) Lockard. His father was 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 arnl 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 1861 or 1863 .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 party; has served on various occasions as delegSte to the county and State conventions, and has also been a member of the town council. He and his wue re- side in a commodious house nearly opposite his place of business, and he also owns his old homestead at Berwick, this connty. John K. Lockard was born near Berwick, Columbia County, May 23, 1846, a son of Alexander and Ann tCope) Lockard. His father was a farmer and John K. remained a,t liome until he was eighteen, when he learned the carpenter's trade, having previously re- ceived 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, in 1869 Celenda V. Edwards, who has borne him six children: Anna V., Jen- nie L., William C, Alexander T., Leiha and Richard. Mr. Lockard is a Democrat, and has served in the council of Bloomsburg. He lives on Fifth Street in one of the finest res- idences in 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 with 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 Cambra, 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 Belles, and it was a few years later when they moved to this county. He died in 1831 and his widow in 1863, and they are both buried near Pealertown. Adam Lutz was the second son of Peter BLOOMSBUEG. 351 ■and became tlie father of our subiect. He was reared in his native township, Benton, and made bis home with his parents until his marriage, assisting on tlie farm and in the mean- time learning the carpenter's trade. He married in January, 1838, Miss Sidney Travis, who was a native of Luzerne County, and after marriage moved to Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, where they bought a farm and resided four or five years. Tliere Mrs. Lutz died, and her husband sold the property and resumed the carpenter trade until his second marriage, which occurred in Jaclison Township. Columbia County, in January, 1851, with Catherine Kaouse. He then located on the old homestead of his father and farmed it for six years. In 1857 he bouglit 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 he resided until the time of his death. By his first marriage there were four children, three ot whom are living: X. 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 whom three are living: N. A., -wife of Reuben Whitmire of Wilkesbarre; Clarissa C, wife of Sylvester SoUider, 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 Ben- ton Township, and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood at tlie Columbus Academy, and took a commercial course at Kingston. In early life he as- sisted his father on the farm. At the age of twenty he entered the service of his country «nd remained until December, 1862. He then engaged in the furniture business in Benton Bntil 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 until the fall of 1865. In 1866 he engaged in the dry goods business, becoming a clerk with Coolbaugh & Frantz of Wilkesbarre with whom he remained over two years. He 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 his 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, and was the first merchant in the town to dress his windows. February 33, 1870, his store was destroyed by fire, and in March he bought out J. J. Brower, general merchant, and again engaged in dry goods. He conducted tlie 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 lire, 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 chil- dren: Charles B. and Frank E. He has filled all the offices in the Odd Fellows' order, also m the K. of P. and Good Templars, but is not now a member of any order. During 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 ac- ■count of disability. In August, 1864, he returned to the service, enlisting in Company A, One hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was promoted to ser- geant 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 memen- to of the struggle, a rebel flag which he took at Richmond. THE McKELVT FAMILY. William McKelvy, a native of the North of Ireland, was the founder of the family of this name in Bloomsburg, Penn. His wife's name was Phoebe, and they located in Lancaster County, Penn., where the eldest child was bora in 1783. The names of their children are as follows: John, born April 33, 1783; 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, Phoebe, mar- Tied James Soyd. She subsequently came to Bloomsburg to live, where she died a widow May 15, 1834. 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 Phoebe McKelvy; was born in Lancaster County, •January 11, 1791. 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 the store of John Clark at Catawissa, with whom he remained until June 16, 1816. He then •opened a general store on his own account, at Bloomsburg, and from that time for nearly «ixty years he was prominently 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 enviable reputation as a citizen. He was pro- ;gressive in every sense and liberal in support of public enterprises for the benefit of the 352 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: vicinity in which he lived, and few, indeed, were those of any kind accomplished at Bloomsburg during his life or residence there, with which his 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 1833, and which is now occupied by the bank, and which he occupied as a store and homestead for many years. He also erected a num- ber of other buildings that still stand as a memorial of his handiwork. He was not a pol- itician 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 of the poor, etc. He married, December 1, 1818, Elizabeth, a daughter of Isaiah Willitta of Catawissa, and by this union there were born the following named children: Martha, born June 28, 1823, married David L. McKlnny; Harriet, born May 3, 1838, married Rev. A. A. Marple; Mary, born February 17, 1839, married John I. Hess, became a widow and married J. H. Barman; James Boyd McKelvy; Andrew Clark McKelvy, born Oc- tober 9, 1826, died in December, 1850; I. W. McKelvy, born October 8, 1830, married Miss Elmira Barton; and Charles W. McKelvy. born September 13, 1832, married Miss D. J. Ramsay. William McKelvy and his wife, Elizabeth (Willitts) McKelvy, died, respect- ively, March 14,1875, and June 24, 1858, and arc buried in Rosemont Cemetery at Blooms- burg. JAMES BOYD McKELVY, M. D., Bloomsburg, is a native of that place, born in September, 1824, a son of William and Elizabeth (Willi tt») McKelvy. He obtained hia literary education in the schools of Bloomsburg, and attended for one year Lenox Acad- emy, at Lenox, Mass. About the age of seventeen he became a stiident at Williams 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 subsequently attend- ed 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 Mifflin- ville, 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 tlien returned to Bloomsburg, where he has been in the continuous practice of his profession to date, and occupies an enviable %nd honorable position as a physician and surgeon. The Doftor was married December 25, 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 Blooms- burg schools and graduated at the Medical University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ami is now practicing at Breckenridge, Summit Co., Cbl. 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.; Eliza- beth Willitts, born June 13, 1860. died June 15, 1864; Mary Craig, born April 29, 1863, died February 5, 1867; Martha Wilbur and Harriet Neal (twins), born April 7, 1865. ISAtAH W. McKELVY, a son of William and Elizabeth (Willitts) McKelvy, waa 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 up- ward 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 mar- ried, 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, 1833. He was reared to mercantile business in hia father's store, and at the age of maturity moved to Catawissa, where he engaged in con- ducting 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 Joseph- ine. Mrs. McKelvy is a member of the Presbyterian Church, which her family also, attend. In politics Mr. McKelvy is a Republican. JOHN McREYNOLDS (deceased), the father of Dr. McReynolds, was born near Wat- sontown, Northumberland Co., Penn., April 3, 1788. He was a son of Hugh and Eliza- beth (Snoddy) McReynolds, both natives of Belfast, Ireland. Hugh was born in January, 1750 (the first Monday old style), was married October 31, 1784, and died February 38, 1797. He served on the Continental 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 Agnei BLOOMSBURG. 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 McRey- nolds, our subject, was a farmer, and soon after his marriage, August 11, 1814, he settled in J)erry Township, now in Montour County, and remained there until 1835, when he moved to Buckhorn, and in 1869 to Bloomsburg, where he died in March, 1880. Besides farming, he, after moving to Buckhorn, kept a hotel. He was active in all public affairs and an influential Democrat. In 1834 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Rep- resentatives, and re-elected for four more successive terms. He was again elected in 1850, to the State Legislature at Harrisburg, seiTing one term. He was nominated for Con- 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 184S-44 he was supervisor of the North Branch Canal, and afterward was collector of tolls at Ber- wick for three years. He was a member of the electoral college in the election of Presi- dent Franklin Pierce. He was also twice appointed by the judges of his judicial district as. one of the Revenue Commissioners for Pennsylvania, forthe equalization of State taxes and served imder two appointments. He and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church. They are buried in Rosemont Cemetery, Bloomsburg. They had six chil- dren: 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 B. 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. Wil- son of Berwick, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1848. Later hfr 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 Buckhorn and practiced twenty-five .years, and in 1876 came to Blooms- burg where he has since resided. The Doctor in 1875 was elected treasurer of his county, seriting three years; is one of the trustees of the State normal school for the Sixth Dis- trict. The Doctor has a wife and two children. He and his family attend the Presby- 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, 1863;. January 1, 1863, was promoted corporal, and soon after encamped at Fort Slocum near Washington. February 17, 1868, with his regiment, he was ordered to the front and as- signed 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 color,3 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, hut 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 person- ally seized the colors of his regiment, and triumphantly bore them during the balance of the day's fight, delivering them to his company's oflicers in the evening after their retreat to Cemetery Hill, where they encamped on the night of the first day's fight. The regi- ment 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 noth- ing._ The afternoon of the second day they supported Sickles' corps, and the third day oc- cupied 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 com- rade 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 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: Stern the tide of rebellion, Mr. Maize was detailed on recruiting service, and so served un- til the close of the war, and was mustered out June 36, 1865. After his return to civil life he followed merchandising until 1879. He had, however, in 1866, registered with M. B. Jackson, Esq., to read law, and in 1875 with Robert F. Clark, Esq., of Bloomsburg; and again in September, 1879, with Hon. C. B. Buckalew, and was admitted to the bar in FelT ruary, 1881, and since then 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 Elmi- ra 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 the vestry for the last two years. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, taking considerable interest in the election of •county oflBcers, and more especially in State and National, from the 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 born at Mifflinvllle November 20, 1844, a son of Stephen H. and Lavina (Kline) Miller. He graduated at the State normal school, Millersville, and registered in the otHoe 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. He is a Democrat, politically, and has served Bloomsburg in the council and school board. In addition to his legal business, Mr. Miller has been identified with the various improvements in tlie place, one of the organiz- •ers of the Water, Gas & Steam Company, and School-Desk Company. He is seei-etary of the Gas Company and also a member of the IBoard of Trade. Mr. Miller married Miss Cora L. Eshleman, of Schuylkill County. He is a member of the Knight Temp- lars; F. & A. M. ; I. 0. 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 jears 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. Kline, was also a member of the Legislature. Abraham and Anna Charity (Kramer) Kline, the great-grandparents of Mr. Miller, lived to be upward of ninety years of age. They came from New Jersey up the West Branch to Milton, and thence cut their way to the end of Knob Mountain. They had live sons and one daughter, and settled two miles north of Orangeville on the left bank of Fishing creek, where they built a frame house, which was occupied by three generations'of their descendants, and is still standing. Their younger son, Isaac, the grandfather of Mr. Miller, married Mary Willitt, whose mother's maiden name was Britton. Mr. and Mrs. Kline had seven daughters and three sons, all of whom married and lived to middle age. Lavina married Stephen H. Miller, ^nd they became the parents of our subject. Elmira married M. C. Vance, whose grand- parents, 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 Efiie Patterson, whose parents came from Scot- land 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 dy- ing while he was an infant, he was adopted and reared in Philadelphia by his aunt, Mar- tha Mitchell Stuart, and her husband, James Stuart. After some boyish experience of business life he entered the University of Pensylvania and graduated with first honors, and then studied theology in the seminary at Princeton, N. J. He began his ministerial work 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 Pres- byterian 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 Warsaw, N. Y., who accompanied him to Wisconsin and died in western New Tfork; afterward he married Miss C. Janet Pelrikin of Muncy, Penn. They have two daughters, named Renee and Mar- garet. 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 Warner of silver bill fame. Mr. Robison was appointed sergeant of the company, ana participated in all the Seven Days' batile and in the t^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, 1863. In June, 1863, Company H, Thirty-fifth Regiment emergency men, was organized in Columbia County, and on ii» 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 his 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 be- came a clerk under Capt. J. T. Giebner in the commissionery department, and was assigned to the Ninteenth Army Corps, under Steridan in the Shenandoah Valley. Sep- tember 26, he was captured by rebsl stragglers, kept by guerrillas some time, and, October 17, placed in Libby prison and confined there until February 17, 1865. When Mr. Robison first enlisted in 1861. he was examined by an army surgeon, and declared unfit for military service on account of heart disease, the surgeon saying he would not live througb 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 to. 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. Itt 1867 he located at Bloomsburg and began the practice of law; was appointed United States commissioner and served some three or four years, resigning the office 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 tlie 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 oflBces; is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and of the G. A. R., Colonel Ent Post of Bloomsburg. From 1881 to 1885, he was engaged in operating a farm about four miles South or Catawissa, He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church 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, 1788. 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 oflicer, and was in the army- stationed near Trenton at the capture of the Hesgians; was also at the battle of Brandy- wine, 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. To this union were born fourteen children, the eldest being Leonard Rupert, born at Read- ing, Penn., October 11, 1763. He also served in the Revolution as a fifer 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, 1786; moved and located at the mouth of Pishing Creek, in what is now Mnntour Township, Columbia County, in 1788, on 220 acres that were bought by his father- in-law, Micha^ 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, 1886) one hundred years old. This. BLOOMSBUEG, 359' land was deeded October 13, 1774, to Michael Bright. Leonard Rupert died March 11, 1848, and his wife March 17 of the same year. They are buried in Rosemont Cemetery. They had a family of twelve children. Leonard was a man of more than ordinary ability; was self-educated, and served as colonel in the State mililia for several years. He was elected about 1804, and served eleven years in the House of Representatives; first at Lan- caster and afterward at Harrisburg. He also served for many years as associate judge, 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 36, 1786, at Reading, married Col. Joseph Paxton; Peter, born September, 1788, in this county, married Catherine Dhiel; Rebecca, September 36, 1790, married Maj. James Shearer; Bright, born August 18, 1793, died in 1815; Mary, born April 7, 1795. died unmarried in 1857; Sarah, March 30, 1797. died in 1817; Rhoda Ann, September 36, 1801, died in April, 1875, unmarried; Lavina, September 2,1803, died in December, 1846, unmarried; Harriet, born January 3, 1806, resides at Bloomsburg; Charles, March 33, 1808, died February 9. 1831; Leonard B., born June 19, 1810; Elizabeth, born July 38, 1799, married Thomas W. Lloyd, and died April 5. 1883. 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 tor twelve years. He then re- tired. Mr. Rupert is a Democrat, and was appointed in 1839 or 1840 as county treasurer to fill a vacancy caused by the 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 as- sociate judge November 10, 1851, and served five years. He was subsequently appointed jus- tice 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, 1833, married,. November 9, 1858, I)r. W. H. Park of Springfield, Mo.; Sarah, born November 39, 1834, married Daniel Stick December 38, 1859; Ata, born May 34, 1846. man-ied 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., Decem- ber 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 bis 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 twenty-one began reading medicine in the of- fice 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 fol- lowing 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 Brandywine Hundred and in Wilmington? ■ Del. He lost his first wife by death in 1807 in Delaware, and was married again and^ moved to Monroe County, Penn., where he died in 1875, near Strasburg, aged about seven- ty years. Dr and Mrs. Rutter have a family of eight children: the 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., re- siding 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 aX 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 phy- sician 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. Politi- cally, he is Democratic. His grandfather, Joshua Rutter, was a native of England andJ came to this country with a brother, Thomas, who became a merchant at Baltimore previ- ous 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 about 1793 and died in 1848, near Chester, Delaware Co., Penn., aged fifty-six years. The daughters were Mar- gery and Mary. Joshua's wife was a native of Sweden', and they were probably 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 m Brandywine Hundred, Newcastle Co., Del., all his life. WILLIAM M. SHAFFER, farmer, Bloomsburg, was born in Montour County, July "■ 1835, and is of English and Scotch ancestry. His father, Samuel Shaffer, was bom in 1809 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 years. He sub- 28 360 BIOGBAPHIOAL SKETCHES: sequently became a large landholder, owned some 350 acres near Bloomsburg (our subject living on 100 acres of it), and 140 acres at Millville. In early life he was a Methodist, but later he joined the Lutheran Church, and died July 31, 1881, leaving a large estate. He married, when not quite twenty, Margaret Gulp, a daughter of Peter Gulp of Montour ■County, Penn. They had twelve children, ten now living: Mary, married to Michael Sny- der; Henry, married to Catherine 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, mar- ried to Sarah Culp, and Charles, married to Elizabeth Zeigler. April 8, 1858, our subject married Catherine A., daughter of Thomas Pry, and by this union seven children were born: Hiram A., born February 20, 1859; Mary M., born June 13, 1860, now the widow of Paul Cadman, and has one child, Pauline; Hester J., born February 16, 1862; Henry, born April 20, 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. ShafEer's second marriage I 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 WilUam 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 origi- nally members of the society of Friends. Benjamin was born in 1764 in Chester County, and died in 1857. When a young man he crossed the mountains and settled in Sunbury, where he bought and operated a grist-mill, and also taught school for some time. He sub- sequently moved to Catatvissa, where he purchased a farm and also a grist-mill adjoining, now the site of the paper-mill at Catawissa. Here he established a paper-mill and paid, for years nine cents per pound for white rags, and manufactured paper by hand. When 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: Mary Ann, deceased wife of Dr. Wadsworth of Catawissa, 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; Will- iam was three times married, and now resides at Catawissa; Joseph, married Mary E. Foster of Catawissa; John, married Sally A. Harder; Harriet, married George Reifsny- ■der; Sarah, married Louis Tetter; and "Kersey married Mary Margaret Harder. Joseph Sharpless of Bloomsburg was born December 6, 1808, and reared to the paper-mill busi- ness with his father, with whom he remained until twenty-six years of age. He then be- 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 retired from active business. Mr. Sharpless is a Republican and has served his vicinity in such local offices as member of the council, school director, and during the war was an earnest supporter of the 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 P., born May 23, 1841, married Sophia Hartman; Loretta A., born "January 4, 1843, married Jefferson Vanderslice, of Ford County, Kas.; Clara, born November 13, 1844, died April 4, 1849; Elizabeth A., born September 7, 1846, married Wesley Eyre of Bloomsburg; Araminta E., born November 34, 1848, mar- ried Jasper Wilson; Mary Ellen, born October 16, 1852, 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, Bleomsburg, is a native of Locust Township, this county, born in 1841, a son of Joseph and Mar;? E. (Poster) 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 fol- lowing engagements: Dranesville, second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antletam, Fred- ericksburg, 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 years afterward the part- nership 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. BLOOMSBUBQ. 361 LAFOREST ALMOXD SHATTUCK, M. D., proprietor of the Bloomsburg (Penn. ) ■Sanitarium, was born in Cornville, Somerset Co., Me., January 15, 1846. He ob- tained his literary education at the schools of his native town and at the Skowhegan Academy. When but fifteen years of age he began teaching school and in 1863 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 themedical department of Harvard, and for five years in college and hospitals was a close student in the allopathic school. In 1868 he tooli two courses of medical lectures at Philadelphia, graduating with honors. Being ambitious and desirous of a greater knowl- edge 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 suc- cess in critical operations considered impossible of achievement by older surgeons. In 1870, in addition to his professional duties, he assumed the editorial charge of the Ameri- can Literary Review, which be 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 1882, his health again breaking down through over- work 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 cbronic diseases, in which he has acquired a high "reputation. Dr. Shattuck comes of good old New England stock, being the eldest son of 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 Prances 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 Mosber estate. M. C. SLOAN & BRO., carriage manufacturers, Bloomsburg. The firm consists of M. C. and C. P. Sloan, and the business was established in 1826 by William Sloan, father -of the present proprietors. His shop stood on the site of the present Lutheran Church building on Market Street, ind 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 wasacarpenter and while stopping at a hotel in Bloomsburg, a man namedWells, a wagon- maker, came along. Up to that time there were no one-horse wagons in the neighbor- hood, and tlie landlord insisted on Wells making one, so Mr. Sloan accompanied Wells to his (Sloan's) farm, adjoining town, and from the fences secured sufficient seasoned oak tim- ber to make one. This was the first one-liorse 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 Bloomsburg schools he learned the carriage- making business, and in April, 1858, be- •came a partner with his father under the firm name of William Sloan & Bon, and has ever since been identified with the business as propriel or. 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 substan- tial and enterprising business man. The present firm of M. C. Sloan & Bro. was 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 of eighteen he began learning the trade of carriage trim- 'ffling and painting. In 1862 he enlisted, and was appointed sergeant in Company E, One 362 BIOGKAPHICAL 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 the carriage business. Mr. Sloan was married in 1863 to Phoebe A. Lott, a daughter of Dr. G. W. Lott of Orange- ville. They have four children: Hattie L., Frank H., Lilla G. and George G. SAMUEL 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 (Wash- burn) Smith. The former was a native of New Jersey and came with his father, Samuel Smith, to Luzerne County when he was a boy of six years. He was a prominent farmer and when his son Samuel was but three years old moved to Nescopeck, where our subject was reared until the age of eighteen years; then he began learning the blacksmith trade at White Haven, Penn., with his uncle, John Washburn, and after completing the same carried 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 years. In 1883 he moved to Stillwater and followed blacksmithing for three years. Mr. Smith is a Democrat and has for the past ten years, taken an active and' influential part' in the politics of the county. He served Fishingcreek six years as member of the school 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 themr Aaron Freeze (deceased), Alice Margaret, William Jacob, Clara Ann, Eudora, John Clark, Albert Newton, Amanda Ella, Samuel Theodore, Charles Day and Daisy Delphine (twins), 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 theRevolutionarywar, elected to Congress several terms; Susan, married to Philip Wolfe p Mollie, married to Harness Neeley : 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 dissat~,i. isfled with farm life and withdrew to learn the tanner's trade. In 1809 he married Mary- Magdalene Mickley, born April 3, 1792, in AUentown, Penn., daughter of Peter Mickley; who was born January 18, 1778, 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 con- templated 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 con- vinced, 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, mfeet. He brought with him some leather, which he hoped to exchange for hides, but everybody whohadpeltsforsale wanted money.andMr. Snyder, having only $100 left after erecting his tannery, was a second time discouraged, because he had to pay money for hides and sell leather on trust. A Mr. Wertman, who lived near, observed the pluck manifested by our 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 subse- quently 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 consider- able town property and five or six large farms, before his death. He was elected to the State Legislature a number of terms, and worked with all the energies in his power to se- cure 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 Worman, 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 lie 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 Blooms- burg, and his aged mother lives with him. He has been overseer of the poor and is a BLOOMSBUEG. 363 ■worthy, upright man); Matilda, born January 18, 1827, married Rev. Henry Funk, a Re- lormed minister, the father of Nevin U. Funk, mentioned elsewhere; Mary C, born Sep- tember 18, 1839, married Dr. F. 0. Harrison; Martha Alice, who married Dr.T. 0. Harter; Clinton B., born June 23, 1837, and died single Deember 13, 1852. In this volume appears an elegant steel portrait of Hon. Daniel Snyder, made from the latest photograph that could he found. It was contributed by Dauiel Snyder, Nevin U. Funk, Mrs. Melvina Barton, Mrs. Sarah A. Petrikin, Mrs. Dr. Harter, C' W. Neal and Frank P. Billmeyer. WILLIAM SNYDER, born March 13, 1813, died October 11, 1867, married first to Begina Worman (by whom he had two children, both now deceased, to wit: Charles W. Snyder and Emma H., who was the wife of Mr. Clintoa 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 f:entle father, a faithful husband, a consistent member of the Reformed Church, a helpful riend, an honest, reliable man and a public-spirited and enterprising citizen. Every en- 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 - his mind and hand, was ready for every worthy object. He was one of the chief pro- 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 edu- cational 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. WM. 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 «tone-mason and plasterer by occupation, and served as constable of Orange Township for seventeen years. He was elected sheriff of said county in 1852, and reelected in^858, 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 are dead: Mary C, Frank R. and John H. Wm. H. Snyder was educated at the Orange- ville Academy and Greenwood Seminary, and began public school-teaching while a minor, which profession he followed for fourteen years. In 1873 he was elected county superin- tendent 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 prothono- tary in 1884, which position he holds al present. He was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah M. Fleckenstine, 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 1879; Willie R. in 1881, and Jennie C, Charles J. and George R. but a few weeks apart, of diphtheria, at Orangeville _ in 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 ier parents are members. GEORGE W. STERNER, register and recorder of Columbia County, Bloomsburg, is a native of Madison Township, this county, born April 3, 1846, a son of John S. and Jiida (Trump) Sterner. His father is a contractor and builder and has carried on that business extensively^ in Bloomsburg, and through the county from 1887 to the present time (1886), besides bnck-making and farming. George W. was educated in the public schools and normal school of Bloomsburg, also attended Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, two years, and one year the State Institute al Ypsilanti, Mich. After finishing his studies he 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 Alley, part of Which he occupies as a residence. In that year also he began the business of a contractor andbuilder, 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 feloomsburg, and was a member of the Bloomsburg Council. In 1878 he was a candidate, though not nominated, but in 1881 was nominated 364 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: and elected register and recorder; re-elected in 1884, and is the present incumbent. To the duties of his ofllce he is very attentive; his booljs 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 6, 1863, for nine months. The regiment was soon ordered to Camp Whipple near Wash- 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 atHatcher's^ Run, Fort Stea'dman 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 sur- render 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 occu- pation mentioned previously, remaining, however, with his father until of age. Our sub- ject'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, 1835, 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- ing. Samuel was born and reared in Chester County, where he married Miss Cathe- rine Rinewalt, also a native of the same county. To thfem were born five children, four now living: George W.; Emeline, widow of Charles H. Soper of Los Angeles, Gal.; John R., ill Lawrence, Kas., and Mary, wife of Robert Evans, in Philadelphia. Sarah is de- ceased. Samuel Suplee died April 33, 1875; his widow survived him just ten years, dying: Api# 23, 1885. They are buried in the Green Tree Church graveyard, in Upper Provi- dence Township, Montgomery County. He had farmed in that township until ten yeara 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 nine years 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 Town- ship, Columbia County, where he resided until April, 1886, when he bought a residence property In Bloomsburg, moving to the city and renting his farm. He married in Mont- f ornery County, April 4, 1853, Miss Sarah Hamer, a native of Montgomery County, and aiighter 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 whom are living: Antoinette, wife of Cyrus De Mott, inMadison Township; Gertrude, wife of Al- bert 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 35, 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 Town- ship, Columbia County. He has a farm in that township of 135 acres. WILLIAM 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 been made by Mr. Tubbs), and was the first really first-class hotel established in Bloomsburg. Mr. Tubbs married in 1863, 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; the dining-room is large, light and pleasant, while the parlors and sample rooms on the first floor are commodious and well furnished. The upper floors are ar- ranged in sleeping apartments and suites of rooms, with bath rooms adjoining, The hotel is one of the best conducted in the State and is deservedly popular with the travel- ing public. BLOOMSBUKG. 365 REV. D. J. WALLER was born January 15, 1815, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. His parents were Phineas, born at Wyoming in January, 1774; son of Nathan and Eliza- betli (Weeks) Waller, and Elizabeth, born October 9, .1780, daughter of Dr. David H. and Patience (Bnlkley) Jewett, of New London, Conn. David Jewett, the father of David H., was born June 10, 1714, and was graduated from Harvard College in 1735. He was a chap- lain 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 Williaras'CoUege, from which he was graduated in 1834. In the fall of that year he entered Princeton Theological Sem- inary, 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 Wilkesbarre, as well as those in the valleys of Pishing 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 Blopmsburg, built under his direction at a cost of $3,100, was dedicated. In 1871, when the Bloomsburg Church had reached the point of 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 growing family called upon him to devote bis energies to their care and education. During the active part of his ministry Mr. Waller found ample scope for the employment of the energy and executive ability with which a Divine piovid Troy. The father was born in Allegheny County and moved thence to Columbia County, where he still resides in Beaver Township. Subject's maternal grandfather, David Davis, was born in Columbia County and followed farminguntil his death. Daniel E. was reared in> 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 tor two- years, bought the farm consisting of 313 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 MiflSinville Cemetery. Her parents were Henry and Catherine (Buck) Gearhart, both natives of this county, former of whoitt 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 are- members of the Methodist Church. CHAPTER XXV. BENTON TOWNSHIP. ELIJAH P. ALBERTSON, liveryman, Benton, was born at Stillwater, Columbiar 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 33, 1879, married Miss 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 carry 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. 37.") some one to attend to that business and devoted his time to the livery business in Benlon. His father, Elijah J. Albertson, is a resident of Sugarloaf Township and was born in Greenwood Townsliip, Columbia County, March 18, 1819, a son of John II. and Jane (Kitchen) Albertson. June 13, 1841, he married Sarah A., daughter of John and Martha (McHenry) Stiles. In 1865 he moved to the place he now occupies, purchasing eighty- seven acres of the Robert Moore property. This has been highly improved and is now one of the nicest places in the township. To him and his wife nine children were born: Melissa J., wife of A. Fullmer, of Millville; Alonzo B., Martha A., wife of William Kase; Clarence B., of Benlon Township; Esther E., wife of William Keeler, of Cincinnati, Ohio; MaryE.. wife of Christian Rantz, of Lycoming County; John W., Elijah P., Sarah A., wife pf Samuel Pennington, of Catawissa. The parents are members of the Christian Church at Benton. Mr. Albertson has served in all the offices in the township. HIRAM ASH, farmer, P. 0. Benton, was born in Fishingcreek Township, Novem- ber 22, 1828, a son of Christian and Magdalena (Osderday) Ash. October 32, 1852, he married Mary Davis, daughter of John R. Davis (deceased). Until his marriage he re- mained at home, but after that event he engaged in wagon-making, removing to Benton Village. After a lime he bought the farm of ninety acres on which he now lives, where he has made most of the 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. (vvife of R. L. Sighfried, of Ben- ton Township) and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Ash and family are members of the Hamline Methodist Episcopal Church. 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 Shick- shinny, 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 children: Elias, Susan, Christena, Salloma, Catharine, Elizabeth, Mary, Anthony, Simon, Andrew, Adam and Peter. Elias Belles, father of our subject,, had a family of seven children, as follows: Thomas, Elia-i, Lydia (died April 19, 1826), Susanna (died in 1883), Margaret (died August 4, 1834), William, John (died February 19, 1832). Thomas Belles removed to his present home April 2, 1844. He married in February, 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., Syd- ney 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 180 acres, with about 100 acres under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Belles are members of the Hamline Methodist Episeepal Church, of which Mr. Belles has been class steward for many years. DR. T. S. CHAPIN, dentist, Benlon, 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 com- menced the study of dentistry, and coming to Benton was engaged for a short time in the ofiBce of Dr. Laubach. He then went to Bloomsburg, where for six months he was in the ofSce of Dr. H. C. Hower, and also for a time clerked in a store and worked at other busi- ness. Having relatives in Michigan he went there in 1882 and worked in the city of 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 prac- tice, 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 bnrn 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 comprises 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 the saw-mill which was built in 1833. Clinton Cole, son of Ezekiel and Christena (Hess) Cole, was born July 8, 1842, near ^^"••oiIl this county, on the old Cole farm: He was married January 10, 1869, to Miss £™* E., daughter of William Y. Hess, and they had four children, three now living: Wla B., Dora R. and Arden B. (Hurley R. is deceased). After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cole lived on the old farm till the spring of 1875, when they moved to near Benton, romaming there one year, and then came to their farm of 133 acres, which is rented, near the Thomas mill. Our subject and wife attend the services of the Evangelical 376 BIOGEAPHIOAL SKETCHES: NORMAN COLE, farmer and merchant, P. O. Cole's Creek, was born near where his store now stands in this township, March 30, 1857, son of Alinas and Rhoda Ann (Kile) Cole, now of Greenwood Township, this county. He commenced business in November, 1882, 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. When first married our subject and wife moved to Raven Creek, and there re- mained one year; thence to Daniel Laubach's place, and from there to their present home in 1875. Mr. Cole operated the farmjonly till 1884, and is now engaged in farming, store- keeping, and huckstering to Nanticoke and Wilkesbarre. STOTT E. COLLEY, farmer, P. O. Benton, is ason of Alexander CoUey, Sr., of whom so many speak, and whose record in the county will be found elsewhere. He was bom November 6, 1812, 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 148 acres of improved land. He and wife have eirfit children, four living: Melissa, wife of Benjamin Peterman; William, living in Jackson Township; Alexander A., at home, and Wesley S. in Benton Village, a blacksmith. THOMAS 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 1878, but his father is still living. Thomas resided in Sullivan County until he enlisted in 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, Kel- ley'sFord, Mine Run(Va.), Wilderness,andwas 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^, 1866, he married Miss Rosanna M., of Sullivan County, daughter of C. B. Sperry. In 1869 Mr. Edgar came to Columbia County and bought forty- eight acres which he has since improved. Mr. Edgar is a member of the Grange, and politically a Republican. I. L. EDWARDS, M. D., Benton, is a native of Lime Ridge, . Centre Township, ■Columbia County, born November 36, 1846, and is a son of William Edwards, who was :born in Briarcreek Township, 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 Wyoming 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 Orangeville, 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 l)ack to the village, and here he has since resided. Dr. Edwards owns property beauti- fully located in the village, a nice residence, and also a farm near the village of seventy- two 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. BVBRITT, lumber dealer, Benton, was born in Northampton County, Penn., a son of James and Mary Bveritt. The parents were of German de3cent, and reared a family of ten boys and six girls and are both deceased. Hiram P. was reared on a farm, and resided near Orangeville until 1853. He learned the carpenter trade and fol- lowed 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 B., Nora M., Jennie M., Lizzie G. and Hervey B., all living but the eldest two. Mrs. Bveritt died July 36, 1873, and our subject married, May 1, 1877, Elmira, daughter of Benjamin McHenry, and one child blesses their union, Tressie B. Mr. Bveritt 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 com- plaint. He was arrested at his home on the night of August 34, 1864, and incarcerated in Bomb Proof No. 3, in Fort Mifflin, for four months, and was discharged the same manner he was arrested, without knowing any cause for arrest or discharge. JOHN HEACOCK, merchant, Benton, was born in Greenwood Township, September 18, 1833, a son of Joseph and Margaret Heacock. His father was a mechanic and followed building and millwrighting, and with him John worked until he was twenty-two years old. In 1855 John came to Benton and began clerking in the store of his brother, Samuel, 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 ■assistant postmaster, his brother, Samuel, being the postmaster. Our subject became postmaster February 1, 1881, and served as such until the incoming of the present admin- istration; 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. Heaoockhas suffered many years with rheumatism, incapacitating him from manual labor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. HIRAM HESS, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel at Benton, was born in Centre Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 28, 1831, a son of John Hess, Jr., whose father wasJohnHess also. The latter with his family (of which John, Jr., was the eldest) came to •Columbia County 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, Luzerne 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 farin 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 1873 when they 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. Mc- Henry, 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 Moun- tain, 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 39. 1850, married in 1871 Cymanttia Thomas (they have four children; Cora, Charley W., Warren and Ray) and We.sley M., born July 3, 1855, married in 1881 Miss .Allie, daughter of S. P. Krickbaum (they have one child, Ray,) and reside on the farm two miles south of Benton. The Exchange Hotel was built in 1872 by Hiram Hess. The main part is 20x40, three stories high and contains seventeen rooms, besides the public hall or ball room; another part. 30x35, 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 over- looking the bridge roads and Pishing 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, 1813, 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 JeflersonTownshlp.Morris County, same State, October 35, 1829. The paternal grandfather of our subject was 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 grandfather, Christopher Strait, removed to Columbus, Ohio, and there he and his wife are buried. William re- mained at home until the age of twenty-two, when he moved to Luzerne County, Penn., and remained two years, engaged in charcoal burning to which he had been reared. Later he came to Columbia County. March 10, 1836, he married Miss Mary, daughter of •Jonas and Elizabeth (Shellharf) 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 with William R. Maflet to superintend the work at the Blackman mines, and when the railway was built from Pitson to Hanley, lorty-seven miles, he went to Greenville. At that time he formed a partnership with ^"Qson Owen, contracting and clearing $3,500. Jn 1853 he was engaged on the railroad B^.^r. 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 lime on the canal, and again went to iNescopeck. There he engaged in erecting some buildings, having by this time a goodly ifiw B ^"I'^'Jly affairs. His first wife having died April 1, 1855, he married, June 18, iHo7, Phoebe B., daughter of John Stoker, and one child was born to their union, Hilbert ttudson, born August 14, 1860. Hilbert H. was educated at Lafayette College, Easton, mn., entering that institution in September, 1880, and remaining until December, 1883. tiis intention was to complete a course in civil engineering and he has drawn several con- tour maps. He intends, liowever, to follow agriculture in which he is well posted, and is at present engaged in breeding Duroc-Jersey hogs from registered stock. To William mimes first marriage no children were born. His late residence in Benton dates irom 1857; while passing through the beautiful valley he negotiated for the land a good bargain and at once commenced improving it. The home place consists 378 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: of fifty-sjx acres of fine land, all under cultivation, and the air of neatness and thrift ■which pervades the surroundings causes the passer-by to remark: "This is one of the neatest places in the county." Mr. 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, 1887, at 9:37 A. M., and his remains were interred in Slaugher'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 31, 1862. Mrs. Ipher was Sibyl, the only daughter of John C. Doty, and was born in Benton Township, Columbia County, July 6, 1839. Her mother was Martha Benedict, who died March 24, 1843, and her husband followed, June 7, 1873. They are both buried in the family cemetery. Joseph Doty, grandfather of John C, settled in New Jersey upon coming from the mother country. One of his chil- dren, 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! in Benton in 1840. The -latter settled in the southeast part of the township and took up fifty acres at first, subsequently adding until he owned about 300 acres, all of which fell to his daughter Sibyl. Some of this land was very rough, but the coal which was dis- covered on it made Mr. Doty quite wealthy. He was very strongly allied to Demo- cratic principles of government, and was a good and kind neighbor. His only child, Sibyl, with her husband, Mr. Ipher, own 845 acres of land and have three children: John D., born April 25, 1869; Sarah A., born July 8, 1878, 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, Au- gust 12, 1790; James, November 10,1791; Nancy, March 13, 1798; Mary, September 28 1794; John, June 12, 1796; Elizabeth, March 28, 1798; Benjamin, December 20, 1797- Esther, August 3, 1802; Susanna, September 28, 1804; William, May 28, 1806; and Phebe, September 28, 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, 1833; John, August 3, 1834; George W. P., January 2, 1827; Dorothy, June 15, 1829; Levi, December 13, 1881; Elizabeth T., December 11, 1833; Magdalene, July 6, 1835. George W. P. was the second child born in Benton Township. He mar ried Elizabeth, born September 29, 1880, a daughter of John Fritz. Their children were Lafayette (our subject); Levi F., born August 16, 1851; Daniel E., November 11, 1852; Harriet, May 14, 1854; Magdalena C, December 33, 1855; Leonard, February 18, 1857; Esther Jane, September 33, 1858; Clara, March 18, 1860; George B., January 20, 1862; John E., June 16, 1864; Thomas, June 21, 1866; Mary Ann, J'&jiuary 3, 1868; Dorothy E., November 5, 1869; Harry Bruce, July 29, 1873. Magdalena died January 32, 1870; John 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 mar- ried Miss Mary A., daughter of Thomas and Anna (Davis) Singfried, and three children 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 business and also in farming. Since 1876 he has been superintendent of the Maple Grove Sunday- school, in which he takes a great interest. JOHN 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, Feb- ruary 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 Mr. 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, Oc- tober, 8, 1884. Mr. Kline enlisted, January 1, 1862, in Battery F, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, One Hundred and Twelfth in the line; was mustered in Philadelphia as a private, and mustered out as first lieutenant, January 29, 1866, in City Point, Va. Hi* company joined Grant's army at Cold Harbor, and operated with him until the close of the war, when he came home. He then traveled six months in the west, and on returning hired on his father's farm. Mr. Kline has also been engaged in teaching school; is a good penman, and favors the modern modes of education. He is an experienced business man and has been connected with many of the enterprises of the town, as will be noticed else- where. BENTON TOWNSHIP. 379 ISAAC KINNEY KRICKBAUM, farmer, P. O. Cambria, Luzerne County, was born in Benton Township on the farm now occupied by him, February 23, 1825. His father, Philip K. Krickbaum, was born in Montgomery County, October 10, 1793, and was a son of Philip, who was born in the same county 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 built a cabin near the creek, a little beyond the place where he last built. His sister kept 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 mar- ried Anna, daughter of John 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, Februarj; 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 bean acquired by 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 admirably. SAMUEL P. KRICKBAUM,. farmer, P. O. Cambria, Luzerne County, was born April 6, 1829, and spent his early life on his father's homestead, which the latter had cleared and improved. February 26, 1857, he 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 sub- ject, 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 improved 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 always 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, daugh- ter 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 chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Laubach; Isaac K. K., born October 28, 1849, married Anna, daughter of Thomas Gibbons, andiresides in Benton Township; John C, born Jan- uary 12, 1851, died September 17, 1854; Rhoda Ann and Margaret Ann (twins), born April 5, 1855— the former is the wife of Henry C. Learn and resides near Berwick, Margaret Ann is the wife of Frank P. Dildine, near Benton; Sarah B. B. and Freace Brown (twins) born September 19, 1858; the latter diedin 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 Ma- hlda, 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. rohtically he is a Republican; is a member of the Masonic fraternity, R. A. degree, char- ter 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 ousan, John Michael. John, John Christian, Ann Mary, John Conrad (died young), John ijonrad, Anna Margaret. Catharine, John George, Wilberg and Elizabeth. John Chris- nan, the grandfather of our subject, was born June 30, 1764, in Bucks County, Penn., and "'^".'eo Anna Mary Prutchy, who was born February 3, 1773. She died July 8, 1823, and ne March 15, 1825, and both are buried at St. Gabriel's Church. He was the first Laubach to sett e m Columbia County in 1790, and came to Sugarloaf Township in 1793. There ne took up a farm on what is now known as " Fritz Hill, " atract of about 400 acres. His lamily consisted of Susan, who married John Moore, to whom she bore eight children 380 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and died in her ninety-first year; George married Biizabetli, daugliter of Benjamin Cole- man, one of llie first settlers in Sugarloaf Township and now in his ninetieth year and lives in Michigan; Frederlcli, married Mary Larish, and their eight children 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 Rves in Benton — she has nine children living; Christian, married Hannah Hefley and resides in Danville, Monteur County; John (father of our sub- ject), 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, 1884, in Union Town- ship, 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 lowax 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 Prutchy, 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 Pennsylvania 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 m Sugarloaf Township, Colum- bia County, January 8, 1849, a son of Andrew and Nancy (Britton)Laubacli, natives, re- spectively, of Columbia and Luzerne Counties, the former of whom is well known in this county. Tracing the ancestry, we find that Frederick Laubach, the grandfather of 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 Ije 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 in the practice of his profession, and is now the oldest dentist in the village. January 1, 1872, he married Miss Alvaretta McHenry, a daughter of Benjamin McHenry. She died December 10, 1881, and our subject married for his second wife Hattie Derr, of Hughes- ville, 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 Daniei McHenry, in Stillwater, Fishingcreek Township. September 6, 1838, he married Sallie Ann, daughter of John Stoker of Fishingcreek, and shortly after the young couple re- moved 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 re- mained 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 busi- ness he has since been constantly engaged. He has resided on the same lot since coming to Benton, and a few years ago erected 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; Lyman P., born December 22, 1846, married Anna Appleman, 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 McHenry House, Benton, was born in Greenwood Township, February 8, 1851, a son of Benjamin McHenry. In 1868 he moved with his parents to Fishingcreek Township, where he remained three years. Hfr then went to Cambria, Luzerne County, and began to learn the trade of blacksmithin^, to which he applied himself for four years. In 1875 he came to Benton and followed hi* 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; BENTON TOWNSHIP. 381 Lloyd C, born April 2, 1884, in Benton Village; F. H. McHeniy, born October 30, 1886, in Benton Village. JOHN J. M()HENRY,mercliant,Benton, was born April 3,1834, at Stillwater, Columbia Co., Penn., and spent his early life at home. At the age of^ twenty-three he went to Bohrsburg, engaged as a clerk with Mills & Schuyler, and while thus employed married Miss Sarab, daughter of John Lundy, a merchant of Rohrsburg and Danville, the ceremony being 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 to Benton. Here since 1865 he has been engaged in mercantile business, and since 1880 has also engaged in handling and cutting lumber at Benton and other points. He has a half interest m 100 acres of timber land in Sugarloaf Township. To Mr. McHenry 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 en- gaged in teaching the art. Mr. McHenry is a good citizen and owns considerable property m the village; becomes of a hardy family, and looks and acts as young as most men of fortv. ALEXANDER McHBNRY, farmer and teacher, P. 0. Benton, was born near Still- water, Columbia Co., Penn., March 26, 1828, the eldest child of James D. and Rachel (CoUey) McHenry (both now deceased). He was educated in the common schools and at the age of eighteen began teaching at West Creek schoolhouse, and followed the pro- fession for seventeen successive winters and still teaches,having taught eleven terms since thewar.in the winter season. While teaching he enlisted, September 3,1864.in Company D, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Infantry, at Troy.aml was discharged May 37, 1865, at Annapolis, Md. He was taken prisoner at Five Forlis March 38,1863,and remained two days and then paroled. While in the service he acted as company clerk and corporal, and in this double capacity worked so hard that his health was severely afEected. In 1867 he bought his present place of fifty acres two miles southwest of Benton. H^ married at Town Hill, January 1, 1853, Elizabeth, daughter of James Buckalew Mrs. McHenry was born January 9, 1833, and died February 9," 1883. the mnlher of the foilowing children: Lucretia A., born September 22,1855, died November 38, 1876; Harriet Ida, born September 29, 1858, died March 31, 1875; Mary Mott, born July 5, 1861; Alice Maude (wife of A. 0. Karnes of Benton); Franklin G., born May 8, 1867, died May 15, 1867. THOMAS C. McHENRY, M. D., Benton, was born in Greenwood Township, Col- umbia Co., Penn., February 9, 1844, son of Benjamin and Lovina (Conner) McHenry. He spent his early life on a farm, and at the asfe of eighteen went to the fb-oademy 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 Bloomsburg; then attended lectures at the University of Ann Arbor, Mich., where he graduated in 1870. That year he commenced to practice bis profession Iq Benton, and now has a large patronage in Columbia. Luzerne and Lycoming Counties. In February, 1871, he married Susan Millord, wlio died within a year after marriage, and March 34, 1874, Dr. McHenry married Lizzie Ikeler. They" have two chil- dren: Lula M., born February 25, 1875, and Beniarain J., burn August 17. 1883. Ben- jamin McHenry, father of the above, was born in Stillwater, Coumbia County, May 13, 1812, and is the eldest of the name living in the county. When about twenty-three years of age he left Stillwater and went to Greenwood Township, where hs married Lavina Conner. She was born in Greenwood Township, April 13, 1814, died October 16, 1884, and is buried in Benton Cemetery. At t^ieage of thirty-eight Mr. McHenry moved to Fistiingcreek, where he remained about six years; thence to Mnuch Chunk, Carbon County; later returned to Greenwood, Columbia County, and thence to Fishingcreek, where he conducted the hotel, " Cottage Inn," during the latter part (..f the war. He then resided in Greenwood until shortly after the death of his wife, since which event he makes ms 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 Town- ship, this county, and died in Fishingcreek Township in 1853. After his father's death Isaac returned to Orange Township and remained underthe care of an uncle, M. C. Vance, until eighteen years of age, attending school a portion of the time. From 1863 to 1864 he was a student in Orangeville Academy, and on September 3 of the latter year enlisted m Company D, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Harrisburg. He served until May 30, 1865, and March 1 of that year was promoted quartermaster-sergeant. Heparticipatedin manyot the hard-fought battles, ?™ODg which may be mentioned Arlington Heights, before Petersburg, with the Army of the Potomac, Bellfield raid. Hatcher's Run, and in the destruction of the Weldon milroad. 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 participated in the 382 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: I grand review at Washina;Lon. Returning to Orangc.ville he again entered scliool, and in tlie winter of 1865-66 was engaged as a teacher at Beach Haven, Luzerne County. The next Slimmer he began the study of medicine under Drs. Rittenhouse and McRay, and the following wintir (1866-67) again tauglit sohool, continuing through the summer also. He tlien entered Jefferson Medical College, Pliiladelphia, where he took his first course of lectures in til e winter of 1867-68; attended the summer session and graduated in March, 1869. He commenced practice in Beach Haven, Luzerne County, where he intended locating, but 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. Eilwards, which lasted four years, since which time he has been alone. The Doctor married, April 7, 1870, Miss Martha Seeley, a native of 8alem, Luzerne County. Dr. Pat- terson owns a farm of sixty-five acres a short distance north of Benton and his residence (in the village. AARON SMITH (deceased) was born January 2^ 1830, on the banks of the Susque- ihanna River, Hanover Township, Luzerne County, and was the eldest of ten children. His parents were of German descent and moved to Columbia County when he was four- teen years of age. He was reared on the farm and received a good common-school educa- tion. In 1843 he married Miss Charlotte A. Campbell, of Scotch descent. He was converted about 1843, joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and served as class leader about thirty- .five 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 wiiich 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, 1885, aged sixty-five years, five months and twelve days. He was buried in the Hamiline Cemetery. There 'Were born to the union of Aaron and Charlotte A. (Campbell) Smith, Firman 8., born -January 37, 1844; Richard T., July 4, 1845; William A. and Alice A. (twins), June 3, 1856, and died in infancy, and H. Wilber. February 26, 1860. Firman S. Smith, P. O. Raven Creek, is a son of Aaron and Charlotte A. (Campbell) Smith, and was born 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 "District. 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, Spottsylvania Court House, Va., North Ann River, Cold Harbor, and the charge in front of Petersburg, June 17 and 18, 1864. His company was later detached from the regiment .to serve in mortar battery, and engaged in all the artillery movements in front of Peters- burg, throwing over 6,000 shells in the rebel works and blowing up three magazines. The ^company was relieved from the battery August 34, 1864, and ordered back to join the reg- iment. At Ream Station, ,Va., Mr. Smith was taken sick and sent to the division hospital in front of Petersburg; thenccto Citj' 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 Miss Huldah R. Dodson, the daughter of George and Hannah (Seely) Dodson. In 1867 Mr. Smith attended Commercial College at Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., and graduated August 15 of the same year. He engaged in mercantile business at Mahauoy City in 1868. Subsequently he returned to Benton Township, Colum- bia 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 the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith:" Lenore Estelle, born March 5, 1867; Minnie Gertrude, born July 17. 1868; Aaron Raymond, born December 31, 1869; Fannie Evada, born August 16, 1871. died .lul v 10, 1875; Jennie Adrielle, born May 6, 1874; Ada and Eva (twins) born and died March 30, 1873; Ninolia Theherne born May 18, 1876; Susie May, born May 1, 1879; Carrie Josepliine, born March 38, 1881; Permillie born 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 Benton Town- ■ship, and remained on the old homestead until 1873. In 1873 he worked on the N. W. ,R. R., and in 1875 located on a farm in Biiarcreek Township, this county, one year, re- moving thence to Nescopeck. He came to his present home in 1878, buying a farm of minety-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 great interest in educational matters, and likes to see all- ^modern improvements in school work succeed. Besides teaching and farming he has en- BRIARCEEEK TOWNSHIP. 383 gaged in lumbering for three years at Nescopeck, )iis family residing on the farm. A.t jiresent he is engaged in conjunction with C. A. Wesley in erecting a large planing-mlll and sash and door factory at Benton this county. Mr. Smith married, February 5, 1870, Fratices, daughter of George and Hannah (Seeley) Dodson, and the following children have been born to their union: Tonence C, born January 31, 1871; Anna C, May 24, 1872; Edna G., May 33, 1876; Verdie E., December 4, 1877; Atta M., May 5, 1879; Lane T., December 17, 1884, and Firman E., November 13, 1885. Mr. Smith is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and keeps the T.aurus postoflBce. George Dodson, the father of Mrs. Smith, 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 " Dod- son's mill," on Pine Creek, in Huntington Township, Luzerne County. July 10, 1828, he married Hannah Seeley, who was born in Salem Township July 4, 1806. In 1839 Mr. Dod- son 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 large family was reared as follows: Susan B., born May 28, 1829; Mary Ann, April 14, 1881; Elias E., February 2, 1833; Margaret S., December 5, 1884; 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, lfc46, and Frances A., December 17, 184S. 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 dis- positioned. and reared a family worthy of himself. His widow makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. R. T. Smith. JOHN C. WENNER, farmer, P. O. Cambria, was born April 10, 1836, in Fishing- creek Township, near Bendertown, a son of Jacob and Leah (KaufE) Wenner. Our subject remained at home until his marriage, January 1, 1859, to Hannah, a daughter of William Savage and Mary (Clinerman) Savage of Fishingcreek Township. They were natives of Berks County, Penn., are both deceased and buried in Fishingcreek Town- ship. 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 33, 1864, wife of William Ashelman, all living near him. Mr. Wenner was engaged in school-teaching a long time — from 1858 to 1883 — 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 abandoned the profession and engaged in farming. He is a correspondent to the 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, July 28, 1824, a 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 County, and over 130 years ago bought 900 acres where our subject now lives. The Sfandfather of Enos L. next took the homestead in this county, where he farmed all his life, and here also his son, subj ect'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, witeot James Freas; Samuel. Kenny, Anna M., William, Elliott, Margaret and Fannie. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members oi the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the ■Grange and has held the office of township assessor. . GEORGE WESLEY ASH, proprietor Briar Creek Excelsior Mills, P. O. Ber- T'v, -iF"'^ ™''^ ^*^ "'"'''' '° ^^'^^> t° ^^^^ ^^^ Pl^*'^ °f oii^ destroyed by fire, by Ruckle & Ash The mill was owned by that firm up to 1880, when Charles Ash, father of George ♦Vesley, bought the interest of Mr. Ruckle, and the plant is now owned by the Messrs. 384 BIOGKAPHIOAL SKETCHES: Ash, Charles and George W. The building is 40x50 feet in ground area, and is three and one-half stories in height; is supplied with three run of buhrs; is run by water, and the power is supplied Jfrom 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, grand- father of George W., came to this county in the early days from Northampton County, Penn., and bought 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 Town- ship, where he bought a tract of land now owned by William and Charles Ash, two of his 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 buried 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 when his parents removed to this county. He made his- home with his parents until he married, and then bought a part of the old home- stead 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 Township, this county, farming his father's place; Harvey Reuben, who lives in Berwick, this county; Stewart Alexan- der, 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 Amy Florentine. Alvjn 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 Township. His wife died February (19, 1886, and is 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 when 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 21, 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 mar- ried in this countv February 33, 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 direct- ors of Briarcreek Township, having been elected in 1884. DAVID BAUCHER, mason, Berwick, was born in Mahoning Township July 37, 1883, 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 county. Jacob Baucher was reared in Schuylkill County and remained there until he was thirty- five 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 1837. He was the father of nine chil- dren, 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 1843 he came to Ber- wick and worked at his trade several years; then in partnership with Daniel Reedy he began contracting. After some years the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Baucher continued in business alone. In April, 1844, he married Rachel Sybert, a native of Lu- zerne 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; LiUie, 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 has passed all the chairs. He has been on the town council sev- eral 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 19,1839, 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 Lehigh. 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 gi-andfather, George Zahner, was a great hunter, and at the time of his coming, game was very plentiful. He first built a log cabin. The BEIAECBEEK TOWNSHIP. , 385 nearest market was then at Philadelphia or Reading. George Michael Bower was a weaver by trade, also followed farming and taught a school at his own house. A promi- nent man in his day, he died in Briarcreek Township in December, 1863, in his eighty- third year. His wife died about six years prior. Isaiah was reared on a farm and when eighteen years of age went to learn the carpenter's trade and the building of threshing machinery. He was thus employed until 1853 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 Nescopeok. In De- cember, 1850, he married Hannah Hagenbuch. Mr. Bower has also been extensively en- gaged in the real estate business. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, to which he has belonged for thirty-eight years. EDMUND J. BOWMAN, Berwick, was born in Briarcreek Township, Columbia Co., Penn., December 21, 1835; a son of Jesse and Anna (Brown) Bowman. His grandfather, the Kev. Thomas Bowman, Sr., was born in Bucks County in 1760, and in 1782 married Mary Treas, of Northampton County. In April, 1798, 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, Colum- bia County, and occupied, temporarily, a log house near the site of the three-story Pilk- ington dwelling, situated upon the public road leading from Berwick to Orangeville. The grandfather was a Methodist preacher, whose 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 prac- tical education. After his marriage he lived in Briarcreek eleven years, when he movedl 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 soci- ety composed of the pious neighbors who gathered on Sundays to hold prayer-meetings, Sunday-school and class meetings. In 1839 he was transferred to Berwick, where he con- tinued 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 direct- or 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 su\)sidy of $10,- 000 was secured from the State for the building of the present bridge across the Susque- hanna River, at Berwick. In 1831 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 chil- dren a classical education. He was a member of the boai'd of trustees of Dickinson Col- lege 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 Semi- nary; 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 evi- denced 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 jour- nals. For some years his occupation was that of a school-teacher, and he served his coun- try 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. ROBERT 8. BOWMAN, postmaster, Berwick, was born in Centre Township, Colum- bia Co., Penn., July 8, 1858, a son of D. A. and Jane 8. (Clark) Bowman, natives of Penn- sylvania. 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-great- grandfather, 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,. 386 ' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and followed agricultural pursuits. He was twice married, and was the father of eight children, three by his first wife and five by his second. Six of the children still survive: Caroline, Sarah A. (wife of Thomas F. Schuyler), 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 Mifflinville. Robert S., our subject, was reared on a farm until twelve years of age, when his parents moved to the town of Mifflinville. There he •attended school until he was eighteen years of age,, when he entered the Republiean ofBce at Bloomsburg. He served.'a three years' apprenticeship, and at the age of twenty -one, in 1879, came to Berwick and bought out the Berwick Independent. Mr. Bowman was appointed postmaster at Berwick, under Arthur's administration, and took charge of the office in that month. Cot Jber 13, 1881, he married Mary Isadore Gilroy, a native of Ber- wick, and their union has been blessed with two children: Roy W. and Clark A. Mr. Bowman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Bowman of the Baptist. JONAS CRI8MAN, miller, P. O. Berwick, was born in Warren County. N. J., March 4, 1831, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Hill) Crisman, 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 mill- ing. 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 fiee 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's father was born in Warren 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 1812, and while rejoicing over the election of President Harrison, in 1841, he was accidentally killed by the explosion of a cannon. 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 millers 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 he 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 P. P. Preas), 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, Jb., teller of the First National Bank, Berwick, was born in Phil- adelphia July 31, 1847, a son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth R. (Glenn) Crispin, natives of Philadelphia, and of English descent. His father was born August 1, 1834, and educated An 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 Longacre & 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, 1878. 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. Mr. Crispin married, in 1873, Maggie, daughter of M. W. and Margaret (Qearhart) Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Crisoin 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 1652, with William Penn, and located in Phila- delphia. 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 lieutenant- governor for some years. His latter years he spent inretirement,having amassed afortune. 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 busi- ness, which he followed until leaving the city. In 1870 he came to Berwick and engaged tin mercantile business, which he has since followed. He carries a general stock of dry BEIAECEEEK TOWNSHIl-. 387 goods, boots, shoes, groceries, etc., valued at $7,000. In September, 1873, he married FaDnie Bowman, a native of Columbia County. EMMOR DIETTERICH, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Centre Township July 7, 1831, a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Hoofnagle) Dietterich, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in Northamp- ton County, Penn., where he resided until his death. He was among the first settlers of' that county. His son, Jacob, was a farmer and came to Columbia County in 1800, and settled in Centre Township. He owned a large tract of land, all timber, which required many years of labor to clear. He was a strong Democrat in politics, and was sixty-four years old at the lime of his death. Subject's father was only ten years old when his parents came to this county, and he used to take the grain on horsel)ack to the old Ritten- bouse 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 civil war and died a short time after his discharge). Our subject was reared on a farm, 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 whom are living: Edella and Dora, wife of War- ren Terwilliger. The deceased are Clark and Lewis H. Mr. and Mrs. Dietterich are members of the Lutheran Church. He has served as school director, auditor, judge of' elections and inspector, and was supervisor eleven terms. B. P. 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 years 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 by 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 marry the Indian chief, and bore him two sons. While the Indians were on a trading trip she made her 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 his children. Nathan Dreisbach has followed millwrighting all his life, which was the oceupation 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. Forninger, 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 engaged in mercantile business three years. He then moved to Fishingcreek, where he followed the same busi- ness 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 Company C, Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 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 Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellors- ville, Fredericksburg and several skirmishes. He was postmaster at Conyngham, Luzerne County, 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 the father's side and German on the mother's. The first of the family settled in Briarcreek Township the latter part of the last century, and his grand- father, James Evans, was the first millwright of the county. He built nearly all the 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 Seventy-eighth, 388 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Pennsyl'vania Volunteers, in Capt. J. M. Buckalew's (a brother of the Hon. Charles R. Buckalew of Bloomsburg) company. He rendered gallant service to his country in the ranks, where he served fourteen months, and was then honorably 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 to Wyoming Seminary, at Kings- ton, taking a full three years' course of study. Upon his graduation from this excellent in- 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, is the most reliable and largest agency in Columbia County. Only old and well established Are, marine and life insurance companies are represented by Mr. Evans. He has had 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: ^Etna of Hartford, Liverpool and London and Globe, Com- mercial Union of London, Phoenix of Hartford, Fire Association of Philadelphia, ^tna Life of Hartford, Springfield of Missouri, Fire and Marine. Any information by mail or otherwise will receive prompt attention by addressing Mr. Evans. He also is largely inter- ested in real estate transactions in this town. He has laid out and is offering for sale some very fine building lots at ihe upper end of Market Street, a suburb of Berwick. Mr. Evans is the president of the home Young Men's Christian Association, and a leading member of the Methodist 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 B., 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 years, 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 Col- umbia Co.,;Penn., January 10, 1858, a son of Francis and Jane (Lamon) Evans, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Welsh and Irish descent. His great-gi-andfather 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 year 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 is now leading a retired life. Charles C. was reared on the farm and attended the "dis- trict school until 1874, when he attended the State normal school two years. In the win- ter of 1876-77 he taught school in the township of Briarcreek, and in the fall of 1877 went to Lafayette College, where he graduated in June, 1881. He then entered the office of the Hon. Simon P. Wolverton, of Sunbury, and read law under him for two years. July 14, 1883, he was admitted to practicejin 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 fine intellect and well fitted for the profession he has chosen. He is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and of the Presbyterian Church. JOHN M. FAIRCHILD, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Newport Township, 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 also followed farming, and the farm owned by him, on which he first settled in Luzerne County, is now cut up into town lots for part of Nanti- coke. He was the father of six children, four of whom are living: Henry, Alfred, Martha (wife of O. F. Ferris) 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 which 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 Wes- ley B. Mrs. Fairchild is a member of the Reformed Church. OLAP 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- - BRIAEOEEEK TOWNSHIP. 389 ceased), Levi (deceased), Emily, Charles (deceased). Clarissa, Olaf F. and Simeon (deceased). Henry died in the service of his country, and Levi was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 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 leam the carpenter's trade, and followed it in Luzerne County, having moved to Nanticoke in the sprmg of 1870. In March, 1885, he moved to Columbia County, and bought 150 acres 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 buildings. He was engaged in mercantile business in Nanticoke for about four years, and still owns an interest in it. He married, in January, 1875, Martha L. Fairchild, who 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 coun- cil. He has passed all the chairs in the Masonic lodge. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs in the lodge. He has represented the Masonic lodge for two years in the Grand Lodge. FREA.S FOWLER,- farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Brlarcreek Township, May 35, 1830, a son of Gilbert and Sarah (Freas) Fowler, natives of the same township. His grandfather, Daniel , came from New York State and located in Brlarcreek in 1775, 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 trees, but is now one of the best farms in the neighborhood. Gilbert Fowler was born in 1793, and always made Brlarcreek Township his home. He followed farming, and owned at one time about 500 acres. He was the father of seven children, four of whom are now living: Andrew, Freas, Charles and Lyman. Gilbert died in January, 1885, and his wife in 1878. Freas Fowler was reared on the farm, and received his education in Berwick. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he went into business with his brother-in-law, keeping hotel at Berwick. He served as constable and collector of Ber- wick five years. Inl863 he took the homestead farm, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in 1883 bought the farm, which consists of 139 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 Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In 1879 Mr. Freas Fowler was elected as one of the vice-presi- 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 13, 1858, a son of John and Mercy (Hoffman) Hill, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His grandfather, Frederick Hill, settled in Cen- tre Township the latter part of the last century. His grandfather Hoflman moved to Berwick, where he lived during the latter part of his life. Our subject's father followed farming in Centre Township until 1873, when he moved to Berwick, bought property and there has since resided. He was the father of eleven children, eight of whom are living: Sarah, wife of Wesley Fortner; William,PhoBbe, 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 completed his medical course in the spring of 1876. He graduated at Jefferson .Medical College in 1876, after which he became a partner with his preceptor. Dr. R. H. Little, and contiuued practice with him until his death in January, 1885. Since then Dr. Hill has been alone and has a large and lucrative practice both as a surgeon and physician. He married in March, 1886. Hattie Wesley, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. M. L. HOUSKNECHT, farmer, was born in Columbia County, Penn., April 3, 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 ];esided 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 survivor. He was reared in Mifliinville and there received a part of his education. He entered a store as clerk when he was fourteen years Jof age, and remained until he was twenty-nine. He also attended school at Bloomsburg and Union Seminary, New Berlin. In 1869 he moved to where he now resides, purchased a farm, and has since followed agri- cultural pursuits. He married in November, 1863, Annie M. Hosier, and seven children 390 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: were born to them: Mary E., John 8. (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 MethodiBt Episcopal Church. He has served as auditor and assessor. M. W. 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, K. T., and his mother of Chester County, Penn., 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, until his death in 1845. Our subject's father came to this place in the early part of the 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 be- gan 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 to embark in some business of his own. In 1840, in connection with George Mack, he started a foundry on a small scale for the manufacture of plows and plow castings, ket- tles and almost everything that farmers would want. The present site of his dwelling was at that time an orchard, and Berwick was very small.. The partnership continued three years when Mr. Jackson bought out Mr. Mack and took in Robert McCurdy as a partner, and continued thus about three years. He then bought 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 oflJackson & 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 3, 1880, but the stock is still retained by the family. The company is now organized with C. R. Woodin, president; 6. 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 1866 the buildings 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 1,300 men when running at full capacity, ^he firm also own and operate a large store and do a business from $100,- 000 to $135,000 per annum. The capacity of the rolling-mill is forty to fifty tons per day of finished iron or merchant 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 to twelve inches in diameter, used for water and gas. When the works are run under full capacity, 140 to 150 tons of pig iron per day are used. This gives some idea of the work 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, beauti fully located, and by industry and economy he has amassed quite a fortune. He has been twice married; first in 1839, to Marga- ret Gearhart, granddaughter of Judge Gearhart, a native of Northumberland County, who bore him seven cliildren, two living: Margaret Jackson (wife of B. F. Crispm, Jr.) and Frank R. (married to Miss Ammerman). Mrs. Jackson died in 1871, and our subject next married in 1877, Mrs. Mary (Shulze) Gotwalt, niece of Gov. J. Andrew Shulze, of Penn- sylvania, who has borne him one child, Mary Woodin. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is president of the First National Bank, and 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 son of M. W. and Margaret (Gearhart) Jackson. At the age of fourteen he entered Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, where, two years later, he graduated with the highest honors of his class. He then entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, where, at the age of eighteen he graduated at the head of his class. After his college career he returned home, where he remained during the eventful period cover- ing 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 3, 1863, as second lieutenant of Com- pany H, Eighty-fourth Regiment. January 3, of the following year, he was promoted first lieutenant, and passed safely through many sanguinary battles. At Chancellorsville he waa 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 brought back. Later he was exchanged and appointed to a captaincy, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. At the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded and again 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 was included among 600 oCBcers that BRIAECBEEK TOWNSHIP. 391 were taken to Charleston and placed under Are 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 they 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. Hartranft's staff. In 1879 he was honored by an appoint- ment from Gov. Hoyt, making him quartermaster-general, which ofiBce 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 Com- pany, president of the rolling-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 ex- pense, in which he resided one year before his death. The firms with which he was con- nected 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 Methodist Episcopal Church. FRANK R. JACKSON, director of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, was born in Berwick, Novem ber 10, 1850, a son of M. W. and Margaret (Gearhart) Jack- son, 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 Mechanicsburg. 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 the 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 B. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a gentle- man of fine education, very enterprising and has a host of friends. CHARLES N. KISNBR, 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., two 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 in Philadelphia. LEVI KURTZ, or more properly spelt Kutz, was born in Fork Township, Northamp- ton Co., Penn., March 30, 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 subject 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 nine- teen 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 years. 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 dis- posed 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 difiHculties to contend against. Indians were also numerous, and his wife and brother were killed by them. George Learn, oureubject'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 County, 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 township, until he was forty-seven years of age, and then moved to Columbia County. March 21, 1850, he married Lenora Keller, who bore him five children: Henry 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 are members of the Reformed Church. M. LEVY, clothing merchant, Berwick, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), April 3, 1852, a son of Joseph and Mary (Woog) |Levy, natives of France. His father is «till living in his native country, engaged in the mercantile business, which he has fol- lowed since a boy, and is now sixty-eight years old. He is the father of seven children, ■five of whom are living: Emanuel, 'Marx, Caroline, Jeanette and Flora. The deceased are David and Elise. Marx, our subject, was engaged in the mercantile business with tiis father in France until 1872, when in the fall of that year he took passage on the steamer " Queen," and after a voyage of seventeen days landed in the City of New York. There he remained one year, engaged in mercantile business. He was then employed '^y a New York dry goods house and sent west to travel, his points being Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans, and all the large cities, and was thus engaged about five years. -He then went to Philadelphia, where he was engaged about two years in mercantile business. 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, trunks, etc., his stock being valued at about $7,000, insured. In March, 1882, he married Rosa Dukes, a native of San Francisco, Cal. They are the parents of three children, two of whom are living: Mabel and Arthur. Mr. Levy is a member of the Free Sons, and he and wife are of the Jewish faith. SHADRACK L. MoBRIDE, Berwick, was born in Columbia County, January 29, 1825, a son of Hugh and Mary (Mack)'McBride, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish descent on the paternal side. Hugh McBride was born near Danville; has always followed farming, and now resides in Luzerne County, retired from active life. He was the father of seven chil- dren, four of whom are living: S. L., Sallie, Roxana and Margaret. Our subject was reared on a far.ii 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 1854, Caroline A. Taylor, and two children were born to >their union: Fannie, wife of Thomas W. Sherwood, and Samuel H., married to Martha -Henry. Mr. and Mrs. McBride are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. GARRICK MALLERY, vice-president of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Com- tpany, Berwick, was born in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland 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 time at 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 Ber- wick in July, 1864. He entered the store of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Com- pany as clerk, which position he held until January 5, 1865. He was then promoted book- keeper of the company, and retained that position until the reorganization of the firm in 1872. He was then made treasurer, which position he held until December, 1882, 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 Presbyterian Churches. W. ELLIS MICHAEL, dentist, Berwick, was born in Briarcreek Township, Colum- bia Co., Penn., August 20, 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 sub- ■ iect'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 200 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. Kior 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 his wife are members 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 Mifflin Township in the latter part of the last century, where he bought a farm and re- BRIAECREEK TOWNSHIP. 393 «ided until his death. His father was born in 1813 and remained in Mifflin Township un- til 1851, when he moved to where George W. now resides, and died March 38, 1873. His widow is yet living in her seventy-flfth year. George W. was reared on a farm and re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. He was engaged by Reu- ben Miller as a traveling salesman, with whom he remained two years. His farm where he has always resided, contains 216 acres. He married in 1860 MTary A. Sitler, and seven ■children blessed their union, six of whom are living: Dora, Delia P., Catharine A., Ger- trude, Elizabeth and Robert C. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Evangelical Church. HUDSON OWEN, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Canal of the Wyoming divis- ion, 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 Coun- ty, N. Y., but of Welsh descent. He was a tanner by trade and followed the business ■during the early part of his life. He owned a tannery and property in Middletown, N. Y. In 1819 he sold out and moved to Wyoming County, where he bought a farm and re- sided 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 1813 and belonged to the Light Horse Company. He was a life-long Democrat and a man of prominence in his day. He had a family of four children by his first wife, •only one of whom is living — Hudson, and by his last wife had five sons, 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 employed on the Juniata Canal for one year. In January, 1839, he went to Danville, Penn., and was employed by the Pennsylvania Canal Company and helped build the canal. He became foreman of one division and re- mained in that position until 1858, when he was appointed superintendent of the Wyom- ing 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 1839 has held nearly all the offices of the com- pany. He married in July, 1887, 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.; Sarah, 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 chil- dren 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 the church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the I. 0. 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, ason of William and Lydia(Stroh) Petty, natives, respectively, of North- ampton 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 fol- lowed agriculture all his life. William Petty was born January 31, 1787, was reared on a farm and followed lumber dealing for eleven years in Northampton County, where he owned a tract of timber land. He immigrated to Luzerne County in 1837 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 Pitts- ton, and Matthias H. (Peter is deceased). Our subject remained at home until twenty- three years of age, when he married. He farmed in Hanover Township, Luzerne County, 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 .m Briarcreek Township, where he now resides. He bought a farin of sixty acres and has a fine residence, out-buildings, etc. He married December 38, 1854, Mary Pell, a native of Luzerne County, and ten children blessed their union: Hattie, wife of "James E. Smith; Amy; Samuel; William, a graduate of Long Island Hospital Medical College, Brooklyn, S. 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 urange and is overseer of the poor. While residing in Luzerne County he was justice of the peace one term. DANIEL REEDY, mason, was born in Columbia County, Penn., May 14, 1835, a son •01 Peter and Leah (Clause) Reedy, the former a native of Lehigh County, as was also his 394 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: mother, and both 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 carpenter- ing all his life, and was accidentally killed by a falling tree in 1843. His widow is yet living at the age of seventy-nineyears. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living: Eliza, wife of Hiram Kitchen, resides in this county; Daniel (subject); Jere- miah, 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 part- nership was dissolved. Mr. Reedy now has a good business and is doing well; he owns a fine residence in Berwick and also some land. In 1880 he took a pleasure trip west and 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. and Mrs. Reedy are members of the Methodist Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. P., of the Masonic fraternity and is a K. T. He has served as a member of the Berwick school board and borough council several years; has also been assessor, treasurer and collector, and is treasurer of the board of managers of the Berwick fair. M. H. RITTBNHOUSE, farmer, P. O, Berwick, was born in Briarcreek on the old homestead, December 35, 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 laid out Mifflinville and there remained a few years. In 1798 he removed to what is now Briarcreek Township and bought two tracts of land, which were patented; bothcontained 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 flre, 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 six children. Of these Henry, subject's father, was the youngest and inherited the homestead, where he resided until his death, engaged in farming. He was born September 7, 1792, and died April 2, 1873. His wife was born in October, 1793, and died August 17, 1873. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are now living: Sarah, wife of William Eddings; 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 13, 1881. Our subject, Morris H., was reared on a farm and remained home until his marriage, after which; 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, Effie A., daughter of W. A. J. and Mary A. (Craig) Brittain, who were both natives of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Rittenhouse are the parents of four children, three of whom survive: Henry, Gertrude and Mary. The de- ceased was named Hattie. Mrs. Rittenhouse's great-grandfather, Silas Engel, was among the early settlers of this county. He located in Briarcreek at a very early day and 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 loft his native country when he was twelve years of age. He settled with his parents near Danville when there were but a few houses in that place. He learned the puddler's trade in Danville and followed it until 1877, when he moved to Berwick, where he has since resided, and has charge of the puddling depart- ment when it is in operation. He is the father of eleven children, eight of whom are liv- ing: Thomas W., Mary, Joseph, 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 at Danville, at the age of eleven, carrying water for the puddlers two weeks. He then ran iron from the squeezer to the rolls about one year, and worked around the rolls five BEIAECREEK TOWNSHIP. 395 years in the same mill. He worked in Northumberland mills one yefer. 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 in- juries which necessitated his arm being amputated at the shoulder. As soon as he was able to resume work he was engaged in one of the offices, and there remained until the fall of 1878. He was then appointed superintendent of the rolling mill, which position he still fills. He married, in January, 1880, Fannie McBride, and one child has blessed their union, Mabel T. Mrs. Sherwood is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 240. SAMUEL B. SMITH, farmer, P. 0. Berwick, was born in Mifflin Township Feb. 9, 1838, 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, re- mained 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 until 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 gi'and- father, 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 county, which be ordered made when he first settled at Mifflin. 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, 1830, 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 witli 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 Mid Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served as town councilman for a number of years. • n^^^" ■^' ^' YOCUM, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Berwick, was born mColumbia.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 carried on ™™JDg 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 wnat 18 BOW Snyder County, which was then being organized. He moved next to the Borough of Selin's Grove, where he remained a short time; thence to Northumberland ^°"°'y- "Where he purchased a farm and resided until his death in 1872. His wife died in Beptember, 1843. Our subject was but seven days old when his mother died. He re- mained at home until about seventeen years of age, when he began teaching school; taught two years and also attended school. In 1860 be entered the old Bank of Northumberland, iinn^fl organized as the First National Bank of Sunbury. He served the bank as clerk ff r H t J ■ °^ ^^^^' ^lisn he entered Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, where he graauated m the classical course in June, 1868. He returned to the bank at the solicita- won ot his former employers, and remained twelve months. In March, 1869, he became a memDer of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was sent to the Muhlenburg Circuit, Luzerne County, as his first ^(^pointment, and spent 396 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: one year at this pointj 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 Hazel- ton, where he served as its pastor three years. His next appointment was at Newberry, or Seventh Ward, WlUiamsport, where he remained three years; thence went to Tyrone' Blair County, where he spent two years; thence to Bloomshurg, where he also remained two years. In March, 1881, he was appointed presiding elder of the Williamsport District, in which oflce he served four years. In 1885 he was appointed pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Berwick, which charge he still retains. March 31, 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 & Woodiu Manufacturing Company, Berwick, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., April 16, 1856, of German descent. His grandfather came from Germany in the early part of the 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 until October, 1878. He then went to Harrisburg where he was employed as assistant sec- 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 resigned on account of ill health, and in March, 1879, was employed as private secretary to Co}. Jack- son, and remained in that position until the latter's death. After that event he served in same position for C. R. Woodin for some time, when he was elected secretary of the com- pany, and still retains that position, and in December, 1885, was also installed superin- tendent. He is one of the active members of the Y. M. C. A., having been president of 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 InTamaqua, Penn., January 20, 1860, a son of Peter R. and Sarah (Horn) Baldy, natives of this State and of German de- scent. His grandfather, Stephen, engaged in mercantile business in Catawissa in the year 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 and jus- tice of the peace a great many years, and filled several minor offices. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church; politically a Democrat. Our subject's father, Peter, was born in Catawissa, and has been an employe of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company for a number of years, now holding the position of time clerk. Stephen Baldy came to Catawissa at the age of Ave 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. Baldy is a member of the Episcopal Church. T. D. BERNINGER, painter, undertaker and dealer in furniture, P. 0. 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 born in Berks County, and [is 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 Town- ship 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 appren- ticeship 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. In CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 397 April, 1883, he bought out the stock of furniture of William Hartman, put in a new stock of furniture, and has since continued the business. The stock is valued at $3,000 and i» 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. Bern- inger does house and sign painting and devotes bis time almost entirely to his business^ 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- Ceunty, and was a miller, which trade he followed the greater part of his life. He moved to this county about 1825 and here remained until his death. Our subject's father was- horn 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. Her worked for him eighteen months and then went to Franklin Township and worked in the Mendenhall mill for three years; thence to Roai-ingcreek, 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 combina- tion process, three run of buhrs, one double roller-mill, one twenty-inch under runner, regrinder, bolts, purifier, etc.. Home & Ewell smutter, etc. The mill is run by water- 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 less since Mr. Berninger pur- chased it. Mr. Berninger married, November 14, 1867, Matilda, daughter of Michael and Margaret Mensch, and they are the parents of seven children, four 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 Catawissa on which he has his mill and residence. He also farms to some extent. MATTHEW A. BIBBY, agent, D. L. & W. R. R., Catawissa, was born in Lakesville, Dorchester Co., Md., January 36, 1842, a son of Henry and Sarah (Graham) Bibby, and of Scotch-English descent. His father was born in Maryland and was » 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. W. Wells' store in Havre de Grace, Md., and remained seven years. In 1862 he went to Baltimore where he clerked in the store of George H. Edgar, until 1868, when he- removed to Renovo, Penn., and entered the office of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad as- clerk. There he remained until the fall of 1871, when he came to Catawissa and here- has since been employed by the D. L, & W. R. R., as station agent, express and freight agent, and operator of the road — and the positions he has filled with perfect satisfaction to the company by which he is employed. He married May 23, 1872, Julia, daughter of David W. and Elizabeth (Boon) Clark, and three sons were born to their union: David' B., Frank and Robert. Mrs. Bibby is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.- JOSEPH BREISCH, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Catawissa Township, this county, August 15, 1823, and is a son of George and Rebecca (Wall) Breisch. His parents- were natives of this State and of German descent. His grandfather. Jacob Breisch, was- born in Germany and came to America at an early day. His grandfather. Wall, was sold on board of a vessel to pay his passage to America. Our subject's father was bwn ir» 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 1853. In 1853 he married Harriet Miller, by whom he has five children: Emma J. (married to Chas. W. Newhauser) and John E. (twins), Rebecca, Harmon andRegina. In 1853 Mr. Breisch bought the farm where bis son John now lives, con- sisting of 153 acres, moved on it in 1854 and there resided until 1864, when be came to- his present place of 350 acres. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. JOHN B. BREISCH, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Catawissa Township; ttiis 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 agricultural pursuits all his life. Subject's father was born in this county; has bcea' a farmer all his life, and is yet living on his farm. John E. was reared 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 33, 1875, Lydia Fram, a native oC 398 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Schuylkill County, Penn. They are the parents of two children: Cora E., and Raymond B. Mr. and Mrs. Breisch are memhersof the Lutheran Church at Catawissa. He is a.member of the Grand Lo(Jge, F. & A. M. In 1885 Mr. Breisch started a dairy business at which he has since been^engaged. He has k good trade and keeps fifteen head of fine cows. CHUISTEAN E. CLEWELL, merchant, Catawissa, was horn in Catawissa, July 13, 1840, a son cif Jacob and Eliza (Brobsl) 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 1863. 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 re- mained 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. Clewell 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 & Co., of Philadelphia, was born in Mifflin Township, this county, 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 in 1780, and his (Adam Creasy's) brotlier was a member of the Legislature in the early times. Our subject's father was reared in Mifflin Township, where he also followed farm- ing. He was lieutenant of a military company during the war of 1813, owned about 200 acres of land, was a member of the Lutheran Church, and died September 15, 1876. Our subject was reared on a farm until about eighteen years of age when he worked at the carriage trade for about eighteen months. He was then employed as clerk with Swank & ©rover, 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 him- self in Catawissa Township for two years and nine months. He then formed a partner- ship with N. P. John, which continued until 1867, when the firm dissolved, and Mr. Creasy again conducted tiie business alone. In the spring of 1868 he sold out to I. John & Sons, 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 acigar and tobacco establishment at Berwick, which he conducted seven months, and again re- turned to Catawissa where he has since resided. In July, 1873, he was engaged by his pres- ent employers. He married January 23, 1866, Sarah E., daughter of Isaiah and Mary (Hitler) John, and they are the parents of four children, 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. 0. F. and American Mechanics and of the K. of P., but lately has dropped out. He own9 a lot in Catawissa and 618 acres of good land. WILLIAM T. CllEASY, farmer, P. O. Catawi.ssa, was born in this township, Febru- ary 23, 1856, a son of Nathan and Susanna (Krickbaum) Creasy; the latter was a native of Catawissa Township and of German descent. The former's ancestors came from Ger- many and settled in New Jersey, whence they moved to this county about 100 years ago. Some settled about Mifflin Township, this county, where i hey farmed. Subject's grand- father William was one of the earlier settlers in Catawissa Valley, Schuylkill County. He was a farmer, which occupation he followed all his life, with the exception of the last few years, wuen he lived retired in CStawi.^isa. He died in January, 1886, being in his seventy-ninth year. Our subject's father was born in Catawissa Valley, and was there roared. After his marriage lie bought a farm where Henry L. now resides, and there re- 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 un- til twenty years of age. He graduated at Bloomsburg Normal School in 1875; began teaching when si.vteen years olcl, and taught eleven terms. In 1876 he moved to where he now resides. He married, Marcli 33, 1876, Sarah Jane Weaver, by whom he has three children: Charles, Katie and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. Creasy are members of the Lutheran 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. HENRY L. CREASY, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Catawissa Township, September 12, 1861, a son of Nathan and Susanna (Krickbaum) Creasy, both of whom were born and reared on the farm where our subject now resides. They Iwere of German de- scent, and were the parents of eight children, six now living: William T., Francis P-, Elmira (wife of W. H. Hess), Henry L., Nathan and Dora. Our subject was born and CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 399 Teared 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, this county, and one child has been born to them, Hiram W. Mr. and Mrs. Creasy are memberiS of the old Lvitheran Church. He is an intelligent and enterprising farmer; has just commenced in life for himself, butisjgifted with that energy which is sure to succeed. PETER B. ERVIN, harness-maker, Catawissa, was born August 31, 1864, in Cata- wissa, a son of John and Henrietta (Bodine) Ervin, 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 first farmer in the vicinity of Catawissa, and lived and died here. The great-grandfather 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 iarming. 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 ait in his younger days. He helped to build the furnace at Danville, and, while so engaged, he had tfiree 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 & Beading Railroad, as car builder. Our subject was reared in Catawissa, attended school until seventeen years of age, and later was employed by T. E. Harder. He then engaged for three years in the confection- 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 Evangeli- •cal Lutheran Church ; is also a member of the P. O. 8. of A. In politics he is a Republican. WILLIAM EYER. surveyor and draftsman of the Catawissa division of the Phila- delphia & 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 in New York. They have also a large sugar refinery in Philadelphia. His grandmother Havemeyer was about ninety-eiglit years of age when she died; liis grandfather died at th6 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 edu- cating 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 iuntil 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 ofiice of "W. G. Yetter, division engineer of Catawissa division, as surveyor and draftsman, which positisn he still holds. He was married, 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 13, 1846, son of Rev. William J. Eyer (whose sketch and portrait appear elsewhere), and was educated pi-inci- pally 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 m 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 an active 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, 1853, a son of Michael F. and Eliza T. (Kluge) Eyerly, natives of Pean- sylvania and of German descent. His rfiaternal great-grandfather came from- Germany. Uis grandfather, Jacob Eyerly, was appointed, by Gov. Wolf, prothonotary of Columbia t/ounty, 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 Blooms- burg, where he was employed as clerk in the prothonotary's office for a number of years, iie 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 Q. Freeze, attor- ney at law, and was with him several years, but is now leading a retired life. William L. 400 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: attended.school at Bloomsburg 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. Eyerly was mar- ried, November 15, 1877, to Maggie M., daughter of John and Nancy Keifsnyd§r, 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 31, 1811, a son of John and Sarah B. Portner. Natives of Pennsylvania, the Portner 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 sup- port 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 Douglas resided with his family and married a man by the name of Portner. and resided in New Jersey until their death. They had twelve children, one of whom, Jonas, went to Canada during the Revolutionary war with England, as he was prejudiced against the war. The grandfather of Benjamin P. Fortner was born in New Jersey, and at the breaking out of the Ravolutionary war he enlisted in the army and served nine campaigns in the army under Gen. Washington; was in the battle of Brandy- wine; 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 British army. He moved to Columbia County near Mifflinville, Penn., and he had three sons and four daughters: George, Andrew, John, Anna, Naomi, Frances and Mercy. He died near Mifflinville, 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 vear. He was the father of three children, two sons and one daughter, viz.: Benjamin 1*., 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 Cata\vissa, as a salesman, with whom he re- mained until he was twenty-one years, when he 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 1888, 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 Rail- road boating became poor, and he sold out and bid for and was allotted work grading on 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 Thirteenth 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 which he was re- elected 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. Portner's father married Sarah Brooke, whose father lived in Columbia County, Penn. CLARK P. HARDER, contractor and builder, Catawissa, was born in Columbia County, Penn., September 28, 1841, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Peister) 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 Peister 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 »nd OATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 401 also followed farming. He owned a farm in Catawissa Township. He was a Republican in politics. He died in 1860. Our subject was only fourteen years of age when his father died, and he then remained with his mother until her death in 1873. At sixteen years of age he began to learn the carpenter and cabinet-maker's trades, which he had just mas- tered 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 111 and removed to the convalescent camp ia Virginia, where later on he was discharged on account of disability. After his discharge he went t6 Washington and wanted to join his regiment, but was refused. He arrived home one month before t^e 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-mill which he has since operated, and is doing a good business. He built seventeen houses in the summer of 1885, furnishing all his own ma- 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 Q. 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 coun- ty, 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 1883 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. This 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; wasin the battles of Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, and at the end of nine months entered the Thirtieth Penn- sylvania 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 de- tached service as pOTmaster'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 en- gagements 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 had it not beeni 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 business 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 Decem- ber 8, 1845, a son of Moses and Rebecca (Clayton) Hartman, the parents of the latter be- ing 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 bj trade, tanned hides for the Indians, and prepared all kinds of furs. He lived here un- til his death, after which the estate was divided, and Casper, the grandfather of our sub- ject, got a third of the homestead and lived on it until his death. One of his sons moved 00 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- 402 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: about thirty years, but in his later days moved to Oatawissa, where he died in 1871. He was the father of four children, three of whom are living: Harriet, wife of Nelson John, residing in Minnesota; Deborah, deceased; Nelson C, and Jane, wife of J. M. Smith, re- siding in Oatawissa. 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 aa the Rocky Mountains. After an absence of one year he returned home and was em- ployed on the Philadelphia* Reading Railroad as fireman for four years. He abandoned that, however, and went on the farm, where he now lives. Here he owns about 300 acres of good land. February 16, 1870, he married Alice, daughter of Andrew and Anna {Boone) Clark, and they are the parents of two children, Andrew -C. and Harry Garfield. 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. REV. DAVID M. HENKEL, D. D., Oatawissa, was born in Point Pleasant, Monas 'Co., W. Va., April 12, 1830, and is a son of Rev. Charles and Mary (Siegrist) Henkel, na- tives 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 Qerraantown, Philadelphia, in 1735, where he resided until his death, which was occasioned by an accident. He was found by the roadside dead, and the supposition was that his horse had thrown him. He was a Lutheran minis- 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 'Co., Va., in 1835. Our subject's father was the first Lutheran minister in Columbus, 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 Colum- bus, Ohio, and was educated at the Capital University of that place, where he also re- ■ceived 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 yet in a wild state. He remained here only eighteen months, when he was forced to leave on account of sick- ness, and returned to the valley of Virginia until he had recuperated, when he took the charge at Stewartsville, N. J. In 1859 he was called to Danville, Montour County, there organized and built Trinity Lutheran Church and served as its pastor eight years. He was then called to Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Penn., where he organized and built St. John's Church, in that county, and remained as its pastor four years. He was then 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 ■Catiiwissa, 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. SifEerd; Leah, wife of Rev. A. L. Yount; Charles, married to Miss Lease, of Nokomis, 111. ; Solon, William and Luther. Mrs. Henkel died in 1873, and he next married, in November, 1875, Susan C. Eyer, eldest daughter of Rev. W. J. Eyer, of Oatawissa, who was born in 1803, and came to Oatawissa in 1888. 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. Hcmkel's grandfather, Frederick C. Havemeyer, opened a sugar refinery in the city of New York in 1833, and made it one of the largest concerns in that city. It is still in the Havemeyer name, and the family ia also connected with a sugar refinery in Philadelphia. MINNER HILE, traveling salesman for A. A Shumway & Co., of Philadelphia, Penn., was born in Northumberland County, Penn., January 33, 1834, and is a son of James and Hannah (Campbell) Hile, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His -great- grandfather, Henry Hile, came from Germany and located near Sunbury, Northum- berland 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 Sunbury for a number of years, when he moved to Clearfield County, where he followed farming until 1886 (previously he came to this county and bought a farm of 330 acres, in 1856, in Frank- lin Township, which he still carries on). He is seventy-seven years of age. Our subject was reared on a farm and at the ase 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 Oatawissa Township, moved on it, farmed and operated a dairy. He was the first man to start a dairy in Oatawissa, 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 Oatawissa, this county, and he and his brother, Amos, started a dry goods and grocery store in the place, which they conducted six years. He was engaged with a Read- ing boot and shoe house for about four years, as traveling salesman. In 1877 he was em- CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 403. ployed by A. A. Shumway & Co., boot and shoe dealeis of Philadelphia, as traveling sales- man, and is still in their employ. He married, April 22, 1859, Hannah Fox, who has borne him three children: Elizabeth (wife of E. Q. 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 and lot in Catawissa. ALFRED HOWER, teacher, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Numidia, Penn., Novem- ber 10, 1851, a son of Michael and Catherine (Bachman) 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 Sebastian 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 in 1883. 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 the winter and went to school in the summer. He attended Bloomsburg Normal 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 Orangeville where he lived two years, having the priocipalship 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 two- story frame house. He married, December 4, 1877, Isabella, daughter of Jolin T. and Catherine (Breisch) Shuman. Mr. and Mrs. Hower are the parents of four children:: 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 bui ied 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 botli sides came from Germany, emigrating direct to Pennsylvania, where, however, they re- mained but a short time, when they emigrated to New Jersey where they took up 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 to farming which he followed all his life. Peter was reared on the homestead in his na- tive State, where he remained until married, when he and his father-in-law came to Penn- sylvania 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 bou^t 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 Teits- worth; Martha, widow of Hiram Cool (Mr. Cool was wounded in the service of his coun- try 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 No- vember 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., mar- ried 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 mem- ber 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 Har- mon G. and Mary (Bassett)iKline, natives of Pennsylvania and of German-Scotch descent. His grandparents came from New Jersey to Northumberland County at an early day, andl engaged in farming until their death. Harmon 6. Kline is a farmer and resides in North- umberland 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 Col- lege, 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 mar- ried, September 14, 1870, Desda W., daughter of J. K. and Mary M. Sharpless. They are the parents of four children, two living: Charles S. and Grace E. Dr. and Mrs. Kline are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Lodge No. 349, Catawissa; has held the oflSce 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. 404 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: WILLIAM J. MARTIN, farmer and brickmaker, P. 0. Catawissa, was born in 8ax- •ony, Germany, April 34, 1835, a son of Jolin and Catherine (Keel) Martin, natives of Ger- many, the former being a farmer. When fourteen years of age our subject left school and ■learned the cutler's trade, at which he worked until nineteen years of age. He and bis brother, Charles, then took passage in a sailing vessel bound for America, and after a voyage of six weeks landed in New York. There they separated, Charles going to Del- aware, while our subject remained in New York and worked at his trade for two years. He 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 Coimty and hired on the farm of Judge Baldy, which he now owns; then worked a year for A. Peterolf; 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. (mar- Tied 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 land and 100 acres of mountain land. In 1883 he commenced the manufacture of brick, 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 State. REV. U. MYERS, P. O. Catawissa, was born near Easton, Northumberland Co., Penn., January 33, 1847, 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 taught 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 the good cause for one year was ordained a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1869, but con- tinued 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 re- mained 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 to rest, 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. RANDALL 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 McDon- ough, 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 chil- dren, and but little property. 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 edu- cation to enable him to become a teacher, having passed a most flattering graduation from Oxford Academy, Oxford, N. Y. As a teacher he labored with the same energy that had characterized him from boyhood, and at the age of twenty-six was elected super- intendent "of common schools for the county of Chenango. His labors in behalf of the common schools of Luzerne County, Penn., will ever be gratefully remembered by that people. Devoting his time and eflorts 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 office 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 OATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 405 to support his family. In 1846 Mr. Randall left his home and came to Hyde Park, Luzerne Co. (now Lackawanna County), commencing here to build up his fortune by teaching, and soon afterward entered his name as a law student with Charles H. 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, where 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, and in the fall of 1860 he was nominated as a candidate for Congress by the Democracy of the Twelfth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, composed of the counties of Luzerne, Wyoming, Columbia 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 dis- trict where Col. Scranton had two years before received a majority of 3,980. Upon the death of Hon. B. B. Chase, the district attorney of Luzerne County, Mr. Randall was appointed February 18, 1864, by Judge Conyngham, district attorney of the county until the next election. Upon receiving this appointment he removed to Wilkesbarre, the •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 2,235 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 in 1871, Mr. Randall was appointed chief assessor of the city by Hon. Uarrick M. Harding, a Repub- lican judge, upon the unanimous recommeifdation of the members of the city council and the commissioners of the county, serving until his death. Mr. Randall was twice mar- ried, August 35, 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 all who knew him. He was a true friend and generous foe. Bluff, hearty and outspoken in his dealings with his fellows, he was honored and beloved, and has now left to his chil- dren 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 ways, his warm friend- ship, his hearty 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 Catawiaaa News Item, Catawissa, was born in Providence, Luzerne Co., Penn., No- vember 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 Hamp- shire. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Randall, was also a native of New Hampshire 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 and was employed as foreman of the Gatawissa 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 Ntws Item, Mr. Randall conducting the editorial depart- ment and ofBce in general. The paper is a newsy sheet, 34x36, 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. GEORGE W. REIFSNYDER, merchant, Catawissa, born in Schuylkill County, Penn., March 34, 1848, a son of George and Harriet (Sharpless) Reifsnyder, natives of Pennsyl- vania and of German-English descent. His grandfather came from England; was one of the settlers under William Penn. His grandfather, Benjamin Sharpless, came to Cata- wissa 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 Slate, 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 Scran- ton), 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 sub- ject was about nine years of age when he came to Catawissa where he received his edu- 406 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: cation. In 1874 he engaged in conducting the Susquehanna hotel which he continued proprietor of until 1883, when he embarked in mercantile business. He carries a general line of dry goods and groceries, his stock being valued at about $5,000. He married in December, 1870, Anna Kostenbauder, by whom he has had five children, three livingr Samuel, Leonard and Karl. Mr. and Mrs. Reifsnyder are members of the Lutheran Church; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the G. A. R. In 1863 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 own& 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, 1887, a son of John and Betsey ( Berkhart) Rider, n atives of Berks County, Penn., and of German descent. His father came here at an early day and settled in Montour County, 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 1813. Mrs. Betsey Rider died in her eighty-sixth year. 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, residine in the West); Susan (wife of Jacob Hertnian); Jacob (deceased); Solomon; Mary and Hannah, (twins). Our subject was only six years of age wlien his father moved to Lycoming County- and vrhen eighteen years of age he came to Schuylkill County, located at Ashland and re- mained there about ten years, being engaged as stable foreman. He then came to Colum- bia 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 113 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 Town- ship, this county, April 88, 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 settled and cleared up a farm and resided until his death. He was found dead, after a storm, between Catawissa and his home, and the supposition is that he was killed by lightning. He started out to purchase a knife for his grandson (our subject) but never re- turned. Subject's father was also born in Montour Township and was reared a farmer. 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 whom are living: William H., Harvey, Arthur, Sarah, Edward, David, Anna, Clarence and Joseph E. William H. was reared on the farm, and attended school until after he was twenty-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 Colombia 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 Hollingshead 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 is the old homestead of his mother. He married, in September, 1868, Ellen Barnd, a 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 he is a Republican. JOHN K. ROBINS, M. D., P. O. Catawissa, was born in Sunbury, Northumbeilanii County, April 14, 1830. His parents, Aaron and Rebecca (Richardson) Robins, were natives of Pennsylvania and of English descent. His paternal ancestors came from Eng- land to this country with Wm. Penn. His paternal ancestors are traced to three brothers, who came to this country from England; two of them remained at Rhode Island, and the other came to Philadelphia, Penn. His grandfather, Joseph Richardson, went into the 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 Revo- lution he had begun the study of medicine; but after that struggle turned his attention to farming, and owned two farms near Danville. Our subject's fatlier was a contractor and builder, which occupation he followed all his life. He built the abutments for the Sun- bury dam, which was a noted piece of work. He owned 300 acres of land in Michigan, a farm near Sunbury, another at Union Corners, a number of town and city properties in different ^aces, and was quite wealthy at his death, which occurred in Sunbury in 1843. John K. remained at home and attended the schools of his neighborhood. At the age of twenty years he commenced the study of medicine and graduated in the allopathic course at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1843. In April of the same year he went to Shamokin, Penn., where he soon had a good practice and remained three years- CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 407 la January, 1846, he removed to Catawissa, where he has since enjoyed a very large practice. Inl874he lookhisson, William B., who is also a graduate of JefEerson 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 ot 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 No. 349, Chapter 223. He has held nearly all the offices of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, and is a member of the Crusade Knight Templars at Danville. CAPT. I. H. SEESHOLTZ, merchant, Catawi;sa, was born in Catawissa, Columbia Co., Penn., November 14, 1837, a son of Philip and Mary (Hull) Seesholtz, His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother ot 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. Sub- ject'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 1880 and located in Roai'ingcreek, 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 1873. He lived in one house over fifty years; was a Republican in politics. He was the father of the following named children: Matilda, Phfaler, Jeremiah 8., Christian B., James M., Edmund H., Isaac H., William (who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness), and Sarah 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. R. 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 time 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 merchan- dise and fertilizers, and his stock is valued at $5,000, 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 offices of the post. He is a member of the school board of which he was president in 1885, and is its present secretary. Politically he is a Republican. GEORGE H. SHARPLESS, clerk, P. O. Catawissa, was born May 39, 1853, 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-three years old, and his wife had preced- ed him a number of years. They are buried in the Quaker Cemetery at Catawissa. Our subject's father was reared in Cata,wissa, and in early life was employed in the paper- mills. 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 1853 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 bis 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 con- tinued in this place doing business for three years, when he came to Catawissa and entered "l^ "Deploy of C. F. Harder, with whom he remained until taking his present position !"™ ■*•• S-.Truckenmiller, in May, 1886. He was married at Catawissa November 33, 1873, to Miss Ella Schmick, a native of Norristown, Penn., and a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Baldy) Schmick, nittives of Catawissa, where the latter still resides, the former aS *" Norristown, 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, l^enn., October_6, 1834, a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Hendershot) Shuman, both natives 01 Pennsylvania and of German descent. His great-grandfather came from Ger- 31 408 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: many at an early day. His paternal grandfather, John, was one of the early settlers of Catawlssa Township, 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 at it some time. He then moved to Beaver Valley, this county, where he bought a mill property, which he operated several years, and also carried on tanning. In 1855 he entered mercantile business at the same place. He owned thi'ee farms, a grist-mill, tannery, store and hotel, all of which he had in operation at the same time. He at one period possessed considerable wealth, but owing to misfortunes it was very much reduced at the time of his death. As a Democrat he took a deep interest in politics, and, although never an aspirant for ofBce, had a great influence over his Democratic friends. His death occurred in 1885. Our subject was reared in Beaver Valley, this county, where he attend- ed 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 him.- self. He commenced to work for his father at one thing or another on his farm, in the 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 adjoining Catawissa, which he still retains. In 1870 he built a house in Catawissa into which he moyed, but which was destroyed by fire June 7, 1885. He then erected a large 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 where he has since lived. In 1881 he bought the Zarr farm, which consisted of forty 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 owners of, although, under a chartered company, it is all in the Shuman family. In the fall of 1885 he laid out a new cemetery in Catawissa in the'east end of Shuman's addition. In 1876 he was elected associate judge, and after serving his first term and performing his duty'so manfully, he was re-elected in 1881, and is now serving his second term. He has also been justice of the peace several terms. He married, July 37, 1854, Angeline, daughter of Minessa and Susanna (Hosier) Michael and to them have been born four chil- dren, only one of whom survives — ParisH., married to AdaBoyer. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman are members of St. John's Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has proba- bly 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 prom- inent 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, which 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 stout. He was the father of nine children, six of whom are now living: Sarah Getchey, 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 mercantile 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 Qeist, by whom he had 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 merchantswas John Tewksbury, one of the oldest friends of the Scriptures in England. As early as 1512 he had become the possessor of a manuscript copy of the Bible and had attentively CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP. 4D9' 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 Scrip- tures of any of the evangelicals. Our subject's grandfather was born in Massachusetts. Reuben Tewksbury moved to Susquehanna County, Penn., with his father, Sergt. Tewks- bury, 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 with his parents until tif- teen years of age, when he entered Harford University, Susquehanna County, Penn., from which he graduated after three years' hard study. His next pursuit was teacliing 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 1773 by David Shakespeare, who bought it from Thomas and John Penn, proprietors of Pennsylvania. They paid £10 18 shillings for the whole tract of 318 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 I 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 by Joseph Mclntyre to his heirs and deed of heirs to "William Mclntyre, April 39, 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. Davi- son, from New Jersey, the lather of E. M. Tewksbury's wife. This deed covers a tract of ' aljout 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 ' C. (wife of Franklin Titsworth) and Ellen (wife of E. M. Tewksbury). This family were all born in New Jersey. The farm was divided among them in tracts by deed of above- named heirs of William H. Davison, deceased, to Edward M. Tewksbury, bearing date April 1, 1869, who retains the 160 acres. One part of the original tract is owned by Peter ' Kern; 130 acres and sixty-flve acres were deeded to Billmeyer & Co. at the same date. 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. Tewksbury 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-foreman of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, Catawissa, was born in Orange County, N. Y., November 3, 1833, and is a a son of Harris and Mary (Duzenberry) TuthiU, natives of the State of New York and of French-Germam' descent. His grandfather was born in the above named State and was a farmer, as is- also Harris Tuthill, who. is yet living in Orange County, N. Y. Our subject, at twenty-five years of age, went to Ttoga County, N. Y., and engaged in farming five years. In the spring of 1864 he name to Catawissa and was employed by the Catawissa 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 office he has held for about seventeen years. He is one of the company's trustworthy men and an. active railroad man. He was married in December, 1858, to A. E. Cornwall, a native of the State of New York, and they are the parents of one child, Mahala. They have an 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 WALTZ, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Schuylkill County, this State, September 21, 1830, a son of John and Magdalene (Schmidt) "Waltz. His father was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and his mother of Alsace, France. The former left the old country about 1833, 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 inw Maine Township, where he lived about fifteen years, when he moved to Mifflin Townshipr 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 to this county with his parents and remained with them until he was twenty-one. He- was then employed on the Lehigh Valley Railroad for about fifteen years in Carbon County, this State. He then came to Catawissa and was employed by the Catawissar Railroad Company for about ten years. In 1871 he moved to where he now lives where- ne had' previously bought a small farm. He at once commenced to improve the place and built a fine barn at a cost of $1,100. He now owns seventy acres of good land on which> ''410 BIOGKAPHIOAL 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 specially. He ships berries as far ae 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, Cr-^igh- lon S. and Alfretta; H., and died in 1865. He next married, in 1869, Barbara Hitter. Mr. Waltz and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. He formerly was a mem- Sber of the K. of P. W. G. YETTEB, division engineer of the Catawissa division of the Philadelphia & ajeading Railroad, Catawissa, was born in Columbia County, Penn.,;December 10, 1838, «, son of Lewis and Harriet B. (Qearhart) Yetter, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German dealt in lumber. He owned three saw-mills in Locust Township, this county, and started!, in life with not money enough to buy a team of horses. At the time o£ his death he ■ owned 1,500 acres of land. He died in 1883, in his sixty-ninth year: He had been au. member of the Methodist Episcopal Church until the war when; politics being introducedfj into the pulpit, he became disgusted and withdrew. Our subject was reared on a farm., bat was engaged in the lumber business with his father until se'venteen years of age, when he entered Bbysburg Academy, which he attended four terms. He then enterei Lebanon Valley College at Annville, Penn., where he graduated from the classical depart- ment 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 Decem- ber, 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 38, 1885, Pannie 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 Dem- ocrat. 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 tJie- Cataaisaa News Item, which is a neat seven-column, four-page sheet, and has a circula- tion of 1,500. DANIEL ZARR, Jb., farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Berks County, this- State, 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 they followed farming. His grandfather, George, lived in that county for ■ a number of years, later moved to Columbia County nearly a ceotury ago, bought a farm and built the stone house in the south end of Catawissa, which is now owned by Frank. Shuman. There were but two or three houses in Catawissa when he moved here. Our sub- ject's father was born in Northampton County, Penn., and came here when a boy, but re- mained only a short time; then he moved to Berks County, where he remained a few years; and, about 1835, returned to Catawissa where he resided until his. death which occurred ini July, 1881, at the home of his son Daniel. He had been drafted in the service of his country, hut the war closed before he was called to the field. He was the father of nine children, six of whom 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 re- mained at home until he was of age, attending school. He thea worked for anybody and everybody in order to support his parents, whom he cared for till their death. In 1881 he bought a farm of eighty-three acres of good land, where he now resides. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and is an intelligent and enterprising citizen. CHAPTEK XXVIII. CENTRE TOWNSHIP. LEVI AIKMAN, farmer, P. 0. Light Street, was born in what is now Centre- To-wnship, this county, on the farm on which he now resides, on March 4, 1816, son of Levi, Sr., and Margaret (Hutchison) Aikman, the latter of whom was born in Northamp- ton County, Penn., her father being a farmer; she was reared in Northampton County, and, her parents dying when she was a child, she afterward came to this county. Her an- cestors were of Scotch-Irish extraction. The Aikman family are also of Scotch-Irish ex- Uaction, 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 Revolu- nonary war, about 1777 or 1778. He had been previously married in New Jersey to Miss- mry Lewis, and they came to this county with Ihiir 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: toeing 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, ^nd 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 a cabin in which he could domicile his family, and, this tasli accomplished, he set about clear- .ing up a farm in the heart of the wilderness. Here there were bears and wolves in large numbers, and Levi Aikman, St., often related to his family in later days that when he -came deer were more plentiful than are sheep at the present da^. He became quite expert an deer hunting, and killed quite a number of bears during the time he lived in the county. When Alexander Aikman first 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 sons went back to the neighborhood of Sunbury, Northumberland County, to bring *ut the remainder of the family who had been temporarily left there. While they were At that place making preparations to return to this locality, the Indian war broke out, j-endering 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 fiOO 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 pay in Continental money. They then returned to Morris County, N.J. After the In- dian 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 <:hildren 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 made his home with his parents .until he was married. He had received some educational instruction in New Jersey, but .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 boyhood days here at work on his father's (farm, and when he was about thirty years of age he was married to Miss Margaret Hutchi- fion. 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 he and bis 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 wbomtwo .are living: Levi, subject of this sketch, and James Emmett, born April J9, 1819. and OT^ho makes his home with Levi. Those that died were Sarah, wife of George Hidlay; JEsiher, 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. They are buried at the Hidlay "Union Church. Levi Aikman, subject of this sketch, is next to the youngest of their eight children. He was born 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 terms 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 daugh- .ter of John and Lena (Girton) Ohl, the former of whom came when a boy with his parents Jto this county from Montgomery County, Penn. ; the latter was born in Hemlock Town- ship, but her parents came from New Jersey. The Ohls were originally of German, the •Oirtons 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 isburied in the Lutheran .cemetery, in Bloomsburg, as is also his wife. The parents of Mrs. Aikman are both de- .ceased. 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 grad- luate of the State Normal School, Bloomsburg, Penn.; Lena Margaret, wife of Arthur C. •Creasy of Centre Township, this county; Clara Elizabeth, wife of H. V. White, attorney g Mine Run colliery, J. Taylor & Co. While tlms en- gaged, passing through an entry November 7, 1885, a large piece of coal fell from the roof and so injured him that he was confined to bed for three months. 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 still reside here. George W., Jr., commenced the drug business in 1869, and finished his apprenticeship in 1873. In 1874 his father, who was then appointed postmaster, bought a drug store in the postofflce building. George W., Jr., who had been an assistant in the postofflce since 1869, conducted the store and transacted the principal business of the post- offlce. His father was postmaster until December, 1885. Our subject was a member of 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 Miners- ville, Schuylkill Co., Penn., January 1, 1853, to Thomas and Martha (Christopher) Ferguson, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1843, and located at Pottsville, Penn. From Pottsville they removed to Branch Dale, thence to Minersville, thence to Slienandoah, 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 office 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 by the railroad, management! 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, Col- umbia Co., Penn., July 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, a native of Columbia County, Penn., and a daughter of Thomas L. Dean. Her father 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 also held the position of general internal revenue assessor of the Thirteenth District for about three years. WILLIAM GOODMAN, agent of mining companies, P. O. Centralia, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., August 14. 1835, a son of William and Sarah (Welzel) Goodman, natives of Northumberland County where the former died about 1838. When William had reached the age of about five years he moved with his mother to Columbia County, where she died March 15, 1883, 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 TJONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP. 431 Henry Clinton. In 1869 Mr. Gkiodman was given charge of the lands of the coal com- panies 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. 6WINNER, M. D., Centralia, was born at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Penn , October 25, 1858, a son of Jacob J. and Mary M. (Gross) Gwinner, former of whom, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, died in Schuylkill County, this State, where his widow still resides. Our subject commenced his education in the public schools of 8t. Clair, finishing at the Palatinate College, this State. After finishing at the Palatinate College, he entered the office of Dr. A. P. Carr, St. Clair, as a student and remained with him until his graduation in medicine. In the fall of 1879 he entered the Pennsylvania University, and graduated from that institution in March, 1881. After graduating he remained in the office of Dr. Carr until October, 1881, when he came to Centralia and entered upon the practice of medicine and surgery, and has since remained here. He was elected coroner 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. THOMAS IRVIN, of the firm of Irvin 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 1863. Thomas worked on the repairs in the mines for about three years and then obtained the position of boss of the loading, at which he was employed a number of ^ears. 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 Bros. They carry a general stock qf clothing, dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, ftour and feed, and own the building in which the store is kept. Thomas fcarried in 1866, 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, Cath- arine 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 Dela- ware Infantry, Col. McComas, and was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Delaware. He remained in tlie 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 Monmouth- shire, South Wales, June 6, 1844, son of James C. and Elizabeth (Jones) Kelly. In 1863 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 coun- try when he reached the age of eight years, and on arriving at St. Clair became engaged at the Mount LafEee colliery. There he worked until 1864, when he enlisted in Com- pany H, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry; served in Virginia and Maryland, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Harrisburg in July, 1865. He then went back to St. Clair and to the mines, where he remained until 1872, when he went to Mahanoy City and there worked .in several of the collieries. In'^April, 1875, he went to Ashland to take charge of the Bast colliery. Big Mine Run, for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. He remained there until 1877, when he .took charge of the Richardson colliery for the same company. He was thus engaged for nearly four years, and in 1881, 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 Celia Jones, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are the parents of nine children, eight 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 Miners- ville Lodge, No. 232, A., P. & 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 Mary (Martin) McBrearty, both natives of Donegal, Ireland, where they married, and, immigrating to America, settled in Cafbon County, after a short stay m New York City. The former died in Boonesboro, Iowa, and the latter at Cen- tralia. James came to Centralia with his parents when he had reached the age of eight y**™, in,1862, and here has since resided. When a boy he commenced work on a brealier, 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 |Dg*ged in the same capacity at the Continental colliery, where he was employed until lo83. 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 432 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. a daughter o£ James and Mary fMeCarthy) Colihan, residents of Centralia. Mr. and Mrs. McBrearty are the parents of three children: Mary, John and Bernard. Mr. Mc- Brearty retired from his position as engineer of the Hazel Dell colliery, and is now devoting himself to his business on Locust Avenue, Centralia, where he has a hotel. CHARLES G. MURPHY, merchant, Centralia, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, January 18, 1844. He is the son of Charles Murphy and Mary (Corrigan) 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 country and is now about eighty years old. Early in 1863 our subject came to this country, and after trying various occupations with indifferent success, finally, in 1864, came to Centralia, Columbia Co., 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 January, 1865, 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 treasui-er of The Citizens Building and Loan Asso- ciation since 1872 ; elected j ustice of the peace, he served for fifteen years, retiring of his own choice; has been school director and secretary of the bpard 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 chil- dren were born to him, four of whom are living: Marjr, 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. EDWARD REESE, superintendent of the collieries of L. A. Riley & Co., Centralia, was born in South Wales, May 29, 1839, a son of Thomas and Hannah (Bull) Reese. There his father was engaged ia mining, and there his mother died. Edward became engaged in the mining indiTstry 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 Wadesville. After eighteen months he made a trip to Wales, returned in February, 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 abili- ties 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 Cen- tralia, Columbia County. When it became known that Mr. Reese had severed his connection with the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, a grand recep- tion 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 which 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 mem- ber 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 Prance, 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 after- ward went to work in the mines, and in 1861 was made inside foreman at the Stewarts- ville colliery, of which he remained in charge about three years, 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 CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP. 433 Pennsylvania and obtained tlie position of inside foreman in tlie Girard colliery, Qirard- Tille, where he remained for six years. He then came to Centralia and about twelve months was foreman at the "Continental" colliery. He then leased land west of Cen- tralia, 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 in- creasing operations, and in 1880 formed a partnership with Isaac May, Harry 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 the slope which Mr. Troutmau 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 Schuyl- kill County, Penn., September 3, 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 P., 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. 0. F. at Girardville. JOHN J. WILLIAMS, mining inspector of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, Cen- tralia, was born in Merthyr 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 Valley, three or four miles 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 Penn- sylvania, went to Illinois, and, after the funeral of his wife, returned to Pennsylvania and died at Ashland in 1883. 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 employed until the winter of 1862-63, when they removed to Ashland, where and in the vicinity he fol- lowed mining, at Keystone, Locust Run, Continental, James R. Cleaver's, Preston No. 3 of Girardsville, and Mahanoy Plain, in all thus engaged until 1873. He was then em- ployed by the Reading Coal & Iron Company as mine inspector of the Ashland District, • and 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 37, 1879,' to Mrs. Mary Williams, a naiive of Minersville, Penn., and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones, who are both residents of Mahanoy City. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have two children : Arlhur 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. P., 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 WILLIAMS, Jr., foreman Centralia colliery, Centralia, was born in Corn- wall, England, August 31, 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 Amer- ica and 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, North- umberland 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 "Cen- tralia " and Hazel Dell collieries in September, 1881. He now has charge of both these collieries, whicli employ about 300 men and boys inside. Mr. Williams was married at Oakland, now in the borough of Ashland, on the 19th of February, 1874, to Miss Martha D. Goldsworthy, a native of Devonshire, England, and daughter of James and Eliza Golds- worthy, 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. 434 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: CHAPTER XXX. FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP. PHILIP APPLEMAN, Sr., farmer, P. O. Kohrsburg, is a son of Matthias Appleman who came from New Jersey and settled in Montour Township, near Bloomsburg. After his marriage he bought a farm in Madison Township on which he erected a distillery, and many years after bought 300 acres in Benton on which he died at the age of seventy-five. 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 Ohioi and Philip, who is the eldest of the survivors. Matthias was a member of the Episcopal Church in Benton. Our subjectwas 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 acres. He erected a water mill which he operated four years, and when that failed erected a steam mill which is yet running. In 1830 he married Mary Anu Davis, of Benton, who was born March 36, 1808. They have had six children: Matthias M., in Rohrsburg; Cath- erine 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 place. Mr. Appleman has led an active life; he has cleared his farm, brought it to a high state of cultivation and engaged in lumbering. He has held township offices, but refused to be justice or constable. When supervisor he put the roads in good order for a smaller 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 Church, 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, 1830, a son of Christian and Mary (Osterday) Ash, natives of the same county. They removed to Briarcreek Township, this county, when our subjectwas seven years old; there the father bought a small farm and remained seven years, when he sold out and bought the place where his son Charles now lives. There he moved and died in 1879. His wife died about nine years before. They had ten children, all living: Mary, 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 34, 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 child named Clarence Reagan, both residing in Briarcreek; Pierce, married to Susan Werkheiser, hav- ing 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 Briar- creek; Miles Wilbert, married to Clara Smith; Thomas Elliott and Amy Florentine, living with their father. Mr. Ash has served as supervisor, 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. 0. Van Camp, is a grandson of Michael Beishline, who came from Germany in the last century, settling in Luzerne County. Penn. His son, Henrj[, was the father of Levi and was born in ttiat 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 38, 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 Lu- zerne 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 31, 1837, and in his youth, with his brothers, helped to clear the farm. FI8HINGCEEEK TOWNSHIP. , 435 ■which was entirely in woods. A few months after his marriage he bought a lot at Bender- town, 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 1863 he was drafted and served nine months in the One Hundred and Eighty- seventh 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 Aprill7, 1850, married Emma Coleman and resides inNebraska; Henry J., bora August 31, 1851, died December 6, 1858; Elias, born July 5, 1853, died September 37, 1855; Sarah, born January 9, 1855, died January 24, 1869; Susannah, born July 4, 1856 died February 36, 1870; Andrew, born in 1857, died at birth ; Samuel, born November 8, 1858, lives in York County, Neb.;Mary, born November 8, 1858, died February 38, 1870; John F., born July 30, 1860, died March 8, 1870; Nathaniel, born November 2, 1861, and lives on the home farm of his father; Eliza, born May 30. 1864, lives with her parents; Amanda, born April, 26, 1866, wife of Wallace W. Wenner (son of Michael Wenner), and lives near Bendertown and Ada- line, born June 30, 1867, living with her parents. Mr. Beishlme has never held any office .which he could avoid holding. He is now a school director and president of the board. He has accumulated what he lias 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 dea- con 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 in the latter part of the last century. He settled in Butler Township, Luzerne County, and was a farmer. His son, John, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and was born in that place in 1801, and died in Benton Township, this county, in 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 county. 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 years 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; Prank 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 which 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 1833. 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 35, 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, to- gether with a large quantity of lumber, was destroyed by fire and was uninsured. Since then he has been employed at carpentering, and in August, 1866, he was appointed United States gauger. December 33, 1883, he inarried 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 lalso 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 -Morton 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. ; Polly, who died in Mount Pleasant; Catherine, m 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 town- ship, bore him the following named children: George Washington, who died in infancy; Samuel, who married Elizabeth Wenner (resides at Berwick, where hCj^has been boss of the planing-mill for twenty years); Enandus, a farmer, married to Catherine Wenner (re- 436 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: sides in this township); John M., lumberman, married to Mattie Derr (lives in Muncy, 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 tp Eliza Pealer (lives in this township); Susanna, wife of Blias Wenner, of this township; Salome, unmarried, in this township, and Elias P. Our subject was born February 11, 1838, and lived with his father until he was twenty-flve years of age. He then married and worked for a year at shoemakin^, later buying a farm near Jonestown in this township. At the end of three years he sold out and bought another at Pealertown, 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 on which he now resides near Stillwater. In October, 1862, he was drafted and entered the Union Army in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment, and served nine months. He then returned home, married, and in the fall of 1864 enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Regiment and served until the close of the war. He was severely wounded at Lee Farms, Va., where he received a bullet through his neck and a flesh wound in the arm, and was laid up in the hospital for three months. April 14, 1864, 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 offices. 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 1843 he married Sarah, daughter of William White, of Town Hill, Luzerne County, and who was born November 6, 1821. They have had eight childien, 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 Ches- ter 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 atten- tion to business. He is of careful, correct habits, and like his brother, votes the Repub- lican ticket. JOHN M. BUCKALEW, lumberman, P. O. Fishingcreek, is descended from the Buccleuchs, who went from Scotland to France with Queen Mary, and becoming Prot - estants, two brothers, Francis and Gilbert, immigrated to Long Island about 1663, while it was in the possession of the Dutch. They were both married in this country, and in 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 men- tioned, which it states was bequeathed to him by his father, Francis Buckalew. Family 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 1793. He was the great-grandfather of John M. His son John was born April 14, 1743, and in 177S married Mai-y 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 Buekalew'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 Con- gress, and an old unpaid account of nearly £700 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 came to this township, where he died July 8, 1833. His wife Mary died November 25, 1839. 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. PISHINGCEEEK TOWNSHIP. 437 he purchased and removed t6 the place now occupied by his sons, Perry and John M. He became a farmer and lumberman, and died November 15, 1859, aged seventy-three years. He married, in 1812, Martha Funston, who was born in 1789 and died in 1840, aged flfty- one years. They had nine children, four of whom died in childhood. Those who lived to maturity were William, who died on the homestead in 1864; Perry, who now owns a part of the farm; Chai-les R., of Bloomsburg, ex-United States senator; Mahala B., wife of Benjamin C. Hess, of this township, and John M., the youngest. Our subject was born October 17, 1836, in a house a short distance from the one he now occu- pies. He has always been engaged in lumbering and farming. In 1862 he enlisted a company 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 term of service. On his return he re-engaged at his former occupation, which he has 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 pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, connected with the Central Pennsylvajiia Con- ference. Of unbounded energy and force of character, Mr. Buckalew Is a man of mark, 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 Crev- eling immigrated to this country with his wife and settled near Asbury, Warren Co., N. J., where he engaged in farming. At the outbreak of the Revolution he entered the 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 occu- pied by our subject, which he had bought.. This ifarm 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 1812 he was drafted, but several young men wanting to go in his stead, he selected one as a substitute, Mr. Creveling having a family of young children. He lived on his farm until his death, in 1859, at the 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 Majr 29, 1810, on the part of the farm now occu- pied 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 m 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 29,' 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 en- listed in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, the "sec- ond hucktails," in which he served until the close of tlje war. He was in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and twenty other engagements. He went out as 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 all 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 438 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and lumberman and for years operated a mill in that county. He is a prominent and active citizen and one of the oldest settlers in the township. He also takes a leading position In religious matters in his neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Creveling have seven children living: Isaiah Osborne^ Francis W., Eveline, Joseph C, Albert E., Andrus Fel- lows and Katie Emily. A son, Irvin, died in infancy. Mr. Creveling is a prominent man in the political affairs of his township, and has held several township offices. He is a thorough-going, active business man, and stands high in the community. Politically he is a Democrat. CLINTON K. DeWITT, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is the eldest son of Isaac DeWitt (see sketcli of James M. DeWitt), 'and was born in Scott Township, June 35, 1837. In early life he began working on a farm and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He re- 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 re- moved to Flshingcreek Township, on the farm owned by his brother, James M., where he has since remained. January 5, 1860, he married Miss Emma J. Musgrave, who was born January 8, 1843, in Mount Pleasant Township, and died June 14, 1884, aged forty-two years, five months and six days. To this union ten children were born: Dorcas A.," who keeps house for her father; William, who died when fouryears of age; Norman M., living with his father; Ida May, wife of Clarence Yost, a son of David Yost of Van Camp, Flsh- ingcreek; Minnie P., Isaac M., Amanda M., Henry C, Hettie C. and Paul H., who make their home with their father. Mr. DeWitt is a hard-working man and gives his time and attention to liis farm. He is not a politician, was once elected justice of the peace for five years, but resigned at the end of the year. Among his neighbors he bears the reputation of an honest, honorable and upright man in all his dealings. JAMES M. DbWITT, 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 Green- wood 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 wagon- maker, 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, was the wife of Jacob Terwill- iger, of Light Street, where she died; Clinton K. ; William, who died leaving two children; Joseph P., who lives in Rohrsburg; three who died in childhood, and James 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 be bought thirteen years ago. He is still engaged to some extent in the lumber business. December 17, 1868, he married Esther v., daughter of Jacob B. Stoker of this township. She was born January 14, 1843, and died April 38, 1873, leaving one, child, Elliot E., who was born November 6, 1871. Noveip- ber 38, 1874, Mr. DeWitt married Miss Phebe E., daughter of David Coleman, of Asbury, this township. She was born March 30, 1847, and has borue her husband three children: Clyde S., born September 18, 1875; Atta C, born December 37, 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 closely 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. His grandparents, Joseph and Martha Doty, resided in New Providence Township, Essex o., N. J., where they died. One of their sons, David Doty, was the father of Jonas. 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: Joseijh, on the home farm in Luzerne County; John lived and died in Ben- ton 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: Clarinda is the wife of William Belles, and lives in Huntington Township, Lu- zerne 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 Are 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, 1816, and died in 1875. Mr. Doty next married, in 1880, Elizabeth Kennedy. By his first wile he had ten children: David, born March 30, 1840, married Elizabeth Pealer, and re- sides on part of his father's farm, which he now owns; Ira, born January 22, 1843, mar- Tied 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 PebiKiary 10, 1848, married Emma 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, sin- gle 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. FRANK EDGAR, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a grandson of James Edgar, a na- tive of the State of New York, who removed to Benton, Penn., thence to this township in the latterpart of the last century and died in the State of Ohio, whither he had later removed, ms children, all deceased, were John, married Hester Zimmerman, died in 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, mar- ried and died in Ohio; Teann, wife of Silas McHenry, died in Ohio. James, the young- eat, was the father of our subject. James was born on the farm where his father re- sided, 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, 1883. 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 mar- ried 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 horn September 9, 1836, and remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of ^ige, 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 years, and at which he acquired some means, which he invested in farm property, own- ing 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 his 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, ^43, and died May 4, 1874, the mother of the following named children : Warren, born December 8, 1864, now in the drug business in Nan ticoke; Dora B., born February 1, 1866; Charles M., born March 22, 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, horn June 27, 1880; Aimer, horn April 8, 1882, and Madge, born April 1, 1884, all living with their parents. Mr. Edgar has held several responsible positions in the township: Nonstable, 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 33 440 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: 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 seminarjr, Starkey, N. Y., and later taught school five years. On e child has blessed this union — Gracie May, born August 30, 1875. Mr. Edgar has never held any public oflBce, 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 Feb- ruary 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 fol- lowed in difEerent 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 de- stroyed 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, daugh- ter of James Deimer McHenry, and she has borne her husband three children: Harry 0., born April 16, 1869; Lelia I., born June 11, 1871, and Orvis Roy, born February 9, 188B. Mr. Edgar takes a warm interest in public affairs. He and Mrs. Edgar are members of the Christian Church. BENJAMIN M. GOLDER, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a grandson of Abraham Colder, 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 Mc- Henry, 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 Mor- dansville, Luzerne County); Elizabeth Jane, wife of Peter Evelard (in Light Street) j 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 23, 1828. He followed carpentering until 1862, making his home with his parents until he 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 July 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 members of the Christian Church at Stillwater. SAMUEL J. HARRISON, farmer, P. O. Van Camp, was born in Wales, June 26, 1837. 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-sis 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 thirty years, and bore her husband nine children, eight of whom survive. Jane died in 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; Mlary Jane lives withher brother in Wilkesbarre, taking care'of his two orphan children; Thomas W., who mar- ried Lottie Schultz, lives on the old homestead; Hannah J., unmarried and residing at the homestead with lier brother, and Samuel J. Our subject was but a year old when hi& 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 Penns yl' 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 June 2, 1865. On his return he followed coal mining for sixteen years, when he- FISHINGCBEEK TOWNSHIP. 441 worked two years as a breaker boss at Pittston, when, owing to failing health, he bought the farm on Fishing creek, where he now resides. November 7, 1861, he married Miss Elizabeth, daugliter of Joseph Dietrich. She was born in' Briarcreek Township, this county, and bore her husband four children: William Bruce, born November 37, 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, horn August 14, 1868, and James Garfield, born October 4, 1881, both of whom live with their parents. Mr. Harrison is a member of Thistle Lodge, No. 513, I. 0. O. F., of Pitts- 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 township most of his life. He was a farmer; lived within half a mile of where our subject now resides and died in 1871. His wife died in 1834 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 matu- rity: Mary Ann was twice married, first to Jolin Laubach of Fairmount Township, Lu- zerne 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 Sugar- loaf Township; Eliza, widow of Thomas Lauderbauch, in Henry County, HI.; Frederick is married to Eliza Kendig, and both reside in this township. The third of this family was Bolomon, 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 husband, 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. Penning- ton; 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 car- pentering and on various farms until 1874. He then 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 oflSce of constable, which he refused to hold longer, returning to his trade for a year. He then began farming again at New Colum- bus, Luzerne County, 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. ol 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 Wapwaltopen, 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, Han- nah 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 1834, and after her death her husband married Catherine Conner, who also died, when he married Mary Fenstermacher, wlio died in Salem Township, Luzerne County, at Ihe ag& of ninety-two years. Aaron (our subject) was born in Briarcreek August 8, 1813. and in his- youth worked at wagon-maliing. 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. August 35, 1833, he married .Tudith Ann, daughter of John Sterner, of Briarcreek Township. She was born on the same day as her husband and twelve children were bnrn to them : John, born December 12, 1834, works for his father on the home farm; Thomas J., born May 10, 1838, died when ten months old; Mary C, born February 15, 1840, wife of Abraham Kline, of Orange Township; Benjamin, born June 11, 1841, resides in this township; Peter, born August 13, 1848, lives with his parents; Francis, born April 2, 1848, died young; Ira D., born January 39, 1845, lives in Benton Township; Matilda, born December 13, 1847, wife of Joe Albertson, of Greenwood Township; Harrison, born May 37, 1849, lives on his father's farm; Aaron, born January 33, 1851; Ann Eliza, born March 39, 1853, wife of 442 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Nathaniel Driesbach, near Jonestown; Julia Ann, born September 2, 1855, died June 19, 1868; Catherine Ann, born December 37, 1833, died in infancy, and two who died in in- fancy. Mr. Hess is one of the oldest citizens in-the township. GEORGE M. HOWELL, merchant and postmaster. Van Camp, is a grandson of Koah Howell, who was a cooper and lived in Lawrence, near Trenton, N. J., where he died. His great-great-grandfather on his mother's side was John Muirheid, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, immigrated to this country, married on Long Island, Novem- ber 33, 1706, Rebecca Bailey, and died In 1735. His son, Andrew, was born in 1717,anddied in 1794 at the age of seventy-seven years. Andrew's son, George, was born September 35, 1760, and died April 6, 1851, aged ninety years, six months and' eleven days. He was the 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 of our subject and was born in New Jersey, August 8, 1789. When a boy of fifteen, Jesse, on the death of his father, came to Easton, Penn., where he worked for his uncle in mercantile business. After his marriage he engaged in merchandising on his own account. This he gave up later and was made bookkeeper in the old Easton bank, now 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 Presby- ' terian Church of which he was an elder for many years and superintendent of the Sab- bath-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 3, 1833. Our subject "" attended school at that place until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Philadelphia and clerked in a store until 1843. 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 three years. In 1851 he built the place he now occupies at Van Camp, and started a gen- eral store. There he has since carried on business and has been instrumental in getting a postofflce 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 who was born October 6, 1837. To then: 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. McCoUum, of Carbon County, Penn., and resides at Leisenring, same State); Henry Yost, born March 18, 1854 (died December 15, 1863); Edward W., born November 4, 1856 (died September 24, 1868); Alfred, born January 33, 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. The 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, settling directly in the village of Jonestown. The old log house erected by them is still standing, but has been remodeled and weather-boarded and is now used as a store by Jones & Davis. About 1830 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 both mills until his death in 1849, at the age of seventy-four years. When the postofflce was established, about 1830, he was appointed postmaster and continued to hold that ofece until elected justice of the peace, when he resigned. He served in the latter office 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. ana 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 boru September 17, 1813, in the old log house imentioned. 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, which they conducted in partnership until 1857. They then divided the property, Richard taking the saw-miU and farm and James taking the ^rist-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 I FISHINGCBEEK TOWNSHIP. 443 out a few years after to William Mears, and this partnership continued until Mr. Jones sold his interest to Ira Thomas. Since then he had heen living retired. December 1, 1846, he married Caroline Matilda Merrill, who was born in Hemlock Township, May 13, 1836,, 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, 185t (merchant in Jonestown, married March 4, 1882, 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 Fish- ingcreek 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 Kepublican, 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, 1815, and died July 3, 1877, aged sixty-one years and ten months. He also learned the 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 Eline of Orange Township. She was born October 33, 1815, and died March 14, 1869, aged fifty-one years, four months and twenty-two days. Tliey had five children, two of whom died young. The others were James E., a farmer, who died in 1886 ia 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 Hunditd 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 hi» father on the farm and at lumbering until 1864. He then enlisted in the One Hundred andNinety-Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers and served 100 days ; re-enlisted, this time in the Seventy-fourth and served until the close of the war, 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 B., 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 his father lived and the latter resided with him until his death. Our subject then bought 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 34, 1870, he married Monema, daugliter of Jacob Gregory. She was.born in Union, Luzerne County, January 9, 1849, and had been a teacher in that county for several years. To their union three children were born ; George G., born December 5, 1873 ; Ellen, born August 36, 1877, and Fanny G., born March 35, 1881. Mr. Jones is a Republican. .^- JftHK ^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, tlie father of seven children, none of whom now survive. Tunis was the father of our suliject, 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 Rus- sfil Karns farm, where he lived until his death in 1857. His wife was Isabella, daughter of Moses and Martha McHenry. 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 iiiihiert was born on the- homestead in Benton Township, October 11, 1851. When less thm'i 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. h'"{.°^ °° '"'^ °^° account until the death of his uncle, when he gave up the farm on h-'^K v.^ '''®° ^^' "'^^ moved back to the place which had always been his home and to wnich he was much attached. His uncle, in fact, had supplied the place of a father to- mm, 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 Effle P. Burger, of South Danville, ateuben County, N. Y., daughter of William Burger. They have three children: WWl- 9^^^M Unah, the next son, a farmer and shoemaker, was an intelligent and well-read man. Jaoses was born in 1791 and died in 1855; was a farmer, a man of marked religious char- f^t^rjstios, and really the founder of the Christian Church in Stillwater, where he was- 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 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: , active man. All of the family were men of influence, who have transmitted to their / ■descendants the characteristics inherited from their ancestors. Below will be found a record of the prominent members of the family now living in this township. ' DANIEL McHBNRY, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Stillwater, is now the represent- V^ atiyfihead of the family. He is a son of Moses, whose wife was Martha, a daughter of Barnes Edgar. They had eleven children, viz. : Cynthia, wife of Samuel McHenry of Benton Township; Isabella, deceased wife of Tunis Earns; Elias, living in Benton; Mary, widow of Samuel Aramerman, of Benton; James, living in Cambria, Luzerne County; John J., in Benton; Ellen, wife of John Evans of Madisonville, Luzerne County; Martha, widow of Hiram B. McHenry of this township; Cyrus B. (see slsetch); Silas, who died in June, 1886, and Daniel. Our subject was born May 15, 1837, and when in his twentieth year. In company with his brother, James, opened the first store in Stillwater. At the end of five years he bought his brother's interest and conducted the store alone for fifteen years. During that time he bought apart 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 additions give him a farm of over 200 acres besides 140 acres of woodland. He' has been an active man, in addition to farming, engaging extensively in lumbering, and •operating mills for more than twenty years. In partnership with his son, Orvis Dell, he is still engaged in thaj business. In 1854 he was appointed postmaster under President Pierce, and has since held that position. September 30, 1867, he was appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, Hugh McCuUoch, assistant assessor for Division No. 5, of the Thirteenth Internal Revenue Collection District, and held that position until the district was consolidated. In 1863 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 several relics of the past. November 17, 1859, Mr. McHenry married Mary A., daughter ■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, bom March 17, 1867, a graduate ■of the Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry are members of the i Christian Church. A man of mark in the community, thorough-going in business, he ex- V..-_£rciggs a wjde influence, andhasthe respect of all. C yRUS B. McHENRY, farmer, P. O. Stillwater, is a brother of the above, and was born November 3, 1880, 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 the valley, 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 38, 1853, he married Priscilla, daughter of John Cowenhoven of •Orangeville; she was born February 33, 1830, and to their union have been born the follow- ing named children: Oliver, born March 30, 1854, died August 4, 1873; Lilly B., born Feb- /' ruary 18, 1859, wife of H. B. Low of Orangeville, and William L., born February 18, 1864, i is married and resides with his parents. Mr. McHenry takes much interest in politics, but i rarely holds any except honorary positions. He is a man of unexceptionable manners \ And habits, and a leading member of the Christian Church, of which he has been an elder ^~--for.i!E£ate-five years. STO'TT 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 Golder of Columbia County; Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Davis of Greenwood 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 •Greenwood. James Deimer was the father of Stott E., and was born on the farm which is now owned by his son, November 30, 1803, and died July 19, 1883. His wife was 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 de- ceased; Hiram married Martha McHenry and died suddenly; Mary Ann.wlfe of Daniel Mc- Henry (see above); Elizabeth, wife of Moses McHenry (also noticed above); Benjamin Frank- lin married Maria Hays of Indiana, and is a professor in Merom College; Rebecca Margaret married Smith Kirabal and died in Williamsport; Emma, wife of John V. McHenry, of Still- water; Almira,wife of Silas McHenry; Sarah Ellen, wife of William E. Edgar, of this town- ship; Cecelia Alice, wife of T. Hardy Edgar, also of this township, and Stott E. Our sub- ject is the third child and was born January 33, 1831, and has always resided at the place of his birth. Until his marriage he lived with his father and, on the latter's death, inher- ited the old homestead, where he now resides. November 36, 1868, he married Annie, •daughter of Rev. E. B. and Lucinda Wilson, both of whom are now deceased. He was a .minister of the Reformed Church of the Orangeville charge. Mrs. McHenry was born FISHINGOEEEK TOWNSHIP. 449 August 13, 1848, in Washingtonville, Montour Countjr. They have had six children, as fol- lows: Miriam Rosalie, born June 18, 1871; Percy Marion, born November 33, 1875; Daisy Tessora, born September 36, 1881; Carroll Leon, born November 33, 1883, all living; Darcy Stuart, born January 16, 1877, died July 13, 1880; Arthur Wilson, born October 7, 1886. Mr. McHenry is a good farmer and a man of independent and straightforward character, commanding the respect of his neighbors. With a fine family growing up around him he is happy in his circumstances and looljs carefully after their interests. Mrs. McHenry and children are members of the Reformed Church. JOSEPH P. McHENRT, merchant, Stillwater, is a son of Daniel and Mary (Cole- man) McHenry. His father was the second son of the founder of the family, and was born March 37, 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: Benia-. min, in Benton Township; William, in Dush ore; 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 38, 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 3, 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 13, 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 ofSces 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 busi- ness. He built for himself a fine residence opposite his store and is very comfortably sit- uated. He and Mrs. McHenry and all his family are members of the Christian Church, and heigjoofed on by his fellow men as a good citizen. ^..— -IIIDSES M&H-ENflY, merchant, Stillwater, is a grandson of John, the "old hunter," and Helena Cutter^'^is 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, in Jackson Township; John, Rhohr and Maria (widow of Thomas Hess). All live in Ben- ton, 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 1843, 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 accu- mulated 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 1838, 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, 1883, 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 part- nership 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 in which he has carried on the business since in partnership with his brother. June 14, 1866, he married Elizabeth McHenry, k 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 f}}'^ uncle Daniel almost ever since he came to Stillwater. He and his wife are members ot the Christian Church, and he has the reputation of being a careful and upright busi- Hess m&n. * 450 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: WILLIAM MEARS, retired, Fishingcreek, is a grandson of John Mears, who emi- grated 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 bein^ a physi- cian, engaged in the practice of his profession. He was among the first settlers of that 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-malier, 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 bom in New Jersey and died in 1837, 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 there until he was twenty-one. He then started afoot to Ohio, working on the way, 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 Cata- wissa. 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 his- meager salary $450, which 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 harness- making 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 disp;)sed 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 resides- ia 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 Run- j;an, 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 Mans- field, Ohio; William, at home, and Valerie, wife of Losson McHenry, living on her fath- er'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 Palls. Mr. Mears has never had a lawsuit or been on the stand as a witness, and has never held any oflBce, 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 support- ers, and in which he has served as elder, trustee and steward. Politically he is a Repub- lican. CHARLES H. MOORE, merchant, Van Camp, is a son of N. Patterson Moore, of Buckhorn, Hemlock Township, under, whose name appears a history of the ancestor of the family. Charles 'B,. 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, aiid 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 m 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. Moore and wife are members of St. James Reformed Church at Van Camp- Mr. Moore is assistant superintendent of the Sabbath-school and also teacher of the Bible class; is treasurer of the school and leader of the church 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. FISHINGCBEEK TOWNSHIP. 451 SAMUEL J. PEALER, surveyor and engineer, P. O. Porks, 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 years before his death gave his farm to his eldest son. He then bought a small place in this township on which his wife died, and while visiting his daughter in Iowa, he himself died. In politics he was first a Democrat, then a follower of Henry Clay, and later a Republican. To him and his wife, neeM&vy Sheidy, of Luzerne County, Penn., were born the following named chil- dren: 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 Win- chester; Frank A. enlisted in Company F, Two Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, and was shot through the thigh at Bermuda Hundred;' 8. F. was orderly 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 pris- oner 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, atLafayette, Ind., in Company E, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infan- try, and participated in the following engagements: Flood, Hatteras Inlet, November 2, 1861; fight between Monitor and Merrimac March 8 and 9, 1863; seven days' battles before Richmond; battle near Fair Oaks June 19, 1863; battle of Orchards June 25, 1863; Glen- dale June 30, 1863; Malvern Hill July 1, 1863; second battle of Bull Run August 39 and 30, 1863; Chantilly September 1, 1863; Fredericksburg December 11, 13, 13, 1863; Cedars May 1, 3, 1863; Gettysburg July 3, 3 and 4, 1863; Manassas Gap July 33, 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 tliree light wounds. He participated in 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 McCal- tnont, 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 township, and Samuel J. The subject of this sketch was born January 18, 1833, and Temainea with his parents until his father's death, when he moved to Asbury and Jived 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 recruitingofflcer, and served in the judge advocate's office with the rank of second lieu- tenant. He recruited three companies and was made captain of one. Company A, Seven- ty-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, 1863, he married Samantha C, daughter of Cornelius Coleman of Asbury, who was born M^rch 19, 1838. They have eight children: Alice M., wife of Ezra A. Chapman, in Huntingtlte" Township, Luzerne County; Lizzie C, wife of George Vanliew; Stuart died at the'agS'-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, Orangevllle. He and Mrs. Pealer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Asbury, and he is recording steward V ^ Ofangeville charge. For eight years he was superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which position he resigned, but is now assistant superintendent and teacher. • „"^S8BL R. PEALER, circuit judge. Three Rivers, Mich., was born January 1, 1843, in Greenwood Township, Columbia County, a son of George and ^el^ecca (Hampton) realer (former now residing at Asbury, Columbia Co., Penn.; the latter deceased); was ''^^I'fid 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 h'' PPps'.f'ns, bed and furniture on a sled to New Columbus, where he rented a room and ooarded himself all through the school course, except when in good weather he would 452 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: walk 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 his studies as a boy our subject was a close, hard-working scholar, conscientious and unceasing in his application to his books, and these characteristics he carried with him into early manhood, the traits of which he ewes to a precious mother and a kind father. Judge Pealer enlisted during the war of the Rebellion on September 9, 1862, in Company E, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and during a period of three years was promoted from time to time to rank of non-commis- sioned oflScer of his company, and on September 31, 1864, an order, of which the follow- ing is a copy, was made: Special Order No. 61. Headquaktehs Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, ) September 21, 1864. ) II. Second Sergt. Russel R. Pealer, Company E, for meritorious conduct as a soldier and as acting sergeant-major, is promoted to sergeant-major Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cav- alry, and will be obeyed and respected as such. To date from September 1, 1864. By command of J. K. ROBISON, Lieut.- Col. Sixteenth Penn. Cavalry, Commanding regiment. Samuel E. Cormant, Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant. 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 pro- moted 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 com- menced reading law, September 8, 1865, with Robert P. 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 offices; twice circuit court commissioner; twice prosecuting attorney. In April, 1881, he was elected circuit judge of theFifteenth Judicial Circuit of Michigan for a term of six years, and is now on the bench. He is president of the First National Bank of Three Rivers. His parents being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Judge early in life became a member of the same denomination. In politics he is a stanch Republican. 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 re- ceived 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 H. PENNINGTON, blacksmith, Fishingcreek Township, P. 0. Van Camp, was born June 30, 1854, and is great-grandson of Jesse Pennington, who was a native of New Jersey and later a resident of Sullivan County, Penn., where he died about twenty-six years ago. His wife, Rebecca, died about ten years since. Their sons were Jonathan, Jesse, Edmund, John, all of whom are living except Edmund. Jonathan is the grandfather of our subject, and was born in Sullivan County on the banks of Fishing- creek, on the farm which his father had cleared. He married, when about twenty-one years of age, and bought a farm at Fairmount, Luzerne County, which he cleared and where his family were reared. There he lias since resided and is now eighty-four years old. His wife, Phoebe Tubbs, died in 1881, aged seventy-eight. They had five sons and 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 I heir union; Wilber C. and William R. (twins), both residing in this township; Samuel Yost, in Catawissa; Ellen, Jesse, and one who FISHINGCEEEK TOWNSHIP. 453 died in infancy. George H. is tlie 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 19, 1883. WILLIAM S. PENNYP ACKER, miller, Pishingcreek, is a son of John B. Penny- packer, a farmer in East Coventry, Chester Co., Penn. The latter was reared in Mont- gomery County, and learned the trade of a blacksmith in Chester County, working at it un- til he was of middle age, when he gave it ui; 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, 1831, 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 8., with ner 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, hut returned a year later, and again assumed control of the mill, and is now operating it for Messrs. Jones. November 23, 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 38, 1878; Laney Maud, February 26, 1880j JohnK., August 27, 1881; Charles Ray, April 5, 1882, and Mary Alvernon, December 39, 1884. Mr. Pennypacker takes no active part in political matters, but is deeply interested in the Republican party. HERMAN A. SBVISON, practical hprseshoer, coachsmith and wagon-smith, Still- water, is descended from a Holland, ancestor, who came to America prior to the Revolu- tion. One of his sons was the grandfather of our subject, and first lived in New Jersey; later came to this State, settling in Snyder County, where his son Michael, father of Her- man 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 consid- erable 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 Penn- sylvania 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, North- umberland County. It was supposed she slipped and fell oflE 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 Town- ship, Northumberland County; Thomas, in the same place, and Harrison, in Northumber- land County. Herman A. was born August 23, 1841, in Lewis Township, Northumber- land 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 Reg- iment. In 1864 he enlisted, determined to see the close of the war, in the Seventh Vet- eran 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, ofBloomsburg; William A., who has learned his father's trade and works in his shops in Stillwater; Margaret L., who lives in B16omsburg, and Elizabeth C, living near Millville, 454 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: ■Greenwood Township. August 3, 1883, Mr. Sevlson married, as his second wife. Miss 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 which he had learned his trade, and there remained a year and a half; thence to Limestoneville, Montour County, where he was in business two yeais. 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 bought 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, wliere some of his descendants still reside. Richard Shannon was born in July, 1813, at White Deer, Union County, and is now seventy-flve years of age, and has almost all his life been engaged in farming. He is now employed in the car shops of Jackson &Woodin, at Berwick, and is an active and hearty man. He married, in 1834, Miss Maiy, daughter of Abraham Lewis, of Union County. She was born in 1818, and is yet living. Eight 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, Conyngham Township; Isaiah, unmarried, in Berwick; Samuel, married to Sarah Hoofnagle, and died in Ber- wick; 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 m 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 Mifflin, where he had charge of the Yohe mill for two years; thence to Beach Haven, where he conducted a mill tor 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 13, 1873, he married Elvira, daughter of Samuel Zimmerman, of Orangeville, this county, who was born September 13, 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 will and respect of its people. He and wife are consistent members of the Methodist 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 Baston, and six months later went to Hamilton, and later to Huntington Township, Luzerne County, at which time Jacob F. was fifteen years old. The latter worked on farms and also on the canal for nearly seven summers. In 1848 he bought a team and farmed on shares the farm of Bernard Tubbs, 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 Huntinfjton Township, where Mrs. Shoemaker was born September 7, 1830. Mr. Shoemaker is a quiet man, who attends strictly to his own business. He and Mrs. Shoemaker are 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, 1843, in this town- ship. His father, John Stoker, occupied the farm now owned by John Zaner until 1844, when he moved to a farm of 300 acres, which he had purchased across the creek, and which is now occupied by Ellis 8. 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, 1880, aged eighty-one years. Their children were as follows: Jacob, who died in this 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 1862); 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 FISHINGCBEEK TOWNSHIP. 455 until his marriage, 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-huildings, to which he removed, and in August, 1886, bought back the old homestead and the 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 32, 1838, and has borne her husband three children: Howard Dell, born in April, 1864, and died at the ag» 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 Chris- tian Church. OLDEN STOKES, tanner, P. O. Forks, is a great-grandson of James Stokes who moved from Bucks County to the Bear Gap, Northumberland County (near the Montour County line), and where he owned all the property on what is now the grist-mill, and there died. His son, Joseph, came to Boaringcreek Township, this county, and was the first teacher and surveyor (making the original surveys) in that part of the county. He and wife, Mrs. Kebecca (Lee) Stokes, settled in that part of Rearingcreek which is now Locust Township. He died in Bucks County forty-five years ago, aged about seventy years. His wife died in Locust Township. He had a numerous family, and his descend- ants are still to be found in the county. His son, James, the father of Olden, was born in 1791 and died in 1860. He followed carpenter work and cabinet-making during the 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 mem- ber in meeting, of which he was for years clerk. His tastes were literary, and he con- tributed consiaerably 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 hus- band and died in 1861. Their children were Hampton; who died when a young man; James, in Minnesota; John C, who died in Scranton, Penn., in 1885, and Olden, our sub- ject, is the second child, and was born August 3, 1826. He received such an education as the times afforded, and in 1844 began to learn the tanner's trade, at which he workedl 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 HoUenback Township, same county. He then bought a tannery at Foundry ville, in Briarcreek, which 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, where 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 f, 1868, who lives with her parents. Mr. Stokes was born and reared among the Society of Friends, but his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WESLEY W. SUTLIFP, dentist, Runyan, is a grandson of Miles SutliflE, 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 i Bernard, Stiles, Daniel, Abel, Wells, Wash- ington, Wesley, Miles, Hannah, Amelia and Roxana; two now survive: Daniel, in Hunt- ington 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 28, 1868. His wife, Lydia Brader, was born October 27, 1809, and is now living on the old 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 chil- dren: 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 fanner; James M., a farmer, all in Huntington Town- ship; 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 Bingly 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 Orange- fA- ■^'^?^®™y ^^ ^^s diafted, 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 37, 1864, enlisted for three years in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, 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 34 456 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: home he determined on making it a model one. This he has succeeded in doing, taking water from a spring fifty rods from his house. He has it conducted in underground pipes to his house and barn, in both of which he has an unfailing supply. In the house, by an ingeniously arranged system of pipes of his own invention, he runs a thirty-inch wheel from a huge tank, containing seventy-flve 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 an ice-cream freezer. When not in use the water can be shut oflE 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 ^ipes into a large fish pond, in which are German and French carp. The apparatus, entirely of his own invention, is simple, practical and a Sreat labor saver. November 9, 1871, Dr. Sutliff married Catherine, daughter of Peter iveland, of Asbury. She was born December 34, 1838, and has borne her husband two children: Bruce B., born in Huntington Township October 4, 1873, and Myrtie M., born in Asbury, March 16, 1875, died February 30, 1880. The Doctor is a member of the Moun- tain Lodge, 364, 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. SutlifE is a member of the Methodist Episcopal de- nomination. JOHN WENNER, farmer, P. O. Van Camp, was born in Butler Township, Luzerne dounty, October 3, 1816. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany before the. Revo- lution, 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 fam- ily were Jacob, Andrew, Daniel, George, Christian, Leonard, Jonas, Catherine, Regina and Barbara, all of whom 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 1813, but the war closed before he saw active service. When he was sixteen years old he came to Butler Town- ship, Luzerne County, with his parents. He was always a farmer, working for his father and others until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael Beishline, of Builer Township. After his marriage he bought a farm in that county on which he resided five years. His father-in-law had bought ajtract 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 lives, and here he passed the remainder of his life. He was an honest, upright man, a 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 township; Magdalena, deceased wife of Benjamin Hess; Susanna, deceased wife of Elias Pealer; Elizabeth and Sarah, both died young, 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 years. He then purchased a farm on the other side of his father's to which he moved and on which he lived nine years. He then bought the home farm, which had been inherited by his brother Daniel, and there has since lived. August 10, 1888, 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, mairied to Susanna Bender; Mar- garet, widow of Leonard Kline; Jacob, married to Elizabeth Robbins; 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 ex- cept Sarah. June 13, 1858, Mr. Wenner married, as his second wife, Sarah, widow of William KaufE and daughter of Jacob Huntsinger, of Sulljvan County, and who was born June 32, 1814. No children were born to this union, but Mrs. Wenner has two children by her first husband — Amelia Ann, wife of Simon Myers, residing in Williams- port, and David who married Charlotte Hartman and is a merchant at Bendertown. Mr. Wenner. has always led a quiet and peaceable life. He has never identified himself with politics, but has been elected to many township ofiices. He is treasurer of the Fishing- 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 tlicn came to this township and settled on the farm of his father ad- FISHINGCKEEK TOWNSHIP. 457 ioining the homestead, where he has since lived. This he rented and worked on shared until four years ago when he purchased it. December 23, 1864, he married Rosanna M daughter of D. R. Hosier, of Jonestown, this township, who was born November 3, 1846, and had always lived at home until her marriage. To this union nine children were born: IVilliam 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; Laura Roella, born December 9, 1869; Mary Alice, born June 13, 1871; Torrence Meldon, born October 9, 1873; Clement B., born September 20, 1876; Estella Eudora, born June 13, 1877- Emma Bernetta, born October 25, 1880, and Anna May, born January 17, 1884. Mr. Wen'ner 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, farmer, P. O. Van Camp, is a, son of John Wenner and was born June 15, 1843, on his father's farm in this township. At the age of eighteen he went to Light Street/andlater to Berwick, where he learnedthe 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 SchaefEer, and there has since resided, and where, in 1879, he built an elegant and commodious residence. Januaryl, 1867, he married Miss Susanna, daughter o? Aaron Bender of this township. Mrs. Wenner was ■born April 30, 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, 1874; Frank E., born March 13, 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. BENJAMIN B. YOUNG, farmer, P. O. Van Camp, is a son of Jacob and Christian ifPegg) 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 nine- tieth 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 McKin- ney and resides in Espy; TJzilla is the wife of John Hess of Jackson Township. Benja- min B. is the second son and was bom in Jackson Township, March 20, 1828, and reared to farming. He lived with Dr. G. W. Lott of Orangeville from the time he was seven 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 re- sides. He married in 1860, Mrs. Huldah McCreaner, and Albert E. was their only child, and was boru 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 chil- dren. Miss Fellows married first Thomas Bowman October 10, 1833, who died December 7, 1836. They had two children: Alfred B., who died in November, 1883 (his widow 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 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 toPottstown, Montgomery County, where he died. He was twice married: first to Mol- ue Krause, by whom he had' the following named children : Henry, Philip, Samuel, Eliz- abeth and Mary. His second wife was a Miss Seivel, who bore him five children : John ; Jacob S., a congressman, and State marshal under President Buchanan ; Catherine, Ra- chel and Sarah, all now deceased. The grandfather of our subject was Henry. He was bom m Chester County.; went with his parents to Pottstown, and, after his marriage, re- 458 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: moved with his wife and child 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 Cata- wissa, 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 eighty-five years. Her maiden name was Margaret Rickert, and she bore her husband seven ctildren, as follows : Susanna, widow of iloseph Minnich, resides in Luzerne Coun- ty ; 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 ap- prenticeship 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 erected the house thereon. Since 1866 he has lived retired. He married, in December, 1836, Esther Winters, who had four children : Margaret Ann, wife of George M. Howell, of Van Camp ; Sarah and May (twins), the former the wife of William Lauderbach, and the latter of l^athan 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 afEairs of the town- ship, and has been deacon and elder in the Reformed Church for many years. Our sub- ject 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, 1863, died May 4, 1885 ; George D., August 14, 1864 ; Bruce C, June 30, 1867; Dora Esther, February 2, 1870, and Samuel, September 28, 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 ar? members. 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 death. His grandfather, Christian Artley, was born in Bucks County and was a mill- 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 Fianklin 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 Cata- wissa, 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 Northumber- land 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 18, 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 tw,elve men. In 1860 he bought the farm where Ranslow George now resides, consisting of ninety-seven acres (no Duildings), for which he paid |1,200, and after erecting good buildings on the place sold it for $3,400. In 1863 he bbught a lot of thirty-two acres, where he now resides, and erected all the improvements, which are first- FKANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 459 fllass. He has owned several farms, but sold or traded them ofiE again, and now owns sixty-four acres of good land. He followed his trade until 1874, when he turned his attention mostly to farming. In 1863, while erecting a house, he was drafted, but pro- cured a substitute for which he paid $600. He was married January 22, 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 ot the Fire Insurance Company. FRANCIS B. ELY, farmer, P. 0. 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 in 1855. His parental grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, his maternal grand- father was a great hunter. James Ely was a farmer in Montour County; owned a tract of land where he resided until his death. His mother is yet living on the old homestead in Montour County. Subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he was married; he farmed the homestead until 1881, when he bought 163 acres of land where he now resides. He married in December, 1874, Margaret A. 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, Ellas, 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, Elizabeth B., Harry, Mary (deceased), James and an infant son. Mr. and Mrs. Ely are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ely is the present school director of his township, and served as tax collector one term. He is the Sunday-school superin- tendent of the Methodist Sunday-school; is one of the enterprising young men of his vicinity; takes a great interest in educational matters; is a Republican in politics. Two 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. Or. FISHER, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Rush Township, Northumber- land 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 1843. Our subject was only eight years of age at the time of his father's death. He remained with his mother about one year, and then lived with his brother Joseph six years on the same place. He then Worked four years 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 years. 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 belong- ing to his father-in-law near Franklin Township, Columbia County, and lived there six years, when he sold out and moved to Danville, where he .dealt in coal. He then resided- 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 irnprovements on the farm and has one of the best places in the townshijp. 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 grad- uate 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. JONATHAN H. FORTNER, retired farmer, was born in Maine Township, Columbia J r S°'' M*''°^i 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., located near Mifflin, where he lived until his death. He was a raftsman on the Dela- ^ta^ ™^^r. Our subject's great grandmother was a daughter of Lord Archibald Dougfas, of Scotland, who had one son ami one daughter; the son was drowned and the daughter left Scotland at sixteen yeaa-s of age. She went out on a pleasure trip and was captured by Aleenne pirates and sold on board a vessel to a man named Clark, who took her to Phila- •aelphia. There she became acquainted with Mr. Fortner and they were married, and settled in JNew Jersey ; lived there until their death. Our subject's father was reared to agricul- iRia' ''2"'" ^^ always followed, and owned 133 acres at the time of his death, January 33, 1848. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until his father's death, ine farm was willed to our subject by his mother, and he has been living on it for nearly mree-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 367 acres. He was married ^ay |, 1848,^0 Mary A. Campbell, by whom he had two children, Dabney and Alfretta. ^'t iTw'^a T^r \?iember of the Baptist Church. Mr. Fortner is a Methodist. Ho J n ^ HHIE. farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Rush Township, Northumber- ■lana Lo., Penn., November 30, 1810, a son of Henry and Mary A. (Johnson) Hile, natives 460 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: of Sussex County, N. J. His grandfather, Henry, came from Xew Jersey and settled in Eush Township, Northumberland County, where he bought a large tract of land, which he cleared and where he remained, engaged in farming. He and a mao 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, 1873. 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 livedi eleven years; thence to Clearfield County and bought 110 acres of land, where he re- mained until 1866, when he came to where he now resides and bought 322 acres. March 20, 1834, he •.iiarried 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. While living in Clearfield County Mr. Hile held a number of township offices. In politics he is neutral. JOHN CHILE, farmer, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Clifton County, Penn., October 11, 1847, a soil of James and Hannah (Campbell) Hile, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His father, who has always followed farming, resides in this township. Our subject was nineteen years of age when his parents came to this county, and he re- mained 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 to where he now lives. He owns 188 acres of land, well improved. January 28, 1868, he 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., Eatie 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 chil- dren 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. MOSES HOWER, retired farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Mifflin 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 the farm adjoining that of Moses Hower, wher^ he lived until his death. Our subject's father was reared a blacksmith, and settled in Mifflin Township, where he traded for some time, and finally traded for 313 acres of land in this township, moved on it and lived there until his death in 1871. He was the father of five children, three living: Moses, Daniel and Hiram Y. His father served in the Revolutionary war, holding a com- mission 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 Stocker. They are the parents of six children (five of whom are living): William E., Mary J., Sarah C, Hannah E., Maria E. (deceased) and Moses S. His wife died about 1858, and he next married Hannah Tetter, who died a few years after marriage. His present wife is Elizabeth Bittner, by whom 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 buildmg stone. He owns altogether over 300 acres and some lots in Riverside, also two lots in Catawissa. Some years ago, he, with three others, bought 3,000 acres of land in Lycoming County, but has since sold it. Mr. Hower has been one of the largest landholders in the county. During the war he followed the butchering business. SYLVESTER HOWER, carpenter, P. O. Pensyl, was born in Columbia County, Penn., February 6, 1841, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hendershot) Hower, former of whom was born in Columbia County, Penn., of German descent. Our siibject'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, residingin Danville, Penn.; Lloyd W.; Isaiah J.; Hannah M.; Joshua M.; Sarah E. and Kersey C; Elmira A, was killed at the battle of Petersburg on the first charge in front of Richmond. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until eighteen years 6f age, when he began the carpenter's trade and served an apprenticeship of three yeatfe. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves. The company FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 461 was raised and taken to Harrisburg for the purpose of being placed in the three months' service, hut on arrival at that place it was discovered that the field was full of men enlisted for that period, so the whole regiment enlisted for three years, July 37, 1861. From Har- risburg they were taken to Greencastle, where they were kept about two weeks. They ■were taken to Washington; thence to Maryland, and December 20, 1861, fought their first battle at Dranesville. Mr. Hower also participated in the engagements of the regiment at Bull Run, South Mountain, Antletam, 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 eat for three days and three nights. He was discharged June 11, 1864. and shortly after- 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 the improvements himself. In the spring of 1878 he moved to Seward City, Neb., where he remained two years, working at his trade. He married, July 4, 1865, Harriet Teager, and they are the parents of five children: Henry C, Anna C, Mazey E., Daniel T. and James Garfield. Mrs. Hower is a member of the Lutheran Church. JOHN 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 Pennsyl- vania, and of German descent. His grandfather was born in Columbia County, Penn. ; was a carpenter by trade, and lived where Jeremiah Kostenbander now resides. Our sub- ject'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 carried on both occupations up to the time of his death in December, 1883. He was the 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. Barnhardt, 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 1879, and here has since resided. He married, June 2, 1875, Helen 8. Achenbach, by whom he has four children: Curwin E., Clara E., Elsa E. and William J. Mrs. Hower is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mr. Hower a member of the P. O. S. of A. CHARLES HUGHES, farmer, P. O. Catawissa. was born in Kingston Township, Lu- zerne County, this State, October 28, 1821, a son of James and Hannah (Smetland) Hughes, former of Welsh descent, the latter a native of Connecticut. His great-grand- father came from Wales and located in Berks County, Penn. His grandfather, Hugh, married a lady named Hutton, a relative of the Huttons 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 uiitil his death. The farm he bought is a very valuable one on account of the vast amount of coal that it pos- sesses, 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 ninety-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 sur- veyors of the Wyoming Valley, and was often called on for explanations of surveys and drafts, and was also an excellent millwright. Our subject was reared on a farm and re- mained with his parents ugtil he was twenty-nine years 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 years; then moved on Rev. George Peck's farm_, and resided four years; ifiS??.^ 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 untit 1881. His sons, George P. and Hugh, had charge of this farm for about six years before he moved here. y. " v°^ ^^^ ^'''^^ °^ ^°°^ ^*"*^- ^^ ^*® ^^^° twice married: first, to Ester Pettiborn, Who bore him eleven children, six living: George, Huffh, Mary, Gordon S., Charles and Isabel. His wife died February 20, 1874, and January 1, 1878, he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Buttliff) Mellic^ by whom he had five children, four living: Margaret D., Jennie D., Ste- phen and Stanley. Mrs. Hughes has also a child by her former marriage, Olena V. Mel- 462 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: lick. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are members of the Church. His first wife experienced religion whc^n lliirlecn years of age, and was taken into full membership of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, to which she was a faithful member during life. Mr. Hughes was twice elected a justice of the peace, but did not serve. R. S. McHENRY, miller, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Hemlock Township, Colum- bia Co., Peun., April 1,1851, a son of Moses W. and Sarah (Montgomery) McHenry 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 Plymouth Christian Church in Luzerne County. He died in West Rittstown 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 Charles Hazletine; Elizabeth, wife of George Munson; 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 Byer's Grove, and worked six months; thence to Mendenhall's mill, and worked two and one-half years; thencejto Byer's Grove for another year. In the spring of 1883 he rented what is known as Parr's mill on Big Roaring creek, since which time he has operated the same. He was married in Sep- tember, 1873, to Annie S. Yetter, and they are the parents of six children: Lillian, Nettie, Robert, Pearl, Freddie and Celia. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry 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 fol- lowed farming all his life in Luzerne County. He was the father of eight children, four of whom are living: Philip, Asa, George (a resident of Iowa) and David A. The father's death was caused by an accident. He was one night coming from market alon^ the nar- rows 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 witli 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 months old 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 the spring of 1872, when he bought 136 acres in this township, where lie lias since resided. He has one of the best farms in the township, and also a fine residence and has made some of the im- provements since coming here. He was married in December, 1859, to Elousi L. John- son, a native of Luzerne County. 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 promi- nent 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 oftce. His mother hves with him at the age of ninety years, and has never been confined to her bed by sickness for twenty-four hours, within the memory of our suliject. WASHINGTON PARR, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Columbia County, Penn., October 4, 1824, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shuman) Parr, natives of Pennsyl- vania and of German descent. His grandfather came from Germany at an early day and settled in Catawissa, where lie bought a tract of land and resided until his death. Jacob Parr was born in this county, and was a blacksmith by trade, which he followed a number of years at Lime Ridge, this county. In 1834 he bought a farm in Catawissa Township, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his death in 1847; that of liis widow occurred in 1870. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained withiis parents until the death of his father, when lie rented tlie 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 years. 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 nearly all the buildings, made im- provements and has since resided. He now owns ninety acres of good land, also the Wil- low 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 R. 8. Mc- Henry, miller. Mr. Parr married, in April, 1849, Maria, daughter of John and Christiana Mench. Mr. and Mrs. Parr are the parents of three cliildren, two living ; Alice, wife of Samuel Loreman, residing in York, Neb., and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Parr are members of FBANKLIN 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. J0I:1N W. RIDER, farmer, P. O. Catawissa, was born in Locust Township, this county, April 1, 1858, 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 de- scent. His paternal grandfather came from Berks County to Columbia County in 1813, and settled in Mayberry Township, in what is now Montour County, where he lived several years. 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 1863, built on it and made all the improvements. He was the father of seven children, of whom three sons and three daughters are now living; Lloyd, William, John W., Sarah (wife of Christian Artley), 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 stop- ping the most of his time in Lucas County, Iowa. He then returned and resumed farm- ing, which he has since continued. He married, December 35, 1881, Emma, daughter of 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 39, 1816, a son of Jacob and Mary (Penstamecher) Rohr- bach, natives of Berks County, Penn., and of German descent. His grandfather, Lorenzo, came from Germany when quite young with his parents and settled in Berks County. He was seventeen years of age when the Revolutionary war broke out; enlisted in the service. He lived in Berks County until his death, which occurred in his one- hundredth 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. Our subject's father was born in Berks County in 1781, and died in his seventy -fourth year. He came to this county in 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 followed lumbering until 1865. He cleared some land and farmed while living here. He bought some 400 acres off which he took the timber and sold it. In 1865 he moved to where he now resides and purchased 300 acres, but has sold off until he now owns 130 acres of good land on which he has all the improvements. He has cleared a good portion of the land himself. He married, in 1853, Levma 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 Ervin Vought; Harriet A., wife of Charles Reigel and Zenith S. Mrs. Rohrbach is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rohrbach is one of the pioneers of this county. In politics he is a Demo- crat. In 1841 he moved to Sunbury and purchased an interest in a foundry, but, becom- ing dissatisfied, in 1843 moved back to this county and worked at his trade, doing a great deal of work for the furnace hands. WILLIAM STOCKER, farmer, P. 0. Catawissa, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., March 9, 1833, 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 eettled in Northumberland County, this State. He first contracted on the canal, but soon 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 until his death, which occurred April 8, 1868. Our subject was reared on a farm until 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 ■remained on it only one year. In 1869 he moved on the farm now owned by Charles Hughes. Mr. Stocker now owns 347 acres of land, two first-class houses and three fine farms. He was married in May, 1850, to Christiana Yetter, and they have one daugliter, ■Sarah J., wife «f Washington F. Manhardt. 464 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: CHAPTER XXXII. GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. • SYLVESTER ALBERTSON, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born on the farm where he now resides November 16, 1883. 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, Will- iam, 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 tlie 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, Sylvester, Joel, Beulah and Elizabeth, all of whom married and reared families, except Elizabeth. Sylvester married, November 39, 1860, Mary, daughter of John and Elsie (Albertson) Richart, former a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Robbins) Richart. Mr. Albert- son located on the farm after his marriage, and there has since resided. He has eighty- seven 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 years. 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. Nearly 200 persolis 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 forehoon 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 m 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. Instru- mental 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 hi» 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 faith- ful 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 leav- ing there he located in Sugarloaf Township, where he married Mary, daughter of Reuben Davis. When very young our subject removed with his parents to Fishingcreek, 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 Madi- son Township, a daughter of Wm. Barber, and seven children were bom 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 offi- cially connected with the same. GEEENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 465" HBNDRICK W. BANGS, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born October 7, 1823, in Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, son of Alba Bangs, a native of Massachusetts, who- removed to Luzerne County when a youn^ 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 Ply- mouth 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 Barah Ann, dau^ter of Enos and Mary (Ogden) Heacock. Mr. and Mrs. Bangs have five- children: Jacob E., Enos E., Samuel A., Jennie and William A. In 1863 Mr. Bangs went 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 lived 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 ablacksmith, 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 wandf ather bought. January 6, 1859, he married Elmira, daughter of Elijah and Eleanor (Parker) Lemon. They have four children: Ethelind F. (wife of William P. Bobbins, 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 eon of David and Susan (Eisner) Berlin; former, a native of Northampton County, fol- lowed blacksmithing near Berwick for several years; latter a daughter of Jacob and Mar- garet Kisner. Our subjects lef t home at the age of eighteen and went to Berwick, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed as journeyman for some years. In ISSO 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, 1860, Minerva, daughter of John Chamberlain. She died of typhoid fever, De- cember 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 ofllce until January, 1874, then resigned. JOHN BLACK, retiredr Rohrsburg, one of the old time millers of the county, was born' October 36, 1809, in Northumberland County. His father, Jeremiah Black, a native of Ire- land, 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, 1837, 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 his- oJ'* death he contributed largely to the support of the family. His mother died Janu- ary 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 diflEerent mills in this locality. On account of failing health he was obliged to abandon practical milling and then gave his attention to buhr dressing and the care of the mill-stones. Later he came to this- 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 born to them:- Lemon J., Isaac F., Perry D., Mary C, Alfred B., William W. and Elizabeth. Alfred f''""ce died February 23, 1866, of disease contracted while in the army. He volunteered ™ ■'"y^iDponipany "D, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war; William also »erved in the army and returned home unscathed. Mr. Black for- 466 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: many years has been a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church. He takes little interest in political affairs. JOHN 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. John remained at home until of age, and soon after began for him- self. 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 «priQg 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 organiza- tion, in Pine Township. He has given his elder children good school advantages, some of them having 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 Sug- arloaf Township, on the farm that his grandfather, Ezekiel Cole, settled when he came Irom New 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 lather 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, daug;hter 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, ihe came to the place he now owns, formerly owned by Robbins, the mill seat being first iDuilt by Henry Fullmer about 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have seven children: Albert and Norman, residing on the old homestead; Byron, in Tuscola County, Mich.; Arthur, at home; Howard, m 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. GEORGE 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: Emma 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. Lawton, of Greenwood, this county, and to this union have been born two children: Sarah A. and Charlie F. The family at- tend 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. ANDREW JACKSON DERR, merchant. P. O. Derrs, was born March 18, 1838, at 'Orangeville, this county, and remained at home until he was married, January 36, 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 ifrom 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 postmas- ter at Derrs, and inpolitics is a Democrat. ISAAC A. DbWITT. The DeWitt family came originally from Holland, and was iflrst represented in this country by two brothers, Isaac and Jacob, who immigrated prior to the Revolution. Isaac settled in New Jersey and Jacob in New 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 New Jersw. Isaac married Margaret Gardner, by 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 GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 46T 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, the- father 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 31, 1840. James was a tanner by trade, which he followed as long as he lived. He came to this township after his marriage. His successor is our subject, Isaac A., who is the only child now 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 sur- geon 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 town- ships of Greenwood and Madison, including the site of Millville. This land was secured by deed dated Novem"ber 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 re^on some years previous to the time this title was acquired. As his- settlement 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 cir- cumstances at Mill Creek Hundred, and held various oflBces involving a degree of respon- sibility. 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 pro- ceeded 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 Flinn 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 Johtt Eves married Edith Teatman, an English lady, said to have possessed great strength of character as well as personal beauty? They were the parents of seventeen children, four- teen 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., 23d, 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., 38th, 1783. John Eves, 8r., died 7th mo., 1st, 1802; and Edith (Teatman) 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, Yeat- man, John K,, George F., Benjamin, Chandlee, Sarah (Wilson) and Rachel KShivelj)^ 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 andi Martha (Marten) Eves: David, James, Edith, Margaret (Fairman), Andrew, Joseph, Martha, Sarah and Yeatman; of Nehemiah Recce and Mary (Eves) Reece: William, /w?!*' •^•^'*^ (Kertz), Mary, Philip, John, Joseph, Nehemiah, Louisa (Eves). Sarah (Whitacre), Aaron, Mary and Hannah (McHenry); of William Mather and Priscilla (^■jes) 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)' Eyes: 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 county. 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 P. EVES (deceased) was born November 33, 1804, the third son of Chand- *\t T.*^' ^^° ^** *■ ^°° °* ^^^ pioneer. He married November 5, 1829, Louisa, daughter of Nehemiah and Mary Reece. Mrs. Eves was born December 10, 1808. After marriage 468 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: -they moved to the homestead wliich 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 37, 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 .jnarried Priscilla 'E. Lemon; Philip married Sarah .^. Runyan ; Chandlee married Sarah is. John, and resides on the old homestead in Madison Township; Elizabeth died in Octo- ber, 1878; Milton's second marriage was to Emily Shultz; Sarah L. and Priscilla M. reside ■together in Millville; Reuben died March 16, 1855. FRANCIS P. EVES, retired, Millville, is a great-grandson of John Eves, the pioneer, and was born January 29, 1820, in this township, the eldest son of Ezra and Susanna (Kes- ter) Eves. They were the parents of the following named children: Francis P., Benjamin K., John R., Elizabeth, Lucretia M. and Joseph E. Francis P. was reared to farming and about the time he reached his twenty-sixth year.married Elizabeth, daughter of Francis and jilary (Welliver) Rote. Mrs. Eves was born in 1820, in this township and has borne her hus- band 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 3, 1839, •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 ^iven his attention. He]married,April 15,1851, Amelia, daughter of Johnand Mary (Wood- ard) Robins. They have 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 post- master prior te his election as justice. Mr. Eves' business is conducted under the firm iname of Wilson M. Eves & Sons. They do a general merchandise trade and deal also in lumber, furniture, organs, etc. Mr. Evei is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Masonic fraternity. JAMES WATSON EVES, retired, Millville, was born December 17, 1839, the second son of Milton and Mary (Mather) Eves. Milton was born in Madison Township, Colum- "bia Co., Penn., August 13, 1797, and died October 1,1831. His wife was born in Cata- wissa June 7, 1797, and died October 38, 1868. To them were born six children: Lydia B., Sarah P., Thomas E., Asenath E., James W. and MaryM. Lydia B. married Chas. Kister, and after his death Joseph Van Horn, who is alsodecesised; 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 leav- ing 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 thie 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 jyears 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, De- cember 39, 1831, Elizabeth A., daughter of Isaac and Edith (Eves) Kitchen. She was born May 80, 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 38, 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. 0. Millville, was born August 16, 1839, 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 1873, being about seventy-five at the time of her death. The children born to Parvin and Anna were Chand- lee, Joseph, Francis, George, Sarah, Rachel, Shadrach, Elizabeth, Parvin, Ezra, Chalk- ley, 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 Nehe- miah Reece; she died in the spring of 1858, and by her he had one child that died when GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 469 three years old. His present wife was Racliel, daugtiter of Robert Mattier, and they ■have five children: 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 mar- lia'ge 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; has a woolen-mill and does custom work for the farmers. CHARLES W. EVES, farmer and merchant, Millville, was born June 30, 1831, in North Millville, Columbia County, the eldest son of Benjamin and Priscilla (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 Mar- shall County, Kas.; John M., jn 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 33, 1876. His wife died February 27, 1869. After his death Charles W. continued the business and is also en- gaged 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 horn in October, 1832, and bore her husband children as follows: Narcissa M., wife of ■Clemuel 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 Maty A. all died young. JOSEPH W. EVES, surveyor, Millville, was born December 7, 1838, on the home- ■stead 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 re- sided 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 at 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 (Kesterj Eves. On arriving at manhood he succeeded his father in business 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 Mar- faret, daughter of George Masters. They were married July 31, 1857, and November 12, 870, Mrs. Eves died, leaving four children: Lois M., wife of Hiram J. Demotte, of this township; Charles M., inNanticoke, 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 ex- cellent 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., MillviUe, was born July 12, 1848, in South Millville, the fifth son of Charles Eves and was raised to larmmg pursuits. In 1870 he associated with his brothers in the mercantile and manu- 470 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: facturing business, and so conlinued several years, when his brother John withdrew, and the firm is now Ellis Eves & Bro. They are engaged in mercantile, lumber and planing-mill business. Mr. Eves married Anna M., daughter of Joseph E. Sands. Thes 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, 1844, the secolid son and third child of Chandlee, who was a son of J. Parvin Eves. The mother of J. C. was Ma:ry Reece, a descendant of one of the pioneer f amilies-of Columbia County. The father of our subject was a tanner by trade,, and for some time was inter- ested in the tannery at Sereno, and Tiere died in the spring of 1846; his widow yet sur- vives him. Three children lived to be grown, viz.: John P., Anna R. and Joseph C. John P. was a member of Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment of Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was severely wounded at the close of the battle of i'redericksburg, 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 year, and then learned the trade ot wheelwright, which he has since fpUowed. He was married, October 38, 1871, to Charlotte, daughter of Charles 8. and Hannah W. (Watson> Heacock. They have three children: May B., Curtis C. and Charles S. Mr. Eves is a member, of J. P. Eves Post, No. 536. E. TRUMAN EVES, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born on the farm he now owns, August 24, 1848, first son of Francis P. and Elizabeth (Rote) Eves — this farm being the one his father had located on after his marriage, which tract is embraced in the original tract located by John Eves, the pioneer, previous to the Revolution. Ti-uraan was reared 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. Stanley, A. Mabel and Francis Henry. Marion E. died in July, 1876, aged three years. VERNON P. EVES, furniture dealer, Millville, was born in this township April 21, 1858, the only son of Benjamin K. Eves. The latter was born in East Millville and also' 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 1873 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 Byer, 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, and finally moved out on Black Run, 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 35, 1811, in Blooms- burg, 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 per- manently in what is now Eyer's Grove, laid out by and named for his brother, Jacob Eyer. He was married October 4, 1882, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Sarah (De- mott) 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. HUGH 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 Revolu- tion. He married Mary Ewing, aijd by her had the following children: Robert, William, Thomas, Elizabeth 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 1863 he mar- ried 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 sue- .GBEENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 471 ceasfully. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fairman, Cora B., Elmerta J. and Clarence Q. are living. In politics he is a Democrat. JACOB GERARD, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born July 15, 1833, 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 1842, 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 pi ace he had previously purchased, and which was known as the Pealer property. There were no 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 Presby- terian 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 j 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. GEORGE GREENLY, retired farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born November 32, 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 loca- tion at Pottsville, and then located in Pine Township, October, 1833, ; bought timber land, engaged in building and clearing land, and built a saw-mill on Wolfhouse Run, getting on pretty well till June 29, 1836, when a great storm came ; thunder and hail and hurri- cane—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, 1887, 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. Throughjsome panicthe parents moved back onto the same pi ace in Pine Township in the last week of March, 1841 ; engaged again in building, clearing land, farm- ing and lumbering, aiid 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 th? father died in November, 1875. George Greenly moved to his present loca- tion in Greenwood Township, March 30, 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 18o8, in Pine Township, he married Melinda, a daughter of George Welliver, a descendant of one ofjthe 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 pro- P™tors 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 ^ a man of conservative principles both politically and religiously. EH8HA HAYMAN, retired, lola, was born in Berks County, October 7, 1814, and removed to this county with his parents when he was but two years old. He was reared iQ Scott Township, and in youth learned the miller's trade and for a time worked aa 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 472 BIOGEAPHIOAL SKETCHES* thirty years. He then sold out to TJ. P. McHenry and retired, but still conducts his farm. He has been twice married; tirst, in 1840, to Susan Evans, by ■whom he had four sons, "William H., Theodore F., JohnN. and Robert B. (the last named died at the age of nine- teen years). His second wife, Mary, daughter of Peter Applegate, bore him one daughter, 01ara. William H. farms in Pine Township ; Theodore is engaged in milling at Shamokin, and John N. is a bachelor at home. Mr. Hayman is an official member of the Methodist Episcomil Church and a Republican. The Hayman family first came to this county about 1813. Peter Hayman removed here from Berks County; made a settlement in what is now Orange Township and there resided until his death in 1833, at the age of seventy- two years. His wife was Savilla Hall, and their children^ John, Jonas, Joseph, Benja- min, Abigail, Mary, Maria, all of whom are married and settled in this county and reared families, except Joseph, who was accidentally killed when young. John married Mar- garet Overderf, and seven children were born to him: Elisha, Maria, Peter, Phebe, Sarah, John and Amanda. John resides in Michigan; the others settled in this county, and Elisha, John and Amanda are the only survivors. Amanda is the wife of C. Boone; Maria married Jeremiah Pursel; Phebe married Joseph Fry, and Sarah became the wife of J, D. Miller. PETER HAYMAN, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born in Orange Township, December 30, 1836, the youngest of the sons born to Jonas and Mary (Miller) Hayman. Jonas was born in Berks County, Penn., about the year 1799, son of Peter Hayman. To Jonas and Mary were born eight children: Joseph, Benjamin, Jacob, Jesse, Albert, Peter, Esther and Mary, all now living. Jonas removed from Orange Township to Greenwood near Rohrsburg, and built the mill now owned by J'ohnson H. Ikeler, also made the im- 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 and mill burned down he rebuilt the mill, which he ran for several years, carried on farming, and died in 1867; his wife died several years previous. Peter remained at home until twenty-flve years of age, when he embarked for himself. He was married, in 1868, to Ann, daughter of James Mather; Mrs. Hayman died in 1873, leaving one child, Anna, wife of William Kester, of Iowa. Mr. Hayman's second marriage was with Savilla, daughter of Daniel Kitchen, and by her he had six children: Minnie L., Norah M., Bruce, A., John W., Willie F. and Ila M. ; Willie is deceased. After marriage he spent one year in Pishingcreek Township engaged in farming, then bought the farm he now owns, owned by Philip Reece, consisting of fifty acres. Mr. Hayman is a member of theP. of H., also of the Presbyterian Church. He was in the army one year, and served in the Two Hundred and Tenth. Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. ISAAC HEACOCK, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born in this township, on the Heacock homestead, June 30, 1834, eldest son of Enos and Mary (Ogden) Heacock; has always been a resident of the township, and been engaged in agricultural pursuits; also for many years been engaged in selling farm machinery and introducing fertilizers among the farmers. For several years he farmed the homestead, but, since 1858, has been a resident of his present farm consisting of eighty-three acres. He was married Octo- ber 5; 1858. to Mary Jane, eldest daughter of Benjamin C. and Lydia (Lundy) Harvey, the latter a daughter of Stacy Lundy. one of the pioneers of the township. Of their four children reared to maturity (three are living): Harvey E. (married Alverna Kelchner, and has one son);Stacy L.; Charles C. and Anna S. Harvey E. and Charles C. are both commercial men and represent a woolen manufactory at Willlamsport. Dr. Stacy L. died June 6, 1881; he had just graduated with honors, and received his diploma while on his death bed. He was a young man of rare promise, a thorough scholar, a Christian gentleman, esteemed by all who knew him. ALFRED HEACOCK, farmer, P. 0. Greenwood, was born December 30, 1837, on the farm he now owns, the second son of Enos and Mary (Ogden) Heacock. He grew to man- hood on his present farm, which he took charge of in 1865 and came into possession of in 1876, and which consists of ninety-four acres. He has been twice married; first, February 33, 1865, to 'Martha J. Mather, who was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., the daughter of Jesse Mather. She died eight months after marriage. Mr. Heacock married, as his second wife, Mary E. , daughter of John Ruckle. She was born in Mount Pleasant Town- ship, this county, and to her and her husband' have been born four children: Lizzie, Harry Grant.Enos Raymond and Lattimer. Politically Mr. Heacock is a Republican. JOSIAH HEACOCK, miller, Millville,was born September 30, 1841, on the homestead in this township. The first of the name to settle here was Josiah, who came from North- a'npton County, Penn., but the family came originally from New Jersey. His wife, Abi- gail J. Green, bore him the following children: Joseph, Jeremiah, Amos, Jesse, Enos, Richard, Hannah, Rosanna, Lavina, Mary and Sallie. Josiah settled in the south part of the township on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Alfred Heacock. Enos married Mary Ogden, who bore him six children: Isaac, Sarah A., Rachel, Elizabeth, Alfred and Josiah, all of whom were born on the homestead, and still living in the township. Josiah remained on the homestead until his eighteenth year. He learned the milling business, and worked at it for some time in Luzerne County near Kingston. In 1864 he began on GiEEENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 473 Ihis own account. In 1870 he associated with George Masters in operating the Millville anills, which partnership continued until in September, 1871, when Masters died. In 1882 Mr. Heacock bought out the entire Interest, and took 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 Pishingcreek, and a daughter of Will- iam 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 (liv- ing) Snd Sara (deceased). Mr. Heacock volunteered twice in the service of his country. Politically he is a Republican. W. W. HEACOCK, merchant, P. O. Millville, was born in this township, Aijril 18, 1853, the second son of C. 8. 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 thoroughlyj and in recognition of his services and ability he was taken as partner March 27, 1884, under the firm name of Mas- ters & 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 S. B. ffisner. To them have been born four children, three living: Lulu, Mellie and Lill- ian; deceased: Zella, aged four years. ABIAH P. HELLER, M. D., Millville, was born in Heklock Township, April 9, 1839, 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 rfather, Jacob, was from Lancaster, Penn., of Scotch ancestry. Dr. Hellers 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 hC' left home and obtained employment among the farmers in the ^ isummer season and attended school in 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 Eclec- itic College, February 22, 1854. He located in Centre County, Penn., and began the prac- tice of his profession. There he continued three years, when he returned to this county 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 PrisciUa 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 or 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, daugh- ter 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 town- ship 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, Bmeline, 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. 0. Rohrsburg, is descended from one of the prominent families of Greenwood Township, where he was born December 22, 1838, on 474 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: the Ikeler homestead. He is the eldest son of Squire J. H. Ikeler and remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age. He then married Savella Goho, a native of Mif- flin Township, and a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Hess) Goho. Three months after his marriage, Mr. Ikeler located where he now resides, and where he has since been engaged in farming. He owns 113 acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. To him and Mrs. Ikeler six children were born: Milroy B., clerking at Millville; Raymond G., Vianie W., Otto P., William H. and Clarence H. Politically Mr. Ikeler is a ^Repub- lican, but gives little attention to politics, being engaged with his farming and stcok raising. IRAM BENTON IKELER, farmer, Millville, is descended from a prominent family of this township, and was born on the homestead, February 11, 1844. He is the youngest son of Johnson H. Ikeler, was reared to farming and has always resided on the home- stead engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married January 10, 1877, Sallie, daughter of Alinas Cole, of this township. Mrs. Ikeler was born in Sugarloaf Township, and spent the early part of her life in school-teaching — the first term at the age of sixteen; she has borne her husband four children: IrmaB., Jessie C, Jay Harold and Mattie Ellsworth. Mr. Ikeler is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mountain Lodge, No. 264, and of the P. of H., No. 53, Millville , JAMES L. JOHN, merchant, Millville, was born Mot 17, ISoSi in Mount Pleasant Township, son of James M. and Hannah (Kester) John. He was left fatherless while an infant and was reared under his mother's care until he arrived at manhood. At the age of eighteen he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, but later taught school and clerked for Ellis Eves & Bro. one year. He then taught and attended school, and in the spring of 1876 engaged in business with Isaac Underwood & Co. and remained about one year. In 1877 he went to Half Moon, Centre Co., Penn., and then embarked in business on his own account, in which he continued one year and nine months. He then went to Sereno, Columbia County, where for six months he conducted a store. In April, 1879, he went to Lairdsville, where he remained five and a half years. October 31, 1884, he came to Millville, erected a store and other improvements, and has since remained engaged in mercantile] business. August 31, 1876, he married Edith, daughter of Jesse and Lydia (Parker) Heacock. They have four children: Watson I., Jesse M., Mary H. and Brand L. Mr. John has a livery in connection with his store and furnishes horses and conveyances at reasonable I'ates on short notice. IRA JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Millville, is descended from the Johnsons who were among the early settlers of Columbia County. John Jacob Johnson, his grandfather, was a native of Germany; was enrolled in the service of the British and brought to America to fight the colonists. Deeming their cause a just one, he watched his opportunity, joined the American forces and served as a cavalryman until the close of the war. He was wounded during his service in the cheek and leg and subsequently received a pension. Soon after the close of the Revolution he came to what is now Columbia County, and lived for several years at Orangeville. He was by trade a tailor, and married Mary Barn- hart, who bore him six children: Barney, Jacob, William, Catherine (who married George Kline), Elizabeth (married Harmon Kline), and Sarah (who became the wife of George Snyder). William, the father of Ira, was born February 7, 1788, in New Jersey, and died January S4, 1877. He married Jerusha, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Robbins) Richart. William was a tailor, and to him and wife were born six children: Wesley R., Sarah (wife of Demar Johnson), Minerva (wife of William McMichael); Phi- lena L. (wife of Jackson Robbins), Arsintha (wife of James Manning) and Ira. The last- named was born May 21, 1822, one mile east of Millville, and when young worked with his father at the tailoring business, but later gave his attention to farming. He married Sarah, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Snyder) Thomas, and two sons blessed their union: Charles Britton and Arthur Wilson. WILLIAM KARSCHNER, retired farmer, P. 0. lola, was born July 19, 1830, in Mon- tour Township, near Danville, and moved to Pine Township (then Madison) with his par- ents, when nine years of age. His father, Michael, located on the farm now owned by William. There were only eight acres of improved land on the place when Mr. Karschner purchased, paying $2 per acre; he died here August 25, 1853, aged fifty -four years. Subject's mother's maiden name was Dorothy Ann, daughter of George and Anna (Cox) Sechler. To Michael and Dorothy were born eight children whe lived to be grown: John, Mary, William, Anna, Michael, Levi, Elizabeth and Blihu. William was reared on the farm, and took charge of it at his father's death; and has since owned and carried it on. He was married October 6, 1856, to Margaret, daughter of Philip and Charity (Dildine) Kline. Mr. Karschner located in lola in the summer of 1885, and has since rented his farm. He has four children living: Loyd (a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church), Elmer, Alvaretta, and Riley H. Boyd, the second son, was accidentally killed at the saw- mill at lola June 17, 1885, aged twenty-five years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and esteemed for his many qualities. Mr. Karschner, wife and daugh- ter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. AARON KESTER, butcher, Millville, was born in Mount Pleasant, Columbia Co., Penn., February 24, 1828, and, being the youngest of the family, he succeede'd his father GEEENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 475 on the homestead, where he remained until 1831. He then came to Millville, and for five years worked in Eves' wagon manufactory, after which he returned to Mount Pleasant and resumed farming, continuing until 1883. He then returned te Millville and again worked in the manufactory. He next began the butchering business with his son, S. W. Kester, which he still continues, meeting with great success. January 10, 18531, he married Esther, daughter of Richard and Esther (Caldwell) Pollock. Mr. and Mrs. Kester have three children; AlvinaJ., 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, daughter.of A. J. Ikeler). The Kester family came to what is now Mount Pleasant Township about the year 1790. John Kester, the grandfather of Aaron, was born in New Jersey, July 31, 1744, and died in July, 1825. 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 last named became the father of our subject, and was born August 35, 1787, in New Jersey. At the aeeof three years he came with his father to Mount Pleasant Township, Col- umbia 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, 1813, in Rhen- ish Prussia. When a young man he learned the blacksmith trade and left the land of his 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 at that place. In the spring of 1835 he left Erie, and after working a short time at differ- ent places between Erie and New York, he came to this county to visit his uncle, Freder- ick 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 Mc- Michael. Mrs. Kindt was born in this county, December 29, 1810, and has borne her hus- band the following children : George P.; Euphemia, deceased wife of John Kitchen ; Eliz- abeth, died at the age of seventeen ; Maria L. is the wife of Richard Kitchen. Mr. Kindt is still as vigorous of mind and body as a man of thirty : attends to the farm himself, and, though beginning poor, has secured, for himself a competency. He and Mrs. Kindt are 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 Prohi- bition 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. Pour of the above came to this country : Adam settled in New Orleans ; Mary married a Mr. Major who was mur- dered in Calif ornia for his money (his widow now resides in Allegheny County, Penn,); Matthias located in Moimt Pleasant Township. SAMUEL B. KISNER, blacksmith, P. O. Millville, was born March 16, 1838, in Mad- ison Township ; eldest son of John and Susan (Battin) Kisner. John Kisner was born 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 five children : Sarah, wife of J. P. Smith, in Rohrsburg ; Elizabeth, married Phineas Welliver, in Madison Township; Samuel; AnnaC, 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 to Millville, and has since carried on his trade. In 1878 he took in his son Henry, and the firm is now S. B. & H. W. Kisner. Samuel Kisner was married, December 9, 1847, to Martha, daughter of Amos and Mary Parker. They have nine children : John, residing m this place ; Elijah ; Henry ; Roy, a miller, residing at lola ; Sarah, wife of W. W. Hea- 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, 1839, 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, re- sides at Welliverville, the wife of Isaac Kline; John Amos, in Mount Pleasant Town- ehip, and McKelvy, in Washington County, Kas., engaged in farming. Richard was reared on the farm, and in 1862 enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy- eighth Regiment, and served nine months. He returned home and the next year, Sep- 476 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: tember 20, 1864, married Maria, daughter of Nicholas and Maron (McMichael) Kindt. Mrs. Kitchen was born in this township February 21, 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. NEHBMIAH KITCHEN, farmer, P. 0. Rohrsburg, was born July 16, 1844, in Fish- ingcreek Township, to Daniel and Hannah (Shlvely) Kitchen. He was reared on the farm, and there r'lihained 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 home- stead. He married, March 1, 1866, Margaret C. Lemmon, who was born in Greenwood, a daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (Lockard) Lemmon. They have two children liv- ing: Dora Jane and Elmer L. Harry D. died at the age of three months. Mr. Kitchen has eighty-six acres of valuable land under a fine state of cultivation. He is a Repub- lican, and was elected justice of the peace in the spring of 1885. He is a member of the- Grange. / ALEXANDER 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 years later he was brought to Fishingcreek, where he remained until 1866. He then purchased property in Rohrsburg, and carried on mercantile busi- ness for about eight years. In 1878 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 37, 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 (de- ceased); 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 Thoinas J. Bender, and left two children, Bessie M. and Effle M. Matthias, the eldest son, has one child, Atta M. ; Alexander B. married Anna Everett, of Benton. Mr. Kramer politically is a Qreenbacker. The Kramer family came from New Jersey to this county, locating 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, married a sister of George Kramer. George and Sophia Kramer had ten children- 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 Mc- Cray, 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 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 re- mained here until his marriage, which event occurred in the fall of 1865, to Louisa, only daughter of Edward Albertson. Mr. Kramer has a snug farm one-half mile below Rohrs- burg, and is a successful farmer. They have but one child, Atta M. Mr. Kramer, wife.and daughter are members of the Christian Church. WILLIAM G. LAWTON, retired farmer, P. O. Derr, was born February 22, 1814, in. Yorkshire, England, a son of Benjamin and Anna (Qoldthorpe) Lawton. The family 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 time 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 subsequently gave his attention to farming. In 1839 he married Sarah A., daughter of Robert Fainman, and thirteen chil- dren 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 sevejal offices 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 In- dians 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 folldws: George, Joseph, Jacob, Balse, Jonathan, Jacob. Isaac. James, William, Michael, Betsey, Catherioe- GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 477 and Sally, all of whom settled here, except George, Jacob andBalse. "William, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey and came here with his father. John Lemon carved 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 hun- dred 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 wliom, 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 majority. 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 fifty years, retiring about 1884. He married in the fall of 1839, Eleanor, daughter ol Amos Parker and a native of this township. To them were born the following children: Mary, Elmira, Har- vey, William, Anna, Frances R. Mary is the wife of Wesley Morris; Elmira is the wife of B. r. Battin; Harvey resides in Muncey Valley, a millwright by trade; Anna is the wife of Hartley 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 Mai-garet 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 Rohrs- burg, 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 1813, and his widow survives him, drawing a pension. He died in 1853. John Lemon was born March 19, 1833, on the farm, and has always lived here. He was married to Mary, daughter of David Kitchen. They have no children. JohnLemon has been engaged in operating a.saw-mill and farming, and has recently sold out to his brother Jonathan. URL&.H P. McHBNRT, retired, Millville, was born September 24, 1828, in Fishing- creek 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 different places. In 1847 he began for himself, worked in Cole's mill for a time, and in 1849 went to Danville, where he remained one year; then went to Huntingdon Creek and worked in Jones' njill for four years; thence to West Creek, where he remained about five years in the Heacock mill. This mill was then purchased by Mr. Kimball, and Mr. McHemy remained with him three years and operated the mill. He then conducted the 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 con- ducted, 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 children 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 Roaring- creek, where he commenced learning his trade at the Mendenhall mills, and when com- petent took charge of the mills. In December, 1880, he came to Eyer's Grove and had charge of the mill three years, and in the spring of 1888 he associated with U. P. McHenry in the lola mills, and has since been in charge of the same. He was married in October, 1882, to Mary Kisner, daughter of Samuel Kisner. They have two children: Myrtle and 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 home- stead. His father, George McMichael, was born in Scotland in 1772, and died May 29, 1860. He came to 'America and settled in Greenwood Township, Columbia Co., Penn., about 1801. He married Agnes, daughter of William and Elizabeth McMichael, a distant relative of the family. Mrs. McMichael was born in 1779 and died April 1, 1866. To her and her husband were born ten children, as follows: Jane, Verronica, Euphemia, James, Marian, Elizabeth, George, Agnes, John and William. Seven of these reared 478 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: families. Verronica married Ed. Henrie; Marian married Nicholas Kindt; Elizabeth became the wife of Robert Nixon, and Agnes married Samuel Stetler, all of whom settled in this section of couutry. 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 finally purchased the old homestead and located thereon, and has since engaged in farming. Mrs. McMichael was born December 30, 1823, "in Roaringcreek Township, and has borne her husband three children: Mary B. (who resides in Delaware County, Penn., the wife of Joseph R. Kester, and has four children : Raymond, Stewart, Bertha and Clara); Rosetta, married Harmon Mordan, of Mount Pleasant (has two children — Myron and Erma,) and Benjaman F., who farms the homestej,d and married Mrs. Clara Kramer, the daughter of F. B. 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, a son of David Masters, was born November 2, 1810, in Madison Township. David married Mary Eves, who bore him eight children, of whom George was the eldest. When the latter wa? fourteen years of age he came to this town and learned the miller's trade in his father's mill, with George Hepler, and was given entire charge when he was six- teen years of age. He then 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 mercliandising with Samuel B. Mather, which partnership lasted about nine years, when Mr. Mather retired and Mr. Masters continued the business alone until 1857, 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 81, 1808. Mr. Masters was a prominent member of the Society of Friends. He left several pieces of real estate. David Masters, brother of William, went to Philadelphia in 1870, is success- fully engaged in business on Market Street, and has a tasty home on Baring Street, West Philadelphia. HENRY E. MATHER, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born August 27, 1842, in Pottsville, Penn., only son of Jesse and Julia A. (Merrill) Mather. His grandfather was Jesse Mather, who married M^argaret Shively, by whom were born Henry, Sallie, Hannah, Betsey, Samuel, John, James and Jesse. . Henry B. came to Greenwood when sixteen years of age and has since lived on the farm his grandfather Jesse settled on. Henry's father died in 1859, his widow surviving him one year. September 32, 1864, Henry E. married AlmiraM., daughter of Johnson H. Ikeler, of this township, and to them 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. WESLEY MORRIS, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born in Mount 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, Wilhel- mina and Eckley E. William B. 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 18T0 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 black- smith 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, as supervisor, as school director, and overs'eer of the poor, and has served as tax collector by appointment. AARON MUSGRAVE, deceased, was born February 7, 1802, 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; Mary, married William Kester, and moved west; Isaac and James, settled in Mount Pleasant, and Aaron, settled in this township. September 18, 1833, our subject married Sarah, daughter of D iniel and Mary Force. She was born August 8, 1799, and bore her husband four children: Daniel, Mary Ann. Sarah W. and William McKelvy. Mr. Musgrave was an honored and respected member of the community among whom he had resided since his marriage. He was a consistent member of the Christian Church, and politically a Republican, though not a partisan. He died in November, 1871, his widow surviving him until August 14, 1877. Of their children, Mary A., died in 1862, 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 Township, and William McK., who took charge of the homestead farm in 1872 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 compe- tence and lives in comfortable circumstances with his sister, Sarah W., who keeps house for him. GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 479 DR. JOHN B. PATTON, Millville, was born April 9, 1832, in Rush Township, North- umberland Co., Penn., a son of Joseph R. Patton, who was born April 10, 1797, in Briarcreek Township, this county. Joseph R. was a son of John Patton, who came 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 iharried Jacoh 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,Ill., and is now deceased. Joseph R., the first named, married Sarah De Witt, daugh- ter 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 Academy. 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 graduating he taught for a time in Columbia Academy, and while there, in December, 1860, marriedMary 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 Insti- gation 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 conduct- ed a drug store at Bannock City for a time. In 1868 he returned to this county and com- pleted 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 to Millville and has since remained practicing his profession. Dr. and Mrs. Patton have two children: James M., Francis J. ALLEN H. PHILLIPS. Among the old time millers of Columbia County is Mr. Phil- lips, P. O. Eyer's Grove, who was born January 6, 1825, in Bucks County, Penn., the second son of Thomas Phillips, to whom were born Moses, Aaron, Roliert, 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, Almira. 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 County, and since that time has been constantly engaged in that business, not having lost a year's time, principally in Columbia and Montour Counties. He was married in 1845, to Sarah E. Eves, daughter 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 Marga- ret 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 Grove; Samuel, telegraph operator in Danville; Ada M., at home. His third wife was Rebecca, daughter or 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. In politics he is a Republican. JOSEPH W. REECE, farmer, P. O. Rohrsburg. was born February 15, 1829, in this township. Nehemiah Reece was the pioneer of the family to settle in Greenwood Town- ship, and from him are descended all of the name now here. He came from one of the lower counties and took up the land now owned by our subject, about the year 1800. He married Mary Eves who bore him a large family, nine of whom reared families: Edith, Philip, John, Hannah, Nehemiah, Sarah, Louisa, Aaron and Mary. John was born January 1, 1801, was reared to manhood in this township and became the father of Joseph W. He married Mary, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Adams) Whitaker, and after his marriage ^ocated on this farm where he spent the remainder of his life. He died March 25, 1858, his widow sui-viving him until October 10, 1879. They reared to maturity 1 nf f*''^'i''6n: Joseph W., Nehemiah, Philip, Margaret C. and Benjamin. Philip was killed by a horse when sixteen years old; Nehemiah resides in Iowa; Margaret married Ihomas 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 settled on the farm now owned by W. P. Ikeler, where he remained four years. He then 'ocated on the old Reece farm, where he has since resided. Mrs. Reece died October 12, 1866, the mother of three children: Gub E., Johnson H. and Benjamin. Mr. Reece next married Mrs. Elizabeth Parker, daughter of John and Mary Rantz. She died March 9, 1871, and by her had one child, John L. Mr. Reece then married his present wife, Deborah Warner, a naiive of Muncy and a daugliter of James and Julia Ana (Jones) Warner. Mr. 480 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Reece has made all the improvements on his place, whirh he owns and which consists of 120 acres. His house is the fourth one erected on the farm since Nchemiah Reece lived there. Dk. REUBEN L. RICH, Millville, was born September 19, 1833, on the farm which he now owns, a son of John Q. and Lydia (Lundy) Rich, the latter a daughter of Reuben and Esther (Bunting) Lundy, who were the parents of eight children. John 6. 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 occu- pied 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, Decem- ber 27, 1864, Elizabeth, second daughter of James Masters. They have three children living; Anna Watson, Mary L. and Bessie A. Willie died in 1881, aged nine years and six months; 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 Robbins family take rank among the early settled fami- lies in Greenwood Township. Joseph Robbins, grandfather of our subject, married 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), Jo- seph, 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 Pishingcreek Township, this, county, has lived continuously on the farm where he was born. He has been twice mar- ried; first to Paulena L., daughter of William Johnson; at her decease she left four chil- dren: 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. Bob- bins' second wife was Anna Beckford, by whom he has the following named children:. Mary, Louis, Samantha, Effle, Orra and George. VIRGIL D. ROBBINS, farmer, P. O. Greenwood, was born January 9, 1832, in Madi- son Township, on the old Barber farm. He is the eldest and only surviving son of Will- iam Robbins, who was born about 1784, being a sou 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 April, 1842, when he came to this township, and here died in 1871. His wife died in 1841. Of their seven children, but four lived to be grown: Sarah J., who married John Chris- tian and located in this township, as did the others; Lucinda, who became the wife of George W. Derr, and William O. The onljr ones now living are Virgil D. and Sarah J. Our subject remained on the homestead, until the spring of l883, when he located on the farm which he now owns. He married, November 29, 1855, Mary Ann, daughter of Joha 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 Effle Battin, daughter of B. P. Battin; Emma Jane, wife of Thomas Smith, resides in Jackson Township; John. C. married Emma Manning, daughter 'of William Manning; Diebald and Charles 0. at home. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are members of the Christian Church. FRANCIS E. ROTE, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born on the border of Mad- ison Township, near Millville, January 16, 1827. The Rote family came to this town- 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, Abi- gail and Elizabeth, all of whom were born near Millville. His wife was born 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 B. was reared in this neighborhood and began to hold the plow when ten years of age. B.& married, March 11, 1852, 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 GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 481 children living: Clara B., first married Philip Kramer, and after his death Ben McMichael,. and resides in this township; Mary resides in Madison Township, the wife of R. L. De Mott; Henry is a farmer, at home, and William, unmarried, Izora, the daughter of Clara B. and her first husband, resides with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Rote. JOHN B. 8HULTZ, farmer and miller, Rohrsburg, is descended from one of the early families of this township. His grandfather, Daniel ShuUz, settled here prior to 1800' and located three-quarters of a mile from Rohrsburg, when the place was a wilderness. He mafried Elizabeth White, who bore him Philip, James, Isaac, Samuel, John and Sarah. Daniel died April 30, 1853, aged eighty-three years, one month and twenty-eigbt days; his wife, Elizabeth, died March 34, 1853, aged eighty-eight years and three months. Subject's great-grandfather was Philip, whose ancestors came from Germany and settledi in New Jersey and later removed to this locality, as mentioned before. Philip died April 5, 1816, aged seventy-five years; his wife, Barbara, died September 30, 1838, aged eighty- 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., Cath- erine and Esther. Ellen resides in Orange Township, the wife of Daniel Kline; Cather- ine married John Moore and resides in this township; Esther married John H. Parker and settled in Greenwood Township. The father of this family was a farmer, which pursuit he followed until his death ; he died May 33, 1836, 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, 1831, 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 it. He married Hettie, a daughter of Jonas and Mary B. (Miller) Hayman. They have two children living, 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 Kline. Mr. Shultz is a Democrat and a member of the Grange. TILLMAN STADLER, painter and trimmer, P". O. Millville, was born August 34^ 1841, in Turbotville, Northumberland Co., Penn., eldest son of Isaac and Caroline- (Keener) Stadler. August 33, 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 fit 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 contin- ued until the breaking-out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted April 34, 1861, in Company G, Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three months. After serv- ing his time he returned home and was prostrated with camp fever for several weeks, but, after teaching one term of school, gained his health, ^nd August 1, 1863, enlisted in Com- pany 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 mar- tial in Alexandria, Va. After returning from the service he went to Lewisburg, Penn., and worked under instructions as carriage painter and trimmer. After his graduation hfr worked in various localities in the State, and since the fall of 1868 he has been perma- nently 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. 364; of the I. O. O. F. ; and. the 6. A. R., Bryson Post No. 235. AUGUST 8TAUDER, tanner, Rohrsburg, was born September 17, 1837, in Reisten- hausen, 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 tan- ner 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 Elizabethtown, N. J., where he worked in a. iMinery, returning after a year to New York, where he worked at his trade. A year wer he went to Scranton and worked for some months in Huntsdale and Wilkesbarre,. renn., and in the latter place was foreman in a large tannery. He then moved to Light V 'j * ^'^^ 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 ninety- two acres. He has erected the principal buildings and operates the tannery. He married, Beptember 83, 1874, Sarah E. Fry, who was born in this county, a daughter of Frederick. S/y- Mr. and Mrs. Stauder have four children: Maggie, Rosa, Joseph and Bertha. Mr. Btauder is a member of Albright Church, and politically is a Democrat. 4 482 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: GEORGE W. UTT, farmer, P. 0. Rohrsburg, was born in Northampton County, Penn., May 26, 1837, the fourth son of David and Mary (Evans) Utt. The former was born August 15, 1805, in Northampton County; the latter born June 37, 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 main- tenance of the family. He received a good education, taught school several years, and in 1861 enlisted in Company F, Second Pennsylvania Artillery (113lh in line). Shortly after he was made sergeant and promoted. May 4, 1863, to second lieutenant. Later he was com- missioned 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 ihis commander: Hbadquaktbhs Provisional Bbigade, Defences of Bermuda Head, Va. December 39, 1864. The bearer, George W. Utt, lieutenant Battery F, Second Pennsylvania Artillery, has this day been honorably discharged from the service of the United States by reason of ex- piration of his term. It affords me pleasure to state that during his connection with the regiment he has always performed his duties faithfully and efficiently. While in com- mand of his company in the trenches on the Petersburg front, m July last, he was severely iwounded by a fragment of one of the enemy's shells. W. M. McCluke, 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 Town- ship, a daughter of Philip Appleman. She bore him three children — Philip C, William Ernest and Mary A. — and died April 38, 1873. 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 ■elder sincesl875. J. CLYDE VAN HORN, farmer, P. O. 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 Jier husband. Our subject resides on the homestead, engaged in farming. In 1878 he married Maria, daughter of William and Mary Ann (Hartman) Blish. They have one child, Elmer Doyle, born April 3, 1881. In politics Mr. Van Horn is a Democrat. JAMES O. WARNER, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born February 33, 1857, the only son of James and Julia (Jones) Warner. James Warner was born in Lycoming County, Penn., in 1805, a son of Ben.iamin 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. Whitaore, also of De Kalb County, 111. ; Deborah, wife of Joseph W. Reece, near Rohrs- burg; Sarah, wife of Joseph W. Eves, of Millville; Elizabeth is the wife of Daniel Kitch- en, 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 pur- 'Chased the farm he now owns, consisting of eighty acres on the edge of Millville. He was married August 36, 1884, to Laura E., daughter of Charles W. Eves. She died May 17, 1885, leaving no issue. JACOB E. WELLIVER, merchant, Eyer'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 Town- ship; 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 diflferent 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 postofflce 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 13, 1806, in the old house GEEENWOOD TOWNSHIP. 48 3^ built by his grandfather, in Montour County, where the Wilsons were among the early settlers. John Wilson came from England prior to the Revolution, in which struggle he sided with the colonist.s. 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 he 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, all 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 mar- ried 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 settled in what are now Montour and Columbia Counties. Reuben and Martha are the only ones now living. The former was born in Montour County and there grew to man- hood. 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 farm- ing. H6 married January 27, 1831, Sarah, daughter of Chandlee Eves, and after marriage 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, .".wife of Reece M. Bsk; 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 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 is a prominent member of the Societyof Friends, and Speaker in the same. Politically is a Republican, but was formerly a Whig; he has been devoted to Prohibition princi- ples for over forty years, and looks for the final triumph of the Prohibition party. Mrs. Sarah E. Wilson died September 23, 1878. THOMAS WILSON, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born September 19, 1830, in Val ley Township, Montour County. His father, John Wilson, was also born there and mar- ried Frances H., daughter of Jacob W. Moss, whose wife was Sarah W. Simpson. To 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, Rob- ert M., Margaret, MaryL., Charles.. The parents of Thomas died in Montour County, 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 Ara- bella 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., Novem- ber 17, 1885, 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. Youi^ 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 oi Mathias Roberts and died without issue; Aaron went to Illi- nois, 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 came 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 mtelligence. He then made a trip'south>nd west, returning in the fall of 1860, and a year later purchased the farm which he now owns, on which he has made many valuable im- Proyements, 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 Reu- ^«i 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 rfesides; Ella, also a graduate of the same school; Emma and Mary. 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 brganization, and has occupied the position of Deputy Master m his county for six years; has also been identified with the I. O. O. F. 484 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: CHAPTER XXXIII. HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP. 8TINS0N L. BROBST, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn, is a grandson of Jacob Brobst.who was a resident of Nortlianipton County, and later removed to wliat is now West HemlockTown- ship, in Montour County, wliere he died August 29, 1873, aged seventy-seven years and six months. His widow, Ellen Brobst, is still living in Bloomsburg. Their son, Daniel, who is 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 Town- ship, Montour County. His wife, Rebecca (Johnson) Brobst, was born in Northampton •County, and became the mother of eight children, three of whom died young. The living Are Edward D., Benjamin P., Martin L. (all living in this township), Marietta (single and Biving with her parents) and Stinson L. Mr. and Mrs. Brobst have for many years been 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 ithe eldest of the family, and was born October 33, 1850. In early life he worked at farm- 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 years old, our subject worked dn the mines in summer and on farms and attending school in winter. He completed his education in his twenty-flrst year, at Millville Seminary, Greenwood Township, this county, and then taught school in Jackson Township four months, and for three years, subsequently, worked in the mines. He then resumed teaching, which 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 6., Charles E. and Lloyd H., who live with their parents. Mr. Brobst has been clerk of the school board for five years, and is an industrious young man who stands deservedly high in the community. HENRY DEIQHMHiLER, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn ; a son of Henry Deighmiller,8r., ^ary A. (wife of George Strieker) and Sarah T. of thP Rihiiil ^^^^^ -^ '.^^ ■"'"'^'■'s ti-ade, and worked for his father until the outbreak mnntL' «»™-^^ ' '^^^° ^^ August, 1861, he enlisted in the Catawissa Guards in the nine- 3^T,8rt,V^^?f;. • 1^.^!"' ^^°^ Catawissa to Harrisburg; thence to Washington, D. C, wa^l^l^pHfll h . >\«».eir first battle at Antietam. After that engagement ifr. Herbein lav thPrp «n^p typhoid fever, and was taken to the field hospital at Harper's Perry, and erv hP tnnfr f f^""^ ^^l"" ^'^ ^^tJ'er came and took him home. Shortly after his recov- monlh- wao thf ?Pf^ ^°^ T?^ moved to Harrisburg hospital, where he remained about a. Sarlprt ?L^ K **^.^'' to Little York, where he remained until his regiment was dis- his retnr'n hp »„ returned home, and has since suffered from a nervous disease. After HerhPin hpf l^^^^^ "• milling until 1880, when he retired, being unable to work. Mr. terms Tnislliy ^ township auditor, judge of elections and school director several ma^ied In l^ntp^^*^ S!?.^^"^^'^ '"» ^^^ House of Representatives at Harrisburg. He mn ReCmprr?"'^^' ^^^' ^"''^ ^- Fetterman. Mrs. Herbein is a member of the Ger- wmics he ?« « np""'^- Mr Herbein is a member of the L O. O. P., No. 310, Numidia. In. of woodlatirt nnnfi?"-'"'** \, ^^ °^°s his lot and residence in Slabtown, and a small tract sTjTs H mnw^^^^ eighteen acres. Aueust 28 isno „ "? (deceased) was born in Roaringcreek Township, this county, Countv Pp'nn »\-j^*°^°* ^^"'■y ^'^^ Elizabeth (Roberts) Johnson, natives of Bucks- his eiekt-erJnA^rSi, c'^iS- descent. His great-grandfather came from Holland and umb^a a In earh. Haf T ^^'««- His grandf athlr came from Bucks County to Col- lived unti^hifni^tt^ *?*? settled in Mine Gap, where he built a small log cabin and there Countv in ISftfi o i™ ? ^ baskets and brooms. Our subject's father came to Columbia Josenh Strahi Wn^ .? settled in Roaringcreek Township, where he bought a farm from the trade in P«riliv^''®T^^"^^'^ * number of years. He was a stone-mason and followed was the father nff„; ^^'^F. ^^ moved to Locust Township, and there died in 1847. He Wis. ■ Marfha °j„"'^'«en children, four of whom survive: Levi, residing in Beaver Dam, than W Blapk '^ J^"^' Columbia Co., Penn.; Silas H. and Susan, wife of Jona- he followpd fnr'fl,r ^"fject was reared on a farm and learned the carpenter's trade which, years and anvpH Tfr,""" *'^ Z^^^^- He was then employed on public work for six or eight too smSl to ^Tn^ enough to buy a farm of twelve "and one-half acres. This he found With that DurSfl^ »?■=,, '°° ^'€.*° ^"e, so he sold it and bought thirty-five acres, ceived on tliP fatm i, "^^^ displeased, and accordingly sold it, and paid what he re- al the time nf i^=^ .. ""'^ °'^°«- He first bought ninety-three acres In a wild state, and conseauenrp wVf th . 1. ° u "^^ ^^^ acres of good Jand. This farm was all timber and the house which t^ =«ii f '^^^^^i to l>egin in the woods. He cleared it all off and built a small buildines on the ii, '^i"^,?"'^ " °^er fifty years old. There is now the second set of and economv wf and all that he accumulated was the result of his own hard labor (Fisher) Runk M ™*''!i'^»t' '° November, 1831, Eliza, daughter of Jacob and Barbara, are livino- Rpn-i -d' ^.""JJ?'^- Jonhson were the parents of eight children, seven of whom in Mount cSmp7 7' "* O^'P I'ant, Luzerne County; George W., in Minnesota; Lloyd W., Marshall Cou^vT^^*'"y ^- '"'''e o^ Henry T. John, Mount Carmel; Jacob R. ia 1876. a life-Innc? ^ u ' '^/y ^°*^ Isaac C, residing in this township. Mrs. Johnson died in Cemetery Mr ^^h'' ^^^ Methodist Episcopal Church, and is buried in the Mclntyre also sunervianr nf ti ^*"' served as justice of the peace a short time to fill a vacancy; was Ws death whit-h «„ township and served six> years as school director. At the time of Columhk Coi n?v if""^"^ February 13, 1887, Mr. Johnson was one of the old residents of of a^ntnX tJ;, rT-'^C ''^'^° identified with the interests of it for over three quarters, oi a century. In politics he was a Republican. la in 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 of German descent. His grandfather, Frederick, came from Germany when quite small 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 extensive- ly engaged in agricultural pursuits. He moved 'to this county about 1818 and settled where Joseph Garland now resides, and bought a large tract of land on which he made all the improvements, and the houses which are yet standing are built of brick. He served in the war of 1813. 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 at home until hebecame of age. After his marriage he settled at Slabtown, where he lived two years. In 1847 he bought the 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, 1882. 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, North- umberland 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, Pensyl, 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 larming 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 fii-st 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 lived on it nearly twenty years before paying for it, and never paid any rent. • The land was nearly all timber, and he had a hard time clearing it off; ^lears and panthers at that time were also numerous. He died on this farm in 1863, 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 follow- ing children: Daniel (deceased), George (deceased), 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 land, 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 mar- ried, in February, 1850, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Maria Raup, and to them were born eleven children, eight livinpf: Caroline, wife of Michael Stine; Lloyd married Amanda Stine; William H. married Catherine Honerberger; Abram L. married Catherine Mowry; Mahala, Hannah, Ida I. and Minni A. Mr. Leiby and family are members of ithe 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. SAMUEL P. LEV AN, farmer, P. O. Newlin, was born in what is now Locust Town- ship, this county, October 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 in the lower counties of Pennsylvania, where they lived and died. His grandfather, a farmer, was born in Berks County, 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 LOCUST TOWNSHIP. 497 residence now occupied by John Levan. Tliis is now three-quartera 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 children, only three of whom are living: John, Samuel P. and Daniel. Our subject was 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 drove a huckster wagon over the county when it was still thinly settled. After his marriage he moved to where he now resides, and rented the place for twelve years, and at the end of that time bought the farm which he still owns, consisting of 137 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, Ruthana and Kimber, and died in July, 1883. Mr. Levan married, in March, 1885, Rosanna Gable, by whom he has one child — Frank T. Mr. and Mrs. Levan are members of the Methodist Church. He is also a member of the Grange; has been inspector of 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 Beni'amin and Mary (Pee) Levan, natives of Pennsyl- vania and of French descent. His great-grandfather and two brothers, who were all Huguenots, left France on account of religious peirsecution, 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 until his 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 1843, and his wife in Stephen- son County, 111., where she is buried near Freeport. (For further ancestral history, see sketch of 8. P. Levan.) Our subject was reared on a farm, and at the age of eleven years 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 Slab- town, 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 flrst-class and extensive, and now owns ninety-five acres of good land. He gave up his trade in 1874, and has turned his attention since that time to farming, at which he is suc- cessful. He has been twice married; first in May, 1857, to Anna Stokes, who was acci- dentally 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 kiUed by lightning in 1878, when ten years of age). Mr. and Mrs. Levan are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the Grange. His great-grandparents and his grandmother (then an infant) were captured by the Indians in Berks County, taken to Wyoming 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 child 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, 1828, a son of Lemuel and Eleanor (Daws) Parry, also natives of that country, where the 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 Pennsylvania and remained about a month at Tama- l.y^. after which he went to Minersville, Schuylkill County, and worked in the mines un- til 1866. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Leib of Ashland, and served nine months, participating in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. In the spring of 1866 ,, ™o^.ed 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 34, 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 nvmg: Lemuel, John, William, Mary E., David, Clara E., Even T. and Chester A. Mr. Parry commenced life in this country with very little capital, but by industry and hard labor has acquired a comfortable home. 498 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: THOMAS SEABORNE, merchant and farmer, P. O. Newlin.was born in the county of Hereford, England, November 8, 1842, a son of Philip and Catherine (Harper) Seaborne, (the latter of Welsh descent) and both natives of England. They were the parents of nine children; William, 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 Chi- cago his destination, but finding his funds insuflBcient he stopped off at Minersville, Penn., and worked in the nlines 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 m(}ved to Centralia, and there engaged for six months in mercantile business until 1873, 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 enj^aged in mercan- tile 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 39, 1858, a son of Mayberry and Margaret (Yeagfer) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania and of English-German descent. His grand- father, 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 1852. His maternal grand- father, Yeager, was a stanch Democrat, and took an active part in politics; served one term as commissioner of this county. Our subject's father was born in Mifflin Township, this county; moved to Locust Township in 1847, and purchased a farm 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 he was clerk in the postofflce and store of Jacob Yeager at Slabtown, and Decem- ber 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 glass front in store-room, erected at an expense of $3,000. 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 Northumberiand County, Penn., August 15, 1825; a son of Peter and. Mary (Adams) Strauser, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His grandfather, Casper Adams, came from Ger- many, settled in Northumberland County, where he bought a large tract of land, and fol- lowed farming all his life near Elysburg. Our subject's father was born in Berks County, Penn., and while young went lo Northumberland County, where he followed farming a number of years. In 1834 he removed 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 fa- ther of ten children, four of whom are living : Mary, Solomon, Levina and Peter. Our sub- ject 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 his 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 Adams), 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. WHI'TNER, 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 Roaring- creek Township, where he bought a tract of land and remained engaged in agricultural pur- suits 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 1837, and was reared to farming. After the death of his father he came into possession of the old home- stead, which he still retains. He is the father of three children : Mary, wife of Cornelius Pelterman ; 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 teaching and attending school and various other avocations, until the spring of 1881. He then engaged in mercantile business at Millgrove, in partnership with 0. W. Cherington, and thus continued until the spring of LOCUST TOWNSHIP. 499 1883, when Mr. Wbitner sold his interest to his partner and started in mercantile business for himself at Newlin, which he has since followed. He carries a general stock val- 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 estab- lished July 13 of the same year. He owns the building in which he has his store and res- idence. It is a two-story structure, erected at a cost of $2,000. Mr. Whitner is an enter- prising gentleman, courteous and genial, and enjoys a good trade. In politics he is a Re- publican. DR. J. C. WINTERSTEEN, physician and surgeon, Numidia, was born in Mifflin- ville, this county, May 8, 1863, a son of Joseph O . and Lydii (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 Mifflin Township, where he resided until his death. He and his wife are both buried in Mifflinville Cemetery. Our subject's father learned blacksmithing when about fourteen years of age, and has since followed that trade. He built a shop and residence in Mifflin- ville, where he has lived for about sixty years. In connection with his trade he also attends to auctioneering. To him and his wife twelve children were bom, nine now liv- ing: Dora, wife of Jeremiah Maury; Jordan; Laura; Lloyd, an attorney at Bloomsburg; Susan, wife of Dr. I. A. Fetherolf, residingin Mazeppa, Union County; Mattie C, wife of W. C. Hartsell; Rush G., husband of Nan Schweppenheiser; John C, married to Fannie A. Sliuman, 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 age. He then read medicine under Dr. J. L. Shuman, of Wapwallopen, and after his 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 6. V. Means of Numidia, and is just now establishing himself as a practicing physician and surgeon, for which profession he is well qualified. November 36, 1883, he was married to Fannie, daughter of George A. and Mary A. O^ost) Shuman. Dr. and Mrs. Wintersteen are parents of two chilfien: 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 33, 1847, a son of John Yeager, who married a Miss Byerly, and both were natives of Pennsylvania, ^nd of German descent. ' His grandfather, John, came from Berks County to Columbia County when quite young, settled in Slabtown, and built the first tanyard in this section of the county. He followed tanning several years, and then 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 horn here, and reared to the tanning business, which he followed until his death in 1867. Livingston Yeager was reared in Slabtown, and when a boy learned the tanning business with his father. At the a^e 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 pres- ent 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. OBEDIAH 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, Claude 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 set- tled in what is now Catawissa Township, on the place now owned by E. M. Tewksbury, and known as the Mplntyre farm. He was one of the first settlers of the county, the In- dians being quite numerous at that time, and died in Roaringcreek Township. Elijah, ^^fJi^S* ^ ,'**'^^''' * farmer and lumberman, moved into Locust Township about 1855, and settled where his son, B. L., now resides, and owned over 1,000 acres, which he divid- 500 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: ed before his death. Mr. Yocum was a man of great business capacity, and died in 1881, the father of ten children, six living: 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 336 acres of land, of which about one-half is under cul- tivation. Mr. Yocum has made nearly all the improvements on his farm, and built a large two and one-half story frame house in 1876, which is one of the finest residences in the place. He married in 1878, Joanna Hummel, and four children were born to them: Sam- 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 81, 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 this section. Elijah, our subject's father, was at one time a large land owner, having 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 some- times had steam saw-mills on his place. He died January 19, 1883, the father of ten chil- dren: Elizabeth (deceased), Johanna, Jesse (deceased), Caleb (deceased), Sarah, Obediah, Ezariah, John C, a.D infant unnamed (deceased) and Elijah L. The mother of this fam- ily is yet living and resides with her son, Elijah L. Our subject remained with his parents until his marriage, then resided with his mother until the death of his father, and now lives on the old homestead consisting of 175 acres. Mr. Yocum has a finely improved place and is an industrious citizen. He married, December 34, 1879, Sarah J. Yost, and one child has blessed their union, William E. Mrs. Yocum is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Yocum is a Democrat. NICHOLAS A. YOCUM, of the firm of Yocum & Brother, merchants, P. 0. Bear Gap, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., 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 ifather, Peter, was a farmer during the greater part of his life, and was also engaged m 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 (ex- cept 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, 1883, Clarissa J. Thomas. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal and United Breth- ren Churches, respectively. In politics he is a Republican.' Hbnky M. Yocum, of the above named firm, was born in Nof thumberland County, Feb. 19, 1845, a son of Peter M. and Eliza G. (Gilger) Yocum. Our subject was reared on the 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, be enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war under Capt. A. B. Brown, of Danville. He participated in a number of battles, among them Cold Harbor and front of Petersburg, the most of his army life being passed in Virginia and West Virginia. At three miles west of Petersburg his company went in with fifty-six men and came out with twenty-two. He was mustered out July 9, 1865, re- turned home and remained on the farm about five years. In 1870 he began clerking for Peter Yocum, with whom he remained eight years. He then farmed two more years, and in 1881, in partnership with his brother, Nicholas, bought the store of Pfter Yocum and engaged in mercantile business. They carry a general stock, valued at about $3,800, and have a large and increasing trade. Our subject was married. December 35, 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 office 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 13, 1847, a son of Abraham and Catherine (Troutman) Yoder, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His father's great-grandfather came from Ger- many 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 death in July, 1880. He was the father of eleven children, eight living: Aaron, who served in the civil war and lost a limb; D&iel, Samuel, Hannah, Leah, Rachel, Elizabeth and Susan. Our MADISON TOWNSHIP. 501 subject 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. A year after his return he settled in Frackville, Schuylkill 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 a great many improvements and built a barn 85x75 feet. He was married, September 17, 1871, to Sarah A. Long, and they are the parents of eight children, seven of whom 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 Rejpublican. DR. PIUS ZIMMERMAN, physician and sungeon, Numidia, was born in MiflBin Township, Columbia Co., Penn., November9, 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 N ew York, where he remained about one year, 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 New 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 arrange- ments to build. He then returned to New York, where he married, and with his wife came to MifHinville, 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 and two summer terms. He read medicine about two years before he entered the medical college, his preceptor being Dr. H. D. Retchler. In the fall of 1880 he entered Jeffer- son Medical College at Philadelphia, and graduated April 2, 1883, The following Octo- ber 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 o^ Wellington and Sarah (Hurst) Yeager. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat. CHAPTEK XXXVI. MADISON TOWNSHIP. GEORGE BEAGLE, farmer, P. O. Mordansville, was born June 16, 1816, near Neu- stadt, on the river Aish, in Bavaria, and came to America 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 Seiberts 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 that time he has been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1844 to Magdaline, a daughter of Jacob Copp, whose wife was a Heinbach. Mrs. Beagle died March 4,f 1879. Of eight children born to them, five are now living: John H., in Iowa; Fredericli, 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. JOHN BILHIME, farmer, P. O.Mordansville. Michael Bilhime, grandfather of our suhject, was born inSussex County, N. J. ; he was a soldier of the Revolution, was a bearer of dispatches for Gen. Washington, and in making his way across the mouatains to Valley Fbrge was severely frozen, which incapacitated him for active duty, and he received an 502 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: honorable discharge. He married Elizabeth, sister of Daniel Welliver, came to what is now Milton, and located in the fall of 1776 on Muddy Run, where he made his settlement and was repeatedly driven ofE by the Indians, having to return to New Jersey for protec- tion, but after tlie war he was unmolested. He had one sonand one daughter. His son 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 Decem- ber, 1819; here grew to manhood, and when twenty-eight years of| age married Harriet, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (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 b^ Jacob Snyder in 1701, and has since resided here. He has four children: Franklin, Elizabeth, Clarence and Woodward B. Elizabeth married Judson Wintersteen, of Montour Coun^; 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 Township. JOHN CHRISTIAN, stone-mason and farmer, P. O. Mordansville. Among the early settlers of Madison Township was the Christian family. The pioneer of the family was Valentine Christian, who was a flfer in the war of the Revolution; his people were m 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, 1839, 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 years, then moved back to this township in 1853, where he located. In 1855 he married Sarah, daughter of William and Sabrlna (Teeple) Robbins. They have two children: Olark 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 36, 1837; his widow died August 5, 1849. They reared the following named children; Mary, Rosanna, John, Sarah, Rebecca, Isaac, Jacob, Abigal, Richard, David, William andfilizabeth. Jacob, father of our subject, was born September 9, 1793, in this town- ship ; 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 Febru- ary 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 1863 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-flrst Regiment, and served nine months. Ha was married in 1868 to Annie L. Heller; she died in October, 1873, leaving no children. In 1880 he married his present wife, Antoinette B., daughter of George W. Suplee. Mr. DeMott is a member and clerk of the Baptist Church. FREDERICK DERR, farmer, P. O. White Hall, was born October 13, 1804, on the farm he now owns, which was improved by his father, George Derr, who bought a tract of about 341 acres of the first occupants, the Sutfin brothers. The deed was executed in 1817, but George Derr had occupied it several years previous. George Derr was born in 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. Fred- erick, the subject of this sketch, remained on tiie farm until he attained his twenty- eighth 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 m 1843, leaving no issue. He returned to this county in 1858, at the time of his father's 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) Wel- liver. Mr. Derr has no children. • FRANCIS EVES was born in Madison Township, Columbia County, about the year 1830, 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 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 35, 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. 6INGLES, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown. The Qlngles family came to this county shortly after the Revolution. The name of the grandfather was James Qinglcs, 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 (Singles married Martha Doak, by whom he had three sons and one daughter: Robert, Jane, John and James. John Gingles, father of our subject, was horn 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 OQ the present homestead in 1838. To John and Martha Gingles were born seven chil- dren, six living to be grown: Martha J., Sarah A., James. Mary, Thomas H. and Will- iam A. Thomas H. was born October 24, 1889, was reared on the farm and has always lived here. Thomas has never married. ALBERT GIRTON, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown, is^a son of John Wesley Girton, who was born March 31, 1831, on Dutch Hill, in Madison Township, Columbia Co., Penn. The great-great-great-grandfather of our subject was George Girton, who came from England, and settled in New Jersey. His son, John (great-great-grandfather of Albert), was the father of the following named children: Stephen, George, William, Jacob, Esau, John and Marshall. The last named \vas the great-grandfather of Albert, and came to this 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, Catharine and Margaret. To William and his wife Elizabeth were born Andrew, Marshall, 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, 1877; his widow yet survives him. For several years previous to his coming here he had been engaged in the* carding and fulling business, and operated a factory in Montour County. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and in politics was a Republican. Albert Girton, who resides on the home farm, was born in Montour County, July 24, 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 mem- ber o£ the Baptist Church, and politically a Republican. He takes an active interest in the affairs of the township, and is school director. ELI8HA BIGGS HARTMAN, 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 Susquehanna. 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 Tesides, 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 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, lohn, 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 35, 1834. The •children born to them were Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary and. Erastus. The latter was born in Jerseytown, July 16, 1833, and married Mary, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Ever) Welliver. After his marriage he located on the farm he now owns. Mr. and Mrs. Hen- •dershot 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 AMOS P. KESTER, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Mordansville, was born in Mount feasant Township, July 18, 1817, 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 Jftount Pleasant Township, remaining at home until about twenty-four years of age, when 504 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: he went to Greenwood Township, and for twelve years lived with his brother-in-1 Charles Eves. Then he returned to Mount Pleasant and remained on the homestead ab two years. In December, 1854, he married Anna W., daughter of Joseph and Elizat (Ogden) Kester; the following spring he located on this farm. He has 139 acres. Mr. Mrs. Kester have had three children, two living: Alvaretta, wife of L. P. Kline, of Mo Pleasant; Moro, a student. Teressa (deceased) was the wife of L. P. Kline. Mr. Kei has achieved success, and secured for himself a competence and a good name. CONRAD KREAMEB, farmer and merchant, P. O. Jerseytown, was horn Novem 28, 1834, in Philadelphia, the eldest of a family of seven sons born to Conrad and Cathai (Bowman) Kreamer. The Kreamor family are of German origin. Conrad, the fathci our subject, came from Germany when a young man and located in Philadelphia, wl he lived until the year 1833, when he removed to this county with his family, and Iocs in this township on, land which he purchased. He had ten children, six of whom rea families. Conrad was reared to maturity on the farm his father located upon, and a twenty-one years of age he worked out at $8 per month during the summer, and $5 the winter months. He afterward secured a horse, and then another, and with a team began farming, and from this small beginning he became wealthy, and now ranks ami the well-to-do farmers in Columbia and Montour Counties. He came to Jerseytown ab the year 1855 and located on this place; previous to this he was for twelve years enga in the huckstering business, also bought and sold lumber. He began merchandising l at the time of his coming, which he has since carried on. He has about 1,500 acreE land divided into eight farms. He was married in 1856 to Mary, daughter of Ivan i Margaret (McBride) Hendershot. To them have been born ten children: Maggie J. | ceased), William E., Ida C, John J., George P., Charles A., Anna C. Evan a., Flore and Louis. HUGH McCOLLUM, farmer, P. O. Jerseytown, was born June 8, 1817, one n northwest of Jerseytown, the youngest son of Ephraim and Catherine (Seibring) ] Collum. The granilfather of our subject. John McColIum, was a soldier in the Revc tion, and his son Ephraim, father of Hugh, was a teamster during a portion of t struggle. To John McCollum and wife were born four children : Jacob, a physician, died married; John and William (both went north and settled in New York State), and Bphra who came to this county about 1796, settled where J. M. Girton now resides, and h reared his family. He died December 12, 1830; his wife, Catherine, died August 37, 16 Of the ten children born to them they reared eight: John, David, Jacob, Ann, Bel Ephraim, Margaret and Hugh. Hugh was born and reared in this locality, and when i teen years of age learned the tanner's trade in the yard his son, Ephraim Warren, e owns. He was married March 2, 1841, to Mary C, daughter of Allen and Cather (Fruit) Watson. They have had four children: Catherine, wife of James Beugler, Williamsport; Margaret J., died aged seventeen; Sarah A., wife of Judson Axe, in I township, and Ephraim Warren. The last named is his father's successor in the tanne and has owned and operated it since he was twenty-one years old. In 1882 he was bun out, but at once rebuilt and is now doing a good business. Mr. McCollum and entire fi ily are members of the Presbyterian Church. JOHN MOSER, farmer, P. O. White Hall, has been identified with the interests the township for many years. He was born January 19, 1833, in Amity Township, Be Co., Penn., son of Peter and Anna (Steinrock) Moser, to whom twelve children w born, ten of whom were reared. John was reared on a farm, and canie to Derry To' ship with his father, when he was eighteen years of age, and remained with his fat until he was twenty-nine. He located on the farm he now owns about the year 1856, i has since resided here. He married Margaret, daughter of Daniel Crumley, 'and by hei has had nine children, six living: Henry,residing at Turbotville; Daniel, in Montour Com John W. and Peter at home; Emma, wife of John Ellis, in Montour County, and Willi H. at home. Mr. Moser has three farms. He is prominent in church matters, and oni the liberal-minded citizens of the township. J.Jj. MOSER, farmer, P. O. White Hall, was born June 18, 1838, in Amity Townsl Berks Co., Penn., and was raised on a farm. After he attained his majority he went Reading, and there learned the carpenter trade, which he followed until about 1855, w he came to Montour County, and for a time located near Washingtonville, where he lowed his trade for a time, and then bought 700 acres in the north part of Madison To' ship, and built a small house on the same in 1856; in the spring of 1857 he moved on place, and here he has since resided; has cleared 100 acres out of the same tract, and si sold off until he now lias about 200 acres under good improvements, having excell farm buildings. He was married September 4, 1851, to Anna M., daughter of George i Lydia (Kline) Smith. They have five children: George, Louisa, Emma, Levi and Sa( George is fireman on the Erie Railroad; Louisa is wife of S. Gardener, in Lycoming Gour Emma, wife of Levi Fortner; Levi and Sadie are at home. Mr. Moser is a member of Lutheran Church at Washingtonville. He is a Republican in politics. WILLIAM MASTELLER, farmer, P. O. Buckhorn, was born February 19, 1830. Northumberland County, Penn., son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shultz) Masteller, to wh MADISON TOWNSHIP. 505 were born nine children: John, 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 REICH ARD (deceased). Frederick Reich ard, 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 horn 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 home- stead 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 family was among 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, Mar- garet 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, Elisba 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 manled, August 13, 1857, Mary, daughter of Cornelius Vanhorn. Mrs. Shoe- maker 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 mem- ber 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 in Montour County May 33, 1843, the eldest son of William and Eliza (Kinney) Shultz. William Shultz was born Fei)ruary 14, 1814. Eliza was a daughter of Rev. John Kinney, son of James Kinney, an old Rev- olutionary soldier. Peter Shultz, subject's grandfather, married Sallie Robbins, and they had the following children: William, Jonathan, Jacob, James, Henry, Dr. Benjamin P., 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 35, 1865, to Mary J., daughter of William and Sallie (Kitchen) Johnson. They have four children: Harry E., Ada B., Beryl B. and Sadie P. 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-grandfather of A. C, was born April 11, 1750. He married Nellie McFall, by whom he had the follow- ing 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, Eleanor, Eliza- beth, Delilah, Mary, Martha and Nancy, all of whom were reared to maturity. John, the father of A. C, was born in this township, and married Margaret Sheep, and to them were born Henry J., Maiy J., John W., Andrew C, William E., Elizabeth E. and Thorn- ton A. Andrew C. was born October 30, 1849, in this township, and February 17, 1870, married Mary, a daughter of J. M. and Susan (Brugler)Girton. After marriage he set- tled in this township, where he has sinc« residt-d, locating on the farm owned by Susan (Brugler) Qirton's heirs, consisting of 176 acres, known as the John Brugler farm. He has three children: Susan M., Lloyd Q. 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 pio- neers of Madison Township. Daniel Welliver came Ijere 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, v?j''^ and Polly. Daniel, the father of Silas, married Sarah Eyer, who bore him eight children, viz.: Catharine, Silas, Phineas, Abigail, Lucinda, George W., Mary and Charity- 506 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: Silas, who resides on the homestead, was born October 27, 1821 ; he married Marj Fruit, who died November 31, 1871. Of the four children born to them there are now ing: Miles, farming the homestead; Sallie, wife of Wilson Derr, in Lycoming Coui and Robert, a druggist, recently graduated from the College of Pharmacy in I adelphia. THOMAS CHALKLBY WILSON, farmer, P. O. Millville, was born Novembe 1847, son of Reuben Wilson, one of the well known residents of this county. Thoma was reared on the farm he now owns, consisting of 123 acres, and has always resided i He was married May 4, 1875, to Hannah, daughter of James and Mary (Roth) Mat They have no children. In politics Mr. Wilson is a Prohibitionist and takes an ac part in the cause. CHAPTEK XXXVII. MAINE TOWNSHIP. J. D. BODINE, justice of the peace, Mainville, was born in Oatawissa To ship, Columbia Co., Penn., November 26, 1849. His parents, Peter and Anna M.(Vouj Bodine, were natives of New Jersey, but removed with their parents to this county w young, and were married at Catawissa by Squire Baldy. The former died in 1865, the latter is living at the age of seventy-eight years at Oatawissa. Our subject, youngest in a family of ten, was reared in Columbia County and has always made home here, with the exception of a short time spent at Kingston, Luzerne Co., Penn. received his education at the common schools of Catawissa, and at the age of flft years commenced clerking for the firm of J. K. Sharpless & Son, at Catawissa, withwl he remained three years. He then went to Kingston, Luzerne County, where he cler for about six months, when he came to Centralia, this county, and clerked for Willi Torry about the same length of time. He then returned to Catawissa and again ente the employ of Sharpless & Son, with whom he remained three years. In 1875 he came Mainville and engaged in mercantile business until the spring of 1884, when he sold ou W. M. Longenberger. Mr. Bodine was elected school director of Maine Township at 1880, and served for three years as secretary of the board. He was elected justice of peace of Maine Township in 1880, served his full term, and in 1885 was again elected to position. At his first election he succeeded W. T. Shuman, who had filled the posit for twenty- five years. Mr. Bodine married at Renovo, Clinton County, this State, 1 1, 1879, Miss Eliza Sharpless, a native of Columbia County and a daughter of J. K. i Mary M. (Harder) Shai-pless. Both parents are living at Catawissa. Mr. and Mrs. Boc are the parents of two children; both are living: Ray S. and Anna M. Squire Bodine member of the Sons of America, having joined in 1870. He was State Marshall in State Camp of the order one year, and was first member initiated by the Catawissa Ca: andone of the charter members of Washington Camp, No. 258, at Mainville, in wh camp he has filled all the chairs. He is a Democrat politically, and has several tii "been a delegate to the county conventions of that party. The family attend the serv: of the Methodist Church. WILLIAM 8. FISHER, farmer, P. O. Mainville, was born in what is now Mi Township, Columbia County, March 7, 1886. His parents, John and Judie (Kief er) Pisl -were born in Berks County, where they were also married. They later removed to ( lumbia County where they passed the remainder of their lives. About 1851, while com iback from Mainville with a load of planks, etc., the father, while attempting to guide four-horse team, was run over by a wheel of the wagon and killed. His widow died the 15th of March, 1885, and both are buried in Fisher's Church Cemetery. Willian was reared in ColumbiaCounty and has always made it his home. He remained'at work t his father until the latter's death, after which he remained at home one year. He then wor on the farm, etc., until arriving at the age of twenty-five, when he bought a piece of 1 and settled down to farming for himself. In the meantime he had commenced his e cation in the common school of his district; then attended Dickinson Seminary, Willia port, one term, and later one term at Millville Seminary. He then taught school terms before commencing farming and after that two terms more. He married, in county, in February, 1861, Miss Mary Margaret Breisch, a native of Columbia County a daughter of George and Rebecca (Wahl) Breisch. Her father is dead and is buriec Catawissa, where her mother still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are the parents of children: George Alpheus (a teacher in the common schools for the past three yes MAINE TOWNSHIP. 507 Horace M. (a steuographer and telegrapher in the employ of the Chesapeake & Oliin Rail- road, 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., Emerson T., Irene E., William Claude and Bertha Maude. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher and family are memhers 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 Cata- wissa. Mr. Fisher's brother, Daniel, who lives at Limestone, was clerk of the church a. number of years previous to that time. F. P. GROVE R, farmer P. O. Mainville, was born in Columbia County.Penn., September 10, 1852, a son of Michael and Catherine (Miller) Grover, both natives or Columbia County where they spent their lives. The father died April 3, 1876, and is buried in the Mifflin 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 latter of whom is dead; the former resides in Maine Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Qrover were the parents of five children, of whom four are living: Blanche Victoria, Mazy Elmira, Harry Gilbert and Annie Florence. The deceased one was an infant. Mr. Grover has about 150 acres of land, of which about 120 are under cultivation. The Qrover family were early settlers of Columbia County, having come here nearly three- quarters of a centuiT ago. JOSEPH HARTZEL, farmer, P. O. Mainville. was born May 9, 1823, a son of Mich- ael and Elizabeth (Fisher) Hartzel, both natives of Berks County, this State. The father 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 Cem- etery at Catawissa. His father died about 1855 and his mother in 1833. The former is buried 'in Fisher's Church Cemetery, and the latter at Catawissa. Our subject was- 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, Novem- ber 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 in. 1770, being one of the first settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzel are the parents of ten children, 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. Shnman, residing in Maine Township; Margaret Ellen, wife of Anderson Shu- man, 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 sev- enty-five and ten and one-half acres, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzel and family are members of Union Immanuel Church. He has held local offices in his township, includ- ing that of supervisor, four or five terms. MARTIN VAN BUREN KOSTENBAUDER, P. O. Mainville, was born in Mifflin. Township, Columbia Co., Penn., August 80, 1839, a son of Henry and Sarah (Hartzell) Kostenbauder, both of whom died in this county — the former May 10, 1855, aged forty- five 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,Mi88 Susan L. Rhawn, a native of Catawissa Township, Colum- bia County, born April 11, 1839, a daughter of Casper and Catherine (Crook) Rhawn. Her 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, in 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. McCauU of Lancaster commanding, and served in the following engagements: Dranesville, Whitehouse Landing, Savage Station, Seven Pines, Chickahominy Swamps and Malvern Hill. After that came the evacuation of Harrison's Landing by McClellan's forces. Mr. Aostenbauder was discharged December 31, 1863,on account of disability.on papers issued by surgeon in charge, J. Simmons, of Davis Island Hospital. On account of the hard- ships endured in the defense of his country, Mr. Kostenbauder returned to his home 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 Kostenbauiler were born in Reading, Berks Co., Penn. Her grandparents were in this State when the Indians were still numerous, and witnessed many stirring events in its early history. 508 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: William L. Kostenbauder, a brother of our subject, was drowned in Nescopeck Creek, Luzerne County, Penn., September 8, 1850, aged 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 Town- ship, Columbia Co., Penn., December 18, 1833, to George and Eve (Cocher) Miller. The family were originally from Berks County, Penn., and the grandfather of Nathan con- ductecl an apple distillery on his place in the early times. Both grandparents died in this county, the grandfather in the fall of 1863, 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 com- menced 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 land in Orange Township, this county, where he farmed a place for five 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 be followed agriculture in Centre Township he raised 1,131 bushels of fine wheat on forty acres of land, for which he received from $1.35 to |1.50 per bushel. When Mr. Miller moved to the place he found very little improvement, the residence at that time being the building which he now 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 improve- ments. 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 County, Kaa.; 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, the Immanuel Union. J. B. NUSS, of the firm of J. M. Nuss & Son, proprietors of the Mainville mills, P. 0. Mainville, was born near Mainville, Columbia Co., Penn., October 38, 1850. His parents, John M, and Mary (Gearhart) Nuss, are also natives of this county and reside at Main- ville. Our subject has made the county his home, with the exception of four years spent 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 years. He then taught for five winter and two summer terms in a select school. In 1873 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 13, 1881, Miss Ada A. Shuman, a native of Mifflinville, Columbia County, and a daughter of George Shuman; she died December 35, 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 the Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat. WILLIAM H. OTT, farmer, P. O. Mainville, was born near Williamsburg, North- ampton 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 their lives. The^mother died February 17, 1866; the father July 8, 1886, and both are buried in Dewitt Cemetery, in Greenwood Township. William H. was 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 bom 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. AngerofE, afterward under Col. Gibson. They 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 tlie 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. MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP. 509 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 m Maine Township, which was conducted by J. C., while William K. remained on the home farm, which he bought in the spring of 1885, havine sold out his interest in the other farm. William K. was 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, Col- umbia County. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman are the parents of two children, both living: Min nie Eudora and Charles 8. Mr. Shuman has about 145 acres of land, of which between ninety and 100 are under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman are members of Imman- nel Union Church. He has been supervisor of Maine Township for two terms and is a Democrat politically. J. A. SHUMAN, farmer, P. O. Mainville, was born in what is now Maine Township, Columbia 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 ate buried in Immanuel Union Churchyard, in Maine Township. The father was a farmer in the latter part of his life, hut 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, lespectively. After finishing bis 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 {see page 507). Mr. and Mrs. Shuman have one child — Clyde. After marriage they 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 135 of which are under cultivation. He and his wife are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. The Shu- man family were among the early settlers of this county, and the grandfather of our sub- ject 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 great- grandfather, James Brown, was born in England, November 13, 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 Hamesburg. His son, John, the grandfather of our subject, married Mary M. Brugler, and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1795, and purchased 400 acres near Mifflinville, for which he paid about $5,000. At the age of eighteen, Elisha B. Brown engaged in mer- cantile 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 estab- lished in 1888. 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 emer- gencies. Samuel Creasy died in 1873. In 1883 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 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: vation; was positive, accurate and true, his judgment was held in high esteeiD,and his coun- sel was 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 Mar- tha, daughter of John H. Bowman. Her niother dying when she was a child, she found a home with her grandfather, John Freas, near BriarcreeK, 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. Brad- ley. She is a voluminous reader and preserves the vivacity of her youth in a way that is remarkable. The three children born to herself and husband are still living: J. Jordan, Dorothy N. and Martha B. J. Jordan Bkown was born March 31, 1848. He attended a select school taught by Hiram Hutchison, and afterward completed a course at Williamsport, Dickinson Seminary, graduating in 1867. He then attended lectures at JefEerson Medical College, Philadelphia, 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 ar- ticles for the medical press. While at college he took a special course in operative sur- gery 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 mar- ried 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. DOKOTHT 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 suscepti- ble to sesthetics, but inherits her father's latent force. She spent two years at Wyemmg Seminary, where her talent for music was developed and was rewarded by flattering com- mendations. She has the Brown characteristics of being strongly attached to place and friends. ■ Mabtha Bowman, the youngest child, of Elisha B. and Martha (Bowman) Brown, gave evidence in childhood of superior mental strength. She developed a taste for busi- ness, 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 mem- ory 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 ediysation. M. M. HARTZBL, farmer, P. O. Hetlerville, was born in Mifflin Township, Colum- bia 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 Mifflin 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 bojr 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 Mifflinville. 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 Colum- bia County, and followed farming on the home place until he arrived at the age of twenty- two, 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 re- turned to Berwick, and was engaged at car building until the spring of 1881, when he bought eighty-five acres of land 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 daugh- ter of Simon and Lucinda (Kikendall) Longenberger, both deceased and burled at Mifflin- ville. 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. 0. Hetlerville, was born in MiflBin Township, Col- umbia County, September 8, 1833, a son of Christopher and Susannah (Lantz) Heller. The former was a native of Hellertown, Northampton Co., Penn., and was there reared to farm life; was also married there and afterward removed to Columbia County, where he lived the remainder of his life. It was about 1816 when he catae to this county. His- father, Michael Heller, the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolution and served under Washington. Christopher followed farming after coming to Columbia 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 MiflBinville Cemetery. His widow died May 4, 1872, a§ed eighty-four years, and is also buried at Mifflinville. 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-flve acres, and since that time he, has- added sixty-three acres more. Our subject married in Columbia County, March 13, 1847, Miss Mary Ann Hetler, a native of Columbia County, and a daughter of Michael Hetler. Her parents are both deceased and are buried at Mifflinville. Mrs. Heller died in 1863, and is buried at the same place. She bore her husband seven children, four of whom are living: Francis "Whitney, married to Mary Elizabeth Heller (they reside at WapwoUopen); Hiram Wesley, a resident of Montrose, Susquehanna County, this- State; Christopher Columbus married to Anna Dodson (they reside at Hazleton, Penn.), and Sarah Catherine. The deceased are John MTadison, Harriet Alice and an infant. Mr. Heller's second marriage took place February 15, 1864, with 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^ Altved. Bartley, Amandus and Wilson Arnolphus, living. Rush Monroe, Martha Minerva, William Harvey and an infani unnamed are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Heller are mem- bers of the German Reformed Church, of which he was for many years deacon. He i» now overseer of the poor and is serving his third year in that capacity. He is a Repub- lican and was twice elected to the position notwithstanding the fact that the township is- over ten to one' Democratic, and although he made no effort to be elected. He is a 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, skme- State. The father came to Luzerne County with his parents when but eight years of age, learned the miller's trade and later erected a mill at WapwoUopen, 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 therlast 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 Town- ship. 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 county, Miss Esther Bittenbenner, a native of Luzerne County, and daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Nuss) Bittenbenner, both deceased, her father being buried near Shamokm and her mother at Nescopeck, Luzerne County. For the first two years after his marriage Mr. Hess and his wife lived on his father's farm in Luzerne County. The year after marriage he discontinued business on the canal and sold his boat. On remov- ing 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 Mifflin- ville where he bought the hotel property which he now owns and conducts. This was in the spring of 1867, and Mr. Hess has since continued at the same stand. He and his- wite 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 toade at Hazleton; Milton J., studving dentistry with Dr. Ervin of Catawissa, and George W., learning the jeweliy 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 cor- poration 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 poli- ces he is a Democrat. About two years after our subject's mother died his father married Widow Ruckle, who died shortiv after his death. 512 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 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) Eoehler. 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 -sis took his departure for America, coming direct to Luzerne County, Penn. After remaming 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 3d of February, 1884_, and is buried at Black Creek, Luzerne County. His widow died May 3, 1885, and is buried alon^ide her husband. Our subject was reared at Nescopeck and made it his home until commg to Columbia County in the spring of 1885. He farmed his father's place until 1883, when he purchased it and con- tinued to farm until coming to his present location. He was married at Conyngham, Luzerne Co., Penn., June 13, 1874, to Miss Catherine Bittenbender, a native of Black Creelc 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. NUNGES8ER, proprietor of the South Mifflin Mills, P. O. Mifflinville, was born in Mifflin Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 83, 1851 ; a son of George and Phtebe (Eckroth) Nungesser, both natives of this county. The former followed farm- ing 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 set- tled 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 busi- ness, 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 re- .sumed milling and now carries on both occupations. Bte was married in the county, December 35, 1874, to Miss Ellen Bredbenner, a native of Columbia County, and a daugh- ter 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. J. N. PEIFER, merchant tailor, Mifflinville, was born in Georgetown, Northumber- land Co., Penn., December 13, 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 George- town, and at the age of twelve years commenced to learn the tailor's trade with his fath- er, and worked with the latter until he had reached the dee 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, Schuylkill County, where he worked at journey work until the following spring, when he worked on the canal and boated that summer. In the fall he took a trip to Stephenson Countyjll., 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., andworked at tailor- ing 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 County, Penn., and a daughter of George and Sarah (Ressler) Shafer. Her father was acci- dentally 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 Pennsyl- vania Reserves. He served with the regiment until April, 1863, when he was disfcharged, having participated in the battle of Dranesville. He then returned home, where he re- mained until March 12, 1884, when he again enlisted, this time in the Thirty-fourth Inde- pendent New York Light Inf antry.field battery, captain, Jacob Roemer. They were assigned to the Army of the Potomac and served in the following engagements : Wilderness, Spott- flylvania 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 36, 1865, and returned home. His first wife died May 6, 1865, the mother of three children : Jerome Wilson and Mary Ann, who conduct a shop at Nescopeck, Luzerne County, and MONTOUE TOWNSHIP. 513 Catherine, deceased. Mr. Peifer removed to Mifflinville in the fall of 1865, and from 1867 to 1876 resided in Rockport, Carbon County. January 30, 1866, he married Mrs. Fry, 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 Astor. Mr. Peifer is a member of the C. G. Jackson Post,No. 159, at Berwick. He and family are members of the Lutheran Church. ABRAHAM SCHWEPPENHEISER, farmer, P. O. Mifflinville, was born in Mifflin Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 3, 1832, a son of John Jacob and Rebecca (Sut- ton) Schweppenheiser, the former a native of Columbia County, this State, and the lat- ter of the State of New Jersey. They lived in this county until their death. John 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 fanning his occupation. He married, in Lycomihg County, on the 24th of May, 1847, Miss Elizabeth P. i 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 Ber- wick, this county; Miranda, wife of R. S. Wintersteen, Mifflinville, and Wilmlna 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. JACOB YOKE (deceased) was born near Mifflinville, this county, October 12, 1810, to 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 .«nd 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 u&til 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 (Luianen- berry) 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 chil- •dren, 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: Margaret, wife of Luther Hutchins (had ten •children, four living), at Bock 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 chil- dren survive him; Naomi Jane and Benjamin Fortner. Mr. Yohe died August 29, 1871, and is buried at Mifflinville. He was a man much esteemed, and enjoyed a large and favorable acquaintance throughout this section of country. He was a member of the Methodist Church; his widow is a member of the same at Mifflinville. 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 (Appel- man) Evans. He was educated in Bloomsburg at the old seminary, and in 1865-66 com- pleted 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 Jias 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 1882 he served as a delegate in the State convention 514 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: which nominated Gov. Pattison. In 1884 he was nominated and elected treasurer, receiv- ing 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 in Montour Township on the homestead, which was formerly owned by his grandfather, Peter Appelraan. The Appelman family is one of the oldest in the county. The father of Peter was Matthias, who settled in MiUwell shortly after the Revolution. He was born 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 farm- ing. In 1856 he was elected associate judge and served one term, and also served in several local oflBces. He was a member of the Methodist Church fifty-five years, and a church officer many years, and ministers of that denomination made his home their stopping place. Our subject is a member of the Grange and of the I. O. O. F. FRANK L. FAUST, operator of the White mill, Montour Township, P. O. Blooms- burg, 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, 1843, 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 serv- ice 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 days ), 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 Mi- chael 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 about 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 Harry, July 8, 1870; Margaret, February 17, 1872; Morris 0. S., September 16, 1873; Charles, April 16, 1875; Ada, January 5, 1877; Frank, July 28, 1879; Guy, February 21, 1882, and Maybury Hughes, March 2, 1886. All are at home except George, who is a railroad engineer. The Mensch family is an old one in Columbia County. The great-grandfather of our subject was John Mensch, who settled near Catawissa with his family a!bout 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 hon- ored 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., Septenoiber 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 as MONTOUE TOWNSHIP. 515 associate judge of the county six years, and during tlie war was United States Assessor of Internal Revenue for three years. He attended the Friends' meeting, but was not a mem- ber of that society. He was born in Woodstock, N. H., but 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 Pottstown Hill school, taking a three years' course. In 1861, with his father, he established the business of manufacturing powder kegs at Rupert, and in 1866 was admitted as a partner. His father dying in 1879, our subject assumed full 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. Pour children blessed their union: Elizabeth, Mary C, Ellen and Irene, all living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe are members of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church. He is agent for Dupont's Powder Company for the counties of Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union and Northumberland. LLOYD PAXTON, farmer, P. 0. 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 35, 1735, ard Mary (Broadhurst) Paxton, his wife, who was born December 31, 1754. They settled at Catawissa, where they both ■died, he in 1796 and she April 5, 1838. Their son, Joseph, was born in Bucks County 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 vicinity. 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 agri- •culture, 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 ci 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 31, 1861. Joseph Paxton married Catherine Rupert April 34, 1809. She was a daughter of Leonard Rupert, and, on the death of her husband, 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. De- cember 85, 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-grand- father, in 1774. SQUIRE JOHN G. QUICK, farmer, P. O. Rupert.was born in Rush Town3hip,North- nmberland Co., Penn., January 19, 1884. His ancestors were of German descent and set- tled in New 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 ser- geant. John and Nancy (Hummill) Quick located in Rush Township, Northumberland County, soon after the close of the Revolution, and there died in February, 1834. 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 1839. 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 1858, 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 Iwenty-flve 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 of these his judgment was sustained in a higher court, the other was with- drawn. Squire Quick married, in 1858, Sarah Moyer, 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 P. & A. M., of Catawissa, and of the P. of H. and has been sec- retary of the Farmers Produce Exchange at Bloomsburg since its origin. , 516 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: CHAPTER XL. MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. SILAS CLARK BKAGLE, blacksmith, Mordansville, was born at Mordansville, Mount Pleasant Township, Columbia Co., Penn., April 8, 1863, son of Leonard and Mar- garet (Mordan) Beagle. Michael Beagle, grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Ger- maixy to this country after he had reared the most of his family, came directly to Colum- bia County and located about a quarter of a mile north of Mordansville, when the sur- rounding 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 1873, lis 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 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 re- mains were sent home to his family and buried in Dutch Hill Cemetery withjthe honors of war. His widow, now wife of Michael Hawk, resides at Eyer's Grove. Silas Clark 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 con- ducted ever since. He does all kinds of blacksmith repair work, ironing of wood work, etc. He was married in this county November 23, 1883, to Miss Eva Jane Hippenstiel, a 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. Beagle is a member of the Lutheran Church. SAMUEL HARTZEL, farmer, P. O. Light Street, was born in Mount Pleasant Town- ship, 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 shoemak- ing (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 StoufEer, and they were the parents of two children: Joshua, in Mount Pleasant Town- ship, this county, and Samuel. The father of this family died in October, 1878, his wire in March, same year. They are buried in Canby Cemetery, Mount Pleasant Town- ship, this county. Samuel was reared in Mount Pleasant Township, and has spent his lifetime of over half a century at the place where he now resides. He has always made farming his occupation, though he assisted his father to some extent shoemaking, and also occasionally followed the carpenter trade. He was married in this county in June, 1857, to Miss Christiann Straup, a native of this county, daughter of Jonathan and Cath- erine (Clauser) Straup, both deceased, latter buried 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 land, all of which lies in Mount Pleasant Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzel attend the Lutheran Church, of which she is a member. He is a Democrat politically, and has held the office of school director and supervisor. BLIAS HOWELL, retired. P. O. Light Street, was born in Limestone Township, Mon- tour County, Penn., September 27, 1825, son of William and Anna (Titus) Howell, former of whom was born in New Jersey in 1802, and the latter dying during our subject's in- fancy, his uncle, Vinson Dye, took him to raise. In 1810, when Wilflam was but eight years of age, his uncle removed from New Jersey to what is now Limestone Township, 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 plasterer, in the same neighborhood. While living there he was married to Miss Anna MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 517 Titus, and in 1836 they removed to Mount Pleasant Townsliip, this county, where he bought 150 acres in the same neighborhood as the present farm oi his son, Elias. He then devoted almost his entire attention to farming, dom^ 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 ijow 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 Blooms- burg Cemetery. Elias Howell, Isubject of this sketch, was ten or eleven years of age when the family removed from Montour County to what is now Mount Pleasant Town- ship, this county. In the spring of 1843 he went to Bloomsburg to learn the black- 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 en- gaged 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. B[e 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 fifty-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. McBRIDE, Bloomsburg, steward of the Bloom" Poor District, com- posed 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 Mc- Bride, grandfather of Thomas P., came to this county in the early days, and located in Hemlock Township, where he bought and cleared up land. John McBride, father of our subject, was bom in this county and reared here to farm life. He afterward abandoned farming and gave his attention to the mason's trade, following that occirpation 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 Blooms- burg, 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 com- menced to learn the tailor trade with B. Rupert of Bloomsburg, with whom he was em- ployed 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. Ru- pert, 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 38, 1876, he was appointed steward of the Bloom Poor Dis- trict. Ho 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 adminis- tration has been satisfactory. He was married in this county September 8, 1858, to Miss Amanda Robbins, 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: Urbanus, 518 BIOGKAPHIOAL SKETCHES: married to Prebella McHenry, in Light Street, this county, and Margaret, wife of Jacob Hirleman, in Bloomsburg, this county. John and Mary are deceased. Mr. McBride is a Democrat politically. CHARLES H. MASON, farmer, P. O. Canby, was born in the city of Philadelphia June 11, 1815, son of "William and Parthena (Wetherill) Mason. There were three broth- ers in the Mason family who came over in the "MayiElower" and landed at Plymouth Kock in 1630. 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 Bbenezer, who was the frandfather of Charles H., and was born at Ashford, Conn., March 37, 1749; was married une 3b, 1774, to Mary Hastings, who was also born at Ashford, Conn., December 17, 1753. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows :^Ruf us, born May 33, 1775, died July 29, 1776; Mehetabel, b. August 33, 1776, d. April 1, 1800; Rufus, b. May 3, 1778, d. Sep- tember 10, 1812; Bliphalet, b. June 23, 1780, d. March 11, 1853; Ebenezer, b. October 3, 1783, d. May 10, 1873; David, b. July 37, 1784, d. August 39, 1848; Alva, b. August 9, 1786, d. April 21, 1868; William, b. February 17, 1788, d. Febmary 38, 1844; Mary, b. May 36, 1790, d. December 14, 1866; Chester, b. June 10, 1793, d. November 39, 1845; Margaret, b. June 7, 1795, d. April 36, 1883. The father of this family died July 25, 1834, and was buried at Ashford, Conn. After his death his widow removed to 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 wood- engraving, 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 com- menced the manufacture of philosophical instruments, such as air-pumps, electrical ma- chines, etc., including a telescope for himself. He conducted that business until seven- 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, whicb he called the " inventor's head;" it is in the shape of a human head, formed en- tirely 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 TJ. Walters, the designer of ■Girard College, and John Troutwine, a noted civil engineer. Mr. Mason was married in Philadelphia lio 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 Coun- ty, 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 Phila- delphia; 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 Phil- adelphia and there 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 \o Monroeton, Bradford Co., Penn., and there worked at different emplo3Tnents, farming, rafting on the river, lumbering and teaching school, and in 1843 went to Hill's Grove, Lycoming Co., Penn., where he resided until 1846, moving thence 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 cornpleting his instruction went into the millwrighting business as jour- neyman with Marshall G. Kinley of Bloomsburg, this county, and for seven years vrorked 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, 1831. 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, Lu- zerne Co., Penn., and Isaiah Willett Hartman, a salesman in the carpet store of Hudson & 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 32, 1837, aged twenty-flve 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 Town- ship, this county, September 34, 1824, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Welliver) Miller. Daniel Mmer, who at the time of his death was one of the oldest citizens of this county; was born June 10, 1784, in New Jersey, about twenty miles from Easton. He was reared to farm life 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 1812, but after being in the army little over a year, he grew tired of a soldier's life, and gave a man $37 to serve his. time out. In 1820 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 his wife took a trip to New Jersey, their old home, but the latter taking sick, it was four months before she could return, and from this illness she never fully recovered. They were the parents of nine children of whom four are now living: Aaron, in Hemlock Town- 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, Effle, 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'sgraveyardjMount Pleasant Township. PhilipMiller.subject of this sketch. Was reared in this county to farm life, and made his home with his parents until his mar- riage, after which event, his parents leaving that place, he farmed it for two years after- ward. 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 3, 1848, to Miss Ann Keller, who died on April 7, 1853. By this marriage there were two children : Wesley B., married to Miss Ida B. Shumaker (they reside in Madison Township, this county) and Francis B. (deceased). Mr. Miller again married December 13, 1861, Miss Elizabeth Keller, a najjve of this county, and daughter of Henry Keller. By this marriage there 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. JOSEPH E. SANDS (deceased) was born July 18, 1811, in Mifflin Township, Columbia Co., Penn. 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, Colum- bia County.and during his minority worked for Andrew Hunlock,who carried on a woolen- mill. While in his employ he learned the business thoroughly, and in 1835 came to Greenwood 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, C. L. He carried on that business up to the time of his death, which occurred February 34, 1881, of apoplexy, at Philadelphia. He had visited the above city with his son 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 his remains now repose in Orange Township, in the Mcllenry Cemetery. In speaking of Mr. Sands he can well be called a representative man in Columbia County. In politics he was a Republican though not a partisan. He was appointed the first postmaster at 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 ready to contribute to the wants of the needy. He was a successful business man, and 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 when the Southern forces invaded the State in 1863. CHARLES L. SANDS, president of Mordansville woolen-mills, Mordansville, was born near Rohrsburg, this county, December 16, 1849 ; son of Joseph E. and Esther (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 years. From there he removed to near Orangeville, and operated the Bowman mill a num- ber of years, and from there removed to Greenwood Township and ran the Fulmer(nowthe Alinas Cole) mill and'whUe 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 set- to's family. She survived her husband about seven years. They are buried in the Mc- Henry graveyard, in Orange Township, this county. They were the parents of six chil- oren, four now living : Mary, in Greenwood Township, this county ; Ann, wife of Baltis Qirton,_ 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.; 520 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Horace lives at Wyalusing, Bradford Co., Penn. ; Emma and Joseph E. are deceased; Joseph E. Sands, father of Charles L., the second in order of age of these children, was born in MifiSin 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 HunlockiBriarcreek 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 that stream. In 1856 he erected a mill on the banks of Little Fishing creek, in Mount 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 L. Sands. He was married in this county to Miss Esther Lundy, a native of this county,' and daughter of Henry Lundy, and they were the parents of ten children, seven now liv- ing : Henry H., in Hemlock Township, this county; William E., in Mount Pleasant 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 coun- ty ; Charles L.; Joseph H.. in the hardware business in Bowling Green, Ohio (he is married to Mary Turner, a native of Wood County, Ohio), and James P. The deceased are Elijah and John (twins), and Susannah. The father of this family died February 24, 1881, while at Philadelphia on a business trip. He was a strong L^nion man during the war, and went out with the militia at the time of the invasion of the State by the Confederate forces. His widow died September 3, 1886. They are buried in the McHenry graveyard. Orange Township, this county. The mother was a member of the Christian Church ; thfe father was a Friend by birthright. Mr. Sands had held the office of commissioner of Col- 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 Colum- bia County, and commanded the respect of even those who differed from him in his views. Of his children, three were in the service of the Union during the war. Henry H. was- 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 Antie- tam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The second time he enlisted was in 1864, in Company D.Two Hundred 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 th& surrender of Lee ; also participated in the grand reunion of the victorious armies of the Union at the national capital at the close of the war. William E. was in the One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Infantry. He served with his regiment from February, 1865, until the close of the war. Thomas E. was in the independ- ent 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 par- ents 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 ne began dealingin horses to some extent, and obtained the contract for building the stone work of the Wilson bridge across Little Fishing creek, which he constructed. He then rented a 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 line from Millville to Bloomsburg. It was thought at that time that this stage line would) not pay, but he made the business remunerative, and it is so to this date. He closed out this business in the spring of 1888, selling out to Humphrey Parker, and then came to- 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 1883, when M. J. Elder obtained an interest in the operation of the mill, and the firm renjained Sands & Elder until the spring of 1886, when William R. Hagenbuch obtained an interest, and the style of the firm is now C. L. Sands & Co. The capacity has been increased, since Mr_ Sands bought the mill, from 6,000 to 25,000 pounds. Mr. Sands was married in this coun- ty 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 Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Sands are parents of three children : Elizabeth Maude, Maggie Alverda and Joseph E. Besides the woolen-mill interests, Mr. Sands is- also engaged in farming, having land aggi-egating 163 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 one of the vice-presidents of the Col- umbia County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Association from the spring of 1881 to that of 1886. JAMES P. SANDS, merchant and postmaster, Mordansville, was born in Greenwood Township, this county, October 24, 1854, and made his^iome with his parents until his- OBANGE TOWNSHIP. 521 marriage, which toolc place December 20, 1877. He received his education in the pub- lic schools of Mount Pleasant Township and at the Greenwood Seminary, Millville. When a bOT he assisted his father in the woolen-mill and store and learned tlie trade iu' the mill. In 1875 his father gave him an interest in the store and the firm was J. Ev 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, 37x40 feelJ in ground area and two stories in height. He carries a complete line of general merchan- dise, his stock being valued at about $4,000. He was commissioned postmaster at Mordans- ville 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 Columbia County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Association. He was mar- 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 in 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 is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sands are members of the Society of Friends. He is a mem- ber of Oriental Lodge, No. 460, A. F. & A. M., at OrangevJUe, and ihas held the oflSce of Junior Warden. JOHN H. WOLF, farmer, P. O. Bloomsburg, was born in Bucheneu, Hesse Darm- stadt, Germany, Ma;^ 33_, 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 ac- counts 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 takinga 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. Arriv- ing 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-election after holding the position eight years, and in 1885 was elected to his present position. He is a member of Light Street Grange, No. 31, P. of H. Mr. W'olf's mother died in the December following his departure for America, and in 1857 his father came to this country and located in Luzerne- County. He died at Fillmore, Carbon County, in 1884. CHAPTER XLI. ORANGE TOWNSHIP. GEORGE W. APPLEMAN, farmer, P. O. Welliversville, was born on the farm where- he now resides, November 10, 1840, a son of George and Rebecca (Kinney) Appleman, the former a native of Montour County, the latter of New Jersey. To George and 522 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Eebecca were born six children that ^ew to maturity; Matthias, Isaac K., Amanda, David, George W. and Emanuel. Amanda is the wife of Hiram Bowman; David resides in Wis- consin; 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 Sabina (Conner) McHenry. He has two children: Edith and Arthur R. Mr. Appleman owns 140 acres of land and is a member of the Grange. EMANUEL L. APPLEMAN, farmer, P. O. Welliversville, was born on the homestead in Columbia County, June 3, 1848, the youngest ^on 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 37, 1881, aged six months and six day's. Mr. Apple- man has a farm of 100 acres, which is highly improved and one of the best in the town- ship. Both Mr. and Mrs. Appleman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have been identified since about 1885. He is a member of the Grange. 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 EUwood 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 Ifewberry in 1830. He had four sons: Jesse, John, Christopher and Thomas. Thomas was the father of Henry, Christopher, John, Jesse, Wesley, George, Sophia, Sarah and Susan. Of these, Henry was the father of our subject, and was born in Northampton County, Penn., about 1785. He removed with his father to Briarcreek about 1800. His wife was Sarah, daughter of James Brown, and after marriage they moved to Mifflin Township, where he engaged in farming. There he also built a mill and passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1838. His widow survived until 1868. They were the parents of fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to be 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. Wesley 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 built Bowman's mill on Fishing creek. He has about seventy acres in the mill tract. He has had four sons and one daughter: Righter R., Henry C, Taylor Z., Millard P. 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 1813, 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.,' Mil- lard P. 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 en- listed as a private in Company A, Sixth Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves, for three years, served out his time and filled every position up to second lieutenant in his compa- ny. After serving out his time he was commissioned first lieutenant, and was in Com- pany 6, Third Regiment United States Veteran Volunteers, Hancock's First Army Corps; served until the spring of 1866, coming out as captain. After his return home he visited the West; was elected justice of the peace, and is now serving his second term. JOSEPH CRAWFORD, farmer, Orangeville, is descended from one of the early set- tlers of Columbia County, and was born in Mount Pleasant Township, September 35, 1818. His father, Joseph Crawford, was born in 1778, and was the secon d white child born in North- umberland County, in a fort. Joseph, Sr., was a son of Edward Crawford, of Scotch de- scent, whose ancestors came from Scotland and settled in the lower counties. Our sub- - 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 1843 he married Catherine, daughter of Harmon and Anna ( Ev-land ) Labour, and in 1846 located on his farm in Mount Pleasant, where he resided until 1877. He then located in Orange Town- ship 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 counter except Harmon, who is in Russell County, Kas. Another son, Joseph F., was killed in New Mexico in December. 1880. and three died of dinhtheria in 1866. OEANGE TOWNSHIP. 523' WILLIAM BELONG, retired, Orangeville, was born March 3, 1813, in OrangeviUe, when there were but a few houses in the place. When eighteen years of age he be^an 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, 1843, 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 suMect, was an early resident of Sunbury and a son of John Belong. Samuel married Elizabeth Plank and they became the parents of Edward, Henry, William, Jesse, Mary and Cather- ine. 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 age. Politically he is a Greenbacker. JOSEPH PATTON BbWITT, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Rohrsburg, was born in Orange Township, this county, January 5, 1846, the youngest child of Isaac and Nancy B. (Stewart) BeWitt. Isaac was born in Rush Township, Montour County, was a wheel- wriglit by trade and also followed farming. In 1851 he located one mile north of Rohrs- burg. 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 are farmers in Fishingcreek; Williamson M. died in January, 1885. The father died July 9, 1875. Joseph P. 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 f armmg and stock raising and also in huckstering. He married, in 1867, Susan A. Reece, daughter of T. J. and Mary (Reeder) Reece. Three children bless their union: Cora B., Thomas E. and Stella M. One died in infancy. ALPHEUS MOORE BeWITT, merchant, Orangeville, was born at Light Street, Penn., February 13, 1851, a son of John H. and Caroline (Mears) BeWitt. John H. was born near Light Street in Orange Township, a son of Isaac and Mary (Havighauat) BeWitt, 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 the trade of a wheelwright. He married in 1849 and died March 11, 1857; his widow sur- vived him until 1881. To him and wife were born four children: Alpheus M., George B., Lillie M. and Hester A. Lillie M. died in childhood. Hester A. married Boyd Henry and 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 summer, and taught school in the winter and farmed in Greenwood. From 1879 to 1881 he clerked in a store, and in May of the latter year set up in business for himself, in part- nership with George S. Fleckenstine, under the firm name of Fleckenstine & BeWitt, which association continued until Becember.|1883. Mr. BeWitt 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, 188(), Mary 8. Conner, who was born in this township, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Achenbuch) Conner. They have one child living, Mary; Harold C. died at the age of four years. Mr. BeWitt is a member of the Reformed Church. ABRAM B. BILBINE, farmer, P. O. Welliversville, is a son of Andrew Bildine, 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 tbem were born four sons and six daughters: Elizabeth Ann, Abram B., John O., Margaret, Jacob, Isaiah, Amanda, Sarah J., Mary E., Ruth. Abram B. was born May 37, 1816, on the Reichard farm, and hved 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 aid an extensive business. His first wife died April 36, 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 Uenry Hoomel. By his first wife he had nine children: John A., Ruth C, Celestia A., Sarah M., George W., Bora J., Mary A., Joseph C. and Amanda A. His first wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, df which he and his present wife are also mem- "^^^- Mr. Bildine is a member of the Grange; politically he is a Bemocrat. p , "A-'^*-' K- DILBINE, farmer, P. O. Welliversville, the youngest son of Andrew and KutU (Bogart) Bildine, was born in this county June 8, 1836, and when six years of age came wilh his father to this township. He located on the farm now owned by Reece Mc- Henry, 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, Becember 6, 1853, Ange- M ,^^^^^' ^''° ^"■^ '*°'^" J"°s 26, 1839, in this county, a daughter of Charles and JUary (Rhodes) Hughes. After marriage he located on the farm he now owns. Mrs. Bil- 524 BIOGBAPHIOAL SKETCHES: dine died March 20, 1863, the 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 diphthe- ria—George March 31, and Anna B. April 1, 1863 — and were buried in one grave. Decem- ber 6, 1868. Mr. Dildine married Mrs. Angeline Drake, a native of this county and a daughter of Peter Knorr. To I his union one child, Cora B., was born, September 12, 1871, and died of diphtheria December 18, 1881. By her former husband. Col. Levi Drake, Mrs. Dildine had three children: Winfleld Scott, McKindra L. and Laura M., in Ford County, Kas., the wife of Frank P. Vanderslice. Col. Drake was a soldier in the Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, being in com- mand of the regiment at the time of his death. He also served with distinction in the Mex- ican 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. Win- field S. served during the civil war and returned home unscathed, and is a practicing phj- sician in Erville, Muskingum Co., Ohio. Mr. Dildine is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Dildine of the Presbyterian Church, at Orangeville. JAMES B. HARMAN, justice of the peace, Orangeville, was born in Orange Town- ship, October 17, 1888, a son of George and Mary (Knorr) Harman. His father was a native of Northampton County, Penn., a son of Henry Harman, of German stock. James B. learned the cabinet-maker's trade, of which he was master at the age of twenty. He then bought out Alfred Howell, with wiiom he 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 children : Lawrence C. and William W. in Leavenworth, Kas., and George H. and Delia. Mr. Harman was elected justice of the peace in 1862, itnd 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 Ihe 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 five 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 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-sus- taining 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. Canfleld, and finally nearly completed his course in Lafayette College, and soon ex- pects 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, Balti- more, Md., in the spring of 1883, also receiving a duplicate from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. He began to practice at Wapwallopen with Dr. Shuman, who shortly after went to Florida to recruit his health, leaving his practice to Dr. Jolly, who re- mained 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 Green- Tvood Township, September 22, 1826, the eldest son 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 toore him four children: Amos H., Sarah A., Daniel and Samuel. When he was c^uite young Amos H. removed with his father to Fishingcreek Township, where he remained until lie was twenty-four years of age. August 7, 1849, he married Sarah McHenry, who ■was born in Fishingcreek Township June 14^1837. After marriage Mr. Kitchen removed to Greenwood Township 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 County, 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 repre- tsentative families of Columbia Qounty. His grandfather, Abram Kline, immigrated to OBANGE 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 coiinty was a wilderness. His children were Harmon, Abram, George, Matthias, Isaac and Elizabeth. Isaac was the father of Hiram R. and married Mary, daughter of Abram WiUett, and by her had ten children: Charity, Sarah, Abram, Elizabeth, Lavina, Hiram R., Peter, Almira, Arminta and Mary. Hiram R. married October 31, 1843, Rebecca, daugh- ter of John and Mary E. (Pehr) Achenbach, who was born December 25, 1817, in Briar- creek Township. JLt the age of thirteen she moved with her parents to Orange Town- ship. After marriage Mr. plline 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 ]Slay 39, 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 P. Mengle. JAMES M. LONG, hotel-keeper, Orangeville, was born October 13, 1847, in Hunt- ington 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-great- ^andfather of our subject married a sister of Lord Fitzgerald, of Scotland. Joseph P. and Sallie Long had four cjiildren: 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 P. 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 farm- ing 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 clqse 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 prop- erty. In 1865 he married Arminta J., daughter of Daniel J. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Phillips. They have two children : Emma and Bert E. CYRUS McHBNRY, farmer and surveyor, Orangeville, was born September 13, 1831, a son of Edward and Sarah ( Cutter ) McHenry. The former was born November 1, 1789, in Orange County, N. Y., a son of Thomas McHenry, who was a soldier In the Kevolution, and whose ancestors came from Ireland. Our subject's mother 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, Thonaas, 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 Blooms-' burg, 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 (Yox- stimer) Seibert. Henry DeLong and wife had four children that grew to maturity: Peter, Rebecca, John and Elizabeth. O. A. MBGARGBLL, M. D., P. O. Orangeville, was born May 18, 1836, in Wayne County, Penn., a son of Joseph MegargeU, w'ho 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-great- grandfather 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 30, 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 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: Pennsylvania Reserves, Company A, in the civil war. Thomas J. is a merchant in Scran- ton, 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 his uncle, John Megargell, with whom he remained until he was fifteen years or age. He then worked at home and at the age of seventeen began teaching school. He then took up the study of medicine in the spring of 1856 and continued in his studies until graduat- ing in June, 1859, at Castleton, v t. In July of that year he began practice in Luzerne County where he remained j until May, 1861; then he came to Ofangetille, and there he has since remained. November 3, 1859, he married Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and PhcEbe Achenbach. Dr. and Mrs. Megargell have three children: Lillie, Fannie and George Mc. The Doctor is a member of the A. P. & 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 Allentown, Lehigh Co., Penn., and removed to this county about 1800. He settled in Centre Township and 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 thi» 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, Lavlna, wife of O. B, Herring. His second wife was Esther V. Fleckenstine, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Flecke'nstine. To this union nine children were born : Francis, who was accidentally killed on the railroad, December 33, 1867; Margaret, Anna E., Mary, Isaiah, Amos, Will- iam H., Aggie and Esther C. Mr. Neyhard on coming to this county purchased eighty- five acres, which 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 represen- tative families of this county, was born April 6, 1833, in Greenwood Township. His grand- father, Archibald Patterson, was a native of Scotland, and on immigrating to this 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, EflSe, 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, 1808. Feb- ruary 9, 1836, 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 Isorn to them, as follows: Abram W., Aaron R., Matthew B., Daniel M., Mary E., Isaac E., Sarah L. and Effle 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, Pishingcreek 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 39, 1831. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Patterson: Anna A., William H., Frank W., Charles B. 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 secretary. GEORGE N. SMITH, tinner, Orangeville, was born in Luzerne County, Penn., in 1849, the third son of Conrad and Julia Aan (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 Orange- ville, 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 34, 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 with the busi- ness interests of Orangeville for eighteen years, and makes a specialty of iron tin roofing and spouting. DR. A. P. 8T0DDART, Orangeville, was born in the city of Philadelphia, June 35, 1857, asonof 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 Phil- adelphia, commenced reading medicine in 1877, and graduated from the Hahnemann PINE TOWNSHIP. 52T Medical College March 10, 1880. He then began the practice of his profession in a hos- pital of his native city, where he remained a short time. He then moved to this county and engaged in the practice of his profession in this township, where he has an excellent patronage. He married in April, 1883, Lizzie B., daughter of Joseph Lilley, of Light Street. Dr. Stoddart is a zealous member of the Masonic order, Oriental Lodge, No. 460, A. y. M. MHjES a. "WILLIAMS, tanner, Orangeville, was born March 15, 1837, a son of Dan- iel R. and EUzabeth (Comstock) Williams. The father was a native of Sussex County, N. J., and a sOn of John Williams, of Scotch-Irish descent. His mother was a daughter of Zebulon Comstocls, 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 learniag the tanner's trade in Luzerne County, and later commenced business for himself in this township and county, in partnership with Samuel Achenbach, which continuedluntil 1853. He then super- intended one year for Alexander Creveling, in Centre Township, this county. He then returned to Orangeville and worked one year for Isaiah Conner, when he erected a build- ing and engaged in business for himself. His business has constantly increased sinc& then, and he now tans about TOO or 800 hides a year. In November, 1853, he married Lavonia, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Green) Covanhoven, They have four children u Laura, Warren W., James L. and Edith. Harvey S. 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. 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 grand- father of Emanuel, Nicholas Bogart, was of German descent, served asja captain in the war of tlie 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 saw- mill. 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, dau^ter of Philip and Sarah (Albertson) Shoemaker. They have seven children: James B., David C, Cora J., SaralfE., 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 Vol- unteer Regiment, First Brigade, First Division Nineteenth Army Corps, in the late war. Held the office 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 Town- ship, >Iune 12, 1825, the eldest son of John and Prances (Welliver) Christian. Jacob re- 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 8., John C, Thomas H., J. Judion, Mary E., William B., Howard 8., Justin L. and R. Euphemia. Mr. Christian has been for several years engaged in lumbering, operates a saw-mill, and has a chopping-milli m 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 offices; has served the township in official relations. SAMUEL J. BCKMAN, farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born August 25, 1839, 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 ma- turity and farming pursuits. Beginning at the age of eighteen he worked for two years, m the lumber woods, and at the age of twenty he went to learn the carpenter's trade,. 528 3I0GBAPHICAL 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 36, 1861, to Hannah Fought, daugh- ter of Jacob and Julia (Kricher)IFought. To this union have been born eleven children: 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 shingle- mill and manufactures birch oil. He and Mrs. Eckman are members of the Lutheran Church, with which he has been officially connected. Politically he is a Republican, and is secretary of the school board. EZRA EVES, farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born in Madison Township, March 38, 1838, ;son of Parvin and Annie Eves. He was reared in Madison Township until he attained his majority, and then removed to Greenwood Township. When he was twenty- two years of age he was married to Phoebe, daughter of James and Mary A. (Rhodes) Mather. Two years later he removed to Lycoming County, remained here three years, and engaged in farming. In 1868 he returned to Greenwood Township, and located on the Patton 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. THOMAS EVES (deceased) was born in Millville, February 1, 1804, and Novem- ber 18, 1838, he married Esther, eldest of a family of fourteen children born to Joseph and Mary (Kline) Lemon. In the spring of 1843 Thomas and his wife came to Pine Township and purchased of James Leggott the farm now owned by J. L., which was settled and im- proved by Philip Yeager. Here he engaged in farming, and for several years operated a saw-mill and manufactured lumber. Here he died March 39, 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 », 1853, and with the exception of two years, has always lived on the farm. He married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Ap- plegate) Biddler. Mr. and Mrs. Eves have one son, Henry W., born August 37, 1885. JOHN F. FOWLER, P. O. Pine Summit. The Fowler family are of English ex- traction, 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 the] colonists. 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 3, 1813, was reared to farming, and operated his father's farm until 1843, when he came to this township and purchased the farm now owned by N. L. Moser. He remained here until 1866, when he purchased the farm he now owns. May 39, 1836, Mr. Fowler married Julia A., daughter of John Portner; she died January 39, 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: Hervey 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 (Portner) 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 was purchased of Fowler Lyons, consisting of 250 acres and has since been engaged in farming. The place has been much improved 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, LillieDunn. Mr. Fowler is a member of the I. O. O. P., lola Lodge No. 711, and is secretary of the same. JOHN GORDNER, retired farmer, P. O. Unityville, was born September 37, 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, iwas 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 PINE TOWNSHIP. 529 to manhood on his father's farm and remained here for many years. He was twice mar- ried; first to Sarah Hill, by whom he had six children. His second wife, Catharine Neufer, the mother of our subject, bore him seven children : John, Hannah, Eatie, Henry, Jonathan, William and Esther. John, our subject, remained on the home farm until nis marriage in the fall of 1832, when he came to his present residence; he first bought 200 acres which was covered with timber, afterward added 200, and liept 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 (wife of James Budman); Henry; Susan (Mrs. John Lore); Jacob (resides in Lycoming County); Daniel; Thomas; John; Margaret (wife of Britlon Hartley, of Milton). Mrs. Gordner died of pneumonia, after four days' illness, April 13, 1884, and had been a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church about thirty-five years. Mr. Gordner has been a member of 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 success- ful in life, and has started aU of his children in business; has been supervisor, overseer of the poor, fchool 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) Gondner. 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 his house, and September 11, 1873, he occupied it, and.has since resided there. He now 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; he is also a member of the P. of H. WILLIAM GREENLY, superintendent and farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born in this township in 1839, a 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 Welhver. 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. 0. Millville, 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 sub- ject was married December 25, 1862, to Sarah J., daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Gulp) ShafEer. 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 Bhadrach Eves farm three years, and in Novem- ber, 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 Millville 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 Town- ship, 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 Lycoming at an early day, and reared a family of seven children, of whom John was the father of our subject. To John and ms 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 P. 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 projjerty. They have a tract of about 400 acres, and manufacture their own lumber. THE LYONS FAMILY came originally from New Jerse^y- The name of the pioneer was John Lyons, who came to this county about 1803. To John Lyons and his wife (who was a Wiley) were born Joseph, Mary, James, Robert, Edward, Eliza, Solomon, Paul, 530 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: Hannah, Esther and Isaac, all of whom reared families excepting Edward. The father died when these children were young, and his wife married Peter Moury and removed to New York with a portion of the children. The only ones tli at settled in this locally 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 8., Joseph B. and Richard W. Joseph Lyons died September 15, 1886, after two days' illness, being niaetyone years old;, his wife died at the advanced age of eighty -five years. Richard Watson, the youngest son, was born in 1833, 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 mer- chandising 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 livings 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 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 per- manent settlement ; David married Mary Eves, a granddaughter of the pioneer, and set- tled 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 huUing-mill Jnto 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 Mill- ville and had four children : Sarah, David, Mary M. and William. Sarah married Dan- iel 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 Dreiblebiss mill, 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 health 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 m 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 223 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 • PINE TOWNSHIP. 531 children, Alfred and Marion) ; Catharine and Margaret are both single ; Susan is the wife of John Eves, the 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 es- tate, 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 unsatisfac- ■tory 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 improyed, having good farm buildings and pleasantly situated. He was married to Ellen, daugh- ter of Joseph Nagle and Sarah (Keifer). Mr. and Mrs. Moser have five sons and tliree 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, 1838. Robert Potter, his father, came from England to this country about the year 1828; 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 -flVe years of age, when he came to Sereno and learned the tanner's trade of Samuel Scatter- good; was foreman and worked in the tannery for several ye»rs. 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. Charles removed to California. DAVID ROTE, farmer, P. O. Sereno, was born September 13, 1832, in Madison Township, eldest son of 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 set- tlers in Pine Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rote have two children: Sarah E. and Anna E. 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, 1851, Harriet, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca Watts. To this last union the following 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 Greenlee, 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 Church for fifty years, and has held several oflScial positions in the same. In politics he is a Democrat. PHILIP WESLEY SONES, P. O. Sereno, sawyer and foreman of the Benfield Mills, was born May 20, 1833, in Moreland Township, Lycoming County, son of Peter and 8a- "villa ( Lowe ) Sones. The paternal grandfather of P. W. was named Peter, as was also his great-grandfather, the latter of whom served through the Revolutionary 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) Chamber- lain. They have five children: Calvin L., Sarah C, Susan E., Lewis E. and Mary E. 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 1, 1843, the eldest son of Isaac and Beulah ( Kline ) Titman. The grandfather of our sub- ject was Abraham Titman, whose wife was Jane Robbins, and to them were born three children. 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-mill 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 Bjnma, daughter of Philip Shoemaker, and they have one son, Walter.K., born March 26, 1868. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at lola. PHESTBAS 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); Phin- eas; Lydia (Mrs. John Gordner); William, Emanuel, Rebecca, Isabella S. (now Mrs. Syl- vester 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-flve 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 several years engaged in lumbering. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmoyer have two children: Ben- jamin and Nora. R. F. WHITMOYER, farmer, P. O. Pine Summit, was born September 18, 1840, son of Simon and Sallie (Kisner) Whitmoyer. The father was a blacksmith and built the first shop that was erected in this region. He died here in 1849, aged forty-nine years, three months. His widow died at Charlevoix, Mich., in 1885, aged seventy-four years, four months and five days. She was a daughter of Michael Kisner, whose father, John, came from Ger- many. Simon was a son of Conrad Whitmoyer who settled here at an early day. Our subject's great-grandfather came from Germany, and had two sons; both settled at Ber- wick, Penn. Conrad had fifteen children: John, Joseph, Polly.'Caty, Mary, David, Lyda, WlUiam, Betsy, Michael, Simon, Eli, Adam, Susan Hess, and Ephream. These children move.d with their parents to Lycoming County at an early day, there settled and rearedl 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 P, 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 as first sergeant. He was in about twenty-five general engagements; was captured Janu- ary 23, 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 the old homestead, where he has since lived. He was married September 28, 1865, to Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Sallie (Albertson) Shoemaker. Mr. and Mrs. Whit- moyer have seven children living: Sallie, Frank G., Orpha R., Lynn S., Clay, Blanche, Sylva; Galena died aged eighteen months. He is a member of Bryan Post No. 439, located at Unity ville, Lycoming Co., Penn., also of the P. of H. In politics he is a. 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, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His paternal grandfather came from 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 in the early part of the present century, and settled in Roaringcreek Township. Cata- 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 followed farming 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 1873 he moved to where he now resides and bought lOO acres, but now owns eighty-nine, having sold off the rest. He married, February 9, 1868, SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 533 Mary E. Hoffman, who has borne him eight children: Henry, Elizabeth, Ulysses, Oscar, Emma, John W. S., EfBe and Daisy May. Mr. and Mrs. Rarig are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He has served as county and State tax collector for eight years, school director for eight years, and road supervisor. Mr. Rarig is one of the prominent men of the county, and has been in office ever since he has been old enough to vote, which shows that he gives satisfaction as an office holder. He is the agent of the Buffalo Phos' phate Company. CHAPTER XLIV. SCOTT TOWNSHIP. AA.RON BOONE, P. 0. 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 to settle in Columbia County, locating in Centre Township on 300 acres of land. This tract was bounded on one side by the Susquehanna River, and extended a mile back. He was reared in Berks County, near Reading, and was a prominent man in his day. He died at the age of eighty-one years. His son Benjamin, the father of our subject, was a farmer, and Sso 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 in 1851, at the age of sixty-three years. He and his wife are buried in Heidler's church- yard. At the age of twenty-three, Aaron Boone married Mary, a daughter of Samuel Webb, Sr., whpse family was also among the pioneers of this county. Mrs. Boone died in 1849, leaving 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 8., 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 liouse 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 carried off by typhus fever. The canal at this point was begun in 1827 and finished in 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 time, and his father used to make a yearly hunt for the larger game, supplying his family with venison. The road where Ai ton 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 tine residence and lot at Afton. For many years he was engaged in boating on the canal. 6. 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, Ind. The mother died in 1856. (J. W. lived on a farm close by Afton until he was about eleven years old; from that time in Espy until 1861, receiving his education, in the mean- time, in the common schools of that place. At the age of thirteen years he engaged at 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 in- termediate points. He cojQtinued thus until 1856, when he abandoned active boating, though still owning a boat and hiring a man to run it. Before the age of twenty-one he had accumulated about $2,000. In the fall after closing boating, in 1856, he began to keep books in the office of Fowler & Creveling, with whom he remained four years. In April, 1857, he became part owner of the Limestone Ridge, near Espy, and has since been interested in shipping limestone. March 16, 1858, he married France's M. Millard, a daughter of Joshua K. Millard, of Espy. In 1861 he personally assumed charge of shipping limestone at the Ridge, and in March, 1864, he and his brother, Alfred, established the present store at Afton. In 1867 he bought out his brother's interest and continued 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. Graveling enlisted as an emergency man in 1863 for ninety days, and ■was in the United States service for about sixty days. He is a Kepublican and has served Ms vicinity in various public offices. Mr. and Mrs. Creveling have two children: Charles M., born August a4, 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. Crevel- ing 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 arcWtect 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.; George) 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 sufflcient ■competence, his health not being very good. HERMAN G. CREVELING, Esq., Espy, was born May 19, 1836, 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 ArdeliaE. His ■second wife was Louisa M. Kuhn, who left no children. His third marriage was with Mrs. 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. P. 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 twenty- six years has conducted a butcher business. In 1865 he was 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. Q. Bloomsburg, was born in Co- lumbia 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 ]ust 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, inher- ited the old homestead and married Ann I. Heane, a daughter of Archibald and Sarah Henrie. Andrew was born January 33, 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 ■by the side of his first wife in the Creveling Cemetery. He took an active part in public matters; was captain and later major of the militia, and was widely known as an enter- prising and substantial citizen. He and his first wife belonged to the Episcopal Church. When his father retired from active business, J. Harvey bought the old homestead of 135 ;acres for $23,000, including a one-half interest in a timber tract near New Philadelphia of 135 acres. He married, November 37, 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 at home, the married son carrying on the old homestead farm. Mr. Creveling is a member ■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 Town- ships and still owns seven-twelfths of 373 acres of timber land there. WILLIAM E. DIETTERICH, merchant. Espy, was born in Centre Township, Colum- bia Co., Penn., Pebruary|38, 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 busi- ness on his own account at Espy, in partnership with T. W. Hartman and Thomas Thomp- son, 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 re- maining 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 1883 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, 1873, Mary B., a daughter of David and Harriet SOOTT TOWNSHIP. 535 Whitmlre, of Espy. Mrs. Diettericli was born October 24, 1850; she has borne her husband one child, Henry Clay, born July 2, 1881. DAVID 6EISINGER, postmaster. Espy, was born in Orange Township, in 1845, to Samuel and Elizabeth (Pleckenstine) 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 Penn- sylvania 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 Ame- lia Springs, where he was wounded 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 this date. He was principally engaged in skirmishing and scout duty. Mr. Geisinger has been twice married ; first, in 1868, to Elizabeth Bufjp, who died the same year, and March 9,1871,he married Mrs.Margaret Kisner, whose maiden name was Creveling,a daugh- ter of .H. G. and Margaret (Wellett)Creveling. They have had three children ; William H., born December 4, 1873, died December 8, 1877 ; Harold D., born January 14, 1875, and Ardelia B., 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. PROP. 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 Sentinel, having charge 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) Mc- Kamey. 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 bis life. He and wife were Episcopalians ; he is buried in the Episcopal graveyard at Blooms- burg, and she in Espy Cemetery. At the age of eighteen, Samuel began to learn the car- penter's trade, which he followed two years. He then bought a boat and followed boat- ing and freighting on the Pennsylvania Canal for eighteen years, over the whole length of the Pennsylvania & Brie Canals. In 1868 he enlisted as an emer- gency 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 1888 he was ap- pointed foreman of their yards. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married in 1856, was Martha B. Hicks, who died 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 a^good 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 1813, 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 re- tired life. He died January 1, 1872, at the age of eighty years, and is buried at Af ton. His wife died May 8, 1852, and is buried in the Lutheran Reformed Church Cemetery, Blooms- burg. 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, living in Catawissa Township, this county; Regina, wife of Oscar Wolverton, living in Northumberland County, Penn. Benjamin was reared in Columbia County, 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 bouse on the same farm, which he worked. He 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. JOHN MOUREY, hotel-keeper. Espy, was born AprU' 11, 1841, in what is now Lo- cust Township, but what was then a part of Roaringcreefc, 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 ajid conducted it for nis mother for two years. He then began to learn the shoemaker's trade with Hanulton 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. Jan- uary 1, 1861, he engaged with Solomon Artley, for one year, for f 108. January 3, 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 mov- ing 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 mother- in-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 oflBce the first Monday 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 ag:e 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. JOSEPH POHE (deceased) was born in Albany Township, Berks Co., Penn., Sep- tember 19, 1790. His parents came to this county when he was but a boy. When he 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 MifflinviUe, 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 Mif flinville 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 pre- served 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 grand- mother 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 ap- pears a portrait which was placed there by them. His wife, Mary (Wolf) Pohe, died m 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- munity. STEPHEN POHE, farmer, P. O. Espy, was born in the town of Mifflin, September 6, 1835, a son of Joseph and Mary (Wolf) Pohe, both of Berks County. The father came to this county about 1800. He was a shoemaker by trade, but was an extensive land- holder 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 grave- yard; his wife, who died in 1835, is buried by his side. Stephen learned the shoemaker's trade, and at the age of twenty-one took charge of his father's fara. Later he engaged 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 In- fantry, 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 SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 537 Centre Township, which he still owns, and continued thus employed until 1886. He has always heen interested in politics and has served his township in various local oSaces. In 1878 hg was nominated by the Democratic party for county commissioner, and elected by a largg majority. In 1884 he was re-elected, and is the piesent 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 live of her children are living: Francis L., Joseph R. and Charles L. (twins), and Alice Eudora 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: Seysfour and Minnie Q. FREDERICK W. REDEKER, M. D., Espy, is a native of Struken, Prussia, and was borp November 12, 1853, to Henry William and Caroline (Reimer) Redeker. His parents caine 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 P^iadelphia, and at the age of twenty-one years began reading medicine with Dr. G. W. J^jtzger, of Huehesville, Lycoming Co., Penn. In 1875 he became a student at the Jeffer- egp. 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 Spon established a successful practice. Dr. Redeker married, in 1874, Louise PfaflE, a native of Philadelphia, and four children have blessed their union: Caroline, Lillian, Laura jnd Raymond C. Dr. and Mrs. Redeker are members of the Lutheran Church. WILLIAM C. R0BI80N, retired farmer, P. O. Espy, was born near his present fesidence 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, occu- pied 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 aflBliated 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 H. W. Kitchen). The old homestead is owned by William C. and Huston. William C. has been twice married; first in 1868 to Mary, daughter of Philip Achenbach. She died in the spring of 1869, and in June, 1885, he married Laura, daughter of Dr. William Case, of Espy. Mr. Robison is a member of the Presbyterian Church ; politically a Democrat, and has served his vicinity in the school board for several years, He enlisted in 1863 in Company B, 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, to Joseph and Lydia A. (Robbins) White. His father was born in Light Street, March 25, 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 gjraveyard at Bloomsburg; his widow died some twenty years later and is buried by his side. Joseph White married Lydia A. Robbins, who was born December 6, 1813, at a place called lola, in Greenwood Township. They were married April 15, 1830. Mrs. White was a (laughter of John Robbins, a pioneer 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 mar- ried 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 Green- wood 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, 538 BIOGEAPHIOAL SKETCHES: two years. In 1871 he bought the general stock of Peter Bnt, and subsequently bought the buildings and grounds. Mr. White in earlier life was a Democrat but since the war he became identified with the Kepublican party, but is now a Prohibitionist. He was ap- pointed 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 fifteen years. Alem B. White was married March 33, 1869, to Esther E. Geisinger, who was born September 34, 1843, a daughter of Samuel Geisinger of Orange Township. CHAPTER XLV- SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP. JOSHUA B. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Cole's Creek, was born in Benton Township, this county, September 4, 1843, 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 marriage, 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 350 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 Pishing 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 Debor- gur, 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 con- tained 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 advan- tages 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 38, 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 37, 1815; C5harlotta, November 13, 1816; George, May 1, 1818: Jacob H., January 80, 1830; Josiah, February 3, 1833; William, August 30, 1833; Jesse, June 8,1835; Martha, June 30, 1837; Sarah, May 31, 1839; Mary A., May 3, 1831; Elizabeth, January 35, 1833; Margaret, May 8, 1835; Rachel, April 15, 1839. All of these married except Sarah. George, the third m order of age of these thirteen children, was born at Fritz Hill, where he spent his early days. He was there married in November, 1841, to Elsie. Hess, who was born November 19, 18S!0, 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, 1843; Lydia A., August 30, 1844; William, March 39, 1846; Thomas B., October 5, 1849; George W., June 10, 1852; Joe W., October 38, 1854; Susan J., August 5, 1857; Alonzo P., July 30, 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 the old homestead on Fritz Hill. On the 15th of February, 1846, he was united , in SUGABLOAF TOWNSHIP. 539 marriage with Amanda Laubach; they were theparents of the following children: Will- iam S., who is a dentist in Michigan; Rosalia (Hess), lives in Michigan; LaFayette, who died in infancy; Amandus, married and now a resident of Sugarloaf Township; Theo- dore, 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, thresh- ing 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 official 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 pre- vented him from bettering his condition in a flnanciu 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., Elias, 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 22, 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 occu[)ation 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, 1835, and was married January 8, 1848, to 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 35, 1853 (died November 3, 1857); Drusilla, November 3, 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 39, 1883, Mrs. Rosanna Girton, nee Rosanna Hess. Our subject lives on the old homestead, commonly known as "Fritz Hill," which has been his home since he was a boy. He owns_ eighty-nine acres 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. 0. Cole's Creek, was born in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia Co., Penn., January 19, 1833, son of Samuel Fritz. He lived with his parents until 1858, 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. Frilz have two children: Americas S., a teacher by profession, born March 28, 1860, and Esther A , 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 HARTMAN, farmer, P. O. Cole's Creek, was born March 8, 1821, in Fishing- creek Township, this county, son of Frederick H. and Elizabeth (Best) Hartman; former was born in Northampton County, Penn., in 1793, 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 chil- dren: Minor, a shoemaker in Berwick, this county; Fletcher, at home; Rufus A., in Sugar- loaf Township; Franklin P., in Cole's Creek, this county; William, in Sugarloaf Town- ship; Alvira, wife of Matthew Phenix, in Cameron County, Penn.; Anna, wife of E. G. Russel, in Clearfield County, Penn. ; Adelade and Jeanette, at home. Mr. Hartman, in 540 BIOGKAPHIOAL SKETCHES: 1863, performed nine months' service in the Union Army. His son. Minor, was also a soldier of the late war, having served during the greater part of the struggle. Our sub- ject has served the people of the township in the capacity of constable and supervisor In politics he is a Democrat. RUFU8 A. HARTMAN, farmer, P. O. Fairmount Springs, was born August 13, 1851, a son of Jesse Hartman. He left home, when eighteen years old and went up " West Branch," working a number of years lumbering. He has worked at Berwick, this county, several years in building cars, doing the wood work. He came to his present home in 1885. Mr. Hartman was married August 33, 1878, to Miss Ida, daughter of EleazerZaner, at CoUey, Sullivan County, and they have two children: Arvilla G., born December 29, 1879, and Lewis M., born March 18, 1881. Mr. Hartman has invented a very useful piece 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 1813. Our sub- ject 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 Townshij) 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 andPhebe 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, Huntington 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 tlie 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 !l866. Mr. Herrington then remainea retired the rest of his life, dying October 1, 1878. In 1837 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 abattle 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 30, 1828 ; Mary M., May 11, 1830 ; Eltruda, June 38, 1832 ; Newton, August 5, 1834; John, January 7, 1837 ; Amanda R., May 7, 1843, and Harriet E., April 3, 1845. Newton was married October 36, 1856, to Miss Melissa Dildine, who was born September 37, 1838, and died July 14, 1885, and by her had the following named children: Herbert ; Alice A.; Jacob W. died May 15, 1864 ; Frances B. ; 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 Borber, 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 135 of timber land. » Our sub^ ject and wife have had the following six children : Jennie B. (deceased), Herdick B., Liz- zie 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 Culp. He resided in the townships of Bloom, Hem- lock 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 Frutchie (they resided in Northampton County, Penn., where she is'still living, at the agei.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 Liizerne 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, wiJFe 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 neighborhood of Bloom until he was thirteen years old, when became to this town- ship, wheie he commenced carpentering with Peter Hess, which trade he has since con- tinued. He was married February 3, 1843, 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, 1843, wife of David Kocher, and tley have seven children: Mary E., Lenora M., Wellington E., Isabella, Grace, Malcolm O. and Warren. Mrs. Henry C. SUGABLOAF TOWNSHIP. 541 Hess died September 10,1885, and is buried at St Gabriel's Church. Mr. Hess has been a justice of thejpeace two terms. In politics he is a Democrat. ANDREW LAUBACH, Guava, was born January 10, 1836, in Mount Pleasant Township, this county, son of Frederick and Mary (Lurish) Laubach. He was twice mar- ried, first time February 32, 1848, to Nancy Britton, of New Columbus, Luzerne Co., Penn., by whom he had the following named children: John Britton, born January 8, 1849, a dentist in Benton, this county; Mary B., born July 34, 1850, wife of G. L. Hess; Almira, born October 3, 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, 1856. Mrs. Laubach dying March 33, 1856, our subject married for his second wife, Feb- 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 Co- lumbus, 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. B. 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 Pairmount 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 Bebecca CoUey, 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 31, 1804. Jonathan was married October 9, 1836, 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 country in the war of the Rebellion; Nathan T. was a volunteer in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry ; John C. enlisted August 13, 1863, in the One Hun- dred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry ; Alex R. was a volunteer in the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. James N. was mar- ried 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 Porks. He served in the final campaign of Grant's army until Lee surrendered at Appo- mattox. Mr. Pennington is amember of Post No. 383, 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 Nor- ristown, Penn., and came to the county when very young, and died on his farm February 35, 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 sub- ject 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 occupa- tion. 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, 542 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: wife of Philip Hirleman, in Jackson Township, this county; George W., who married 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 BoiscoDal Church. In politics he is a Democrat. JAMES M. 8HULTZ, 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 North- umberland 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 exclu- sively in farming. He located on his farm in 1868, having bought 174 acres which he still owns. Mr. Shultz married, February 5, 1850, Elizabeth, daughter of George Mosteller, and they had eleven children: Charity, wife of William dinger; 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 Uved under the paternal roof until 1878, on No- vember 17, of which year, he was married to Miss Helen, daughter of Collins Sutliff, who set- tled 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 finish- ing 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 Sut- lifE property, at that time all woodland, and here he has now the finest place between Ben- ton and the North Mountains, all the improvements having been made by his own exer- tions. 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, Colum- bia 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 tis 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 Portress Mon- roe, 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. PAET III. History of Montour County, ^^I^c^ ^H 6^^^, History of Montour County. CHAPTER I. INDIANS. CIVILIZATION struck the native savages of this continent like a blight. The great and populous tribes and their strong bands of warriors 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 pau- pers of our nation, begging a pitiful crust of bread, or in cold and hunger awaiting the allowances doled out by the Government for their support. The 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 will be only a fading tradition. To real history they will give no completed 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 haS 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 — savages breeding savages. Such are nature's resistless laws that the march 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 separating the ignorant savage from intelligent progress. Nature tolerates none of this sentimental stuff of ' ' Lo, the poor Indian. ' ' It wastes no time im futile tears over the sufferings of ignorance and filth, but ' ' removes ' ' them and lets the fittest survive, and to them belong the earth and the good things thereof. Ignorance is the worst of deformities, and it is sickness and prema- ture death to any people or nation. Knowledge is simply the understanding of the physical and mental laws. In the briefest words, this is all there is of it. It is not in reading Latin or Greek, no more is it in metaphysical mathe- 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 blows of the lash from a master's hand. He would sing his death song and die like the greatest of stoics, but he would not 'be yoked. When penned up lA 4 HISTORY or MONTOUK COUNTY. as a criminal, he beat against the iron bars like the caged eagle, and slowly perished, but died like an Indian brave, and rejoicing that thus he could 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 cruelly robbing them — not in the sense we took their lands, because their title of priority amounted generally to no more than did the possession of the nest of bumble bees, or the migrating birds and buffa- loes — but Government traders swindled them of their pelts, furs and game, and gave them the worst evils of our civilization — whisky, powder, lying, deceit and hypocrisy. Government agents and missionaries preached and enjoined 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 Bureau has, from its foundation, been the failure of the age — a failure horribly expensive in our public treasury and the blood and lives of our people. Earnest and noble missionaries took their lives in their hands and went among them, carrying the Cross of our Lord and Master. Often en- tire tribes woidd 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 jnoment 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 this 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 . scalps. This was but ignorance, the intense credulity of ignorance trying to ■ 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 ■ of themselves inevitably follow. The Government made even a worse mistake in its use of them — treating with them as independent nations, and at the same time as national wards, to be fed, clothed and armed — independent peo- ple, 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 lias 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 dis- covery and purchase 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, other- wise we will punish you as we do our own. Now live as you please, but you must support yourselves or starve. This rich world is before you, take care of yourselves and we will protect yofl. as we protect ourselves, no more and no less. This plan, it seems, was too plain and simple for our fathers, or for us to adopt. Yet it is among the fundamental principles of all just and wise governments. A good government should be neither a hangman nor a great 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- HISTORY OF MONTOUK COUNTY. 5 agogue of fearful proportions, or one of amazing ignorance, who believes that it is the duty of the Government in the abstract, to tax one citizen in order to feed and clothe another citizen. Such fallacies are a modfeter perversion of all healthy ideas of the purposes for which governments were instituted among men. Infuse the people generally with such 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 Penn 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 pos- sessions, respected every right of theirs and often, rather than reach a fatal disagreement, repaid them for what they had already purchased. If there was any advantage, they gave rather than took it; approached them with kindness and fatherly love rather than the rifle and the stake. In return for 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 pro- prietaries what was then erected into Northumberland County, now embracing eleven rich and populous counties of this portion of the State. The whites took peaceable possession of their purchase, the Indians retiring to the hills, but for years many stUl 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 Eevolution 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 ter- ror 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 line of our northern bor- der. One of these was at Washingtonville and the other was Fort Mead. At this long distance of time we can have but little appreciation of the dread ap- prehension that for these long years rested upon these hardy borderers, espe- cially the women and children, like a hideous nightmare. The Indians contin- ued these depredations and retreats to their mountain fastnesses until the ex- pedition of Gen. Sullivan in 1779, which cleared this portion of the borders of both the British and Indians, driving them as far north as Ithaca, Newton and Painted Post, in the neighborhood of Elmira. Thus, in the year 1780 the set^ tiers were enabled to return to their homes in Montour County and resume- their peaceful avocations of subduing the forests and planting their virgim fields. In May, 1780, Eobert CuiTy and his wife were traveling on horseback on- their way from Northumberland to the Mahoning settlement, and when near- midway of the two places they were attacked by the savages. He was killed b HISTOBY ,0F MONTOUR COUNTY. and scalped, his skull being broken into fragments by blows with the toma- hawk. She was taken prisoner. They greatly admired her jet black hair. They told her siw was ' ' heap pretty squaw, ' ' and promised they would not 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 lighted torches. She saw she was pursued, and hastily concealed herself in the top of a fallen tree. They passed over the trunk of the tree, and as they 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 efPorts, 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 hus- band's mangled body brought to Danville, and buried in the old, first ceme- tery, the third interment in this old graveyard. The Indians approached a 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 ©f white men assembled there for mutual defense. The Indians cautiously reconnoitered, and found this was true, and they seemed pleased at this cau- tion 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 sis- ter, promised that she would carry her in her arms when she could not keep up; that she should not delay the party in their travels. The Indians listened to her earnest pleadings, and spared the child on condition that she would sarry her when she could not travel fast enough 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 young 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 play- ing. 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 ®ff a captive. He remained a prisoner with the savages several years. HISTOBY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 7 MADAME MOKTOUa. A name destined to forever remain in America, not so much for who she -was or what she did, but because her name has been given to this county, to Montour's Eidge, Montoursville, and many other places of historical interest, ,1hat 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 genera- tion of course, and they can not tell you whence the name is derived. It is but little the historian now can tell you of Madame Montour. She was a white 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 hus- band, Eoland Montour. As the name is clearly French, Roland must have teen 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 grateful mem- ory, and is the sole cause of the name of Montour being now known to man- kind at all. It is not known how long Boland 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 three sons. Some chroniclers have tried to identify Madame Montoxu: to be that squaw, "the old fury 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. He said : ' ' Give kindest regards to Madame Montour and to her ■estimable husband, and speak to them to the same purpose. Count Zinzen- dorf speaks in terms of great praise of her in his account of the Indian trou- bles 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 Indiana to ■agree to it than to any one else. She left two sons, one of whom lived to be a much respected man in his •day, looking much more like a sun-tanned French oiflcer of the army than a dirty Indian: Where Madame Montour died and where she was buried is not now known, and probably never will be ascertained. CHAPTER II. SOME OF THE EAELY FAMILIES. \ ATE are in the dawn of the second century since the first settlers came to V V what is now Montour County. The only record these sturdy people had time to make of themselves, for the contemplation and pleasure of their pos- terity, was almost solely by the works of their hands amid trials and difficulties we can but poorly appreciate now. Without machinery, tools, money or the 8 HISTOEY OP MONTOUB COUNTY. rudest appliances of civilization, they had to carve out their way against appall- ing obstructions. That they did it, not only well, but at all, is one of the mar- vels 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 ab- stract, but childish, simple nothings — floating bubbles — compared to that of 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 man- kind. The sublime story of these simple, grand men and women has never been properly told, is not understood by their descendants of to-day. Their 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 uppn the pages of the history of ■ Montour, yet these few names include about all, in connection with the ac- counts of many others in different 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 one and the same thing. Gen. Wm. Montgomery wrote this upon the blank leaf of an old family Bible: "August 3rd, 1809. — By the goodness of divine Providence, I have this day numbered seventy-three years," (not noticing the change of style) ' ' and it is but right that I should leave a record of something of God's goodness to ine in so long a life. I was the third son of Alexander 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 County. William was born August 3, 1736, and died in May, 1816, at the green old age of eighty years. William had become a prominent man in his native county, Chester, before the Revolution. He was a member of the " As- 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, June, 1776. He was now " Colonel " Montgomery. In June, 1776, Col. Montgomery's battalion, the Fourth Chester County Militia, 450 strong, was ' ' serving its tour ' ' 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 William Mont- gomery for " 180 acres gf 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 bravm and brain admirably suited to the tur- bulent times that were then upon the country, and that in consequence of In- dian 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 gradual 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 Northum- berland and Luzerne Counties. In 1787 he was appointed a commissioner to ex- ecute the acts of the Assembly entitled ' ' an act for ascertaining and confirming HISTORY OF MONTOUK COUNTY. 11 to certain persons called ' Connecticut Claimants ' the lands by them claimed in the county of Luzerne, etc." In December, 1787, he was appointed deputy surveyor of Northumberland and Luzerne Counties; when he received this appointment he resigned his ofl&ce 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 wa& presidential elector, the vote of 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^.perma- nent 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 merchan- dising 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 ot laborers and yielding boundless wealth to the country. His prophecy became- 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 power- ful impulse to the building up of the town of Danville. We cannot better con- 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. died about one year old. "About twenty- two months after her decease I married Isabella Evans, a most distinguished and delightful woman, by whom I had issue, Robert, bom in April, 1773; Hannah, born the 22d of January, 1775; Alexander, bora October 8, 1777, and Margaret, born January 8, 1784. The three former are still living, but she died soon after her marriage with Thomas Wood- side. Their mother was called away from 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 step- mothers, being always treated with as much tenderness and respect as they could have expected ftfom their own mothers. Another instance of my happi- 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 them. "Through all this long life I have been abundantly provided for, have en- joyed honor enough unsought by any other means than honestly endeavoring ta do my duty to my God and my country — great health and much comfort, retain- ing my natural powers with little diminution until about five or six years past^ since when I feel sensibly the advances of age. But I hope that goodness and mercy which, have followed me through life will not forsake me when gray haira 12 HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. appear, but continue to conduct me down to death, after which, through the merite of our Lord Jesus Christ alone and the mercy of God our Savior, I hope to obtain eternal rest and happiness. "Wm. MoNiaOMEKT. "Note this year the woolen factory at Danville established under my care. ' ' Gen. Daniel Montgomery was the third son of the above Gen. William Montgomery, and was fifteen years old when his father brought his family to Dan- ville to reside. When only twenty-five years old Daniel opened, under the guid- ance and assistance of his father, the first store in Danville. Soon he was the trusted merchant and factor of a wide circle of patrons. This first store build- ing was where the Montour House now stands. November 27, 1791, Daniel Montgomery married Miss Christiana Strawbridge. The next year he laid out the town of Danville — the part east of Mill Street. The new town received its baptismal name from abbreviating his Christian name through the partiality of his customers. From this time until his death he was the most prominent man in this part of the State; elected to the Legislature in 1800, at once tak- ing 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, pur- chased 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, July 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, be served out his term ably and acceptably and declined a re-election. He worked efficiently for the division of Northumberland County and the erection of Columbia and Union Counties; Danville was made the county seat of Colum- bia 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 to stand for the office of governor. In 1828 he was appointed one of the canal 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, completing the bridge in 1829. He originated the project of the Danville & Pottsville Eailroad and was firsi pres- ident. 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 in Danville, Friday, December 30, 1881, 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, 1818, unmarried; Mary, born July 26, 1796, died Septem- ber 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, 1808, died January 23, 1878, aged seventy, bachelor ; Polly, born Febru- ary 6, 1805, married to Dr. W. H. Magill, May 1, 1828 (they 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 HISTOEY OF MONTOUK COUNTY. 13 that enabled him in the times of the Eevolution to greatly aid and benefit the coun- try. 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 the troubles with the mother country suspended operations. His brothers were Fredrick, Charles and Mathew. The latter became a prominent surgeon in the war and was with Gen. Montgomery in his expedition into Canada, and when Montgomery fell before Quebec he aided Col. Burr in carrying away his body. Dr. Maus served through the entire war of independence. Phillip Maus married Frances Heap, a native of England, a most estimable wife, mother and friend. When his business furnished him the capital he in- vested it in the purchase of 600 acres of land. The patents from Thomas and 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 and became the proprietor of the lands. The tract of land lay in the rich 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 the property until after the Eevolution. But as soon as peace and safety per- mitted, Mr. Maus brought his family to this place and for more than thirty years it was his home. The children of this happy union were George, born 1759; Elizabeth, 1761; PhUlip, 1763; Susan, 1765; Samuel, 1767; Lewis 1773; Charles, 1775; Joseph, 1777; Jacob, 1781. During the Eevolution Mr. Maus was an active and earnest patriot. He formed the intimate acquaintance, which extended to the end of their days, of Benjamin Franklin and Eobert Morris. Mr. Maus invested very largely of his ample fortune in furnishing clothing to the army, took his pay in continental money, and of this money, when it became valueless, he had several thousand dollars on hand. Baskets full of this old 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. Mr. Samuel UpdegrafE, Sir: — By the bearer, Mr. Joseph Kerr.I send you the ballance of the price of 8 doz pairs of buckskin breeches I bought of you, having paid you £9 in ad- vance, the ballance being £143 3s. 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 if you and him can agree. Your humble servant, Phillip Maus. Leather breeches, moccasins and hunting shirts of the same were the cloth- ing 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 atten- tion 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 a.nd his brother William, consisting of a few log cabins and half a dozen fami- hes, 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 Eidge, with the Mahoning flowing through them. He brought 14 HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. ■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 his beautiful farm. He erected the first cabin in Valley Township. Its site was on the right bank of the stream nearly half a mile from the present stone mill. He contracted the clearing of other parts of his land, but then the Indian troubles commenced, and the people in thes.e unprotected parts had to flee to Northumberland for safety. Before leaving the place everything they 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 as soon as it would be safe to do so. Mr. Maus and family remained in North- umberland only a brief time and then proceeded to Lebanon, where he re- mained 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 Jo- seph 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 ex- tended sketch in the chapter entitled "Some of the Early Families." The direct line of descent to young Phillip Eugene Mans, 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 old. He married in 1808 Sallie, daughter of John Montgomery, of Paradise farm. The issue of this marriage were Phillip F., born September 27, 1810, and John M., born in 1812. Joseph Maus died July 26, 1867. Sallie Mont- gomery Maus died May 20, 1872. John M. married Eebecca Gray, who was born in 1812 and married in 1833. Phillip F. Maus married Sarah Gallaher, of Lycoming County, in May, 1888. Of this marriage there were six children — four boys and two girls — all of whom except Phillip E. died in infancy. Mrs. Sarah Gallaher Maus was a daughter of William and Margaret Gallaher, who were early settlers in what is now Lycoming County. They were of Scotch- Irish descent. 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 born in Mahoning Township, December 1, 1807, the son of John and Mary (Gearhart) Gulics, natives of New Jersey. Grand- father Jacob Gearhart was a Revolutionary soldier, attaining the rank of cap- tain, 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 Scotch- Irish descent. Nathaniel was a soldier in the war of 1812-15. Descendants of the Bonds and Wilsons are now citizens of Montour County. One grand- son, 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 — Lind- ley 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. Daniel Frazer came here in 1790. He purchased a farm of John Frazer — 100 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. HISTORY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. 15 Ellis Hughes came here a school-teacher, and for some time taught in the schoolhouse a short distance from where the Montour House now stands. He was appointed register and recorder by the governor, and served to the public' s entire satisfaction. He died in 1850. 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 stools were chiefly the seats of honor. He died in 1851. November 24, 1784, is the date of the oldest record extant containing a par- tial list of those who were first here. It was a subscription paper, di-awn by Gen. William Montgomery's hand, and entitled "Preaching Subscription." It was not especially sectarian and as all men in those days were deeply relig- ious 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 obtain- able, 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 oiu: 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. £ s d Jno. Emmitt 7 6 Jas. Emmitt 7 6 Charlie McClahan 7 6 David Subingall 10 Peter Blew 7 6 Jno. Wilson 7 6 Jos. Barry 7 6 Jno. Irwin 15 David Carr 7 6 Jacob Carr 7 6 Gilbert Voorhes 7 6 Wm. Montgomery, Jr 3 00 James Henry 15 WilliamGray 7 6 Asahel Fowler 7 6 Benjamin Fowler I'S' 6 Robert Henry 12 6 James Grimes 15 MartinTodd 5 PeterMelick 7 6 £ s d Wm- Montgomery 3 John Evart 10 John Black 10 Daniel Kelly 15 Peter Rambo 10 John Emmet 15 John Clark 10 Andrew Cochran 1 10 Alex. McMuUan. Thomas Giles Robert Giles William Lemar. . . . William Moreland. John Wheeler Levi Wheeler Garret Vaucamp. . . John Ogden Lemuel Wheeler. . . David Goodman. . . 15 7 6 7 6 15 3 6 15 7 6 7 6 7 6 10 2 6 Joseph Rosberry, Jr 1 10 In those days distance had but small control in determining where the good people would attend divine service. And it is highly probable that the sub- scribers above named included families from every settlement in the county. Peter Blew (Blue) lived in Valley Township, a good man and a much es- teemed neighbor among his farmer neighbors. One of his grandsons now re- sides in Campbelltown. John Wilson, we are told, was a Quaker. John, Thomas and William lived many years in Frosty Valley, on the Black road. One of the grandsons now lives there. John Wilson married John Maus' daughter. David and Jacob Carr settled just across the river from Danville. One of Jacob's sons now resides there. 16 HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. It is said that some of the descendants of Petei; Melick live on Fishing Creek. John Evart lived in Frosty Valley. His son John lived and died on the old home place. There is one daughter surviving, living at Danville. 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 they left these parts buried vast treasures of gold in this hill. There was a further wild superstition that those who attempted to dig and find tlie 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 Eunyon, it was gravely related, went there to dig after Emmet had fled and left his digging imple- ments. He too fled in terror before the spooks and went off and died. William Clark, in company with his brother John, kept Clark's tavern, which stood where Brown' s bookstore now is. The building was burned down in 1835 or 1836. Tom Clark, son of William, lived here, and died aged eighty years. Several of the grandchildren of William Clark are now here. 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. Betsy Forsyth and Bachel (unmarried). Of these John was born here in 1775 and died in 1856. His son, William G. Gaskins, was born in 1817, and is now a resident of Danville. The property now belonging to the Danville Insane Asylum was the home of the Gulics family. There was a large family of children. Of these, Cath- arine Gulics married John Gaskins, whose descendants are now residents of Danville. John Deen, Sr. , the first of the name in the limits of this county, came here in 1790. He was born in Philadelphia December 22, 1783. When he was an infant his father was lost at sea — a seafaring man in command of a vessel. His mother, Eleanor (Frazier) Deen, was a native of Scotland. Some of the Fraziers were of the earliest settlers in this portion of the State. John 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 from 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, his farm covering the ground that is now the Fourth Ward. Here, at the short-termed subscription schools, John acquired what education he possessed. In 1796 he was apprenticed to Mr. Hendrickson to learn blacksmithing. In 1809 he married Miss Mary Flack, daughter of Hugh and Susan Flack, who was born near Washingtonville in AprD, 1785. The Flacks were a large family, 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 very early settlers in what is now Montour County. McBride settled on a 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. Shoop, where he lived until 1814. Here he had his smithey-shop; here 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 HISTORY OF MONTOUK COUNTY. 17 street of Daniel 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 of to-day — but very little machinery; everything had to be hammered out 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 transac- tions 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 hia work: "Setting pair horseshoes, 12 J cents; pair steel-toed shoes, 58 cents; toeing old shoes, 12 J cents: pair of shoes (not toed) 46^ cents; mending bridle-bit, 12^ cents; 12 screws, 59 cents; laying a hammer with steel (both ends) 46 J 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 1'824 wheat sold for $1.87i; 11 yards blankets, 110.31; potatoes, 12^ cents; muslin, 14 cents; a day's plowing, with two horses, 11.40. Soon after making his resi- dence here he obtained an interest in a fishery located above the mouth of Ma- honing Creek, and also one in Culp' 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 Northumberland 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 182fi, 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, grand- son 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 be- hind 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 married Margaret Sanders; Jane married Thomas Brandon; Hannah married Bev. 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 living. Frequent mention of the Frazers (sometimes spelled Frazier) occurs in other 18 HISTORY OF MONTOUK COUNTY. parts of this work. Daniel Frazer was born May 2, 1755, and married Sarah Wilson in 1772. She died in 1775; he was again married. His second wife 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 - third year of his age. He was an honest and industrious farmer, enjoying the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. For a long time he resided at the base'of the hill, near the site of an old Indian trading post, and a very short distance north of the spring. In 1824 he _built the substantial stone residence which is still standing. All the southern portion of his farm is now within the corporate limits of Danville. CHAPTER III. EARLY HISTOEY— COUNTY ORGANIZATION— PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC. MONTOUR is among the youngest of the sisterhood of counties of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as being one of the smallest in territory, but with all this a rich and precious jewel in the cluster of sixty- seven counties of this Keystone State. It was named in honor of Madame Montour, of whom an account is given in the chapter entitled Indians. On the fifth day of November, 1768, the provincial authorities purchased the Indian title to the district embraced in the present counties of Northum- berland, Montour, Lackawanna, Wayne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Bradford, Sullivan, Lycoming, Union and Centre, all of which were embraced in the tsounty of Northumberland, erected in 1772. These eleven counties were of themselves a rich empire at the hands of the resolute Anglo-Saxons. The ne- gotiations were conducted at Fort Stanwix. Immediately thereafter the first surveys were made by the proprietaries. On the third of April following the 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 day. The first survey in what is now Montour County was made February 22, 1769. A part of this tract is where Danville now stands. On this spot, at the mouth of the Mahoning, there was a small village of Delaware Indians. Here, it is said, the venerable Tamanund dwelt. The Indians did not wholly abandon their village until about 1774. For at least fifteen years they remained in the hills hereabout — secure in their rocky fastnesses and sometimes descend- ing in their murderous raids upon the settlements. Prior to this purchase the Indians permitted no invasion of their grounds by the whites, save as travelers, traders and trappers and hunteirs — vwth much jealousy and no great good will toward the latter. The whites looked upon this fair territory and they coveted it. A few daring adventurers had explored its grand old forests, its broad f er- \ JC/fL/^-^yz^"'?^ HISTOBY OP MONTOUR COUNTY. 21 tile valleys, its cool sweet waters, boiling from its many 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 num- bers. In four short years after the opening of the country the immigration was so large that the machinery of civilized government was an imperative neces- sity, and a nucleus of a town had been formed at Sunbury and this place was fixed upojQ 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 River, following up from the bay the main stream and its two branches where it forks and spreads out in different courses. 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 country and across the streams. In winter when the streams were frozen 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 en- gaged 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. Eegular pack-saddles were provided and the average load for a horse was about 250 pounds. Thus with slow and toilsome step would the caravan wind 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 am- bush to loot the train and scalp the drivers. Following these pack-horse paths came the first rough 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 great 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. To- day 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. ' ' Dur- ham 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 were no public houses of entertainment by the way to shelter from the 2A 22 HISTOBY OF MONTOUK COUNTY.- "night and storm and darkness " these travelers, but in time there came i sparsely built cabins and here the traveler, where chance made it possib could stretch himself upon the bare floor with feet to the'open fire, and in curity sleep out the night of storm and in the morning pay his reckoning w: a sixpence. But few of them could have afforded to pay for a warm meal the way to Reading and back. The average personal expenditure from i Susquehanna to iteading — the nearest trading mart — would be two or th: shillings. It is well there were then no comfortable hostelries on the way ^ fering their tempting retreat to the travelers, for such was their enforced ec( omy that ■ they could not have availed themselves of their benefits and th would have only increased the painful contrasts of their exposure. March 22, 1813, Columbia County was created out of the territory of Norj umberland County and the county seat was fixed at Danville. There ■« some contention about the location of the shiretown as Danville was said to in an inconvenient place for the majority of the people of the new county, w lived in the north and northeast portions of the county. In order to more eve ly adjust matters and remove their objections to Danville, in 1816 Colu: bia County was enlarged on the west by additional territory taken from Norl umberland County, extending its lines to the west branch of the river. Ag! the county lines were readjusted in 1818 by taking off a small portion of its t( ritory in the formation of Schuylkill County. It goes without the saying tl the people of the county had the usual contention in regard to settling the p( manent county seat. In such matters there are nearly always conflicting i terests and clashing claims. Men build golden dreams as to the promis value of such town locations in increasing the value of their property, wh the facts are in the end the location of the county' seat has but a small infl ence in building up thrifty growing cities. It depends upon the surroundin and upon the enterprise and judgment of the first settlers as to where in t county is to be built the leading city. All over the country can be found c serted villages — places given over to the owls and bats and where waste and lence broods undisturbed, that were once county towns, over which men h wrangled in heated controversy. By act of the Assembly, May 3, 1850, the county of Montour was forme Section 2 provides as follows: "That all that part of Columbia County included within the limits of the townsh of Franklin, Mahoning, Valley, Liberty, Limestone, Derry, Anthony and the borou of Danville, together with all that portion of the township of 'Montour, Hemic and Madison lying west of the following line, beginning |at Lelby's saw-mill on 1 bank of the Susquehanna; thence by the road leading to the !Danville and Bloomsbi road, at or near Samuel Lazarus' house; thence from the Danville and Bloomsburgrc to the Rock Valley at the end of the lane leading from said road to Obed Everett's hou thence by said lane to Obed Everett's house; thence northward to the schoolhouse n( David Smith's in Hemlock Township; thence by the road leading from said schoolhot to the State road at Robin's mill to the end of the lane leading from said road to Jo Kinney's house; thence by a straight line to John Towsend's, near the German meetii house; thence to Henry Johnson's near Millville; thence by a straight line to a post in 1 Lycoming County line, near the road leading to CrawforcL's mill, together with that pi of Roaringcreek Township lying south and west of the line beginning at the southea em corner of Franklin Township; thence eastward by the southern boundary line of Ca wissa Township to a point directly north of John Yeager's house; thence southward a direct line, including John Yeager's h ouse, to the Schuylkill County line at the northe corner of Barry Township." The act then proceeds to provide that never, no never shall any portion of Northu berland County be annexed to said county of Montour without the unanimous consent all the voters of Northumberland. Then there occurs a clause fixing Danville as 1 county seat. Section 3 provides that the people of Danville shall pay all the costs of the cou house and jail. * * Annexed the county of Montour to the Eighth Judicial District the commonwealth. HISTOBT OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 23 Section 14 provides that all that portion of Madison Township lying in the new coun- ty shall be erected into a new township called Madison. * * That the portion of 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 Arnmine; Cooper, Jacob Rishels, Thomas Hitters; Roaringcreek, David Yeager. The act appointed commissioners to locate the boundar3r line of the county as fol- lows: Abraham Stroub, David Rockefeller and Isaiah B. Davis. January 15, 1853, the Assembly passed an act to change the location of the line be- tween the counties of Columbia and Montour. Section 1 provides as follows: That Roaringcreek Township, in Montour County, and such parts of the townships of Frank- lin, Madison, and "West Hemlock, in said county, that lie east of the adjusted line of Co- lumbia 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 Eeaden; 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 school- house near the residence of David Smith; thence 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 An- thony to the line of Lycoming County. John Koons, Gilbert C. McWaine, of Luzerne County, and Bernard ReiUy, of Schuylkill County, were appointed commissioners to run and locate the new line. Section 4 changed the name of Franklin Township, in Montour County, and made it Mayberry. Section 5 provides that so much of Madison Township as remains in Montour County shall hereafter compose a part of West Hemlock Township. As stated above, the West Branch of the Susquehanna was the original west- ern boundary line between Columbia and Northumberland Counties. This in- cluded Turbot and Chillisquaque Townships, and by putting those 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 Co- lumbia 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 biilk of the voters lay in that part of the county. They could outrate the friends of Danville. They would regularly elect the county officers, running the elections almost solely on this issue. But Danville had able and astute man- 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 prize. This triumph of the friends of Bloomsburg was not without its effects upon Columbia County. The friends of Danville at once commenced the vig- orous agitation of a new county to be taken from Columbia's territory, and in five 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 HISTOET OF MONTOUE COUNTY. court-house. Her citizens, as well as all the people of this portion of the r county, were stirred to energetic action by the fact that they must not allo^ loophole to the enemies of Danville, who were alert for any pretext on whicl base a removal of the county seat. The new county made an appropriat toward the buildings of 1 1,050. The other money was made up by priv subscriptions. Three or f oui- subscription papers were circulated early in 18 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 A: Marr, for the purpose of erecting the public buildings in Danville, the county seat for county of Columbia, the sums respectively annexed to our names ; nevertheless, in case whole subscription be not appropriated for the purpose aforesaid, the subscription of e subscriber shall be refunded in proportion to the sum subscribed. Here was prudent forethought, indeed, on the part of those old felloi characteristic of the time and the men that sounds curious to men of this aj when such a thing as expenditures falling short of appropriations are an i dreamed of possibility, much less a probability. The principal names to t subscription paper are of sufficient interest to preserve to posterity: Di iel Montgomery, |1,000; William Montgomery, |1,000; Joseph Maus, 111 Thomas Woodside, $100; Phillip Goodman, $100; Alexander Montgome $100; James Longhead, $100; John Montgomery, $75; Alem Marr, $50; W iam Montgomery, $50; David Petrikin, $50; John Deen, ,$35; Eobert McW: lams, $25; John Evans, $25; Wm. Clark, $25; William Mann, $25; Peter Bli $20; Peter Baldy, $12; David Williams, $10; James Donalson, $10; Jo Moore, $10, and others $22. A total of $2,944. This generous subscription was sufficient encouragement to commence i building of the court-house. Gen. D. Montgomery made an estimate of i cost, $2,704.96. The committee to receive and disburse the money was G( Montgomery, Mr. Marr and Mr. Maus. Messrs. Montgomery and Marr w( too deeply engaged in their own affairs to give the matter attention, we i told, so this duty devolved alone upon Mr. Maus. With his wonted energy entered upon the task — employed workmen, opened stone quarries, brick kil] purchased timbers, hardware, glass, paints and needed materials of all kim His only resource for boarding the workmen was to establish a-boarding-hou In person he collected the subscriptions, superintended the work, paid all bi] and his unremitting energy and toil soon witnessed the triumph of his labo Of those who worked upon the building the following names are all that c now be recalled: Daniel Cameron, a Scotchman, was a carpenter in charge that part of the work; Tunis Gearhart, James and Joseph Crosley, sto: masons; William and Gilbert Giberson, brick-masons; chief plasterer -v the jolly Hibernian, Michael EafPerty. His home was in Danville. Isi Edgar, assisted by Asher Smith and John Cope, made the brick. 1 other employes on the building, their particular posts not being knoT were John Bryson, John Strieker, Edwin Stocking, Alexander Johnsc Benj. Garretson, Nehemiah Hand, William Lunger, Peter Watts, Pe Snyder, Fredrick Harbolt, James Thomas, William Doak, D. Henderson, Long andT. Haller. The total cost of the building was $3,980.80. It i commenced in April, 1815, and completed in September, 1816. Looking over the old accounts there is one item, the bare mention of wh is significant of the change in men' s minds of then and now. It reads : "Sis four gallons of whiskey, $64. ' ' One of the strong customs of the times manifested in this expense item. Men then supposed that in order to wi they had to have their liquor as regularly as their meals. All partook of tt stimulants, laymen and ministers. It was the mark of hospitable friendsh HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. 25 after the first comers had got fixed to really live in comfort, to offer all visitors the bottle and glass as a pledge of hearty welcome. And at one time it would have been a severe judgment, indeed, of one against his caller to have forgot- ten this friendly token. The farmer, as soon as possible, erected upon his 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 brandies. These were a hardy race of nation builders — pious bigots, austere in their religious tenets and practices ; severe of conscience and relentless in the pur- suit 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 patriot- ism, 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, to whom life and their Christian duties were stern realities. They knew noth- ing of the refinements and effeminacy of modem 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 persecu- tion — 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 world ever possessed had more thoroughly the cour- age 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, and coopers dropped their hoops and staves and unfurled the banner of the Cross, gathered the saws 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 vreath at the heads of their oflS.cers. 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 Sunday 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 church or institution; but, inspired of heaven, he became a flaming sword at the garden's gate against ^the 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 26 HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. stupor and by the heels drag them to the straw, where they were laid by the sleeping companions. During the great London riots, when the mob held t' city for three days and nights, rioting, murdering and burning, they wou rifle stores and shops, roll the barrels of gin to the front doors, knock the heads and pour the liquid contents into the street gutters, until the became running streams of gin but little less fiery and fatal than the hissii flames of fire above in the burning buildings. Women and toddling childri gathered about these gutters of flowing gin and filth, and lying upon i. ground drank, gorged and died, many of them just where they lay and dran while many others staggered away a few feet, fell and were burned in t] city's conflagration. Of all this world's travail came fatalism — a fatalism simple, terrible ai sublime. Grod was inappeasably ang^ at his children, not so much for th( conduct as for their errors in their creeds. His infinite power was only pari leled by His infinite hate. But one in a thousand, ten thousand or a million w elected, and all else were damned before creation and to all eternity. Such was the powerful alembic that so slowly through the ages and t generations distilled the blood that has lifted our civilization and placed it up the high, plane where it is io-day — that brought liberty and the freedom of t bodies and souls of men, that wrested this continent &om the savage and t wild beast and erected the empire of thought over brutish force and cruel i norance. From this apparent digression, and it is only apparent, we return to t completion of this chapter with a brief account of the other and present coun buildings that have been erected. The present court-house was built in 1871. It occupies the grounds of t old building with the additional grounds where the building of the Friendsl: Fire Insurance Company stood. The total cost of ground and building yi 155,000. The contractor and architect was Mr. O'Malley; the brick work yt done by B. K. Vastine, the stone work by F. Hawke & Co. It is a very sn stantial and commodious building, plain, strong and yet handsome in its o\ lines and finish. The first floor is occupied by the commissioner's rooms, t different clerks, recorder, sheriff and a grand jury room. The second floor the main court room and jury rooms. The whole is well furnished, with the modern conveniences and appliances for the carrying on of the count; legal affairs. The vaults for the records are large, comfortable rooms, and i ample enough to store away the record books for the next and most probably i following succeeding century. The large and solid stone jail was built in 1817-18 by Charles Mann, co tractor. It has two cells on the first story and two on the second; also a s] cious and roomy residence under the same roof for the sheriff. Its solid appe ance and high stone wall around the part running back from the residei portion ought to frighten all the daring of the jailbirds of the country; p haps it does, yet like distress these unfortunates will be always with us, 1 one consolation being that Montour County can boast of a smaller per cent these than almost any other community. The Danville Hospital for the Insane is an imposing building locai on what had been known as the " Pinneo farm," about one mile northeast Danville. On the 13th of April, 1868, the Legislature passed an act for i establishment of the hospital, and appointed a locating commission, compof of J. A. Eeed, Traill Green and John Curwen. After visiting various loci ties in the district, for which the proposed hospital was intended, it was fina decided that Danville was the most suitable in all respects. The Pinneo fa HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. 27 of some 250 acres was accordingly purchased, the citizens of Danville contrib- uting a bonus of $16,000. On the 23d of April the commissioners had appointed John McArthur, Jr., architect, and soon after they chose Dr. S. S. Schultz, superintendent, a position he has filled ever since May, 1868, with great credit to himself and to the complete satisfaction of the public. The corner-stone of 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 ■each. Altogether there are about 800 rooms. The chapel is a large and beauti- ful chamber and will seat 600. It is also the lecture-room and is furnished with a piano and an organ. The wing connections are enclosed with iron doors, and the building contains every department necessary to an institution where so many unfortunates find a home: offices, bath-rooms, dining-rooms, laundries, kitchen, storeroom and many others. Iron and slate are exten- sively used in the construction of the building, in order to strengthen it as well as to guard against the danger of fire. The stone in the exterior walls are 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 €ounty. The brick in the partition walls were furnished by numerous ma- kers of the neighborhood and were laid by Ammerman & Books. The roof, 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 aU similar improvements essential to the health and comfort of the in- mates are excellent. Governed by a complete system of laws and regulations, this institution stands on the front line of modern im.provements, 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 miniature city of surpassing beauty and taste. The order or style of architecture is the Eomanesque. The hospital was opened for the reception of patients by pub- lic announcement of Dr. Schultz, the superintendent, in October, 1872. The first patient was admitted on the 6th of November, following. From that 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 still continue to receive its scientific and humane ministrations. Dr. S. S. Schultz, who has managed the institution since its organization in 1868, still re- mains 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 physi- cian 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. or j f & March 5, 1881, a fire broke out in the building and destroyed all the fe- male and one-fourth of the male wards and the center buildings. It origi- nated 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 28 HISTOEY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. supply. Before effective connections with hose could be made with neighbor- ing 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 cen- tral stories by about one-half in their dimensions; and putting up a suitable building for storage in the rear. These structural alterations were not expen- sive but greatly added to the good purposes of the building itself. The entire center building was rebuilt &om 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 re- spects solely, the results of the ripe intelligence and eminent management of Dr. S. S. Sohultz, 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. CHAPTER IV. DESCEIPTION—TOPOGEAPHY— GEOLOGY— AGEICULTUEE, ETC. THE rich little county of Montour is of itself, just as it came from the hand of its Maker, an interesting and pleasant study— interesting to him who loves the swift-flowing crystal rivers, the babbling valley brooks, the mountain tor- rents 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 val- ley 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 range, with its granite ribs, has been cut in twain by the pent and maddened HISTOBY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 31 waters, the Cyclopean work, as grand Dame Nature does everything, commenc- ing in the long-ago geological seons, the waters slowly rising, slowly accumu- lating, imperceptibly mounting the sides of the opposing rocky barriers till at last a trickling little stream, with hardly force enough to move a straw appar- ently, starts over the top. It starts like a poor blind insect on its course, 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 ob- struction. The little driblet slowly and tortuously makes its way across the obstruction, the first scattered raindrops plunge over the opposite sides, then is commenced the Titanic struggle of the soft and foamy, volatile waters with the impregnable, hard mountain of solid granite. A God has set in battle the weakest against the strongest, and the waters tear the granite rocks into im- palpable 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 pools, reflecting as the most polished mirror the trees, the vines, the mountain forest' s foliage and the blue and boundless 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 I This is the 25th of October; any year, every year, it comes with the reg- ularity of the seasons. The spring flowers have passed away, the golden har- vests are gathered, plenteous, bounteous, luscious — the fruits of the flowers so fragrant, so life-giving to all animate nature; the summer's work is done, the hot, brassy heavens are softened with the autumnal haze and then most ap- propriately is the festival of the foliage — the grandest, most glorious of all the season's crownings. Sweeping away up the winding valley, crowning ta the water's edge the streams and the lakes, clambering up the slopes of the hiUside 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 your eye turns upon, it brings the awful impression that certainly all this has been just dropped from heaven. "The impressions wrought upon the observer," as the gifted Poe said of Arnheim, "were those of richness, warmth, color, quietude, 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, in- deed, difficult not to fancy it a panoramic cataract of rubies, sapphires, opala and golden onyxes, rolling silently out of the sky." Describe it who can. Who ever will ? So profuse, so massive, so bound- less and so variegated this master work that the pen falls from the nerveless grasp while the soul is enraptured and enthralled in silent admiration. What 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 hail and bless thee, peerless one! While the external beauties of the fair face of the county are in some re- 32 HISTORY OP MONTOUE COUNTY. speets not to be excelled, in the world hidden beneath this surface is wealth like unto the famed Golcondas — wealth in plant food for the farmer and in iron ores for the manufacturer. Montour Ridge passes through the entire county. From its base to the Susquehanna River is a broad and rich valley of agricultural lands. Passing to the north of the ridge is a broad belt of lime- stone land reaching to the Muncy hills ranging along the north line of the county. The whole is admirably drained by Mahoning and Chillisquaque 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 DanviUe, the length of outcrop of the two ores on the south side of the mountain does not exceed about half a mile. That of the hard ore is considerably the longest, and as the iron 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 f ossilif erous ore is materially less, while, for rea- sons already shown, the depth of breast of the soft and partially decomposed ore may not average more than 30 or 40 yards. The position of the hard 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 mag- nitude to be wrought at the present day — accompanies the lower bed of sand- stone, and has dimensions varying from fourteen to eighteen inches. But there is another formation here developed, in which beds of iron ore are dis- coverable. This is the Surgent older or lower slate, this stratum possessing'in 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- position between the ore now referred to and that of the iron sandstone. It 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 about 300 feet above the bed of this transverse valley. Traced east and west 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 thick- ness of this layer of ore is not such as to make it of much importance, so long as the thicker and therefore cheaper beds furnish an ample supply. Judging from the fragments at the point of outcrop I infer its size to be between six and «ight inches. The facility and cost of mining it will of course depend upon HISTOEY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. 33 several conditions connected with the dip 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, rest low at the north and south base. The upper beds of the Levant white sand- 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 from 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 of outcrop — in the vicinity of Danville. "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 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 about one ton of weight of ore. Let us now adopt the estimate I have already given of the depth to which the ore stratum has been converted into this soft ore, and accept thirty yards as the limit. Each yard of length along the out- crop will then be equivalent to thirty tons of the ore, and one mile of outcrop should supply about 52,800 tons. This amount, it will be understood, is irre- spective of elevation above the water level. Turning now to the hard or sili- ceous ore of the iron sandstone, we shall find one mile of the outcrop bed to offer a far more enormous quantity of available ore. It is obvious that the 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 which, indeed; it is scarcely susceptible. The only limit to the depth to which it may be profitably wrought, is the cost of mining it, and since this ele- ment 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 the ore above this natural line. It has been stated that in the vicinity of the 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 the north side it is probably as much less. This is equivalent to 200 tons of 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 out- crop; 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 oontain, 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- 34 HISTOEY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. going statement I exclude the consideration of the ravines, which interrupt i frequent intervals the general line of the outcrop of the strata, and reduce mi terially the amount of ore above the water level. ' ' An abatement of one-eighth from the quantity as above computed, on th supposition of a perfectly continuous outcrop, will probably more than cou pensate for the amount thus lost. With this reduction we shall still have, i one mile of the ridge, 700, 000 tons of good ore. ' ' The ore estate attached to the Montour Iron Works of Danville, embracei if I am correctly informed, a total length of outcrop of the iron sandstone oi of 2,200 yards, equivalent alone to 385,000 tons; the whole quantity of the so: fossiliferous ore I estimate at 45,000 tons, making the entire amount of oi available under existing circumstances 430,000 tons. Such is the apparentl enormous extent of the mineral wealth of this favored locality. " The rich mineral deposits are, then, in Montour' s Eidge, and this ridge an the Muncy Hills constitute the elevated and broken lands in all that part of th county north of the river. As only Mayberry Township lies south of the rivei its topography is given in the account of that township. Much of these hills i arable land. This was evidenced to the first settlers by the density of the veg etable growths covering them. But in many places the hillsides are too abruj and others too stony for the labors of the husbandman. All surface soils ai originally formed by the decay of the rocks, this first producing water plani and the short mosses, and these extract food from the pulverized rocks, th water and the air, and thus comes nature' s laboratory that makes all the vari« ty of soils in the world. Thus, in the long, inconceivably long ago geologies ages, commenced the preparation for the farmer and the manufacturer that w now see here — those thrifty factors in the problem of life. Can you think million, much less a billion, a trillion, or a quadrillion? You cannot, any moi than you can think that the universe has bounds or is boundless. In extent c time, past or of space are things that are not thinkable. The results, not th time or the how, of these wonderful forces of nature are the practical questior that concern us all. Here is formed everything that develops or grows — ^th warmth of the sun, the air, the rocks and the soU, the water and the elimaf are the resistless and ever working forces, molding the round globe, th oceans, rivers, mountains and valleys, as well as the most delicate flower, th 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 wi grow in any particular place, what they will know and how they will thinl the kind of houses, farms, schools, churches and in short the form and qualit of their civilization, are all foretold by the rocks, the soil, the water, climal and the humidity of the air of that particular place. The finest quality of limestone underlies all the arable portion of the lev( lands of the county. Here is quarried the limestone for the Danville iro mills, the Montour Iron Works having a railroad track to the A. P. Eusse 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 obstructior that confronted them, they were ignorant of the nature of rocks and soils i applied to husbandry. Like the average man now their education in this in portant respect had been wholly neglected. They had what they now call ec ucated men, a chance one, who could read Latin and Greek, but de'il the b could he aid the farmer in telling him where or what to plant upon any give spot. He understood Took' s mythology through and through — ^wonderful] educated! — but, except by painful experiments, the farmer had to go to theij norant Indians for the slight information obtainable. He was left to commem HISTOEY OP MONTOUE COUNTY. 85 his experiments ia the new world aided, often handicapped, by the recollection of how his father had done in the old world home. The first effort was pretty 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 thouglitfally brought with them. By the year 1812, it is asserted, by those who can go back that far in memory, that there were tolerably abun-' dant 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 Perry Street or beyond it, and north beyond Centre Street. ' It was composed chiefly of apple trees, with a few peach, pear and cherry trees. At the corner of the orchard, near Perry 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 groove. In this groove the apples were placed, and by applying horse- power 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 untU 1816 or later. From the cider apple brandy was distilled. Cider-royal was made by add- ing a few gallons of whisky to a barrel of it. The cider-royal was a favorite liquor vnth the young who had not been educated up to the full appreciation of whisky. Cider, with the addition of apples, was boiled down to apple- butter. To make this, required constant boiling for about twenty-four hours. The services of a young lady and gentleman were usually called into requisi- tion 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 fruit. 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, sup- posed 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 StAwbridge, Lewis Maus and Colin Cameron, of young and vigorous The next in date, probably 1791, was that of Mr. John Fraser on the north side of the 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 Vandervere, a native of Wilmington, with its eighteen aliases; the luscious 36 HISTORY OP MONTOUE COUNTY. Harvest apple, earliest of them all; the Rambo, a native of Delaware, a favor- ite, which around Trenton was popularly styled the_ bread-andcheese apple; the Eomanite, 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 Eusset, the large and luscious Spitzenberg, the Pearmain, the Doctor apple, which originated in Ger- mantown, and others. The Priestley apple had its origin in Northumberland, 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 by 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 appreciation of good fruit, and made laudable efforts to procure it. Some of the trees were obtained in that city, some at Burlington and some at North- umberland. In the latter place several English emigrants had introduced many choice varieties of fruits, and devoted much care to their successful cul- tivation. Mr. Paul Adams, a mile or two northeastwardly from Danville, had a small but prolific orchard, chiefly of winter apples. Michael Blue had a noted peach orchard, it was between two and three miles out on the hills. He was a Jerseyman, who came fi-om a land where they then understood much of the art of raising peaches. Agricultural Societies. — A public meeting was called in the old court-house- on the 18th of February, 1856, to organize the Montour County Agricultural Society. The following officers were elected: Thomas R. Hull, president. Vice-presidents, Phillip F. Maus, Valley; C. Garrettson, Danville; Robert Pat- terson, Liberty; P. Wagner, Limestone; D. Wilson, Anthony; E. Haas, Derry; J. Sheep, West Hemlock; G. Shick, Mayberry; William McNinch, Cooper; Jacob Sechler, Sr., Mahoning. Secretary, James McCormick; corresponding secretary, Dr. C. H. Frick ; librarian, B. K. Rhodes, and treasurer, D. M. Boyd. The board of managers were John Best, George Smith, James G. 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. The fair in that year was held at the mouth of Mahoning Creek. The an- nual fair was subsequently held at Washingtonville. In the course of time, however, some difference arose between the town and a portion of tie country. The result was a split and the organization of another society, known as the Northern Montour A^icultural Society. The headquarters of the latter is at Washingtonville, where the annual fairs are held. The Montour County Agricultural Society holds its meetings and fairs in Danville. This society purchased ground from 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 for some years. On May 8, 1872, a regular charter was procured, and this is the proper date from which is to be reckoned the present agricultural society at Danville. By the provision of the charter the following were the first officers : President, W. J. McKee; vice-presidents, William Yorks and Charles Fen- HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. 37 stermaoher; treasurer, Isaac Amerman; secretary, William K. Halloway; cor- responding secretaries, Charles "W. Eckman and Nathan Brittain. The exoca- tive committee consisted of John Derr, Sr. , Alfred S. Sidel, David F. Gouger, WiUiam McNinch, H. W. Houpt, James N. Miller, Emanuel Sidler, Jeremiah. Wintersteen, William Sechler, D. M. Shultz, Adam Geringer, M. D. L. Sech- ler, Bernard Dougherty, David Grove. 1872— President, W. S. McKee; vice-presidents, W. C. Yorks, Charles Feustermacher; secretary, W. K. Halloway; treasurer, Isaac Amerman; record- ing secretaries, Nathaniel Brittain and Col. C. W. Eckman. 1873 — ^President, William Yorks; vice-presidents, Charles Feustermacher, William Angle; treasurer, 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 Sid- ler; 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 Feustermacher; 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, Will- iam Yorks; treasm-er, Isaac Amerman; recording secretary, John Sweisfort. 1877 — President, M. D. L. Sechler; vice-presidents, Emanuel Sidler, Fred- rick Kuiss; corresponding secretaries, E. G. Hoffman, William Sidler; record- ing secretary, J. Sweisfort; treasurer, Nathan Feustermacher. 1878 — President, Peter Mowrer; 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, Will- iam Mowrer; recording secretary, J. Sweisfort; treasurer, N. Feustermacher;, corresponding secretaries, M. D. L. Sechler, William Sidler. 1880 — President, Emanuel Sidler; vice-presidents, John Moore, Jacob San- dal; 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. Gear- hart, W. K. Halloway; treasurer, Jacob Sandal. 1882 — President, S. Y. Thompson; vice-presidents, John Benfield, G. B. Eunyan; treasurer, James McCormick; secretary, W. L. Sidler; correspond- ing secretaries, W. K. Halloway, W. M. [Gearhart; representative to Stata 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 — President, 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, John Hendricks; treasurer, Jesse C. Amerman. The Northern Montour Agricultural Society was organized in 1871, and is- 38 HISTORY OF MONTOUK COUNTY. 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 re- moved to its present location on the farm of Gideon P. Dietriek, 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 other suitable buildings. They have a fine half-mile speed track and grounds for stock and horse exhibitions, etc. It is not at present a joint stock association, being owned entirely by the gentlemen who are its officers. They intend, however, to apply to the Legislature for a charter, and to make the company a regular stock association. The fairs have been uniformly success- ful and are yearly increasing in interest and in the number of exhibitors and attendance. Its officers are president, Peter Dietriek; secretary, Charles E. Shires; treasurer, David Smith. CHAPTEE V. INTEBNAL IMPEOVEMENTS. AMONG the many serious obstacles that confronted the early settlers was the want of feasible highways for travel and communication with the older , settlements, means of transportation to supply the people until they could pro- duce the necessaries to keep want and hunger from their cabin doors. The ex- 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 ad- venturous backwoodsmen, the fearless nomadic trappers and hunters who could pilot their way by the north star, or, when the heavens were draped in heavy clouds, by the moss growing upon the trunks of trees. The people followed the streams into the dark unknown world, laboriously pushing their primitive water crafts against the stream. In the winter the streams were frozen over and then in the spring and summer came the great freshets and the droughts and low waters. The people had generally but small stores to bring with them, and such were their difficulties to overcome on the way that had they had great supplies they could not have transported them. The little stock of salt and 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 of time upon meat alone. The writer has heard experiences in this way, of 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 could be active enough to prolong this make-believe. And sometimes to the accumulated horrors of pioneer life came grim, gaunt famine. Then, indeed, the cup of bitter dregs was filled to overflowing. Here was the slow accumula- tion of horrors. "What a brood of birds of evil omen spreading their wings over the land ! When we add to this malaria, disease and death that have lutked in wait upon the occupants of all new countries, and that were 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 ^'€^€^ ^^6.o^z^a^ HISTOBY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 41 rooted pines of the hills and the dense forest verdure and tangled gro^wth of the vaUey, 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 civilizatiqn; the soft footed beasts lying in ambush for prey, or whetting their sharp gleam- ing 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 wel- come 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 vic- tory 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 waU — 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 water- mill would be the Mecca for long and hard voyages with the grist to grind. Togo 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 your 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 3A 42 HISTORY OT MONTOUE COUNTY. these poor famishing children of the wilds like manna from heaven. "Wha1 grim vein of humor there was in the old pioneer's story of going to mill, he related it at an " old settlers' " meeting a short time ago. It was in i winter, and he had to make the long journey with his grist, provender a food loaded into an ox cart. The outfit made a full load. After many da; travel, sleeping under his cart at night, facing the extremes of weather a winter storms, he eventually reached the little horse-mill. It was broken a could not gi-ind. He took up his journey to the next nearest mill, which finally found, and after waiting three days reached his turn, ground what he a his team had not eaten, and started home; then was delayed by swollen strea and blinding storms, until everything in his cart was devoured except an i horse blanket and some skins that were his bedding. And thjis he drew i vivid picture of going to mill and starving on the way home — pioneer expt ences ! But thus our nation was cradled. The first dim and devious trails were as early as possible supplemented ' ' cut out ' ' wagon roads, that were surely at first diflS.cult enough to travel o with a team and an empty wagon. The people annually set apart several di to come together and work upon the roads, and then put up rough, pi bridges — these were generally washed away the first high water that car But nothing daunted they would be rebuilt — the work done the best they coulc and other betterments were made to the wagon roads. Slowly, indeed, ( these essential improvements progress, but finally passable roads and bridj were constructed on the main lines of travel and transportation. The organization to build the ' ' Centre Turnpike, ' ' extending from Eeadi to the Susquehanna Biver opposite Northumberland, was perfected in 18( One of the active promoters and managers of this daring and important ent prise was Gen. William Montgomery. The work was pushed with sleepl energy. It was a work in its day and times as great as was the building of i Union Pacific Railroad in these days. In 1814 a turnpike road from Danville to Bear Gap, where it conneci with the Centre Turnpike, was built. These were important and benefici public works, gained only by the most heroic struggles. The promoters w the foremost men in the country — the great benefactors of their age. In 1826 the great State internal improvement system was inaugurated. Tl year a citizen of Danville, Daniel Montgomery, was appointed one of the ca commissioners, of which he was elected president. He exercised much influei over the direction and building of the canals then constructed. While he was this position the North Branch Canal was located. The survey was made 1826-27, and the work contracted early in 1828. In 1832 the first water i turned in, and a boat that year was loaded with wheat in Danville and taken to ' Sweetwater — the boat itself being built in Danville. The line of the canal as or inally built was from Lackawanna Creek to Columbia, a distance of about ] miles. There was only three feet tonnage at first, and by raising the "pat and by dredging the canal bottom the depth of water has been increased to present gauge of between six and seven feet. It continued to be the prope of the State until about 1854, when it was sold, and is now a part of the poss sions of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The building of the canal was an important era in this part of the State, invited men and capital to come and take advantage of what was going to I rapid rise in values and more, what was going to be a day of swift develc ment of public and private enterprises of all kinds. The canal, as all men oa see, would let in here the light and sunshine of civilization. It would ope HISTOBY OF MONTOUE 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 manufacture. . 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 un- seen in this counti-y. 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 11.50 a. ton and now pays $3. 50. This at first view is unaccountable, especially when we re- member 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 fol- lowing was the company in its first organization. President, Daniel Mont- gomery; treasui'er, James Longhead; secretary, John Cooper; managers, John C. Boyd, William Colt, Peter Baldy, Sr. , William Boyd, Andrew Mc- Eeynolds and Robert C. Grier. On the 3d of March in the same year a con- tract 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 ac- cording to contract. The governor was notified of the fact, as the State orig- inally 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 un- til 1875 when it too was swept away by the high waters and the floating Cata- wissa bridge, that was washed against it with such force as to lift it up when the waters bore it away on the 17th of March in that year. The bridge was at once rebuilt in the ensuing season. H. F. Hawke & Co. did the stone work 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, Eudolph 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 Metier, G. M. Shoop, B. E. Gearhart, Amos Vastine. Officers are elected an- nually. The Catawissa Eailroad, now the Catawissa division of the Philadelphia & Beading 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, Lack- awanna & Western Railroad. Leaving the river at this point, the line takes a direct course across a beautiful farming country for a distance of seven miles 44 HISTOEY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. to Danville. From Danville to Milton, sixteen miles, the route lies throug fertile section devoted to agriculture. At Milton it connects with the Pt delphia & Erie Railroad; at Hall's Station it connects with the Muncy Ci Railroad. The Danville, Hazlefon & Wilkesbarre Railroad was commenced in 1 and completed in 1871. The active promoter and organizer of this enterp was S. P. Case, its first president. The line extends from Sunbury, wher •connects with the Philadelphia & Brie, Northern Central, Lewistowi Sunbury & Shamokin division of the Northern Central Railroad, to T Mcken, where it connects with the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Mr. Case enco tered heavy opposition, when he commenced to build his road, from oi interested corporations, but without money and vrith but small credit he o^ came every obstacle. The road is now a part of the great Pennsylvania syst and is run and operated by this company. The Montour Iron Works has a track passing up Mahoning Creek a si distance and then a branch leads ofP northeasterly to the company' s ore beds ; other leads to the Russell rock quarry. These are private tracks for the f pose of the company that built them. The Lackawanna, Williamsport & Western RaUroad was built and Ic known as the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg road. It became a completed r road in 1858 and is one of the most important and convenient lines of tra portatiOn that touches Montour County. Its termini are Scranton and Noi umberland — distance eighty miles. It is leased and operated by the DelawE Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company. The Wilkesbarre and Western Railway is now in the course of constr tion across the county. The termini of this road are Watsonville and Shi shinny. Building was commenced in the spring of 1886, and the work p gressed rapidly, passing through this county to MUlvUle. This is an in pendent organization and is built in the interest solely of its projectors ! owners. It passes near Washingtonville and will open up transportat facilities to the finest and richest portions of the county. CHAPTER yi. BORDER WARS— WAR 1812-15— MEXICAN WAR— CIVIL WAR, E^ THE border troubles kept alive the military spirit of the pioneers until angry disputes with England about the impressment of our sailors brou us into conflict with that power a second time. Then followed the Black He war, the Florida war, the Mexican war, and more recently the most deplore of all, the civil war. In all these conflicts the people of Montour County not falter, they did their duty, they bore a fair and chivalrous part in tb all. A number of military companies was organized at difPerent periods i at an early day. In 1814, when the British fleet lay off the coast threatening Baltim( Gov. Snyder ordered the militia of Northumberland, Luzerne and Colun Counties to rendezvous at Danville. About 1,000 men were soon collected, under the command of Maj. Post, of Luzerne County. He appointed Josi HISTOEY OP MONTOUB COUNTY. 45 MauB quartermaster. This young army was stationed in Danville about two weeks, when 500 of them were ordered to Northumberland County. When 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 with their fleet. The battle ground was thus transferred to New Orleans and "Johnny came marching home." The Danville Militia. — This is the first company of which there is any record, and that is unsatisfactory. We only know that at the close of the last 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 had seen active service as lieutenant in the "Danville Blues." Thomas W. Bell was one of the subordinate officers of the company. Others are forgot- ten, a century having almost obliterated the recollection of those early citizen- soldiers. The Danville Blues. — This was a rifie company commanded by Capt. Isaac Blue. The names of its members can only be recalled in part. The im- perfection of the roll is a source of regret, as it would be a great satisfaction t6 all, and especially to their descendants, to know the names of those who so freely responded. The following is a portion of the roll : Isaac Blue, captain. Jolin Dugan. Edward Morison. Herbert W. Best. John McCoy. David Petrikin, surgeon. Isaiah Blue. John MiUs. Sanders. Colin Cameron. Abner Moore. Jacob Sechler. Daniel Cameron. Asa Moore. Samuel Yorks, lieutenant. Alexander Campbell. ' This company was in active service on the frontier in 1813, and was sta- tioned at Black Eock, where it suffered severely from the malignant fever, then known as the Black Kock fever. Some of the members died with the fever notwithstanding the skillful efforts of Dr. Petrikin in their behalf. One of the victims of the epidemic was Alexander Campbell. The Light Horse was a company of light dragoons commanded by Capt. Clarke of Derry. 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 fine military dress and thorough drill, 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, ranking with Christmas and the Fourth of July. And right fortunate were the boys who were permitted to go to Washington ville to witness the regimen- tal 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 vgl- unteered, and were highly indignant when the Government refused to accept their services. The members of this brilliant cavalry company have all passed away. Many of them attained a great age. The last survivor of the gallant chivalry who so gloriously rode their war horses through the streets of Danville has long since departed. He was almost, ninety years of age when he gave the following particulars as his recollection of the roster: Charles Clark, captain. James Boyd. James Donaldson. John Blue. Lucas Brass. John Donalson. Elisha Barton. Isaac Bear. William De Pew. 46 HISTOEY OP MONTOUE COUNTY. King. William Kitchen. Daniel Montgomery. Lewis Maus. Joseph Maus. Robert Moore. Thomas Moorhead. Charles Evans. Charles M. Frazer. Charles Frazer. John Gulicks. John Gaskins. James Hamilton. Kipp. Columbia Chiards. — This company was organized in 1817, and was Ic the pride of the county. It embraced many of the enterprising and patric young men of the community. The muster roll at the organization of ■ company or very soon thereafter, has been preserved, and is as follows : Peter Pursel. William Sheriff. James Stevenson. Henry Sanders. Daniel Woodside. James Woodside. Thomas Woodside. John Anthony. William Barber. Samuel Baum. Daniel Barber. John Best. Anthony Boon. Matthew Blackwell. William Clark. Thomas Clark. Thomas Colt. William Colt. James Colt. William Cathcart. Isaac Cornelison. James Carson, captain. Alexander Donaldson. William Donaldson. William DePew. Frederick Frick. Fisher. Thomas Grier. Charles Goodman. William G. Hurley. Ellis Hughes. Jacob Hibler. Samuel Huntington. Jared Irwin. AdolphuB 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. The Columbia Guards, together with the Northumberland ArtUlerii Capt. Priestly, the Warrior Run Infantry and others, constituted the Noi umberland and Columbia battalion of volunteers, commanded by Maj. E. C( man Hall. In the summer of 1823 there was a battalion parade in Danvi on the then open ground between Bloom and Center Streets. Dr. W. H. ] gill, then a young man, was surgeon of the battalion. The parade is saic have been the grandest military display ever witnessed in Danville. The Columbia Guards were first commanded by Capt. Potter, and sul quently by Capts. Carson, Colt, Best, Wilson and Frick, until 1846, strei ing over a period of about thirty years. In that year the first call was m upon the citizen soldiery since the organization of the company. Promp by a patriotic desire to serve their country in the Mexican war, their servi were offered and accepted, and the Columbia Guards, under the commanc Capt. Wilson, numbering ninety-four, rank and file, were mustered into service of the United States on the 28th of December, 1846. Brown at Matamoras, like a hero in battle, and the banks of the Rio Grande ' drunk the blood of a Ringgold, and they hastened to the defense of the ' ' stf banner," many, alas! to return no more. The first engagement of the Guards was at the storming of Vera Cruz, there, at the opening of their brilliant campaign, the lamented Capt. Wil died on the 10th of April, 1847. Capt. Wilson was a model officer, remains were brought home and buried with due honors among his family kindred. From Vera Cruz, the company, under the command of Dr. C. Frick, proceeded in the victorious march of Gen. Scott toward the cit; Mexico. In the battle of Cerro Gordo they took a prominent part, and one of their number, John Smith, who was killed by a musket ball in sto HI8T0BY OP MONTOUR COUNTY. 47 ing the heights. At the bloody battle of Chapultepec they lost two more of their comrades — WUliam 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 responsi- bility and of peculiar danger — was committed to the Columbia Guards, and on the 13th of September, 1847, they were among the first 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 returned to Danville on the 28th of July, 1849. A little time developed the fact that most of those who returned had con- tracted the diseases of an uncongenial climate, and one by one they have passed away. Jesse G. Clarke, Ad. Ray and their lamented commander, the noble-hearted Dr. Clarence H. Frick, followed on that retumless 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 they, too, ere long will rally to the last ' ' reveille, ' ' and form into line 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 cap- tain. Under his command they entered the Union Army, where the brave re- cruits who filled the places of the veterans had a taste of actual service. After serving their time they were honorably discharged and disbanded as a com- pany. 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 stUl displayed on public occasions, and always calls forth the warmest feelings ■of patriotism and local pride, as its tattered fragments proclaim the heroism of the brave men who followed it through the battle and the storm. On one oc- casion it caught the eye and was instantly recognized by Gov. Geary, while ad- ■dressing 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 Mexican war: CAPTAIN. John S. Wilson. LIEUTENANTS. Clarence H. Frick, First lieutenant. Edward E. La Clerc, Second lieutenant. William Brindle, Second lieutenant. SERGEANTS. George S. Kline, First sergeant. James D. Slater, Second sergeant. Robert Clark, Third sergeant. Charles Evans, Fourth sergeant. CORPORALS. John Adams, First corporal. James Oliver, Second corporal. John Smith, Third corporal. Arthur Gearhart, Fourth corporal. MUSICIANS. Thomas Clark, Drummer. Jesse G. Clark, Fifer. 48 HISTOEY OP MONTOUB COUNTY. PBITATBS. Samuel Huntingdon. Adam Heisler. Henry Herncastle. Oliver Helme. William S. Kertz. William King. Jer(>me Konkle. Charles Lytle. Ira Lownsberry. Kobert hjon. Jolin A. Lowery. Benjamin Laform. Benjamin J. Martin. Jasper Musselman. Edward McGonnell. George Miller. William Moser. Archibald Mooney. Mahlon K. Manly. John G. Mallon. Alexander McDonald. Daniel Martial. Kichard H. McKean. Charles Moynthan. Robert McAlmont. HughMcFadden. James McClelland. Norman B. Mack. William McDonald. Casper Oatenwelder Daniel Poorman. Peter 8. Reed. Philip Rake. James A. Stewart. Peter M. Space. Jonathan R. Sandejrs. Oliver C. Stevens. Daniel Snyder. Edward Seler. Peter Seigfried. John C. Snyder. John N. Scofleld. William Swartz. Joseph H. Stratton. William H. Swaney. John A. Sarvey. Benjamin Tumbleton. Adam. Wray. William White. George Wagner. Jacob Willet. Jerome Walker. George Wingar. Peter W. Yarnell. Charles W. Adams. Alvin M. Allen. Jacob App. George W. Armstrong. Frederick Brandt. Samuel Burns. Blam B. Bonham. William Banghart. John Birkenbine. Samuel D. Baker. Francis Bower. Francis R. Best. William Brunner. William H. Birchfleld. Randolph Ball. Peter Brobst. Abram B. Carley. Michael Corrigan. William Dieterech. William Brie. Daniel S. FoUmer. Charles W. Fortner. Robert H. Forster. Sewell Gibbs. Edward Grove. George Garner. Thomas Graham. Shepherd W. Girton. In the war with Mexico the guards were Company C, in the Second I ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Col. afterward Gov. John Geary. Montour Rifles. — This company was organized in Danville on the 13t July, 1855, under the command of Capt. J. J. Zuber. August Fogel first lieutenant and M. Eosenstein was second lieutenant. In 1859 Capt. Zi was promoted to a majorship, and some adverse influences caused the disE tion of the company. Most of its members entered the United States ser the greater portion enlisted in Company E, Sixth Regiment Reserves, company was commanded by M. K. Manly. John Horn was one of the ] tenants of Company E. The First in War. — The first military company that left DanvUle for war was recruited and commanded by Capt. William M. McClure — 100 i They enlisted for three months and honorably served their time. They ■ in the battle of Falling Waters and had one member killed, whose name Amos Zuppinger, one of the first soldiers killed in battle. Capt. McC afterward commanded Company F, in the One Hundred and Twelfth Artill and for brave conduct was subsequently promoted to the position of colon the regiment. The Baldy (hiards. — This company was organized in Danville and i tered into the service of the United States on the 25th of September, 1 under the command of Capt. Joseph F. Ramsey. The best elements of yc and vigorous manhood in Danville were embodied in this company, nor di disappoint the ardent hopes of the friends it left behind. The company named for P. Baldy, Sr. , an old citizen of Danville. They were attached tc Ninety-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and were designated as C pany H of that regiment. Their first battle was on the Peninsula, at T iamsburg, and they subsequently were in all the sieges and battles of the i of the Potomac until the closing scene at Appomatox. On the resigaatic Capt. Ramsey in 1862, Charles W. Eckman became captain of the B Guards on the 21st of October, that year. HISTOEY OP MONTOUE COUNTY. 51 On the promotion of Capt. Eekman, 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. Eamsey, captain; Leffred H. Kase and Charles W. Eekman, lieutenants; James Auld, quartermaster. Second Artillery. — Company F, One Hundred and Twelfth Kegiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers, or Second Pennsylvania Artillery, was organized in Dan- ville by Capt. William M. McClure. A large portion of its members was 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, un- der command of Capt. Joseph E. Shreeve. This company was in the bloody battle of Antietam and there it lost seven in killed, namely: J. M. Hassanplug, D. Van Eonk, Jacob Long, Daniel Klase, Samuel Hilner, Hiram Hummel and John Gibson. Eighteen were wounded. Among the latter were James Foster, John Leighow, George Lovett, Charles Flick and D. E. Shutt. The company was attached to the One Hundred and Thirty- second Eegiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers. Officers. — Joseph E. Shreeve, captain; George W. Van- gilder, first lieutenant; Charles N. Norris, second lieutenant. After the battle of Antietam Capt. Shreeve was promoted to major of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Eegiment, and Charles N. Norris was made captain of the com- pany. Company E, Sixth Pennsylvania Ueserres, was organized in Danville under command of Capt. M. K. Manly, one of the survivors of the Mexican cam- paign. Charles Eichards and John Horn were the lieutenants. Eichards subsequently became captain of the company. Among the privates in this company were William Keiner, who lost a leg; Nicholas Frazer, killed at Har- rison'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. Montour County furnished two companies for this regiment as follows: Company A, with following named officers: Captain, John A. Winner j first lieutenant, W. A. M. Grier; second lieutenant, John C. Perrin; first sergeant, John G. Hammer; second sergeant, Simon Lyon; third sergeant, EHas Knerr; fourth sergeant, T. C. Hullihen; fifth sergeant, William E. Pursell; first corporal, Eobert Adams, Jr. ; second corporal, William T. Eamsey; third corporal, John W. Thatcher; fourth corporal, Benj. W. Vas- tine; fifth corporal, Geo. Lrwin; sixth corporal, Samuel Earp; seventh corporal, John Werkheiser; eighth corporal, Samuel Haman; quartermaster-sergeant, Eeuben Eiehl. Company K, with following named officers: Captain, William Young; first lieutenant, Alfred Melon; second lieutenant, Alfred B. Patton; first ser- geant, M. B. Mimson; second sergeant,. A. Jerome Harder; third sergeant, Geo. W. Eamsey; fourth sergeant, Alexander Hofner; first corporal, Alfred Yerriok; 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 returned 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 the Twelfth Eegiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania. Capt. Maus re- signed in 1880, and J. Sweisfort was elected captain of the company. 62 HISTOEY OP MONTOUR COUNTY. CHAPTER VII. SCHOOLS. HERE we approach the subject of vital interest to every one. How best to rear our 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 overshadow- ing problem of existence. A well-poised mind in a healthy body is the su- premest thing to be looked upon in this world. For thousands of years the world has had its schools with but little variations in the fundamentals in all that time. For nearly eighteen hundred years the present system of pietistic 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 pseons 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 dajiger 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 perfection of anything that has come to them from 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 por- traying the beauties of glittering superstructures built upon these ancient founda- tions, 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 edu- cators, 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, such as ' ' Does education educate ?" " Do the schools increase insanity ?' ' "Do they sometimes destroy health?" "Does the schoolroom ever over- work 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 pro- ceed 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 school and its master. HISTOEY OF MONTOUE 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 assertions about the system of schools. They are a few of the many thousands 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 himself. If in a single one they do arouse a healthy investigation in a mind 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 this book will not have been printed in vain. Simple and crude as are these hints, they involve the whole science of biology, the most profound and intri- cate 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 fathers were "born in the wildwood, rocked on the wave." At first they had neither schoolhouses nor teachers. The children of that age mostly were of necessity left to "unfold" for themselves their gifts of heaven. In time came the three months winter subscription school, taught by some stern old Scotch- Irish 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 com- plete 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 the batten door of their school-day alma mater. Until the establishment of 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 foolscap paper. Puncheon benches without backs, a log cut out and oil paper over it was the improved window. Ten long dreary hours were spent imder the eye of the master, who at all events would compel the poor young martyrs to keep their books before -their faces. But one general theory then 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 schools kilown prior to 1790. The first of which there is any account was buUt in 1793 by James Montgomery, father of Hugh E. Montgomery, assisted by the few scattered settlers then here ; the building stood near the Milton & Danville road, and but a short distance from the present county line. James Montgomery was the first teacher, and this fixes the fact that he was the real "pioneer" teacher in what is now Montour County. How long this first building stood is not known. The supposition is there were no other teachers taught there except him. In 1797 a rude log house was built on the road 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 Val- ley Township, was an attendant here in 1800. Mr. Hewitt was then the 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 Derry Township. The recollections of J. Fraser, as published some years ago, differ from Mr. Henry's statement somewhat. He gives substantially this account of the first school and teachers and pupils. It is of sufficient interest to give the substance of it. 54 HISTOEY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. The old log schoolhouse was built about 1785. It was twenty feet square. The fire-place admitted wood ten feet long. Desks were made of a single board along the side of the room. There were about twenty pupils at most attending. The teachers "boarded around." Mr. Gibson, a settled inhabi- tant of Danville, taught among the first and longer than any ether one. The following patrons are known of this earliest school : William and John Mont- gomery, John Sechler, John Fraser, Thomas Osborn, William Sheriff, Thomas Stevenson, John Gulic, Geo. McGulley, 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 San- ders, 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. Eraser, and their cousin, Charles Eraser; 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 Robert Montgomery, the Sechlers, Erasers and Montgomerys were the only ones living near enough to the school to go 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. Mont- gomery. 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 lavyyer 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 Christmas day, 1880. In 1813 there were three schoolhouses between Danville and Milton, a dis- tance 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 An- drew 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 coun- try 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 impe- tus, especially in Danville, the new county seat. Mahoning Township at this time had three schools, to wit: West Danville, East Danville and Mahoning. The gi'ound 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. HISTOBY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. 55 The teachers were generally elected by the citizens, who came together at a call of the trustees. II a.stranger wished to become an applicant, the trus- tees 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 holding them. In 1806 Mrs. Eleanor Best opened a subscription school, which she con- tinued successfully until 1824. Some of her old subscription books are said to be still extant. Among others whose names appear in her list of pupils are 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 Barret, 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 at one time he had one hundred pupils attending. Samuel Kirkham, assisted by Ellis Hughes, wrote his English grammar while teaching in the Danville school. Ellis Hughes was permanently settled here; his reputation was that of the best educated man ever in the county up to that time. He came from Catawissa in 1820; he was a good surveyor as well as a teacher; he was ap- pointed 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, nearly on the spot now occupied by the Record office. He did all his teaching 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 young, and he also took an active part in the State internal improvements. He filled with distinction many places of public trust during his life. He died in 1850. His descendants are some of the most respected citizens of Danville. The schools of the rural districts were deprived, on account of the sparse- neas 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 in 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 cipher- ing "to the rule of three" was the boundary line of the most ambitious at- tempts — 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" — "readmg, 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 frame 56 HISTOBY OP MONTOUR COUNTY. building that is still standing and is now used as a residence. The first teacher in this building was Abraham Barry, followed by John Craven, John Moore, Mr. Allen, John Keilly and Mr. Hutchinson. The principal promoters of the school in Derry Township at this early day were Col. Thomas Moorehead, Thomas Eobertson and Samuel Brittain. DanvUle Academy was instituted in the year 1818; the ground was dona- ted by Gen. Wm. Montgomery. A two-story brick building was erected under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, which elects trustees for its supervis- ion and the care of the property. It has been from its building a chief insti- tution of learning in the county, and some of our best educators have been con- nected with it. The prominemt ones of the early teachers were Mr. Painter, 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 pres- ent two-story brick structure, and new and better furniture supplied. Bev. J. 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 of- ficers 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 chroni- cler of the schools down to the period of that great movement that resulted in establishing the free schools. FEEE SCHOOLS. In 1830 the first steps were taken in what is now Montour County to secure a wider and better system of general education. The school laws then in force were very objectionable and defective. Complaints began to be expressed on all sides. All institutions of learning displayed activity in a sporadic way only, and these short efforts were generally followed by long spells of languor and languishing. These were some of the things that started first the project of free schools. Meetings were called where an interchange of ideas 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 law, for the timely action of the county commissioners. On the 8th of June a 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 commissioaers, 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 opposed to the measure. HISTORY OF MONTOUK 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-house 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 schools, Andrew Ikeler and Iddings Barkley; against, John Yeager. A motion was then made to raise a tax equal to that of the county tax — Mahoning, Lib- erty, Derry and Limestone voting in the afi&rmative; 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, 1836, a meeting of the taxable inhabitants of Mahon- ing 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 purposes for the year 1836. Benjamin McMahan, president of the board, presided, and Fredrick Frick was secretary. The following resolution was after long discussion adopted. ResoVeed, That the meeting be in favor of levying an additional tax for eommon 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 Dan- ville Intelligencer. In 1837 the State appropriation to the county amounted to 1659.16; dis- tributed as follows : Derry Township, 350 taxables, received $226. 58 ; Liberty Township, 268 taxables, $173.50; Limestone, 121 taxables, $78.32, and Mahon- ing, 341 taxables, $220.76. The early school records of the districts are unfortunately lost or de- stroyed. From the best information to be had it is believed that the four town- ships (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 under- stood by the officers who were to enforce it. Therefore the system was not generally looked upon as a success, and opposition was soon manifested, which contiaued 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 of the school board of Liberty District, and Ellis Hughes, Benjamin McMahan, John Patton, McDonald Campbell and Fredrick 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 frame; Danville, 5 frame, 4 brick; Derry, 6 frame; Pine Grove (a small district taken off of Liberty), 1 frame; Liberty, 8 frame; Limestone, 1 frame, 5 brick; Mahoning,- 4 frame, 1 brick; May berry, 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 pu- pils in the districts, and the average cost for the same: HISTORY OP MONTOUB COUNTY. No. Male No. of Fe- Whole No. Average Pupils. male Fu- pils. Pupils. No.Pupils. 133 103 336 159 • 49 36 85 59 733 780 1,503 1,008 115 93 308 142 15 13 37 19 147 134 381 178 107 93 300 123 118 106 334 166 33 34 57 31 131 107 338 163 33 15 38 28 53 46 98 56 Cost Hon Anthony Cooper Danville Derry Independent (Pine Grove) Liberty Limestone Mahoning , Mayberry Valley Washingtonville West Hemlock Total number of pupils, 3,174. $1. 1. 1. The following are the teachers for 1885-86. Anthony — Laura Sheep, Zella Meyer, Tillie Snyder, Hattie Grimm, C( J. Biddle, Lizzie Wagner, Jennie Naylor and H. S. Schuyler. Cooper — Ella A merman, Lloyd F. Mawrey. Danville High School — S. M. Gibbs, Hattie Alexander, WUliam A. Sechl Mame Hughes, Laura Ease. In the grammar and other rooms are F. M. Galwols, S. C. Musselmi Annie Yerrick, Letta Eckman, Ida J. Coxey, Ella C. Wilson, Maggie S. E mer, Mary E. Richardson, Aletta Gulic, Maggie F. Sober, M. G. Madden, A. Richardson, M. W. Hughes, Mrs. R. B. Maxwell, Ruth A. Weaver, A. Irvin, Jennie Lawrence, Chrissie C. Wise, Lizzie H. Antrim, M. L. Bloo A. L. McDermott, Lizzie Hyatt, MoUie E. Tillson, R. A. Gallagher. Derry — Charlotte Saul, I. Lizzie Wright, Maggie Gulick, Annie Lowr Clara Emons, D. W. Dieffenbach. Liberty — Cassie L. Cunningham, Nellie H. Gregory, Lizzie E. Moo Lizzie J. McGinnis, William B. Sheddan, S. P. Dietrich, C. C. Billmey Susie Saul. Limestone — Elmer B. Derr, E. S. Horner, John E. Krumm, William Steinbach, G. M. Billmeyer, Calvin R. Geiger. Mahoning— F. C. Grau, Geo. D. Butler, J. P. Weaver, Ella B. Everi LUlie Divel, Ella E. Weaver. Mayberry — Thomas Elmer, Jr. , Emery S. Kimbel. Pine Grove— Jamea B. Pollock. Valley — Rachael Goodall, Jennie B. McGinnis, Maggie Murray, Pauli GrofP, George B. Ease, Isaac D. West. Washingtonville — Margaret B. Silk. West Hemlock— Fhoehe J. Stine, Lizzie Richart, William Robinson. The following are the names and terms of service of the persons w have filled the ofiSce of county superintendent of Montour County sir 1854: Paul Leidy, from July 5, 1854, to January 1, 1855, deceased; E. ^ Conkling, from January 1, 1855, to March 3, 1856, appointed; A. B. Putna from March 14, 1856, to December 20, 1859, appointed; Wm. Butler, fr( December 20, 1859, to June 4, 1866, appointed; Wm. Henry, from June 1866, to January 3, 1878, deceased; J. D. Cook, from February 1, 1878, June 6, 1878, appointed; M. C. Horine, from June 6, 1878, to September 1881, elected; F. C. Derr, from September 1, 1881, to June 2, 1884, appoints Frederick Ream, from June 2, 1884, present incumbent. Salary paid in 18 was 1350, and the salary paid at the present time is (1886) is $800. ^. :/^ /c HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 61 CHAPTEE VIII. MEDICAL. SICKNESS was here before the learned physician and his pill bags. Malaria seemed to rouse up from its lairs along the streams and valleys of the coun- try, disturbed by the axe and the plow of industgr, 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 hor- rid 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 epi- demics 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 pos- itively 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 3, 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. DoweU and Dr. Magill were here at the same time, and, while not the 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 Montour County, residence, Danville, was in the continuous practice from 1847 to 1860 ; was then some years surgeon in the United States Yolunteers and from 1867 to the present in the practice in Dan- ville. 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 surgeons and physicians in the county. He was a surgeon 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 constitu- ency, 1873-75. His greatest reputation is as a surgeon, his eminence here "winning him a name and fame co-extensive with the entire State. 4A 62 HISTORY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. William H. Magill located in Danville in 1818, where he was for manj years 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 Regiments of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with great distinction. At jhe 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 physicians 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 E. Gearhart (.mentioned elsewhere), Dr. Wesley R. Gearhart (he was an uncle of Wilson M. G'larhart, 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 re- quiring physicians to register: Soxomon S. Schultz, born in Berks County, Penn. He is one of the attend- ing physicians in the Danville Insane Asylum. He has been in continuous; practicb nearly thirty years. He graduated in the University of Pennsylvania, March 29, .T856; 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 from the University of Pennsyl- vania March 12, 1875; graduated from the "State Normal School," Mans- field, 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 Col- lege in 1871. James Ogelby, born in County Fermanagh, Ireland; residence, Danville, where he has been in the practice eighteen years ; received his degree fromi JefPerson 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 prac- tice forty years; graduate of University of Pennsylvania. Samuel Y. Thompson, born 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 Washington- ville, where he entered the practice after his graduation at JefPerson Medical College, in March, 1876. Montraville McHehry, 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; grad- uate of Jefferson Medical College, 1880; removed from the county. HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. BS'- Charles F. Evans, born in Pittston; resided in Danville; practiced his pro- fession in McLeansboro, 111., Peckville and Canaan, Penn. ; graduate of Ameri- can 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 to Danville. Philip C. Newbaker, born in Dauphin County; graduated froin Jefferson Medical College, March 12, 1869; resides in Washingtonville. Benjamin Franklin Shultz, a native of Columbia County; residence Dan- ville; graduated from JefPerson Medical College, 1854. Charles Delcamp, born in Schuykill County; left the county. John H. Sandel, native of Montour County; located in the practice in Danv ville; removed to Schuykill County; graduate of Hahnemann Medical College,. 1882. JeremiahK. Bowers; commenced practice, 1865; student of American Phila- delphia University, Philadelphia; he has left the county, residence but tem- porary. Mandeville O. Greenwald, a native of AUentown, Penn. ; residence Moores- burg; 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 FoUmer, same. Henry C. E. Morrow, born in Erie County, N. Y. ; located in Exchange, Montour County; graduate of University of Buffalo; died in 1886. John Montgomery Baldy, bom in Danville; graduated University of Pennsyl- vania, 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 Bitter, a native of Lycoming County; resides in White HaU; graduated from Jefferson Medical College, 1885; was student in Will- iamsport Commercial College. Eben True Aldrich, born in Lowell, Mass. ; physician in Danville Insane- Asylum; graduate of Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, 1880. Nathaniel Whitaker Voorhees, Jr. , born in Hunterton County, N. J. ; resi- dence DanviUe; graduate of University of Pennsylvania, 1883. John E. Kimerer, nativity Nashville, Ohio; residence Da,nville; graduate^ at CoUege of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, 1885. Daniel Edward Kiess, bom in Lycoming County; residence Washington- ville; graduate of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, 1886; his- diploma endorsed by Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, and signed ' ' Peter S. Keyser, Dean." i 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 bjr order of the faculty. 64 HISTOEY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. CHAPTER IX. BENCH AND BAE. THE first court in Danville was held in the second story of the log ware- house on the river bank, a few doors east of Mill Street, in 1814, Hon. Seth Chapman of Northumberland County, president judge, and Gen. WUliam Montgomery and Hon. Leonard Rupert, associates. Primitive as were the sur- roundings, there were proper dignity and decorum about the courtroom, and upon the rude bench and at the bar were talents of not only respectable but a high order. Henry Alward of Milton was the first sherifif. The court, the members of the bar, the officers, the juries, and witnesses and parties to suits, so far as can 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 Hepburn of Milton, Mr. Bradford and George M. Porter of Centre County, James Carson of Philadelphia, Ebenezer Greenough of Sunbury, one of the most eminent law- yers of his day. Judge Thomas Duncan and Judge Charles Huston came here to attend courts. They were from Centre County. Both were afterward mem- bers of the supreme court. William G. Herely of Bloomsburg, James Pleas- .■ants of Catawissa, Alexander Jordan and Charles G. Donnell of Sunbury, at- tended court in Danville regularly until they each went on the bench. This 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 1813. He was a fair lawyer, and noted for his industry. He represented this district in Congress, 1829-31. He retired from the practice and re- 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 Sunbury. He was noted as a learned and able lawyer, a ripe scholar and great jurist. He removed to Sunbury, where he died. His ;son, William R. Greenough, is now practicing law in Sunbury. George A. Frick, who is mentioned above as the first prothonotary, was one among the first lawyers to locate in Danville. Of all his contemporaries he continued the ilongest in the practice. He reached the age of eighty-four years and died iin 1872. Legrand Bancroft located here from one of the Eastern States. He was in active practice many years, and removed to Pottsville, and eventu- ally went to some of the new Western States or Territories, but exactly where is not known. None of his posterity are here. James Pleasants was for years a familiar figure in our courtroom. He lived in Catawissa. Among the early and eminent Danville attorneys were Judge Cooper, the brother of Judge John Cooper. Judge Cooper, Sr. , was in a large and successful practice here until his death. Attorney John G. Montgomery married Miss Cooper ; Mi-. E. H. Baldy ♦For most of these particulars and reminiscences we are Indebted largely to the venerable Hon. Joshua W. Comly, and to ancient documents furnished by Mr. A. B. Still. HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. 65' married a granddaughter. The great American jurist, Judge Eobert C. Grier,, 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 judge of the United States Supreme Court. He was a native of Cumberland County, Penn., born March 5, 1794; died in Phil- adelphia at the age of seventy-six years. He was graduated in Dickinson Col- lege in 1812, when he located in Northumberland County, and was admitted tb' the bar in 1817, and commenced the practice in Bloomsburg. After remaining; there a year he removed to Danville, where he soon obtained a lucrative andi extended practice. He was appointed judge in 1838, by the governor of the comi- monwealth over the Allegheny Court, and lived in Allegheny until 1848. Pres- ident 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 District, and occupied the position with distinction eight years. He was suc- ceeded by Hon. Charles Donnell, who served ten years when he died. Theni 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. the unexpired term. At the next regular election Alexander Jordan was elected. to the ofUce; was re-elected and completed the two terms, or twenty years. In 1872 Judge William A. Kockafeller was elected to the office and continued' in the presiding office as long as this was in the Eighth District. When this, was changed to the Eleventh District Judge John M. Cunningham became- president judge. Then again Alexander Jordan filled the office. In turn he- was succeeded by Judge Eockafeller. Then Judge William Elwell, the present- president judge was elected to the office. The county associate judges are Dr. E. S. Simington and John Benfield. Joshua W. Comly, the eldest son of Charles Comly, merchant, was born in Philadelphia, November 16, 1810. Eemoved with his parents to Milton in 1820, where he was prepared for college in the academy of Eev. 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 North- umberland 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 in; May, 1833, and located in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, in February, 1831. In the fall of 1834 he removed to Danville, where he has since resided. He retired from active practice in ] 882. 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, Prick, 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. Eank read law with Eobert Hawley, in Muncy, and was ad- mitted 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 attor- ney in 1884. W. C. Johnston was admitted to the practice of law in 1839, in Columbiai 66 HISTOEY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. County. He was located in Jerseytown about one year and then came to what is now Montour County. He has been recorder since the county was organized. B. K. Bhodes was born near Catawissa; came with his father's family to Danville in 1825. Here he attended Mr. Hughes' school, read law with John Cooper and was licensed in 1842. When-the county seat was taken to Blooms- 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 in 1874. Edward Sayre Gearhart, a native of this county, graduated in Wyoming Seminary in 1876, attended Princeton College in 1880, read law in the office of Grier & Hinckley and was admitted to practice in 1881. James Scarlet and Frank C. Angle compose the law firm of Scarlet & An- gle. This, while not among the oldest firms practicing law in DanviUe, is in the front rank in success and amount of business they have to look after. CHAPTEE X. NEWSPAPEKS. ""^TO less than two dailies and four weekly papers, besides occasional short- _L\ lived publications, some weekly and some monthly, constitute the home lit- erary, political and philosophical pabulum of the good people of the county. These are classed as two political organs and four indepeiident. 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 in- 'dependenoe has invaded their columns, and it is no uncommon thing to see ■even " organs " lashing with whips of scorpions 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 *"cMi 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 Geo»ge Sweeny. A new county had just been formed, and Sweeny was the bold pioneer printer who ventured to complete the paraphernalia .of HISTOBY OF MONTOUB COUNTY, . 67 ihe new county by bringing here his printing office. We 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 editorial, but made up of clippings from papers weeks and months old, dry sermons, and a few staggering, crazy " ads." of religious books and sermons were the general features of a newspaper of that day. They were curious af- fairs 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 oounty of this State during the war of 1812-15; and as the paper was Federal- ist in politics, and the people of its county took an active and patriotic part in iihe war, yet there was not a line in the three years' issue of the paper re- ferring to the part enacted by the people of its county. But there were fre- quent 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 ione 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 tiie Gazette, but it could not have been more than a year probably. In 1815 Jonathan IJodge established the Express. In a short time he associated with him Mr. Garuthers, and the firm of Lodge & Garuth- «rs carried on the business. At one time they employed Judge Gooper as •editor. In 1820 George Sweeny again entered the field of journalism and es- iablished the Watchman. His office was for some time on the corner of Ferry and Market Streets, now occupied by the residence of Dr. E. 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 Jinked his name imperishably with that of the county. As told else- where he was the political and foster father of Montour Gounty. 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 Bepublicans 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 con- victions, 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 wiQ be long cherished and respected. After his death the paper was published lor some time by Oscar Kepler in the interest of Mrs. Best. In Septem- ber, 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 depart- ment. He continued in control until 1862, when he resigned to go to Berwick io take the control of a paper in that place. He was succeeded by the present proprietor, Thomas Ghalfant. The office became the individual property •of Mr. Ghalfant soon after he took control, and so continues io the present. The Intelligencer has been an able and consistent support of the Democratic 68 HISTOBY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. . party siace it was founded. The best evidence of its standing and influence is given in the fact that Mr. Chalf ant was postmaster under the last Democratic administration which expired in March, 1861, and after Eepublioan 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 Chalf ant and D. H. Shields; is issued from the Intelligencer office. When the paper was three months old Mr. Shields with- drew and the present editor and proprietor, Charles Chalfant, assumed entirfe charge. It is a morning paper, independent in politics, sprightly and breezy in its local and general editorial pages, and has a paying and liberal patronage in advertisements from our people, This is the second daily paper started 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, 1840, by Charles Cook. Its original name was the rather top-heavy title of Danville Democrat and Tariff Advocate. A very elaborate name in a new paper always gives the ap- pearance of being afflicted with hydrocepholus. Mr. Cook was a man of ability. When he quit Danville he entered the Government employ in Washington City, where he died in 1874. Duiing the Presidential campaign of 1844, he also issued a German paper,, called Der Tariff Advokat. IvSr. Cook battled manfully for the Whig party and the tariff until 1864, when he sold his printing office to Joel S. Baily. Mr. Cook must have found many 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; tile 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 ' ' Free trade and sailors' rights ' ' that ran over the land, or that other slogan of the "competition of unpaid slave labor," or possibly it heard not well enough 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 timejthe Whig and Democratic parties each had their able organs; the vet- eran journalist for the Democrats was Hon. Valentine Best, and Charles Cook was ably battling under the colors of the Whig party. As independent jour- nalism was yet unknown, we can readily see that Mr. Brower found it difficult to discover good standing room in any of the existing parties. But after it had been going a few months Fremont became the national standard bearer of the new Eepublican party, and here was the American's opportunity, which it eagerly embraced; its good fortune had come, and so completely did the Ameri- can cover the entire ground of organ for the Eepublican 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 185& Mr. Brower sold his office to George B. Ayers, of Harrisburg. He changed 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- ^^■^/:u^^i^i^ 9:^0) HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 71 chased the material and again resumed the publication of the American. In the meantime its temporary decline and suspension had induced other parties tO' start another Republican organ. After a short time the two papers were con- solidated under new proprietors. Mr. Brower sold the American to Joel S. Baily, and Charles Cook sold the Democrat to the same party. This transfer 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 office 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 C. Baldy. The paper was then published by Bradley & Baldy. In May, 1878, E. C. Baldy sold his interest to W. B. Baldy, and the new firm of Brad- ley 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 th& 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 Com- pany was organized, and The Danville Record started, with Mr. Brower, editor, (the first number issued March 16, 1876), which position he filled for twa years, when circumstances compelled the sale of the office, and the office passed into the hands of new owners. The 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 seven- column 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 es- poused 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 venture. Butthe proprietor had carefully estimated its chances, it seems. The- paper was a complete success from 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 inde- pendent in politics, saying their- say in a manly fearless way, ' ' with charity for aU 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. The office was purchased by the Danville Printing Company and they started the Independent. 72 HISTOEY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. The Independent. — Mr. Brower was placed in the editorial chair. The Print- ing Company bought a lot of new materials, went in debt therefor, and in nine months after the Independent was started it was seized for debt and sold by the sheriff. 'The office then passed into the hands of S. P. Kase. The office , was closed and remained idle for some time. The Mentor. — In 1873 this paper was started by D. H. B. Brower, K W. Eggert, John Lesher and William H. McCarty. They had leased the old In- dependent office. The paper was short lived and expired inside of a year. The Gem. — Bichard W. Eggert, sole editor and proprietor; was first issued November 30, 1885 — a sprightly local paper, of five columns, folio, and in- dependent. It is issued every Saturday, and in mechanical make-up is a model of taste and elegance. CHAPTER XI. OFFICIALS AND STATISTICS. FKOM what is now Montour County, there have been seven members of Congress elected. Gen. William Montgomery was in the Third Congress, 1793-95; served one session and resigned. The next in succession was his son. Gen. Daniel Montgomery, elected in 1806 to the Tenth Congress, 1807-09. He served his term, but peremptorily declined a re-election. Alem Marr was elected in 1828 to the Twenty-first Congress, 1829-81. Then Dr. David Petrikin was elected and served two terms, the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Congress, 1837-41. John G. Montgomery was elected in 1856, Thirty-fifth Congress, and died just before taking his seat. He was a victim of the noted hotel poisoning at the National Hotel, in Washington, just before the inauguration of President James Buchanan. To fill the place made vacant 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 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 Dan- ville, 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 out 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 found that there was some fine work to be done in order to carry through the sole measure for which he had gone to the Senate — forming a new county. He perceived the relation of the two political parties was such that without his vote there was a tie. The Whigs 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. HISTORY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. 73 Why didn't they call this Best County? Certainly, it would have been a name perpetuating the 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. E. Buckalew, the present member elect of Congress from this district, was senator. 1857-59 — George P. Steele. The district was then composed of Luzerne, Montour and Columbia. 1873-75— Thomas Chalfant. 1880 — Elias T. McHenry. District — Lycoming, Montour, Sullivan and Oolumbia. 1882-86— WUliam 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. 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. 1884— Dr. J. P. Hoflfa; re-elected November 2, 1886. COUNTY OmOEBS. Present county officers are, sheriff, James O. Frazier; prothonotary, Wil- son M. Gearhart; register' and recorder, William C. Johnston; treasurer, George W. Peifer; commissioners, Isaac Amerman, Frank G. Blee, George W. Askins; associate judges. Dr. Eobert S. Simington, John Benfield; district attorney, Daniel W. Eank; 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. West, 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. Commissioners. — 1850, Samuel Yorks, James McMahon, Samuel Shick; olerk T. J. Galbraith. In 1852 Galbraith resigned as clerk, and board ap- pointed George W. West; 1851, David Yeager was elected commissioner; 1853, David Wilson; 1854, Jacob Sheep and William Snyder; 1856, Abraham Wagner; 1857, Eobert Davison; 1858, William McNinch; 1859, Daniel Eam- sey; 1860, William Sidel; 1861, Charles Fenstermacher; 1862, Isaac Amer- man; 1863, John Moore; 1864, John Derr; 1865, Isaac Amerman; 1867, James Shultz; 1868, Andrew C Eussell; 1869, John Dildine; 1870, William Xorks; 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 was W. J. McKee, J. Auld and George W. Derr; the clerk then was E. G. Hoffman; 1879, Isaac Amerman, Stephen Smith, Frank G. Blee; Clerk Lewis Rodenheffer; 1880, George D. Butler was appointed clerk; 1882, Isaac Amer- man, Frank G. Blee, George W. Askins; 1883, John C. Peiffer was appointed clerk. The last named commissioners and clerk are the board as constituted now. Treasurers. — 1850, first treasurer elected was George Mears; 1853, Joseph Dean; 1855, Daniel Reynolds; 1857, Frederick Blue; 1859, William G. Gas- kins; 1861, Edward Morrison; 1863, Abraham Wagner; 1865, William Mc- Ninch; 1867, Jacob Sidel; 1869, Isaac Amerman; 1871, Emanuel Sidler; 1873, William 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. 0. 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. Frazier. 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, Janu- ary, 1876; 1876, William M. Gearhart was elected, and by re-election has con- tinued 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 is given as follows: Total, 15,466. In detail it is as follows: Anthony Township 1,043 Cooper Township 383 Danville Borough , 8,346 Derry Township '. 841 Liberty, including Mooresburg Village 1,166 [Mooresburg Village] 99 Limestone Township, including village 731 [Limstone Village] 59 Mahoning Township 1,141 Mayberry Township 330 Valley Township 1,014 West Hemlock Township 395 Washinstonville Borough : 308 Under the apportionment of the State of 1874 the county of Montour elects one member of the lower house of the Legislature. The county is in the Twenty-fourth Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Lycom- ing, 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 Roar- ingcreek and east of the Lackawanna River, and the boroughs of Duomore, New Columbus, Goldsboro, White Haven, Jeddo and Hazelton. HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 75 CHAPTER XII. DANVILLE. NESTLING in the narrow yet 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 of our present form of government. At the foot of the town flows the gentle 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 send- ing its steam and smoke rolling gracefully up the hillside — Titan and Cyclops side by side. South of the river rises Blup Hill, and further along the river valley is Mahoning creek as it has cut its way through Montour Kidge, 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 front 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 gristmill, 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 from Chestnut to Church Streets and from 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, 1782, he sold to John Simpson. April 15, 1783, John Simpson and wife (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 Eev. Bichard Peters and John jlukens. 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 wig- wams 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 rendez- vous, 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 76 EISTOET OF MONTOUB COUNTY. 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 voy- ages, 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 office for the whites. On the north of the tracts above indicated the land belonged to John Mont- gomery, and that on the northeast to Amos Wickersham. Afterward these tracts became the property of the Prazers and the Yorks. The lands on the southeast belonged to the Sechlers. These land titles fix pretty definitely the 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 Kevolutionary war, has left on record his first impression of the place on seeing it. He thought there were then about half a dozen cabins at what was then called "Montgomery's Landing. ' ' Soon after this it came to be known as the ' ' Mahoning Settle- ment," and by this name it continued to be called until after 1792, when Gen. Daniel Montgomery laid out the town. The territory embraced in his town plat was that now lying between Mill and Church Streets and from the river to the canal. In 1776 Gen. William Montgomery had built his log house that stood so long as the first notable building in the place. It stood near the large stone mansion he afterward built that is still standing. In this log house 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 river. John Sechler, father of Jacob Sechler, next laid out that part of the town above Church Street. The next land added to the town was by William Montgomery, that part below Mill Street to Chestnut Street. It was of this addition he donated thirty lots for the purpose of an academy. He also donated the ground for the court-house. Gen. Daniel Montgomery donated 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, sav- ing the natural accretions of population drawn to this portion of the new purchase after that was made in 1868. The coming here of the earliest strong and influential men was due mostly to the misfortunes that then overtook nearly all the prominent actors in the Eevolution, the financial ruin by the depreciation of the Continental money. This ill luck was the good fortune of Danville and what is now Montour County. When 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. A mill, a store, a place to buy and sell, a place to have bread ground without HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 77 going all the way to Philadelphia or Reading, a trip then more tedious and difficult by far to make than to cross the continent now, were strong induce- ments to settlers. Soon after the store ?,nd mill were established, their existence here and the fact that this was Dantown, had its influence in bring- ing 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 estab- lished 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 cents. It took two weeks at the shortest to send a letter and get a return from Philadelphia or anywhere else, but what a vast improvement was that to these people hungry for news from friends, in the wilderness. Gen. William Montgomery was the first postmaster. The fame of the new town began to 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 Sus- quehanna, 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 about. Hence these poor fellows usually had to do all the public speaking, 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 the household. But to return to our subject of Danville's first Fourth of July 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 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 politi- cal feeling here at that time. The people were generally Democrats. That is, with Jefferson they believed in the divine right of the people to rule themselves. The Federalists on the other hand desired to copy more closely after the Brit- ish form of government — in other words, more power in the government — 78 HISTORY OF MONTOUR OOUNTX. centralization. They believed that JefPerson 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 revolutionistSj infidels and all that was bad; that the government was at last the only safe power to trust, and that it was its prov- ince to regulate everything in politics, religion and social life. The Adamses, of Masachusetts, and Jefferson, of Virginia, represented these conflicting po- litical ideas. In communities where there was a division on these political qiiestions, passions ran high. In an old file of a Pennsylvania paper of about 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 procla- mation of Madison, announcing peace between this country and Great Britain. He charged that the divine had nailed the word of God to the desk and had lifted up that political monster, Madison; had preached politics; desecrated the sanctuary; in short, had committed the mortal sin. These old fellows were a very religious, stem 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 off, 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 to die, without wincing, the most horrible death for opinion' s sake. Their 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 no- tions. Hence when political opinions were once formed they struck their roots deep in their strong natures. With an Eastern devotion they worshiped then- 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 tyr- anny. This had passed down in their blood from father to son through gen- erations, ever growing in its intensity and added powers. Here happily for 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 black- smith shop in the proper order of time and importance to these pioneer people. In our chapter on schools it may be seen that the schoolmaster and the itinerant 3)reacher preceded even these prime necessaries. The little floorless, window- less, brush covered schoolhouse had been built, and here the master of the birch and ferule expounded the mysteries of the alphabet. The school- teacher was an awfully great man, but he stood second to the preacher, great as he was. The average person at that time was of those who supposed all perfect wisdom was lodged in the preacher. Such hallucinations passing through the ages' had made preachers very dogmatic in expressing their judg- ments and men very credulous in accepting them. The good man stood be- tween God' s flaming sword and poor, trembling, frightened 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 cup 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 un- chained for a thousand years, and they stalked over the land gathering human fagots for the eternal fires. Mill and store and blacksmith shop and teacher and preacher were all and each important things in their day, filling impera- tive wants in their time. They would all be very insignificant affairs now, but in their day and time they well performed the great part given them to do. Bless their shades! HISTOKY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. 81 Almost the first stroke of the woodman's ax disturbed the malaria of the "valleyB 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 hot- water, toast- water and elm- water a commanding necessity. Dr. Foster was 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 side, even before the first days of the ' ' post town, ' ' had been prepared a little plot of ground for "the silent city," then a goodly distance from the town, now apparently nearly in its very center. Here "the rude forefathers of the 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 pro- vision for a resting place for the dead. It is so written on the face of nature — the law of ceaseless change, from dust to life; from life to dust. Life, exist- ence, death — change, change, change. The vast clock of God ticks off those 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, applicable to everything animate and inanimate. It is nature' s way as well as all creation's highway. Nothing is more common than death; it reaches 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 terrors, that thinks of it with loathing and horror. Because it may be sweet to live, it does not perforce follow that it is the one supreme bitter to die. Nature did not so make it. Anything so common, so universal, could not be so made. 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. We communed with the early dead in the old Presbyterian Church Ceme- tery 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 City ' ' in this, then far away, wilderness. It was then outside, away out from the haunts of the living; now the little three-acre plot of ground is nearly in the center of the city of the living. It is now fenced up with a low brick wall 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 removed. Who was first buried here is not now known. It is said the third grave •dug in the place was to receive the body of poor Curry, who was so brutally murdered by the Indians. The grounds have been well kept by the friends of 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 al- ready 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 BA 82 HISTOBY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. the vast seas of time, making one nation partake of the thoughts and illumina- tions of another. The poems of Homer have come down to us through nearly 3,000 years without the loss of even a syllable'. The printed sheets of paper, the frail records of papyrus outlast the adamant, and are capable of being ever renewed, and these alone are self-pei^etuating. Frail, valueless sheet of 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 con- trivance that may outlast all other work of the human hands. Thus how wisely it is ordered; the humblest may have to their memory monuments that will outlive the pyramids 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 absolutely certain this date can be correctly read. We could find the names of 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 alihost call the roll of that meeting, and we noted the following: John Sechler, died October 5, 1831, aged ninety-, two 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 j 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 Thomaa D. Siglar, died December 7, 1843; Rev. John Patterson, died May 8, 1843, aged seventy; his wife, Bebecca, 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; Will- iam 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 Mont- gomery died March 26, 1859, aged twenty-seven; Margaret (Montgomery) Woodside, born January 8, 1784, died aged twenty-two; Alexander Montgom- ery, 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 Bussell died June 6, 1851, aged seventy-three; his wife, Catharine F., died April 27, 1846, aged sixty-six; of their ojiildren, Eobert 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, (Sed July 14, 1873;. John Gulic died November 2, 1837, aged sixty-sixj Mary, his relict, died October 2, 1848, aged seventy-four; Isaac Gulic di^d 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, Octpber, 1816; James Childs, born June 16, 1793, died January 10, 1871; John Ohilds, 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 thirty- four: 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- HISTOBY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 83 Childs, bom July 10, 1809, died October 11, 1875; James Kreaption, bora 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 February 18, 1859, aged seventy -eight; his wife, Isabella, died Januai'y 19, 1849, aged seventy-one; their daughter, Fanny, died Janu- ary, 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; EobertCxury, born December 21, 1775, died December 14, 1857; his wife, Mary, died No- vember 21, 1848, aged fifty-seven; William Curry, born June 16, 1778, died November 9, 1852; Jane Curry died April 21, 1825, aged seventy-five; Jan& McWilliams died August 4, 1808, aged thirty; Elizabeth MoWilliams died January 9, 1813, aged sixty- four; Mary, wife of William Caldwell, died De- cember 15, 1853, aged seventy -seven; Andrew Clark, born in 1752, died im 1831; Mary, his wife, died August 3, 1806; their daughter, Florence, borni May 19, 1792, died May 28, 1841; Catharine, consort of Orrin Sholes, 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 sixty- two; James Lemon died January 6, 1843, aged thirty-seven; James Lemon, Sr., died December 11, 1842, aged eighty-five; his wife, Bachel, died August 21, 1840, aged seventy -five; William Lemon died January 3, 1847, aged thirty- eight; Lucinda Lemon died September 3, 1849, aged twenty-two; John Mc- CuUough died November 15, 1832, aged fifty- two; Jane (Crawford) McCul- lough died September 12, 1853, aged sixty-six; George Miller died October 20, 1843, aged sixty-three; Edward Hathaway, bom November, 1819, died December 8, 1875; Peter Blue died March 19, 1826, aged seventy-four; Mary (his wife) died September 28, 1838, aged seventy-nine; Hon. William Mont- gomery, son of Edward William, died January 8, 1846, aged seventy -three j 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 Comelison, born May 17, 1789, died August 18, 1851; Lettia Cor- nelison, 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 Sep- tember 10, '1828;" Eobert 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; Margaret died 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, agMl fifty-five; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Snyder, bom May 19, 1827, died October 2, 1853; Hugh McWilliams, bom 1799, died 1877;; John Sundry, bom July 22, 1799, died September 17, 1858; Stuart Corneli- son, born May 12, 1831, died July 30, 1881; Benj. Gearhart died October 22, 1865, aged sixty-one; Mary Gearhart died November 12, 1867; Benjamin Gear- hart died February 22, 1854, aged forty-four; Abner Pittner died October 21, 1867, aged fifty-three; Mary, his wife, died August 22, 1867, aged fifty- eight; John T. Nervine, bom 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. Eussell, died April 14, 1851; Margaret, daughter of Alex- ander and Jane Montgomery, died March 18, 1876, aged fifty-eight; Jan*- Boyd, relict of Alexander Montgomery, died March 8, 1876, aged ninety-three;. 84 HISTOBY OF MONTOUK COUNTY. John Best, born February 20, 1799, died December 19, 1870; Mary, relict of Andrew Eussell, died November 11, 1866, aged eighty; Robert G. Eussell, 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 K. Reynolds, born September 12, 1818, died May 7, 1842; Ann Maria Rey- nolds, born September 13, 1820, died January 2, 1839; Thomas Reynolds, born February 10, 1788, died August 8, 1880; Mary M., his wife, bom May 20, 1791, died January 6, 1877; James N. Nolan', died March 81, 1857; Hannah Blue, born May 10, 1788, died April 6, 1870; John Blue, bom 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 (G;ulic) 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; Hagh 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, bom 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; Phcebe Gearhart, died June 21, 1845, aged fifty- two; Achsa Gearhart, died March 13, 1813, aged thirty-two; William C. Gear- hart, died September 15, 1834, aged thirty-four; John Frazer, died August, 1821, aged seventy; Mary, his wife, died 1823; Eleanor, wife of George Wil- son, 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. The first rush of immigration to this portion of Pennsylvania had been effectually stopped by the incursions of hostile Indians. The Wyoming mas- eacres are a shocking chapter in the history of that time. The first wave of pioneers had but touched this outer border when the mutterings of the swarm- ing red devils from their hilly fastnesses sent the wildest alarms among the Tiapless and helpless settlers. Danville was perforca deserted, and the most of the people went to the forts for protection. This was a serious loss to the people; it was precious time to them gone in the clearing of their little truck patches, and preparing homes and providing food for their families. It must 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 cen- tury had come and gone before a postoffice was established in the place. Its growth was uncertain and slow until 1828. The produce of the farmer was at low prices and far from markets, with but the most primitive means of trans- portation over the most difficult highways. Gen. William Montgomery had 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 com- merce 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 HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 85 carried on. Early in the twenties the subject of a canal began to be talked about in a vague, indefinite way. The people had never heard of a railroad. They had only just heard of the steamboat, but their information and ideas of it were vague and nebulous. But the canal they understood and fully appre- ciated. It was the great and perfect highway to the markets of the world. The most daring thinkers of them no doubt anticipated the day when steam- boats would ply the waters of the Susquehanna. * But from these day dreams they would ever turn to the subject of a canal to Danville. This was the golden probability that argued itself into certainty at last. About the year 1820 the subject of a canal began to be seriously agitated. In 1826 the State entered upon a system of internal improvements. Gen. Daniel Mont- gomery, most fortunately, was that year appointed one of the canal commis- sioners, and became president of the board. In 1826-27 the canal was sur- veyed and located, and in 1832 the water was turned in — the canal was com- pleted. And the great era in the history of the town then dawned — the year 1832. FIFTY- SIX TEARS AGO. Mr. John Frazer removed from Danville in 1831, and on the fiftieth anni- versary of his departure for "my own, my native land," he jotted down his recollections, and the picture he recalls of the people of that distant day is very interesting. The following is the substance of his recollections : "The population of the village was then 740; the buildings numbered eight}'; 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 borough. They were chiefly frames, but many of the primitive log buildings yet re- mained. The brick buildings were the courthouse, Goodman's Tavern, Dr. Petrikin's and Mr. Frick's residences and MJ. Baldy's store. Subsequently 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 mer- chandising. There was scarcely a germ of the manufacturing interest which has grown to be of such vast importance since that day. About 1817, on Mar- ket Street, near Pine, William Mann manufactured nails in a primitive way by hand. The bars or hoops of nail iron were cut by a machine worked by a 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 of machinery, in a single day. And this simple, modest manuf actiu-e was the 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 pur- suit, 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 emigration from southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Sunbury and Northumberland. To these were added, 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 "Codoras," a little steamboat, actuallf arrived at Danville on an experimi'ntal trip up the Buaquehanna. The town rejoiced, and a great holiday was had; the officers were fed and toasted at the uld {^™8 Keys Hotel that stood on the bank of the river. Everybody attended, evervbody rejoiced — the long night had broken away. The boat 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, n ever to return. 86 HISTOBY OP MONTOUE COUNTY. c[uent date. HI8T0BY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. 87 " The Catholics, now so numerous, were scarcely known as sectaries, Michael Bafferty 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- elytes. The Rev. Mr. Shepherd, a Baptist of the Campbellite portion of that sect, preached occasionally. He was an eloquent and popular divine. There were a number of Lutherans, to whom Rev. Mr. Kesler, from the vicinity of Bloomsburg, preached at long intervals. The Episcopalians were not numer- ous, and it was suggested that they and the Lutheraiits 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 day was called Rudy's woods. These sectaries were all destitute of church buildings except the Grove Church. This was the spacious log church, built more than 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 demol- ished and F. Birkenbine was building a bnck church edifice under a contract with James Donaldson, Robert Curry, Robert C. Gxier, Herman Sechler and John 0. Boyd, the trustees, for the consideration of $1,775. " The social relations of the community were eminently pacific and cordial, doabtless promoted by the matrimonial unions between members of the several very large families of some of the early emigrants. The Montgomerys, of whom there were two brothers — ^Daniel Montgomery the elder, and his brother. Gen. William Montgomery, whose sons were Gen. Daniel, Col. John, and Alexander. The son of the senior Daniel Montgomery was Judge William Montgomery. The Woodside family was a large one, consisting of Thomas, Archibald, John, James, Daniel, William and 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., Lrwin, Jane, Eliza- beth, 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, WUlitses 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. Tha tailor and shoe- maker itinerated here and in the vicinity and were 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, Catatvissa 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 effect of the masicof Orpheus, which ' drew iron tears down Pluto's eheek.' §8 HISTORY OF MONTOUB COUNTY. " By industry and frugality the people lived in comparative comfort, paid their preacher and school-master promptly, and their printer as soon as con- venient, 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 Eev. Mr. Painter was principal of the Danville Academy, then a new institution. The predecessors of these were Master Gibson, who taught in th» 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 Eichards; 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 horticulture, and tho most onerous part of their labor was the removal of the water-worn stone, rounded by attrition in by-gone antediluvian ages, in oceanic 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. " Amongst other amusements the boys enjoyed skating, sledding, sleighing, nutting, trapping, 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 afforded them the needed recreation from study and labor. " But I must not omit the muster days of the military. The old Bifle 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 after- ward by Lodge & Caruthers. The Watchman was established in 1820. It was published on Market Street, east of Ferry, and had a sign in front oi the office, upon which was painted the head of Franklin with the legend from Milton, ' Where liberty dwells, there is my country. ' There were then few 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 politic^ 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 v__yC 6^^^^-,^^^^^^^^^ HISTOBY OP MONTOUB 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 number. Ebenezer Greenough had recently removed to Sunbury. Judge Grier, from his profound legal attain- ments 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 representied the district in Congress in 1829. LeGrand Bancroft was dis- trict attorney. The other members were George A. Frick, William G. Hurley, John Cooper, James Carson and Robert McP. McDowell. A short time 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. For- rest, 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 oflSce, and subsequently practiced in Clearfield County. " Gen. Daniel Montgomery was the first merchant, but, having acquired a. fortime, was now residing on his fine farm a mile or two above town. His cousin, Judge William Montgomery, an old citizen, was now the oldest mer- chant, 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 es- tablished. 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 es- teemed citizens; and William 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. The 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 reseund with S2 HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. Midnight shout and revelry, Tipsy dance and jollity. " The Feny 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 ihe violin, thus condemning that first of musical instruments, from its associa- tion with much that is vile. Then there was the Jackson tavern. Mill Street near Mahoning, by William Clark, a soldier of the Bevolution, with the likeness of Gen. Jackson painted on its sign, thus superseding that of Washington, AB 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 hurtful 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 freely 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 modem drinking places were then unknown. In addition to these taverns Mrs. Spence kept a boarding- .house, and had for her guests some of the most respectable people of the place. ' ' Amongst the active and industrious citizens were the blacksmiths. John Xiunger was one of the earliest, and had a shop on Ferry Street. John Deen's «mithy 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 McCuUey was one of the pioneer carpenters and removed to Ohio, inear Wooster, wJiere 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 ohairmakers 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; WUliam Whita- ker, 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 village. "Honest John Eeynolds, from Beading, was the veteran hatter, who for Jong years supplied men and boys with hats. Martin McCoUister was a more recent and very skillful workman. " Thomas Blackwell carried on the fulling-mill and saw-mill near what is now the junction of Mill and Bloom Streets. ' ' The first brewer was Eichard Matohin. The citizens of that day were not, as we now phrase it, educated up to a due appreciation of that beverage, con- sequently it proved less profitable than brewing lager, weiss and buck beer at the present time. ' ' George Wilson was the first cabinet-maker, and some of his substantial old- «tyle furniture has sui-vived to the present day. Burrows Moore was long en- gaged in the same business. " The Scotch weavers had been famous in the early days of the settlement. •Of those who were engaged in the business fifty years since I can now only ■ HISTORY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 93 lecall the names of Christopher Smith and Peter Goodman. The latter was a most respectable and industrious German from the Fatherland. "Coppersmiths and tinners — Alexander Wilson, James Wilson, John C. Theif. ' ' Watchmaker and jeweler, Samuel Mans. "There were several saddlers — ^Alexander Best, Hugh Flack, Daniel Hoflf- man, and possibly others. "Bifles 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 far between. In the language of an eminent statesman it might then have been truly said: "Few die and none resign." Judge Seth Chapman was long the presiding judge of our courts. He was a man of moderate legal attain- ments, yet he made a good presiding officer. He was assisted by his associates, Judges Montgomery and Rupert, George A. Frick was prothonotary, having been appointed to that office by Gov. Snyder in 1813. "William Wilson, Eudolph Sechler and Joseph Prutzman were the justices of the peace; Andrew McEeynolds, sheriff; Daniel Cameron, constable. Mr. Sechler was also register and recorder. James Longhead, a dignified yet popu- lar gentleman of English origin, was postmaster, and held the office for the Jong term of fourteen years, twice as long as any other with one exception. The office was first established in 180&, Judge lilontgomery being the firstone appointed, and held his commission from President Jefferson, and filled the office for seven years. This just and pious man discharged this trust, as he 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. I never knew a more honest man than Mi-. Sechler. With him it was in- 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 honest than other men. Of his large number of connections I never knew 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 & defaulter to the National Government, and that all of the thirteen incum- bents of the office have diligently and faithfully discharged the trust reposed 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 cen- tenarian. He was a man of gallantry, a kind of Beau IJash of more than *iglity, with a peculiar child-like tenor voice, who delighted to play the gallant witii the young ladies of the village, and drive them around the place and Ticinity in his old-style chaise. Robin Finney, as he was always called, from 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 Gren. D. Montgomery and one by Judge Montgomery were the only pleasure carriages of that kind in the county. The old time carriage of PhUip Maus, which attracted the attention and excited the wonder of the village urchins, and the more modern carriage of Gen. Montgomery were the only pleasure carriages of that style. Traveling on horseback was then the proper thing for both sexes, old and young, gentle and simple, and its general disuse is to be regretted. 94 HISTOEY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. ' ' 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 nbt 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, surroimded the place so that, for the time, it became insular. The only approach was by boats. I saw the bridge over the brook on the road, then an extension of 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 Alex- ander Montgomery and Joseph Maus, all propelled by the water of the Mahon- ing. 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 coiild 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 fire engines of any kind, nor many other indispensable improvements, deprived of which we would speedily retrograde to what we were at that period. The popu- lation 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, not- withstanding 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 common- wealth. ' ' 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 regu- lar 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 four- teen 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 HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. 95 laia on the 5th of October, 1786, and rained incessantly for several days. The water rose rapidly and swept all before it. Several persons were drowned near the place now called Rupert, and at Sunbury houses were overflowed and many people were lost. Northumberland was also flooded and much dam- age was done. This flood was long remembered and known among the old settlers as 'the great pumpkin flood.' In the spring of 1800, just fourteen years after the ' pumpkin flood, ' another greJa,t freshet occurred. It rained three days and three nights, carrying off a deep snow and doing much dam- age. In 1814 there was another destructive flood that caused much loss of life and property. Here the old Indian tradition that floods occurred every fourteen years failed ; for the next was in 1817, after an interval of only three years. The next flood of note was in 1847. If there were any fi-om 1817 to 1847 we have no record of them. Many will remembei' that of 1859, which also raised the water in the North Branch over eight feet above high water mark. StiU more vividly do they remember the extraordinary flood of March, 1865. The exciting scenes in Danville on the 17th and 18th of that month will never be forgotten. The river began to rise on Friday, and 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 leave their homes in haste. Women and children were taken from their houses in boats. The whole district from Sageburg to Mill Street was covered with water reaching up Mulberry Street and to the scales in front of the Mont- gomery 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 houses and gliding high over the gardens. The river bridge was much injured but withstood the onset. Many stables and other buildings floated about and found new and strange foundations as the water receded, witnout any regard to the side that was up or down. Only one man, Peter Green, was drowned at this place. He fell into the Mahoning from a small raft while attempting to supply his family with coal. His body was recovered and properly cared for. Another great flood in the North Branch in 1875 took the river bridge that had so long withstood the assaults of the angry torrent, but when the Catawissa bridge came down and stnick it broadside it had to yield. It has since been rebuilt more substantially than before. There was another great 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 town's history. The opening of the canal started the second era in the town's 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 place. Capital was attracted here, labor came where it was sure of ready employment at living wages. Iron ore was here in great abundance and the 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. INCOEPOKATION AS A BOROUGH. Danville became an incorporated borough in 1849. Its growth from its settlement until the building of the canal had been very slow, the improve- ments more than keeping pace with the additions to the population. In 1840 the population was 1, 100. In the next decade, however, it was increased over 200 per cent and in the next half-decade, 1855, to 6,000 and in 1857 to 8,000. 96 HISTORY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. In that day this was unprecedented. The present stationary condition of the town shows that the large part of this population was drawn here by the iron manufactories. In 1849 it was reaching rapidly its importance and growth ' as a manufacturing town. In the establishment of its manufactories, the public and private buildings, and its coipmerce 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 machin- ery was simple, economical and effective. The freshets in the river had sugF gested that the lower parts of the town must be raised to an established grade to prevent the injurious overflows. In 1852 Northumberland Street was filled 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 defined as they exist now. These limits contain 996 acres, lying in greatest 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 re- spectively 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 check from the financial panic of 1857. This was especially felt in its large iron mills, but was only temporary. It had disappeared in 1859. In the latter part of 1860 the portentous war clouds were lowering upon the "country, and in 1861 the storm broke and the Nation trembled in the throes of war. The 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 fiow of money from the government center was immense, which rapidly circvdated 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 hands 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 grace- fully the new habiliments of reconstruction. The war left the country flooded with cheap money and flush times. Men no longer hesitated to go in debt, to pay the heaviest discounts upon the glittering but deceptive future. The thinkers of pessimistic tendency argued that the war closed, the debris cleared away, that the reaction would swiftly come that would engulf every daring adventurer. But the war closed in 1865, and a lustrum of years had come and gone and financial prosperity only swelled its daily great volume. The re- action had not come. The pessimist ceased to warn, the optimist confidently HISTOEY OF MONTOUE 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 f The South was crushed, pauper- ized and millions of slaves were freed, and no longer did northern labor have to contend against the unpaid slave labor of the country. Was not Prov- 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 ? f» To these golden dreams came the fatal year, 1873. The telegraph flashed the simple announcement, but really portentous news over the land, ' 'Jay Cook' s failure," and in a day the average business man of the country was in fact a bankrupt. The sad scenes around the bankrupt courts exceeded even those in England when the great South Sea Bubble burst. May a return of the like be ever spared our landl We had trampled upon every financial law of polit- ical economy, and we had to pay the most fearful penalties, compounding the interest to the most implacable Shylock 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 suffeted 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 panic passed away. The financial, commercial and industrial history of the 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. INDUSTKIES. Some learned sociologist has concluded that the true measure of a people's degree of civilization is the amount of soap they use. The correctness of this depends. In many a pioneer settlement of 100 years ago so pinched were the people for every necessity of life, that the wild " bee trees " were hunted and the only make-shift possible 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 cloud- like snowy white or delicately tinted party di'ess. This honey at one end of 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, cleanli- ness 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 delectation and advancement. The little rill that is now the great swollen stream had just then started on its course too insignificant then to attract at- tention, while now in the language of the western poet when he, like De Soto, first stood upon the bank of the Mississippi Kiver, and his muse fired by the grandeur of the view exclaimed: "Great Father of Waters, so wide that you cannot hear its roar!" This poetical paradox well expresses the growth and 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 98 HISTOEY OF MONTOUE COUNTY. a little previously, some ingenious Yankee-Deutcher had succeeded in making a heating stove, or at least a kind of iron box to put fire iu, perhaps the primitive idea of the old foot stove only a little changed and enlarged; and thus, makmg stoves to warm ourselves and cannon balls to vrarm the Hessians, commenced in this country the little rill that is now the stream " so great that you cannot hear its roar." The camping hunter had not then discovered for us the fact that the "black rock" would burn, but the discovery of coal as a fuel quickly 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 itsj.mmortal trial trip on the Hudson. Then, too, Benjamin Franklin was flying his kites, himself, as he says, "holding the end of one vstring and another goose holding by its neck the other string," when the lightning, realizing its great master had come, playfully and in "sportive twists "ran down the wrong string and ' ' liked to have killed the wrong goose. ' ' Thus, link by link, the great chain was forged and welded from the outcrop- ping iron ore that has made this the age of iron, the era of civilization — wonder- ful, incomparable! These are the true children of immortality. The thoughts and inventions of genius alone are immortal, they endure forever. Like the Jaws of nature their work goes on perpetually, ever increasing, ever grow- ing, multiplying in compound ratio like the unseen drops of water and par- ticles of gases in the bowels of the earth that ignite and produce the earth- -quake — 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 immor- tal iUvenytors 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 efPects ; the other was only good, and like all good, lives and grows tlu-ough 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 from the world! The pioneer here in the production of iron was Mr. 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 iell into ruin. This, in order to designate the different furnaces, was called "No. 1." Montour Iron and Steel Works. — About 1840 Chambers & Biddle built Nob. 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 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 rep- resented by the firm of Murdock, Leavitt & Co. , the firm consisting of U A. Murdock, Edward Leavitt, Jesse Oakley and David Wetmore. The superin- i) £^yyyiyt6 l\yC HISTOEY OF MONTOUR COUNTY. 101 tendent was Henry Brevoort. The rolling-mill was built in 1844. (A. G. "Voris was a general agent and builder, who was for many years connected with the works, as builder, purchasing material, selling iron and having renting of the dwellings in chargel ) T. O. Van Allen built the store-house, now known as the company store, in 1844, and conducted the store and the flouring-mill -until about 1850 when he sold to Conely, Grove & Co. He was also resident agent for a time. The rolling-mill was completed in 1845 and here the first 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 first T rail that was ever made in this country — a rail that now connects the At- lantic and Pacific Oceans and checkers with iron roadways every civilized coun- try in the world. In 1843 the furnaces were leased to Benjamin Perry Alex- ander Garretson, Cornelius Garretson and William Jenriison. Their contract was for two years. Harris was the manager at the rolling-mill in its first •operation and was succeeded by M. S. Eidgeway, the manager at the present time. The foundry and machine shop was established by Heyward & Snyder in 1839, but they were purchased by the company in 1852. From 1847 to 1849 the rolling-mill was operated by Kidgeway, 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 1851. Peter and John Grove managed the works until 1857. During their regime the new mill was buUt, adding much to its extent and capacity, which is now 45,000 tons of iron rails per annum. In 1857 the entire works passed into the hands of I. S. Waterman, Thomas Beaver, William Neal and Wash- ington Lee, as trustees for the creditors of the Montour Iron Company. They operated the works as trustees until 1859 when the entire interest in the whole concern was purchased by Waterman & Beaver. They also purchased the real estate with all the franchises of the company, and changed the name to the Pennsylvania Iron works. They operated the works with great success and general satisfaction. In 1868 Thomas Beaver, Dan Morgan, C. Mulligan, George F. Geisinger and Dan Edwards operated and shared the profits of the works. This combination was successful and continued until 1874. In 1876 Thomas Beaver sold his interest to I. S. Waterman, retaining by purchase the mansion house on the hill, with twenty acres of ground. In 1880 MJr. Waterman sold the plant to the Philadelphia & Beading Kail- Toad Company. The name of the works was then changed to Montour 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 1450, 000 in cash for the entire plant. In its line of manufacture this was the pioneer establishment east of the AUeghenies, producing a superior raU that supplied Toads in all parts of the country, extending to the Pacific Ocean. The excel- lent quality of block iron mined here, from its hardness, made a top for the rail that was a valuable desideratum, and commanded sa,les of all the works 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. He enlisted in 1861 in the artillery. One Hundred! and Twelfth Regiment of the line, and was elected orderly sergeant of Company F, servedl three years and was in several battles. In 1864 he returned home and worked on the Calawissa Railroad, and subsequently farmed foi* a time. He again worked on the railroad as a bridge-builder until September 24, 1870, when he met with a sad accident which de- prived 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 ?oor of Danville and Mahoning Township, He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the . O. O. F. also of the I. O. O. F. Encampment. His first wife died in 1867, and in 1870 he married his second wife, a lady of German origin, jvho has borne him three children: Will- iam A., Harry Clayton and Sarah Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs. Bare are members of the Ger- man 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 chil- dren, ten of whom attained adult age. Jesse, who is the fifth child, received his educa- tion 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 five 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 aflBliated 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 mem- ber of the town council, and served one term as auditor of Perry County. He was post- master at Millerstown, 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 1868. 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 re- signed and embarked in the coal and 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 manu- facturing 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 BIOGBAPHIOAL SKETCHES: in Franklin County, this State. Tills family immigrated to this country in 1755, and first settled in Lebanon County. The father of our subject, Rev. Peter Beaver, born December 35, 1783, in Franklin County, Penn., was ordained in 1809 at Elkton, Md., by Bishop Asbury, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was activeljr engaged in the ministry many years; he died in August, 1849. Thomas' mother died in l81o; 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 Gil- berts 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 and 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; Tnomas, whose name heads this sketch; Peter, who married Eliza G. Siminton; Sarah, who married Aaron Nevius; Eliza; Catharine, who married Archiliald Greenlee, and Mary, who married Henry Miller, now of Lewisburg. Thomas Beaver's educational ad- vantages 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 wm 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 $3.50 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 busi- ness 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 Jud^e 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 Penn- sylvania 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 Samiiel'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 Philadelphia 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, attempt- ing to dissuade the seeker after knowledge, while Bray &' Barcrof t wrote they would be glad to meet him and make his stay pleasant. Mr. Beaver accordingly went to Philadel- phia in M'arch, 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 an- swered, ' ' I cannot give up a business worth $3,000 or $4,000 per year for the sake of liv- ing in Philadelphia." 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 our- jselves in the business." Recognizing the value of such proposition from so strong a house, he acted upon it and returned to Philadelphia. An opportunity being offered irer, and as such he still serves. In 1863 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty -second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in his first battle at Antietam. He remained with the regiment, however, and participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg, and at the expiration of his terra of service, re- enlisted, this time in the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was elected first lieutenant, served his term, hundred days, and was discharged in 1865. In 1866 he enlisted in the Two Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was the last regiment discharged from Pennsylvania. Politically Mr. Foster is a Republican, and has served as chairman of the water-works, and chief burgess of Danville. In 1864 he married Mary Gulick, a native of Danville, of English origin, and their children are John, Elizabeth, Jennie and Alexander. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of St. Paul Methodist Church, of which denomination he has been trustee. He has served four years as District Deputy of the I. O. O. F., Montour County Lodge, No. 379, and one term as commander of the G. A. R. Post at Danville. JAMES 0. FRAZIER, sheriffl, Danville, was born in Danville, Montour Co., Penn., December 9, 1845 ; a son of Daniel Frazier, a farmer, who was elected sheriff in 1850, and was the first to be elected to that office in this county ; he and his wife were natives, re- spectively, of Montour and Schuylkill Counties, Penn., and of Scotch-Irish and German origin. They were the parents of seven children, four now living. They moved to Wash- ingtonville, this county, in 1858, where the father died in 1879. Our subject was reared at 'Washingtonville ; attended the schools of Danville, and in early life followed farming un- til he was nominated on the Republican ticket and elected sheriff of Montour County in the fall of 1885, the only Republican ever elected to the office in Montour County. He married, in 1874, Mary, daughter of Jacob Martz, and of German origin. She is the mother of the following named children : Alice E., Daniel, Clarence W. and James O. Mrs. Frazier is a member of the Lutheran Church. WILLIAM F. GEARHART, real estate agent and farmer, P. O. Riverside, Northum- berland Co., Penn., was born August 17,1834, to Herman and Abigal (Baylor) Gearhart,na- tives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Rush Township. The grandfather, Jacob G., was a captain in the Revolutionary war and participated in the battle of Monmouth, where he was wounded ; soon after that struggle he came to Northumberland County and en- tered land where the borough of Riverside is now located and where William P. resides. Herman Gearhart was a blacksnlith and his brother, Jacob, was associate judge of Noi^th- umberland County. William F. is one of a family of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, and acquired his education in Danville and in early life clerked in a store in that place, and later went to California (in 1853), where he remained four years in the mining country. In the fall of 1856 he returned to Pennsylvania, spent the winter in Dan- ville, and in the spring returned to the West, traveling through Utah, Oregon, Wash- ington. Idaho, California and Wyoming. In 1869 he returned to Danville and has since divided most of the old farm, on the Susquehanna River, opposite Danville, into town lots, which will in all probability be the residence part of Danville for the wealthier class. The lands lie high from the river,, with an easy elevation, and command a fine view of Danville. Mr. Gearhart also offers good inducements to a manufacturing company who will start a manufactory on that side of the river. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., Past Grand; politically he is a Democrat. B. R. GEARHART, cashier of the First National Bank. Danville, was born in North- umberland County, Penn., August 20, 1843, a son of B. R. and Elizabeth (Boyd) Gear- hart, natives of Pennsylvania, the latter of Irish oriein. The father, who was of German descent, was a physician, and for many years successfully practiced his profession in Danville, where he died at the age of forty-two, the father of nine children, six of whom are living. Our subject received a limited education in the common schools and at the age of ten years went to York County, Penn., where he clerked in a store at Wrightsville for four years. He was then sent to learn the carpenter's trade, but thinking that teleg- raphy would be more congenial to his tastes, he commenced the study of the latter with a determination to succeed, and soon became a proficient operator. He worked at that art five years in Danville, dividing his time between the Lackawanna and Catawissa Compa- nies, and earned such a reputation for industry and promptness that the corporation of the First National Bank of Danville were induced to elect him teller in 1866. That position he held until 1870. when he was promoted cashier, which office he still fills. He married in 1872, Louise, daughter of Samuel York, and of English origin. Two children have been born to them: Anna and Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart are members of Grove Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee, and has served as treasurer of the building committee. He is a Republican; has been a member of the town council of Danville. He is a Knight Templar. He enlisted in 1863 in Company D, under Col. Ramsey, and served his full term of enlistment. WILSON M. GEARHART, prothonotary and clerk of courts, P. O. Danville, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., January 23, 1846, a son of John (a farmer) and 154 BIOGBAPHIOAL SKETCHES: Martha (Martin) Gearheart. His parents were born in Pennsylvania, of German descent on his father's and of Irish on his mother's side; they reared two children, a son and a daughter. Of these, our subject is the younger. He grew to adult age on the farm in Northumberland County, obtained his early education with his parents on the farm, and subsequently attended the Danville Institute; also Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, where he graduated in the classical course in 1865. He then engaged as a teacher for two years; and from 1868 to 1872, was employed as bookkeeper and timekeeper in one of the large manufacturing companies of Danville, which then employed 1,700 men. He then embarked in the machinery business, gas-fitting and plumbing, at which he was engaged until elected to his present position as prothonotary and clerk of the courts of Montour County, in 1875, and has since filled the olBce. He is a Republican, has served as a member of the school board eight years, and is the present chairman of the finance com- mittee. He takes an active interest in the leading secret societies and has prominently identified himself with them; has taken nearly all the degrees in Masonry. Mr. Gearhart was married in Danville, in 1867, to Miss M. Jennie Beaver, daughter of Jesse Beaver, who is of German origin. Their children are J. Beaver, Lois M., Emeline S. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart are members of the Methodist Church. He has been steward, trustee and Sabbath-school superintendent; is president of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle of the State of Pennsylvania; is also vice-president of the Mountain Grove Camp- meeting Association, and has the general charge of the railroad rates for the meeting. Heenlistedin the Union Army in June, 1863; was assigned to duty in the provost marshal's department at Washington, D. C, and resigned the same vear to complete his studies. EDWARD SATRE GEARHART, attorney, Danville, is a son of Mayberry and Mary Catharine Gearhart, the former of Quaker, and the latter of Puritan descent. He is one of seven children, as foUows: William G. (deceased); Sophie R.. wife of Col. Charles W. Eckman, of Reading, Penn. ; Clarence P;, of Cresswell. Neb. ; Minnie, wife of Henry M. Hinckley, Esq., of Danville, Penn.; Boone, wife of William Vastine, and George 8., of Catawissa, Penn. The subject of this sketch, the next to the youngest of the sons, was born at Roaringcreek, Montour Co., Penn., March 28, 1856. He lived at Roaringcreek, working on his father's farm in the summer and attending the neighboring public school in the winter until he was over fourteen years of age, when he went to Danville and entered the National Iron Company's machine shops at that place as an apprentice. After com- pleting his full term of apprenticeship as a machinist, in the fall of 1875 he entered Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Penn., as a student, and graduated the follow- ing year. In the fall of 1876 he entered Princetoji College, New Jersey, as a student, and graduated in the class of 1880. While a student at Princeton he took an active part in tbe politics of that State and made political speeches in behalf of the Re- publican ticket. During the last years of his collegiate course he read law with the Hon. John F. Hageman, master in chancery for the State of New Jersey. After his gi'ad- uation he returned to Danville, Penn., and entered as a student of law in the office of Messrs. Grier & Hinckley, and was admitted to the Montour County bar in 1881. In the presidential campaign of 1880 he stumped a portion of the State for Garfield, for whom he cast his first presidential vote, and in 1882 for the regular Republican nominee for gov- ernor. He was a delegate to the Republican State Convention which met at Harrisburg, Penn., in 1883. May 30, 1883, he delivered the memorial oration at Gettysburg, and on the same occasion, tiie year following, delivered the oration of the day at Antietam. He was also the orator of the day at Washington, D. C, at the memorial services in 1885, and has delivered many other orations of various kinds on numerous occasions. At the inauguration of the presidential campaign of 1884, at the personal request of Gen. John A. Logan, he was appointed a national Republican orator by the Republican National Committee, and under its direction he canvassed several States, principal of which were Ohio and Indiana, closing the campaign in Philadelphia, He has never sought nor held any public office, and no position of private trust, except as president of the Lochiel Iron and Steel Works at Harrisburg, Penn., which position he has held from the time of its incorporation. Since his admission to the bar in 1881, he has closely applied himself to the practice of his profession in his own and in various others counties of the State. On the 5th of May, 1886, he married Miss Ella R. Creveling, daughter of Alfred Creveling, general manager of the Lochiel Iron & Steel Works at Harrisburg, Penn. GEORGE F. GEI8INGER (deceased) was born in Massachusetts in 1821, a son of Commodore David Geisinger. At the age of sixteen years he left school in Boston for Baltimore, to take a situation in a mercantile house there. He accompanied his father to the Mediterranean in 1844 and returned to Baltimore in 1846. In 1847 he went to South America, where he remained until 1849, when he went to California. In 1851 he joined his father in Philadelphia, and from that time until 1854 was his secretary at the naval asylum. He came to Danville in June, 1855, and was employed as bookkeeper for Groves & Bro., iron manufacturers, and subsequently occupied the same position with Thomas Beaver & Co., also engaged in the iron business. Later he took an interest in the firm, which was very successful, and was bookkeeper in their office in all over twenty-four years. He made his own way in the world, and by energy and perseverance DANVILLE. 155 succeeded in amassing a competency. His life is an illustration of what a man may ac- complish in a few years. In 1866 he married Abigal A. Cornelison, who survives him. Mr. Geisinger died in 1883, a member of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, of which he was trustee, and of which his widow is still a member. Politically, he was a Republican. JOHN K GERINGER, proprietor of the City Hotel, Danville, was born in Mon- tour County, Penn., August 3, 1852, a son of Adam and Angeline (Smith) Geringer, natives of Pennsylvania, former (a miller by trade) of, English origin, and latter of German. Adam Geringer commenced the hotel business in 1853, and in 1855 opened a hotel in Mausdale, this county, which he conducted until 1870. He then came to Danville, bought the White Swan Hotel, and in 1872 moved it to the rear and erected the commo- dious brick structure now known as the City Hotel. This building is 41x80 feet, three stories high, and contains a large number of sleeping chambers, nicely furnished and well ventilated. The dining-room is eighty feet in length, with every modern convenience for the accommodation of a large number of guests. Mr. Adam Geringer died in 1881, and since that time the hotel has been conducted by his son, John K. The subject of this sketch is the third of seven children; was reared and educated in his native county, and spent the most of his life in hotels. October 24, 1874, he married, in Montour County, Laura J., daughter of John Dildine, of Montour County, and three children have been born to their union: Laura K., William and Nellie. Mrs. Geringer is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Geringer is a Democrat, and has been a delegate to the county and State conventions of his party; also served as a member of council of Danville. He is a Sir Knight Templar. The "City Hotel" is in the central part of the town, in the business portion, and presents many attractions to the public. It is well known and lib- erally patronized. S. M. GIBBS, principal of the high school, Danville, was born in Lansing, Tomp- kins Co., N. Y., July 27, 1836, a son of William and Margaret (Minier) Gibbs, natives of New York and of Scotch-Irish and German origin. When S. M., the elder of two chil- dren, was twelve years old his fa'ther moved to Cameron, Steuben Co., N. Y. Our sub- ject was educated at the Wesleyan Seminary, Lima, N. Y., and at Alfred University in the same State. He commenced teaching at fourteen years of age, which has been his prin- cipal occupation since, eight years of which time he taught at Danville. He has taught in several high schools and seminaries in New York and Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the service during the war, but was granted a special discharge on furnishing a substitute to complete his term of enlistment. He has a wife, Mary T. Gibbs, and four children. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. JOHN H. GOESER, wholesale dealer in cigars, tobacco and vinegar, and agent for ocean steamship lines, Danville, was born in that place June 1, 1853, a son of Anthony and Catherine (Shumacher) Goeser, natives of Prussia. His father was a hotel-keeper, but spent the most of his life in America, crossing the ocean five times. In 1842 he settled in Danville, where he followed hotel-keeping for many years and died in 1880. John H. is the only son, and was reared in Danville, where he was educated. In early life he em- barked in the tobacco business, which has since grown to be quite extensive. In 1878 he mar- ried Miss Theresa, daughter of Joseph Liebner, of Pottsville. Mr. and Mrs. Goeser are members of the Catholic Church and the parents of one child, Coletta Emma. Politically Mr. Goeser is a Democrat. GEORGE J. GRAUEL, M. D., Danville, was born in Fulda, Germany, May 36, 1835, came to America in 1853, and located in Danville in 1862. I. X. GRIER, attorney, Danville, was born in that place December 27, 1835, a son of Michael and Isabella (Montgomery) Grier, the latter a daughter of Alexander Montgomery and granddaughter of Gen. William Montgomery, the founder of Danville. Michael Grier was a merchant in early life; later superintended the erection of telegraph lines, and died December 25, 1879. His family consisted of five children, who grew to adult age: W. A. M., a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Rev. John B., a Presbyterian minister; H. J., the wife of John C. Youngman, a banker in Kansas; Mary G., wife of Edwin C. Ely, of Peoria, 111., and I. X. Our subject was educated in the schools of Danville and also at Lafayette College, from which he graduated in 1858. Prior to entering college and after graduating he was connected with the Susquehanna River Telegraph Company, and at the time of its construction, opened a number of offices and instructed operators at the ^respective places. He later served as secretary and treasurer of the company until it was merged into the Western Union. He read law in the office of E. H. Baldy, Esq., and was . admitted to the bar in 1861, practiced in the courts of Montour and adjoining counties, and in the United States courts until 1884, when failing health obliged him to relinquish his labors. He was notary public from 1863 until 1880, and was a member of the firm of Markle, Grier & Co., who for about two years conducted a railroad-iron mill at Danville. Mr. Grier is at present a director of the First National Bank of Danville, of the North Branch Steel Company, of the Danville Bridge Company and of the Mahoning Rolling Mill Company. He married in 1865 Emma W., daughter of Hon. James M. Porter, of Baston, Penn., and two children have been born to them: J. M. Porter and Isabella L. Hon. Mr. Porter was at one time Secretary of War; was president judge of Northampton County, and an eminent attorney. 156 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: R. M. GROVE, manufacturer, Danville, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., October 28, 1847, a 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 possibilities of the iron industry at Danville. Here, for many years, he and his brother were extensive manufacturers and amassed a large fortune, consisting of iron and iron ore lands located in several States and Canada. They built a large furnacain Danville, and erected a mansion at a cost of $200,000, which is still occupied by the family. Michael J. died in 1877, 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 time to scientific inves- tigations. Our subject, the youngest son, was reared in Danville, where he received his early education; later he entered Yale College, New Haven. Conn., from which he gradu- ated in 1867. He then returned to Danville and entered the office of his father and uncle to learn the iron business, which at the death of his father was left to our subject and his 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 Nail & 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 which place he 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 children, 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 com- pany 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 Dan- ville, 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 in early life he engaged for three years in the dry goods business as salesman. Later he 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 busi- ness 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 six clerks. Mr. Hancock opened his establishment in 1884, and has since built up a large trade. He is yet unmarried, is a member of the Heptasophs Society, and secretary of the Merchants Protective Society of Danville. Politically he is a 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 reared by his parents in Germany, where he acquired his education. In 1864 he came to America and in 1865 to 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 business. In 1863 he married Miss Minnie (daughter of John Adam Luckhardt), who bore 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, Elizabeth, Anna and Peter Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Held are consistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is elder. WILLIAM HENRIE (deceased) was a native of New Jersey, born in 1799, of English origin. He grew to manhood in his native State where he received his education in the 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 Dan- ville, Penn., about 1833, and kept hotel until his death in 1876. He was a Democrat until 1856, after which he voted with the Republican party: served as a member of the town council, and also as burgess of Danville. Two of his daughters are now residents of Dan- ville; one is the wife of J. C. Rhodes, and the other the wife of R. H. Woolley, a success- ful coal dealer. H. M. HINCKLEY, attorney, Danville, was born in Harrisburg, Penn., June 2, 1850 ; a son of Joel and Theodosia (Graydon) Hinckley. His mother was also a native of the 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 consist- ed of eight children, three of whom grew to maturity. Our subject, who is the only one now surviving, received the rudiments of his education in his native town, and subse- quently 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 DANYILLE. 157 with his classes. In the year 1872 he took up the study of law in the office of his after partner In business, I. A. Grier, of Danville, and was admitted to practice in the courts of Montour County in 1875, and to the supreme court in 1878. He has since met with marked success and is numbered among the leading men of his profession in Montour County, He was united in marriage, in 1874, with Miss 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. Hi4ckley is elder and trustee, taking an active interest in the |Sabbath-school, in which he has been super- intendent for several years. He is a Republican, but takes no very active part in politics, preferring to devote his time to his profession. NICHOLAS HOFER, retired carpenter, contractor, lumber dealer, etc., Danville, . was born September 14, 1823, in Baden, Germany, where he received his education. He is the eldest of five children, and early in lite served a regular apprenticeship at the car- penter's trade, which he followed in his native country until 1852. 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, Grcrmany. 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 at his trade, his diligence, industry and knowledge of his business soon bringing him custom. He first worked by the day; then contracted, erectingmany 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 Dan- ville. Mr. Hofer has retired from active duties, having accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods, and whatever efEorts 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 fraternity. W K. 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 to time-keeper and superintendent of accounts. He was next promoted to cashier, which responsible position he filled for twelve years, and in 1878 was made general superintend- ent of the store. The importance of this trust can be better realized when it is consid- ered 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 hav- ing been engaged in almost all the departments of the store for over thirty years. 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 Repub- lican, a member of the town council of Danville, and chairman of the water committee. P. P. HOWE, president of the North Branch Steel Works, Danville, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., September 19, J.853, 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 & Reading 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 filled until 1880. In that year he came to Danville, and, on the organization of the Mon- tour Iron & Steel Company, was made general superintendent, and operated the works for five years. He then resigned his position, having purchased a rolling-mill at Phillips- burg, 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 158 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: latter a Quaker of English origin. David C. is the eighth in a family of nine sons and three daugliters, ten of whom grew to maturity. He was reared in Bedford County, and at the age of twelve years went to Urban a, Ohio, to learn the carriage-maker's trade 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 Com- pany H, Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the following battles: Chantilly, Antietam, Mays Heights, Fredericksburg, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Rappa- hannock, 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. 279, of Danville. In politics he is a Republican. Capt. Johnson married in 1886, Eliza- 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 f armer_ She was of Scotch- Irish descent, died in Danville, April 18, 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 Demo- crat 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 Dan- ville . HENRY KEARNS, tobacco and cigar dealer, Danville, was born in Manchester, Eng- land, July 23, 1828, a son of Henry 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, at the age of seventy-five years. Henry was reared in England, where he was also edu- cated, and in early life learned the trade of gas-fitting. In.l854 he came to America and worked in Philadelphia at the gas-fltting business for Morrs & Decker, which he has followed in this county for thirty-two years. He has also traveled and worked to a con- siderable extent in large cities. In 1861 he enlisted at Chicago, III., in Battery D, of the First Artillery, and participated in several battles, including Atlanta, where the concus- sion 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 resigned. Since then he has been engaged in his present business. He married at Balti- 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 ■ 9A 162 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: the K. of P., and also of the G. A. R. Mrs. Kearns is a member of the German Reformed Church. SIMON KREB8, senior member of the firm of Krebs & Co., dealers in wines and liquors, Danville, is a native of Germany, born April 10, 1839, to John and Catherine (Scheids) Krebs, also natives of Germany. The father was a farmer, kept a vineyard and manufactured wine; immigrated to America in 1855, settling in Scjhuylkill County, Penn., where he spent the remainder of his life. He was born in 1809 and died in his seventy- third year. Simon is the youngest of three sons and two daughters, and was reared with his parents on the farm in Germany until he was fifteen years old. He came with his family to Amerjca, learned the carpenter's trade, and at the age of nineteen went to Cali- fornia, where he worked at his trade two years. In 1864 he returned to Pennsylvania, and in 1868 came to Danville. He took the contract and built the water-works at Dan- ville 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 to the county conventions. In 1865 he married Harriet, daughter of Jacob Swartz, a prom- 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 Sny- der 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- ployed in his mines. CHRISTIAN LAUBACH, merchant, Danville, was born in Sugarloaf Township, Co- lumbia Co., Penn., February 22, 1816 ; a son of Cliristian (a farmer) and Mary (Prutchy) Laubach, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, former of whom died in Co- lumbia 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, hav- ing removed thither in 1837, he having been engaged as clerk during the intervening peri- od! During that time he had saved enough, together with $410 received from his father's- estate, to enable him to open a mercantile establishment, and since then he has done a successful trade. He has increased his business from time to time and now also operates in separate stores, groceries and dry goods. By prudent management he has acquired a handsome fortune, and is now one of the oldest merchants in the place. He married, in 1842, Hannah, daughter of Jacob Hefler and of German descent. Six children were born to their union : Martha B., wife of S. T. Lees ; Emma A., wife of Lewis E. Woods ; Mary Ellen,, widow of William Root ; Sally ; George, a salesman in the store, and Elizabeth. Mr and Mrs. Laubach are members of the Methodist Church, of which he has been trus- tee and steward. He is treasurer of the Danville Mutual Insurance Company, a member of the board of trustees of the First National Bank, and also served three years as presi- dent of the First National Bank of Danville. In politics he is a Republican. VICTOR A. LOTIER, editor and proprietor of the Daily and WeeMy Record, Dan- ville, was born in the city 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 coun- try 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 four- teen 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 Cavalry. He was elected commissary sergeant, subsequently promoted to orderly sergeant and was 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 rolling- mills 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 Hujghes, 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. GEORGE LOVBTT, Danville, was born in Ireland July 28, 1838, to William and Jane (Johnson) Lovett, natives of Ireland where the father died. Their family con- sisted of eight children, and in 1852 the widow and four children immigrated to America, settling in Danville, our subject at that time being fourteen years old. He was educated 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. Ini 1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer In- DANVILLE. 163 fantry, was made quartermaster sergeant, and took part in the engagements at Soutb Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. He was wounded at Antietam, but served his- fill! term of enlistment and was discharged in 1863. One month after his return home, he enlisted in the First Battalion, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was elected captain of Company 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 en- gagement, 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 1865. 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 thel. O. R. M., and has passed all the chairs; is also a member of the G.. A. R. and has several times been a delegate to the county and State conventions of the- Bepublican 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 Trinity Church of Danville. COL. JAMES McCORMICK, retired, Danville, owner and controller of the 'bus line, 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 Presbyte- rians. 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 DavidM., who died in Harrisburg, Penn., in 1873, a successful business man, being worth about $100,000. Oui 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 busi- ness 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 Lime- stoneville, this county, and engaged in business for four years, when they again sold out and moved to Schuylkill County. There they followed mining and shipping anthra- cite 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 busi- ness. 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 servsd 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 s* ai>pointed 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. P. McGINNES, general superintendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Works, Danville, was born in the city of Pottsville, Scuylkill Co., Penn., March 3, 18^, 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 m the Montour Iron and Steel Works as inspector of iron rails until 1882, when he was appointed superintendent. Inl885hewas 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 physi- cian 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 vestry, and is now superintendent of the Mission Sunday-school in Dan- ville. 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, 1164 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: and of Scotch-Irish origin, the former a farmer. Thomas M. is the fourth in a family of ■five children, was reared on the farm in Liberty Township, educated in the common schools, and for several years followed agricultural pursuits. In 1853 he began to learn the art of photography, which has since occupied his attention. He worked at'different iplaces until 1865, when he settled in Danville, and since 1871 has been associated in the business with Mr. Ireland, under the firm name of McMahan & Ireland, and the success of the business is largely diie to his exertions. In 1854 he married Caroline Reed, of Scotch- Irish origin, and two children have blessed the union: Clarence and Lillian E. Mr. and Mrs. McMahan are members of the Presbyterian Church, and politically he is a Dem- 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 24, 1795, son of William and Mary (Dunlap) Magill. Their ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. William Magill, 8r., 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 medi- cine with James'Smith, M. D., four years, and graduated from the Medical University of Baltimore, in 1817. He then attended lectures at JeflEerson Medical College of Philadel- phia until the spring of 1818, when he began the practice of medicine in Danville, open- ing an office in the same house where he now resides. This house is of brick, erected by his mother in 1814, the family having moved here in the spring of that year. When Dr. Magill began the practice of medicine Danville was a small place, and houses in this vicin- ity were few and far between. Dr. Magill was a man of more than ordinary ability and skill, and possessed wonderful powers of endurance. He rode on horseback over a large scope of country, day and night, enduring hardships, and surmounting difficulties that the doctors of this day know nothing of. He married. May 1, 1828, Miss Mary, daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery. This union has been blessed with eight chUdren, 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 memoer 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 organi- zation of the Republican party he has been one of its strong supporters. His name will be revered not only for Lis professional skill and honor, but for his deeds of charity and ■Christian example. WILSON METTLER, retired farmer, Danville, was born in Rush Township, North- lumberland Co., Penn., May 10, 1813, a son of Philip and Susanna j^Carter) Mettler. His parents were natives of New Jersey, of English and German origin respectively. The father was a farmer, and died in Northumberland County in 1856. His family consisted of nine children, of whom Wilson was the fifth. He was reared on the farm and educated .at the schools of Rush Township. From his youth until 1868 he had been engaged in -agricultural pursuits, but at the last named date retired, and has since resided in Dan- ville, but still owns the farm, which is well improved. He married, in 1834, Miss Ann, 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. Huflman; 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 many 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 tan- ner's trade, which he followed eight years. He then established himself in a general store at Jerseytown, was moderately successful 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 sheriff, embarked in the livery business. Mr. Miller is a Democrat and always takes an active interest in everything pertaining to that party in 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. HENRY MOYER, dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, was born in Ger- many, February 1, 1827, a son 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 DANVILLE. 165 spent his life. Henry is the ninth of twelve children, and was reared in Baden, where h& received his education. In early life he learned the trade of a hutcher, which lie followed as a business until coming to America in 1852. He settled in Danville, Penn., and spent 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 Dan- ville 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 suc- cessful. He married, in 1853, Sophia Myer, a native of Germany and who bore him three children: Fannie, Sarah and Harry, and died in 1860. Mr. Mover then married Sarab 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 the firm of Cruikshank, Moyer & Co., Danville, was born ia Montour County, October 13, 1888, a son of Daniel and Susan (Cortner) Moyer, natives of Northumberland Inow Montour) County, and whose ancestors were among the early German settlers of Pennsylvania. He is the eldfest in a family of eight children and grew to manhood in his native county, coming to Danville with his parents, in 1844. Here he attended the common schools and in early life learned the machinist trade, at which he worked for a time, subsequently embarking in his present business. The firm do an ex- 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 Thirty- second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served ninemonths. In 1864 he enlisted ia< the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served on de- tached 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 them Antietam, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. He is a member of the council of 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 Demo- cratic. HON. PHILIP C. NEWBAKER, physician and surgeon, Danville, is a great-grand- son of Martin Newbaker, who emigrated from Germany before the Revolution and settled, at Powell's Creek, on the Susquehanna River, eighteen miles above Harrisburg. Martin 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 bom August 13, 1848, near Halifax, Dauphin Co., Penn, He received a good academic edu- cation 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 Volun- teers, 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,. 1863. he again enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, at "Philadelphia,, for three years, which regiment was assigned to duty under Gen. Rosecrans in Tennes- see, where from hardships and exposure in service, he contracted diseases which confined' him to the hospital for several months. After jjartial recovery he was transferred to the Invalid or Veteran Reserve Corps and continuedin it to the close of the war. He was honor- ably 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, andl entered Jeflerson 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 marriedMiss 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 Dan- ville. He is also a member of Goodrich Post, No. 33, G. A. R., of Danville. In the: spring of 1886 Dr. Newbaker purchased the property in which he now resides, at No. 34„ 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 166 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 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 maturity. He was reared on the farm, educated at the district school, and followed farming until coming to Danville in 1866. September 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 Union County, Penn., March 3, 1836, a son of Michael and Martha (Miller) Peters, na- tives of Pennsylvania, of German origin, the former a tailor by trade'. Emanuel was their onW child, and was educated at the subscription schools of Union County. He came to Danville when seventeen years old, and has since made it hi^ 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. Fisher; Clara M.; F. G.; Lucy M.; Saddle M. and Elmer E. Nearly all the family are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Peters was a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volun- teer 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 gauger, Danville, was born in Columbia County, Penn., August 34, 1838, 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 1848. Our subject is the eldest in a family of eight sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, and was reared on the farm in Hem- lock Township, 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 1883 Mr. Philips has been tax collector, and also United States gauger and market master of Danville. He is secretary of the school board and a member of the I. O. O. P., both of the encampment and subordinate lodge. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1850 he married Mary, daughter of David AJlegar, of German origin, and their 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 no reproach and a character whicli 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 whom 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. C&rr & Co., car- riage builders of Milton, Penn., and, after serving four years, he moved, in the early spring of 1833, 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 shops. About lo34 he married Miss Catharine Heller, and three children blessed their union: Norman Leslie, Ellis Hughes, Mary Eliza- beth, all living. In 1843 he became widower, and in 1844 he married Elizabeth Heller.who bore him four children: Anna Rebecca, David Hays, Catharine Frances and Henry Clay Kthe last two dying in infancy). David H. is the publisher of the Millstone and Corn Miller, Indianapolis, Ind., a representative monthly publication devoted to milling and mechanical interests. In 1873 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 untar- nished by worldly associations, by daily walk and conversation worthy of emulation, a legacy to his children more lasting than money. Mr. Ranck witnessed ihe growth of Dan- ville from a small village of less than a thousand population to a city of 10,000 in- habitants. 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 Mon- Xour Counties can feel an honest pride in having had for more than fifty years a citizen who DANVILLE. 167 •embodied so much that was good and noble. In personal appearance Mr. Kanck was com- manding, above average height and of rotundity of bulla, 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 t)a,n- ville and vicinity, have all maintained the high integrity and honor of his name. Nor^ man was born August 3, 1835; Ellis H., born August 10, 1837; Mary E., born June 31, 1841; Anna R.. born February 33, 1844. and David H., born February 5, 1847. FREDERICK REAM, teacher in and superintendent of the public schools of Mon- tour County, Danville, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., July 30, 1851, a son of John and Anna (Westley) Ream, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin, and whose ancestors were among the early residents or Pennsylvania. The father by trade is a coach-maker; also for a time followed farming, and now resides in WashingtonviUe, Mon- tour County. Frederick is the fifth in a family of five sons and three daughters, and was reared inyMontour 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 busi- ness at WashingtonviUe, and since 1873 has followed teaching. He taught in Schuylkill County and at Freesburg Academy for two years, and in the DanvUle 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 WiUiam 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 polit- ically a Democrat. S. Y. RICHARDS, photographer and owner and proprietor of the Danville art gal- lery, was born three and a hafl miles south of DanvUle, 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 iarming 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 obtain- ing the best knowledge of tliat 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. He then resided in Carbondale, Penn., for seven years, moving thence to Pittston, 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 Roll- ing Mills, Danville, was born at Milford ViUage, Pike Co., Penn., March 13, 1830, 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 1830, 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 1814, escaped from jail and fled to Canada. Mr. Ridgway followed, and with the assist- 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 En- glish authorities as a spy. He was a Quaker, and having an uncle in Canada, he'succee Jed 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 wUl 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 year 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 BIOGBAPHICAL 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 Monlour 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, Col.; 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 Meth- odist Episcopal Church. DANIEL J. ROTE, retired cattle drover, Danville, was born in Northampton County, Penn., October 16, 1813, 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. P. ; polit- ically he is a Republican. Wellington Rote, cattle dealer, Danville, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., a son of Daniel J. 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 Dick- inson 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 m the stock business. Politically he is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Masonic fraternity. DAVID RUCKEL, agent for the P. R. R. & W. S. Express Company, Danville, was born in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, November 31, 1841, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Whelmore) Ruckel, natives of Columbia County, this State, and of German de- scent. 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 educa- tion 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 1863 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and served nine rfonths, the term for which he enlisted. He next enlisted in the One Hundred and Twelfth, Second Artillery, was promoted ser- geant, and June 80, 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, wlien be moved to Danville and worked in the rolling-mill until 1878. He was next employed with the raiload and express companies, and in 1882 was ap- pointed to his present position. In 1867 he married Miss Lucinda Nuss, of German de- scent. Two children were born to them: Charles E., who is in the oflSce 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 a Republican. , JAMBS SCARLET, of the firm of Scarlet & Angle, attorneys, Danville, was born in Elizabeth, N. J., December 81, 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 oftthat 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. 169' THOMAS 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 1871. 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 cigar- maker'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 em- barked 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 1873' our subject married Mollie Hartman, a sister of his first wife. Their children are George W., Mary B., Anthony W., Grace 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 32, 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 apd 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 mater- nal side the first immigrant to come to this countrjr was George Schultz, the great-great- grandfather of our subject, who came to America in 1734, in the twenty-fourth year of his age. The parents of our subject were Jeremiah and Mary Schultz. The father was born June 7, 1797, and died February 3, 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 AUentown, Penn., which |has 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 graduat- ing 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 Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1856. Immediately after leaving the university he opened an ofBce for the practice of medicine in AUentown, where he met with flattering success. But soon an opportunity offered for him to pursue the nat- ural bent of his mind, and he accepted a position in the State lunatic hospital at Harris- hurg, 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 Ger- many, 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 Pennsylvania 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 oflScer and surgeon in charge, successively, in general hospitals at Harrisburg, Penn., Covington, Ky., Madison, Ind., and Columbus, Ohio. Here he resigned as superintendent of hospitals at the close of the war in 1865. He then returned to Harrisburg, and was in active practice 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 Hos- pital, and from the commencement of the work on the building to the present time he has- been its eflScient and able superintendent, to the great advantage of the State in its vast ex- penditures 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 con- nection with his present oiHce, 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 Asylum in another column. Dr. Schultz and Miss^ Hannah L. Magill were married September 23, 1872; she is a dau^tef of William H. Magill and Mary (Montgomery) Magill, and a granddaughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery.^ 170 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: Mrs. Magill was born May 6, 1805, and died January 7, 1882. Their issue are Edward Magill Schultz, born July 32, 1873, and William Magill Schultz, born February 15, 1878. H. B. D. 8ECHLER, retired pointer, Danville, was born on River Street, Danville, January 36, 1808, a son of Rudolph and Susanna (Douty) Sechler, natives of Pennsyl- vania. 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 eighty- five 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 Dan- Tille 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 orna- .mental sign painting. In 1830 he married Miss Jane Jamison of Mifflin County, Penn., who died in 1831. In 1835 he was married to Sarah, daughter of John Oearhart, 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 com- munity. Politically he is a Republican, formerly a Whig, was appointed justice of the peace in 1845, and served five years. ABRAHAM SECHLER, musician, Danville, was born in that place April 13, 1814, a son of Jacob and Barbara (Reice) Sechler, the latter a native of Switzerlandj 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 Danville. 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 jrears six of them played in it. Abraham received but a limited education in the subscription schools of Danville, but has been a student all his 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 anvested his money in Government bonds, and now has a fine property^ where he resides and devotes his time to music, which he fully enjoys. In 1835 he married Lavinia, daugh- ter 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, daugh- ter of John Wurtman, 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 33, 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 ol ildren now living: C. R. and Barbara Ann. Mr. Sechler is a member ■of the K. of P., politically an Independent, with Democratic proclivities. JACOB SHELHART, 'retired,'ex-sherifE 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 Dan- ville, 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 «arly life made farming his business, but later devoted his time to the manufacture of woodtn plows, which he carried on for a time, also manufacturing wagons and wheel- barrows, 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 years. 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 Poust, 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 DANYILLE. 171 toard and overseer of the poor. He is at present making valuable improvements in Dan- ville. DAVID SHELHART, merchant tailor, Danville, was born in Franklin Township, Columbia Co.) Penn., May 9, 183S, a son of Jacob and Christianna (Evert) Shelhart, natives of Pennsylvania 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 business, merchant tailor and dealer in gents' furnishing goods, and employs the best skilled workmen and cutter. In 1857 he married Malinda A., a daughter of Richard Demott. She is of German origin, and has borne her husband four children: Emma, wife of Warren McHenry; Kate D., wife of Harry Rhodes; Frank and Charles Richard. The family are all members of tlie Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Shelhart 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, 1823, 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 he received his education at the common schools and at the academy. In 1843 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 Williams- Sort and Blossburg, taking in all the villages on the route, carrying passengers and the nited 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. WooUey, sole agent for Conyngham & Co., of Danville. In 1849 Mr. Sherifl married Miss Martha W aters, 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. GIDEON M. SHOOP, lumberman, P. O. Danville, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., June 33, 1831, 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 Frank- lin County and learned the art of manufacturing French buhr mill stones, at which he 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's main business, however, is the lumber trade. He purchases large tracts of land in the south and elsewhere, from which he cuts the timber 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 iour farms iu 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 3, 1846, Amelia D., daughter of William Gearhart. She is of English and Gerrnan origin and the mother of four children, all deceased except one, William G., who is now engaged with his father in the lumber business. Mr. Shoop is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church; is president of the board of trustees, a steward and a teacher in the Sabbath- school. 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,anda director in the Danville National Bank, having served in thatxapacity longer than any other director, with a sin- gle exception. B, P. SHULTZ, M. D., Danville, was born in Columbia County, Penn,, March 19, 1838, a sfln 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 the honor of the family name. Our subject, the seventh in the family, obtained his early ■education in his native county, and subseqi»ently attended the university at Philadelphia 172 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: for a time. He afterward took up the study of medicine in Danville, in the oflSce of Dr, Strawbridge (the latter one of the leading surgeons in this part of the State), and als» 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 Ger- man origin; she died in 1861, the mother of two children: Clarence (deceased) and Dora. Dr. Shultz'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 Gettys- burg 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- forty-seventh year of her age. ROBERT S. SIMINGTON, M. D., of Danville, was horn 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, however,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 m'an and owninglarge tracts of land. Our subject con- tinued his education at the academy at Milton, at McEwensville Academy, and at Ijcwisburr University, then studied medicine with Dr. Jamfes 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 thearmy 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 Poto- mac; 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)i:McWilliara& 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 :: Hugh, Robert, John, Mary and Jane. Robert McWilliams, their father, was a son of Lieut. Hugh McWilliams and Rebecca (Dunwoody) McWilliams, who were Scotch- Irish Presbyterians, and emigrated from County Armagh, Ireland, settling in Northumber- land 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 Nortliumberland 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 Scotland, 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 : Ger- trude, 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 na- tive of Scotland, who immigrated to America in 1776, immediately joined the "Jersey Blues", 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 1778; his father, David Irland, came from Scotland inl772, settling near Milton. David Irland's children were Robert,David, John, William, Elizabeth 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 1812. 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 Mari?aret, bora in 1815. Benjamin and Ann (Irland) Simington were married January 28, 1839. Their chil- dren were Robert S., born May 10, 1831; Margaret Latemer, born May 16, 1836; Elizabeth DANVILLE. , 173 Ellen, born May 22, 1842, died March 25, 1875 (she married Rev. James W. Boal, leaving one child); Anna, born August 16, 1850. Margaret Latemer Simingtoa married Ellis Gundy, of Dnion County, Penn. ADOLF 8TEINBRENNER, insurance agent, Danville, was born in Germany, Janu- ary 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 Ger- many, 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 Dan- ville, where he embarked m 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 lie 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 I. 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 ancestrjr, 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 con- verted 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, hav- ing 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 busine.ss 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 184S, he went to the university at Lewisburg, Penn., entered the collegiate depart- ment, and graduated in 1852 with the second honors of his class. Soon after he took charge of the Logan Valley Baptjst 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 pro- tracted 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 organ- izing the Spruce Creek Baptist Church. In the fall of 1858, at the earnest desire of the 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 places. The calls for his labors were numerous and pressing, and were abundantly blessed 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, 1860. Here he remained for two years, amid Ihe excitement of the civil war. He then became pastor of the Lawrence- ville 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 interest in supporting the Government. Having spent two years there he accepted a call 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 foUowingseven years in preaching for the destitute churches in the Northumberland association. During that time he was instru- mental in reorganizing the Sunbury Baptist Church, and also of organizing th^ 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 Dan- ville. 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 years. 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, 1824, 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 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: when a child to Montour County just before the close of the Eevolutionary war, and settled in what was then called Mahoning 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 first tannery between Harrisburg and the lakes. This tannery was built by his father. Col. Thopias Strawbridge, who was also born in Chester County, Penn, where he was reared. He was an ardent supporter of the struggle by the 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 con- vention; 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 Penn^lvania. He was mar- ried 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 in organizing the old Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church. He died about 1814; his widow 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. 'Giffln; 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 Samuel Shannon, of North- umberland, 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 1851, Emily F. (daughter of the late William Agnew, of Philadelphia), and she dying in 18.53, 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, £tnd graduated in 1844. He commenced the study of medicine in Danville, with Dr. William H.'Magill; afterward studied with Dr. Wm. Pepper, of Phila- delphia, 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 prac- tice of medicine in Danville, continuing in the same until 1860. In 1861 he entered the army as brigade surgeon, being first assigned to duty with the division of Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds, at Cheat Mountain in western Virginia. After the resignation of Gen. 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 jjras 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 staff of Gen. Rosecrans. In consequence of continued ill health, he tendered his resigna- 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, 1862, entered upon his duties at Jackson, Tenn. .under instructions to have nothing further to do with the district commander, Gen. John A. Mc- Clernand, than to report his orders and make requisitions on him for supplies, which ar- rangement soon after culminated in the removal of the latter from his command of the district. Notwithstanding the many difficulties in the way of the hospitals at Jackson, the Doctor took care of nearly all the sick and wounded from the battles of Hatche, Bolivar, luka and Corinth. When the army began its movement toward Vicksburg, Dr. 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 comple- tion of the "Nashville," with directions to push the work as rapidly as pos- sible and take the vessel down to Vicksburg. On the 1st of March he reached Young's Point, and on the 3d patients were received on board. By the 6th he had received and taken care of 1,900 sick men. A large convalescent hospital was DANYILLE. 175 established at Milliken's Bend, to which a considerable portion of these men were trans- ferred, 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. Straw- bridge, a permanent general hospital and for three months contained an average of about 1,000 patients, most of them the most sick of the army. The assistant surgeon-general. Dr. R. C. Wood, on the hospital steamer, "City of Memphis, " on his return from an in- spection ifi the field, where he had gathered some 200 of all classes of patients, ordered 250 sick to be transferred from the " Nashville " to the " Cityot Memphis, " and that none were to be sent who were likely to die on the passage. Dr. Strawbridge remonstrated 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 "Na8hville,"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 permanently, 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 Dikbctob. "By order of V. S. Grant, major-general commanding." As soon as this could be returned from the war department. Dr. Strawbridge was re- lieved from charge of the "Nashville," and ordered to report in person to U. 8. Grant. While making up his accounts for transfer of property, etc., to his successor. Dr. Straw- bridge was prostrated with congestive chUls, and for a time his life was despaired of, but he finally rallied, and, as soon as able to travel, reported to Dr. Mills at Gen. Grant's head- quarters. Still being too feeble for duty, however, he was directed to return to the river till convalescent. On July 7, Dr. Strawbridge was sent for by Gen. Grant, and assigned to examination of soldiers in hospitals, etc., for the purpose of discharge assignment to the invalid corps under the following order and verbal instructions: " Surgeon Strawbridge is hereby 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 Ai^ust 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 at Vicksburg, of any part he might desire. In October, he was ordered before a military commission in Washington, which recommended a longer furlough. In November he was sent before a military board at Annapolis, who disaproved his request to be ordered to duty and recommended his being sent to hospital for treatment. He then asked to be mustered out of the service; this was also disapproved by the board, and light duty recom- mended. He was then assigned to duty in the provost-marshal-general department, "and sent by Gen. Prey to Philadelphia, and afterward to Harrisburg, to superintend the ex- amination 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. P. Butler, at Bermuda Hundred. Immediately after his arrival he was directed to fol- low 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 blace the battle of Cold Harbor had just been fought, in which the Eighteenth Army Corps bore the principal part and lost nearly 5,000 men. The base hospital for the corps was being organized, and, finding 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 dayli^t until dark, performing many of the most important operations. On June 8, he reported to Gen. Baloy Smith, and was temporarily assigned to the second division under Gen. Martindale. TTie 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 Bigliteenth Corps commenced its advance on Petersburg. Dr. Strawbridge was here trans- ferred to the medical directorship of the corps, relieving Dr. Suckley, t^ ho was trans- ferred to the medical inspectorship of the Army of the James. Here Dr. Strawbridge re- organized the medical department and ambulance corps, and brought them into a thorough state of efficiency. 176 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: October 27, 1864, while the Eighteenth Corps was making a movement on the extreme Tight 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 20, 1865. Returning to report at Annapolis, at the termination of his parole furlough, he was subpcEnaed by the United States District Court, and had to return to Philadelphia, where he was temporarily assigned to duty as president of a medical examinihg board. Dr. John Campbel, medical director of the department of Pennsylvania, made applica- tion 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 1872 he was elected to the XLUI 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 Dan- ville. 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 Sur- gery of the International Medical Congress. DAVID P. 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 fol- lowed 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 chil- dren 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. 0. O. F. J. 8WEI8P0RT, D. D. S., Danville, was born in Berks County, Penn., December 19, 1889, 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 Pennsyl- vania 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 Encainpment; 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 34, 1886, he was elected major and is still serving as such. In 1867 he married Hannah, 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. Sweis- fort 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, Eng- land, 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 century. 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 leading business men and manufacturers of Danville. He was born in Chatham Centre, Columbia Co., N. Y., August 19, 1819. His pa- ternal great-grandfather emigrated from Holland to New York. His son, Gilbert Van Alen, -vras born in @olumbia 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 a^ed 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 Kindferhook, Columbia Co., N. Y., remaining there two years, during which time he resided with the family of Dr. Henry Van Dyke. Sub- sequently 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 North- umberland, 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 mention that he has kept his mills running through all depressions. He gives steady employment to about 200 men, He was married in 1846 to Miss Ann Catharine, daughter of Cornelius Garretson, 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 Q. 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. HENRY VINCENT, president of the Danville stove manufactory, was born in Eng- land, 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 ofNew 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 organiza- tion 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, «even 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 1863 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 per- son 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 car- ried on business in Liberty Township, this county, until fifty years of age, when he re- lOA 178 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: moved to Danville and retired from active labor. Our subject is the eleventh in a family of fourteen children; was 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' con- tinued 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 ma- chinery of the Danville Manufactory & Nail Works, of .Danville, and is one of the stock- holders of that company. He has b«en 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 theparents of the following named children: Charles B., a salesman in New York City; William A., a machinist in the employ of the Danville nail-mills; Frank L., a clerk in a store at Danville, and James H., attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Voris are members of the Presbyterian Church, of the board of trustees of which he is president. Mr. Voris 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. W. H. N. WALKER, general merchant, Danville, was born in that place, October 17, 1854, a son of William C. and Christianna (Hileman) Walker, the latter a native of Penn- sylvania and of German origin. The father was born in Ireland, came to America, when eighteen years old, and has since lived at Danville, where he now resides at the advanced age of seventy-six years. Our subject is the second child and oldest son, and grew to manhood in Danville, where he was also educated. For a time he fol- lowed farming, which did not prove congenial, and then he engaged in work in a brick- yard 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, and does a thriving business. In 18'76 he married Jennie, daughter of William S. Toland, 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. W. "A. WELLIVBK, merchant, Danville, was born February 3, 1834, in Jerseytown,. 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 school, and also the academy at Millville, Columbia County. He was a diligent student 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 came to Danville and commenced business as a dealer iu books and stationery, and so continued until 1867. In that year he began his present business (general merchan- dising), 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 Ger- man 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. WELLI'VER, of the firm of Welliver & Cole, wholesale and retail hardware dealers, Danville, Penn., and Bast Main Street, Nanticoke, Penn., was born in Montour County, February 3, 1841. His parents, Abraham and Martha CWinder) Welliver, were natives of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of the State. His father, a shoemaker by trade, followed farming all his life, and reared a family of nine children, of whom S. J. is the sixth. Our subject attended the common schools and also Greenwood Seminary at Millville, Penn. His first occupation was teaching school, 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 their business into a general store. They carried on a successful general mercantile trade 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. Hb 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 1883, the present firm of Welliver & Cole was established. Mr. Welliver married, in 1866, Elizabeth, daughter of Simeon Best, and of English origin. Mrs. Welliver has borne her husband eight 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 Bap- tist. In 1865 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsvlvania "V^olunteer Infan- DANVILLE. 179 try, and served until tbe close of the war. He is a member of the I. 0.0. F., of Danville. In politii s he is a Democrat. GEORGE W. WEST, surveyor and civil engineer, Danville, vi'as born in Delaware County, N. Y., September 30, 1818, a son of William and Eliza (Rogers) West. His mother was a native of the same county, a daughter of Hobert Kogers, who was for many years a sea captain. William West was borii 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 wife and was educated in 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 employ- ment was school-teaching, at which he remained 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 disputes. He served twenty-four years as clerk of the county commissioners, since he has been surveyor of Montour County. In 1854 he married Catherine Ann, daughter of John Kase, 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 Oliver Delhi; William K., attorney, Danville; Louise; George M., assistantcity engineer at Chicago 111.,' and Isaac Dewitt, a school-teacher. Mr. and Mrs. West are members 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 Eng- land, 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 engage- ment; he and his wife were born the same year, lived tobe ninety-nine years old, 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 death, in 1883, was the oldest hotel-keeper in the place. He was attentive to business and succeeded in acquiring a goodly share of this world's goods. His widow and two children survive him. Of the latter W. C. is the younger and grew to manhood in Danville, where he was educated and very naturally drifted inlo the hotel business, and, since the death of bis father, has conducted the "White Horse." In 1877 he married Clara, daughter of Joseph Shultz, who was born in Pennsylvania of German origin. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one child, Wijliam J. Politically Mr. Williams is a Republican. LEWIS B. WOODS, dealer in boots and shoes, Danville, was born in Northumber- land County, Penn., August 27, 1844, to J. M. and Mary (Evans) Woods, natives of Penn- 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 Novem- ber 30, 1878. He and his wife had a family of five sons and five daughters, and five chil- dren 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 major- ity. 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 Lau- bach, 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 Method- ist Church, of which he is a trustee, and is also a member of the K. of P. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Woods regards the year 1869 as the eventful one of his life; in Feb- ruary of that year he was married; in March he embarked in his present business, and in December his first child was born. S. AUGUSTUS YORKS, assistant cashier of the First National Bank, Danville, was born in this place February 10, 1853, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (West) Yorks, na- tives of Pennsylvania and of English origin. The grandfather, also named Samuel, was an early settler in this part of Pennsylvania and an officer in the war of 1812. Our sub- ject's father was a prominent man, first a Whig and later a Republican, and the leading spirit in establishing the First National Bank of Danville. When the bank was organ- ized he was elected a director and also president, which position he occupied until his death in 1878. Our subject is the fourth of five children; was reared in Danville, where he was educated in the public schools and the academy, and since he was seventeen years of age has been employed in the First National Bank. He is now assistant cashier. In December, 1875, he married Cornelia Page Hancock, daughter 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 is treasurer of the R. A. in that place. Mrs. Yorks is a member of the Episcopal Church. 180 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : CHAPTER XV. ANTHONY TOWNSHIP. B. P. ADAMS, farmer, P. O, Exchange, was born April 14, 1843, son of Thomas and Mary (McGonigle) Adams, both now deceased. Thomas Adams, the paternal grandfather of our subject, came to this county early, and settled near Danville. Thomas Adams, father of our subject, came to this county with his parents, and after marriage removed to where B. F. now lives. His father owned a large tract of land containing between 300 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. P. in Anthony Town- .'Ship, Montour County; Mary E. Moyer, in Kylertown; John (deceased), Houtzdale, Clear- field 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 Deny Church graveyard. Our sub- ject came into possession of his farm of 163 acres in 1875. He was married in 1868 to Miss Elizabeth Caroline, daughter of Barnard and Catharine (Pocht) Renn, and a native of Lycoming County; her mother died Juljr 10, 1883. When Mr. Adams was married he 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 year, railroading on the P. & B. Prom there he removed to the other side of Hughsville, and there resided three years, farming for Peter Reader, and then removed to his present location. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the parents of seven children: Ulysses Renn, John 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 ' wallader until the close of the war. Inpolitics he is a Republican. JOHN KRBAMER, farmer, P. O. White Hall, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., June 37, 1839, 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; Effle Cath- arine, wife of David Cox, in Madison Township, Columbia Co., Penn., on the old home- stead. Mr. Kreamer was next married in December, 1863, 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 Ball 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, Go- hlmbiaCo., 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. Our subject spent his early life in Columbia County, Penn.y and in 1850 went to Lock Haven, Penn., where he commenced lumbering. In 1865 he came to his- present location in An- Hhohy Township, bought 14S 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 Williain 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 p4- tnership With his brother-in-law, William Moore. They haVelOO acres of timber land in'^Madison Township, Columbia County, and twenty-one in this township, Inpolitics Mr. Kreainer 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 carpen- ter, and when he arrived in the county, located at Fruitstown (now knownas White Hall), and follffwed that trade here until hi& 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 Cotinty, Mich., and William. Moliie, Frederick, Hugh and Jane are- deceased. The father died February 18, 1813; the mother survived him until 1849. They are buried in the Derry Presbyterian graveyard. William McBride, subject of this sketChi has resided all his life at the place of his birth. When he was fourteen years of age he commenced to clerk in the store of his uncle, John F. Derr, and remained with him ia 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 ex- clusive propi'ietor of the store, and so remained about elfeven years, when he took in hi* son, J. 8.; 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 the businesa 186 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Blone. Mr. McBride married, in Lycoming County, Penn., April 1, 1841, Miss Mary Ann Smith, a native of Lycoming County, and daughter of Jonatlian 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 Oarnahan, 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, in Hazleton, Luzerne Co., Penn., and William. An infant unnamed is deceased. Mr. Mc- Bride is a member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife. Jonathan S. McBride was born July 3, 1843, in the village of White Hall, this tjounty, 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 Oarnahan, 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. DR. MONTR AVILLE McHBNRY, Exchange,was born near Rohrsburg, Columbia Co., Penn., January 13, 1836. He is 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 after- ward attended the Millville Seminary, and the academy at New Columbus several sum- mers, 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 Preece 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 immediate^ 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 comfort- able home. He attended closely to business and soon had plenty of patients. He was 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 tjf 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 Palls, Canada, Rochester and Watkin's Glen; thence home by way of Elmira, Minnequa Spring and Williarasport, 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, Cii>-^ cinnati, St. Louis, Kansas City and Carthage City, Mo., traveling only by day and spend-" ing 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, •ears slitted and full of rings, door keys and other trinkets, heads partly shaven, no cloth- ing 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 finding 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 m BToomsburg in the fall and winter, and in the spring returned to Exchange. He bought fifteen acres of land adjoining his former iiome. 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, tnaklng plans of every part of the structure. In 1883 the Doctor accompanied Fowler Lyons and William Fowler to Texas, intending to assist them in purchasing stock to start ■a ranch. Not finding stock at prices to suit, the Doctor returned. The others went to ANTHONY TOWNSHIP. 187 the Indian Territory, bought a car load of ponies, brought them to Pennsylvania, and sold them at aprofit more than suflSicient 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 Mc- Henry, 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 33, 1870. She is an intelligent student, very fond of reading, and cares little for amusements or companions of her own age, preferring rather the companionship of books. Mrs. Mc- 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 Fowlers- ville, Columbia County. The latter died in 1866, and Is buried in the Lyons Church Ceme- tery. She was a daughter of John Fortner of New Jersey, great-grandson of Lord Archi- bald Douglas, owner of Bothwell Castle, near Glasgow, Scotland. Lord Archibald at his 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. Mc- He'nry'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 Douglas, a side heir, who came Into possession through the lapse of time. Mrs. Mc- Henry was born April 5, 1837, near PowlersvlUe, Columbia Co., Penn., receiving her educa- tion in the public schools and the Bloomsburg High School, and taught four terms of public school. She was married in her nineteenth year, to Bob.ert 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 Army, in Company I, Seventy-seventh P. V. V., and died in the service at Victoria, Tex., October 31, 1865, and was buried in Victoria Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons had one son living, Fowler Lyons, born January 17, 1861, at Pine Summit. After Mrs. Lyons' marriage to Dr. McHenry her son lived with them at Exchange. He at- 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 phar- macy, 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. ElUs, of Exchange, now deceased, and Jane, his wife. He then removed to the farm his father had left him at Pine Summit, purchased stock, hired help and went to farming in good spirit. But the farm was large, and had 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 Wichita Falls, Tex. A few months afterward his wife was taken very sick with fever, and the climate being so much warmer than she was accus- tomed to, her recovery was slow. Fearing she could not stand the heat another summer they returned to Pennsylvania, and after a few months went to Nebraska and settled in Dawes County, where Mr. Lyons owns 460 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. MoEEE, farmer, P. O. Comly, was born in the place where he now resides in Anthony Township, Montour Co., Penn., October 13, 1830, son of James and Harriet (Scout) McKee, the latter a native of this county. Kobert 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 1833, his widow surviving him about four years; they are buried at the Derry Presbyterian Church. They had four children of whom "onlv one, James, was married. Robert McKee served in the Revolutionary war. James McKee, father of our subject, was born in Chester County, Penn., and was the third 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 himself bought between 400 and 500 acres of land, of which J. P. now 188 BIOGEAPHICAL 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 McEee died March 29, 1863, his wife having died in 1833. 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 An- thony Township, this county. Mri McKee learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed 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 Kankakeee Coirtity, 111., fifteen months, 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, Sul- livan 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 81, 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, this county, and bought 130 acres of land, to which he afterward added more. He found two acres of this land, only, cleared. He lived on this place un- til he died. He was born April 8, 1733, and died in 1808; his wife, whose maiden name was Eleanor Nelson, had preceded him in death. They are burled in the'Derry Presby- terian 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 Township, and William. The father died in March, 1869; his wife died in February, 1862. William McVicker, subject of this sketch, was married in this county, March 3, 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 whomiour are living: Samuel Craig, at Watsontown, Penn.; Wilson C. ; Sarah E., widow of James Schooley, in White Deer Valley, Northum- berland 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. WrLSON C. McViCKKK was born within one-half a mile ot where he nowresides.and has always 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 (Crai^) 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, 1832, 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 ot the lower counties, thence to Northumberland, now Montour County, locating near Exchange, his tract of 200 acres being now partly owned by Patrick Dinenn, and partly by William Pollock. Here^ he lived until he died. He and his wife are both buried at Derry Presbyterian Church. Jamas Pollock, father of William 8., was born in one of the lower counties of Pennsyl- vania, 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 Go,, 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 ber^ he lived until his death, hi8|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 8., 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 where he has lived ever since with the exception of eighteen months spent in the West. He was married December 2B, 1855, to Miss Susan McKee, daughter of James McKee. After marriage they made their home for eighteen months at Eanl^alsee and Freeport, 111., and on returning to Montour County, located on the eastern part of the old home- stead. 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 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Pollock are members of the Presbyterian Church, the former joining about 1851, and the latter in 1863. 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 is a Prohibitionist; he has 100 acres of land. He is a full cousin to ex-Qov. Pollock. DAVID SMITH, farmer and United States mail carrier, P. O. Exchange, was born in what is now Anthony Township, this county, where Samuel Smith now lives, September 10, 1843, 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 Lehigh County, to Miss Hannah Stufflick, and when they came to Montour County he bought 300 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 'liome with his three daughters: Mrs. William Berger, Mrs. Joel Bitler, and Mrs. David Smith. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. David Smith re- moved 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 f 3,000 and f 2,500, besides the labor. They are the parents of eight children, of whom five are living: William Grant; EUaMinta 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 be- tween 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 13, 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 birth, and made his home with his parents until his marriage, November 28, 1871, with Miss Eliza- beth Eleanor Ellis, a daughter of Stephen Ellis, Sr., and Sarali 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 set to work and cleared up a good portion of it. It was splendid timber land covered 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 tlie 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 Town- ship, 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) Wat- son. John Watson, grandfather of our subject, came to the neighborhood of Jerseytown, with his parents from the Vicinity of Muncy Creek, 'ind lived in the neighborhood of Jersey- town 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 are buried in the" Derry Church graveyard. Hugh Watson, father of our subject, some years after his marriage removed to this township, and afterward bought 200 acres of land wjiich Mr. Gearhart, foundry man atMcEwensville, now owns. From there he removed to 190 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: 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: Eliza, John, Sarah, Jane, Margaret and Mollie. Allen is deceased. John Watson, sub- ject of this sketch, made his home with his parents until twenty-three years of age, and then moved to Dewart,Penn., where he rented land, and taking also an interest in the build- ing of the York & Erie Railroad, which was constructed through his farm. He bought a farm near Milton, in 1862, removed to it in 1863, and on this lived until 1869. The first 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 350 acres for $20,000. He also owned at that time fifty acres of timber and pas- ture land in Anthony Township, which he afterward sold. He removed to his present farm the year after he bought it. He was married at Jerseytown, 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 Limestoneville; 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 Town- ship, Montour Co., Penn., January 20, 1806, son of Hugh and Ann (Crawford) Wil- son. William Wilson, grandfather of our subject, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., near Sweet Arrow Creek, and from there came to what is now Montour County, and here lived until he died. He and his wife are buried in the Warrior Run Church graveyard. 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 this 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 home- stead 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 par- ents of eight children: William Henry; Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Heater, in Waterloo, Iowa; Ellen, wife of Jackson P. McKee, in Muncy Hill, this county; Joseph (deceased); Alice, with her father; Ann, wife of Jeremiah Metzger, in Union County, Penn.; 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 Northum- berland County, Penn., February 4, 1821, son of Henry and Susanna (Cook) Amerman, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Montgomery County, Penn. His 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, Penn., m 1800, where he bought a tract of land and remained his lifetime, dying in 1821 He served in the war of the Revolution. He was a farmer previous to the war, in the in- terior of the State of New Jersey, and -when the war broke out he gave up his horses and cattle and stock of all kinds, a sacrifice upon the altar of his country's liberty. He had his knee-cap taken off at the battle of Monmouth. Our subject's father, who was only a small boy when herame to Northumberland County with his parents, worked on the farm 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 COOPEE TOWNSHIP. 191 and 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, going 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 1858, 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 Qen. Lee invaded his State, vol- unteered 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 3, 1845, to Caroline Btrohm, 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 mar- ried, September 26, 1871, Margaret J. Appleman, by whom he has two children : Charles V. and fedwin 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. (Poust) ;Blecher, natives of Montour County, Penn. 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 he 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, Co- lumbia Co., Penn., July 5, 1826, son of Jacob and Mary C. (Heinbald) Hartman, the former a native of Hemlock Township, Columt)ia County, and the latter of Cooper Town- ship, this county, and of German descent. His grandfather, John Hartmaa, a native 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, etc. He next rented a farm of Mr. Appleman, and carried on agriculture twenty- three years, then bought the place where he now resides. Mr. Hartman was married in 1852 to I^dia Krum, and they had five children, four of whom are living: Isaac, in Michigan; William, in Columbia County, Penn.; Wellington 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 a Democrat-in 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 North- umberland 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 or land, where he lived and farmed until his death. The land was all timber, and wild animals were still plenty. Their nearest market was 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- 192 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Btead, which he has since farmed. In 1861 he opened a stone quarry, and built lime-kilns inCooper Township, on the Bloomsburg road, and has had them in operation ever since, tDanufacturing a good quality of lime. He was married February 17, 1859, to Rachel Deitrioh, and they are the 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 elected county commissioner, serving one term of three years. In 1863 he was elected 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. AABON C. MAUSER, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born on the old homestead where he now lives, July 31, 1849, son of lacob 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 tim- ber land. The deed is one hundred and twelve years old, and was bought from George -Miller, who had just received it from William Penn. His grandfather. Christian Mauser, was fourteen years of age when his parents moved to this place, and he remained on this farm all his life; he died at the age of eighty-eight years. The "little old log cabin " that 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 fiftieth 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 183 acres of land. He was married March 28, 1874, to Ellen Keiffer, and they are the parents of four children: Lydia, Edda, Lizzie and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Mauser are members of the old Lutheran Church and are also members of the Grange. He has held the offices of constable, auditor, as- sessor, supervisor and collector. In politics he is a full-blooded Democrat. ANGUS MORRISON, deceased farmer, was born in Washington County, Me., September 31, 1834, son of Peter and Jane (McKaskell) Morrison, former born in Scot- land, latter in North Carolina, of Scotch descent. His father died in 1880, in his eighty- seventh year; his mother died several years previous to his father. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until twenty-one years of age. Then he moved 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 Ne- vada in 1861, locating in Humboldt County, where he was engaged in quartz mining 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 1883, and purchased a farm of 157 acres of good land. Mr. Morrison was married December 35, 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 13, 1887. JOHN LYMAN RICHARDSON (deceased) was born in the State of Vermont, Sep- tember 16, 1816, son of William P. and Laura (Lyman) Richardson, natives of Vermont and of English descent. Our subject came to Luzerne County, Penn., at the age of twenty- five 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 con- nected with a Prohibition paper in Bloomsburg for a number of years. He was aji Abo- litionist until slavery was abolished, and then became a Prohibitionist, in which party he figured quite prominently until his death in March, 1885, at Mount Carniel, 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 Wdlis 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, Colum- bia Co., Penn., and of Scotch-German descent. His grandfather, Samuel Yorks, came from New Jersey and settled in what is now Montour County 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 1813. Our subject's father was a farmer and a lumber dealer; was also interested in the insurance business in Dan- ville. He bought the old homestead and lived on the farm where our subject now re- sides, until his death, which occurred in August, 1877. He held the office of county commis- sioner 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 DEEEY TOWNSHIP. 193'" until his father's death. He attended school at Mechanicsburg, Peiin., two years, 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. (Belle is deceased). The farm where our subject now lives comprises 156 acres of good ■ land. The estate owns 400 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Yorlis are members of the Presbyterians- Church. He is a member of the P. of H. and is reporter for the Agricultural Bureau ' of this county. CHAPTER XVII. DERRY TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF WASHING- TONVILLE. ALEXANDER BILLMETER, farmer and lumberman Washingtonville, Penn., is a grandson of Martin Billmeyer, who came to Liberty Township, this county, with his father, who took up a large tract of land on tjie Chillisquaque, on which he died. After his death the land was divided among his three sons, George," Martin and Andrew. They erected a saw-mill on the creelt (the first 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,ne« Margaret Himmelrigh, 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. ; John 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 until a year or two before his death. He was born October 17, 1808, and died May 30, 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 Martin 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, the 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 bus- iness, and his brother taking the homestead. They acquired a large amount of land, which 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 13, 1845. To their union five children have been born as follows: Ella, born February 3, 1866; Alice, born August 13, 1867; Hi- ram, April 16, 1870; Mary, July 17, 1874, and Florence, January 30, 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 seventy-seven years. At Philadelphia he learned brickmaking, -at which he subsequently worked in Norrislown. Accumulating some money he bought land in Anthony Township, near the farm of Robert McKee. This he afterward sold and bought a property in Derry Township. Later he bought two other farms, and then the one where his son now resides, owning at one time four farms. By his first wife, Sarah McCord, he had ten cliildren : Joseph, William, James, Robert, John, Joseph (second) and Sarah, all of wbom are deceased; Mary, Margaret and Elizabeth are living in Illinois. His second wife was Han- nah Gingles, whose mother was one of those who escaped at the Wyoming massacre. By this union Mr. Blee had five children: Sarah A., wife of Edward M!orris of Washing- tonville; Susan H., Wife of John Butler of Danville; Savilla and Maria F. (twins) died In childhood, and Prank G. Our subject was born August 5, 1839, and when seventeen went to Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1860. In 1861 he entered the army in the wagon train in the quartermaster's department, where he remained until the fall of 1863. 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 Moun- tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, seeing considerable service in a short I lA 194 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: time. He was mustered out at Harrisburg, May 24, 1863, and returned to the farm, which he rented while lumbering in North Carolina. In 1873 he took possession of the place and there has since resided. September 34, 1863, he married Louisa A., daughter ©f Daniel Butler of this township, and six children were born to them: Robert E., Winifred and Frank Q. are new living at home, and Harry W., died in 1868, Sallie M. died December 30, 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, suffi- cient 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. ANDREW BRITTAIN, farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, was born in Derry Town- ship, tliis 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 Brittain. Our subject lived with his father until his marriage, when he moved to his present residence, which at that time was owned by his father; later our subject bought it from the estate and has since owned it. March 36, 1835, he married Mary, daughter of Andrew Sheep. Mrs. Brittain was bom October 14, 1808, on the place where sTie has always lived, and which was formerly owned by her father. To their union three children have beeii 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, 1839, wife of William B. Low, of Anthony Township. Mr. Brittain has always been a farmer and has held several, township offices. He and wife and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, cjf which for nearly thirty years he has been an elder. 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, 1807, in the cabin which stood near his present home. His grandfather, Nathaniel Brit- tain, was a native of Northampton County, where he died 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 Northum- berland 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 38, 1770, and died May 19, 1841, aged seventy-one years. His wife, Sarah Silliman, was born in Northampton 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 born. Until his twenty-fourth year he worked on his father's farm, helping to clear and 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 Ther- esa, daughter of William Dildine of Columbia County, who is now the wife of Eli Apple- man, and with her husband lives on her adopted father's farm. Mr. Brittain has served as administrator of six estates, thus showing the confidence in which he is held by the community. He has held all the important offices in his township, and was once elected justice of the peace, but refused to accept. For nine years he was a lieutenant in the old State militia, and in every station of life has discharged his duties with fidelity and hon- esty. 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 by none. HENRY COOPER, farmer and stockdealer, P. O. Washingtonville, is a grandson of Abraham Cooper, who came from Bucks County, near Philad^hia, in 1810; settled the farm now occupied by his grandson, buying it from his brother Daniel, who had purchased it from-the Montgomery estate. His son Abraham was the father of Henry. The farm 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 Dieflenbach, and their children were as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Reuben Lobach, a farmer in this township; Samuel, a farmer, who lives in 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, 1888, in Liberty Township. When he was less than three years of age his father bought the farm adjoining the homestead on which he lived DERRY 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 the old place until after his father's death. A year after that event he took possession and now owns both, aggregating over 300 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 81, 1867; Vincent Welmington, born May 16, 1868 and •Charles Calvin, born January 20, 1875, all living with their parents. Mr. Cooper takes con- siderable interest in politics but does not hold office. He is a member of the German Re- formed 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 eiffler, 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 23, 1815; lived with his father until he was twenty-threo 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. Mill- er, of this township, residing on one of her father's farms; Sallie, wife of Daniel Wag- ner, 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 dea- ■con 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 38, 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 1853 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 mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and was a man much respected by all who knew him. December 37, 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 dyin^in infancy, a daughter, Alice, at the age of twenty-seven years and eight months. The living are James O., sheriff of the county; Mary Isabella, wife, of James E. Steaker, of Washingtonville; Hannah M., living with her mother; Edward D., married to Jane, daugh- ter 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 cireumstances. JEREMIAH D. GEIGBR, merchant, Washingtonville, is a grandson of Philip and Moriah Qeiger, 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, 1803, and died here May 31, 1877, «ged 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 Washingtonville, where he lived retired. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church in that place, be- ing 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 196 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: Derr, and a native of Berks County, born July 3, 1803, and died here March 20, 1875, aged seventy-two years, eight months and seventeen days; a member of the Lutheran Oliurch, and was noted for her charitable acts. They had ten children, three of whom died in in- fancy, and a son, Samuel, who died August 9, 1858, unmarried, at the age of twenty-seven years and six months. The surviving children are as follows : Sarah, unmarried, and residing on the homestead in Washingtonville ; 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 Berlis County, ten miles from Read- ing. In his youth he learned shoemaking, at which he worked seven years. He then 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 part- nership 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 part- nership 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 3, 1885, he was appointed postmaster at Washingtonville. He married, November 9, 1865, Miss Mary Ann, daugh- ter of John Ream, of Limestone Township. She was born September 9, 1841, in Lancas- ter 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 par- ents, and Oscar Allen, born October 8, 1888, 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 Rotter- dam, August 30, 1737; Christian, "Charming Polly," Plymouth, October 8, 1737; *Wil- helm, "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, 1748; Johan Frederick, "Paliena," Leith, October 25, 1748; Paul, "Fane," Cowes, October 17, 1749; fGeorge, "Fane," Cowes, October 17, 1749; Johannes. "Anderson," Rotterdam, August 36, 1751; Tacitus, "Saint Andrew," Rotterdam, September 14, 1751; Jacob, " Duke," Portsmouth, September 14, 1751; Johan Michael, "Louisa," Rotterdam, Novem- ber 8, 1753; Johan Adam, "Phoenix," Rotterdam, November 33, 1753; Joseph, "Louisa," Rotterdam, October 13, 1753; Johannes, "Halifax," Rotterdam, October 36, 1754; John George, "Richmond," Rotterdam, October 30, 1764; Jacob, "Crawford," Rotterdam, November 28, 1770. 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 30, 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 Chillis- quaque, and afterward became an extensive contractor. After his marriage with Rachel Follmer, who had inherited large landed 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 continued 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. Hotfa, Milton, same county; Sarah Ann, married to John Shalter, Limestoneville, Montour County; Cyrus HofEa, Lewisburg, Union County, and Reuben HofEa, Reading — all of the State of Penn- sylvania. John HofEa, father of Jacob P. HofEa, was born May 3, 1826, at the old homestead On which he 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 HofEa 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 pertaimng to the art and science of farming, and at all times refusing ofEers of political preferment, has made farm- ing 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 SchsefEer, daughter of Peter SchaefEer, of Watsontown, Northumber- land Co., Penn., died December 7, 1864. Three children of their union died in infancy. Those now living are Catharine Ann, wife of J. D. Smith, Kansas; Jacob P. HofEa; Daniel H., in Kansas; John Follmer and William Francis (twins), in Lewisburg. His second *WsA under sizteeD years old. fFiftj acres of land in tfanorer Township, Penn. DERBY TOWNSHIP. 197 wife was Catharine Litcliard by whom he had two children: Cora M., wife of H. Mc- Ginnis, of Allenwood, Union Co., Penn., and Cyrus, living with his father. Mrs. Catha- rine HoSa died September 24, 1878. Later he married Margaret Follmer, his present wife. Dr. Jacob P. Hofla was born June 36, 1852. After receiving a thorough common- school education he attended the academy at Limestoneville and completed his education at Selinsgrove 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, Philadelphia, in March, 1876. In the same month he came to Washing- tonville, 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 Washing- tonville, and has established 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 to their union: John Sidney, born July 23, 1879, and "Willie Huber, born September 12, 1881. Dr. HofEa has been three times elected burgess of Washinglonville, 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 which he has passed all the chairs. He and Mrs. HofCa 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.K). Washingtonville, is a son of Mar- tin 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 Northum- berland 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 Bill- meyer. 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. A 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- crat. ^^ JAMES W. LOWKIE, farmer, P. O. Washingtonville, is a grandson of Samuel Low- rie, who 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 subject, was born in 1800, where his son now resides, and died in 1857. He was a farmer, and an elder of the Presbyterian 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 until 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, Saidie, Hattie B., Mary W ., Blanche, Anna and Walter. Mr. Lowrie has held county and township offices, 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.f armer, P. O. Jerseytown, 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 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: homestead, May H, 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 of the Derry Presbyterian Church. His wife was Sarah P., a daughter of Samuel Lowrie, 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 in his twentieth year, and Matthew L. The Fast named was born April 36, 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; 8. Laura, a teacher, resides with her parents; Sarah L. and M. Clyde, at home. Mr. Sheep held several township oflBces 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 gi-andson 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. , was born'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 Bobbins, of Columbia County,Penn.,whodiedin 1872, aged eighty^one years, and their chil- dren were William, a resident of Columbia County; Jonathan P., who died in North- umberland County in 1886; Jacob and Vincent, living in Wesl Hemlock Township; James, in Rush Township, Northumberland County; Benjamin F., aphysioian 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 has always been a farmer, to which he has added cattle and horse 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. BIEBEp, farmer, P.O. Pott's Grove, was born intheMuncy Valley, Lycom- ing Co., Penn., December 4, 1855, son of George and Charlotte (Shipman) Bieber. Nich- olas 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 Lycom- ing 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, Lycom- ing County, from tliere removed to Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming County, and in 1884 came to his present location jn this township. His mother's great-grandfather, Joha LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 199 Malachi Shamp, a native of England, was stolen from his home in his boyhood days. The subject of this slsetch was married in this county, February 13, 1883, to Miss M»ry 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 the 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 where he now resides, October 17, 1842, son of Jacob and Eliza (Hower) Billmeyer. He was married in 1869 to Miss Hannah, daughter of Jaraes and Sarah (Smith) Flora, and a native of Anthony Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Billmeyer are the parents of three chil- dren: Sarah Ann, James Henry and Carrie Ellen. The parents are members of the Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Mr. Billmeyer owns the hom.j farm of 111 acres, and nearly 200 acres in another farm in Liberty Township. He was in partnership with his 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 (Himul- rich) Blue. Samuel Blue, grandfather of our subject, and an early settler in this community, went to the war of 1812, and died at Black Rock. After his death his widow married a Mr. Bondeman. Frederick Blue, father of our subject, 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 township and made his home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred' February 8, 1860, with Eliz- abeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wolf. She died March 14, 1863, at the age of twenty-seven years, eleven months, twenty-four days, and is buried in the Billmeyer fraveyard. She left one child, Charles W., born March 29, 1861. Mr. Blue then married, •ecember 21, 1865, Miss Clarinda Murray, by whom he had the following named children: Carrie May, Wilfred Murray, Frank Howard, George Herbert, Edgar 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 North- umberland 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 Pres- byterian Church graveyard. They 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 1813; was mar- ried 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 (de- ceased); Alexander, in Illinois; Samuel, an architect in Washington, D. C; James, in Geneseo, III. ; William, in Dallas County, Iowa, and Thomas J. The father died in 1870; his widow resides with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Clark. The subject of this sketch was reared in Liberty Township, and was married October 35, 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 peace ten years, and has also been school direc- tor. In politics he is a Democrat. .The farm on which he resides contains over 300 acres, and belongs to the heirs of John Clark, which land, originally granted to the Presbyterian Church, was sold to Robin Finney, and has passed down in the family ever since, without any sale having been made. 200 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: WILLIAM HENRY (deceased) was born November 20, 1831, ia Liberty Township, Montour Co., Penn., son of John and Elizabeth (McClure) Henry, both of whom are de- ceased and are buried in the Centre graveyard. Liberty Township, this county. Our sub- ject was reared in Montour 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, 1865, to Miss Mary Ellen McCracken, a native of this township and daugh- ter of Abraham and Margaret (Vandling) McCracken, former of whom, a native of North- ampton County, Penn., is buried in the Chillisquaque Cemetery, latter a native of North- umberland 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, Hannah Elizabeth and Minna Gerda. The father died January 3, 187S, 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 than any other man had held the same office in the county. He was engaged in educational work from his seventeenth year till the time of his death. Also held several other offices. Mrs. Henry taught school at Danville, this county, in 1864, and in Milton, Northumberlarid County, in 1865, teaching from her eighteenth year ,to her twenty- 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 1873 and 1876, when he was in partnership with G. P. Reighard, 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. Serr are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican. WILLIAM McMAHON, P. O. Pott's Grove, Northumberland Co., Penn., was born on the farm where he now resides, MarchSS, 1883, son of John and Mary (Simington) Mc- Mahon. His ereat-grandfather was a native of the North of Ireland, immigrated to America, and settled in the valley of the Juniata River, Penn. John McMahon, grand-" father of our subject, became an officer in the patriot army during the Revolution, serving through 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 botli deceased, and are buried in the Chillisquaque graveyard. John Mc- Mahon, father of our subject, was born in the latter part of the last century on the old homestead of his father, in what is now Montoiu' County, and was here reared. He was married about 1826 to Mary Simington, and they were the parents of seven children: Robert, in Pott's Grove, Penn.; Jane, deceased wife of Alexander Clark; William; Elizabeth S., wife of John Durham, 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 the Chillisquaque Cemetery. The subject of this sketch was married January 20, 1863, to Miss Selina Mack, a native of Turbot Township, Northumberland Co., Penn., and daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (McPall) Mack, former of whom died September 38, 1884, and is buried in the Harmony Cemetery; latter now resides in Liberty Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. McMahon are the parents of six children: Anna Mary, Charles H., Elizabeth S., Robert Mack, Lucy H. and John Adams. The parents are members 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. Mo WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. Mooresburg, was born in Liberty Township, Montour Co.. Penn., May 9, 1841, son of John and Margaret (Caldwell) McWilliams. John Mc Williams, father,of our subject, was oorn October?, 1807, in this township, and here reared to manhood. He was married in this county in March, 1835, to Miss Margaret Cald- well, born December 8, 1816, daughter of James "and Mary (Woods) Caldwell, who were married June 13, 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 Caldwell were the parents of six children ; Robert (deceased); John (deceased); Margaret; Samuel, in Watsontown, Penn. ; James Rodgers, near Trenton, N. J. and Lazerus Finney (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 second wife, whose maiden Dame was Eleanor Woods, died June 4, 1865. They are buried in the McEwensville 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 Northumberland'County, Penn., (he has represented that coun- ty 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, Pc-nn. James C. McWilliams, LIBEBTY TOWNSHIP. 201 ■subject of this sketch, was reared in Liberty Township, which he has always made his home. 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 Curry and Mary Estella. All the fam- ily are members of the Presbyterian Church at Mooresburg, in the building of which they were instrumental. Mr. McWilliams is a member of Catawissa Lodge, ]Sfo. 349, at Cata- wissa; a member 9f Bloomsburg Chapter. He has a farm of 330 acres adjoining the old homestead, which belongs to his mother, and which contains 260 acres. DAN 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 1889 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 bis family who came out in 1844. He re- mained 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. They are btiried in the Methodist Cemetery, Danville. They 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 home at Juniata, and coming to Danville engaged in the Montour Iron Works. In 1851 he became superintendent of the blast furnace for this company, and held that position until 1883,, and part of the time he was general superintendent of the entire plant, except the mines. In 1867 he 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 became 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 13, 1885; John Peter, killtd June 25, 1864, at the swing bridge, Danville; George Burlingame, married March 17, 1883, to Ella Gabriel (they have one child, Laura); Dan died April 2, 1861; Robert Seer; James D., died March 10, 1869; and John. Mr. Morgan is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined the Blue Lodge with 234 others at Dan-pille. 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 Scotch- Irish descent; was a colonel in the patriot army 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 first marriage there was one son. "William Murray, father of our subject, was born to the third marriage, in Northumberland County,Penn., where he was reared. From there he re- moved to what is now Montour County, and taught school until he had completed six- teen years at that profession, part of the time in Northumberland County, part in Mon- tour 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, where 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 370 acres of land, but sold all except 130 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 Murray 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 subject of this sketch made his home with his parents, or on their land, until 1874, when he removed to his present location, and has here since resided. Hewas married De- cember 31, 1865, to Miss Sarah 8., daughter of John McMahon. Mr. and Mrs. Murray 202 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: were the parents of eleven children, of whom nine are living: William Edwin, Jennie Simington, Alice Foresman, Clyde Strawbridge, Robert Simington and Charles How- ard (twins), Thomas Stewart, Edna Vansant and Mar^ Elizabeth. John McMahon and Elwood are deceased. The parents are members of the Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church, ot which Mr. Murray is a ruling elder. Mr. Murray enlisted in the nine months service in 1863, in Compaay G, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, colonel, .James Johnson. He was mustered in at Harrisburg; thence went to Washington, D. C; thfince to Newport News, on the James River; thence marched to Yorktown, where he lay six months; thence to Williamsburg; thence to White House Landing, on Pamunkey River; thence to Yorktown again, and from there to Washing- ton; thence to Harrisburg, and thence home. He is a member of Grange No. 377, P. of H., Chillisquaque Township. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. He owns a fine farm, 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, was born in Liberty Township, Montour Co., Penn., November 33, 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 mar- ried 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 are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Murray enlisted December 10, 1862, in Company P, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was mustered into the service at Har- risburg, and from there went to the Shenandoah Valley to join what afterward became Sheridan's cavalry, and he participated in all the campaigns of those famous troopers from that time until the close of the war. Among others he was at the battle of the Wilderness, at Gettysburg, and all the others up to the last acts of the struggle; and par- ticipated in all the movemeats 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 there went to Washington, thence to Harrisburjg, 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 the effects of his campaign- ing, fife was under Gen. Gregg, and in the company of Capt. Robinson (afterward Hil- burn), in Col. Gregg's regim-!nt. Mr. Murray owns about 130 acres of land. JOHN K. SHEDDAN, farmer, P. O. Mooresburg, was born on the place he now re- sides on, in Liberty Township, Montour Co., Penn., Slay 16, 1838. son of William and Mary (Russell) Sheddan. James Sheddan, grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland, 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 w as 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 Novem- ber 10, 1773. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah, Margaret, Aenes, William, Anne, Robert, Mary and Elizabeth, all deceased. The father died August 13, 1817; the mother April 17, 1813, and they 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 35, 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, 1830, and by her had the fol- lowing named children: Andrew R., Maria, Isabella, John K. and William B.; of these only John K. and Isabella are living. The father died January 19, 1839, the mother June 5, 1873, and they are both buried in Chillisquaque graveyard. The subject of this sketch was reared at the place of his birth. He was married June 14, 1866, to Miss Mari- etta, daughter of William and Eleanor (Blaine) Wilson, who was born in Lewis Town- ship, 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 class of 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. Slieddan, half brother of J. K., was a Presbyterian minister, haying preached at Wamor Run, Muncy, all in Pennsylvania, and in Rahway, N. J., where he resided at his death in 1875. LIBEETY TOWNSHIP. 20S ROBERT HENRY SIMINGTON, farmer, P. O. Mooresburg, was born Februarys, 1843, on the old homestead where his mother now lives. He was married February 36, 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 Co., Penn., from Bucks County, where he was born Becember 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. Ther& he lived, reared his family and died. He was married to Jane Hine, born March 31, 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, EflQe S. and Joseph H^ Joseph Kerr, Sr., was the son of an officer in the Revolutionary war. He died in April, 1856; his wife died in February, 1853. They are buried in the Chillisquaque graveyard, 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 are the parents of four children, of whom three are living: Robert, William and Jerome, flattie Jeanette was born Febniary 20, 1881, died September 10, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Sim^ ington are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. BENJAMIN C. STARNER, farmer, P. O Washingtonville, was born in Northum. berland 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 is now Liberty Township, and here resided until his death, which occurred about 1866; hia 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; Louisai Charles, in Watsontown, Penn. ; Mary, wife of Aaron Moser, in Washingtonville. The subject of this sketch was married November 18, 1856, to Miss Sarah A. Bogart, daughter of John and Mary (Ganmer) Bo^art, and a native of Limestone Township, this county, but removed to Liberty Township, whure the parents died, the father in 1873, the mother in about 1838. She is buried at Strawberry Ridge Church, and he at Washington- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Starner are the parents of the following named children: Mary Alice; Rebecca Jane, wife of William A. Cornelison, in Liberty Township; Sarah Ellen, Will- iam Clark, and an infant deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Starner and f^ily are members of the Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Mr. Starner has held 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 Town- ship, Columbia Co., Penn., May 3, 1830, son of Michael and Margaret (Lottiz) Stacker, George Stecker, the paternal grandfather of our subject, settled in Dry Lands, Northamp- ton Co.. Penn., where he died when his son Michael was only thirteen years old. He waa 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 Qrotz, 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 1836, becoming dis- satisfied 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), Josiab, 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 alto- gether. 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 canals but in the fall he again came to Milton, and taking another boat engaged in hauling com. mission goods until the fall, making two trips to Philadelphia and one to Baltimore, From Muton he came to his present location, and was married December 5, 1843, to Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Christianna (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 (they had 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 con- nected with the schools of Liberty Township as director,, and has been tax collector. Ip, politics he was a Democrat until the death of President Harrison, but Las been a Rt'publi. ■ 204 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: cai} ever since. Mr. Stacker built a wood-working shop in about 1856, and has since manufactured a good deal of furniture. Since 1876 he has been making a specialty of arm chairs. He has about ninety acres of land. Mr. Stecker's great-grandfather came from Germany. GEORGE SURVBR, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery Co., Penn., July 8, 1830. When four years of 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 of Winfield Pennbecker, and Hannah M. Surver, married to James Wagner. Mrs. Surver died September 5, 1865, aged forty-seven years, eight months and twenty- three 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. Sur- ver 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 offices in the church, such as trustee, deacon, etc. He was a teacher in the Sunday-school and was a superintendent of the Sunday-school at Madden's Church four years. For fif- teen years he was a school director, and was one year tax-collector. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. THOMAS M. VANSANT, farmer, P. O. Pott's Grove, Northumberland County, -was born in Bucks County, Penn., June 36, 1831, son of Amos and Margaret (McMahan) Van- sant. 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 Danville, this csunty. His widow died about 1841, and is also buried at Danville. They 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, Oabriel, all deceased, and Thomas M. The mother of this family died in 1835, and Mr. 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, Ben- jamin McMahan, by wagon, taking four days ofi the trip, and with his uncle, John Mc- Mahan, 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 36, 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 at Winfield, Union County. After their marriage they removed to their present location, which Mr. Vansant had bought four or five years before, consisting of about sixty acres, to which he has added until he now has ninety acres. Mr. and Mrs. Vansant were the 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. Limestoneville, 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. and is occupied by J. C, a son of William, and is yet in a good state of repair. When John Balliet came here he took up a large tract of land, 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 subject, also named John, was born March 14, 1784, and died February 1, 1854. His wife was Elizabeth Schreiber, who was born September 7, 1782, and died March 35, 1858. John Balliet was always a farmer, never engagmg in any other occupation. He had a large farm, and when comparatively 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 oc- cupied 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 Mc- Ewensville, Penn., now eighty years of age: Stephen, seventy-eight years old, livmg 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 Jacob S., the youngest but one of the family. He was born October 34, 1834, at Lime- 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 after his father's death, and has ever since resided on. He has always been a farmer, but 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, allliving at home. Mr. Balliet has never been an oflBce holder, but does his duty as a citizen at the polls. He and his wife and all his children are members of Paradise Church. In 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, 1831, and lived at home until his marriage, when he farmed for his father UHtil the latter's death; then he bought the home farm, and, until 1883, 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., Ijorn June 19, 1858, married to Elizabeth Shaefler, and Clarence F., born, October 10, 1860, and mar- ried to Mary Riddles, all living in Northumberland County. Mr. Balliet has, until his retirement, always been a farmer. He has never held public oflSce. He and his wife are members of Paradise Reformed Church. THOMAS L. CLAPP, farmer, P. O. Limestoneville, Penn., is a grandson of John Clapp, a resident of Berks County, 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 County, 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, nt which time he took the old farm, and a year later was married. His father-in-law bought the farm, and gave it to his daughter on her marriage with Mr. Clapp. On this farm he lived and died in a house which he built on some land he had added to the original farm. His death took place December 6, 1879. Mr. Clapp was a man of note in the community. He took an especially warm interest in educational matters. In early life he became a member of the Reformed Church, and was for years deacon in Paradise Church, and, joining the new church erected at McEwensville, he became an elder, remaining as such for twenty years. As a man and citizen he stood high. In 1833 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 206 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: brothers Jacob and William Balliet. His first wife had eleven children, of whom one died in infancy. They were William, living on part of the homestead; Thomas L. ; John D., in JeflEerson County, W. Va. ; Mary Elizabeth, wife of A. B. Gonger, of Northumberland County, 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; Angeline, wife of J. W. Balliet, living in the house where her father died; Emeline, wife •of William G. Marsh, M. D., of Watsontown; Caroline, wife of O. E. Cotner, of North- umberland County, Penn. Our subject was born February 32, 1841, worked on the farm, and taught school until he was twenty-nine yea,rs of age, when he was married; then 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 born February 21, 1842. To this union eight children have been born, one dying in infancy. The others are all living with their parents. They are Edmond L., Mary A., Olive P., Theophiliis 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 oflaoes in the township, and is now Bchool director and assessor. He and his wife are members of Paradise Reformed Church, of which he has been deacon, and was recently elected an elder. In politics he is Demo- x:ratic, and takes an active part in the affairs of the township, county and State. GEORGE WASHINGTON DERR, farmer, P. O. Limestoneville, was born in More- land Township, Lycoming County, April 31, 1829, son of Christopher and Mary (Opp) Derr. He was reared in hi»native county, and was married January 28, 1858, to Miss Martha, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Hayes. Her father is deceased but her mother Btill resides near Danville. After their marriage they removed to where; Mr.! Derr now lives, and there his wife died June 27, 1859. They had one child, Martha, wife of S. F. 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, Ros- ■coo C. Mr. Derr is a member of the Turbotville Baptist Church; he has been county ■commissioner three years. He owns seventy-seven acres of land, 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) D^r. Chris- topher Derr, father of Thomas M., was born in what is now Anthony Township, Colum- bia County, and his father died when Christopher was a boy. Christopher was married 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 C. and Jacob. Christopher and wife are both deceased and are buried at Moreland. 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 lie bought 125 acres of land from Barton Runyon. He now has 115 acres of good farm land. Mr. Derr was married September 25, 1863, to Effie A., daughter of Lewis and Eliz- abeth (Brass) Schuyler. They are the parents of five children: Mary Elizabeth, Hannah D., Ida Estella, Lewis Christopher (deceased), and EfiBe (deceased). JAMES WILSON DERR, farmer, P. O. Limestoneville, was born in Moreland Town- ship, Lycoming County, August 16, 1834, son of Christopher and Mary (Opp) Derr. He 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 A.nn, daughter of John and Sophia Schuyler. After their marriage they resided for a time with their 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 230 acres of land, nearly all of which he has accumulated by his own efforts. He located on his pres- ent home place in 1 866, 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 2, 1871; Schuyler C, born October 29, 1860, and died March 27, 1866. They have reared 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. JOHN D. ELLIS, farmer, P . O. Turbotville, was born in what is now Anthony Town- ship,Montour County, June 14, 1836, son of William and Sarah (Murray) Ellis. His grand- father, Stephen Ellis, immigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, in or about 1770, and settled with his wife, Mary Cunningham, _ in what is now Anthony Township, Montour County, and made farming his business. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were parents of twelve children, and spent the remainder of their lives near where they fl^st settled. 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 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, fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and became owner of several farms in the adjoining counties. He was a member of tlie Episcopal Church 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 1873 came to Limestone Township. He was married[May 10, 1869, to Miss Uranna Lichard, born July 4, 1836,daughter of George and Rebecca (Dewalt) Licbard,both of whom resided in Lycoming County,about two miles from Moreland Mills. For three years after their marriage they remained in Anthony Townshij), when they re- moved to their present location in Limestone Township, where he bought flfty-seven acres, being the old Abraham Walter place on the Wilkesbarre Railroad. He now has 313 acres of his own, and an interest with his brother, Stephen M., in some timber lands. He made his own improvements on theiiome farm. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are the parents of four chil- dren: Ida, married to Edward Menges; Franklin, Ella May and Roscoe. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are members of the Episcopal Church at Exchange. Mr. Ellis has for six years been director of schools at Limestone Township; he was elected justice of the peace in 1886. James Lichard, CTandfather of Mrs. Uranna Ellis, was of English origin, 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; they were parents of six children. DANIEL F. GOtJGER, farmer, P. 0. Washingtonville, was born in Limestone Town- ship, Montour County, August 36, 1833, son of John and Mary (Bower) Gouger. John William Gouger, grandfather of Darnel 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 300 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 17S)8, 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, 1883; they are buried at Fulmer Church. They were the parents of the following named children: Catharine, Elizabeth, William, Mary, Caroline, Susannah and Daniel P. Daniel F. Gouger, subject of this sketch, made bis home with his parents for sixteen years after his marriage, and then removed to his pres- ent location. He was married October 3, 1855, 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 mdther was a member of the Cole fam- ily, who were early settlers in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County. Mrs. Gouger's 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 18l3 and engaged in the Black Rock campaign. Mr. Gouger is a member of the Lutheran Church, and Mrs. Gouger of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gouger lias held several local offices, but has not been a seeker for official position. In politics he is a Democrat. He has 113 cres in his home farm and sixty acres in another farm. He is engaged in farming and stock raising JOSEPH GIBSON, retired, P. O. Limestoneville, is, on his father's side, of Irish ex- traction, his great-grandfather having immigrated from Ireland. His grandfather, a sur- veyor, 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 aban- doned 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. . Henry, Catharine, Mary, John, William and David. Those surviving are Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Hopper, in Newark, N. J.; Jacob, in Milton, Penn., and Joseph, who was born in Berks County, on August 31, 1804. When seventeen years of age our subject 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 after gave up, and retired. He is now living in Limestoneville, on a place which he owned before his father's death. November 3.1, 1830, he was married to Julia Ann With- ington, who was born November 31, 1810. Their four children are all now living, viz. : 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 Sheetz and has two children: Bertha and Joseph; at the break- ing out of the late war he went to Philadelphia, where he worked at gun making for three 208 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: years, and then to several other places, and after an absence of over seven years^ returaecJ to Limestoneville, and bought the business he now conducts. Mr. Gibson is the oldest man in the township, and lias held the oiflce of justice of the peace in this township for twenty consecutive years, before that being constable for nine years. He and his wife are- members of the Roman Catholic Church in Milton. WILLIAM GRITTNBR, dealer in furniture and sewing machines, and undertaker,. P. O. Turbotville, Northumberland County, was born in Lycoming County, Penn., March 6, 1858, S9n of Edward and Catharine (Kettenbach) Grittner. Edward Grittner, father of our subject, was a native of Prussia, came in 1852 to America and located at New York, where he followed the trade of cabiijet-maker, which he had commenced learning in the old country at the age of fourteen years. He resided in New York about three ye8,rs, thence removed to Lycoming County, where he lived until 1871, when he came to Limestone Township, this county, and here he now resides, and has a farm of flfty-six acres. He was married in New York to Miss Catharine Kettenbach, also a native of Prussia, whO' came to America on the same ship as Mr. Grittner. They were the parents of five chil- dren, of whom four are living: Anna Louisa, "wife of Charles Vandine, live near Lairds- ville, Penn. ; George William; Julia Ann, wife of J, W. Ervin, in Limestone Township, this county; and Hannah Bessie. The deceased was an infant. Our subject spent his early life with his father in the shop in which be 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 at McEwensville, and Watsontown at his trade. In the spring of 1881 he commenced hia present business, with the exception of undertaking, which line he adopted in the foUow- mg 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; he also owns a house andlotof two acres, situated close to his undertaking and furniture establishment, and for which he paid |600. Mr. Grittner was married November 4, 1884, to Miss Anna 0., daughter of Daniel 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 9, 1886. They are members of the Zion Lutheran Church at Turbotville. Mr. Grittner is 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 cent- ury, and whose parents came from Alsace in 1738. The next in line "of desceut 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 he removed to a farm which 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 Union County, Penn. He was born in 1789, and died in 1854. He was a farmer and blacksmith. Hiswife was Catharine Heckel, who died some years before her husband; he married again after her decease. The children, who were all of the first marriage, were, Daniel, 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, b.oth of whom died in Union County, Penn.; the other child was Joseph S., who was the oldest of the family, and was born December 30, 1807. He is now living, and has always been a farmer. He was married, December 30, 1830, to Catharine McGinness, of Union Connty, 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, 1885, 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 Munoy, Penn., and was admitted April 34, 1859, at Williamsport. From there he went to Millersburg, Dauphin Co., Penn, where he was again admitted and practiced there until August 31, 1861, when he enlisted in Company D, Seventh Penn- sylvania Cavalry; on October 9 he was made sergeant; on November 18 was promoted to sergeant-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, he was made acting assistant adjutant-general for the detachment First Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, then at Columbia, Tenn., and was subsequently appointed to the com- mand of the detachment to 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 re- mained at home, unable to engage in any occupation until the beginning of 1872, when 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 commis- sion issued by a governor which had to be confirmed by the Senate. In 1882 he returned to his former home in Limestone, and in the fall of 1884 was elected district attorney of LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP. 209 Montour County for three years; he is also practicins law in Danville. On May 18, 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 his time between the practice of his profession, his duties as district attorney, and attending to his farm, w^here 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 Mad- ison Township, Columbia County, 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 Elizabeth 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.; EflSe 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 mem- bers 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 many people were present who were present at the wedding, and 181 sat down to dinner. For twenty-five 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 old- est sons, Lucas B. and John S., served throughout the civil war in the Union Army, the former in tlie Seventy-flfth Illinois Infantry and the latter in the Seventh P. V. V. Cav- alry. 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." THOMAS B. SCHUYLER was born in Lewis Township, Northumberland County, February 5, 1834, son of John and Sophia (Brass) Schuyler.* Lewis Schuyler, great-grand- father or 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 Eeziah Horned in 1781, and' lived in New Jersey until 1794. He then came to Pennsyl- vania 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- 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, EflBe, 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 34, 1829. The former died April 5. 1885, his wife having preceded him in death, dying April 15, 1884. They are buried at Turbotville. They were the parents of ten children : Eliza- beth, William, 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 39, 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 m 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 37.1884), was the wife of Charles F. Pulmer, and they were the parents of one child, Lola; Ellsworth, born September 33, 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 oflSce 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 1803 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 mem- I2A 210 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES : 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. Limestoneville, is a great-grandson of Jacob Shell, who emigrated from Germany about the middle of the last century, and was one of the pio- neers who located near Allentown, Penn., where his son Jacob, grandfather of the sub- ject 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 thefe in 1792, and died in 1864, aged seventy- two years. He was a farmer all his 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 Kalnerer; 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 died. The survivors are Jonas, in Delaware Township, Northumberland County; Mary, 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 Turbot- ville, and James K., the fourth son. Our subject was born Pebruarjr 15, 1825, while his parents were living in Pennsboro, Montgomery Co., Peaa.; he w^as 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, 1852, he was married to Mary Ellen Shurtz, who vas 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 1813, com- manding a company near Easton, and also served at Black Bock). They had two chil- dren: James S., living on a farm adjoining, owned by his father, and Mary M., who died in infancy. For about twenty years Mr. Shell has filled the offices of school director and overseer of the poor. He is a Democrat in politics. WELLINGTON 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 this sketch, was born, and where he died. His wife was Elizabeth Dunkel who died before her hu.sband. 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 to'v^nship to which he moved and on which 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 property, and was well off at the time of his death. In 1825 he was married to Susannah Dreibel- bis, of Berks County, Penn., who is now living in Derry Township, this county, 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 Sep- ■tember 3, 1826, and was ten years of age when his parents came to this county. 'Until he was 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 siiice 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. FoUmer, of this township, and born September 4, 1830. They have had nine children: Henry Muhlen- berg, George W. and Ella May, deceased, and Mary A., married to J. H. Cruzen, of Lan- caster Citjr; 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 als9 been county auditor, besides hold- ing many township offices. He has also been a surveyor at which he has worked con- siderably of late years. Mr. Weidenhamer and wife are members of the Lutheran Church in which for manyyears he has been a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian 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. MAHONING TOWNSHIP. 211 CHAPTER XX. MAHONING TOWNSHIP. JACOB AND TH0MA.8 COLE, owners of the iron ore mines, farmers and stock- growers, p. O. Danville, are descended from German and English ancestors, who came to America and settled in Pennsylvania in an early day, The mmes are located in Mahoning Township on the farm ownedby our subjects. Jacob was born in that township, Sep- tember 13, 1819, and there also Thomas was born May 22, 1823. They are the sons of 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 of the poor and school director of Mahoning Township. He started in life with 50 cents. The brothers are members of the German Reformed Church, and their success is due to their industry and strict attention to business. DAVID P. DIEHL, farmer and fruit grower, residing near Danville, was born September 17, 1824, in Mahoning Township, Montour County, son of Christian and Mag- dalene Diehl, whose maiden name wasSechler, and who was a native of Mahoning Town- ship, Montour County. Peter Diehl, the father of Christian, was born in Berks 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 sufEered 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 sinall 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 to watch him from running away to rejoin his dusky friends, the Delawares. When ten years of age he again returned to the home of his birtn, 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 place now occupied by his grandson, Peter Diehl. The subject of this historical 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 the neighborhood. From straitened circumstances he learned a trade, which afforded 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 *ith good fruit of various kinds of apples, pears and peaches, and a variety of small fruit such as currants, grapes, raspberries and strawberries. His health, which had become 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 Where frequent vines, fine as could be On stakes or trellis tall and free, With bunches perfect, large and fiush 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. Such was the experience of the subject at his first efforts at fruit growing. In 1881 Mr. Diehl bought the farm on which the Odd Fellows' cemetery is located^.aud for its 212 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: size, there may be but few better farms in Montour County. Here our subject devoted himself to beautifying his home in fruit growing, general farming, and raising some market gardening in which he delights and enjoys. Politically he is a Prohi- bitionist, and was once nominated by that parhr for the Legislature. On December as, 1853, Mr. Diehl married Susan, daughter . of Charles Gearhart, and who died in 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 suc- cessful 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 oflBces in irust 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: I ask not for great riches. But love a pleasant place Where the broad landscape stretches In undulating space. Let this be a home for me Where air is pure and sweet. And the water's gushing free Where rills together meet. 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! Noglory from the battle-fleld, Where hostile armies meet; Where frail life to death must yield In the red carnage heat. But let peace unite each bond. And join each sacred tie With kind words and greetings fond, Where true affections lie. No praise from a nation's tongue Can sound the name so well, As when the first praises rung Which the home vmces swell. Where love and kind wishes reigned, And filled each childish breast With more joy than treasure gained. Or fading honors blest. ' D. P. D. SAMUEL MORRISON, retired farmer, Danville, was born November 3, 1831, a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Sechler) Morrison. He was born and reared on the farm where he now resides and which has been in the possession of the Sechlei and Morrison families over 100 years. His father was a native of New Jersey, of Scotch origin f whose mother, Sarah Lucas, was a Quakeress of English, origin), a farmer, and a soldier in the war of 1813. 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 wnen 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 seUingmillt! In 1853 he married Hannah, daughter of Daniel Mourer, a farmer and of German origin. MAHONING TOWNSHIP. 213 Mrs. Morrison died in June, 1885, a member of tlie Lutheran Cliurch and tlie 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 ofSces. ■ HARMON S. MORRISON, farmer and stock grower, P. 0. Danville, was born in Mahoning Township, September 12, 1827, a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Sechler) Mor- rison, the latter a native of Mahoning Township. His father, a native of New Jersey, 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 his death occurred in 1868. Harmon S. is Jthe sixth in a family of nine children, was 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 superin- tends his farm which is situated near by. In 1850 he married Martha Ickes, of German- Irish origin, and a daughter of Michael Ickes, 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. Mor- rison's death occurred February 7, 1887, aged fifty-eight years. She was a Christian woman being a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Morrison and all the children [are members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is an elder. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and a member of order of; P. of H., and politically is a Republican. Edward Morri- son, 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 daugh- ters, Anna and Sarah) were born. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph 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 smatl 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 to see some of this original land sold at $225 per acre. Mr. Morrison's farm is a part of this original purchase. Other small parts of it are yet in the hands of the great-grandchil- dren. JACOB MOWERY, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Columbia County, Penn., 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 Colum- bia County. He has made farming his principal occupation, and is one of the most suc- cessful agriculturists in the county where he has resided for many years. In early life he 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 hus- band 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. GEORGE W. RISHEL, farmer arid stock grower, P. O. Danville, wasborn 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 remainder of his life. The farm is still in possession of the family, the deed for a part of it at present being the property of George W. The family have generally been farmers. 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, in 1847, Susannah, daughter of Hugh Cousart, of English and Irish origin. The children 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 B., 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 class leader, steward, trustee and Sabbath-school superintendent. Mr. Rishel s maternal grandfather, David Harpine, was a colonel in the Revolution. Politically our subject is a Republican. 214 BIOGKAPHICAL 8EETCHES: ANDREW P. ROTH, supermtendent of the Dairy and State Asylum Fatm, Dan- ville, was born in Columbia County, Penn., August 31, 1841, a son of Lewis and 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 1889. 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 1873. He was then appointed super- intendent 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 chil- dren 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 pol- itics he is a Republican. EDWARD WHITE, farmer and fruit grower, P. O. Danville, was born in Valley Township, Montour Co., Penn., March 16, 1835, 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. Ed- ward 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 since followed. He is the owner of a well improved farm, consisting of eighty acres, where he resides. In 1853 he married Magdalena, daughter of Christian Mouser. 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 Re- publican, but never held oflSce. He has been school- director for several terms, is in- spector 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 came to Danville and began to work in the iron ore mines for Grove Brothers. He was soon appointed superintendent of the mines, which position he filled for twenty- five Jyears. In 1863 he bought his present farm, which he has improved and has a fine country resi- dence on the Bloomsburg road, Mahoning Township, where he and family reside. He married, in 1843, Reginia, daughter of Jacob Rishel. Her paternal and maternal ancestors were among the early German settlers of Pennsylvania. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wireman are Henry, who was a lieutenant in the light artillery in the late war; Mary, wife of James Hendrickson; 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- man is an elder. He is a Republican, politically. CHAPTER XXI. MAYBERRY TOWNSHIP. B. H. VOUGHT, farmer, P. O. Union Corner, Northumberland County, was born in Mayberry Township, this county, July 8, 1833, a son of John and Hannah (Metz) Vought, natives of New Jersey, and of German descent. His ancestors came from Germany and settled in New Jersey, where they lived until their death. His father came to Montour 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 1869, aged eighty -four years, and the mother in about 1875, aged eighty-eight years. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, and re- mained with his parents until twenty -two years of age, when he moved to where he now re- sides. He atonce 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, and now has one of the best farms in Mayberry Township. He was married in 1841, to VALLEY TOWNSHIP. 215 Louisa, daughter of Samuel Groul, and by her had ten children, nine of whom are now liv- ing:Anna, Mary J. ; Henrietta, wife of Adam Pensyl; Christian M. ; Sariah E., wife of Arthur Long; Margaret S., wife of Harvey Hartraan, 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. CHAPTER 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) Benfleld, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. His father was engaged in several 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 m business, being a farmer, miller, dealer in and manufacturer 9f lumber, and has met with success in his ventures. He is the owner of 600 acres of land in different farms in Montour County, and 400 acres of woodland in Columbia County. He also owns the Benfleld flour-mill in Valley Township. In 1855 he married Catherine, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Everett) Cromley, and of German descent. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Benfleld are Catherine (wife of Robert Crosley, a farmer), Emma Jane, John Clark and Thomas H. Mrs. Benfleld is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Benfleld is a Democrat, and was recently elected associate judge of Montour County. The judge is a prominent citizen of Valley Township. JOSEPH BRYANT, Danville, weigh-master for the Montour Iron & Steel Company, also farmer in Valley Township, Montour Co., Penn., was born May 6, 1833, son of Sam- uel and Hannah (Sperring) Bryant, natives of England. Samuel Bryant was a miner; he went from England to Wales, and in 1887 came to Pottsville, Penn., where he worked in the iron ore mines. Our subject attended school in Danville, Penn., and early in life was apprenticed to learn the puddler's trade in the j'olling-mill in Danville, which occupation he followed until the breaking out of the Rebellion In 1861, when he enlisted in the Fifty- fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in Company E, and was discharged in 1863 for disabiljty. After returning home and regaining his health, he accepted his present posi- tion, and has since devoted most of his time to it. He was married, in 1856, to Lydia, daughter of Jacob Roup; she was born in Pennsylvania, and of German origin. They have five children now living: Charles M. (a miner), Henrietta, Alice, Martha, Sarah J. (deceased). In politics Mr. Bryant is a Republican. D. B. P. CHILDS, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in the house where he now re- sides, in Valley Township, Montour Co., Penn., October 16, 1838, son of Andrew and 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 and the latter in Ireland, and were married in Northumberland County, February 1, 1785. 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 his life here in that occupation. He reared a large family and died in 1864. The widow, who was bom in New Jersey, November 17, 1798, a daughter of Jacob Arnwine, a farmer, is still living. Our subject's parents were inarried in Valley Township, October 84, 1815. 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 1863 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, served nine months and was discharged in 1863 on account of ill health. In politics he is a Democrat. JOHN A. COOPER, miller, P. O. Danville, was born near Washingtonville, Montour Co., Penn., August 15, 1859, son of Abraham and Jane (Laney) Cooper. They were natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish and German origin. Abraham Cooper was a farmer all his life; his family consisted of six children; he was twice married, J. A. being the 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, 216 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and now owns the Frosty mills in Valley Township. His mills were destroyed by fire in 1883, and since then he has rebuilt them. He was married in 1884 to Miss Daisy, daughter 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 son of George and Susannah (Schoch) Corell, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. The grandfather came from 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 a^icultural pur- suits. 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 inU870. Mr. Corell in 1884 married Rachel W. MuUin, dau^ter 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 super- intendent 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 oflSces in Valley Township, also served ten years as an associate judge of Montour County. February 3, 1841, he married Christiana, daughter of Samuel Yorks and grand- daughter of William Yorks. The latter was an officer in the Revolution under Washing- ton. Mrs. Curry's father was a lieutenant in the war of 1812, and died in Dan- ville 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 Slate asylum now stands, and be- came 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 Mc Will- iams; 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 38, 1843, 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 by 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 Township, July 33, 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 farm- ing 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. O. Danville, was born in Valley Township, January 5, 1823, 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 VALLEY TOWNSHIP. 217 own the farm of 800 acres. Mr. Davis married in Northumberland County, Penn., Theo- docla, daughter of Gen. William Case of the Pennsylvania militia. This union has been blessed by two children: Thomas Beaver and WilUam. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Presbyterian Church. He generally refuses to accept office, but has served as assessor. JAMES PEN8TERMACHBR, farmer and stock grower and owner of the Fenster- macher tannery in Valley Township, P. O. Danville, was born in Valley Township, April 4, 1849, a son of Charles and Catherine (Schumacher) Penstermacher, natives of Lehigh County, Penn. 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 famuy of three children; was reared in his native township, and educated at Danville and Mer- cersburg College, Franklin County. He engaged in farming and tanning, hfts met with success, and owns 300 acres of land on which he resides. He married, in 1873, 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. Penstermacher are members of the Reformed Church, in which he is a deacon. His parents were also identifled with that denomination, his father serving as a deacon and elder for many years. NATHAN PENSTERMACHER, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., January 8, 1837, son of Abraham and Christianna (Wise) Penstermacher, 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 resides, and which he owns. Abraham erected a saw-mill in 1838, and helped to build the Penstermacher 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 occu- pation, in which he has met with success, and is the owner of 113 acres of land. He was married in 1854 to Margaret Snyder, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Sechler) Snyder, the father .being a native of Valley Township, born March 8, 1810. The house in which he was born is still standing. Our subject and wife have two children: Minnie and Estella J. The family are members of the Reformed Church, in which he has been a deacon and of which he is now an elder, treasurer, and secretary and treasurer of the Sunday- school. In politics he is a Republican. JAMES FLORA, 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 miller, and followed that as a business for many years. James, our subject, was his only child, and was reared in Montour ;County, attending the subscription schools. Jane Flora lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight; JosephFIora 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 twenty- one years. He still owns the farm in Anthony Township, the hotel in Valley Townsliip 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 Perrj'), 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. EDWARD FRAZIER, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Danville, Penn., Febru- ary 16, 1853, 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 cliildren, 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 Alice. Mr. Frazier is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican. HARRY A. GREINER, carriage-trimmer and musician, P. 0. 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 of nine children, of which H. A. is the sixth. He was reared in Snyder County, Penn., 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 iiiarried 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 Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat. JOHN HENDRICKS, farmer, P. ~0. Danville, , was born in Montgomery County, Penn., Octobe.r 35, 1836, son of Abraham and Maiy (Hunsicker) Hendricks. John Hun- 21.8 BioaEAPHicAL sketches: sicker, his ^rani^'tliei', was a bishop in the Meuuoaite Church and served for twenty years in that capacity. Abraham Hendricks was a fanner and the father of six children, all living to be grown and married. Roger Hendricks, brother of our subject, is also a prominent farmer in Valley Township. At the age of seventeen John, our subject, com- menced 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 settled on the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1861 to Hannah, daughter of Jacob and Sara'h (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 a carpenter by trade; Frank, also a carpenter, and Sally at home. Mr. Hendricks is a Republican in politics, and at present is a justice of the peace. He has served as school director for twelve years. W. 8. LAWRENCE, supeHntendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Iron Mines, in Valley Township, Montour County, was born in Danville, Penn., December 30, 1843, son of William T. and Ann (Phillips) Lawrence. His parents were born in Monmouth- shire, South WaleSi William T. LawrencCj a miner by occupation, was married in Wales in 1839, came to America and settled in Montour Countv, Penn., where he worked in the iron mines. Of their ten children only two survive, W. S., and Sarah Ann, who is now the wife of Joseph Woodford,;of Valley Township. Our subject was reared in Dan- 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 1883 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 as school director in Valley Township. He is the owner of a farm, and all he has ac- quired has been by his own industry and exertion. A. J. MAUS, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Montour County, Penn., Septem- ber 15, 1831, a son of Lewis and Catherine (Baughman) Maus, whose paternal and ma- ternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania. His maternal grand- fatuer was a soldier in the Revolution, and the gun carried by him all through that strug- gle is in possession of our subject. His father, Lewis Maus, ran the first keel-bottom 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., manu- facturer 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 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 P. Maus, was born May 33, 1853, and is the only surviving member of the family. His mother, 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, serving under Washington at Valley Forge. The great grandfather of our subject was Philip Maus, who was among the earliest German settlers here. Philip B. attended school in Danville, and also the Tuscarora Academy and Chambersburg Academy. He com- menced business first as a lumber dealer, but, on account of his father's health, came home to assist the latter in his business. In 1878 he married Mary R. Leinbach, of Ger- man 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 sons 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 tannei''s trade and worked at it four years, when he again resumed farming, and made that his business until he retired from the active labors of life. In business he has met with success, and is the owner of the farm where he now resides. He was united in marriage in 1880, with Susan, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Rupert) Farnwald; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Pursel has been blessed with seven children, (six now living): Charle'i, Daniel 6., Sarah B. (now the^^wile of P. Moore), Peter, William F. (deceased), James, and Samuel who has chajsge WEST HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP. 219 of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Pursel are members of the Reformed Church in which he has been a deacon and elder. He has served as school director, supervisor, and overseer of the poor. STEPHEN F. ROBERTS, farmer, P. O. Danville, was born in Mahoning Township, Montour Co., Penn.; July lO, 1814, son of Edward and Rebecca (Phillips) Roberts, natives of Montgomery County, Penn., and of English and Welsh origin. Edward Roberts was a carpenter in early life, and finally settled on a farm in Montour County. His family consisted of ten cmldren, all of whom were reared in Montour Coilnty. Our subject attended the common schools in Mahoning County, and remained on the farm with his parents until old enough to learn the tailor's trade, but, on account ef ill health,^ he has devoted his time to farming. Since 1849 he has resided in Valley Township on the farm owned by A.. F. Russel, and his heirs, of Danville. Mr. Roberts has farmed this prop- erty for thirty-three years. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Margaret M., daughter of Stephen George, of Irish origin. Their children now living are Eli W. and George E. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the Grove Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican, and has held nearly all of the offices in Valley Township; served three terms as justice of the peace, and three terms as director of the poor, also takes an ihter- •est in the schools, and has served as school director, supervisor and tax collector. E. SIDLER, farmer and stock grower, P. O. Danville, was born on the farm where he now resides, March 26, 1829. a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Benfleld) Sidler, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of German origin. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, but has made farming his chief occupation. Our subject is the fourth in a family of eight children, and was educated in the district school, and from his youth up has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns 100 acres of land where he resides, and where he has one of the most desirable country dwellings to be found in Valley Township. Mr. Sidler has been twice married; first, in 1853, to Rebecca, daughter of Abraham Fenstermacher. Mrs. Sidler died in 1872, the mother of the following children: Martha (wife of Calvin Schultz), Nathan Elmer (a farmer) and "William H. In 1874 Mr. Sidler married Rebecca, daughter .of Peter Bright, and a sister of Hon. Dennis Bright, of Danville. Her mother was of Welsh and her father of German descent. Mr. Sidler is a member of the Lutheran Church, in which he has been an elder and a deacon, and is now treasurer. He was director of the poor twelve years, and served one terra as county treas- urer, as school director six years, and supervisor two years. Politically he is a Democrat. THOMAS T. YOUNG, farmer and stock grower, P. O. Danville, was born in England, December 8, 1838, a son of George and Louise (Purnell) Young, natives of England. His father was a prominent farmer in his native country, where he died when Thomas was only six years of age. Later his widow married Charles Harding, and in 1857, in company with his mother and step-father, our subject came to America and settled in Danville. Here Thomas first worked in the iron ore mines, and subsequently was appointed foreman of the Bradford County Mines, where he remained a short time. Since 1878 he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is a successful farmer. He has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married in 1866, was Miss Jane Beddow, a native of Pennsylvania and of English origin. She died in 1874, the mother of five children, of whom Mary Louise is living. Mr. Young next married in Danville in 1875, Clara M., a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Jonathan Rudy, and one child, Viola, was born to the union. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Danville, of which he is a trustee, and in which he has been a class leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a Republican. CHAPTER XXIII. WEST HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP. V. R. 8HULTZ, farmer, P. O. Danville, was horn January 13, 1830, in this township, fourth son of Peter Shultz. Jacob Shultz, grandfather of our subject, was a very early settler in this county, and was driven away from his home sevecal times by the Indians, and forced to take refuge in the fort. To Jacob and his wife were born the following chil- dren: Peggy, Polly, Betsey, Peter, Jacob, Philip and John, all of whom reared families. Peter, the father of our subject, and a farmer by occupation, was born in 1789, and came to this county when a sman boy. He married, Sarah, daughter of Vincent Robbins, and by her had eight sons and one daughter: William, Jonathan, Jacob, V. R., James B 220 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 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 the farm until he attained his ma,jority, 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 limber and which 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 Jersey town, 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 came from Scotland and 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 now Columbia County, in Pishingcreek and Roaringcreek Townships, about the year 1798. His son, Philip, father of our subject, was born October 37, 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 Benjamin Stiles, who fought seven years in the colonial war. They reared a family of twelve chil- 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, 1886, 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 locality, the year prior to the division of the county. He married Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Benfleld) Sittleo, and a native of Valley Township, Montour Co., Penn. In 1855 he purchased the farm he now owns, which was settled about 100 years ago by James Wintersteen, his uncle. He now owns two farms. To Mr. and Mrs. Wintersteen were born twelve children, six living: Mary L., wife of John A. Shultz, of Madison Township, Columbia County; Elizabeth J., wife of William E. Knorr, of Blooms- 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 6f the Lutheran Chureh. w^M^SM^^.