CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 BEQUEST 
 
 JAMES McCALL 
 
 Class of 1885 
 
 1944 
 
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HISTORICAL' "VIEW 
 
 CLINTON COUNTY, 
 
 FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT Tfl THE. PRESENT. TIME. 
 
 COMB&tSlMQ A 
 
 COMPLETE SKETCH AND TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION 
 
 OF EACH TOWNSHIP IN THE COUNTY. 
 
 D. S. MAYNARD. 
 
 LOCK HAVEN, PA.: 
 THE ENTERPRISE FEINTING HOUSE. 
 
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INDEX 
 
 /. PAGE. 
 
 CHAP. I. Introductory — Sketch of the early history of the county 5 
 
 CHAP. II. Organization of the county — Jerry Church — Mineral resources — 
 
 Population, &c 15 
 
 CHAP. III. Great Floods— Log Jam, &c 23 
 
 CHAP. IV. Special Acts of Assembly — List of County OfBcers 25 
 
 CHAP. V. Lock Haven— Grant to Dr. Allison— The First Settlers— The Big 
 
 Runaway 31 
 
 CHAP. VI. Lock Haven (continued) — Purchase of land and laying out the 
 
 town by Jerry Church — ^Sketch of his Life — First Building 42 
 
 CHAP. VII. Lock Haven (continued)^Various "Additions" to the town — 
 
 Extracts fiom the Charter 57 
 
 CHAP. VIII. Lock Haven (continued) — Natural and acquired Advantages — 
 
 Saw Mills and other Manufacturing Establishments — Public and Private Cor- 
 porations and Institutions — Secret Societies, &c 67 
 
 CHAP- IX. Lock Haven (continued) — Newspapers — Churches 75 
 
 CHAP. X. Lock Haven (concluded)^Highland Cemetery. — Public Schools — 
 
 Central Normal School — Fire Department 94 
 
 CHAP. XI. Said Eagle Township— Mill Hall Borough. 109 
 
 CHAP. XII. Beech Creek Township — A Great Ring Hunt-^Beech Creek 
 
 Borough , 118 
 
 CHAP; XIII. Colebrook— Parrandsville : 128 
 
 CHAP. XIV. Chapman Township— Renovo Borough— North Point 134 
 
 CHAP. XV. Crawford Township— Nippenose Valley ' 144 
 
 CHAP. XVI. Dunnstable Township— Purchase of Great Island 147 
 
 CHAP . XVII. Grugan Township— Glen Union— Ritchie Station— Whetham . . 150 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. Gallauher Township— Irish Settlement. . . .' 157 
 
 CH A.P. XIX. Green Township— Logan Mills— Carroll 160 
 
 CHAP. XX. Keating Townships (!East and West— Keating Station — Wistar — 
 
 Round island .' 168 
 
 CHAt. XXI. Leidy Township— Kettle Creek 174 
 
 CHAP. XXn. Logan Township — Sugar Valley — Logan, the Indian Chief — 
 
 Booneville— Tylersville .189 
 
 CHAP. XXIII. Lamar Township— Nittany Vallev—Salona— Hamburg— Flat 
 
 Rock .190 
 
 CHAP. XXIV. Noyes Township— Westport t 197 
 
 CHAP. XXV. Pine Creek Township— Charlton— Richville. 207 
 
 CHAP. XXVI. Porter Township — Clintohdale — Yankeetown (Lamar Post 
 
 Office) — Washingtpn Iron Works 213 
 
 CHAP. XXVII. Wayne Township— Wayne Station (McElhattan Post Office) 
 
 Camp Grounds — Pine Station 218 
 
 CHAP. XXVIII. Woodward Township — Queens Run — -Lockport — Duunsburg 
 
 — Gejjman Settlement 225 
 
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PREFACE. 
 
 On November 6, 1874, the publicatiou of the "Historical View op Clinton 
 County " was commenced in The Bntbrpkise, one of the weekly newspapers of 
 Lock Haven, and continued through nearly every issue, until a complete sketch 
 of the county had been given. In order to insui-e accuracy and thoroughness the 
 following note was appended to each chapter : 
 
 Any one discovering errors in our History of Clinton Oounty^, in regard to names, dates, locations, 
 incidents, or in any-other respect, will confer a favor by immediately notifying us of the same. It 
 is our intention to publisli this History in book form, and desire to have it as Iree from mistakes as 
 possible ; and we call upon all who are interested in the matter, (every citizen of the county should 
 be-) toa,ssist us in accomplishing' our object. 
 
 Notwithstanding; after appearing dn The Enterprise, the matter was carefully 
 vevised, and many errors corrected, it is not to be presumed that absolute accui'acy 
 has t)een attained, tlrat is an impossibility ; but it is right to say, that, probably 
 the work contains as fewimportant mistaikes as could be expected in a publication 
 of its character. 
 
 The difficulty in iproouring the facts contained in tjiese pages can not be fully 
 understood by any, except those who have been engaged in a similar work. The 
 principal draw-back in gathering facts, was the scarcity of reliable records, except 
 such as related to land titles. . Very few, if any, of the citizens of the county liave 
 ever taken the trouble to keep a diary of ipassing events, not even of those occur- 
 ring in their own neighborhoods or families. In many in.stances birtlrs, marriages, 
 and deaths have not been recorded. 
 
 It has been the aim of the compiler to give all the leading facts and incidents 
 connected with the history of the county, omitting everything that would do the 
 slightest injustice to any person, family, or community. Hoping he has ac- 
 complished his purpose to the satisfaction of those who have manifested so much 
 interest in tlie undertaking, he submits the result of his labor to the citizens of 
 Clinton county. 
 
 D. S. M. 
 
 Lock Haven, Pa., .Ian. 1, 1876. 
 
 Corrections: — Page 29, in the list "of Representatives, : the nam« of Isaac 
 Benson should appear instead of Henry L. Dieiienbach. Pagp 15, liSth line 'from 
 beginning of cbapter should read, " was taken " instead of '• was formed." 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW 
 
 ov 
 
 CLINTON" COUNTY, 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTKODUCTOllY — SKETCH OF THE TEBKITORT NOW COMPKISED IN CLINTON COUNTY 
 PREVIOUS TO ITS OCCUPATION BY THE WHITES — MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE 
 INDIANS — THE "BIO ISLAND" — GRANT OP CHARLES II. TO WILLIAM PENN — TREATY 
 OP PORT STANWIX — HARDSHIPS ENCOUNTERED BY THE EARLY SETTLERS — THE 
 "big runaway" — ^ADVENTURES OP MOSES VAN CAMPEN — PIONEER AMUSEMENTS — 
 HOUSES OP THE EARLY SETTLERS — KEEL-BOAT NAVIGATION — LEWIS AND CONLY, 
 THE HIGHWAYMEN. 
 
 In presenting a historical view of Clin- 
 ton county it is proper, and in fact neces- 
 sary, to begin at the time when the Red 
 Men of the forest held undispnted sway 
 over the West Branch Valley and the en- 
 tire region of country comprised in the 
 county now under consideration. This 
 takes us back in imagination to a period 
 a few years prior to the Revolutionary 
 war; the time when the great Chief Bald 
 Eagle bathed his swarthy limbs in the 
 beautiful stream which bears his name, 
 the time when the war whoop resounded 
 from hill top to hill top in defiance to all 
 who dai'ed intrude on these wild domains. 
 Various tribes at different times had pos- 
 session of this region, but the most prom- 
 inent of the more recent aboriginal in- 
 habitants were the Delawares and Iro- 
 quois. These tribes were composed, so to 
 speak, of many other smaller ones, the 
 whole forming two powerful confedera- 
 tions. Previous to their intercourse with 
 the whites, while roaming unrestrained, 
 and unmolested among their own moun- 
 tains and streams — their God-given pos- 
 sessions — the Indians were very different 
 
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 in many respects from what they became 
 after coming in contact with the "pale 
 faces," whom they looked upon as in- 
 truders and enemie^. To the introduc- 
 tion and use among them of "fire water," 
 may be attributable to a great extent their 
 deterioration and final demoralization. 
 
 Forty years ago an author, who was 
 well acquainted with the manners and 
 customs of the American Indians, wrote 
 concerning the tribes which inhabited 
 this portion of the country, as follows: 
 
 The Indians were hospitable to stran- 
 gers. To refuse the act or kind office of 
 hospitality was looked upon as a flagrant 
 violation of a laudable practice in vogue 
 among the tawny sons of the forest. Hos- 
 pilality, they counted a most sacred duty, 
 from which none was exempt. "Who- 
 ever," said they, "refuses relief to any 
 one, commits a grievous offence, and not 
 only makes himself detested and ab- 
 horred by all, but liable to revenge from 
 the injured person," 
 
 In their conduct towards their enemies, 
 as will be seen from the sequel, they were 
 "bloody cruel," and when exasperated, 
 nothing but the blood of their enemy 
 could assuage, or allay anger, which 
 rankled concealed in their bosom^ waiting 
 
ItlSTORIOAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 only for a convenient opportunity to strike 
 the fearful blow, inflicted vfith fury that 
 knew no bounds. So determined on re- 
 venge upon their enemies were they, that 
 they would solemnly enjoin it upon their 
 friends and posterity to resent injuries 
 done them. The longest space of time, 
 the most remote place of refuge, afforded 
 no security to an Indian's enemy. 
 
 Drunkenness, after the whites were 
 dealing with them, was a common vice. 
 It was not confined, as it is at this day, 
 among the whites, principally to the 
 "strong-minded," the male sex ; but the 
 Indian female, as well as the male, was 
 infatuated alike with the love of strong 
 drink; for neither of them knew bounds 
 to their desire: they drank while they had 
 whiskey, or could swallow it down. 
 Drunkenness was a vice, though attended 
 ■with many serious consequences, nay, 
 murder and death, that was not punisha- 
 ble among them. It was a fashionable 
 vice. Fornication, adultery, stealing, 
 lying and cheating, principally the off- 
 spring of drunkenness, were considered 
 as heinous and scandalous offences, and 
 were punished in various ways. 
 
 The Delawares and Iroquois married 
 early in life; the men usually at eighteen, 
 and the women at fourteen; but they 
 never anarried near relations. If an In- 
 dian man wished to marry, he sent a 
 present, consisting of blankets, cloth, 
 linen, and occasionally a few belts of 
 wampum, to the nearest relations of the. 
 person he had fixed upon. If he that 
 made the present, and the present pleased, 
 the matter was formally proposed to the 
 girl, and if the answer was affirmatively 
 given, the bride was conducted to the 
 bridegroom's dwelling without any 
 further ceremony; but if the other party 
 chose to decline the proposal, they re- 
 turned the present, by way of a friendly 
 negative » 
 
 After the marriage, the present made 
 by the suitor, was divided among thei 
 friends of the young wife. These re- 
 turned the civility by a present of Indian 
 corn, beans, kettles, baskets, hatchets, 
 &c., brought in solemn procession into 
 the hut of the new married couple. The 
 latter commonly lodged in a friend's 
 house till they could erect a dweUing of 
 fcheir own. 
 
 An Indian hut was built in the follow- 
 ing manner: They j^eeled the trees 
 abounding in sap; then cutting the bark 
 
 into pieces of six or eight feet in length, 
 they laid heavy stones upon them, that 
 they become flat and even in drying. The 
 frame of the hut was made by driving 
 poles into the ground, and strengthening 
 them by cross beams. This frame was 
 covered both inside and outside with the 
 pieces of bark that had been jjrepared for 
 that purpose, and fastened tight with the 
 bast or withes of hickory. The roof ran 
 upou-a ridge, and was covered the same 
 way. An opening was left in the roof to 
 let the smoke pass through ; and one in 
 the side as a door, which was fastened 
 with neither look nor bolt — a stick lean- 
 ing against it on the outside, as a token 
 that no one was at home, was the only 
 bolt to pirevent intruders. A lesson to 
 whites ! 
 
 There was some difference in the huts 
 of the Dela wares and Iroquois; the roofs 
 of the former being angular, and the lat- 
 ter round or arched — the Delaware fami- 
 lies preferring to live separately, their 
 huts were small; the Iroquois jireferred 
 living together, they built their houses 
 long, with several fire places, and corres- 
 ponding openings in the roof and sides. 
 In their dress they displayed more singu- 
 larity than art. The men wore a blanket, 
 which hung loose over the shoulders, and 
 generally went bare-headed. The dress 
 which distinguished the women, was a 
 petticoat, fastened tight about the hips, 
 and hanging down a little below the 
 knees. A longer one would have proved 
 an incumbrance in walking through the 
 woods, or working in the fields. 
 
 As soon as a child was born, it was laid 
 upon a board or straight piece of bark, 
 covered with moss, and ^Yrapped up in a 
 skin or piece of cloth; and when the 
 mother was engaged in her housework, 
 this rade cradle, or bed, was hung to a 
 peg or branch of a tree. Their children 
 they educated to fit them to get through 
 the world, as did their fathers. They in- 
 structed them in religion, &c. They be- 
 lieved that Manittoj their God, "the good 
 spirit," could bo propitiated by sacrifices, 
 hence they observed a great many super- 
 stitious and idolatrous ceremonies. At 
 their general and solemn sacrifices, the 
 oldest men performed the offices of 
 priests; but in private parties, each man 
 brought a sacrifice, and offered it himself 
 as priest. Instead of a temple, they 
 fitted up a large dwelling house for the 
 purpose. 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 The aborigines of tlie West Br'ancli 
 Valley, fled before the encroachments of 
 civilization, and deserted their hunting 
 grounds, as the sons of the forest al- 
 ways do on the advance of their white 
 • brethren; not, however, without leaving 
 
 unmistakable evidences of their exist- 
 
 • 
 
 ence, many of which remain to this day. 
 Within the present limits of Clin- 
 ton county, have been found at various 
 times, many curious and interesting rel- 
 ics, which, taken in connection with tra- 
 dition, have been the means of throwing 
 considerable light upon some very im- 
 portant questions concerning the every- 
 day life, manners and customs, religious 
 rites and ceremonies, and warlike tenden- 
 cies of the "noble red men." 
 
 During the thirty years previous to the 
 Revolutionary war, the Indians of the West 
 Branch Valley were visited by different 
 whites, acting as missionaries, traders or 
 agents, and many and interesting ai-e the 
 ^accounts given by these men, of the mode 
 of life of the savages, and the manner in 
 which they treated tlieir visitors. In their 
 palmy days of "prosperity," when indulg- 
 ing in the pleasures of the chase, and the 
 warpath, the "sons of the soil" deemed 
 the West Branch 'Valley a sort of terres- 
 trial "happy hunting ground, " and the 
 Great Island, located about two miles be- 
 low where Lock Haven now stands, was 
 to them a mundane Elysium. 
 
 In speaking of this favored spot, J. F.| 
 Meginness, author of the History of the 
 West Branch Valley, says: 
 
 The Great Island was a very important 
 place with the Indians one hundred years 
 ago. It was to them a perfect Paradise 
 — an elysian home — where they loved to 
 dwell and offer up their orisons to the 
 Great Spirit. No lovelier spot can be im- 
 agined — a luxuriant alluvial soil — wide- 
 spreading trees — enchanting scenery — 
 humble wig^ ams — ^the smoke gracefully 
 curlmg on the breeze. Near this spot, 
 encircled by the crystal waves of the 
 Otzinachson, on the opposite side, was a 
 
 village where the chief, Bald Eagle, fre- 
 quently dwelt. The mountain range from 
 Lock Haven to Muncy takes its name 
 from him. 
 
 It is. well known to evei-y intelligent 
 citizen in the country, that the territory 
 constituting the State of Pennsylvania, 
 was granted to William Penn, by the 
 British Crown, the original patexit bear- 
 ing date March 4th, 1681. In relation to- 
 the contract made between Charles Il.and 
 Penn, Sergeant in his Land Law of 
 Pennsylvania, published in 18D8, gives 
 the following: 
 
 All lands in Pennsylvania were held 
 under the proprietaries by the tenure of 
 free and common socage, and the service of 
 fealty and certain rent. The charter of 
 Chai-les II. granted the Province to Wil- 
 liam Penn, his iieirs and assigns forev- 
 er, to be holden of Charles II. his heirs 
 and successors. Kings of England, as of 
 his Castle of Windsor, in free and com- 
 mon socage, by fealty only for all ser- 
 vice, and not in capite, or by Knights 
 service; yielding and paying therefor 
 two bear skins, to be delivered at his said 
 castle, on the 1st day of January in eve- 
 ry year, and also the fifth .part of all gold 
 or silver ore which should, from time to 
 time happen to be found within the lim- 
 its of the province, clear of all charges. 
 
 ' After having obtained in the charter of 
 1681, ^legalright to the lands of Pennsyl- 
 vania, Penn's religious principles would 
 not allow him to take by force from the 
 Indians the soil which nature gave them; 
 but without the shedding of blood, by 
 treaties and contracts, he thoroughly and 
 consoienciously established his title to the 
 woody realm which bears his name. 
 
 lu his intercourse and transactions 
 with the Indians, Penn always treated 
 them fairly and honorably, never intrud- 
 ing upon their rights, never encroaching 
 upon the territory they claimed as their 
 own, never taking possession of their 
 hunting gi'ounds, without rendering them 
 a satisfactory equivalent. 
 
 In .cairying out their peaceful and 
 peaceable determinations, Penn and hia 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 associates actually purchased from the 
 Indiani all the land included in the 
 grant of 4681 thereby securing a double 
 right to their American possessions. 
 
 According to Sergeant, one important 
 purchase was made from the Indians by 
 the Penns: 
 
 At Fort Stanwix, (now Rome, N. 
 Y.,) in November, 1768, and took in- the 
 lands lying east of the North Branch of 
 the Susquehanna, beginning at Owego, 
 -down to Towanda, thence up the same 
 and across to the headwaters of Pine 
 Creek; thence down the same to Kittan- 
 ning, and from Kittanning down the Al- 
 legheny and Ohio rivers to the south line 
 of the province, and thence by said line 
 to the Allegheny mountains, and up the 
 same and across the Susquehanna to the 
 Delaware, and thence, by the Lackawaxen 
 creek and a line to the place of begin- 
 inng. 
 
 This purchase did not include that por- 
 tion of the present county of Clinton 
 lying on the north side of the river, which 
 was embraced in a subsequent treaty, 
 tliat of 1784, or the Big Island, containing 
 about three hundred acres, which had 
 been purchased from an Indian, by Mr. 
 William Dunn, "for a barrel of whiskey, 
 iv rifle, and a hatchet. ' ' Immediately 
 after the first treaty of Port Stanwix, 
 adventurers, attracted by the fertility of 
 the soil, penetrated the wilds of the West 
 Branch Valley for the purpose of securing 
 pei-maneut .locations. The first actual 
 settlement being made about the year 
 1769, concerning which Meginness says: 
 
 The earliest settlement, of whidi I 
 have any account, that was made uj) the 
 river on the south side was Xiy a man 
 named Clarey Campbell, from Juniata. 
 His cabin stood on the river, in the upper 
 part of Lock Haven. In 1776 a trial took 
 place between him' and William Glass, 
 wli(j claimed his land. Charles Lukeks, 
 Depxity Surveyor, of Berks county, being 
 a witness, testified as follows: "When 1 
 went up in March, 1769, to make the of- 
 ficer's surveys, I found Clarey Campbell 
 living on this land with his family." 
 
 As is always the case in p(3{S^{489, THfe 
 
 early settlers of this region endured great 
 privations and encountered many hard- 
 ships. Many stories of their thrilling 
 adventures and terrible sufferings have 
 been told; and numerous are the semi- 
 traditional accounts of hair-breadth es- 
 capes and perilous encounters with wild 
 beasts and wilder men. Though by the 
 terms of the Port Stanwix treaty the In- 
 dians were required to relinquish their 
 claims to these lands, the early settlers, 
 for a number of years, were by no means 
 free from their incursions and depreda- 
 tions. A favorite route taken by preda- 
 tory bands of Indians in their descent 
 upon the frontier settlements, lay along 
 the Sinnemahoning creek and the Susque- 
 hanna river, and during the years inter- 
 vening between 1768 and 1785, on many 
 occasions, the hardy "squatters" were 
 roused from their slumbers in the dead 
 of night and forced to fly to their arms 
 and defend their homes, or leave them to 
 be plundered and destroyed by the mer- 
 ciless savages. In aJluding to the state 
 of affairs then existing in the valley of 
 the West Branch, Sherman Day, in his 
 "Historical Collections," gives the follow- 
 ing account of the "bi^ runaway," ob- 
 tained from Robert Covenhaven, an aged 
 pioneer who, in 1843, was still living in the 
 neighborhood of Jersey Shore: 
 
 In the autumn of 1777, Job Gilloway, 
 a friendly Indian, had given intimation 
 that a powerful descent of marauding 
 Indians might be expected before long on 
 the head-waters of the Susquehanna. 
 Near the close of the season, the Indians 
 killed a settler by the name of Saltzburn, 
 on the Sinnemahoning, and Dan Jones at 
 the mouth of Tangascootac. In the spring 
 of 1778 Ool. Hepburn, afterwards Judge 
 Hepburn, was stationed with a small 
 force at Fort Mmicy at the mouth of 
 Wallis' run, near which several murders 
 1 ^11 i'®®^ committed. The Indians had 
 killed Browia's and Benjamin's families, 
 and had taken Cook and his wife prison- 
 ers on Loyalsock Creek. Col. Hunter 
 fl/^/S^htWI^^' a'^i;™ed by these mur- 
 'JflW^^Wrarders to Fort JIuncy that all 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW 01^ CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 the settlers in that vicinity should evacu- 
 ate, and take refuge at Sunbury. Col. 
 Hephurn was ordered to pass on the or- 
 ders to Antis' and Horn's forts above. 
 To carry this^message none -would volun- 
 teer except Covenhoven and a young Yan- 
 kee millwright, an apprentice to Andrew 
 Culbertson. Purposely avoiding all roads, 
 they took their route along the top of 
 Bald Eagle ridge until they reached Antis' 
 gap, where they descended towards the 
 fort at the head of Mppenose bottom. At 
 the bottom of the hiU they were startled 
 by the report of a rifle hear the fort, 
 which had been fired by an Indian at a 
 girl. The girl had just stooped to milk a 
 cow — ^the harmless bullet passed through 
 her clothes between her limbs and the 
 ground. Milking cows in those days was 
 dangerous work. The Indians had just 
 killed in the woods Abel Cady and Zeph- 
 aniah Miller, and mortally wounded 
 young Armstrong, who died that night. 
 The messengers delivered their orders 
 that all persons should evacuate within 
 a week, and they were also to send word 
 lip to Horn's fort, (near mouth of Chat- 
 ham's Kun.) 
 
 On his way up, Covenhoven had staid 
 all night with Andrew Armstrong, who 
 then lived at the head of the long reach, 
 where Esq. Seward now lives. Covenho- 
 ven warned him to quit, but he did not 
 like to abandon his crops, and gave no 
 heed to the warning. The Indians came 
 upon him suddenly and took him prison- 
 er with his oldest child, and Nancy Bun- 
 day, his wife concealed herself under the 
 bed and escaped. 
 
 Covenhoven hastened down to his own 
 family, and having taken them safely to 
 Sunbury, returned in a keel-boat to secure 
 his household furniture. As he was 
 rounding a point above Derrstown (now 
 Lewisburg,) he met the whole convoy 
 from all the forts above; such a sight he 
 never saw in his life. Boats, canoes, 
 hog-troughs, rafts hastily made of dry 
 sticks — every sort of floating article had 
 been put into requisition, and were 
 crowded with woiiien, children, and plun- 
 der — ^there were several hundred people 
 in all. Whenever any obstraction occur- 
 red at a shoal or ripple, the women leaped 
 out and put their shoulders, not indeed 
 to the wheel, but to the flat boat or raft 
 and launched it again into deep water. The 
 men of the settlement came down in sin 
 
 the women and children. The whole con- 
 voy arrived safely at Sunbury, leaving the 
 entire lino of farms along the "West 
 Branch, to the ravages of the Indians. 
 They destroyed Fort Muncy, but did not 
 penetrate in any force near Sunbury, their 
 attention having been soon after diverted 
 to the memorable descent upon the "Wy- 
 oming. 
 
 Among those who figured conspicuous- 
 ly iiT various encounters with the Indi- 
 ans, and rendered important service to 
 the early settlers of the "West Branch 
 Valley, by their deeds of heroism, were 
 Moses and Jacobus Van Campen. Moses 
 was promoted to a Lieutenancy in 1781, 
 and served a long time as a leader of 
 scouting parties. On many occasions he 
 displayed remarkable bravery, and prov- 
 ed himself to be a genuine hero. 
 
 The following account of one of his ex- 
 ploits is given iii his own language: 
 
 In the summer of 1781, a man was tak- 
 en prisoner in Buffalo Valley, but made 
 his escape. He came in and reported 
 that there were about 300 Indians on Sin- 
 nemahoning, hunting and laying in a 
 store of provisions, and would make a 
 descent on the frontiers; that they would 
 divide into small parties, and attack the 
 whole chain of the frontier at the same 
 tiffiie, on the same day. Col. Samuel 
 Hunter selected a company of five to re- 
 connoitre, viz: Capt. Campbell, Peter 
 and Michael Groves, Lieut. Cramer, and 
 myself. The party was called the Grove 
 party. "W"e carried with us three weeks' 
 provisions, and proceeded up the "West 
 Branch with much caution and care. "We 
 reached the Sinnemahoning, but made no 
 discovery except old tracks. We march- 
 ed up the Sinnamahoning so far that we 
 were satisfled it was a false report. We 
 returned; and a little below the Sinnema- 
 honing, near night, we discovered a smoke. 
 We yyere confident it was a party of In- 
 dians, which we must have passed by, or 
 they got there some other way. We dis- 
 covered there was a large party — ^liow 
 many we could not tell — but prepared for 
 the attack. 
 
 As soon as it was dark we new-primed 
 our rifles, sharpened our flints, examined 
 our tomahawk handles; and all being 
 
 gle file on each side of tT-^e Bl§]ti^(P^WIid?6^W®'^^^^^^ "'^'"^ ^''^''* impatience 
 
10 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 till they all lay down. The time came, 
 iind -with the utmost silence we advanced, 
 trailed our rifles in one hand, and the 
 tomahawk in the other. The night was 
 warm; we found some of them rolled in 
 their blankets a rod or two from the fires. 
 Having got amongst them, we first han- 
 dled our tomahawks. They rose like a 
 cloud. We now fired our shots, and 
 raised the war-yell. They took to ilight 
 in the utmost confusion, but few taking 
 time to pick wp their rifles. We remain- 
 ed masters of the ground and all their 
 plunder, and took several scalps. It was 
 a party of 25 or 30, which had been as 
 low down as Penn's Creek, and had killed 
 and scalped two or three families. We 
 found several scalps of different ages 
 which they had taken, and a large qiian- 
 tity of domestic cloth, which was carried 
 to Northumberland and given to the dis- 
 tressed who had escaped the tomahawk 
 and knife. 
 
 After performing valuable service in 
 various parts of the country, under di- 
 rection of the "Continental Congress," 
 Van Campen and others were ordered to 
 ?iluncy, for the purpose of re-building 
 Fort Muncy, which had been destroyed 
 by the enemy. 
 
 In recounting wliat subsequently bcfel 
 tlie party, he says: ^ 
 
 We reached the station, and built a 
 small block-house for the storage of our 
 provisions. About the 10th or 11th of 
 April, Capt. Robinson came on with Esq. 
 Culbertsou, James Dougherty, William 
 JI' Grady, and a Mr. Barkley. I was 
 ordered to select 20 or 35 men with these 
 gentlemen, and to proceed up the West 
 Branch to the Big Island, and thence up 
 the Bald Eagle to the place where a Mr. 
 Culbertsou had been killed. On the 15th 
 of April, at night we reached the place, 
 and encamped for the night. On the 
 morning of the 16th we were attacked by 
 y5 Indians. It was a hard-fought battle. 
 Esq. Culbertsou and two others made 
 their escape. I think we had Aine killed, 
 and the rest of us were made prisoners. 
 We were stripped of all our clothing ex- 
 cepting pur pantaloons. When they took 
 off my shii't they discovered my commis- 
 sion. Our commissions were written on 
 parchment, and carried 
 }mn(r witli a riljbon in our 
 
 oral got hold of it; and one fellow cut the 
 ribbon with, his knife, and succeeded in 
 obtaining it. They took us a little dis- 
 tance from the battle-grouiwl, and made 
 the prisoners sit down in a small ring; 
 the Indians forming another arouud us 
 in .close order, each with his rifle and 
 tomahawk in his hand. They brought 
 up five Indians we had killed, and laid 
 them within their circle. Each one re- 
 flected for himself — our time would prob- 
 ably be short; and respecting myself, look- 
 ing back upon 'the year 1780, at the party 
 I had killed, if I was discovered to be the 
 person, my case would be a hard one. 
 Their prophet, or chief warrior, made a 
 speech. As I was informed afterwards 
 by the British lieutenant, who belonged 
 to the party, he was consulting the Great 
 Spirit what, to do with the prisoners — 
 whether to kill them on the spot, or spare 
 their lives. He came to the conclusion 
 that there had been blood enough shed ; 
 and as to the men they had lost, it was 
 the fate of war, and we must be taken 
 and adopted into the families of those 
 whom we had killed. We were then di- 
 vided amongst them, according to the 
 number of fires. Packs were prepared 
 for us, and they returned across the river, 
 at Big Island, in bark canoes. They 
 then made their way across the hills, and 
 came to Pine Creek, above the first forks, 
 which they followed up to the third fork, 
 and took the most northerly branch to 
 the head of it — and thence to the waters 
 of the Genesee river. 
 
 Van Campen and his companions were 
 marched over a long and tedious route, 
 and finally delivered to the British at 
 Fort Kiagara. During the entire jour- 
 ney neither the Indians who had him in 
 charge, or those whom he met on the 
 way, had the least suspicion ^yho he was, 
 or he would have been [put to death in a 
 crnel manner, as he had long been an ob- 
 ject of their especial hatred, for his name 
 was known among the Indians as belong- 
 ing to a successful fighter against them. 
 Soon, however, after falling into the 
 hands of the authorities at Fort Niagara, 
 his identity was established, whereupon 
 ' ' i5?ife'^^ ^° '"^ captors was demand- 
 
 le Officer in command of the fort. 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 11 
 
 that he might he burnt at the stake. The 
 officer informed Van Campen that there 
 was hut one way for him to save his hfe, 
 and that was by swearing allegiance to 
 the British, and iiglit for their cause, to 
 which he heroically responded : 
 
 "No sir, no — my life belongs to my 
 country; give me the stake, the toma- 
 liawk, or tlie scalping-knife, before I will 
 dishonor the characiir of an American 
 officer." f 
 
 Soon after, Van Campen was sent to 
 Montreal and exchanged, when he re- 
 turned to the service of his country. 
 
 The lives of the pioneers were by no 
 means monotonous, neither were they de- 
 void of pleasure; in fact they were made 
 up of a commingling of romance, matter- 
 of-fact, and enthusiasm, and there is no 
 doubt, whatever, tliat notwithstanding 
 their hardships, privations, and unfavor- 
 able surroundings generally, the first set- 
 tlers, at times, tools: "solid comfort.'' 
 Their work was toilsome, and their fare 
 exceedingly plain, though wholesome. 
 Their amusements were essentially limit- 
 ed, and consisted in hunting and fishing, 
 (which, by the way, were imjxirtant 
 means of obtaining subsistence,) and oc- 
 casionally a dancing "frolic,*' when a 
 party suificiently large to "form a set" 
 could be got together. Sometimes it 
 happened on such occasions that, owing to 
 the inability of the "ladies" to be present, 
 the dance was conducted entirely by 
 "gentlemen," who, however, chose their 
 partners from their own sex, and en,tered 
 into the spirit of the "hoe-down" with 
 zest, and manifestations of supreme en- 
 joyment. 
 
 The dwellings of the "settlers" were 
 built to Uvewa, not for show; in their con- 
 struction the observance of "architectural 
 lules" was considered as in no wise es- 
 sential, and "modern improvements," 
 were absolutely ignored. 
 
 ner in which a primitive "iTsMBiroe 
 
 constructed, was given by a writer about 
 fifty years ago: 
 
 Our buildings are made of hewn logs, 
 on an average 24 feet long by '30 wide, 
 sometimes a wall of stone, a foot or more 
 above the level of the earth, raised as a 
 foundation; hut in general, four large 
 stones are laid at the corners, and the 
 building raised on them. The house is 
 covered sometimes with shingles, some- 
 times with clapboards. The advantage 
 of the latter kind of roof is, it i-equires 
 no laths, no rafters, no nails, and is put 
 on in less time. It has been called a 
 "poor man's make-shift," and its use can 
 only be justified by the poverty and other 
 circumstances of the country. The ground 
 logs being laid saddle-shaped, on the 
 upper edge, is cut in with an axe, 
 at the ends, as long as the logs are 
 thick, then the end logs are raised 
 and a "notch" cut to fit the saddle. 
 This is the only kind of tie or binder 
 they have; and when the building is rais- 
 ed as many rounds as it is intended, the 
 ribs are raised', on which a course of clap- 
 boards is laidjbutts resting on a "butting 
 pole." A press pole is laid on the clax>- 
 boards immediately over the ribs to keep 
 liem from shifting by the wind, and the 
 pole is kept to its berth by stay blocks, 
 resting in the first course against the but- 
 ting-pole. The logs are run upon the 
 building on skids by the help of wooden 
 forks. The most experienced "axe-men" 
 are placed on the building as "corner- 
 men;" the rest of the company are on 
 the ground to carry the logs and run them 
 up. 
 
 In this way a building is raised and 
 covered in a day, without a mason, and 
 without a pound of iron. The doors and 
 windows are afterwards cut out as the 
 owner pleases. 
 
 Among the earliest settlers of the up- 
 per portion of the "West Branch Valley, 
 were: Alexander and Kobert Hamilton, 
 "Wm.- Reed, Col. Cooksey Long, Thomas 
 HughcF, the Flemings, MoCormicks, and 
 'Wm. McElhattan. During the progress 
 of the Revolutionary war, owing to the 
 unsettled state of affairs existing in the 
 country, none but the most venturesome 
 
 The following descriptioi^qf .Jihe man- I dared to,rigk their lives and fortunes on 
 
 border of civilization, as the 
 
12 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW OF ClilNTON COUNT V. 
 
 region about the mouth of the Bald Ea- 
 gle Creek was then considered; therefore 
 those who first ssttledon these lands were 
 men of pluck and determination, as was 
 proven by the manner in which they de- 
 fended their homes and families against 
 the attacks of invaders. After jieace 
 with Great Britain was declared, in 1783, 
 persons desiring to secure homes in the 
 wilderness were inspired with confi- 
 dence, and flocked in lai-ge numbers to 
 take possession of, and settle on the fer- 
 tile lands along the West Branch, and it- 
 was not long before all of the available 
 farming land was taken up, when the 
 vast pine forests began to disappear be- 
 fore the woodman's axe, and give place 
 to broad and beautiful meadows, and 
 fruitful orchards of peach nnd apple. 
 Houses and barns, though of simple con- 
 struction, sijrang up as if by magic, and 
 the settlers formed a peaceful, prosperous 
 and hapijy community. 
 
 lu 1773, Northumberland county was 
 established, including within its bourf 
 daries all the territory now embraced in 
 the county of Clinton. The "seat of jus- 
 tice, ' ' therefore, for this i-egion, was the 
 county seat of I*rorthiunberland,located at 
 Sunbury. This was the case until 1795, 
 when, by the act of. April 13th, Lycoming 
 was taken from that portion of Northum- 
 berland county which contained what is 
 now Clinton; then Williamsport became 
 the place for the "up river" people to 
 attend court. 
 
 As the result of industry and enterprise 
 on the part of their owners, the farms 
 along the West Branch, in the course of 
 time, began to yield products, more than 
 sufficient to supply the home demand, 
 and consequently a market was sought 
 for the surplus. Harrisburg, Middletown, 
 and Columbia being the principal points 
 to which the produce was taken, which 
 was done by means of ^'^^'©frSfflye^W)^ 
 the waters of the SusquohSima. This 
 
 mode of transportation requu-ed the ser- 
 vices of experienced watermen, without 
 which there was great danger of "stav- 
 ing," on tlie many rocks that abounded 
 m the bed of the river. Though much 
 skill and muscular strength were needed 
 in "navigating" an ark doinn the river, 
 and much danger attended the "run," 
 the real difficulties encountered were 
 trifling as comparedl with the slow and 
 tedious process of brmging merchandise 
 up river from the points mentioned; 
 they being the markets from which, for 
 many years the citizens of Lycoming 
 county mainly obtained their supplies of 
 dry goods, groceries, &c. The vessels 
 used in transporting supplies to the 
 settlers were "keel-boats." These boats 
 were ab^ut 75 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 
 five or six feet deep, and capable of car- 
 rying 20 to 35 tons each. In going down 
 stream they were navigated vrith oars, 
 and easily managed by two or three men ; 
 but in ascending the river, they were 
 each manned by a crew of from eight to 
 ten mep, and propelled by means of poles, 
 the boat with its cargo being literally 
 pushed against the current, which was often . 
 strong, by«6heer muscular force. Ordina- 
 rily, a crew of the usuaVnumber was suffi- 
 cient to make considerable speed with 
 their boat; but in ascending rapids, the 
 combined strength of two boat crews was 
 necessary, in order to make any headway 
 at alh 
 
 On reaching the foot of the rapids, all • 
 the hands of one boat would join the crew 
 of another, all working together with 
 their might, till the first boat had made 
 the ascent, when the double crew would 
 land and return to the other boat, which 
 was taken through in the same manner. 
 This process of passing difficult points 
 was called "doubling." It is said that 
 often in going up rapids, or places where 
 the current was very strong, it would re- 
 l^'8JHS^y¥#'"o** exertions of sixteen to 
 twenty men for several minutes, before 
 
niSTORICAI, VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 13 
 
 the boat could be made to move a single 
 inch; there could be no relaxation, no 
 abatement of force, till comparatively 
 stUl water was reached. Every foot gain- 
 ed must be held, otherwise no progress 
 could be made. 
 
 The efforts required on such occasions, 
 were so laborious; the tax on the strength 
 of the men was so severe, that the sweat 
 was forced from them in i>rofuslon, and 
 on reaching a "resting place," they would 
 be well nigh exhausted; and it is stated 
 by those who have had experience, that 
 the shoulders of the men where they ca^^e 
 in contact with the "pushing-pole," be- 
 came "callous like the neck of a working 
 ox." With all their toiling and sweating 
 the wateiTnen led rather merry hves; oc- 
 casionally however, dissensions would 
 arise among them, but they were always 
 summarily settled by the disputants go- 
 ing ashore and "fighting it out." Which- 
 ever way "the battle went," the matter 
 was considered satisfactorily adjusted, 
 and that was the end of it. Each boat 
 was under command of a Captain, who 
 was generally the owner, and was respon- 
 sible for the safe delivery of the freight 
 entrusted to his care. It was not till af- 
 ter the opening of canal navigation be- 
 tween Middletovm and Clark's Perry, 
 that the West Branch boatmen learned 
 to tow their boats up the river with horse 
 power. This "improvement in naviga- 
 .tion," allowed them to dispense with the 
 services of at least three or four men to 
 each boat. One dollar per day was 
 thought to be a high price for a boat- 
 hand forty years ago; but to people of 
 this generation, it seems not at all com- 
 mensurate with the amount of labor per- 
 formed; but when it is considered that 
 one dollar then would go as far in pur- 
 chasing the necessaries of life as two would 
 now, the apparently low price paid for 
 labor in those days is accounted for. 
 
 Up to the completion Hi@'%i§'^¥s\ 
 
 Branch canal, in 1834, no means were af- 
 forded the citizens of Lock Haven and vi- 
 cinity for getting their merchandise 
 from . below except in the manner de- 
 scribed; an,d the inhabitants living still 
 further up the river were obliged to car- 
 ry their supplies up from Lock Haven in 
 canoes, as that place was the head of 
 "keel-boat" navigation. 
 
 Previous to the building of the canal, 
 the inhabitants of the West Branch Val- 
 ley were plentifully supplied with shad 
 and various other kinds of fish which ex- 
 isted in the river in great abundance; 
 but the different dams, which were 
 thrown across the stream, prevented 
 them from getting into the upper waters, 
 and the supply soon became exhausted. 
 One important point for catching fish was 
 just below where the Lock Haven dam 
 now is. Itwas called "Hunt's Fishery." 
 
 Every newly settled country is more or 
 less infested with lawless characters 
 and desperadoes, and the region of coun- 
 try of which Lock Haven was the centre 
 was by no means free from individuals of 
 this class. Horse-thieves and cut-throats, 
 in fleeing from justice or for the purpose 
 of following their profession, often pass- 
 ing through the country, occasionally 
 stopped long enough for their characters 
 and designs to become known. In seve- 
 ral instances the inhabitants were made 
 sensibly awai-e of their presence in their 
 midst, by the loss of a horse, or something 
 else equally valuable. 
 
 The names of Lewis and Conly are 
 well remembered by the oldest citizens of 
 Lock Haven as belonging to two notori- 
 ously desperate characters. Lewis was 
 a native of Centre county, it is said. Con- 
 ley was an Irishman, and was a power- 
 ful man. Their deeds of daring lawless- 
 ness were numerous, and to such an ex- 
 tent had their robberies been carried on, 
 
 at the,ffl)vemment offered a reward of 
 ea dollars for their bodies, dead 
 
 A 
 
14 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 or alive. During one of their excursions 
 down Bald Eagle Valley, they robbed a 
 pedler at some lonely place and brought 
 the spoils down the creek in a canoe, and 
 landed somewhere near whei'e Fleming- 
 ton is located, and loading themselves 
 with their ill-gotten booty, they car- 
 ried it to a place just above the old cem- 
 etery, not far from where the toll-gate 
 now is, which was then a wilderness; 
 there finding that they had more than 
 they could conveniently carry, or, fearing 
 that it might lead to their detection, they 
 built a fire and burned aportion of it. Some 
 of the citizens then living in Lock Ha- 
 ven, seeing the smoke, and knowing that 
 Lewis and Conly were in the neighbor- 
 hood, sunnised its origin, and made an 
 effort to capture the robbers. The at- 
 tempt was ineffectual and thinking the 
 locality a little too warm for them, the des- 
 peradoes left for new fields of operation. 
 
 and were soon heard from on the waters 
 of the Sinnemahoning, whereupon tvcelve 
 armed men started from Centre county, 
 determined upon their capture. It was 
 not long before they were discovei'ed near 
 the creek "shooting at a mark," close by 
 the house of a settler, wh.i, no doubt, had 
 been in the habit of sharing their plunder. 
 An attack was immediately made, which 
 was desperately resisted by the robbers, 
 who, however, were both wounded, Conly 
 through the bowels and Lewis in the arm, 
 which was badly shattered. "With much 
 difficulty they were then secured and 
 taken down the river in a canoe to Lock 
 Haven, where ConlyjSOon after died. His 
 remains were hurried j ust outside the old 
 cemetery. Lewis was taken to Bellefonte, 
 where he also soon died from the effects, 
 of his wound. The skull of Conly wa& 
 afterwards taken up and used by a lec- 
 turer in illustrating Phrenology. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OP THE COUNTY — JBRKY CHUKCH's "bUSE"' — LOCATION OF COUNTY 
 
 SEAT AND COUKTHOTJSE — "BARKER'S TAVERN," THE FIRST ,SEAT OP JUSTICE 
 
 FIRST OFFICERS — THE COUNTY BUILDINGS — SHERIFF MILLER' S "OFFICE" — PUBLIC 
 IMPROVEMENTS — THE LUMBER BUSINESS — AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS-^MINBKAL 
 RESOURCES, POPULATION, &C. 
 
 Previous to March 11, 1752, the terri- 
 tory embraced within the present limits 
 of Clinton county was a portion of Ches- 
 ter, one of the original counties into 
 which the province of Pennsylvania was 
 divided by William Penn; but on that 
 date Berks county was formed, taking 
 that part of Chester which contained 
 what is now Clinton. By act of March 
 21, 1772, Northumberland county was 
 taken, in part, from Berks, including the 
 present Clinton. When Lycoming county 
 was taken from KorthumberlaM in 1795, 
 it also comprised all the area now in Clin- 
 ton, a portion of which was formed in the 
 formation of Centre rin 1800. Therefore, 
 when Clinton was oi-ganized by act of 
 1839, it took portions of Centre and Ly- 
 coming. The townships of Bald Eagle, 
 Lamai", and Logan were taken from Cen- 
 tre, the others from Lycoming. The first 
 section of the act organizing the county is 
 as follows : 
 
 Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate 
 and House of Bepresentatives, of tlie Com- 
 monwealth of Pennsylvania, in General 
 Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by 
 the authority of thQ same, That all those 
 parts of 'the counties of Lycoming and 
 Centre, and lying within the following 
 boundaries, viz : Beginning at Pine Creek, 
 where the north line of Lycoming county 
 crosses said creek; thence a straight line 
 to the house of William Herrod; thence 
 following the Coudersport and Jersey 
 Shore turnpike, the several courses and dis- 
 tances thereof, to the middle of Pine Creek; 
 thence down the said creek, the sevei-al 
 courses thereof, to its juudBJgitM&ti ti^ 
 West Branch of the river Susquehanna; 
 
 thence a straight line to the northeast 
 corner of Centre county, thence to include 
 Logan, Lamar and Bald Eagle townships 
 in Centre county; thence along the Ly- 
 coming county line to the southwest cor- 
 ner of said county; thence by the lines of 
 Clearfield, McKean, Potter and Tioga 
 counties to the place of beginning; and 
 the same is hereby created'into a separate 
 county to be called "Clinton, "the seat of 
 justice to be fixed by Commissioners here- , 
 inafter appointed. 
 
 Clinton county occupies a position mid- 
 way between the eastern and western 
 limits of the State, and is bounded as fol- 
 lows: On the south by Centre, the cen- 
 ti-al county of the State; on the west by 
 Clearfield and Cameron; on the north by 
 Potter and Lycoming ; and on the east by 
 Lycoming and Union. The county was 
 originally divided into twelve townships : 
 Allison, Bald Eagle, Chapman, Colebrook, 
 Dunnstable, Grove, Lumber', Limestone, 
 Lamar, Logan, Pine Creek and Wayne. 
 The subsequent formation of several new 
 townships, Grugan from Chapman and 
 Colebrook in 1855, and Keating from 
 Grove in 1860; and the taking of Lumber 
 in the formation of Cameron county, 
 and the absorbing of Allison by Lock Ha- 
 ven city and Lamar townMiip in 1870, 
 makes the entire number of townships 
 in the county, at the present time 17: 
 Bald Eagle, Beech Creek, Chapman, Cole- 
 brook, Crawford, Dunnstable, Gallauher, 
 Greene, Grugan, Keating, Lamar, Leidy, 
 Logan, Pine Creek, Porter, Wayne and 
 
 The county of Clinton is of irregular 
 
16 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 shape, being about fifty miles long and 
 twenty wide, and contains nearly 1,070 
 square miles. Its surface is varied by 
 mountains, hills and valleys, which were 
 at one time entirely covered with a heavy 
 growth of timber', consisting mainly of 
 pine and oak, interspersed with chestnut, 
 walnut, hemlock, maple, ash, hickory, &c. 
 
 There are several beautiful and highly 
 productive valleys within the limits of 
 the county, the most important being the 
 West Branch, the northern tei-minus of 
 which is just above Lock Ilaveh; the 
 Bald Eagle, through which the Bald Ea- 
 gle Creek finds its way to the river; Nit- 
 tany and Sugar Valleys, which will be de- 
 scribed in detail in giving the history of 
 the townships in which they are located. 
 The principal stream in the county is the 
 West Branch of the Susquehanna, which 
 flows nearly the entire length of the 
 county, a distance of over 50 railes,and at 
 the lower end "breaks through the Alle- 
 gheny Mountain, which at this point, 
 seems to lose much of its loftiness, as if 
 in courtesy to the beautiful stream." 
 The Indian name of the Susquehanna 
 was Otzinachson. 
 
 A native Lock Haven poet, Taylor J. 
 Hunt, thus alludes to this river: 
 
 "In days long past, in the olden time, ere white 
 
 man's foot had trod 
 Fair Susquehanna's flowering hanks, or pressed 
 
 its verdant sod, 
 The proud oldriTer sang its songs, as murmuring 
 
 through the vale, 
 The noise of its rippling waters sounded sweetly 
 
 on the gale.'*" 
 
 In flowing through the county, the 
 West Branch takes a southeasterly course; 
 in passing Lock Haven, however, it runs 
 almost due east. 
 
 The other streams are: the Sinnemahon- 
 ing Creek, which takes its rise in Potter 
 county, and empties into the river at 
 Keating Station; Kettle Creek and 
 Young Woman's Creek, both of which 
 also rise in Potter and join _the. live^ the 
 former at Westport, and HM'^w/'J^t' 
 
 -the. liver, the, and anmsii 
 
 North Point; Pine Creek, which also 
 originates in Potter, and after flowing 
 through Tioga and Lycoming, forms the 
 boundary for a short distance between 
 the latter and Clinton, and joins the river 
 at the point where it enters Lycoming; 
 then the Bald Eagle, which flows from 
 Centre county and unites with the river 
 just below Lock Haven; Beech Creek 
 also originating in Centre county,flows in- 
 to the Bald Eagle at Beech Creekborough; 
 Fishing Creek, having its source in the 
 extreme eastern end of Sugar Valley near 
 a point where the corners of Clinton, 
 Centre, Lycoming, and Union counties 
 meet, flows the entire length through 
 said valley, breaking through the moun- 
 tain at the western end; thence into Nit- 
 tany Valley, losing itself in the waters 
 of Bald Eagle Creek at MUl Hall. 
 
 The principal mountain in the county, 
 liaving a name and distinctive features, 
 is the Bald Eagle, or Muncy Mountain, 
 which extends diagonally across the en- 
 tire width of the county. This mountain 
 is the continuation of a range which, 
 in almost a straight line runs fi-om the in- 
 terior of Blair county, in a northeasterly 
 direction along the right bank of the 
 Bald Eagle Creek, to the West Branch of 
 the Susquehanna. It takes its name 
 from the once notorious Indian Chief, 
 Bald Eagle, who, long years ago, roamed 
 in its fastnesses. 
 
 Clinton county, as well as Lock Haven, 
 the county seat, owes its origin to the in- 
 defatigable exertions of an exceedingly 
 eccentric individual; the irrepressible and 
 indomitable Jerry Church, a "York State 
 Yankee," whose name (if not face) was 
 once familiar to nearly ^every citizen of the 
 county. The efforts made by Mr. Church 
 to organize the county were strenuously 
 opposed by leading citizens of both Cen- 
 tre and Lycoming counties. In a unique 
 nd anu^ng book called "Travels of 
 1-ch," published in 1S45, that 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 IT 
 
 worthy gives his owa account of the or- 
 ganization of the county, as follows: 
 
 I now undertook to divide the counties 
 of Lycoming and Centre, and make a 
 new county to he called Clinton. I had 
 petitions printed to that effect, arid sent 
 them to Harrishurg, to have them pre- 
 sented to the- Legislature, and then went 
 down myself to have the matter represapt- 
 ed in good order. My friend John Gam- 
 ble, was our member Irom Lycoming at 
 that time, and he reported a bill. The 
 people of the town of Williamsport, the 
 county seat of Lycoming, and Bellefonte, 
 the county seat of Centre county, then 
 had to be up and be doing something to 
 iprevent the division; and they commenc- 
 ed pouring in their remonstrances, and 
 praying aloud to the Legislature not to 
 have any part of either county taken off 
 for the purpose of making a new one, for 
 it was nothing more or less than some of 
 Jerry Church's Yankee notions. Howev- 
 er, I did not despair. I still kept asking 
 every year, for three successive years, and 
 attended the Legislature myself every 
 winter. I then had a gentleman who had 
 become a citizen of the town of. Lock Ha- 
 ven, by the name of John Moorhead, who 
 haiped in with me — a very large, portly 
 looking man, and rather the best borer in 
 town; and, by the bye, a very clever man. 
 We entered into the division together. We 
 had to state a great number of facts to 
 the members of the Legislature, and per- 
 haps something more, in order to obtain 
 full justice. We continued on for nearly 
 three years longer, knocking at the mercy 
 seat, and at last we received the law cre- 
 ating the county of Clinton. In the year 
 eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, the 
 county was organized by the Hon. Judge 
 Bumside. 
 
 "Eagle" was the name originally select- 
 ed for the new county; but after several un- 
 successful attempts to get the required 
 legislation, that name was dropped and 
 Clinton substituted as a ruse, intended to 
 mislead the opponents of the new county 
 movement. As the opposition in the 
 Legislatiu-e had been so long and vigor- 
 ously made against the forming of Eagle 
 county, when that name, which had be- 
 come familiar to every membeij. ceased to^ 
 be presented, and Clinto: 
 
 required act was passed, before many of 
 the members knew that the name be- 
 longed to the same territory they had 
 been voting against for severa1"successive 
 winters. 
 
 Immediately after the county was or- 
 ganized, three Commissioners, Col. Cress- 
 well, Major Colt, and Joseph Brestel, 
 were appointed to locate the county seat. 
 After viewing and considering various lo- 
 cations. Lock Haven was chosen as the 
 most desirable and appropriate place. Ac- 
 cordingly a site was selected for the pub- 
 lic buildings near the lower end of the 
 town, three squares from the river, and 
 sufficient land for the purpose donated 
 by Mr. Church. Soon after, the building- 
 of the Court House was commenced by 
 John, Moorhead, Robert Irwin, and 
 George Hower, and completed in 1843, at 
 a cost of $13,000. In the meantime the 
 courts were held, and other business of 
 the county transacted in the public 
 house of W. W. Barker, a portion of 
 which was rented for "cbunty purposes." 
 "Barker's Tavern," as it was called, was 
 located on Water street, a short distance 
 below the present Court House, on the 
 lot now occupied by the residence of John 
 Quigley, Esq. 
 
 The first election in Clinton county, af- 
 ter its organization, was held on the sec- 
 ond Tuesday of October, 18S9, when the 
 following officers were elected : 
 
 State Senator, for the District compos- 
 ed of the counties of Centre, Clinton, Ly- 
 coming, and Northumberland: Robert 
 Fleming. 
 
 Representatives for the District com- 
 posed of Lycoming, Clinton, and Clear- 
 field: Isaac Bruner, and James H. Lav- 
 erty. The latter resigning, a special 
 election was held and George Leidy elect- 
 ed to fill the vacancy. 
 
 Sheriff— John Miller. 
 
 Commissioners — Hugh White, Robert 
 Bridgens, Anthony Kleckner. 
 
 Auditors— Joseph F. Quay, Cephas 
 h. .LjBatchellev, John H. Chatham. 
 ,AKe!T'"''6or»nef»-James Carskadden. 
 
IS 
 
 IirSTOmCAL VIEW OP CLTNT-ON COUNTY. 
 
 The first' Prothonotary (elected Oct., 
 1840,) vas Philip Krebs; the first Treas- 
 urer (elected at same time) was Thomas 
 P. Simmons; the first President Jvidge of 
 the District was the Hon. Thomas Burn- 
 side. 
 
 At the first general election held after 
 the organization of the county, the vote 
 for Governor stood: David E. Porter, 
 786; John Banks, 603. 
 
 The first jail with which Clinton county 
 was blessed (?) was built of logs, and 
 stood near where the present jail is loca- 
 ted. It was constructed with accommo- 
 dations (?) for the Sheriff and his fam- 
 ily, as well as for the safe keeping 
 of prisoners, who had no inclination to 
 get out. The first Sheriff who lived in 
 the jail building was .Tames Chatham, 
 the fourth elected in the county after its 
 organization. 
 
 On Oct. 1, 1851, Anthony EUeckner was 
 awarded the contract for building a new 
 jail, whicli was completed the following 
 year, at a cost of $5,575. The front part 
 of the building was of brick, and contain- 
 ed apartments for the use of the Sheriff. 
 The rear, which was of stone, was the 
 part devoted to the prisoners. In 1871 
 and 1873 the building was remodeled and 
 enlarged,Brown, Blackburn & Curtin hav- 
 ing the contract, for |23,240. The edi- 
 fice, as remodeled, is in every respect a 
 good and substantial building; it also 
 contains, as did the old one, apartments 
 in front for the Sheriff, and the rear, 
 which was greatly enlarged, has 23 strong 
 and well ventilated cells in which to con- 
 fine the prisonei'S. The stmoture has a 
 fine looking front, on Church street, and, 
 including the yard, which is surrounded 
 by a high stone wall, extends back to 
 the alley. It is a credit to the Commis- 
 sioners under whose supervision it was 
 built; to the contractors and to the county. 
 
 As the population and business^of the 
 county increased, it was J"ouncl that the 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 Court House built in 1843, was inade- 
 quate to the wants of the community, 
 therefore, it was decided to erect a new 
 one. Accordingly a location was selected 
 on /Water street, just above the river 
 bridge, and the present elegant Court 
 House, one of the finest in the State, was 
 built. Col. A. C. Noyes, J. F. Batohel- 
 le^ and Dr. Samuel Adams, having the 
 contract, for |93,000. The building was 
 formally dedicated on Monday, Feb. 8, 1869, 
 on which occasion, the Hon. C. A. Mayer, 
 President Judge of the District, and H. 
 T. Beardsley, Esq., delivered the address- 
 es. The following extract from Mr. 
 Beardsley's speech is here given, because 
 the occasion on which it was delivered, 
 and the facts which it contains, render it 
 a part of the History of Clinton County: 
 
 This county was organized, and the 
 first Court held in December, 1839. The 
 Court then, and for the years 1840 and 
 1841, was lield in a part of a two-story 
 building that then stood on Water street, 
 above the canal, known as "Barker's 
 Tavern." That house was burned down 
 in 1855. It was what is known as a 
 double front, that is, two rooms in front, 
 with a hall between those rooms. The 
 part on the east side of the hall was the 
 Court Room, and was about twenty-eight 
 feet in length by sixteen in width. Think 
 of it, a Court room 38x16 ! Over this 
 court room, iu the second stoiy, were the 
 county offices, being two in number, 
 and in size about 14x10 feet each. The 
 front one was used as the Commissioner's 
 and Treasurer's office; and the back one 
 as the office of the Prothonotary, Regis- 
 ter and Recorder, Clerk of the Courts, 
 etc., one man easily performing all the 
 duties in the last mentioned office. You 
 may be curious to know wherfe the Sher- 
 iff's office was. . "Old Sheriff MiUer," dis- 
 charged tlie duties of that office at 
 the peri'od of which I am -speak- 
 iug. I recollect him well. A dark vis- 
 aged, good natured, genial man; but that 
 does not inform you where he had his 
 office. It was not in the Court House, 
 nor was it in his own dwelling in Dunns- 
 town, nor, I may add, was it in any other 
 house in Lock Haven, Duunstown, or 
 Clinton county. All who recollect him will 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 19 
 
 witness that he wore a high crowned hat, 
 Jind allow me to inform you, that in that 
 hat he kept his office. He placed an 
 empty cigar box in the Prothonotary's 
 office, in which that official .placed the 
 writs that were occasionally issued, mark- 
 ing the day and hour of their being so de- 
 posited, and that was considered a deliv- 
 ery to the Sheriff, who, upon coming to 
 town, would transfer them to Jiis hat,and 
 the records of this Court will show that 
 very many of them never found their 
 way back to the Court House. 
 
 This brief sketch of our early judicial 
 organization will revive old, and probably 
 pleasant recollections in some, and will 
 be a matter of news to many, who have 
 cast their lot amongst us in later years. I 
 have no hesitation in saying that those 
 primitive surroundings of our .early his- 
 tory, taking into consideration tlje popu- 
 lation of our town and county, at that 
 time, and comparing it with the present, 
 met more fully the wants and require- 
 ments of the Court and community at 
 that time than the building we have just 
 vacated, did at the present time. 
 
 The Clinton county and the Lock Ha- 
 ven of twenty-eight years ago, were not 
 the Clinton county, and Lock Haven of 
 to-day. We count our population by 
 thousands now, in' place of hundreds 
 then. For the purpose of demonstrating 
 this statement, I have copied from our 
 records an official statement of the votes 
 polled at these two periods.. 
 
 The total vote of Clinton county polled 
 at the general election in 1840 was 1,253; 
 in 1868 it was 4,739; being an increase of 
 nearly four hundred per cent. 
 
 The total vote of Lock Haven polled in 
 1841 was 71; in 1868 it was 1,057. 
 
 •Since our Judicial organization, in De- 
 cember, 1839, we have had, including the 
 present Court,'nine President Judges,and 
 thirteen Asso6iates. Some of their terms 
 of office were very brief, . others served 
 during a much longer term of years. 
 Much as I should like, on this occasion, 
 to pay at least a passing tribute of respect, 
 to the list of learned and eminent men in 
 whose Courts I have spent all that por- 
 tion of my life that has been devoted to 
 the practice of the law, time will only per- 
 mit me to mention their names, witlr the 
 length of term served by each. The Pres- 
 ident Judges were: 
 
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 Hon. Thomas Burnside — served from 
 December, 1839, to May term, 1841. 
 
 Hon. George W. Woodward — served 
 from September Term, 1841, to February 
 Term, 1851. 
 
 Hon. James f. Hale— held but two 
 Courts, viz: Jlay and September Terms, 
 1851. 
 
 Hon. Alexander Jordan — served from 
 December Term, 1851, to May Terra, 
 1853. 
 
 Hon. James Burnside — served from 
 September- Term, 1853, to Mav Term, 
 1859. 
 
 Hon. .James Gamble — held one Court, 
 viz: September Term, 1859. 
 
 Hon. Samuel Linn — served from De- 
 cember Term, 1859, to May Term, 1868. 
 
 Hon. J. B. McEnally— held but one 
 Court, viz: September Term, 1868. 
 
 Hon Charles A. Mayer, whose address 
 you have just listened to, was elected last 
 fall, and held his first Court in this coun- 
 ty, at December Term, 1868. 
 
 The Associate Judges and their terms 
 of office were as follows: 
 
 Hons. John Fleming and George Craw- 
 ford — served from December, 1889, to 
 February, 1845. 
 
 The term of Hons. George Leidy and 
 John M. Gallauher was from February, 
 1845, to February, 1850. George Leidy 
 died before the expiration of his term, 
 and George Bressler was appointed to fill 
 the vacancy. • 
 
 The term of Hons. George C. Harvey 
 and John Graflus was from February, 
 1850, to December, 1856. 
 
 The term of Hons. Nathaniel Hanna 
 and Anthony Kleckner was from Decem- 
 ber, 1856, to December, 1861. Anthony 
 Kleckner died in the fall of 1861, and 
 Hon. William Parsons was appointed by 
 Governor Wm. F. Packer for the unex- 
 pired term of Judge Kleckner. 
 
 Hons. Joseph F. Quay and Cephas 
 Batcheler — sei'ved from December, 1861, 
 to December, 1866. 
 
 The terms of our present Associate 
 Judges, Hons. William Parsons and 
 George AVorrick, commenced in Decem- 
 ber, 1866. 
 
 Of the President Judges, three — viz: 
 Thomas Burnside, James Burnside and 
 James T. Hale, are dead. The first two 
 were father and soi>, and all three were 
 residents of Bellefonte, Centre county. 
 
 Of tljp^ Associate Judges, four — viz: 
 
22 
 
 HISTOKICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE GKEAT FLOODS— DESTRUCTIVE OVERFLOWINGS OF THE WEST BRAKCU 
 TRIBUTARIES — THE LOG JAM OF 1874. 
 
 Though the West Branch is usually a 
 "quiet and orderly" stream, and at many 
 places fcrdable, it occasionally gets "ram- 
 pant," and overflows its banks, doing 
 much damage to property along the val- 
 ley. Of the principle floods in that 
 river, the first one of ■which any account 
 is 'given, was that of February, 1692. Sub- 
 sequent floods occurred as follows: Feb. 
 13, 1731; T'eb. 17, 1733; Jan. 28, 1737, 
 water three feet higher than it was four 
 years previous; Jan. 7, 1762; March 15, 
 1784; Oct. 5, 1786. This flood was called 
 by the inhabitants the "great pumpkin 
 flood," owing to the fact that large num- 
 bers of pumpkins were .swept away by it; 
 Oct. 1, 1787; April, 1800; April 23, 1804; 
 Nov. 20, 1810, afterwards also called the 
 "pumpkin flood;'' August, 1814; July 
 '20, 1824. At this flood -the "water rose 
 higher than is recollected by the oldest 
 inhabitant;" March 5, 1831; July 4, 1832; 
 May 17, 1834; Feb. 12, 1837; October 9, 
 1847; Feb. 7, 1853; Sept. 28, 1861, the 
 hischest flood since 1847. 
 
 The greatest and most destructive flood 
 that was ever known in the West Branch 
 occurred on the 17th of March, 1865, the 
 following account of which was given in 
 the Clinton Bepublican of March 32, 1865: 
 
 On Wednesday, the 15th, a smart rain 
 set in and continued with some intermis- 
 sion till Thursday about midnight. On 
 the afternoon of the latter day, a strong 
 warm wind sprang up and blew with 
 great violence for some hours, accom- 
 jianied with heavy rain. At midnight 
 the river had swollen to the dooryards of 
 many of the houses on Wi'tii sftrcsfit, .*¥- 
 citing great consternation among the peo- 
 
 ple. The lower places of the town below 
 the canal were by this time inundated, 
 and the inhabitants betook themselves to 
 the upper rooms of their dwellings. The 
 Court House bell was rung to rouse the 
 sleeping population and apprise them of 
 their danger. The utmost excitement 
 prevailed, and, people were everywhere 
 busy removing things from their cellars, 
 tearing up carpets and caiTying valuable 
 furniture from the lower rooms to mqre 
 elevated places for safety. About thirty 
 famihes found refuge in the spacious 
 rosms of the Court House. 
 
 By daylight, the water had made its 
 appearance in the more elevated parts of 
 Main street, and by ten o'clock there was 
 scarcely a spot in any of our streets that 
 was not covered with water. At about 
 this time a canal boat, stern foremost and 
 light, came floating down the river, and 
 striking the second span (Lockport side) 
 of the river bridge where it had been pre- 
 viously damaged by the FarrandsviUe 
 and Westport bridges and the numerous 
 saw logs that crowded the current, went 
 tUrough unharmed and so loosened the 
 fastenings of the bridge to the abutment, 
 that it yielded to the first slight force 
 that struck it, slid off into the current 
 and made its way quietly and majestically 
 down the river. 
 
 At about half-past t wo o' clock the water 
 stopped rising, and afterwards receded 
 so i-apidly that by the next morning 
 had ceased flowing in our streets. 
 
 On Water street, between Mill and 
 Grove, the water was nearly three feet 
 deep, and from the canal down to the 
 dam, it varied from one to four and five 
 feet. On Church and Bald Eagle streets 
 it was about the same depth. The water 
 coursed from the river with tremendous 
 force through the various cross streets, 
 to the lower grounds in the rear of the 
 town, washing great holes and deep chan- 
 fislsia i'cs- career. 
 
 Th« railroad track was attacked above 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 23 
 
 the upper switch, and for two hundred 
 yards the grading was entirely washed 
 away, and the rails and ties set down the 
 width of the track from their proper po- 
 sition. More or less damage was also 
 done wherever the current struck any of 
 the filling. Some three hundred yards 
 below the canal a mass of logs, princi- 
 pally from Shaw's mill, and board piles, 
 boxes and planed lumber from the lower 
 planing mill occupied the track. 
 
 As the waters retired from the town, 
 a mast uncomfortable scene was exhibit- 
 ed of mud, driftwood, planks and plank 
 vfalks, piled in the utmost confusion, 
 ruined pavements, dangerous holes in the 
 sidewalks, and along the streets, 'saw 
 logs, boats tied up at door posts, dead 
 cows lying in the streets, &c., &c. 
 
 Mr. Valentine Hanna, southeast of the 
 town, on the Bald Eagle, was driven 
 with liis family to his barn, by the vio- 
 
 - Icnce of the tonent which threatened to 
 overwhelm them. Here they remained 
 with their horses and pigs on the hay 
 mow, till the waters had subsided suffi- 
 ciently to enable them to return to the 
 house. They lost twelve head of cat- 
 tle. 
 
 Through the considerate attention of 
 a friend, who took some pains to collect 
 the particulars, we are enabled to give 
 very exact information respecting the 
 ibmount of injury sustained by our neigh- 
 bors of Pine Creek and Dunnstable town- 
 ships. The destruction of property in 
 that region seems to have exceeded any- 
 thing of which we have yet heard, as the 
 result of the flood. These townships, it 
 should be recollected, embrace some of 
 the iinest alluvial farms in the county, 
 and are peopled by a class of wealthy and 
 intelligent farmers, who have always tak- 
 en great pride in surrounding themselves 
 with every elegance and comfort. Our 
 informant, speaking of the effects of the 
 iloo,d, says that with the exception of the 
 lieavier improvements, the whole region 
 from Lock Haven to Jersey Shore, pre- 
 sents one wide scene of devastation — ev- 
 erything is swept away, not a single fence 
 remaining on the fields near the river, 
 and the desolateness of the view is in- 
 creased by the countless saw logs, pieces 
 of hewn timber and piles of boards that 
 
 .occupy the broad and fruitful acres 
 
 At Tangascootao. — Mason's Bi 
 carried away, and about 1,000,000 feet of 
 
 logs, belonging to Wm. Hill and Freder- 
 ick's, ' Cramer & Co. 
 
 At Fareandsvillb. — Two spans of 
 the Farrandsville railroad bridge were 
 carried away. The dam at Hopson's 
 mill, a very strong stone structure, buUt 
 in 1836, was also carried away. The 
 KolUng Mill was ruined — the stack knock- 
 ed down and the boilers carried some dis- 
 tance down the creek. 
 
 At Queen's Rxin. — Que span of the 
 railroad bridge was considerably injured. 
 The dam in the creek was carried away 
 and 500,000 feet of logs. Brick kilns all 
 taken off. Lock seriously injured. 
 
 The railroad embankment above Fer- 
 ney's Run was washed away for a con- 
 siderable distance. 
 
 Wagon road on north shore of the river, 
 between Lockport and Queen's Run, is all 
 washed away. 
 
 At Kettle Creek. — Both bridges 
 gone, and immense loss of logs and hewn 
 timber. 
 
 It would be impossible to estimate the 
 loss occasioned by the flood to the citi- 
 zens of Clinton county; but we suppose 
 we are fully within the limits of the 
 truth when we set it down at $3,000,000. 
 The lumbering interest would at first 
 flush seem to be the principal loser, and 
 doubtless the calamity has fallen heavily 
 upon it. But \Yhen we consider the ag- 
 gregate amount of farm property, rail- 
 road, canal and highway bridges, houses 
 carried away or damaged, orchard and 
 shade trees uprooted, grounds r^aged, 
 streets excavated, roads washed^away, 
 mills, machinery, merchandize and the 
 products of mechanical skill, together 
 with the numberless horses, cattle, sheep, 
 and hogs that have beenjswept away, we 
 conclude that the loss has been distribut- 
 ed with very little partiality. The loss 
 to lumbermen is variously estimated at 
 from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000. Quite one 
 half the timber banked for rafting on the 
 streams above Lock Haven, and a vast 
 amount of sawed lumber, was carried 
 away and become 'almost, if not altogeth- 
 er,' valueless to their owners.- 
 
 The only flood of any consequence that 
 has occiirred since 1865, was that of Feb- 
 ruary, 1873; it was caused by the break- 
 ing up of the ice at a time when the 
 s cold, and such an occurrence 
 was entirely tinlooked for. The river 
 
'^1 
 
 iiistoeica;. xu:\',' of clixu'Ox county. 
 
 was lit a lieiglit sufficient to oveiflow the 
 fields just'below Lock Haven, nnd sub- 
 merged the laihoad track, delaying 
 trains for about twenty-four liouss. In 
 Lock Haven many of the streets were in- 
 undated, and a large niunber of cellars 
 filled with water. The only serious dam- 
 age done was in the lumber yards, where 
 the board-piles were considerably injured 
 by the moving blocks ,of ice. A large 
 quantity of square tisiiber was brought 
 down from the gmall streams above and 
 lodged at the Lock Haven dam, where it 
 "froze in" and remained till the ice melt- 
 ed away in the spring, when it was hauled 
 out and re-rafted. 
 
 "The Great Log Jam" that occurred in 
 the river at Lock Haven, on the morning 
 of April 21, 1874, probably caused greater 
 excitement for a short time, than any 
 flood or fire with which the city was ever 
 visited. 
 
 The following account was published in 
 The Ektbejprise of Friday. April 24, 
 1874: 
 
 Early Tuesday morning our citizens 
 were startled by the announcement that 
 a great log jam had occurred in the river 
 at this place. Everybody being anxious 
 to learn the truth of the matter, there 
 was a great rush of spectators to the 
 scene of what was considered a serious 
 disaster to the lumbering interests of this 
 city. On investigation it was ascertained 
 that about four o'clock in the morning a 
 large number of rafts, which had been 
 moored along the north bank of the river, 
 above the bridge, broke loose and swung 
 around against the piers of the bridge, 
 forming a conyilete blockade, against 
 which, logs, rafts, and one canal boat 
 I'ushed, accumulating and packing till 
 the main channel of the river was filled. 
 As a consequence the current was thrown 
 on the opposite side, which caused, a x^res- 
 sure too great for the lower boom, which 
 
 gave way, allowing all the logs therein to 
 escape. At the time of the breaking 
 loose of the rafts, from forty to fifty of 
 them got beyond the control of the men 
 and went over the dam. It is claimed 
 that these rafts could have been saved 
 had it not been that a raft, which was of 
 greater width than it should have been, 
 became wedged in the mouth of the 
 sell ute, the owner refusing to allow it to 
 be cut. 
 
 It s-oon was ascertained that the 
 condition of affairs was anything but fa- 
 vorable, and that unless measures were 
 taken to break the dead lock of logs and 
 rafts, the destniction of property would 
 be immense. 
 
 To obviate this difficulty, Edgar JMun- 
 sou; president of the Lumberman's Ex- 
 change, authorized James Colberth, of 
 this city, to organize a corps of the most 
 experienced rivermeu and take such 
 measures as he though best to break the 
 jam and set the logs afloat. Mr. Colberth, 
 assisted by "Davy" Williams as time- 
 keeper, accordingly collected a gang of 
 about sixty men with only about half an 
 hour's delay; and after due consideration 
 the corps attacked the jam in the most 
 vulnerable point. The result proved the 
 judgment and foresight of the leader of 
 the force, and the efficiency of his men ; 
 for in about one hour after ojierations 
 commenced the immense body of logs 
 above the raft jam began to move, and in 
 half an hour more had pas-sed down the 
 river. This was a great relief to our citi- 
 zens, as every moment the logs remained 
 stationary increased the danger of the 
 bridge being carried away. The quan- 
 tity of logs in the jam was estimated at 
 fifty million feet, and as they passed 
 down, the liver was covered from one side' 
 to the other by a floating mass of logs 
 which were tossed about like matches at 
 the caprice of the current. As soon as 
 the jam began to move the cry rang 
 through the streets that the bridge was 
 going, and soon the banks of the river 
 were thronged by hundreds of people, 
 agreeably disappointed. 
 
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IliSTORIOAI. VJKVvf OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 25 
 
 CHAP: TEH IV. 
 
 SPECIAL ACTS OP ASSEMBLY REL.VTIKft TO CLINTON" COUNTY — TOTES CAST IPOP. OOV- 
 ERNOK, AND LIST OF OFFICERS OP THE COUNTY PROM ITS ORGANIZATION TO THE 
 PRESENT TIME. 
 
 The special Acts of Assembly relating 
 to Clinton county foi-m a very important 
 part of its history, and this work would 
 ho very far from complete were no refer- 
 ence whatever made to them. Therefore 
 the title of each law, especially affecting 
 the county, passed since its organization, 
 is given, with the year in which it was en- 
 acted. The first special act of general 
 interest to the citizens of the county was, 
 of course, the one of 1S39, hy which the 
 county was created : 
 
 1839. 
 
 Clinton county erected. 
 1840. 
 
 An Act to elect Prothouotary, &c. 
 
 An Act relative to taxes in Clinton county. 
 
 An Act empowering Commissioners to 
 change location of Court House, &c. 
 
 An Act enniowering county to borrow 
 money. 
 
 1844. 
 
 An Act I'elative to township elections.. 
 
 An Act relative to bridges repealed. 
 
 Assessors of Clinton Co. not required at 
 board of elections. 
 
 Time of holding township elections fixed. 
 
 Pay of County Treasurer regulated. 
 
 An Act relative to the sale of unseated 
 lands' in Clinton Co. 
 1848. 
 
 "Court to appoint trustees of Clinton Acad- 
 emy. 
 
 Clinton county division line between it 
 and Centre county to be run and mjtrk- 
 cd. 
 
 Young womanstown Creek declared a pub- 
 lic highway. 
 
 1849. 
 
 An Act to vacate certain State roads in 
 Clinton county. 
 
 1850. 
 
 An Act relative to a certain road. 
 
 An Act relative to pay of 93p?/^§d''^yM;d 
 
 An Act relative to fees of Treasurer. 
 
 An Act relative to the Academy. 
 
 Place of holding election for Crawford 
 township changed. 
 
 Wykoff's Run declared a public highway. • 
 
 Place of holding elections in Leidy town- 
 ship fixed. 
 
 An Act regulating the hunting of deer in 
 certain townships. 
 
 An Act relative to liens in Clinton county 
 repealed. ^ 
 
 1851. 
 
 Place of holding elections in Allison town- 
 ship fixed. 
 
 Place of holding elections in Bald Eagle 
 township fixed. 
 
 Place of holding elections in Beech Creek 
 township fixed. 
 
 Place of holding elections in Grugan 
 township fixed. 
 
 An Act relative to road taxes. 
 
 An Act relative to deer in Lamar and 
 Porter twps repealed. 
 1853. 
 
 An Act relative to assessments. 
 
 Attaching county to Northern District 
 of Supreme Court. 
 
 An Act relative to election of county 
 officers. 
 
 Grugan election district and place of hold- 
 ing elections fixed. 
 
 1853. 
 
 Clinton county annexed to Middle District 
 of Supreme Court. 
 
 Commissioners authorized to borrow 
 money. 
 
 Commissioners authorized to sell a certain 
 lot. 
 
 Time for holding Courts fixed. 
 
 Place of holding elections in Keating town- 
 ship fixed. 
 
 An Act relating to taxes in Lock Haven. 
 
 Lock Plaven limits defined. 
 
 Lock Haven Council to build drawbridges. 
 1854. 
 
 Place' of holding elections in Dunnstable 
 " ;1. 
 
26 
 
 niSTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTV. 
 
 Place of lioldiug elections in Lamar 
 
 twp fixed. 
 
 1855. 
 Incorporation of Clinton County Building 
 
 Association, &c. 
 Time of holding Courts fixed. 
 Supplement to Clinton Co. Coal Company. 
 
 1856. 
 An Act relative to water courses in Clin- 
 ton county. 
 
 1857. 
 An Act fixing boundary with Centre 
 
 county. 
 An Act relating to elections in Clinton 
 
 county. 
 An Act relating to fishing. 
 
 1858. 
 An Act relative to boundary with Centre 
 
 county. 
 An Act relative to deer hunting in Clinton 
 
 county. 
 An Act relative to taxing and protecting 
 
 clogs. 
 An Act relative to township and borough 
 
 election. 
 
 1859. 
 An Act fixing boundary with Centre coun- 
 ty. 
 An Act to relieve Thomas Eridgens, col- 
 lector, of Militia tax. 
 An Act to encourage the manufacture of 
 
 flour and meal. 
 Supervisors of Crawford township to give 
 
 security. 
 An .Act to prevent the destruction of 
 
 trout. 
 
 18G0. 
 An Act relative to billiard roor.is and 
 
 bowling saloons. 
 An Act relative to bridges. , 
 
 An Act relative to ferries. 
 An Act relative to dogs. 
 An Act relative to encouraging destiiic- 
 
 tion of noxious animals. 
 1861. 
 Bounty on muskrat scalps in Bald Eagle 
 
 and Beech Creek townships. 
 State road between Lamar and Allison 
 
 townships vacated. 
 An Act relative to certain Wjiter courses. 
 
 1863. 
 Bridge over Beech Creek, relative to cost 
 
 of constructing. 
 Repeal of act relating to the destruction 
 
 of noxious animals. 
 Repeal of act giving bounty on muskrat 
 
 scalps in Bald Eagle and Beech C'reek 
 
 twps. 
 
 Repeal of act vacating road Wtween 
 Lamar and Allison twps. 
 
 An Act to protect sheep. 
 
 An Act to protect trout. 
 1863. 
 
 Commissioners to borrow money to build 
 . Court House. 
 
 Look Haven divided into three wards. 
 
 An Act relative to certain roads. 
 1864. 
 
 An Act Incorporating Clinton Co. Coal 
 and Iron Co. 
 
 An Act to increase pay of auditors. 
 
 An Act authorizing Commissioners to bor- 
 row money. 
 
 An Act to increase pay of Commissioners. 
 
 An Act to increase pay of jurors. 
 
 An Act relative to military tax. 
 
 An Act relative to noxious animals. 
 
 An Act relative to certain roads. 
 
 An Act relative to State roads. 
 
 An Act relative to destruction of trout. 
 
 An Act to increase pay of witnesses. 
 1865. 
 
 Clinton Co. annexed to Eastern District 
 of Supreme Com-t. 
 
 An Act to prevent cattle and other ani- 
 mals from running at large. 
 
 An Act to increase pay of commissioners, 
 jurors and witnesses. 
 
 An Act to lay out certain State roads. 
 
 An Act relative to Treasurer's salary. 
 
 An Act to change venue in certain cases 
 to Centre Co. 
 
 An Act supplement to above. 
 
 Wilson's Run declared a public highway. 
 1866. 
 
 Time for conveying certain real estate to 
 Commissioners extended. 
 
 Crawford township to levy bounty tax. 
 
 An Act, regulating licenses to eating 
 houses. 
 
 An Act relative to the fees of District 
 Attorney. 
 
 An Act relative to the fees of Notaries 
 Public. 
 
 An Act relative to the Law Library. 
 1807. 
 
 An Act to fix boundary line between Ly- 
 coming and Union counties. 
 
 An Act to divide Chapman township into 
 two election districts. 
 
 An Act to re-annex part of Colebrook 
 township to Brown township, Lycom- 
 ing Co. 
 
 An Act authorizing Commissioners to ap- 
 propriate unexpended relief funds to 
 buildino- new Court House. 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON CQDNTY. 
 
 27 
 
 Eepeal of part of an act relating to cor- 
 porations for mechanical and other pur- 
 poses. 
 
 An Act to establish a ferry over the West 
 Br'anoh river at or near the residence of 
 Geo. W. Sour. 
 
 An Act to prevent the destruction of 
 fruit trees. 
 
 An Act authorizing Lock Haven borough 
 school directors to borrow money. 
 
 An Act authorizing Lock Haven borough 
 to erect -water works. 
 
 An Act empowering Mill Hall borough to 
 levy and collect additional taxes. 
 
 An Act authorizing Retiovo borough 
 school directors to borrow money. 
 
 Supplement relative to State road in 
 Potter county. 
 
 1868. 
 
 An Act relative to appeals and transcripts 
 from judgments of Justices of the 
 Peace. 
 
 Barton Independent school district erect- 
 ed out of parts of Lycoming and Clin- 
 ton counties. 
 
 Supplement to fixing boundary line be- 
 tween Lycoming and Union counties. 
 
 Commissioners to borrow money to build 
 Coui-t House. 
 
 Repeal of portion of act declaring Fishing 
 Creek a public highway. 
 
 Greene township to legalize bonds issued 
 |for bounty purposes, &c. 
 
 Commissioners appointed to audit and 
 adjust indebtedness of Grove township. 
 
 Hyner's Run declared a navigable high- 
 way. 
 
 Supervisors of Lamar township to levy 
 special road tax. 
 
 An Act relative to the collection and ap- 
 plication of certain taxes in Lock Haven 
 borough. 
 
 Mortgages, judgments, &c., exempt from 
 taxation, except for State purposes. 
 
 An Act relative to the appropriation of 
 certain road taxes. 
 
 An Act relative to tin and clock pedlers. 
 1809. 
 
 Supplement to an Act to fix and deter- 
 mine boundary lines between Lycoming 
 and Union. 
 
 An Act to re-run and revive the boundary 
 line of Potter county. 
 
 An Act supplement to an act authorizing 
 the Co. Com. to borrow money to build 
 new Court House. 
 
 An Act to prevent fishing with seines in 
 Bald Eagle creek. 
 
 An Act relative to the publication of local 
 laws. 
 
 Supplement to the charter of Lock Haven 
 borough. 
 
 An Act exempting Lock Haven water 
 bonds from local and municipal taxa- 
 tion. 
 
 Commissioners appointed to lay out State 
 road in Potter county. 
 
 1870. 
 
 Supplement to an Act authorizing the ap- 
 pointment of an auctioneer. 
 
 School Directors of Chapman twp. author- 
 ized to levy bounty tax. 
 
 An Act relative to county printing. 
 
 An Act relative to fines, forfeitures ' and 
 penalties. 
 
 An Act declaring Pishing Ci-eek a public 
 highway repealed as to Lamar township. 
 
 Hall's fish dam and McSherry's Run de- 
 clared public highways. 
 
 Lock Haven borough school directors 
 authorized to borrow money. 
 
 Lock Haven City incorporated. 
 
 An Act to amend Act incorporatmg Lock 
 Haven City. 
 
 An Act authorizing appointment of ad- 
 ditional Notary Public. 
 
 An Act regulating auctions and auction- 
 eers in Renovo. 
 
 Renovo school directors avithorizedtolevy 
 bounty tax. 
 
 An Act to repeal appropi-iation of certain 
 road taxes in Beech Creek township. 
 
 Supplement to an Act appointing Commis- 
 sioners to lay out State road in Potter 
 county. 
 
 Pees of Treasurer on unseated lands and 
 licenses. 
 
 An Act relative to the preservation of 
 trout. 
 
 1871. 
 
 An Act attaching Clinton county to West- 
 ern District for punishment of criminals. 
 
 Repeal of supplement to Act authorizing 
 appointment of auctioneer. 
 
 Supplement to Act authorizing school 
 directors of Chapman township to levy 
 bounty tax. 
 
 Courts to fix monthly return days. 
 
 Dog tax abolished in certain townships 
 and boroughs. 
 
 An Act to prevent destruction of fish in 
 the streams of Porter and Lamar twps. 
 
 An Act relative to auctioneers, hawkers 
 and peddlers. 
 
 Leidy township school directors author- 
 ized to levy bounty tax. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
2S 
 
 JlI.^TORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 A)i Act relative to livery .stable keepers 
 and others. 
 
 All Act to promote tlie business of lum- 
 bering. 
 
 An Act authorizing Treasurer to pay 
 certain military expenses out of mili- 
 tary fund. 
 
 Supplement to an Act appointing com- 
 missioners to lay out certain roads. 
 
 Supplement to an Act incorporating the 
 city of Look Haven. 
 
 Taxes assessed on dogs in the city of 
 Tjock Haven to be appropriated to the 
 Lock Haven Library Company. 
 
 1873. 
 
 Repeal of provisions annexing a portion 
 of Allison to Lamar township. 
 
 An Act increasing pay of County Com- 
 missioners. 
 
 Supplement to an Act to prevent the de- 
 struction of fish in Lamav and Porter 
 townships. 
 
 All Act relative to jiayment of moneys 
 due from Grove township, Cameron 
 county. 
 
 lienovo Borough Council authorized to 
 borrow money to erect water works. 
 
 ]ienovo borough election of Burgess and 
 Council regulated and their powers in- 
 creased. 
 
 Commissoners appointed to lay out road 
 in Centre county. 
 
 Sheriif and Protlionotary empowered to 
 sue for fees. 
 
 An Act relative to construction of State 
 road inC'leaifield Co. 
 
 Supplement to an Act appointing Com- 
 missioners to lay out State road in Pot- 
 ter county. 
 
 An Act empo-ivering Supervisors of 
 Wayne toviuship to issue bonds to build 
 road. 
 
 An Act fixing the time for the elections 
 to be held for city officerH in the city of 
 Lock Haven. 
 
 1873. 
 
 18 
 
 Sui)plemental Act to aid the Central Nor- 
 mal School Association of Pennsylvania. 
 
 ^og tax to be appropriated to school 
 purposes. 
 
 ■Tones' Independent school district erect- 
 ed out of parts of Centre and Clinton 
 counties 
 
 An Act regulating legal advertising. 
 
 Kenovo borough to erect water works. 
 
 Keuovo school directors authorized to 
 borrow money. 
 
 <'ounty Commissioners autB(iSgi?fe'^d(5/l£)jyAffi6rf6sOn!?<^ 
 
 road taxes on unseated lands in certain 
 cases. 
 
 An Act to promote the business of lura- 
 
 ' bering, to provide for the transporta- 
 tion of tan bark. 
 
 An Act relating to the pay of witnesses. 
 1874. 
 
 An Act authorizing Co. Treasurer to 
 credit predecessors with balance due for 
 military orders paid by them. 
 
 The following shows the vote cast 
 ill Clinton county for Governor at each 
 general election held since the organiza- 
 tion of the comity; also the names of all 
 members of the Legislature elected in the 
 district, and the names of all the county 
 ofBcers who have served since the county 
 had an existence: 
 
 1841 
 1844 
 1847 
 1848 
 1851 
 1854 
 1857 
 1860 
 1863 
 1806 
 1869 
 18?2 
 
 VOTES POE GOVERNOE. 
 
 j David R. Porter 786 
 
 ( John Banks 603 
 
 ( Francis R. Sliuuk 935 
 
 ( Joseph Markle 807 
 
 ( Francis R. Shunk 966 
 
 ( .James Irvine 685 
 
 ( Morris Lonstreth 1004 
 
 ■( William F. Johnson 808 
 
 ( William Bigler.. 1366 
 
 ( William P. Johnson 981 
 
 ( William Bigler 935 
 
 I James Pollock 1495 
 
 ( William F. Packer 1464 
 
 ( David Wilmot 1083 
 
 ( Henry D.- Foster 1703 
 
 ( Andrew G. Curtm 1750 
 
 ( George W. Woodward 1911 
 
 I Andrew G. Cm-tin 1607 
 
 ( Heister Clymer 2337 
 
 I John AV. Geary 1754 
 
 ( A.sa Packer 2500 
 
 ■( John W. Geary 1830 
 
 ( John F. Hartranft ■ 3018 
 
 ( Charles R. Buckalew 3633 
 
 I.IEUTEXAKT GOVEBKOE. 
 
 . I ( John Latta 3430 
 
 ( A. G. Olmstead 1481 
 
 STATE SENATOES. 
 
 1843, Joseph F. Quay; 1846, Wm. Har- 
 ris; 1849, Wm. P. Packer; 1852, James 
 W. Quiggle; 1855, Andrew Gregg; 1858, 
 Andrew Gregg; 1861, Henry Johnson; 
 1865, Warren Cowels; 1868, A. G. Olm- 
 sted, 1871 ; W. A. Wallace; 1874, W. A. 
 "g) 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 29 
 
 llEPKESENTATIVES. 
 
 1839— George Leidy. 
 
 1840 — James Gamble, George Lcidy. 
 
 1841— George R. Barret. 
 
 1842 — George R. Barret, George F. 
 Boal. 
 
 1843— John T. Cook, George F. Boal. 
 
 1844 — John Smith, Andrew A. Stewart. 
 
 1845 — Andrew A. Stewart, Timothy 
 Ives. 
 
 1846— Timothy Ives, Benj. F. Pawling. 
 
 1848— William F. Packer, John Smyth. 
 
 1849— William Dunn, William Brindle. 
 
 1847— William F. Packer, Timothy 
 Ives. 
 
 1850— William Dunn, William Brindle. 
 
 1852— Joseph B. Torbert, John M. Kil- 
 burn. 
 
 1853— George J. Eldred, John B. Beck. 
 
 1854 — ^WiUiam Fearon, Thomas Wood. 
 
 1855— John C. McGhee, Samuel Cald- 
 well. 
 
 1856— Henry L. Dciffeubach, J. W. B. 
 Petrikin. 
 
 1857— Thomas W. Loyd, David K. Jack- 
 man. 
 
 1858— Lindsey Jlehaffey, William Fear- 
 on. 
 
 1859 — George A. Achenbach, Robert 
 Crane. 
 
 1860—11. C. Bressler, W411iam H. Ann- 
 strong. 
 
 1861 — William' H. Armstrong, James 
 Chatham. 
 
 1862— Amos C. Noyes, John B. Beck. 
 
 1863— Amos C. Noyes, John B. Beck. 
 
 1864^E. B. Eldred. 
 
 1865— E. B. Eldred. 
 
 1866— G. O. Deise. 
 
 1.867- G. O. Deise. ^ 
 
 1869— A. B. Ai-mstrong. 
 
 1870— A. C. Noyes. 
 
 1872— A. C. Noyes. 
 
 1878— H. W. Petrekin, Richard Bed- 
 ford. 
 
 PEESIDBNT JUDGES. 
 
 Thomas Bumside, 1839 to 1841. 
 Geo. W. Woodward, 1841 to 1851. 
 James T. Hale, 1851, two terms. 
 Alexander Jordan, 1851 to 1853. 
 Jas. Burnside, 1853 to 1859. 
 Jas. Gamble, 1859, one term. 
 Samuel Linn, 1859 to 1868. ' 
 J. B. McEnally, 1868, one term (unex- 
 l^ired term of Samuel Liim). 
 Chas. A. Mayer, 1868, now in office. 
 
 ADDITIONAL LAW JUDGE. 
 
 John IT. Orvis, 1874. Digitized by 
 
 ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 
 
 John Fleming and Geo. Crawford, 1839 
 to 1845. 
 
 Geo. Leidy and John M. Gallauher, 
 1845. Leidy dying before expiration of 
 term, George Brossler was appointed to 
 iill vacancy. . 
 
 Geo. C. Harvey and John Grafius, 1850 
 to 1856. 
 
 Nathaniel Hanna and Anthony Kleck- 
 ner, 1856 to 1861. Kleckner died in the 
 fall of 1861, and Wm, Parsons was ap- 
 pointed to fill the vacancy. 
 
 Jos. F. Quay and Cephas B'atcheler,1861 
 to 1866. 
 
 Wm. Parsons and Geo. Warrick, 1860 
 to 1871. 
 
 Wm. Dunn and Coleman Grugan,1871, 
 now in office. 
 
 DISTMCT ATTOKKEYS. 
 
 James W. Quiggle, elected in 1850; To- 
 bias T. Abrams, 1853; Charles A. Mayer, 
 1856;G. OmetDeise,1859;.G. OmetDeise, 
 1862; C. S. MoCormick, 1865; Jas. M. 
 Deise, 1868; Jas. M. Deise, 1871; Jas. 5t. 
 Deise, 1874. 
 
 SHERIFFS. 
 
 John Miller, elected in 1839; John P. 
 McElrath, in 1842; Jared P. HuUng, 
 1845; James Chatham, 1848; Robert Ir- 
 win, 1851; M. Q. Stewart, 1854; Thomas 
 McGhee, 1857; Robert Hanna, 1860; John 
 W. Smith, 1863; A. S. Fleming, 1866; 
 John W. Smith, 1869; John W. Fleming, 
 1872. , 
 
 PllOTHONOTAKIES. 
 
 Philip Krebs, elected 
 Fearon, 1848; John B. 
 Thomas McGhee, 1849; 
 1852; Robert Irwin, 
 Moyer, 1858; Wm. L. 
 W. H. Brown, 1864; W 
 W. H. Brown, 1870; W. 
 
 in 1840; William 
 
 Wagner, 1846; 
 
 Thomas McGhee, 
 
 ■ 1855; Jonathan 
 
 Hamilton, 1861; 
 
 H. Brown, 1867; 
 
 H. Brown, 1873. 
 
 COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 Hugh White, Robert Bridgens, Antho- 
 ny Kleckner, elected in 1839; Anthony 
 Kleckner, 1840; Robert McCormick, 1841; 
 Joseph Hanna, 1842; John Rich, 1843; 
 John Dornblazei', 1844; Christian Grieb, 
 1845; Joseph F. Quay, 1846; Thomas 
 Bridgens, 1847; George Walker, 1848; 
 Daniel Shadle, (for 3 years,) William 
 Myers, (for 2 years,) 1849; Adam Smith, 
 1850; James Jefferis, 1851; George Hart- 
 man, 1852; John Hockman, 1853; David 
 Baird, 1854; George Furst, 1855; GrifiBu 
 /ViHte/fO^aiS®; Isaac Ramage, 1857; Jacob 
 
30 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLTNTON COUNTY. 
 
 Cetz, 1858; James Welsh, 1859; Gideon 
 Dorn blazer, 1860; Jacob Btamm, 1861; 
 James Welsh, 1863; George Gramley, 1863; 
 Jacob Quiggle, 1864; James Welsh, 1865; 
 A. J. Quigley, 1866; John Bishel, 1867; 
 Thomas M. Wolf, 1868; Valentine Hanna, 
 1869; Samuel Kahl, 1870; Wallace Gakle, 
 1871; Jacob Getz, 1872; William A.White, 
 1873; James David, 1874. 
 
 TREASUKBRS. 
 
 Eobert Irwin, appointed in 1839; Thom- 
 as P. Simmons, elected in 1840; Robert 
 F. Carson, 1843; John H. Chatham, 1845; 
 James H. Hunt, 1847; David Carskad- 
 den, 1849; S. Montgomery Quiggle, 1851; 
 Lyons Mussina, 1853; Job W. Packer, 
 1855; Andrew J. Quiggle, 1857; John H. 
 Chatham, 1859; Joel Karstetter, 1861; 
 J. F. Batoheler, 1863; Erasmus Whitman, 
 1865; Piatt Hitchcock, 1867; Peter W, 
 Keller, 1869; Joseph P. Hayes. 1871; 
 John Q. Welsh, 1873. 
 
 KEGISTEES AKD RECOKDEES. 
 
 Philip Krebs, 1852; J. N. Loomis,1855; 
 Wm. H. Smith, 1858; H. M. Bossart,1861; 
 Samuel B. Snook, 1864; Samuel B. Snook, 
 1867; Samuel B. Snook, 1870; Samuel B. 
 Snook, 1873. 
 
 AUDITOKS. 
 
 Joseph F. Quay, Cephas Batoheler, 
 .John H. Chatham, elected in 1839; John 
 H. Chatham, 1840; William Dunn, 1841; 
 George Walker, 1843; WiUiam A. Wycoff, 
 1843; Hugh White, Jr., 1844; James 
 Shaffer, Jr., 1745; John Grafius, 1846; 
 Isaac Ramage, 1847; Samuel Barner, 1848; 
 George Hartman, 1849; George W. Hal- 
 enbake, (for 3 years) 1850; John L. Eckel, 
 1850; John L. Eckel, 1851; Nathaniel 
 Hanna,1852; Joseph Millikeu, 1858; C. C. 
 McClelland, 1855; William Dunn, 1856; 
 ■Tno.W. Smith,l§57; Jno. Domblazer',1858; 
 Joseph H. Rich, 1859; R. Kleckner, 1860; 
 Nathaniel Hanna, 1861; G. A. Acheu- 
 bach, 1862; James R. Conley, (for 3 yrs) 
 Benjamin Wheaton, (for 3 yrs) 1863; A. 
 MoCloskey, 1864; G. A. Achenbach, 1865; 
 Geo. J. F. Ramm, 1866; David Mapes, 
 1867; Geo. A. Achenbach, 1868; J. F. 
 Ramm, 1869; Jacob A. Bitner, 1870; Wil- 
 liam A. Cook, 1871; W. H. Clough, 1873; 
 J. H. Chatham, 1873; John P. Anthony, 
 1874. 
 
 COEONEKS. 
 
 James Carskadden, elected in 1839; 
 David R. Porter. 1841; Joseph T. Hunt, 
 1842; JohnC. King, 1845; Robert Irwin, 
 1846; Joseph Brownlee, 1847; David 
 Allen,1848; G. W. Sour, 1851; Dr. Gorgas, 
 1854; Wm. B. Carskadden, 1856; Chas B. 
 Langdon, 1857; Dr. Richard Armstrong, 
 1861; J. J. Lanks, 1863; John Bi-idgens, 
 1864; John J. Keller, 1867; Ira D. Can- 
 field, 1868; Geo. Y. Beatty, 1871; Dr. A. 
 Prieson, 1873. 
 
 COUNTY SUEVEYOES. 
 
 Benjamin W. Morrison, elected in 1850; 
 James David, 1853; Wm. P. Baird, 1850; 
 .James David, 1862; John L.Eckel, 1865; 
 John L. Eckel, 1868; John L. Eckel, 
 1871; JohnL. Eckel, 1874. 
 
 COUNTY SUPEEINTENDENTS. 
 
 R. Coates Allison, A. M. Taylor, H. L. 
 Dleifenbach, A. K. Brown, Jesse H. Ber- 
 ry, J. N. Welliver, W. W. S. Snoddy, D. 
 H. Herr, A. H. Strayei-, A. D. Rowe, A. 
 N. Raub, M. W. Herr. 
 
 It is a noteworthy fact, that there has 
 never been an instance of capital punish- 
 ment in the county. Whether it is owing- 
 more to the good lawyers than to the 
 good morals of the county, it is difficult 
 to determine. Be that as it may, the 
 Clinton county bar has had, and stiU has, 
 among its members, men of profound 
 legal ability; standing high in their jiro- 
 fession. 
 
 The following are nam es of lawyers win > 
 are now practicing, or have practiced in 
 the Courts of the county: 
 
 L. A. Mackey, H. T. Beardsley, Allison 
 White, Wm. Patterson, J. W. Quiggle, F. 
 A.Gwinner, C.A. Mayer, S. R. Peale, C. G. 
 Furst, S. D. Ball, T. T. Abrams, James 
 Chatham, Geo. O.Deise, Jos. Ulman, O. T. 
 Noble, C. A. Lyman, J. II. Orvis, A. H. 
 Strayer,C.S. McCormick, J.L. Doty, Chas. 
 Corss, Jesse Merrill, A. S. Furst, T. C. 
 Hippie, Chas. AVingard, H. T. Harvey. 
 James M. Deise, B. F. Winters, R. J. 
 Armstrong, W. C. Kress, W. A . White, 
 Wm! Parsons, Jr., E. P. Md'ormick, Jos. 
 Parsons, W. C. Holali.ui, J. R. 
 Youngman, A. F. Ryon, II. A. ChUds. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW Or CLINTON COCNTY. 
 
 31 
 
 CHAP TEH Y 
 
 LOCK HA^'£^' — THE OKrGIXAL OWNERS OF THE SOIL — THEIR PIXAL DErARTUKE — 
 POSSESSIOK OF THEIR LANDS BY THE WHITES, AND DISCOVERY OP THEIR REMAINS 
 — THE B'IRST SETTLER — GRANT TO DR. FRANCIS ALLISON — PURCHASE OF THE ALLI- 
 SON TRACT BY JOHN FLEMING — ITS DIVISION AMONG HIS HEIRS — THE OFFICERS' 
 SrilVEY — THE MCMEEN, GLASS AND liOYD TRACTS^THE EARLY SETTLERS — JOHN 
 FLEMING — JOHN MCCORMICK— WILLI A;M REED — REED's FORT— VISS JANE — INCI- 
 DENTS OF THE "bio, RUNAWAY"." 
 
 In the days when the red men roamed 
 fearless and ^ free over the hills and 
 through the valleys of this coviiitiy, the 
 spot where Lock Haven now stands must 
 have been one of picturesque beauty and 
 almost enchanting attractiveness. A 
 broad and gently midulating plain, skii't- 
 cd on the one hand by the crystal waves 
 of the Bald Eagle, and on the other by 
 the rollinff waters of the Otzinachson, 
 surrounded on all sides by lofty, verdure- 
 covered mountains, certainly no human 
 being, savage or civilized, could have 
 found a more romantic abiding place. 
 The attractiveness of the region did not 
 consist altogether in its apjiearance and 
 geographical location, but it afforded 
 bountiful supplies of food, (an important 
 desideratum with the Indians, as with 
 other races.) The streams in the vicin- 
 ity teemed with flsli, and in the woods 
 beasts and birds of various kinds revelled 
 in great abundance. 
 
 That the region of country around 
 about the moiitli of the Bald Eagle was 
 at one time mucli frequented by the Indi- 
 ans, there is no doubt wliatever. Since 
 tlie occupation of the lands by the whites 
 . many discoveries have been made, which 
 lead to the suj^position that the. very 
 ground on which Lock Haven is situated 
 was once a grand rendezvous, or central 
 point for the tribes inhabiting the Bald 
 Eagle and West Branch ^'alleys. Long 
 fifter the aborigines had vanished before 
 
 the march of civilization, evidences were 
 found there, which proved conclusively 
 that they not only built tlieir wigwams, 
 procured their food, indulged in the war 
 dance, tortured their victims and planned 
 their battles at that place, but tliat there 
 also they chanted tlie funeral dirge and 
 buried theit dead. 
 
 It should be borne in mind that the In- 
 dians had no real fondness for physical 
 labor, as such. Tliougli they would en- 
 dure tlie hardships and privations inci- 
 dent to a long march through a wild and 
 desolate region, they were never known 
 to injure their constitutions by what 
 might be termed actual labor. Hunting, 
 fishing, and fighting, constituted tlie rou- 
 tine of their daily duties, while the work 
 fell to the lot of the uncomplaining 
 squaw. Therefore it is not to be suppos- 
 ed, that, being constitutionally averse to 
 manual labor, they would toil and sweat 
 to rear lofty piles, even to commem- 
 orate their own skill and greatness, as 
 architects, or to immortalize tlie name 
 and fame of a departed hero. Tlie prin- 
 cipal "monuments" raised by.tho Indi- 
 ans to mark the resting place of the dead, 
 were eitlier mounds of earth or piles of 
 stones thrown loosely together — ^just such 
 structures as it is reasonable to suppose 
 would have been made by decrepit old 
 men, or uinskilled and over-worked wo- 
 men. Hence, the scarcity, or even tlie 
 total absence of such remains in certain 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
33 
 
 HISTORICAL XiKW OF CLINTON C<.HjNTY. 
 
 localities, is no proof whatever that the 
 Indians had not at some time lived and 
 moved and held high<;arnival there. 
 
 Then again it should be remembered 
 that in constructing their habitations the 
 surface of the ground was scarcely dis- 
 turbed. A certain spot may have been 
 occupied by wigwams for generations; 
 but a few years after their removal not a 
 vestige would remain to mark the place. 
 Furthermore, it was often the case, ex- 
 cept in especial instances, that the re- 
 mains of their dead were taken for inter- 
 ment a considerable distance from their 
 favorite haunts. 
 
 Long after the land now occupied by 
 Lock Haven had fallen into the hands 
 of the whites, it showed evidences of 
 once having been the site of an exten- 
 sive Indian village; or, rather a camp- 
 ing ground ; for such a thing as a perma- 
 nent home was not known among the 
 wandering denizpns of the wood. No ex- 
 tensive earthworks or fortifications were 
 found; but several mounds existed contain- 
 ing the bones of Indians, and the various 
 trinkets and implements usually bur- 
 ied with the remains of dead warriors. 
 One of these mounds, which was located 
 near the bank of the river just below 
 where the Court House now stands, was 
 removed, when the canal was being biiilt, 
 and found to contain a large number of 
 human skeletons arranged in layers, one 
 above another, with earth between. This 
 mound was undoubtedly the burial place 
 for the important personages. Other 
 similar elevations wore found in the vi- 
 cinity. One was diseovercd in what is 
 now the Fifth ward of Lock Haven. 
 
 It is no wonder that the Indians were 
 reluctant to leave the beautiful valley of 
 the West Branch when forced away by 
 their "pale faced" brothers; for, though 
 savages as they were, they had become 
 attached to their favorite hunting 
 grounds, and wCre loth to ^pfff^igl j^y. 
 
 It is said that when the few remaining 
 members of a once i^owerful tribe took 
 their departure from the land they loved, 
 they cast behind them looks of sorrow 
 and regret, then sadly, silently took their 
 course toward the setting sun, never to 
 return. 
 
 Not many years elapsed after the Indi- 
 ans gave up their lands on the West 
 Branch before they were possessed by 
 the hardy pioneers, who soon converted 
 tliera into beautiful and productive farms. 
 Previous to 1709, officers of the army, 
 and others in the service of the Govern- 
 ment, havmg occasion to pass along the 
 West Bj-anch Valley, in dealing with the 
 Indians, were so much pleased with the 
 appearance of the country and the fertil- 
 ity of the soil, that they availed them- 
 selves of the first oppotunity to make ap- 
 plication to the Government for the va- 
 rious tracts that had especially attracted 
 their attention. One of the most fortu- 
 nate in making a selection was the Rev. 
 Dr. Francis Allison, who had served as 
 Chaplain in the army. 
 
 It is claimed that the iirst settlement 
 on the site of Lock Haven was made by 
 Clarey Campbell, just previous to, or du- 
 ring the year 1769. Campbell came from 
 the Juniata, and was w]j«»t is tei'mcd a 
 "squatter,"' that is, one who settles on 
 land without first having a title. His 
 cabin, which was made of logs was lo- 
 cated not far frojn where the grcon-housc 
 of AV. H. (ioe now stands. On the 
 fourth day of February, 1709, Dr. Al- 
 lison made application to the "Proprieta-. 
 ries". of the Province of Pennsylvania, for 
 a special grant of tlio large tract of land 
 lying in the angle formed by the junction 
 of the Bald Eagle Creek with the West 
 Branc.li of the Susquehanna Bivci'. A 
 copy of the patent, conveying said laud, 
 is here given iu full, as an important and 
 interesting docrmient; important Ijc- 
 MADra>S61/¥®'tlcs to a large portion of the 
 
IIISTORTC'AL TIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 lands on whicli Look Haven is built arc 
 leased upon its provisions; interesting be- 
 cause of its terms and conditions, and pe- 
 culiar phraseology: 
 
 To Thomas Fcnn and Jolm- renn, 
 Bsquires, true and absolute proprieta- 
 ries and Ooverners in Chief of the prov- 
 ince of Pennsylvania, and counties of 
 New Castle, Kent and Sussc.c, upon Del- 
 aware: 
 
 To all unto vrhom these presents shall 
 come, Greeting: AVhereas,in consequence 
 of the application of Doctor Francis Al- 
 li.son, No. 3, entered the fourth day of 
 February, 1769, for 1500 acres of land on 
 the north side of Bald Eagle Creek, and 
 south side of the "West Branch of Susque- 
 hanna, in Berks County, a survey hath 
 been made of the tract of land hereinaf- 
 ter mentioned, and intended to be hereby 
 gi-anted; and ti^hereas, in pursuance of a 
 warrant dated the third day of Ajjril in- 
 stant, requiring our Surveyor General to 
 accept the said svirvey into his office, and 
 make return thereof into our Secretary's 
 office, in order for confirmation to the 
 said Doctor Francis Allison, on the terms 
 in the same warrant mentioned, he hath 
 accordingly made return thereof; thereby 
 certifying the description, bounds and 
 limits of the land as aforesaid surveyed, 
 to be as follows, viz: Situate as aforesaid, 
 called "Allison;" and beginning at a 
 marked hiskory on the north side of Bald 
 Eagle Creek, a corner of the officers' sur- 
 vey; thence down along the north side of 
 said creek, on the several courses thereof, 
 one thousand three hundred and thirty- 
 eight perches to the mouth of the said 
 creek, thence up along the south side of 
 the West Branch of Susquehanna afore- 
 .said, on the several courses thereof, seven 
 hundred perches to a post at the side of 
 said branch, a comer of the land survey- 
 ed to the officers; thence by the same, 
 south sixty-six degrees west five hundred 
 and eighty perches to a post, and south 
 one himdred and sixteen perches to the 
 place of beginning, containing one thous- 
 and six hundred and twenty acres, and 
 the usual allowance of six acres, for roads 
 and highways. Now at the instance and 
 request of the said Francis Allison, that 
 we would be pleased to grant him a con- 
 firmation of the same : Know ye, That 
 in consideration of the sum of eighty-one 
 pounds Sterling money of -Great Britair 
 (in lawful money of PeMS^l^^ftyXc 
 
 our use, paid by the said Allison, (the re- 
 ceipt whereof we hereby acknowledge, 
 and thereof do acquit and forever dis-' 
 charge the said Francis Allison, his heirs 
 and assigns by these presents) and of the 
 yearly quit rent hereinafter mentioned and 
 reserved, we have given, granted, releas- 
 ed, and confirmed, and by these 
 presents, for us our heirs and successors, 
 do give, grant, release and confirm unto 
 the said Francis Allison, his heirs and as- 
 signs the said sixteen hundred and twen- 
 ty acres of land, as the same are now set 
 forth; bounded and limited as aforesaid, 
 with all mines, minerals, quarries, mead- 
 ows, marshes, savannahs, swamps, criji- 
 ples, woods, underwoods, timber and 
 trees, ways, waters, water courses, liber- 
 ties, profits, commodities, advantages, 
 hereditaments and appurtenances, what- 
 soever thereunto belonging or in anywise 
 appertaining and lying within the 
 bounds and limits aforesaid, (three full 
 and clear fifth- parts of all Royal Mines, 
 free from all deduction and reprisals foV 
 digging and refining the same; and also 
 the one-fifth part of the ore of all other 
 mines, delivered at the pit's mouth, only 
 excepted and hereby reserved;) and also 
 free leave, right and liberty, to and for 
 the said Francis Allison, his heirs and as- 
 signs to hawk, hunt,*fish and fowl, in 
 and upon the hereby granted land and 
 premises, or upon any part thereof. 
 
 To have and hold the said tract of land 
 and premises hereby granted, (except as 
 before excepted) with their appurtenan- 
 ces, unto the said Francis Allison, his 
 heirs and assigns, to the only use and be- 
 hoof of the said Francis Allison, his heirs 
 and assigns forever. To be holden of us, 
 our heirs and successors, proprietors of 
 Pennsylvania, as of oxir Manor, Ruscorab, 
 in the county of Berks, aforesaid, in free 
 and common soccage by fealty only, in 
 lieu of all other services; yielding and 
 paying therefor yearly unto us, our heirs 
 and successors, at the town of Reading, 
 in the said county, at or upon the first 
 day of March in every year from the first 
 of March last, one penny Sterling for 
 every acre of the same, or value thereof 
 in coin current,accordingasthe exchange 
 shall then be, between our said Province 
 and the city of London, to such person 
 or persons as shall, from time to time be 
 appointed to receive the same; and in 
 rCase_oLrSon payment thereof, within 
 s next after the same shall be- 
 
u 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLliNTON COUNTY. 
 
 come due; then it shall and may be law- 
 ful for us our heirs and successors, our 
 and their Receiver or Receivers into and 
 upon the lierohy granted land and prem- 
 ises to re-enter, and the -same to hold and 
 possess, until the said quit rent and all 
 arj:ears thereof together with the charges 
 accruing by means of such non-payment 
 and re-entry, be fully paid and discharg- 
 ed. Witness Richard Penn, Esquire, 
 Lieutenant Governor of said province, 
 who by virtue of certain powers and au- 
 thorities to him for this purpose inter alia 
 granted by the said proprietaries hath 
 licrounto set his hand and caused the 
 great seal of the said province to be here- 
 unto affixed at Philadeljihia, this Tenth 
 day of April, in the year of our Lord, 
 One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sev- 
 enty two; the twelfth year of the reign 
 of King George the Third over Great 
 iJritain, &c. RicnAim Prcxx. 
 
 Recorded May 7th, 1772. 
 
 The above is a true copy of the original 
 patent as recorded in Patent book "A. 
 .v.," Vol. 13, page 100, now in the Sur- 
 veyor General's office at Harrisburg. 
 
 The corner of the Allison grant, describ- 
 ed in the jjatent as being at "a post at 
 I lie side of the said branch," is within a 
 very few feet of the southeast corner of 
 the lot on Water street, now owned by 
 t he Misses Snyder. The Northern \boun- 
 ilary of the tract beginning at said corner, 
 passes through the lots of Misses Snyder 
 ;uid J. D. Stratton, through the Fallon 
 House and Dr. Canfield's house; then 
 crossing Water street diagonally cuts off 
 a corner of Dr. Hajxs' residence, crosses 
 the lots of Simon Scott, A. C. Hopkins, 
 and others, connecting with Clinton av- 
 enue at its junction with Main street, con- 
 tinuing along said avenue and a straight 
 lino to a corner near the residence of S. 
 Clark, on B];essler street, in the Fifth 
 ward; thence to a point on Bald Eagle 
 Creek near the Plemingtou bridge; 
 Ihorofore all those lands on which Lock 
 Haven (including Fifth ward) is built, 
 lying south of the abS^itlZS^ttlfi i 
 line, were comprised in the grant to Dr 
 
 Allison, and' all titles to such lands are 
 traceable,. not only to the "proprietaries" 
 through Allison's patent, but to the 
 British crown, through the charter of 
 Charles II. to Penn. 
 
 A few years after receiving his patent. 
 Dr. Allison sold his purchase to John 
 Fleming, Esq., wlio took possession in 
 1773, and located at the lower end of tlie 
 tract, where ho died in 1777. After his 
 death, in accordance with the pi'Ovisions 
 of his will, the estate was divided among 
 his heirs as follows : 
 
 That portion wliioh forms the angle or 
 "point," as it was called, between the 
 river and the Bald Eagle Creek, was 
 surveyed to .Joseph; the next tract lying 
 north of it and extending from the 
 river to the creek, to Rosanna, who was 
 married to a .Jamison, and afterwards to 
 a Mr. Graham ; the remainder was disi^osed 
 of in order, a,s folio ays: The next tract 
 adjoining the last mentioned, to David; 
 the next, to Robert; the next, to John; the 
 next, to Ezekiel ; the next, to Mary Low- 
 rey; the next to Elizabeth MeCormick. Jo- 
 seph Fleming sold his share to John JIc- 
 Cormiek, who was married to his. sister. 
 The. land is still in possession ot 3[cCor- 
 miek's descendants. John and David 
 Fleming sold their interests to Joseph 
 Hunt, and Ezokicl sold his to Jacob 
 Cook. 
 
 In tiie year 1800, Dr. John Henderson, 
 of Huntingdon, married Margaret Jami- 
 son, and through her came into posses- 
 sion of the tract surveyed to Robert Flem- 
 ing, on which the town of Lock Haven 
 was afterwards laid out. A portion of 
 the territory forming that part of Lock 
 Haven lying on the north side of CUuton 
 avenue, was included in what is known 
 as the "officers' survey." 
 
 On Feb. 3, 1 769, a number of the officers of 
 the first and 2d battalions of the Penn- 
 iififQSSlf^iment, applied for 2400 acres 
 of land within the' last Indian purchase,. 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 i5 
 
 uuder ■whicli application a survey of 8,380 
 acres, located on the south side of the 
 West Branch of the Susquehanna river, 
 on jBald Eagle Creek, was made by 
 Charles Lukens, Deputy Surveyor, and 
 at the same time he made a separate sur- 
 vey of each officer's part, -whereby a tract 
 of 316 acres and allowances, was laid out 
 to Ensign WilUam McMeen, who on May 
 28, 1773, transferred the said tract by deed 
 to Alexander Hamilton, to whom a pat- 
 ent was granted on May 4, 1774, for the 
 same tract described as follows : 
 
 Beginning at a marked Ash at the side 
 of the West Branch of Susquehanna, 
 thence by Wm. Glass' land, south sixty 
 degrees west, three hundred and twenty 
 perches, to a marked White Oak, and 
 West one hundred and twenty-seven 
 perches to a post, thence by Lieutenant 
 Hunsioker's land. South one hundred and 
 fifteen perches to a post, thence by the 
 Rev. Dr. Allison's land, north, sixty-six 
 degrees east, five hundred and eighty 
 perches, to a post at the side of the West 
 Bi-anch aforesaid, thence up along the 
 side of the said Branch, one hundred and 
 thirty-two perches to the place of begin- 
 ning, containing two hundred and sixteen 
 acres and the usual allowance of six per 
 cent, for roads, etc. 
 
 The above is recorded in Patent Book 
 "A. A.,"- Vol. 14, page 309. 
 
 Thus it is seen that the McMeon tract 
 comprised what is now a very important 
 part of Lock Haven. Its boundary on 
 the river extended from the corner 
 of the Allison tract, heretofore described, 
 to a point just above where the saw mill of 
 Simpson & Martin now is, having an aver- 
 age width of about 60 rods, extending 
 along the north side of the Allison tract, 
 a distance of 580 rods. 
 
 On April 4th, 1789, William Glass ap- 
 plied for 300 acres of land on the West 
 Branch of the Susquehanna, above the 
 mouth of Bald Eagle Creek, in pursvi- 
 ance of which, there was surveyed on the 
 
 Beginning at a Black Oak, thence by 
 vacant land S. 60° W. 40 perches to a 
 hickory, S. 30° E. 78 perches to a hick- 
 ory, S. 60O W. 18 perches to a beech, S. 
 30° E. 181 perches to a post, thence by 
 officers' survey N. 60° E. 167 perches to 
 an ash, and thence up the West Branch 
 of Susquehanna river, traversing its sev- 
 eral courses 394 perches, to the beginning, 
 containing 138 acres and allowance. 
 
 Recorded in Patent Book "H." Vol. 16, 
 page 388. 
 
 This tract is the one alUided to else- 
 where in this sketch as having been 
 claimed by Clarey Campbell, who seems 
 to have taken possession of it before the 
 survey was made; however it was decided 
 that Glass was the rightful owner, and 
 his title was accordingly recognized by 
 the courts. 
 
 In 1774 McMeen sold his tract to "Ruth 
 McCoski-ey, widow of William McCosk- 
 rey, deceased, in trust for the heirs of 
 the said William McCoskrey." 
 
 In 1806, the McCoskrey heirs sold the 
 said tract to David" Lusk, who received a 
 patent for the same from the common- 
 wealth. This tract, and also the McMeen 
 survey, after passing through various 
 hands, eventually, by actual purchase, 
 came into the possession of the late Philip 
 M. Price, who also purchased the John 
 BoydHract, lying west of and adjoining 
 the Glass property, and other tracts sit- 
 uated north of the aforesaid tracts and 
 beyond the present limits of the built-up 
 portion of the city of Lock Haven. 
 
 The first three mentioned tracts, name- 
 ly: those of Ensign McMeen, *Wm. Glass, 
 and John Boyd, have all been more or 
 less improved and built upon. The McMeen 
 tract as before stated, includes a very im- 
 portant part of the city. The Glass tract 
 includes that portion lying noi-th of the 
 McMeen survey, and between the river 
 and Highland Cemetery, extending to 
 Sugar Run. Highland Cemetery and 
 
 9thof November, 1769, tl0;fi«fe©fifi§>lefW((EK©SS)fi-@al school building are located 
 scribed tract: on the John Boyd tract. The remainder 
 
3G 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLI.N'TON COU.VTV. 
 
 of tlie territory of Look Haven lying be- 
 tween Highland Cemetery and Centre 
 street, Tvhich was recently purchased and 
 laid out in lots by E. P. McCormick, 
 Esq., and known as the "McCormick Ad- 
 dition," is included in a tract of one hun- 
 dred and fifty-five acres, surveyed to 
 David Pindley in pursuance of a war- 
 rant dated July 13th, 1793, and sold ai 
 Sheriff's sale to Charles Huston, in 1799. 
 
 All the territory of Lock Haven, which 
 is now built upon or laid out in lots, is 
 comprised in the different tracts just 
 described. 
 
 Of the families who might be termed 
 the first actual, permanent settlers on or 
 near the site of Lock Haven, the most 
 prominent were the Flemings, the Mc- 
 Cormicks, and the Reeds. These fami- 
 lies all came from Chester county. Pa., 
 about the same time, more than a hun- 
 dred yean-s ago; and their numerous de- 
 scendants, bearing their names, are now 
 among the most prominent and respected 
 citizens of the community. • The following 
 sketch of the Fleming family was pub- 
 lished in the Lycoming Gazette, of Dec. 
 4th, 1867, by the venerable Tunis Coryell, 
 Esq., of Williamsport. Mr. Coryell is 
 now in the 84th year of his age. Fifty 
 years ago he was publisher of the Gazette, 
 and probably there is no person now liv- 
 ing who had better means of obtaining 
 the facts of which he writes, than he : 
 
 The Hon. John Fleming, one of the 
 Associate Judges of Lycoming, was ap- 
 pointed in 1798, by Gov. MilHin. He 
 was a native of Chester county. Pa., and 
 born in 1760, near London Cross Roads. 
 His father, John Fleming, was a descend- 
 ant of the<"Earl of "Wigton," of Scot- 
 land, who, about the year 1770, purchas- 
 ed a tract of land of Dr. Francis Allison, 
 containing about 1650 acres, situated 
 between the Bald Eagle Creek and the 
 West Branch of the Susquehanna River, 
 on which tract is the borough of Look 
 Haven, and part of the town of Fleming- 
 ton, now in the county of Clinton. John 
 the father, built a house "^ ' ' 
 
 &i^tsscht>yf:l\/H(m^ofMs,A 
 
 the rivej' close to the south abutment of 
 the present dam, where he died in 1777. 
 and it was said that in the excavation of 
 the abutment were found several hearth 
 stones of the old chimney. John Flem- 
 ing, the subject of this notice, died in the 
 house now occupied by his grand-son, 
 Thomas B. Fleming, [since deceased,] 
 in February, 1817. His wife was Sarah 
 Chatham, daughter of Col. Chatham, 
 who owned the mill and a large tract oi' 
 land at Chatham's Run.- Her father took 
 an active and prominent pai't during the 
 Indian war of 1777-8. The Chatham 
 family, before they purchased in Lycom- 
 ing county, resided near Milton, Pa. 
 Mrs. Fleming was born in the city oi' 
 Dublin, in 1763, and came to this counti'y 
 an infant. She died in 1824. They had 
 nine children; six sons and three daugh- 
 ters. Three of the sons and two of the 
 daughters, are deceased. Gen. Robert 
 Fleming, of this city, (Williamsport) is 
 one of the survivors who has held jirom- 
 inent positions under State Government : 
 Senator and member of the Convention 
 that amended and recommended the adop- 
 tion of the present constitution of this 
 Commonwealth [that of 1838]. John 
 Fleming, brother of Robert, was one of 
 the two first Associates In the Courts of 
 Clinton county, and Algernon Sidney is 
 the present Sheriff of said county. Ezeldel 
 went to Kentucky in 1833. It was 
 said before the late rebellion that he had 
 become very wealthy. Sarah Montgom- 
 ery is the only survivor of the sisters. 
 The daughter, Sarah, was married to 
 Joseph Montgomery, Kancy to David Mc- 
 Cormick, Mary to Hon. Joseph F. Quay. 
 William died in Alton, 111., in 1846. His 
 wife was a sister of Major Long, a L'. S. 
 Engineer, who made a reconnoitre of a 
 contemplated national road from Wash- 
 ington city, through this city (Williams- 
 port) to Buffalo and Sackett's Harbor, 
 N. y. This was during the administra- 
 tion of .lohn Q. Adams. John McCor- 
 mick, father of Robert McCoi-miok, late- 
 ly deceased, owned the old homestead, 
 nran-ied a sister of John Fleming, the 
 elder. Another sister, Rosanna, first 
 married a Jamison ; her second marriage 
 to a Graham. One of Mrs. Graham's 
 daughters married Dr. Henderson, of 
 Huntingdon county.Pa., and one other to 
 a Mr. Barnum. Their brother Robert, w.<is 
 at one time the only Justice of the Peace, 
 " '"'^ 'iction extended from Pine 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW FO CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 SI 
 
 Creek west to Lake Erie. It was said 
 ' by tlie early settlers that a bride and 
 Rroom from Lake Erie journeyed to the 
 Great Island to be married; and called at 
 Justice Fleming's dwelling, who was ab- 
 sent in the fleld plowing. He requested 
 the parties to meet him at his plow and 
 lie would unite them by the requisite cer- 
 emony. They obeyed, after which he 
 politely invited them to dine with his 
 family. The late Hon. Thomas Burnside's 
 first wife was his daughter, and mother of 
 the late Judge James Burnside of Centre 
 county. Judge Fleming was one of the 
 first elders of the Great' Island Presby- 
 terian church, which was built in 1792, or 
 thereabouts. 
 
 John McCormick was born in Ireland 
 in the year 1748. When he was twelve 
 or fourteen years of age his parents emi- 
 grated to this country, leaving him in 
 the care of his grand-parents, who intend- 
 ed to educate him; but after the depart- 
 ure of his parents, and brothers and sis- 
 ters, he became dissatisfied and uneasy, 
 and resolved to follow them. To do this, 
 it was necessary for him to run away, 
 which he did, and secreted himself on 
 .board a vessel which was to sail for 
 'America; and after various haps and mis- 
 haps, managed to reach this country safe 
 and sound. Landing in Philadelphia with- 
 out a cent in his pocket, he obtained 
 employment until he earned suf&cient 
 money to pay his expenses to where his 
 parents had located, which was some- 
 where in Chester county. On arriving in 
 the neighborhood late in the evening, he 
 soon reached the house, and as he was 
 about to enter was met by his mother, 
 who failed to recognize him, little dream- 
 ing that her son was on this side of the 
 Atlantic. Wishing to have a little fun at the 
 expense of his mother, 'lie asked her if 
 she could accommodate him with lodging 
 for the night; but was promptly told that 
 they did not keep stragglers; that he 
 should go to the "tavern;" but John an- 
 swered that he had no money. Then 
 thinking that it was about Jim^.to make] t 
 
 himself known, he asked her if she had 
 forgotten the son she left in Ireland; but 
 the good woman immediately pronounced 
 him an impostor, saying that he need 
 not represent himself as her son John, 
 whom she left in the old country. Mat- 
 ters having proceeded thus far, John 
 found it necessary to prove his identity 
 beyond a doubt, in order to gain admit- 
 tance to the house of his parents, and ac- 
 cordingly raised his hat and showed his 
 mother a scar on his forehead, which was 
 positive proof to the old lady that the 
 young man before her was indeed her 
 son. From a biographical sketch published 
 at the time of kis death, it appears that 
 John McCormick remamed in Chester 
 county till 1773, when he went to Loyal 
 Sock, Lycoming county, and in the fol- 
 lowing spring" "removed to the lower 
 point of Big Island, where he erected a 
 cabin, familiarly known as 'Sassafras 
 Cabin.' " He married a daughter of 
 Robert Fleming, Esq., and afterwards 
 ■purchased of Joseph Fleming, as before 
 mentioned, the tract forming the "point" 
 between the river and Bald Eagle Creek. 
 The sketch alluded to says: 
 
 He participated to some extent in the 
 struggle of the Be volution; although cir- 
 cumstances were such as to render it 
 unnecessary that he should take 
 part in any actual engagement with 
 the British. In common with all the 
 hardy pioneers of this region,he was long 
 exposed to imminent danger at the hands 
 of ruthless savages then prowling through 
 Northern Pennsylvania, and carrying 
 death and devastation in their way. He 
 was among the most prominent in pur- 
 suit of the Indians who murdered Messrs. 
 Jones, Saltsman, DeLong and Culbertson 
 and son, in 1777, living near the present 
 residence of Mr. Thomas Bridgens, of 
 Allison township'; and also in 1778, in 
 pursuit of those who murdered Messrs. 
 Fleming and Donaldson, at Pine Creek 
 Ripples. Barring six years (immediately 
 after the massacre of Wyoming) the 
 whites were driven from this neighbor- 
 hood, and kept at bay by the Indians, and 
 ,wo yeajg^ubsequently, he has constantly 
 
 'JiSn 
 
•38 
 
 HISiOKIOAL VIEW 01' CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 resided, from the first day of his settle- 
 ■ment here till the period of his deatli, 
 ■within one mile of the location of this 
 , place, comprising a term of sixty-three 
 year.s. It is the lot of few to pass from 
 life unto death under the circumstances 
 ■which surrounded Mr. McCormick at 
 ihis -exit. Encircled by a family consist- 
 ing of five sons and ^ t-wo daughters, all 
 of whom have attained to the "sere and 
 yellow leaf of old age, and a large num- 
 ■berof more remote connections, his de- 
 -parture ■jvas attended by all those sooth- 
 ing and alleviating influences which the 
 kind ministrations of dear friends are so 
 well calculated to impart, dying as he 
 lived, a strictly upright man, and enjoy- 
 ing the respect of all. His remains were 
 followed to the grave by, a numerous con- 
 course of relatives and friends. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was one of 
 the very few "Datriarchal spirits" who 
 linger in the midst of the present genera- 
 .tiou, and who seem to have been pre- 
 served to us as monuments of an age 
 which we can see but in the retrospect,' 
 and which tradition and history unite in 
 characterizing as having teemed with 
 thrillingly interesting incidents. His life, 
 protracted far beyond tlie period usually 
 allotted to man, and marked by events 
 jwculiarly important 'in their connection 
 with the early history of the coimtry, was 
 emphatically a chequered one, blending 
 Jiardship and comfort, danger and secu- 
 rity, adventure and success, poverty and 
 .wealth, sorrow and happiness; in short, 
 all that variety of accident and incident 
 which necessarily fell to the lot of the 
 American inoneer. 
 
 William Reed was born in Donegal, 
 "Ireland, about tlie year 1730; when he 
 was seven years old, he was brought to 
 America by his vifidowed mother, who 
 settled near Wilmington, Del., and af- 
 (terward moved to Chester county, Pa., 
 ;and located near the London Cross Roads, 
 ■where William grew to manliood and 
 man-ied Jane Mitchell. In 1773, he went 
 to the West Branch Valley, and located 
 on land now occupied by the' city of 
 Iiock Haven. His cabin, which was 
 built of hewn logs, stood very near the 
 site of the Montour House, and was 
 
 by a strong enclosure, constructed oif 
 logs, which was known as "Reed's Fort," 
 and was commanded by Col. Cooksey 
 Long. This fort was the last of a chain 
 of stockades which extended along the 
 West Branch from Sunbury; consequent- 
 ly it was an important post. Being on 
 the extreme border of civilization, it was 
 the first to be attacked by invading In- 
 dians," in their descent on the infant set- 
 tlements of the West Branch region. 
 Mr. Reed had five sons and five daugh- 
 ters; one of the latter, by the name of 
 Jane, is well remembered by many of the 
 old residents of Lock Haven. She lived 
 to an adv.anced age, and up to the time 
 of her death delighted in recounting 
 scenes and incidents of her early life on 
 the frontier. During times of compara- 
 tive peace, the Reeds were often visited 
 by the Indians, whom they always treated _ 
 kindly, giving them food, &c., whenever 
 they came around. Time after time, 
 Miss Jane, (who seems to have been the 
 baker, not only of the family but also for 
 the garrison), exhausted her entire sup- 
 ply of bread, in feeding bands of visiting 
 red-skins. As it always gave offense to 
 the Indians if they were not all treated 
 alike, Jane was often at her "wits' end'' 
 to know how to make her bread "reach 
 around,"' if she happened to have <a 
 scanty supply on hand when they made 
 their appearance. On one occasion the 
 young lady was "trying on" a hat which 
 she had .just purchased, when suddenly a 
 band of savages entered the cabin and 
 g;azed with astonishment at what they, 
 no doubt, considered a "new fangled" 
 head dress. At length one of them, who 
 was more bold than the rest, deliberately 
 walked up to Miss Jane and took the hat 
 from her head, and after giving it 3 
 thorough examination, handed it to his 
 companions, by each of whom, in turn, it 
 was closely scrutinized and then replaced 
 
 connected with, and V'>^^^Wf^tiZ@t^^lWGm^ff®OM\ of its owner, after which _ 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLIXTON COUNTY. 
 
 the band departed without haying the 
 least apparent inclination to appropriate 
 the singular looking article. 
 
 It seems that Miss Jane had not a very- 
 exalted opinion of the Indians, at least as 
 far as their stomachs were concerned, for 
 ofle morning she found a mouse drowned 
 in her cream pot, and exclaimed, with 
 a twinkle in her eye, tliat she would 
 give the cream to the Indians, for "it 
 was good enough for them. ' ' Accordingly 
 she made it into butter, and the next 
 time the scamps paid her a visit, she had 
 the grim satisfaction of seeing them feast 
 on butter and buttermilk to their hearts' 
 content. 
 
 The most important event in the lives 
 of thepre-revolntiouary settlers along the 
 West Branch, was one with which the 
 Reeds were closely identified,, and in 
 which they took a very prominent part. 
 "The Big Eunaway,"to which allusion in 
 general terms was made in the introduct- 
 ory chapter of this work, was an occur- 
 rence thatthreateneAa complete destruc- 
 tion of tie hopes and prospects of the en- 
 tire population of the West Branch Val- 
 ley; and it really resulted mo.st disastrous- 
 ly to many of the settlers, especially 
 those who, being forced to abandon their 
 liomes, were never able to reclaim them. 
 The "big runaway," occurred in June, 
 1778. At that time "Reed's Fort" was 
 garrisoned by a "fearless few" volunteers 
 made up almost entirely from the fam- 
 ilies living in the immediate vicinity. It 
 issaid that Wm. Reed and his iive sons 
 constituted one third of the fighting 
 strength of the fort, and that the Reeds 
 and Flemings were a majority of the 
 whole numbei". 
 
 Be that as it may, it is well known that 
 both families possessed sufficient pluck 
 and determination to render them for- 
 midable Indian iigliters. 
 During the year 1777, tlie Indians be- 
 
 came very troublesome, andQip^feedi6y-MfiSAlliSS(J(S(|) journey, and feeling perfectly 
 
 ber of the settlers. From various indi- 
 cations it was evident that a general in- 
 vasion of the white settlements was im- 
 minent, and accordingly preparations 
 were made to repel any attack that might 
 be made. Considering the scarcity of 
 fire arms and military equipments gen- 
 erally, and the thinly settled condition of 
 the country, it is a wonder that the in- 
 habitants entertained the least hope of 
 successfully opposing a horde of blood- 
 thirsty savages; but strange as it may ap- 
 pear, a number of the settlers, among- 
 them the Flemings, held' out to the last 
 against abandoning the fort. Early in 
 1778, a lone Indian appeared on the bank 
 of the river opposite Reed's Fort. He 
 made various signs for some one to 
 come with a canoe and take him over. 
 The occupants of the fort being suspi- 
 cious that his object was to entice some of 
 the whites across the river for the pur- 
 pose of betraying them into the hands of 
 confederates who might be concealed near 
 at hand, hesitated to comply with his re- 
 quest; still he insisted, and waded some 
 distance out into the river, to show that 
 his intentions were honorable. It has 
 been said that at this juncture Mrs. Reed, 
 "seeing that none of the men would ven- 
 ture, jumi^ed into a canoe, crossed over 
 alone and brought him with safety" to the 
 fort. It is now stated on the best of au- 
 thority, that it was not Mrs. Reed who 
 took tlie Indian over, but a son of Job 
 Gilloway; the friendly Indian, who, witli 
 his family, was at the time under the pro- 
 tection of the garrison. On being taken 
 into the fort, the strange Indian proved 
 to be friendly, and had come a great 
 many miles to warn the settlers of the 
 approach of a large and powerful band 
 of warriors who were "preparing to 
 make a descent upon the Valley, for the 
 purpose of exterminating the settle- 
 ments." Being very much fatigued af- 
 
40 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 43ecure in tlie hands of those to whom he 
 liad just rendered such important service, 
 the Indian laid down to rest, and soon 
 fell asleep. In givmg an account of this 
 occurrence, Meginness says: 
 
 A number of men about the fort were 
 shooting at a mark, amongst whom was 
 one who was slightly intoxicated. Load- 
 ing his rifle, he observed to some of them 
 that he would make the bullet he was 
 putting in, kill an Indian. Little atten- 
 tion was paid to the remark at the time. 
 He made good his word, however; in- 
 stead of shooting at the mark, fired at 
 the sleeping Indian, and sliot Mm dead. 
 A baser act of ingratitude cannot well be 
 conceived. The murder was unprovoked 
 and cowardly, and rendered doubly worse, 
 from the fact that the Indian had travel- 
 ed many miles to inform them of their 
 danger. 
 
 The garrison were so exasperated at 
 this inhuman and ungrateful act, that 
 tliey threatened to lynch him on the 
 spot; when, becoming alarmed, he fled, 
 and was suffered to escape. 
 
 Immediately after being apprised of 
 their danger, a "council of war" was held 
 by the garrison, when it was decided to 
 evacuate the fort, and with all the inhabit- 
 ants of the neighborhood go to Fort Au- 
 gusta, (now Sunbury) for protection. Ac- 
 cordingly preparations were made to de- 
 part; live stock and supplies generally 
 were placed upon rafts hastily construct- 
 ed from whatever available material could 
 be obtained. Many articles, such as 
 household iitensils, »&c., that were con- 
 sidered too cumbersome to take along, 
 and too valuable to lose, were hidden with 
 tlie hope of getting them again when 
 peace should be restored. Among other 
 things that were thus secreted was a 
 stone crook filled with sand for scouring 
 tinware, &c.; this was buried by the 
 thoughtful Jane Reed, under the floor of 
 her father's cabin. There was not much 
 time to spare in arranging preliminaries; 
 whatever was done, had to be done 
 quickly, and in a few hours the settlers 
 bade adieu to their homes, and'^egau their 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 flight to a place of safety, and the setting- 
 sun of that memorable day in June, 1778, 
 shed its rays upon their deserted houses. 
 In their flight down the liver the people 
 from Reed's Fort and vicinity, were 
 joined by the other inhabitants of the 
 valley, and all found refuge, as before 
 stated, at Fort Augusta. 
 
 After being driven from their possess- 
 ions, the Reeds, Flemings, McCormicks, 
 and perhaps others, returned to their for- 
 mer homes in Chester county, remaining 
 there till-after the declaration of peace, 
 in 1783, when again, five years after their 
 flight, and ten years from the time they 
 first settled on the West Branch, they 
 returned to take possession of their homes, 
 where they remained, most of them, to 
 the end of their lives, never after having 
 occasion to flee from the tomahawk and 
 scalping knife. 
 
 During the five years, absence of the 
 settlers, their buildings, though left to 
 the "tender mercies" of the savages, 
 were not destroyed, with the exception, 
 perhaps, of one or two; and when their 
 owners came to inspect them th«y were 
 found to be in a tolerable state of preser- 
 vation. After their return the people 
 went to work with a will, to fit up their 
 homes, and it seems that the house of 
 Wm. Reed, being probably the most sub- 
 staaitially built, had withstood the action 
 of the weather , better than any of the 
 others, and was therefore the first to be 
 put in order. While engaged in repair- 
 ing the fioor, some of the men discovered 
 what they pronounced hidden treasures — 
 a crock of silver. The result was quite 
 an excitement among the people for a 
 time, till "Jane" "put in an appearance" 
 and claimed her "pewter sand," as it was 
 called, wliich she had deposited under the 
 floor five years previous. That iden- 
 tical crock, now over one hundred years 
 old, is in the possession of Alexander 
 , Reed, Eso., grand-son of Wra. Reed, and 
 
 Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 41 
 
 lias been in use every year since, and is 
 still in a perfect condition. 
 
 Mr. Reed had never actually purchased 
 the land on which he first located; but 
 lived on it probably as a tenant of John 
 Fleming. Kot long, however, after his 
 return to the West Branch, he bought a 
 tract on the opposite side of the river, 
 where h^ lived until his death, which oc- 
 curred in 1808. His remains were buried 
 in Great Island Cemetery. 
 
 The ancestors of the MoCormicks, 
 Reeds, and other early settlers of the 
 West Branch Valley were Scotch Pres- 
 byterians, who went from Scotland to 
 the northern part of Ireland, about the 
 time of the invasion of King William. 
 Their descendants were formerly known 
 as Scotch-Irish, and to this day many of 
 the branches of those families adhere to- 
 the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. 
 
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42 
 
 HISTORICAL VIKW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CIIAPTEK VI. 
 
 LOCK HAVEN (CONTINUED) — EABLT GKOWTH OF THE SETTLEMEIsT — GEXERAL AP- 
 TEARANCE OF THE SITE OP LOCK HAVEX SEVENTY TEARS AGO — SOCIABILITY OF 
 THE INHABITANTS — THE FIRST CHURCH — REV. J. H. CRIER — ^FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE — 
 FIRST "tavern" — FIRST STORE — THE DBVLINGS, HUNTS AND LUSKS — ROBERT 
 STEWART — THE TAME BEAK — COMPLETION OF THE "WEST BRANCH CANAL — CON- 
 .-5THUCTI0N OF THE DAM — JERRY CHURCH — SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, HIS VENTURES 
 AND ADVENTURES — PURCHASE OP LAND, AND LAYING OUT THE TOWN 6P LOCK 
 HAVEN — FIRST BUILDINGS AND BUSINESS PL.4.CES — ^PROMINENT CITIZENS — CHURCH's 
 OFFICE AND SUMMER SEAT — THE WEST BRANCH BOOM — DEATH OF JERRY CHlfRCH. 
 
 Immediately after the restoration of 
 })eace, in 1783, a number of families in 
 adclition to those who had been driven 
 away by the Indians, came to the "West 
 Branch Valley and settled. The lands 
 lying between the river and the Bald Ea- 
 gle Creek being especially desirable, ow- 
 ing to their fertility and favorable loca- 
 tion^ particularly attracted those seeking 
 frontier homes, and by the beginning 
 of the year 1800, quite an extensive 
 and prosperous settlement had there 
 sprung up. It must be borne in mind that 
 in the early times it was no unusual thing 
 for neighbors to live one, two, or three, 
 and often four and five miles apart. So 
 the terms "thickly" and "thinly" settled, 
 as applied to a certain section of country 
 then did not convey precisely the same 
 idea as those exin-essions do now, when 
 speaking of modern settlements. 
 
 To give the reader something of an 
 idea how the land where Lock Haven now 
 stands appeared seventy years ago, it 
 may be stated that all of the territory 
 (3,000 acres) lying between the river and 
 ]?ald Eagle Creek, and extending west to 
 where the Normal school building is lo- 
 cated, was then covered with a vigorous 
 ^a-owth of pine and oak, with the excep- 
 
 few acres each, scattered here and_ there 
 over the tract. 
 
 In pioneer settlements the people are 
 generally more social and "neighborly" 
 than they are after the population be- 
 comes more dense. ■ Such was the case 
 with the early residents of "Old Town," 
 as the territory embraced in the Allison 
 grant was formerly called. Their inter- 
 ests and destinies were blended together 
 and interwoven. They endured the same 
 hardships, encountered the same dangers 
 and shared together the common privi- 
 leges and enjoyments; they helped to 
 bear each others' burdens, and mutually 
 participated in the various pleasures of 
 life. They wept together and consoled 
 each other in hours of affliction, and re- 
 joiced in unison under the benign influ- 
 ences of a smiling providence. Thus 
 many years passed, nothing of a remark- 
 able character occurring; the lives of the 
 people being made up of incidents and ad- 
 venture peculiar to pioneer existence. 
 
 It is not to be presumed that perfect 
 harmony always prevailed among the set- 
 tlers; on the contrary dissensions oooa-- 
 sionally arose, which required, or seemed 
 to require, a resort to legal proceedings. 
 In such cases, Sunbury, sixty-five miles 
 
 tion ,,f about a dozen o^eare^™:^o|ies^^ a ^i^f^^ff^ the nearest place where jus- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON CO.UNTY. 
 
 tiee -was 'dispensed, jprcvious to 1795, 
 when Williamsport had tlie honor of be- 
 ing the most convenient point for the ' 'up- 
 jiver folks" to have their grievances re- 
 dressed. Minor disagreements, such as 
 were deemed too trifling to present to 
 "court," were generally satisfactorily- 
 adjusted and reconciled by "Squire" 
 Fleming, who for miany years served in 
 the capacity of justice of the peace. 
 
 The educational and religious privi- 
 leges enjoyed by the inhabitants of "Old 
 Town" were exceedingly limited. The 
 first "meeting house" in the vicinity, was 
 built of logs, iu the year 1792. It was lo- 
 cated on what was then called the "big 
 road," (now Clinton avenue), on land now 
 within the inclosure of Great Island Cem- 
 etery, which was donated by John Flem- 
 ing. A majority of the settlers were 
 Presbyterians in belief, and the church 
 was built under the auspices of that de- 
 aominatiou. Abrief history of the organ- 
 ization and progress of the Great Island 
 Presbyterian church will be given in its 
 appropriate place. In those days preach- 
 ers had many miles to travel iu order to 
 meet their congregations, several of 
 which, in many instances widely separat- 
 ed, were generally served by the same 
 minister, 
 
 Qne of the preacliers who had charge 
 of Great Island church at an early day, 
 was the Rev. J. H. Grier, who is still liv- 
 ing at Jersey Shore, Pa. He was born in 
 Bucks county, Pa., on what was called the 
 I'cold Thursday," iu the year 1788. Soon 
 after his birth his parents moved to Ches- 
 ter county and settled on Brandywine 
 Manor, as it was then called, where he re- 
 ceived the rudiments of liis education, ad- 
 vancing far enough to acquire a good 
 ■knowledge of grammar, arithmetic and 
 the languages, after which he entered 
 Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pa., where 
 lie graduated after two yeai's of faithful 
 study, in the same class with James Bu- 
 
 ' Digitized by 
 
 chanan, and immediately commenced the 
 study of Theology, after pursuing which 
 for some time he was licensed to preach 
 by the Presbytery of New Castle (now- 
 called the Presbytery of Chester). Du- 
 ring tlie war of IBIS, he often mingled 
 with the soldiery, administering to both 
 their spiritual and physical wants, often 
 preaching in the vicinity of both friends 
 and foes. On one occasion he preached' 
 in a certain church on Sunday which was 
 tired by the British troops the following-; 
 Wednesday. After peace was declared,.. 
 he mentioned the fact to a neighbor who.- 
 sported the title of Colonel, who said' 
 rather gruffly, "Well, what have we gain- 
 ed by the war?" and was met by the pa- 
 triotic reply, wliich may be imagined was 
 emphasized, "We have gained this much,. 
 England can no longer boast thai she iV 
 mistress of the Seas." Sept. 6th, 1814, 
 the two churches. Great Island, now in 
 Lock Haven, Clinton county, and Pino 
 Creek, Jersey Shore, Lycoming county,. 
 Pa., united in calling the Rev. J. H. Grier, 
 who continued to serve the two churches 
 faithfully, located though they were- 
 about 15 miles apart, till 1837, when he- 
 resigned the pastoral charge of the for- 
 mer, but continued to serve the latter in- 
 conjunction with the Nippenose Valley 
 chifrch, until forced by ill health to retire- 
 from active ministerial duties, still offici- 
 ating, however, at weddings. His ser- 
 vices seem to have been in great demand 
 on such occasions, as his book shows that 
 he has, up to date, united "for better or 
 worse" over 600 couples, having received 
 fees for tlie same ranging all the way 
 from $40.00 down to the merest trifle. Iu 
 many instances when he thought the 
 groom had offered more than his means, 
 would justify, he has returned a portiom 
 or all to the bride. On one occasion the 
 Reverend was called upon by a rather 
 seedy looking party, who joined iu ask- 
 ing to be niadeone; as there seemed to. 
 
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44 
 
 mSTOKIOAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 be no good reason why their very natural 
 i-equest should not be granted, the knot 
 was tied; the happy groom, with an air of 
 great satisfaction, presented a$l. 00 greeu- 
 baclc with the modest request that he 
 shovild i-eceive fifty cents back. Of course 
 it was given him, also a fine marriage cer- 
 tificate, which cost thirty-flvo cents, leav- 
 hig a balance of fifteen cents in favor of 
 tlie Reverend. Mr. Grier was married 
 four times and is the father of eleven 
 children, seven of whom are now living, 
 one in Kansas, one in Illinois, one in 
 Huntingdon county, two in Clinton county 
 and two in Lycoming county, Pa. 
 
 Father Grier is in quite good health for 
 one so old, and seems to enjoy life as well 
 as is possible for any one; ho is perfectly 
 cotented with his lot, has enough of this 
 world's goods to keep him above want, 
 and is satisfied. Ho is most enthusias- 
 tically attached to the institutions of this 
 country, and thinks the United States of 
 America the model of nations to wliioh 
 all others, sooner or later, must come to 
 learn the true principles of Republicanism, 
 lie is a patriot and a christian, a faithful 
 servant of God, and a devoted friend of 
 man. 
 
 The first school house of which there 
 can be any authentic information obtain- 
 ed, was located near the church. Like 
 all other primitive buildings, it was made 
 of logs. As a general thing there were 
 two terms of school each year, one in the 
 winter and one in the summer, of three 
 anonths each. The principal, and it 
 might be said, the only branches taught, 
 were reading, spelling, writing and arith- 
 metic. Grammar and geography were 
 almost unthought of, to say nothing of 
 the many studies now pursued in the 
 common schools. There were no State 
 laws by which the educational affairs of 
 a neighborhood were regulated; each 
 community was governed by the tastes 
 
 and inolin.ations of its l«o^/5^gy^Tto^!ga,-^^J^g^^^^^l^|^o father of IweUc sons, sovt>n 
 
 rics then received by teachers wei-e 
 meagre, as compared with those paid at 
 the present time. Five or six dollars per 
 month was considered good wages, and 
 eight or ten dollars was deemed sufficient 
 for a "first-class" pedagogue; but then it 
 must be i-emembered that the teachers 
 "boarded around," spending a week at 
 a time with each family who sent child- 
 ren to scliool. 
 
 The first public hduse' or "tavern" was, 
 located' On 'the* rivfer bahk, 3«st below 
 where the dam is. It was kept by John 
 Myers, who also operated a ferry across 
 the river at that point. Myers' taveni 
 was a small structure, and the accommo- 
 dations for travelers rather scanty, yet it 
 served the purposes for which it was in- 
 tended well enough for the times. The 
 property is now owned and occupied by 
 the widow of John ^Myers, grand-son of 
 the original settler. 
 
 The next '■tavern" in the neighborhood 
 stood on the property (corner of Clinton 
 avenue and Jones street) recently sold 
 by 11. T. Graj', Esq. It was much mon- 
 extensive in its jiroportions and accomnui- 
 dations than tlie Myers tavern, and serv- 
 ed the two-fold pru'pose of hotel and 
 store. Its owner and proprietor was Al- 
 exander Mahan. Tor a long time this es- 
 tablishment was tho xwinoipal business 
 place in Old Town. 
 
 During the time that intervened be- 
 tween the years 1800 and 1883 there ^\■as 
 considerable advancement made in tlio 
 growth and prosperity of the settlement; 
 every year added to the population, not 
 only by births, but by the accession of 
 settlers from various parts of the country; 
 though Chester county prob,<ibly con- 
 tributed more largely than any other 
 section. 
 
 In 1804, ' Roger Dovling came to Old 
 Town, and located on the Henderson 
 tract as tenant, lie was a native of Ire- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 45 
 
 o^ whom were born in Ireland and five in 
 this country. The iirst hovise occupied 
 by the Devlings was situated on the 
 bank of the river near the present resi- 
 dence of H. T. Beardsley, Esq. It was 
 Constructed of logs, and after being occu- 
 pied by the family for several years, a 
 new house of brick, the first of that ma- 
 terial in the place, was built. It was 
 used as a hotel for a number of years, 
 with John Devling, son of Roger, as pro- 
 prietor. It has since been "modernized," 
 and is now owned and occupied by S. D. 
 Ball, Esq. The descendants of Roger 
 Devling are scattered throughout the 
 country; some of them, however, still rp- 
 side in the neighborhood where he 
 first settled. Hugh Devling, Esq., one 
 of his sons, is now Alderman in the Fifth 
 ward of the city of Lock Haven, and is a 
 highly respected and useful citizen. 
 
 Joseph Hunt, who should be classed 
 with the pioneers of Clinton county, was 
 bom in Chester county, in 1733, of Welsh 
 parentage, and came to the West Branch 
 in 1790, and located on land purchased of 
 the Flemings, where he remained till his 
 death, which occurred in 1804. He had 
 several sons and daughters, among whom 
 the estate was divided. Two of the sons, 
 Jesse and Asher, kept possession of their 
 shares for some years. The old home- 
 stead of the Hunt family was located near 
 where the furniture store of Augustus 
 Jones now stands. It was occupied by 
 Jesse Hunt up to 13ie time of his death, in 
 1831, after w hich his heirs remained in 
 possession for a number of years. Many 
 of the descendants of Jesse and Asher 
 Hunt are still living in Lock Haven. Dr. 
 Joseph T. Hunt, son of the latter, was a 
 successful medical practitioner foi several 
 years; he was ' a man of decided 
 ability, and possessed much general 
 information. He died in July, 1863. In 
 a biographical sketch of Dr. Hunt) pub- 
 lished in the Clinton Bemo. 
 
 1862, the writer. Rev. J. J. Harvey, now 
 of Lewisburg, Pa., says: 
 
 I became acquainted with Dr. Hunt| as 
 early as 1823, when we were both young. 
 A few years afterwards, the Doctor, his 
 brother Richard, David and RoUin Hanna, 
 Frank Smith, Benjamin H. Fredericks, 
 Samuel Harvey, Geo. Walters, David 
 Fleming, myself and some one or two 
 others, whose names do not now recur to 
 my mind, formed what we called a "Thes- 
 pian Society," which met regularly once 
 a' week, during the fall and winter, for 
 several years. The object of our Associa- 
 tion was for mutual improvement in De- 
 clamation, Elocution, and the performance 
 of dialogues. Dr. Hunt was one of our 
 most punctual, active and efficient mem- 
 bers, always prepared to perform his part 
 satisfactorily. For practice we frequent- 
 ly met at what was then known as Alex. 
 Mahan's hotel at the toot of the hill west 
 of where Lock Haven now stands, the 
 locality of which being at that time all in 
 fertile fields. We also met often at the 
 hotel in Mill Hall, then kept by Geo. W. 
 Fredericks. 
 
 It was the custom of our Society, after 
 due preparation, to have an exhibition, or 
 public night. At those times our friends 
 and the public generally were invited to 
 attend, and after our performance on the 
 stage was over, we had music and dancing, 
 in which all who chose, freely indulged, 
 closing with a very nice and sumptuous 
 supper, prepared for the occasion by the 
 landlord. 
 
 Dr. Hunt was a few years my senior, of 
 a fine address and the highest order of 
 social feelings; a young gentleman of 
 polished manners, beloved by all who 
 knew him, and enjoyed those exercises 
 and festivities very much indeed. 
 
 From the above extract it appears that 
 at one time in the early days of Lock Ha- 
 ven, considerable attention was given to 
 literary cultiu'C by' a obtain class, of 
 which Dr. Hunt was a prominent mem- 
 ber. 
 
 In 180G David Lusk purchased and lo- 
 cated on what was called the "Glass 
 tract." His house stood on the' ground 
 now occupied by the residence of Mrs. R. 
 W. Petriken. He was born in Cumber- 
 , Pa., of Irish parents. Two 
 
46 
 
 lUHTORICAL 
 
 if- 
 
 VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 of his SOUS, Isaac and John, lived on the 
 property after his death; the foriher took 
 Ijossession of the old farm house; the 
 latter lived on the premises lately owned 
 l»y G-. G. Irsviu, deceased. One of the 
 daughters of David Lusk was married to 
 Thomas Eeed, the father of Alexander 
 Reed, of DunnsbUrg, this county. 
 jMany of the descendants of Mr. Lusk are 
 living in and near Lock Ilaveu; others 
 have located in various parts of tlio 
 country. 
 
 Andrew Irwin, father of liohoi-t 
 and G-. G. Irwin, Esquires, both lately de- 
 ceased, came froui Nortlramberland Co., 
 about the year 1810, and settled on what 
 is now known as the Bloom dairy larm. 
 
 Peter Grove, the great Indian hunter, 
 lived for a number of years, at an early 
 day, on the site of Sir. Harman Starn's 
 residence on BoUefonte avenue, about 
 lialf way between Lock Haven proper 
 and Flomington. 
 
 James Carskadden came from Ireland 
 at an early day and settled on the proper- 
 ty on Main street, just above the canal, 
 now occupied by the venerable Thomas 
 Bridgens. 
 
 Kobert Stewart moved from Chatham's 
 Bun in 1816, and settled near the Bald 
 Eagle Creek, on property now owned by 
 Valentine Hanna, Esq. He had for 
 merly lived at the mouth of Young Wo- 
 man's Creek, where he located previous 
 to 1800. He was of Scotch descent. He 
 had four sons and four daughters, most 
 of whom settled within the limits of Clin- 
 ton county. All the members of the fam- 
 ily possessed energy and remarkable pow- 
 ers of endurance. It is related that one 
 day a deer came down from the mountain, 
 and while in the act of crossing the creek 
 was observed by two of Stewart's daugh- 
 ters and immediately killed by being 
 hit between the eyes with a stone thrown 
 by the skillful hand of one of the misses, 
 a feat which not only evinced the posses- 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 sion of considerable strength, but showed 
 good marksmanship. 3Ir. Stewart, the , 
 eldei-, it seems, believed, and on one oc- 
 casion at least, acted upon the principal I 
 that "self-preservation is the first law 
 of life." A tame bear belonging to the 
 family was missing one morning, where- 
 upon Mr. Stewart and a man by the name 
 of :Mike Swartz went in pursuit of him. 
 After a while he was discovered in a tree 
 a short distance from the house. One of 
 the men who had a gun lired at the bear 
 and succeeded in bringing him to the 
 ground but slightly wounded. In order 
 to prevent Bruin from escaping, Mike ran 
 up and caught hold of him, when in turn 
 the bear caught Mike by the hand with 
 his mouth, at the same time giving him 
 a hug, at which Mike called out to his 
 companion, who was witnessingthe stru.g- 
 gle at a safe distance, to come to his as- 
 sistance; but Stewart coolly replied, 
 "Mike, if you were my own born brother 
 I could do nothing whatever for you un- 
 der the circumstances." 
 
 The completion of the West Branch 
 Division of the Pennsylvania Canal from 
 Northumberland to Dunnsburg, was the 
 beginning of a new and important era in 
 the history of the West Branch Valley. 
 
 For several years the work of building 
 the canal had been progressing, and finally 
 culmmated in the construction of the 
 dam which extends across the river at 
 Lock Haven. 
 
 Early in the summer of 1833, tlie con- 
 tractors, under the ' State authorities, 
 commenced operations on the dam with 
 a large force of laborers, consisting of na- 
 tive born citizens and foreig-ners; the lat- 
 ter predommating, were mostly Irish, 
 and were continually at variance with the 
 natives, who were of German descent. It 
 is estimated that there were in all nearly 
 fifteen hundred men employed on the 
 Avurks in the vicinity of Dunnsburg. 
 Some were digging, some wheeling dirt 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OB CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 4T 
 
 and stones; others yveve engaged m re- 
 moving rocks from the channel of the 
 canal at various points below the dam; 
 a large number were employed in "boat- 
 ing" stones and other material. 
 
 In the fall of '33, a serious disttirbance 
 occurred between the two nationaliiies, 
 which threatened for a time the destruc- 
 tion of not only the peace of the commu- 
 nity, but the lives and property of the 
 residents. The immediate cause of the 
 outbreak was a comparatively trifling cir- 
 cumstance; taut it was sufficient to arouse 
 the smoldering ire of the Hibernians, and 
 precipitate hostile demonstrations. It 
 seems that one day some of the Irish la- 
 borers were helping themselves to apples 
 from, an orchard belonging to the Hunt 
 family, when some one fired a gun at 
 ,tlie«i. • Whether the shot was intended 
 to kill, or merely to frighten the apple 
 thieves, is not known; but it is certain 
 that it had the effect of causing the pent- 
 up wrath of the whole horde of foreign 
 laborers to burst forth in overwhelming 
 fury. Affairs assumed such a warlike as- 
 pect that it was deemed necessary for 
 the citizens to appeal to the military au- 
 thorities, for protection. Accordingly a 
 company of cavalry, under command of 
 Captain Hunter Wilson, and also a com- 
 pany of militia, were ordered to the scene 
 of the disturbance. The presence of 
 troops in the neighborhood had the de- 
 sired effect, and it was not long before 
 all riotous demonstrations were at an end, 
 and peace and order restored. Though 
 the aflfair at its outbreak promised to re- 
 sult in the destruction of many lives and 
 much property, it is believed that no one 
 was actually killed, though several were 
 considerably injured. A number of the 
 ring-leaders were arrested and placed in 
 (jonflnement; but after a time released 
 without undergoing further punishment. 
 In the latter part of the summer of 
 1834, the dam was completed and water 
 
 let into the canal. The length of the 
 dam, including the width of the chute, is 
 about 850 feet. The chute is about 600 
 feet long. 
 
 Durmg the construction of these works, 
 a large number of adventurers from va- 
 rious parts of the country visited the lo- 
 cality; some of them remained and took 
 an active part in the affairs of the commu- 
 nity for years after. Several of the Irish 
 laborers located on lands in the vicinity, 
 and made industrious, law-abiding cit- 
 izens. Of the speculating spirits who 
 were attracted thither by the prospect of 
 a bright future, Jerry Church was the 
 most original, enterprising, and venture- 
 some, as will be seen in the following ac- 
 count of his travels. 
 
 Although the region of country around 
 about, and above the mouth of Bald Ea- 
 gle Creek hadbeeulooked upon for many 
 years, by the settlers and others, as desu-- 
 able for agricultural purposes, and des- 
 tined to become populous, productive and 
 wealthy as a farming district, it remain- 
 ed for that singular personage, Jerry 
 Church, (mentioned elsewhere in these 
 pages as being instrumental in the for- 
 mation of Clinton county) to conceive 
 and consummate the idea of laying out a 
 town on the broad and fertile plain lying 
 between the Susquehanna i;iver and Bald 
 Eagle Creek. 
 
 As the name of Jerry Church is insep- 
 arably connected with the history of 
 Look Haven, and Clinton county, a brief 
 sketch of his life very appropriately 
 claims a place in this work. In 1845, 
 Church published a little volume con- 
 taining an account of his travels 
 and adventures, "haps and mis- 
 haps." In this book the public is in- 
 formed that the author was born in 1790, 
 in the. town of Jericho, now called Bain- 
 bridge, state of New York, and that his 
 parents "were formerly from the state of 
 Vermont," and sent him to school when 
 
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48 
 
 HISTOKICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 he • 'thought proper to go," till he was 
 twelve or thirteen years old. He then 
 turned his attention to labor, which he 
 pursued for a time in the capacity of shingle 
 maker; and, to use his own words, "work- 
 ed on and off, for two years, when work 
 agreed with me;" but finally co'ncluded to 
 go into speculation of some kind, as he 
 said "hard work did not agree with me, 
 it hurt my feelings." Then he became a 
 cattle drover, in which business he lost 
 what little money he had previously 
 earned, and was told by his father "that 
 he was not made for a drover;" so he 
 gave his attention to music for some time, 
 and purchased a violin, on which he prac- 
 ticed in the barn, as his parents would 
 not allow him to keep it in the house. 
 The next business he attempted was 
 that of showman; as such he traveled sev- 
 eral months with a wax figure exhibition, 
 as musician, &c. Then he returned home 
 and went into partnership with a younger 
 brother in the lumber business; but this 
 move not proving successful, he conclud- 
 ■ed that the times were too hard for him 
 in the state of New York, and he would 
 .seek his fortune elsewhere. Accordingly 
 he went to Upper Canada, but "not liking 
 the Canadians very well," went back to 
 York State and located at Olean, and en- 
 gaged in boat building. After remaining 
 at Olean a few months, he and a friend, 
 who was working with him, made a skifif 
 for themselves, and went down the Alle- 
 gheny river in it to a place called Ports- 
 mouth, in the state of Ohio; from there 
 he went to Virginia, and with another 
 man commenced the manufacture of 
 whisky; but could not "make it pay." 
 Then he became a boatman on the Ohio 
 and Kenawa rivers; finally iie became 
 part owner of a "small store-boat," and 
 traded in merchandise of various liinds, 
 with the settlers along the banks of the 
 Ohio. He soon, however, abandoned this 
 business and again v/ent iEi^ithlSChbi^ 
 
 figure business," but soon gave it up and 
 went to Cincinnati, from where he 
 started out with a couple of tin trunks as a 
 peddler. After awhile he got a horse and 
 traveled with a wagon for some time, and 
 then came ea^t, landing in Harrisburg; 
 after which he went back to York State,, 
 and embarked in the mercantile business 
 with his brother as partner. This prov- 
 ing an unprofitable venture, he soon aban- 
 doned it. Next, Jerry found liimself in the 
 "gold diggings" of North Carolina; but 
 this, like all of his previous undertakings, 
 not proving successful, he left the gold 
 regions, and after traveling through the 
 states of Tennessee, Missouri and Illinois, 
 finally, in company with his brother, pre- 
 empted a tract of land in the latter stafe 
 and went to farming, but not liking that 
 occupation very well, they laid out a por- 
 tion of their farm in town lots, and left,- 
 the region and proceeded to Chicago, re- 
 maining there some time, and finding no 
 chance for speculation, the brothers went 
 to Detroit, thence into Upper Canada; 
 thence to Bufialo^ thence to Cleveland, 
 Ohio; thence again to Detroit; thence 
 back to Chicago, finally "turned up" on 
 the farm in Illinois, but did not remain ' 
 there long. His brother having gone to 
 Tennessee, Jerry went to St. Louis, where 
 he took passage on a steamboat for Now ' 
 Orleans. After remaining there a few 
 days, he sailed for Philadelphia; thence 
 proceeded to Harrisburg; and from 
 there went to Tennessee and engaged in 
 land speculation for awhile, and returned ■ 
 to Harrisburg, with some capital, as the 
 result of his transactions. With this 
 money he pui'chased, with his brother, a 
 farm adjoining the borough of Williams- 
 port, Pa., and laid out what was known 
 as "Church's Addition." The brothers 
 then went to Lewisburg, Union Co., and 
 bought one hundred and twenty-five acres 
 of land of Gen. Green, across the river, op- 
 \^W3ff6©Qil@3vni, and laid >,iil a town and 
 
HISTOEICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 49 
 
 called It Chui-chville, (now East Lewis- 
 burg.) In speaking of this enterprise 
 Jerry says: 
 
 We sold out tHe wliole purchase in two 
 weeks, and made some money, but not 
 much of a town. It was a very pleasant 
 place for a town, but there were no 
 houses built in it but one, I believe, and 
 that was a hotel; and in order tO' let the 
 people know tliat that was the town of 
 Churchville, the proprietor of the house 
 had the name written on a large sign 
 "CHURCHVILLE HOTEL." And I am 
 very thankful to the gentleman for keep- 
 ing up appearances. 
 
 The Churches then went to Ilarrisburg; 
 from thence they, made another Western 
 tour, passing through the states of Ohio, 
 Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Then, to 
 use Jerry's language: 
 
 I told my brother I did not like the 
 west so well; that it was rather too much 
 of a savage country for me, and I made 
 up my mind to return to old Pemisylva- 
 nia, and give them another turn in that 
 state, and see if I could raise another 
 town. I returned to Pennsylvania, and 
 my brother went to Missouri. 
 
 Soon after arriving at New Cumberland, 
 (opposite Harrisburg), where he had a 
 brother living, Jerry went to Milton, on 
 the West Branch. The following account 
 of his next important undertaking is given 
 in his "travels." Alluding to his ar- 
 rival at Milton, he says: 
 
 I there found a younger brother, by the 
 name of Willard Church, who had come 
 down from the state of New York into the 
 Old Keystone state to try his fortune, and 
 was ready for anything that presented it- 
 self that he could do without capital. He 
 told me that he knew of a splendid place 
 for a town if we could get the land. He 
 said it was located at the head of the 
 West Branch canal, on the pool of the 
 Dunnstown dam, and they were working 
 on the Spring Creek andBaid Eagle cross- 
 cut that emptied into the pool, and run 
 through the place, or farm, that we must 
 purchase for the town. I asked him how 
 much he thought it wwth per acre. He 
 said he thought it worth one hundred and 
 fifty dollars an acre for as much as we 
 would want for the town lots, and that 
 would be about fifty acresrj: Ji.-: 
 
 'diM'^WM^^soW' 
 
 that was a beautiful price to think of 
 giving; and in particular, when we iiacL 
 not much money. He said that if I would 
 go with him and look at it and make the 
 purchase, he would risk hiscapitalat any 
 rate. I concluded that I would go up and 
 view the place. So wo got aboard of the 
 stage and went up to Williamsport, and 
 from thence to Dunnstown, twenty-eight 
 miles, crossed the river at that place, 
 went up about one mile on the opposite 
 shore, and put up with a man by the 
 name of Devling, who lived on the farm 
 as a tenant. The larm belonged to Doc- 
 tor John Henderson, of Huntingdon, and 
 there were two hundred acres in the 
 tract. We took a walk over the prem- 
 ises, and found it to be a delightful spot;, 
 two hundred acres of the best kind of 
 groimd, beautifully located between two 
 rivers, the Susquehanna and Bald Eagle, 
 and the scenery nature had formed around 
 it could not be excelled in the State. I 
 stood and looked at it with delight, and 
 told my brother that we must have it, in 
 some way. 
 
 We then left the place, and went 
 down to Williamsport. There I met with 
 a gentleman lawyer who I had been some 
 acquainted with, and I told him that I 
 had been viewing up at or near the Big 
 Island, and would like to purchase it if 
 I knew where to get the money; and also 
 told him the object: That I intended to 
 lay out a town on it, if I could obtain it. 
 He said he thought the money could be 
 got, and he would be willing to be a pri- 
 vate partner — what I wovild call a sleep- 
 ing partner. He proposed to put one- 
 third of the purchase money in, and give 
 me a letter to Dr. Henderson to that ef- 
 fect. I then left Williamsport and went 
 to Himtingdon to see the Old- Doctor. 
 When I arrived there I called on liim, 
 and introduced myself, and handed huu 
 the letter the lawyer had given me at 
 Williamsport. That informed him what 
 my business was. He replied that it ap- 
 peared by the letter that ikwished to pur- 
 chase his farm, near the Big Island, or a 
 part of it. I told him that was my inten- 
 tion, if we c.ould agree. He then said he 
 would not seU a pai't. If he sold any it 
 must be the whole farm, and he had his 
 price set and could not be changed. I 
 asked him what it was. He said twenty 
 thousand dollars, and not a dollar less. I 
 told him it was a beautjful sum for one 
 " " — ever, I said I had made up. 
 
60 
 
 HISTOEICAL A'lEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 my mind to give 1dm eigliteen thousand 
 dollars, if I could make the payments to 
 suit him. I told him also that I was not 
 rich, and had not the money, even at that 
 price, in hand. He then repeated that 
 his mind was made up not to tate any- 
 thing less than he had ahove stated. I 
 s^w that there was no use to parley any 
 longer, so I told him that I would close 
 I the bargain if the payments I could make 
 would suit him. He asked me how I 
 wished to make them. I told him that I 
 could pay five thousand dollars in hand, 
 or when I took the property in posses- 
 sion, and the balance in two years. The 
 Doctor said that would do, but he could 
 not give me full possession until the first 
 of Api'il, eighteen hundred and thirty- 
 four. This was in October, thirty-three. 
 I gave the Old Doctor a fifty dollar bill to 
 bind the bargain, and then went into a 
 lawyer's office and had our bonds made 
 by a gentleman by the name of Steel — a 
 very honest man, considering all things. 
 After we had all our vrritings finished 
 and took a few glasses of old rye, we got 
 aboard of the stage and went to Bellefonte, 
 and from there down to the river Susque- 
 hanna, on the property. The Doctor 
 went with "me, in order to give the ten- 
 ant notice that he must leave by the first 
 of April — that the property was to pass 
 into other hands, and was no longer his — 
 that he had sold the farm to Jeremiah 
 and Willard Church. I got permission of 
 the Doctor and the tenant to plot out a 
 town on paper, and make a sale, if we 
 tliought proper, immediately, and give 
 our titles and possession on the first day 
 of April. "We did so, and called the town 
 Lock Haven. We made a public sale on 
 the fourth day of November, eighteen 
 hundred and thirty-three, and sold a num- 
 ber of lots, receiving ten per cent, on the 
 purchase money, and the balance on the 
 first day of April. That was the time 
 we were bound to meet our old friend the 
 Doctor, and I k*ew by the cut of his jib, 
 that he would be on the ground at the 
 proper time. 
 
 I then called on my sleeping partner for 
 his share of the purchase money, but I 
 could not wake him up for any part of it. 
 He sent me his resignation in writing, 
 stating that he had changed his mind on 
 the subject, and could not put up the 
 money, but wished, to be excused frpm 
 any further liability. AbeO/Sfffffii 
 write at that stage of the game. How- 
 
 ever, I told my brother that we must try 
 and make the payment ourselves; we had 
 gone so far with it, there was no backing 
 out; that he must watch while I would 
 pi-ay. I said I would go to Williamsport 
 and try to make a raise of money to meet 
 the Doctor on the first day of April, 
 which was then drawing very near, and I 
 was very doubtful whether we could meet 
 our engagements or not. Accordingly, I 
 went down to, Williamsport, and there 
 met with a gentleman who had money. 
 I told him that I wanted three thousand 
 dollars for a few weeks, and that I would 
 ^ive him for the use of it, five hundred 
 dollars, and he let me have the money. I 
 was very thankful for the accommodation 
 for it saved my credit, and that was worth 
 more to me at that time than the five hun- 
 dred dollars were. In that way we met 
 our first payment. Then we made all the 
 sales we possibly could in town lots, and 
 the back laud we sold to a gentleman from 
 Chester county, by the name of James 
 Jefferis. He paid us about nine thous- 
 and dollars in cash at one time, and that 
 saved us the second time with the Doc- 
 tor. 
 
 About that time my brother married a 
 lady living near Milton, Pennsylvania. 
 His "ivife had an interest in a store with , 
 her brother, Robert Montgomery. Of 
 course my brother became a partner in 
 the store, iu the town of Milton, as large 
 as life. They concluded they would move 
 their store to our new town of Lock Ha- 
 ven, and did so; but it did not last long. 
 They had to break the fir.st year. They 
 all lived together, and too fast for tlieii- 
 income; so the Sherift" came on them to 
 show cause why they did not pay for 
 their goods. They could not show any 
 reasonable excuse, only they had not the 
 money; so the Sherift' seized the goods 
 and sold them for what he could get, and 
 turned them out to the mercy of the 
 world. My brother had all his interest 
 in the town of Lock Haven sold for his 
 debts, together with his dear brother-in- 
 law's, and both were left even with the 
 world once more. My brother then left 
 the new town and went to the west, to 
 the state of Missouri, and settled down 
 with his family, and Is living there at the 
 l>resent time. 
 I then undertook to manage the town 
 f Lock Ha,ven myself. All my sleeping 
 jSmSWmi left me, and I had to be all 
 the society there was at that time in town. 
 
IIISTOIllCAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 31 
 
 If there was any musioto be played, I had 
 to be a full band myself, having no person 
 to assist me. 
 
 In order to carry out my originality, I 
 buUt an office in tlie town, standing eight 
 feet above the ground, on tldrteen large 
 posts, or pillars, to represent our thirteen 
 continental states. In the first place, it 
 is made by placing thirteen large pine 
 trees, five feet in tlie grormd, and thirty 
 feet long, in their natural state, witli tlie 
 exception of taking the bark off, and 
 painting them in imitation of marble, 
 with a fourteen feet room formed inside 
 of the posts, so as to form a balustrade 
 all around it; and the roof projecting over 
 50 as to protect the building.. I conclud- 
 ed when I was making it, that it was an 
 odd looking ofiSce, and different from any 
 one I had seen in this country. And as I 
 was no lawyer,, and could not expect any 
 notice or business in that way, I conclud- 
 ed that I would build my office so that 
 clients might look at it without expense. 
 If I am not very much mistaken, they 
 would make as much at that, as they 
 would if I had been a lawyer myself. I 
 had a number of scientific gentlemen to 
 view the little building, and they always 
 asked what order I intended it to be. I 
 told them I never did anything according 
 to order — ^it was all a matter of taste — 
 that I never learned anything by note, 
 and therefore, could not inform them any 
 more than that it was my own order, and 
 that appeared to satisfy their inquiries 
 always. I had always concluded that 
 there was no chance for me to have any 
 kind of a monument erected in remem- 
 brance of me, unless I should place some 
 of my odd matters and things before the 
 public myself, so that they could not all 
 pass by without observing that some 
 Ijerson had been there before. 
 
 I had a summer seat built in the first 
 place, at Lock Haven, so that if I got 
 tired, I could go up and take a rest. It 
 was fonned in a cluster of black wahmt 
 trees. It was twenty-five feet from the 
 ground, forty feet long, and seven feet 
 wide, placed so as to be supported by the 
 trees, banistered, and a seat running all 
 around, and winding stairs up one of the 
 trees. And I must say that when I went 
 up on to the upper seat I felt like a bird. 
 I had it painted by a German painter, 
 and I told him that I would like to have 
 
 it made like marble; but j©;^;zBd/ Anyt/W/ffiPSSWf® rank among the enterprisin 
 
 understand English very well, he made it 
 what I call "Dutch marble, " all full of 
 white and black spots. The natives of 
 that country thought it was a wonder- 
 ful thing, that I should throw 
 away my money so, to iriake anice seat to 
 sit on, and asked me why I did so. I 
 told them that I sat far more comfortable 
 on that seat, than I could on a bag of 
 dollars. So they gave it up. It has ever 
 since gone by the name of "Church's 
 , folly. ' ' However, all were willing to take 
 a seat with me now and then. 
 
 Lock Haven was so called because of 
 the existence in its vicinity of a loc^: in 
 the canal, and a raft harbor or haven, in 
 the river. Most of the original town-plot 
 lay on the east side of the Bald Eagle 
 canal, and as laid out by Jerry & Willard 
 Church, contained about two hundred 
 lots. The "plot" had a front of 26 lots 
 on the river, aggregating about 1500 feet, 
 and extended back to where the P & E. 
 railroad now runs. It was bounded on 
 the west by the alley between Jay and 
 Grove streets; on the east by what is now 
 Hanna street. The first street ruiming 
 along the bank of the river was called 
 Water; the next running parallel with it 
 was Main; the next was named Church 
 street, in honor of the worthy proprietor, 
 and the next was Bald Eagle. These 
 streets were crossed at right angles by 
 Washington, Henderson, and Jay. Im- 
 mediately after the town was laid out, 
 lots were offered for sale. On Nov. 4th, 
 1833, at public auction quite a number 
 were disposed of to the "highest and 
 best bidders," by Thomas McGhee, Esq., 
 as auctioneer. The first lot "knocked 
 down," was the one on which the Mon- 
 tour House is located. The "lucky man" 
 was Erank Smith. 
 
 It was not long after Lock Haven was 
 "laid out" before it assumed the propor- 
 tions and characteristics of a. thriving 
 town. The impulse given to its s;rowth 
 by the building of the public works, soon 
 
53 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 and prosperous inland villages ©f the 
 State. 
 
 For a number of years Water street 
 was the jDrincipal thorongbfare of Lock 
 Haven; upon it were located not only tlio 
 first business places of the town, but the 
 first residences. Five years after tlie 
 toAvn was commenced, it contained the 
 following buildings: Beginning at the 
 west end, the first was the residence of 
 Willard Church, brother of Jerry. The 
 ground where it stood is now occupied by 
 the residence of Mrs. Shultz. The next 
 was a small frame building owned by a 
 man by the name of Jared Ii-vin. It was 
 occupied for offices. The next building 
 was the store of Moorhead & Irwin. 
 It occupied the ground where the Court 
 House now stands. The next building 
 was a hotel, the Washington House, kept 
 by J. P. Huling. The Montour House 
 now occupies its site. Next was the 
 Canal Collector's office close to the canal. 
 The next on the east side of the canal 
 was a tenement house owned by Daniel 
 Brown. Then a blacksmith shop owned 
 by a man named Bartles Ealy. Then 
 the residence of Mrs. Devliug, widow of 
 .John DevlingjWhohad kept the "tavern" 
 just below. The jiroperty is now owned 
 and occupied by Mrs. Hunt. 
 
 The next was the brick house owned 
 by Dr. Henderson, now the S. D. Ball 
 property. Next was the ofBce of Dr. 
 Henderson, now the property of W. W. 
 ^Morrison, Esq. Then came a log struct- 
 ure, the original Henderson farm-house, 
 formerly occupied by the family of Roger 
 Devling. It was on the ground where 
 now stands the residence of H. T. Beard' 
 sley, Esq. The next was the residence 
 of Matthew Thompson, by whom it is 
 still occupied. Henry Silvis is also liv- 
 ing in the house he occupied at that time. 
 That same year (1838) J. & A. Grafius 
 started a store on Water street, between 
 
 and the Hon. t. A. Mackey now stand. 
 The ground is now occupied by lawyers' 
 offices. In addition to the buildings 
 named, there were three or four on Main 
 street near the canal, whicli constituted 
 the whole of the town proper; though, of 
 course, there were many families living 
 at the time in the "suburbs," more or 
 less distant from the "business centre." 
 Though the town was wide-awake, 
 in a business sense, it is easy to imagine 
 that "society" was scarce. Some of the 
 present male citizens of Lock Haven, who 
 lived there then, even now complain that 
 there was but one marriageable young 
 lady within the town limits at the date 
 mentioned. Her name was Sarah Spear. 
 Of the men living on Water street at that 
 time, but three of them now live in Lock 
 Haven, and they all still reside on the 
 same street. They are J. Grafius, Mat- 
 thew Thompson and Henry Silvis. 
 
 In August, 1838, W. A. Kinsloe estab- 
 lished the Eagle, the first paper published 
 in Clinton County. 
 
 The Post OlBce at that time was kept 
 in the Washington House by J. P. Hu- 
 ling. 
 
 Soon after Lock Haven became a town, 
 a ferry was established across the river 
 near where the bridge now is. J. P. Hu- 
 ling, proprietor of the Washington House, 
 managed it on the Lock Haven side, and 
 Judge Hanna on the Lockport side. 
 
 The circumstances attenduig the origin 
 of Lock Haven were such as to render 
 its inception almost an absolute necessity; 
 and after viewing the location and its 
 surroundings, it did not take the shrewd 
 Jerry Church long to realize that such 
 wasthe case. The influx of strangers to 
 the iieighborhood, in consequence of the 
 building and opening of the West Branch 
 canal, (and the extension to Belle- 
 fonte), at once created a demand for busi- 
 ness places of various kinds. Hotels 'bs- 
 
 v.hcve the residences oi J. §/0i.^g,fj^jl^yiQgfjsff^aij to accommodate those 
 
IHSTOKICAI. VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 connected with, and having cliarge of the 
 works; stores were needed to furnish 
 boatmen and others with supplies. In 
 fact noticing but some providential calam- 
 ity could have' prevented the springing 
 up and development of a flourishing town 
 just where Lock Haven is situated. The 
 location itself has natural attractions suf- 
 ficient to justify the assertion that, aside 
 from its acquired advantages, a more de- 
 sn-able site for a large town could not 
 have well been found within the confines 
 of the State. 
 
 A healthful climate, fertile soil, gi-and 
 and romantic scenery, pure air and water; 
 all conspired to render the location es- 
 pecially desirable as a place of residence. 
 Nature is accused of partiality in the 
 distribution of her favors. She is charged 
 with scattering them with a lavish hand 
 in some places, and parsimoniously with- 
 holding them in others. Whether these 
 charges are true or false, it is indisputa- 
 ble that the region of which Lock Haven 
 is the geographical centre, has received a 
 full share of her richest bounties; of 
 which fact Jerry Church and his coad- 
 jutors were not unmindful, when Clinton 
 county was organized and Lock Haven 
 made the seat of justice. 
 
 The town was incorporated as a bor- 
 ough by Act of Assembly approved April 
 35th, 1840. 
 
 If the embryo city of Look Haven re- 
 ceived a vigorous start by the building of 
 the public works, it acq\iired a greater 
 impetus ten years after, by the location 
 and construction of the Court House 
 within its limits. This circumstance im- 
 mediately clothed the town with an im- 
 portance that it otherwise would not h|ave 
 possessed. It then became not only the 
 social and political centre of an intelligent 
 and prosperovis community, but also the 
 most important business point within a 
 radius of many miles. 
 
 The formation of Clinl 
 
 atoDigitize^ ibjd H4k;ms<aft® 
 
 the selection of Look Haven as a site for 
 the public .buildings, was the consumma- 
 tion of , a wish, dear to the heart of Jerry 
 Church. From the time he made the pur- 
 chase of Dr. Hendei-sbn, he had exerted 
 himself to the utmost to bring about that 
 result. In allusion to his final success he 
 says : 
 
 I then concluded that having a county 
 seat, and law and justice so handy, we 
 could get judgment against our neighbors 
 almost any time. However, I was mis- 
 taken about that, for when I went to law 
 I could not obtain it, in consequence of 
 not having just claims, as the lawyers told 
 me. I then concluded I would change it, 
 and have a suit on justice alone, which I 
 could not obtain' according to law. I 
 soon found that the less a person has to 
 do with law and attending courts, the 
 more money he can have in his pocket, 
 and the happier man he will be. He has 
 not the remorse of conscience on his 
 mind, (that is if he has any mind at all,) 
 that he has taken from his neighbors by 
 law what did not belong to him by justice, 
 in consequence of having an opportunity 
 to swear that the large blue book that he 
 carries under his arm to the justice's of- 
 fice, is his book of original entries: — First- 
 rate 'evidence, and can't be beat. 
 
 Many stories have been told in regai-d 
 to the eccentricities of Jerry Church, but 
 what he says of himself in his "travels" 
 gives a better insight into his real char- 
 acter than anything that can be said or 
 written of him by another. In 1842 lie 
 was a candidate for Assembly, and re- 
 ceived 003 votes, which was quite a com- 
 pliment to the jnan. There were several 
 competitors in the field, and Jerry only 
 lacked 85 votes of receiving as many as 
 George F. Boal, one of the successful 
 candidates. On that occasion Logan 
 township, gave him one vote, and as a 
 token of his regard for the man who cast 
 it, he proposed to present him with a town 
 lot. Several persons came forward, each 
 declaring himself the man who polled 
 the lucky vote; but it was never definitely 
 settled as to who was rightfully entitled 
 
54 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 The followmjf is Jerry^s description of 
 the town as it appeared to him at the 
 time the Court House was built. 
 
 The inhabitants numbered about seven 
 hundred, at this time: namely, in eight- 
 een hundred and forty-four. Ten years 
 ago there was but one house, and proba- 
 bly about a dozen inhabitants in the 
 place, and now it is a beautiful village, 
 and a place of considerable business. It 
 has seven retail stores and groceries, one 
 drug and two candy shops, three preach- 
 ers, two meeting houses, (and one ' 'Jerry 
 Church,") six lawyers, two doctors, and 
 two justices of the peace, and the balance 
 of the inhabitants are what I call a fair 
 community. 
 
 The principal business places in Lock 
 Haven, at the time of which Jerry 
 Church writes, were those of Moorhead 
 & Irwin, Gi-afius & Jefferis, and John 
 Beed, dealers in dry goods, groceries, &c. ; 
 Alexander Sloan, stoves and tin-ware ; 
 John F. Sloan, and Adam Kemmerdiner, 
 furniture; J. Bowers, boots and shoes; 
 Gustave Shultz, clocks and watches; A. J. 
 Johnson, drugs and medicines; Thomas 
 Walton, livery stable; White & Kjiecht, 
 blacksmithing. Among the lawyers were 
 L. A. Mackey and H. T. Beardsley. J. 
 W. Eldred, M. D., was one of the "two 
 doctors." The "two Justices of the 
 Peace" were Bobert Irwin and John Har- 
 lan. The "Lock Haven Academy" was 
 then in successful operation, with Bev. 
 Hugh Pollock as principal. This insti- 
 tution had been endowed by the State 
 with $3,000'. It was located on the 
 ground now occupied by the Exchange 
 building, corner of Main and Vesper 
 streets. Market prices in those days av- 
 eraged as follows : Flour, per bbl., $4.00; 
 wheat per bushel, 80 cts; corn, 50; oats, 
 31; rye, 50; potatoes, 37; butter, per 
 pound, 12; eggs, per dozen, 12. 
 
 It is natural to suppose that after a 
 man had succeeded in founding a town, 
 he would wish to spend- his days within 
 its limits, that he might watch its groivth 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 and share in its fortunes; but such was 
 not the case with Jerry Church. It seem- 
 ed to be the height of his ambition to 
 lay out towns and get them fairly started 
 and then leave them to their fate. So af- 
 ter having watched the progress of Lock 
 Haven for a few years, in 1845 he again 
 turned his face westward, where he pass- 
 ed the remainder of his life,, occasionally 
 however, making a brief visit to the east. 
 The last time he was in Lock Haven was 
 in 1865, when he was honored by the citi- 
 zens with a. complimentary supper. In 
 alluding to his death, which took place 
 Nov. 1, 1874, in Carlisle, Iowa, The Indi- 
 anola (Iowa) Tribune gives the following 
 sketch of the closing years of his life : 
 
 One of the earliest pioneers and one of 
 the most remarkable men of Central 
 Iowa, has ended a life of adventure such 
 as it has been the fortune of few to wit- 
 ness. 
 
 In the year 1845 he came west to Des 
 Moines while the Indians were yet in pos- 
 session of the country, and in 1846 laid 
 out the town of Dudley, about two miles 
 east of Carlisle on the Des Moines river, 
 which place he abandoned in 1851 after 
 the great freshet of that year had made 
 sad havoc with his embryo city. He then 
 moved to Carlisle, which he had in the 
 meantime laid out. Soon after, he went 
 to Kansas, and in furtherance of his mania 
 for laying out towns he-laid out the town 
 of Franklin near Lawrence, which how- 
 ever was another failure, and he .spent 
 most of the time for some years at Car- 
 lisle until a few years since he went 
 to Nebraska, and carrying out his desire 
 for pioneer life took a homestead. He 
 remained in Nebraska until bi-ought ba.Bk 
 by Dr. Hull to the home of his pioneer 
 days, where on Sunday, November flr^ 
 Uncle Jerry breathed his last, and was 
 buried by the loving hands of those who 
 had known him so long and so well. We 
 have sketched thus fully the details of 
 his adventures to show the natural bent 
 of his life, and his nature as a pioneer. • . 
 
 While Uncle Jen-y was never a prom- 
 inent man in society,' or in State or na- 
 tion, yet he was one of those men whom 
 it was a pleasure to know; one of those 
 strong, sensible, sturdy pioneers to whom 
 our country owes so much — one of those 
 
HISTOEICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 55 
 
 who were the forerutmers of a 'more ad- 
 vanced civilization, who prepared the way 
 for the inhabitants of tlie West, and 
 moulded to a great extent the course and 
 destiny of a great and prosperous coun- 
 try. Dangers had no terror for him, and 
 his whole life was spent in their very 
 midst. He was plain and blunt m the 
 expression of his opinions, which were al- 
 ways strong and well taken. He was 
 very charitable, almost so to a fault, and 
 no poor man or woman ever appealed for 
 assistance in vain to his kindly heart. To 
 the children Uncle Jerry was almost a di- 
 vinity, so kindly in all his actions, so fuU 
 of his narratives of adventures of frontier 
 life in which they delight, that he was a 
 welcome visitor at every hearthstone, and 
 the friend and intimate of all who kn^w 
 him. Enemies he had none, nor could 
 have had, for everything in, his natur®, 
 was such as to make only friends. In his 
 religious belief he was a consistent Uni- 
 versalist. His religious faith was firm to 
 the end, and his sad burial rites were per- 
 formed by a minister of that denomina- 
 tion, the fortunes of which he had follow- 
 ed, and the success of which ho had desir- 
 ed so long. 
 
 After the building of the Court House, 
 the next important event in the history 
 of Lock Haven was the construction of 
 the West Branch Boom, in 1849. The 
 following interesting description of the 
 structure is given by Thomas Yardley, 
 Esq., the present efficient Secretary and 
 Treasurer of the corporation : ' 
 
 As many persons never saw a "boom," 
 it may, perhaps be as well to explain the 
 meaning of the word. 
 
 Webster, who is good authority, espe- 
 cially when he agrees with us, defines 
 "Boom" to be: 1st,, a spar of a ship; 2d, 
 a Une of spars stretching across a river 
 to obstruct navigation; 3d, a guide to 
 seamen; 4th, a hollow roar; 5th, a space 
 upon the upper deck of a ship." The 
 definition, so far as it relates to the Boonj 
 at Lock Haven, is accurate with these ex- 
 ceptions: This boom has nothing to do 
 with ships, it does not stretch across ft 
 river, it is no guide whatever to seamen, 
 it does not obsti-uct navigation, and it 
 does not roar— otherwise the description 
 is excellent. 
 
 The West Branch BoornJB astrupture, hering. 
 
 IDigitizeahy Microsoft® 
 
 for the stoppage of saw logs, in their 
 course down the river during freshets. 
 It is composed of great piers of timbers, 
 piled on and weighted down with tons of 
 stones. . These piers are forty by sixty 
 fefet at the base, twenty feet under water, 
 and taper to sixteen by twenty-five feet at 
 the top, and are placed at intervals of one 
 hundred and fifty feet, for about three 
 miles along the middle of the river, and 
 are connected by square timbers of large 
 size, which are themselves shackled to- 
 gether with huge iron yokes, rings and 
 clevises. One-half of the river is left en- 
 tirely open, so as not to interfere with 
 navigation, whilst the other half is closed 
 by other piers and other timbers, con- 
 necting the shore with the main line al- 
 ready mentioned. This connection forms 
 an enclosure into which the floating logs 
 are sheared, and by force of the current, 
 are packed confusedly together. Upon 
 the subsidence of the water the jam or 
 pack is broken by workmen, who with 
 handspikes, cant-hooks, and pike poles, 
 pick out the logs one by one, as boys pick 
 out the pieces in a game of jack-straws. 
 Each. log his upon it a. distinct mark, by 
 which it is known, and by means of which 
 all confusion is avoided in assorting and 
 rafting. 
 
 During the early history of the Boem, 
 many difficulties occurred between the 
 "log men" and "timber men." The 
 latter had been accustomed to float their 
 rafts to market without hindrance, 
 whenever there was a sufficient depth of 
 water. When the men of Mame came out 
 of the East and filled the river with saw 
 logs, the raftmen found it impossible to 
 steer their crafts and to keep their tem- 
 pers at the same time. The upshot was 
 that they lost the latter and declared war 
 against the "loggers." The weapons of 
 warfare were railroad spikes, steel points 
 of pick axes and iron bolts, which were 
 driven into the hearts of the logs and 
 covered out of sight and out of suspicion. 
 The first intimation that the mill-owners 
 would have of these destructives, would be 
 the gnashing of steel teeth as the saws 
 struck the metal, and the simultaneous 
 hail of rattling oaths from the mouths of 
 the enraged sawyers. This state of af- 
 fairs lasted for a year or two, and then 
 a truce was declared ayd the beligerents 
 became mutually . engaged in the same 
 operations of the various phases of lum- 
 
5G 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 The company was chartered in 1849. 
 Its^first officers were O. Richards, Presi- 
 dentj L. A. Mackey, Secretary and Treas- 
 urer. The corresponding officers at this 
 time are I. J. Wistar and Thds. Yardley. 
 
 In alluding to the life and vigor infused 
 into the town by the construction of tlie 
 boonj, n. L. Diefifenbach, Esq., said, in 
 
 an article published a few years ago: 
 
 Prom this period the rapid growth of 
 Lock Haven commenced. Property doub- 
 led, trebled and quadrupled in value, 
 and soon the fields around the town were 
 dotted with houses, and the streets filled 
 with an industrious, energetic and pros- 
 perous population. 
 
 J 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
IIISTOEICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 5T 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 LOCK HAVEN (CONTINUED) — THE LOCJI HAVEN BRIDGE BUILT — THE VABIOUS "ADDI- 
 TIONS" TO THE TOWN — LOCK HAVEN INCORPOHATED' AS A CITY — EXTRACTS FROM 
 THE CHARTER — THE STREETS. 
 
 The bridge whicli spans the river at 
 Lock Haven, was built in 1853; the struc- 
 ture is somewhat more than eight hun- 
 dred feet in length and cost about $35,- 
 000, including the toll-house. Jhe origi- 
 nal contractors were Kinferide & 
 Fleming ; the latter soon withdrawing, 
 the work was completed by the former. 
 In 1865, an entire span on the Lockport 
 side was swept away by the flood, involv- 
 ing an expense of $7,000; since then it 
 has been somewhat damaged several times 
 by-high water. 
 
 After the laying out of Lock Haven, 
 by Jerry Church, additions were made to 
 the original plot from time to time, as 
 the demands for building sites required. 
 In February, 1841, a tract of land contain- 
 ing several acres, (a portion of the Hunt 
 farm) was divided into lots by J. and A. 
 Hunt, and called the "Western Addi- 
 tion" to the borough of Lock Haven. It 
 was of triangular shape, and bounded on 
 the east by the original plot, on the south 
 by Church street, on the north by the 
 liue of the Allison tract and the Susque- 
 hanna river. The residences of Hon. L. 
 A. Mackey and J. Grafius, Esq., with the 
 small buildings between them, now oc- 
 cupy all of that portion which fronted 
 on the river. The next addition was the 
 "North Westeni," made by B. Yardley, 
 in July 1841. This addition was also a 
 triangular plot; it was bounded on the 
 south-east by the old Allison line, on the 
 west by what is now MillBtcc»t-j.adj,flr 
 the north by the river. Neafly the whole 
 
 of the front on the river is now occupied 
 by the property of Shaw, Towns & Co. 
 Another addition was made in Novem- 
 ber, 1853, by Fearon & Mackey. The 
 tract laid out into lots by these gentle- 
 men, extended from Church street to the 
 mill propertS now owned by D. Blanch- 
 ard & Co. That portion south of the P. 
 & E. railroad, extending from the canal 
 to Vesper street, and the part lying on 
 the north side of the railroad, was bounded 
 on the east by the Church tract, and ex- 
 tended north nearly to Liberty street. In 
 June, 1853, ' "J. W. Quiggle's Addition" 
 was laid out. It included all that part of 
 Lock Haven lying directly west of the 
 "Northwestern Addition," was bounded 
 on the east by Mill street, on the south 
 by Jordan's aUey, (between Water and 
 Main streets), on the west by Third street 
 and a line running in a northeasterly di- 
 rection to the river, and on the north by 
 the river. The entire water front of this 
 addition is now occupied by the mill 
 properties of Simpson & Martin, and 
 Pardee, Cook & Co. 
 
 In 1856, a tract of land adjoining, the 
 original plot on the east, was laid out in 
 lots by Wm. Fearon, ana known as the 
 "Eastern Addition." It was a little 
 more than a square in width and extend- 
 ed from the river to the railroad. 
 
 In July, 1859, an extensive addition to 
 the territory of Look Haven was made 
 by the late Philip M. Price. "Price's 
 /kwA' comprises nearly all that 
 poftion oYthp town lying north of Belle- 
 
58 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 fonte avenue, Clinton avenue, and Mill 
 street. "Irwin's Addition" was made in 
 1859, by Robert Irwin, Esq. It includes 
 that part of tlie town bounded on the 
 north by Clinton avenue, on the east by 
 the Western and Southern "Additions,"on 
 the south by Dudley Blanchard & Oo.'s 
 basins, on the west by a line running 
 from the junction of Clinton avenue and 
 the railroad to a. point on Clinton street, 
 near the residence of S. Carroll. 
 
 The next important accession to the 
 area of the town, was "Gill's Addition," 
 laid out in 1860, by Alfred Gill. This addi- 
 tion is bounded on the east by "Irwin's 
 Addition," Blanchard & Co.'s basin, and 
 East Park street; on the west by High 
 street, on the north by Bellefonte avenue, 
 and on the south by Linden street. 
 
 In 1863, Shaw, Blanchard & Co. laid 
 out into lots, a tract of land lying between 
 their mill property and Myrtle street, and 
 bounded on the west by East Park street, 
 and on the east by the Bald Eagle canal. 
 
 "Myer's Addition" was made in April, 
 1866, by Proctor Myers; it is bounded on 
 the north by "Gill's Addition" and lands 
 of J. G. Brown, on the west by lands of 
 Mrs. McCorraick, on the south by the 
 Bald Eagle canal, and on the east by 
 East Park street. 
 
 In March, 1868, that portion of Lock 
 Haven lying south of the P. & E. ra'ilroad, 
 and east of the Bald Eagle canal was laid 
 out in lots and streets, by James Jefferis. 
 
 Ball's Addition was laid out in 1869, by 
 S. D. Ball, Esq. It is bounded on the 
 west by East Park street, on the north 
 by Fern street, on the south by the canal, 
 and on the east by lands of W. L. Haw- 
 kins. 
 
 The various "additions" just described, 
 constitute all the accessions made to the 
 territorial area of Lock Haven while a bor- 
 ough. Digitized by 
 
 Jn February; 1863, by Legisdative enact- 
 
 ment the borough of Lock Haven was 
 divided into three wards, as follows: 
 
 All that portion of said borough lying 
 east of the Bald Eagle Cross-cut canal, 
 shall be called the East ward; and all 
 that portion of said borough lying be- 
 tween the said Bald Eagle Cross-cut canal 
 and MiU street, and the alley running 
 from Main street, opposite Mill street, to 
 the southern line of the borough, shall be 
 called the Middle ward; and all that por- 
 tion of said borough lying west of Mill 
 street and the alley above mentioned, shall 
 be called the West ward. 
 
 The completion of the Sunbury & Erie 
 (now Philadelphia & Erie) railroad to 
 Lock Haven, in 1859, was another impor- 
 tant event Bl the history, not only of the 
 town, but of Clinton county and the en- 
 tire West Branch Valley. The building 
 of this road placed Lock Haven in direct 
 and easy communication with the princi- 
 pal commercial cities of the country, and 
 at once gave the community advantages^ 
 and facilities which greatly increased its 
 growth and prosperity. 
 
 Lock Haven was incorporated as a city, 
 by act of Assembly approved March 28th, 
 1870. The following extracts from said , 
 aet, show its most important provisions: 
 
 Section 1. Be it enacted, §-c.. That the 
 present and future inhabitants residing 
 within the following territorial limits, to 
 wit: All the present territorial limits of 
 the borough of Lock Haven and the 
 borough of Flemington, and so much of 
 the territory of Allison township as lies 
 westward and northward of a line com- 
 mencing at a point at low water mark on 
 the south bank of the West Branch of the 
 river Susquehanna, opposite the centre of 
 the lane between lands of Thomas Fleming 
 and F. P. Myers; thence in the line of 
 the course of said lane southward to the 
 Bald Eagle creek; thence westward to the 
 nearest point in the centre of the Billd 
 Eagle cross-cut of the Pennsylvania canal; 
 thence westward along the centre of said 
 canal to the bridge crossing said canal 
 near the i-esidence of Hugh Devling; 
 thence southward to the nearest point on 
 JBa^UI Eaf,'.s creek; thence up Bald Eagle 
 creek to the western line of Allison town- 
 ship, in the county of Clinton, are Uerahy 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 59 
 
 constituted a corporation and body politic, 
 by the name and style of the city of Lock 
 Haven. 
 
 Sec. 2. That the territory included 
 ■within the boundaries of the city of LocK" 
 Haven, as described in the preceding sec- 
 tion of this act; shall be divided into five 
 vrards, in the following manner, to wit: 
 All that part of Allison township and the 
 East and middle wards of the borough of 
 Lock Haven lying east and southeast of 
 a Une commencing at the West Branch 
 river, on Jay street; thence along Jay 
 street to the Philadelphia and Erie rail- 
 road; thence east along said railroad to 
 the Bald Eagle Cross-cut canal; thence up 
 said canal to its intersection with East 
 Park street, to be one ward and called 
 the First ward. All that paifiof the Mid- 
 dle ward and the West ward of the bor- 
 ough of Lock Haven and Allison town- 
 ship lying east of a line commencing at 
 the West Branch river, on Mill street; 
 thence south along Mill street and alley 
 to the Philadelphia and Erie railroad; 
 thence along said railroad to Liberty 
 street and Bast Park street to the Bald 
 Eagle Cross-cut canal, and west to the 
 west line of the First ward, to be one 
 ward and to be called the Second ward. 
 All that part of the West ward of the 
 borough of Lock Haven and Allison town- 
 ship ■ included within the following 
 botindaries, to wit: Commencing at the 
 West Branch river on Mill street; thence 
 along said Mill street and alley to the 
 Philadelphia and Erie railroad; thence 
 along said Philadelphia and Erie railroad 
 to its intersection with Fourth street; 
 thetace westwardly along Fourth street to 
 Highland street; thence northwardly 
 along Highland Street to Sugar run, 
 down Sugar run to river, and down the 
 river to the place of beginning, to be one 
 ward and to be called the Third ward. 
 All that part oif the West ward of the 
 borough of Lock Haven and Allison town- 
 ship lying west of the west line of the 
 Second ward aforesaid, and south of the 
 south line of the Third ward aforesaid, 
 and east of a line running in a southwest- 
 wardly direction from the Intersection of 
 Fourth s);reet with Hampton street, 
 through Hanjpton street to the Bald Ea- 
 gle Cross-cut canal, to be one ward and to' 
 be called the Fourth ward. All that part 
 of AlUson township and the- borouijh of 
 Flemington lying west ancriftrch of the 
 west and north lines of the First, Second, 
 
 Third and Fourth wards aforesaid shall 
 be one ward and called the Fifth ward. 
 
 Sec. 4. That the said city shall have a 
 common council, consisting of three mem- 
 bers for each ward, who shall be elected 
 as is hereinafter provided, and who shall 
 be inhabitants of the ward from which 
 they shall be elected, and qualified to 
 serve as members of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives of this commonwealth. 
 
 Sec. 8. That the power of the said 
 corporation of the said city shall be vested 
 in the said , council, or a quorum thereof, 
 who shall, in council assembled, have 
 full power and authority to make, ordain, 
 constitute and establish all such by-l9,ws, 
 ordinances, resolutions and regulations as 
 they may deem necessary to preserve the 
 peace and promote the good order, gov- 
 ernment and welfare of the said city, and 
 the prosperity and happiness of the in- 
 habitants thereof, and the same to alter, 
 amend, repeal or revoke : Provided, That 
 the same shall not be contrary or repug- 
 nant to the laws and constitution of this 
 commonwealth or of the United States; 
 and the same to enforce, put in use and 
 execution, by the Mayor or Aldermen of 
 the said city, or by the police constables, 
 watchmen or other proper officers, whom 
 the said council shall liave power to ap- 
 point; said council shall have, hold, pos- 
 sess and enjoy all the powers now vested 
 in the town council of the borough of 
 Look Haven, which powers are hereby 
 transferred to and vested in the said 
 council in addition to the powers con- 
 ferred upon them by this act, except so 
 far as the same may be altered or supplied 
 by this act. 
 
 Sec, 10. That the council of said city 
 shall have power, by ordinance or reso- 
 lution, to determine the width of the side 
 or footwalks of the streets, lanes or alleys 
 within the limits of said city, and to re- 
 quire and direct the paving, laying board- 
 walks and curbing thereof, and the pav- 
 ing of gutters, by the owner or owners of 
 lots fronting thereon; and on the failure 
 or neglect of any person or persons own- 
 ing lots as aforesaid to pave or lay board- 
 walks and curb the side or footwalks, or 
 pave the gutters in front of his, her or 
 their lot or lots, agreeably to the requi- 
 sitions of such ordinance or resolution, 
 the street commissioner of the said city 
 shall ca'j.se the sam^. to be paved or laid 
 Witli boartiwalk and curbed at the ex- 
 pense of thb said city; and the owner or 
 
(JO 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 owners of the said lot of lots shall he lia- 
 hle to repay the expenses thereof to the 
 said city, with a penalty of ten per cent, 
 added to the amount thereof; and it shall 
 be lawful for the said council to file their 
 lien for the same in the court of common 
 pleas of Clinton county, which lieti, when 
 so filed, shall ha,ve priority to any mort- 
 gage, judgment, recognizance or liability 
 to which the said lot Or lots may become 
 liable, after such paving or laying board- 
 walks and curbing has been done by the 
 said city, and the amount secured thereby 
 may be recovered by scire facias as debts 
 are recoverable under the mechanics' lien 
 law of this State, in the corporate name 
 of the said city: Provided, That such lien 
 shall be filed within four months after 
 such expense is incurred by the said city 
 and shall recite the name of the owner, or 
 reputed owner, of such lot or lots. 
 
 Sec. It. The doors of the hall of the 
 said council shall be open at all times 
 when the said council is in session, for 
 the admission of all orderly and peaceable 
 pei'sons who shall be desirous of being 
 jiresent at the discussions of any by-laws, 
 regulations, ordinances or resolutions for 
 the welfare and good government of said 
 city; and that all voting in the said coun- 
 cil, by the members thereof, upon any by- 
 laws, regulations, ordinance or resolution, 
 or upon the election or removal of any 
 officer, shall be viva voce. 
 
 Sec. 13. That freemen of the city of 
 Lock Haven, qualified to vote for mem- 
 bers of the council of said city, shall meet 
 in their several wards on the second 
 Tuesday of October, aniao Domini one 
 thousand eight hundr'ed and seventy, and 
 every two years thereafter, and elect, by 
 ballot, one person, qualified to serve as a 
 member of the Senate of this common- 
 ■vvealthj and who shall have been an in- 
 habitant of said city for at least three 
 vears next preceding his election, to be 
 mayor of the said city for the term of two 
 years, commencing on the first Monday 
 of the month next following such election ; 
 such election of mayor shall be holden at 
 the same time and places, by the same offi- 
 cers, and in the same manner as is herein 
 provided for holding the election of mem- 
 bers of councilor the said city; the candi- 
 date having the highest number of votes 
 polled shall be elected as such mayor. 
 
 Sec. 21. That the aldermen of the said 
 city shall have and exercise within their 
 r^spectiye' wards the sanie jurisdiction in 
 
 all civil actions, cases, matters and pro- 
 ceedings as justices of the peace of this 
 comrdonwealth have and exercise sever- 
 ally, or two or more of them jointly, with- 
 in their several districts and counties; 
 and the said aldermen shall proceed there- 
 in In like manner and with the like pow- 
 ers and authorities, ^.nd under and subject 
 to the like rules, regulations and restric- 
 tions, and with the like means, process 
 and writs of execution as justices of the 
 peace now may or hereafter can have 
 under the laws of this commonwealth, 
 with the like right of appeal by the party 
 or parties aggrieved, from any judgment, ■ 
 oi'der or decree of any such alderman or 
 aldermen to the court of common pleas 
 of the county of Clinton. 
 
 Sec. 34. That the council, in meeting 
 assembled, shall have power, at their first 
 meeting in January after they shall have 
 been elected and qualified, and yearly 
 thereafter, to elect, viva voce, one solicitor 
 of the said corporation, one engineer or 
 city surveyor, one street commissioner, 
 one or more city police constables, and 
 such other officers as they shall deem 
 necessary for the proper execution of the 
 by-laws and ordinances and the carrying 
 of the police regulations of the said city 
 into effect, and shall have power by by- 
 laws or ordinances to fix the compensation 
 of all of said officers, and to prescribe 
 their dutie's, and by resolution of the said 
 council, at their will and pleasure, to dis- 
 miss or remove all of them. 
 
 Sec. 40. That the mayor of the said 
 city shall appoint some person to attend 
 his office and act as police constable 
 throughout the bounds of the city, who 
 shall be styled and known as the chief 
 police constable of the said city, and be 
 authorized to arrest all vagrants and dis- 
 orderly persons and bring them before 
 the mayor of said city, or, in his ab- 
 sence or inability to act, from sickness or 
 any other cause, he shall in that case take 
 the offenders before any of the aldermen 
 of the said city, to be dealt with according 
 to law, and to execute and serve all pro- 
 cess issued by the mayor or aldermen of 
 the said city; and on all extraordinary 
 occasions, when imperious necessity re- 
 quires, the said mayor shall be authorized 
 to appoint so many police officers as the. 
 emergency of the case may retiuire, whosa 
 fees for services shall be the same as 
 constables; and in case of disobedience or 
 neglect of duty, or when the said cmer- 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ■V 61 
 
 gency has passed or ceased to exist, the 
 mayor shall have po\yer and he is hereby 
 authorized to dismiss such special police 
 officer, ov any of them. 
 
 Lock Haven is n«t regularly laid oat; 
 that is, the streets do not, as a general 
 thing. Intersect or cross each other at 
 right angles. Had the oi'iginal plan of 
 Jerry Church been carried out by those 
 who made subsequent additions to the 
 town, some of its streets would now pre- 
 sent a very different appearance; but for 
 several reasons it was difficult to preserve 
 the i-egularity that characterized the lay- 
 ing out of the original plot. One of the 
 causes which prevented uniformity iu the 
 streets and lots, was the existence of 
 Clinton avenue, which crossed the "bot- 
 tom" or "flat'.' diagonally, and was built 
 ujwn before it was included within the 
 town limits. The location of the P. & E. 
 railroad also determined the direction and 
 length of many of the streets, and gov- 
 erned, to a certain extent, the formation 
 of lots; and many of the streets being laid 
 out in conformity to the surface of the 
 land, necessitated a deviation from a 
 regular plan. Then, again, the irregular 
 shape of some of the "additions" them- 
 selves, caused a corresponding irregular- 
 ity iu the lots, streets and alleys, when they 
 were laid out. As a result there are at 
 present very few streets in the city of ex- 
 actly the same length, and very few, com- 
 paratively, running in precisely the same 
 direction. 
 
 There are in all, sixty different streets 
 in the city, -having an aggregate length of 
 over twenty-five miles; and more than 
 fifty alleys. At one time the most im- 
 portant, and in fact the only business 
 _ street iu Lock Haven, was Water. This 
 street is really the original public high- 
 way running through the West Branch 
 Valley along tlio course of the river. 
 Where it enters the city limits, and for 
 some distance below, it runs close to the 
 rivei' bank, continuing thus as far as the 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 bridge, above which point, owing to a 
 curve in the river, there Is considerable 
 space between it and the street. Water 
 street runs iu a straight line to a short 
 distance above Mill street, where it makes 
 a slight turn toward the river, then con- 
 tinuing straight for several squares, it 
 strikes the river, along the bank of which 
 it runs for a short distance, extending 
 across the P. & E. railroad, and along 
 .Lusk's Run into Bald Eagle township. 
 The length of Water street from tho 
 eastern limit of the city to its junction 
 with the railroad, is about one mile arid a 
 half; from its east end to the river bridge 
 it has no buildings on the north side. As 
 has been stated, it was at one time the 
 principal street of the town; but gradu- 
 ally its business has been transferred to 
 Main street, till now scarcely a mercantile 
 establisliment remains. Most of the rooms 
 made vacant by the removal of business 
 are now occupied as lawyei's' offices. 
 
 Thei-e are three churches on Water 
 street. The First German Lutheran, lo- 
 cated below the canal; Great Island Pres- 
 byterian, just above Mill street, and the 
 Catholic, corner of Water and Third. 
 They are all built of brick. The Pres- 
 byterian is an elegant structure, vmsur- 
 passed in architectural design and finish 
 by any church edifice in the city. 
 
 A Catholic Seminary is now nearly com- 
 pleted on the lot adjoining the church of 
 that denomination. 
 
 The Clinton county Court House, one 
 of the finest in Central Pennsylvania, is 
 also located on this street, on the corner 
 formed by the intersection of Jay. 
 
 In addition to the other public and pri- 
 vate buildings and institutions of Water 
 street, it has also two banking houses, 
 the Look Haven National, and that of 
 Moore, Simpson & Co., and two large 
 hotels, the Pallon House and the Jton- 
 tour House. 
 
 The sidewalks of this street are paved 
 
€2 
 
 HISTOEICAIi 'VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ■with either stone, brick, concrete or fire- 
 brick, and are generally in good condi- 
 tion. 
 
 Water street is, and probably will con- 
 tinue to be, a popular street for private 
 residences. Many of those located upon 
 it are very fine; some almost palatial. 
 Among the most attractive in appearance 
 are those of H. T. Beardsley, S. D. Ball, 
 J. Grafius, Hon. L. A. Mackey, A. C. 
 Hopkins, C. S. McCormick, Hon. C. A. 
 Mayer, A. H. Best, R. "W. McCormick, 
 C. G. Furst, W. A. Simpson, B. R. 
 Bridgens, Allison Crawford, John S. 
 Furst, W. "W. Rankin, and G. S. Good. 
 Most of these residences have connected 
 with them spacious and beautifully orna- 
 mented grounds, which, with the shade 
 trees along their fronts, add much to the 
 general attractiveness of the street. 
 
 The next street running parallel with 
 Water, is Main. This street is of nearly 
 the same length as the former, which it 
 intersects a short distance east of the 
 railroad crossing. It has an angle just 
 above its junction with Clinton avenue, 
 corresponding with the one in Water 
 street. It is now the principal business 
 street of Lock Haven, and many of its 
 stores compare favorably with those of 
 much larger cities. The leading business 
 liouses on the street are those of J. J. 
 Everett & Co., Bittner, Lander & Co., G. 
 B. Perkins, and J. F. Lindig, dry goods; 
 Julius Newman, Jacob Newman, Sond- 
 heimer & Co., and Hyman Brothers, 
 dress goods and notions ; J. W. Bridgens, 
 F. J. Troxell, Simon Scott & Sons, and 
 J. G. Harris, di-y goods and groceries ; 
 R. S. Barker, Simon Bros., and L. Gens- 
 ler, clothing ; G. S. Rowbotham, clothing 
 and notions ; Melick & Schuyler, Mrs. A. 
 Simon & Sons, and Jacob Brown & Co., 
 groceries, (wholesale and retail); J. W. 
 Wallace & Co., McLees & Pattison, and 
 Dr. A. Prieson, drugs; Boggis Brothers, 
 
 der, musical instruments ; Johnson & 
 Ten Eyck, furniture ; Baker & Strayer, 
 A. Sloan & Son, stoves and tin- ware; 
 Sanderson Bros., flour and feed; Jacob 
 Ulp and F. W. Satterlee, books and sta- 
 tionery ; James K. Orr, liquors, (whole- 
 sale) ; H. F. Harb, jeweler. Besides these, 
 there are many other places of business 
 of various kinds, making in all about 
 eighty. All of these, with the exception 
 of two or three, are between the canal 
 and the junction of Main street and Clin- 
 ton avenue. The offices of The Clinton 
 Democrat, J. C. C. Whaley proprietor, 
 The Clinton Republican, J. B. G. Kinsloe 
 proprietor, and The Enterprise, Byxbe & 
 Maynard proprietors, are all located on 
 Main street, within the limits mentioned. 
 
 As is the case with Water street, the 
 better class of residences on Main, are 
 mostly hear the upper or west end of the 
 street; however there are some fine dwel- 
 lings below the canal. Among them are 
 those of W. C. Kress, S. H. Thomas, 
 Charles Lambert, and Mrs. Brady. Above 
 the canal are the principal residences. 
 They are those of Simon Scott, Phaon 
 Jarrett, T. C. Kintzing, G. Kintzing, 
 Dudley Blanchard,W. W. Barrows, Sam'l. 
 Christ, Dr. A. Prieson, Louis Scott, 
 Henry McCormick, H. T. Harvey, N. Fred- 
 ericks, Philip Kryder, and S. Q. Mingle. 
 There are four churches on Main street : 
 St. Paul's (Episcopal), between Grove and . 
 Vesper streets; the Second Presbyterian 
 and church of the Evangelical Association, 
 between Clinton ave. and First street; and 
 Trinity (Methodist), between Second and 
 Third streets. The Episcopal church is 
 built of stone, and is a fine edifice; the 
 other three are of brick. The Methodist 
 is the largest and most expensive church 
 in the city. 
 
 The only hotel on Main street is the 
 Irvin House, located at the intersection 
 of Jay. 
 
 John Candor & Co., hardwi?^%fC'rty6Jlp/C/H^:^iJ; street in order is Church, so 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 63 
 
 named in honor of the founder of the 
 ' town. This street continues in a straight 
 line from its beginning at the east end of 
 the city, to Clinton avenue; where, in 
 conformity to the course of the other 
 streets just described, it bends to the 
 north, then runs direct to its terminus at 
 the railroad. The principal residences 
 on this street are those o^ Charles Scheid, 
 (below the canal) P. B. Melick, W. H. 
 Brown, Alexander Sloan, Mrs. Hess, Proc- 
 tor Myers, Wm. B. Carskadden, Wm. 
 Fearon, R. G. Cook, Eenry Hippie, J. 
 H. Ricker, Geo. Strayer, 8, H. Fredericks, 
 H. A. VanDyke, Geo. W. Hippie, A. N. 
 Raub, Brawn & Clough, and Thomas 
 Blackburn. 
 
 There are but few business houses upon 
 this street; the most important being the 
 City Market House, (Church and Grove), 
 the groceries of Opdyke & Glenn and C. 
 Dorencamper. 
 
 A fine building to be used for stores has 
 just been erected on the north-west cor- 
 ner of Church and Grove streets, by Geo. 
 Strayer ; also one on the north-east corner 
 of the same streets, by Melick & Conklin. 
 The public buildings are: the colored 
 school building, near the east end of the 
 street; the First ward school building, 
 formerly the Court House, (corner of 
 Church and Henderson); the Clinton 
 county jail, (between Henderson and Jay) ; 
 the Christian Chapel (Disciple), and the 
 Baptist church, (both between Grove and 
 Vesper) ; the English Lutheran church, 
 (corner of Church and First) ; the Third 
 ward school building, (corner of Church 
 and Fourth) . The hotels on the street 
 are the Girard House and the Farmers' 
 Hotel. 
 
 Bald Eagle street, (name derived from 
 Bald Eagle Creek), is the next running 
 parallel with Church, and is straight 
 from its eastern end to the P.. & E. rail- 
 road, where it bears to the south, cross- 
 ins? the track and contiTEli§ffie0(it^i' 
 
 street, having a length of over one mile. 
 The finest residences on this street are 
 owned by Rev. A. Linsz, Robert Martin, 
 Henry Sperring, and Robert Easton. The 
 hotels on Bald Eagle street are the City, 
 the Eagle, the Franklin, the Union, and 
 the National. 
 
 The next street is Clinton, running 
 from the east end of the city to Liberty 
 street, a distance of three-fourths of a 
 mile, where it makes a turn to the south 
 and runs to Jones street, most of it below 
 Liberty being occupied by the Philadel- 
 phia & Erie railroad. There are quite 
 a number of residences ou each side of 
 this street ; a hotel, the Great Island 
 House, and a very elegant and commodi- 
 ous passenger depot. 
 
 Walnut street comes next. At present 
 it does not extend as far east as the other 
 streets mentioned, but its western termi- 
 nous is the same, (Liberty st.) The only 
 noteworthy residences on Walnut street 
 are those of Kehemiah Shaw and P. S. 
 Merrill. The extensive foundry and ma- 
 chine shop of Ricker, Fredericks & Co., 
 and the saw mill of D. Blanchard & Co., 
 are on this street. 
 
 James is a recently laid out street run- 
 ning parallel with Walnut below the 
 canal. 
 
 The streets just described are the prin- 
 cipal ones running parallel with the river. 
 Beginning at the lower or east end of the 
 city, the first street is Sherman, and the 
 next Grant. These streets have been 
 but partially opened, and are not yet built 
 upon. 
 
 The next is Hanna, called after the fam- 
 ily of that name. It extends from Water 
 street to a square and a half beyond the 
 railroad. The other streets running the 
 same direction, are in order as follows: 
 
 Washington street extends from Water 
 street to the railroad, where it is ob- 
 structed by the passenger depot; butcon- 
 MfSmsa^i the south side of the railroad 
 
64 
 
 HISXORICAIy VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 tp the public highway across the Bald 
 
 Eagle Creek. 
 
 Henderson, from "Water to Walnut; 
 
 upon this street there has recently been 
 
 erected by Messrs. -Brown, Blackburn & 
 
 Curtin, an elegant row of brick stores. 
 Jay, from the river bridge, with which it 
 
 connects, to Walnut. 
 
 Grove, from the river to half a square 
 
 south of Walnut. 
 Vesper, from the lumber yard of Shaw, 
 
 Towns & Co., just north of Water, to 
 
 AValnut. 
 
 Mill, from the river to Main, after 
 
 crossing which, it narrows to the width of 
 
 an alley and continues to the railroad. 
 
 Liberty, from Church to Walnut, where 
 it intersects East Park. The German 
 Catholic church is on this street. 
 Corning, from church to the railroad. 
 Clinton Avenue — This street was open 
 long before Look Haven was laid otit; it 
 originally being the general thoroughfare 
 loading from the West Branch up the 
 Bald Eagle Valley to Bellefonte. Al- 
 though it extends in a continuous line for 
 more than a mile, it bears the name of 
 Clinton Avenue only from its junction 
 with Main street to the P. & E. railroad, 
 west of which it is called Bellefonte 
 Avenue. This is an important business 
 street, and has upon it some extensive 
 mercantile establishments. Among the 
 most prominent are those of J. Hai'der 
 & Son, gunsmiths, and dealers in guns, 
 cutlery, &c. Frederick Fickenscher, stoves 
 and tbiware; S. B. Darrah, flourand feed; 
 G. S. Good, groceries; Ellis Sheffer, 
 bakery; L. Mosher, wines & liquors, 
 (wholesale); McKinney's market; Heiz- 
 mann & Furl, furniture; Moore Bros, and 
 J. S. Evarts, groceries ; and Dr. B. S. 
 Derby, drugs. 
 
 The next street west of Clintoia avenue 
 is First. It extends from Main to its in- 
 tersection with the avenue at the rail- 
 
 Digitized by Mlcroso 
 
 Second, from the alley between Water 
 and Main, to the railroad. 
 
 Third, from Water to the railroad. 
 Foui-th, from Water street to the rail- 
 road, wl;iero it is obstructed by the Penn- 
 sylvania i-aiU'oad company's freight 
 house, and continues west to Fairview; 
 thence to Irwin street. 
 Fifth, from Water to the railroad. 
 Sixth, from Main to Highland Ceme- 
 tery. 
 
 The streets mentioned constitute all 
 those lying between the river and the 
 P. & E. railroad. The others are as fol- 
 lows: Bellefonte avenue extends from 
 the railroad in a dii-ect line to its inter- 
 section with High street, in the Fifth 
 ward, a distance of about one mile. There 
 are several business places upon this 
 street; among them the grocery stores of 
 Geo. Beck and Moore Brothers. It has 
 several fine residences; those owned by 
 Simon & Sons, Moore Bros., Mr. Prindible, 
 J. N. Welliver and J. W. Quiggle, are 
 the most valuable. 
 
 East Park street extends from the junc- 
 tion of Bellefonte avenue with the rail- 
 road, to the intersection of Walnut and 
 Liberty, where it has an angle; then runs 
 almost due south to the Bald Eagle canal, 
 a distance of about three-fourths of a mile. 
 The north end of this street is consider- 
 ably builtupon; and also for a few squares 
 south of Blanchard & Co.'s basin, then 
 again at the south end. 
 
 The next street running parallel with 
 the last mentioned is West Park. It ex- 
 tends from Bellefonte avenue to Blanch- 
 ard & Co'.s basin. Among its finest resi- 
 dences are those of H. O. Chapman, 
 Mrs. Keeser, andO. T. Noble. 
 
 Commerce street is the next in order; 
 it extends from Bellefonte avenue to 
 Clinton street. 
 
 Jones street exton(Ts from Fourth to 
 the canal, and has a length of over three- 
 fourths^^ a mile. Although it is a new- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 05 
 
 street, having been opened but a fe* 
 years, it is quite extensively built upon. 
 It lias one grocery store, that of M. H. 
 Mclnerney, a fine church, Emanuel's, 
 (German Lutheran), and some fine resi- 
 dences, of -which James Colberth's and 
 Thomas Mclnerney's are among the best. 
 ■ The next street west of Jones is Fair- 
 view, so called because of the beautiful 
 view which may be had, from it, lying as 
 it does nearly the entire length, several 
 feet above the level "of the valley and the 
 main part of the city.' It extends from 
 the Bald Eagle canal in almost a direct 
 line to Water street, where it takes the 
 name of Susquehanna avenue, owing to 
 the fact that from that point it runs par- 
 allel with the Susquehanna river to its 
 terminus at Sugar Run. The distance 
 from the canal to the "Run," is somewhat 
 more thaniwo miles. This is also a com- 
 paratively new street; but has already 
 been considerably improved and built 
 upon. Several very fine residences have 
 been erected. Those deserving especial 
 notice, are owned by Dr. J. H. Barton, 
 S. R. Peale, Mrs. R. W. Petriken, O. D. 
 Satterlee, Geo. Armstrong, Jacob Brown, 
 heirs of G. G. Irwin, J. G. Brown, George 
 Emery, H. J. Berger, John S. Mason, 
 and John C. Brown. 
 
 The next street west of Fairview is 
 High. It is laid out from Bellefonte 
 avenue to the canal, but not yet open 
 its entire length. It has ten or twelve 
 dwellings upon it. 
 
 Summit is the next street. It extends 
 from the canal to lands of J. 6. Brown. 
 It has recently had several houses built 
 upon it. 
 
 Pearl is the name of the next street; it 
 also extends from the canal to lands of J. 
 G. Brown. 
 » Beginning at the canal, the first street 
 that crosses those just described is 
 Shamrock; it extends from Jones to 
 High. The others are as follows: 
 
 Peach extends from Jones. to a,sJiortLDn Lui 
 
 Digitized by Microso 
 
 distance west of Pearl, where it connects 
 with Wood's avenue. 
 
 Linden, from Fairview to lands of 
 Mrs: McCormick. 
 
 The next is Walnut. When this street 
 was laid out and named, it was the de- 
 sign to have it connect with the Walnut 
 street before described; but the subse- 
 quent construction of the basin of Shaw 
 & Co. has rendered the carrying out of 
 that plan impossible, at least while the 
 basin exists. 
 Maple, from .lones to High. 
 Bald Eagle, previously described. 
 Spring street, as laid out, extends from 
 tile west side of Bellefonte avenue, be- 
 low Jones, along the margin of what is 
 known as the "swamp," to the grounds 
 of S. R. Peale, vhough jt has been only 
 partially opened. 
 
 Highland lies next to Fairview on the 
 west side. It is intended to run from 
 Bellefonte avenue along the east line of 
 Highland Cemetery; but as yet is only 
 open part of the distance. 
 
 The other streets on the west side of 
 those last described, and running parallel 
 with them are: Summit, Hampton, Bar- 
 ton and Irwin. They are all laid out 
 from Bellefonte avenue to Fourth street.. 
 The first street running parallel with 
 Bellefonte avenue, on the west side, is 
 called Third, though it is in no way 
 whatever connected with the original 
 Third street, which lies on the north side 
 of the railroad. It runs from Highland 
 to Irwin. 
 
 The next is Centre, and runs from 
 Fairview to Irwin. 
 
 The next is Fourth, which has already 
 been described. 
 
 Glen street begins at Fairview and 
 runs along the glen between Highland 
 Cemetery and the Normal School grounds. 
 
 Ivy street begins at the public highway 
 Zs Run, forms the northern. 
 
66 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 boundary of the Normal School grounds, 
 and connects with Glen street. 
 
 St. Mary's street crosses Susquehanna 
 Avenue about one third of a mile nojth of 
 Lusk's Run. Upon this street two squares 
 west of the avenue" the Catholic Cemetery 
 is located. 
 
 Jessamine street is just south of D. 
 Blanchard & Go's, basin, and extends 
 from East Park street south about two 
 squares. 
 
 Myrtle runs parallel with Jessamine, 
 and extends fronj Jones to the Bald 
 Eagle canal. 
 
 Elm runs parallel with East Park, and 
 extends from Myrtle to Jessamine. 
 
 Pern street runs from East Park to the 
 basin which formerly belonged to Young 
 & Worth. 
 
 Mt. Vernon street is parallel with Porn 
 on the south side, and beginning at East 
 Park, extends about two squares south. 
 
 During 1874, a tract of land, formerly 
 a part of the GiU property, and lying be- 
 tween East Park and Jones streets, south 
 of Blanchard & Go's, basin, was laid out 
 into streets and alleys, by H. T. Beard- 
 slevjEsq., agent for G. M. Bartholomew. 
 The streets now open on this tract are : 
 
 Prospect, which extends from East Park 
 street along the south side of "the basin" 
 for a distance of about two squares; then 
 making a slight turn to the south con- 
 tinues to Jones street. 
 
 West Park, running parallel with East 
 Park, extends from ^Prospect to Myrtle. 
 
 Logan runs from Prospect to Clinton, 
 between the "basin" and Jones street. 
 
 All the streets included Vf ithin the ter- 
 ritoiial limits of the original borough of 
 Lock Haven have now been described. 
 
 By the act of incorporation, the bor- 
 ough of Plemington became the Fifth 
 ward of the city of Lock Haven, with 
 
 .which it is therefore identified in history 
 and interests. 
 
 The streets of the Fifth ward are as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 High street is, strictly speaking, a con- 
 tinuation of Bellefonte Avenue. It runs 
 through the centre of the original bor- 
 ough plot, and is the principal street, 
 most of the business places being located 
 upon it ; also the public buildings and a 
 church (Methodist). The principal busi- 
 ness establishment^ are as follows : W. 
 H. Benner, Furst, Long& Co., and Jesse 
 Laubach, dry goods, groceries, &c., C. H. 
 Waitz & Co.,' drugs and medicines, 
 Slenker & Leitzel, stoves and tinware. 
 The Flemington Hotel is on the corner of 
 this street and Canal. 
 
 There are three streets running parallel 
 with High, one on the west and two on 
 the east side, but their names are not 
 given on the late map of the city. 
 
 The streets running at right angles 
 with High are first, 'beginning at the 
 south end of the ward: 
 
 Canal, which has a length of several 
 squares. It has some very fine dwellings 
 upon it, the most attractive being those 
 of Hugh Devling, J. B. Purst, Furst & 
 Long, J. H. Long, Boyd C. Packer, &c. 
 
 The next street running the same direc- 
 tion as the last is Huston ; the next is 
 Bressler, and the next Sturdevant. The 
 last three are all about four squares in 
 length. 
 
 Woods Avenue extends, pai-allet witli 
 the canal, from Huston street to Peach, 
 in the Fourth ward. A portion of thi& 
 street- (at the west end) was opeijed many 
 years ago, but recently extended to its 
 present length. It is now the principal . 
 thoroughfare over which the farmers and 
 others from the "valleys" enter Lock Ha- 
 ven. • , » 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 er 
 
 CHAPTER fin. 
 
 LOCK HAYBN (CONTINUED) — NATURAL AND ACQUIEED ADVANTAGES — SAW MILLS, AND' 
 OTHER MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS — IMPORTANT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE. 
 CORPORATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS — SECRET SOCIETIES, &C. 
 
 The geographical location of the city 
 of Lock Haven is such as to render it es- 
 pecially favorable as a commercial centre. 
 Occupying a position as it does, in the in- 
 terior of a great Commonwealth, accessi- 
 ble from all points of the compass, it cer- 
 tainly has advantages which can not well 
 be over-estimated. Abundance of wood, 
 coal, iron ore, fire clay, potter's clay, 
 limestone, , &c., within easy reach; and 
 situated at the confluence of two beauti- 
 ful streams, where it commands the out- 
 let of several productive valleys, Lock Ha- 
 ven is destiried to become an important 
 inland city. Nature has done her part, 
 and it now only remains for man to do 
 his; to reach out and grasp the means at 
 his disposal, in order to insure a prosper- 
 ous and brilliant future for the young 
 city of the West Branch. 
 
 Though the region of country surround- 
 ing Lock Haven is highly favored by na- 
 ture, man has not been altogether unmind- 
 ful of his right to employ his skill and en- 
 ergy in appropriating her favors to his 
 own u^. The forest trees he has manu- 
 factured into lumber. The streams them- 
 selves he has converted into public high- 
 ways. The minerals and metals with 
 which the region abounds, he has made to 
 serve important purposes. The very 
 rocks and stones he has utilized in mak- 
 ing streets, and building the foundations 
 for various structures; he has bridged the 
 streams, constructed canals, and built rail- 
 roads; he has opened public thorough- 
 fares, leading in every direction; he has 
 
 cleared and cultivated the soil. In fact, 
 he has changed the "howling wilder- 
 ness' ' into a most desirable and attractive 
 dwelling place. 
 
 Of all the acquired advantages witlr 
 which Lock Haven is now favored, 
 there are none of so great importance as. 
 that ^ined by the construction of the 
 Philadelphia & Erie railroad. By this 
 great line the following connections are 
 made: At Erie, with the Lake Shore road 
 for all points in the west; at Corry, with 
 the Oil Creek and Allegheny Valley rail- 
 road; at Irviuton, with the Warren & 
 Franklin i-ailroad, and Atlantic & Great 
 Western railroad; at Emporium, with the 
 Buffalo, New York, and Philadelphia 
 railroad; at Driftwood, with the Bennett's" 
 branch railroad; at Williamsport, with 
 the Northern Central and Eeading rail-- 
 roads; at Milton, with the Catawissa 
 railway; at Lewisburg Junction, with the 
 Lewisburg & Spruce Creek railroad; at 
 Northumberland, with the Lackawanna 
 & Bloomsburg raih-oad ; -at Sunbury, with 
 the Northern Central, forHarrisburg, Bal- 
 timore, Philadelphia, and New York, and 
 with the DanviUe, Hazelton, & Wilkes- 
 barre railroad for all points on the Le- 
 high. 
 
 The B. E. Valley R. R. extends from 
 Lock Haven to Tyrone, a distance of 55 
 miles, connecting with the Pennsylvania 
 Central railroad for all points South, 
 East, and West. Thus it is seen that 
 Lock Maven has superior facilities for 
 communicating with the "outer world."" 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
■es 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 As has-been intimated, Lock Haven 
 lias natural and acquired advantages suf- 
 ficient to "warrant the prediction that it 
 will eventually become an important 
 manufacturing city. Already it has made 
 considerable advancement toward the at- 
 tainment of that most desirable end. Of 
 the various industrial establishments now 
 in successful operation, those for the 
 manufacture and working of lumber are 
 among the most important. In fact, the 
 growth and prosperity of the- town has 
 depended, and still depends, more upon 
 its lumber interests, than upon any other 
 branch of business. 
 
 It is estimated that the saw mills in the 
 vicinity of Lock Haven, have aiF aggre- 
 gate cutting capacity of 100,000,000 feet 
 per year. 
 
 As Lock Haven is the centre of the 
 lumbering interests of Clinton county, a 
 large proportion of the mills are located 
 in its vicinity. The following are; all 
 within the city limits: 
 
 The mill owned by Pardee, Cook 
 ■& Co., is located on the river bank a 
 few squares above the bridge, was estab- 
 lished in 1852, by Wing & GetcheU, who, 
 it is said, were the first to run logs down 
 the West Branch. After passing through 
 the hands of several owners, O. D. Sat- 
 terlee toek possession in 1855. The prop- 
 erty was purchased by the 'present own- 
 ers in 1874. Capacity of the mill, 8,000,- 
 OOO feet per year. 
 
 D. Blanchard & Co. 's mill is located on 
 Walnut sti;eet,' about two squares west of 
 the canal. It was established in 1856, by 
 Blanchard, Craig & Co., but in 1865, the 
 firm became Shaw, Blanchard & Co. In 
 1875 the firm name was changed to D. 
 Blanchard & Co. The sawing capacity 
 of this mill is 12,000,000 feet per year. 
 
 The mill of Towns, Shaw & Co., is lo- 
 cated on the river bank above the bridge. 
 It was built in 1853, by O. Eichards, and 
 after changing hands several .timespa^ed 
 
 to the ownership of the present proprie- 
 tiirs in 1864. Capacity over 10,000,000. 
 
 Simpson & Martin's mill, located on the 
 river bank, above the bridge, was built in 
 1855 by Bailey & Thorn, and after chang- 
 ing hands several times became the prop- 
 erty of W. A. Simpson in 1861. In 1867, 
 Warren Martin was taken in as partner. 
 Capacity of mill, 10,000.000. 
 
 Thomas & Mason erected a fine mill 
 in 1870, on the Bald Eagle Valley raih-oad, 
 west of Fairview street. In 1873 it was 
 burned to the ground; but in a short time 
 its place was occupied by another, which 
 is in many respects superior to the first. 
 Its capacity is 12,000,000 feet per year. 
 
 Brown, Blackbuni & Curtin, have a 
 timber mill located between the B. E. V. 
 R. R., and the B. E. canal, about one 
 fourth of a mile west of the P. & E. rail- 
 road. This mill was erected in 1866, by 
 John C. Brown & Co. In 1869 the firm 
 became as at present. Capacity, 5,000,- 
 000. 
 
 P. H. White has a mill on the B. E. V. 
 railroad, near foot of Jones street. It 
 was built in 1868, by John L. Cranston, 
 and passed into the hands of the present 
 owner in 1869. Capacity about 3,000,- 
 000. 
 
 Fredericks, Long & Co.'smill is locat- 
 ed in the Fifth ward (Flemington) on the 
 Bald Eagle Creek, was built in 1868. 
 Capacity 6,000,000. 
 
 The mill of Mann, Scott & Co., is also 
 located in the Fifth ward on the Bald 
 Eagle Creek. It has a capacity of 6,000,- 
 000 feet per season'. 
 
 There are several extensive planing 
 mills in Lock Haven. 
 
 That of Hippie & Wilson, is located on 
 Bellefonte avenue, near the P. & E. rail- 
 road. It was established in 1862 by White, 
 Hippie & Co. The firm changed to Hip- 
 pie, Wilson & Hippie, in 1866; to Hippie 
 & Wilson in 1874. Capacity of planer. 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 GiO 
 
 The planing mill of Gossler & Co., is 
 located on Comipg street, near Clinton 
 avenue. It was erected in 1869. , Capac- 
 ity of planer, 30, 000 per day. 
 
 Furst's, Ricker & Co. The establish- 
 ment of this firm is located on the Bald Ea- 
 gle canal at the foot of Fairview street. 
 It was erected in 1873, by Barry & Fogle. 
 It was partially destroyed by fire in 1874, 
 and rebuilt by the present proprietors. 
 
 The planing mill of Brawn & Clough, 
 is located on the B. E. canal, and P. & E. 
 railroad, on the site of the mill of Byers 
 & Co., destroyed by fire. The present 
 building was erected in 1874. It is a 
 substantial structure. 
 
 The other imuortant manufacturing es- 
 tablishments of the city are as follows: 
 
 The Lock Haven Iron works. Bicker, 
 Fredericks & Co., proprietors, are located 
 on Walnut street, near the Philadelphia 
 & Erie railroad and the Bald Eagle canal. 
 They were erected in 1854, by a firm con- 
 sisting of G. C. Harvey, A. H. Best, Wm. 
 Fearon, and L. A. Mackey. Since that 
 time several changes have taken place in 
 the proprietorship. In 1868, J. H. Bicker 
 became a member of the firm. In 1869, 
 S. H. Fredericks purchased an interest, 
 and in 1871 Charles Kreamer purchased 
 the interest of G. C. Harvey. Since that 
 time the name of the firm has been as at 
 present. In June 1869, the entire estab- 
 lishment was destroyed by fire, wlien the 
 present buildings were constructed with 
 as little delay as possible. The machine 
 shop is built of brick, 50 by 115 feet, one 
 story high, and contains some of the heav- 
 iest and most perfect machinery in Cen- 
 tral Pennsylvania, among which are a 
 50 inch planer, capable of planing a piece 
 of iron 50 inches high and 50 inches 
 wide. It is 30 feet long, and weighs 30,- 
 800 pounds; a screw-cutting lathe weigh- 
 ing 24,600 pounds; a boring machine 
 which weighs 36,000 pounds. There is 
 also other machinery of heavy weight and 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 great power, besides many lathes, planes, 
 drills, bolt-cutting machines, &c., from 
 the larger sizes down to very small dimen- 
 sions. The room is also supplied with a 
 powerful crane on which one man can 
 lift five tons with ease. All the machin- 
 ery is driven by a seventy horse power 
 engine. 
 
 The foundry is 50 by 65 feet, one story 
 high. It is furnished with a cupola hav- 
 ing a capacity to melt down five tons of 
 iron. The brass foundry adjoining it 
 contains two crucibles of sufficient size to 
 melt and pour 500 pounds of molten brass 
 at one operatidn.. 
 
 The blacksmith shop is a sustantial 
 brick building, 40 by 50, and contains 
 four fires; a fan of 30 inches diameter 
 furnishes the blast, and the shop has ev- 
 ery appliance lor the forging of heavy 
 bars, &c. 
 
 The pattern shop is also of brick, 40 
 by 50 feet, and furnished with the neces- 
 sary machinery of the latest invention. 
 Connected with it is a fire-pioof building 
 for the storage of paterns, of which there 
 are now on hand not less than $35,000 
 worth. 
 
 In the rear of, and connected with the 
 works of Ricker, Fredericks & Co., is the 
 Boiler Shop of Messrs. Fisher & AUison. 
 The building was erected in 1871. It is 
 45 by 81 feet in length and one stoi-y 
 high. 
 
 The Eagle Iron Works, Knights, Ager 
 & Co., is located on the P. & E. railroad 
 and Liberty street. It was established in 
 1869. The building consists of a machine 
 shop, smithery, and foundry. The estab- 
 lishment is supplied with first-class ma- 
 chinery, and turns out a large amount of 
 work, consisting of steam engines, mill 
 gearings and fittings, saw gummers, &c. 
 
 The Foundry and Agricultural Imple- 
 ment Manufactury of 0. A. Harvey & 
 Bro., is located between Woods avenue 
 and the B. E. canal, in the Fifth ward. 
 
TO 
 
 IIISTOKIOAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 These works wore established many years 
 ago hy Woods & Wright, and taken pos- 
 session of b^ 0. A. Harvey, in 1871. The 
 firm manufacture various kinds of agri- 
 cultural implements, ' and all kinijs,, of 
 foundry ware. 
 
 The machine shop of Harvey, Easton 
 & Co., is connected with the saw mill of 
 Thomas & Mason. This establishment 
 is furnished with facilities for manufac- 
 turing various kinds of machinery, but 
 givesespecial attention to the manufacture 
 of Plale's patent gang lath mills. 
 
 Lock Haven has two extensive tanne-, 
 ries. That of Kistler & Sons is located 
 on the P. & E. railroad, just westj of 
 Fourth street. It was established in 
 1871. Its capacity is 15,000 hides per year. 
 Myers, Herring & Co. 's tannery, is lo- 
 cated on , the canal between Main and 
 Church streets. It was established in 
 1853. It has a capacity of 250 sides per 
 week. 
 
 The Lock Haven Boot and Shpe, Fac- 
 tory is located on the corner of Main and 
 Vesper streets. It is operated by a, com- 
 pany which was incorporated in 1871, 
 with a capital stock of $50,000, with the 
 privilege of increasing it to $100,000. 
 The building occupied by the factory, is 
 substantially constructed — one of the 
 strongest in the city. The first floor is 
 rented for stores, offices, &c. The estab- 
 lishment is supplied with the latest im- 
 proved machinery, and is capable of pro- 
 ducing 800 pairs of boots or shoes per 
 week. 
 
 There are in all more than two hundred 
 business and manufacturing establish- 
 lishments within the limits of Lock Ha- 
 ven, besides various incorporated enter- 
 prises, and institutions. Of the latter 
 class, the Lock Haven Gas Works might 
 be mentioned as among the most import- 
 ant. They are located on Church street, 
 near the canal, and operated by a stock 
 company composed of prominent citizens. 
 
 The present officers of, tli,e company are: 
 Presidenl;, Samuel Christ; Secretary and 
 Treasurer, T. C. Kintzing. The com- 
 pany have laid in all about three miles of ■ 
 pipes. Gas is supplied to about 250 con- 
 sumers, besides 45 strfeet lamps. 
 
 Lock Haven is supplied with water 
 from works constructed and owned by 
 the city. The water is obtained in the 
 gap of the Bald Eagle mountain, about 
 one and a half miles south of the city, 
 where there have, been constructed two 
 extensive reservoirs, which have a capacity 
 of 20,350,000 gallons. The stream from 
 which the water is taken, is fed by never- 
 failing mountain Springs. The water 
 is conveyed to the city through a 10 inch 
 patent, wrought iron and cement pipe, 
 which is laid in the ground below freez- 
 ing point, and passes under the bed of 
 Bald Eagle Creek. The other pipes (of 
 the same niaterial) are 8, 0, 4 and 3 inches 
 clear in diameter. The larger reservoir, 
 which is located a few rods above the 
 other, has an average depth of 15 feet 
 over four acres of ground. The eleva- 
 tion of the reservoir above the city, is 
 about 175 feet. This gives a force suffi- 
 cient to throw a stream from the plugs 
 over the highest building-s. There are 
 now laid in all twelve miles of pipe. There 
 are over six hundred water takers and 
 50 fire plugs. The cost of the works 
 were not less than $130,000, and the an- 
 nual receipts are over |5,000 
 
 Look Haven has two market buildings, 
 one owned by the Lock Haven Hall and 
 Market Company, located on the corner 
 of Church and Grove streets. This com- 
 pany was incorporated in 1868, with a 
 capital of |30, boo. The present officers 
 are: Simon Scott, President; Jacob 
 Brown,, Treasurer; and Frank Hays, Sec- 
 retary. The building owned by this com- 
 pany is a fine and expensive structure. It 
 has a front of 50 feet on Church street, 
 and extends back along Grove to the 
 
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niSTOKlCAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 71 
 
 alley, and is substantially built of brick, 
 and is certainly a credit to the city, and 
 to tbe enterprising gentlemen wlao caused 
 
 ■ its construction; It has fifty stalls, and 
 is capable of Accommodating a large num- 
 ber of produce dealers. 
 
 McKinney's Market is located on Clin- 
 ton avenue, just below the railroad. It 
 is a private institution, owned by A. C. 
 
 ■ MoKinney.' It was built in 1873'. It is 
 fitted up jn good style for the accommo- 
 dation of both buyers and sellers. 
 
 There are now two public halls in Lock 
 Haven. The Opera House, on the cor- 
 ner of Main and Grove street, owned by 
 Farnsworth & Mussina, is a creditable 
 building. The first floor is devoted to 
 stores, '&c. The auditorium, which is 50 
 by 100 feet and 35 feet high, occupies 
 the second and third stories, and is capa- 
 ble of Beating over 1300 persons. 
 
 Great Island Hall is on the corner of 
 Main and Vesper streets. The building, 
 in wjiich it occupies the second floor, is 
 owned by the order of Odd Fellows. Be- 
 fore the Opera House was built this was 
 the popular place for public entertain- 
 ments, but since that time it has been 
 used very little for theatrical perform-' 
 ances. 
 
 The following are the banking institu' 
 lions of the city: 
 
 Lock Haven National Bank, located 
 on the corner of Water and Grove streets, 
 L. A. Mackey, President, and L. Mussina, 
 cashier. It was incorporated as a State 
 bank, in 1855, and became a National 
 bank in 1865. Its capital stock is $130,- 
 000. Surplus, $35,000. About ^300,000 
 in dividends have been paid to stockhold- 
 ers since its organization. 
 
 The First National Bank is located in 
 
 the Exchange building, on Vesper street. 
 
 It was organized in 1864, with a capital 
 
 stock of $100,000. About $75,000 in divi- 
 
 ^ dends have been paid since the bank was 
 
 established. T. C. Kintzing is President, 
 and G. Kintzing, Cashier. 
 
 Moore, Simpson & Co. 'shank is locg,ted . 
 on Water street, opposite the Falloii. 
 Hou^e.. This is a private institution, and 
 was established in 1867. It has a capital 
 of |130,0'00. W.H. Moore is President, 
 alid E. C. Mcdlure Cashier^ 
 
 The principal hotels of Lock Haven 
 are th^ Fallon Hovise, Irviu .House, 
 the Montour House, and, the Girard 
 House. 
 
 The Fallon is located on Water- street, 
 above Grove. It is the, largest hotel in the 
 city,having a front 100 ft, on Waterstreet, 
 and extending back 160 feet, and is four 
 stories high. It was erected in 1855 by 
 a stock company, and aiter passing 
 through various hands, was purchased 
 in ,1874, by Mayor J. W. Smith. 
 This house is fi.tted up in first- 
 class style, and has accommodations for 
 400 guests. ,A fine view of the river and 
 surrounding country may be had from 
 the upper stories. The house is now; un- 
 der the Buperinteudency of .J. Schuyler, 
 Jr. 
 
 The Irvin House, located on the corner 
 of Main and Jay streets, was originally 
 built in 1838, but has since u.ndtogone 
 several changes in appearance and ptopri- 
 etorship. It was purchased in 1873 by 
 the present proprietor, ,S. W. Caldwell, 
 It has accommodations for over two hun- 
 dred guests. It is in every respect a good 
 hotel. , • 
 
 The Montour Hduse, on the corner of 
 Water and ' jay, ' was originally built in 
 1834; by Prank Smith, was burnt in 1855, 
 and rebuilt by Proctor Myers. It has 
 been partially consumed by fire tT*ice 
 since. It has accommodations for 200 
 guests, is pleasantly situated, where a 
 fine View of the river may be had. Its 
 proximity to "the Court House makes it d 
 desirable place for people who are attend- 
 
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Y2 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ing court to stop. The present proprie- 
 tors are Houseal & Krom. 
 
 The Grirard House is located on the 
 eorner of Church and Grove streets. It 
 was built in 1863, by Jacob Smith. The 
 present proprietor is J. W. Morgan. It 
 has accommodations for 100 guests. 
 
 Lock Haven is probably as well sup- 
 plied with societies and associations as 
 any other place of its size in the State. 
 The names and time and place of meet- 
 ing of them ai-e as follows : 
 
 The Lock Haven Library Company was 
 chartered May 31, 1866, and fully organ- 
 ized in July 1868, with the following offi- 
 cers: President, Rev. Gr. W. Shinn; Sec- 
 letary, F. D. Squire; Librarian, Dr. J. H. 
 Barton; Treasurer, John C. Zellers. The 
 organization owes its origin to that public 
 benefactor, Philip M. Price, Esq., who 
 provided in his will for the maintenance 
 of a public^ Library and reading room. 
 The object of this society is to provide 
 choice reading at a trifling expense for 
 all who choose to avail themselves of the 
 opportunity thus afforded. Share-hold- 
 ers pay an annual assessment of two dol- 
 lars, which entitles tliem to the use of 
 the rooms; others, by paying seventy- 
 five cents quarterly, have the privilege of 
 the library. There are now over 1,000 
 volumes of standard works in the library. 
 Connected with the room in which the 
 books axe kept, is a reading room suppli- 
 ed with the leading periodicals of the 
 day. This room is open to the public 
 every day (except Sunday) from 7 o'clock 
 to 10} p. m. The following are the pres- 
 ent officers : A. N. Raub, President; S. D. 
 Ball and Jtfseph Nesbitt, Vice Presidents; 
 R. H. Boggis, Treasurer; P. S. Merrill, 
 Recording Secretary; Thos. Yardley, Cor- 
 responding Secretary; Dr. J. H. Barton, 
 Librarian; Miss Carrie E. Merrill, Assist- 
 ant Librarian. The rooms are in Mayer's 
 block, on Water street, opposite the 
 
 Fallon House. Digitized b)/ 
 
 The Young Men's Christian Associa- 
 tion was organized in 1873. John S. 
 Mason is now President, J. M. Emory 
 Secretary, and F. J. Troxel Treasurer. It 
 has a membership of 150, and meets for 
 religious exercise on Sunday and during 
 the week, in rooms in the Exchange 
 building, corner of Main and Vesper 
 streets. Business meetings are held on 
 the second Tuesday of every month. 
 
 The Mutual Saving, Loan and Build- 
 Association of Clinton county, was incor- 
 porated in 1870, with 2400 shares of $300 
 each. The association meets the first 
 Monday after the tenth of each month, in 
 Keller's block on Grove street. 
 
 The Lock Haven Building and Loan 
 Association was incorporated in May 1874, 
 with 1500 shares of $100 each. It meets 
 the last Monday of each month, ■ in 
 Keller's block. 
 
 The Emerald Beneficial Association 
 meets every alternate Thursday evening 
 in Scott's Bazar, on Main street. 
 
 The following is a list of the various 
 secret organizations of the city : 
 
 Masonic — Lafayette Lodge, No. 199, 
 A. Y. M., meets on Thursday night, on 
 or before the full moon, in the Masonic 
 Hall in Mayer's block, on Water street. 
 
 Lafayette Chapter, No. 163, H. R. A., 
 meets Tuesday night after full moon, in 
 Mayer's block. 
 
 Hospitallar Commandery, No. 46, K. 
 T., meets the second Tuesday of each 
 month in Mayer's block. 
 
 Odd Fellows — Great Island Lodge, No. 
 330, meets every Thursday night at the 
 hall belonging to the order, on the cor- 
 ner of Main and Vesper streets. 
 
 Clinton Lodge, No. 98, meets every 
 Tuesday evening at the Odd Fellow's 
 hall on Main street, below Grove. 
 
 Clinton Encami^ment, No. 53, meets at 
 Odd Fellows hall, on Main street, the 
 second and last Monday of each month. 
 
 ge, No. 84, Degree of Re- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 73 
 
 becca, meets at Great Island Hall the 
 first and third Saturday of each month. 
 
 Patriotic Order Sons of America — 
 Washington Camp, No. 161, meets every 
 Monday night in the Opera Honse build- 
 ing, corner of Main and Grove. 
 
 Washington Camp, No. 195, meets 
 every Wednesday evening in Great Is- 
 land Hall, corner Main and Grove streets. 
 
 Order United American Mechanics — 
 Grand Island Council, No. 161, meets 
 every Tuesday night in the Opera House 
 building, third flooi'. 
 
 Canby Council, No. 315, meets every 
 Friday night in Opera House building. 
 
 Knights of Pythias — Bald Eagle Lodge 
 No. 144, meets every Friday night in 
 Keller's block, on Grove street. 
 
 Improved Order of Red Men — Otzinacli- 
 son Tribe, No. 95, meets every Wednes- 
 day evening, in the Opera House build- 
 ing. 
 
 Order of Seven Wise Men — McClellan 
 Conclave, No. 34, meets in Keller's block, 
 on Grove street, every Wednesday even- 
 ing. 
 
 Knights of the Mystic Chain — Mackey 
 Castle, No. 59, meets every Thursday 
 evening in the Opera House block. 
 
 German Beneficial Association — Meets 
 first and tbird Mondays of each month, in 
 Keller's block. 
 
 The Lock Haven Masonic Relief Asso- 
 ciation, was incorporated in 1871. Reg- 
 ular meeting of Directors on Third Mon- 
 days of each month. The object of this 
 association is to aid and assist the widows 
 and orphans of worthy Master Masons. 
 
 The geographical centre of Look Ha- 
 ven, is near the Great Island Cemetery. 
 Theicentre of population as nearly as can 
 be ascfertained, is at or near the Second 
 ward school building, on Bald Eagle 
 street; the centre of business is in the vi- 
 cinity of the Episcopal church, on Main 
 street. 
 
 liamsport, is 35.8 miles; to Sunbury, 65.1 
 miles; to Harrisburg, 115 miles; to Phil- 
 adelphia, 333 miles; to New York, 313 
 miles; toRenovo, 37^3 miles; to Keating, 
 39.8 miles; to Erie, 333.5 miles; to Chica- 
 go, 674 miles; to Bellefonle, 36.8 miles; to 
 Tyrone, 55.1 miles; to Altoona, 69.4 
 miles; to Pittsburg, 186.1 miles. The 
 central point between Philadelphia and 
 Erie, is within the corporate limits of the 
 city. Tlie elevation of Lock Haven above 
 the level of the sea, is 553 feet; it is 284 
 feet higher than Harrisburg, 139 feet high- 
 er than Sunbury, and 46 feet higher than 
 Williamsport. It is- 158 feet lower than 
 Keating, 1454 feet lower than Kane, the 
 highest point on the P. & E. railroad, and 
 13 feet lower than the level of Lake Erie; 
 334 feet lower than Tyrone, 148 feet lower 
 than Pittsburg, and 309 feet lower than 
 Elmira, N. Y. 
 
 The latitude of Lock Haven is : 4105'30" ; 
 north, the longitude is, west of Green^ 
 wich, 7703O' ; westof Washington,28'13". 
 The mean temperature ' in the summer is 
 67^0; in the winter, 47P; forthe year,480. 
 The fall of rain which includes the water 
 contained in snow falls, averages 40 inch- 
 es per year. 
 
 The government ot the city of Look 
 Haven is vested in the Mayor and Coun- 
 cil, three members from each of the five 
 wards. The oth%r ofQoials are three School 
 Directors from each ward; a board of 
 Water Commissioners, a City Treasurer, 
 Superintendent of water works, City En- 
 gineer, Street Commissioner, three City 
 Auditors, and an Overseer of the Poor. 
 The police force of the city consists of 
 a Chief and two police constables. The 
 first Mayor of the city was L. A. Mackey; 
 the second, J. W. Smith; the third, R. R. 
 Bridgens, who was elected in February 
 last. The various otlier offices are filled 
 at iHCsent by the following persons: 
 Thomas Yardley, City Treasurer; James 
 
 Tlie distance from Lock-Haten taWiuLRpbinsaruSuperintendent of waterworks; 
 
li 
 
 niSTORJCAL jg^IBW OE CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 C. S, Price, City Bngineei-,; jfpsepli. ^ar- 
 j,sops,_^trept, CotQmissi|Ouei;; . Japf)b, Kpller, 
 CLief of Police; Jolij^iJ^jseler John S. 
 Toner, Police Constables; . Jacob Strunk,^ 
 Special Police. 
 
 Meijibers ot Council— First -ward, H. T. 
 ^ Beardsley, John S. JVIa4er,|Cjharles Sclieid; 
 Second) ward, Simon i Spott, Wheeler 
 Shaw,' Jacob Smith; Third ward, Sam- 
 uel Christ, Dudley Blanchard,preorge W. 
 Hippie; Fourth ward, ..Harrison Barr, 
 Jqhn S. Mason, .Jared . Klapp; Fifth 
 ward, .0. A. Harvey, R.'w. Snpok J. 'w. 
 Mader. ' , 
 
 School Directoijs-:— i^irst v>'ard, 8. > B. 
 Snook, 'B. F. Wiiiters,' G. Henry Hiller; 
 Secorid, ward, Herrnon Simon, P. S. Mer- 
 rill, Jacob UIp; Third ward, T. B., Love- 
 land, T. N., ]?oorman, M. B, Herring; 
 Fourth ward, John C. Brown, M,. B. 
 Behney, Isaac P. Shaffer; Fifth ward,' 
 J. Di L. Counsil, John S. Lbgiie, George 
 Glossnor. ''' '"' ' ' 
 
 Alderman — First ward, B. F. Winters; 
 Second ward, P. S. Merrill; Third ward, 
 George Batc^ieler,; F'purtli ward, Orrin T. 
 Noble ; Fifth ward, ' Wm. F.^^ Harter. 
 
 Water Commissioners^!^. Shaw, Jacob 
 Brown, J. S. Robinson, W. W*. Barrows, 
 Wil.'ion Norris and J.' B. Furst. 
 
 City Auditors — John P. Packer, John' 
 Mi'Dauef, W. H. Clough:- ' ^ 
 
 Overseer of the Poof — T. S. Lingle. 
 
 The Look Haven Post Office is one of 
 the most 'systematically and conveniently 
 arranged in the country. It is located on 
 Grove street betweten Main and Water. 
 The delivery of mail matter is by an in- 
 geniously devised System of look-boxes, 
 of which there are in all fourteeii hun- 
 dred . and nineV-five. The office belongs 
 to the chain of international money order 
 ol&ces, aiid issues money orders payable 
 in Germany and Oreat Britain. During 
 
 1874, orders were issued amounting to $37, - 
 455,4,6, and paid to the am.oijnt, of, Sil7,- 
 058.03, which shows an increase, of more 
 tlian |30,000 in, six years. The, .increase 
 in the receipts for the ^ale of stamps, box 
 rent, &c., is 13,246.26 for the same time. 
 The present Post Master is J. W. Harris, 
 Yiho femploys two "clerks, Joseph Gi'afius 
 and J. N. Farnsworth. 
 
 The office of the Western Union Tele- 
 graph Company is located in Great Island 
 Hall, on Main street, . g,nd i is ,atf present 
 in charge of Mr. James Mehaffey. The 
 number ,of messages sent during 1874, was 
 30, 982,; the number received,i7,850; which 
 shows a total increase of 5,630 over the 
 previous year. : 
 
 The, office occupied by.thp Union and 
 Adams. Express.Companies, isdn the Ex- 
 change building, on Vesper street, be- 
 tween Main and Water. Mr. Charles 
 Bingham is the agent, , Tire , business of 
 ^his office -for 1873 and 187,4, amounted to 
 $34,,142,..50;, , 
 
 The sale of tickets at the Lock Haven 
 office- of the P. & E. railroad, amounts to i 
 an average iof $10,000 per month', or 
 $120,000 a year. J. T. Gifford is the 
 agent. 
 
 The charges on freight7~"received at 
 Lock Haven, over the same road,' average 
 about 16,000 per month or $73,000 per 
 year; and the freight forwarded and 
 received by the Peipher Individual 
 Line, amounts to about $900 a month, 
 or $10,800 per year. J. W. Drake is at 
 present agent for this line. 'The office, 
 and freiglit house is located on the corner 
 of Bellefonte avenue and the railroad. 
 
 The Pennsylvania raUroad Cftiipany 
 pays out tot labor, in Lock Haven and vi- 
 dinity, several thousand dollars, each 
 month. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTOEIOAL VIEW OF CLINTON OQUNTY. 
 
 [ — -^ — 
 
 75 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 LOCK HAYEX (COSTIXUED) — NB>VSPAPEIIS — ClirKCHES 
 
 The following history of the newspa^ 
 pers of Lock Havei), is' taken from Me- 
 ginnes' History of the "West Branch 
 Valley: • ... 
 
 The first paper started im Look Haveii, 
 ■was caUed The- Eagle, ■ by William A, 
 Kinsloe. This was iiv August, 1838. ' It 
 advocated the formation of a new comity 
 to be called ''Eagle." When the couitity' 
 of CUiiton' Was formed" in 1839, the name 
 was changed to The CUntonia,n. At the 
 close of the campaign of 1840, it was sus- 
 pended. In a short time it was resusci- 
 tated, however, by "Robert • McGormick 
 and J. B. G. Kinsloe — ^brother, of the 
 former — :and the name changed to OUntbn 
 County Whig, Kinsloe soon went out,' 
 and wiis succeeded by I. B. Gara, who 
 remained with McCormick for a short 
 time. In 1843, W. P. Coulter and John 
 W. Ross became the publishei-s. In tho: 
 spring of 1845, Boss was alone, Coulter 
 having retired. About the- first of May, 
 1845, I.. , B. Gara toqk the paper again 
 and continued it until the 6th of Kovem- 
 ber, when he retired, and H. E. Shoe- 
 maker became the ijublisher, and contin- 
 ued till the 17th of October,, 1847, when 
 the press and m9,terials were taken to 
 Jersey Shore. In December, 184Q, Adam 
 J. Greer brought on a new establishment, 
 and on, the 36th of the same month issued 
 the fir&t number of a new paper, entitled 
 The Clinton, Tribime. He was assisted 
 in its publication by H. E. Shoemaker. 
 At the close of a year, Greer sold out to 
 R. W. Rothrock, who continued the paper 
 till the 6th of April, 1852, when Col. W. 
 T. Wilson became a partner. On the 1st 
 of September following, Rothrock retired, 
 having disposed of , his interest to his 
 brother, "\V. P. Rothrock. Wilson con- 
 ducted the papertill the 15th of February, 
 1853, when he sold out to C. Gather Flint 
 and his brother H. M. Flint,, but the 
 name of the former only appeai-edat the 
 head of the paper. On the ISt'.' n^ 
 1853, C. Gather Flint retired, diYcV W-fts' 
 
 succeeded by his brother, who continued 
 the paper till the 10th of October, 1854, 
 when he, retired, followed "by Daniel 
 Bower, wTio continued a short ' time, 
 whenT-hbmas Martin came, and changed 
 the name to The Watchman. Mr. Martin 
 retired from the paper on the 3d of ■ Oc- 
 tober, and was suoceedecj by D. S. Dun- 
 ham. 
 
 The Walchraaii suspended publication 
 in March 1861. In June of the same year 
 Jesse IT. Berry and W. C. Kress purchased 
 the material, to which they added new, 
 a,nd started tlie Loch Haten iV^CMS, a Re- 
 publican paper, the name of W. C. Kress 
 appearing as editor. On December 4th, 
 1863 the office was entirely destroyed by 
 fire, and the paper suspended. 
 
 Th^ GUnton, County Democrat was 
 started by Wilbur & Shriner, in 1839 or 
 '40, and •' continued a year or two. In 
 1843, it was revived by John R. Eck. 
 
 The OUnton Democrat was published 
 till the fall of 1844, by 8. S. Seely. In 
 December of that year it passed into the 
 hands of H. L. Dieffenbach, who, in June, 
 1845, united the two rival papers. On 
 the first of January, 1850, he sold out to 
 George A, Crawford, who, at the end of 
 one year, received Lyons Mussina as a 
 partner. At the end of two years Craw- 
 ford & Mussina were succeiaded by Henry 
 Frysinger, who, continued two years, and 
 then gave way to Atwood & Wilson, who 
 also continued two years, and were suc- 
 ceeded on the 1st of January, 1856, by 
 James W. McBwen. 
 
 McEwen was succeeded by Dieffenbach 
 & Martin. Soon after the firm changed 
 to Dieffenbach & Wjlson. , On the with- 
 drawal of Wilson, H. L. Dieffenbach be- 
 came the sole proprietor. Dieffenbach 
 .was guQg^ded by John IT. Orth, who 
 ^d by J; W. and W. P. Furey, in 
 
•?6 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY, 
 
 1867; the former witlidrawing, the busi- 
 ness was conducted by the latter. In 
 July, 1869, Whaley £f Orth became the 
 proprietors. Orth (^yingin 1870. J. C. C. 
 Whaley, the present editor and publish- 
 er, took full possession. The OUnton 
 Democrat, as an eight column Democratic 
 paper, is ably edited and devoted to local 
 and general news. The office is supplied 
 •with a good jobbing outfit. It is located 
 on Main street, below Grove. 
 
 The Clinton Bepublican'W&s establish- 
 ed in March, 1863, by Geo. D. Bowman. 
 In March, 1874, it was sold to J. B. G. 
 Kinsloe, the present owner. As its name 
 indicates, this paper is Republican in 
 politics, and ranks with the leading 
 country journals of the State. It is the 
 largest paper printed in the county, hav- 
 ing nine columns. The office is furnished 
 with a Montague power press, and a well 
 selected assortment of job and newspaper 
 material. It is located in the Exchange 
 building, on Vesper street, near Main. 
 
 The Enterprise was established October 
 10, 1873, byH. ByxbeandD. S. Maynard. 
 It is a seven column paper, Republican in 
 politics, and is especially devoted to the 
 advancement of the industrial, and man- 
 ufacturing interests of Clinton county 
 and the development of her natural re- 
 sources. The office is stocked with first- 
 class machinery and all necessary mate- 
 rial for the execution of book and job 
 printing. Office on Main street, between 
 Grove and Vesper. 
 
 In 1869 R. A. Kinsloe & Bro., started 
 a daily called the Independent. In a short 
 time they sold ovit to A. B. Henderson, 
 who changed the name to the Quid Nunc. 
 The paper was short lived, existing but a 
 few months. 
 
 ©BEAT ISLAND PKBSBYTERIABt GHUBCH. 
 
 As stated elsewhere in this history, 
 the Great Island Presbyterian^ church 
 was the first one organized in the vicinity 
 of the "Great Island," fror 
 
 rived its name. The following sketch of 
 that church is furnished by its present 
 pastor, the Rev. Josejih Nesbitt: 
 
 It apppears from the statement of an 
 old resident of the West Branch Valley, 
 that the Rev. Mr. Kinkaid, a Presbyteri- 
 an minister preached in the bounds of 
 Great Island Presbyterian Church, previ- 
 ous to 1778, and that at that date he was 
 driven away by the Indians with the rest 
 of the inhabitants and never returned. 
 
 We have in our possession a subscription 
 paper showing the provision that was 
 made for the support of the Gospel for a 
 single year. This paper carries us back 
 to the time that intei-vened betwen the 
 publication and ratification of our Civil 
 Constitution. The heading of it is as 
 follows: "TFfi, the subscribers, do prom^ 
 ise to deliver at the house of Robert Flem- 
 ing, or David Hannah, the quantity of 
 wheat, rye and corn that is annexed to 
 each of our names on, or before the first 
 day of February next. We do also consti- 
 tute and appoint, David Lush, William 
 Seed, Sr., and James Badgers, to make 
 sale of said grain in whatever manner they 
 shall think proper; and appropriate the 
 money that arises from i/ie sale of said 
 grain to the use of paying th^ Presbyterian 
 ministers that come to preach the ensuing 
 year. In witness whereofwe haveliereunto 
 set our hands this first day of December, 
 A. D., 1787. 
 
 Following this heading there are forty- 
 three names, some of which are still borne 
 by the members and adherents of Great 
 Island Church, and opposite the names 
 the quantity of wheat, rye or com, 
 which they respectively contributed. 
 
 Some two months previous to the date 
 of this paper, Mrs. Hettie Reed, (who 
 died in 1869) then a girl of eleven years 
 of age, came to this neighborhood with 
 her father, David Lusk, that is, near the 
 spot where the house of Mrs. R. Petrikeu 
 now stands, and about two weeks after 
 her arrival heard a minister of the name 
 of Johnston, preach, at a large tree in 
 the neighborhood of her father's house. 
 
 In 1790, as appears from their minutes, 
 the General Assembly (of the Presbyte- 
 rian church) appointed the Rev. Messrs. 
 Nathan Ker and Joshua Hart, to labor 
 as missionaries in this region. 
 
 On the 9th of April, 1794, Rev. Isaac 
 Grier, one of whose sons is still a member 
 
 '°'bl^)ilM &yMhl^§Jfm^^^^'-y °f Northumberland, 
 
HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 n 
 
 (under whose care the Great Island 
 Presbyterian Church is,) was ordained, 
 I I and installed as pastor of the three 
 churches of Lycoming, Pine Creek 
 and Great Island. This pastorate Jasted 
 twelve years, at the end of which, Mr. 
 Grier removed to the yillage of Northum- 
 berland, where he employed his time 
 chiefly in conducting an academy. 
 
 After a vacancy of eight years, the 
 churches of Great Island and Pine Creek 
 united in extending a call to the Rev. 
 John H. Grier, whose laborious and faith- 
 ful services they enjoyed for* thirteen 
 years. The call was dated September 6, 
 1814, and the pastorate, then commenced, 
 continued according to the recollection of 
 Mr. Grier, who is still living, till towards 
 the close of 1827. 
 
 The first ruling Elders of this church 
 " were John Fleming and James Rodgers. 
 The latter lived on a rented farm on the 
 Island. The fonner filled the position of 
 Associate Judge, was distinguished for 
 his intelligence and usefulness. He was 
 the only ruling Elder at the time Mr. 
 Grier became pastor. Shortly afterwards 
 five others were added, viz: Matthew 
 Allison, James Carskaddon, Wm. White, 
 John Innis and Nathanial Hanna. 
 
 In the month of June, 1816, the num- 
 ber of communicants, as appears from an 
 old record, was thirty-two; but the num- 
 ber rapidly increased so that in Septem- 
 ber of the^foUowing year it reached sixty- 
 eight. 
 
 John H. Grier was succeeded by "Dan- 
 iel M. Barber, who was in turn succeeded 
 by Alexandar Boyd. Mr. Boyd's pasto- 
 rate began in April, 1838, and ended in 
 the summer of 1844. On June 23d, of 
 this year, he asked the congregation to 
 unite with him in requesting the Presby- 
 tery to disolve the relation. He died June 
 1st, 1845. 
 
 These two pastorates lasted only about 
 six years each and between them the pulpit 
 was supplied for over a year by the Rev.* 
 .Jacob B. McCreary. 
 
 Up to this time there are scarcely any 
 records worthy of the name. But from 
 this time to the present the minutes of 
 the session are kept with a considerable 
 degree of care and acuvacy. 
 
 The next pastor after Mr. Boyd, was 
 
 Slater C. Hepburn, brother of Mrs. L. A. 
 
 ■ Mackey, and Mrs. E. C. MoClure. He 
 
 first came to Look Haven in August 1844, 
 
 Jiaving fengaged to supply 
 
 two months. At the end of that time a 
 call was made eut for him. Having ac- 
 cepted the call he returned in November 
 of the same year, and was ordained and 
 installed in the church at Mill Hall, which 
 had been built some time before, and 
 which was then within the bounds of the 
 Great Island congregation. The ordina- 
 tion and installation took place on the 
 21st of January, 1845, and the pastoral 
 relation thus formed continued tUl June 
 11th, 1850, when it was dissolved,! and 
 Mr. Hepburn went to take charge of a 
 church in Orange county, N. Y., in con- 
 nection with which be still continues. 
 
 When Mr. Hepburn took charge of the 
 congregation there were bvit three niUng 
 Elders, viz: John Fleming McCormick, 
 Robert Stewai-t and Isaac Lusk. To 
 these; three more were soon afterwards, 
 added, viz: Saul McCormick, John Smythe 
 and Hudson Williams. 
 
 During the former part of Mr. Hep- 
 bum's ministry here the congregation 
 worshiped in the upper room of the Acad- 
 emy, at the corner of Main and Vesper 
 streets, where the Exchange building now 
 stands, and during the latter part in the 
 old Methodist church, which stood on the 
 east side of the canal on Church 
 street, and which they had rented for the 
 half of each Sabbath. The church on 
 the hill towards Flemington was aban- 
 doned as a place of public worship before 
 Mr. Hepburn came, and the church on 
 Water street below the canal was not 
 completed till the eve of his leaving. His 
 farewell sermon was, according tO' 
 his best recollection, the first that was 
 preached in it. 
 
 About this time Alexander McCormick, 
 by his last will and testament bequeathed 
 $500 to the Great Island Church for the 
 use of the pastors of said church, to whom 
 the interest was to be paid annually. 
 This sum was as dii'ected by the will, in- 
 vested by the trustees of the^church in 
 mortgage on unincumbered real estate, 
 and the interest thereon has been paid 
 annually to the pastors of the Great Is- 
 land Church from the first of April, 1850, 
 to the present. Since the Bald Eagle and 
 Nittany Church, which worship at Mill 
 Hall, was constituted into a separate 
 charge half the sura accruing from Mr. 
 MoCormiok's bequest is, by special agree- 
 ment, given to the pastor of that church; 
 this makes the amount very small to 
 f gr/ ^«goh)^b«*^ie Christian benevolence indi- 
 
18 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 catsd, ill the bequest should cause the 
 nanie of tlie bequeathe!' to be long and 
 gratefully remembered. 
 
 The next pastor of the church was S. 
 A. G-ayley. The call . for his services was 
 extended in January, .1851. He was then 
 a licentiate under the care of the Presby- 
 tery of New Castle, but laboring as a 
 missionary at White ilaven within the 
 bounds pf the Luzerne Presbytery. He in 
 due time notified the people of bis inten- 
 tion to accept their call, and havina; ob- 
 tained his dismission from the Presbytei-y 
 of New Castle to that of Northumberland 
 removed to Lock Haven- in the month of 
 March following. In May, he and Wil- 
 liam Simonton of Williamsport were or- 
 dained togetber in the church at Sunbury 
 and on the 3d of June he was installed by 
 a committee of, i'resbytery over this con- 
 gregation. 
 
 On the same day Thomas Bridgens and 
 .1. A. Crawford were added to the Session. 
 Jacob Grafius had been elected to the 
 office of. ruling elder but thought fit not 
 to accept. 
 
 At this time the old church building 
 was still standing in the graveyard on the 
 hill, though for many years it had not 
 been occupied as a place of worship, ex- 
 cept on funeral occasions, Its style of 
 architecture was antique. Its high pulpit 
 and sounding board and precentor's desk 
 and tall, straight-backed pews were no 
 longer in harmony with the taste of the 
 people who had grown up in attendance 
 on its services. Partly for this reason 
 and partly because, after Lock Haven 
 had become a town of some importance, 
 it was seen not to be in the right place, 
 it was at length sold and torn down. 
 Plainly proper as this course was, .it gave 
 great offense to some of the older people, 
 so strongly are we wedded to old institu- 
 tions and usages. Under Mr. Gay ley's 
 muiistry the church was more than usu- 
 ally prosperous. At Mill Hall thirty-OTO 
 persons were added to its membership 
 on profession of faith, at one time. When 
 Mr. Gayley came, the number of mem- 
 bers was one hundred and four. Durino- 
 the five years of his ministry one hun- 
 dred and four new members were receiv- 
 ed; and when he left, the whole number 
 was one hundred and ninety. During 
 this time too, the church building at Mill 
 Hall was greatly improved in appearance 
 and in comfort, and the one at Lock Ha- 
 ven was enlarged, its baseiaestfitted ffitt 
 
 for a lecture and Sabbath school room, 
 and a steeple and a bell put upon it. 
 
 Each wing of the congregation had 
 now iD^come amply able to sustaiu a pas- 
 tor of its own, and it was no longer for 
 the interests of religion that they should 
 remain togetljer. Accordingly, the Mill 
 Hall part was set off by Presbytery as a 
 separate charge, under the name of Bald 
 Eagle and Nittany^ and called the Rev. 
 Henry L. Doolittle,. The Lock. Haven 
 part retaining the old style and title of 
 Great Island, after remaining vacant for 
 over a year, oii the 11th of Pebruary, 
 1857, made out a call for James H. Baird, 
 who was accordingly installed on the 6th 
 of the following May. 
 
 On the 17th of the same month Augus- 
 tus Jones, S. H. Fredericks and M. J. 
 Reynolds were ordained and installed as 
 ruling Elders. 
 
 This pastorate was not a very happy 
 one. Misundel-standings , occurred, and 
 fires were kindled the smoldering remains 
 of which might be seen several years af- 
 ter. The sooner such things are forgot- 
 ten, the better for all parties copcerued. 
 Let them be buried in oblivion, and let 
 no word be written or spoken that would 
 tend to revive the memory of them. 
 
 The relation between Mr. Baird and 
 this churqh was dissolved by Presbytery, 
 Oct. 21st, 1859, and announced from the 
 pulpit by the Rev. Dr. D. K. Junkin, 
 the following Sabbath. 
 
 The congregational meeting at which 
 it was resolved to call the present pastor, 
 was held on the 36th of December, 1859. 
 The call was presented to him the follow 
 ing April at Muncy, and arrangements 
 made for his installation on the 3d of 
 May. At the installation Henry L. Doo- 
 little presided. Dr. J. W. Yeomans 
 of Danville, preached the sermon, and 
 lyr. J. C. Watson, of Milton, delivered 
 the charges to pastor and people. 
 
 Fifteen years of this pastorate have 
 now i-olled away. And in the review of 
 those years, while we have much to re- 
 gret we have much more to be grateful 
 for. Pour years of this time the nation 
 was engaged in a struggle for its life. 
 The country was convulsed. Feeling 
 ran high. But though our congregation 
 was divided in opinion as to the cause 
 and conduct of- the war, and though 
 their views were strongly marked tliey 
 firm.ly .l.mH together. Consideiiii;;- how 
 other o'cSiTgTegations were racked iiud torn 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 •79 
 
 and scattered, we have reason to .thank 
 God most heartily 'that ouvswas carried 
 so calmly over that period of turmoil and 
 collision. .; 
 
 In the early, part o£ 180.3, wo resolved 
 to build a wore spaisious church edifice in 
 a more, convenient I locality. "VYith this 
 view we sold/ the one we then, ©coupled 
 to the German Lutheran congregation 
 agreeing, to Igive them possession of it oi) 
 the first of!the following December. In 
 the meantime, in cousequenco of the un- 
 expected continuance of the war, thq 
 price of labor and material rose very high, 
 so that when the 1st of Decewber came 
 our contemplated building was not, even 
 commenced. We were accordingly , re- 
 duced to the necessity of , renting a hall. 
 The hall was rented, though the best in 
 town, was two stories . and a half, high, 
 and there we continued to worship, 'fo*? 
 twenty weary months. At le;agth, in the 
 end of July, 1865, bidding . a .glad fare- 
 well t® past discouragements and disap-,, 
 pointments we dedicated to thei worship 
 of Almighty God our present Chapel. In 
 the beginning of 1862 we. added to ; our 
 session, Ave new members, viz: Samuel 
 Hepburn, Seymour D. Ball, Matthew Barn- 
 um, Roht„F. McCormick and J. Allison 
 Crawford. ■; ,. 
 
 A gTcat writer has said that the .best 
 times to live in are the worsti to write 
 about. This is as true of churches as it 
 is of nations. In a church like ours, 
 which has neither periodical commotions 
 nor diocesan visitations tliere is little to 
 record except when its pulpit becomes 
 vacant, ,or its accommodations enlarged, 
 or some root of bitterness springs up to 
 trouble it. When the preaching of the 
 Gospel and the administration of the 
 sacraments and the work of the members 
 are, under the blessing of God, followed 
 by their natural fruit, when the young 
 are instructed as they ought to he in 
 the teachings of the Scriptures, and the. 
 accessions to ithe membershiiD are con- 
 stant, there is little or nothing that 
 strikes the ordinary mind; and yet it will 
 be seen by every considerate person that 
 this is the time when the church is fulfill- 
 ing its mission most judiciously and efli- 
 ciently. This being what we aim at, 
 though it must be admitted we fall misr 
 erably short of our aim, it will be seen, 
 that by far the best part of our history 
 can receive nothing more t^?jJ^ a passing- 
 glance; that part namely Tii»^vhicli the | 
 
 object of . its institution has, been accom- 
 j)lish?4<fioni; week, to' -week and from 
 month to, month as quietly .^d luiosten- 
 tatiouslyi as the dew distills or the grass 
 grows.; Let it he.obse,rved jparticularly 
 however, that our steady growth. in num- 
 -bers and spirituality is to be re,garded as 
 the thing of chief importance. The com- 
 ing of a sinner to Christ; thei growth of a 
 believer. in iioliness is that which is view- 
 ed with deepest interest from the world 
 above; and i,n the evidences of this we re- 
 joice far more than we do in any indica- 
 tions of material prosperity. 
 
 On the 9th of February, 1868, in. con- 
 sequence of certain representations made 
 to him by one of the members, the pastor 
 after proper considerajtion requested the 
 the congregation . to unite with him in 
 asking Presbytery to disolye the relation. 
 A week after, the. congregation held a 
 meeting to consider the subject. At this 
 meeting they resolved that the request of 
 the pastor should npt be granted; and 
 subsequently gave ,him such, evidence of 
 appreciation and confidence as induced 
 him to withdi'aw it. 
 
 In June, 1869, the congregation resolv- 
 ed to completei their church building on 
 the plan already partially executed, and 
 which had been obtained from Mr. Sloan, 
 a prominent Philadelphia, architect, be- 
 fore the building: of our chapel. At the 
 same time, a., committee of ways and 
 means was appointed, consisting of Hon. 
 C. A. Mayer, Hon. L. A. Mackey, David 
 Car-skaddon and 'Charles Corss. Two 
 weeks afterwards the committee reported 
 and their report was adopted. A build- 
 ing committee of three was appointed, 
 but subsequently the whole matter was 
 placed in the hands of the trustees. The 
 trustees then were David Carskaddon, R. 
 H. Bo.ggis, Charles Corss, J. G. Harris, 
 J. A. 'Wilson and C. S. McCormick, 
 Subsequently Judge Mayor, was elected to 
 fill the ijlace of the lamented David. Car- 
 skaddon, and S.' H. Fredericks to -fill the 
 place of J. G. Harris, who had resigned. 
 
 The manner in which these gentlemen 
 discharged their duty, is worthy of all 
 praise. Much time and thought were 
 necessary to carry forward the undertak- 
 ing, and that time and thought they gave 
 willingly. Those who are not in the 
 habit of doing anything themselves, think 
 that everything is very ' easy to be done. 
 Such persons cannot be expected to ap- 
 preciate tiie work of the trustees during 
 
80 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW 01' CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 this critical period of our church's his- 
 tory. But there are , others, and the 
 writer among the number, who do grate- 
 fully appreciate it. All the time, from the 
 commencement of the work to its close, 
 they were rising in our estimation, and if 
 we had had another church to build, and 
 they had occupied the same jjosition iu 
 the building of it, the inevitable result 
 would have been the generation in our 
 bosom of feelings akin to Carlisle's hero 
 worship. We do appreciate the intelli- 
 gent and laborous services of these men 
 and we wish here to record the fact. 
 But what is more to be desired than any 
 appreciation of ours; their witness is in 
 Hieaven, and their record is on high. 
 
 The work of building occupied a much 
 longer time than was anticipated. This, 
 I undei stand, is the case with all build- 
 ings, ancient and modern, sacred and sec- 
 ular. Unforseen obstacles arise and un- 
 expected delays occur, and those who 
 have a propensity to censure have a fine 
 opportunity for indulging the propensity. 
 At length ths wished lor day arrived. 
 Our building was completed, and on the 
 1st of December, 1873, we met for the 
 first time within its walls. The cost of 
 the whole property — chapel, church and 
 ground— was about $42,000, $11,000 of 
 this remained unpaid, and this was raised 
 on the day of the dedication. The M. E. 
 congregation met with us on the occasion, 
 along with its honored and accomplished 
 pastor, Rev. P. Krohu, and in the ex- 
 ercise of a christian courtesy which we 
 wiU be slow to forget, rejoiced in our joy. 
 The Rev. Nathaniel W. Conklin, D. D., 
 of New York city, preached the sermon 
 and offered the dedicatory prayer. 
 
 In the month of September, 1872, two 
 members were added to the session, viz : 
 Charles Corss and Dr. Richard Armstrong, 
 and on the 31st of December, 1874, five 
 others were added, viz: Thomas B. 
 Loveland, J. S. Furst, G. B. Perkins, C. 
 S. McCormick and R. JET. Boggis. 
 
 What changes have taken place during 
 the period we have reviewed! Changes 
 throughout the world; changes in our 
 own country and in our own valley. The 
 fathers, where are they? Generation af- 
 ter generation have gone to the bar of 
 God to be judged according to the deeds 
 done in the body, and to be dealt with 
 according to the principles of inflexible 
 justice or of covenant mercy. 
 
 Through all these ohan 
 
 !5/b/fe&^/\»^afe9ftte' 
 
 some things which have not changed. 
 The relation of God to His people has 
 not changed. The doctrines, precepts and 
 promises of the Bible have not changed. 
 Human nature whether in the believer or 
 unbeliever has not changed. 
 
 Illustrations of the last statenjent might 
 be found in the experience of all the pas- 
 tors of the Great Island Church. 
 
 The Rev. John Greer, who lived and 
 labored here more than half a century 
 ago, says that in his time the drinking of 
 intoxicating liquors was one of the pre- 
 vailing sins, and one of the chief obsta- 
 cles to the progress of the Gospel. One 
 would suppose that this was said coiiv 
 cerning ourselves. The picture of the 
 past is not unlike the present. 
 
 The Rev. S. C, Hepburn (says: "Be- 
 sides a small band of faithful men, there 
 were some women who labored with me 
 in the Gospel." What was true then is 
 true still. The band of faithful workers 
 is small. But there is such a band, and 
 it consists partly of men and partly of 
 women. 
 
 The Rev. Samuel A. Gayley says: "I 
 have very pleasant memories of my pas- 
 torate there, and strong attachments to 
 many of the people, which shall continue 
 as long as life lasts." The sentiment 
 here expressed is, we are sure, one which 
 has had a place in the heart of every pas- 
 tor of this church. The relation which 
 pastors sustain to their people is one of 
 the deepest interest, and the most mo- 
 mentous issues, and around it cluster 
 some of the most precious and inviolable 
 friendships, friendships which have in 
 them much of Heaven's own purity and 
 perpetuity, and the proofs of which the 
 pastor lays cai'efuUy by among his dear- 
 est treasures. 
 
 In conclusion, we have improved upon 
 the past. We excel the early settlers of 
 the valley in style of living, in style of 
 trayeling,in style of sending news, in arch- 
 itecture, in agriculture, manufacture, 
 and merchandise, but do we exceed them 
 equally in moral and spiritual manhood? 
 The following sketches of the churches 
 of Lock Haven, were furnished by their 
 present officiating pastors. 
 
 THE CHUECII OP CHIilST (DISCIPLE). 
 
 This church was organized Dec. 5th, 
 1S38, and properly set in order by Elders 
 N. J. Mitchell, and L. B. Hyatt, m what 
 Bown as the Tovn Hall. The 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 SI 
 
 i following declaration appears upon record 
 signed by twenty-nine persons who en- 
 tered into tlie organization : 
 
 "In order that principles may be main- 
 tained and diffused, and duties fulfilled, 
 which have their origin in tlie scriptures 
 of Divine truth — that we may be enabled 
 the better to glorify our Father in heaven, 
 and promote the interests of Messiah's 
 Kingdom, by attending to the institu- 
 tions of the gospel in accordance with 
 tlie teaching of Christ and liis Apostles, 
 we, whose names are herein recorded, 
 having given ourselves to the Lord by 
 solemn self-dedication, and public avowal 
 ■of his name and service in the solemn and 
 significant institution of christian bap- 
 tism — do, in the presence of God and one 
 another, organize ourselves into a con- 
 gregation to be known as the Church of 
 Christ, in Lock Haven. And taking the 
 word of God as the only infallible rule of 
 our faith and practice, we solemnly agree 
 to be governed by its holy precepts, and 
 will earnestly labor to promote the union 
 of all christians on this one foundation. 
 
 "We will esteem it our duty to conduct 
 ourselves toward each other in all human- 
 ity and brotherly love, 'not forsaking 
 the assembling of ourselves together, as 
 the manner of some is,' and when the 
 case requires to warn, admonish, and re- 
 buke one another according to the rules 
 of the gospel; to sympathize with each 
 other under afflicting dispensations of 
 providence — to bear with each other's in- 
 firmities and failings — to visit brethren 
 when sick, and administer to them pecu- 
 niary aid when necessary, and in all 
 things to exemplify the doctrine of the 
 gospel by a holy walk and conversation." 
 The chief men among the brethren who 
 entered into this organization were A. 
 Sloan, G. C. Harvey, James Chatham, 
 Job and Isaac Packer, Jno. H. Orvis, and 
 O. T. Noble. A. Sloan, G. C. Harvey, 
 land Jas. Chatham, were chosen Elders, 
 and Job W. Packer, Isaac A. Packer, 
 Deacons, and J. H. Oi-vis Clerk. Of the 
 original twenty-nine members; several 
 were from the Baptists of Lock Haven 
 church, which was without a pastor at 
 that time. 
 
 They continued to hold their meetings 
 for some time in the Town Hall, after 
 which they held them in the Odd Fellows' 
 Hall of Clinton Lodge. Elders Mitchell 
 and Hyatt were the Evangelists of the 
 church during this time, ai)< 
 
 added under their faithful and efficient 
 labors. In the absence of a preacher the 
 church always met onjthe first day of the 
 week to break bread and exhort one an- 
 other to faith and good works. 
 
 On the 16th day of April, 1859, Jas. 
 Chatham, I. A. Packer, and A. Sloan, 
 were appointed a committee to select a 
 suitable lot on which to erect a meeting 
 house, which resulted in the selection and 
 purchase from George Strayer and Jacob 
 Grafius of the lot, on Church street, be- 
 tween Grove and Vesper, on which now 
 stands their beautiful and commodious 
 chapel. The lot was purchased at a cost 
 of six hundred and thirty-three dollars, 
 and the npcessary steps for the erection 
 and completion of a suitable house were 
 taken, and in due time they succeeded in 
 finishing their house at a cost of some- 
 thing over six thousand dollars, which 
 was duly and appropriately set apart to 
 the worship of God, the opening sermon 
 being preached by Elder W. A. Belding, 
 of New York. The record shows that 
 four Ixxmdred and ninety-three (493) per- 
 sons have held membership with the con- 
 gregation since its oi-ganization, and still 
 maintains a membership of three hundred 
 and twenty-six (326). 
 
 Besides the labors of Elders Mitchell 
 and Hyatt, the church has enjoyed the 
 pastoral labors of J. G. Encill, A. L. Ed- 
 wards, E. H. Johnson, John Darsie and 
 the present pastor, D. M. Kinter, who 
 has labored with the church since July 
 17th, 1870. The principal Evangelists 
 who have held meetings for the church 
 are D. S. Burrett, (now deceased) W. A. 
 Belding, Dr. S. E. Shepherd, John P. 
 Mitchell, (now deceased) Z. W. Shepherd, 
 and Wm. L^ue. 
 The present officers are: Elders, A. Sloan, 
 Jas. Chatham, Miles Towns aiJd D. M. 
 Kinter; Deacons, M. Banes, Wm. Witchie, 
 S. M. Bickford, R. Easton, John W. 
 Smith, O. T. Noble, Geo. Calhoun, and 
 Parley Stout; Treasurer, A. H. Best; 
 Trustees, M. Banes, J. W. Smith, G. C. 
 Harvey, F. Stout, R. Ea&ton and M. 
 Towns. 
 
 The sittings in their chapel are free, 
 and strangers are always made welcome 
 and to feel at home. In doctrine, they 
 claim to be Apostolic and . Catholic, and 
 in all matters of faith they ask for a 
 "thus saith the Lord," and the bible 
 alone is of any authority to them in all 
 
 Where the 
 
 '3i^md'6fmf6^dflM^'^^' ''''^ i"'^'=*^'=^- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW Ot CLII-JTOX COUNTY. 
 
 scriptures speak they speak, and -where I 
 the scriptures are silent they are silent. I 
 The church is in a prosperous condition, j 
 and walking in peace and love. They 
 are ever • ready to 'take an active 
 ]iart ill the temperance and all moral re- 
 forms, and aid with their influence and 
 means, whenever opportunity offers. 
 
 FIKST GETMAN EVANGBLTCAI, LUTHERAN. 
 
 We cannot ascertain when the first 
 German preaching occurred in Look Ha- 
 ven, but doubtless it v/as before 1850, and 
 long before the organization of the church 
 and settlement over it of a regular pas- 
 tor. 
 
 The first rhrjulav ministrations in Ger- 
 man were by Rev. Albert, of Salona, who 
 in the year 1850, or 1851,instituted month- 
 ly services at Lock Haven. He was fol- 
 lowed by Rev. Schultz, of Lycoming 
 county. 
 
 About 1855, Rev. Ziegler, now Pro- 
 fessor in the Theological Seminary at 
 Selinsgrove, supiiliod the Germans with 
 preaching, while ho was stationed at Sa- 
 lona. 
 
 In the year 1859 and 1860, Rev. Heid- 
 orn was ministering to a congregation 
 of Germans in this place. He died here. 
 While he was here Rev. D. Sell, who was 
 se]it by the Lutheran Central Synod of 
 Pennsylvania, as a missionary, entered 
 this field and, organized a German Eng- 
 lish church in connection with that body. 
 3Ir. Sell preached and labored faithfully 
 for both branches of his congi-egation, so 
 that, when he left in 1862, there was suf- 
 ficient material to build up two oliurohes. 
 
 At this time begins the first recorded 
 history of the Firitt Qemnan Evunrjelioal 
 Luthtra'n Ohurch of Lock Haven. It 
 was then regularly organized, and Rev. 
 Grothe took charge of it in July, 1862. 
 The first t];ustees were Henry Frank, ' 
 George Dressly, Charles Heimer. The 
 charter of the congregation was recoi'ded 
 Dec. 31st, 1863. After three years the 
 church was a self-sustaining chafge. 
 
 Up to this time the Germans had 
 worshipped in private houses, in the Town 
 Hall, Old Court House and Odd Fellows' 
 Hall. But they wished and prayed for an 
 own sacred place for their meetings and 
 soon found one. 
 
 In December, 1863, they bought the 
 Presbyterian ohurch on Water street, be- 
 low the canal, for the sum of $3500, 
 where they now worship. The building 
 was enlarged and the basement room ren- 
 
 ovated in which for some time they main- 
 tained a parochial school. 
 
 After a pastorate of seven years and a 
 half Rev. Grothe left this congregation on 
 January 30th, 1870, in order to organize 
 with some of the members a congrega- 
 tion in connection with the Lutheran 
 Synod of Missouri. 
 
 Mr. Grothe wa,s succeeded by Rev. A. 
 Linsz,' thfe present pastor, who was elect- 
 ed by the congregation on the 7tU of 
 March, 1870, and commenced his labors 
 on the following 20th of March. 
 
 During the next summer the church 
 edifice was thoroughly repaired at a cost 
 of about $1500, which was paid by volun- 
 tary contributions of the members. The 
 ohurch is without debts. The number of 
 communicants is about 240. They main- 
 tai.i a German and an English Sunday 
 school numbering about 150 scholars. 
 The Woman's Association in this church 
 has done much in beautifying the edi- 
 fice, and in helping the poor and visiting 
 the sick. Its membership is 67 at the 
 present time. * 
 
 FIKST ClIUKCH OP TlfE EVANGELICAL AS- 
 SOCIATION. 
 
 The Central Pennsylvania Conference 
 of the Evangelical Association, at its an- 
 nual session held in Baltimore, in March, 
 1866, established a mission in the borough 
 of Lock Haven, but on account of a scarci- 
 ty of ministers, it was not supplied. At ' 
 the following annual session of this con- 
 ference, held at New Kingston, Pa., Rev. 
 S. W. Seibert was appointed mis.sionary 
 in this new field. He at once rented a 
 hall on the third floor in Strayer's block, 
 on the corner of Main and Grove streets. 
 H^re services were held regularly every 
 Sabbath morning and evening, during 
 the first eight months. T'he congrega- 
 tion was at first very smaU, but gradu- 
 ally grew larger. Objections being made 
 because of the inconvenience of this place 
 for worship a hall was rented on the sec- 
 ond floor of the same building, for one 
 year, with privilege of five. The nucleus 
 with which this church began, consisted 
 of but two actual members, viz: Mr. and 
 Mrs. James M. Barber. A protracted meet- 
 ing contuiuing six weeks, was held in the 
 fall of the first year. Upwards of eighty 
 penitents presented themselves at the 
 altar for prayer, of whom sixty-seven 
 professed conversion. About fifty of the 
 converts identified themselves with the 
 church. During the second year another 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® y 
 
HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 83. 
 
 meeting was held wliicli resulted in nine- 
 teen conversions and twenty acoessipns. 
 , A few members from other fields of la,bor 
 also moved into town and strengtheiied 
 the work by their assistance. Among 
 them were Johg Willow and S., Gr. Min- 
 gle and their families. It is to- be regret- 
 ted that a numiber of the converts proved, 
 unfaithful, thus injuring the work and 
 sustaining irreparable losses to them- 
 selves. Prayfer and class meetings were 
 organized and regularly kept up. These, 
 as is usually^ the case, proved eiicellent 
 means of grace. 
 
 During, t-he second year a quarterly 
 conference was organized by Rev. S. 
 Wolf, the presiding elder of the district. 
 In March, 1869, Rev. GeoJ Hunter was 
 appointed by the annual conference 3,s 
 successor to Rev. S. W. Seibert. The 
 first year of his labors here was not 
 attended with much success; but in the 
 fall and winter of his second yfear, during 
 a series of special meetings;' quite a num- 
 ber were added to the church. In the 
 early part of 1871, near the close of Rev, 
 Hunter's jpdministration, a Sunday school 
 was organizied with some fifty scholars 
 and 8 or 10 teacljers. He left the chai-ge 
 in a flourishing condition. 
 
 In the spring of 1871, Rev. S. T. Buck 
 took charge of this mission and. served 
 it three years. He at once saw the ne- 
 cessity of a church edifice. Nothing, how- 
 ever, was accomplished until the spring 
 of 1873, when definite steps were taken 
 to build. J. Shoemaker, Jas. F. King 
 acid J. Wiljow were elected a building 
 ^committee; and J. Shoemaker, Qeo. Kin- 
 ley, S. G. Mingle, D. M. Craumer , and J. 
 A. Robb, were elected, trustees, A lot 
 was purchased on Main street from Mr. 
 S. Christ, and a neat and cotnfortable 
 church edifice, 45 by 70 feet, was forth- 
 with erected at a. cost of $7,200. Though 
 liberal donations were made by fi-iends, 
 inside and outside of the church, 
 a considerable debt is still resting on it. 
 The seats in this church are free, 
 and must always' remain so, in accordance 
 with the following clause in the disci- 
 pline: "The poor should not be slighted 
 or neglected; therefore the seats, in all 
 our churches shall always be free, with- 
 out respect of persons, for all who come 
 to hear the word of God." 
 
 During Rev. Buck's administration 
 several special meetings were held and a 
 number of persons added to the church. 
 
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 In his last anuufil statistical report wo 
 find the following: Died, exipelled and 
 moved away during the year, 15; received 
 82; whole number of 'meiiibei-s, 79. Last 
 March, at the expiration of the term of 
 service limited, by discipline. Rev. S. T. 
 Puck was removed to Newberry.- XT. F. 
 Sweug^l, of York, Pa., was 'appointed as 
 his successor. Since he has taken charge 
 of this field of labor, he has held a pro- 
 tracted meeting which resulted in twelve 
 conversions. ■ 'Twenty-one persons have 
 been added to the church. 
 
 The membership now numbers 9G.- It 
 will be observed that by deaths, remov- 
 als and expulsibns the num1»er has been 
 considerably decreased. 
 
 ST. PAUL'S p. E. CHUEOH. 
 
 The following . sketch of St. Paul's. 
 Protestant Episcopal church of Lock Ha- 
 ven was written by the Rev. Geo. S. 
 Teller, and published in the Clinton Re- 
 publican of Feb. iOth, 1873, in response 
 to a request by Mr. Geo. D. Bowman, the 
 editor: " , 
 
 In acceding to your request for a , his- 
 torical sketch of the Parish, I regret that 
 I have not time to procure from its older 
 members some particulars of Its early his- 
 tory -w-hich juiglit be of interest to at least 
 the members of the congregation. I 
 shall, be obliged, therefore, to confiiie my- 
 self to the materials at hand. 
 
 The Parish .was orgainized at a meet- 
 ing, held at the Clinton Hotel, on the 
 evening of the 19th of September, 1855. 
 After prayer by the Rev. D. S. Miller, of 
 Philadelphia, t-vvelve Vestrymen were 
 elected, and extended a call to the Rev. R. 
 C. Moore, of Williamsport, to give ' oue- 
 fourth of his time to the Parish, which 
 invitation was accepted, until the'election 
 of a resident Rector, The Rev. Mr. 
 Moore entered upon his duties at Lock 
 Haven on the 28tli of October, 1855, and 
 continued to hold services evei-y itionth 
 thereafter until July, 1856. On the third 
 Sunday of July in that year, the Rev. 
 Sam'l B. Darymple who had recently been 
 ordained to the Diaconate, was sent by 
 the Rt. Rev, Alonzo Potter, Bishop of 
 the Diocese, to take charge of the Parish, 
 tlie services at that, time being held in 
 the Odd Fellows' Hall. 
 
 At a meeting, of the Vestry, on Mon- 
 day, July 21st, 1856, the resignation of 
 the Rev, Mr, Moore was presented and 
 
84 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 accepted, and the Rev. Mr. Dalrymple 
 was elected to the Rectorship of the Par- 
 ish. Measures toward the erection of a 
 church were immediately thereafter taken 
 and in the following autumn the work 
 was begun. A Sunday school was organ- 
 ized on the 3d of August of the same 
 year, with the large number of 118 schol- 
 ars and 16 teachers, Mr. Joseph O. Tracy 
 being appointed Superintendent. The 
 first official visit of the Bishop was made 
 to the Parish on Sunday, November 30th, 
 1856, when sixteen persons received at 
 his hands the Apostolic rite of confirma- 
 tion. On the tl\ird Sunday in July, 1857, 
 precisely one year from the time of the 
 first service of the Rev. Mr. Dalrymple, 
 services were held for the first time in the 
 basement of the new church. At this 
 time, the number of communicants had 
 increased from six to thirty-one, and the 
 Sunday school, including teachei-s and 
 scholars, numbered nearly two hundred 
 members. 
 
 On November 19th, 1857, the second 
 visitation of the Bishop was made to the 
 Parish, when the Rector wis ordained to 
 the Priesthood, and nineteen persons 
 were confirmed. On the second anniver- 
 sary of the Rev. Mr. Dalrymple's Rector- 
 ship, sei'vices were held for the first time 
 in the upper pai-t of the new chvfi-ch, the 
 building being very nearly finished. Du- 
 ring this, the second year of the Rev. Mr. 
 Dalrymple's niinistrations, forty commu- 
 nicants were added; the Sunday school 
 increased to the number of more than two 
 hundred, and twenty persons were bap- 
 tized. January 24th, 1859, the Rt. Rev. 
 Samuel Bowman, Assistant Bishop of 
 the Diocese, visited the Parish, and con- 
 firmed twenty persons. In the Spring of 
 1861, the Rev. Mr. Dalrymple resigned 
 the Parish, and accepted a call to the 
 charge of Grace Church, Honesdale, 
 where his earthly life, and a most active 
 and useful Christian ministry were closed 
 together, on the 37th of October, 1863. 
 On the hill which overlooks the church 
 of his earliest charge and eminently suc- 
 cessful ministry, his mortal remains now 
 repose|in the hope of a joyful resurection; 
 the place marked by a fitting memorial 
 of the affection of his famUy, and the 
 congregation. The brief record of his 
 ministry which is here written, is the 
 most eloquent testimonial of its zeal and 
 earnestness. 
 
 On the first Sunday in June, 1861, the 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft^ 
 
 Rev. J. Livingston Reese, having been 
 elected Rector of the Parish, entered 
 upon the duties of its ministry. In Jan- 
 uary, 1868, a successful effort was made 
 to pay the indebtedness resting upon the 
 church, and a surplus fund remaining, 
 it was applied to the purchase of a church 
 bell weighing 1200 pounds, rung for the 
 first time for divine sei-vices on the 14th 
 of June following. On the 23d of June, 
 the Rt. Rev. Alonzo Potter consecrated 
 the church to the service of Almighty 
 God. May 1st, 1864, the Rev. Mr. Reese, 
 having accepted a call to St. Paul's 
 church, Albany, New York, ceased to be 
 Rector of the Parish. At the close of his 
 Rectorship the number of communicants 
 was one hundred and two, the Sunday 
 school, however, owing to the formation 
 of other Sunday school organizations in 
 the place, and the drawing off of those 
 not permanently attached, was reduced 
 to one hundred and sixty scholars. Forty- 
 five baptisms are reported during his min- 
 istry in the Parish. 
 
 The Rev. C. W. Knauff, previous to 
 his ordination, was sent by the Rt. Rev. 
 W. B. Stevens, Bishop of the Diocese, to 
 perform lay services in the Parish, begin- 
 ning June 19th, 1864. On the 12th of 
 November following he was ordained to 
 the Diaconate when the Vestry called 
 him to the Rectorship of the Parish. He 
 entered upon his duties as Rector on the 
 13th of November. In the winter of 
 1864, an effort was begun to secure the 
 funds for the purchase of an organ; the 
 requisite subscriptions wei-e obtained, the 
 instrument nOw in the church purchased, 
 and opened on the 3d Sunday after Eas- 
 ter, May 7th', 1865. On November 5th, 
 1866, the Rev. Mr. Knauff resigned the 
 Rectorship of the Parish. 
 
 Tiie Rev. Geo. W. Shinn, having been 
 elected to the Rectorship of the church, 
 entered upon his duties on the 24th of 
 February, 1867. In the Autumn of the 
 same year, the erection of a Rectory was 
 begun on a lot donated by Mr. Philip M. 
 Price, and the next spring the building 
 was completed, at a cost of about |3,500. 
 During the Rectorship of the Rev. Mr. 
 Shinn, thirty-seven persons received the 
 rite of ^confii-mation. In November, 1870, 
 he resigned the Parish and accepted a 
 call to St. Luke's Church, Troy, New 
 York. After the resignation of the Rev. 
 Mr. Shinn, the Parish remained vacant 
 until the following Easter, the present in- 
 
HISTOBICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 85 
 
 cumbeiit, [ Eev. George S. Teller ] 
 entering upon his duties on the 
 first Sunday after Easter, April 16th, 
 1871. There are now connected with the 
 Parish about seventy-five families, one 
 hundred and twenty-five communicants, 
 and the Sunday school numbers about 
 one hundred and fifty members. Since 
 the organization of the church, in 1856, 
 two hundred and fourteen persons have 
 received holy baptism, and one hundted 
 and forty-eight have received the rite of 
 cohfirmation. The present value Of ,the 
 property held by the Parish is about $33,- 
 000. 
 
 Owing to ill health Mr. Teller retired 
 from the rectorship of the parish Decem- 
 ber 1st, 1874, and sailed at once for the 
 more salubrious slopes of the Pacific coast, 
 in the hope of a speedy restoration to 
 health — a hope which has since been en- 
 tirely realized. During the ministration 
 of Mr. Teller the progress of the parish 
 was uniform, and its condition flourish- 
 ing, although long continued bad health 
 hindered his usefulness to some extent, 
 during his closing year. The parish has 
 been without a pastor since December 1st, 
 until now. when a call has been tendered 
 to, and accepted by Eev. Milton 0. Light- 
 ner, late of Detroit, Michigan, to take ef- 
 fect the 1st Sunday after Easter. 
 
 Mr. Lightner has been pastor of one of the 
 leading churches of Detroit for the past 
 eleven years. He resigned, however', a 
 few months since in order to return once 
 more to his native State. Having lately 
 returned froman extended tour in Europe, 
 he was called to a charge in the city of 
 New Tork, but declined the call in order 
 to remain forthe present among the friends 
 of his youth, and in the near neighbor- 
 hood of his family and relatives. He has 
 been holding services during the Lenten 
 season just closed, in the parish whose 
 charge he is now to assume. Large congre- 
 gations and marked interest attended his 
 ministrations, and there is every reason 
 to believe that the parish is now entering 
 upon a new era of prosperity and suc- 
 
 cess under the efficient guidance of the 
 new Rector. 
 
 LOCK HAVEN BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The following sketch of the Lock Ha- 
 ven Baptist Church was published in the 
 Bepublican of March 5, 1873. It was 
 written by the Eev. G. W. Snyder, at that 
 time pastor: 
 
 The records of the ea^ly history 'of this 
 church are very scant. The church was 
 gathered under the labors of Rev. Geo. 
 Higgins, then pastor of the Baptist 
 church in Jersey Shore. It is probable 
 during the year 1836, as the first .item of 
 church record states, that the first com- 
 munion season of the- church occurred 
 December 15, of that year. The public 
 recognition of the church does not appear 
 to have taken place until June, 1888. 
 The services were conducted in a private 
 house, by Revs. Geo. Biggins, G. M. 
 Spratt and Charles Tucker. The record 
 does not inform us how long or with 
 what success Mr. Higgins served the lit- 
 tle church. 
 
 December 1st, 1841, the cVurchextend- 
 fcd a call to Rev. J. F. Jones; this he ac- 
 cepted and seems to have labored with 
 considerable success during the two years 
 following. "We are not told where he 
 came from nor what became of him. 
 
 Rev. Charles Tucker having succeeded 
 Mr. Higgins at Jersey Shore, began to 
 supply this church Jan. 4th, 1843, and 
 continued to do so, what portion of the 
 time is not stated, until the year 1844. 
 He labored very hard amid much opposi- 
 tion, but the Lord blessed his labors in 
 the salvation of a number of souls, a few 
 of whom still live and are faithful mem- 
 bers of the church. Some thirty persons 
 were added to the church as the result of 
 a meeting held by him in the old 
 Court House during the winter and 
 spring of 1843. He is spoken of as a 
 man of marked ability and fine oratorial 
 powers. He belonged to a noble racei^of 
 preachers, nearly if not all, of whom have 
 finished their labors and gone home. 
 
 April 1st, 1845, Rev. J. G. Miles became 
 pastor of the church; he was then young, 
 "an eloquent man and mighty in the 
 Scriptures." This was the longest and 
 most fruitful pastorate the church has 
 over had, and, if we may be allowed to 
 express our opinion, its dissolution was 
 unfortunate for both pastor and people. 
 
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86 
 
 HISTORICAL VtEVf OF CLINTOX COUNTY. 
 
 During this pastorate sixty-three were 
 baptized, and received mto the fellowship 
 of tire church, and the church i-ose to a 
 pogitipn of influence in the community. 
 A lot also was purchased on which to 
 ex-ect a house of worship. The church 
 tras able and should have gone forward 
 ted built. 
 
 Fl-om the year 1851 to 1860, the church 
 Was without a pastor, and had only a» 
 occasional sermon from Eev. &. M. 
 Spratt and others. During this period 
 the church made the gi-eatest mistake of 
 its whole history, that of neglecting to 
 secure a pastor, Christ's own appointed 
 means of advancing His truth. Yet there 
 were a number who were faithful to the 
 truth through all this long, dark strug- 
 gle, and who never acknowledged the 
 disorganization of the body. 
 
 lu the spring of 1860, Rev. A. J. Fur- 
 man, then a student in the University at 
 Lewisburg, commenced supplying the 
 church occasionally. In August follow- 
 ing, having completed his studies, he was 
 ordained as pastor of the church to the 
 work of the Gospel ministry. His labors 
 cover a period of two years, and were in- 
 strumental in gathering a number of the 
 scattered ones, and bringing a number to 
 Christ. Thirty-three were added by bap- 
 tism and a number by letter. 
 
 He was succeeded in October 1863, by 
 Rev. 'J. A. Kii'kpatrick, who served the 
 church until ' May 1st, 1864. Under his 
 pastorate the old lot on Jay street was 
 exchanged for a more suitable one on the 
 corner of Church and Vesper streets, and 
 some steps taken toward building, but for 
 some purpose the work was delayed. 
 Tiiere were also,;added to the church 134 
 persons swelling the membership to 159. 
 It seems to be necessary by way of ex- 
 planing the present membershii^ of the 
 church, to say that much of this was ap- 
 parent rather than real strength. Troub- 
 les grew out of this pastorate, which, per- 
 haps, had better, for the benefit of all 
 concerned, be passed in silence. He was 
 succeeded by one Rev. S. M. Hubbard, 
 the only redeeming feature of whose pas- 
 torate was its brevity. 
 
 From Nov. 1864, until Deo. 1865, the 
 church was without any regular preach- 
 ing, from which time, until April 1st, 
 1866, the church was supplied by the Mis- 
 sionary Committee of the Northumber- 
 land Association. 
 
 At the above date ^^'^'OJnj^Zi 
 
 again induced to take charge of the 
 church. The church made but little spir- 
 itual advance under his second ministry 
 which closed in the faU of 18C8. The at- 
 tention of the church seems to have been 
 given chiefly to the erection of the pres- 
 ent house of worship, which was begun 
 and so far completed durmg this time as 
 to enable the church to worship in its 
 basement. Up to this time the progress 
 and efficiency of the church had been 
 much hindered by the want of a house of 
 worship, being compelled to meet in pri- 
 vate houses, school houses, the Court 
 House, and public halls, as circumstances 
 might dictate. 
 
 In December following, a call was 
 given to Rev. A. B. Runyan, but he does 
 not appear to have copimenced his labors 
 with the church until the following spring. 
 He served the church, laboring hard and 
 acceptedly until September, 1871, when 
 he felt it his duty to give all of his time 
 to the new church which had sprung up 
 under his missionary labors at Eagle- 
 ville Centre county. During his ministry 
 here, a 'few were added to the church, 
 something over one thousand dollars of 
 church debt removed and the dome placed 
 upon the meeting house. TheJ writer 
 commenced his labors Nov. 11th, 1871. 
 
 The most important part of the history 
 of a church is not who has preached to 
 it? what it has been in itself? but what 
 has it been to the community in which it 
 has made its history? how many has it 
 led to Jesus? how much has it advanced 
 the morals of the community? I am sorry 
 to say that the records do not enable me 
 to say how many have professed conver- 
 sion under the labors of this church or 
 how many haye, during all the years, 
 stood connected with its membership. 
 The present membership numbers sixty- 
 eight. 
 
 The church building Was completed in 
 June, 1873, at a cost of about $15,000, 
 and dedicated on the last Sunday of that 
 month, at which time, owing to the fail- 
 ure of his health, the Rev. Mr. Snyder 
 was compelled to resign and seek a more 
 healthful climate in the west ; but his 
 disease had become so fully seated that 
 hedid^not long survive his resignation. 
 Mr. Snyder was succeeded by the Rev. C. 
 who took charge of the congre- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 87 
 
 gation the second Suuday in November, 
 1873, ancl continued his pastorate till De- 
 cember 26, 1874, when poor health ren- 
 dered it necessary for him also to resign. 
 Tlie congregation at present is without a 
 pastor, but is temporarily supplied by 
 Eev. X S. Miller, of Williamsport. 
 
 ST. JOHN'S ENGLISH LUTHEBAN. 
 
 , At a meeting of the Central Synod of 
 Pennsylvania, held in Duncannon, Perry 
 county, May 9th, 1860, it; was proposed, 
 that a Mission be established in Lock Ha- 
 ven, and an appropriation made toward 
 the support of tlie minister. This action 
 was the beginning of the effort to locate 
 a 'Lutheran church in this place. A pas- 
 tor was secured in the person of Rev. D. 
 Sell, who entered the field in the fall of 
 1860. He organized an English and 
 German church, which worshipped in the 
 Odd Fellows' Hall. His ministry ex- 
 tended to the year 1863, amidst the trials 
 ^nd vicissitudes incident to the starting 
 ot such an enterprise. We notice in the 
 minutes of the Synod lield in Selinsgrove, 
 in Mayi, 1863, the Missionary reports, 
 among the hindrances and discourage- 
 ments, that a flood had distressed and 
 weakened the congregation to. a great 
 degree. So it seems to be in this case as 
 iu others, the old story of how much en- 
 terprises here are affected by "water 
 power." ' The Synod advised the estab- 
 lishing of a separate Bnglisli organization, 
 wliioh was promjjtly done by the people. 
 The Eev. E. Grothe took charge of the 
 German portion in 1862, and soon after 
 succeeded in purchasing the old Presby- 
 terian church, on Water street, where 
 tliey now worship. Being most speedily 
 organized, they took the entire appropri- 
 ation made by Synod, and left the Eng- 
 lish branch so poor and weak as scarcely 
 to be able to offer any support to a pas- 
 toi-. ' Howeyer, this little band of about 
 twenty-three members secured the servi- 
 ces of Rev. L. K. Secrist, who ministered 
 to them during part of the summer of 
 1862. 
 
 ^ He organized the First English Luther- 
 an church in the old Academy, which 
 stood on the corner of Main and Vesper 
 streets, (how occupied by the block in 
 •which the shoe factory is located). 
 The officers were Messrs. Geprge Shaffer, 
 Jacob Bowers, .W. Nyhard and Daniel 
 Haines. A Sabbath school was establish- 
 
 ed consisting of about thirty or forty 
 scholars and a few faithful oiBcers and 
 teachers. After the resignation alid de- 
 parture of the pastor, the school w^t 
 down, and the organization was broken 
 up. There was an interim until the 
 spring of 1864, in which there is an un- 
 written history of the trials and discour- 
 agements, hopes and fears. 
 
 Rev. R. B. Whitehlll took charge in 
 1864, and at a meeting of a few faithful 
 members in the house of one of their 
 numbers, a re-organization was effected. 
 Berger's Hall was secured for a place of 
 worship, and about the same number as 
 at first (some four years before) composed 
 the congregation. But at the end of 
 six months the pastor rather suddenly 
 and unexpectedly resigned, and thel shep- 
 herdless flock removed to Odd Fellows' 
 Hall, where they maintained the associa- 
 tion alone, until they obtained the ser- 
 vices of Rey. P. Gheen, Oct. 9th; 1864. 
 He was the most successful worker they 
 had secured up to this time. Under his 
 ministrations a protracted meeting was 
 held and a few added to the church. But 
 the increase was slow and small. He 
 severed his conpectiou as pastor in the 
 spring of 1866. During the vacancy till 
 the spring of 1867, occurred the hardest 
 struggle for existence in the history of 
 the organization. The "faithful few" sus- 
 tained the Sabbath school, paid the hall 
 i;ent and lived in hope and prayer for a 
 pastor. Thiis was realized by the com- 
 ing of Rev. R. W. Fletcher, April 16th, 
 1867. He. found some thirty members; 
 re-organized by the election of a full set 
 of officers, and held a protracted liieeting, 
 which resulted in a large number of ac- 
 cessions. This revived the fainting 
 hopes of the church, and it determined 
 to make an effort to secure a lot and 
 build an edifice. With much faith iu 
 God and little money in the treasury, the 
 first steps were taken. A lot was pur- 
 chased, which was afterward exchanged 
 (and a difference paid) for the present lo- 
 cation on the corner of First and Church 
 streets. , The congregation showed an un- 
 usual spirit of libei-ality and devotion to 
 the cause in their subscriptions, and one 
 or two cases were remarkable. With 
 commendable sympathy and aid also of 
 friends in the community, the church was 
 encouraged to begin the work of building. 
 The corner-stone was laid in August, 
 1869, and the structure .'put under roof 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 that fall. The building coanmittee con- 
 sisted of Messrs. Isaac Shaffer, John E. 
 Furst and Wm. Kessler. ' 
 
 In the spring of 1870, Rev. Fletcher, 
 after a pastorate of three years, resigned, 
 and was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Good- 
 lin, in July of the same year. The base- 
 ■ ment was dedicated soon afterwards, and 
 the congregation entered its own new 
 home with feelings that well may be im- 
 agined by those who have 1 raced with 
 us their long, hard conflict of ten years 
 without a church building. Indeed, when 
 we consider how few the members and 
 how madequate the means, we must ex- 
 claim, "what hath God wrought." and 
 regard the present status of the church 
 as a monument of Providence. 
 
 Rev. Goodlin resigned in July, 1871, 
 to take his present position of Secretary 
 of Home Missions, and was succeeded in 
 the church by the present incumbent. 
 Rev. "W. W. Ol-iley, in June, 1872. 
 
 The church was completed and dedi- 
 cated to the worship of Almighty God on 
 the 5th day of July, 1874. On that day, 
 at precisely 10| o'clock, the exercises 
 opened with an appropriate voluntary 
 by the choir, followed by an invocation 
 by the Rev. Dr. Conrad, of Phila,delphia. 
 The opening hymn was read by the Rev. 
 Fletcher, a former pastor of the congre- 
 gation. The dedicatory ceremony was 
 performed by the Rev. Goodlin, of Tork, 
 Pa., also a former pastor, assisted'by the 
 Rev. W. W. Criley, pastor in charge. 
 Another hymn was then read by the Rev. 
 W. H. Diven, of Salona. The sei-mon of 
 the occasion was preached by the Rev. 
 Dr. Conrad, from the text, "For out of 
 Zion shall go forth the law, and the word 
 of the Lord from Jerusalem" — Isaiah 2-3. 
 At the conclusion of the sermon the Dr. 
 suggested the importance, necessity and 
 appropriateness of consecrating the build- 
 ing, wholly and uni-eservedly to the wor- 
 ship of God, and this could not be done 
 as long as it was encumbered with debt. 
 He then stated that the church property 
 of the congregation cost |24, 000; |14, 000 of 
 which had been paid, leavitit,- a b;C 
 $10,000 to be raised. After eloquently 
 
 and earnestly presenting the claims of 
 Christianity in general, and of that church 
 in particular, upon the generosity of the 
 world, he succeeded in securing pledges to 
 the amount of $6,000. In the evening 
 Dr. Conrad preached from the text, "Sit- 
 ting in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." 
 — Eph. 2-6. At the close of the sermon 
 the speaker again appealed to the gene- 
 rosity of those present, and had the satis- 
 faction of swelling the subscriptions to 
 $8,000, with pledges from responsible per- 
 sons that the balance ($2,000) would be 
 forthcoming when needed. 
 
 The building, which has been erected 
 and finished at the hands of a willing con- 
 gregation, and given over to the service 
 of the Most High^ is a stately structure 
 and pleasantly located. The interior of 
 the church is arranged in accordance with 
 the rules of architecture, and as a conse- 
 quence presents a beautiful and elegant 
 appearance. The seats are of walnut 
 and tastefully finished, with ends orna- 
 mentally carved after an attractive de- 
 sign. 
 
 The resignation of Rev. "W. W. Criley, 
 as pastor of the church, was offered and 
 accepted in February, 1875. He preached 
 his farewell sermon Sunday, March 28th. 
 According to his report read on that occa- 
 sion, he has delivered, since entering upon 
 the duties of the pastorate three years 
 before, 525 sermons and prayer meeting 
 lectures, and received 188 members into 
 the church, baptized 49 children, per- 
 formed 36 marriage ceremonies, and at- 
 tended 40 funerals. 
 
 On severing his connection with the 
 Lock Haven church, the Rev. Qriley re- 
 ceived and accepted a call from the Eng- 
 lish Lutheran church of Lewisburg, Pa. 
 Mr. C riley was succeeded by the present 
 pastor, the Rev. M. J. Fiiey of Emporia, 
 Kansas, who preached his introductory 
 lApril 4th, 1875. Mr. 
 Firey graduated at Wittenburg CoU^, 
 
 Mlcby>fl\ ^mS0M)S"nday, ; 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 89 
 
 •where be was a class-mate of the^ Rev. 
 Criley's. After preaching five years in 
 Mansfield, Ohio, his health failing, he 
 was compelled to suspend pastoral duties, 
 and i-emoved to Kansas to rectuit. While 
 there he was elected to the Legislature 
 of the State, where he served a term, with 
 honor and faithfulness. As his sojourn 
 in the West proved beneficial to his 
 health, he decided to again enter the 
 field , of active christian labor, and ac- 
 cepted the call extended by the English 
 Lutheran church of Lock Haven. 
 
 TKIKITY (METHODIST EPISCOPAL). 
 
 In the spring of 1840 Mr. Daniel Bitt- 
 ner moved to Lock Haven, with his fam- 
 ily, from Lewistown, Pa. Being a mem- 
 ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 on his arrival he naturally sought the ac- 
 quaintance of persons of a like religious 
 faith. Mr. Bittner states that after re- 
 maining in Lock Haven two weeks with- 
 out seeing a single Methodist, he finally 
 succeeded in discovering the whereabouts 
 of twelve individuals in the town who ad- 
 hered to the doctrines of that church, and 
 immediately went to work, with others 
 interested in the matter, for the purpose 
 of organizing a congregation, and suc- 
 ceeded so well that the Baltimore Con- 
 ference, within the bounds of which Lock 
 Haven was located, made it a part of 
 Bellefonte circuit. 
 
 At this time "the circuit" included 
 Bellefonte, Boalsbiirg, Penn's Valley, 
 Salona, Lock Haven, and intermediate 
 points, and was served by two ministers, 
 the Rev. Wm. Butler and the Rev. Mr. 
 Blake, under whose supervision the 
 Methodist Episcopal congregation of Lock 
 Haven was effectually and permanently 
 organized. 
 
 For a time after the organization was 
 «ffected, the congregation worshipped in a 
 school house located at the extreme 
 lower end of Main street. Then services 
 were held for a ' while in the old Court 
 
 House, and afterward in the Old Acad- 
 emy, on the coi-ner of Main and Vesper 
 streets. This continued till 1843, when 
 they completed a church of their own on 
 Church street, just below the canal, which 
 'was dedicated on the 3d of June of that 
 year. In alluding to that occasion the 
 Clinton Count}/ W7j/fifof June 17th, said: 
 
 The Methodist church recently erected 
 in this borough, was dedicated to the 
 service of Almighty God, on Sunday 
 morning, the 3d inst., at which time a 
 very able, eloquent and appropriate dis- 
 course was delivered by the Presiding 
 Elder of this district. Rev. George D. 
 Hildt, to a congregation numbering over 
 eight hundred persons. As we remarked 
 on a former occasion, this building is 
 large, convenient, handsome, and substan- 
 tial — affords evidence of superior ability 
 and skill on the part of the worthy me- 
 chanics who executed the work — and 
 adds greatly to the appearance of our 
 already beautiful and flourishing town. 
 Subscriptions were taken up during the 
 morning service; and pi-overbial as the 
 citizens of this county are for their liber- 
 ality on all proper and praiseworthy oc- 
 casions, their generosity far exceeded 
 the expectations of the most sanguine. 
 In the short space of one hour, the hand- 
 some sum of one thousand and twenty 
 dollars was subscribed, thus'enabling our 
 Methodist friends to dedicate their beau- 
 titul edifice to God unencumbered with 
 debt. Great credit is due to the building 
 committee, Messrs. Simmons, Bitner and 
 Gifford; to their indefatigable exertions 
 alone are our Methodist friends indebted 
 for the copipletion of the church at this 
 early day. 
 
 Among the many different christian 
 denominations we "know of none so per- 
 severing and industrious in the cause of 
 their Divine master, as the Methodist, 
 and, as a church, they richly deserve to 
 prosper. 
 
 After occupying the new church for a 
 few years, there was manifested consid- 
 erable dissatisfaction in regard to its lo- 
 cation, and finally it was decided to sell 
 the property and build another edifice on 
 a more eligible site. 
 
 Eor some |time after the sale of their 
 building the congregation again worsliip- 
 
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90 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ped in tlje Old Academy and tlie old Court 
 House. During the first fifteen years of 
 the history of the congregation, it had 
 been served by a number of able and 
 good ministers. As before stated, the 
 first appointments made by Conference to 
 the Bellefonte circuit after the Lock Ha- 
 ven church was organized were the Revs. 
 Butler and Blake. They were followed 
 by Kev. Francis R. Mills, who, On ac- 
 count of his small size, was called "Little. 
 Mills," to distinguish liim from his suc- 
 cessor, Eev.W. R. Mills, who, being large, 
 was known as "Big Mills." 
 
 The Mills were followed by Revs. P. 
 B. Reese, JohnStine, J. H. Haughawaut, 
 
 I. H. Torrence, McKeon, John J. 
 
 Pierce; Mellick, Alem Britton, W. 
 
 Downs, and Richard Hinkle. Rev. J. J. 
 Pierce was afterwards elected a member 
 of Congress from the District of which 
 Clinton county formed a part. 
 
 During the year 1855, it was decided by 
 the congregation that they would again 
 build a church of their own; the growth 
 and prosperity of the organization justi- 
 fied such a step, and accordingly a lot 
 was secured on Main street, just north of 
 Clinton avenue, and the work of building 
 a house of worship was actively com- 
 menced and completed in a short time, at 
 a cost of between |6,000 and |7,000, most 
 of which was i-eadily subscribed on the 
 day of dedication, which took place with 
 appropriate ceremonies in May, 1856. 
 The Bev. Henry Slicer, of Baltimore, ofB- 
 ciating assisted by the Rev. Dr. Bowman 
 (now Bishop) and the Revs. Downs and 
 Britton. 
 
 At the session of Conference held in 
 the spring of 1861, Look Haven was ma'de 
 an independent station, of which the 
 Rev. L. M. Gardiner was appointed to 
 take charge. The records of the "circuit," 
 which had been kept at Lock Haven 
 previous to its formation into a' station, 
 were at that time taken 
 
 are now probably among the records of 
 the Salona church. 
 
 In 1863, a parsonage was built on the 
 lot adjoining the church, and is still held 
 by the congregation. 
 
 After being made a separate station, the 
 Lock Haven church rapidly increased in 
 strength and importance, and soon be- 
 came recognizd as one of the leading de- 
 nominations in the place. Large acces- 
 iSions were made to its membership every 
 year, till finally it was found necessary to 
 procure a larger house. Therefore, a lot 
 was purchased on the corner of Main and 
 Second feti-eets at a cost of $3, 000, and the 
 large and beautiful structure now occu- 
 pied by the congregation was built, 
 the entire cost of building and lot being 
 not less than $40,000. The new church 
 was formally dedicated to the worship of 
 Almighty God in March, 1871. 
 
 The ministers who have been appoint- 
 ed to Lock Haven since it became a 
 station, are, including Rev. Gardiner, 
 who, as before mentioned, was the first. 
 Revs. D. E. Monroe, Samuel Creighton, 
 M. K. Foster, J. W. Langley, PhUip 
 Krohn, and the present pastor, the Rev. 
 Dr. Bowman. 
 
 At present there are living in Lock 
 Haven but two of the original members 
 of the congregation. These are Mr. Dan- 
 iel Bittner and his wife. They had the 
 honor of taking part in its organization, 
 and have watched its growth and pros- 
 perity through the thirty-four years of 
 its existence. 
 
 SECOND PBESBYTERIASr. 
 
 "The Second Presbyterian church of 
 Lock Haven" was organized Nov. 1st, 
 1870, with 21 members. The brick 
 ■ church on Main street, just above the in- 
 tersection of Clinton avenue, was pur- 
 chased of the Methodist congregation for 
 $7,000, to which was added $3,000 in im- 
 rovements,making a total cost of $10,000 
 erty as it now stands. 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 91 
 
 In September, 1871, a unanimous call 
 was extended to and accepted by the 
 Kev. D. M. Miller. On the 5th of the 
 following December, he was installed as 
 pastor. On the same day Attwood Bar- 
 rows, John Jones, and J. A. Crawford were 
 installed as Elders, and George Apsley 
 and William Carskaddon deacons. 
 
 The pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Miller 
 continued till the meeting of Presbytery, 
 April 31st, 1874, at which time, owing to 
 the failure of his wife's health, and the 
 necessity for a removal to a more salubri- 
 ous climate, he tendered his resigna- 
 tion as pastor of the congregation, which 
 was accepted. 
 
 During Mr. Miller's connection with 
 tlie church, 17 members were added there- 
 to. The present- membership is 26. At 
 this time the congi-egation is without a 
 pastor but, expects soon to be supplied. 
 
 IMMANTJBL's (GERMAN LUTHEKAN). 
 
 On January 30, 1870, eight members of 
 the Water st3-eet German Lutheran church 
 withdrew from that organization, owing 
 to differences of opinion in regard to 
 certain doctrinal points, and assembled 
 on the same day for tlie purpose of found- 
 ing a new congregation under the name 
 of "The Immanuel's Gei-man Evangelical 
 Lutheran Congregation, Unaltered Augs- 
 burg Confession." A committee was ap- 
 pointed to frame a constitution, which 
 was adopted by the congregation. A call 
 was then extended to the Rev. E. Grothe, 
 and in August of the same year, the pas- 
 tor and congregation united with the 
 Missouri Synod. During the first six 
 months after its organization, the con- 
 gregation held service in Marshall's Hall) 
 on Grove street, and removed from there 
 to the old Odd Fellow's Hall, on Main 
 street. 
 
 In the spring of 1871, it was decided by 
 the congregation to erect a place of wor- 
 ship of its own. Accordingly a lot was 
 purchased on Jones street, west of Belle- 
 
 fonte avenue, at a cost of $830. Immedi- 
 ately the work of building the church 
 was commenced, the comer stone being 
 laid on Sunday, Sept. 39, '73, and the church 
 was completed the following spring, and 
 dedicated on the fourth Sunday of July, 
 1873. , The size of the building is 36x71 
 feet. It is of brick and built in the 
 Gothic style, having a well proportioned 
 tower HO feet high. The windows are 
 of a beautiful pattern of stained glass. 
 The exterior of the churCh presents an 
 attractive appearance; its location is 
 pleasant and desirable. The interior is 
 finished in good style, and is tastefully 
 furnished. The seats are elegantly fin- 
 ished in imitation of oak and walnut. 
 Three chandeliers and side lights furnish 
 sufficient light for evening services. The 
 building was planned and its construction 
 supervised by a building committee con- 
 sisting of Jacob Beerwoiler, G. E. Gulp, 
 W. Schaadt, C. G. Wiedhahn and J. L. 
 Thiele. The cost of the property, in- 
 cluding the lot, was $7,410; of this $4,- 
 330 has been paid, leaving a debt on 
 hand of $3,160. Considering the fact 
 that there are only 14 adult male mem- 
 bers, the success of this church seems 
 somewhat remarkable, especially so when 
 it is known that only $300 have been con- 
 tributed by persons not members. 
 
 The Rev. Grothe resigned the pastorate 
 of the church in the fall of 1874, and ac- 
 cepted a call from Reesville, Michigan, 
 which left the congregaiion without a 
 pastor; but a call has recently been ex- 
 tended to the Rev. H. Bruer, of Shipley, 
 Canada, and it is thought that he will ac- 
 cept. 
 
 There is a flourishing Sunday school in 
 progress, and religious services are reg- 
 ularly held on each Sabbath; one of the 
 officers conducting the exercises. 
 
 GERMAN BEPORMED CHURCH. 
 
 At the annual session of the "Classis 
 of West Susquehanna," of the Reformed 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
92 
 
 HISTOKICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Church, held in May, 1874, a committee 
 consisting of the Revs. H. King, D. G. 
 Klein, and Jonathan Zellers was appoint- 
 to establish a mission at Look Haven. 
 The work of canvassing the city was un- 
 dertaken by Rev. Jonathan Zellers, a 
 resident of the place. After it was de- 
 cided to organize a mission, the first ser- 
 vices veere held on the 23d day of August, 
 1874, by the Rev. H. King, in the Second 
 Presbyterian church, the free use of 
 which bad been secured until . other ar- 
 rangements could be made. Occasional 
 services were subsequently held by Revs. 
 King, J. F. DeLong and H. D. Darbaker. 
 The organization of the mission took 
 place on the 3d day of January, 1875, on 
 which occasion the Rev. King preached 
 from Lev. 8-24. About thirty members 
 were enrolled, and the organization ef- 
 fected by the election of Joseph Jlilert 
 and William Beck, as Elders, and A Bitt- 
 ner and C. Hineman, as Deacons. 
 
 Johnathan Zellars, Jacob Swope and 
 John Bubler, were elected a committee to 
 draw up a constitution for the congrega- 
 tion. At the same meeting the Classis of 
 West Susquehanna was asked to confirm 
 the organization and recognize it as a 
 congregation in full connection, which 
 request vras granted at the session held 
 May 5th, 1875,, in Miffliiisburg, Pa., when 
 . also the Rev. Pontius was appointed to 
 take charge of the Mission, his pastoral 
 labors to commence June 30, 1875. 
 
 Though this organization is young and 
 not very large, it possesses the elements 
 essential to success. It numbers in its 
 membership many good and substantial 
 citizens. At pi-esent, services are held in 
 the rooms of the Young Men' s Christian 
 Association, in the Exchange building. 
 A Sabbath school is soon to be established 
 and everything bids fair for a prosperous 
 future for the new organization. » 
 
 ST. AGNBS (GEMIAN CATHOLIC); 
 
 In the spring of 1872, 
 ciscQ Society" — a German Catholic Ben 
 
 ti,P/M«e#AK-' #cko/?j®, 
 
 eficial Association, decided to erect a 
 place for holding religious worship in 
 their own language and according to 
 their ovpn faith. This step was consid- 
 ered necessary, as the German Catholic 
 element of the city had acquired consid- 
 erable strength, and was without a 
 church edifice or a congregational organ- 
 ization. Accordingly a committee con- 
 sisting of Jacob Smith, Lewis Haber- 
 stroh, M. Flaig, and Anthony Meyer, was 
 appointed to take in charge the erection 
 of a suitable building in which to bold 
 public worship, on a lot which had been 
 previously purchased by the, society on 
 the corner of Walnut and Liberty streets. 
 At the • close of the year the committee 
 had the satisfaction of seeing their work 
 so far advanced that an elegant and 
 tastefully finished audience room was 
 ready for the reception of worshippers, 
 and was dedicated on the first day of 
 January, 1873, as the St. Agnes Catho- 
 lic church of Lock Haven. 
 
 In March, 1873, the Bishop of Harris- 
 bui'g sent the Rev.. John Louis Grote- 
 meyer to Lock Haven to take charge, of 
 the congregation of St. Agnes church, since 
 which time Father Grotemeyer has con- 
 tinued to serve his charge in a manner 
 most satisfactory to the membership. 
 
 The congregation is composed of about 
 50 families, most of whom are Germans, 
 the remainder French. 
 
 In October, 1873, the basement of the 
 church was completed and fitted up as a 
 school room, in which a school was estab- 
 lished immediately thereafter, and is 
 still iu successful operation, under the 
 general supervision of Father Grotemeyer 
 with Mr. Charles Smith as teacher. The 
 average attendance of pupils is about 
 fifty. 
 
 The cost of the church property, in- 
 cluding building and lot, was about $10,- 
 000, all of which has been paid except 
 e building is now completed 
 with the exception of the tower, AYhen 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY 
 
 93 
 
 this is done the structure will make a fine 
 appearance. 
 
 THE FLEMINQTON (FIFTH ■WAKD) JI. E. 
 CHUKCE. 
 
 The Flemington Methodist church was 
 organized in 1867, during the ministra- 
 tion, in the Salona district to which it 
 belonged, of the Rev. Mr. Hartman. 
 Among the most active and influential 
 members at the time of organization, 
 were David Leitzel, B. F. Troxell and 
 J. Chatham. For some time the congre- 
 gation struggled along, without owning 
 a place in which to worship; but, though 
 the membership was small, it was feund 
 very inconvenient and unsatisfactory, to 
 have no place of their own in which to 
 meet; therefore it was resolved to make 
 an effort to build a structure suitable for 
 that purpose. Accordingly a building 
 committee consisting of B. F. Troxel, J. 
 Chatham and Da,vid Litzel, was appoint- 
 ed, and a lot secured on the corner of 
 High and Stiirtevant streets. The work 
 of building commenced in 1870, and the 
 basement was completed and dedicated in 
 the spring of 1871. Owing to the "hard 
 times" prevailing since the basement was 
 dedicated, the audience room remained 
 unfinished. Thus far the cost of^the 
 building and lot has not been less than 
 $3,000. 
 
 Rev. Hartman was followed sucoesively 
 by Revs. Stine, Crossthwaite, Cuddy, 
 and Taylor, on the Salona circuit. Du- 
 ring the pastoral charge of these minis- 
 ters quite a number of accessions were 
 made to the congregation, and now the 
 membership is about 45— several times 
 greater than the original number. 
 
 At present there is a flourishihg Sab- 
 bath school with 100 members, ^connected 
 with the church. Mr. David Leitzel is 
 the Superintendent. Preaching is held 
 every two weeks in the basement. Sab- 
 bath school every week. Digitized by 1 
 
 The present board of trustees is com 
 
 posed of Daniel Leitzel, B.F. Troxell, 
 and Wm. Vanatta. 
 
 AFRICAN (METHODIST EFISCOPAL). 
 
 Several years ago the colored people 
 of Lock Haven organized a church, pur- 
 chased a lot and built a house in which 
 to hold worship. They ,had regular re- 
 ligious services for some time, but finally, 
 owing to the small size of the congrega- 
 tion, most of the members of which were 
 quite poor, it became necessary to give 
 up their house and cease holding service. 
 
 On the 38th of October, 1874, the Rev. 
 Bronson, of the Pittsburg Conference of 
 the ' 'African Methodist Episcopal Church' ' 
 organized a congregation in Lock Haven. 
 Tke first meeting was held in the school 
 house at the lower end of Church street. 
 Services were held for a few weeks by 
 Mr. Bronson. During his stay several 
 ofiicers of the church were elected, and a 
 Sabbath school organized, with Franklin 
 Brown as Superintendent, and Joseph 
 Davis Librarian. After Bronson left, the 
 ,Rev. Green Watson, also of, Pittsburg 
 Conference, in the limits of which Lock 
 Haven is located, was sent to take charge 
 of the congregation. Since his arrival 
 services have been held regularly every 
 Sunday. 
 
 ' The following are the names of the 
 persons constituting the board pf church 
 ofiicers: Rev. Green Watson Chairman, 
 E. B. Molson, Secretary; Henry Culvy, 
 Treasurer; W. M. , Jackson, James 
 Holmes, Franklin Brown, Benjamin 
 Whiton, Barney Brown, Samuel Pater- 
 son and Richard Jackson. The congre- 
 gation now has a membership of about 
 35, and an effort is being made to pur- 
 chase a lot and erect a house of worship. 
 
 [Owing to the Impossibility of getting reliable 
 data in regard to the history of St. Mary's Catho- 
 lic church, of Lock Haven, we are compelled to 
 defer its publication for the present, hoping to be 
 able to procjire all necessary statistics in time to 
 ?mM?wVe'?Sme in an appendix to this work. — 
 Pubs.] 
 
94 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 LOCK SAVEN (concluded) — HIGHLAND CEMETERY— PUBLIC SCHOOLS — CENTRAL 
 NOltMAL SCHOOL — FIRJB DEPARTMENT — SENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 The Highland Cemetery was incorpo- 
 rated by act of Assembly approved May 
 1st, 1861, with the foltowing named gen- 
 tlemen as corporators: 
 
 Philip M. Price, 8. Hepbui1i,L. A. Mack- 
 ey, H. T. Beardsley,D. K. Jackman, Geo. 
 C. Harvey, N. Shaw, Jesse Merrill, C. A. 
 Mayer, Allison "White, Chas. Blanchard, 
 Thomas Yardley, J. Hogan Brown, 
 Simon Scott, O. D. Satterlee, C. W. Wing- 
 ard. 
 
 The first meeting of the corporators 
 was held October 6th, 1863, and at an ad- 
 journed mefetiug held on the 8th of the 
 same month, the first Board of Managers 
 was elected namely: Philip M. Price, 
 President; L. A. Mackey, R. H. Boggis, 
 Dudley Blanchard, S.D. Ball. 
 
 Soon after the organization of the com- 
 pany, Mr. Philip M. Price, by deed of 
 gift dated Dec. 1st, 1862, gave to the 
 company about 33 acres of land on "the 
 fine eminence overlooking the town from 
 the southwestward," as he described it 
 in an address to the citizens of Lock Ha- 
 ven. The conditions on which this grant 
 was made were that thefcompany should 
 lay out the land for the purposes of a 
 burial ground, the proceeds arising from 
 the sale of lots to be appropriated, one- 
 half to the maintenance of the grounds 
 in good order, the erection of necessary 
 fence, and buildings, &c. ; the other half 
 to be paid over annually to such trustees 
 or corporation as the Board of Managers 
 may designate, for the purpose of aiding 
 
 the "establishment anS^ffoieteiRiHdl M^ffi^Q^^ forty-< 
 
 of a Public Library and Beading Room in 
 the town of Lock Haven." The company 
 was also required to "set apart a lot of 
 ample dimensions and conspicuous posi- 
 tion," for the intermept, without charge, 
 of deceased soldiers of the late war, and 
 to allow to be erected on said lot a suita- 
 ble monviment, to be built by voluntary 
 contributions of such as should desire to 
 contribute. Other conditions were con- 
 tained in the deed, all in the same spirit 
 of broad philanthropy and benevolence 
 which characterized the donor during his 
 lifetime. 
 
 Mr. Price subsequently purchased two 
 acres of ground adjoining that described 
 in the above conveyance, and at a meet- 
 ing of the board held July 21st, 1866, pre- 
 sented the same to the company, subject 
 to the same trusts and conditions. 
 A further addition of 16 acres has been 
 made during the present year, (1874.) 
 This ground was purchased by the fol- 
 lowing named gentlemen, and by them 
 placed under the control of the Cemetery 
 Company, until the proceeds of sales of 
 lots in this addition shall have reimbursed 
 the purchasers, when the land shall be- 
 come the property of the company: 
 L. A. Mackey, S. D. Ball, J. H. Barton, 
 Thos. Yardley, N. Shaw, P. S. Merrill, 
 E. P. MoCormick, R. H. Boggis, H. T. 
 Beardsley, Geo. 6. Irwm, Jacob Brown, 
 J. P. Melick, W. H. Brown, 6. Kintz- 
 iug. 
 . The cemetery therefore now 
 
 -one acres of 
 
 con- 
 land. 
 
.HISTOETCAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 95 
 
 , The mtermentsi!!up to Oct. 1st, 1874, 
 numbered 554, the first (that of a child 
 of Mr. Josepli Quiggle) having been made 
 October 19th, 1862. The beautiful mon- 
 ument to the memory of Lieutenant J. 
 Hogan Brown, was erected prior to that 
 date, but his remains were not placed 
 there until later. The number of lots sold 
 • 275. The amount paid over to the Library- 
 Company, in accordance with the condi- 
 tion of Mr. Price's grant is $784.00. 
 
 The board of managers at the present 
 time, (October, 1874), consists of Thomas 
 Tardley, President; L. A. Mackey, O. D. 
 Satterlee, J. H. Barton, S. D. Ball. Sec- 
 retary and Treasurer, Paul S. Merrill. 
 
 The Public Schools of Lock Haven had 
 their start about the year 1854. At this 
 time Coates Allison was acting as 
 County Superintendent under the new 
 law, then just being put in operation. 
 The first building erected for public 
 school purposes was that known as the 
 Old White School-house, still standing on 
 Bald Eagle street, and still used for pub- 
 lic school purposes. Among the members 
 of the Board of Directors were the Hon. 
 H. L. Dieffenbach,President of the Board, 
 Alexander Sloan, Hon. Allison White, 
 and the late Dr. Eldred. 
 
 In the month bf July, 1855, school was 
 opened, the following being the teachers: 
 A. K. Brown, Orrin T. Noble, and Miss 
 Phcebe Hitchcock. School opened vrith 
 about one hundred and forty pupils, but 
 the number increased largely during the 
 term, and it was found necessary to call 
 in the assistance of two more teachers, 
 when Miss Sarah McElrath, now Mrs. J. 
 N. Welliver, and John H. Orvis, were se- 
 lected. Messrs. Brown and Noble con- 
 tinued their connection with the schools 
 until 1858, when both were admitted to 
 the bar, and both quit the profession of 
 teaching. Mr. Brown, in 1857, was made 
 Principal, and Mr. Noble wa&j- 
 to the first grade. 
 
 Among those who have held prominent 
 positions in the schools since their first 
 opening, was A. K. Brown, Esq., now a 
 prominent attorney in the city of Wash- 
 ington, and for some time a member of 
 the Legislature of the District of Colum- 
 bia. Orrin T. Noble, Esq., at present an 
 Alderman of Lock Haven, was one of its 
 earliest and most honored teachers. Soon 
 after his admission to the bar he was 
 made a Justice of the Peace, and has 
 been a local magistrate continuously since, 
 but has not lost his interest in the schools- 
 No man made a better record for integ- 
 rity and liberality of sentiment in all that 
 pertains to the best interests of the 
 school than did Alderman Noble during 
 his late term as Director and Treasurer.- 
 The 'Squire is proud of his pupils, and 
 has good reason to be. Among them 
 may be numbered Hon. Jno. H. Orvis, 
 Associate Law Judge, District Attorney 
 James Deise, Attorneys E. P. McCormick, 
 H. T. Harvey, W. A. White and Wm. 
 Parsons, Jr., and County Superintendent 
 Herr. Closely following Mr. Noble in- 
 the schools was J. N. Welliver, Esq., af- 
 terwards County Superintendent, and 
 for many years a School Ditector, and 
 with him J. F. CJlark, Esq., still living in 
 the city, and Jno. L. Doty, Esq., for many- 
 years Secretary of the Board, and District 
 Superintendent, at present a clerk in the 
 Treasury Department at Washington. 
 Succeeding these gentlemen in the man- 
 agement of the schools came W. A. Wil- 
 son, W. ,G. Lehman, and J. G. Line- 
 weaver, all graduates of the State Normal 
 School at Millersville. Mr. Wilson was 
 made the Principal, or rather he taught 
 the first grade, in 1863. Leaving this po- 
 sition he entered the army, afterwards 
 filled a professorship at Millersville, and 
 now is one of the prominent attorneys of 
 the Lancaster county bar. Wm. G. Leh- 
 pg Lock Haven, began the 
 study of "la-w in Lebanon, was admitted 
 
■96 
 
 HISTOMOAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 to the bar, and soon after elected County 
 Suporintendent, -whicli position be has 
 just lately, vacated, to accept the office of 
 District Attorney of Lebanon county, to 
 which post he was elected. Mr. Line- 
 weaver for many years taught the Ta- 
 maqua High School, but finally relin- 
 quished teaching and entered life insur- 
 ance, which is now the subject of his 
 study and the, object of his solicita- 
 tations. Following closely in the wake 
 of these gentlemen came Mr. George Wil- 
 son, a brother of W. A. Wilson, as Prm- 
 cipal. After leaving his post hei'e, he 
 taught a short time in Schuylkill county, 
 and is now Principal of a Grammar 
 School in the city of Philadelphia. Prom- 
 inent in the school affairs of the borough 
 at that time, and prominent still, was the 
 present Secretary of the Board, Aldei-man 
 Winters, of the First ward. Among the 
 most successful teachers was A. H. Stray- 
 er, Esq., who for some years after his 
 satisfactory career as teacher, filled the 
 office of County Superintendent of Clin- 
 ton county, which position he finally re- 
 signed to accept one in the office of the 
 County Treasurer. Succeeding Mr. Wil- 
 son as teacher of the first grade came 
 Daniel Herr, of Salona, who had previ- 
 ously filled acceptably the office of County 
 Superintendent. Mr. Herr taught the 
 first grade one year. Among the most 
 successful of the lady teachers connected 
 with the public schools up to this time, 
 1867-8, were Miss Phoebe Hitchcock, Mrs. 
 J. N. Welliver, Miss Celia Elwood, now 
 Mrs. J. F. Clark, the bad boys all re- 
 member her. Miss Kate Reed, now Mrs. 
 Gucker, and Miss Addie Russell, now 
 Mrs. L. B. Schuyler. They all did a 
 S'ood work, and they did it faithfully, and 
 patiently, .and well. 
 
 In the spring and summer of 1868, the 
 present High School building was erected 
 and on the Fourth day of January, 1869, 
 four schools were opened \G^itiz&(^-i}i(- 
 
 cipalship of Prof. A. N. Eaub. The 
 walls were unplastered and the accommo- 
 dations in a measure meagre, but some 
 substantial progress was made in regrad- 
 ing the schools. The remaining three 
 positions in this building were filled for 
 the short tei-m by A. D. Rowc, Miss 
 Sarah A. Chandlee, and Miss Amanda 
 Watson. Henry A. Foresman was piin- 
 oipal in the old Academy building, B. F. 
 Winters in the Bald Eagle street building, 
 and T. J. Shearer in the Main street 
 building. First ward. At the opening of 
 the term in- 1869, Prof. Eaub was pro- 
 moted to the district superintendency, and 
 Mr. Eowe made Principal of the Boys' 
 High School. In January, Mr. Rowe was 
 succeeded by Austin Leonard, who held 
 the position to the close of the term, 
 Mr. Rowe having resigned to attend the 
 State Normal School at Millersville. Mr. 
 Leonard was in turn succeeded by Mr. C. 
 Lenker, a graduate of Millersville, as 
 Principal of the Boys' High School, which 
 position he held one year, being promoted 
 to the district superintendency, Prof. 
 Raub, in the meantime having consented 
 to act as County Supei^intendent during 
 the unexpired term of A. T. Rowe who 
 resigned Sept. 1st, 1871., 
 
 During Mr. Lenker's term as District 
 Superintendent, Mr. S. M. McCormick, 
 of Salona, also a graduate of Millersville, 
 held the principalship of the Boys' High 
 School, Miss Agnes Reilly, a graduate of 
 Lewisburg Seminary, having been elected 
 to the principalship of the Girls' High 
 School. Both Mr. McCormick and Miss 
 Reilly held their positions two years. 
 Mr. Lenker, at the close of the year 1872, 
 accepted the" superintendency of the pub- 
 lic schools of Northumberland, Pa. In 
 the spring of 1872, Prof. Raub, who had 
 been acting as County Superintendeni, 
 was re-called to the city schools, and was 
 made Cit^y Superintendent for the term of 
 X After having filled the po- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 9Y 
 
 sition one year, the Board of Directors 
 combined the Boys' and Girls' High 
 Schools in one school, and relieved th? 
 Superintendent of teaching. Mr. John 
 A. Robb was called from the principal- 
 ship of the First ward Grammar School, 
 and was made Principal of the High 
 School, with Miss Reilly as assistant. The 
 school having largely increased in num- 
 bers in 1874, at the request of 
 the City Superintendent, a second 
 assistant was ' added to the corps 
 of High School teachers; Miss Sallie 
 E. Rhoads, a graduate of the Normal 
 School at Kutztown, being selected to 
 fill the position. 
 
 Immediately after the election of Prof. 
 Raub as City Superintendent, lie submit- 
 ted the following schedule of study which 
 was adopted, and has been in operation 
 ever since : 
 
 Primary Schools — Alphabet, Primary 
 Spelling, Elementary Reading (First 
 Reader), Counting to 1,000, Notation to 
 ,100, Object Lessons. 
 
 Secondary Schools — Elementary Spell- 
 ing, Second Reader, Oral Arithmetic, 
 Elementary Local Geography, Primary 
 Mental Arithmetic, Writing and Object 
 Lessons. 
 
 Intermediate Schools — Third and Fourth 
 Readers, Advanced Spelling, Geography, 
 Mental and Written Arithmetic, Object 
 Lessons, Writing and Composition. 
 
 Grammar Schools — Readiiig, (Fourth 
 Reader), Mental and Written Arithmetic 
 completed. Orthography, Geography com- 
 pleted, Drawing, Penmanship, Grammar, 
 ana XJ. S. History. 
 
 High School — Three Years' Course — 
 Orthography, U. S. History, Grammar, 
 Commercial Arithmetic and Book-keep 
 ing. Physical Geography. Drawing, Pen- 
 manship, Constitution of the U. S., Ele- 
 mentary Algebra, Natural Philosophy, 
 Etymology, Physiology, General History, 
 Rhetoric, Geometery, Botany, Study of 
 Words, and Latin as far as Tirgil, 
 
 This course is designed to occupy eight 
 years, independent of the High School 
 course, which is of itself ^jQjfffQff^f' 
 course and equivalent to the elementary 
 
 course in a Pennsylvania State Normal 
 School. 
 
 Our schools have grown rapidly. In 
 1855, they opened with three teachers. 
 In 1868 the number had increased to 
 twelve, and at the ^present time the num- 
 ber of pliblic school teachers of the city, 
 independent of the City Superintendent, 
 is twenty-six. Instead of having no sys- 
 tem of grading, we have now one of the 
 most perfect systems in the State. Some 
 of the details are yet defective, and neces- 
 sarily must be until the system is thor- 
 oughly inaugurated and established. 
 The city has a school debt of about seven- 
 teen thousand dollars, but at the same 
 time it has school property woi-th over 
 sixty thousand dollars, thus having a bal- 
 ance in its favor of over forty thousand 
 dollars. Not only the High School but 
 the whole system will compare favorably 
 with that of any other city in the Com- 
 monwealth. 
 
 In reviewing the History of Clinton 
 County, it is essential to give quite an 
 extended account of that institution, 
 which is, or is destined to be, of all others 
 the most important, and most valu- 
 able in its Tbearings upon the future, 
 not only of Clinton county, but of the ex- 
 tensive Normal School district of which 
 it is the centre. During the growth and 
 development of this region, the need of 
 good educational facilities has always 
 been felt, and of late has become very 
 pressing. The course' of events in our 
 country for -the past twenty years, has 
 taught the men and women who are now 
 bringing up children, the necessity of a 
 better education, a broader culture than 
 they received at the hands of their fath- 
 ers; but while this necessity has been 
 generally appreciated by the people of 
 this and surrounding counties, the lack of 
 facilities for satisfying it at home, and 
 the lack of means to send children to dis- 
 ^i0l^OSiSiffj®s, have come to be looked upon 
 as serious and irksome inconveniences. 
 
98 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Of all who, a few year& ago were inter- 
 ested in the pressing educational question, 
 no one, probably, gave more time and 
 labor toward its solution than the Eev. 
 G. W. Shinn, from 1867 to 1870, Rector 
 of StPaul's, church Lock Haven. He was a 
 frequent, though unofficial visitor of the 
 public and private schools of Lock Haven, 
 encouraging and assisting teachers by his 
 sympathy and suggestions; lecturing to 
 classes on various subjects, and even in 
 some instances voluntarily taking chai'ge 
 of special branches. Being a cultivated 
 gentleman of very fine scholarship, his 
 work in the schools was Valuable to the 
 pupils, but his own experience there serv- 
 ed to deepen his sense of the need of 
 something better. It was natural that he 
 should discuss with all who were likely to 
 be interested, a matter which he had so 
 much at heart, and it was in. the course 
 of such a discussion with Prof. A. N. Raub 
 that the latter suggested the idea of mak- 
 ing Lock Haven the site of the school for 
 the Eighth State Normal District, con- 
 sisting of Centre, Clinton, Clearfield, 
 Erie, Potter, McKean, Jefferson, Clarion, 
 Forest and Warren counties. 
 
 Mr. Raub was at that time Principal of 
 the Lock Haven High School, and 
 through his position, and by reason of 
 his own educational attainments; also 
 was well aware of, and strongly impress- 
 ed with the defects of our present school 
 system, and the want of higher opportu- 
 nities. Being a graduate himself of one 
 of the State Normal Schools, he knew 
 all the advantages to the community of 
 those schools, and was able to speak as 
 by authority of their practical workings. 
 It is hardly necessary to say that Mr. 
 Shinn received the suggestion, not merely 
 with satisfation, but with enthusiasm, 
 and from that time he and Mr. Raub 
 
 worked together, and worked hard too 
 
 for they were both men o: 
 sort — to evolve out of sue' 
 
 could be fovmd here a State Normal 
 School for Locls: Haven. 
 
 One of the requirements of the acts ol 
 the .Legislature regarding Normal Schools 
 is, "an area of ground of not less than 
 ten acres in one tract;" and this naturally 
 became one of the first matters for the 
 consideration of the two gentlemen who 
 were setting on this Normal School egg, 
 and it is not surprising at least, to those 
 who know Mr. Philip M. Price, that very 
 early in the history of this institution, 
 the minds of Mr. Shinn and Mr. Raub, 
 turned in this direction, not only of the 
 land question, but upon the whole mat- 
 ter. As it is the intention to treat at 
 some length of the life and character of 
 Mr. Price in a future chapter, they will 
 not be dwelt upon here. It was not in 
 him to look coldly upon such a scheme 
 as was now presented to his philanthropy. 
 The question of the land was hardly dis- 
 tinctly stated by the self appointed com- 
 mittee which waited upon him, before 
 the assurance was given that any ten 
 acres of land belonging to him, were at 
 the service of a State Normal School. To 
 appreciate the generosity of this offer, it 
 must be remembered that Mr. Price's 
 land was all in the city limits, and much 
 of it worth, at that time, §1200 per acre. 
 The Sixteen acres, which were finally 
 presented by him, would have brought 
 at least $500 per acre. , The foundations 
 of the scheme being thus satisfactorily 
 laid, it was worked up rapidly. Money 
 being now the next important consider- 
 ation, arrangements were at once made 
 for getting subscriptions, and at this 
 point,' Mr. L. A. Mackey, always public- 
 spirited and liberal, stepped to the front. 
 He gave the subscription paper a good 
 start by heading it with the siim of $1, 000, 
 and with this impulse it went forwards 
 with such spirit that after a very short J 
 sgl^gjfriends of the project found f 
 iat organization was now not only pos- J 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF ClINTON COUNTY. 
 
 99 
 
 sible, but necessary. A meeting of the 
 subscribers was tlierefore called, and 
 articles of association under the corporate 
 title of "The Central Normal School As- 
 sociation of the State of Pennsylvania" 
 were adopted; those articles and applica- 
 tion for incorporation wei'e filed Deo. 
 22d, 1869,in the Prothonotary's office, and 
 finally on the 14th day of February, 1870, 
 it was declared and decreed by the Court 
 "that the persons so associated under 
 said articles shall become and be a corpo- 
 ration or body politic in law." ' - 
 
 By the articles of association, a Board 
 of Trustees was named, to serve until an 
 election should be held by the stockhold- 
 ers. This board consisted of the follow- 
 ing gentlemen: L. A. Mackey, "Wm. 
 Parsons, O. D. Satterlee, H. T. Harvey.- 
 Wan-en Martin, Amos C. Noyes, Jno. S. 
 Furst, K. H. Boggis, Philip M. Price, S. 
 D. Ball, Jno. N. "Welliver, G. W. Shinn, 
 Jos. Nesbitt, Q. O. Deise, G. A. Achen- 
 bach; and on the 17th of February, all 
 but two of them were pi'csent in the 
 Court House in Look Haven, for the pur- 
 pose of giving actual and tangible shape 
 to The Central Normal School. 
 
 At this meeting the subscription lists 
 were reported, and, it was found that 
 they footed up about $3p,D00, and it was 
 decided that as soon as the sum should 
 reach ?35, 000, work on the building should 
 be commenced. At this meeting, 
 also Mr. L. A. Mackey was elected 
 President of the Board of Trustees, and 
 he has held that postion ever since. 
 
 On the 5th of March, 1870, after the 
 examination of several proposed sites for 
 the building, the Board finally decided on 
 the grpund now so occupied. This is a 
 tract of over sixteen acres, bounded by 
 Fairview street, Glen street. Ivy street, 
 and School street; most of it, at an eleva- 
 tion of more than 100 feet above the 
 river, and affording magnificent views of 
 surrounding country, of w]£)^;j 
 beauties Lock Haven is proud! 
 
 Mr. Price havipg, executed and present- 
 ed a deed for this land, the Board, at a 
 meeting held May 5,tb, adopted the fol- 
 lowing resolutions: 
 
 Whereas, Mn Philip M. Price has, in 
 the most generous manner deeded to the 
 Central Normal School Association of the 
 State of Pennsylvania, a most valuable 
 and beautiful plot of ground for the pur- 
 poses and uses of the Normal School, lo- 
 cated at LoekjIJaven. Therefore be it 
 , J^esotv^d, That the thanks of the said 
 Association through this its Board of 
 Trustees, be and are hereby tendered the 
 donor for his gift. 
 
 Sesohed, That it is the hearty wish of 
 this Board, that a kind Providence may 
 permit Mr. Price to see the full realiza- 
 tion of his efforts to assist in establishing 
 among us an educational institution of 
 high character, where the children of our 
 citizens and others may be prepared to 
 take their part in the active affairs of the 
 intelligent and progressive age in which 
 we live. 
 
 Besohed, That to perpetuate the mem- 
 ory of one who has identified himself 
 with, and so greatly advanced the pros- 
 perity of our city, the main hall of the 
 buildings to be erected, be styled, "Price 
 Hall." 
 
 Prior to the meeting of the Board of 
 Trustees May 5, 1870, plans for the nec- 
 ' essary buildings had been presented by 
 five different architects and reported to 
 the building committee. 
 
 The Act of Assembly requires that the 
 buildings to be erected by our State for 
 'Norma! purposes, shall contain a hall of 
 sufficient size to comfortably seat at least 
 1,000 adults, with class-rooms, lodging 
 rooms and' refectories for at least 300 
 students, making no restrictions as to 
 architectural details, provided only that 
 the proper amount of light, heat, and 
 ventilation, and provision for physical 
 exercise during inclement weather are 
 secured. 
 
 It was well known to the Board that 
 not many — perhaps not any, of the 
 ools previously built and ac- 
 cepted, had complied literally with these 
 
100 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 requirements; and that here also a school 
 house might be built at much less the 
 cost of one fully up to the provisions of 
 the act; which the State, not examining 
 too closely, would probably accept. But it 
 was determined that inasmuch as the 
 Central Normal School was better locat- 
 ed and more liberally supplied in the 
 matter of land, than any other in the 
 State, so it should be in every respect a 
 model Normal School, and at least up to 
 the standard fixed by the Act of Assem- 
 bly. The five or six plans laid before the 
 Building Committee, included those of 
 the Westchester and Shippensburg State 
 Schools, but for the reasons stated, these 
 were passed over, and the one presented 
 by C. S. Wetzel, was adopted, as the 
 only one covering the legal requirements, 
 and coming up to the ideas of the Board. 
 
 The report of the Building Committee 
 was presented May 5th, 1870, and adopt- 
 ed at once. But the preparation of spec- 
 ifications, the necessity for some changes 
 to meet certain contingencies, the adver- 
 tising for and receiving bids, &c., occupi- 
 ed so much time that it was not until 
 Dec. 34th, of that year, that the contract 
 was at last signed, and with the excep- 
 tion of the accumulation of such materi- 
 als as stone and sand, and partial exca- 
 vation for foundation, no work was pos- 
 sible until the spring of 1871. 
 
 During that season the foundation 
 walls were erected, but a disagreement or 
 misunderstanding arising between the 
 contractor and the Board of Trustees,noth- 
 ing further could be done Until the sum- 
 mer of 1873, when the first contract was 
 dissolved and a new one entered into, be- 
 tween the Board, and Messrs. Hippie, Wil- 
 son & Hippie, Messrs. Brown, Blackburn 
 & Curtin, and Mr. Chas. Soheid, who 
 agreed to complete the building for the 
 sum of $93,840. As the association had 
 already expended some |12,000, under 
 the first contract, the whole .cost would 
 
 amount to about |i05,ooo. Digitized by 
 
 The new contractors went to work vig- 
 orously, and by the late autumn the 
 walls being sufficiently advanced to 
 give a clear idea of the ground plan, it 
 was thought advisable to invite the State 
 Superintendent, Mr, J. P. Wickersham, 
 to visit Lock Haven, and examine the 
 location and plans of the new Normal 
 School. ■ That gentleman came accord- 
 ingly, and in the words of the Secretary, 
 who reported at the meeting of the Board 
 Dec. 3d, 1872: 
 
 "Mr. Wickersham said that he highly 
 approved of both plans and location, and 
 that in his opinion our grounds were the 
 best adapted to the purpose for which 
 they were to be used, of any so used in 
 the State, and he cheerfully gave his cer- 
 tificate for the first instalment of $5,000 
 of the appropriation from the State 
 Treasury." 
 
 Work progressed steadily from that 
 time; but the formal laying of the cor- 
 ner stone did" not take place until the 
 4th of July, 1873. The ceremonies were 
 of a brilliant and impressive character, 
 and were pai'ticipatcd in by almost all 
 who had been the friends of the enter- 
 prise from the beginning. Of the origi- 
 nal Board of Trustees, only Mr. Price 
 and Judge Parsons were absent on that 
 day. They had both gone to their rest. 
 
 There could not have been selected a 
 more favorable location for a school build- 
 ing in the West Branch valley than the 
 one chosen for the site of tfie Normal 
 school. To|saynothingof the elevated posi- 
 tion it occupies, from which a fine view 
 of one of the grandest scenes imaginable 
 may be had, the healthfuluess of the locar 
 tion commends it- to all who have sons 
 and daughters to educate. The forma- 
 tion of the ground immediately surround- 
 ing the building is such as to clothe the 
 place with pleasing and romantic interest. 
 There is a picturesqueness in the scenery 
 around about that gives that pecuhar 
 charm and attractiveness to the locatiom 
 HMi^^% highly appreciated and adj 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 101 
 
 mired by the student of Nature. After 
 that auspicious celebration of our national 
 holiday in 1873, the work on the Normal 
 School buildings continued as rapidly as 
 circumstances would permit; and they 
 now stand a noble monument to the enter- 
 prise of the people of Clinton county and 
 to their interest in advanced education. 
 
 The front of the building, so broken by 
 several recesses and projections as to give 
 variety and relief even when seen from a 
 distance, faces due east, and^ 176 feet in 
 length. The whole depth of the centre, 
 including Price Hall, which is in the ex- 
 treme west of the building, is 131 feet. 
 The depth of each of the two Things, north 
 and south, is 87 feet, while that of the 
 arms connecting the centre and the wings 
 is 48 feet. In height, the mam building 
 consists of basement, four stories and 
 Mansard attic ; the wings, of basement, 
 three stories and Mansard attic. To the 
 level of the first floor the material of the 
 walls is dressed stone ; the stories above 
 the basement are of brick ; the Mansard 
 attic is slated on the slope and tinned on 
 top. The cupola is in the centre of the 
 front, and is 38 feet high from roof line, 
 on a base of 17 feet square. The whole 
 height of the main building from floor of 
 ' basement to top of cupola is about 105 
 feet, commanding from the top a magnifi- 
 cent view, which extends into Centre 
 county on the one hand, and Lycoming 
 on the other. 
 
 The interior of the building is arranged 
 as follows : The basetnent contains a 
 large, cheerful dining room, a roomy 
 kitchen with laundry adjoining, and vari- 
 ous iK)oms for steward, butler, matron 
 and servants — all well lighted and ventil- 
 ated, and conveniently arranged for the 
 household purposes of the 300 persons 
 who 'may be domieiled there. 
 
 The first floor is devoted entirely to the 
 school-work of the establishment. Here 
 are the Principal's school room and ofSce 
 
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 recitation rooms, parlor for visitors ; also 
 preceptor's parlor, ofSce, library, museum, 
 labratory and class rooms. 
 
 The second floor is arranged for music 
 parlor and study rooms. On each end of 
 the corridor on this floor are a bath room 
 and water closets. 
 
 The floor of the hall is level witli the 
 second floor, having stairs from the first 
 floor, entrance from the second floor, and 
 entrance to the galleries from the third 
 floor. The hall is 33 feet in height, 
 and large enough to seat .1,000 adults , 
 comfortably, with space at the west end 
 for lecturer's platform, &c. 
 
 The stories above the second floor, in- 
 cluding the Mansard attic, are all much 
 alike, and are appropriated to sleeping 
 apartments, with some study rooms, linen 
 closets, &c. Every room is well lighted 
 and thoroughly ventilated, supplied with 
 gas, and warmed by air heated by steam. 
 
 The boiler for the generation of the 
 steant is in a separate building, nearly 
 100 feet south of the main building, so 
 that the inmates of the latter are entirely 
 secure from the risk of an explosion of 
 the boiler — an accident, however, . ve»y 
 unlikely to occur. 
 
 Taken altogether the Central Normal 
 School is probably the most complete and 
 best fitted for all its objects of any of the 
 schools of the State, while; with its splen- 
 did endowment of land, it has room for 
 growth and improvement to any extent. 
 Its friends claim for it that it ought to be, 
 and will become, in time, the great edu- 
 cational institution of Central Pennsylva- 
 nia, and through it Lock Haven will be- 
 come the educational centre of a vast ter- 
 ritory; not merely for the purpose of 
 training teachers, but offering advanced 
 education in all departments. 
 
 The Board of Trustees, as at present 
 constituted, consists of L, A. Maokey, 
 President, S. D. Ball, Secretary, A. N^ 
 Raub, A. II. Best, Rev. Jos. Nesbitt, H. 
 
102 
 
 HISTORICAL A'lEW OF CLINTON C0U:;TY. 
 
 T. Harvey, P. Jarrett, "Warren Martin, 
 A. C. Noyes, Jolm S. Furst, J. H. Bar- 
 ton, 0. D. Satterlee, Jacob Brown, AV. W. 
 Rankin, N. 'dhaw, Thos. Yardley, Treas- 
 urer. 
 
 The Fire Department of Lock Haven 
 ■was organized June 9, 1870, by the elec- 
 tion of James Holden as Cliief Engineer; 
 R. S. Barker, First Assistant; Geo. K. 
 Tozer, Second Assistant. Mr. Holden de- 
 clining to serve, the city Council confirm- 
 ed R. S. Barker Chief Engineer; Geo. K. 
 Tozer, first, and L. K. McGill Second As- 
 sistant. 
 
 The department consisted at that time, 
 of the Cataract steam fire engine com- 
 jjany No. 1, Dauntless Hook and Ladder 
 Company, and. "West Branch Hose Com- 
 pany No. S. The officers of the depart- 
 ment served faithfully, under trying cir- 
 cumstances, until the expiration of their 
 term of office, June 9, 1873, when the fol- 
 lowing officers were elected: R. S. Bar- 
 ker, Chief [Engineer; Geo. K. Tozerf 1st 
 Assistant; J. D. jMeClintic, 2nd Assist- 
 ant. In 1874 George K. Tozer resigned, 
 and the city Council filled the vacancy by 
 apj)ointing S. B. Darralilst Assistant en- 
 gineer, and the present officers are: R. 
 S. Barker, Chief Engineer; S. B. Darrah, 
 1st Assistant; J. D. McClintiok, 2d As- 
 sistant. They have given universal sat- 
 isfaction, .serving with credit to them- 
 selves and the department up to the pres- 
 ent time. 
 
 Previous to the incorporation of Lock 
 Haven as a city, there was no regularly 
 organized fire department, although sev- 
 eral companies had existed and done 
 good service for many years previously. 
 Of these companies the following sketch 
 will be found accurate and interesting; 
 
 The first fire company of Look Haven 
 was the Good "Will hand engine and hose 
 company, organized September 18th, 
 1857, composed of forty members. The 
 first officers of the company were James 
 
 Chatham, President; H. B. Amerliug, 
 Vice President; Jacob Bamberger, Sec- 
 retary; R. S. Barker, Treasurer; "Wm. 
 Shanks, Foreman; "Walter Chatham, As- 
 sistant Foreman. This company was fur- 
 nished with a crane neck hand engine, 
 purchased by Solomon JlcCormick, as a 
 committee from the borough Council, for 
 §1300, and remained in existence as a 
 fire organization, doing, good service 
 with the limited capacity of working ap- 
 paratus until the breaking out of the re- 
 bellion, when most of its members re- 
 solved to shoulder the musket in defence 
 of their country, and instead of fighting 
 fire in the borough of Lock Haven, went 
 forth to quell the raging conflagration of 
 secession that was sweeping over the 
 "Union. 
 
 After the disbandm(int of the Good 
 W ill company, the hand engine went to 
 decay. The town was then without any 
 organized fire company for more than 
 two years, when the citizens became 
 somewhat alarmed for the safety of their 
 property. Accordingly, the town Coimcil 
 appointed N. Shaw, Rufus Reed and 
 Geo. Curts a committee to purchase a 
 steam fire engine, and in pursuance of 
 their authority, in August, 1863, they 
 bought from Button & Blake, of "Water- 
 ford, N. Y., a second class steam fire en- 
 gine, two hose carriages and 1,000 feet of 
 hose for the small sum of §3500. The 
 engine received the uneuphoneous name of. 
 "Smut Mill," alias "Black Maria." 
 Upon its arrival the citizens concluded to 
 organize a fire company, and a meeting 
 was called at the office of N. Shaw, on 
 October 31, 1863, which was presided 
 over by Mr. Shaw, Thomas Yardley act- 
 ing as Secretary. The preliminary steps 
 for instituting the Cataract steam fire 
 engine company No. 1, were taken. Pur- 
 suant to adjournment, the first meeting 
 of the company was also held at N. 
 Shaw's office, on November C, 1883. Con- 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 103 
 
 stitution and by-laws were adopted, when 
 an election for officers of the company 
 was held, resulting as follows: N. Shaw, 
 President; Thomas Yardley, Secretary; 
 AVm. L. Hamilton, Treasurer; John H. 
 Frank, Foreman; John W. Harris, 1st 
 Assistant; Orrin Shaw, 3nd Assistant; 
 Geo. S. Berry, 3d Assistant; Andrew 
 Gibb, Engineer; P. G. Knights^ 1st As-' 
 sistant Engineer; John Seitz, ^d Assist- 
 ant Engineer. This organization pros- 
 pered for a while, doing good service 
 with the steam engine, although laboring 
 u.nder several disadvantages; and owing 
 to various unfavorable circumstances the 
 company began to dwindle down until it 
 Anally expired. 
 
 During a space of two years more the 
 town was at the mercy of the devouring 
 element which raged with almost undis- 
 puted sway, arousing the people to a 
 sense of their duty; and to prevent the 
 utter destruction of the town, the Coun- 
 cil appointed Jacob Brown, R. H. Boggis 
 and Eufus Reed a fire committee, and in 
 pursuance of a call issued by said com- 
 mittee, a meeting of citizens convened at 
 the Court House April 24, 18G6. Jacob 
 Brown, chaiirman of Council committee, 
 called the meeting to order, R. H. Bog- 
 gis acting as Secretary. The chairman 
 stated that the object of the meeting was 
 to institute a good and ^efficient fire 
 company, and after a few remarks by L. 
 A. Mackey, Esq., those present who were 
 willing to become active members of a 
 fire company were requested to submit 
 their names to the secretary, whereupon 
 forty-four names were recorded, some of 
 whom had been members of the first Cat- 
 aract fire company. In pursuance of ad- 
 journment, the meeting convened on 
 April 37, 1866, at the Council rooms, and 
 proceeded by electing M. B. Herring 
 President, and Jno. W. Harris Secretary. 
 The meeting adjourned to May 1st, 1866, 
 when the name, style and title of the com- 
 
 pany was adopted as follows: "Cataract 
 Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1," of 
 Look Haven, Pa. Such was the re-insti- 
 tution of the original Cataract fire com- 
 pany. The company again met May 8, 
 1866, M. B. Herring, President, in the 
 chair, when an election for officers was 
 held, viz: M. B. Herring, President; "W. 
 C. Kress, Secretary; R. H. Boggis, Treas- 
 urer; Orrin Shaw, Foreman; Jno. H. 
 Frank, 1st Assistant; R. S. Barker, 2d 
 Assistant; Albert Frank, 3d Assistant; 
 Robert Easton, Engineer; James Wal- 
 ters, 1st Assistant Engineer. 
 
 The company re-assembled in Berger's; 
 Hall May 29, 1865, and adopted constitu- 
 tion and by-laws. The steam engine pre- 
 viously purchased by the Council, and 
 known as the "smut mill," was then 
 turned over to this company and rendered 
 valuable service in protecting property 
 from fire and the inhabitants from chol- 
 era, by pumping water out of their cel- 
 lars. This company has proved a very 
 substantial organization, although at 
 times it required the energy of heroes to 
 keep it in existence. The company was 
 chartered June 10, 1869, and thereafter 
 prospered beyond the expectations of the 
 most sanguine. Receiving more encour- 
 agement from the town Council, the mem- 
 bers put forth every effort to build up 
 their organization on a firm basis ; but 
 having considerable trouble to render sat- 
 isfaction with the old "smut mill," they 
 made repeated applications to Council far 
 a new engine. Accordingly the Council 
 instructed the Fire committee to nego- 
 tiate for a now steamer by, selling the old 
 one in part payment. Through the de- 
 termination of their indefatigable chair- 
 man, Wheeler Shaw, seconded by Chief 
 Engineer, R. S. Barker, an agreement 
 was entered into on January 5, 1874, for 
 a second class steam fire engine from the 
 Silsby Manufacturing Company, Seneca 
 Falls, N. Y. The new steamer arrived 
 
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104 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 in May, 1874, and was tested to the satis- 
 faction of all concerned. The confirma- 
 tion' of the purchase was hotly opposed 
 by some councilmen and many prominent 
 citizens, but the "enginists" came out 
 best, and the steamer was bought, 
 the old "smut mill" being turned in at 
 $1,400. The new Silsby was turned over 
 to the Cataract company by Wheeler 
 Shaw, in a short but appropriate address, 
 and was received with three cheers and a 
 "tiger." The company then purchased 
 a fine team of gray horses that make a 
 fine appearance as they go dashing 
 through the streets en route for a fire. 
 The new engine has done good service, 
 and has been the means of saving the 
 city from many a destructive conflagra- 
 tion. 
 
 In June, 1874, the Cataract made an 
 extended excursion to AUentown, Eastou, 
 Danville and Sunbury, being accompa- 
 nied by the Mayor, Chief Engineer, City 
 Council, members of the bar and press, 
 and other prominent citizens. The ex- 
 cursion was a complete success, and was 
 conducted by L. R. McGill, Foreman of 
 the company, with zeal and ability. The 
 company is at present substantially or- 
 ganized, possessing a fine team, wagon, 
 sprinkling wagon and considerable other 
 property. They meet the first Tuesday 
 of each month in their hall over the en- 
 gine room, on Grove street. The present 
 officers are : B. F. Marshall, PjBiBident ; 
 John H. Agar, Vice President ; J. H. Kil- 
 ler, Secretary ; J. W. Bridgens, Treasur- 
 er ; John E. Eldred, Foreman ; W. J. 
 McLees, 1st Assistant ; Daniel Matthews, 
 2d Assistant ; W. K. Fearon, 3d Assist- 
 ant ; Eohert Agar, Engineer ; P. G. 
 Knights, 1st Assistant ; Wm. Carey, 2d 
 Assistant ; Peter Felmlee, Teamster. The 
 present number of active members is 51. 
 
 A meeting of citizens was held March 
 3, 1869, W. W. P. Eldred presiding, and 
 Theo. Frank acting as Secretary, for the 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 purpose of instituting the Rescue Bucket 
 company No. 2. A committee was ap- 
 pointed to draft a constitution and by- 
 laws. This committee, at a meeting held 
 March 11, following, submitted their re- 
 port, which was adopted on April 7, 1869. 
 The company convened, W. W. P. Eldred, 
 President in the chair, when it was deci- 
 ded to change the name from Rescue 
 Bucket company No. 3 to that of "West 
 Branch Bucket company No. 1," of Lock 
 Haven, Pa. At a meeting held May 25, 
 1869, the following officers were elected : 
 J. P. Anthony, President; S. W. Hawkins, 
 Secretary; Geo. A. Brown, Treasurer; W. 
 W, P. Eldred, Foreman; Theo. Frank, 
 1st Assistant. A committee was also 
 appointed to wait upon the citizens to 
 raise funds to purchase buckets and equip- 
 ments, and at a meeting held Dec. 1, 
 
 1869, a petition was sent into Council re- 
 questing to be furnished with a hose cart 
 and hose. At a meeting held July 2, 
 
 1870, the name was " changed from West 
 Branch Bucket Company No. 1, to West 
 Branch Bucket and Hose Company No. 1. 
 Council appointed Jacob Scheid, Simon 
 Scott and Samuel Christ a committee to 
 meet the bucket company, and at a spe- 
 cial meeting called for that purpose, on 
 Feb. 15, 1870, Jacob Scheid, chairman of 
 Council committee, presented himself; 
 but o win g to the non-attendance of Messrs. 
 Scott and Christ, no business could be 
 transacted. The company being desirous 
 of obtaining a hose carriage as soon as 
 possible, appointed a committee to wait 
 on the Council on . the first Monday 
 in March, following, which committee at- 
 tended to their duties, and reported back 
 "to the company, at a meeting held April 
 8, 1870. The report being favorable was 
 unanimously received, and the company 
 was furnished with hose carriage and 
 hose. At a meeting held January 33, 
 
 1871, the name was again changed from 
 West Branch Bucket and Hose Company 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 105 
 
 No. 1, to West Branch Bucket aucl Hos& 
 Company No. 3; which name it still re- 
 tains. This company is composed of 
 young men and is very efficient as a fire 
 organization, being active and energetic, 
 responding to the alarm of fire promptly. 
 It served with distinction, doing excellent 
 service, until at the fire of Brown's brew- 
 ery some misunderstanding occurred be- 
 tween the Chief Engineer, E. S. Barker, 
 and the company, in regard to disobe- 
 dience of orders, which resulted in one of 
 the members being expelled from the Tire 
 Department, by the Chief Engineer; 
 whereupon the company felt themselves 
 deeply wronged, and resolved to seek re- 
 dress through the Council by having their 
 member reinstated. Not receiving at the 
 bands of Council the recognition of jus- 
 tice they claimed was due them, at a 
 meeting held January 13, 1874, they re- 
 solved to withdraw from the Fire Depart- 
 ment. Accordingly, on January 14, 1874, 
 the company paraded the streets in full 
 iiniform, disbanding at the engine house, 
 where W. W. P. Eldred, on behalf 
 of the company, turned 'over their appa- 
 ratus in a well timed speech. It was re- 
 ceived by Chief Engineer Barker, in a 
 brief address to the company, assuring 
 them with what deep anxiety he had 
 boped that the controversy would be ami- 
 cably settled, and manifested in a kind 
 and generous spirit his feelings of i-egret 
 to be called upon to perform that un- 
 pleasant duty. Upon the withdrawal of 
 the "West ^ranch company, the Fire De- 
 partment sustained a serious loss, as the 
 company was large and effective. After 
 their withdrawal as a fire company, they 
 remained as an organization, forrains a 
 club, meeting regularly and keeping a 
 continuous line of minutes. Being ad- 
 vised and counseled by a number of citi- 
 zens, they petitioned for reinstatement, 
 which was cheerfully recommended by 
 Chief Engineer Barker and submitted by 
 
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 the chairman of the Fire committee to 
 Council, which body unanimously con- 
 firmed it on May 3, 1875. The West 
 Branch is now, with its former vigor and 
 strength, a portion of the Look Haven 
 Fire Department, numbering 75 members. 
 Its present officers are: W. I. Harvey, 
 President; N. H. Barrett, Vice President; 
 A. Bigony, Financial Secretary; ;Henry 
 Boyle, Recording Secretary; Wm. Hiller, 
 Treasurer; W. W. P. Eldred, Foreman; 
 Nelson Packer, 1st Assistant; Benjamin 
 Kaust, 2d Assistant; Trustees, Harry 
 High, Wm. Davis. The company meets 
 the first Monday in each month in their 
 hall, on Main street, between Grove and 
 Vesper. 
 
 Dauntless Hook and Ladder Company 
 was organized November 28, 1869 — a pre- 
 liminary meeting having been held Nov. 
 5th — by the election of the following offi- 
 cers : N. Shaw, president and Foreman; 
 Jack TJiiger, 1st Assistant ; Geo. K. Tozer, 
 2d Assistant ; J. M. McCloskey, Secreta- 
 ry ; W. H. Clough, Treasurer. The 
 meeting adjourned to meet December 11, 
 1869, when a constitution and by-laws 
 were adopted. The name of the company 
 as above stated was decided upon. It be- 
 ing held that no election for officers should 
 have taken place until after the constitu- 
 tion and by-laws Vrere adopted, a resolu- 
 tion was passed seating aside the election 
 held Nov. 29 and a new election held, with 
 the following result : W. W. White, 
 President and Foreman ; James Holden, 
 1st Assistant ; Jno. T. Gifford, 2d Assist- 
 ant ; J. M! McCloskey, Secretary ; W. H. 
 Clough, -Treasurer. A committee was 
 appointed January 30, 1870, to wait upon 
 the Council for the purpose of obtaining 
 a hook and ladder truck and the necessary 
 equipments. The Council appointed a 
 committee to have the apparatus furnish- 
 ed, and the company was supplied with a 
 handsome truck from the manufactory of 
 Kufus Reed. On February 27, 1870, the 
 
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106 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OS CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 company resolved to cliaiige its name to 
 "Dauntless Hook, Ladder and Hose Com- 
 pany," %vlien a hose carriage was pur- 
 chased and run in connection -with the 
 hook and ladder apparatus. On Septem- 
 ber 13, 1871, the company became a char- 
 tered organization, under the above name, 
 but as their hose carriage was not a com- 
 plete success, in 1873 the company sold 
 the carriage to the city. 
 
 Previous to the year 1874 the President 
 of the Dauntless company was also Pore- 
 man, but the two offices are now separate. 
 The truck was drawn by hand up to Peb- 
 i-uary, 1875, when the company purchased 
 a fine team from the city, and having had 
 all the late improvements added to their 
 truck, i': is now first class and complete. 
 The Dauntless is a very eifioient compa- 
 ny, always prompt, and of great value to 
 the city. Without it the Department 
 would labor under the* most trying disad- 
 vantages. It has a membership of 60 
 men, and the present ofiScers are : Wm. 
 Parson, Jr., President; A. B. Logan, 
 Secretary ; J. B. Craniger, Treasurer ; 
 .Jno. Barrett, Foreman ; Sidney Clark, 
 1st Assistant ; Adam Shroat, 2d Assist- 
 ant ; Geo. Winnei-, Tillerman ; Peter 
 Speece, Teamster. The company meets 
 on the last Monday of each month, iu 
 their hall over the engine room, on Grove 
 street. Style of uniform : blue shirt, 
 white belt, red letters, blue hat, New 
 York regulation. 
 
 Citizen Hose Company, No. 4, was or- 
 ganized at a meeting in the engine house 
 .January 14, 1873, called for that purpose. 
 The following officers were elected at that 
 meeting : Jno. D. ^McClintick, President ; 
 C. B. Adams, Vice President ; J. H. "Wil- 
 liams, Secretary ; L. Leeds, Treasurer ; 
 H. C. Shuster, Financial Secretary ; E. 
 A. Fancher, Foreman ; C. E. Warden, 
 1st Assistant ; P. E. Jobson, 2d Assist- 
 ant. At a meeting held .January 23, 18T3, 
 a committee was »PPoi"t='b)^,f,feVS>- to^S&'^¥^^ 
 
 stitution and by-laws, which were report- 
 ed and adopted January 31, following, 
 when a petition was sent to Council ask- 
 ing to be furnished with carriage and 
 hose, and on February 14, 1873, Council 
 turned over to the company the hose car- 
 riage previously purchased from Daunt- 
 less Hook and Ladder Company. The 
 company was stationed on Clinton avenue, 
 in the Third ward, and met on the third 
 Friday of each mouth. The Citizens 
 prospered and did good service for about 
 two years, responding with alacrity to 
 every alarm of fire. But owing to some 
 unexplained cause the organization de- 
 clined, and at a meeting held February 
 2, 1875, a resolution was adopted that un 
 less the Council furnished them with head- 
 lights and trumpets within sixty days they 
 would disband. The desired head-lights 
 and trumpets not forthcoming, Citizen 
 Hose, No. 4, in April, 1875, became non 
 est. 
 
 Empire Hose Company No. 5, was or- 
 ganized at a meeting of citizens of the 
 Fourth ward, iu the Fourth Ward Hotel, 
 on February 24, 1874. On the 3d of 
 March following, a constitution and by- 
 laws were adopted and the following offi- 
 cers elected: Daniel Bogenreif, Presi- 
 dent; Joseph Paul, Vice President; D. 
 Malloy, Secretary; A. Harnish, Treasur- 
 er; S. D. Shipps, Foreman; D. Malloy, 
 1st Assistant. At a meeting held iu 
 Reickard's photographic rooms on the 
 10th of March, 1874, steps were taken 
 for the erection of a house for the hose 
 carriage and otheV uses of the company. 
 A building committee composed of Ellis 
 Shefifer, Joseph Paul, S. D. Shipps, Wm. 
 Furl, and D. Malloy, was appointed, un- 
 der whose supervision a handsome and 
 convenient structure was erected on 
 Bellefonte avenue.near Hippie & Wilson's 
 planing mill. 
 
 This company is composed of good ma- 
 4ts moral standing is unim- 
 
niSTOSlOAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY 
 
 lot 
 
 peachable. The company is yet young 
 as firemen, but old in judgment, and have 
 rendered vahiable service since their or- 
 ganization. The company numbers 40 
 members, and meets the first Tuesday in 
 each month. Tlie present officers are E. 
 Sheffer, President; D. Malloy, Vice Pres- 
 ident; Charles McGtill, Secretary; Ed. 
 Moore, Financial Secretary; Joseph Paul, 
 Treasurer; S. D. Shipps, Foreman; A. J. 
 Grier, 1st Assistant; Martin McNerney, 
 2nd Assistant; Trustees, E. Sheffer, E. 
 Moore, S. L. Shipps. Style of uniform: 
 light blue shirts, claret collars, belts 
 trimmed with white, red hat. New York 
 regulation. 
 
 The present value of apparatus and 
 equipments belonging to the city in the 
 use and custody of the Lock Haven Fire 
 Department, is as follows : 
 
 Cataract steam fire engine $5,500 
 
 Cataract's 3 hose carriages. ^ 763 
 
 Dauntless II. and L. truck 1300 
 
 Empire hose carriage 530 
 
 West Branch " ,500' 
 
 2300 ft leather and gum hose 3,300 
 
 170 firemen's hats 680 
 
 Alarm bell on engine house 800 
 
 Total..* $13,365 
 
 Nearly one-third of the inhabitants of 
 Clinton county live within the corporate 
 limits of Lock Haven, or perhaps, more 
 correctly speaking, within one mile of the 
 Court House ; and, as is the case with all 
 American towns, various nationalities are 
 represented in the population. Of the for- 
 eign element, including persons of foreign 
 birth or parentage,. the German predomi- 
 nates, the Irish being next in order. 
 There are also quite a number of French, 
 English, Scotch and Welsh, and about 
 one hundred colored persons. 
 
 The entire population of the township 
 of Allison, in which the town of Lock 
 Haven was located, was 643 in 1840, of 
 Lock Haven borough, 839 in 1850, 3849 in 
 
 was taken (1870). It is now (1875) esti- 
 mated to be something over 9,000. 
 
 Lock Haven was not settled, as many " 
 suppose, by Germans. The first inhabit- 
 ants were what are called Scotoh-Irish. 
 The native American portion of the citi- 
 zens were drawn from various parts of 
 the country, a considerable number from 
 contiguous counties, though many came 
 from distant parts of the State ; some 
 from New England and some from the 
 State of New York, and several families 
 from Bradford and Tioga counties. Cen- 
 tre county contributed quite largely to 
 the population, the accessions from that 
 source being almost entirely of German 
 descent and . speaking the Pennsylvania 
 dialect of the German language. 
 
 In euterprise, intelligence and morality 
 the citizens of Lock Haven compare favor- 
 ably with those of any other town in the 
 State. The improvements that have been 
 made and are continually going on within 
 its limits, prove that want of energy and 
 public spirit can not be charged against 
 her citizens. The flouiisliing public 
 schools and the establishment of a State 
 Normal School in the city, show that in- 
 tellectual culture is not neglected. The 
 sixteen church organizations (one for ev- 
 ery 550 inhabitants) speak well for the 
 moral and spiritual status of the commu- 
 nity. Among the citizens of the town arc 
 a number of scientific andliterary persons. 
 The professional men, as a class, possess 
 ability, several of them I'anking as schol- 
 ars. 
 
 Taking into consideration the location, 
 surroundings, and natural and acquired 
 advantages of Lock Haven and the public 
 spirit evinced by many of its citizens, it 
 is fair to suppose that its future prosperity 
 will bo at least commensurate with its 
 past growth. 
 
 While looking with pride, as the citi- 
 zens of Look Haven well may, upon their 
 
 1860, and 6986 at the time %i^fff^gffi^ ilfe^'i^^fif®^^") with its creditable record 
 
108 
 
 HISTORICAL TIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 of tlie past and its briglit prospects for 
 the future, let them not forget its eoceu- 
 tric but noble-hearted founder, Jeremiah 
 Church. Let his memory be honored as 
 one -who, through the long years of an ac- 
 
 tive life, ever had a heart to feel for the 
 woes of others, though he himself ofttfti 
 had cause to regret "man's inhumanity 
 to man." 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 109 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP — MILL HALL BOKOUGir. 
 
 This township derived its name from 
 Bald Eagle Mountain. It is not only the 
 oldest in Clinton county, but -was origi- 
 nally one of the largest townships in the 
 State, if not in the United States. When 
 the present territory of Clinton was a 
 pai-t of Northumberland, the northwest- 
 ern limits of that county extended to the 
 confines of the Province, and Bald Eagle 
 township comprised all that portion lying 
 north and west of a line which ran not 
 far from the present division between 
 Clinton and Lycoming counties. There- 
 fore its territorial area included all of 
 that part of the State west of that line, 
 now divided into a dozen or more coun- 
 ties. 
 
 In the forming of Lycoming from 
 Northumberland, in 1795, and Centre (in 
 part) from Lycoming, in 1800, and Clin- 
 ton (in part) from Centre in 1839, and 
 the subsequent establishment of other 
 counties, the township was allowed to re- 
 tain its identity. 
 
 When Clinton county was erected. Bald 
 Eagle township was one of the twelve 
 townships into which it was divided. 
 Since that time, by the organization of 
 additional townships in the county, its 
 limits have been reduced, until as at pres- 
 ent it contains but a very small propor- 
 tion of its original territory. It is now 
 bounded on the south by Lamar and 
 Beech Creek, on the west by Beech Creek, 
 on the north by Grugan and Colebrook, 
 on the east by the city of Look Haven 
 and Lamar. 
 
 The surface of this township is diversi- 
 fied by mountains, hills and streams, and 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 to the casual observer a large portion of 
 it presents an appearance of wild rugged- 
 ness; but closer examination shows that 
 much of the land that appears to be ut- 
 terly worthless for agricultural purposes 
 may really be converted into prodactive 
 faiTiis. This is especially the case with 
 the broad scope that lies between the 
 Allegheny ridge and the western boun- 
 dary of the township. 
 
 The highest lands in the township are 
 the Bald Eagle mountain, a portion of 
 which lies across the south end; and a 
 spur of the Allegheny, which crosses the 
 township from west to east near the 
 centre. The only "bottom" lands or 
 flats lie along the Bald Eagle Creek. 
 They are of a rich, sandy loam, very fer- 
 tile, and adapted -to tlie cultivation of 
 corn, wheat, tobacco and vegetables, and 
 might be profitably used for gardening 
 purposes. Extending along the north 
 side of the creek the whole width of the 
 township, there is a strip of undulating 
 land inclining slightly toward the stream. 
 This tract is about a mile in width and is 
 all very fine farming land, the soil being 
 a light shale combined with loam and 
 sand intermixed with gravel, and espe- 
 cially favorable for growing cereals. This 
 land is comprised on what is known as 
 the "oflBcer's survey." Lying between 
 this tract and the Allegheny range is a 
 region locally known as "the ridges." 
 This section is two or tliree miles in 
 width and also extends the entire distance 
 across, and like the tract just described, 
 continues beyond the limits of the town- 
 sliip up_the Bald Eagle Valley. "The 
 
110 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ridges" are hills of.differeut sizes and 
 shapes, varying in lieight from one hun- 
 dred to three or four hundred feet. They 
 are separated from eaoli other by valleys 
 or passes, through most of which small 
 streams are flowing. Very few of those 
 ■ hills have abrupt or precipitoiis sides; 
 many of them are tilled, and most of them 
 tillable to their summits. The indi- 
 vidual hills constituting "the ridges," 
 really form a general ridge or range, the 
 centre or highest line of which is about 
 midway between the Bald Eagle Creek 
 and the Allea;heuy. As the elevations on 
 the south side of this range diminish in 
 height as they recede from its centre, so 
 also do those on the north side, thereby 
 forming between the so-called Bald Eagle 
 "ridges" and the Allegheny mountain a 
 trough or valley, the general appearance 
 of which indicates its adaptation to agri- 
 cultural purposes; protected as it is from 
 the nothern winds by the mountain at 
 whose base it lies, and being abundantly 
 supplied with the best of water from liv- 
 ing springs, it is certainly highly favored, 
 and the soil is all that could be desired, 
 for the growth of corn, potatoes, wheat, 
 clover, &c., it being a red shale and 
 sandy loam. 
 
 The Allegheny ridge itself may be culti- 
 vated some distance up its southern slope, 
 as it now is in many instances; but as the 
 summit is approached the conglomerate 
 rock appears, cropping from the sides and 
 lying in loose fragments on the surface; 
 thoua;h when the top. is reached there are 
 many places where ttie surface is compar- 
 atively free from rock or stones of any 
 kind, and good farms might be made 
 and profitably cultivated on the dividing 
 line between the Bald Eagle and Tanga- 
 scootac valleys. There is even now a 
 farm in good state of cultivation, in 
 Beech Creek township, near the Bald 
 Eagle line, which lies on the very sum- 
 mit of the range. AuotheiL fai-m is also 
 
 Digifizedby 
 
 being successfully cultivated by Mr. John 
 Reaville, on the northern slope of [this 
 mountain, at an elevation of over eight 
 hundred feet above Lock Haven, 
 
 Lying on the north side of theAUeghe- 
 ny ridge is the Tangascootac region, a 
 scope of several thousand acres, extend- 
 ing (ft> another spur of the Allegheny, 
 which forms the western boundary of the 
 township. This region is drained by the 
 Tangascootac creek and its tributaries, 
 which flo'n into the West Branch above 
 Farrandsville. This part of the town- 
 ship may literally be termed a "howhng 
 wilderness," it being almost entirely 
 covered with timber, consisting of pine, 
 oak and other indigenous varieties. Orig- 
 inally the pine greatly predominated; but 
 the operations of lumbermen have nearly 
 exhausted the supply. This tract, which 
 lies generally several hundred feet above 
 the river, occupies about one-half of the 
 area of the township. The soil of this 
 region, as a general thing, is susceptible ' 
 of cultivation; iii some places it is quite 
 sandy and gravelly, as the result of the 
 disintegration of the sandstone and con- 
 glomerate, which' abound more or less 
 abundantly throughout the tract. The 
 water courses of the township are the 
 Bald Eagle Creek, crossing it near the 
 east end; Fishing Creek, which 'empties 
 into the former near Jlill Hall; Lusk's 
 Run and Sugar Run, both of which rise 
 among the "ridges" and flow into the 
 Susquehanna a, short distance above 
 Lock Haven; the Tangascootac, east 
 and west branches, in the western part of 
 the township; and Plunket's Run, which 
 empties into Bald Eagle Creek near the 
 farm of Andrew AVhite. At one time the 
 entire surface was covered with a dense 
 growth of trees, consisting of pine, oak, 
 chestnut, walnvit, &c., the best quality of 
 which has long since been manufactured 
 into lumber. At present there is but lit- 
 tle done in the lumbering business in the 
 
 1^1 
 
 ficrosi^® 
 
HISTOKICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Ill 
 
 The first regular autliorized settlement 
 made in Bald Eagle township under an 
 actual government grant, was soon after 
 the survey of the ofiScers' tract, along tlie 
 Bald Eagle Creek, in 1769; though previ- 
 ous to that date squatters had taken pos- 
 session of different tracts in the Bald 
 Eagle valley, and perhaps elsewhere. The 
 first sui-vey on the west side of the 
 Allegheny ridge was made in 18G9 or 70, 
 to George Cooper; the land, liowever, 
 was never settled upon. 
 
 In 1782 a tract containing several hun- 
 dred acres, lying on the soutli side of 
 Bald Eagle Creek, at the mouth of Fish- 
 ing Creek, was granted to Samuel Atlee. 
 This tract, with a considerable more land, 
 was purchased in 1796, by George Bress- 
 ler, who came from Lancaster county. 
 Bressler's purchase included nearly all 
 the land now occupied by the village of 
 Mill Hall, and the flats extending to the 
 bridge across the Bald Eagle near the 
 residence of Col. Bossert. At the time 
 Bressler took possession of his purchase 
 there was a small mill upon it, situated 
 upon the ground now occupied by San- 
 derson's mill; this was the only mill with- 
 in a scope of many miles around, and is 
 said to have been built by a man by the 
 name of Richards, who at one time had 
 possession of the property. In 1800, Mr. 
 Bressler erected, near the original one, a 
 more extensive mill, which continued in 
 operation till 1813, when George Bress- 
 ler, Jr., who had come into possession of 
 the property by the death of his father, 
 built another mill much larger than 
 either of the others, connected with which 
 it was located. About the time this mill 
 was completed, in fact before the finish- 
 ing blows were struck, it was destroyed 
 by fire. It seems that the mill had been 
 set in motion, and the grinding of grain 
 had commenced, when the regularly em- 
 ployed miller made arrangements one 
 evening with one of the r 
 
 the name of Lenhart, to attend the mill 
 until midnight, as he wished to sleep till 
 that time, the mill then being run day 
 and night. But Lenhart fell asleep, and 
 the hoppers becoming empty, the frictien 
 of the machinery caused it to heat to 
 such a degree that the wooden portion of 
 the structure ignited, and the whole was 
 consumed in a short time, poor Lenhart 
 perishing in the flames. Immediately af- 
 ter the destruction of the mill Mr. Bress- 
 ler erected another on the same founda- 
 tion, which still remains and is now own- 
 ed by Mr. Wm. Sanderson. 
 
 In 1840 Mr. John Snodgrass, who now 
 lives a short distance below Mill Hall, 
 while cutting down a large oak tree, found 
 imbedded in the wood a leaden bullet 
 having 80 layers, or growths, over it, 
 which would prove that the ball had 
 been shot into the tree about the year 
 1760. Whether it was done by a white 
 man or an Indian it is impossible to say. 
 It is eyident, however that at that date 
 fire-arms were used in the Bald Eagle 
 Valley. A man by the name of Richards, 
 probably the same one, or one of the 
 same family, who built the first mill 
 on'the Bald Eagle, built the house across 
 the Bald Eagle bridge, opposite Fleming- 
 ton. Previous to 1800, Samuel Patterson, 
 (colored) now living in Lock Haven, was 
 held by Richard as a slave. Patterson 
 was born on the property about the year 
 1800, his mother being at that time also 
 in the possession of Richard, as a slave. 
 
 In 1795, James Carskaddon came from 
 Washington township, Northumberland 
 county, and settled upon a tract of land 
 just west of Flemington, and now occu- 
 pied- by his son, the worthy and vener- 
 able Wm. Carskaddon, Jos. Bridgens, and 
 others. This tract lies partly within the 
 limits of the city of Lock Haven, and 
 partly in Bald Eagle township. It was 
 purchased by Mr. Carskaddon. from the 
 Hoge, assignee of 'Lieutenant 
 
112 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Daniel Hunsicker, to whom the tract 
 ■was granted as his portion of the "officers' 
 survey." 
 
 When Centre county was struck off 
 from Lycoming, in 1800, the dividing 
 line ran through the house of Mr. James 
 Carskaddon, but he was allowed the priv- 
 ilege of choosing in which county he 
 would hold citizenship, and selected Ly- 
 coming, as it was more convenient for 
 him to attend to his business at Wil- 
 liamsport, the county seat of Lycoming, 
 than at Bellefonte. 
 
 John Murphy, James ' Carskaddon' s 
 father-in-law, came to Bald Eagle at the 
 same time, and lived with him many 
 years, being over a hundred years old at 
 the time of his death. Pie was a tailor by 
 trade, and not long before he died made 
 a coat for his grand-son, John Carskad- 
 don. 
 
 During the "Indian war" the Bald Ea- 
 gle Valley was the scene of many thrilling 
 encounters between the whites and their 
 savage foes. At one time a iferty of 
 scouts weje surprised by Indians in a 
 cabin which stood near where the house 
 of J. H. Berry now is, and one of their 
 number killed, supposed to have been a 
 Mr. Culbertson. Afterwards another 
 party of twenty-live or thirty men were 
 attacked near the same place, by eighty- 
 five Indians and nine of their number 
 killed and the remainder taken off as pris- 
 oners. Mary, a sister of James Carskad- 
 don, and for some time a member of his 
 household, previous to which, while living 
 in Buffalo Valley, not far from where 
 Milton is located, w^as caught, with her 
 sister Letitia, by the Indians, and taken 
 into captivity. During one night when 
 in camp, she managed to release herself 
 and escape. She proceeded through the 
 forest a short distance and secreted herself 
 beneath a log. In a short time she was 
 missed by her captors, who immediately 
 began search for her. One of the Indians, 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 going in the precise direction she had 
 taken, mounted the log under which she 
 was lying, and thinking to make it ap- 
 pear that he knew where she was hidden, 
 called out to her to come back and they 
 would not hurt her; that he knew where 
 she was, at the same time looking off in 
 the depths of the forest. Mary, being 
 aware that he was only ' 'making believe, " 
 remained quiet till the savage went back 
 to camp, when she continued her flight 
 till she reached her home. Her sister af- 
 terwards escaped also. 
 
 Many instances have been related of the 
 cruel treatment received by the early set- 
 tlers of the Bald Eagle Valley, at the 
 hands of the Indians. Often they were 
 surprised at night, their houses plundered, 
 and their cattle and other live stock 
 driven off. The lives of the settlers were 
 endangered, and in some instances were 
 taken. John Murdock, who settled at an 
 early day on the farm now owned, partly 
 by David Allen, and in part by L. Mosher, 
 became a victim to the bloodthii-stiness of 
 the savages, being killed by thorn near 
 his own home. 
 
 The principal object of the Indians, 
 however, was plunder; this they would 
 obtain it mattered little how, having no 
 scruples about taking innocent life, if by 
 so doing they could the more easily ac- 
 complish their purposes and gratiJy then- 
 thieving propensities. This was the case 
 except during hostilities between the two 
 races, when murder and destruction of 
 property was their aim and object. 
 
 In early days wild animals of various 
 kinds were abundant, and at times very 
 impudent. On one occasion, on Sunday, 
 while the Carskaddon family, except the 
 younger children, were attending church - 
 at the original "Great Island Church," 
 an animal of some kind deliberately and 
 coolly entered the yard surrounding; the 
 house, and seized a chicken and uiicere- 
 moniouslv walked off with it before the 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 113 
 
 eyes of the children, the oldest of whom, 
 a mere lad, not liking the' appearance and 
 audacity of the thief, determined that he 
 should pay for his impudence with his 
 life, and accordingly ran into the house 
 and got the gun, which he fired at the 
 unwelcome visitor, whereupon he dropped 
 his "game" and ran howling to the woods. 
 The report of the gun having been heard 
 by the boy's parents while on their way 
 home, they were prepared, on arriving, to 
 give the boy a reprimand for shooting on 
 Sunday. On investigating the matter, 
 the father was convinced that the animal 
 at which his son had shot was no insig- 
 nificant fox or "small game," but some- 
 thing the shooting of which was a 
 justifiable act, even on Sunday. Search 
 being made, a trace of blood was found, 
 which, on being followed a short distance 
 into the forest, Igd to the object of pur- 
 suit, which proved to be a huge panther. 
 On one occasion, as John Carskaddon 
 was on his way to a neighbor's, a dis- 
 tance of a mile or two, he was attacked 
 by a pack of wolves. Their appearance 
 was so sudden, and they assailed him so 
 furiously, that he barely had time to take 
 his position against a tree, when he killed 
 several of them with his gun, which he 
 happened to have with him, before he 
 succeeded in escaping to the house. 
 
 The first settlers of Bald Eagle town- 
 ship were mostly from the southeastern 
 part of the State, several families coming 
 from Lancaster county and a number 
 from Chester. Among the pioneers was 
 William Reed, who settled on Plunkett's 
 Run, several miles back from the "flats," 
 because the latter were too heavily tim- 
 bered. He was known as "Hickory" 
 Reed, on account of his physical "tough- 
 ness." He located about the year 1776. 
 He was -grandfather of Commissioner 
 James David. 
 
 Others of the original settlers along the 
 Bald Eagle were David Wilson,, and Job, 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 Packer who located on the farm now 
 owned by his grandson, Wm. Packer ; 
 Peter Spangler, who lived on the farm 
 now owned by J. D. L. Smith, and built 
 the stone house occupied by Mr. Smith, 
 in 1805 ; John Fredericks, George and 
 John Brown, Edward Ritchie, John Huff, 
 Hugh and Wm. White, and J. T. McCor- 
 mick; The farms belonging to these- 
 persons were in a continuous 'line along 
 the north side of the Bald Eagle. 
 
 During the primitive days of the Bald 
 Eagle settlement a case occurred which 
 not only shows how neighbors may act 
 the parts of "Kilkenny cats," but illus- 
 trates the saying that "the less you have 
 to do with the law the better." It seems 
 that one of the settlers was accused of 
 picking the goose of another, which led 
 to a suit at law that continued till each 
 jjarty was obliged to sell his farm and 
 expend the proceeds in feeing lawyers 
 and paying costs. It is said that the 
 lawyers had the most profitable geese to 
 pick of any connected with the case. 
 
 The pioneers of Bald Eagle township, 
 like those of other localities, encountered 
 many hardships and were subject to many 
 privations. Economy, in some cases the 
 most rigid, had to be practiced ; privileges 
 now so common in every-day life in the 
 country were then unthonght of; luxu- 
 ries such as are now enjoyed by the masses, 
 were out of the question. In fact, tha 
 ingenuity of the parents was often severe- 
 ly taxed to provide food and clothing for 
 their children. It has been said that the 
 matrons of the Bald Eagle Valley, in. 
 early times, employed themselves during 
 the winter in spinning and weaving lin- 
 en and "tow" cloth for summer use, and 
 in the summer in manufacturing woolen 
 fabrics for winter wear. 
 
 At the first electioai held in Bald Eagle 
 township, after the organization of Clin- 
 ton, county, the following officers were 
 elected :__ J. M. %iller. Justice of the 
 
114 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Peace; William Fisher, Constable; George 
 Soder and "William Huff, Supervisors; 
 Lovi Packer and George 'Williams, Over- 
 seej;^ of the Poor; Benjamin Fredericks 
 and David Logan, Auditors; A. Harleman, 
 Assessor; Wm. Pearon and John Smith, 
 Assistant Assessors; Saul MoCormick, 
 Asher Packer and George Bressler, School 
 Directors; Thomas A. Smith, Judge of 
 Elections; "William C. Sanderson and 
 Samuel Hayes, Inspectors; George "W. 
 Fredericks and William Clark, Fence 
 "Viewers; William L. Hoover, Township 
 Clerk. At this time, March 20, 1840, the 
 population was estimated to he 1178, 
 which included the present territory of 
 Beech Creek, that township having been 
 taken from Bald Eagle in May, 18150. 
 The boundary between the two townships 
 now runs along the east line of the farm 
 of John Welsh, about three and a half 
 miles below the mouth of Beech Creek. 
 
 The settlement of the "ridges" and 
 the country along the base of the Alle- 
 gheny ridge occurred several years after 
 the part of the township along the Bald 
 Eagle Valley was settled. Previous to 
 1840 that region was thinly populated. 
 At that date Mr. John Sabnon Iticated on 
 Plunkets Run, four or five miles above the 
 river, after which others settled at differ- 
 ent points, till all the land along the Run 
 was "taken vip" and converted into farms. 
 The Yosts had settled lower down the 
 stream before Mr. Salmon came to the 
 place. 
 
 The valley of Sugar Run is now thickly 
 settled along nearly its entire length, and 
 affords many desirable farms. The pros- 
 perity of the farmers and citizens gener- 
 ally of the township, has been, and is, 
 sufBcient to justify the assertion that 
 they have been equally favored with their 
 neighbors of adjoining townships, nothing 
 more, nothing less. No great calamities 
 have befallen them, neither have they 
 been superabundantly blqjsed with Provi- 
 
 dential favors. One instance, however, 
 did occur in the history of the township, 
 that partook very much of the nature of 
 a phenomenon. In 1845, J. D. L. Smith 
 sowed a field of oats, on that part of his 
 farm which lies next to the canal; after 
 they had nearly reached full height, they 
 were attacked on the edge along the canal 
 by legions of army worms, which pro- 
 ceeded to devour every blade of gr^in 
 with a greediness and voracity that knew 
 no bounds. After maixhing in "solid 
 phalanx" through the entire field, de- 
 stroying everything in their advance that 
 could be eaten, they besieged a corn field 
 which lay next in their course, and would 
 have destroyed the entire crop, as they 
 did the oats, had not Mr. Smith stopped 
 their progress by digging a ditch, into 
 which, as they were pushing forward in 
 their mad career, they plunged in wrig- 
 gling, crawling masses. 'Kiey were then 
 killed by filling the ditch with straw and 
 setting it on fire; it is said that millions 
 and millions of them were thus destroyed, 
 no further damage being done. Strange 
 as it may appear, no other farm in the 
 vicinity was visited by the army worm 
 that season. 
 
 The mineral wealth of Bald Eagle 
 township is confined almost entirely to 
 the Tangascootac basin. Coal was dis- 
 covered there in 1826, by James David, 
 then a boy, at present one of the County 
 Commissioners. When he first found the 
 coal he was not aware of its nature, but 
 supposed it to be "black lead" (plumba- 
 go), and submitted it to older and wiser 
 persons for examination, when its charac- 
 ter was readily determined. Further 
 explorations proved the existence in that 
 locality of three workable veins, varying 
 in thickness from eighteen inches to three 
 feet; one of them, however, was found to 
 contain so much sulphur that it was not 
 marketable. Many tons of it were taken 
 out and shipped to distant points, but it 
 
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IIISTOKICAL VIEW OP CLINTON' COUNTY. 
 
 415 
 
 ■was so liable to ignite -when exposed to 
 the sun in bulk, that the mining of it was 
 abandoned as hazardous and unprofitable. 
 Not long after the discovery of coal on 
 the Tangascootac slope, a company was 
 formed and commenced mining opera- 
 tions. It was called the Jersey Shore 
 Company, and was composed of the fol- 
 lowing gentlemen, citizens of Lycoming 
 county : J. S. Wilson, Wm. Morrison, 
 Mark Slonaker and Boyd Smith. The 
 operations of this company did not long 
 continue. Other companies were after- 
 wards organized and operated at different 
 points to a greater or less extent. The 
 Eagleton Company, at Eagleton, the Rock 
 Cabin, at the mines of tliat name, then 
 the Tangascootac Company, made up of 
 gentlemen froiji New York. Two rail- 
 roads were built from the mines to the 
 Sunbury & Erie (nowP. &E.) railroad, 
 one by the Eagleton Co., the other by the 
 Rock Cabin Co. The Tangascootac Com- 
 pany made a road two miles in length, 
 from their mines, to connect with the 
 Eagleton branch. The Rock Cabin Com- 
 pany sold out to the Farrandsville Com- 
 pany, and that Company sold to the 
 McHenry Company, of which it is said 
 Sir Morton Peto is a njember. The prop- 
 erty is still held by that company. 
 
 The Tangascootac Company mierged 
 into the Black Heath Co., which operated 
 'the original Tangascootac mines, and also 
 leased a part of the Jersey Shore Com- 
 pany's mine, in the edge of Beech Creek 
 township, now held by the Peacock 
 Coal Company. Notwithstanding the 
 large am_ount of capital that has been ex- 
 pended in mining operations in the Tan- 
 gascootac region, the efforts to make the 
 business profitable have thus far been un- 
 successful, and to-day the mines, and ex- 
 tensive works connected with them, are 
 in a neglected and dilapidated condition. 
 Whatever may have been the cause of 
 failure on the part of the different com- 
 
 panies to make their operations profitable, 
 it certainly was not because of the quality 
 of the coal, for that, two veins at least, 
 was all that could be desired; neither was 
 it owing to an insufficient quantity or any 
 great difliculty in mining it, for the sup- 
 ply is inexhaustible, and easily woi-ked. 
 It is claimed by those who are supposed 
 to possess the means of knowing, that the 
 operations failed through mismanage- 
 ment; others say that the exorbitant rates 
 charged by the Penn'a. Railroad Company 
 for shipping their coal over the P. & E. 
 road compelled the different companies 
 to suspend mining operations. Be that as 
 it may, there is no doubt that coal may 
 be pi'ofitably mined in the Tangascootac 
 region. 
 
 Iron ore, of a good quality, exists in 
 various parts of the township, but to a 
 greater extent in the Tangascootac region 
 than any where else. In 1857 the Tan- 
 gascootac Coal Company erected a fur- 
 nace and manufactured iron from the 
 hematite and "white" ores found on its 
 lands, but a suspension of operations en- 
 sued soon after, as was the case with coal 
 mining, yet sufficient was done to demon- 
 strate the fact that an abundance of ore 
 existed, from which could be made a good 
 quality of iron. 
 
 Timber is found in various parts of the 
 township, especially in the region just 
 described. 
 
 The principal public improvements of 
 the township are the Bald Eagle Valley 
 the road and the Bald Eagle canal, both -of 
 which run along the Bald Eagle creek. 
 The. population of the township was 530 
 in 1870. 
 
 The only village in Bald Eagle town- 
 ship is Mill Hall borough, which is situ- 
 ated near the end of the township, on 
 Fishing creek, about one mile above its 
 confluence with the Bald Eagle. It was 
 started in 180G, by Nathan Harvey, who 
 came from the. vicinity of Philadelphia, 
 
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116 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 and erected a stone "grist" mill, which is 
 still standing, at the upper end of the 
 village, and a saw mill, blacksmith shop, 
 store, hotel, and a dwelling. The name 
 "MiU Hall" was given to the place be- 
 cause of the mills located there. 
 . In 1831, George Bressler, in company 
 with Messrs. Harvey, "Wilson and Kinney, 
 erected a fui-nace at the place, the ruins 
 of which still remain on the elevation just 
 north of the village. The ore was pro- 
 cured from the Bald Eagle Mountain near 
 at hand. The undertaking proved unsuc- 
 cessful financially, and the property was 
 sold by the sheriff. In 1837 the iron 
 works were revived by Tammany & 
 Mitchell, but operated by them only a 
 short time before they were compelled by 
 adverse circumstances to abandon the en- 
 terprise. In 1844 Messrs. Reynolds & 
 Morris took possession of the furnace and 
 commenced operations. Reynolds soon 
 sold his interest to David McCoi-mick, 
 and again^the works failing to be profita- 
 ble, were abandoned, but subsequently 
 revived by a Philadelphia firm and success- 
 fully 0]5erated for a time, and finally 
 permanently abandoned. The property 
 is now owned by Furst, Long & Co., of 
 Flemington. At an early day a forge 
 was built on the creek just above the vil- 
 lage, and was operated for a time in con- 
 nection with the furnace, and sold with it 
 by the sheriif. It was afterwards pur- 
 chased by Mr. Mann and converted into 
 an axe factory, which proved successful, 
 and is now operated by K. Mann & Co. 
 
 Mill Hall was decidedly a manufactur- 
 ing town in its earlier days, and was con- 
 sidered an important point. About the 
 time the furnace was built Saul Mo- 
 Cormick erected a saw mill near theforo-e 
 on the opposite side of the creek. About 
 the same time he built a starch factory 
 on the hill, back of where the house of S. 
 R. Stover now stands. In 1853 it was 
 converted into a tannery. A woolen fac- 
 
 Digitized by Mrcrosoft® 
 
 tory was established at an early period, 
 on the creek, just above the stone mill. 
 It was burned down and another built in 
 its place, which was also burned and re- 
 placed by another, which still remains. 
 
 A saw mill was built by George Bressler 
 about the year 1815, near the present res- 
 idence of Mr. John Snodgrass. After- 
 wards a clover mill was built near it by 
 Saul McCormiok, and then a foundry was 
 erected on the same property. The site 
 is now occupied by the works of the Dia- 
 mond Cement Company, which is engaged 
 in the manufacture of cement from stone 
 brought from Nittany Valley. 
 
 The first church of the place was built 
 by the Methodist denomination in 1831. 
 It was located on the hill south of the vil- 
 lage, and was long since in ruins. The 
 next church was built by the Presbyteri- 
 ans about the year 1840. The Jlethodists 
 built another church in 1854. 
 
 The first school house in the vicinity of 
 Mill Hall was Miilt about the year 1815. 
 It was located between where the R. R. de- 
 pot now stands and the turnpike. The next 
 school house was built in 1837 or 1838. 
 The present school building was erected 
 in 1871. The first public school in the 
 place was taught by Jacob Ilollowbush 
 in 1837, in a little log building, which still 
 stands just south of Mr. Gearhart's resi- 
 dence. 
 
 The first Sabbath school established in 
 Jlill Hall, and said to have been the first 
 in the county, was organized by Joseph 
 Bartles in a building which stood just 
 above where Mann's axe factory now 
 stands. 
 
 The first physician was Dr. Noah F. 
 Essig, who came to the place in 1815. 
 The first saddler' s shop was started in 1825, 
 by Armstrong Smith, with whom the 
 present saddler, Mr. Clark, learned his 
 trade in 1838. The first tailor shop was 
 opened by J. P. McElrath, in 1832. A 
 post office was established soon after the 
 
HISTOKICAIi VIEW 01' CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 iir 
 
 town was started. In 1850 Mill Hall be- 
 came a borough. Its population at pres- 
 ent is about 500. 
 
 At present the place is well supplied 
 with manufactories and business places. 
 In addition to the flouring mill, axe fac- 
 tory, woolen mill, cement works, before 
 mentioned, it has two wagon shops in op- 
 eration, one by G. S. Garth & Son, one by 
 Stiver Bros., a foundry conducted by 
 Berry Brothers, two fvirniture manufac- 
 tories by E. H. Bartholomew and Mc- 
 Lain Brothers, and a blacksmith shop by 
 Daniel "Wolf. The other business men 
 are as follows: J. M. Erape and Free- 
 man Brady, dealers in dry goods, &c.; 
 
 Allen Bros., grocers; A. C. Kaufman, 
 tinner; J. T. Hunter and Frank Ohl, 
 shoemakers; Mr. Hunter, tailor; Free- 
 man Brady, dentist; Mr. Patten, photo- 
 grapher; Dr. J. B. McCloskey, physician.. 
 Improvements are now being made 
 more extensively in Mill Hall than before 
 for many years, and if they continue, the 
 place will again become an important 
 manufacturing point. The location is es- 
 pecially favorable; the water power af- 
 forded by Fishing Creek Jfe ample, for the 
 moving of extensive machinery, and. 
 there is no reason whatever why the de- 
 parted glory of the place may not be re- 
 Stored. 
 
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118 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COrNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 BEECH CKEEK TOWNSHIP — BEECH CREEK BOROUGH. 
 
 Beech Creek township was separated 
 from Bald Eagle in May, 1850. It is 
 bounded on the east by Porter, on the 
 south by the Centre county line and 
 Beech Creek, (from which it derived its 
 name), on the west by Centre county, on 
 the north by Chapman, Grugan and Bald 
 Eagle townships. It has an. average 
 width of about six and a-half miles, and 
 is more than twenty miles long, the north- 
 western corner extending to the Susque- 
 hanna river, which it reaches at a point 
 opposite the mouth of the Sinnemahoning 
 Creek. 
 
 The geograiahical features of the town- 
 ship correspond in a marked degree with 
 those of Bald Eagle, the general topo- 
 graphical appearance of the two town- 
 ships being very much alike, particularly 
 in their eastern portions. Each is flanked 
 in its southern border by the Bald Eagle 
 range; each is crossed by the Bald Eagle 
 Creek; and the Bald Eagle "bottoms" 
 and "ridges" and the Allegheny range 
 are common to both, and need not again 
 be described in detail, as the view of them 
 presented in the sketch of Bald Eagle 
 township will appropriately apply to this 
 township, save only that the Allegheny 
 ridge is broken, at the south side of the 
 township, forming a pass, through which 
 Beech Creek flows. Then along this 
 creek are flats more or less extensive, 
 whereas Bald Eagle has no bottom land 
 except along its principal stream. 
 
 The entire western portion of the town- 
 ship, colistituting nearly four-fifths of its 
 territory and containing thousands of 
 acres, is a vast unbroken forest, where to- 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 day the wild deer browses undisturbed, 
 save by an occasional hunter, and Bruin 
 revels in undisputed freedom. This wild 
 region, which is elevated several hundred 
 feet above the river, is traversed in various 
 directions by streams, and rendered un- 
 even by depressions and elevations of 
 various heights. Along the streams the 
 timber is mostly hemlock intermixed 
 with white pine. On the tops of the high- 
 est lands yellow and white pine exist. 
 Prom that portion of the tract which lies 
 nearest Beech Creek large quantities of 
 timber have been taken down during the 
 past twenty-five or thirty j'ears; but a 
 great part of the original forest remains 
 undisturbed. The following is a descrip- 
 tion of the central part of the township, 
 as given in 1704, by Henry Donnel and 
 John Rees, deputy State Surveyors: 
 
 "VVe are acquainted with and have sur- 
 veyed the annexed fifty tracts of land, and 
 do certify that they are well watered and 
 timbered, and more than one-half can be 
 rendered fit for cultivation, and would 
 produce good wheat and rye. They are 
 about seven miles from Richard's miU, on 
 Fishing Creek, and sixteen miles from 
 Patten's, (near Belief onte). It is gener- 
 ally hilly but of a kindly soil." 
 
 Besides Bald Eagle and Beech Creeks, 
 already mentioned, the latter has several 
 tributaries which originate in or flow 
 through Beech Creek township. "Big 
 Run," so called because of its being one 
 of the largest branches of Beech Creek, 
 enters that stream about nine' miles from 
 its mouth. "Monument Run," which 
 takes its name from a large rock some- 
 what resembling a monument, which 
 stands in the stream, empties into Beech 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 119 
 
 Creek about two miles below the mouth 
 of Big Eiin. About one mile furtlier 
 down, "TwinJRun" enters that stream 
 at two different points, it being divided a 
 short distance above. Beech Creek itself 
 takes its rise in Centre county and flows 
 along the line of the township for about 
 ten miles. It derived its name from the 
 beech wood, which at one time grew 
 along its course. The soil of the town- 
 ship compares favorably with that of 
 Bald Eagle. The "bottoms" are exceed- 
 ingly fertile. The land among the "ridges" 
 is of good quality and quite easily culti- 
 vated, considering its unevenness. The 
 soil of the unimproved portion of the 
 township, as has been attested by the sur- 
 veyors, Donnel and Kees, is well adapted 
 to the production of grain. 
 
 The mineral wealth of the township re- 
 mains almost undeveloped; sufScienl ex- 
 plorations have been made, however, to 
 determine the existence of not only lime- 
 stone, which has been opened in several 
 places, but iron ore and coal, the latter 
 having been mined to some extent at the 
 Peacock mines, which were alluded to in 
 the description of' the Tangascootac 
 mining operations. Indications favor the 
 supposition that both iron ore and coal 
 will be discovered in paying quantities 
 along Beech Creek and its feeders. Fine 
 specimens of each have been found crop- 
 ping out on the slopes of the highest ele- 
 vations, as well as along the streams. 
 A good quality of clay for the manufac- 
 ture of brick has been found in several lo- 
 calities and thoroughly tested; it is prob- 
 able, also that fire clay exists in extensive 
 beds in different portions of the town- 
 ship. 
 
 Before the encroachment of civilization 
 upon the region drained by Beech Creek, 
 that territory must have been a veritable 
 hunter's paradise, its wild glens, and 
 the dark recesses of its forests affording 
 shelter and retreats for deer, bear, pan- 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 thers, wolves, &c., which, with the 
 streams abounding with fish, rendered 
 the country all that any sportsman could 
 desire. 
 
 Along Beech Creek at different places 
 there exist unmistakable evidences that 
 the Indians used to frequent this region, 
 and probably made the valley of that 
 stream their general thoroughfare in cross- 
 ing over from the Bald Eagle to the upper 
 waters of the West Branch. A few years 
 ago a singular specimen of Indian pottery 
 was found on one of the tributaries of 
 Beech Creek by W. P. Mitchell, Esq. It 
 was a vessel nearly complete and had the 
 appearance of being composed of ordinary 
 potter's clay, intei-mixed with small pieces 
 of silica or flint, and -fras ornamented 
 with figures of different kinds. Other 
 relics have been found at diffei-ent times 
 along the stream, which strengthen the 
 opinion advanced that along the course 
 of Beeeh Creek was a favorite route of 
 travel for the aborigines. 
 
 It cannot, of course, be definitely ascer- 
 tained when the upper Beech Creek coun- 
 try was first explored by whites, but it is 
 certain that at quite an early day that 
 region was penetrated, for some purpose, 
 by civilized beings, for in 1873 Mr. Mitch- 
 ell, mentioned above, found plainly cut 
 on the wood of a hemlock tree on Big Kun, 
 the letters "W. P." and "F. M.," over 
 which had formed eighty-six growths of 
 wood, from which it appears that the 
 spot was visited by explorers, or hunters, 
 previous to 1788. That portion of the 
 present township bordering on the Bald 
 Eagle creek was probably first examined 
 with a view to its settlement at the same 
 time the "officers" made their selections, 
 for their "survey" extends along the 
 west side of the Bald Eagle, entirely 
 across the township as it now exists. 
 
 The largest tract included in the -"offi- 
 cers' survey," and lying within the pres- 
 ent limits of the township, was granted 
 
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120 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 to Major John P. DeHaas; it contained 
 eight hundred acres, and was located near 
 •what is now the east side of the town- 
 ship. Major DeHaas came from Phila- 
 delphia previous to or about the year 1800, 
 and settled upon the tract; but it was 
 not improved to any great extent till 
 1848, when the estate was divided into 
 two-hundred-acre tracts and sold to G. 
 W. HoUenback, David Herron, Joseph 
 Whitefield and John McDonald. The 
 original tract is now owned by P. B. Cry- 
 der. Nelson Devling and others. 
 
 The next tract adjoining the DeHaas 
 property on the west, was surveyed by 
 Capt. Piper, by whom it was transferred 
 to Wm. and John Fearon, who settled 
 upon it not far from 1800. The tract is 
 now owned by "Wm. H. Fearon and John 
 T. Fearon, and George G. Haagten's heirs. 
 
 The next tract was surveyed to Lieut. 
 James Hayes. It was located in the 
 angle formed by the junction of Beech 
 Creek with the Bald Eagle. The house 
 originally built and occupied by Lieut. 
 Hayes is still standing on the north side 
 of the Bald Eagle Creek, opposite Beech 
 Creek station. It was constructed of 
 hewn logs, and was lathed and plastered 
 both outside and in. The Hayes tract is 
 now owned and occupied by John S. Fea- 
 ron, J. D. Engle and Benjamin Clark. 
 
 It is not known when, where, or by 
 whom the first permanent settlement was 
 made on Beech Creek, but it is certain 
 that in 1793 Matthew Smith lived on the 
 creek, about three miles above its mouth; 
 probably he was one of the first settlers 
 in that neighborhood. 
 
 About the year 1800 John Quay, Isaac 
 David, James David, and Daniel David 
 located above the present borough, upon 
 the flats ' along Beech Creek, which had 
 been previously surveyed to other indi- 
 viduals, but as the squatters were allowed 
 to remain in peaceable possession twenty- 
 one years, they received valid titles. The 
 
 titles thus obtained included all the 
 tillable land lying along Beech Creek, 
 between the borough and the mouth of 
 Monument Run, none of which is owned 
 at present by the heirs of the "squatters," 
 except a small lot" in the possession of 
 James Quay, son of John, who first set- 
 tled upon it. 
 
 About the same time, or soon after, 
 Quay and the Davids took possession of 
 the Beech Creek flats, Wm. Huff settled 
 upon a three-hundred-acre tract, adjoin- 
 ing the Davids' lands on the north, and 
 also gained a title by right of possession. 
 This property, too, passed into the hands 
 of strangers. 
 
 The remaining improved part of the 
 township lying north of the "oflicers" 
 survey' ' and east of the squatters' tract, 
 was purchased at an early day by two 
 Germans, natives of Leipsic, who divided 
 that tract into farms and sold them off, 
 between the years 1788 and 1795, to dif- 
 ferent' individuals, through their agent, 
 Joseph F. Quay, Esq. 
 
 The pioneers of this township had hard- 
 ships and privations to encounter m com- 
 mon with the first settlers of other locali- 
 ties. In fact pioneer life is about the 
 same the world over. "First settlers," 
 those who .prepare the way, lay the foun- 
 dation for a more advanced civilization, 
 always have to endure toils, undergo 
 trials and submit to perplexing inconven- 
 iences from which their more favored 
 successors would scornfully shrink. 
 
 Incidents of pioneer life are generally, 
 if not always, read with interest by those 
 who have never had pioneer experiences. 
 The early history of Beech Creek affords 
 many instances of personal courage and 
 hair breadth escapes, and many, indeed, 
 are the thrilling tales the first settlers 
 could tell, were they living to-day. 
 Among the notable events that have hap- 
 pened in the township, the following cre- 
 
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HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 121 
 
 ated much excitement at the time of their 
 occurrence : 
 
 About the year 1816, a man by the 
 name of James Munks, ■who was employ- 
 ed at one of the mills on Beech Creek, 
 made a trip to Clearfield county and re- 
 turned with a horse, saddle and bridle 
 and a new suit of clothes. Soon after it 
 was discovered that a man by the name 
 of Reuben Giles had been murdered, and 
 suspicion rested upon Munks as being tlie 
 prepetrator of the deed, whereupon he 
 was arrested and taken to jail, tried, con- 
 victed and sentenced; after his sentence 
 he made a full confession; saying that he 
 met Giles riding along in the woods and 
 when he got a short distance past he 
 leveled his gun and shot him through liis 
 back. Giles fell from his horse, and when 
 Munks came up to him lie said, "My 
 friend, you have killed me." 
 
 In 1820 a family by the name of Hol- 
 lands lived on the run about two miles 
 above where John B. Welsh lives. One 
 afternoon llHrs. Hollands went to a neigh- 
 bor's house, about a mile down the run, 
 and was seen in the evening on her way 
 home; but she did not arrive, and search 
 was made for her all through the woods 
 for weeks, but she was never found. Her 
 fate remains a mystery to this day. 
 
 Probably no event ever occurred in 
 Beech Creek township that caused great- 
 er excitement than did the great "Ring 
 Hunt" that took place in the fall of 1849. 
 It was well known that the woods abound- 
 ed with game of various kinds, and exten- 
 sive preparations were made to capture it 
 by wholesale. Accordingly a force of 
 three hundred men from all parts of the 
 surroundins; country assembled at Beech 
 Creek village. The eager hunters were 
 armed with various impleinents of war- 
 fare and husbandry; some had pitchforks, 
 others had hickory poles with bayoiieis at- 
 tached, some had pike poles, and some, 
 even, it is said were a.im0jgffl^§s^ 
 
 spears. All things in readiness, the 
 "hunt" was organized and the party di- 
 vided into two columns, James McGhee 
 taking charge of one and James Linn the 
 other. None of the men were to carry 
 guns except six of the most expert marks- 
 men. The place selected for the hunt 
 was what was known as the "David im- 
 provement," in Tangascootac valley about 
 five miles north-west ' of Beech Creek. 
 According to the programme the two di- 
 visions were to keep together till they 
 reached a point about a mile from "the 
 improvement," when they were to sejja- 
 rate and encircle or surround the "clear- 
 ing," which consisted often acres. Thus 
 a circle of hunters, armed as described, 
 was formed, enclosing an area of two miles 
 in diameter. At the sound of a bugle, as 
 the flanks of the two divisions met, all 
 advanced toward the cleared field in the 
 centre where the deer, bears, panthers, 
 wolves, &c., were to be driven and shot 
 by the "six expert marksmen." As the 
 line "closed in" the men yelled and 
 shouted and flourished their pitch-forks 
 and pike-poles enough to frighten every 
 wild animal in Tangascootac valley. 
 Many deer and other kinds of game were 
 in the circle, but in consequence of a 
 want of system in approaching the centre, 
 breaches were made in the line, through 
 which the game fled in terror and dismay. 
 Seven deer were seen to escape from a 
 single opening, and by the time the clear- 
 ing was reached by the hunters, not a 
 wild animal was in the circle, and none 
 having been captured, the whole party 
 returned to their homes fully convinced 
 that they did not understand "i-ing hunt- 
 ing." 
 
 Hunting in the region of Beech Creek 
 is still practiced to a considerable extent, 
 but of course no one is willing to admit 
 that he ever killed deer out of season; 
 sometimes, however, hunters say they 
 and "bleed them," and 
 
122 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 that the deer get frightened, start to run 
 and fall down and break their necks, and 
 of course it would be a sin to let the meat 
 spoil, so they dress it and take it home. 
 
 Hunting has not only its pleasures, but 
 it also has its pains, as many an unfortu- 
 nate Nimrod can testify. Accidents often 
 occur even to those who are experienced 
 in the chase. About the year 1860, Wm. 
 Council and James Clark went together 
 on a hunting excursion, and when on 
 their way home, as they were walking 
 along, each carrying his gun muzzle fore- 
 most, Clark's musket, which was loaded 
 with buck-shot, was discharged by the 
 lock striking the limb of a tree, and 
 shooting oif one of his fingers, the charge 
 struck Council in tl»p back, he being a 
 few feet ahead; a frightful wound was 
 made, of which he died the next day, 
 leaving a large family. During 1874 
 John Liggett, having the same gun with 
 which Council was killed, was hunting in 
 the woods, when a shower came on, and 
 in crawling under a hastily constructed 
 shelter, his gun was accidentally discharg- 
 ed, the shot taking effect in one of his 
 knees, which disabled him for many 
 months, and permanently crippled his 
 leg. 
 
 In hunting bears, large iron ti'aps with 
 grapple hooks attached are frequently 
 used. These traps are placed in Bruin's 
 favorite haunts, and it occasionally hap- 
 pens that when a bear has been caught in 
 one of them, if the grapple hook breaks 
 he will seek a rock, upon which he beats 
 the trap till it is broken in pieces and 
 comes off. 
 
 One of the largest bears ever seen in 
 the township was caught in the spring of 
 1875, by Mr. James McGhee, on Monu- 
 ment Run. He had set a lai-ge trap a few 
 days previous, and sent his two boys to 
 see if it had been disturbed. When 
 within about fifty yards of the place they 
 discovered a bear in the trap, with the 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 grapple hook fast to a tree, in such a 
 shape that he could not get the trap to 
 the ground. The boys each having a gun, 
 fired at the bear, killing it instantly; they 
 then rblled it down the hill upon which 
 they found it. In so doing they got it into 
 the creek, but could not get it out until 
 it was skinned and quartered. They then 
 procured a wagon and took the carcass 
 home and found that it weighed over four 
 hundred pounds, and was very fat. 
 
 Sometime during the year 1871 Geo. 
 Hastings and James David, while hunting 
 on Big Run, discovered signs of some 
 wild animal, and setting their dogs on the 
 trail, soon found themselves face to face 
 with two large panthers upon a tree; 
 being armed with good guns, the game 
 was soon killed, and their scalps taken 
 off, for which the county paid twelve dol- 
 lars each. 
 
 The iirst school house in the township 
 was built of logs, as was the case with 
 nearly all the buildings at that time, and 
 stood back of the Fearon property. It 
 was erected about the year 1810. At one 
 time a school was taught in it by "Buck" 
 Claflin, the father of Victoria WoodhuU. 
 
 The next was built in 1830; it stood on 
 Beech Creek, about one mile above the 
 present borough limits. The next was 
 built under the public school law in 1838 
 or '40, on land then owned by Robert 
 Fearon. The next was built about the 
 same time and stood just above the village 
 of Beech Creek. 
 
 There are now seven public school 
 buildings in the township, all good struc- 
 tures, well painted and in good condition. 
 
 The first church in the tovraship "was 
 built in 1834, by the Methodists. It was 
 located just beyond the present limits of 
 the borough, at the west end. Services 
 were held in it regularly by the Metho- 
 dists, and occasionally by the Presby- 
 terians, till 1868, when it was sold, and 
 afterwards bui-ned down. Its site is now 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 123 
 
 occupied by the dwelling of Frank Wal- 
 lace. One of the early Methodist "cir- 
 cuit riders" who preached in the neigh- 
 borhood of Beech Creek was the Rev. 
 Timothy Lee. 
 
 The first oflacers elected in Beech 
 Creek • township, were as follows : 
 Justices of the Peace, John T. Pacljer and 
 Andrew White; Constable, Thos. Crispeu; 
 Supervisors, Thomas Crispen and Joseph 
 Linn; Overseers of the Poor, Robert 
 Irwin and CUne Quigley; Auditors, J. 
 McGhee, J. M. Smith and G. W. Hallen- 
 baok; Assessor, Thomas Crispen; School 
 Directors, C. Bolingei-, A. Leonard, A. 
 Bitner, T. Crispen, Wm. Reed, andWm. 
 Massden. 
 
 The population of the township in 1870 
 was 950. 
 
 For many years, during the early his- 
 tory of the county, the principal, and it 
 might be said the only, business engaged 
 in by the people living in the vicinity of 
 Beech Creek, was lumbering. After the 
 lands along the Bald Eagle begai; to be 
 settled, it was soon ascertained that Beech 
 Creek afforded facilities possessed by few 
 streams in the country, for conducting 
 extensive lumbering operations, it having 
 sufficient volume and fall to afford water 
 power for driving the heaviest machinery, 
 and its banks, and the region lying adja- 
 cent, for its entire length, being covered 
 with a heavy growth of pine. 
 
 The first mill on the creek was built by 
 Henry James, in 1818. It was located 
 about a mile above where Beech Creek 
 borough now is. This mill continued in 
 operation many years, and finally passed 
 into the hands of Cline Quigley, Esq. It 
 was burned a few years ago and not re- 
 built. 
 
 Soon after the James mill was built. 
 Christian Nestlerode constructed one a 
 short distance below, on the Centre coun- 
 ty side of the ci-eek. This mill remained 
 until it was torn down 
 
 rode, grandson of Christian, who in 1865 
 erected on its site a gang water mill, 
 which is now in successful operation. 
 
 A few years after the construction of 
 the mill just mentioned, George Can- 
 built one about five miles above the mouth 
 of the Creek. In 1845 Carr died and the 
 mill was allowed to go to ruin. 
 
 In 1833 Joseph M. Smith built a mill 
 on the creek, at the mouth of Monument 
 Run, about seven miles from the Bald 
 Eagle. About the time this mill was 
 built. Beech Creek was cleared so that 
 sawed lumber could be rafted out of it. 
 One of the first bills sawed by Smith, was 
 timber for the Harrisburg bridge. This 
 timber was 3x13 inches, 33, 34 and 36 feet 
 long, and was rafted at the mill, and after 
 being taken to its destination, was sold for 
 about one fourth what the same quality 
 would bring now. Smith's mill was 
 burned and afterwards rebuilt, but final- 
 ly allowed to "run down." 
 
 The four mills just described, were the 
 pioneer lumbering establishments of 
 Beech Breek township. They were all of 
 the kind known as the English gate mill, 
 single saw, and of course run by water 
 power; their average capacity was proba- 
 bly about 1000 feet per day. They were 
 the only mills in that part of Bald Eagle 
 Valley for many years, and furnished all 
 the building material that was used for 
 miles up and down the valley. 
 
 In 1842, Daniel Crouse built a mill 
 about three miles up Beech Creek. This 
 mill, which did a good business for many 
 years, is now owned by Brown, Hastings 
 & Co. It is out of repair and idle. In 
 1845, George Furst and L. G. Andrews 
 erected a good, substantial mill on the 
 creek just above the present borough line. 
 In 1863 this mill was abandoned. 
 
 In 1850, Samuel A. Cook built a mill 
 
 on the Bald Eagle Creek, immediately 
 
 below the mouth of Beech Creek. He 
 
 by John Nestle- purchased his water power from the Bald 
 
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124 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Eagle & Spring Creek Navigation Com- 
 pany. About the same time another mill 
 -was built on Beech Creek, about one-half 
 mile from its mouth, by Housel & Miller. 
 This mill and Cook's were decided im- 
 provements on the ones formerly built in 
 "the vicinity, having circular saws and 
 «dgers, and much greater capacity. 
 
 In 1853, Housel & Miller failed and the 
 mill property was sold to B. Clapp. In 
 1854, Clapp sold to the firm of Shouse, 
 Saylor & Co., said firm being composed 
 of the following gentlemen, residents of 
 Lehigh and Northampton counties: 
 Jacob A. Shouse, Samuel Saylor, Israel 
 L. Day, and Lewis A. Buckley. In 1855, 
 or '56, this firm built, in addition to the 
 one purchased, a large gang water mill, 
 having a capacity of four millions per 
 year. In a few, years they added a plan- 
 ing mill, to which they attached steam 
 power. These mills were operated till 
 March, 1864, when they were destroyed 
 by fire. The work of rebuilding on the 
 «ame ground immediately commenced, 
 and though it was necessary to hew and 
 haul most of the timber for the structure 
 from some distance up the creek, the mill 
 was in operation in ninety days after the 
 conflagration, with three gangs of saws, 
 a muley saw, one edger, and lath and 
 paling mill all complete, the whole driven 
 by an 80-horse-power engine. About 
 two years after the mill was rebuilt two 
 planers were attached. During the sea- 
 son of 1868, 11,000,000 feet of lumber was 
 manufactured by this mill, besides lath, 
 paling, &c. 
 
 It is estimated that not less than 150,- 
 000,000 feet of lumber have been manu- 
 factured in the Beech Creek region, two- 
 thirds of which was sawed by the above 
 £rm. This mill is still in operation with 
 a sawing capacity of 2,500.000 per month, 
 but owing to the dullness of the lumber 
 trade it is not rnn to the fullest extent. 
 The name of the firm as now. consti 
 
 is Saylor, Day & Morey. A mill was built 
 at the mouth of Beech Creek, in 1843, by 
 Wm. Parsons. It was afterwards sold to 
 Valentine & Milligan, who run it suc- 
 cessfully till about the year 1859, when 
 they sold out to Saylor, Day & Morey. , 
 
 Of aU the thirteen different mills that 
 have been built on Beech Creek, only two 
 are in operation, the one ovmed by 
 Saylor, Day & Morey, and that of John 
 Nestletrode. 
 
 During the year 1853, Cline Quigley 
 and Andrew White erected a saw mill 
 near the present site of the grist mill 
 now owned by Quigley & Nestlerode. 
 It was allowed to get out of order a few 
 years ago, and was not repaired. 
 
 The next mill was built by Samuel 
 and Johnson Hall, about 1853. It was locat- 
 ed on the creek about three miles above 
 its mouth. It is now in ruins. 
 
 The next was built the following year 
 by Joseph Hall, on the Centre county 
 side of the creek, near the latter. In 
 '56 Hall died and the mill passed into the 
 hands of P. Shaffer & Co., of Pottsville, 
 by whom it is still owned; but it has 
 ceased to be operated. 
 
 Much of the lumber manufactured on 
 Beech Creek was obtained on lands lying 
 on the tributaries of that stream in Cen- 
 tre county. Of the amount actually cut 
 in Beech Creek township -50,000,000 feet 
 would be a fair estimate, and it is also 
 estimated that, including white and yel- 
 low pine, hemlock, &c., there is not less 
 than 50,000,000 feet remaining on the 
 land. 
 
 Nearly all the land now occupied by the 
 borough of Beech Creek belongs to what 
 was known as the "Lieut. Wiggins tract," 
 a part of the "officers' survey." It is lo- 
 cated on the right bank of Beech Creek 
 about one mUe above its mouth. The 
 ground is gently sloping toward the 
 south, and was originally covered with a 
 fflKth of the best quality of oak, 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 125 
 
 interspersed -with pine, hickory and poplar. 
 
 The credit of starting the village be- 
 longs'to Michael Quigley, who, about the 
 year 1813, bought 30 acres of land off the 
 "Wiggins" tr.iot, and constructed a grist 
 mill, which is still in operation and now 
 owned by Cline Quigley (son of Michael) 
 and John Nestlerode. At, or about the 
 same time, Quigley built a dwelling for 
 himself, a short distance south of the 
 mill, one room of which was used as a 
 store. The first person using it for that 
 purpose was "Buck" Claflin. Afterwards 
 it was occupied for some time by George 
 Furst and Henry Gast. The latter finally 
 sold his interest to Cline Quigley and 
 Andrew White. After continuing in bus- 
 iness together a short time, the firm was 
 dissolved, and Furst purchased a lot of 
 Michael Quigley, ou the corner of Main 
 and Harrison streets, upon which he built 
 a store, which he has occupied ever since. 
 Quigley & White remained in partnership 
 for a while, doing business in a building 
 'erected by Quigley, a few rods west of 
 the grist mill. Then they dissolved, and 
 White built and occupied a store a few 
 rods west of the one buHt by Quigley. 
 Thus each one of the former partners was 
 engaged in business for himself. 
 
 In 1835, Michael Quigley sold five acres 
 off the north end of-his tract to Matthew 
 Leitch, who sold dwelling lots for $35.00 
 each, that being the price, until 1848. 
 Leitch's tract was soon sold out and 
 built upon. About the time of Leitch's pur- 
 chase, Quigley sold lots to Asher Packer, 
 Hayes Packer, John Baker and others, 
 which, with the five acres sold to Leitch, 
 included all that part of the borough on 
 Water street. 
 
 About the year 1840, John T. Packer 
 purchased a lot of M. Quigley, on the 
 southwest corner of Main and Harrison 
 streets, upon which he erected a dwelling, 
 and then built a shoe shop on the oppo- 
 site side of the street. Diaitized by 
 
 About the year 1856, Andrew White 
 quit the mercantile business, and Silas 
 Hess occupied the room he vacated, till 
 about 1868, when the building was sold 
 to Thomas & Mason, -vyho finally sold it 
 to B. Berryhill, by whom it was converted 
 into a wagon shop, for which purpose it 
 is now used. 
 
 In 1866, Silas Hess and S. Mohley 
 bought out Cline Quigley, and remained 
 in business together till 1871, when they 
 sold to Henry Berry, Charles Cade, and 
 Daniel Bitner, who conducted the busi- 
 ness till the spring of 1875, when they 
 were succeeded by Cline Quigley, who 
 filled up with a stock of groceries, and is 
 now conducting that trade in connection 
 with the flour' and grain business. 
 
 In 1830, John Kirk built a dwelling on 
 what was called "the island, "-a part of 
 the original tract bought by Quigley. 
 
 In 1853, "the island" was divided by 
 Michael Quigley between his son Cline, 
 and his daughter, Eliza White, wife of 
 Andrew White. Afterwards White sold 
 his portion to Hugh, his brother. In 
 1871, the house built by Sirk, which was 
 on this part of the pi-operty, burned down, 
 but was immediately replaced by another. 
 In 1873, John McGhee purchased ten 
 acres from White, which he now holds. 
 Cline Quigley still owns his portion. 
 
 About the year 1810, a small log house 
 was built by Wm. Clark, on Main street, 
 on a lot now owned by John McGJiee, 
 Esq. That building was occupied by dif- 
 ferent persons, among them "Buck" Claf- 
 lin, and is said to have been the birth- 
 place of Claflin' s daughter, the present 
 Mrs. Victoria Woodhull. 
 
 In 1814, Michael Quigley built a card- 
 ing and fulling mill, a short distance 
 south of the grist mill. It was run by 
 water power, as also was the grist mill 
 before mentioned. These two mills were 
 the only manufacturing establishments 
 for a long time. 
 
126 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 What now comprises the eastern portion 
 of the territory of the borough was owned 
 by Solomon Strong, and remained un- 
 cleared till about 1844, when the princi- 
 pal part of the most valuable oak was 
 taken off by Wm. Parsons and others, 
 and after being properly sawed, was sold 
 to the government to be used inihe con- 
 struction of artillery wagons, &c. The 
 land was then laid out into streets and 
 lots, and sold to different persons. 
 
 About the year 1853, Solomon Strong 
 laid out the western portion of his fai-m 
 into town lots. The first one on the 
 north side of Main street below the grist 
 mill was purchased by John McGhee. 
 The same year, on this lot, McGhee 
 erected three dwellings, store-house, 
 shoe shop, wagon shop and an office. 
 
 In 1856, a lot was purchased on Main 
 street from Austin Leonard for $150.00, 
 and the first school building in the place 
 erected upon it. 
 
 In 1868, the Methodists pui-chafeed for 
 the same price the second lot south of the 
 school house, and built a very fine brick 
 church at a total cost of about $9,000. 
 
 In 1869, B. & J. Liggett purchased the 
 lot adjoining the McGhee property, on 
 the east, and built a large store, in which 
 they conducted the mercantile business 
 till 1873, when they dissolved, B. Liggett 
 retiring, and Edward K. Parsons and S. 
 Mobley each taking an interest, the firm 
 name becoming J. Liggett & Co., under 
 which the business is at present conduct- 
 ed. 
 
 A short distance east of the Liggett 
 property the Presbyterians purchased a 
 lot in 1865, and in a few years completed 
 an elegant brick church. In 1826 J. Rook- 
 well started the first shoe shop, and made 
 the first pegged shoes worn by the in- 
 habitants. In 1830 Simon Lingle started 
 another in an old building which stood on 
 ground now occupied by John McGhee's 
 store building. About six years later 
 
 Digitized by ' 
 
 John Baker established a blacksmith 
 shop, near the site of W. C. Bul- 
 lock's residence. Two years later a tan- 
 nery was built at the east end of the 
 Beech Creek bridge by Asher Packer. 
 It long since went to ruin. The land 
 on which it was located is now culti- 
 vated. About the same time Solomon 
 Strong came from the State of New York 
 and established a fanning mill manufac- 
 tory; it was located nearly opposite where 
 the Presbyterian church stands. Strong 
 conducted the business quite extensively • 
 for many years, and finally sold out to 
 Stillman Keyes, also from New York, who 
 still carries on the business. In 1846 
 George Furst and L. G. Andrews com- 
 menced the manufacture of fanning mills 
 in a building on the north end of the lot 
 occupied by Furst's store; they continued 
 the business for many years, finally dis- 
 solving partnership; Andrews retired to a 
 farm and the business was abandoned. 
 
 In 1888 John Orner started the first 
 tailor shop in the place. The building in 
 which he worked is located on the bank 
 of the creek, on Water street, and is now 
 owned by Gotlieb Keller. That same 
 year Dr. Roberts, the first physician, locat- 
 ed in the village; he remained till 1845, 
 when he was succeeded by Dr. W. P. 
 Rothrock, who was the only practicing 
 physician in the place for many years. He 
 was succeeded in 1875 by Dr. Tibbins, 
 who is now there. , 
 
 The first permanent dentist in the place 
 was W. C. VanValin, who came in 1865 
 and still remains. In 1868 M. L. McKean 
 came from Zion, Centre county, and es- 
 tablished an extensive steam tannery in 
 the borough; it is lv)cated on Main street, 
 nearly opposite the Presbyterian church. 
 It is now in' successful operation, and 
 consumes about five hundred cords of 
 bark per year. 
 
 At pi'esent there are quite a number of 
 1 ffood, well-stocked stores of various kinds 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 12'7 
 
 in the place. Those that have not been 
 mentioned are: Hess, Knecht & Miller, 
 dry goods and grocery store, located on 
 the street leading from the borough to the 
 depot ; this is a large establishment. 
 Berry & Cade's dry goods and grocery 
 store, in the east end of the viHage, in a 
 fine building erected in the spring of 1875. 
 Adjoining Berry & Cade's on the west is 
 the stove and tin store and grocery of C. 
 E. Keyes, who also has charge of the 
 post office. In the same building, which 
 belongs to John McGhee, is the millinery 
 store of Mrs. C. E. Keyes. -Still farther 
 west is the dry goods and grocery store of 
 W. L. McKean. Next comes the dry 
 goods and grocery of J. S. Hale & Co., 
 who started in the spring of 1874. 
 
 At present Beech Creek has three 
 blacksmith shops, those of Lemuel 
 Shearer, Wm. C. Bullock and Henry 
 Husselton. Also three shoe shops, kept 
 by Henry Berry, Wentzel & Caldwell and 
 r. Trexler. There are now in operation 
 two wagon shops, with Eichard Berryhill 
 and John Stevens as proprietors, and also 
 two tailor shops, kept by Wm. Beck and 
 B. M. Bierly; one sadler, W. C. McDon- 
 ald; one barber, J. A. Williams, and one 
 undertaker, Wm. Eupert. A planing 
 mill was established in the spring of 1875, 
 by Bickel & Lose. It is located east of 
 McKean' s tannery, on Main street, and 
 
 now in operation. There is but one pub- 
 lic house in the place, which is kept by 
 Charles Cade. 
 
 Beech Creek borough has at present no 
 secret organizations except a Grange of 
 Patrons of Husbandry, which was or- 
 ganized in 1874, and a Camp of Patriotic 
 Order Sons of America, organized soon 
 after. 
 
 In 1850 a lodge of Odd Fellows was 
 organized in a building put up for the 
 purpose by Cline Quigley, near the site 
 of the grocery store now occupied by him. 
 On the 5th day of March, 1855, it was 
 burned down and the lodge was soon after 
 disbanded. The Good Templars organ- 
 ized a lodge in 1854, and held their meet- 
 ings in the Odd Fellows' Hall, but when 
 that burned they ceased to meet. 
 
 For many years the Washingtonians 
 kept up an organization in the place and 
 made strong opposition to the sale of in- 
 toxicating liquors in the community. It is 
 said that except during the exciting time 
 of the late war, no alcoholic liquors have 
 ever been illegally sold within the limits 
 of Beech Creek township, and now it is 
 difficult, if not impossible, to get twelve 
 respectable citizens to sign a petition for 
 license. 
 
 Beech Creek borough was organized 
 in 1869. 
 
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128 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 COiLEBEOOK TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Colebrook township is one of the twelve 
 into which the county was first divided, 
 and when formed covered a much greater 
 area than at present; its territory having 
 since heen encroached upon in the organ- 
 ization of other townships, till it is now 
 but a fragment, or rather two fragments 
 of the original township. In forming the 
 townships of Gallauher and Grugan, 
 Colebrook was divided into two parts, each 
 retaining the name. The township prop- 
 er, or that portion in which the elections 
 are held, lies upon the West Branch a 
 few miles west of Lock Haven; it is about 
 four and a half by five or six miles in 
 extent, and bounded on the east by 
 Woodward, on the south by Bald Eagle, 
 on the west by Grugan, and on the north 
 by Grugan and Gallauher. 
 
 The other part of the township, which 
 is entirely separated from the portion just 
 described, is irregular in shape and bound- 
 ed on the southjby Gallauher, on the east 
 by Lycoming county, on the north by 
 Tioga county, and on the west by Potter 
 county and Chapman township. 
 
 Colebrook township, including both 
 parts, is mountainous and hilly, and almost 
 entirely unimproved, except that portion 
 lying along the river, which crosses it 
 near its »southem boundary. Several 
 streams flow through this township and 
 empty into the river. Lick Run rises 
 among. the hills in the northern portion 
 of tlie county, and unites with the rivet 
 at Farrandsville. Ferney's Run forms 
 the boundary between Colebrook and Gru- 
 gan townships, and reaches the river at a 
 point about five miles i^J^JtW^' b^^l 
 
 Tangasootac creek takes its rise in 
 Beech Creek township flows through 
 Bald Eagle and empties into the river 
 about two miles west of FarrandsviUe. 
 About a mile west of tlie Tangascootac, a 
 small sti-eam called Holland's Run flows 
 into the river. These constitute all the 
 streams in the township worthy of note. 
 Feruey's and Holland's Runs received 
 their names from individuals. Lick Run 
 was so-called becaiise of the existence of 
 "deer licks" in its vicinity. The name 
 "Tangascootac" is of Indian origin. 
 
 The mineral resources of this township, 
 as far as developed, consist of Bitumin- 
 ous coal and fire-clay, both of which 
 have been found in more or less abund- 
 ance along and near the river, on the 
 north side, where thus far the 
 mining operations of the township have 
 been entirely confined, though coal, iron 
 ore and fire-clay are known to exist else- 
 where within its limits. Prof. Rogers, 
 in his Fourth Annual Geological Report, 
 published in 1840, gives the following in 
 relation to the mining of coal and the 
 manufacture of fire-brick and iron, then 
 going on at Farrandsville. In alluding 
 to the lowest coal bed of the basin, he 
 says: 
 
 It is this seam which is at present prin- 
 cipally mined by the Farrandsville com- 
 pany, for their furnace and other works. 
 About fifty cubic yards are mined daily, 
 costing fifty-seven cents per yard for the 
 mining, the small coal not being counted. 
 The coal is coked at -the mouth of the 
 mine, being transferred immediately from 
 the cars to large heaps, where it under- 
 goes the coking process without tJie aid 
 -fhSffff® ^^ '^ then sent by an inclined 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 129 
 
 plane and a railroad to the furnace at the 
 base of the mountain. The second coal 
 seam in the ascending order, is not work- 
 ed, the coal being impure; but the third, 
 where the ground is sufficiently elevated 
 to embrace it, has been wrought to some 
 extent, yielding a better coal than either 
 of the other two. It is now, however, 
 nearly exhausted. This upper coal seam, 
 lying usually near the surface of the 
 highest ground, has generally an unsound 
 roof which unfits it to be mined. It 
 measures commonly six feet in thickness. 
 It is now removed to expose the fire-clay 
 which lies immediately beneath it, found 
 to be of superior quality for the manu- 
 facture of fire-brick. This fire-clay, from 
 six to seven feet thick, is destitute of grit, 
 and furnishes an admirable fire-brick. 
 They are manufactured at Farrandsville 
 on an extensive scale, about six thousand 
 nine-inch brick being made every week, 
 commanding about forty-five dollars per 
 hundred. These are at present principal- 
 ly used on the spot for the furnace and 
 , other works. The furnace now in opera- 
 tion is built of stone, lined with the 
 fire-brick; it is fifty-four feet high. 
 The diameter of the bashes was'originally 
 seventeen feet, but was lately reduced to 
 thirteen. A powerful steam engine, hav- 
 ing ten boilers, and estimated at one hun- 
 dred and seventy horse power when all sfre 
 in action, propels the blast. From the de- 
 scription given of the coal measures of 
 farrandsviUe, it would appear that they 
 furnish neither iron ore or limestone. 
 The ore used in the large and ably con- 
 structed furnace, is brought from Mon- 
 tour's ridge, in Columbia county, bemg 
 the fossiliferous ore. An inferior species 
 is also procured on Larry's Creek, Ly- 
 coming county; the former is transported 
 about one hundred miles; the latter 
 twenty-three . miles. The limestone is 
 from Nittany VaUey. The proportion of 
 the materials employed iu making one 
 ton of iron in October last were as fol- 
 lows:. 
 
 Coke, 2,900 tons; Fossiliferous ore, 
 1,438 tons; Larry's Creek ore,l,563 tons; 
 Limestone, 3,000 tons. 
 
 After the furnace had been in blast 
 some time, the cast iron produced was of 
 superior quality, as foundry iron, the 
 yield being about fifty tons per week. 
 
 As nearly as can be ascertained, the 
 
 first permanent settler of this township 
 
 was George Saltzman, whose brother An- 
 thony v?as killed by the Indians near the 
 mouth of Queen's Kun, in the fall of 17^7. 
 Saltzman located on a tract of land lying 
 on the north bank of the river, about two 
 and a-half miles west of Lick Kun. The 
 property is still in possession of the Saltz- 
 man heirs. 
 
 The first school house in the township 
 was erected upon this property at a very 
 early day. About the time Saltzman set- 
 tled upon his tract a small mill was built 
 at the mouth of the Tangascootac. The 
 same year .that Saltzman was killed, a 
 man by the name of Daniel Jones, while 
 engaged working about the mill, was also 
 killed by the Indians. 
 
 Other settlers subsequently located 
 along the river, wherever the flats were 
 of sufficient extent to allow it, till all the 
 "bottom lands" in the township were 
 "taken up." 
 
 About the year 1835 Christian Earon, a 
 native of Germany, purchased and settled 
 upon a tract of land situated about a mile 
 above the mouth of Queen's Run, on the 
 opposite side of the river. When Earon 
 took possession of the land it was occu- 
 pied by a squatter, to whom he paid 
 twenty-five dollars for his "improve- 
 ments," which it is reasonable to sup- 
 pose were not very extensive. The tract 
 was surveyed in pursuance of a warrant 
 granted to Edward Burd, dated June 13, 
 1774, but there is no evidence that Burd 
 ever settled upon it. It was known as 
 "Black Walnut Bottom," and described 
 as "lying about five or six miles above 
 the Great Island." The property is now 
 owned and occupied by Henry S. Earon, 
 son of Christian, and is the largest culti- 
 vated farm in the township. 
 
 The present agricultural resources of 
 the township are exceedingly limited, 
 there being, probably, less than six hun- 
 dred acres of land under cultivation with- 
 
 in its borders. The township was formerly 
 
130 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 well supplied with timber, the best quali- 
 ty of which has been removed many 
 years. 
 
 As may be inferred, the township is 
 still a comparatively wild region, it being 
 no unusual occurrence for the inhabitants 
 to kill deer, and even bears, on or near 
 their own premises. On June 19th, 1875, 
 two hunters, C. C. Pfouts and Wm. Saltz- 
 man, captured a very large and fat bear 
 near the Saltzman homestead. A few 
 years ago a bear was caught in a trap and 
 escaped with the loss of two of his toes, 
 which were found in the trap.' The bear 
 killed by Pfouts and Saltzman is suppos- 
 ed to have been the same one that was 
 caught in the trap, for he had been de- 
 prived of two of his toes corresponding 
 ■with the ones "left behind." 
 
 Thirty-five years ago, the principal 
 manufacturing enterprise, not only of Cole- 
 brook township, but of Clinton county, 
 was located at Farrandsville, which, at 
 that time had acquired considerable im- 
 portance. The following sketch of the 
 "rise and fall" of that place, is from 
 Sherman Day's "Historical Collections:" 
 
 Farrandsville is, or was, a busy manu- 
 facturing village, nestled among the 
 mountains at the mouth of Lick Run, on 
 the left bank of the Susquehanna, seven 
 miles above Lock Haven. It had its 
 origin in the speculative fever of 1830-'36, 
 and is but one of many similar monu- 
 ments in Pennsylvania of the misdirected 
 ' enterprise of those times. It was started 
 in the winter of 1881-'33, by Mr. Wm. 
 P. Parrand, a gentleman from Philadel- 
 phia of high scientific attainments, act- 
 ing as agent for a company of heavy cap- 
 italists in Boston. At that time the spot 
 was only accessible by a horse-path at 
 low water. Mr. P. broke a path into the 
 mountains through snow three feet in 
 depth, returning every night nearly three 
 miles to a cabin for his food and lodging. 
 On one occasion he was shut in by ice, 
 and provisions were sent to him; he pass- 
 ed many nights in the hills in snow and 
 ram -without shelter, and was more than 
 once roused by the screams of a panther. 
 The object of Mr. F. wasio discover and 
 
 open the bituminous coal beds at this 
 point, with a view to the extensive ship- 
 ment of the article to the lower markets; 
 and to carry on the various manufactures 
 of iron, lumber, &c., appropriate to the 
 location. The iron ore and limestone, 
 however, had to be transported from 
 points in the lower valley of the Susque- 
 hanna. A little steamboat was con- 
 structed for towing the coal up and down 
 the river, and for some time she went 
 puffing ajong the valley. Mr. P., how- 
 ever, having other engagements near 
 Williamsport, left the establishment, and 
 other agents were from time to time em- 
 ployed. A visitor to the place in 1835, 
 thus describes it: 
 
 "The Lycoming Coal Company — the 
 proprietors of Farrandsville — have a good 
 farm of 300 acres, a short distance above 
 the village; and progressing up the river, 
 the bottoms are more extensive, and set- 
 tlements closer. 
 
 Lick Run is a strong, steady stream. 
 On it is erected a large nail establish- 
 ment, capable of manufacturing from the 
 pig metal ten tons of nails per day: an air 
 and cupola furnace, which in the last six 
 months have turned out nearly 300 tons 
 of castings ; mills for sawing different de- 
 scriptions of lumber, shingles, lath, &c. ; 
 an establishment for manufacturing rail- 
 road cars on a large scale. There are 
 now three veins of coal opening, and the 
 shutes in; 50 coal oars finished, and in^ 
 the best manner, and two miles of rail- 
 road, communicating with the different 
 mines and the basin finished. One track 
 of the road leads to the nail-works, which 
 are calculated to consume 5, 000 tons of 
 coal per year. An extensive rolling-mill 
 is in progress, and a furnace for smelting 
 iron ore with coke will be erected in a 
 short time, immediately below the nail- 
 works. 'Farrandsville proper is situated 
 on the Susquehanna; on the mountain 
 where the coal mines have been opened, 
 there are a number of buildings, where 
 the miners and their families reside, with 
 a street running between them town- 
 fashion; and at the foot of the mountain, 
 at Lick Run, there are also large board- 
 ing-houses and habitations for artisans 
 and their families. These three separate 
 towns, however, all belong to the com- 
 munity of Farrandsville, which contains 
 a large hotel, far advanced in the erection, 
 two reputable taverns, three large board- 
 I in^-houses, and u^swards of 90 tenements. 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 131 
 
 each calculated to render a family entire- 
 ly coipfortable. Here are inexhaustible 
 mines of iron, with the bituminous coal 
 for smelting it, and all the elements for 
 building up a manufacturing establish- 
 ment capable of supplying iron in all its 
 forms to our widely-extended and popu- 
 lous country." 
 
 Operations were driven forward with 
 great rapidity, something liice $700,000 
 having been expended by the company; 
 and to those who regard only the surface 
 of things, there was something surprising 
 and gratifying in seeing a large manufac- 
 turing village spring up thus in the wil- 
 derness. But whether all this could be 
 done with profit to the owners, does not 
 seem to have been considered. The pro- 
 prietors in Boston at length turned the 
 tey on their money-box, and sent out a 
 keen Yankee iron-master, whose science 
 was ballasted with practical experience 
 and strong common sense, to take charge 
 of the works. He looked over the grounds, 
 examined everything carefully, took his 
 slate and pencil and commenced cipher- 
 ing. He soon reported to the proprietors 
 that there was no money to be made; and 
 ■ that their best course was to quit at once, 
 and pocket the loss. They took his ad- 
 vice. 
 
 The failure of the works at Farrands- 
 ville has been attributed to various cir- 
 cumstances, but probably, the real causes 
 which led to their abandonment were 
 these: Lavish and injudicious expendi- 
 ture in the outset; inferior transportation 
 facilities; the great distance whence a 
 supply of ore was obtained, and finally 
 disagreement among the members of the 
 company in regard to the manner of con- 
 ducting operations. 
 
 Soon after suspending operations, the 
 Lycoming Coal Company ^old the prop- 
 erty to John O. Stearns, who in 1845 or 
 '46, sold an interest to George Hopson; the 
 firm then sold the furnace property and 
 part of the lands to D. K. Jackman, and 
 others, who sold to C. and J. Fallon. 
 The Fallons sold to James McHenry, 
 who sold a portion of the lands, includ- 
 ing Minersville, and the property where 
 the rolling mill stood, ^/^f|g'ii 
 
 Munro & Company. McHenry still re- 
 tains the balance of his purchase. 
 
 In November, 1873, Fredericks, Mon- 
 roe & Co., commenced the erection of ex- 
 tensive Fire-brick Works, which were 
 completed in the spring of 1"874, and are 
 now in successful operation. 
 
 The main building of the works which 
 is constructed of wood, is 80 feet long by 
 50 wide, with a wing 20x30 feet; the 
 kilns, three in number, are each 35 feet 
 long, 13 feet wide and 13 feet high inside, 
 and capable of containing 40,000 bricks. 
 
 The clay used at these works is of two 
 kinds, hard and soft, and obtained on 
 the mountain about one mile northwest 
 of the works. The soft clay exists m an 
 extensive vein several feet below the sur- 
 face, is without grit and easily reduced 
 to powder; it is used in the manufacture 
 of large bricks for the lining of blast fur- 
 naces, for walks and other surfaces ex- 
 posed to the action of the weather. The 
 hard clay is found in a vein of 8 feet 
 thickness about 90 feet below the soft, is 
 obtained by blasting, it being too hard to 
 remove from the bed by any other pro- 
 cess. It is used in making all kinds of 
 brick employed in rolling mills, &c., where 
 there is exposure to intense heat. Over- 
 lying the bed of hard clay is a four foot 
 vein of bituminous coal, which is used at 
 the works for fuel. After the clay is 
 taken from the bed it is hauled to the 
 works by teams, and after being broken 
 to a convenient size is placed in a large 
 circular, revolving cast iron pan, and 
 crushed to powder by two huge cast iron 
 rollers, each weighing 3500 pounds. The 
 frame in which the rollers and pan are 
 set is massive and made of solid cast iron, 
 by Kicker, Fredericks & Co., machinists of 
 Lock Haven, and is one of the best speci- 
 mens of workmanship ever turned out of 
 any machine shop in the "West Branch 
 valley. The crushing machine is driven 
 ,er of Lick Kun, the force being 
 
132 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 egual to 37 horse power. Wlien ground 
 the clay is of the consistency of thick 
 mortar and is ready for moulding, which 
 is done by placing it in wooden moulds 
 of the proper size, which are emptied on 
 a fire brick floor, which is kept heated to 
 the proper temperature by means of 
 flues running underneath the entire 
 length of the building. When partially 
 dried the bricks are each subjected to a 
 pressure of about 40 tons, after which Ira Mason & Sons. The entire amount 
 
 they are again placed in their former po- 
 sition on the floor, and remain till 
 thoroughly dried, when they are removed 
 to the kiln and arranged in rows upon 
 each other with spaces between for the 
 circulation of heat, to which they are ex- 
 posed for six days and nights; during the 
 last forty-eight hours an intense heat is 
 kept up, which gives to the bricks the 
 proper hardness and color, as they appear 
 when ready for use. 
 
 In 1870, Stearns & Hopson sold the bal- 
 ance of their purchase to Fredericks, 
 Kreamer & Bro., who constructed a large 
 saw mill, having a sawing capacity of 
 . 25,000 feet per day, and employing thirty 
 men. The mill is located on Lick Run, 
 about one fourth of a mile above the 
 Fire Brick Works, and is furnished with 
 logs from up the run. 
 
 In 1853 or '54, C. and J. Fallon built a 
 bridge across the river a short distance 
 above FarrandsviUe, to connect the Rock 
 Cabin Coal company's railroad with the 
 Suubury & Erie (now P. & E.). The 
 bridge was completed ready for the track, 
 when the Rock Cabin Company ceased 
 operations, and the bridge was abandon- 
 ed. The piers are still remaining, though 
 badly damaged by floods. 
 
 In 1866, the Alumina Fire Brick Com- 
 pany commenced operations on quite an 
 eJi. tensive scale, at the mouth of Ferney's 
 Run. The manufacture of fire brick was 
 conducted for some time, after which the 
 works were destroyed by fire and have 
 
 not been re-built. In 1864, Ira Mason 
 built a large saw-mill on the Tangascootac 
 creek, just above the mouth, for the pur- 
 pose of manufacturing lumber from logs 
 to be brought down the creek. 
 
 This mill employs twenty-five men and 
 has a sawing capacity of 35,000 feet 
 per day. In 1867, the two sons of Mr. 
 Mason becarrie partners with him, since 
 which time the firm has been known as 
 
 of lumber manufactured at this mill since 
 it was started, is not less than 37,000,000 
 feet. A water power shingle mill has 
 been constructed in connection with the 
 saw mill, and annually manufactures a 
 large immber of shingles. The company 
 has constructed upon the creek, within 
 ten miles of the mill, six extensive dams, 
 at a cost of not less than |25,000. Th& 
 mill and improvements connected with it 
 have cost in the aggregate nearly |100,- 
 000. Mr. Hiram Mason, one of the firm, 
 who is a practical and thorough lumber- 
 man and a first class mechanic, has the 
 general supervision of the mill. It is es- 
 timated that there are from 10,000,000 to 
 13,000,000feetof timberyettobe brought 
 down the creek and sawed at the mill. 
 
 The name of this township was origi- 
 nally spelled Coalbrook, and was derived 
 from the discovery of coal on one of the 
 streams. 
 
 There are in all about sixty-five fam- 
 ilies in the township, about half of which 
 live at FarrandsviUe. There is one 
 school house and a store at that place, 
 the latter owned by Messrs. Fredericks, 
 Munro & Co. A public school is kept 
 open a good part of the year, and relig- 
 ious services held occasionally on Sunday, 
 by the minister located at Hiner's Run. 
 There is but one hotel in Colebrook town- 
 ship — the Mountain House. It is located 
 on the river bank a short distance above 
 FarrandsviUe, and at present is under the 
 proprietorship of Mr. T. J. Herbert. On 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 133 
 
 the side of the ■ motintain just above the 
 river, directly oppesite Farrandsville, is 
 an interesting natviral curiosity, which is 
 known as "The Ice Cave." In this cave 
 ice may be seen the year round. 
 ! Near Farrandsville there is a quarry of 
 the best quality of building stone. These 
 stones, when first taken from the bed, are 
 rather soft and easily cut, but become 
 very hard on exposure to the action of 
 the atmosphere. It was from this quarry 
 that the stones used in the construction 
 of the Lock Haven Episcopal church were 
 obtained. 
 
 The population of Colebrook township 
 in 1840, was 546; but by the suspension 
 of operations at Farrandsville, and the 
 consequent removal of most of the labor- 
 ers employed there, it was reduced to 
 326, as shown by the census of 1850. In 
 1860, it had increased to 470, but was 
 again reduced by the annexation of a 
 portion of its territory, (including Queen's 
 Run) to Woodward township, so that in 
 1870 there were but 832 inhabitants in 
 the township. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
134 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 CHAPMAN TOWNSHIpi— KENOVO BOEOUGH, 
 
 Chapman towuship was formed wliile 
 the territory now contained in Clinton 
 belonged to Lycoming county, since 
 which time its area has been greatly diminr 
 ished by the successive organizaation of 
 other townships. A portion was taken 
 off in the formation of Grugan in 1855, 
 and in 1875, the remainder was divided, 
 aud the western portion formed into the 
 township of Noyes. 
 
 The township is bounded at present as 
 follows: On the east, by Colebrook and 
 G-rugan; on the south, by Grugan and 
 Noyes; on the west, by Noyes and Leidy; 
 and on the north by Potter county. 
 
 Notwithstanding the diminution that 
 has taken place in its area. Chapman is 
 .still a large township, it being eight 
 miles wide and about twelve long. Its 
 .surface partakes of the uneven character 
 of the other portions of the county, and 
 is covered with a heavy growth of timber 
 — pine, oak, hemlock, &c. 
 
 The West Branch flows through the 
 .southern part of the township, and in its 
 course receives the waters of several 
 streams, the largest and most important 
 being Young Woman's Creek, which, with 
 its branches, drains nearly the whole 
 township, reaching the river at North 
 Point (Young AVomanstown). Various 
 opinions have been expressed in regard 
 to the origin of the name of this creek. 
 In relation to the matter, H. L. Diefen- 
 bach, Esq., long a resident of Clinton 
 county, and lately editor of the Blooms- 
 burg Columbian, says: 
 
 This creek is said to have received its 
 name from the fact that the dead body of 
 a young woman was found/!)jgg;2igit^' 
 
 point where it enters the river. Others 
 say the Indians scalped and then murder- 
 ed a young woman there and then threw 
 her body into the creek, hoping it would 
 float off into the river and their act would 
 thus be concealed. A legendary tale is 
 that the Indians there killed a young wo- 
 man prisoner who could walk no further 
 — that it was a famous and most desira- 
 ble camping ground — but that ever after 
 this murder, if Indians encamped there 
 at night, her ghost would appear gliding 
 over the surface of the stream, and about 
 the camp and that they were sure to be 
 fired upon by unseen faces if they remain- 
 ed a second night. There are also numer- 
 ous other legends, but £j,ll begin with the 
 statement that the dead body of a young 
 woman was found in the creek. The In- 
 dian town at that point, of which many 
 remains were formerly found, and some 
 still are, was called Young Womanstown, 
 but whether it derived its name from the 
 creek, or the creek from the town, is 
 doubtful, and both sides have had cham- 
 pions. It was once a great rallying point 
 for Indians from all points, and perhaps 
 the Indian belles gathered there in large 
 numbers to charm and entrap the young 
 hunters and warriors whose paths led 
 that way, and hence the name. If this 
 answer is not satisfactory to enquirers, 
 they are at liberty to get up a better one. 
 
 A. J. Quigley, Esq., an old and prom- 
 inent citizen of Young Womanstown, 
 published an article in the Benovo Becord 
 a few months ago, in which he says: 
 
 It is said that a young Indian squaw 
 of rare beauty, the hand of whom had 
 been sought by a young chief of another 
 tribe an(J whose advances had been for- 
 bidden by the father of the young girl, 
 and after all efforts on her part to soften 
 his feelings towards the young chief had 
 proved ineffectual, she deliberately cast 
 herself into the turbid current near the 
 mouth of the stream and was never more 
 l^n/li&CCSBGft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 135 
 
 The stream was ever after called 
 Young Womans Creek from which the 
 town has taken Its name. 
 
 Whatever may have been the real ori- 
 gin of the name, it is certain that it was 
 conferred by the Indians, for when the 
 region was first visited by the whites, the 
 appellations, "Young Womans Creek," 
 and "Young Womanstown," as applied to 
 the stream, and the vicinity of its mouth, 
 were familiar terms among the natives. 
 The only other streams in the township, 
 worthy of mention, are Hiner's Run, said 
 to have been called after a hunter by that 
 name; and Paddy's Kun, so called be- 
 cause of an Irish Settlement near its 
 mouth. The former empties into the 
 river about three miles below the mouth 
 of Young Womans Creek, and the latter 
 about two miles above, both flowing from 
 the north. Drury's Run empties into 
 the river just above Renovo, and for a 
 short distance forms the boundary be- 
 tween Chapman and Noyes townships. 
 Many of the mountain peaks of this town- 
 ship are grand and lofty, especially those 
 bordering on the river, some of which 
 reach a height of twelve or fourteen hun- 
 dred feet; the one opposite the mouth of 
 Young Womans Creek towering fourteen 
 hundred and twenty feet. In shaping 
 the hills and mountains along the West 
 Branch of the Susquehanna, nature seenis 
 to have modeled after the most symetrical 
 and pleasing designs, but in no place has 
 she displayed her creative powers in gran- 
 der attractiveness than in the pictui'esque- 
 ly beautiful verdure-covered hills of this 
 region. 
 
 With the exception of the river bot- 
 toms, Chapman has very little level land; 
 back from the river the country lies high, 
 and though considerably broken is sus- 
 ceptable of improvement and cultiva- 
 tion. 
 
 Though a vast amount of timber has 
 been taken from the lands ffjd^etPiS'V' 
 
 ship, a large quantity still exists. As is 
 the case generally, in lumber regions, 
 the best quality along and near the streams 
 was taken first, while extensive tracts in 
 the interior remained iintouched by the 
 woodsman's axe. 
 
 The most extensive lumbering opera- 
 tions in the township have been conduct- 
 ed on Young Womans Creek, Hiner's 
 Run, and Paddy's Run, large quanti- 
 ties of timber however have been cut all 
 along the river and upon the smaller runs. 
 The operations at present are confined al- 
 most entirely to the three streams men- 
 tioned. 
 
 Though coal, iron ore, fire clay, &c., 
 are known to exist in this tovmship, they 
 remain entirely undeveloped, except on 
 Drury's Run, near Renovo, where coal 
 has been mined to some extent, 
 
 A thorough geological survey of the 
 township has never been made; therefore 
 it is impossible to say, definitely, what 
 may be the character and extent of its 
 mineral resources. Indications, howev- 
 er, seem to justify the conclusion that 
 coal will yet be found within the town- 
 ship, in workable quantities. The rocks 
 of the region are principally sandstone, 
 with occasional fragments of conglomer- 
 ate scattered over the surface of the high- 
 er lands. 
 
 Precisely when the first settlement, in 
 what is now Chapman tovmshjp, was 
 made, is uncertain. From the most au- 
 thentic information that can be obtained, 
 it appears that a "clearing" of a few 
 acres was made at the mouth of Young 
 Womans Creek previous to 1780, and oc- 
 cupied by a man by the name of Wm. 
 Reed, who had no title. Reed sold his 
 improvements to Samuel Campbell, he 
 conveyed the same to Thomas Robinson, 
 who obtained a pre-emption warrant 
 dated Oct. 1st, 1785, for "three hundred 
 and seven acres and allowances," describ- 
 s: Situated "on the north 
 
136 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 side of the West Branch of the Susque- 
 hanna, known by the names, 'Young 
 Womanstown,' and 'William Reed's im- 
 provement;' beginning at the upper end 
 of the narrows in the lower ends or sides, 
 and extending up the said river to the 
 head wing of a fish dam, and adjoining 
 John Fleming's improvement." The en- 
 tire tract, which included nearly all the 
 flat land adjacent to the mouth of Young 
 Womans Creek, was conveyed by Robin- 
 son to Andrew Epple, of Philadelphia, 
 by deed dated January 10, 1787. • 
 
 On April 13, 1787, Epple obtained a 
 Ijatent for the whole tract from the com- 
 monwealth, said patent having the sig- 
 nature of Benjamin Franklin, as Presi- 
 dent of the "Supreme Executive Coun- 
 cil." 
 
 Andrew Epple, by deed dated August 
 20, 1799, conveyed the same to Andrew 
 Epple, Jr., who sold to Joseph Reed; the 
 deed of conveyance, dated March 9th, 
 1803. On June 3d, 1805, Andrew Epple, 
 Jr., conveyed the tract to John Philip 
 De Haas. In May, 1810, De Haas sold 
 the entire tract to John Quigley, by 
 whom it was divided, and conveyed to 
 different persons, his son Michael Quig- 
 ley coming in possession of the larger 
 portion, which he now holds, the balance 
 of the original tract being principally 
 owned at present by Robert Bridgens, 
 Esq., a^d Hawley, Matthews & Quig- 
 ley. 
 
 While the "Young Womanstown 
 Fai-m" was in the possession of Andrew 
 Epple it was rented for a time by Wil- 
 liam Bennett, who paid for the use 
 thereof five pounds a year. It appears 
 from a letter written in 1798, by Bennet 
 to the owners of the land, that even at 
 that early day there were from thirty to 
 forty acres of the farm under cultivation. 
 The following is a correct copy of the 
 letter: 
 
 Young Womans town J 
 Sir I Take this opportun 
 
 mhmmm^ 
 
 know that I am agoing to Move of your 
 Place in the spring: my sons has bein out 
 at French Creek and they have a Mind to 
 Move out their in the spring And I would 
 be glade you would take this place of my 
 hands and send some Man to it a Cording 
 to your one Mind that you could be 
 shoure of paying the rent I can get men 
 a-nauf her that would take it But I would 
 rather you would sattisfy you Self I have 
 a very good fall crop in the ground thir 
 is 30 acres of Wheat and 11 of By and 
 land fit for a prime Crop com oats or 
 flax all fit for the plough and they can 
 have all the grane if them and me can 
 agree there is men anof her that would 
 Be glad of it but I would be glad you 
 would Send Some Man to it that Vould 
 pay you the Rent and give me no more 
 troubel a Bout it Sir please to Send me 
 an ancer By Mr Frances Fargy for I 
 would be glad to know as quick as possa- 
 bel and so i Remain your Hum Ser't 
 
 William Bennett. 
 To Andrew Epple 
 
 Soon after Young Womanstown was 
 settled, other settlements were made at 
 the mouth of Hiner's Bun, at Paddy's 
 Run, and at other points on each side of 
 the river, and it was but a few years be- 
 fore all of the flat lands along the river 
 were converted into farms. 
 
 The pioneers of Chapman had their full 
 share of adventures and narrow escapes. 
 The following incidents are taken from 
 the article previously referred to, writ- 
 ten by A. J. Qu.igley, Esq. : 
 
 We knew of an instance m which two 
 of our citizens, engaged in subduing the 
 forest, wounded a large bear, but not 
 mortally; they were afterward pursued 
 so closely as to only escape by the mirac- 
 ulous intervention of a fallen tree, the 
 roots of which enabled them to jump be- 
 hind and elude pursuit, the bear passing 
 on, being blinded by rage'and pain. 
 
 On another occasion, a citizen who 
 once owned the lands on which Kenovo 
 now stands, was attacked by a large buck 
 and would have been killed by the 
 thrusts of the buck's horns, but for their 
 being so wide between the beamg as to 
 admit his body between the prongs, he 
 holding himself fast to the beams so as 
 J'_^^ the prongs to enter his body, 
 ilt'ir lie 'was relieved by the timely ar- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 1-S1 
 
 rival of another hunter •who dispatched 
 the buck and thus rescued him from cer- 
 tain death. 
 
 Another incident of a similar character 
 occurred not far above where the North 
 Point depot now stands. The dogs had 
 closed iik.upon a buck, but not being able 
 to mastw him, a workman on the farm 
 undertook to assist the dogs, when he re- 
 ceived such a thrust from the buck as to 
 produce a wound in his hand that dis- 
 abled him for work for sevei-al weeks. 
 
 On another occasion, that can be prov- 
 en by one of the oldest and most respec- 
 table inhabitants of this county, a bear 
 of almost fabulous size was seen to at- 
 tack and kill a very large cow, and when 
 the citizen attempted to drive the monster 
 away, he also made an attempt to attack 
 him, and should have succeeded only for 
 his athletic agility on foot. 
 
 On one occasion in the early settlement 
 of this country, a large bear came in the 
 night and look a fat hog from the pen 
 and carried it for a considerable distance 
 and only let it down when pursued by 
 the owner with his dogs so closely as to 
 be compelled to do so; after which this 
 citizen continued the pursuit for several 
 miles until the bear was safely treed on a 
 large oak. The above incident, the fath- 
 er of our mighty Mmrod, Jacob Ham- 
 mersley, if he were yet living, could tes- 
 tify to, and that it occurred on a cold, 
 frosty morning in November. 
 
 On another occasion the writer knew 
 of an ox having been killed and devoured 
 by a panther, and recently, in construct- 
 ing the present State road from this place 
 to Germania the bones of a man were 
 found who no doubt had been killed and 
 devoured by these wild inhabitants of the 
 forest. 
 
 In 1857, a man by the name of Samuel 
 Snyder, in the employ of Joseph Beidler, 
 while hunting deer one day on what is us- 
 ually termed by hunters a good tracking 
 snow, came across what he judged to be 
 the track: of a large panther, and having 
 long desired to capture one of those for- 
 midable inhabitants of the forest, with 
 two trusty dogs that he had with him, 
 took the trail. After following the track 
 about two miles, which seemed to be very 
 fresh, he espied a fox lying dead in his 
 trail and upon examination found that 
 the fpx had been following in the walk of 
 the panther, instinctively exjjecting to 
 participate in whatever booty the pan- 
 
 Digitizecrby 
 
 ther might obtain. But the panther no 
 dout)t thinking his proximity might jeop- 
 ardize his success, and, like the calculat- 
 ing McDonald, allowed his shadow to ap- 
 proach near enough to dispatch him with 
 one backhanded stroke of his paw. 
 
 Snyder, contiiiuing the pursuit, had not 
 gone very far until he came iipon the re- 
 mains of a deer that had juSt been killed 
 by the|>anther; the distance from where 
 the last tracks of the panther were to be. 
 seen in the snow to where the deer was 
 laying, was just 33 feet. 
 
 Jiist at this instant, he heard fierce 
 barking a little over the declivity and ev- 
 ident indications that a contest was rag- 
 ing. Arriving at the brow of the hill, 
 he perceived some distanc.e down from 
 him a very large animal that he presum- 
 ed to be a panther — the dogs had closed 
 in upon him, and to escape their annoy- 
 ance he had sprung upon the trunk of a 
 leaning tree. Approaching as near as he 
 thought it practicable under the circum- 
 stances, he leveled his trusty rifle at his 
 head, but the shot on account of the dis- 
 tance fell below the mark and wounded 
 him in the neck. He then leaped to the 
 ground aud the dogs closed upon him, 
 when one of them received such a severe 
 blow from the panther as to disable him 
 from renewing the attack — in the mean- 
 while Snyder reloaded, the other dog 
 keeping up the attack, when he discharg- 
 ed, another load with like effect. By this 
 time he was within about 25 feet of the 
 monster, and getting a favorable oppor- 
 tunity took deadly aim at the animal's 
 head which brought him to the ground. 
 The writer has often heard Snyder say 
 that had he not d?bpatched him at the 
 last shot, the panther would have attack- 
 ed him, and dogs and all would have 
 been compelled to succumb to his im- 
 mense power. The length of the panther 
 from tip of nose to end of tail was 9 
 feet and 3 inches. This measurement 
 was made by your correspondent, and 
 had any one told him that so formidable 
 an animal' inhabited -our woods he would 
 not have believed it. 
 
 Snyder was a man of great physical en- 
 durance and knew nothing of fear, but 
 he said that after this huge monster lay 
 prostrate at his feet, he could not help 
 but tremble at the thought of his immi- 
 nent peril, and thank God for his deliver- 
 ance. 
 
 The primitive settlers of a community 
 
138 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW Of CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 have experiences ■which never fall to the 
 lot of succeeding generations, and it is 
 difficult for those living in long-establish- 
 ed communities to realize just how their 
 ancestors did live. It is generally sup- 
 posed that "first settlers" are of necessity 
 scantily supplied with the "necessaries of 
 life;" such is not the case as far as eating 
 is concerned, for as a rule they have an 
 abundance of substantial and wholesome, 
 though plain food. At all seasons of the 
 year wild game and' fish form a large 
 share of the table supplies. With this 
 kind of fare the pioneers of Chapman 
 vrere especially favored, as there was no 
 region of country that aftorded a greater 
 abundance of all kinds of game. As to 
 the products of the soil, a mere "patch" 
 of a few acres, which was frequently all 
 that the settlers had cleared, was capable 
 of producing sufficient wheat, rye, corn, 
 potatoes, &c., for the support of a large 
 family, and the land first settled upon 
 along the West Branch was especially 
 adapted to the growth of those crops. In 
 a new country the raising of live stock is 
 attended with less trouble and expense 
 than might be supposed; for a great part 
 of the year, like the deer, cattle maintain 
 themselves by "browsing" upon the wild 
 herbage of the forest, and swine have 
 been known to live aud thrive the year 
 round on "mast," which is generally 
 abundant among beech, oak and chestnut 
 timber. So, really, actual and absolute 
 ioant is not necessarily attendant upon 
 pioneer life. People living in newly set- 
 tled districts, remote from stores experi- 
 ence considerable inconvenience in ob- 
 taining supplies of groceries, dry goods, 
 &c., but generally trips are made to the 
 nearest town or "place of business" at 
 certain seasons, when sufficient merchan- 
 dise is procured to 'last till the next trip. 
 In case the tea, coffee or any other "lux- 
 ury" should "run out," the family 
 "managed" to get along witliout it t. 
 
 opportunity was offered to lay in a stock. 
 In convertmg his grain int6 flour, the 
 hardy pioneer was generally equal to the 
 emergency, and if at too great a distance 
 from a mill, he constracted one for him- 
 self and his neighbors. Fifty of seventy- 
 five years ago it was no unusual thing to 
 see what was called a "tub mill" in near- 
 ly every neighborhood in the West Branch 
 region. The mOl was of vei-y sunple 
 construction, having but a single run of 
 stone and very little machinery, and was 
 driven by water power. During the time 
 Wm. Bennett occupied the "Toung 
 Womanstown farm" he built a tub mill 
 at the mouth of Young Woman's Creek, 
 for which, with other improvements he 
 had made on the property, he was allow- 
 ed tliirty-three pounds, which amount was 
 deducted from his rent bill. A few years 
 later a mill of the same kind was built at 
 the mouth of Miner's Bun, on the site of 
 the mill now ot\ ned by Lemuel Farwell, 
 and also one at the mouth of Paddy's 
 Run. These, with a mill of similar con- 
 struction at the mouth of Tangascootac 
 Creek, were the first and for a long time 
 the only "manufacturing establishments" 
 on the West Branch above the "Big 
 Island." 
 
 About sixty years ago a man by the 
 name of Boggs, bored a salt well on the 
 south side of the river above' the mouth 
 of Boggs' Run, which flows into the river 
 near Paddy's Island. He sank it to the 
 depth of ninety feet, when water strong- 
 ly impregnated with salt was found, but 
 for some reason nothing was done in the 
 way of manufacturing salt. 
 
 The first buildings of the settlers were 
 of course constructed of logs, and were 
 long since in ruins; in many instances not 
 a vestige remains to mark their locations. 
 As improvements advanced aud the set- 
 tlers became more prosperous, they very 
 naturally desired to "put on style" and 
 i\M&-i}h&^ houses, which necessitated 
 
HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 139 
 
 the building of mills for sawing their 
 lumber. The first ones used in Chapman 
 township, like the "tub mills," were small 
 aftairs, but admirably served the purpose 
 for which they were intended. In the 
 course of time, however, they gave way 
 to larger and more substantial structures, 
 which, though run by water power, were 
 supplied with many improvements. As the 
 demand for lumber increased, these in 
 tiu-n yielded to the steam mills now in 
 use. 
 
 About the year 1830, a modern water 
 power saw mill was built on Hiner's Run, 
 about two miles above the mouth, by 
 Leonard and Michael Bradney, and after 
 passing through the ownership of several 
 different parties, was finally purchased 
 in 1852, by T. B. Loveland and Isaac 
 Shaffer, who operated it till 1855, when 
 they sold out to Hansel & Brother. In 
 1862, the Hansels built another mill about 
 one-half mile further down the run, and 
 soon after sold their property to Kolter, 
 Hoshour& Co., of York county, the pres- 
 ent proprietors, who now own in all 
 about 5,000 acres of timber land lying 
 upon Hiner's Run. In 1873 this firm 
 built a steam mill in connection with the 
 original or upper mill, since which time 
 the lower one has stood idle. The saw- 
 ing capacity of the mill now pperated is 
 about 5,000,000 per year. The supply of 
 logs is brought down the run from a dis- 
 tance of four or five miles. 
 
 In 1854, R. K. Hawley «&'t;o. erected 
 a saw mill on Young "Woman's Creek, 
 about one-fourth of a mile from its mouth. 
 At present it is owned in part and ope- 
 rated by A. J. Quigley. 
 
 About three fourths of a mile further 
 up the creek, Messrs. Mensch & Lowen- 
 stein, of Wilkesbarre, built a large steam 
 saw mill in 1873. In 1875 Mensch retir- 
 ed from the firm, and the business at 
 present is conducted solely by Mr. Low- 
 enstein. This mill has a capacity of 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 6,000,000 feet per year, the logs being 
 brought to the mill from the tract on 
 which they are cut, a distance of four or 
 five miles, on a narrow gauge railroad 
 constructed for the purpose. The prop- 
 erty connected with this mill, consists of 
 6,600 acres of land, a large portion of it 
 well timbered, and eight or ten houseg 
 for employees. 
 
 In 1863, Joseph and George Parsons 
 and Henry Clark constructed a large 
 steam saw miU at the mouth of Paddy's 
 Run. This firm sold out to Wm. Par- 
 sons and James Clark, by whom the mill 
 was operated till 1868 or '69, when Clark 
 sold his interest to Lawshe; then Par- 
 sons & Lawshe sold to Gamble, White 
 & Co., the present owners. 
 
 The history of North Point, the pleas- 
 ant little village at tlie mouth of Young 
 Womans Creek, is identical with that of 
 "Young Womanstown farm, "upon which 
 it is built. Facts in relation to the first 
 settlement of the locality having already 
 been given, it is now in place to speak of 
 its more recent history and present con- 
 dition. 
 
 The nucleus of a village or town is gen- 
 erally formed by the establishment of a 
 post office, the erection of a school house, 
 store, &c. In 1837, a building which 
 served the two-fold purpose of church 
 and school house was built at the mouth 
 of Young Womans Creek, under the su- 
 pervision of the Rev. Daniel Barber, who 
 at that time was stationed at the ijlace 
 by the Northumberland Presbytei-y. 
 
 Though the name "Young Womans- 
 town" was applied to the place at a 
 very early day, even before it was occu- 
 pied by the whites, and letters, legal and 
 other papers were dated ' 'Young Womans- 
 town," from the period of its first set- 
 tlefaent, it is believed that no regularly 
 authorized post office was established 
 there till about the year 1830, when John 
 Quigley was commissioned postmaster. 
 
140 
 
 HISTORICAL, VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 About the same time or soon after, his son 
 Michael, a young man twenty years of 
 age, was appointed Justice of the Peace, 
 which office he has held ever since, with 
 the exception of one year.' He was the 
 first commissioned '"Squire" on the 
 West Branch, west of Lock Haven. 
 -Curing this long term of service, he lias 
 married one hundred and twenty-five 
 couples, and always made it a point to 
 Mss the bride. 
 
 He also, in 1844, started the first store 
 in the place, there being no other at the 
 time nearer than Lock Haven. In 1859, 
 a new Presbyterian church was built, in 
 which religious services are now held 
 every alternate week, by the Presbyterian 
 and Methodist denominations. This is 
 the only church at present in the place. 
 
 The following episode in the history of 
 North Point was furnished by A. J. Quig- 
 ley, Esq., of that place: 
 
 In 1837, at the gubernatorial election, 
 every effort was made to re-elect Joseph 
 Ritner. Thaddeus Stevens had designed 
 the Gettysburg tape worm, and put in 
 course of construction the West Branch 
 division of the Pennsylvania canal. The 
 workmen on the canal were anxious to 
 have the work continue; and nothing but 
 his re-election would in any event contin- 
 ue the work. The Democratic party, 
 headed by David R. Porter, was opposed 
 to internal improvements by the State, 
 believing that all such enterprises could 
 be managed safer by private corporations. 
 Many believed that the construction of a 
 canal to Erie was a stake of rather ques- 
 tionable policy. But the country being in 
 the midst of a financial crash and hard 
 times, the working men were looking to 
 their own interest. And Thaddeus Ste- 
 vens, a wily politician, seized the oppor- 
 tunity to take advantage of the manifest 
 will of the laborers on the canal, and 
 came up to Young Womanstown and de- 
 vised a plan with the workmen, to "vote 
 early and often." The election board 
 was manipulated to make the oath easy 
 and bear lightly; and Young Womans- 
 town, hitherto unknown in history, only 
 for its Indian tradition, became the noto- 
 rious birth-place of ballot box stuffing, i mad conimi 
 
 Digitized by microsofm 
 
 carried on to the present day in Philadel- 
 phia and other cities of the union. 
 
 Chapman township, which at that time 
 had about fifty legal voters, polled over 
 seven himdred votes for Joseph Ritner. 
 The return Judge, who is still living and 
 almost a centenarian, in carrying the re- 
 turns to WiUiamsport, (this being then 
 Lycoming county), and who also was an 
 untiring friend of Ritner, showed the 
 open returns so often that they became 
 sadly defaced; after which, to satisfy his 
 many inquiring friends, he opened the 
 sealed report, which act forfeited the le- 
 gality of the report, and the board of re- 
 turn judges rejected it, and so saved 
 Young Womanstown the first and last 
 illegal returns ever sent from that strong- 
 hold of Democracy. 
 
 We have heard it said that it was dan- 
 gerous to get to the window unless you 
 could exhibit a ticket vrith the name of 
 Joseph Ritner. Patrick O'Flaherty would 
 vote and then go away and take a drink, 
 and return to the window with other 
 tickets and vote the name of John Dough- 
 erty without a question from the board, 
 except 'a significant nod from the "boss," 
 who stood at the window indicating that 
 all was right, and so they continued re- 
 peating all day. 
 
 In 1866, an act was passed by the Leg- 
 islature, authorizing the construction of 
 a State road from North Point up Young 
 Womans Creek to Germania, in Potter 
 county, a distance of twenty-six and 
 a-half miles. By a supplement to the 
 act passed in 1867, Joseph Schwartzen- 
 bach, Joseph H. Bailey, John White, and 
 A. J. Quigley, were appointed Commis- 
 sioners to lay out and open the road, which 
 was accomplished in 1874, and the road 
 is now in good condition. 
 
 In 1868, an act was passed incorporat- 
 ing the Clinton & Potter county Naviga- 
 tion Company, the object of which cor- 
 poration was to improve and clear Young- 
 womans Creek for running down logs. 
 
 The Post ofBce at North Point still re- 
 tains the name of "Young Womanstown," 
 owing to the fact that there is another 
 "North Point" in the State. The rail- 
 pad conjm"y adopted the name the vil- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 141 
 
 lage now bears, -when they located a sta- 
 tion there. It was suggested by Messrs. 
 A. J. Quigley and W. T. Lesher, as it is 
 the most northerly point on the West 
 Branch. 
 
 North Point is the centre of a commu- 
 nity of about forty famiUes, and the 
 place where the elections for Chapman 
 township are held. At this time it has 
 three stores, one kept by H. H. Lowell, 
 one by Warren Summerson, and one by 
 H. Lowenstein. It has a good hotel, 
 built in 1872. It is owned by Mrs. T. J. 
 Black, and leased by H. C. Stoner. 
 There is also a shoe shop and blacksmith 
 shop in the place. 
 
 The railroad company has a good pas- 
 senger and freight depot, and telegraph 
 office. Good schools are in operation 
 eight months in the year, and the inhab- 
 itants show evidences of intelligence be- 
 yond that possessed by the people of 
 many country places. Near the place re- 
 sides Robert Bridgens, who was one of 
 the first three commissioners of Clinton 
 county. He is now seventy-six years old. 
 Several fine residences have been built in 
 the place within the past few years. 
 Among them are those of 'Squire Quig- 
 ley, Robert Bridgens, J. H. Bailey & Co., 
 J. W. Crawford and A. J. Quigley. 
 
 The village of Hiner, "at the mouth of 
 Hiner's Run, dates its origin back to 
 quite an early period. As nearly as can 
 be ascertained the place was first settled 
 about the yeSr 1800. 
 
 A school house was built at an early 
 day, and a Methodist chureh, erected in 
 1843. Hiner contains thirty or forty fam- 
 ilies including all thos^ living within a 
 mile or so of the post office. 
 
 At present there is but one store in the 
 place, that of the Hon. Coleman Grugan, 
 one of the associate judges of Clinton 
 county. He also has charge of the post 
 office. The flouring mill of Lemuel Far- 
 well, occupies the site as bsfom^i 
 
 vhe original "tub mill" of the neighbor- 
 hood. There are several fine residences 
 in the plaice; ainoiig them those of Judge 
 Grugan, Thew Johnson, Michael Brad- 
 ney, Lemuel Farwell, Cline Farwell and 
 Jas. A. McCloskey, are the best. 
 
 The name of the post office of the place 
 is spelled Hiner, by the Post Office De- 
 partment, while the name of the railroad 
 station is spelled Hyner, by the railroad 
 company. 
 
 Withal the place is a ijeaceable and 
 prosperous village, and will compare fa- 
 favorably with other communities in in- 
 telligence and morality. Religious ser- 
 vices are held every Sabbath by the res- 
 ident Methodist clergyman, the Rev. J. 
 B. Akers, A. M., and a good school is 
 generally in progress a large portion of 
 the year. 
 
 The population of Chapman, including 
 the recently formed township of Noyes, 
 in 1850, was 541; in 1860, 731; in 1870,. 
 1301. 
 
 KENOVO BOKOUGH. 
 
 The borough of Renovo is situated 
 within the limits of Chapman township, 
 on the right bank of the Susquehanna, 
 28 miles west of Lock Haven. The land 
 on which the town is built was first set- 
 tled about the year 1806, by a "squatter"^ 
 named Price. About the year 1825, his 
 sons Thomas and Augustus, sold the 
 tract, containing 106 acres, to William 
 Baird, who moved upon it, fix)m his 
 birth place just below the "Big Island." 
 During the years 1821 and 1832, John 
 Stout) whose daughter Baird afterward 
 married, lived upon this farm as tenant. 
 
 By a subsequent purchase Mr. Baird 
 acquired possession of several hundred 
 acres of mountain land adjoining his rive^ 
 farm. 
 
 In October, 1862, he sold his flats and 
 twelve hundred acres of mountain land 
 to Edward Miller, President of the Phila- 
 Brie Land Company. This 
 
142 
 
 HISTORICAI. VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 company transferred to the Philadelphia 
 & Erie Eailroad'Company sufficient land 
 for the erection of car shops and other 
 necessary railroad buildings. In 1863, 
 the buUding of the extensive shops was 
 commenced, and soon completed. About 
 the same time the railroad company 
 erected a large and elegant brick hotel, 
 the BenoTO House, and began the passen- 
 ger depot,'a fine brick structure 112 feet 
 long by 75 wide, -vrbioli was completed in 
 1865. 
 
 The Land Company laid out the balance 
 of the Baird fann into streets and lots. 
 The latter 25 by 125 feet in size, were 
 rapidly sold off at prices ranging from 
 $100 to $1500 each, and it was not long 
 before a town with a population of over 
 two thousand sprang into existence. 
 Very few towns in the country have had 
 so rapid a growth ; which is owing to the 
 location of the railroad shops at that 
 point. 
 
 The streets of Renovo are broad, 
 straight and pleasant; the ones running- 
 parallel with the river are, beginning at 
 the railroad, Erie, Huron and Ontario 
 Avenues. These are crossed at right angles 
 by seventeen others which are numbered 
 in regular order from west to east, the 
 course which the river flows in passing 
 the town. The land upon which Renovo 
 is built is nearly level, and lies mostly 
 above high water mark. 
 
 About the time the shops were built, 
 Newton Wells and Z. M. P. Baird started 
 a store — the first in the place. It stood 
 on the river bank just below where the 
 Renovo House now stands. Soon numer- 
 ous other business places were started. 
 
 In 1864 Jacob Werich built the United 
 States Hotel. It occupied the site of the 
 present hotel of that name. 
 
 In 1865 the Presbyterian and Metho- 
 dist denominations each built a tempora- 
 ry building in which to hold worship. 
 These, in the course of a year or two 
 
 by good substantial 
 In 1868 the Catholic 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 were supplanted 
 brick structures, 
 church was built. 
 
 The first drug store in the place was es- 
 tablished an 1865, by E. T. Swain, who 
 built the fiirst brick store room and resi- 
 dence. The first and only bank was es- 
 tablished in 1871, by R. B. Caldwell & 
 Co. 
 
 In 1872 John U. Shaffer established the 
 Benovo Record, a six column indepen- 
 dent newspaper. 
 
 Renovo was incorporated as a borough 
 in 1866. Jas. S. Hall was the first Bur- 
 gess. 
 
 The first commissioned postmaster was 
 Z. M. P. Baird. 
 
 In 1873 extensive works were construc- 
 ted for supplying the town with water, 
 which is brought from the opposite side 
 of the river, a distance of three-fourths of 
 a mile. 
 
 Two efficient fire companies, the Re- 
 novo Hose Company No. 1, and "West 
 Branch Hose Company No. 2, were or- 
 ganized in the spring of 1874. They are 
 both fully equipped, and each has a good 
 hose carriage and house. 
 
 There are two large brick school houses 
 in the place, in which the public schools 
 are kept open seven months in the year. 
 
 The principal business establishments 
 of Renovo. are as follows: 
 
 Drygoods— Murphy & Co., Lewis Putt, 
 Shindler & Co., P. O. Hagan & Son, and 
 John Reilley; Groceries— Wm. Dwyer, 
 Thomas Farrell, George Seibert; Drugs— 
 E. T. Swain, W. E. Hall, James Huston, 
 S. Caldwell; Furniture- E. A. Beck; 
 Meat— Dean & Son, John H. Thomas, 
 Henry KeUer, Myers & Boden, Anders 
 Pierson; Ready-made Clothing— Murphy 
 & Co., John Weil; Hardware— A. N. 
 Stevenson; Boots and Shoes— A. C. Pierce, 
 John Kilgus; Tinware &c.— I. P. Mason, 
 Kellar & Martin; Photographing — J. B. 
 Bergstresser; Tailoring — Y. Grouse, B. 
 
HISTORICAIi VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 148 
 
 Wilmes; Jewelry — W. H. Habgood; Mil- 
 linery — ^Miss Hitchcock, Mrs. Considline, 
 Mrs. Martin; Sewing Machine Agents — J. 
 H. Scribner for Elias Howe, Mrs. Martin 
 for Grover & Baker, &c. 
 
 The principal hotels are the Reuovo 
 House, Exchange and. the United States. 
 There are also a number of saloons and 
 restaurants. 
 
 The secret societies and beneficial or- 
 ganizations are: St. Joseph's Beneficial 
 Society; Dexter Encampment, No. 163; 
 Clinton Lodge No. 114, K. of P.; Otzin- 
 achson Council, No. 356, O. U. A. M.; 
 North Star Circle No. 76, B. U. (H. F.) 
 
 C. of A.; Renovo Jewell Lodge, No. 349; 
 Renovo Lodge, No. 495, A. Y. M. ; Ee- 
 novo Lodge, No. 595, I. O. O. F.; Tanga- 
 scootac Tribe, No. 315, Improved Order 
 of Red Men; Washington Camp, No. 88, 
 P. O. S. of A. 
 
 Renovo. has five physicians, Drs. J. P. 
 Ashcom, D. J. Reesej^ A. P. MaUoy, W. 
 E. Hall and S. Caldwell; one lawyer, W. 
 C. Holahan. 
 
 The present Burgess is Frank Harvey; 
 Justices of the Peace, John Smith and 
 JohnReilley; Post Master, Newton Wells. 
 
 According to the last census report 
 Renovo had a population of 1940. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
144 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 CRAWFORD TOWKSini'. 
 
 Previous to the formation of Clinton 
 county what is now Crawford township 
 was included in Limestone township, Ly- 
 coming county, after which it was com- 
 prised in Wayne township till it was sep- 
 arately organized in 1841. As it is now 
 bounded, about one third of Nippenose 
 Valley lies within its limits, the other 
 portion being in Lycoming county. 
 
 As the hist6ry of the township under 
 consideration is inseparably connected 
 with the history of that beautiful valley, 
 
 general view of it will be in place. The 
 following is the description given by Me- 
 ginness in 1857: 
 
 A few miles south of Jersey Shore is 
 a very peculiar valley called Nippenose. 
 It is an oval basin surrounded by a chain 
 of high mountains containing about 13,- 
 000 acres. The land is good and produces 
 heavy crops of wheat. Limestone abounds 
 in great quantities, and the valley under- 
 neath is evidently filled with fissures and 
 caverns to a great extent. The name is 
 corrupted from an old Indian called Nip- 
 penucy, who had his wigwam there, and 
 in the bottom, of the same name, where 
 he lived and hunted alternately. This is 
 the true origin of the present title. 
 
 The first improvement was made in 
 1776, by John Clark, on the farm now 
 owned by David Shaw. He was driven 
 off with his family during the war, but 
 returned in 1784. 
 
 John and William Wiulin lived in the 
 valley in 1790.. They commenced to sink 
 a well, and after digging some distance 
 came to a flat rock that resisted all fur- 
 ther progress. One of the workmen com- 
 menced striking upon it with a sledge, 
 when a hole was broken through, and 
 there appeared to be a large cavern un- 
 derneath. A plummet thirty feet in 
 length was let down without finding hot 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 tom. They became tilarmed and filled it 
 up again. 
 
 The valley is very thickly populated, 
 and contains several villages and hamilets, 
 with stores, hotels, churches, mUls, &c. 
 
 Most of the streams running down 
 from the mountains sink and disappear 
 under the valley. There appears to be 
 only one place of outlet, called Antis 
 creek through the gap of the same name . 
 It is a small stream abundantly filled with 
 trout, notwithstanding they are constant- 
 ly fished for, and great numbers caught, 
 yet the supply seems inexhaustible. It 
 is supposed they multiply in great num- 
 bers under the valley, and come forth in 
 the creek. The theory, it must be admit- 
 ted, looks plausible. 
 
 About one third of the territory of the 
 northern part of Crawford township is in- 
 cluded in Nippenose Valley; the remain- 
 ing portion of the township is mostly un- 
 improved and unsettled. However, there 
 are several families living upon well cul- 
 tivated farms in the southeastern comer, 
 where the land, though lying high, is 
 well adapted to agricultural purposes. 
 
 There are public roads leading out of 
 the valley to Jersey Shore through Antis 
 Gap, to Pine- Station tbjough Loves Gap, 
 and to Sugar Valley. 
 
 The principal timber of the mountain 
 portion of tire township is pine, oak. 
 chestnut, &c. The valley is almost en- 
 tirely cleared, except an occasional small 
 tract that has been- reserved for ordinary 
 home uses. 
 
 The entire Nippenose Valley appears 
 to be underlaid with limestone, as men- 
 tioned by. Meginness. What is pronounc- 
 ed by competent judges to be a fine qual- 
 ity of black marble, has been found in 
 
IIISTORlCAlj VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTr. 
 
 145 
 
 large quantities on the farm of Daniel 
 Shadle. Indications of coal exist in vari- 
 ous places along the base of the moun- 
 tain -which surrounds the valley. 
 
 Very few authentic records relating to 
 the early history of this township are ob- 
 tainable; but it is well known that among 
 the first settlers were a number of indi- 
 viduals who figured conspicuously as 
 great Indian hunters. One of them, 
 Peter Pence, settled upon the farm now 
 owned by Thomas Gheen, who is a grand 
 son of Pence. Of this once noted charac- 
 ter Meginness says: 
 
 There was another remarkable hunter 
 and Indian killer in this valley, named 
 Peter Pence, of whom many wonderful 
 stories are i-elated. He is described by 
 those who remember him as being a sav- 
 age looking customer, and always went 
 armed with his rifle, tomahawk, and knife, 
 years after peace was made. 
 
 The accounts of his adventures with 
 the Indians being in such a vague and 
 unsatisfactory form, I have concluded to 
 omit them altogether rather than detail 
 them incorrectly. I much regret this, 
 since I made some effort to get a correct 
 sketeh of them. It is said that an ac- 
 count of his life was published some thir- 
 ty years ago, and is remembered by some, 
 but the most careful research has failed 
 to develojj it. 
 
 Nathan Gheen, who came from Chester 
 county, was also one of the early settlers. 
 He occupied a farm now owned by Mr. 
 Leonard, of Williamsport. About the 
 year 1815, Charles MoEUianey settled on 
 lands now owned by Daniel Shadle; Wm. 
 Shaw located on the tract now owned by 
 George and Jesse Gheen. The farm on 
 which George Gheen lives was first set- 
 tled by a man named FuUerton. The 
 Wm. McKeague farm was settled by Jolm 
 Stine, and Christian Showers first occupi- 
 ed the land now owned by Jesse Showers, 
 ers, his sou. Michael Shadle came 
 from Dauphin, at quite an early day and 
 settled on land now owned by his son, 
 Daniel Shadle. At one time Michael 
 Shadle was collector for ^^'1)^^^^^ ^^rB^^'ft® 
 
 Wayne, previous to the organization of 
 Crawford, and for his services in travel- 
 ing over the mountains and through the 
 valleys to gather the taxes, his commis- 
 sion amounted to about seven dollars at 
 the end of the year, having worn out ten 
 dollars' worth of shoe-leather, as he 
 claimed, in the discharge of his official 
 duties. 
 
 Crawford township was erected by act 
 of Assembly, January 14, 1841, and nam- 
 ed in honor of the Hon. George Crawford, 
 one of the first two associate judges of 
 the county, and member of the legisla- 
 ture from the district of whicn Clinton 
 formed a part. The first constable for 
 the township was Jacob Stein. 
 
 Crawford is bounded on the south by 
 Green, on the west and north by Wayne, 
 and on the east by Lycoming county. 
 
 According to Ijie census of 1870, the 
 township had a population of four hun- 
 dred. 
 
 There is but one church in the town- 
 ship. It is located near the property 
 owned by Mr. John Getgen. It was built 
 by the Evangelical denomination. At 
 present there are four school houses in 
 the township, and they are not in the 
 best condition. 
 
 The only village in Crawford township 
 is Rauchtown, located near Ranch's Gap. 
 This place was started about the' year 
 1850, by Peter Ranch, who previously 
 came from Union county, and purchased 
 a tract of over two hundred acres, includ- 
 ing a mill property, the building being of 
 logs. Afterwards the mill became the 
 property of his son, Tillman Ranch, who 
 built a new mill on the site of the old 
 one. It finally passed into the hands of 
 D. H. Shale & Co. 
 
 Although the name of the village is 
 
 Rauchtown, the post office is called 
 
 Ranch's Gap. The name , as is evident, 
 
 was given in honor of the founder of 
 
 ^The first store was started 
 
146 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 about 1860, by George Rauch; the next 
 was started in 1870, by 6heer& Burrows; 
 it is now owned by Jesse Bowers. 
 
 There are now two wagon shops, three 
 blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, one 
 hotel, and about thirty dwellings in the 
 place. The hotel was first opened to the 
 
 public in 1873, by John Metzger. P eter 
 Irwin is at present Justice of the Peace, 
 and George Rauch, post-master. There 
 is one school house at Rauchtown, in 
 which religious services are occasionally 
 held by various denominations. 
 
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HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ur 
 
 CHAPTER XVI, 
 
 DUNNSTABLB TOWNSHIP. 
 
 This township derived its name from 
 William Dunn, one of its first settlers. 
 It was taken from Bald Eagle township 
 and organized while its ten-itory was a 
 part of Lycoming comit/. Since its for- 
 mation its geographical limits have been 
 somewhat changed by the oi'ganization of 
 other townships, and the accession to its 
 territory of a portion of Allison township, 
 which forms a neck between Look Haven 
 city boundary and Lamar township. 
 
 Du unstable is about three and a-half by 
 four miles in extent, and bounded on the 
 west by Woodward and Lock Haven, on 
 the south by Lamar and the West Branch 
 of the Susquehanna, on the east by the 
 West Branch and Pine Creek township, 
 and on the north by Gallauher. The sur- 
 face of this township is diversified by 
 mountain, hill and plain, a portion of the 
 Bald Eagle mountain being just within 
 its southern limits, and its northern por- 
 tion is broken into hills, while that part 
 lying along the Susquehanna is spread out 
 into a broad and beautiful plain. 
 
 The township is well supplied with 
 water, not only from the river but by nu- 
 merous smaller streams, the most im- 
 portant of which Is the Big Plum 
 Run, which rises in Woodward and fiows 
 through the township in a southeasterly 
 direction and empties into Chatham's 
 Run a short distance above the river. 
 
 There is very little, if any unseated land 
 in Dunnstable township, nearly the 
 whole of its area being divided into farms 
 varying in size from a few acres to two 
 or three hundred, the "wild" land of 
 the township being less in'^^K^i/'ifoA 
 
 the cleared than is the case, probably, 
 in any other township in the county. 
 The price of land is about the same as in 
 adjoining townships, ranging from $35.00 
 to 1200.00 per acre, according to location, 
 soil, &c. 
 
 The hilly portion of the township is 
 especially favorable for stock raising, it 
 having an abundance of pure water, and 
 the soil is well adapted to grass, it being 
 composed of light shale intermixed with 
 clay. The river bottoms, to the extent 
 of three or four square miles, including 
 the "Big Island," are probably as pro- 
 ductive as any lands in Clinton county. 
 The soil as a geueral thing is deep and 
 very strong, it being a clayey loam slight- 
 ly mixed with sand, and containing a 
 large proportion of decomposed vegeta- 
 ble matter deposited by the overflowing 
 water of the river. This combination 
 renders the land susceptible of the high- 
 est cultivation and adapts it to the 
 growth of corn, wheat, vegetables, and 
 especially tobacco. The cultivation of the 
 latter has become, during the past few 
 years, an impox-tant and profitable branch 
 of agriculture, and already the product of 
 these plains has gained the reputation in 
 eastern markets of being of a superior 
 quality, generally commanding the high- 
 est market price. 
 
 No particular attention has been given 
 to the development of the minerals of 
 this township, though iron ore is known 
 to exist in various places, and there are 
 also evidences of the existence of coal, 
 ijate being found at several different 
 ft§P''I%cently extensive beds of pot- 
 
148 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ter's clay have been discovered and pro- 
 nounced by competent judges as affording 
 jnexhaustable supplies of very fine mate- 
 rial for stone-watt-e, &c. On the east end 
 of David Baird's farm the clay bed has 
 been opened; also on the adjoining farm 
 of Mr. McCloskey. 
 
 The "Great Island," pontaining about 
 280 acres, is located within the limits of 
 Dunnstable township. A hundred years 
 ago this island was an important point, 
 serving as a general "land mark," during 
 the early military operations on the West 
 Branch. Nearly all the valuable and 
 ' interesting records relating to the early 
 history of the Island were unfortunately 
 destroyed by fire a few years ago. There- 
 fore it is difficult to give anything hke an 
 accurate and complete sketch of its set- 
 tlement, it is known, however, that pre- 
 vious to its occupation by the whites, it 
 was a rallying point and council ground 
 for the Indians. History records a meet- 
 ing of representatives of several different 
 tribes on the island in October, 1755. 
 This meeting was held, it seems, to con- 
 sider the propositions that had just been 
 made to some of the tribes by the French. 
 
 In May, 1778, Col. Hunter wrote to the 
 President of the Executive Council of the 
 Province, that he had "ordered some peo- 
 ~ pie that lives nigh the Great Island, to 
 preserve shad and barrel them up for the 
 use of the militia that will be stationed 
 there this summer." 
 
 About the year 1768, a party of survey- 
 ors visited the upper portion of the West 
 Branch valley, for the purpose of running 
 off the Allison tract, and probably other 
 tracts in the vicinity. They were ac- 
 companied by Wilham Dunn, a native of 
 York county. Pa., who acted in the ca- 
 pacity of hunter for the party, it being 
 his business to furnish the company with 
 wild game for food. Dunn carried a 
 splendid riile and other equipments to 
 correspond, which attracted the especial 
 
 Digitized by iVlicrosoWS 
 
 attention and admiration of an Indian 
 chief, the owner of the Great Island. The 
 chiefs admiration for Dunn's accoutre- 
 ments grew into a determination to pos- 
 sess them, but the owner declined to part 
 with them, till the chief, being naturally 
 more inclined to follow the war path than 
 the plow, offered to give his Island for 
 Dunn's rifle and trappings, and a keg of 
 whiskey which the surveyors had with 
 them. Dunn having an eye to business, 
 accepted the offer and took possession of 
 the Big Island, as it was generally called 
 at that time. After having drunk the 
 whiskey, the Indian, boy like, wished to 
 "trade back," but Dunn held fast to his 
 purchase. It is no wonder the Indian 
 regretted his bargain, and wished^to again 
 get possession of his island home, for it 
 was one of the most delightful spots iu 
 the West Branch Valley, and had long 
 been a favorite resort for the red men. 
 There they had met m solemn council in 
 times of war, and there they had rested 
 beneath the tall elms when jieace prevail- 
 ed. No wonder the Indians were loth to 
 give up and depart forever from a place 
 which had been held sacred by them 
 from childhood — a place where their fath- 
 ers had trod long years before, and where 
 their children had sported in their inno- 
 cent glee. Indeed, home, with its sur- 
 roundings and associations has its attrac- 
 tions for even a savage humanity. 
 
 The Island was owned by Mr. Dunn for 
 many years, and at his death was divided 
 among his heirs. The eastern end is 
 still in the family, being now owned by 
 the Hon. Wm. Dunn, grandson of the 
 original settler. The remainder is owned 
 by Henry and Robert McCormick, John 
 Myer's heirs and Richard Dorey. It is 
 all under cultivation and "highly produc- 
 tive. 
 
 Wm. Dunn, the elder, took an active 
 part in the war of the revolution, being 
 one of thecommittee of safety for North- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 149 
 
 umberland county, of -whicli tlie Island 
 was then a part. At the time of the "Big 
 Runaway," he was forced, like his neigh- 
 bors, to leave his house and fly to a place 
 of safety. He found his way to York, 
 which place he had left a few years be- 
 fore, and soon enlisted in the army. He 
 participated in several battles, among 
 others those of Germantown and Trenton. 
 After the latter the government pressed 
 all teams into the serylce that were avail- 
 able. Mr. Dunn was surprised one day 
 to see his own horses and wagon brought 
 into camp, and immediately asked per- 
 mission to take charge of them, which 
 was granted; so he had the satisfaction 
 of driving his own team, if he w?is a sol- 
 dier. 
 
 Among the early settlers and land hold- 
 ers of Dunnstable were Thomas Proctor, 
 and Wm. Baird. Thomas "octor was 
 Captain of the first Continental company 
 of artillery raised in Philadelphia. He 
 was afterward promoted to the position 
 of General, and his brother Francis, who 
 was Lieutenant of the same company, 
 became Captain. The Proctors at one 
 time had possession of several hundred 
 acres of land on the flats just below the 
 island, but for some reason or other they 
 failed to hold it, probably for want of 
 means with which to make their pay- 
 ments, and it finally passed into the 
 hands of others. About the year 1800, 
 William Baird received a patent for a 
 tract of 318 acres east of the Proctor 
 tract. This is now owned by his sons, 
 David, who has about three-fourths of 
 the original tract, and Benjamin one- 
 fourth. Others settled upon lands in the 
 neighborhood, and it was not long before 
 the vicinity of Big Island was thickly, set- 
 tled. The hills in the northern part of the 
 township were cleared of their pine and 
 oak forests, and converted into profitable 
 
 fai-ms, and now produce large crops of 
 corn, oats, potq,toes, &c., and usually 
 furnish the Lock Haven market with 
 supplies of vegetables and fruit. 
 
 The village of Liberty, which is located 
 just east of the Island on the main land, 
 was started at quite an early day, and at 
 one time was an important point from 
 which the "up-river people obtained their 
 supplies of merchandise. Its name is the, 
 offspring of the patriotism and love of 
 freedom that prevailed among the settlers 
 at the time it was commenced. About 
 the year 1813, Wm. Tweed had a store- 
 there, and George Quiggle kept the only 
 tavern in the place. Afterwards D. 
 Moran kept a store where the east abut- 
 ment of the river bridge now stands. 
 
 The only place of business now in Lib- 
 ei'ty is the store of R. H. Quigley, at 
 which place the township elections are 
 held. A good public road which crosses 
 the Island by means of two substantial 
 bridges, connects the place with Lock 
 Haven, the distance being about four 
 miles. 
 
 In 1871 Jacob B#vn and P. W. Keller 
 purchased the farm of Joseph Bamber- 
 ger, near Harvey's Gap, on the south side 
 of the Bald Eagle Creek, and laid out a 
 town, calling it Castanea,the Latin name 
 for chestnut, there being trees of that 
 kind in abundance in the vicinity. Soon 
 after their purchase Messrs. Brown & 
 Keller commenced selling lots which 
 were built upon, and now Castanea pre- 
 sents quite a town-like appearance, hav- 
 ing a bakery and confectionery store com- 
 bined, and a grocery, a good school house 
 and twelve or fifteen dwellings. The 
 place is within a mile of Lock Haven, and 
 offers pleasant and cheap homes for me- 
 chanics and others who prefer to live out- 
 side of the city limits. 
 
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150 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XT II. 
 
 GBUGAN TO'irKSHIP. 
 
 This township was formed in 1851, 
 from Colebrook and Chapman, and named 
 in honor of one of its most prominent 
 families. It is situated on the West 
 Branch, by which it is divided into two 
 nearly equal parts, and occupies tlie geo- 
 graphical centre of the county. It is 
 bounded on the east by Colebrook and 
 Gallauher, on the north by Gallauher, 
 Colebrook and Chapman, on the west by 
 Chapman and on the south by Bald Eagle 
 and Beech Creek. It is about six by eight 
 jniles in area. In general features the sur- 
 face of Grugan corresponds very nearly 
 with Colebrook and Chapman townships. 
 With the exception of a few hundred 
 acres of "bottoms" along the river the 
 entire township is coM|K)sed of lands ele- 
 vated several hundrea. feet above the 
 West Branch. 
 
 Originally the timber consisted largely 
 of pine, but the operations of lumber- 
 men have nearly exhausted the best qual- 
 ity; oak, however, of the choicest kind, 
 still exists throughout the township in 
 great quantities. 
 
 Besides having the waters of the West 
 Branch flowing through its territory, the 
 township is supplied with several other 
 water courses, the principal ones being 
 Rattlesnake Kun, which flows from the 
 northeast and empties into the river at 
 Whetham, and Baker's Run, and Baker's 
 Mill Run, both of which flow from the 
 southeast and empty into the river at 
 Glen Union. 
 
 The mineral wealth of Grugan town 
 ship consists of coal, ironQififp^^ ^i^ 
 
 clay; as yet, however, very little has 
 been done toward its development. In 
 1864, a corporation called the West 
 Branch Coal, Iron Ore, and Lumber Com- 
 pany purchased over fifteen thousand 
 acres of laud, all, or nearly all within 
 Grugan township, ujion the waters of 
 Baker's, Run; for which seventy-five 
 thousand dollars was paid. According to 
 the articles of association of that com- 
 pany: 
 
 The purpqoes for which the said corpo- 
 ration shall be established, shall be the 
 mining of coal, and iron and other ores, 
 and the manufacturing of lumber upon 
 certain tracts of land, situate in the 
 county of Clinton, State of Pennsylvania, 
 described in a certain indenture, bearing 
 date the thirty-first day of March, A. D. 
 1864, recorded in the Recorder's office of 
 said county, in Deed Book N, page 443, 
 &c., fi'om William D. Lewis and wife, 
 Thomas Kimber,and Thomas Kimber Jr., 
 to C. P. Bayard and J. Hillborn Jones, 
 and of selling and shipping to a market 
 the said coal, ores and lumber mined or 
 manufactured on said lands. 
 
 According to a report on the 
 above»lands, made by J. Peter Lesley, 
 Professor of Mining in the University of 
 Pennsylvania, there are extensive depos- 
 its of each, iron ore, coal and fire-clay, 
 underlying nearly the entire tract. 
 
 Wm. F. Roberts, a practical geologist, 
 who has thoroughly explored the tract, 
 says: 
 
 The principal portion of this body of 
 land contains a large amount of bitumin- 
 ous coal and several strata of iron ore. 
 They are in the eastern part of the Snow 
 Shoe Coal Basin, on the waters of Baker's 
 fll7&^c?M^^^i' ^^^ Susquehanna river. 
 -'V'^fHmikyn. contains three principal veins 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 151 
 
 of coal. The bottom vein has not yet been 
 worked in thie part of the coal field, and 
 the second or middle vein — although it is 
 a coal of superior quality — ^has not been 
 so extensively mined as the upper one. 
 This is the nearest bituminous coal basin 
 to the cities of Philadelphia and New 
 York, and it has railroads and canals 
 built and in operation, connecting it with 
 the best markets. 
 
 A recent discovery was made of a vein 
 of iron ore which underlies a very large 
 proportion of this property, four and 
 a-half feet in thickness. This has been 
 fairly opened and proved, and its out- 
 cropping may be traced for long dis- 
 tances. It. yielded by analysis more than 
 fifty per cent, metalio. iron. Another 
 vein of iron ore has also been found occu- 
 pying a position in the red sand-stone 
 formation, some distance below the one 
 just described. Another vein of iron oi-e 
 also proved in this coal field immediately 
 underlies the conglomerate — ^the bed rock 
 of the coal formation. This is locally 
 known as the "white iron ore." 
 
 Thus the lands contain a large amount 
 of coal and an abundance of iron ore of 
 several varieties, and they contain also 
 large seams of fire clay, and sand-stone 
 for manufacturing glass. 
 
 George Armstrong, Esq., of Lock Ha- 
 ven, also a practical geologist, and well 
 known in Clinton county, reports over 
 eleven feet of good quality of coal under- 
 lying a large portion of the tract; 
 also immense quantities ot iron ore, fire 
 clay, and sand suitable for the manufac- 
 ture of glass. 
 
 It was the intention of the West Branch 
 Coal, Iron Ore, and Lumber Company to 
 commence the mining of coal and ore ere 
 this, when they purchased the property; 
 but the late financial depression rendered 
 extensive operations in that line inexpe- 
 dient. Therefore the manufacture of 
 lumber has been the only branch of bus- 
 iness conducted thus far on the property. 
 
 Other portions of, the township, no 
 doubt, are as bountifully supplied with 
 minerals as the Baker's Run region; but 
 as thorough and complete, fixnlorattons. 
 have not elsewhere been maae, ft U im- 
 
 possible to state with any degree of ac- 
 curacy where it exists, except by out- 
 croppings and surface indications, which 
 in many places are too manifest to ad- 
 mit of any doubt; which is the case on 
 Rattlesnake Run, where it is said a good 
 vein of coal of workable thickness crops 
 out of the mountain side on the south 
 side of the run at a height of 1043 feet, 
 and about three-eighths of a mile up the 
 run; out-croppings of iron ore and fire- 
 clay are also found at various points 
 on the property owned by the Price heirs. 
 
 The following facts in relation to the 
 history of Grugan, were furnished by the 
 Hon. Coleman Grugan, Associate Judge 
 of Clinton county, who was bom in the 
 township, and has ever since lived in the 
 neighborhood. 
 
 Grugan township in point of wealth, is 
 among the poorest in the county, owing 
 to its unimproved condition. Naturally, 
 however, it possesses many advantages, 
 it having water power sufiicient to run a 
 vast amount of machinery, at least six 
 months of the year. Originally the whole 
 surface of the township was covered with 
 a great variety of timber, the river bot- 
 toms having splendid oak, sugar maple, 
 black walnut, locust, &c., while the moun- 
 tains and ravines were clothed with white 
 pine, oak, chestnut, &c. ; but all of this 
 wealth has been swept away by the hand 
 of the lumberman, and no man in the 
 township is, perli^ps, any the richer. 
 
 At one time the streams abounded with 
 trout, but alas! since the government has 
 been so unwise as to put dams across the 
 river, and allow the floating of logs down 
 the streams, nearly all fish have disap- 
 peared; but it is said the State is making 
 an effort to stock the streams with bass. 
 It might as well attempt to stock the 
 mountains with archangels after the deer 
 are all killed off. 
 
 By whom, or precisely at what date 
 the first settlement was made in Grugan 
 there seems to be no definite informa- 
 tion. The earliest obtainable record 
 seems to be Of a tract of land called In- 
 dian Coffin, surveyed to John Baker At- 
 kins, Oct. 8th, 1785. This tract included 
 *he.Jaudfi^ying about the mouth of Ba- 
 
152 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 The following incident was related to 
 me by George Saltzman, son of the 
 Saltzman who was killed by the Indians, 
 and father of Anthony and Robert Saltz- 
 man, now living in this vicinity: About 
 the time of the Revolutionary war this 
 man Atkins, or Baker, as he was called, 
 lived on his tract, which was previous to 
 the date of his survey. When the war 
 broke out, the inhabitants along the river 
 all forsook their homes and went 
 down to where Lock Haven now 
 stands, for protection in the fort that had 
 been built at that point. Saltzman, the 
 man who was killed, lived on the prop- 
 erty now owned by "William Bridgens, 
 Esq.; when winter came on, for safety 
 he took his family to the fort, but left his 
 cattle on the farm, where he went once 
 every day to feed them. On the day he 
 was killed he was accompanied to the 
 farm by two companions, named Arm- 
 strong and Dewitt. At that time, as at 
 present, there was a road running from 
 the river up past where Dr. Barton now 
 lives. This road they followed till they 
 came to the river, then they walked upon 
 the ice. When they reached the lower 
 end of the flats now owned by Mr. 
 Bridgens, they were surprised at seeing 
 something very bright ahead of them, 
 which on closer inspection proved to be 
 the reflection of the sun shining upon pol- 
 ished gun barrels which a party of Indi- 
 ans were aiming at them through the 
 fence. Saltzman and his comrades im- 
 mediately wheeled to run, at which the 
 Indians fired upon them, but without ef- 
 fect. The ice was smooth and clear; 
 Saltzman had on shoes, but Armstrong 
 and Dewitt wore moccasins which en- 
 abled them to out-strip him in their 
 flight. The Indians pursued in hot haste 
 and soon overtook and killed Saltzman 
 and cut him in small pieces on the ice, 
 after which they continued in pursuit of 
 Armstrong and Dewitt; the former jump- 
 ed into an air hole in the ice and escaped, 
 though several shots were fired at him by 
 his pursuers. Dewitt continued to run 
 with all his might in the direction of the 
 fort still retaming his musket, which he 
 turned and attempted to discharge at a 
 big tall Indian who was close behind him, 
 but the piece missed fire, and the Indian 
 steadily gained upon him till they reached 
 the land. As Dewitt attempted ta run 
 up the bank the Indian wEW W?ro?eOM) ' 
 him that he was forced to turn, with the 
 
 intention, no doubt, of clubbing his mus- 
 ket and closing in with his pursuer, in a 
 hand to hand conflict; but ere he did 
 this he thought he would snap his gun 
 once more at the Indian; luckily for him 
 it went ofi', the ball taking effect in the 
 Indian's knee. This gave Dewitt the 
 advantage over his antagonist, but as he 
 $aw the other Indians near at hand, it is 
 reasonable to suppose that he did not re- 
 main long to sympathize with his fallen 
 foe, or enquire about his ancestors, or 
 the number and age of his children, but 
 made for the fort as fast as possible, leav- 
 ing the Indians to take charge of their 
 wounded companion. Fearing Dewitt 
 might return from the fort with reinforce- 
 ments, the savages hastily took up their 
 wounded friend and carried him up the 
 river to where Baker hadhis cabin, which 
 was constructed as was the custom in 
 those days, with no entrance to the attic 
 except through a window in the gable end, 
 which was reached by means of a ladder 
 outside. This ladder, the Indians took 
 possession of, and convei-ted it into a 
 bier on which they dragged their dying, 
 or perhaps dead, comrade still further up 
 the river to Youngwomans Creek, where 
 they had a burying ground. 
 
 AYhen times became more peaceful. 
 Baker, as I shall now call him, returned 
 to his clearing and took out a warrant. 
 This, as before stated, was in the year 
 1785. Baker was a German and seems to 
 have been very industrious, and while he 
 lived upon his land is said to have pros- 
 pered so well tlvit he received from his 
 neighbors the title of King of the Nar- 
 rows, as the valley west of Lock Haven 
 was called, but was a man of violent tem- 
 per. On one occasion he had a cow that 
 had become injured so as to be unable to 
 get up without assistance. Baker got 
 tired of helping the cow up every morn- 
 ing, and one morning in the spring of the 
 year, when the river "was high, he 
 found his cow lying on the bank, near 
 the water's edge. He declared he would 
 lift her no more, but rolled her into l,he 
 foaming river; the cow, struggling to 
 keep afloat was borne by the current some 
 distance down the stream, and crawled 
 ashore, after which she could get up 
 without assistance; as well as any cow. 
 
 It was from this man that Baker's Run 
 A'?OXgJifcSrfiame. Although at an early 
 flay'tHer'lower stream was not so called, 
 tlTe upper or smaller one being the orig- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 153 
 
 inal Baker's Kun, upon which he con- 
 structed a mill of simple, though rather 
 ingenious mechanism. His dam was 
 thrown across the stream in the ordinary 
 manner; the forebay was hewn out of a 
 pine tree, some portion of which remain- 
 ed on the site of the mill in 1830. The 
 machinery consisted of an xipright shaft 
 haying flanges upon the lower end, which 
 was enclosed in a curb; the] water in 
 flowing through this curb ran against the 
 flanges, causing the shaft to revolve and 
 turn the stone attached to the top. This 
 mill doubtless never made any merchant 
 flour, but was probably the first grist 
 mill west of Sunbury, and certainly was 
 a great improvement on the hand mills 
 of antiquity driven by woman power. 
 
 Baker finally sold out and moved to the 
 flat, now called Bakerstown in his honor. 
 It is said that here he got into the hands 
 of sharpers, and that disappointment and 
 poverty came upon him in his old age, 
 but at precisely what time he died I am 
 not able to say, but I do know that the 
 cold sands of Bakerstown contain all that 
 was mortal of John-Baker Atkins. The 
 place where he first lived has changed 
 hands probably oftener than any other 
 farm in the county, but of this I shall 
 speak hereafter. 
 
 The next settler in order seems to have 
 been James- Burney, who located upon 
 the upper end of the farm where John 
 Grugan now lives. This tract was called 
 "Settlers Lick," on account of the great 
 deer lick upon it. This lick was in a 
 kind of cove with large trees growing 
 in front of it. In later times all the cat- 
 tle in the neighborhood would go there 
 to drink the salt water; but the floating 
 of logs down the river has destroyed the 
 lick and much of the land along the 
 banks. It is difficult to tell at what time 
 Burney settled upon his land — it must 
 have been not far from 1770, as his war- 
 rant was taken out while what is now 
 Clinton was included in Berks county. 
 He was of Scotcb parentage. As far as I 
 know he had three sons, Alexander, 
 James, and William. William was the 
 father of Mrs. William Bridgens, Mrs. 
 John Reed, Mrs. Winchester, and Mrs. 
 David Shaffer. He had one son, James, 
 who still lives above Lock Haven. James, 
 the son of the original James, owned the 
 farm now in possession of John Q. Welch, 
 just above North Point. Mrs. Welch is 
 the only surviving daucditeii. of , this J si 
 
 ^ TJigitized by m 
 
 James Burney. Three of his sons are 
 still living; Alexander, the youngest, was 
 killed while a young man, by a stone 
 rolling upon him while making road. 
 
 It is related of one of Burney' s daugh- 
 ters that when about fourteen years old, 
 one evening she was sent after the cows; 
 after having gone about two miles up the 
 river a heavy rain set in, night came on, 
 and being unable to proceed further, 
 she took refuge under a projecting rook, 
 where, surrounded by wolves, panthers 
 and wild-cats she passed the night. 
 
 I now come to mention our own family 
 from which the township takes its name. 
 About the time the Grugans came to this 
 neighborhood, other families also settled 
 here, but of them I know but little; one 
 man, however, by the name of Jackson, 
 lived on the Burney farm ; he was a great 
 hunter but had no gun of his own. Jack- 
 son borrowed an old flint-look from Mr. 
 Burney, and one beautiful Sabbath morn- 
 ing fired at a large buck that he saw on 
 the side of the mountain; the buck fell, 
 but skid Jackson afterward: "I thought 
 the gun would never cease roaring." 
 Burney beiuf; a strict observer of the 
 Sabbath would never lend him his gun 
 again. 
 
 ' To speak of self is not an agreeable 
 task, but I shall tell the "whole truth," 
 and hope I shall not be accused of van- 
 ity. Of my ancestors on the Grugan 
 side, I know but little, except that my 
 grand-father, Charles Grugan, together 
 with his brother John, came from some- 
 where in the north of Ireland, at 
 what time I do not know, but probably 
 it was. about the year 1770, that they 
 landed at New York and parted company. 
 John went north towards Canada, and 
 my grandfather came to Pennsylvania. 
 They were what was called Scotch-Irish. 
 My grandfather seems, at least, to have 
 been a good penman, and signed his name 
 Grogan. He died while his children 
 were small, and the school teacher spell- 
 ed the name as it is now written. 
 Charles Grugan married the sister of 
 James ;Burney, already mentioned, and 
 lived in Buffalo Valley, this State, and it 
 is said was doing well, till one cold win- 
 ter night, in returning home from a wood- 
 chopping with a yoke of oxen, (having 
 probably after the mariner of his country- 
 men imbibed too freely, ) the drifting 
 snows of the valley became his winding 
 sheet. TJiis happened about five months 
 
 Icrosoft® 
 
154 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 before liis son James was born, conse- 
 quently he was one at least who had 
 never seen his father. After some years 
 the widow of Charles married Henry 
 Van Gundy. By )ier first husband she 
 had two sons, Alexander and James 
 and two daughters. One of them 
 died while j-et a young woman; the other 
 married Joseph Mason, known as 'Squire 
 Mason. He lived and died on the Drift- 
 wood branch of the Sinamahoning; he 
 was a man of considerable ability, and 
 had a character without reproach. He 
 raised a large family ; one of his daugh- 
 ters was married to John Brooks or "Phi- 
 losopher Brooks, as he is called. 
 
 The family of Henry Van Gundy came 
 up from Buffalo Valley, and bought of 
 Mrs. Van Gundy's brother, James Bur- 
 ney, one half his farm, the portion on 
 which John Grugan now lives. Mrs. 
 Van Gundy's two sons, by her first hus- 
 band, James and Alexander, became the 
 heads of quite large families. James 
 was married to an English lady by the 
 name of Johnson, whose children, those 
 now living reside in the neighborhood. 
 
 My mothers maiden name was Coleman ; 
 she was a daughter of Hugh Coleman, 
 and was raised in Black Hole Valley, op- 
 posite Muncy dam. The Colemans came 
 from England about one hundied years 
 ago. • They seem to have spelled their 
 name different at different periods — Col- 
 man, then Coalman, and finally Coleman. 
 The family jseems to have figured some- 
 what conspicuously in the old country — 
 some as generals, priests, bishops, mer- 
 chants, musicians, orators, writers, &c. ; 
 but doubtless there were some vagabonds 
 among them of which we have no ac- 
 count. James and Alexander Grugan 
 were great hunters; this caused them to 
 neglect their other business, as is often 
 the case. Hence, they never obtained a 
 surplus of this world's goods. My father 
 killed, one fall, fifteen bears at sixteen 
 shots. Though this region in early 
 days, was a great place for wild game 
 the chances for getting an education 
 were very poor. 1 heard the father of 
 "Squire" Quigley, of North Point, say 
 that it did not matter where a man was 
 born, that a wolf would kill a sheep even 
 if it had never seen one before. This is 
 true of the wolf, but had Napoleon been 
 born in Grugan township, I doubt if he 
 would ever have seeir the throne of France 
 It might also be said that 
 
 ther "Holy dell, or pastoral bleat" with- 
 in the vale; yet Mr. Grier, a Presbyte- 
 rian minister, did come up about once 
 every two or three years, and preach a 
 sermon and baptize the children. An ac- 
 count of one of these meetings and bap- 
 tisms may be interesting, especially to 
 those baptized at marble fonts. My own 
 experience on such an occasion will serve 
 for all. The recollection of the event 
 rises up before me to this day more vi%'- 
 idly than any other experience of my 
 life. At the time of which I speak, Mr. 
 John White, who had moved up from 
 Dunnstown to Rattlesnake Run, had 
 there erected a saw and grist mill com- 
 bined. In that mill the Rev. Mr. Grier 
 appointed his meeting; there my parents 
 took my younger brother, a mere infant, 
 and myself to have us baptized. The 
 mill was surrounded by woods. It was 
 a beautiful day in June, the low murmur- 
 ing of the water as it passed through the 
 mill, and the singing of the birds, min- 
 gled in soft cadence with the louder an- 
 thems of human praise. After service, 
 I was led up before the man of God, and 
 received at his hand a sprinkling of wa- 
 ter upon my head and face. Being un- 
 used to strangers, and supposing I was 
 to b? badly dealt with, I screamed like 
 a wild-cat, and refused to be comforted, 
 till a young lady who was present took 
 me in her arms and hushed me to silence. 
 It seems but a short time since the above 
 event occurred, yet few who stood there 
 that day are living; perhaps not ten, but 
 sic itiir ad asira. My brother John and 
 myself are, perhaps the only living men 
 who received baptism in a saw mill. My 
 father remained on the old homestead and 
 James Grugan purchased the Baker sur- 
 vey. Thus they lived all their days, ene 
 on each side of the river, opposite each 
 other. 
 
 The Baker tract, as stated before, pass- 
 ed through the hands of many diiferent, 
 owners. As near as I c^n recollect from 
 Baker, it was transferred to Elihu Chad- 
 wick, from Chadwick to Brooks, from 
 Brooks to Miller, from Miller to Thomas 
 Bridgens,from Bridgens to Wm. Holden, 
 from Holden to Buckman Claflin, from 
 B. Claflin to Robert Claflin, from him to 
 Jacob Coleman, from Coleman to Alex- 
 ander Grugan, from him to Thew Grugan, 
 the present owner. On this land the first 
 school house in the township was built 
 ^'Supervision of the Rev. Daniel 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 155 
 
 Barber, who furnished the nails and 
 
 The first school was opened in 1830, 
 John Taylor, an Englishman, being 
 teacher, at the same time working at his 
 trade, shoemaking, the pupils merely 
 going up to him to recite their lessons or 
 receive his shoe strap over their backs, 
 in case of bad behavior. When Parrands- 
 ville was in its glory, the Episcopalians 
 came up from there and started a Sab- 
 bath school in the school house; but the 
 ice flood of 1837 swept the building away. 
 At the same time the dwelling of Alex- 
 ander Grugan was also carried away with 
 all its contents, the family barely escap- 
 ing with their lives. 
 
 Tlie Claflin family, of which mention 
 has already been made, consisted of Buck- 
 man, commonly called "Buck" Claflin, 
 his wife and children, among the latter 
 the present Mrs. Victoria WoodhuU, his 
 father and mother and several brothei-s 
 and sisters. The members of this family 
 were not, as a general thing, given to 
 manual labor; but what little work they 
 did perform was usually done on Sunday. 
 They claimed to be Connecticut Yankees, 
 having moved from that State to Brad- 
 ford county, where they owned a small 
 farm on Sugar Creek. They evidently 
 had lived a considerable time in Bradford, 
 judging fi-om their "peculiarities." 
 "Buck" Claflin was the "main stay" of 
 the family; having a great deal of energy 
 and a liberal education, backed by a full 
 stock of genuine Yankee shrewdness, he 
 was qualified to do his part in almost any 
 position. With all his other qualifica- 
 tions he was an expert marksman, being 
 considered the best shot in the country. 
 In boyhood, while gratifying his propen- 
 sity for "shooting at a mark" with a 
 cross-bow, he had the misfortune to loose 
 his right eye by the rebound of an arrow. 
 Such was the father of the woman who 
 aspired to be President of the United 
 States. 
 
 . It was in this township, it is said, that 
 the last elk in Clinton county lost his life, 
 ■ and it will probably be here that the 
 last deer of this region will gaze upon the 
 setting sun. What locality could be bet- 
 ter suited for the last hiding place of such 
 noble animals? 
 
 The improvements of Grugan township 
 are confined almost entirely to the river 
 flats, there being veiy little cleared land 
 
 Digitized by Ivlicrosoft® 
 
 except in the immediate vicinity of the 
 sti-eam. 
 
 The most extensive settlement in the 
 township is Glen Union, so named by 
 Mr. ,T. C. Past, formerly Superintendent 
 of the W. B. C. I. & L. Co., because of the 
 close proximity of the two glens or valleys 
 through which Baker's Bun, and Baker's 
 Mill Run flow. The village proper is lo- 
 cated on the west side of the river where 
 there is a store, church, blacksmith-shop, 
 saw mill, and a dozen or more dwellings, 
 belonging to the W. B. C. I. & L. Co. 
 The railroad station, with ten or twelve 
 dwellings near it, is on the east side of the 
 river. The post-office is kept at the de- 
 pot, which is in charge of Mr. J; M. 
 David. 
 
 Ritchie Station, on the P. & E. railroad, 
 five miles north of Glen Union, is the 
 centre of a pleasant and fipurishing com- 
 munity. The station derives its name 
 from E. H. Ritchie, Esq., who owns and 
 cultivates one of the finest, if not the best 
 improved farm in the township. Mr. 
 Ritchie also has charge of the station and 
 post-office. Until recently there was a 
 post-office at Whetham, three miles south 
 of Ritchie. , 
 
 In 1850, Mr. James D. Whetham pur- 
 chased of Wm. MoEadden a tract of land 
 on Rattlesnake Run, containing 6,000 
 acres, Philip M. Price, Esq., having an 
 interest in the purchase, though the title 
 was vested in Whetham. 
 
 In 1855, John DeFranoe, an agent for 
 Whetham & Price, constructed a water- 
 power saw mill a short distance up the 
 run. At that time the locality received 
 the name of "De Pranceville," in honor 
 of the agent, previous to which it was 
 called "Rattlesnake." In a few years 
 DeFrance was succeeded by Thomas Yard- 
 ley, Esq., under whose supervision an im- 
 proved steam mill took the place of 
 the one built by DeFrance. Mr. Yard- 
 ley was succeeded by other agents, one 
 
156 
 
 lilSTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 after anotlier, till 1860, when Mr. Wm. 
 E. Hill took charge of the property; 
 about that time Mr. Price purchased the 
 entire tract. During Mr. Hill's manage- 
 ment the firm furnished the government 
 with large quantities of yellow pine for 
 ■ship building, the quality found on Rat- 
 tlesnake Run being nearly as good for the 
 purpose as that of South Carolina. Mr. 
 Hill was succeeded by Col. "Wilcox, as 
 lessee of the property, who operated in 
 lumber a few years, which closed the 
 business on that tract. 
 
 It was during Mr. Yardley's superin- 
 tendency of the jjroperty that the six-foot 
 vein of coal, mentioned elsewhere, was 
 opened. At that time the coal was used 
 on the premises and proved to be a good 
 quality for blacksmithing purposes, as it 
 contains very little sulishur. Other veins 
 equally good are known to exist on the 
 property. 
 
 In 1865, three brothers, David, Charles, 
 and James Carrier, cohstructed a tannery 
 about two miles up the run, intending to 
 get their supply of bark upon the run and 
 its tributaries, as a vast amount of hem- 
 lock timber exists in that region; but 
 through an injudicious expenditure of 
 
 money and general mismanagement the 
 project failed. 
 
 Of the Price tract there are probably 
 1,000 acres of good fanning land lying 
 upon the tops of the hills. The soil is 
 pronounced of a good quality, and as is 
 the case with much of the wild land of 
 the county, easily made available for agri- 
 cultural purposes, especially stocl? raising. 
 
 After the construction of the P. ^ E. 
 railroad, a station was established near the 
 mouth of the run, and given the name of 
 Whetham, in honor of James D. Wheth- 
 am, Esq., one of the owners of the pi-op- 
 erty. 
 
 At present there is a station, telegraph 
 ofSce, and hotel, for the accommodation 
 of the i:ublic, at the mouth of the run, all 
 in charge of Mr. J. J. Cummings. Rattle- 
 snake Run has long been noted as a fine 
 trout fishing stream, and is visited every 
 season by many anglers from Philadel- 
 l)hia and elsewhere. 
 
 The property is still in possession of 
 the Philip M. Price heirs, and at present 
 consists of the original purchase, a saw 
 mill, hotel, and ten or twelve dwellings. 
 
 The population of Grugan township in 
 1870, was 395. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 157 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 GALLAUHER TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Gallaulier township"] was erected Sept. 
 IS, 1849. It is bounded on the south by 
 Pine Creek, Dunnstable 'and Wood- 
 ward, on tlie west by Woodward, 
 Colebrook and Grugan, on tlie north by 
 Colebrook, and on the east by Lycoming 
 county; it is about twelve miles long 
 from northwest to southeast, by four 
 wide. 
 
 The sui-face of this township is quite 
 uneven, being broken by hills and water 
 courses. As there are no large streams 
 within its limits, of course it has no "bot- 
 tom land," though there is much that is 
 level or nearly so. 
 
 Gallauher townshijD is well supplied 
 with water, having within its territory 
 the tributaries of Hattlesnake, Lick, 
 Queens, Plum, and Chatliams' Runs. Al- 
 though the township is generally consid- 
 ered too hilly and mountainous for agri- 
 cultural purposes, such is not the case. 
 The soil uponthe highland's is.well adapt- 
 ed to the cultivation of not only grass, 
 oats, and potatoes, but corn, wheat,- and 
 rye may be profitably cultivated. 
 
 Originally there was considerable white 
 pine in the township, but it has nearly all 
 been taken off, especially along the 
 streams. The timber now remaining 
 is principally hemlock, oak and chestnut, 
 
 Gallauher township undoubtedly pos- 
 sesses much mineral wealth, though ex- 
 aminations have not been carried suffi- 
 ciently far to determine its extent; re- 
 cently, however, an extensive deposit of 
 fire-clay has been discovered on the farm 
 of John Nolan, which lies on a tributary 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 of Chatham's Run. Iron ore has been 
 found in various places, and coal is also 
 known to exist. 
 
 But a small proportion of the land of 
 this township is improved, though there 
 are hundreds of acres that is most desira- 
 ble for farms, awaiting the pioneer's axe. 
 
 Probably the first actual settler in what 
 is now Gallauher^township, was John Got- 
 schalk, who located on the turnpike lead- 
 ing from Jersey Shore to Coudersport, 
 about the year 1835. The region at that 
 time was a wilderness inhabited only by 
 wild animals; but with the energy and 
 perseverance that characterizes the pio- 
 neer, Mr. Gotsohalk cleared a patch and 
 built a log house. Not long after he took 
 possession of his forest home, probably 
 the ensuing winter, there was a heavy 
 fall of snow, which covered the gftjund 
 to such a depth that it was impossible for 
 him to get out to obtain supplies, and he 
 with his family would certainly have perr 
 ished had it not been that James McKin- 
 ney, Esq., of Pine Creek, suspected his 
 condition, and with his team attached to 
 a sled broke a road a distance of nine 
 miles, to his dwelling, and assisted him 
 in getting food for his family and live 
 stock. 
 
 After the completion of the West 
 Branch canal to Lock Haven, many of 
 the laborers employed in its construction 
 settled in Clinton county. Among them 
 were John -Lovett, George Lovett, An- 
 drew Nolan, John Hennessy, and Michael 
 Welsh, who selected farms in that por- 
 tion of the present Gallauher township 
 
158 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 lying between Queen's and Plum Runs, 
 forming a community which is known as 
 "The Irish settlement," the persons nam- 
 ed all being of that nationality. 
 
 At the time this settlement was form- 
 ed, there was not a road within five 
 miles, and the forest was unbroken for a 
 great distance in each direction; not even 
 a tree had previously been cut on their 
 possessions. The region was indeed wild, 
 and might truthfully have been 
 termed a "howling wilderness," for the 
 Jiowls of the wolf, the screech of the 
 panther and the cry of the wild 
 cat were heard on every hand, but the 
 sturdy settlers braved all dangers and 
 persevering in their efforts to procure 
 homes for their families, succeeded in 
 ' 'clearing up' ' farms that compare favor- 
 ably with those in more favored regions. 
 In a few years other settlers followed the 
 pioneers, and now the "Irish Settlement" 
 is a flourishing community. 
 
 As may be supposed, the first settlers 
 of Gallauher township had many adven- 
 tures with wild animals, which were quite 
 numerous. As late as 1867,. Mr. Patrick 
 Douling, who lives . near Mr. Lovett's, 
 drove a bear out of his hog-pen. Bruin 
 had gone there to select the finest shoat, 
 but was forced to leave without it. Bears 
 were quite common and are occasionally 
 seen even at this day. It frequently hap- 
 pened that half a dozen deer were seen 
 at one time. Only a year or so ago Mr. 
 James Hennessey was attacked by a wild 
 cat. It seems that with a companion he 
 was passing along the road through the 
 woods, when without any premonition he 
 was nearly thrown to the ground by the 
 animal springing from a tree and alight- 
 ing upon his neck and shoulders. 
 With some difficulty they succeeded in 
 frightening him off, and he escaped in 
 the woods. During the fall of 1875, a 
 man by the name of Lovett, a grand-son 
 of John Lovett, the pioneer,, was chase.d 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 by a wild cat. At the present time the 
 most troublesome animals in the region 
 are foxes, which often make sad havoc 
 with the poultry. 
 
 Many were the hardships endured by 
 the pioneers of Gallauher. Such, of 
 course, is always the case in newly settled 
 regions; but owing to the fact that the 
 first settlers of this township located a 
 considerable distance from the river or' 
 any line of travel, they necessajily had 
 more difficulty in procuring supplies 
 than was experienced by those who set- 
 tled in places more easy of access. For 
 quite a number of years after the first 
 settlement was made in the township, 
 the people were compelled to carry their 
 grain to mill on their backs. This was 
 done not only by the men, but in many 
 instances by women. The nearest point 
 where tliey could get their* corn and 
 wheat ground was Chatham's Run, a dis- 
 tance of four or five miles. 
 
 In 1845 Mr. Wm. Cryder moved trom 
 Pine Creek and settled near the Irish Set- 
 tlement, not far from one of the branches 
 of Queen's Run. He is still living there 
 at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, 
 having raised to manhood and woman- 
 hood a large family of children; among 
 them is P. B. Cryder, Esq., of Lock Ha- 
 ven. Though having lived some years 
 beyond the time allotted to man, Mr. 
 Cryder is still in quite good health, with 
 faculties unimpaired, and takes pleasure 
 in talking of his pioneer experience in ' 
 Gallauher township. As was the case 
 with most of the early settlers, he was a 
 good marksman, and delighted in the 
 chase. The first year he lived in the 
 township he killed five bears, and the 
 next year six, to say nothing of the deer 
 and other smaller game. Among the 
 early settlers of the Irish Settlement was 
 one Thomas McCann, a bachelor, who 
 lived by himself and cleared and cultivat- 
 ed a little farm, apparently taking con- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 159 
 
 siderable comfort; but one morning he 
 was found dead in his bed, from what 
 cause is not known. 
 
 The settlers of Gallauher township 
 certainly deserve great credit for the en- 
 ergy and perseverance they displayed in 
 plunging into the wilderness; where, sur- 
 rounded by wild animals, they have 
 cleared farms and established homes for 
 themselves and their posterity. Many of 
 the farms in the township are in a good 
 state of cultivation, and show evidence of 
 thrift and agricultural skill on the part of 
 their owners. One of the largest and 
 best cultivated farms in the township is 
 owned by John Nolan. This farm con- 
 tains nearly two hundred acres, and like 
 most of the others in the vicinity 
 is especially adapted to stock raising, be- 
 ing well supplied with the purest water 
 and capable of producing abundant pas- 
 turage. Although most of this land is el- 
 evated several hundred feet above the 
 West Branch, it has been demonstrated 
 that fruit trees,especially apple,flourishes 
 thei'e to perfection, and produce abun- 
 dantly in protected or sheltered locations. 
 Even the grape vine thrives and yields 
 largely. 
 
 Of the original settlers of the township 
 there are now but very few living, proba- 
 bly less than halS a dozen, among them 
 John Lovett and wife, now more than 
 seventy-five years old. This couple, per- 
 haps, in their pioneer life, endured 
 greater privations and hardships than us- 
 ually fall to the lot of first settlers. When 
 they first took possession of their 
 forest home they had six children, some 
 of them quite small. With wild animals 
 to contend with oh one hand and the 
 labor of clearing land to perform on the 
 other, it may be supposed they had their 
 hands full; but they persevered, and now 
 
 as a result have the satisfaction of know- 
 ing that their declining years will be 
 spent, if not in luxury, in comfortable 
 circumstances. 
 
 Ameng the other early settlers of the 
 township not already mentioned, were the 
 Glovers, and J. Focht, who located on 
 or near the Jersey Shore and Coudersport 
 turnpike. Focht had been a soldier un- 
 der Napoleon; and was in the battle of 
 Waterloo. It is said that he was requir- 
 ed to work two years to pay his passage 
 to this countiy. 
 
 The Jersey Shore and Coudersport turn- 
 pike forms the boundary between this 
 township and Lycoming county, and as 
 its name indicates, connects Jersey Shore 
 in Lycoming county with Coudersport, 
 the county seat of Potter county. This- 
 is the principal thoroughfare from the 
 West Branch to the State of New York, 
 and afifords a very desirable outlet for the 
 people living in the northern and eastern 
 portions of the township. At present there 
 are four school houses in the township; 
 the first one was built about the year 
 1850; it was located near John Lovett's. 
 
 The manufacture of lumber is still car- 
 ried on to some extent, there being half 
 a dozen or more mills now in operation ii> 
 different parts of the township. 
 
 The population of Gallauher, according 
 to the census of 1870, was 352; it is now 
 probably something over SOO. 
 
 The township derived its name from 
 Judge Gallauher, of Pine Creek township, 
 who was instrumental in its organiza- 
 tion. 
 
 There is no church in the township, but 
 religious services are occasionally held in 
 the different school houses. Nearly all 
 the dwellings are the original log struc- 
 tures. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
160 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 GREENE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 This township was organized in Febru- 
 ary 1840. 
 
 It is located in tlie southeast corner of 
 the county, and bounded as follows: On 
 the east by Lycoming county, on the 
 north by Crawford, Wayne and Lamar 
 townships, on the west by Lamar and Lo- 
 gan, and on the south by Centre county, 
 and averages about four and a half miles 
 in width by ten or twelve in length. 
 
 About one-half of this township lies m 
 Sugar Valley, one of the most beautiful 
 and attractive vales in Central Pennsyl- 
 vania. This valley is about twenty mile.'? 
 in length and has an average width of 
 about two miles. It is bordered on each 
 side by verdure-covei-ed mountains, and 
 checkered throughout its entire length 
 with well cultivated fields, and groves of 
 original forest trees, presenting a grand 
 and beautiful view. Fishing Creek, which 
 takes its rise in the extreme eastern end 
 at what is called the "tea spring," flows 
 its entire length, and breaks through 
 the mountain range and emerges into 
 Nittany Valley at Washington Furnace. 
 
 That portion of Greene township lying 
 in Sugar Valley, is about eight hundred 
 feet higher than the West Branch of the 
 Susquehanna at Lock Haven. The re- 
 mainder of the township is several hun- 
 dred feet higher still, occupying the high- 
 lands which lie south of the Nittany and 
 Bald Eagle mountains. 
 
 The timber of the entire township orig- 
 inally consisted of heavy growths of pine, 
 oak, chestnut, maple, &c. ; the elevated 
 portions still afford a large amount of 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 choice varieties, which each season is be- 
 ing reduced by the operations of Ivimber- 
 men. 
 
 The soil of the region compares fa- 
 vorably with that of'other portions of the 
 county. In certain localities it is com- 
 posed of loam intermixed with sand and 
 gravel; this is the case in the valley. In - 
 other places red shale predominates. The 
 principal stream is Fishing Creek, al- 
 ready mentioned. Other smaller ones 
 take their rise in the elevated jjarts of . 
 the township and flow in various direc- 
 tions, affording sufficient water for the 
 use of live stock, &c. 
 
 Fishing Creek is a remarkable stream. 
 It originates in the gap between Sugar 
 and White Deer Valleys, near the head- 
 waters of a tributary of White Deer 
 Creek. The spring by which it is mainly 
 fed has been called for many years the 
 "Tea Spring," because of the existance 
 in its vicinity of the plant called golden 
 rod, the leaves of which have valuable 
 medicinal properties, and were vised by 
 the first settlers as a substitute for the 
 herb of China; even at this day it takes 
 the place, with many, of the imported ar- 
 ticle. In its action on the system it is 
 said to be diaphoretic and carminative. 
 
 Near the spring there has lived for 
 many years an old German by the name 
 of Zimmerman. He Is one of the oldest 
 citizens in that region. He keeps a pub- 
 lic house for the accommodation of peo- 
 ple passing through the gap between 
 Sugar and White Deer Valleys. His place 
 is quite a resort for hunters. 
 
 IVIicrosoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW Or CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 161 
 
 About five miles from its source Fish- 
 ing Creek sinks into the ground and 
 , fiows underneath the surface for a 
 distance of four or five miles, -when it 
 again appears in the form of springs, and 
 continues in its channel to Nittany Val- 
 ley. The average fall per mile in this 
 stream is about thirty-three feet, -which 
 would make the "tea spring" something 
 over eleven hundred feet higher than 
 Lock Haven, or aboui sixteen hundred 
 and fifty feet above the level of the sea. 
 Logansville is ah out seven hundred feet 
 higher than Lock Haven, and more than 
 twelve hundred feet above the sea. 
 Greene township contains considerable 
 mineral wealth. It remains undeveloped 
 as yet, however, with the exception of 
 iron ore, which was mined and smelted 
 • to some extent many years ago, a furnace 
 having been erected for that purpose on 
 land now owned by Philip Cromley. 
 This ore was taken from the ground at a 
 depth of 75 or 80 feet, and is of a superior 
 quality of hematite, yielding over sixty 
 per cent, of metal through the furnace. 
 Fine specimens of marble, suitable for 
 statuary and like purposes, have been 
 found at various places throughout Sugar 
 Valley; but thus far no extensive depos- 
 its have been discovered, though it is be- 
 lieved immense beds exist. Quite recent- 
 ly the attention of the public has been 
 directed to what is pronounced zinc ore of 
 good quality, found on the Price farm 
 about two miles east of Logansville. Clay 
 from which "red-ware" is made is ex- 
 tensively found and manufactured into 
 ware at Logansville. 
 
 At several points in Sugar Valley there 
 are indications of coal. None has yet been 
 actually found in Greene township. Prob- 
 ably no other portion of Clyiton county 
 is as liable to periodical attacks of min- 
 eral fever as this valley. During the 
 past four or five years numerous "compa- 
 nies" have prospected thro '^" "' ' ■*" ' 
 
 and leased land for a term of years, but 
 have failed to find anything of value. 
 There is no doubt, however, that syste- 
 matic and thorough explorations would 
 reveal extensive deposits of mineral 
 wealth. Underlying the valley its entire 
 length are inexhaustalDle beds of lime- 
 stone, which afford to the farmers of the 
 suiTOunding country an ample supply of 
 lime for agricultural and other purposes. 
 In 1774 a patent for a tract of land ly- 
 ing immediately east of Logansville and 
 containing two thousand five hundred and 
 eighty-seven acres, was granted to Joseph 
 Anthony, but it was not settled upon for 
 many years. 
 
 The first settlement in Greene town- 
 ship was made about the year 1800, by 
 Rudolph Karstettei-, who located on the 
 
 property now owned by . During 
 
 the following twenty years, quite a num- 
 ber of the citizens of Brush and Penns' 
 Valleys moved into Sugar Valley. Among 
 them were John Schrack, grandfather of 
 the present Schraoks living south of Lo- 
 gansville, and Martin Brumgard Sr. 
 John and Jacob Kahl, came from Sun- 
 bury, and John Kleckner from -Union 
 county. The other early settlers in the 
 east end of the valley were .John Bro-wu, 
 father of Samuel Brown, Jacob Franck, 
 Henry Price, Daniel Cromley, Jacob Sny- 
 der, Major Philip Wohlfart, Philip Crom- 
 ley, John Brumgard, Francis Cromley 
 David Stamm and a family by the name 
 of Beaver. 
 
 Previous to 1§30, a man .by the name 
 of Frederick Friedley purchased a lai-ge 
 tract of land in the extreme eastern end 
 of the valley, of Joseph Simms, a Phil- 
 adelphia -quaker, and cleared quite a 
 number of acres on what is now Samuel 
 Brown's farm. During the season of 
 1839, being convinced that there was ore 
 of a good quality on his farm, Friedley 
 commenced the construction of a furnace 
 bank of Fisliing Creek, and 
 
162 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 had it ready for blast the following sea- 
 son. Friedley himself not being a prac- 
 tical iron manufacturer, of course had to 
 depend upon others to superintend his 
 operations; as a consequence it proved al- 
 most impossible to obtain experienced 
 and trustworthy men who would manage 
 the business to his entire satisfaction; 
 this was all the more difficult owing to 
 Friedley's irritable and petulant disposi- 
 tion. After employing and discharging 
 a number of different managers, he finally 
 decided to take charge of the furnace 
 himself, as he claimed he had sufficient 
 experience to enable him to do so. Ac- 
 cordingly, with the assistance of Jacob 
 Franck, who was then in his employ, he 
 proceeded to charge the furnace, but be- 
 fore the metal could be drawn out it had 
 chilled, which, of course, was no trifling 
 affair, as its removal was a very difficult 
 matter, and could not be accomplished 
 except by a person of skill and experience. 
 At this stage of affairs, John Fluff (now 
 living at Hiner) came alqng and gave 
 Friedley to understand that he could 
 clear the furnace and again get it in blast, 
 whereupon he was employed to take it 
 in charge, and soon had it in working or- 
 deii Under Fluffs supervision consider- 
 able iron of the very best quality was 
 manufactured, bvit through general mis- 
 management Friedley became heavily in- 
 volved in debt, and abandoned his prop- 
 erty, which was afterwards sold by the 
 Sheriff. The ruins of ' 'Deborah furnace' ' 
 (such it was called) may be seen at the 
 present time, a portion of the stack still 
 standing. 
 
 About the year 1800, John Kleckner, 
 father of Col. Anthony Kleckner, built 
 the first grist mill in what is now Greene 
 township. It stood on the site of the 
 mill at Logansville, now owned by Henry 
 "Wirth. The present mill was built by 
 Col. Kleckner. About the same time 
 the grist mill was 
 
 ner also erected a saw mill about three 
 miles further down the valley. 
 
 The first school house was built in 
 1824, a short distance south of where 
 John Schraok now lives. At present it is 
 used as a Union church. The next was 
 built a few years after and occupied the 
 site of Stamm's store; it was made of 
 logs. 
 
 The first Justice of the Peace in the 
 valley was Samuel McKesson, who dis- 
 pensed justice for some years, quite to the 
 satisfaction of the settlers. 
 
 About the year 1830, Henry Earner, 
 grandfather of the present generation of 
 Earners, came from Ferry county and 
 settled on the mountain about a mile 
 north of where LogansviUe now is; he 
 prefered locating there because he 
 thought the soil was much better than 
 that of the valley; he afterwards discov- 
 ered his mistake. 
 
 Mr. Jacob Karstetter, son of the first 
 settler of the township, Kudolph Kar- 
 stetier, was a peculiar case; he was born 
 in the valley and continued to live there 
 till his death, which occurred when he 
 was about seventy years old. The fol- 
 lowing from the Clinton Democrat, of 
 Jan. 3, 1873, gives an interesting sketch 
 of his life : 
 
 In the cool, sequestered vale called Su- 
 gar Valley, in Clinton county, resides an 
 old man with his family, named Jacob* 
 Karstetter. He is now 67 years of age, 
 stout and rugged yet for a man of his 
 age, and for one who has roughed it as he 
 has. In the earlier days of Clinton's his- 
 tory, snd even before she had 9, history, 
 "Jake" Karstetter was one of the strong- 
 est among the strong, a splendid shot-— 
 so good, indeed, that he was ruled out of 
 the shooting matches, because he was 
 dead sure for the "bull's eye" — and he 
 was never willing to stand back if a little 
 scrimmage was going on, but ready and 
 willing to take a hand. But few cared to 
 tackle Jake Karstetter; those vrho did 
 generally came off second best, and it 
 was seldom, if ever, that any one cared- 
 toi"lt)^te^^3r/WCite&fi?®i' ^S^in- We are not advised 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 163 
 
 that he was a quarrelsome or •meddlesome 
 man — on the contrary, we are led to sus- 
 pect he was not — but the above were 
 some of his physical qualities, and from 
 what follows it will be seen that he had 
 in him the ring os the true metal. 
 
 He lived among and and shared up to 
 the beginning of the war, and does now, 
 the life of the sturdy yeomanry of Sugar 
 Valley. At this time he was 54 years of 
 age and "eager for the fray," but he was 
 to old to get mustered in. To overcome 
 this, he reported his age as 44. entered 
 .Company C, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves, 
 Colonel Hai-vey, afterwards Colonel Colin- 
 ger, and served two yoars. In the seven 
 days fight he was injured by being trod- 
 den upon, on the breast by a horse of one 
 of General Mead's aides. While lying 
 wounded, to escape capture he rolled into 
 a muddy ditch and there lay twenty-six 
 hours in the hope of escaping detection; 
 but he was nabbed and sent to Libby. 
 After confinement for a week or so, he 
 was ofl'ered a parole, but refused to take 
 the oath obligating him not to take up 
 arms till regularly exchanged. He told 
 his captors, he says, he'd "be (cussed) if 
 he'd take any such oath. When he got 
 out of there he was going to fight them; 
 he wasn't going to be lying round doing, 
 nothing; and if he couldn't do that if he 
 went then, he'd stay there till he could!" 
 Having served two years, he returned 
 home and resumed his peaceful avoca- 
 tions, intending to remain home at the 
 earnest request of his family. But be- 
 fore long something offended him, and off 
 he put to enter the army again.' Persua- 
 sions were in vain; go he would. He 
 went to Harrisburg and called on Gover- 
 nor Curtin, with whom he was acquaint- 
 ed, and told him he was going again to 
 fight for the Union. The Governor told 
 him that was right, and directed him, by 
 a messenger, where to go, and he went 
 and was examined by the Surgeon, who 
 refused him on account of age. He was 
 then 56, when fight is knocked out of 
 most men, but neither age nor two years' 
 service had phazed him. Go he swore 
 he would. He was told on the sly that if 
 * he insisted, he could be put through for 
 $260. He did pay $300 to get in. 
 
 Instead of paying to get in, tradition 
 says that some paid much more than this 
 to stay out. But the hero of our story 
 wasn't of these. He woulj^, 
 couldn't go any 
 
 otj:mmm'm9B 
 
 to go. He served till the battle of Cedar 
 Creek, or Fisher's hill, the occasion when 
 Sheridan made his famous ride, rallied 
 the army, and turned defeat into victory. 
 Some time afterwards he was discharged 
 for disability. Altogether he was in 
 twenty or more fights. 
 
 From the peculiarities of our subject it 
 will be readily believed that he was some- 
 what erratic and a little hard to keep to 
 company duty. Pie yearned for sharp- 
 shooting duty, and was disposed to and 
 did go off now and then to have a few 
 shots all to himself. On picket duty he 
 lost two fingers, taken off by a shot from 
 one of Mosby's men. Such is a brief 
 sketch of what was related to us about 
 Jake Karstetter. 
 
 The mountain portion of the township 
 was not settled till quite a number of 
 years after the valley. Among the first 
 to penetrate the highland wilds and make 
 permanent improvements, was Jacob 
 Frautz, who constructed a saw mill upon 
 the head waters of McElhattan Run, 
 about 1830 or '35. After the death of 
 Frantz the property passed through the 
 bands of several different owners. Among 
 others, J. E. Fredericks, now of Pine 
 Station, and A. T. Nichols, of Williams- 
 port. At present the entire tract owned by 
 Frantz, which contained seven or eight 
 hundred acres, and about a thousand 
 acres additional is owned by Jamison & 
 Co., and is under the management of Mr. 
 Andrew Jamison, one of the firm. The 
 original mill, which of course was 
 run by water, has been replaced by a 
 good substantial structure, with steam 
 power attached. 
 
 A mile or so below Jamison's mill,on the 
 same stream, J. Herman has a saw mill, 
 and on Long Run, near the northwest 
 corner of tlie township is what is called 
 the "Philadelphia mill." It was built by 
 Thomas Furst about the year 1845. A 
 post-ofiice called "Rosecrans," has been 
 established at this mill, it being located 
 on the stage route from Lock Haven to 
 
ie4 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Hoflfa's mill is located near the north- 
 east corner of the township, on a tributa- 
 ry of Pishing Creek. It is now in opera- 
 tion. The other principal mills are: 
 Murray's, at Carroll; and Kemerer's, lo- 
 cated about one mile and a-half north- 
 west of Logansville. 
 
 After the first settlement was made up- 
 on the mountain lands of Greene town- 
 ship, it was not long before they were 
 '-'taliien up" by hardy and industrious 
 Germans, from the neighboring counties, 
 and the result is: to-day there are many 
 as finely cultivated andjiighly productive 
 farms on what is called Sugar Valley 
 Mountain, as there are in any other part 
 of the 'county, and more; the general 
 improvements, such as roads, fences, 
 buildings, &c., compare favorably with 
 those of localities that have been settled 
 much longer. Upon the "mountain'' 
 there are already several school houses 
 and three churches; the latter are called 
 respectively, "Mount Pleasant church," 
 "Mount Zion church," and "Green Grove 
 Chapel." The following are the names 
 of some of the prominent settlers of the 
 mountain lands: J. Schitze, M. G. Wis- 
 mer, P. Wert, J. Herman on the western 
 end, and F. Stark, lamp-black manufac- 
 turer, J. Henninger, J. Bickster, and J. 
 Ambig, on the east end. 
 
 The township has ten school houses in 
 which school is kept open five months 
 each year, the teachers receiving the 
 meagre salary of from twenty-seven to 
 thirty dollars per month, and pay their 
 own boa^jl. 
 
 Near the east end of Sugar Valley is 
 the little village of Carroll. It contains 
 one store owned by D. A. Clark, but now 
 in charge of G. C. Righter; one black- 
 smith shop, owned by Mr. Knauff; I. D. 
 Earner's carpenter shop, and a saw mill 
 owned by Hiram Murray and J. P. Ear- 
 ner, and a post ofSce kept by I. D. Earner. 
 In all, the place contains Ql^^f^(fM°l 
 
 dwellings, mpst of which have been re- 
 cently built. In time, Carroll will be a 
 prominent business point for the people 
 of the east end of the valley. 
 
 About a mile west ,'of Carroll is East- 
 ville, a collection of twelve or fourteen 
 dwellings, two or three saw mills, a black- 
 smith shop, and a church (U. E.) in course 
 of construction. 
 
 Centreville is another small collection 
 of houses about one mile west of Logans- 
 ville. 
 
 Extending the entire length of Sugar 
 Valley, on the noi-th side of Fishing 
 Creek, is the "Sugar Valley and White 
 Deer turnpike." This road is the main 
 thoroughfare leading from White Deer 
 Valley to the Eald Eagle Creek. Owing 
 to its position on the south slope of the 
 mountain, it is exposed nearly the whole 
 length of the valley to the rays of the 
 sun, which in winter cause the snow to 
 melt more readily than it does in more 
 shaded places, rendering the sleighing 
 poor oftentimes when- it is good in other 
 localities; in consequence of the fact the 
 road is" called the "summer-side road," 
 being used more in the summer and less 
 in the winter than a paralel road running 
 along the shady side of the valley, which 
 is known as the "winter-side road." 
 These two roads run about one ihile 
 apart nearly the whole length of the val- 
 ley, and are connected every mile or so by 
 cross-roads. 
 
 The township derived its name from the 
 tradition that a certain Captain Greene, 
 with a party of men was surprised, many 
 years ago in the gap, (sinee known as 
 Greene's gap) by a band of Indians and a 
 number of the men killed. The story of 
 the surprise and murder does not seem to 
 be well authenticated. By some it 4s 
 said to have never taken place; others 
 claim that the event as stated, actually 
 ie that as it may the narrative 
 
HISTORICAL VIEAV OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 165 
 
 gave the uatne to the gap and the town- 
 ship. 
 
 The population of Greene in 1870, was 
 1,103, of which 1,074 were native and 28 
 foreign born. 
 
 John L. Eckel, Esq., the present Coun- 
 ty Surveyor, (having previously served 
 four terms) resides in this township, a 
 short distance east of Logansville, and is 
 a prominent and substantial citizen. 
 
 The principal village in the township is 
 
 LOGANSVILLE BOHOIIGH, 
 
 which is located on the north- side of the 
 valley about half way between the east- 
 ern and western ends. 
 
 The land on which Logansville is situ- 
 ated was originally surveyed to Dr. Cas- 
 per Wistar, the first professor of anatomy 
 in the University of Pennsylvania. The 
 tract coaitained several thousand acres, 
 and was bounded on the east by the 
 David Stamm farm, a portion of the An- 
 thony tract, on the south by lands sur- 
 veyed to Nicholson, jMcPherson & Co., 
 on the west by the Morgan, Sergeant 
 & Ash tract, and on the north by the 
 mountain survey of "Wm. Steadmau. The 
 farm of "Wm. Strohecker, occupies the 
 extreme western end of the "\Yistar pur- 
 chase. Dr. Wistar had an agent to look 
 after his interests in Sugar Valley, but 
 occasionally visited the region himself. 
 As there were no railroads at that time 
 he usually made the journey in his own 
 conveyance accompanied by his colored 
 servant. Just previous to one of his vis- 
 its, Henry Earner, who has been men- 
 tioned as having settled on the mountain, 
 was startled one day by hearing his pigs 
 squeal. On going to the door he saw a 
 huge panther trying to get one out of the 
 pen through a hole in the fence. On be- 
 ing discovered the panther skulked un- 
 der some laurel bushes near by. Earner 
 followed with his gun in hand and shot 
 the beast just as it was about to spring 
 upon him. It was found to measure more J jj 
 
 than eleven feet from tip to tip; it was 
 the largest animal of the kind ever seen 
 in that part of the country. Upon reach- 
 ing the neighborhood the Dr. soon learn- 
 ed that an unusually large panther had 
 been killed by Mr. Earner, and immedi- 
 ately proceeded to the house of the set- 
 tler to ascertain the particulars of the 
 capture. As he approached the dwelling 
 he saw lying in the' yard the grinning 
 head of the panther in an advanced stage 
 of decomposition, but being prompted by 
 an extreme devotion to the cause of sci- 
 ence, he desired to procure it for dissec- 
 tion regardless of its condition. Accord- 
 ingly he ordered his servant'to place the 
 head in his carriage that he might take it 
 to Philadelphia. This the negro did, but 
 said tohmself,' "bad smell! bad smell!" 
 
 The Wistar lauds were eventually sold 
 to different individuals, the portion on 
 which Logansville stands being purchas- 
 ed by John Kleokner, father of Col. An- 
 thony Kleckner, into whose hands it 
 finally passed. 
 
 Col. Kleckner was a remarkable man 
 in many respects, and did very much to- 
 ward "the improvement of the locality in 
 which he lived. Logansville owes much 
 to his energy aud i^uljlic spiritedness. 
 Though plain and oftentimes blunt in ex- 
 pression, no one will say that he was not 
 kind-hearted and mindful of the interests 
 of others — especially the poor and afiiict- 
 ed. It is said that when Capt. Anthony 
 became so burdened with debt that a 
 Sheriff's sale of his lands was ine /itable, 
 certain capitalists of Eellefonte question- 
 ed Col. Kleckner (who was at that time 
 a commissioner for Centre county, of 
 which Clinton then formed a part) as to 
 the value of those lands; but he invaria- 
 bly answered evasively, or at least gave 
 no definite information on the subject be- 
 ing aware that the object of his Eellefonte 
 friends was to purchase the tract if it 
 
 i proved vfiluable, and dispossess the few 
 crosoft® 
 
166 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 squatters who had already settled upon 
 it, or make them pay whatever price 
 should he demanded. This was just 
 what Col. Kleckner wished to prevent. 
 Therefore he gave the would-be land 
 speculators no satisfaction, and saved 
 the settlers their homes. Running 
 through his matter-of-fact nature 
 there was a manifest vein of humor, 
 which ocoesionally cropped out. After 
 the organization of Clinton comity he was 
 elected one of its first commissioners. 
 Soon after his election, it is said, he rode 
 to Lock Haven, the place at that time be- 
 ing very small, and halting his horse on 
 the bank of the river said to a bystander 
 that "he had been elected County Com- 
 missioner, and had been directed to go to 
 Lock Haven, the county seat, and would 
 be very much obliged if some one would 
 tell him where Lock Haven was located." 
 Col. Kleckner served the public honestly 
 and faithfully during his term of service 
 as commissioner, and was subsequently 
 elected Associate Judge, which position 
 he filled with honor till the time of his 
 death, which occurred in the fall of 1861. 
 Of the prominent citizens of LcJgans- 
 ville, the Hon. George A. Achenbacli has 
 occupied a conspicuous position, not only 
 in Clinton county, but before the citizens 
 of the State. He is now serving his sec- 
 ond term as a member of the assembly to 
 which he was first elected in 1860. He was 
 also a delegate to the late State constitu- 
 tional convention, and had the honor of 
 voting first on all measui-es as they were 
 presented for consideration, his name be- 
 ing first on the list of delegates. In giv- 
 ing sketches of the members of the con- 
 vention, the Philadelphia Press says of 
 Mr. Achenbach: 
 
 A man of square mould and frame, with 
 a well balanced head and good natured 
 face, is the Hon. George A. Achenbach, 
 of Clinton county.' He is not over five 
 and a-halffeet in height, but is compactly 
 put up, and weighs nigh unto one hun- 
 
 Digitizea by 
 
 dred and ninety. He was born in Co- 
 lumbia county, Oct. 22, 1815, before the 
 birth of the common school system, con- 
 sequently was educated at the subscrip- 
 tion schools in vogue in his early days. 
 At the age of tjivelve or thirteen he found 
 himself a clerk in a store, and in 1830 
 moved to Sugar Valley, then Centre, 
 but now Clinton county, and was engaged 
 to manage the mercantile interests of a 
 furnace company. In 1860 he was elect- 
 ed to the Legislature from Clinton ansj 
 Lycoming counties, and he served his 
 people with such pronounced intlligence 
 and integrity that they sent him as their 
 deligate to this convention, where he 
 faithfully serves them on the two impor- 
 tant coramitties of legislature and indus- 
 trial interests and labor. He never as- 
 sumes to be anything but just plain, hon- 
 est George, and his compeers always 
 know exactly where to find him — at the 
 post of duty. He has a large head, gray 
 hair, face cleanly shaven, and he sits on 
 the opposite extreme from 3fi'. Laraber- 
 ton. Socially he is every inch a man, 
 and although he takes no talking part, he 
 is morally and mentally a match for the 
 mightiest in voting for measures of sub- 
 stantial reform. 
 
 The village of Logansville was laid out 
 in 1840. It derived its name from Logan 
 township, which formerly included what 
 is now Greene. In 1870 it contained a 
 population of 414. It was incorporated 
 as a borough in 1864. At present it has 
 two churches, a German Reformed and 
 Lutheran combined, and an Evangelical; 
 a good substantial school building with 
 graded school, one hotel, the Logan 
 House, which at one time was a popular 
 resort for health and pleasure seekers. 
 Mr. J. Kleckner is the present proprietor. 
 Within a short distance there is a min- 
 eral spring possessing valuable medicinal 
 properties. 
 
 There are three general merchandise 
 establishments in the place, owned re- 
 spectively by I. C. Smith, Levi Censor, 
 and Samuel Stamm, and one hardware 
 store owned by Daniel Morris. The us- 
 ual supply of shoe shops and blacksmith 
 
 ihops ar 
 
 'lavso 
 
 und in the vilUge. 
 
.HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 16T 
 
 The Odd Fellows and Patriotic Order of 
 the Sons of America, each have an organ- 
 ization. 
 
 The Sugar Valley Insurance Company 
 which was incorporated in 1861, with W. 
 A. Murray, President; and J. E. Roush, 
 Secretary, has its headquarters in the 
 borough. The present officers are Gen. 
 D. K. Heckman, President; and G. A. 
 Achenbach, Secretary. 
 
 Logansville maintains two physicians, 
 Drs. Jonathan Moyer, and J. A. Houtz. 
 The former was the pioneer physician of 
 the place, having located there in 1843, 
 
 immediately after the village was started, 
 and continued in practice there ever sipce, 
 except during a term of service as Pro- 
 thonotary. 
 
 The place is quite well supplied with 
 manufacturing establishments, there be- 
 ing within its limits or immediate vicin- 
 ity a flouring mill, three saw mills, a 
 foundry and a stone-ware manufactory, 
 the latter conducted by John Gerstung. 
 What is known as "redware," is made 
 at this establishment from clay pi'ocvired 
 in the neighborhood. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
168 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COXINTf. 
 
 CH AFTER XX. 
 
 KEATING TOWNSHIPS (EAST AND WEST.) 
 
 Keating township occupies the extreme 
 southwestern portion of the county. It 
 ■was erected Dec. 21, 1844, and its terri- 
 tory enlarged in 18G0 by the addition of 
 a part of Grove township. In 1875, it 
 was divided into East and West Keating. 
 East Keating is bounded on the south by 
 the West Branch of the Susquelianna 
 river, which forms the boundary between 
 Clinton and Centre counties, on the east 
 by Noyes township, on the north by 
 Cameron county, and on the west by 
 Cameron county and west Keating, which 
 is bounded on the south by the West 
 Branch, on the west by Clearfield and 
 Cameron counties, and on the north by 
 Cameron. Before the division the town- 
 ship had an area of about six by eleven 
 miles, and a population of nearly 500. 
 
 Almost the whole surface of the two 
 townships lies several hundred feet higher 
 than the river, and is rendered uneven by 
 numerous elevations and depressions, and 
 traversed by various streams, which find 
 their way to either the Sinnemahoning 
 creek or the West Branch, between which, 
 in the angle formed by their union, most 
 of the territory of the townships is situat- 
 ed. The principal streams flowing into 
 the Sinnemahoning are: Round Island 
 Run, Grass Plat Run and Moccasin Fall 
 Bun. Those emptying into the West 
 Branch are: Three Run, Loop Run, 
 Baker's Run, Leaning Pine Run, Sugar 
 Camp Run, Birch Island Run, and Grove 
 Run. Thus it is seen that this region is 
 well supplied with water power for driv- 
 
 The township of Keating was origi- 
 nally bountifully supplied with choice 
 pine and oak timber, but its forests like 
 those of the West Branch country genei'- 
 ally have been made to yield to the lum- 
 berman's axe, and farms and farmhouses, 
 have taken the places of lumbermen's 
 camps. Though there are many fine, 
 well cultivated, and highly productive 
 fai-ms in both East ^and West Keating 
 townships, the real wealth of the region 
 consists of its vast deposits of coal, iron 
 ore, and fire clay; there being six work- 
 able veins of fine quality bituminous coal, , 
 aggregating a thickness of nearly twenty- 
 seven feet. In addition to wiiioh there 
 ar« seams of iron ore in the township, 
 aggregating twenty feet thick, and an ex- 
 tensive bed of valuable fire clay. 
 
 The following historical sketch was 
 written by J. W. Merrey, Esq., of Keating 
 station (Kasby P. O.): 
 
 The first survey made in this township 
 was on August 13, 1785, and was made 
 by John Houston, in pursuance of a w-ar- 
 rant, No. 557, dated at Philadelphia, the 
 17th day of May, 1785, for John. Straw- 
 bridge, and contained 285 acres and al- 
 lowances, and is situated on both sides of 
 Sinnemahoning Creek, at and near its 
 mouth. John Strawbridge soon after 
 sold it to Patrick Lusk. ' At this time 
 this was in the county of Northumber- 
 land. After the purchase he sent his son 
 and daughter, Robert and Martha Lusk, 
 to live on the place, and they became the 
 first settlers. The same parties afterward 
 became the owners, tlie daughter taking 
 the north and the son the south side of 
 the creek. This occurred in the year 
 1819. The property on the north side is 
 
 ing machinery, &c. Digitized by IvIRH^sbWB^ ^y Allison Kryder, a grand- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 169 
 
 son of Patrick Lusk, and Wallace Gakle, 
 both of whom live on it. The south side 
 is now owned by J. W. Merrey, who also 
 resides on it. 
 
 The next settler appears to have been 
 John Hildebrand, who settled on the 
 place now owned by James Moore, on the 
 ba,nks of the West Branch, about two 
 miles above the mouth of Sinnemahoning 
 Creek, about the year 1805. Hildebrand 
 sold the farm to Thomas Surges, who, in 
 the year 1830, sold it to James Moore, the 
 present owner, and who is now the oldest 
 living settler. About this time John 
 Conway settled on a piece of land in the 
 upper part of the. township, (now West 
 Keating), commonly called Hickory Hill. 
 John Rohu, Sr., from Penn's Valley, 
 also bought and settled in the same 
 neighborhood. His sons, George and 
 John Rohn, at the present time own most 
 of the cleared farms in that section. In 
 the year 1819 or 'aO JohnKryder, a native 
 of the village of Dunustown, near Lock 
 Haven, also settled here. This old settler 
 died last year, leaving quite a number of 
 grand descendants. The following obitu- 
 ary was published in the Clinton Demo- 
 crat of May 6, 1875 : 
 
 "On Sunday morning, April 35, there 
 died in this township, (East Keating), one 
 of the oldest settlers and pioneers of the 
 West Branch. John Kryder was bornjat 
 or near Chatham's Run, in the year 1800, 
 and consequently was seventy-five years 
 of age when he was gathered to his fath- 
 ers. He came to this township (then 
 Grove township, Northumberland county) 
 when he was scarcely nineteen years old, 
 and being somewhat of a genius as a car- 
 penter and worker in wood, and a mill- 
 wright, soon became well known and re- 
 spected. He lived for a few years at 
 Cook's Run, on the farm of old Johnny 
 Baird, (now owned by Squire McCloskey), 
 but finally settled down on the old home- 
 stead owned by Mattie Lusk, (sister of 
 Mrs. McBride, who was murdered by 
 Wade), on the north side of the mouth of 
 Sinnemahoning Creek, whom he after- 
 ward took "for better or for worse," and 
 lived with her for many years after. In 
 1848 his house was swept away by the 
 flood, and nearly everything that he own- 
 ed was also claimed by the raging waters; 
 but nothing daunted, he soon set to work 
 and built himself another home, which' 
 still stands on the banks at the mouth of 
 the creek, as a monument of his .industry 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
 and handiwork. Indeed, there is scarcely 
 an old house or mill between Lock Haven 
 and Keating but that was partly built 
 by his hands. 
 
 "In his younger days he was noted as 
 a great hunter and canoeman, and many 
 are^the times that the writer of this has 
 listened to his stories of life on the Sus- 
 quehanna and in the woods, and heard 
 him discourse of the good old times of 
 mush and venison, when white bread was 
 a luxury and boots of the modern style a 
 curiosity. 
 
 "As he grew up in years he became fa- 
 mous as a river pilot, and was counted 
 one of the best on the river. During the 
 last few years of his life he devoted most 
 of his spare time to fishing, and was never 
 so happy as when paddling his canoe on 
 the river. Who of the old settlers on the 
 river did not know and respect old Uncle 
 John Kryder, as he was familiarly called ? 
 Many of them will drop a tear from their 
 weather-beaten cheeks when they learn 
 of the death of this their old comrade, 
 who hath gone to his long home. But 
 few are left, and one by one they are qui- 
 etly 'passing away.' 
 
 "He was a man of rather eccentric 
 habits, poor, yet proud in his way, and 
 as independent as a millionaire, scorning 
 to eat the bread of charity or to be be- 
 holden to any one, as long as he could 
 earn his living by his own industry, which 
 he continued to do up to within four 
 months of his death. A man whom I 
 verily believe never told a willful lie in his 
 life. Straightforward and honest in all 
 his dealings, he was noted for his probity 
 and honesty. He would have made a 
 good member of any anti-tobacco society, 
 for he neyer used the weed in his life in 
 any shape, and his fine teeth, till within 
 the last five years, were as sound and as 
 white as the finest ivory. 
 
 "He was the father of quite a family, 
 all of whom he has gone to meet but 
 three — two sons and one daughter remain. 
 Durell and Allison Kryder are well known 
 to many of your readers, while his only 
 daughter is the wife of our late CommisJ 
 sioner, Wallace Gakle." 
 
 The first school house was built about 
 the year 1830, and is now standing. It 
 was built of logs, and stands within a few 
 yards of the present school house, oppo- 
 site Keating station. John Rohn, Sr., 
 was President ; John Kryder, Secretary, 
 and Jam.es_ Moore, Treasurer, of the first 
 
ITO 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 board of Directors ; Robert Lusk was the 
 first Justice of tlie Peace, being appointed 
 and commissioned by tlie Governor. Tlie 
 first election for Justice took place at the 
 first fork of the Sinnemahoning (now in 
 Cameron county), about twelve miles 
 above Keating station. The contest was 
 between John Floyd and the incumbent, 
 Robert Lusk, and was a very lively one. 
 James Moore informs me that the elec- 
 tion created great excitement, and that he 
 himself canvassed the county from Lock 
 Haven to Sinnemahoning in the interest 
 of Robert Lusk. The result was very 
 close; as Mr. Floyd was elected by only 
 one majority. About this time Peter 
 Vincent, who was the proprietor of the 
 farm ' opposite Renovo, now owned by 
 James Colwell, was drowned in the river 
 near the farm of James Moore. His 
 horse was found about three miles from 
 the body. 
 
 The first tavern was kept by Jacob 
 Berge, in the house now owned by Caleb 
 Cannon, situated about one mile from the 
 mouth of the Siunemahoning creek, and 
 bore the very queer name of ' 'Mad House, ' ' 
 by which name the building is known at 
 the i^resent day. Robert Lusk also had a 
 distillery (on a small scale), in which he 
 made apjile jack, from the large orchard 
 on his fann. In the year 1847, the great 
 flood swept away neai-ly every improve- 
 ment, in the shape of buildings, in the 
 township. At this time, Mr. Peter Lar- 
 inger was keeping tavern on the farm of 
 Robert Lusk in a house near the junction 
 of the Sinnemahoning and "West Branch. 
 The river and creek both raised so rap- 
 idly, that none of the family had time to 
 escape before the house was surrounded 
 with water. The family all crowded to 
 the garret, and shouted lustily for assist- 
 ance, but the waters raged so furiously 
 that no one seemed willing to attempt a 
 rescue. On the opposite side of the river, 
 at a distance of about 300 yards from the 
 tavern, John and William Clawater, and 
 James Wadsworth, were making timber, 
 and were in full sight of the distressed 
 family, but were unable to render any as- 
 sistance for want of a boat. At last a canoe 
 came dashing along, bottom upwards, 
 and struck on the shore, and was quickly 
 secured and righted. Into this frail ves- 
 sel James "Wadsworth and John Clawater 
 entered with the determination to save 
 the now entirely helpless family. With 
 
 sticks for paddles they succ25^^y^^^U.-y||^j^^g(^y^(g- flour and other r>ro visions, 
 
 ing the house, which was now only held 
 ftom the fury of the flood, by the large 
 stone chimney, and rescued the entire 
 family, carrying them to thej mountain. 
 Five minutes afterward, the house was 
 carried away by the raging waters. Sev- 
 eral of the rescued are now alive, and one 
 of them is the wife of her noble rescuer, 
 James Wadsworth. 
 
 A few miles further up the river, the 
 angry waters had driven James Moore 
 and his family to the mountains, where 
 they formed a sort of shelter of hemlock 
 boughs and saplings. Mr. Benjamin 
 Morrison (now deceased) a surveyor, resi- 
 dent of Lock Haven, was forced to seek 
 shelter in this rude shanty. The waters 
 rose so fast that scarcely anything but a 
 little bed linen was saved. In a few min- 
 utes after they gained the mountain, a 
 woman brought the news that a whole 
 family had been swept adrift, and that 
 some of them were now clinging to a 
 small island two miles farther up the riv- 
 er. Mr James Moore, and a settler nam- 
 ed Samuel Huling, quickly gathered to- 
 gether some dry pine and chestnut poles, 
 with which they made a light raft, which 
 they pulled up to the island. On their ar- 
 rival they found that one of the women 
 (Mrs. Susan Smoke,) had reached the 
 mountain, by floating on a mattress which 
 she had propelled vigorously, with a stick 
 for a paddle. The rest of the party by 
 means of the small raft were soon saved 
 and brought from their perilous position, 
 by Messrs. Moore and Huling. The house 
 on the point at the mouth of the creek, 
 belonging to Mr.JKryder, was also swept 
 away, and everything that belonged to 
 him. A small log bouse in which Mr. 
 Robert Lusk, "kept bachelor's hall" was 
 also swept away, ' and in which he had 
 concealed in one of the logs, a large sum 
 of money in gold. He followed the house 
 for miles and miles down the river, search- 
 ing in vain for the log which contained 
 his wealth, and which he declared he could 
 tell among'a thousand. 
 
 A good deal of suffering from actual want 
 of food, was the fruit of this flood, as the 
 settlers had lost everything in the Jshape 
 of eatables. The few settlers on the moun- 
 tains kindly shared with the sufferers 
 what little they had, and in the mean 
 time; canoes were dispatched to Dunns- 
 town and the Long Reach (below Lock 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 m 
 
 which in due time arrived, and relieved 
 their sufferings. 
 
 At this early period very little business 
 of any kind except hunting and some 
 little farming was carried on. The streams 
 were full of fish, and the woods full of 
 game. The skins of animals furnished 
 shoes and the greater part of their cloth- 
 ing, and they really required nothing but 
 a few luxuries, in the shape of groceries. 
 
 Each settler would cut and make a 
 small raft of timber, near to the water, 
 which he would raft, and with a hickory 
 halyard for a rope, start on his journey 
 down the river. First class pine timber 
 in those days sold for three to five cents 
 per cubic foot, in Marietta, and even 
 less. The settler having disposed of 
 his raft, would quickly start homeward, 
 and with the proceeds, lay in a supply of 
 necessaries for the coming year. These 
 supplies were generally pushed up in large 
 canoes, and it very often happened that 
 a good part of the cargo would be rye 
 whiskey, of excellent quality. 
 
 An old resident in this township in- 
 forms me, that if by any means the sup- 
 ply of goods would fail, or be likely to do 
 so, before the ensuing spring, then he 
 would take his rifle, traps and canoe, and 
 probably be gone six or seven days, when 
 he would return loaded with saddles of 
 venison, the carcasses of bears, and the 
 skins and furs of various animals. The 
 meat would be dried and salted and 
 packed away for winter use, but the skins 
 would be taken to Dunnstown or Jersey 
 Shore, there to be disposed of for other 
 goods. The flood of 1861 created still 
 more damage, and like its predecessor, 
 came very suddenly. At six o'clock in 
 the evening John Perry forded the creek 
 on horseback. A log dfive was "hung 
 up" about a mile below the creek, it be- 
 ing expected that the previous rain would 
 raise the stream sufficiently for driving 
 purposes. At eight o'clock P. M. it com- 
 menced to rain very fasi, by half past, it 
 was pouring down in torrents, by half 
 past nine, the Sinnemahoning began to 
 raise, at ten o'clock the banks were full 
 and overflowing; after that hour the flood 
 of water increased very rapidly. Rafts 
 of timber, immense quantities of logs, 
 buildings of all descriptions were swept 
 continually by in the rushing waters. At 
 last about three o'clock in the morning, 
 a great amount of rafts and logs jam 
 med against the railroai' 
 
 swept it from its abutments. The force 
 of the flood was such that the graveyard 
 at the first fork, (Now Sinnemahoning) 
 was forced to give up its dead and its ten- 
 ants, clad in their last garments and pine 
 coffins, swept swiftly by. At this place 
 the store of C. C. McClelland, the house 
 of Michael Bush, a blacksmith shop, a 
 slaughter house and a stable, the house 
 of Richard Reed and the entire contents, 
 all succumbed to the terrific waters, and 
 were carried away. During that event- 
 ful night, Mr. John Belaney, who then 
 kept hotel at Keating, made a raft of 
 boards with the intention of escaping to 
 the mountain, (his boat and canoe had 
 been swept away, ) and succeeded in get- 
 ting his wife, family and servants on it, 
 but the force of the current took the raft 
 down in the orchard, and down stream, 
 instead of to the other side. In this ex- 
 tremity the frail raft struck against an 
 apple tree, and. Mr. Delaney was thrown 
 into the water. To his great joy he found 
 that the water was not yet too high for 
 him to ford, and he succeeded in pulling 
 the raft back again to the hotel. In the 
 morning they were all taken in a canoe to 
 the mountain. 
 
 In the year 1865 the country was again 
 visited by a flood. This time part of the 
 railroad bed was swept away, but the 
 damage done was not near so much as 
 by the flood of 1861. This time the flood 
 was mostly in the West Branch, and while 
 very few houses were carried away, 
 the quantity of timber rafts and logs 
 taken off was enormous. In the immedi- 
 ate vicinity, the loss of timber was very 
 heavy. John Rohn lost eight rafts, J. A. 
 Moore two rafts, C. C. McClelland lost a 
 large quantity of both timber and logs, 
 Eldridge and Satterlee lost five rafts, and 
 Earwell & McCloskey five rafts; fti fact 
 every one that lumbered that year were 
 sufferers, as the flood came in the spring 
 on.'the 17th day of March, (Saint Patrick's 
 day) just as everybody was getting ready 
 for rafting. 
 
 In the year 1858, an eng-ineer employed 
 on the P. & E. R. R., found a very curi- 
 ous stone, on which was cut some very 
 singular characters. The stone was flat, 
 and was found under the ledge of rocks 
 nearly opposite the Keating Hotel. On 
 it were many images of various birds and 
 animals, but the most conspicuous carv- 
 ing was a rough draft of the Sinnemahon- 
 ,and the West Branch river 
 
112 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 The head of the creek was embellished 
 with the likeness of an elk, and the source 
 of the river with the figure of a deer, 
 seeming to point out that on the creek 
 the elk was to be found, but that the deer 
 most abounded on the river. The gentle- 
 man who found it valued it very highly, 
 and had it carefully packed and forward- 
 ed to his home. 
 
 About eight years ago a inan named 
 Grove, accompanied by his son, paid a 
 mysterious visit from one of the western 
 states to this township, and explored the 
 country for over two weeks. Before go- 
 ing away, he related the following story: 
 Some foi-ty years ago he was a resident 
 of this township and that while sojourn- 
 ing at the house of Thomas Burns, (on 
 the place now owned by James Moore) a 
 party of Indians with knapsacks and 
 other bags passed by, and went on up 
 the river, and in a day or so they re- 
 turned, with their bags heavily laden, and 
 they put up for the night at the same 
 house; while they were at supper, he 
 (Groves) from curiosity, examined one of 
 the bags and found it was filled with sil- 
 ver ore of a very superior quality. The 
 next day he took their old tracks up 
 the river as far as Birch Island run, where 
 at that place the tracks led into the river 
 he searched long and faithfully for the 
 coveted mine, but was unsuccessful. A 
 few years after he emigrated to the west, 
 but the more he thought of the silver 
 mine, the more anxious he was to again I 
 visit the neighborhood; at length accom- 
 panied by his son, he made the visit, and 
 thoroughly searched from Birch Island to 
 Spruce run, but without discovering the 
 mine. The first store in this township 
 was built by C. C. McClelland, on the 
 banks of the Sinnemahoning, near the 
 mouth; He afterward removed to Round 
 Island, where he carried on an extensive 
 lumbering and mercantile business for 
 many years. At present there are two 
 stores in^he township. One of them is 
 at Wistar, and is owned by Eldrige & 
 Averil], the proprietors of the coal mines 
 and poke works. The other is situated 
 near the depot at Keating, and is owned 
 by J. W. Merrey. 
 
 The Keating Hotel is one of the hand- 
 somest buildings on the Phila. & Erie R. 
 R. It is built near the depot, and is four 
 stories high, including the basement. It 
 was built by J.W. Merrey, who is its pres- 
 
 capable of entertaining fifty guests, and is 
 a great resort for trout fishermen and 
 hunters, for the streams near this point 
 are well stocked with the beautiful mem- 
 bers of the finny tribe, and is not far 
 distant from the best hunting grounds in 
 this county. 
 
 The first blacksmith shop was kept by 
 Matthias Flaig, now of Lock Haven, and 
 was built about the year 1859. Mr Alli- 
 son Kryder has now the only regular 
 blacksmith shop in the township, which is 
 situated on his farm, about half a mile 
 from the mouth of the creek. 
 
 On January 19th, 1875, an election was 
 held on the question of dividing the town- 
 ship, and was unanimous in favor of a 
 division; thereupon the court on petition 
 of a number of citizens, appointed C. C. 
 Cannon judge of election, Seth J. Nelson 
 and James Thomas, Inspectors for the 
 eastern part of the old township and or- 
 dered it to be named "East Keating," 
 and the western part "West Keating.-' 
 
 At the regular February elections the 
 following officers were elected to fill the 
 various offices in East Keating : 
 
 Supervisors, James A. Moore, "Wm. H. 
 Delaney ; School Directors, J. W. Merrey, 
 Wallace Gakle, Allison Kryder, Seth Nel- 
 son, Peter Chillson, Charles Miller ; Over- 
 seers of the Poor, C. C. Cannon, G. Reed ; 
 Assessor, Seth I. Nelson ; Justice of the 
 Peace, C. C. McClelland. . 
 
 In West Keating the officers are as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Justices of the Peace, M. P. Aton, Jas. 
 Ganoe ; Supervisors, George Rohn, Henry 
 Delaney ; School Directors, John Rohn, 
 Henry Delaney, David Jones, John Con- 
 fare, George Rohn ; A,ssessor, John W, 
 Chatham. 
 
 There is a good saw mill in West Keat- 
 ing, owned by Noyes, Bridgens & Co., 
 and the principal business is lumbering 
 and farming. 
 
 John Rohn is the most prominent citi- 
 zen in West Keating, both as a business 
 man and politician, and has the handsom- 
 est hovrse in that section of country. 
 
 West Keating is conspicuously Demo- 
 cratic, there being only three Republican 
 votes polled at the last election. It has 
 three schools, which are generally well 
 conducted. The following are the officers 
 of the board : President, J. W. Cole ; Sec- 
 retary, Henry Delaney ; Treasurer, John 
 Rohn. 
 
 ent owner and Pi'oP™tor.£jy^^^^ytgyi^yp;^^^no post cfGce in West Keating, 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ITS 
 
 but the mail is carried from Round Island 
 and distributed by a route agent. There 
 are three railway depots and three post 
 offices in East Keating : Round Island, 
 Wistar, and Nasby. The first two are 
 named after their respective villages, but 
 the last, Nasby, is at Keating station. 
 The postal laws do not allow two offices 
 of the same name in one State, and as 
 there is a Keating post office in McKean 
 county, some other name had to be se- 
 lected. Some were in favor of one name 
 and some another, but Col. A. 0. Noyes 
 happening to be present during the dis- 
 cussion, solicited the honor of naming the 
 post office, which was immediately grant- 
 ed and the papers handed him. The next 
 day they were returned with the name 
 "Nasby" written in the proper place on 
 the forms. This was considered a capital 
 burlesque, for the place is intensely Dem- 
 ocratic, scarcely a Republican i-eceiving 
 mail matter at this office. J. R. VanDan- 
 iker is the present postmaster. He is also 
 ticket, freight and express agent and tel- 
 egraph operator. 
 
 The name of the township is derived 
 from John Keating, who was formerly 
 the owner of most of the land in the* 
 township. 
 
 At Wistar quite extensive mines and 
 coke ovens are in operation, which are 
 owned by Dr. Edwin Eldridge and Levi 
 Ave«ill, both of Elmira, N. Y., who, it is. 
 understood, intend erecting extensive: 
 blast furnaces and iron works. Ther© 
 are three saw mills in this township, one 
 owned by Durell Kryder on Moccasin Fall 
 Run, one by Eldridge & Averill, Wistar, 
 and the other by Jno. W. Clark, near 
 Round Island.. 
 
 East Keating has four school districts^ 
 and the usual school term is five months. 
 The following are the officers of the? 
 board : J. W. Merrey, President ; Setb 
 Nelson, Secretary ; Wallace Gakle, Treas- 
 urer. 
 
 The projected enterprise, the Keating' 
 and Karthaus raih-oad, if ever built, wil£ 
 start from the depot at Keating station, 
 and will open the vast coal fields of this 
 township. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
lU 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 LBIDY TOWNSHIP. 
 
 The following very interesting and re- 
 liable history of Leidy, was_ furnished by 
 G. "W. Botsford, Esq., a citizen of that 
 township: 
 
 Leidy was stricken off from Chapman 
 township iji the year 1847, and is bounded 
 as follows : On the north by Ste wartson 
 township, Potter county, on the east By 
 Chapman township, on the south by 
 Noyes township, and on the west by 
 GroVe township, Cameron county, and 
 extends north from Noyes, a distance of 
 •about twelve miles, and eastward from 
 Cameron county, about fifteen miles, 
 crossing on the east some of t)ie upper 
 branches of the Shingle Fork of Young- 
 womans Creek. The township is of very 
 uneven surface, the many tributary 
 streams of Kettle Creek, Vhich wing out 
 . east and west forming deep hollows and 
 narrow ridges, with here and there on 
 the summits of the mountains an isolated 
 tract of laud suitable for farming pur- 
 poses. Upon the table lands around the 
 Tamarack Swamp, and the upper and 
 western branches of Paddy's Run, is a 
 section of country, a part' of which is 
 well watered, which will, at some future 
 day, be settled and improved. There are 
 at the present time nine families residing 
 in the vicinity of the swamp, with a 
 school house of respectable appearance, 
 and a school five months in the year. 
 This land is very fertile and productive, 
 b^it in consequence of its high elevation 
 is subject to late and eariy frosts. The 
 Tamarack swamp is situated about four 
 miles east of Kettle Creek at .the base 
 and western side of Boon mountain, and 
 contains about three hundred acres. At 
 onetime it was surrounded by a dense 
 forest of pine timber, encircling a beau- 
 tiful and thick grove of spruce of large 
 size, tall and straight, and tamarack and 
 balsam, and the interior, comprising 
 about one hundred and fifty acres, is 
 
 "balsam of fir" bushes standing at re- 
 spectful distances like lone sentinels, 
 watching the blooming flowers, as they 
 give beauty to a landscape but seldom 
 seen by the eye of man. This swamp is 
 fed by small springs. At some period 
 far back in the past, in all probability the 
 beavers conceived the plan of enlarging 
 their play grounds by constructing a dam 
 and flowing the water back, forming a 
 little lake 'in the wilderness. Drury's 
 Run flows from this swamp running in a 
 southwest direction a distance of sevfen 
 and a-half miles, reaching the river one- 
 half mile above Renovo. The water is of 
 a lye color and abouuds with trout. 
 
 In 1836 or 37, or about that time, a Mr. 
 Kelley, formerly from Iceland, came and 
 constructed a rude dwelling house, and 
 afterwards cleared and improved quite 
 a fine farm on the western side of the 
 swamiJ, and reared a family of children. 
 The oldest one, Samuel, is still living, far 
 advanced in years, and is a respectable 
 citizen of Renovo. Mr. Kelley was the 
 first settler between the river and Kettle 
 Creek, and experienced all of the hard- 
 ships, deprivations attending a pioneer 
 life. He received a patent for 400 acres 
 ■of land on a settler's claim, in the gloomy 
 solitude of the mountain forests. Often 
 would the still hours of night be broken 
 by the fierce howling of wolves, and the 
 panther's loud and terrific'yells; protected 
 by the darkness of night, they occasion- 
 ally came prowling around the house, 
 passing over the door steps, and makiiig 
 night hid 'jous with their loud piercing 
 screams. Mrs. Kelley died some years 
 since; sha was ninety years of age. 
 Kettle Cra 3k, the principal stream ■ that 
 passes thi ;ugh Leidy town:hip, takes its 
 rise north of Germania, Potter county, 
 and flows in a southwesterly direction, 
 passing through Abbott and Stewartson 
 townships, of Potter county, and Leidy, 
 of Clinton, emptying its waters into the 
 
 covered with a green carp^^;|]i^aft>^Mgm3SJfl*®ia at Westport. The distance 
 
HISTOKICAI;' VIEW OF CLINTON OOUNTT. 
 
 1T5 
 
 from its source to its mouth is about forty- 
 seven miles. 
 
 Hemmed in by lofty mountains wbicli 
 generally leave a flat on one side of the 
 <!reek of sufficient width for a farm, large 
 or small, until within a few miles of 
 Noyes township, wherfe the fiats are com- 
 pletely crowded out, and the mountains 
 come down to the water's edge on each 
 Bide, the stream is navigable for arks 
 and rafts a distance of twenty-five miles. 
 The average fall of the stream is about 
 thirty feet to the mile, through Leidy 
 township, which gives its waters a rapid 
 current. Its main branches are Little 
 Kettle Creek, Cross-forks,. (these are in 
 Potter county) and Hamraersley's Fork, 
 which empties its waters into the maiji 
 creek about four miles below the Cross- 
 forks; it is a stream of good size for miles, 
 with three large branches, and about 
 twelve miles in length, running nine and 
 a-half of that distance in Potter county. 
 It derived its name from Jacob Hammers- 
 ley, who settled at its mouth in 1827, or 
 near that time. This stream, for one of 
 its length, in all probability would excel 
 any other creek in the State for trout. 
 The average number annually taken from 
 this branch during the last fifteen years 
 is about sixteen thousand. The writer, 
 many years since, often left home in the 
 morning and traveled some distance up 
 the stream, and caught from two to three 
 hundred trout and returned the same 
 evening. At the present time trout are 
 uot so pl«nty as formerly, but more fish- 
 
 • ing is done by people from various parts 
 of the country. 
 
 This is a lumber ^tream, the business 
 being carried on principally in Potter 
 coHiity. The next stream below, of note, 
 isHevner's Run; it is said that it deriv- 
 ed its name from a man by the name of 
 Hevner, who was lost on the mountains, 
 and in the night made his way down this 
 creek to the mouth ; it is about four miles 
 in length and abounds with trout. Oppo- 
 site the mouth is what is called the "ox 
 bow-bend, " a bend in the creek formed 
 like an ox-bow, three miles in flie circle, 
 and eighty rods across. Then the creek 
 takes another turn, forming the figure of 
 another ox-bow not quite so perfect as 
 the first. • Into this second bow Trout 
 Run empties its waters. This has been 
 the most important stream for trout in 
 the township. r^- -i- 
 
 • It is about five miles in liffl^pJl/zedf 
 
 four branches. It derived its name from ■ 
 the great quantity of trout found in its 
 waters. About fifteen years ago it was 
 said by Dr. Green, who, for two or three 
 years 'was engaged in manufacturing 
 shingles on the stream; that sixteen thous- 
 and trout were caught out of that brook 
 iu one season, and the principal part 
 were caught by his own men. This 
 stream takes its rise in Potter county, 
 and the course of the main run is south- 
 east, and in all probably has furnished as 
 much lumber for market in the form of 
 shingles, square timber, and logs, as" any 
 stream of the same length in the State. 
 Three or fonr men have been killed while 
 engaged in lumbering on ^his stream. 
 For twenty-eight years the heavy blows 
 of the woodsman's axe, and the ringing 
 of saws has told of the work of destruc-. 
 tion going on amid that dense forest of 
 lofty pines. Amos P. Roberts, that i^rince 
 of Eastern jobbers, with a large crew of 
 Maine Yankees, did a considerable bus- 
 iness lumbering on this stream. Jacob 
 Lock, was another champion of the woods'; 
 his operations in lumbering on this stream 
 were quite extensive for several years. 
 One fall he could beat the morning reville 
 on the side of his shanty, when one hun- 
 dred men would arise to answer roll call. 
 Munson & Company have lumbered on 
 this stream for twenty years. E. M. 
 Pish, and Clement & Mills, took their 
 lessons in lumbering on that run. Ham- 
 ilton Fish has made his mark in those 
 woods; various other parties have operat- 
 ed in the region. 
 
 Some years twenty, and one year twen- 
 ty-five rafts of square timber were hauled 
 down this run, and seven million feet 
 in logs were floated out of the str-eam. 
 
 The land on this run was surveyed in 
 the names of Baughman, Butlers, and 
 Willhelm Willink & Co.; two tracts in the 
 name of Alva Clement, y\ hile others were 
 warranted in the names of Perry, San- 
 som, and others. The next stream of 
 consequence, two and a-half miles below, 
 is "Beaver Dam Run," deriving its name 
 from a small beaver dam constructed at 
 the mouth. This creek is about five 
 miles in length and contains many speck- 
 led beauties. It was well timbered, but 
 the principal part has been taken oft'. 
 The lands on tliis run were surveyed in 
 the names of Baughman, Biitlers, Chas. 
 Lloyd, and^D. K. Jackraan. 
 
 ower end of the township are 
 
116 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OE CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 many rocks of large size in the creek, 
 many of them well known to the rafts- 
 men by their names, nearly all being 
 named after the pilots, whoj stove the 
 first raft against one of them. Many of 
 them have ducked their heads under wa- 
 ter, through the powder and drill; but 
 the most formidable and dangerous rock 
 in the stream to raftmen is called the 
 "Gray rock." Nature in some of its 
 wild freaks of fancy, loosened a huge 
 rock from its moorings away upon the 
 precipitous slope of a lofty mountain, 
 it .tumbled with lightning velocity 
 down the mountain side into the creek, 
 at a short turn where the stream was 
 very narrow, where it has stood for ages, 
 defymg alike the action of the elements, 
 the hand of man, and the tooth of time. 
 
 For nearly a half century the pilots of 
 Kettle Creek have kept up a sort of bunt- 
 ing fight with this rock monster; broken 
 platforms of boards, and detached sticks 
 of timber floating upon the swift current, 
 would give evidence of a brush with old 
 Gray, which would remain firm and im- 
 movable awaiting another victim. 
 
 Four miles east of Kettle Creek the 
 western branches of Paddy's Run take 
 their rise, flowing in a southwestei-n di- 
 rection six miles, to Chapman township. 
 This was formerly a great trout stream ; 
 large Sums of money have been expended 
 in constructing dams, clearing out drift- 
 wood and cribbing its banks, and it is, in 
 all probability, in as good condition for 
 log floating as any stream of its size 
 in the lumbering districts. The right 
 hand branch of Parldy's Run takes its 
 rise in Pfouts' Valley. This branch is 
 about eight miles in length, winding its 
 way around throi%h the gaps of the 
 mountains, and its waters are of a lye 
 color. Pfout's Valley contains about 
 seventeen hundred acres, hemmed in on 
 all sides by mountains. The larger por- 
 tion of this valley is studded with the 
 tallest and heaviest growth of pine tim- 
 ber. The axe of the lumberman has not 
 yet made its marks in that dense wilder- 
 ness. Only surveyors, land speculators, 
 stray or lost hunters, have made their 
 footprints upon the mossy carpet of the 
 valley. This valley was discovered by 
 Simeon Pfouts, while on a hunting expe- 
 dition, hence the name. This valley, 
 with the exception of a part of a large 
 tract at the upper end ow: ~ ~ 
 
 q^&'ieB^*>fcA^ieR)fedi#®i 
 
 White, 'is owned by the Paddy's Run 
 lumbering company. 
 
 Chatham, Devhng & Co., carried on 
 lumbering operations near the head 
 waters of this run, getting out spars and 
 square timber for several years, and con- 
 structed a road along the mountain side 
 to the distance of niiie or ten miles, and 
 cleared a small farm and erected a large 
 and commodious house. By different 
 transfers the lands fell into the hands of 
 Gamble Williamson, Crawford & Co. 
 A German land company was organized 
 in Germany, Henry Drinker being one of 
 the company, whose agents explored these 
 mountain wilds, and in 1792, or about, 
 that time, made extensive surveys in this 
 country, locating and receiving patents 
 for many thousand acres in Leidy town- 
 ship, including the best farming and 
 timber land on the waters of Kettle Creek. 
 Willholm Willink's Tsurveys were made 
 soon after, and the Nicklin and Griffith 
 surveys were made in 1805. The official 
 drafts received from the Surveyor Gen- 
 eral's oflice imply that all of the lands 
 situated north of- the West Branch of the 
 Susquehanna, are included in ■ the last 
 purchase. The first surveys are well 
 known as the Henry Drinker lands, and 
 nearly all of the land improved and culti- 
 vated in Leidy township are on these sur- 
 veys. A Mr. Valentine, of Bellefonte, a 
 gentleman of wealth and popularity, was 
 appointed a general agent of the Henry 
 Drinker lands, with full authority to make 
 sales of the same. After some years had 
 passed and the lands not being very ready 
 sale, Mr. Valantine resigned the agency, 
 and Mr. Simeon Pfouts, a man of fair tal- 
 ents and some education, succeeded him, 
 and in order to make the business profit- 
 able as possible, took his axe and cut 
 down the corner trees, tracing out the 
 hues, cutting down the line trees that 
 gave evidences of land marks, committing 
 all to the flames. When this work was ac- 
 complished, to his satisfaction, he presum- 
 ed that every evidence of the boundaries, 
 and location of the Drinker lands had 
 been completely auniliilated. He then 
 claimed the ownership of the lands and 
 ordered some of the settlers to clear out 
 and leave the improvements they had 
 been making; but they had little confi- 
 dence in his titles. The company learn- 
 ing the shrewd game which was being 
 played by their cunning and unfaithful 
 ght suit against him, sending 
 
HISTORICAL VIEAY OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 m 
 
 on their surveyors to hunt for lost cor- 
 ners. Some one of the settlers put them 
 on track of a huttonwood corner standuig 
 at the mouth of Trout Run, which had 
 escaped the eye bf Pfouts. This corner 
 was a starting point which gave a clue to 
 all of the rest. In course of time their 
 trial came off, and the company was vic- 
 torious. 
 
 Mark Slonaker, a clever, honest Dutch- 
 man, was then appointed their agent; he' 
 divided the large tracts into small lots, to 
 suit the wishes and convenience of pur- 
 chasers, and retained his agency until he 
 sold all of their lands; these lands were 
 sold at from one dollar to one dollar and 
 iifty cents per acre. 
 
 The highest mountain in Leidy town- 
 ship, (as it has no name) we will call 
 "Dyke's Peak." The altitude of its sum- 
 mit is fourteen hundred and forty-eight 
 feet above the creek, and is two thou.s- 
 and eight hundi-ed feet abo.ve the level of 
 the ocean. This peak is situated three- 
 fourths of a mile east of Hammersley's 
 Fork, on the east side of Kettle Creek. 
 The climate of this section of the coun- 
 try is very delightful in summer. The 
 warmest day known here was during the 
 month of July, 1863, when the thermom- 
 eter went up to lOG^ in the shade. Last 
 winter, which was one of the coldest 
 known, the mercury only went down 
 twenty-three degrees below zero. 
 
 Of the mineral productions of the town- 
 ship but little is known ; ther'e has been 
 no geological survey made in this town- 
 ship. Some specimens of coal have been 
 found in the lower end, but no regular 
 working veins have as yet been discov- 
 ered. It has been founcl in small quan- 
 tities in Stewartson township. Potter 
 county; geologists say that coal lies 
 above the red sand rock (this is the 
 salt rock, and is found in great quantities 
 here) and above the conglomerate rock, 
 which is frequently found scattered over 
 the summits of these mountains. There 
 is no limestone, only as rare specimens 
 are discovered mixed with the gray shale. 
 Iron ore is found upon the surface in 
 nearly all parts of the township. Enough 
 of that ore has been discovered in certain 
 localities to give the assurance that it 
 does exist in large quantities upon these 
 mountains. 
 
 Simeon Pfouts was the first white man 
 that settled upon the waters of IJ^Qttle, 
 Creek. He was a man wlO/Q^&^l 
 
 strong physical constitution, reckless of 
 danger, with a predilection for wild ad- 
 venture, having previously traveled ex- 
 tensively amid the wilds of southern 
 states. In the year 1813, he made his 
 way up the West Branch as far as the 
 mouth of Kettle Creek which is said to 
 have derived its name from the finding of 
 a kettle in it near its confluence with the 
 Susquehanna, by some one of the white 
 settlers residing within the vicinity of its 
 mouth). Ascending that stream a dis- 
 tance of about eight miles, he came to a 
 bend in its course, and on the eastern 
 side was a flat of rich land, of sufiScient 
 length and breadth for a handsome farm. 
 Bounded on the east by a lofty mountain, 
 and on the western side of the creek the 
 rock crowned summit of Savage mountain 
 shoots up in the skies to the height of 
 twelve hundred feet. There amid the 
 wildest scenery, the huge trees of the for- 
 est soon began to fall before the steady 
 blows of his axe. The game in the woods, 
 and the fish in the creek furnished the 
 largest share of his provision stock. Pass- 
 ing the summer engaged in clearing land 
 and constructing a rude dwelling, in 
 the fall he stepped into his canoe, and 
 was soon moving upon the rapid current 
 of Kettle Creek in the direction of his 
 home in Perry county. 
 
 In the spring of 1814, bidding adieu to 
 friends and home, and the scenes of ear- 
 lier days, in company with his wife and 
 little boy, then two years old, and a man 
 by the name of Paul Shade, made their 
 way to the Susquehanna river, and pack- 
 ing a few household goods, and a stock 
 of provisions into a keel boat, they start- 
 ed up the river for their new home; ar- 
 riving at the mouth of Kettle Creek they 
 reshipped their goods into a large canoe, 
 which they pushed up the creek to the 
 place selected the year previous by 
 Pfouts. The two men then commenced 
 enlarging their improvement, and the cul- 
 tivation of the land already cleared; but 
 they were compelled to realize the many 
 disadvantages attending a pioneer life. 
 Situated many miles beyond the confines 
 of civilization, where the voice of a white 
 man was seldom heard, not a road or 
 foot path gave evidence of the advance of 
 civilization between the waters of the 
 Susquehanna, and the Allegheny — that is, 
 in a northern and western direction. 
 
 The steams o f the township were teem- 
 '16gO#QHr^out ; deer were very plenty in 
 
118 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 the woods ; wolves roamed througli the 
 forests in droves, and panthers were nu- 
 merous. Mr. Pfouts was an expert hunt- 
 er, and often would the nimble-footed 
 deer fall before the aim of his rifle. Oir 
 one occasion, at least, his life was in great 
 peril. He was traveling down the creek, 
 hunting for his cows. At the foot of 
 Spicewood island, which is located about 
 a mile below his residence, he found three 
 young panthers lying in their nest, of 
 leaves underneath the shelter of an old 
 roqt. He quickly gathered them up in 
 "his arms and started for home. When he 
 had arrived within about one-fourth of a 
 mile of his residence, the sound of pan- 
 ther yells fell upon his ears. Then com- 
 menced a race for life, and Pfouts fully 
 developed the strength of his muscles. 
 Nearer and louder were the terrible 
 screams of that huge monster. Pfouts 
 gained the race by a few feet, and I'ush- 
 ing into the house be dropped his young 
 panthers and seizing his rifle shot the 
 panther, which fell dead near his door. 
 At another time, in company with Paul 
 Shade, pushing a canoe up from the river, 
 laden with provisions, when within a 
 mile or two of his home, at a point where 
 the channel of the stream is narrow, sud- 
 denly an enormous panther leaped from 
 his concealed position among the rocks at 
 the form of Pfouts, and alighted in the 
 water close to the stern of the canoe, the 
 rapid current carrying it some distance 
 down stream before it reached shore. 
 One day, while out hunting with his well 
 trained dog, he killed four panthers, and 
 the following day he killed another. Near 
 the mouth of Beaver Dam Run he caught 
 one in a trap, which measured eleven feet 
 and sis inches in length. In 1816 a 
 young female stranger made her appear- 
 ance, and from that time on constituted 
 one of the family circle, the first white 
 child born on Kettle Creek, still living, 
 and occupying the position of wife of 
 Isaac Summerson, being in comfortable 
 and prosperous circumstances, with chil- 
 dren and grand-children in sufficient num- 
 bers to form quite a colony. They were 
 the first couple married on Kettle Creek. 
 Mr. Pfouts erected the first saw-mill and 
 grist-mill that was constructed on 'Kettle 
 Creek. He reared a family of nine chil- 
 dren, eight of whom are now living. He 
 died on the 26th of August, 1856, from 
 the bite of a rattlesnake, which he held 
 
 in his hands in a playful mannar. demon- 
 
 strating to a young friend the harmless 
 nature of those venomous reptiles. 
 
 During the years 1817, '18 and '19, sev- 
 eral men came up the creek, with a view 
 of settling upon the rich bottom lands. 
 A man by the name of Williamson, with 
 his wife and family, located a short dis- 
 tance below the Gray Rock, upon a small 
 flat, and made some improvements. Some 
 years afterward he sold his lands and 
 ijioved about twelve miles further up the 
 creek. The place he at first selected for 
 a home is at present owned and occupied 
 by Halsey Arnold, a noble hearted Yankee 
 fi'om the Empire State. For several years 
 past Mr. Arnold has kept a hotel. 
 
 Hoover and McElwee settled upon a 
 large flat near a point known as Hoover's 
 Turn, a short bend in the creek. After 
 making some improvements, during the 
 few years of their stay, the realization of 
 their former dreams of life in the wilder- 
 ness did not meet their expectations, and 
 they left for other parts. That flat is now 
 owned by David R. Summerson, M. D. 
 Summmerson, and Michael SuUivaii, cr 'h 
 cultivating a fine farm. A man by thb 
 name of Di-ake, another named David 
 Summerson, and a Mr. Bearfleld, selected 
 the "Big Bottom," on the north-eastern 
 side of Beaver Dam Run, for their homes. 
 Bearfield remained but three or four years. 
 Through sales the whole of this large and 
 beautiful flat passed into other hands. 
 Joseph Summerson and John Mooie made 
 the principal improvements, passing from 
 the prime of life to old age, each one 
 raising a large family. This large and 
 well cultivated flat is now divided into 
 two farms, and owned by George Moore, 
 John Summerson and Mrs. Repetto. 
 
 On the eastern side of the creek, at 
 Calhoun's Eddy, is located a handsome 
 farm, witli quite an elegant residence, 
 owned by three brothers, David, John, 
 and William Calhoun. Their father loca- 
 ted there in the year 1823. He was a 
 blacksmith by trade. In 1824 he erected 
 the first blacksmith shop that made its 
 appearance on the waters of Kettle Creek. 
 
 An Englishman by the name of Sum- 
 merson settled on the north-eastern side 
 of the Ox-bow Bend. He had previously 
 occupied a farm on the river, where 
 the upper part of the town of Renovo 
 is now located. Mr. Summerson, follow- 
 ing the example of those who came before 
 him, shipped his household goods up the 
 .ci'eek in .canoes, bringing with him also 
 
 Microsofm ° ° 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 179 
 
 a span of horses, the first team of horses 
 that was used for farming purposes on 
 Kettle Creek. Mr. Summerson reared a 
 family often children, all but two of 
 whom, Isaac and Franklin, are dead. 
 Franklin's home is upon a prairie in the 
 distant West, while Isaac is the owner of 
 the old homestead, and now at the age of 
 three-score and ten, his eyes will brighten 
 and his countenance become radiant with 
 the sriiiles of pleasure, while relating his 
 hunting excursions of earlier days. Dur- 
 ing the same year (1834) Jacob Hammer- 
 sley and Archie Stewart came on the 
 creek and settled at the mouth of the first 
 fork of Kettle Creek, each one making an 
 improvement, Hammersley locating on 
 the eastern and Stewart on the western 
 side of the fork. After a residence of a 
 few years on the creek they erected a 
 small log grist-mill, on the western side of 
 the fork. Previous to this time Mr. Ham- 
 mersley had carried many loads of flour 
 on his back from the river to his home, 
 traveling the old Boon road over the 
 mountains, a distance of sixteen miles. 
 The groceries and dry goods, so essential 
 to the comfort of the earliest settlers in 
 this wild country, were purchased in the 
 vicinity of the Great Island and shipped 
 to their place of destination in canoes, a 
 distance of forty and fifty miles. Mr. 
 Hammersley possessed a strong and vig- 
 orous constitution, adequate to the ac- 
 complishment of any enterprise where 
 physical strength and bold and reckless 
 daring were requisite. Mr. Hammersley 
 was a great hunter ; he frequently shoul- 
 dered his rifle in the morning, and start- 
 ing for the woods, in a three hours' hunt 
 would often kill from two to three deer. 
 He caught a great many bears and wolves, 
 and killed five elks in one day, a short 
 distance up the Cross Fork. He also 
 kiUed five panthers. He reared a family 
 of nine children, of whom .lacob Ham- 
 mersley, of North Point, the champion 
 hunter of Clinton county, is the oldest. 
 Henry, his second son, was killed at the 
 battle of Gettysburg. Uriah, his third 
 son, runs a hotel at the mouth of Ham- 
 mersley's Fork ; and Kiohard, his young- 
 est son, was crushed to death in the lum- 
 ber woods by a falling limb, in 1873. Mr. 
 Hammersley had attained the age of 
 ninety years when he died, in the month 
 of February, 1873, two weeks prior to 
 ,the death of his son Richard. For years 
 his friends and neighbor 
 
 first settlers upon the creek, lay in silent 
 repose in their dusty beds, while "Old 
 Jake," as he was familiarly called, re- 
 mained, a monument of pioneer life. 
 Traveling over life's chequered path, but 
 little scathed by the storms and tempests 
 which so often shorten the period of 
 man's existence, a witness of passing 
 events, he had beheld the rising and set- 
 ting of the sun for nearly a century ; and 
 during that period what changes had ta- 
 ken place in the world's history. Em- 
 pires had risen and fallen, and the eagles 
 of liberty had built their nests upon the 
 ruins of imperial thrones. Mr. Hammer- 
 sley's widow is still living, the oldest cit- 
 izen in Leidy township. She has been 
 sailing upon the ocean of time for more 
 than three-fourths of a century, smart, 
 active and industrious, and the short space 
 of time required for her to travel on foot 
 the distance of five miles might cause the 
 cheeks of many of the fashionable ladies 
 of the present age to mantle with a blush 
 of shame. 
 
 In 1825, Peter Walters and two other 
 men, with their families, settled upon the 
 creek, Walters locating on the eastern 
 bank, opposite Brooks' Rififles. The 
 farm is now owned by Thomas Brooks. 
 Mrs. Walters, at one time, while standing 
 at her door, counted one hundred deer in 
 the creek, during one day. A hunting 
 excm'sion by torchlight occurred during 
 the summer of 1826. Peter Walters, 
 Isaac and Duke Summerson stated out 
 late in the evening, each armed with an 
 old flint-lock rifle and a brilliant torch. 
 They soon made their way to the south- 
 eastern side of the Ox-bow Bend, where, 
 emerging from a thick growth of timber 
 that skirted the banks of the stream, their 
 wild and youthful dreams of hunting deer 
 by torchlight were fairly realized. The 
 bright, flashing light from their torches 
 displayed to their wondering gaze the 
 glittering eyes of from two to thi-ee hun- 
 dred deer, filling the creek from bank to 
 bank, in one solid mass, as far as the rays 
 of light extended up and down the stream. 
 Summerson and Walters commenced a 
 brisk firing upon the deer. Mr. Walters 
 fancied that his gun was bewitched, as 
 his balls did not seem to take effect. The 
 rapid fii'ing had continued about fifteen, 
 minutes when Summerson got a ball fast 
 in his gun. About this time all the dogs 
 in the neighborhood, as far as the reports 
 
180 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 and on they came -with loud yells, leaping 
 into the crowd. The deer had up to this 
 time stood the deadly fire without flinch- 
 ing, but on being attacked by the dogs 
 broke ranks and fled. Isaac Summerson, 
 informed the writer that when the dogs 
 plunged into that mass of wild animals, 
 the scene of confusion surpassed every- 
 thing seen or realized in a hunter's life. 
 The yell of hounds, the snorting and 
 bleating of deer, the splashing of water, 
 the racing up and down the creek and 
 through the thick woods, which continued 
 for nearly half an hour before the dark 
 hours of night resumed their usual still- 
 ness. In the rifflle, a short distance be- 
 low, they found two deer that had fallen 
 victims to the fire of the hunters. That 
 point has ever since passed by the name 
 ■of the "Cannonading." 
 
 Leidy has no towns or villages. At the 
 mouth of Trout Run we have the evidences 
 of the commencement of a village in the 
 erection of a hotel, a handsome store- 
 house, erected by Clement, Mills & Co., 
 and a wagon and blacksmith shop, a 
 ehurch, a shoe shop, and a number of 
 private dwellings. One mile above Trout 
 Run, oji the eastern side of the creek, is 
 a saiw-mill with its gang of saws, which 
 is fast giving out, the only saw-mill in the 
 township, a blacksmith shop, parsonage, 
 store, and two handsome residences, 
 built by O. Goodman, with a number of 
 dwelling houses, all owned by Edgar 
 Munson. There is but one grist-mill in 
 the township ; it was constructed many 
 years since by Jacob Baughman, and is 
 at the present time owned by his heirs. 
 It is also fast going to ruin. Twenty-five 
 years since Munson & Co. built a saw- 
 mill, which they afterwards enlarged and 
 converted into a gang mil] . It did a good 
 business for a number of years and finally 
 burned down. This mill was located 
 about one mile below the Potter county 
 line. The same company owned a gang 
 mill, which was located a short distance 
 below Trout Run, in which Rumsey and 
 Corbit owned an interest. Jacob Baugh- 
 man and John L. Proctor, during the 
 year 1848 or '49, had constructed a saw- 
 mill, which did a very good business 
 for several years. They sold it, with 
 several tracts of valuable timber land, to 
 Munson, Corbit & Co. In 1843 James 
 Brooks constructed a saw-mill on a small 
 scale, a short distance below the mouth 
 of Bearfield Run. Some 
 
 1840 and 1850, Michael Stout and his son 
 Franklin, and Franklin Summerson, pur- 
 chased several tracts of timber land on 
 Hevner's Bun, and built a log grist-mill 
 and a saw-mill, about fifty rods above 
 the mouth of the stream. In 1851 they 
 sold their lands and mills to G. "W. Bots- 
 ford, and in 1852 he sold to a company 
 from the northern part of New Tork, and 
 they sold to Edgar Munson & Brother. 
 Munson, who resided in WilliamSport, 
 formerly from Steuben county, New York, 
 has been extensively engaged in lumber- 
 ing on Kettle Creek for thirty years, and 
 has acquired a large fortune by his ope- 
 rations. 
 
 The best r-esidences in Leidy are the two 
 mentioned, owned bv Munson, and one 
 owned by the heirs of Jacob Baughman, 
 one by Arthur Clement, next Hamilton 
 Fish and Edward Fish, Scott Dickinson, 
 Joseph Repetto ; William Calhoun and 
 brothers occupy one, • and last, D. R. 
 Summerson. 
 
 The first school house erected in Leidy 
 township was built on the eastern bank 
 of the creek, on. the farm now occupied 
 by David Walters. This was about thir- 
 ty-eight years ago. A man by the narne 
 of Grimes taught the first school. The 
 next school house (a log one, of course,) 
 was located on the western bank of the 
 creek, opposite the point where the Boon 
 road reaches the stream. At present 
 there are five school houses, (not one of 
 w^iich is elegant or stylish, but commo- 
 dious and comfortable), the township be- 
 ing divided into five school districts. 
 Twenty-five years ago literature in Leidy 
 was at a low ebb. Many of the inhabit- 
 ants are from Yankee land, and the prin- 
 cipal part of the native citizens joined 
 with them in the advancement of a higher 
 and more refined civilization. The Leidy 
 schools are kept open about five months 
 during the summer season of each year. 
 The central and lower district has fur- 
 nished eight female teachers. 
 
 At the present time there are but two 
 mercantile establishments in the town- 
 ship. One is owned by Edgar Munson, 
 and the other by Hamilton Fish. The 
 first store where goods were offered for 
 sale was erected on the farm now occu- 
 pied by David Walters, owned by Theo- 
 dore Leonard. This was in 1858. After 
 conducting the store about two years, he 
 discontinued the business and left the 
 .„^^1S60, or about that time. Ham- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 181 
 
 ilton Fish engaged in the mercantile bus- 
 iness. In 1863, Edgar Munson and Trux- 
 ton Goodman became the proprietors of 
 a store, -which they managed in a very 
 profitable way for eight or nine years ; 
 then Munson sold out to Goodman & 
 Brother. Clement & Mills established 
 themselves in the mercantile business, at 
 the mouth of Trovit Run. After contin- 
 uing the business about five years, in Jan- 
 uary, 1874, they failed, and their store 
 was closed up. 
 
 There are but two post ofSces in Leidy 
 township. Hammersley's Fork post office 
 is located at the mouth of Trout Run, 
 and is in charge of John Gartsee. Leidy 
 post office IS located on the eastern bank 
 of Beaver Dam Bun, on the State road, 
 and is in care of John Moore. 
 
 There are four hotels in the township, 
 Uriah Hammersley's, John Gartsee's, 
 Andrew Kimball's, and Halsey Arnold's. 
 Isaac Summerson kept a hotel for the 
 term of fifteen years. His bar was the 
 first from which whisky was sold under 
 legal authority in the township. 
 
 John J. Walton served one or two 
 terms in the capacity of Justice of the 
 Peace in the township. His literary 
 qualifications were quite limited. He 
 could read some, and write a very little ; 
 but he aimed to be honest in his official 
 acts. Benjamin Wheaton served two 
 terms, Michael Campbell one term, Ar- 
 thur Clement one term, and Nicholas 
 Watt three terms, and at present is the 
 only acting Justice in the township. 
 
 The roads of Leidy, when in the best 
 condition, are not such as to excite the 
 least feeling of pride in the bosom of any 
 of her citizens. The Paddy's Run road, 
 extending from the river to the Cross 
 Fork, in Potter county, was first con- 
 structed by Devlin, Chatham & Co., 
 about twenty-two years since. On the 
 21st of March, 1865, the Legislature 
 granted a charter for a State road, from 
 the river up Paddy's Run, to be construc';- 
 ed at the expense of Chapman and Leidy 
 townships. This road follows the track 
 of the first road diverging from it in a 
 few places. The high and even grade of 
 the road are good evidences of skillful 
 engineering. The first road extending 
 from the river to Kettle Creek was con- 
 structed by a man named Boen, who was 
 chief engineer. This road was continued 
 on up the creek to the Cross Fork, and 
 
 up that branch to its hea(E)y^'JSfeeefigi^VWfente©ff<SiO"sand dollars had been ex- 
 
 ascending to the summit of the AUeghe- 
 niea, it was continued on over the moun- 
 tains to the waters of the Allegheny, and 
 down that river to its terminus, near the 
 place where Smethport is now located. 
 This is called the Boon road, and was 
 constructed many years before civiliza- 
 tion made its appearance on Kettle Creek. 
 This road was designed for the accommo- 
 dation of a large number of families re- 
 .siding in the eastern part of this State, 
 who contemplated moving on the road 
 and settling upon the flat of tbe Alleghe- 
 ny- 
 
 In the fall of 1850 a road was construct- 
 ed from the mouth of Sugar Camp Run 
 to the river, the distance being about 
 twelve miles. This is called the Butler 
 road, and passes over the highest summit 
 of Savage mountain, called the "Stony 
 Pinnacle." At this point the mountain 
 attains an altitude of about fourteen hun- 
 dred feet above the creek, and is about 
 two miles west of the same. From this 
 lofty point may be obtained a view of 
 grand and beautiful mountain scenery in 
 the distance. . For a number of years this 
 was the main road leading from the river 
 to Leidy township. Finally there was a 
 road constructed up the main creek, with- 
 out any bridges at the different fordings 
 excepting those that were formed by a 
 cold winter's atmosphere, which would 
 float away early in the spring. March 
 24, 1869, the Legislature passed an act 
 authorizing the construction of a road 
 from Westport to the Potter county line. 
 Following the various windings of the 
 creek, graded in many places high up on 
 the hill-sides, where the mountains are 
 very precipitous, heavy slides frequently 
 occur, sweeping away the road in some 
 places and filling it up in others. A. 0. 
 Noyes, Hamilton Pish and Nicholas Watt 
 were appointed commissioners to super- 
 intend the construction of this important 
 road. That portion which was to be coii- 
 structed through Chapman township pro- 
 gressed rapidly under the superintendence 
 of John W. Robbins. During the same 
 time Hamilton Fish was making the road 
 with success in Leidy. Some dissatisfac- 
 tion having arisen. Fish resigned, which 
 resulted in the appointment of Truxton 
 Goodman to take his place. For two 
 years the road progressed slowly, and Mr. 
 Goodman was finally removed. He pub- 
 lished a statement showing that nearly 
 
182 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 pended, aud tlie road is not yet completed 
 — several miles still awaiting the intro- 
 duction of the pick and shovel. About 
 four years since, on the 28th day of 
 March, Amos P. Roberts drove from 
 Westport to the Cross Porks, a distance 
 of twenty-eight miles, on the ice. 
 
 The township was named after Judge 
 Leidy, of Salona. In 1870 it had a popu- 
 lation of 515. Tlie first elections in the 
 township were held at the private house 
 of Alexander Kelly, near the mouth of 
 Hammersley's Fork. For the last twen- 
 ty-five years they have been held at the 
 house of Isaac Summerson. The number 
 of votes in the township is about 140. 
 The greatest vote polled at an election 
 in the township was in 1864, when the 
 vote numbered 161. At that time lum- 
 bering was carried on extensifely, and 
 the population of the township was 
 greater than at present. The political 
 atmosphere is and has been decidedly Re- 
 publican. Political excitement here never 
 runs high. 
 
 In 1864, when the oil fever ran high 
 upon the Allegheny river, several compa- 
 nies came here with oily tongues, leasing 
 a large quantity of land, and left without 
 again making their appearance. One 
 company from the city of New York 
 came prepared for business ; they put 
 down a well about one hundred rods east 
 of the Central school house, to the depth 
 of 888 feet. At the depth of 10 feet, the 
 primitive or bed rook was struck ; at 360 
 feet they found salt water ; 465 feet be- 
 low the surface their drill strack a con- 
 glomerate rock, the first oil bearing rock 
 reached in that well. As their drills 
 worked their way down they passed 
 through a great depth of red sand rock, 
 which is the salt rock ; at 630 feet the 
 water was very strongly impregnated 
 with salt. When the drilling was dis- 
 continued they had passed through all 
 the differeut species of stone that are 
 found on the mountains and in the val- 
 leys, including twenty-eight feet of the- 
 conglomerate rock, several feet more than 
 is generally found on Oil Creek. Three 
 Hionlilis after the drills had performed 
 their part of the work the materials were 
 
 brought and an effort made to test the 
 well ; but such a strong volume of oil gas 
 issued from it that the test was but par- 
 tial, and the well was prononuceda failure. 
 
 High up on the summit of the moun- 
 tains, in the western part of the township, 
 large quantities of white sand rock are 
 found, of an excellent quality for the 
 manufacture of glass. On "the mountain 
 south of Hammersley's Fork are several 
 large red sand rocks, that have upon their 
 surface perforations somewhat resembling 
 a honey-comb, from two to four feet in 
 depth, presenting the appearance of hav- 
 ing at one time been washed by the ocean 
 waves. Fire clay is found in these hills, 
 and quite recently coal, said to be of an 
 excellent quality, has been discovfered on 
 Paddy's Run, in this tawnship. 
 
 The streams in Leidy abound with wa- 
 ter privileges, affording every facility for 
 the erection of manufacturing establish- 
 ments. The extensive forests of hemlock, 
 the bark of which can be made available 
 at several points on the main creek, may 
 at some time be made a sufScient induce- 
 ment for the erection of tanneries in this 
 township. In the fall of 1851 the writer 
 was shown a large hemlock tree that had 
 been cut down by Jackson Mayers, on 
 land now owned by John S. Clark, bear- 
 ing the mark of a blow from a tomahawk, 
 which cut into the heart of the tree, with 
 two hundred and twenty years' growth of 
 timber over it. Fire-places, built of stone, 
 have been found at a depth of twenty 
 inches, and in some places two feet below 
 the surface of the ground ; and pieces of 
 stone- ware, pipes, and arrow-heads, which 
 are fre(^uently found, all tell the story 
 that these hills aud valleys were once the 
 home of the American Indian. Probably 
 far back in the shades of the past, when 
 the history of their race was silent and 
 unknown to civilized man, long before 
 tlie brave Cortez unfurled the banner of 
 Spain in the ancient city of Mexico, here 
 in these lonely mountain wilds the dark 
 kings of the forest assembled their young 
 braves around the council fires, and with 
 savage yells and furious gestures chanted 
 their battle songs. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 18S 
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 LOGAN TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Wbat is now Logan township was orig- 
 inally included in Miles township, Cen- 
 tre county, and was organized previous[to 
 the formation of Clinton, in 1839. At 
 that time it contained the territory now 
 comprised in Greene township. 
 
 The township is bounded on the south 
 and west by Centre county, on the north 
 by Porter and Lamar townships, and on 
 the east by Greene. It is nearly nine miles 
 in length, and has an average breadth of 
 two and a half miles. Nearly the entire 
 township lies between what are called 
 Sugar valley and Brush valley mountains, 
 those two ranges really forming its north- 
 ern and southern boundaries, therefore 
 it includes a large portion (nearly one half) 
 of Sugar valley [see Greene township]. 
 This valley was so called because of the 
 very large number of sugar maple trees 
 that formerly existed within its limits, 
 and the township was named in honor of 
 that noble Indian chief Logan, who, ac- 
 cording to tradition, had a path across 
 the valley, which, with his dusky follow- 
 ers, he used to tread in passing and to from 
 the hunting grounds of his brother ohief- 
 tan the noted Bald Eagle. The place where 
 he crossed Nittany mountain is still called 
 "Logan's gap." As having been conspic- 
 uous in the Indian history of Central Penn- 
 sylvania, as well as giving the name to 
 an important township, Logan is certainly 
 entitled to especial notice in this sketch. 
 He was the son of the Cayuga chief, Shik- 
 ellimy, who dwelt at Shamokin (now 
 Sunbury) in 1743, and was then convert 
 ed to Christianity by the ~ 
 
 sionaries, by whom ho had his son bap- 
 tized, giving him the name by which he 
 was ever afterward known, in honor of 
 James Logan, at that time secretary of 
 the Province of Pennsylvania. After 
 reaching manhood, Logan made his abode 
 in Kishicoquillas valley, in what is now 
 Mifain county. The place he selected for 
 his wigwam was a few miles above Lew- 
 istown at what is still known as Logan's, 
 spring. The following "account of the 
 great chief was given in 1843, by "Wm. 
 Brown, Esq., one of the first actual set- 
 tlers of Kishicoquillas valley, to Hon. 
 R. P. McClay, then member of the State 
 Senate : 
 
 "The first time I ever saw that spring, 
 said the old gentleman, my brother, James 
 Reed and myself had wandered out of 
 the valley in search of land, and finding it 
 very good, we were looking about for 
 springs. About a mile from this we start- 
 ed a bear, and separated to get a shot at 
 him. I was traveling along, looking 
 about on the rising ground for the bear, 
 when I came suddenly upon the spring ; 
 and being dry, and more rejoiced to see 
 so fine a spring than to have killed a" doz- 
 en bears, I set my rifle against a bush and 
 rushed down the bank and laid down to 
 drink. Upon putting my head down, I 
 saw reflected in the water, on the oppo- 
 site side, the shadow of a tall Indian. I 
 sprang to my rifle, when the Indian gave 
 a yell, whether for peace or war I was 
 not just then sufficiently master of my 
 faculties to determine; but upon my seiz- 
 ing my rifle and facing him, he knocked 
 up the pan of his gun, threw out the prim- 
 ing, and extended his open palm toward 
 me in token of friendship. After putting 
 down our guns, we again met at the spring 
 — " This was Logan, the 
 
 IMgithmd ty^-fmii)t^0^®ha.iids 
 
184 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 best specimen of humanity I ever met 
 •with, either white or red. He could speak 
 a little English, and told me there was 
 another white hunter a little way down 
 the stream, and offered to guide me to his 
 camp. There I first met your father. — 
 We remained together in the valley a 
 week, looking for springs and selecting 
 lances, and laid the foundation of a friend- 
 ship which never lias had the slightest in- 
 terruption. 
 
 " We visited Logan at his camp at 
 Logan's Spring, and your father and he 
 shot at a mark at a dollar a shot. Logan 
 lost four or five rounds and acknowledged 
 himself beaten. When we were about to 
 leave him he went into his hut and brought 
 as many deerskins as he had lost dollars, 
 and handed them to Mr. MoClay, who re- 
 fused to take them, alleging that we had 
 been his guests, and did not come to rob 
 him: that the shooting had been only a 
 trial of skill, and the bel merely nominal. 
 Logan drew himself up with great dig- 
 nity and said, "Me bet to make you shoot 
 your best ; me gentleman, and me take 
 your dollar if me beat." So he was oblig- 
 ed to take the skins or affront our friend, 
 whose nice sense of honor would not per- 
 mit him to receive even a horn of powder 
 in return. 
 
 "The next year, said the old gentleman, 
 I brought my wife up and camped under 
 a big walnut tree on the bank of Tea 
 creek, until I had built a cabin near where 
 the mill now stands, and have lived in the 
 valley ever since. Poor Logan (and the 
 big tears coursed each other down his 
 cheeks) soon after went into the Alleghe- 
 ny, and I never saw him again." 
 
 The above was confirmed by a daughter 
 of Mr. Brown, and the following^added: 
 
 " Logan supported his family by killing 
 deer, dressing the skins, and selling them 
 to the whites. He had sold quite a par- 
 cel to a tailor, who dealt extensively in 
 buckskin breeches, receiving his pay in 
 wheat. When this was taken to the mill 
 it was found so worthless that the miller 
 refused to.grind it. Logan attempted in 
 vain to obtain redress from the tailor. — 
 Failing in this he took the matter before 
 his friend Brown, then a magistrate, who 
 heard the case and . awarded a decision 
 in favour of the chief. A writ was given 
 to Loi^an to hand to the constable, with 
 the assurance that that '^^^^j^^^^S.the 
 money for the skins. """'■ ' "'^ 
 
 at would Dring the and conyersi 
 
 B\\tBfi§itaea<b^dlylisx&sfstm 
 
 Indian could not comprehend by what 
 magic the little paper would force the 
 tailor, against his will, to pay the debt. 
 The magistrate took down his own com- 
 mission, with the arms of the king upon 
 it, and explained to him the principles 
 and operations of civil law. Logan listen- 
 ed attentively and exclaimed, Law good! 
 Make rogues pay." 
 
 The ensuing sketch of Logan is from a 
 recent work published by the Pennsyl- 
 vania B. B. com^jany. According to the 
 author[,of the book, the facts and inci-- 
 dents given are gathered from "numer- 
 ous authorities." 
 
 When another and a younger daughter 
 of Judge Brown was just beginning to 
 walk, her mother happened to express her 
 regret that she could not get a pair of 
 shoes to give more firmness to her little 
 step. Logan stood by and said nothing. 
 He soonj after asked Mrs. Brown to let 
 the little girl go up and spend the day at 
 his cabin. The heart of the mother was 
 alarmed at the proposition; but she knew 
 the delicacy of an Indian's feelings, — 
 and she knew Logan, too, — and with se- 
 cret reluctance, but apparent cheerfulness 
 she complied with his request. The hours 
 of the day wore very slowly away; it was 
 nearly night, and her little one had not 
 returned. But just as the sUn was going 
 down the trusty chief was seen coming 
 down the path with his charge ; and in a 
 moment more the little one trotted into 
 her mother's arms, proudly exhibiting a 
 beautiful pair of moccasins on her little 
 feet, — the product of Logan's skill. 
 
 Logan left Kishicoquillas valley in 1771, 
 because of the number of whites who had 
 settled in it, and the' consequent scarcity 
 of game. He no longer could obtain sub- 
 sistence for himself and family with his 
 rifle, and determined to remove to a coun- 
 try whei-e white settlers were few and 
 game plenty. He located on the Ohio 
 river, at the mouth of YeUow creek, 
 about thirty miles above Wheeling, and 
 was there joined by his relatives and some 
 Cayugas from Fort Augusta, who recog- 
 nized him as their chief, and over whom, 
 and other Indians in the vicinity, he ob- 
 tained a remarkable influence. A village 
 was built by his followers, and here 
 Heckewelder, the Indian missionary, met 
 and cony.ejsed with him in 1772. At a 
 subsequent to the massacre 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 185 
 
 of his family, Heckewelder says he was 
 reported to be melancholy, and in some 
 measure delirious, declaring at times that 
 he would kill himself. The massacre of 
 his family — an event wJiioh probably caus- 
 ed more discussion and comment than any 
 other in the history of the Ohio Indians 
 — occurred at the "commencement of what 
 is known as the Shawnee war, in 1773. 
 While Logan was absent with most of the 
 men of his tribe, hunting, a party of 
 armed scouts, led by one Daniel Great- 
 house, without provocation, attacked the 
 Indians in the village, murdered twelve 
 of them, men, women, and children, and 
 wounded six or eight more. Logan 
 returned to find the mangled bodies of 
 the slain and wounded, and his cabins in 
 smoking ruins. The heart of the man 
 was broken, and if it called for revenge 
 , can the call be wondered at ? He buried 
 his dead, cared for the wounded, and then 
 gathering around him the men of his tribe, 
 joined the Shawne^s in the war they were 
 commencing on the whites. His revenge 
 was terrible. How many victims were 
 sacrificed to it no eai-thly record shows. 
 But the nobler instincts of the man at 
 times exhibited themselves, as the follow- 
 ing well-authenticated incident will show : 
 While engaged in this war, he, with 
 two of his men, came upon a newly-clear- 
 ed field, where three men were at work. 
 One of these he killed with his unerring 
 rifle, and " the other two took to flight. 
 The oldest was soon overtaken and cap- 
 tured, but the other, a young Virginian, 
 named Robinson, was more lieet. Logan 
 threw down his gun and pursued him. 
 Bobinson might have escaped, but, turn- 
 ing his head to see where his pursuer was, 
 his foot caught, in a root and he fell with 
 such force as to become insensible. When 
 he recovered consciousness, he found 
 himself bound and Logan seated beside 
 him. Taking his prisoner with him, 
 Logan rejoined the others, and the party 
 set o;iit for the nearest Indian village. 
 Robinson reports that during the march 
 Logan seldom spoke, seeming melancholy; 
 but as they neared the village he raised 
 the "scalp hallo," and the Indians, old 
 and young, of both sexes, came trooping 
 
 out to meet them. The prisoners were 
 compelled to "run the gauntlet;" but 
 while preparations were being made for 
 the ordeal, Logan directed Robinson, in 
 English, how to act. By felkiwin? the; 
 
 -■ • ' ' " ^' e 6et 
 
 directions, he reached the dVfiubii-hola 
 
 with few injuries. Not so fared his com- 
 panion. Being ignorant of the proceed- 
 ing, he suffered terribly, and would prob- 
 ably have been killed had not Robinson 
 seized him by the hand and pulled him 
 into the council-house. The next day a 
 council was held to dispose of the priso- 
 ners. The old man was, after brief con- 
 sideration, adopted into the tribe; but the 
 majority were determined to make Rob- 
 inson a victim of their vengeance. Logan 
 opposed the decision, and spoke for an hour 
 agj,inst sacrificing, the prisoner. Robin- 
 son describes this speech as wonderfully 
 eloquent. In voice, in gesture, in fluency, 
 he said it surpassed anything he had ever 
 listened to, and as he had heard Patrick 
 Henry, this was high praise. But the 
 efibrts of Logan were in vain, and the 
 council decided to burn the prisoner'at 
 the stake. Preparations were soon made, 
 — the prisoner bound, and the wood piled 
 for the sacrifice. While this was beini; 
 done Logan stood apart from the throng, 
 with his arms folded and a look of stern 
 displeasure on his face. When the fire 
 was about to be kindled he suddenly strode 
 into the circle, — the savages making way 
 for him, — cut the fastenings of the pris- 
 oner, and led him, without a word, into 
 his wigwam. The ludians did not at- 
 tempt to interfere, but as soon as their 
 surprise had abated, mutterings arose 
 among them, and symptoms of a tumult 
 showed themselves. To these Logan paid 
 no attention, and in a few hours all was 
 quiet again. Robinson remained with 
 the chief about a year, and when the 
 treaty at Fort Pitt was made, was releas- 
 ed and returned to his home in Virginia. 
 
 The rigor with which the war was prose- 
 cuted by the whites, under Lord Dun- 
 more, g(Aeruor of Virginia, brought the 
 Indians to terms, and they 'made over- 
 tures of peace. To secure this. Lord 
 Dunmore appointed a council, on the Sci- 
 ota, in 1774, and invited all the hostile 
 chiefs U> be present, Logan ai^ong the 
 number. He refused to attend the coun- 
 cil, but sent by the messenger the follow- 
 ing speech, preserved in Jefferson's "Notes 
 on Virginia": 
 
 " I appeal to any white man to say if 
 ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry 
 and he gave him not meat ? If ever he 
 came cold and naked and he clothed him 
 not ? During the course of the last long 
 war Logan remained idle in 
 an advocate of peace. Such 
 
186 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 was my love for the whites, thatmy coun- 
 ti^men pointed as they passed, and said, 
 "Logan is the friend of the white man !" 
 I had even thought to have lived with you 
 but for the injuries of one man, the last 
 spring, who in cold blood and unprovok- 
 ed, murdered all the relations of Logan, 
 not even sparing my women and children. 
 There runs not a drop of my blood in the 
 veins of any living creature. This called 
 on me for revenge. I have sought it: I 
 Lave killed many. I have fully glutted 
 my vengeance. For my country I rejoice 
 at the beams of peace. But do not har- 
 bor a thought that mine is the joy of 
 fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not 
 turn on his heel to save his life. Who is 
 there to mourn for Logan ? Not one." 
 
 Some time after this war, Logan, who 
 Iiad married a Shawnee woman, removed 
 to near Detroit. A habit of intern perance 
 — that curse of the red man — grew upon 
 liiih, and he became quari-elsome, fre- 
 quently giving way to ungovernable fits 
 of passion. He realized his degradation, 
 and to a missionary spoke feelingly of 
 the culse which had . come upon him, — 
 declaring that he felt as if he was on the 
 brink of eternal fire. In one of his fren- 
 zies he struck his wife down, in the pres- 
 ence of her tribe. Fearing he had killed 
 her, and knowing the Indian law of ret- 
 I'ibutive justice, he fled from the camp. 
 While on his flight he met, according to 
 tradition, his wife's nephew and some 
 other Indians, and thinking that this rel- 
 ative was about to avenge the murder, he 
 pi'epared to defend himself, declaring he 
 would kill all who opposed him. The 
 nephew, in self-defence, shot him dead as 
 lie was dismounting from his horse. 
 
 Thus ended the life of a man who, sav- 
 age ttough he was, possessejj sctoe of the 
 noblest traits of humanity, and who, un- 
 questionably, was endowed with natural 
 abilities of the highest order. His Indian 
 name was Tah-gah-jute, signifying "short 
 dress." Rev. Dr. McClure, a missionary, 
 describes him as standing "several inches 
 over six feet high; straight as an arrow; 
 lithe, athletic, and symmetrical in figure; 
 firm, resolute, and commanding in fea- 
 tures." While his adventures and achieve- 
 ments are surpassed by many Indian 
 heroes, yet a singular attraction has al- 
 ways clung to his history and his name, 
 and the latter is perpetuated by the white 
 men in counties, villageSj^r.tnwnsUips, 
 streams, and many othePi»mjiectioi)«. 
 
 The traveler over the Pennsylvania Rail- 
 road, as he entei's the excellent hotel of 
 the company at Altoona, will see — con- 
 spicuously painted upon the wall of the 
 great diiiing-room — a picture represent- 
 ing, in all the gorgeousness of savage 
 dress, Logan, the Mingo chief. 
 
 The only stream of any importance in 
 Logan township is Fishing Creek, which 
 flows through nearly its entire length. 
 It was described in the sketch of Greene 
 township. 
 
 The original timber of the township, 
 consisting of pine, oak, maple, hickory, 
 chestnut, &c., was very fine, but the prin- 
 cipal part has been taken off by lumber- 
 men ; yet there is still much remaining 
 of a good quality. Lumbering, howe^fer, 
 as a prominent branch of business, has 
 nearly ceased in this region. 
 
 The soil of this, township is of the 
 same character as that of Greene, a mix- 
 ture of sandy loam and clay. When Su- 
 gar Valley was first cleared the surface 
 of a large portion of the land was almost 
 literally covered with water-worn sand- 
 stone, but these have nearly all been gath- 
 ered into immense heaps, which may be 
 seen here and there throughout the entire 
 length of the valley. 
 
 Limestone abounds in large quantities 
 beneath the soil, and fragments of 
 white marble have been found lying upon 
 the surface of the ground in many places. 
 Efforts are now being made to discover 
 coal, which is supposed to exist on the 
 fai-m of Peter Karstetter. It is certain 
 there are evidences of coal in the vicinity, 
 but as to the precise location, the quanti- 
 ty, quality, and depth, further examina- 
 tion is necessary to determine. 
 
 The surface of Sugar Valley is not 
 level, but undulating, and in many places 
 depressed by what are known as "sink 
 holes." 
 
 In 1769 a warrant was issued to Mor- 
 :an, Sereeant & Ash for a large tract of 
 ctjHvliicn extended from just west of 
 
HISTOETCAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 187 
 
 tlie present village of Booneville to a 
 point about one mile west of Tylersville. 
 This tract included the central and most 
 valuable portion of what is now known 
 as Logan township. In 1787 a man by 
 the name of John Friend obtained a war- 
 rant for a tract of several thousand acres, 
 including the Morgan, Sergeant & Ash 
 survey. Of course, upon examination of 
 the records it was ascertained that Friend 
 could not obtain a valid title to that part 
 of his survey which had been previously 
 warranted. 
 
 The first actual permanent settlement 
 in Sugar Valley was made soon after the 
 Revolution, by John Christopher Culby, 
 who had been- a Hessian soldier, but de- 
 serted from the British and joined the 
 American cause. His name is said to 
 have been Miller previous to his deser- 
 tion. He located on the farm now own- 
 ed by ]VL-. Joel Herb, at Logan Mills. Soon 
 after Culby settled others joined him, 
 among them Samuel Jones, a Revolution- 
 ary soldier, and the Greningers, whose 
 descendants now live at Tylersville, Philip 
 Schreckengast, John Philips, Henry 
 Spangler, and John Strawcutter. Later, 
 others moved over from Brush Valley. 
 Of these the most prominent were Fred- 
 erick "Womeldorf, Philip Glantz, Michael 
 Bressler, Michael Kettner, and Barnet 
 Rockey. The latter located in 1836, about 
 one-half mile east of where Tylersville 
 now stands. He died some years ago, 
 but his widow is still living at the ad- 
 vanced age of one hundred and two years. 
 Her home at present is in Stephenson 
 county, Illinois. 
 
 About the time Mr. Rockey settled up- 
 on his farm, the State road running from 
 Milton to Belief onte was opened, and his 
 son, then a young man, now '"Squire" 
 Rockey, was appointed mail earner from 
 Jersey Shore to Aaronsburg. The route 
 was a long one, and at that .tinie it cer 
 tainly must have been v^^'t<^^^J(fs' 
 
 there were but few settlers between 
 the two places. Only one school house, a 
 log one, then existed in the township. It 
 stood on the farm of Francis Cromley. 
 In bis younger days the 'Squire was a 
 great runner. • On one occasion, while 
 can-ying the mail, in order to "make 
 time" he ran with his mail bag on his 
 back from Tylersville to "Kleckner's 
 Tavern," a distance of eight miles, in one 
 hour. 
 
 About the year 1840, or soon after. Col. 
 Anthony Kleckner built a grist mill at 
 what is now known as Logan Mills. The 
 mill is owned at present by J. Ilgen & 
 Son. About the same time Michael Kett- 
 ner also built a grist mill about three miles 
 west of Tylersville. The property gn 
 which it was locaded is now owned by 
 John Ruhl. The original mill has been 
 out of use for some time, but near its 
 site there have been more recently erected 
 a saw and a shingle mill, both of which 
 are in running order. A short distance 
 below Ruhl's mill, on Fishing Creek, 
 Daniel Moyer has a shingle mill. There 
 is also a shingle and saw mill combined-* 
 on the farm of the late Jacob Spangler. 
 Another shingle and saw mill just north 
 of Tylersville is owned and operated by 
 Isaac Frantz. Peter Emig has a saw mill 
 at Logansville, and Jonathan Stover has 
 one at Booneville. David and Wm. Wolf 
 have a shingle mill in "Wolf's Gap." 
 The above constitute the manufacturing 
 establishments of Logan township. 
 
 The mountain lands of the township 
 have been but little improved, there be- 
 ing but one settlement on those lying on 
 the north side of the valley, That was 
 made in 1839 by John Lamy. It has 
 been known for many years as the "John 
 Currin Improvement." It is about one 
 and a-half miles north of Logan Mills. The 
 mountain on the south side of the valfty 
 was settled probably about 1830, or ear- 
 n Kitchen. The property is 
 
188 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 now owned by Michael Snyder. The 
 position of Sugar Valley is such that 
 the west winds have a fair sweep its 
 whole length, and occasionally overturn 
 trees and do other damage. On one oc- 
 casion, Samuel Kahl, while plowing in 
 the field, had both his horses killed by 
 having a tree blown upon them, Mr. Kahl 
 himself having a narrow escape. 
 
 Of all the early settlers of Sugar Val- 
 ley, Philip Schreckeugast was probably 
 the greatest and most successful hunter. 
 It is said that during his life he killed 400 
 deer, 93 wolves, 74 bears, and a large 
 number of dags. It may seem strange 
 that a hunter should intentionally kill 
 what are generally considered his best 
 fviends, but Schreckeugast did not be- 
 lieve in chasing and worrying game with 
 dogs. He preferred what is called "still 
 hunting," and therefore every dog found 
 chasing deer he considered "game." On 
 one occasion, having shot a bear, he 
 was re-loading his gun to shoot another, 
 which was being haM pressed by dogs, 
 when the animal, in his endeavors to es- 
 cape from his tormentors, made a blun- 
 dering plunge directly toward the hunter 
 and attempted to pass between his knees, 
 whereupon the man "closed in" upon 
 him, and drawing his knife stabbed him 
 to the heart. At aiuother time, while 
 hunting, he came to a hollow tree, m 
 which he thought there might be a bear ; 
 on examining the tree he discovered a 
 hole, in the trunk, into which he thrust 
 his hand, which was instantly seized by 
 the jaws of an invisible Bruin. As the 
 animal loosened his grip, probably for the 
 purpose of getting a better hold, the 
 hand was quickly withdrawn, and Schreck- 
 eugast went a short distance from the 
 spot, with gun ready, to await the result. 
 Soon the bear made his appearance at an 
 opening high up in the tree, and was 
 immediately shot. 
 
 There are three villages SlQ^I^M)^- 
 
 ship : Tylersville, Booneville, and Green- 
 ville. 
 
 Tylersvilb owes its origin to M. D. 
 Rockey, Esq., who built the first residence 
 there in 1842. About the same time a 
 union church was also erected. There 
 had been a log school house on ■ the site 
 of the village, built probably about the 
 year 1838. The place is located about 
 four miles west of Booneville, near the 
 mountain pass through which the road 
 runs to Brush Valley, and contains two 
 stores, one owned by "Wm. Harter and 
 the other by Samuel Graninger, two 
 churches, union (German Reformed and 
 Lutheran), and Evangelical, a good, sub- 
 stantial school house, one hotel, kept by 
 David Gingery, several blacksmith and 
 other shops, and about thirty dwellings. 
 The name "Tylersville" was conferred by 
 M. D. Rockey and his brother, in honor 
 of John Tyler, at that time President of 
 the United States. 
 
 Booneville is situated on the main or 
 "Summer-side" road leading through the 
 valley, about two and a-half miles west 
 of Logansville, on the north side of Fish- 
 ing Creek. The land on which it is loca- 
 ted originally belonged to the Wistar 
 tract, and was purchased in 1834 by Dr. 
 Samuel Strohecker, of Rebersburg, Cen- 
 tre county. Subsequently it was divided 
 and sold to different individuals, that 
 portion on which the village was started 
 finally passing into the hands of John and 
 Ralph Boone, by whom lots were first laid 
 out and sold in 1866. Hence the name 
 "Booneville." The place now contains 
 about twenty-five dwellings, some of 
 them fine structures, among which are 
 those of Reuben Moyer, Samuel Kahl, 
 John B. Schrack, D. L. Bartges, J. L. 
 Boone, Wm. Strohecker, anc^B. P. Klep- 
 per. There are two churches in the place, 
 Lutheran and Evangelical, and a school 
 house jr^twest of the village. The only 
 iymi(m.9BmieA by S. R. Boone and Henry 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 189 
 
 "Wolf. It is well stocked and well conduct- 
 ed. Their building is one of the best in 
 the place and makes a fine appearance. 
 The Grangers have recently erected a fine 
 hall nearly opposite Boone.;- & Wolf's 
 store; the first floor is used as a store- 
 room. A shoe and a blacksmith shop 
 comprise the shops of the place. 
 
 Appearances indicate that Booneville is 
 destined to become an important and 
 flourishing village. Surrounded as it is 
 by rich farming lands and pure air and 
 water, and a healthful climate, it affords 
 a most desirable place of residence, which 
 fact has already become known to several 
 of the farmers of the neighborhood, who 
 have retired from their farms and built 
 fine hou.ses there in which to spend their 
 days. 
 
 Greenville is located on th^ south side 
 of the valley pearly opposite Booneville. 
 It has about a dozen dwellings, a Ger- 
 man Reformed church and a school house. 
 It owes its name to the fact that its houses 
 are built among the green trees. J. B. 
 Rowe, Esq., one of the justices ,of the 
 peace for the township, resides there; he 
 is the father of Rev. A. D. Rowe, former- 
 ly superintendent of common schools in 
 Clinton county, and now missionary in 
 India. 
 
 The first justice of the peace in Logan 
 
 township was John Sheetze. M. D. Rock- 
 ey was elected to the office in 1848 and 
 served twenty-five years in succession. 
 
 Besides the churches at Booneville; 
 Tylergville and Greenville, there is one 
 near Logan Mills, on the "Winterside" 
 road, making in all five churches in the 
 township. There are also two school- 
 houses in addition to one in each of the 
 above places, one at Logan Mills, and one 
 west of Tylersville. 
 
 There are three post ofiS.ces in the 
 township, one at Tylersville, one at Logaa 
 Mills, and one at Booneville. 
 
 The population of Logan in 1870 was 
 823. The first settlers of the' totoiship, 
 with very few exceptions were Germans, 
 and exclusively spoke the German lan- 
 guage, or "Pennsylvania Dutch," as it 
 is called. The English language, how- 
 ever, is spoken by the present generation, 
 though the ordinary conversation in fam- 
 ilies is carried on almost entirely in Ger- 
 man. There seems to be an inclination 
 on the part of the citizens of Sugar Val- 
 ley, not only to educate their children in 
 English, but to adopt American manners 
 and usages; certain social customs which 
 were in vogue a few years ago have been 
 very much modified, if not entirely aban- 
 doned. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
190 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHArTER XXIII. 
 
 LAMAR TOWKSHIP. 
 
 Before the formation of Cliutou county 
 Lamar township belonged to Centre, and 
 then included the present territory of 
 Porter to-wnship, -which was stricken off 
 in May, 1840. Lamar lies between the 
 Bald Eagle and Sugar Valley mountains, 
 and is bounded on the south by Greene, 
 Logan, and Porter townships, on the 
 west by Porter, on the north by Beech 
 Creek, Bald Eagle, Lock Haven city, 
 Dunstable and Wayne, on the east by 
 Wayne and Greene. 
 
 The name Lamar was given the town- 
 shij) by Judge Walker, of Bellefonte, in 
 honor of Major Lamar, a gallant rev- 
 olutionary soldier who was killed at the 
 battle of Paoli. 
 
 A large portion, probably one^half, of 
 the area of this township lies m Nittany 
 Valley, one of the most beautiful and 
 productive regions in Central Pennsyl- 
 vania. In fact, this valley has been 
 called tlie "Garden of Clinton county," 
 and well it deserves the name, for certain- 
 ly there is no spot of the same extent 
 within the county limits that is so fertile 
 and highly cultivated. 
 
 The surface of Nittany Valley is undu- 
 lating, and like Sugar and Nippenose 
 valleys, is underlaid with limestone, and 
 also like those valleys, many of its streams 
 sink and disappear beneath the soil, and 
 after flowing along subterranean channels, 
 and through rocky caverns, again ap- 
 pear elsewhere, to continue their course 
 to .the sea. It is said that the limestone 
 of this valley is not surpassed by that of 
 any other I'egiou in the state yWiTh" piJo- 
 
 duction of lime, large quantities of which 
 are made every year, and shipped to vari- 
 ous parts of the country, and further- 
 niore the supply is inexhaustable. The 
 soil of Nittany Valley, as is generally the 
 case with limestone districts, is well adapt- 
 ed to the culture of wheat and corn, ex- 
 tensive crops of each being produced 
 every season. The wheat raised in the 
 valley is pronounced first class by deal- 
 ers, and always finds ready market at 
 the highest prices. 
 
 Lamar probably has more improved 
 land than any other township in the coun- 
 ty. In 1870 it exceeded 8,500 acres, val- 
 ued at 11,010,820, including farming im- 
 plements. At that time the population 
 was 1391. 
 
 The township is abundantly supplied 
 with water for- aU ordinary purposes. 
 Fishing creek flows for a distance of about 
 four miles, in a northerly direction across 
 the western portion, receiving in its course 
 the waters of several smaller streams. 
 Cedar Run, at Cedar Springs P. O., and 
 Long Run, about a mile Turther noi'th. 
 The latter stream rises in Sugar valley 
 mountain and flows into the Valley near 
 the east end, through what is called La- 
 mar Gap, and is one of the water courses 
 before mentioned which loses itself in 
 the rock-bed and afterwards comes to the 
 surface, and flows on, none the worse for 
 its subterranean meanderings. There are 
 a large number of beautiful springs in the 
 valley, some of which also discharge their 
 ^arklirigjwaters into under ground passa^ 
 ges. vaitdi 
 
 especially deserving mention, is 
 
 'iM 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 191 
 
 on the farm of Austin Brumgard, near the 
 line of George Furst's farm. Its waters, by 
 the way, are strongly impregnated with 
 sulphur and other minerals, and are said 
 to contain valuable medicinal properties. 
 The stream from this spring after flow- 
 ing a few hundred yards, suddenly plunges 
 down into the gloomy depths of a yawn- 
 ing abyss. 
 
 As far as known Nittany valley pos- 
 sesses more valuable mineral deposits 
 than any other first class farming dis- 
 trict in the county. Thus far no coal has 
 been discovered within the limits of the 
 township, though evidences of the exist- 
 ance of that mineral are said to appear 
 in different localities, particularly along 
 the base of the Bald Eagle mountain. 
 Many years ago Samuel Wilson and Dr. 
 Essig attempted to find coal at the east 
 end of the valley, but the project was 
 abandoned before a sufSoient depth was 
 reached. 
 
 Iron ore of a good quality abounds in 
 the valley. Many years ago, the furnace 
 at Mill Hall was supplied from a "bank" 
 just east of where Salona is now located. 
 
 Within a few years an extensive deposit 
 of maj'ble has been opened on the farm 
 of Mr. Wallace Brown. The bed consists 
 of ten or twelve distinct strata, each of a 
 different quality and shade of color, white, 
 black, pink, mottled black and white and 
 various other hues. This marble is pro- 
 noimcod superior, by competent judges, 
 for many purposes. It is susceptible of 
 a very high polish and several of the seams 
 are very beautiful. The corner stone of the 
 Centi'al Normal School building at Lock 
 Haven was taken from this quarry. 
 
 Among the very flrgt settlers in what 
 is now Lamar township were Darius Cow- 
 den, and a man by the name of Birchfield. 
 They both located in the east end of 
 Nittany Valley. As they seem to have 
 acquired no valid title to the land onwhich 
 
 they squatted, it is presumi 
 
 UiQi^^MMJSk 
 
 not remain long. The time they came to 
 the valley is not definitely known, but it 
 was previous to 1800, about which time 
 John George Furst, came from near Sun- 
 bury, Northumberland county, and ob- 
 tained a patent for about five hundred 
 acres, also near the east end of the valley. 
 This purchase was subsequently divided 
 among his heirs, five in numbei-, one of 
 whoni, Cline G. Furst Esq., of Lock Ha- 
 ven, now owns the original homestead. 
 The farm now owned by John Snyder 
 was settled by his grandfather, who pur- 
 chased two hundred acres. The farm 
 now owned and occupied by Austin Brum- 
 gard, was first owned by a man named 
 Hazlett, and the Geo. Brumgard estate 
 was formerly owned and probably first 
 settled by a man by the name of Miller. 
 Between the years 1800 and 1820, quite 
 a large number of families came to Nit- 
 tany Valley, from various parts of the 
 country. Though the early settlers of 
 the township were generally of German 
 descent, there were some among them of 
 other nationalities. Besides those already 
 mentioned there were: the Wilsons, Herrs, 
 Leidys, Hartmans, McNauls, Rishels, 
 Hoards, MoGhees, Kleckners, McKinneys, 
 Browns, Spanglers, and Porters, all of 
 whom were permanent and substantial 
 citizens. 
 
 The first school house in Lamar was 
 built about the year 1810. It stood near 
 the present line between the farras of 
 Austin Brumgard, and George Furst. It 
 was constructed of logs, as may be sup- 
 posed, and at one stage of its existenc 
 was heated by a large stove which pro- 
 jected through one side of the building 
 and received its supply of fuel, in the^ 
 shape of logs of wood four feet long, from- 
 the outside. It is said the first, or one 
 of the first, teachers in this house was a 
 man named Davidson. 
 In early times Nittany Valley and its bor- 
 omrtains was a veritable hunter's 
 
.192 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ^paradise. Deer, bears, wolves, -wildcats 
 and foxes were numerous, panthers oc- 
 casionally made their appearance, and 
 wild turkeys were plenty; the hunting 
 •and trapping of them afforded amusement 
 for the hunters and food for their families, 
 which in those days often was very ac- 
 •ceptable. B6ars and probably other wild 
 animals were frequently caught in traps 
 ■constructed of logs, with a trap door at 
 the top, which would fall when stepped 
 upon by the animal, in his efforts to ob- 
 :tain the bait of meat, placed within. In 
 the year 1812 a man by the name of La- 
 Rue, who lived on the Purst farm, as ten- 
 ant, had fifteen hoes killed by bears, 
 which it is well known, have a special 
 fondness for pork. 
 
 In the fall of 1819, the inhabitants of 
 Lamar and adjoining townships, having 
 been very much annoyed by the depreda- 
 dations of wolves, determined to rally the 
 entire fighting force of the community, 
 and exterminate their enemies. Accord- 
 ingly, a day was appointed for a general 
 htmt. When the time arrived the great- 
 est enthusiasm prevailed; every man for 
 miles around, who was able to bear arms, 
 {clubs and pitchforks), was promptly on 
 hand, with his weapon on his shoulder 
 and vengeance in his heart. All the as- 
 sembled bone and sinew, under efiicient 
 and determined leaders, were formed into 
 a huge circle of several miles in diameter, 
 with its center at the farm of Samuel 
 Brown, toward which at a given signal 
 all steadily and bravely approached, driv- 
 ing the game before them to certain de- 
 struction. As the center, or point of at- 
 tack, was neared, every man in line pre- 
 pared his weapon, whether it was a flint 
 lock musket, or pitchfork, for the deadly 
 onslaught. The game, frightened at the 
 near approach of such an array of fearless 
 warriors, crouched in abject fear, till Al- 
 exander Mahan, well known, ta.the^olderj^. 
 citizens of Lock Haven, pm »nr'nOTT;(T Yts^l 
 
 misery and existence, with a charge of 
 buckshot, or a pitchfork thrust. On ex- 
 amination, it proved to be a rabbit, the 
 sole result of that "ring hunt." 
 
 In 1833 or 34, a furnace was erected just 
 within Lamar Gap, by Messrs. Kurtz and 
 Hepburn. At the tiine the works were 
 constructed, it was thought that sufiicient 
 ore of a good quality could be obtained 
 in the vicinity, but when the furnace was 
 in blast, the supply of material at hand 
 proved to be unsuitable for profitable 
 manufacture, and it was found necessary 
 to haul all the ore used from some dis- 
 tance up the valley, which made opera- 
 tions so expensive, that the enterprise 
 was soon abandoned. 
 
 About the year 1834, Samuel Hepburn 
 & Co. started a store at what is called 
 Cedar Springs. In 1833, they were suc- 
 ceeded by John S. Furst, Esq., who stiU 
 owns the property, and continues the 
 mercantile business, which is conducted 
 by his sons, Mr. Furst himself residing in 
 Lock Haven. At quite an early day 
 Samuel Brown kept a tavern at or near 
 the place now occupied by Furst's store. 
 It was probably the first public house in 
 the township. Brown also had the first 
 tanyard in the vicinity. 
 
 In early days Nittany Valley was well 
 supplied with distilleries, five or six hav- 
 ing been in operation at different peri- 
 ods within Lamar township, and it is said 
 they were all well patronized ; whiskey was 
 then a common beverage and probably 
 drank more freely than tea or coffee. So- 
 cial gatherings, and frolics of various 
 kinds were much in vogue with the early 
 settlers, and on all festive occasions whis- 
 key was dispensed. with the greatest lib- 
 erality. It was customary with the peo- 
 ple in those days of freedom and friend- 
 liness, to feast on the "fat of the land" 
 whenever attending a corn-husking or 
 .log-rpljifls, In one instance such a feast 
 the sickness of a large number. 
 
HISTORICAL 
 
 EW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 193: 
 
 and death of one or two of the partici- 
 pants. The affair caused great conster- 
 nation in the community, some attrib- 
 uting the disorder to poison contained in 
 the tea or coffee, as the complaint seemed 
 to be confined principally to persons who 
 partook of those beverages. On invest!-, 
 gation, however, it was found that the 
 poisoning was caused by virdigris that 
 had formed in the copper tea-kettle, which 
 had been used on that occasion for the 
 first in a long time. 
 
 About the same time the above pois- 
 oning occun-ed, an event transpired which 
 proves the saying that "truth is ofoen 
 stranger than fiction." It seems that 
 one of the Porters, who was a very tall 
 man, over six feet, was in his barn throw- 
 ing down hay from the mow, when he es- 
 pied a rat and immediately gave chase. 
 In his evolutions on the hay he lost sight 
 of the stair-way, and in making a plunge 
 for the rat, pitched head foremost down 
 the passage, striking his head upon the 
 ground in such a manner as to turn it to 
 one side, in which position it remained till 
 just one year from that day when he was 
 again taking hay from the same mow, and 
 again chased a rat, and fell down the 
 stairway in the same manner as before, 
 the second time striking the other side 
 of his head upon the ground, by which it 
 was again made straight. The above 
 story is vouched for by A. H. Best, and 
 J. S. Furst Esqs., of this city. 
 
 Lamar township, which is generally 
 thickly settled, has three villages: Salo- 
 na, Hamburg, (Lamar Mills), and Flat 
 Rock. Salona, the largest and most im- 
 portant, is thus sketched by G. L. Mor- 
 lock. Esq: 
 
 In the year 1769 a Mary Austin — wheth- 
 er Miss or Mrs. we have been unable to 
 ascertain — received a grant of the land 
 lying on the north side of the village, 
 known as the "Deep Spring" farm, so 
 called on account of the beautiful spring 
 of clear cold water, on the Qflg»iie6/-&J 
 
 This farm was sold to Joel Ferree in 1794 
 who erected the house now occupied by- 
 Samuel Wilson. About 1819 Jacob Hart- 
 man Sr. purchased the place and at once 
 began to lay out lots on the north side of 
 the street. About the same time James 
 Thompson Sr. commenced laying out lots, 
 on the south side. 
 
 Previous to this, about 1800, Joel Herr 
 Sr. purchased land and erected a grist 
 and saw mill, and a carding and fulling-- 
 mill, the grist mill standing where t'^ e 
 old plaster mill now stands. He al Sq 
 erected the house, long occupied by Jol^n 
 P. Heard. Some 19 years after this John 
 McGhee Sr. came to the place and built 
 the stone mill, now owned and run by 
 John P. Heard and Geo. Herr, and open- 
 ed a store in the house of Joel Herr, above 
 mentioned. Next, in 1822, comes George 
 Leidy, better known as Judge Leidy, who- 
 built a house and opened a cabinet shop. 
 This was afterwards chaiiged to a grain 
 cradle factory where was made the cele- 
 brated Leidy cradles. About the same 
 time George Smith started a shoe and 
 Samuel Pigmund, Sr., a tailor shoe. 
 
 In 1826 John C. Skinner and Nathaniel 
 Holcorab purchased property and built a 
 foundry on the site of the one now owned 
 by Wilson & Wilt. About three years 
 later John Thomson erected a tannery,, 
 and commenced operations. Houses now 
 began to go up in all directions and th& 
 prospects were favorable for the build- 
 ing up of a large town", and a name for the 
 new place was necessary. It was known 
 as Mechanicsburg for some time, but at a 
 meeting of the citizens held for the pur- 
 pose of selecting a name, it was called 
 Salona. The origin of this name is as 
 follows: 
 
 In the first issue of the Christian Advo- 
 cate was an article on foreign missions, 
 in which the name of Salonica — a city in 
 Turkey — occurred. This was seen by 
 Mrs. Samuel Wilson on the day preced- 
 ing the meeting spoken of, and she sug- 
 gested the propriety of giving the town 
 this name. Mr. Wilson proposed the 
 name at the meeting and it was unani- 
 mously adopted with a slight modification. 
 We cannot give the exact date of this- 
 meeting, but think it occurred some time 
 about '35 or '40. 
 
 In 1833 A. H. Best built a house and 
 
 opened a store, where he continued doing 
 
 business for over 80 years, when he was 
 
 i}! iWK5fdi^lS5@Jeorge Bressler Jr. who was. 
 
194 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 again succeded by Andrew|and E. C. Best. 
 This firm did .business for several years 
 when E. C. Best sold out to his partner 
 and moved to Lock Haven. The first 
 church was built by the Methodists in 1838 
 about a half mile east of Ihe town prop- 
 er. About the saine time the members 
 of the Lutheran and German Reformed 
 churches built a log; church on the hill 
 north of the town. These churches did 
 good service for a number of years, until 
 the congj-egations became too large, when 
 both denominations erected large and 
 commodious buildings in which to wor- 
 ship, the Lutheran brick and the Meth- 
 odist frame. In 1835 the Disciples built 
 a very neat little church in the west end 
 of the village, which was afterwards sold 
 to the German Reformed congregation. 
 The first school house of whicli we have 
 any record was built about the year 1823, 
 on the Thompson farm, but we are unable 
 to give the exact location. The present 
 school house wa's built in 1848, and in 1858 
 an addition was built to it. 
 
 It is a two story frame building 
 containing four rooms, the two low- 
 er being used as school-rooms and the up- 
 per as a lodge room and town hall. There 
 are at present in the village four stores, 
 six blacksmith shops, three wagon and 
 one carriage shop, two shoe shops, one 
 tin and stove store, one foundry, one har- 
 ness shop, two schools and three chufch- 
 es. -Two of the churches have resident 
 pastors, viz. Rev. "VV. H. Divin of the 
 Lutheran and Rev. A. E. Taylor of the 
 Methodist. The German Reformed church 
 has no regular pastor. 
 
 The town contains at present about 
 300 inhabitants, and 65 dwelling houses. 
 
 The village of Hamburg is located on 
 the west side of Pishing creek about two 
 miles south of Salona. It was started in 
 1881 or '33, by JohnReesman, who at that 
 time there erected a grist and saw mill. 
 Soon after he commenced selling lots to 
 the men in his employ, and it was not 
 long before several dwelliiigs were con- 
 structed. It is said the material used 
 was principally slabs, which gave rise to 
 the name of "Slabtown" by which the 
 place was known for some time. The pres- 
 ent name was given by Judge Quay, who 
 had reason to believe soiS^'fljjf;; 
 
 : sor^ggj^&dab^yMitro'iM®.. 
 
 stole his hams, on various occasions. The 
 present population of the place is 
 about 150. It has thirty dwellings, two 
 churches, three school rooms, one store, 
 one machine shop, and several other 
 shops, common to all villages, and the 
 mills first mentioned, which are now own- 
 ed by Joseph F. Hayes & Co. The only 
 store in the village is owned by T. J. 
 Smull Esq. who is also Postmaster. 
 
 Flat Rock settlement is located at the 
 entrance to Lamar Gap and owes its or- 
 igin to the erection at that point of the 
 furnacS, previously mentioned, a num- 
 ber of houses for employees of the wotks 
 being the first dwellings there construct- 
 ed. A few years previous to the build- 
 ing of the furnace, a saw mill had been 
 built by Wm. Robinson, a short distance 
 further up the run, which, as well as the 
 furnace, has long since disappeared. 
 
 After the decline of the furnace there 
 was nothing to give employment to labor- 
 ers at that place and nothing to induce 
 people to locate there; consequently the 
 settlement remained comparatively dead 
 for a number of years; but in the spring 
 of 1873 a new life was infused into the com- 
 munity by the erection of a steam saw mill 
 just below where the old furnace stood. 
 The proprietors of the mill, Messrs. Herr, 
 Ricker & Co., displayed much enterprise 
 in its construction, and soon furnished 
 labor for a considerable number of men. 
 New houses began to spring up in the vi- 
 cinity, and various evidences of pros- 
 perity were seen all round. 
 
 On the 9th day of September, 1874, the 
 saw mill was burned to the ground, by 
 which the owners sustained a loss of from 
 13,000 to.|3,000. Another mill, however, 
 was immediately built on the same site 
 at a cost of |11,000. This mill has a saw- 
 ing capacity of 5,000,000 feet per year. 
 The firm own 1400 acres of land lying 
 south-east of the mill. 
 
 me of Flat Rock was conferred 
 
HISTOKICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 195 
 
 upon the place by sportsmen from Lock 
 Haven, who used to conceal their whiskey 
 and other refreshments, while fishing, be- 
 neath a flat rock situated a short distance 
 up the run. This rock was humorously 
 called by them " the hotel," then it be- 
 came Flat Rock hotel. The name thus 
 given to the rock was eventually applied 
 to the locality and finally the appellation 
 Flat Rock, by general concent, was be- 
 stowed upon the whole settlement. The 
 place contains at present about fifty dwel- 
 lings, one store, two blacksmith shops, two 
 shoe shops, one cooper shop and a school- 
 house. 
 
 Lamar has probably produced more 
 public men than any other township in 
 the county, One of the most prominent 
 and worthy citizens is the [Hon. Joseph 
 F. Quay, who served as State Senator 
 from 1843 to 1846, and so faithfully and 
 acceptably represented his district that, 
 at a Democrat- Whig meeting held at 
 Lock Haven Sept. 17, 1844, it was "Re- 
 solved that Joseph F. Qi^y, Senator from 
 this district, by his strict attention to the 
 wants of his constituents and untiring ef- 
 forts to promote the public good, has af- 
 forded evidence that the confidence repos- 
 ed in him has not been misplaced." He 
 also served one term as Associate Judge 
 of Clinton Co, one term as County Com- 
 missioner, and one term as County Audi- 
 tor. 
 
 John Miller, the first sheriff of Clinton 
 Co., was also a resident of this township; 
 so also was George Leidy, who represent- 
 ed the county two terms in the legislature 
 and served one term as associate judge, 
 George C. Harvey, now of Lock Haven, 
 but for many years a resident of Lamai, 
 served one term as associate judge. , 
 
 Thomas McGhee, who vras for a long 
 time a citizen of that township but now 
 of Lock Haven, served^ne term as Sher- 
 PKt 
 
 iff and two terms as Prothonatary. Geo. 
 J. Eldred, living near the west end of the 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 township, represented the county one term 
 in the legislature. 
 
 Of the olei'gymen who were born and_ 
 raised in the township, the most promi- 
 nent is the Rev. B. B. Hamlin, B. D., 
 who is now a presiding elder and one of 
 the leadmg ministers of the Central Penn- 
 sylvania Conferance of the M. E. church. 
 Revs. James, T. and Henry Wilson, Revs. 
 Jacob, Albert, and Leonard Hartman 
 now preaching the gospel in various parts 
 of the United States. Rev. B. B. Else 
 who for a number of years held the posi- 
 tion of Professor of mathematics in Dick- 
 enson Seminary, Williamsport Penna. 
 Rev. Ilgen Burrell, now a prominent 
 minister in the Evangelical Lutheran 
 chnrch and Be v. W. F. Hamlin. 
 
 The present Justice of the Peace, J. C. 
 Sigmond, was elected to that office when 
 but twenty-one years of age, and has 
 served in that capacity ever since, a period 
 of over twenty years. 
 
 This township has also furnished a 
 greater number of teachers than any oth- 
 er in the county : 
 
 Among these are Prof. M. W. Hen-, 
 present County Superintendent, S. M. 
 McCormick, now a law student in Lock 
 Haven; Miss Fannie E. Hamlin, who has 
 gained quite a reputation on the lecture 
 platform, and possesses marked ability 
 as a writer; Prof. Daniel Herr, who held 
 the position of professor in the prepara- 
 tory department in Dickenson Seminary 
 for^several years; Joel Herr, D. H, Herr, 
 Miles Courter — now dead — I. C. Stoner, 
 and many others who have since left the 
 profession and engaged in other business. 
 
 Cedar Hill Cemetery is located about 
 one mile south of Salona, on a beautiful 
 eminence, from which a fine view of the 
 surrounding country may be had. The 
 Cemetery Association was incorporated 
 and the grounds laid out in 1870, since 
 which time great improvements liave been 
 J made. The walks have been graded, and 
 
 Microsoft® 
 
196 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 the whole enclosed with a good fence. 
 Mr. Hugh Conley was very active in the 
 work of organization of the association, 
 and laying plans for its future operations, 
 hut diad before the realization of his hopes 
 and was thesecond person buried in the 
 grounds he was so actively engaged in 
 preparing. 
 
 The first interment was that of H. C. Al- 
 lison's little child. Many of the interments 
 there are of remains transferred from 
 other places. Quite a number have been 
 brought from Lock Haven and other cem- 
 eteries in the vicinity. The first Sher- 
 iff of Clinton Co. finds a resting place 
 there. 
 
 Forty years ago land could be purchas- 
 ed in Nittany Valley from $5.00 to |10.- 
 00 per acre, the same land now is valued 
 at fi-om |125 to $150 per acre. At the 
 time the furnace at Lamar Gap was aban- 
 doned, the company owed one of the em- 
 ployees about $300.00, and]bffered to give 
 him a deed of a hundred acres of land ly- 
 ing near the farm now owned by Samuel 
 Burrell, but the offer was rejected with 
 contempt, the creditor prefening to lose 
 the wages due him rather than become 
 the owner of what he considered worse 
 than worthless land. That same farm 
 was sold a few years ago for $10,000. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 19t 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 NOTES TOWNSHIP. 
 
 ' The following sketch of Noyes town- 
 ship wasjwritten by John S. Bailey, Esq. 
 
 This townshipjwas cut off from Chap- 
 man in 1875, and.named in honor of Col. 
 A. C. Noyes, the most prominent citizen 
 residing within its limits. It is about 
 eight by ten miles in extent, and is bound- 
 ed on the east by Chapman and Grugan; 
 on the south by Beech Creek-, on.the west 
 by East Keating, and on the north by 
 Leidy. lis surface presents the same 
 general appearance and characteristics as 
 that of the adjoining township of Chap- 
 man, being rendered exceedingly uneven 
 by hills and mountains. It is traversed 
 its entire length, from south-west to 
 nort-east, by the West Branch of the 
 Susquehanna, which receives the waters 
 of Kettle creek, one of its principal trib- 
 utaries, at Westport, which place is about 
 equi-distant from the eastern and western 
 boundaries of the township. The other 
 streams of the township, flowing; into the 
 West Branch, are: Cook's,Milligan's, Dry, 
 Shintown, and Drury's runs, from the 
 north; and Smith's, Fish Dam, McSher- 
 ry's, and Hall's, from the south, and the 
 Two-mile run which flows into Kettle 
 creek from the east. This stream emp- 
 ties ihto the latter stream two miles from 
 its junction with the river, hence its iiame. 
 It has three principal branches, the Main, 
 Middle, and Huling's, all of which are 
 heavily timbered. • Short Bend, Duck, and 
 Saw-mill runs, are small streams flowing 
 into the creek from the west; the two for- 
 mer are heavily timbered. 
 
 No approximate estimate of the quan- 
 tity or value of timber, pine, oak,_ and 
 hemlock, in the township. Can be given; 
 but there are millions of feet, worth per- 
 haps^millions of dollars in value. . Messrs. 
 Munson and Me'rriinan, have thbusands of 
 acres on which a stick has never been cut, 
 and some of the finest in the_ state. 
 
 Bituminous coal abounds in the mouh- 
 taihs, in quantities of more or less extent. 
 Beds or seams have recently been opened 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 on A. C. Noyes', Karthaus Co.'s and Mun- 
 son and Merriman's lands, from three to 
 four feet thick. Munson and Merriman, 
 have tested their coal lands, which lie in 
 the vicinity of WestpOrt, and found a 
 seam of four feet in thickness and of good 
 quality, also a seam of three feet. 
 
 The principal industry of the people i» 
 lumbering. Farming is beginning to re- 
 ceive, however, considerable attention, 
 as the pWce of lumber has been so low, 
 and sales so unreliable, that its manu- 
 facture is a very uncertain business to 
 depend upon. The flats along the 
 river are well adapted to growing all 
 kinds of grain, and back from the river, 
 and smaller streams, we have some fine 
 plateaus of land; none better in the coun- 
 ty, thousands of acres in extent. Col. 
 Noyes, is clearing up several farms on 
 one of these plateaus, equal to some of 
 the best land on the river flats. He has 
 quite a corps of men employed in this 
 commendable business. Farming is a 
 more safe, reliable, and independent bus- 
 iness than lumbering, more peace and 
 happiness flows from planting and sow- 
 ing, particularly to men of small means 
 and of families, than any other pursuit. 
 Many of our citizens are beginning to see 
 this, and have acted accordingly, within 
 the last two or three years. There is 
 however one prominent difSculty in the 
 way of obtaining some of these tillable 
 lands. The parties owning them, who 
 generally live at a remote distance, will 
 not allow them to be improved, will not 
 sell, or even lease them, and this to the 
 ■great detriment of the people who reside 
 in the township. They should be willing 
 at least to have these lands improved, or 
 pay a good round tax for holding them. 
 
 The first Settlement in the territo- 
 ry, now embraced in Noyes township, 
 was made about the time of the Bevolu- 
 tion, or shortly afterwards, on the lower 
 or north side of Kettle creek, and near 
 I its mouth, by Richard Qilmore. The 
 
 Microsoft® 
 
198 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 pre-emption warrant is dated July 21st, 
 1785, in Pine Creek township, Northum- 
 berland county, for 300 acres, more or less. 
 E. Gilmore, deeded the same to Wm. 
 McCombe, Oct. 12th, 1793, in Pine Creek 
 township, Northumberland county, for 
 the consideration of fifty pounds in gold; 
 and Wm. McCombe deeded the same to 
 Wm. Andrews, dated May 3d, 1794, for 
 the consideration of 260 pounds in gold 
 and silver; and Wm. Andrews deeded the 
 same to James Caldwell, dated Jan. 33d, 
 1796, in consideration of one yoke of three 
 years old oxen, one milch cow, and ninety- 
 five pounds of gold and silver, Pine creek 
 township, Northumberland county. Pa. 
 James Caldwell ^as a revolutionai-y sol- 
 dier, who remained in active service till 
 peace was proclaimed throughout the land. 
 He moved up to the mouth of Kettle creek 
 about the year 1807, having purchased the 
 above tract of land of Mr. Andrews. 
 The land is now owned by Col. A. C. 
 Noyes, C. R. Noyes and others. Mr. 
 Caldwell was born in Lancaster county, 
 near the slate quarry, and removed from 
 thence to Warriors run, near Watson- 
 town, in Northumberland county, and 
 from thence to Young Womaustown. Af- 
 ter remaining at the latter place two 
 years, finally removed to Kettle creek, 
 now Westport. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell had ten children, four sons 
 and six daughters, viz. William, James, 
 John, Andrew, Polly, Jane, Nancy, Betsy, 
 Sarah and Hetty. He died about the year 
 1819 and the children are all dead but 
 James, who will be 90 years old in March. 
 The writer of this, visited Mr. Caldwell 
 Feb. 8th, 1876, to interview him in regard 
 to the early settlement of Noyes town- 
 ship. We found him in reasonable good 
 health, in possession of all his faculties, 
 hearing as good as ever, eye sight undim- 
 med by the iron hand of nearly acentury. 
 He was very jovial and communicative, 
 physically strong. We were invited to 
 accompany him to the bam where, he per- 
 sonally fed the stock and did the out 
 door chores as nimbly as a boy of fifteen. 
 With pen and paper we took down the 
 following conversation in reference to 
 the early history in question. 
 
 We will state that Mr. Caldwell lives in 
 Chapman township, on the south side of 
 the river opposite the borough of Renovo, 
 where he has lived for nearly fifty years. 
 
 " We moved up to Kettle creek in 1807, 
 on the land which had begjy^baridoned 
 
 by Gilmore'. Mr. Gilmore had cleared 
 some eight or ten acres, which was now 
 mostly grown up and overrun by elder 
 bushes. The land on both sides of the 
 creek stood thick with pine timber of a 
 thrifty growth; all was a 'dense wilder- 
 ness, not one settlement up on Kettle 
 creek, now Leidy township. Isaac Her- 
 rington, had cleared some five acres on 
 the south side of the creek, near the up- 
 per end of the flat on which Col. A. C. 
 Noyes now lives. The first house or shan- 
 ty we built, was of round logs, and was 
 designed rather for a boarding house for 
 the hands, than a dwelling house. It stood 
 near the bank of the creek, on the ground 
 now occupied by the house of W. T. 
 McCloskey. We boarded the hands in 
 this while building the saw and grist mUl, 
 which stood where the shingle mill of 
 Noyes & McCloskey now stands. 
 
 The stones in the grist mill were taken 
 out of the Kettle creek narrows on the 
 river below. They are now in possession 
 of C. R. Noyes, and are in active service, 
 same as three quarters of a century ago. 
 People came with their grists to grind, 
 from a great-distance, from Sinnemahon- 
 ing. Driftwood, »&c. 
 
 The origin of the name of Kettle creek, 
 is legendary. A party of Indians were 
 coming out of the creek in a birch bark • 
 canoe near the square rock opposite where 
 the shingle mill now stands, when the 
 canoe upset and tipped out their ket- 
 tles and implements. Hence the name. 
 
 After we had built the mill, we built a 
 good hewed log house below near the 
 bank of the creek, located near where the 
 end of the railroad biidge now is, and al- 
 so where the P. & E. R. R. runs on the 
 lower, side of the creek. The size of the 
 house was thirty by twenty-five feet, 
 two stories high, a good porch and kitch- 
 en attached. Here we lived for many 
 years, and devoted ourselves to clearing 
 'the land and lumbering. We growed 
 more corn and potatoes than we could 
 use, made or manufactured all our cloth- 
 ing out of flax and wool which we raised; 
 both boys and girls were brought up 
 to toil, in and out of doors; the spinning 
 wheel was the musical companion of the 
 girls. Mother and I planted the orchard 
 in 1807, many of the trees of which are 
 now standing. We kept a nursery of 
 small trees from which we supplied many 
 of our neighbors in after years. Deer 
 nnd fish jsre^e very plenty, and I presume, 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 199 
 
 John, you would hardly believe me if I 
 would tell you, that in our fish basket at 
 the foot of the tail race under the mill in 
 the fall of the year, we caught barrels and 
 canoe loads of fish and eels. At one time 
 my brother William came up on a visit 
 with his canoe. We blew the horn for the 
 dogs. We kept eight or ten. We start- 
 ed them and had f<}ur deer killed in a 
 short time, loaded his canoe down with 
 venison, fish and eels and he returned the 
 same day. We generally had venison 
 hanging up in the house all the time. 
 Deer were almost as numerous as the 
 trees of the forest. 
 
 Shortly after we came to the creek I 
 called on Levi Hicks to go with me to 
 kill some deer. As he had not time then, 
 he directed me where to go. I went up 
 the creek to the island, where Noyes & 
 Bros, saw mill now stands. The grass on 
 the island and banks of the creek was near- 
 ly as high as my head. Before I got to the 
 island I saw the deer in the creek. I shot 
 and wounded a buck. I was not much 
 of a marksman at that time. I continued 
 up the creek some further, and one of 
 the grandest sights burst upon me, I ever 
 saw. I think'fsaw from, well I should 
 say, from five hundred to one thousand 
 deer feeding on this island and on the 
 banks of the creek. I brought down a 
 large buck, which satisfied me for that 
 time. 
 
 We had no smith shop at this time 
 nearer than the Big Island, or Dunnstown, 
 where we got our smithing done. Our 
 nearest school house was Drury's Run, 
 five miles below. The first organized 
 school was up the river above the rdouth 
 of the Sinnemahoning, nearly opposite 
 where James Moore now lives, which W9.s 
 eight miles distant. An English scholar 
 by the name of James Hill, taught some- 
 times in the former and sometimes in the 
 latter house. Our family went to these 
 schools and generally took their' provis- 
 ions and bed clothing with them and re- 
 maned to the end of the term, the dis- 
 tance malking it necessary for them to do 
 this. The teachers were all paid by 
 subscription and usually taught three 
 months at a time. 
 
 We had no meeting house or preach- 
 ing anywhere along the river at this time. 
 Had no doctors nearer than Dunnstown. 
 When any of the famUy needed one, we 
 sent to that place. I r^fgjff/; 
 
 come to see me but once in my life and 
 then he was of no use to me. The first 
 road made along the river from below, 
 through to the Allegheny river, was by a 
 man by the name of Elicot, about the 
 year 1805 or 1806. It was a poor excuse 
 for a road, the brush was cut out through 
 the bottoms, but in the narrows (it ran 
 along the edge of the water, and was im- 
 passable in ice and high water. We car- 
 ried onr freight principally in canoes. 
 I have pushed in one day, from Dunnstown 
 to Kettle creek. 
 
 Wm. Caldwell and Jack Lawson made 
 the first two square timber rafts on Sin- 
 nemahoning, on the Driftwood branch, 
 and ran them to Baltimore. In those 
 days we had no ropes, but used hickory 
 halyards instead. These rafts were 100 ft. 
 long, by 20 wide. I made the third raft 
 of timber the next spring and ran it to 
 Baltimore. I made staves at' the mouth 
 of Pish Dam run, which I sold for $10 
 per M. and for pine boards we got $6 per 
 M. We had no looms in those days 
 nearer than Mill Hall and Rich's, where we 
 got our weaving done. I was up on Sin- 
 nemahoning one time in company with 
 Robert Barr. One Jerry Gaines who liv- 
 ed there had misused a sister of Barr's; 
 he met Gaines, an altercation took place, 
 and resulted in Barr shooting Gaines in 
 the leg. By advice of Barr's friends he 
 gave himself up, was taken to jail, and 
 when the day of trial came Barr had hosts 
 of friends, he was cleared without any 
 trouble and come home rejoicing. 
 
 We had to go to the Big Island or 
 Dunnstown to vote. My father was a 
 strong Democrat. I have rode horse-back 
 to Muncy in one day, 77 miles; would take 
 our horse feed and lunch along, and eat 
 whenever we got hungry. At an early 
 day when we lived at Warriors run near 
 Watsontown, a revolutionary soldier by 
 the name of Nathaniel Coulter, a drunk- 
 en, dissolute character, came up to Kettle 
 creek, and made the acquaintance of an 
 Indian who had a'very fine horse. They 
 were traveling together one day, sociably, 
 when Coulter murdered the Indian for 
 his horse, which he came riding home, 
 and told of his adventure. A man by the 
 name of McKinley who claimed to be a 
 wood-ranger and an officer having author- 
 ity, arrested Coulter for murder, and was 
 taking him to jail, when Coulter escaped, 
 as he no doubt intended he should; for 
 "' '^" ' " " his horse and watch, and 
 
200 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Coulter ran away and was never again 
 heard of." 
 
 Both. James Caldwell's parents are bu- 
 ried in the family burying ground at 
 Westpoi-t. 
 
 The following interesting sketch of 
 the early days of James Caldwell Jr., 
 spent on Kettle Creek, now Westport, we 
 take from the Uenovo Record. 
 
 " At the time of our settlement- at the 
 mouth of Kettle Creek, I was about 31 
 years old. The country was nearly one 
 dense wilderness, save a few small farms 
 ten and fifteen miles apart, occupied by 
 settlers. In 1815, I married sheriff Mc- 
 Kissen's daughter Eachel; by whom, two 
 children were born. In 1830, she died; 
 and eight years afterwards I married my 
 present wife, Sarah Ann Stout. 
 
 During my residence on Kettle Creek, 
 I often passed my spare time in hunting 
 and fishing. On one occasion I set a large 
 wolf trap for "varmints." After visit- 
 ipgit on three or four occasions, and find- 
 ing the bait had been taken away each 
 time, I concluded . to make a tour of in- 
 spection through the forest and if pos- 
 sible, discover the cause. I had not 
 proceeded far until I saw a panther. 
 As I was not prepared to meet so for- 
 midable a foe, I turned my steps home- 
 ward for. my gun and dogs and the assist- 
 ance of those residing in the neighbor- 
 hood. As soon as I could get the dogs 
 together I started with them to the place 
 where I had at first discovered ; the ani- 
 mal, leaving the men to bring the gun. 
 The dogs took his track at once, and soon 
 came upon him. A terrible battle en- 
 sued between them, in which the dogs were 
 nearly worsted. I then advanced to their 
 relief, armed only with a large knife, but 
 w hen I arrived within a few feet of the 
 monster, it ran some distance away; this 
 gave much courage to the dogs, they pur- 
 sued it hotly, when to free itself the pan- 
 ther took refuge up a tree. I remained 
 near by until I was joined by the men. 
 I was handed a rifle and firod, wounding 
 him in the shoulder but not fatally, when 
 :soon another ball was Sped into his body 
 with fatal effect. After this shot he lap- 
 ped his tail around a limb of the tree and 
 remained' in his position until life was ex- 
 tinct. .The monster measured 11 feet 3 
 inches from the tip of the nose to the end 
 
 On another occasion I taffiaf^' 
 panther, which I skinned and dressed" 
 
 The hind quarters I carriedjhome for food, 
 and never tasted better meat." 
 
 The first settlement at Shintown was 
 made by a Mr.jLong, about the year 1790, 
 and after he abandoned it, a man by 
 the name of G-eo. Hunter succeeded him. 
 Hunter lived here in 1806 or 1807 at the 
 earliest, he had two sous and two daugh- 
 ters, lived in an old log house with the 
 chimney built on the outside. Mr. Cald- 
 well told me when they were on their way 
 up to Kettle Creek some of the family 
 stopped at Hunter' s over night. The night 
 being cold they piled so much wood on 
 the fire place that they set the chimney 
 on fire which came near proving disastrous 
 to the house. Hunter subsequently 
 moved west. He was succeeded by David 
 Drake and David Summerson. Drake 
 also moved west, in course of time. The 
 property at this time was owned by John 
 Caldwell, it was sold by him to David Sum- 
 merson, and was afterwards sold out by 
 the shferifF and again purchased by John 
 Caldwell and finally sold by him to Jacob 
 Kepler about 1831 who moved on it from 
 Drury's Run. Samuel Kepler, Jacob's 
 father, was of German origin, and was a 
 miller by occupation, and lived near Phila- 
 delphia, and moved from thence on the 
 opposite side of the river below Dunns- 
 toWn, remained two years, and moved 
 from thence up the river near the mouth 
 of Drury's Run, (th.6 Indian name of 
 which was " Peary-Weary-Mingo, " ) 
 about the year'1801. He had three chil- 
 dren, sons; Jacob, Samuel, and one who 
 was burned to death when a child by ac- 
 cidentally running into the fire. Samuel 
 is still living, '^residing at Shintown. Sam- 
 uel Kepler Sr. built a saw and grist mill 
 at the mouth of Drury's Run, and im- 
 proved the land along the river from the 
 Renovo freight depot to the upper end of 
 the borough limits. One of the first or- 
 ganized schools was at the mouth of this 
 run, and was taught by an English gen- 
 tleman and scholar, by the name of James 
 Hill. Subsequently a man by the name 
 of Austen taught the school. He is spo- 
 ken of as being an excellent mathema- 
 tician, understood surveying and navi- 
 gation, his penmanship was very fine. 
 
 Jacob Kepler raised a femily of twelve 
 children, six sons and six daughters. 
 His children and grand children, .who 
 (Uow reside in Noyes township, number 
 wfee sixty or seventy. Jacob lived to a 
 ripe old age; he died about three years 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 201 
 
 ago, and was buried at Shintown. The 
 name Shintown, is legendary, being de- 
 rived from an Indian chief called "Shin," 
 or "Shene." 
 
 The warrant for the land is in the name 
 of Shene, and dated 1785. The land on 
 the south side of the river, now own- 
 ed by E. Hall and others, was improved 
 by Joseph Corns and John Perry about 
 the years 1806 or 1807. Corns had built 
 a house and made a small improvement 
 on the flat below, now owned by Wm . 
 Stout. He abandoned this and moved up 
 to the lower end of the flat above, built a 
 houfee and cleared some 10 or 15 acres of 
 land. The house stood near where the 
 house of David Stout; now stands. John 
 Perry improved on the upper end of the 
 flat. A man by the name of Jesse Hall 
 manufactured a lot of staves and cut a 
 lot of walnut logs, which Corns refused 
 to let him haul in and raft. It seemed the 
 land belonged to a party in Philadelphia, 
 which fact Mr. Corns was apprised of 
 by Samuel Kepler, who lived on the op- 
 posite side of the river, and was urged by 
 him to go to the city and buy the land. 
 Hall being offended at him for refusing 
 to let him haul and raft his lumber, got 
 the start of Mr. Corns by purchasing the 
 land from the owner in Phila. Corns had 
 to leave the property and removed back 
 to his house below, where he lived many 
 years and eventually sold his purchase to 
 John Bridgens, who also lived here many 
 years and afterwards sold the property to 
 Wm. Stout, who lives on it at the present 
 time. John Perry did not persist in his 
 part of the claim, but after the purchase 
 by Hall, abandoned the property. Mr. 
 Jesse Hall is still living in the west, over 
 a hundred years old. 
 
 The land on the south side of the riv- 
 er at the mouth of McSheiTy's run, was 
 settled and improved by Barney McSherry 
 about 1810 to 1815; Mr. McSherry, came 
 from Maryland and married a sister of 
 James Caldwell Jr. Mr. Caldwell inform- 
 ed the writer that he assisted McSherry 
 to buy the land for Which $50 was paid. 
 He also assisted him to clear the land, tak- 
 ing his oxen over the river to help him 
 haul the logs off. The land is now own- 
 ed by Samuel Werts. and part of it by 
 Geo. Armstrong, who isj married to a 
 daughter of Mr. McSherry, 
 
 A. C. Caldwelli some five years ago, 
 related the following incident tothe writ- 
 er : "All the family/ were-, a' 
 
 home but myself and mother, when t 
 Indians very suddenly and stealthily pre- 
 sented themselves at the dooif, and de- 
 manded something to eat. Mother was 
 much frightened and after hiding me in 
 the closet admitted them and got th^em 
 something to eat; she then slipped me 
 out of the; closet, and ordered me to /ride 
 to John Baird's, with all speed. The grass 
 did not grow under the horse's feet. I 
 soon gave the alarm and returned and 
 found mother safe and alone, the Indians 
 having gone. They proved to be friendly, 
 and of the Seneca tribe. 
 
 Cook's run was settled at an early day 
 by a man by the name of James McGinley, 
 perhaps about the time of the revolution 
 or shortly after. It was known for many 
 years as McGinley's Bottom. This was 
 then Pine Creek township, Northumber- 
 land county. The land was claimed by 
 pre-emption right, and the warrant dated 
 Aug. 2d, 1785 ; and patent isued in the 
 name of Wm. Cook, under Gov. MifSin, 
 dated May 26th, 1795. The land was pur- 
 chased by Wm. Cook of the McGinley 
 heirs. 
 
 Wm. Cook subsequently sold this prop- 
 erty to one Samuel Hains of Loyalsock 
 township, Northumberland Co., and 
 in time he sold to John Carskadden 
 May 6th, 1795, and Carskadden 
 sold to John Baird May 7th, 1810, both 
 of Lycoming Co., Pa. John Baird came 
 from New Jersey, and found this almost 
 a wilderness, only a few acres cleared, 
 with a small log hut on it. He was a re- 
 markable man, a man of energy, of strong 
 physique, distinguished for his endurance, 
 perseverance and firmness. Intellectually 
 he was a strong man, of iron will, full of 
 courage. By his industry he made this 
 wilderness blossom like the rose.' He 
 lived here for a period of over forty years 
 and raised a family of six children, all 
 daughters. Shortly after Mr. Baird 
 moved here, he built a saw mill and sub- 
 sequently a hewed log house which was 
 located on the upper side of the run, in 
 front of where Abner McCloskey's house 
 now stands. Afterwards he built a frame 
 addition to this, having the big stone 
 chimney in the middle ot the house. Here 
 was meted out hospitality to all friends 
 and neighbors without cost or price. 
 All were welcome under his roof, and none? 
 sent away hungry. 
 
 All the early settlers were as a gener- 
 id for their hospitality. As there 
 
202 
 
 HISTOEICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 were no hotels at that day, they fed 
 and lodged each other free of charge and 
 with no begrudging hand. Mr. Bah-d 
 was also a fisherman. A man by the name 
 of Tom. Burns had a fish dam and basket 
 in the river above, which Mr. Baird pur- 
 chased the Tproperty right of by giving 
 him a dog and gun. Some nights he would 
 catch such quantities of eels and fish in 
 this basket that when he loaded up his 
 canoe, it would be running over with them 
 — more than it would carry. 
 
 During the first years of Mr. Baird's life 
 at Cook's Run, he had a hard struggle to 
 pay for the property, maintain his fam- 
 ily and make the necessary improvements. 
 He had on one occasion, in one weeks 
 time cut and hauled 100 saw logs to the 
 mill, and was sawing them into broad 
 fencing rails, when he became gloomy, the 
 blues took possession of him, he sat down 
 on a log in the mill, and pondered over 
 his debts, looked on the dark side of things 
 and became almost discouraged. When 
 in this reflective mood, what should step 
 into the mill and hop upon the carriage 
 of the mUl but his big rooster, flopping 
 his wings and crowing several times, step- 
 ped near Baird; he mterpreted this as a 
 good omen and went to work. He went 
 down to Kettle Creek, saw McKissen the 
 millwright whom he owed for labor', and 
 made an arrangement with him and his 
 other creditors, to take fencing rails for 
 what he owed them. 
 
 Mr. Baird had the first post office es- 
 tablished at Cook's run and he also got 
 the mail route through from Dunnstown 
 to Coudersport. He was appointed P. M. 
 at Cook's Run and also had the mail route. 
 This was the only post office for many 
 years' in what is now Noyes township. 
 The office and the route were establish- 
 ed in 1830. The Cook's run P. O. was 
 abolished by the department in 1863. 
 Mr. John Baird closed his earthly career 
 in the year 1851. His property at Cook's 
 run was divided between two of his daugh- 
 ters, Nancy, who is married to Abner 
 McCloskey, and Emily, married to John 
 McCloskey. Each of these have raised 
 large families. A. O. Caldwell, late of 
 Westport, was married to Mary and Mr. 
 Thomas Loveland, now of Lock Haven, 
 was married to Sarah. 
 
 A man by the name of Conaway made 
 the first improvement on the flat below 
 Cook's run on what is knovii! a& tUs M^-i 
 legan place, and subsequently John Barr 
 
 came in possession of the property and 
 planted an orchard, and made most of the 
 improvements. This was in an early day 
 and contemporaneous with the settle- . 
 ments at Kettle Creek and Cook's run. 
 Mr. Barr had three sons, William, Robert 
 and James. This property was eventu- 
 ally purchased by Hugh Millegan, with 
 the assistance of the Caldwells at Kettle 
 Cieek. Hugh Millegan had four children, 
 two sons and two daughters, James, Hugh, 
 Margaret and Jane. Margaret was mar- 
 ried to Jacob Smith and Jane to Michael 
 Stout. All the children are dead. The 
 property is now owned by James Smith. 
 
 The first school 'house in this, now 
 Noyes township, was built about the year 
 1825, on the lower end of the Millegan 
 place. 
 
 The property of Mr. Caldwell at Ket- 
 tle Creek on his decease, fell into the pos- 
 session of two of his sons, John and An- 
 drew. John owned the portion on the 
 south or upper side of the creek, and An- 
 drew, that on the opposite side. In 1848 
 John sold out to Norman Butler, of Mont- 
 gomery county, and moved west; and in 
 1854 Mr. Butler, sold to Col. A. C. Noyes 
 of New Hampshire, who came to the 
 state in 1847, resided at Emporium, now 
 Cameron Co., two years, came to West- 
 port in 1849, following the lumber and 
 mercantile business. He rented a room 
 from Mr. Butler, and started a store. C. 
 R. Noyes came to Westport, and joined 
 his brother in 1850. 
 
 The first Post Ofiice was established at 
 Kettle Creek about 1847 or 1848. A. O. 
 Caldwell was appointed P. M. The name of 
 the office was "Kettle Creek." This 
 office was eventually discontinued, leaving 
 the place without any, for over a year or 
 more, the nearest ofiice being Cook's Run, 
 over three miles distant. 
 
 Mr. Butler had the Westport office es- 
 tablished Oct. 22d, 1850. The name was 
 suggested by him, as there could not be 
 two offices of the same name in the state, 
 and "Kettle Creek," was the name of the 
 office at the head of the creek. The name 
 was confirmed by the Department, and 
 Mr. Butler was appointed P. M. Hence 
 the origin of the name of the village of 
 Westport. The first mail route estab- 
 lished, from Westport up Kettle creek to 
 connect with the Jersey Shore and Coud- 
 ersport Dike, was in 1851, by the infiu- 
 Wi&SVWK). Caldwell, who had the con- 
 tract for carrying it. When Mr. Butler 
 
HISTOEICAL VIEW OV CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ^03 
 
 sold out to Col. Noyes, C. R. Noyes, re- 
 «eived_the apJ)ointinent of P. M. April 
 1st, 1855, which appointment he has held 
 for over twenty years and still holds it. 
 
 A. O. Caldwell rented his property to 
 John Werts of Lewisburg, Union Co., 
 in 1836 for a period of five , years. Mr. 
 Caldwell then lived in the 6W hewed log 
 house, built by his father. John Werts 
 moved into this with his family, worked 
 the_ farm, lumbered and sold goods, 
 which was the first regular store kept in 
 the place. John Caldwell als© about this 
 time kept a kind of store, and in 1838 to 
 1840 Eeber and Musser of Lewisburg 
 kept a store,. 
 
 After Mr. Caldwell had rented to Mr. 
 Werts, he ^uilt on the lower end of his 
 place a hotel, or rather a dwelling house 
 in the first place, but subsequently turn- 
 ed it into a hotel. This was in the years 
 1836 and 1837. Mr. Qaldwell rented this 
 hotel to Edward Shults who did business 
 here when Gov. Ritner was digging the 
 old canal ditch. John Green now of Lock 
 Haven kept it at ohe time. And Abner 
 McCloskey Esq., from the year 1841 to 
 1844, when finally Stephen Werts pur- 
 chased the property from Mr. Caldwell 
 and kept one of the best hotels on the 
 river from Lock Haven to Emporium, for 
 a period of twenty years. Mr. Werts' wife 
 was known as a good cook and a model 
 landlady, by all river-men and travelers. 
 Nelson George of Lock Haven had his 
 stage office here for several years, and 
 when the railroad was built to Westport 
 in the fall of 1863, the revolution which 
 followed in travel ' rendered it necessary 
 to abandon this point as a hotel stand, 
 .which Mr. Werts did in the fall of 1864. 
 The old hotel was laid in ashes in Feb. 
 1870. In 1857 and 1858 John L. Proctor 
 built a hotel in Westport on the bank of 
 Kettle creek, which he kept for two or 
 three years. He rented the house to John 
 J. Walton Esq., who kept it for two or 
 there years. When Stephen Werts left the 
 old hotel at the foot of the flat, he rented 
 thisfhotel of Mr. Proctor, and kept it over 
 two years. In 1866 J. W. Eobbins bought 
 the property of Mr Proctor and moved 
 mto it in Feb. 1867, and kept it till the 
 time it was fired and burned by an in- 
 cendiary the latter part of September 
 1873. This was a great calamity to Mr. 
 Bobbins, ' as he was just completing a 
 large addition to his hotel, r^ C- We-ts' 
 store was burned at the satnep'time,' the j 
 
 building however belonged to Mr. Rob- 
 bing, fie has since built a large hotel a 
 few feet back from where the former one 
 stood, which is the largest in the place, 
 and one of the largest on the West Branch. 
 It is well furnished and well kept, and is 
 called the "Westport House." 
 
 In 1866 Mr. Stephen Werts built a com- 
 modious house opposite the railroad depot, 
 to be used as a hotel, store room and 
 dwelling house.< Mr. Werts wife died in 
 this house in Sept. 1867. In 1870 Mr. 
 Werts rented the property to H. Whit- 
 comb as a hotel, and moved to Charleston 
 West Va. In the fall of 1870 he sold the 
 property to John 8. Bailey. Mr. Bailey 
 kept store in it for over three years, and 
 in July 1875 sold the property to J. H. 
 Ryan and O. M. Montgomei-y, known as 
 the firm of O. M. Montgomery & Co., 
 who are now doing a large mercantile 
 business. These parties rented the hotel 
 part of the house to Mr. Samuel Kimbal, 
 who has it well furnished and keeps a 
 good house. It is called the "United 
 States Hotel." 
 
 G. W. Drake kept the "Alpine House" 
 for about fifteen years', but at the present 
 time does not keep hotel. 
 
 Inl865L. G. Huling & Son built a 
 store house, and were engaged in the 
 lumbering and mercantile business, till 
 the spring of 1869, when they sold to 
 yKepler & Brooks. These parties carried on 
 the mer(5antile business for two or three 
 years. Then J. D. L. Smith conducted 
 it a year or more, and at present John B. 
 Saltsman is doing a very good and safe 
 
 Mr. A." O. Caldwell, in 1860, had a por- 
 tion of his farm laid out in lots. That 
 part adjoining the creek, and west of the 
 railroad. The P. & E. R. R. Co., com- 
 menced negotiating about that time for 
 the purchase of the property, for the 
 building of their machine straps. The 
 company and Mr. Caldwell failed to come 
 to terms, and no sale was effected. It is 
 alleged that they oflered Mr. Caldwell a 
 good round price. They subsequently 
 purchased Wm. Baird's property, where 
 Renovo now stands. In 1863 Mr. Cald- 
 well sold his Westport property, at a less 
 figure than the company had offered him, 
 to C. R. Noyes, who owns the most of it 
 at the present time. The population of 
 the village at the present time is 336. It 
 contains une church, Methodist, which 
 was built in 1866. The first preacjier who 
 
204 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 preached in the new church was J. L. 
 Chandler. The first school houfce was 
 built in 185.3, the first teacher was a Mr. 
 Shoemaker. The first shoe shop was 
 started by A. McDonald, about ISiSO, and 
 one of the first blacksmiths was old Harry 
 Bowman. Norman Butler had a smith 
 shop in his time and Charles Crepps did 
 the smithing and old Tom Getter the 
 tinkering. Samuel Kneply at the present 
 time has a first class shop, and is consid- 
 ered one of the best workmen m the coun- 
 ty. A.. B. Caldwell has a smith shop 
 and does quite a business. Mr. Caldwell 
 is a good workman in w&)d, and has a 
 carpenter and wagonmaker shop connect- 
 ed with his business. 
 
 A. C. Noyes and Bro. have a saw mill, 
 well adapted to the manufacture of all 
 kinds of lumber, particularly for cutting 
 bill stuff all lengths, up to 80 feet. They 
 give constant employment to many of 
 . our citizens. 
 
 In 1868, Noyes and McCloskey built a 
 shingle mill, on the site of the old saw 
 and grist mill of James Caldwell. W. T. 
 McCloskey has charge of this mill, and 
 manufactures about 500,000 shingles an- 
 nually. 
 
 We will subjoin a sketch of Westport 
 which we penned for a public journal 
 sometime ago. 
 
 This village is situated on the West 
 Branch of the Susquehanna, which river 
 bwsting forth from the mountajjji gorges 
 from the southward, thence following in 
 a due north course for a distance of two 
 miles, wheels around at almost a right 
 angle to the east, and loses itself again 
 among the mountains. The location of 
 Westport is in a. valley from a half to a 
 quarter of a mile in breadth. The moun- 
 tains on the east tower to an altitude of 
 almost one thousand feet, presenting an 
 almost impassible barrier to its approach. 
 The mountains on the west are of a, gen- 
 tle slope, and moderate height. Kettle 
 creek the famous trout and lumber stream, 
 flows into the river at this point, divid- 
 ing the village into two equal parts. 
 
 The soil of the valley of Westiwsrt is of 
 rich sandy loam, of but recent formation, 
 the greater part being above the highest 
 floods. The climate is salubrious and de- 
 lightful, producing salutary effects on in- 
 valids. 
 
 Westport is easy of access. The P. & 
 E. R. R. traverses the villqafe^^'f^tjfjim- 
 gles with Kettle Creek. Tfife company | 
 
 has a good depot, one of the best on the 
 road. The distance to Philadelphia is 
 264 miles; to Harrisbiu-g 153; to Williams- 
 port 58; to Lock Haven, 33; to Erie, 198; 
 to Emporium, 40; to Rienovo, 6; and New 
 York 354. The creek is spanned by two 
 fine bridges, one railroad, and the other a 
 county bridge. 
 
 At the present time the population of 
 the township is 450. The election to de- 
 vide the township of Chapman was held 
 Jan. 19th 1875, and the result of the vote 
 at Westport was unanimous for a divis- 
 ion, also a vote taken for the name Noyes. 
 The following is the order of the court. 
 
 "And now, Jan.- 19th, 1875, the within 
 petition, read and considered, whereup- 
 on it is ordered, that the public house of 
 J. W. Robbins of the villageof Westport, 
 be the place fixed for holding the elections 
 in the township of Noyes, until changed 
 according to law. J. S. Bailey is appoint- 
 ed Judge, and Samuel Werts and Elhan- 
 an Hoyer, are appointed Inspectors to 
 hojd the first election in the said town- 
 ship on the 3d Tuesday of February next. 
 
 By order of the Court. 
 
 C. A. Maybe, P. J." 
 
 At the first election held, the following 
 officers were elected. 
 
 John S. Bailey justice of the peace, 
 (W. C. Kepler is also justice of the peace 
 who holds over from Chapman township) 
 John Romey constable, J. W. Robbins 
 Judge of Election, E. Hoyer and Samuel 
 Werts inspectors, Geo. W. McDowell, 
 Seymour Goodnoe, Daniel Smith, A. P. 
 Stewa-rt, W. C. Werts and M. McCloskey, 
 school directors. A. Kepler, W. C. Kep- 
 ler and J. P. Stewart, Auditors. James 
 Smith and E. Hoyer Supervisors, James 
 Grace, Township clerk. E. Hall and H. 
 Denison overseers of the poor. The pres- 
 ent school board, G. W. McDowell Pres., 
 Daniel Smith Treasurer, and W. C. Werts- 
 Secretary. 
 
 There are three school houses in the 
 township, Cooks Run, Westport and Shin- 
 town. The schopls are generally kept 
 open during the warm season, from four 
 to five months, with about 135 scholars 
 enrolled, and an average attendance of 
 100. 
 
 The first regular smith shop which was 
 built to do custom work, was about 1830 
 by John Baird of Cook's Run, and the 
 Caldwells of Kettle Creek, located near 
 ttiu iivct i;elow Cooks Run, and near the 
 old Millegan place. Samuel Conaway was 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 205 
 
 about the first to work in the shop, Jacob 
 Smith also did ■w;ork in it. It was after- 
 wards used by James Barr for a dwelling 
 house, arid lastly for a school house VhitB 
 was really the' first in the township, and 
 was over two iniles above the mouth of 
 Kettle Creek, being at that time near the 
 center of the settleinent. The first school 
 house at Cook's Itun was built by Newton 
 Wells about 1854 and the first teacher a 
 MissRyhder. The present schpol house 
 at the same place was built by W. T. Mc- 
 Closkey 1873. In 1867 the first school 
 house was built at Shintown, and the first 
 teacher Miss S. E. McCloskey, under 
 the auspices of the Rev. , Sturges of Re- 
 novo, a Presbyterian in creed. The first 
 church was built at Shintown in 1866 of 
 1867. It is now under the control of the 
 Methodist Episcopal denomination. 
 
 The first bridge that spanned the creek 
 at Westport, was erected by the county 
 in 1852, and the first R. R. bridge, with- 
 in a few feet of the former, was built in 
 1859. The two bridges were swept away 
 simultaneously almost, March 17th 1865, 
 by the great flood, which did immense 
 damage to the people of this township, in 
 taking timber adrift. Parties lost whole 
 rafts, all their winters labor swept away 
 in a few moments by the besom of de- 
 struction. From this calamity they were 
 never able to recover. People were grate- 
 ful however to get ofif with themselves. 
 
 The above bridges were replaced in a 
 short time with new ones. 
 
 Part of the following biography of the 
 Hon. A. C. Noyes, we take from a late 
 publication. 
 
 " Col. A. C. Noyes is a native of New 
 Hampshire, where his ancestors, who 
 were of Scotch-Irish and English decent, 
 resided from the earliest settlement of the 
 state. He was born in Grafton coxmty. 
 New Hampshire, Sept. 17th, 1818. His 
 father was a farmer, and he spent his 
 youth in the same healthful employment, 
 going to the country school during the 
 winter months, until he was himself com- 
 petent to assume the role of teacher, when 
 his winters were devoted to that, to a 
 young man, delectable avocation. In 
 this manner of living he attained to man's 
 estate, when in conjunction with his 
 father he engaged in lumbering on the 
 Connecticut river. For this business he 
 had a strong predilection, and as his 
 knowledge of its requirements enlarged, 
 so did his ambition for a wider field -of 
 
 operation. The pineries of the West 
 Branch of the Susquehanna offered an ia- 
 viting field, and thlthet his guiding star 
 led the way. Hence, in 1847, he lauded 
 and located at Emporium, Cameron coun- 
 ty, Perina.', wherfe he remained two years 
 and then removed to Westpbrt, Clinton 
 county, where he resided and followed 
 the business of lUihbering ever feince. He 
 -has never been a politician, but being an 
 extensive operator, employing a large 
 number of hands, 'With whom he was al- 
 ways in sympathjr, never fearing to doff 
 his coat and take a hand in 'logging" 
 with the boys, And being generous; frank, 
 ojien-hearted, honest and true to ' his 
 friends, he has been frequently pushed 
 forward for places of trust, and whatso- 
 ever the odds against him, with success. 
 In politics he has always hot only profess- 
 ed, but practiced democratic principles — 
 that were drank in from his mother's 
 breast, pure and unadulterated, and to 
 this day are without speck or taint. — 
 With a clear record for everything that is 
 manly, honest and ingenuous, and a host 
 of friends surrounding him, it is little 
 wonder that he was nominated and elect- 
 ed .to ofSce repeatedly, where his par- 
 ty was in the minority. 
 In 1862, his Legislative district, then com- 
 posed of Clinton, and Lycoming counties, 
 nominated him as the democratic candi- 
 date for the house of Representatives. 
 Hon. James Chatham, was the Republi- 
 can nominee for re-election. The previ- 
 ous year Mr. Chatham had carried the 
 district by four hundred majority. This 
 Col. Noyes not only reversed, but added 
 twelve hundred to it, really changing his 
 district sixteen hundred votes. His term 
 for which he had made such a gallant 
 fight, was filled with such honest fidel- 
 ity to his section and the state, that he 
 was again put forward by his friends for 
 the same position, and triumphantly elect- 
 ed. In 1864, observing the two con- 
 secutive term rule, he was not a candidate. 
 In 1868 he was a Presidential elector, on 
 the democratic ticket. In 1870, his Legis- 
 lative district, which had been, by the 
 apportionment changed to embrace Clin- 
 ton, Cameron and McKean, again nomi- 
 nated him for the Legislature. Cameron 
 was a republican county, and gave Scho- 
 field, the republican candidate for Con- 
 gress, at the same election, forty-five ma- 
 jority, while it gave Col. Noyes three 
 hundred aad forty-eight democratic major- 
 
206 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW 01" CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ity, and he was triumphantly elected. In 
 1871, his district was again changed, to 
 comprise Clinton, Lycoming and Sullivan, 
 and form what is called a double district, 
 that is a district sending two members. 
 Col. Noyes was again nominated, and 
 again elected." 
 
 In 1872 he was again nominated and 
 triumphantly elected, being the fifth time, 
 showing conclusively, that he was of the 
 people, for the people and justly entitled 
 to be called the " Great Commoner." 
 
 In 1875 at the democratic convention 
 at Erie Col. A. C. Noyes was one of the 
 most prominent candidates for the Gub- 
 ernatorial office. After a warm contest 
 of many ballotings, between his friends, 
 Bigler's and Barr's a compromise was 
 finally made by nominating Judge Persh- 
 ing, which was undoubtedly a mistake as 
 
 the Col. was by far the more popular 
 man with the people. He would with- 
 out question have polled many thousand 
 more votes than Pershing, or any other 
 man before the convention. 
 
 We will quote again: "Col. Noyes is 
 a jovial, whole souled, big hearted gentle- 
 man, large and commanding in appear- 
 ,ance, over six feet in height, and weighing 
 two hundred and forty pounds — a fine 
 type of American manhood. His is a 
 mind not brillant, effervescent, exhausti- 
 ble, but solid, calm and deep seated. He 
 thinks first, then acts, and with vigor and 
 persistency. He is all, and more than 
 he assumes; all that honest men want in 
 a public officer — what Pope puts down 
 as the noblest work of God, an honest 
 man." 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTOETCAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 20t 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Pine Creek is one of the twelve town- 
 ships into which the county was first di- 
 vided, and is so called from the creek of 
 that name which flows along its eastern 
 border. It is bounded ■ on the south by 
 the West Branch, on the west by Dun- 
 stable, on the north by Gallauher and 
 Lycoming county, and on the east by 
 Lycoming. Its surface is uneven except 
 the portions lying along the river and 
 Pine creek, which spread out into quite 
 extensive flats. Lying as it does in the 
 angle formed by the junction of those 
 streams, the township is essentially well 
 supplied with water. At one time the 
 region through which Pine Creek flows,, 
 was bountifully supplied with the choicest 
 pine timber, hence the name, which was 
 given by the first settlers. The Indian 
 name for the stream was "Tiadaghton." 
 It is the largest tributary of the West 
 Branch. 
 
 In 1870 the population of the township 
 was 970; at that time there were 4,553 
 acres of improved lands within its limits. 
 The entire value of farm lands then, inclu- 
 ding agricultural implements, was $490,- 
 900. 
 
 The following sketch of the township 
 isfrom thepenof John Hamilton, Esq., 
 
 Most of the thickly settled, and best 
 cultivated townships of this county were 
 not settled until after their territory was 
 purchased from the Indians, in 1768. It 
 was not so with Pine creek. Its beauti- 
 ful and rich bottom lands were tempting 
 and few of them were not entered upon 
 by settlers, and claims marked out in 
 violation of law and treati*^'fiiltK«Bbq)iiJ 
 dians ; generally some trifling contract 
 
 was made with the Indians. The "Fair 
 Play" system was one of rigid natural 
 justice, though the settlers who enforced 
 it were in a sense outlaws. 
 
 Our township has an extent of five miles 
 on the river, north side, from Pine Creek 
 to Chathams' Run. This whole extent, 
 as far as I am able to ascertain, was set- 
 tled upon under claims of three and four 
 hundred acres before it was purchased 
 from the Indians — previous to the revo- 
 lution and the Big Runaway in 1778. It 
 was purchased at the treaty of peace in 
 1784, and most of the warrants were laid 
 in 1785 under the claim of the first set- 
 tlers, the State honoring and securing 
 their claims on account of the noble 
 stand made by them in defence of the 
 country against Great Britain and her 
 allies the Indians. 
 
 The first settlers who got back after 
 the war settled on their improvements, 
 and took out warrants. I have no evi- 
 dence that Donaldson got back, who set- 
 tled on what has gone by the name of the 
 Duncan farm, now owned in part by B. 
 Smith and Crawford. 
 
 Einkaid did not get back, Alexander 
 Hamilton did not return, he was killed 
 by the Indians near Northumberland. His 
 family returned however and took out a 
 warrant for his improvement. An eager- 
 ness to get possession of land showed it- 
 self in strong colors; not only were the 
 best bottom lands secured, but surveys 
 were made of the greater portion of the 
 hUl lands in 1785. Some hill land was 
 taken up and surveyed in 1793 and 1794. 
 
 The first warrants along the river were 
 laid in the names, as follows, beginning 
 at Chathams Run, and down the river : 
 John Chatham, on Chathams Run. Kext 
 below Col. Wiliam Cook, now Condon, 
 then Jane Richard, now Huling and 
 Betts, then McFadden, now McGuire and 
 Brown. Then John Jackson, now Fer- 
 l^^&Oim McKinney, then Hamilton's 
 heirs, now Hamiltons and Shaw, next thd 
 
208 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Duncan farm, settled on before the war 
 by Alexander Donaldson, now owned 
 chiefly by Crawford and Smith. This 
 was warranted by Benjamin Walker, 
 deeded to Stephen Duncan. Next the 
 Love improvement owned now by Cook. 
 Then the McMasters improvement on the 
 point — the Gallauher farm. Then up the 
 creek further, William Plunket, now 
 Simmons and Crist, next John Scott, now 
 McKinney; then Barnabas Parsons 346 
 acres and allowance. Phelps' Mills are 
 on this tract; next above is Thomas Proc- 
 tor. These tracts all seem to have been 
 surveyed in 1785. 
 
 Though Pine Creek has only five miles 
 front on the river it must have had at one 
 time a stretch quite a distance back, per- 
 haps to the York State line. It was rich 
 in unseated land tax, and built four large 
 and high bridges — level with the road — 
 frame. These were built a short time 
 before the flood of 1810, which swept 
 them away, since which time our bridges 
 are nothing to brag of. The flrst laid out 
 road through the township was a bridle 
 path. It was laid out in 1775 beginning 
 at the mouth of Bald Eagle and ending 
 opposite Sunbury. In 1797 soon after 
 Lycoming county was organized, a view 
 from P.ne creek to and through the great 
 Island 1 aid out a wagon road on the same 
 ground. 
 
 The flrst settlement on the North side 
 of the river in Pine creek township, 
 commenced as near as I can make out, in 
 1773. 
 
 The first settlers were not the only 
 ones at that time who were eager to poss- 
 ess themselves of gOod lands, or as I was 
 going to say — eager to "gobble up" the 
 good lands. A company, consisting of Jno. 
 Reed of Philadelphia and John Bull Esq., 
 and Thomas Pi-octor Esq., purchased a 
 large tract containing 4497 acres and al- 
 lowances. '^ 
 
 Thejoriginal deed was from Wm. Penn 
 to George Evans of Wales and was dated 
 1683. 
 
 This survey could not be recognized of 
 any value by the State after independence. 
 
 The flrst settlers were Scotch-Irish 
 Presbyterians; not only those of Pine 
 Creek, but of the '^Y'est Branch generally. 
 Theyjdid not think of making settlements, 
 without sustaining the gospel and schools 
 among them. The first school house 
 for the purpose, was made^pf^oak logs, 
 opposi;e Sour's ferry. I " "^ - "^ 
 
 ars attend there from Chatham's Run and 
 from Pine Creek. There was an old 
 house near where the brick school house 
 now (stands, within half a mile of Pine 
 Creek, on the main road. The early teach- 
 ers were Irish. They used'the rod. They 
 were generally old men, and notwithstand- 
 ing the rod, they had mischievous schol- 
 ars. Reading, writing and arithmetic were 
 the branches taught : surveying was as 
 thoroughly taught then as now. Surveyors 
 were in demand. Grammar was not 
 thought of until the "Yankees" began to 
 come among us as teachers. They pro- 
 fessed to teach it whether they knew 
 much about it or not. The assembly's 
 shorter catechism was taught to every 
 scholar. The children would meet at 
 least once a year to recite it to their 
 minister. Besides, examinations were 
 held for old and young. 
 
 Preachers visited this place and preach- 
 ed, before churches were built, oi congre- 
 gations organized. They were sent as 
 missionaries. Preachers from congrega- 
 tions, which might then be called neigh- 
 boring, occasionally visited the place. 
 Kincaid taught school and preached oc- 
 casionally. The first church, a frame struc- 
 ture, was built on the west bank of Pine 
 Creek near the bridge. John Knox was 
 the carpenter who took the conti-act. I 
 am not able to give the date, but it was 
 somewhere near' the end of the last cen- 
 tury. There was a dispute as to where it 
 should be located. Those living below 
 the Creek wanted it there, those above 
 wanted it there. The timber was hewed 
 and placed above. The people from be- 
 low came at night and hauled it over on 
 their side. Those above hauled it back, 
 and there it was built. It -Was a church of 
 good size, with two aisles and two front 
 doors, and a gallery. It remained unfin- 
 ished for a number of years, and was 
 preached in during the winter without 
 fire for nearly twenty years, then two 
 hearths w£re made and fires of charcoal 
 used, next two wood stoves were put in. 
 
 The Rev.Isaac Grier was the flrst install- 
 ed pastoV of this congregation. He was the 
 father of Robert Grier, Judge of the su- 
 preme court. ■ 
 
 Several years passed while the congre- 
 gation remained without a regular pas- 
 tor. In 1814 the Rev. John H. Grier was 
 installed in this and the Great Island con- 
 
 'egatioi),^ Hfe ofSciated at the latter 
 years, and at the former, and 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 209 
 
 at Jersey Shore, thirty seven years. Rev. 
 D. M Barber was a co-laborer with him 
 nine years at Jersey Shore, for the same 
 congregation. They both were succeed- 
 ed by the present pastor, Rev. Joseph 
 Stevens. 
 
 Soon after Rev. J. H. Grier came to 
 the place, he purchased a small farm in 
 Pine Creek township a mile from the 
 river, upon which he moved and lived 
 the greater part of his pastoral life, cul- 
 tivating it with more care and judgment 
 than was common among his neighboring 
 farmers. 
 
 In a few years — less than twenty — the 
 chief part of each farm was cleared, some 
 good log buildings covered with shingles, 
 were buil^. The first bank barn, buUt of 
 stone from bottom to top, was the Dun- 
 can bam, built in 1810. It was 100 feet 
 long, 40 or 50 wide. 
 
 The "Big Runaway" of July,1778, and 
 the great sickness of 1804 were two 
 extraordinary occurrences, and were re- 
 membered and talked of for a long time 
 in the home-like language of the times. 
 For two years the settlers had struggled 
 with the peculiar and dreaded warfare of 
 the Indians. They knew they were sur- 
 rounded by the enemy, without a possibil- 
 ity of knowing their hiding places, or at 
 what moment they might send the fatal 
 bullet. Just above the mouth of Pine 
 Creek was the scene of a fearful tragedy. 
 Upon the alarming news of the massacre 
 of Wyoming, the settlers prepared at 
 once to aban4on the settlement, not with- 
 out a hope of returning, for they buried 
 some articles that could be kept in that 
 way. They made preparations for start- 
 ing, gathering at^ the smaU forts. A 
 number of men were sent from above, 
 down to Antes' fort, (at Antes Creek) for 
 canoes and A llat. Among then; sent 
 were Robin Donaldson, , Robert Fleming, 
 James Jackson and McCracken. Four of 
 the company had pushed their, four ca- 
 noes through Pine Creek riffles, and 
 were about to rest and wait for the flat 
 .which was behind ; wheti a body of In- 
 dians run . up from behind a little bluff 
 near the bank of the river and flred on 
 -them. John Hamilton, the only one of 
 the four escaping, saw'the . Iiidians rise. 
 /Donaldson jumped out of his canoe with 
 his gun and £red, hallooing "come on 
 b6ys," the blood spirting out of his back. 
 He gave his canoe a shove fo^m the shore 
 and threw himself flat into i£ ; tiic billie'.s 
 
 flying around him ; he gave Jiimself a 
 quick whirl over the side of the canoe, 
 and kept it between him and the Indians, 
 and paddled across, landing on the point 
 above the mouth of the creek. He had 
 woolen clothes on and they were heavy 
 with water, so he stripped to his shirt and 
 ran. The woods were open, with low 
 bushes, any perhaps a path; he told after- 
 wards that every flutter of a pheasant, 
 he thought was an Indian, and he could 
 clear the bushes every spring. He ran to 
 the "point" three miles above the mouth 
 of the creek, when he met the refugees 
 who had made a start from Horns fort on 
 such crafts as they could gather up. Ro- 
 bin Donaldson, Robert Fleming and 
 James McMichael, were killed. The men 
 in the flat, Jackson, McCracken and oth- 
 ers, crossed over from the mountain side 
 and escaped. Johnson went around and 
 crossed the creek some distance up where 
 he expected to find a horse, on what is 
 now the Simmons farm. He found one 
 and met the company on their way. Ham- 
 iltons' story was no doubt incoherent, 
 Mrs Fleming, whose husband was killed, 
 sat quiet. Mrs. McCracken, whose hus- 
 band was in the flat and escaped, raised 
 the cry, and went on extravagantly. 
 
 The sad occurrence delayed the fugitives 
 for a while, but they went on, the men on 
 each shore with their guns, the women 
 on the crafts with such supplies as could 
 be taken, and when their rafts grounded, 
 the women would jump out and push 
 them off. They gathered up the bodies 
 of the men that were killed and took 
 them as far as Antes' fort and buried 
 them. . . 
 
 It seems they got to Northumberland 
 without any farther attack from the In- 
 dians, when they, were met by ten or fif- 
 teen «nen from the town, who with Colo- 
 nel Hunter made the most urgent appeals 
 for their help, urging them to stop and 
 make a stand for the defense of the town, 
 which most of them did. The men were 
 enrolled and i organized by tbe orders of 
 Colonel? Hunter wd Hartley, under Alex- 
 ander Hamilton, who was afterward kill- 
 ed by the Indians near Northumberland 
 iul,781or;t783. 
 
 Tbe teTfitoTj of Pine Creek was the 
 theater of; anpther remarkable e vent- In- 
 dependence was thought of, ajud talked of 
 long before .the ^fourth of July 1776 ; it 
 Tas debated in Congress, and the people , 
 were faff of it, and no doubt the "Fair * 
 
210 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 Play men" that -were intruding on Indian 
 lands, were as full of it as anybody else ; 
 and it may be, more so. This is a well 
 authenticated story. On the 4th of July 
 1776 a number of the men of Pine Creek 
 and its vicinity assembled on the plains of 
 Pine Creek, before spoken of, and formal- 
 ly declared the independence of the Col- 
 onies. No doubt they passed written 
 resolutions, but they have not been pre- 
 served. Many of the names have been 
 perpetuated, handed down orally. Among 
 them Robert Love, Thomas Nichols, John 
 Jaokson, Thomas Francis, Alexander 
 DonalSon, Alexander Hamilton, John 
 Clark, William Campbell, Adam Carson, 
 Henry McCracken, and Adam Dewitt. 
 
 No doubt it was a large and patriotic 
 meeting. Some of them afterwards gave 
 their lives in the cause of Independence. 
 
 The mode of ingress to this settlement, 
 was by canoes, pack-horses, and sleds 
 made of saplings, the ends fastened to 
 horses harness, the Tjutts framed together 
 and dragging on the ground. 
 
 It is said a few apple trees were 
 standing in 1815 or 1830 that I suppose 
 were planted before the war. After the 
 war orchards were planted on every farm, 
 many of them of the best grafted fruit, 
 got from a nursery near Lock Haven, 
 
 raised by Hunt. Plums and grapes 
 
 were plenty. Scraping turnips was a fash- 
 ionable way of passing the evening when 
 frendly calls were made among neighbors. 
 These calls were more common, and per- 
 haps more friendly than at the present 
 day. Tea and "short cake" were the en- 
 tertainment among visiting old ladies. 
 There was scarcely a child raised that 
 could not read and write. Children were 
 sent to school young. 
 
 Farming was carried on as it is in most 
 new counties — plowing, sowing and reap- 
 ing, without much extra labor, not? even 
 hauling out .manure, until the Germans, 
 and others from the lower or eastern 
 counties began to come among us, whose 
 example began to be followed. John 
 Brown from Northampton Co., was the 
 first. Became in 1809. He had bought 
 out the MoFaddens, James, Samuel, Ed- 
 ward and Hugh, who moved West. How- 
 ever they were not the first of the early 
 settlers that left to seek a better country. 
 James Jackson and his elder sister, who 
 married a Fleming, were the first. They 
 went to Central New York. Some of the 
 Hamiltons left next. T^fajti. 
 
 'IB>^;f;2effif<fo>o/i^fe^#®f 
 
 French Creek before the beginning of the 
 present century. The Ramseys moved 
 from James McKinney's place, on Piiie 
 Creek to the West in 1805 or 6. Major 
 George Williams sold out to HeuryHDrist 
 in ISlS^and moved to Ohio. 
 
 About this time the Yankee wagons 
 were seen stringing past for Ohio, some 
 of them with "Ohio" written on their 
 covers. Soon after companies of Mor- 
 mons could be seen passing, rather illy 
 clad, and begging milk, drinking it 
 through a hollow stick. If I remember 
 rightly they were dirty in their appear- 
 ance, with towels or aprons hanging 
 down their backs. 
 
 Pine Creek contains some of the finest 
 flat or bottom land on the Susquehanna. 
 Some of it had a depth and richness of 
 soil that bore a succession of crops for 
 forty years, without manure ; other parts 
 were supposed to be worked or worn out 
 in twenty years. This latter kind of soil 
 is much better now than it was then. 
 
 John Cook was one of the first to lime 
 his land. He and Samuel Simmons were 
 considered the best farmers in- the town- 
 ship, and Pine Creek at that time, if not 
 now, was the best farmed district in the 
 county. 
 
 Water is obtained by digging to a depth 
 of 35 and 30 feet, usually a few feet after 
 entering the gravel. 
 
 The rock underlying the southern part 
 of this valley must be trough-like, and I 
 imagine that boring, a short distance into 
 this rock, water could be reached that 
 would be forced to the surface. 
 
 Chatham' s mill, a log building on Chat- 
 ham' s Run, built by Col. Chatham before 
 the Revolution, and a mill built on Pine 
 Creek, the building of which was super- 
 intended by the celebrated Judge Walker, 
 were the only mills we had for a long 
 time. Mills built near the same localities 
 are the only ones we have now. There 
 has been a saw mill at the mouth of Chat^ 
 hams Run doing sawing, as far back as 
 my memory goes. 
 
 Big walnut logs were sawed in the 
 neighborhood before the Big-runaway, 
 perhaps at Henry Antes' miU. As evi- 
 dence, there is in the possession of Misses 
 Hamilton, of this township, a large wal- 
 nut meal-chest inade of inch and a quar- 
 ter boards, handsomely dovetailed, with 
 lid and turned feet, which oral history 
 says was put upon two canoes, and filled 
 forty bushels of wheat and 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 211 
 
 taken as far as Northumberland with 
 the flying inhabitants. Their old split 
 bottomed arm chair went along with the 
 crowd and returned. 
 
 The wells in this township are from 
 25 to SO feet deep. One of the first in 
 the township was dug by John Jackson, 
 one of the first settlers. Digging wells 
 was not weH understood at that time. A 
 man by the name of Diah (Obadiah) Huff 
 was employed to dig the well, having 
 men to draw out for hiin, with a rope and 
 windlass and a large bucket. He had got 
 teown to a depth which he supposed, was 
 not far from water. He went down in the 
 morning with thej expression that he 
 would have water before he came up if he 
 had to dig through the world for it. Be- 
 fore he came to water the sand began to 
 give way, sliding in at the bottom. He 
 sprang and caught hold of the rope with 
 his hands ; but in the fright forgot to un- 
 hook the rope from the bucket, which 
 was soon filled and held fast. He was 
 seen lifting his feet, trying to tramp 
 above the sand as it flowed in. The men 
 pulled tiU they straightened the hook, 
 but too late. He was held by the sand 
 and soon covered. All hands went to 
 work to dig him out, and dug some dis- 
 tance below him before they found him, 
 having dug at one side of blm. 
 
 The well was filled up and no attempt 
 to dig another, either in John Jackson's 
 time or his son "William's. There was a 
 spring at the river shore at low water, 
 and an excellent one flowing out of the 
 opposite bank across the river, at which 
 they often got water. 
 
 Another well near Pine Creek, on the 
 Morrison farm; the wall of which fell m 
 on a man who went down to clean it out. 
 The stones arched above him, and he was 
 but little hurt. They had given him up 
 for lost. However they had not worked 
 long at removing the stone until they 
 heard something like distant hallooing. 
 They listened, and believed it was their 
 "subearthed" man. They worked with a 
 will, and when they had got his head 
 clear, (it was no trifling job) they gave 
 him something warm and invigorating to 
 drink ; (no doubt a little whiskey, which 
 was plenty in those days, and would be 
 good in such a case) and soon got him 
 out all right. The first wall of my fath- 
 ers well fell in, one spring (or summer). 
 He cleaned out nine feet of sand,;without 
 suspecting the sand had lefl 
 
 hind the wall. One very dark night while 
 sitting in the house they thought they 
 heard thunder. After some time my mo- 
 ther went to get some water,she thought it 
 looked unusually dark about the well, 
 and could see no sign of curb or windlass ; 
 a little nearer and she saw the dark gulf, 
 and suspected what was the matter. My 
 father took out the stone, and found a 
 great vacancy behind the wall, almost big 
 enough to drive a wagon around. He 
 rebuilt the wall and filled in behind it 
 with clay, stamped in. 
 
 The only collection of houses in Pine 
 Creek township entitled to the name of 
 village, is Charlton, which is situated about 
 five miles east of Lock Haven, on 
 the left bank of the Susquehanna, and 
 contains a population of 124. 
 
 The village proper, is built on a tract 
 of land for which Andrew Kinkaid, of 
 Philadelphia, obtained a warrant in 1781. 
 This tract was bought by-Thos. Proctor, 
 Sr., in 1785, and in 1792 Thomas Proctor, 
 Sr., "in consideration of the love and af- 
 fection for his sister Jane Charlton, wid- 
 ow, and the sum of five shillings lawful 
 money" deeded a small tract of land upon 
 which, in 1839, the first house of the town 
 was built, being the one now occupied by 
 Squire Kissell. 
 
 From 1839 to 1843, some five or six 
 houses were built, and it was agreed to 
 name the town "Charlton" in honor of 
 the widow Jane Charlton. 
 
 There was however a house built a lit- 
 tle north and west of Charlton, on the 
 Cook tract, as early as 1785 by Robert 
 Crawford, a tanner ; and the following 
 year he erected a tannery, which is owned 
 and operated at this time by Squire Kis- 
 sell. The house was torn down by Mr. 
 Condon about fifteen years ago. In May, 
 1844, John F. Ramm of Philadelphia 
 opened a store, and the following year, 
 with .'a few. other energetic persons suc- 
 ceeded in getting a post-office established. 
 Mr. Henry Myer was made post master, 
 f the office was "West Branch" 
 
212 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 till 1850, when it was remoYed to Quiggle 
 & Co's. store at the Run, about a mile 
 west of Charlton, and the name was 
 changed to "Chatham's Run, which name 
 it still retains. 
 
 The business men of tihe place are as 
 follows : Ramm & Co., store ; E. Cra- 
 mer, grocery ; J. Lander, blacksmith ; 
 
 F. Zahn,blacksmith and wagon maker; Q. 
 S. Farley andP. Marks,shoemakers; Fred. 
 Strasser, undertaker and cabinetmaker; 
 E. Herman, carpenter; T. G. Shurr, tailor; 
 
 G, M. Betts, post master; A. C. Kis- 
 sell. Justice Peace ; Louis Schneider, M. 
 D. ; D. B. McCloskey, minister, M. E. 
 Church. There are a few fine dwel- 
 lings and a substantial two story frame 
 school house, in which a graded school is 
 maintained four months in the year. The 
 people are intelligent and enterprising, 
 but the' place has not improved much of 
 late, owing to the general prostration of 
 business. 
 
 The village of Richville is in the west- 
 ern part of Pine Creek township, and is 
 built on a tract of land which was ob- 
 tained by warrant in 1786, to Felix Christ- 
 man. By him it was conveyed, by deed 
 
 dated Sept. 2, 1816, to C. D. Hepburn; by 
 deed of Hepburn and wife, dated June 
 18, 1834, to John Rich; by deed of Rich 
 and wife, dated March 25, 1864, to J. F. 
 and C. B. Rich, and is now in the posses- 
 sion of J. P. Rich. 
 
 The first dwelling house built in Rich- 
 ville was destroyed by fire several years 
 ago, but its site is yet honored as being 
 the birth-place of Rev. James Cuhis, an 
 earnest and respected minister of the M. 
 E. Church. Tie largest building in the 
 village is a woolen factory, which was 
 erected In 1843 by John Rich, and is now 
 operated by J. F. Rich. The next build- 
 ing of importance is the M. E. church; 
 and the third is the public school house. 
 Seventy-one pupils are at present in at- 
 tendance at this school. There are eight 
 dwelling houses in Richville, and thirty- 
 eight inhabitants, who, with two excep- 
 tions, neither drink liquor or chew to- 
 bacco. 
 
 Chatham's Run, which flows through 
 Richville, is a clear mountain stream, and 
 reaches its confluence with the West 
 Branch of the Susquehanna two miles 
 distant from the village. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 213 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 PORTER TOWNSHIP. 
 
 [Written by W. M. Allison, Esq.] 
 This townstip was cut off from Lamar 
 in 1841 and named in honor of Gov. Ppr- 
 ter. It is about four by six miles in ex- 
 tent and is bounded on the north by 
 Beech Creek, on the east by Lamar, on 
 the south by Logan, and on the west by 
 Centre county. By reference to the folT 
 lowing afSdavit of Mr. McKibben, it will 
 be seen where it lies. Mr. M. is believed 
 to have been the first settler in thp town- 
 ship: 
 Centre County, s.s. 
 
 Before William Petrikin, one of the 
 Justices of the Peace for the County of 
 Centre aforesaid, personally came Joseph 
 McKibben who saith on his solemn oath, 
 that in the fall of the year one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy he came up 
 with his Father James McKibben from 
 Lurgan Township Cumberland near Ship- 
 pensburgh where he then resided, to Nit- 
 tany valley within about ten miles of the 
 great Island to make an improvement on 
 lands then owned and located by the said 
 James McKibben — that they built a house, 
 roofed it, chuncked and daubed it, and 
 lived in it seven weeks and cleared eight 
 acres of land on the tract called the big 
 spring tract located in the name of the 
 said James McKibben, to wit, James Mc- 
 Kibben — That they continued working 
 on it until the snow fell when they re- 
 turned back to their place of Besidence 
 in Lurgan Township aforesaid intending 
 to have returned again in the spring with 
 a view to resume and continue on the cuIt 
 tivation and improvement of the said land 
 — That for this purpose they left a;ll their 
 farming utensils and such household fur- 
 niture as they had taken along with theih, 
 behind them on the said place — But were 
 detered as deponent believes from return- 
 ing through doubts and fears of the In- 
 dians — That the said James McKibben 
 died in the beginning of the year 1785 
 
 and th^t said tract of land Bl^i&d^^Ml^t)§M<^^^- Mr. Stephenson says the 
 
 William & David who were then minors 
 and who settled the land before they were 
 of age. 
 
 Joseph McKibben. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed the 23d day of 
 June 1809 before 
 
 Wm. Petrikin. 
 
 The McKibbens are of Scotch-Irish de- 
 scent. 
 
 The Bald Eagle Mountains are on the 
 northern end and the Nittany Mountains 
 on the southern end. Fishing Creek flows 
 in from Logan township and runs through 
 to the eastern part of the township, on 
 the south side of Nittany VaJleyi' Cedar 
 Run is on the north side of the valley; 
 one branch irises in Marion township. 
 Centre county, about one-half mile west 
 of the county line and flows east. The 
 south branch rises on the farm of David 
 Allison and flows east ; they unite at Ce- 
 dar Spring Mills. There are a number 
 of splendid springs of cold, sparkling lime- 
 stone water on these streams. 
 
 That part of the township in Nittany 
 Valley is as good farming land as there is 
 in Pennsylvania ; though at an early day 
 the land along the turnpike, or what is 
 termed the ridge, was not considered 
 worth 'anything. I was talking to old 
 Mr. Thomas Stephenson and he told me 
 that John Watson, the father of Mrs. 
 Wm. Reed, cleared the first field on the 
 Custard farm ; when he was a boy he was 
 by there when they were cutting the first 
 crop and it was poor. Mr. Stephenson's 
 father came to the township in April, 
 1795 when he (Thomas) was eight years 
 old ; he was 89 years old the 3d day of 
 last March. They bought the land and 
 settled where H. C. Allison now lives. 
 He is a pensioner of the war of 1813. 
 The warrants for the farms of D. Allison, 
 John Best, Wm. Strunk and 8. B. and 
 R. Thompson were taken out in the name 
 of Mary Pollock and William Campbell, 
 
214 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 first winter they spent here was a very 
 hard one. Some of the settlers near Jack- 
 sonsville had to go to Pennsvalley for a 
 little straw to feed their cows ; he also said 
 that one winter Mr. McKibben had some 
 turnips that be did not get taken in. The 
 deer found them and would come and 
 paw the snow away and eat them. 
 Old Mr. McKibben used to keep pet deer, 
 that would go out into the woods, and 
 the wild deer would follow them close to 
 the house, where he would often be^ watch- 
 ing, and shoot them. ' 
 
 The first settlers were pretty much all 
 Scotch-Irish Presbyterians and they went 
 to church at Jacksohsville. They thought 
 it no trouble to ride on horse-back fronl 
 near Hamburg to Jacksonsville, where 
 was the only church in this part of the 
 country, for a long time. Rey. Mr. Wil- 
 son was the first stationed preacfier at 
 that place; then came James Irinn, the 
 father of Judge Linn, who use4 to preacli 
 in this neighborhood — sometimes at the 
 houses of James McKibben, David Alli- 
 son g,nd others. . , 
 
 Accordiag to Mr. Stephenson's recollec- 
 tion, the first SQhopl house of. which he 
 has any knowledge, was §ituE\.ted on the 
 farm now occupied by W. M. Allison, a 
 few rods south of the spring on the line 
 between Allison's and McKibben' s.j A 
 man by the name of Lindsey was the first 
 teacljer he recollects. 
 
 They (the Stephensons) moved in there 
 when they first came here and remained 
 about two months. He further says that 
 when they came here the McKibbens 
 were here, Joseph, William and David, 
 living oh the farms spoken of above, and 
 the Watsons : John, David and William. 
 David settled vhere the residence of 
 David Kaufmaii is, William where H. W. 
 Dornblazer now lives, and John where 
 Clintondale is now situated; Jo?. Brown- 
 lee on Fishing creek, where Peter Trau- 
 sue now lives ; Matthew Allison where 
 A. J. McClintick ; Aichibald Steward 
 where James Hays on CedarRun ; Archi- 
 bald Johnson where John Best ; James 
 McCloskey where James Stephenson and 
 John Yeariok now live. McOloskey after- 
 wards sold those farms for five shillings 
 per acre and went to Kentucky. John 
 Shield came shortly after and settled on 
 the property on which Robert Heard, 
 William Harris and James Nixon now 
 live. Ther-e was a man by the name of 
 Furey settled in there 
 
 William Lamb, spoken of in Mr. Eakin's 
 sketch ; the Williamsons about that time 
 lived where L. W. Shuler now lives. There 
 was a school house at an early day near 
 where David Emrick's stable now stands 
 at Clintondale, and one was afterwards 
 built on the south end of John Heckman's 
 farm, and one on the farm of J. S. Furst, 
 about 40 rods west of D. Allison's house. 
 The next was one near where the present 
 house on Cedar Run is standing ; one 
 about 60 rods west of J. Bennison's ; one 
 which is 'still standing, between the resi- 
 dence of Sam'l AUisonand Richard Krape 
 on the tui*npike, and one near Washing- 
 ton- Iron Works, since converted into a 
 dwelliUg house for' the hands to live in. 
 The next were put. up under the common 
 school system. The first two were builtin 
 1839, Tile 'house at Cedar Springs is still 
 used ; it was repail-fed in 1873. The next 
 two were built in 1840. The one at Yan- 
 keetown, is still in use, and the other near 
 J. Dornblazer's — a new one, was buUt in 
 its place last year. The next one was 
 built jin 1849 where the poor-house now 
 stands, but was burned down in 1861. 
 The present house at Washington Fur- 
 nace was built in 1859. 'I'he next one 
 on the farm of A. Allison's heirs was built 
 in 1860. The next at Clintondale in 1862. 
 The next at Cedar Run, near Cedar Spring 
 Mills, in 1871, and the last one on the 
 farm of Peter Dornblazer, on the Fishing 
 creek; road, in 1875. The present Board 
 of Directors are L. W. Shuler, President, 
 W. 'i/l. Allison, Secretary, Charles Beck, 
 G. M. Ohl, James G. Hays and John 
 Yearick. W, A. White is Treasurer. 
 Mr. White has been collector and treasurer 
 of the school tax nearly ever since the 
 township has been divided. The rest of 
 the officers are as follows : Overseers of 
 the Poor, Robert B. Brown and J. Cyrus 
 Kryder ; Supervisors, John Yearick and 
 Phihp Walker; Assessor, Solomon Maurer; 
 Assistant Assessors, John Dornblazer and 
 Henry Zigler ; Auditors, Jacob Voneida, 
 Joel A. Herr and Lewis Dornblazer ; 
 Judge of Election, John Heckman ; In- 
 spectors, John Dorman and Ira Ohl ; 
 Constable, James Eakins ; (Mr. Eakins 
 has been constable for a number of years.) 
 Justices of the Peace, Joseph Milliken 
 and W. M. Allison ; Mr. Milliken is serv- 
 ing his sixth term, as Justice. George 
 Ohl, (father of the present G. M. ©hi,) 
 and George M. Watson were the first two 
 "ithe Peace when the township 
 
HISTORIOAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 215 
 
 was organized. Matthew 'Allison, the 
 father of Mrs. George Risliel, was the 
 first JiTStioe in this part of the country. 
 The first Board of School Directors. con- 
 sisted iof the following persons : John 
 Domblazer, Sen., President, 'Joseph Mil- 
 liken, Secretary, William C.Wilson, Israel 
 Muffly, David Allison and ' Valentine 
 Meyer. , 
 
 I' will here give theminutes of their first 
 meeting in 1841: At a meeting of the 
 School Directors held at the house of Is- 
 real Muffly on the fifth day of April; 1841. 
 After organizing, the following officers 
 were elected: John Domblazer, Presi- 
 dent) Joseph Milliken, Secretary. On mo- 
 tion it was resolved : -That the President 
 and Secretary be authorized to levy a tax 
 on the taxable inhabitants of Porter town- 
 ship, not . exceeding three hundred and 
 ninety'-ifive dollars. 
 
 [Signisd.] Joseph MiLLiKBN, Sec. 
 
 The following soldiers of the late Re- 
 bellion are credited to Porter township ; 
 James Allison, promoted to Lieutenant, 
 had to resign on account of ill-health after 
 serving eighteen months; Jos. M. Allison, 
 A. J; Best, Peter Best, S. P. Best, Thos. 
 Domblazer, William Hays, promoted to 
 
 Lieutenant, taken prisoner at : 
 
 Nathan E. Harvey, fatally wounded and 
 died ; Georgte Krape, Antes Krape, Wm. 
 Keistery Jacob Kling, Wilber F. , Love- 
 land 5 Perry McClintick, contracted dis- 
 ease in the army and died shortly after 
 his retiirn ; S. L. Maurer died in the hos- 
 pital at -fi ; Robert Maurer, fa- 
 tally wOTinded and died ; Edwin F. Nix- 
 on, promoted to Lieutenant, taken pris- 
 oner ; Henry Ohl, died ; Harvey Rishel, 
 died ; Williamson Rishel, Wm. J. Sheaffer, 
 Benjamin Seyler (died), Henry W. Was- 
 son, Cyrus Walker, Thomas Watson. 
 The above were members of Capt. J. P, 
 Sheaffer's Company E, 7th, Pa. Cavalry. 
 Since writing the above I have obtained 
 the following names of members of the 
 company : Samuel Kinney, (contracted 
 disease- and died after discharge); Jerry 
 Logan, John H. Gladfelter, Samiifel Fer- 
 rel, James J. Smith, George Wolf, Henry 
 Yearick, ijohn Berry, Samuel Heltman, 
 William Clark, John Jacoby, John Wolf, 
 H. D. Loveland. In the 11th Pa. Vol., J. 
 P. Straw, promoted to Lieutenant, (kill- 
 ed) ; Robert Clair, Frank Walker (dded) ; 
 Charles Eldred, (died), JohnMoore; 1st, 
 Pa. Cavalry, Philip Walker, prombtedi to 
 first Lieutenant; BenjamifiT/^ft'zSlflfafeV 
 
 Jonathan Wallizer ; 49th Pa. Vol., S. H. 
 Benison, promoted to Captain ; H. P. 
 Blair,' Thomas Hutchinson, William Let-' 
 tei'man (died), William Gladfelter (kill- 
 ed)ii 93d Pa. Vol., known as G. B. Shear- 
 'er's company from Washington Iron 
 works ; WilliamiTate, promoted to Cap- 
 tain, John Deter, William Deter, William 
 Billet, Geoitge Billet, William Bowman, 
 Steward Bowman (killed), John Bowman, 
 Samuel Bowman (killed), Geoi'ge Am- 
 merman, Thomas (Jrawford, ■ Heilry Fis- 
 sel (killed), Tobias Green (wounded), 
 George Grey, Levi Grubb, Solomon 
 Grubb, Isaac Grubb, William Dusenberry, 
 John Costella, Wm. j^eps, Adam Kreps, 
 John Loekard, contracted disease and- 
 since died, James Loekard, George Mc- ■ 
 Mullen, James Robb, contracted disease 
 and died since, Jas. Reeder, Adam Smith,' 
 (killed), Robert Tate, John Tate, John 
 Wertz, conttacted disease and since died, 
 Jonathan Walker,' Andrew Green, Jacob 
 Grubb, Jno. Smith, David Hampton, Jas. 
 Brown, Thos.Bathurst; 5th Pa. Reserves : 
 William Watson (died). I cannot ascer- 
 tain in- what regiments the following were 
 enlisted: Robert Krape, Henry Krape, Jr. 
 Jacob Emert, . Joseph i- Seylerj Gabriel 
 Betz, Henry Heltman, Samuel Shilling, 
 and Andrew Bhillihg. The following wer» 
 nine months men : WiUiam Losb, John 
 J. Sheafferj Edward Moore, M. A. Rishel, 
 Joel A. Herr, John W. Gladfelter, Henry 
 Kling, Nathan Hauch. 
 
 The tract of land referred to in the af- 
 fidavit of Mr. McKibben compjises the 
 farms of Wm. L. McKibben and W. M, 
 Allison. The farm of W. L. McKibben 
 has been in the McKibben family all -the 
 while, except four years that John Wag- 
 ner and thirteen years that W. W. Brown 
 and brothers owned it. The farm of W, 
 M. Allison was purchased of David Mc- 
 Kibben in 1805, by Archibald Allison, 
 grandfather of the said W. M. Allison^ 
 who is also a grandson of Wm . McKibben . 
 The warrant was located May 5, 1769. 
 The farms of Hen!ry- Ziglet and Joseph 
 MoKibben's, Jr., heirs (the latter occu- 
 pied at present by the widow of Joseph ^ 
 McKibben, who is 73 years of age, and 
 her son Wm. S.,) were all taken in the* 
 same warrant; the farms of Wm. Irwin,. 
 P. W. McDowell and D. Meyer's heirsy 
 in Centre county, were also laken in thfe 
 same warrant, by James McKibben. 
 The farm of Joseph McKibben has 
 out of the family. Joseph, 
 
216 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 McKibben, Jr., was born, raised and died 
 (at the age of 65) on this place. His son 
 Wm. S., now 51 years of age, was born, 
 raised and has lived in the same house all 
 his life. It is said his grandfather brought 
 the orchard to the farm in his shot pouch, 
 and it is still in good bearing condition. 
 It is also claimed that Joseph McKibben, 
 St., opened the first wagon road through 
 the Mill Hall Gap, from -Nittany to Bald 
 Eagle valleys. The houses that W. L. 
 McKibben and W. S. McKibben and his 
 mother now live in are the oldest dwell- 
 ings now standing in the township. The 
 barn of Wm. L. McKibben was the first 
 frame barn known to be built in this part 
 of the country. It was erected about the 
 year 1823. 
 
 The improvements on Fishing Creek 
 are: the Washington Iron Works, (fur- 
 nace, forge and sawmill), Loveland'aAxe 
 Factory, Clintondale grist mill, (owned 
 by Wm. A. White), and W. L. Shuler's 
 saw mill; and on Cedar Run are D. Alli- 
 son's saw mill, (on the North Branch), 
 Cedar Springs grist mill, James Snod- 
 grass' saw mill, and the Diamond Cement 
 Works, on Mr. Snodgrass' fai-m. 
 
 Clintondale, with a population of 118, 
 is pleasantly located on Fishing Creek, 
 near the centre of the township. The 
 ■village contains eighteen dwellings, one 
 •church, one school, house, post office, a 
 grist mill, tannery, store, and the usual 
 number of shops. The citizens are enter- 
 prising, intelligent and prosperous. A 
 ■short distance from the town, in a pleas- 
 ant grove on the bank of the creek are 
 iihe camp meeting grounds of the Evan- 
 gelical Associatipu, where religious en- 
 ■campments are held every year. 
 
 Yankeetown (Lamar post office) is lo- 
 ■cated on the turnpike, near the Washing- 
 ton Iron Works, and contains about fif- 
 teen dwellings, Loveland's Axe Factory, 
 two stores, one school house (the oldest 
 now standing in the township), &c., &c. 
 It has a population of 75 or 80. 
 
 The township of Porter has a popula- 
 tion of about 1100, and contains four 
 churches, seven school houses, two grist 
 mills, one tannery, four stores, a number 
 of lime and cement kilns, and a sufScient 
 number ofshpps to meet the wants of the 
 community. There are about nine pau- 
 pers supported by the township. The 
 tannery spoken of was built by Wm. Wat- 
 son, and is now owned by Joseph Milli- 
 
 ken & Son. Digitkedby 
 
 Iron ore has been taken out on the 
 farms now owned by Rev. J. B. Pols- 
 grove, (the old Devling farm), R. B. 
 Brown, J. S. Furst, (where Shilling now 
 lives), and David Allison, (occupied by 
 J. W. MoClintick), and there are good 
 indications of iron ore in several other 
 portions of the township. It is claimed 
 that cement clay exists in many places. 
 A vein of flint runs along the ridge, which 
 was much sought after by the Indians 
 when they had possession of the country. 
 
 In early days families living within two 
 miles of one another were considered near 
 neighbors. They would go that distance 
 at any time to a house raising, wood chop- 
 ping, stone hauling, or log rolling, and 
 the women to quilting or spinning bees. 
 The young folks would work all day and 
 dance all night withou^: flagging. It is 
 said of one young lady, that on a certain 
 occasion she walked from Salona to with- 
 in one mile of Jacksonville, with her 
 wheel on her back, spun all day, danced 
 all night, and carried her wheel home the 
 next morning. What young lady would 
 undertake such a feat at the present day ? 
 
 Lemuel Watson still has part of the 
 farm on which his father first settled 
 when he came to this valley; it has never 
 passed out of the Watson name, although 
 Lemuel did not live there all his life. 
 Their nearest grist mill was at Milesburg, 
 where they took their grain and procured 
 their flour, &c. 
 
 From the year 1800 to 1820 the follow- 
 ing named persons came to this township: 
 Andrew Eakins, father of the present 
 James Eakins; Philip Walker, father of 
 the, present Philip and John Walker; Jos. 
 Gamble, who married the widow of John 
 Watson; Alex. Robertson, the Moores, 
 Peter Smith, George Ohl, Esq., the Mil- 
 lex's, Bechtols, William and Thos. Brown, 
 James Nixon, and a number of others 
 whose names I cannot now recall. Be-- 
 tweenl820 and 1830 came: Wm. C.Wilson, 
 David Allison, Peter Seyler, (who . had a 
 large family of boys and girls), Wm. Dev- 
 ling, Valeutine Meyer, Solomon Crotzer, 
 J. P. McElrath, (who was afterward Sher- 
 iff of the county), Martin. Long, Robert 
 Tate, John Best, Jacob KrapeSr., John 
 Solt, John Dornblazer, (father of the pres- 
 ent John and Peter Dornblazer). I be- 
 lieve the latter came in 1831. 
 
 There are now living in the township 
 ■ the following named persons between the 
 /Wjgfe»Hjtot)^ind 90 years: Thos. Stephen- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 21 T 
 
 son, (pensioner), James Hays, glutter- 
 beck, (an old pensioner), Mrs. Susan Solt; 
 between the ages of 75 and 80 : Wm. Reed, 
 John Best, David Allison, Mrs. D. Royer, 
 and Mrs. Sarah Wilson, sister of Thomas 
 Stephenson. Old Mr. Stephenson says 
 that olil Joseph McKibben was the first 
 militia captain in this section. It took 
 all this part of Nittany and Bald Eagle 
 valleys to form a company. He was cap- 
 tain of the company for several years, and 
 was very popular among the men, as 
 there was not a man fiped while he had 
 command. His brother William was after- 
 ward major and then promoted to colo- 
 nel. A man named Snyder was captain 
 of the militia company a number of years 
 ago. When he took them out to battal- 
 ion drill his first command was, "Them 
 that have no guns need not shoot, but 
 just go through the m-o-t-i-o-n." 
 
 I learned from Wm. McKibben that a 
 part of the barn now standing on the 
 old faam was built by his grandfather, 
 Joseph McKibben. When he raised it he 
 had to go to Bald Eagle valley and down 
 to the Big Island to get help, and all the 
 men and boys he could get numbered only 
 eighteen. The old pioneer died on the 
 20th of Febraary, 1847, at the age of 
 ninety years, leaving two sons, four 
 daughters and a host of grandchildren, 
 many of whom are still living in this coun- 
 ty, among them Ex-Sheriff McGhee, 
 J. C. McGhee, Mrs. J. P. Heard, Mrs. 
 Thomas Pollock, WilUam S. McKibben, 
 Mrs. Mary McManigal, Mrs. Amanda 
 Hughes, Mrs. Emily Holmes, Mrs. Sarah 
 Brady, and Mrs. Nancy Jenkins. 
 
 The assessed valuation of this township 
 in 1874 was 1383,206.00. The schools are 
 in good condition, the term lasting six 
 months in the year, with an average at- 
 tendance, in 1875, of 317 out of 310 enroll- 
 ed. The teacher's salaries average $88.33 
 per month. There is one public hall in the 
 township — over the Cedar Springs school 
 house — which is used for preaching, sing- 
 ing school, and as a place of meeting by 
 the Grangers of this township. 
 
 Among the professional men who re- 
 ceived their early education in this town- 
 ship are J. M. Whitman, attorney at law. 
 Rev. Thomas Domblazer, and Rev. Hiram 
 Bower. The following have served as 
 county commissioners at dififerent times: 
 John Dorjiblazer, deceased, Gtdeon Dom- 
 blazer, deceased, John Riahel»..Wm. A. 1 cultivated by the inmates. 
 " " IQitlzeCl by l\/HSli!is'-9tni,finoT saloons in 
 
 White, and Wm. M»yer. 
 
 The largest flood ever known on Cedar 
 Run was in 1883. A small fulling mill 
 was located on the north side of Mr. Snod- 
 grass' saw-mill dam, and the dam giving 
 way the mill was carried down the stream. 
 
 For the following facts I am indebted 
 to Mr. James Eakin, who is now about 
 74 years old, and has lived in the town- 
 ship since he was a small child: 
 
 Among the first settlers of Porter town- 
 ship were Wm. Lamb, an old Revolution- 
 ary soldier, David, John and Wm. Wat- 
 son, Andrew Eakens, John Shields, and 
 Henry McCormany. Washington Iron 
 Works were built in 1809, by Wm. Beattie 
 and John Dunlap. The latter was killed 
 in the ore bank. Beattie carried on the 
 works some time and failed, and then left 
 the country. Valentine Showers took the 
 works and used up the stock. Then they 
 were out of use for about fifteen years, 
 and during this time they became the 
 property of Mrs. Henderson, mother of 
 Mrs. Calvert and Mrs. Bressler, of Lock 
 Haven. About the year 1825, Irvin & 
 Huston took possession and operated the 
 furnace successfully for about ten years, 
 after which the firm of Whittaker & Co. 
 continued the works. After the death of 
 Benj. Pyle, one of the firm, the works 
 were conducted in the names of McCor- 
 mick & Morris and James Irvin. They 
 were finally sold to the Messrs. Fallon, 
 and operated by them during the war, 
 and since then by Samuel Watson, Bar- 
 low & Day, and at the present time are 
 in the hands of Jacob Yearick. 
 
 The Clintondale Mill was built in 1837, 
 by John McGhee, father of Ex-Sheriff 
 Thomas McGhee, and was sold to Andrew 
 Hepburn, of Williamsport, about 1833. 
 It was again sold to Smyth & Steele in 
 1855, and to W.|A. White, by whom it is 
 still operated, in 1860. 
 
 The Cedar Springs Mill was built about 
 the same time or soon after the Clinton- 
 dale Mill, by Nathan Harvey, of Mill Hall, 
 and has passed through several hands 
 since. It is now owned and operated by 
 W. 8. Knecht. 
 
 Loveland's Axe Factory was built by 
 James Hayes, about the year 1840, and 
 sold a few years afterward to Loveland & 
 Eddy. It is now owned and oiierated by 
 R, Loveland. 
 
 Porter township has a new poor house 
 
 and a few acres of land with it, which is 
 
 There are no 
 
 jtquor saloons in the township. 
 
218 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 [Written by Geo. W. Twitmyer, Esq.] 
 
 Wayne township is one of the twelve 
 original townships of Clinton county ; 
 it was taken from Nippenose township, 
 Northumberland county, in 1795, when 
 Lycoming county was organized. It was 
 named in honor of Gen. Wayne — "Mad 
 Anthony," the great Indian flghtei', 
 among whom it was said that he was "a 
 leader that never slept." Williani Will- 
 iams was the first supervisor and John 
 Stein the first tax-collector. 
 
 This township is located in the eastern 
 part of the county on the south side of the 
 West Branch of the Susquehanna, and is 
 bounded on the south by Crawford, 
 Greene, and Lamar townships ; on the 
 west by Dunstable ; on the north by 
 Pine Creek, and on the east by Lycoming 
 county and Crawford township. Its shape 
 is very irregular,- the northern border 
 conforming to the windings of the river 
 which flows in a north-westerly course 
 through its entire length. 
 
 About two-thirds of the surface of the 
 township is elevated several hundred feet 
 above the river. The Bald Eagle range 
 running parallel with the stream across 
 the township, forms the northern boun- 
 dary, of the elevated portion. The town- 
 ship is well supi)lied with small streams, 
 the most important of which is McElhat- 
 tan Run named in honor of Wm. McElha- 
 tan the pioneer. It rises on the mountain 
 in the northern part of Greene township 
 at what is called the "big, pond," and 
 flowing about eight miles, in a northerly 
 direction, empties into the West Branch 
 a short distance west of Wayne station. 
 I The soil of the highlands of the town- 
 ship is generally sandy, and in some places 
 contains shale. It is as a general thing 
 susceptible of cultivation. The bottom 
 laud lying along the river is composed of 
 sand, loam and the deposits common to 
 surfaces overflown by streams, and is 
 very fertile. Wayne towifil(@j6^/$6fiJa3i(& 
 
 much mineral wealth, consisting of iron 
 ore,limestone, fire-clay, potters clay, min- 
 eral paint, building stone &c., all await- 
 ing development. 
 
 The first white man that settled in 
 the township was Willian McBlbattan, 
 who came to Lauca,ster, from Ireland, in 
 1760, but hearing of the fine land near the 
 " Big Island," came up the Susquehanna 
 and located about one mile west of where 
 the run, bearing his name, enters' the 
 river. He was only a " squatter^" as he 
 never obtained a warrant for his land. 
 
 In the " History of the west Branch " 
 he is accredited with having built the 
 first mill in the township, but; this is 
 clearly a mistake, as it is known to have 
 been built by a widow lady named Smith, 
 in 1778, at the mouth of McBlhattan run, 
 where Joseph McKague's saw mill now 
 stands. The second was Richard McCaf- 
 ferty, who settled on the bank of the river 
 about a mile east of the run. He made 
 some few impi-ovements, and on his land 
 was buried, in 1770, the first white settler 
 of the" township. This graveyard con- 
 tains about fifty-two or fifty-three graves. 
 
 The third settler was Robert Love, who 
 located on a small run, now Love's, a 
 little below where Pine Station now is. 
 He built a mill which, with Smith's, was 
 kept in operation till within the remem- 
 brance of some of the present inhabitants. 
 These mills were very rudely constructed, 
 one story high, and contained but one run 
 of stone. 
 
 , Robert Love was among the " Pair 
 Play " men, who passed the "Pine Creek 
 Declaration of Independence" on the 
 fourth of July, 1776.. Some tirne during 
 the summer of '76 intelligence was re- 
 ceived that Congress contemplated declar- 
 ing the independence of the colonies. 
 The heai-ts of the settlers beat with 
 gladness on hearing this and to give the 
 " teudedr.Hlovement their approval) they 
 Ine Creek and after some dis- 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 219 
 
 cussion passed resolutions, "absolving 
 thenaselves from all allegiance to Grreat 
 Britian and henceforth declaring them- 
 selves free and independent." These 
 resolutions were passed -without any 
 knowledge of what Congress was doing. 
 How remarkable the coincidence I It is 
 to be regretted that these resolutions 
 were not preserved. 
 
 The land along the river from Kurtz's 
 Run to about a mile west of McEUiattan 
 was taken up by three different persons. 
 The warrant for the western part, known 
 as the "Monmouth" tract, containing 
 four hundred acres, was taken out in 1769 
 by William Noland. It embraces the 
 McKague, Throne and Strayer farms. 
 The warrant for the central part was 
 taken out by Isaac Webster in 1770, and 
 embraces the Stabley, Montgomery and 
 Gallauher farms. The eastern tract, by 
 warrant of John L. Wpbster, in 1769, 
 and embraces the Steck, Quiggle, (now 
 Stamm,) and Winchester jferms. On 
 this tract was built Horn's Fort, in 1774-5. 
 It waslocated on a high bluff a little west 
 of Kurtz's run, at which place there is a 
 short curve m the river, giving a view of 
 both banks, east and west, for over a 
 mile. No doubt it was built there so that, 
 the approach of the wily Indian could be 
 more easily seen and give the settlers, in 
 time of danger, time to flee to the fort 
 for safety. 
 
 About the time of the "big runaway,'' 
 in 1778, Elizabeth Carson, on comin* out 
 of the fort, was fired upon by an Indian 
 lying in ambush ; the bulWt, passing 
 through the folds of her dress, cut four- 
 teen holes in it' and left her uninjured ! 
 About the same time Jane Annesley, 
 while at milking, had several shots fired 
 at her; one bullet passed through her 
 clothes, grazing her person so closely 
 that she felt the stinging sensation so 
 severely that she thought she was shot. 
 
 Horn's Fort was only a stockade fdrt, 
 ^d was not supplied with any arms but 
 the muskets and rifles of the settlers ; it 
 was the most advanced on the frontier, 
 save Reed's Fort, near where Lock Haven 
 now is. The remains of ' Horn's fort 
 could be seen till 1856-'58, when by the 
 building of the P, & E. R. R. the last 
 vestig'es of it were destroyed. The land 
 east ofHurtz's I^u'n "svas taken up by three 
 warrants ; that of Robert Love in 1769, 
 containing the lands of Jamison^the 
 Quiggles, and the land oUI§W^cmi[& 
 
 Station is built ; that of Samuel Wallis, 
 1770, embracing the lands of Major Gr. W. 
 Sour and Jacob Stamm ; and that of 
 Elizabeth Jarvis, 1769, embracing the 
 land of Thos. Qujggle, Peter. Miller, 
 Joseph Percey, Louis Miller, Chatham 
 heirs, T. J. Toner, etc. This tract was 
 firsttcalled "Fairview," afterwadrs known 
 as fthe " Holihgsworth Tract." The 
 mountain tract of 156 acres west of 
 Noland's was settled upon after the IRp vo- 
 lution by Patrick McElhah^y, who sold to 
 Jacob Whiteman. The next spring White- 
 man went to Middletown and sold to 
 Greorge Fry, upon the representation of 
 his laild being good for farming and well 
 adopted to grazing, and that he had a 
 large number of cattle on it which he 
 would sell with the land for six hundred 
 dollars, one half to be paid doWn, balance 
 in the fall, at which time Fry was to come 
 up and see the land. Fry bought the 
 land without seeing it, and paid three 
 hundred down. He came up in the fall 
 and while walking over the land, appar- 
 ently every thing satisfactory, asked 
 Whiteman to see the cattle. Presently 
 they came upon a herd of deer when 
 Whiteman said,- "There are the cattle." 
 Fry was no little surpi-ised, and turning 
 to Whiteman rather fiercely, said, "Take 
 your land and go to the d — 1, and I'll go 
 to Middletown." Fry went home and 
 never returned to see his "farm and pas- 
 ture lands." Whiteman went west and 
 was never heard from afterwards. Thus 
 was the land a,lohg the river taken up 
 and settled ; the mountain land was not 
 rhuch looked after till about 1804 or '5. 
 Among the permanent settlers, who bought 
 laud and improved it were the Quiggles. 
 who caijie from Lancaster in 1788, and the 
 Montg6m.6rys, in 1790. Th.e ojjiginal 
 Montgomery farm is now owned by Wil- 
 son, James and Andrew Montgomery. 
 'The Quiggle farm -Was owned by S. N. 
 Quiggle till v?ithin a few years, when it 
 was bought by Cha,s. S. Gallauher. The 
 last payment on this farm by the Quiggles 
 is acknowledged by the following queer 
 receipt, now in the hands of S. N. Quiggle : 
 "June the 37lh 1807.— Receivt by the 
 Hand of George Quickie the Sum of 
 Sixty Two toijnts for John Quickie 
 to the Yuse of Adam and George Wilt, I 
 Say Receivt by, 
 
 Hbnby Shbaemak." 
 ^ Ther^were two Indian towns of con- 
 J^liiSmm^ote within the limits of the 
 
220 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 township. On the Montgomery farm, 
 about a half-mile north east of Wayne 
 Station, was a town called "Patterson," 
 over which a chief of that name, of the 
 Shawanee tribe, ruled. In this town 
 lived the famous Chinklacamoose, prior 
 to going to ' 'Chinklacamoose's old-town, ' ' 
 now Clearfield. The other was called 
 " Tucquamingy," and was on the farm 
 now owned by Major Sour. 
 
 The first school in the township was 
 taught by Walter S. Chatham, father of 
 ex-sheriif Chatha,m, in an old, abandoned 
 dwelling house near Kurtz's i-un, which 
 was prepared for school purposes. This 
 school was opened in 1807-8, and soon 
 gained such a reputation that it was at- 
 tended by students from Jersey Shore, 
 Pine Creek and Nippenose, among whom 
 were Robert G. White, afterwards Judge, 
 John and Isaac Brown, men of character 
 and distinction. Though Chatham made 
 no pretentions to teach anything but read- 
 ing, writing, arithmetic and a little 
 grammar, he was for many years con- 
 sidered the best teacher in this section. 
 He continued to teach in this old house 
 till 1813, at which time a new house was 
 built on the Quiggle, now Gallauher, 
 farm. This house was burned in 1837, on 
 account of a man having in a state of 
 mental derangement committed suicide 
 ■within it. This man was a monomaniac 
 on the subject of religion, and enter- 
 tained the belief that there could be no 
 remission of sins or hope of salvation, 
 without the shedding of blood. 
 
 In 1830 a school house was built on the 
 road leading to Sugar Valley, within a 
 few rods of the river and was used for 
 .school purposes till 1861, and as a church 
 up to the building of the Union church in 
 1853. Hon. James Chatham, Hon G. O. 
 Deise, Hon. J. W. Quiggle, and James 
 M. Deise, Esq., received their early edu- 
 cation in this house. In 1861 there were 
 two new houses built and the old one 
 vacated and converted into a blacksmith 
 shop, by Samuel Snyder, who still uses it 
 as such. 
 
 The progress of educational affairs has 
 been truly wonderful. From one school 
 in 1807-8 of twenty pupils in an old, 
 dilapidated dwelling house, and teacher's 
 salary ten dollars per month, to four 
 schools, in 1876, of fifty each, first class 
 houses, and teachers' salary forty dollars 
 per month, is certainly evidence of sub- 
 stantial progress. Digitized by 
 
 Waynfi is noted for her good fai'mers, 
 skilled mechanics, excellent tradesmen, 
 and particularly for those who have played 
 an important part in public affairs. Prom 
 this township many young men have 
 started as teachers, clerks, lawyers and 
 ministers, and to-day are an honor to 
 their native place ; but we would specially 
 note the course of those who have held 
 public offices and performed their duties 
 with fidelity and trust. Among these we 
 would name Hon. James Chatham, who 
 was elected sheriff of the county in 1848. 
 After his term of office expired he entered 
 the profession of law, and soon distin-' 
 guished himself as an able advocate at 
 the bar. His legal knowledge is undoubt- 
 edly great, and he deservedly enjoys a 
 fine reputation as a counselor. He was 
 elected Representative to the State Leg- 
 islature in 1861. Hon. G. O. Deise, de- 
 ceased, began his public career as a school 
 teacher, i&e taught three months in 1853 
 and one month in 1854, at the expiration 
 of which he commenced reading law with 
 C. A. Mayer Esq., of Lock Haven. He ap- 
 plied himself diligently to the acquire- 
 ment of a knowledge of legal matters, 
 and in 1856 was admitted to the bar. He 
 was successful in practice, and in 1859 
 was elected District Attorney, and con- 
 tinued to hold this office till 1865. In 
 1866 he was elected to the House of Rep- 
 resentatives, and re-elected in 1867 by a 
 large majority. Mr. Deise was an un- 
 compromising democrat, and was noted 
 for his inflexible honesty. He was a 
 fluent and energetic speaker, but had not 
 a very melodious voice, nor graceful 
 manner. He was rather tall in person, 
 and always , wore a look of dignity and 
 conscious power. He died in 1873, at the 
 age of 36 years, lamented by all who 
 knew hini. 
 
 James M. Deise, Esq., deceased, brother 
 of G. O. Deise, was a lawyer of consider- 
 able ability. He was elected District 
 Attorney in 1868, re-elected in 1871 and- 
 '74. He died in 1875 at the age of 39 
 years. 
 
 Hon. James W. Quiggle is noted as a 
 citizen, attorney and politician. He com- 
 menced the study of law in 1838, under 
 the tuition of James Gamble, of Jersey 
 Shore, now Judge of Lycoming district 
 at WiUiamsport. When CUntoa- county 
 was organized in 1839, he was appointed 
 clerk to the commissioners ; was admit- 
 Jl^^(JgcJft®bar in 1841, and immediately 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 221 
 
 became the counselor of the commission- 
 ers and sheriff. In 1842 he became asso- 
 ciated with Allison White in the legal pro- 
 fession. Tliese gentlemen were among the 
 foremost of the bar,' and for many years 
 had a large and lucrative practice. Mr.. 
 Quiggle was appointed Deputy Attorney 
 General by Orvil F. Johnson, then At- 
 torney General, and successively by Kane, 
 Eeed, and Champney, until 1850, when 
 the oflace under the title of District At- 
 torney was made elective. He was then 
 nominated by the Democratic party for 
 this office, and was elected by the largest 
 majority of any on the ticket. , In 1853 
 he was elected State Senator for the dis- 
 trict composed of Clinton, Centre, Lycom- 
 ing and Sullivan counties. Previous to 
 this, Charles A. Mayer, now President 
 Judge of this district, became a student 
 at law with him; and on his admission to 
 the bar became a partner, unde.r the firm 
 name of Quiggle and Mayer. In"1856 he 
 removed to Philadelphia, where he en- 
 gaged in the banking and real estate 
 business, in which he continued till 1859, 
 when President Buchanan appointed him 
 United States Consul at Antwerp, Bel- 
 gium, where he resided in the discharge 
 of his duties for nearly three years, and 
 prior to his return traveled oyer the prin- 
 cipal parts of the Continent. He resides 
 at present in Philadelphia, but spends 
 the summer months in his native town- 
 ship, where he has recently erected a 
 handsome residence. 
 
 The people of this township are pro- 
 verbially a religious people ; the two 
 large camp-meetings and the four weU 
 sustained churches fully attest the tr«th 
 of this statement, and are an excellent 
 commentary on the morals of the people. 
 
 The Union church built in 1853 at a 
 cost of $800, was the first,, and the only 
 church in the township for many years. 
 This church is open to all denominations. 
 
 The Wayne M. E. church, built in 
 1873 at a cost of $3,800, is a substantial 
 frame building, handsomely finished, and 
 will comfortably seat five hundred people. 
 
 The Pine M. E. church, was erected in 
 1874, at a cost of $2, 335. It is a very neat 
 little church, and much resembles the 
 Wayne church. 
 
 The Ebenezer church of the Evangel- 
 ical Association was built in 1875, and 
 will, when completed, cost about $3,800. 
 This is the largest and most commodious 
 
 In connection with the churches there 
 is sustained a Young Men's Christian As- 
 sociation, which was organized October 
 11th, 1875, with twenty-two members. 
 The officers elected were : Thomas Mc- 
 Narney, President ; S. N. Quiggle, Vice 
 President ; Nathan Simcox, Secretary ; 
 Jacob Stabley, Treasurer. At a meeting 
 hel4 April 1st, 1876, the officers were re- 
 elected for one year. The meetings of 
 the Association have been the means of 
 much good. By them denominational 
 barriers have been broken down, differ- 
 ences of opinion harmonized, and the 
 various branches of the church unified in 
 sentiment and feeling. There are at 
 present eighty-six members in good 
 standing. 
 
 The special objects of attraction in this 
 place are the West Branch camp meeting 
 of the M. E. church, the Pine Station 
 camp meeting of the Evangelical Associa- 
 tion, and the McElhattan Springs on 
 McElhattan Run. 
 
 The following complete and reliable 
 history of the West Branch Camp Meeting 
 Association was written by J. N. Welli- 
 ver, Esq.: 
 
 "A very general desire had been ex- 
 pressed by the Methodists of the West 
 Branch valley, soon after the close of the 
 war, to locate a camp meeting at some 
 eligible point along the Susquehanna. Dr. 
 W. Lee Spottswood, then Presiding El- 
 der of what is known as the Williamsport 
 District, called the attention of his 
 preachers and people to this subject, and 
 quite a number of the stations and cir- 
 cuits appointed delegates to meet on a 
 certain day in the month of June on the 
 banks of the beautiful McElhattan, and 
 selected the spot on which the present 
 encampment is located. 
 
 It was then decided to hold a meeting 
 in August, 1868, and a committee com- 
 posed of Rev. M. K. Foster, J. N. Welli- 
 ver and S. M. Quiggle, now deceased, 
 was appointed to carry out a plan there 
 suggested, and erect a sufficient number 
 of buildings to meet the public demand. 
 Mr. Quiggle, not feeling like assuming so 
 much responsibility, retired from the ac- 
 tive duties of the committee before the 
 work began. Many of the good people 
 of Wayne met and assisted in clearing 
 the grounds. The committee erected 
 about 90 temporary board tents, 18x16 ft., 
 with board roofs, and they were all oc- 
 
 church in the township. Digitized by lYHClpSliSOft(She meeting was well attended 
 
222 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 and considerable interest manifested. 
 Heavy rains occurred at different times 
 during this series of meetings, and the 
 board roofs, not proving themselves 
 "waterproof," demonstrated the fact 
 that the times demanded better accom- 
 modations and a superior class of build- 
 ings. The question of making this a 
 permanent encampment was being agi- 
 tated. At this juncture the Hon. J. W. 
 Quiggle came forward and generously of- 
 fered to donate nine acres of ground upon 
 which the temporary encampment was 
 built, as a nucleus for a new and perma- 
 nent ^.ssociation. Soon after the close of 
 the meeting a survey i was made and a 
 deed executed to Hon. C. A. Mayer, J. 
 N. Welliver, Eev. I. H. Torrence, Hon. 
 G-. 0. Deise, S. N. Quiggle and Thomas 
 Waddle, trustees for the above _ land. 
 The deed contained several provisions or 
 conditions, one of which provided for 
 the transfer of this land whenever an 
 association for the purpose of holding 
 camp meetings should be incorporated. 
 Early in the spring of 1869 an association 
 was formfid and a charter obtained from 
 the Court of Common Pleas of Clinton 
 county, incorporating the West Branch 
 Camp Meeting Association, and a few in- 
 dividuals, principally from Lock Haven, 
 undertook the difficult task of- providing 
 ways and means in order to carry out and 
 make the institution a success. A board 
 of nine directors was elected, and organ- 
 ized by electing; J. N. Welliver President, 
 Kev. M. K. Foster Treasurer, and Hon. 
 G. O. Deise Secretary. Then began the 
 ■history proper of the present association 
 — the pioneer in this new order of 
 camp meetings, and which has been 
 patterned after and largely imitated by 
 others. Like every institution which was 
 new and untried, it blazed its way, solv- 
 ing difficult problems as they presented 
 themselves, until its founders had the 
 proud satisfaction of seeing it established 
 on a permanent foundation. It is situ- 
 ated about three-fourths of a mile from 
 Wayne Station, on the line of the P. & E. 
 R. R., and is very easy of access from all 
 points. Over four hundred comfortable 
 board tents, with 'shingle roofs; have 
 been erected, generally sixteen tents in a 
 block, eight on the first floor and eight 
 on the second, each tent being 9x16 feet. 
 Beside the tents there are quite a number 
 of other buildings erected on. tlw_grounds^ 
 well adapted to the pur;^""""' '"* ' 
 
 r0^tiissdvt^ml^iasiiSQtt@i 
 
 they are intended. Among the most 
 prominent is the Tabernacle, a building 
 sufficiently large to seat 2500 persons, 
 and is used principally during rainy 
 weather when services can not be held in 
 the main auditorium. Two large board- 
 ing houses are situated, one in the upper and 
 the other on the lower part of the ground, 
 that will seat nearly 500 people at one 
 time. A restaurant building with board- 
 ing house attached, conducted somewhat 
 on the European plan, stands on the 
 right of the main avenue as you enter 
 the grounds. Near the Tabernacle stands 
 the ' ' Preachers' Home, ' ' a building erect- 
 ed for the occupancy of the preachers 
 during "camping time." The office of 
 the association is a neat building near 
 the opening of 'the main auditorium, and 
 is used by the officers as their place of 
 business during the sessions of the en- 
 campment. One room of this building is 
 usualfy used as a book store. Directly 
 afcross from the office is a building erected 
 for storing 'and assorting baggage. In 
 addition to those already named are the 
 commissary buildings, buildings for 
 prayer meetings, &c. Ah annual insurance 
 is kept np on the property- amounting to 
 about $l?,0On. 
 
 The capital stock of the associa- 
 tion was • oriijinally f 10, 000, but in- 
 creased by various amendments of the 
 charter to $50,000. Of ' this amount, 
 however, only about |30,000 have been 
 issued. The par value of the stock is 
 $25.00 per share. It is held principally 
 by members of the M. E. church — there 
 being about 125 stock-holders. The 
 cRarter originally provided thiit the board 
 of ■ directors, elected yearly, should con- 
 sist of nine persons; two-thirds of the 
 number must be members of the M. E. 
 church. This provision was also amended 
 by iiaoreasing the number to fifteen. The 
 meetings are in the charge and under the 
 control of the Presiding Elder of the 
 Williamsport district. They have always 
 been of a very high character. The best 
 of order has prevailed, and the general 
 good behavior has been a subject of 
 fa'^orable comment by many who are 
 professedly not in hai'mony with the do- 
 ings of the Methodist people. 
 
 The auditorium, which seats nearly 5, 000 
 people is thickly studded with j oung, thrif- 
 ty timber, making a beautiful grove.- It is 
 lighted with gas, manufactured on the 
 r xt/3. .^j^ adds largely to the comfort 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 223 
 
 of the tent-holilers and those worshipping 
 there. One of the finest mountain streams 
 on this continent washes its margin. All 
 things considered, it is one of the most 
 desirable places for camp meeting pur- 
 poses. We cannot, iij this brief history, 
 refer individually to those who have con- 
 tributed to the success of this associa- 
 tion. The following list of gentlemen 
 have served, or are now serving, on the 
 board of directors — ^beside those hereto- 
 fore named — and have labored faithfully 
 and efficiently in building up the institu- 
 tion : Hon. L. A. Mackey, W. C. Kress, 
 J. F. Batcheler, S. . IST. Qniggle, J. J. 
 Everett, G. J. F. Ramm, Gt. S. Snyder, 
 Charles Kreamer, Geo. Slate, O. S. Houtz, 
 W. W. Rankin, Rev. Jas. Gums, Jos. 
 Bird, Rev. B. F. Stevens, David Baird, 
 John Ransom, Rev. D. S. Monroe, G. W. 
 Hippie, S. Q. Mingle, Dr. S. L. Bowman, 
 Joel A. Herr, Jas. Williamsop, Hon. Eli 
 Slifer. 
 
 The meetings have been under the re- 
 spective control of Rev. W. L. Spotts- 
 wood. Rev. Jas. Curns and Rev. Thomp- 
 son Mitchell, the last named still hav- 
 ing charge of this district. Of their 
 labor it can be said, "Well done." The 
 ministers of the central Penna. confer- 
 ence deserve much credit for the interest 
 they have taken in this enterprise. Their 
 influence and labor in the cause they have 
 espoused can only result in much good. 
 
 We would be doing our subject injustice, 
 if we failed to call special attention of 
 the reader to one of the most i pleasing as 
 well as the most intereisting and profita- 
 ble features of our modern camp meeting. 
 We refer to the children's meetings held 
 daily in the Tabernacle. Ever ^ince their 
 introduction on these grounds they have 
 been under the special supejrvision of the 
 Rev. I. H. Torrence, a man eminently 
 fitted for this work, and he certainly is to 
 be congratulated on his success. "Many 
 will rise up and call him blessed." 
 
 The streets leading to the grounds are 
 owned by the. association, and kept in the 
 best condition. Several very neat cot- 
 tages have been put up on West Branch 
 and Mountain avenues, prominent among 
 them are the McElhattan cottage. Rev. J. 
 W. Langley's,R. G. Cook's,David Baird's 
 Messrs. Ramm'?, Jos. Bird's, Bigouy & 
 Rankin's, &c,. &c." 
 
 The origin, progress and history of the 
 Pine camp meeting, is as follows 
 
 preacher on Jersey Shore circuit, suggest- 
 ed to Mr. Jacob Stamm the propriety of 
 holding a district camp meeting, so that 
 the members of the various congregations 
 might be brought into closer union with 
 each other, and be better prepstred for 
 successful work in the Master's cause. 
 Mr. Stamm believed that it would meet 
 an acknowledged want, and offered to 
 
 five the ground for the meeting. Jacob 
 tamm, Robert Johnson and Jacob Quig- 
 gle were appointed a committee to select 
 a suitable place for holding the meeting, 
 and on viewing the ground the present 
 location was chosen. 
 
 It was not at first designed to buUd per- 
 manent tents, such as are now on the 
 grounds, but that those desiring to at- 
 tend the meeting should build their own 
 tents, according to their individual tastes; 
 but on the day the grounds were cleai-ed, 
 the people turning out en masse, it was 
 decided to build after the plan of the 
 West Branch Association. , 
 
 The building of 72 board tents (9x16 
 feet) with shingle roofs, in blocks two 
 stories high, a commodious boarding 
 house and the preachers' stand, and the 
 walling of the springs, was the work done 
 prior to the holding of the meeting. 
 
 The first meeting on the ground opened 
 September 6th, 1871, under the most 
 favorable circumstances, and all things 
 combined to make it a success. 
 
 To insure the success of the meeting in 
 after years, it was decided by those inter- 
 ested to form a stock association, and 
 before the close of the first session Jacob 
 Stamm donated six acres a.nd a half to 
 the association for campmeeting purposes. 
 
 The new association was called "The 
 Pine Station Camp Meeting Association." 
 The next year an office and restaurant 
 were built and the grounds generally im- 
 proved. The restaurant was burned in 
 May, 1875, by the hand of an incendiary, 
 and but for the timely discovery of the 
 fire and persistent efforts to extinguish it, 
 these beautiful grounds would have been 
 desolated. About seven thousand dol- 
 lars have been expended in beautifying 
 and improving the grounds. 
 
 The stock is mostly owned by members 
 of the Evangelical Association, and the 
 meetings are entirely under their control. 
 
 The grounds are situated on Love's 
 Run, about three-fourths of a mile south 
 of Pine Station, on the line of the P. & E. 
 
 In July, 1871, Rev. A. L.S/§^^e'^ilE}yi'Af|idto®d/if®themidst of a beautiful grove, 
 
224 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 surrounded by the most picturesque 
 scenery, and are Well supplied with water 
 from two never failing springs. This is 
 truly a place where the worshiper may 
 look from "nature, up to nature's God." 
 The officers of the association are : Rev. 
 S. T. Buck, President; U. S. Diffenbach- 
 er, Secretary; and Jacob Stamm, Treas- 
 urer. 
 
 The view of McElhattan Gap from the 
 north is unexcelled for beauty and grand- 
 eur. The mountain on both sides rises 
 precipitously, forming, as it were, a grand 
 sluice-way for the crystal stream that 
 flows at its base ; in this gap are the Mc- 
 Elhattan springs, the ■ surroundings of 
 which are picturesque in the extreme. 
 These springs are visited annually during 
 the session of the camp meeting by 
 thousands of people. Near them is Quig- 
 gle & Shoup's fishery, in which there were 
 at one time about ten thousand trout. 
 This fishery was established in 1872, un- 
 der the superintendence of Rev. J. W. 
 Shoup, and would have been a paying 
 enterprise but for some wretch who stole 
 a large number of the fish, and to prevent 
 detection turned the water off, and before 
 it was discovered the remainder had per- 
 ished. 
 
 This is practically an agricultural dis- 
 trict, the only manufacture being lumber 
 and shingles, at the mills of Joseph Mc- 
 Kague, S. N. Quigele, J. W. Quiggle and 
 Thomas "Gottshall, and flour and feed in 
 the Rockville mills of Geo. M. Hoagland. 
 This mill was built in 1843, by Michael 
 Throne, being the second on the same 
 foundation. The first was built in 1843, 
 and put into operation in April, 1843; it 
 ran until the 4th of July, when it was 
 burned. 
 
 The township is accessible to the farm- 
 er and trader by one good road that trav- 
 erses it the entire length, from east to 
 west, and from the north by three ferries. 
 The P. & E. railroad also passes through 
 it the entire length, affording every facili- 
 ty for travel. There are two stations on 
 
 the road; Pine Station, eight miles east of 
 Lock Haven, has a population of 85, and 
 contains two stores, one hotel and a post 
 office, which was established through the 
 enterpi-ise of D. A. Cochran, in 1866; he 
 was made postmaster and so continued 
 till 1876, when J. R. Fredericks was ap- 
 pointed, and the office i-emoved to his 
 store. 
 
 Wayne Station, five miles east of Lock 
 Haven, contains a school house, hotel, 
 store and the McElhattan post office. 
 This office was established in Rockville, 
 in 1858, by Jacob Deise, the mail being 
 carried from Charlton, in Pine Creek 
 township ; Ehud Chatham was the carrier 
 and was to have half the proceeds of the 
 office, which when paid him at the end of 
 the year, was just enough to buy his wife 
 a calico dress. The office is now kept by 
 A.' S. Stably. 
 
 A few relics, of "ye olden time" are 
 still to be seen among the older citizens. 
 Wm. Chatham has in his possession a 
 mahogany fife that was brought from 
 Ireland in 1769, by Col. John Chatham. 
 It was used during the entire revolution 
 and also the war of 1813. Patrick Mc- 
 Elhaney, on going to the war, borrowed 
 this fife, to take into the service; he re- 
 turned it in 1815 in good condition. A 
 clock, a hundred and fifteen years old, iu 
 running order, can be seen here. Guns, 
 forks, plates and axes, that were brought 
 to this country, are by no means 
 rare. Of the aboriginal relics of any note 
 there ai-e few, consisting mainly of arrow 
 heads, broken tomahawks and Indian ket- 
 tles. The most remarkable is the "flint 
 god" or Indian idol, cut from solid flint. 
 It represents an Indian in full costume. 
 It was picked up on the Steck farm a few 
 years ago, and was deposited in the 
 Smithsonian Institute, at Washington, by 
 Dr. Goddard. 
 
 The first camp meeting, in the township, 
 was held in 1835, under the auspices of 
 the Evanglical Association, on John 
 Stabley's farm. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OP CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 225 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 ■WOODWARD TOWNSHIP. 
 
 This township is located on the north 
 side of the "West Branch, opposite Look 
 Haven. It is bounded on the south by 
 the river, on the west by Colebrook, on 
 the north by Gallauher, and on the east 
 by Dunnstable, and is about four by five 
 miles in extent. It was organized in 1841 
 and named in honor of Hon., Geo. W. 
 Woodward, then President Judge of the 
 district. In 1844 a portion of Dunnstable 
 was annexed to the township, arid in 1853 
 a part of Colebrook was added, so that 
 now its area is considerably screater than 
 when it was formed. 
 
 The township is quite hilly, and con- 
 tains very little level land with the excep- 
 tion of a few hundred acres lying along 
 the river; the soil, however, is generally 
 productive, and especially adapted to 
 fruit raising, and is favorable to the pro- 
 duction of grass, grain, potatoes, &c. 
 
 The West Branch flows along the south- 
 ern border of the township, forming a 
 water front of about six miles; the other 
 "water privileges" of the township are 
 Queen's (or Quinn's) run with its numer- 
 ous branches, and several other smaller 
 streams, all of which furnish sufficient 
 pure water for the use of live stock, &c. 
 
 The first settlements in the township 
 were upon the river nearly opposite where 
 Lock Haven now stands. The following 
 sketch of that portion of the township in 
 which the pioneers located is given by 
 Mr. I. L. McCloskey: 
 
 A patent was granted Wm. Dunn, 
 grandfather of Judge Dunn, for the land 
 
 name. It was intended to be the county 
 seat of Lycoming county, but afterwards 
 was not taken, consquently has not made 
 the imprpyement it otherwise would have 
 done. The first and oldest residents were 
 the Myers, Whites, Cums, Fargus, Keeds, 
 and Hannas. 
 
 The first post office established* here, 
 was the first in the county. The date is 
 not known, but it was about the time the 
 first mail was carried through this place. 
 How long it was continued is not known. 
 
 At an early date there was a distillery 
 and tannery, but they have long since 
 gone to decay, and not a vestige of them* 
 remains. 
 
 Thos. Cummings, a resident of this 
 place, was a cabinet maker. He made 
 the first ballot box used in Woodward 
 township; it is a very fine piece of work- 
 manship. 
 
 The first saw-mill in this place was 
 built in the year 1850 by Crowel and 
 Burton, two Maine Yankees, and us now 
 owned by Best, Hopkins & Co. Another 
 saw-mill was built in 1853 by S. L. M. 
 Conser & Co., but it was not a success. 
 It was torn down, and the mill now own- 
 ed by 8. M. Bickford & Co. was erected 
 in its place. The first store was kept by 
 Francis Fargus, who also kept the first 
 post office. The first meetings were held 
 by Rev. Jones, a Baptist minister. 
 
 The M. E. church was built in 1850. 
 Prior to this, religious services were held 
 in an old log school house, about 16x20 
 feet. A protracted meeting was held in 
 Major MoCloskey's barn and was con- 
 ducted by Rev. I. H. Torrence. It was a 
 success and aroused the spirit which caus- 
 ed the present church to be erected. 
 This old school house, spoken of before, 
 was the only one in the township at that 
 time, and stood where Warren Martin's 
 dwelling house n©w stands, and from that 
 old structure went forth some able men; 
 
 where Dunnsburg now stands, which was! three ministers, two or three teachers 
 laid out by him in 1793 an(D^j[^^ays/Ufe/roSid#®sides a number of school teach- 
 
226 
 
 HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 ers. At this house an Irishman killed 
 himself and was buried in the corner of 
 Hall's field, and his body was stolen away 
 at night by the doctors. 
 
 The first hotel was owned and kept by 
 John White; then by Geo. King in 1828,; 
 afterwards by J. Huling, Wm. White, 
 David McCloskey, and last by Jacob 
 Myers. A ferry was kept here for a num- 
 ber of years, known as Myers' ferry. A 
 little incident occurred at the ferry, that 
 may be worth noting: An Irishmancame 
 i-iding up the road on horse-back, and, 
 wanted to cross the river; he perceived 
 the sign, and not waiting to inquire, he 
 plunged his horse into the water; the 
 river being too high to ford, the resulf 
 was that his horse was drowned, but he 
 was saved, and when last seen he was 
 going up the road with his saddle on his 
 baek singing, "Bejabers, me saddle for 
 a horse, me saddle for a horse." 
 
 Many Indian relics and curiosities have 
 been found on the land bordering on the 
 river. I. T. McOloskey and Dudley Mar- 
 tin have quite a collection of curiosities; 
 different articles made and used by the 
 aborigines of this counta-y. 
 
 In 1855 the post office at Lockport was 
 removed to Duunsburg and called the 
 Dunnsburg office, with Jacob Myers post- 
 master; was afterwards removed to Lib- 
 erty, then back to Dunnsburg and finally 
 back to Liberty again, and the name 
 changed to Island post office. 
 
 That part, of Woodward townsliip 
 lately known as Halltown, was first set- 
 tled by Felix McCloskey, Isaac McClos- 
 key, John Smith, Coleman Huling and 
 Andrew Litz. This land was first taken 
 up by warrant in the name of Peter 
 Grove, said to be soldier's claim, and was 
 sold at from |2 to| 4 per acre. Only 
 two of the old settlers remain here; Isaac 
 McCloskey and Felix MoGloskey, the rest 
 having moved to other parts of the coun- 
 ty, some having exchaiiged properties, 
 others sold out. The farm now owned 
 by W. M. Johnson was first owned by 
 Thos. Proctor, afterwards by Hugh Pen- 
 ny, also by Adam Smith. The land here 
 at present is worth, on an average about 
 $40 or $50 per acre. The firat school 
 house was built in 1854 by Felix McClos- 
 key; the first teacher was Wm. Hawk- 
 man. This place is about «8 miles from 
 Look Haven, on the public road leading 
 from Lock Haven to Chnrchville 
 
 thaniel Hanna farm, and was laid out by 
 him at a very early day; the date can not 
 be ascertained, but dates about the same 
 as the city of Lock Haven. There was a 
 distillery located in 1800, a little distance 
 below the lock house, at what is now 
 known as Still Hollow ; but long since it 
 has gone to decay, and no traces of it are 
 to be seen now. 
 
 In 1834 the hotel, known as the Hanna 
 hotel, was built by N. Hanna, and kept 
 first by Jared Huling, afterwards by 
 Coleman Hulingj Hoagla'uder, Alexander 
 Mahon, Benjamin Myers, Viosburg, and 
 last by R. M. Hapna; it was burned down 
 in 1858. The Woodward hoVise was built 
 in 1847, and was first kept by Benjamin 
 Myers, nntil 1852, from 1852 to 1858 by 
 Wm. Quigley, after;wards by Sheriff Han- 
 na. In 1866 it was purchased by John 
 Ferguson & Co., and is in their possession 
 at this date. The ' first school house 
 was Mtuated in the ravine or entrance to 
 the Mackey property. 
 
 In 1853 a post office was established, 
 and continued tivo ySars with Thomas 
 Bailey post masier. It was afterwards 
 removed to Dunnsburg; It was called 
 "Loveland." That part known as the 
 western addition, was formerly a part of 
 the Joseph Hanna farm. In 1855 it was 
 purchased by William White and laid 
 out. At present the town consists of one 
 street, called Water street, and is built up 
 its entire length. 
 
 The first store was kept by William 
 Caldwell, afterwards by Hanna & Sons, 
 also by Henry Schultze. Mrs. Agaes 
 Bigger commenced keeping store in lS42, 
 in the store room now occupied by Lewis 
 Hoover', and continued for a great many 
 years; afterwards the stofe was kept by 
 Thos. Blackburn. 
 
 The first brewery was built in 1860 by 
 Baucher & Garger; was burned down in 
 1868. It was re-built by Baucher in the 
 fall of '63. In '65 was sold to Widman & 
 Pepper; was burned in Feb., 1876, and was 
 re-built by Rudolph Widman in 1876. 
 
 The Mackey property, which lies on the 
 hill, north of the town, was purchased by 
 Hon. L. A. Mackey, in 1854, from Na- 
 thaniel Hanna, being about 50 acres. A 
 great deal of money has been expended 
 by Mr. Mackey, in making this one of the 
 most beautiful places in the county. This 
 place is very beautifully laid out and 
 tjvstefulljf.jdlecorated with trees and ever- 
 
 Lockport proper was a psBi§iiZS€f^ f^i^SSQi^Ss^nj kinds. There is a grapery 
 
HISTORICAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 22t 
 
 of about two acres which yields from two 
 to four hundred bushels aiinually; alsp a 
 very large and extensive hot house, which 
 yields large quantities of early plA;nts and 
 vegetables, besides itowers and fi-uits of 
 every/descriptlon, all under the skillful 
 management of Mr. Moses Cummings. ,. 
 
 The. great flood of 1861, did. consider- 
 able damage, destroying the canal navi- 
 gation. Again th« flood of ' '65, which 
 was.fourt;een feet, high, was the highest 
 March 17, St. Patrick's day^ It carried 
 away part of tJie bridge and some dwelling, 
 houses, destroying canal nayigatjonagaij^. 
 and it did not re-bpen until the following 
 October. There was also another great 
 flood in 186% doing much damage. 
 
 At this, ppint all th? lumber that coaes 
 down the West Branch and its tribu.ta,j:ies 
 stops; this being the head of market of 
 the West Branbb^ The greatest number 
 of timber rafts that has come down in one 
 season has been estimated at about 2800. 
 In 1860 the hotel in the -vjestem part was 
 built and kept until the present, by B.. 
 M. Hanna, lately deceased. This is a 
 large four-story fra,me building with base- 
 metit, and has entertained in one day in 
 the rafting season as high as 1400 persons, 
 and in one season as high as 30,000. The 
 Woodward house has also entertained 
 from 12000 to 35000 in one season.. 
 
 At the present time there are forty ^nine 
 dwelling houses, two hundred and seventy- 
 five inhabitants, two hotels, one store, 
 kept by Lewis Hoover, formerly, of Qlear- 
 fipld county, one 'brewery, two blaokr 
 smith shops and one school house. 
 
 Dunnsburg at present has about 45 
 dwelling houses, one church, two saw, 
 mills, one tannery, one school house, and 
 about 250 inhabits^ntg. Purin^ the latter i 
 part of the war this township paid a 
 bounty of $400. The following is a list 
 of soldiers who served in the war : . Sam- 
 uel Shoemaker, Jno. R. Shcemaker, Jacob 
 Shoemaker, Jacob Blush, Samuel Blufih, 
 Christ Weaver, Rudolph Weaver, Peter 
 Weaver, Frederick Weaver, Wro. Reiter, 
 W. O. Smith, Wm. Smith, John. Green, 
 Frederick Sorger. Abram Litzj Walker 
 Litz, Abram Nichols, Lyman Fry, James 
 F. Kinley, Michael Cohoe, Christ Bow- 
 man, F. F. McCloskey, W. B. MeCloskey, 
 Wm. Cline McCloskey, Irvin T. McClos- 
 key, Richard Newberry, Washington 
 Newberry, Jno. Showers, Samuel Wilson, 
 A. G. Fleming, Geo. Myexa^^Frank Bick- 
 ford Frank Weymouth, i%fiEi» S,itohey^> 
 
 Fei-diUand Rote, Charles Rote, Thdmas i 
 Bartholomew, Jesse Reeder,\ George C. ; 
 Curns, Robert F. Curns, Henry King, W. 
 J. .King, . James Butler, Adam Bentz,: 
 Henry. Fargus, James F. ^Baker^i W. .P. 
 ButneJl, Thos. W.. Burnell, John Kneply, 
 James Poorman, Peter Poorman, Cha,rles 
 Shuj.-.tlifi', EdwardiKj DaviSiBobert Moore, 
 John S.' Schultae, Wm. Osbourne, . John 
 Batehalet, John Slifer, Fred. Slifer, John 
 McNall, Joseph TJlQian,, i David Hanna, 
 Wesley Hanna, Wm. B. Hanna, Christ 
 Forcej John Cohan and Fred.- Probst 
 were . kilted in battle; .Henry King was 
 wounded at fche-battle of ; Fair Daks, and 
 died in the bospitalai Philadelphia; Wm. 
 Reed, Jerry Coboe> John Seybold, and 
 Walter Litz, diedfrpm (iiseases contracted 
 while, in the army. 
 
 The. river flats of this township seein to 
 have been a favctrite resort of the Indians. 
 
 :inness says : 
 
 "An Indian town Stood on the site 
 now occupied ' by ' Dunnsbiirg ; another 
 called Pattersoritown was located opposite 
 the motath of Chatham's Run. The next 
 most" important one was located on the 
 level bottoma short distance above Lock- 
 port, and belonged to the Monseys. They 
 also cultivated corn here. Traces of 
 their' village were, perceptible long after 
 the ■ arrival of the whites, and some of 
 the oldest inhabitants remember the little 
 ijillocks where the corn grew. The place 
 is known at this day by the name of 
 Monseytdwn flats." 
 
 Upon the farm of Isaac A. Packer 
 have recently beei^' found the bones of 
 two Indians buried in the soil. In the mouth 
 of one of the skeletons there was a well- 
 formed and w^U-preserved clay pipe which 
 is now in the possession of Mr. Packer. 
 
 In regard to the evidences of the ex- 
 istence and, operations of Indians in the 
 vicinity Heginness further says : 
 
 "On digging the , canal thrpugh the 
 rocks, near .'Liberty, several skeletons 
 were discovered in a tolerably good State 
 of preservation. 
 
 In 1854 James W;ilson9.nd A. H. Mc- 
 Henry, of Jersey Shore, discovered what 
 was evidently an extensive Indian pottiery 
 about five miles up Qiieens Run. A large 
 detached rock stood at this point,) fand 
 .aaa^i^^ was a cave sufQciently large. 
 
228 
 
 IIISTOBIOAL VIEW OF CLINTON COUNTY. 
 
 to shelter tliirty men. It contained a 
 large quantity of muscle shells. From 
 appearances around' the rook the people 
 came to the conolusloh that sumo kind of 
 mineral had beon taken out. Those 
 gentlemen examined the trronnd and 
 found great quantities of broken j>ottery 
 buried in a heap, and unmistakable evf- 
 denoe of a hearth where they had been 
 baked. A double curbing of stones was 
 nicely set iu the ground in the form of an 
 ellipsis, about ten feet in diameter, where 
 the kiln was erected. Charcoal and 
 other remains of flro were distinctly visi- 
 ble. The mnsolo shells wtre carried 
 there, pulverized and mixed in the clay 
 which formed their pots. On examining 
 broken specimens tlie pulverised shells 
 can be perceived in the form of glisten- 
 ingparticles." 
 
 Woodward township is well supplied 
 with valuable minerals, the principle ones 
 being fire clay, potter's clay, coal and iron 
 ore. The first exists in largo quantities 
 on Queens Run, where, for many years, 
 it was extensively used in the manufac- 
 ture of brick. Coal was also mined on 
 quite a large scale many years auo at the 
 same place. The iron ore still remains 
 undeveloped. Potter's clay has recently 
 beon found on the farm of Mrs. Nancy 
 MoCloskey, and according to the follow- 
 ing analysis, made by Prof. Otto Wuth, 
 chemist, of Pittsburg, the material is val- 
 uable. 
 
 Silica, 68.20; Alumina, 81.03; Pr. Ox. 
 Iron, 1.88; Magnesia, 08; Lime, 27; Soda, 
 — ; Potash, — ; Water, 7.8)1; Organic 
 matter, 04; Alkalies, 06. 
 
 Hollenbaok, McDonnel & Co. commenc- 
 ed operations at Queens Run between 
 1885 and '40, as manufacturers of lire 
 brick and minors of coal, and continued 
 the business for a number of years, tlien 
 sold out to Messrs. Mackey, Graflus & 
 Scott, of Look Haven, by whom tliu op- 
 erations wore continued several years 
 longer; then tlio Arm became Mackey, 
 Fredericks & Co.; then it was changed to 
 John Williams & Co., and tlicn to Fred- 
 ericks, Munro & Co. In connection 
 with the manufacture of flro-brick and 
 the mining of coal, lumbering was car- 
 ried on to a considerable 
 flro brick made at Queens/ 
 
 groat demand, being of a good quality, 
 and found a ready market, wherever 
 such articles wore noodeii. Tho coal was 
 shijiped to vai'iouB places down the river, 
 Columbia being the principal point. Tho 
 lumber, of course, sought a market at 
 tho usual places down tho river. Tho 
 property at present is owned by lllno?, 
 May & Greenough, but the works aro 
 not in operation. 
 
 At one time Queens Run was a very 
 important business point. Besides tho 
 fire-brick works, saw mill, store, &o., 
 there wore not loss than sixty dwellingf, 
 Including thit houses occupied by tho 
 minors at tho mines two miles distant 
 trom Queens Run proper, nearly all of 
 which are now in ruins or very much di- 
 lapidated. 
 
 In tho spring of JSafS, ,Tohn Feller, Jolin 
 Wltohey and Nicholas Sutor came fiom 
 Switzerland and moved into wliat is now 
 the "German Settlement," then a droaiy 
 wilderness, without a hotiso or iiuir, o'l' 
 oven a road, except a few hunter's patlis. 
 J. Feller built tho first house, or ratlior 
 log hut, in the settlement. It stood on 
 the land now owned by Jacob Weise. It 
 was made of round logs, built to a point 
 and covered with slab boards. Mi-. Follor 
 and seventeen mon cut and hauled tho 
 logs, put up tlio liouse, split tho boards, 
 
 §ut on the rooC and put in tlio win- 
 ows and door all in ono day. Tho next 
 day Mr. F. and family moved into Mils 
 now houHo and wore nioro contentod and 
 happy than some jieoplo that live in 
 splendid mansions. .(. Witohey and N. 
 outer put up liouscs soon afun-, and'bogan 
 to clear up small i)alcho8 for gardonn, 
 potatoes, &o. Tlils was all done witliout. 
 tho aid of atoam. Within ton yotCrs at tor 
 llio first settlors locatod, quite' an acces- 
 sion was mado to tho number of inlialil- 
 tants by arrivals from tho "I'^adorland;" 
 among thorn wore tlm Swopcs, ProlmtN, 
 Shoemakers and Wdnkors. The first 
 Holiool liouHo was built in 1841 on tho 
 land now ownod by H. F. Probst. Tlio 
 first teacher wiiH Wm. Hiloy. Tliis school 
 house was afterwards romodolc.d and 
 diiingod into a church, known as tho 
 Evangelical chtirch, and usod for that 
 
 ositent. The mn-poso until 1860, when tho new church 
 
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